Abstract: A system and method of use of a storage capacitor to improve the appearance and addressing characteristics of an electronically driven display. The capacitor is formed by the overlap of portions of electrodes used to address different pixels, or by the overlap of an addressing line and a conductor. An insulator layer situated between the capacitor electrodes can be the same insulator layer present in an FET transistor used to address the pixel. Methods of use of capacitors to achieve improved display addressing are disclosed.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 19, 2006
Publication date:
April 19, 2007
Applicant:
E INK CORPORATION
Inventors:
Karl Amundson, Paul Drzaic, Peter Kazlas
Abstract: Electro-optic displays contain a plurality of types of electro-optic media within a single layer. One form of display has separate areas which undergo different color changes so that the display can blink the same image in different colors. A second form of display has areas which switch at different rates so that images can appear transiently. A third form of display has a medium comprising multiple types of electro-optic elements having differing color states and switching speeds to allow display of a wide color gamut.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 23, 2004
Date of Patent:
April 17, 2007
Assignee:
E Ink Corporation
Inventors:
Charles Howie Honeyman, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Michael L. Steiner, Thomas H. Whitesides, Andrew Y. Oleson, Richard M. Webber
Abstract: An encapsulation material, intended for use in encapsulated electrophoretic displays, comprises the coacervation product of a polyanionic polymer having a vinyl main chain and a plurality of anionic groups bonded to the main chain, with a cationic or zwitterionic water-soluble polymer capable of forming an immiscible second phase on contact with the polyanionic polymer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 30, 2006
Date of Patent:
April 10, 2007
Assignee:
E Ink Corporation
Inventors:
Libing Zhang, Kimberly L. Houde, Andrew L. Loxley, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Michael L. Steiner
Abstract: A method and system for applying addressing voltages to pixels of a display involves receiving input data. The input data includes an indication of an addressing voltage impulse to be applied to a pixel via an electrode. One or more voltage sources are selected, to provide the addressing voltage impulse. The one or more voltage sources each have a pre-selected voltage. The selected one or more voltage sources are electrically connected to an electrode to apply the addressing voltage impulse to the pixel.
Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises a substrate (100), non-linear devices (102) disposed substantially in one plane on the substrate (100), pixel electrodes (106) connected to the non-linear devices (102), an electro-optic medium (110) and a common electrode (112) on the opposed side of the electro-optic medium (110) from the pixel electrodes (106). The moduli of the various parts of the display are arranged so that, when the display is curved, the neutral axis or neutral plane lies substantially in the plane of the non-linear devices (102).
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 16, 2006
Publication date:
March 29, 2007
Applicant:
E INK CORPORATION
Inventors:
Karl Amundson, Andrew Ritenour, Gregg Duthaler, Paul Drzaic, Yu Chen, Peter Kazlas
Abstract: A method for addressing a bistable electro-optic display having at least one pixel comprises applying an addressing pulse to drive the pixel to a first optical state; leaving the pixel undriven for a period of time, thereby permitting the pixel to assume a second optical state different from the first optical state; and applying to the pixel a refresh pulse which substantially restores the pixel to the first optical state, the refresh pulse being short relative to the addressing pulse.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 23, 2003
Date of Patent:
March 20, 2007
Assignee:
E Ink Corporation
Inventors:
Guy M. Danner, Karl R. Amundson, Robert W. Zehner, Alexi C. Arango, Jay Britton Ewing
Abstract: A system of electronically active inks is described which may include electronically addressable contrast media, conductors, insulators, resistors, semiconductive materials, magnetic materials, spin materials, piezoelectric materials, optoelectronic, thermoelectric or radio frequency materials. We further describe a printing system capable of laying down said materials in a definite pattern. Such a system may be used for instance to: print a flat panel display complete with onboard drive logic; print a working logic circuit onto any of a large class of substrates; print an electrostatic or piezoelectric motor with onboard logic and feedback or print a working radio transmitter or receiver.
Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises a substrate (100), non-linear devices (102) disposed substantially in one plane on the substrate (100), pixel electrodes (106) connected to the non-linear devices (102), an electro-optic medium (110) and a common electrode (112) on the opposed side of the electro-optic medium (110) from the pixel electrodes (106). The moduli of the various parts of the display are arranged so that, when the display is curved, the neutral axis or neutral plane lies substantially in the plane of the non-linear devices (102).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 27, 2004
Date of Patent:
March 13, 2007
Assignee:
E Ink Corporation
Inventors:
Karl R. Amundson, Andrew P. Ritenour, Gregg M. Duthaler, Paul S. Drzaic, Yu Chen, Peter T. Kazlas
Abstract: A system of electronically active inks is described which may include electronically addressable contrast media, conductors, insulators, resistors, semiconductive materials, magnetic materials, spin materials, piezoelectric materials, optoelectronic, thermoelectric or radio frequency materials. We further describe a printing system capable of laying down said materials in a definite pattern. Such a system may be used for instance to: print a flat panel display complete with onboard drive logic; print a working logic circuit onto any of a large class of substrates; print an electrostatic or piezoelectric motor with onboard logic and feedback or print a working radio transmitter or receiver.
Abstract: A display comprises spaced first and second electrodes, and a plurality of electrochromic nanoparticles disposed between the electrodes, each of the nanoparticles having an electron-rich state and an electron-depleted state, the two states differing in at least one optical characteristic. Upon injection of charge from one of the electrodes, the nanoparticles switch between their electron-rich and electron-depleted states, thus changing an optical characteristic of the display.
Abstract: A thin-film transistor includes a gate electrode having a first gate electrode edge and a second gate electrode edge opposite the first gate electrode edge. The TFT also includes a drain electrode having a first drain electrode edge that overlaps the first gate electrode edge, and a second drain electrode edge that overlaps the second gate electrode edge. A method for fabricating a diode array for use in a display includes deposition of a conductive layer adjacent to a substrate, deposition of a doped semiconductor layer adjacent to the substrate, and deposition of an undoped semiconductor layer adjacent to the substrate. A display pixel unit provides reduced capacitative coupling between a pixel electrode and a source line. The unit includes a transistor, the pixel electrode, and the source line. The source line includes an extension that provides a source for the transistor. A patterned conductive portion is disposed adjacent to the source line.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 31, 2006
Publication date:
February 15, 2007
Applicant:
E INK CORPORATION
Inventors:
Karl Amundson, Yu Chen, Kevin Denis, Paul Drzaic, Peter Kazlas, Andrew Ritenour
Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises a layer (130) of a solid electro-optic material, at least one electrode disposed adjacent the layer (130) of electro-optic material, and a layer (180) of a lamination adhesive interposed between the layer (130) of electro-optic material and the electrode, the lamination adhesive (180) having a higher electrical conductivity in a direction perpendicular to the layer of lamination adhesive than in the plane of the layer.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 5, 2006
Publication date:
February 15, 2007
Applicant:
E INK CORPORATION
Inventors:
Karl Amundson, Robert Zehner, Richard Webber, Katharine Geramita, Libing Zhang, Andrew Loxley, Gregg Duthaler, John Ritter, Michael Steiner, Mavyn Holman, Justin Abramson, Glen Crossley
Abstract: A system and method of use of a storage capacitor to improve the appearance and addressing characteristics of an electronically driven display. The capacitor is formed by the overlap of portions of electrodes used to address different pixels, or by the overlap of an addressing line and a conductor. An insulator layer situated between the capacitor electrodes can be the same insulator layer present in an FET transistor used to address the pixel. Methods of use of capacitors to achieve improved display addressing are disclosed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 8, 2004
Date of Patent:
February 13, 2007
Assignee:
E Ink Corporation
Inventors:
Karl R. Amundson, Paul S. Drzaic, Peter T. Kazlas
Abstract: A first electro-optic display comprises first and second substrates, and an adhesive layer and a layer of electro-optic material disposed between the first and second substrates, the adhesive layer comprising a mixture of a polymeric adhesive material and a hydroxyl containing polymer having a number average molecular weight not greater than about 5000. A second electro-optic display is similar to the first but has an adhesive layer comprising a thermally-activated cross-linking agent to reduce void growth when the display is subjected to temperature changes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 5, 2004
Date of Patent:
February 6, 2007
Assignee:
E Ink Corporation
Inventors:
Harit Doshi, Charles H. Honeyman, Seungman Sohn, Simon Pang, Lan Cao, Bin Wu, David D. Miller, Gregg M. Duthaler, James P. Araujo
Abstract: An electrophoretic medium comprises a plurality of particles suspended in a suspending fluid, the particles being capable of moving through the fluid upon application of an electric field to the medium, the fluid having dissolved or dispersed therein a polymer having a number average molecular weight in excess of about 20,000, the polymer being essentially non-absorbing on the particles. The polymer improves the bistability of the display (i.e., the period for which a written image persist without the display being refreshed) but does not greatly increase the viscosity of the suspending fluid, thus keeping the switching time of the display within reasonable limits. The medium may be encapsulated, or may be in the form a polymer-dispersed electrophoretic medium.
Abstract: Novel addressing schemes for controlling electronically addressable displays include a scheme for rear-addressing displays, which allows for in-plane switching of the display material. Other schemes include a rear-addressing scheme which uses a retroreflecting surface to enable greater viewing angle and contrast. Another scheme includes an electrode structure that facilitates manufacture and control of a color display. Another electrode structure facilitates addressing a display using an electrostatic stylus. Methods of using the disclosed electrode structures are also disclosed. Another scheme includes devices combining display materials with silicon transistor addressing structures.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 27, 1998
Date of Patent:
January 23, 2007
Assignee:
E Ink Corporation
Inventors:
Jonathan D. Albert, Barrett Comiskey, Joseph M. Jacobson
Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises a backplane; a layer of electro-optic material disposed adjacent the backplane; a protective layer; and a sealing layer of a metal or a ceramic extending between the backplane and the protective layer, and thus sealing the layer of electro-optic material from the outside environment.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 23, 2006
Publication date:
December 28, 2006
Applicant:
E INK CORPORATION
Inventors:
Shamus Patry, Richard Paolini, Thomas Whitesides, Robert Zehner, Jonathan Albert, Harit Doshi
Abstract: We describe a system of electronically active inks which may include electronically addressable contrast media, conductors, insulators, resistors, semiconductive materials, magnetic materials, spin materials, piezoelectric materials, optoelectronic, thermoelectric or radio frequency materials. We further describe a printing system capable of laying down said materials in a definite pattern. Such a system may be used for instance to: print a flat panel display complete with onboard drive logic; print a working logic circuit onto any of a large class of substrates; print an electrostatic or piezoelectric motor with onboard logic and feedback or print a working radio transmitter or receiver.
Abstract: An electro-optic display is driven using a plurality of different drive schemes. The waveforms of the drive schemes are chosen such that the absolute value of the net impulse applied to a pixel for all homogeneous and heterogeneous irreducible loops divided by the number of transitions in the loop is less than about 20 percent of the characteristic impulse (i.e., the average of the absolute values of the impulses required to drive a pixel between its two extreme optical states).