Patents Assigned to E Ink Corporation
  • ELECTROPHORETIC PARTICLES, AND PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20060024437
    Abstract: Copper chromite particles can advantageously be used as black particles in electrophoretic media and displays. Preferably, the copper chromite particles are coated with a silica coating and a polymer coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Publication date: February 2, 2006
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony Pullen, Thomas Whitesides, Charles Honeyman, Barrett Comiskey, Jonathan Albert
  • Construction of electrophoretic displays
    Patent number: 6987603
    Abstract: An electrophoretic display (100) comprises a front light-transmissive substrate (112), a rear substrate (116) spaced from the front substrate (112) so as to leave a cavity, and an electrophoretic medium (102) in the cavity, the electrophoretic medium (102) comprising a liquid external phase (120) and a plurality of capsules (104) suspended in the liquid external phase (120), each of the capsules comprising a capsule wall, a suspending fluid (106) held within the capsule wall and at least one electrically charged particle (108, 110) suspended in the suspending fluid (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Robert W. Zehner, Karl R. Amundson, Craig A. Herb, Alexi C. Arango, Andrew L. Loxley
  • ELECTROPHORETIC MEDIUM AND PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20060007527
    Abstract: A two-phase electrophoretic medium comprises a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase. The discontinuous phase comprises a plurality of droplets, each of which comprises a suspending fluid and at least one particle disposed within the suspending fluid and capable of moving through the fluid upon application of an electric field to the electrophoretic medium. The continuous phase surrounds and encapsulates the discontinuous phase. To reduce the humidity sensitivity of the medium, a non-ionizable or crystalline polymer may be used as the continuous phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Richard Paolini, David Miller, Barrett Comiskey, Joseph Jacobson, Bin Wu, Charles Honeyman, Jian Lin
  • CAPSULES, MATERIALS FOR USE THEREIN AND ELECTROPHORETIC MEDIA AND DISPLAYS CONTAINING SUCH CAPSULES
    Publication number: 20060007528
    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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lan Cao, Libing Zhang, Charles Honeyman, Kimberly Houde, Andrew Loxley, David Miller, Richard Paolini, Tibyron Quinn, Michael Steiner, Thomas Whitesides
  • Components and methods for use in electro-optic displays
    Patent number: 6982178
    Abstract: A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Richard D. LeCain, Ara N. Knaian, Steven J. O'Neil, Gregg M. Duthaler, Guy M. Danner, Robert W. Zehner, Alberto Goenaga, Benjamin Max Davis, Randolph W. Chan, Jonathan D. Albert, Glen Crossley
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DRIVING ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20050280626
    Abstract: Waveforms for driving electro-optic displays, especially bistable electro-optic displays, are modified by one or more of insertion of at least one balanced pulse pair into a base waveform; excision of at least one balanced pulse pair from the base waveform; and insertion of at least one period of zero voltage into the base waveform. Such modifications permit fine control of gray levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karl Amundson, Robert Zehner, Theodore Sjodin
  • Microencapsulated electrophoretic display with integrated driver
    Patent number: 6967640
    Abstract: A mounted display assembly comprises a flexible substrate that supports both display elements and control circuits. The display assembly generally comprises: an electrical connection formed on the flexible substrate, the electrical connection having first and second contact pads; a display element in electrical communication with the first contact pad; and a control circuit mounted on the flexible substrate and in electrical communication with the second contact pad. In a preferred embodiment, the display element comprises a microencapsulated electrophoretic display medium. In another preferred embodiment, printing processes are employed in manufacturing methods for the display assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Albert, Holly G. Gates
  • TILED DISPLAYS AND METHODS FOR DRIVING SAME
    Publication number: 20050253777
    Abstract: A tiled electro-optic display (100) comprises a plurality of display units (102) each of which can be individually removed from the display, and a controller (104, 110) arranged to supply drive signals to the plurality of display units (102) and thereby write images thereon, the electro-optic display (100) further comprising means (112) for modifying the drive signals supplied by the controller (104, 110) to reduce variation in electro-optic performance among the plurality of display units (102).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Applicants: E INK CORPORATION, VOSSLOH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES KARLSFELD GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Zehner, Werner Malcherek
  • Capsules, materials for use therein and electrophoretic media and displays containing such capsules
    Patent number: 6958848
    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: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Lan Cao, Charles Howie Honeyman, Kimberly L. Houde, Andrew L. Loxley, David D. Miller, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Tibyron Quinn, Michael L. Steiner, Thomas H. Whitesides, Libing Zhang
  • METHODS FOR DRIVING ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAYS, AND APPARATUS FOR USE THEREIN
    Publication number: 20050219184
    Abstract: A bistable electro-optic display has a plurality of pixels, each of which is capable of displaying at least three gray levels. The display is driven by a method comprising: storing a look-up table containing data representing the impulses necessary to convert an initial gray level to a final gray level; storing data representing at least an initial state of each pixel of the display; receiving an input signal representing a desired final state of at least one pixel of the display; and generating an output signal representing the impulse necessary to convert the initial state of said one pixel to the desired final state thereof, as determined from said look-up table. The invention also provides a method for reducing the remnant voltage of an electro-optic display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Zehner, Holly Gates, Karl Amundson, Joanna Au, Ara Knaian, Jonathan Zalesky, Alexi Arango
  • LIGHT MODULATORS
    Publication number: 20050213191
    Abstract: Various improvements in electrophoretic media and displays intended for use in light modulators are described. These improvements include index matching of the suspending fluid to a continuous phase surrounding the fluid, index matching of a capsule wall to a binder, planarization of a layer containing electrophoretic capsules before application of adhesive thereto, methods for concentrating electrophoretic particles into limited areas of sidewalls of electrophoretic capsules or microcells in the light-transmissive state of the display, and, in the case of light modulators comprising an electrophoretic layer sandwiched between two transparent plates, forming at least one of the plates so as to absorb electromagnetic radiation which adversely affects the electrophoretic layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Whitesides, Michael McCreary, Richard Paolini
  • METHODS FOR DRIVING BISTABLE ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20050212747
    Abstract: A bistable electro-optic display having at least one pixel is driven using a waveform V(t) such that: J = ? 0 T ? V ? ( t ) ? M ? ( T - t ) ? ? t (where T is the length of the waveform, the integral is over the duration of the waveform, V(t) is the waveform voltage as a function of time t, and M(t) is a memory function that characterizes the reduction in efficacy of the remnant voltage to induce dwell-time-dependence arising from a short pulse at time zero) is less than about 1 volt sec.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Karl Amundson
  • Electro-optic displays, and methods for driving same
    Patent number: 6950220
    Abstract: The invention relates to electro-optic displays and methods for driving such displays. The invention provides (i) electrochromic displays with solid charge transport layers; (ii) apparatus and methods for improving the contrast and reducing the cost of electrochromic displays; (iii) apparatus and methods for sealing electrochromic displays from the outside environment and preventing ingress of contaminants into such a display; and (iv) methods for adjusting the driving of electro-optic displays to allow for environmental and operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Abramson, Karl R. Amundson, Guy M. Danner, Gregg M. Duthaler, Holly G. Gates, Charles H. Honeyman, Ara N. Knaian, Ian D. Morrison, Steven J. O'Neil, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Anthony Edward Pullen, Jianna Wang, Jonathan L. Zalesky, Robert W. Zehner, John Edward Cronin
  • BACKPLANES FOR ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20050190137
    Abstract: A backplane for an electro-optic display comprises a plurality of pixel electrodes, and an adhesive layer disposed adjacent the backplane, the adhesive layer comprising a plurality of pixel regions disposed adjacent the pixel electrodes of the backplane, and at least one inter-pixel region disposed between two pixels of the backplane, the at least one inter-pixel region having at least one of a lower dielectric constant and a higher volume resistivity than the pixel regions of the adhesive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregg Duthaler, Guy Danner, Jason Pinto, Justin Abramson, David Miller, John Atkinson, Alain Bouchard
  • ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAYS WITH REDUCED REMNANT VOLTAGE
    Publication number: 20050179642
    Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods (including driving methods) for reducing the effects of remnant voltages in electro-optic displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Russell Wilcox, Thomas Whitesides, Karl Amundson, Guy Danner, Richard Webber, Charles Honeyman, Lan Cao, Richard Paolini, Rajesh Chebiyam
  • PROCESS FOR SEALING ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20050168801
    Abstract: An electro-optic display (100) comprising a backplane (102), a layer (112) of electro-optic material and a protective layer (128) capable of absorbing ultra-violet radiation and disposed on the opposed side of the layer (112) of electro-optic material from the backplane (102), is provided with an edge seal (130). The protective layer (128) extends beyond the layer (112) of electro-optic material, thus leaving a peripheral gap between the protective layer (128) and the backplane (102). To form the edge seal (130) an uncured edge sealing material curable by radiation transmitted by the protective layer (128) is placed in the gap and cured by transmitting radiation through the protective layer (128).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven O'Neil, Gregg Duthaler
  • ELECTROPHORETIC MEDIA AND PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF
    Publication number: 20050168799
    Abstract: A first electrophoretic medium comprises an electrically charged particle suspended in a suspending fluid, the particle having a polymeric shell having repeating units derived from at least one monomer the homopolymer of which is incompatible with the suspending fluid. A second, similar electrophoretic medium comprises a suspending fluid, and first and second types of electrically charged particle suspended in the suspending fluid, the two types of particle having differing optical characteristics but both having polymeric shells. The polymeric shells are arranged such that homoaggregation of the two types of particles is thermodynamically favored over heteroaggregation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas Whitesides, Qingye Zhou, Robert Zehner, Karl Amundson, Suzanne Balko, Alberto Goenaga, Peter Valianatos, Charles Honeyman, Elizabeth Gates, Matthew King, Russell Wilcox
  • Flexible electro-optic displays
    Patent number: 6922276
    Abstract: An encapsulated electrophoretic medium comprises a plurality of capsules dispersed in a polymeric binder, each of the capsules comprising a capsule wall, a suspending fluid contained within the capsule wall, and a plurality of electrically charged particles suspended in the suspending fluid and capable of moving therethrough upon application of an electric field to the medium, the polymeric binder having a shear modulus of at least about 10 mPa at 20° C., and preferably over the range of 10-50° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Libing Zhang, Mavyn M. Holman, Russell J. Wilcox, Alberto Goenaga, Michael L. Steiner
  • PREPARATION OF CAPSULES
    Publication number: 20050156340
    Abstract: Prior art processes for producing protein-based capsules (for example, capsules for use in electrophoretic media) tend to be wasteful because they produce many capsules outside the desired size range, which is typically about 20 to 50 ?m. Capsule size distribution and yields can be improved by either (a) emulsifying a water-immiscible phase in a preformed coacervate of the protein; or (b) using a limited coalescence process with colloidal alumina as the surface-active particulate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Peter Valianatos, Rajesh Chebiyam, Jeremy Manning, Michael Steiner, Thomas Whitesides, Michael Walls
  • ELECTRO-OPTIC DISPLAYS, AND METHODS FOR DRIVING SAME
    Publication number: 20050152018
    Abstract: The invention relates to electro-optic displays and methods for driving such displays. The invention provides (i) electrochromic displays with solid charge transport layers; (ii) apparatus and methods for improving the contrast and reducing the cost of electrochromic displays; (iii) apparatus and methods for sealing electrochromic displays from the outside environment and preventing ingress of contaminants into such a display; and (iv) methods for adjusting the driving of electro-optic displays to allow for environmental and operating parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Justin Abramson, Karl Amundson, Guy Danner, Gregg Duthaler, Holly Gates, Charles Honeyman, Ara Knaian, Ian Morrison, Steven O'Neil, Richard Paolini, Anthony Pullen, Jianna Wang, Jonathan Zalesky, Robert Zehner, John Cronin