Abstract: A display device comprising picture elements, which are constituted by electrowetting elements having at least one first fluid and a second fluid immiscible with each other within a space between a first support plate and a second support plate, the second fluid being electro-conductive or polar. The first fluid in each element is at the side of the first support plate confined by element walls, and the second fluid is shared by a plurality of picture elements, characterized by a preventer for preventing first fluid portions from being expelled from its confinement when forces other than electrowetting forces are exerted on this fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of driving an electrowetting display device including a display element, the display element having an electrode for applying a voltage and providing a display state in response to a signal level of the voltage. The method comprises the following subsequent steps for maintaining a display state of the display element: (1) applying a first signal level (Va) during a first period (t1 t2) for the display state; (2) applying a second signal level (0) during a second period (t2-t3); and (3) applying the first signal level during a third period (t3-t4). The first period is longer than 1 ms and the first period plus the third period is longer than five times the second period.

Abstract: A display device comprising picture elements, which are constituted by electrowetting elements having at least one first fluid and a second fluid immiscible with each other within a space between a first support plate and a second support plate, the second fluid being electro-conductive or polar. The first fluid in each element is at the side of the first support plate confined by element walls, and the second fluid is shared by a plurality of picture elements, characterised by a preventer for preventing first fluid portions from being expelled from its confinement when forces other than electrowetting forces are exerted on this fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of driving an electrowetting display device including a display element, the display element having an electrode for applying a voltage and providing a display state in response to a signal level of the voltage. The method comprises the following subsequent steps for maintaining a display state of the display element: (1) applying a first signal level (Va) during a first period (t1 t2) for the display state; (2) applying a second signal level (0) during a second period (t2-t3); and (3) applying the first signal level during a third period (t3-t4). The first period is longer than 1 ms and the first period plus the third period is longer than five times the second period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical element, used e.g. in an electrowetting display device comprising a number of pixels, arranged in an array. Each optical element comprises a cell filled with a polar conductive fluid (5), such as a water solution, and a non-polar fluid (6), such as an oil. The cell further comprises first and second planar electrodes (7, 10), covered with first and second hydrophobic layers (8, 11). By applying a voltage between on one hand the first fluid and on the second hand alternately the first or second electrodes (7, 10), the oil (6) is forced to migrate between the first and second hydrophobic layers (8, 11). Thus a bi-stable, energy efficient optical element is provided.

Abstract: Display apparatus with a display area (2) having a plurality of pixels (9), a mixing unit (3) for preparing a predetermined quantity of color material for one of the plurality of pixels (9), and a transfer unit (4) for transferring the predetermined quantity for a pixel (9) to the associated pixel position in the display area (2). The transfer of color material can be based on an electro-wetting mechanism, an electrophoresis mechanism or a pumping mechanism.

Abstract: An optical switch, e.g. a display device based on layer break up or layer displcement having at least two different states, in which one of the fluids (5) e.g oil in a first state adjoins at least a first support plate (3) and in the second state the other fluid (6) at least partly adjoins the first support plate, in which picture elements are separated by areas (13) having a hydrophilic surface.

Abstract: Several possibilities of driving devices (13,14,15) for optical switches, especially displays (1) based on the principle of electrowetting are given. This principle uses optical switches comprising a first fluid (5) and a second fluid (6) immiscible with each other within a space between a first transparent support plate (3) and a second support plate (4), the second fluid being electro˜conductive or polar.

Abstract: A variable lens having an optical axis is described. The lens comprises a plurality of annuli located around the optical axis. Each annulus has respective side walls defining a chamber containing a first fluid and a second fluid in contact over a meniscus. The fluids are substantially immiscible and have different refractive indices. At least one of the annuli comprises at least one electrode for altering the configuration of the meniscus.

Abstract: An optical switch, e.g. a display cell based on layer displacement or layer break up having at least two different states, in which one of the fluids (5) e.g. oil in a first state adjoins at least a first support plate (3) and in the second state the other fluid (6) at least partly adjoins the first support plate. Part of an otherwise homogeneous electrode (7) is removed to realize oil motion control.

Abstract: Display device based on layer displacement having a perforated white substrate (14) positioned close to a transparent substrate (4). Layer (fluid) displacement such as oil movement results in the (colored) oil film (5) being pumped in a controlled manner above the white substrate. Fluids of three subtractive colors can be independently pumped to separate spaces. Based on the color strength of the used fluids good color rendition can be obtained for a flow channel thickness of less than 25 microns and therefore a total pixel thickness including the sub pixel reservoirs of less than 200 microns.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a fluid meniscus with variable configurations by means of electrowetting. A fluid chamber (5) holds two different fluids (A, B) separated by a meniscus (14) of which the edge, having different sides, is constrained by the fluid chamber. A first electrowetting electrode (2a) is arranged to act on a first side of the meniscus edge and a second electrowetting electrode (2a?) is arranged to act separately on a second side of the meniscus edge. Selected meniscus configurations can be formed by providing selected voltages to the first and second electrowetting electrodes respectively.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for fabricating micro-devices comprising aluminumoxide structures without the need for an extra lithographical processing step. So, no extra mask is needed. It appears that under certain circumstances, aluminumoxide walls arise in the etching process, just above sloped walls of underlying metal structures. The fact that the walls of the metal structures are sloped, is essential here. Using the method according to the invention, aluminumoxide structures can be fabricated that are aligned exactly above the sloped walls of the metal structure. These aligned aluminumoxide structures can be used as walls in for example microfluidic channels, electrowetting displays, electrophoretic displays or field emitting displays.

Abstract: A switchable optical element is described, along with a method of manufacturing such an element. The switchable optical element (1) comprises a fluid chamber (2) including immiscible first and second bodies of fluid (20, 22) disposed relative to one another along an optical axis (A) of the element (1). The second body of fluid (22) is movable in a direction away from the optical axis (A) by electro-wetting action, giving the switchable optical element (1) a changeable transmissivity along the optical axis (A). The switchable optical element (1) is suitable for use as an optical attenuator, e.g. a shutter, filter or diaphragm, and can be conveniently used in place of mechanical alternatives in applications such as cameras, laser resonant cavities, projectors and devices for scanning optical record carriers.

Abstract: In a 2D/3D display, a switchable lenticular array having foci which can be switched in a continuous way between first focal strength and a second focal strength is provided. The switchable lenticular array comprises fluid cylindrical lens portions, while the foci can be controlled by electrowetting.

Abstract: A subtractive display device comprising picture elements having sub-pixels, each sub-pixel comprising a stack of switchable layers (5,25) or components and a color filter part (21).

Abstract: A variable focus lens comprising a first fluid (A) and a second, non-miscible, fluid (B) in contact over a meniscus. A first electrode (2) separated from the fluid bodies by a fluid contact layer (10), and a second electrode (12) in contact with the first fluid to cause an electrowetting effect whereby the shape of the meniscus is altered. The fluid contact layer has a substantially cylindrical inner wall.

Abstract: Display device based on layer break up or layer displacement having at least two different states, in which one of the fluids (5) e.g oil in a first state adjoins at least a first support plate (3) and in the second state the other fluid (6) at least partly adjoins the first support plate. In one embodiment a picture element corresponds to a substantially closed space and in the first state the other fluid layer substantially completely adjoins both support plates and is divided in two sub-layers. This makes it possible on the one hand to use lower voltages to make displacement occur. On the other hand this opens the opportunity to color displays.