Patents by Inventor Hywel HOPKIN
Hywel HOPKIN has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11968858Abstract: A top-emitting subpixel structure may include at least one bank structure defining a plurality of emissive areas, and an emissive structure located in each emissive area. The subpixel structure may have a subpixel length and a subpixel width less than the subpixel length, a ratio of the subpixel length to the subpixel width defining a subpixel aspect ratio. Each emissive area may have an emissive area length and an emissive area width shorter than the emissive area length, a ratio of the emissive area length to the emissive area width defining an emissive area aspect ratio. The subpixel length may define a primary axis when the subpixel aspect ratio is greater than the emissive area aspect ratio; otherwise, the emissive area length may define the primary axis. At least a majority of the emissive areas may be arranged successively widthwise along a secondary axis perpendicular to the primary axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Sharp Display Technology CorporationInventors: David James Montgomery, Hywel Hopkin
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Patent number: 11864402Abstract: A top emitting quantum dot light emitting diode (QLED) apparatus for an emissive display apparatus sub-pixel, with at least one bank defining an emissive region of the emissive display apparatus sub-pixel, includes an emissive layer deposited in the emissive region between a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode includes a reflective metal, and the second electrode has a transparent conductive electrode and an auxiliary electrode. The bank has a sloped portion adjacent the emissive region. The auxiliary electrode includes a reflective conductive metal and is configured to cover the sloped portion, and the sloped portion is configured at an angle, such that the auxiliary electrode reflects internally reflected light out of the sub-pixel in a viewing direction, and the auxiliary electrode is configured with a partially light scattering surface to broaden a reflective angle range of the auxiliary electrode.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hywel Hopkin
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Patent number: 11785819Abstract: A light emitting structure comprises a substrate, a sub-pixel stack over a surface of the substrate, a bank surrounding the sub-pixel stack and forming an interior space above the sub-pixel stack, a first material filling the interior space and having a first refractive index, and a second material over the first material and having a second refractive index substantially higher than the first refractive index. The sub-pixel stack comprises an emissive layer between a first transport layer and a second transport layer, a first electrode layer coupled to the first transport layer, and a second electrode layer coupled to the second transport layer. The second electrode layer has a third refractive index substantially matched to the first refractive index.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: David James Montgomery, Hywel Hopkin
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Publication number: 20230066311Abstract: A top-emitting subpixel structure may include at least one bank structure defining a plurality of emissive areas, and an emissive structure located in each emissive area. The subpixel structure may have a subpixel length and a subpixel width less than the subpixel length, a ratio of the subpixel length to the subpixel width defining a subpixel aspect ratio. Each emissive area may have an emissive area length and an emissive area width shorter than the emissive area length, a ratio of the emissive area length to the emissive area width defining an emissive area aspect ratio. The subpixel length may define a primary axis when the subpixel aspect ratio is greater than the emissive area aspect ratio; otherwise, the emissive area length may define the primary axis. At least a majority of the emissive areas may be arranged successively widthwise along a secondary axis perpendicular to the primary axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: DAVID JAMES MONTGOMERY, HYWEL HOPKIN
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Publication number: 20230064348Abstract: A light-emitting structure comprises a substrate, a sub-pixel stack patterned over the substrate, an insulating material patterned to surround the emissive stack, and a bank patterned to surround the sub-pixel stack and the insulating material. The sub-pixel stack comprises an emissive stack between a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: PETER NEIL TAYLOR, VALERIE BERRYMAN-BOUSQUET, HYWEL HOPKIN
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Publication number: 20230037057Abstract: A top-emitting pixel device is disclosed. The pixel device may include a reflective bottom electrode disposed over a substrate, a first charge transport layer disposed over the reflective bottom electrode, an emissive layer disposed over the first charge transport layer, and a second charge transport layer disposed over the emissive layer. Further, the pixel device may include a patterned transparent polymer electrode disposed over the second charge transport layer and extending laterally to cover an emissive area of the top-emitting pixel device, and a patterned auxiliary electrode disposed at least partially over the patterned transparent polymer electrode outside of the emissive area of the top-emitting pixel device to make direct electrical contact with the patterned transparent polymer electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2021Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: HYWEL HOPKIN, VALERIE BERRYMAN-BOUSQUET, ANDREW KAY, ALEX YUDIN, ALESSANDRO MINOTTO
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Patent number: 11508931Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a first electrode, an electron transport layer (ETL), a second electrode being a transparent conductive electrode (TCE) including electrically conductive nanoparticles; an emissive layer (EML) in electrical contact with the first electrode and the second electrode; and an ultrathin metal layer between the TCE and the ETL, wherein the ultrathin metal layer provides an energy step between the TCE and the ETL.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hywel Hopkin
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Patent number: 11508930Abstract: A light-emitting device having a first electrode, a second electrode, and an emissive layer (EML) in electrical contact with the first electrode and the second electrode. A charge transport layer (CTL) is positioned between the EML and the second electrode, with the second electrode being an ultrathin transparent metal layer of less than five nanometers, and including an auxiliary electrode metal grid formed by wet etching. The ultrathin transparent metal layer is positioned between the CTL and the auxiliary electrode metal grid, and the ultrathin metal layer is preferably a metal with an etchant selectivity such that it is unaffected by the wet etching of the auxiliary electrode.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2020Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hywel Hopkin
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Publication number: 20220352480Abstract: A top emitting quantum dot light emitting diode (QLED) apparatus for an emissive display apparatus sub-pixel, with at least one bank defining an emissive region of the emissive display apparatus sub-pixel, includes an emissive layer deposited in the emissive region between a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode includes a reflective metal, and the second electrode has a transparent conductive electrode and an auxiliary electrode. The bank has a sloped portion adjacent the emissive region. The auxiliary electrode includes a reflective conductive metal and is configured to cover the sloped portion, and the sloped portion is configured at an angle, such that the auxiliary electrode reflects internally reflected light out of the sub-pixel in a viewing direction, and the auxiliary electrode is configured with a partially light scattering surface to broaden a reflective angle range of the auxiliary electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventor: Hywel HOPKIN
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Publication number: 20220352414Abstract: A top emitting quantum dot light emitting diode (QLED) apparatus for an emissive display device sub-pixel, with at least one bank defining an emissive region of the emissive display device sub-pixel, includes an emissive layer deposited in the emissive region between a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode comprising a reflective metal, and the second electrode has a transparent conductive electrode and an auxiliary electrode. The bank has a sloped portion adjacent the emissive region. The auxiliary electrode includes a reflective conductive metal and is configured to cover the sloped portion, and the sloped portion is configured at an angle, such that the auxiliary electrode reflects internally reflected light out of the sub-pixel in a viewing direction and a first area of the transparent conductive electrode covering the sloped portion is thinner than a second area of the transparent conductive electrode in the emissive region.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventor: HYWEL HOPKIN
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Publication number: 20220320190Abstract: A light emitting structure comprises a substrate, a sub-pixel stack over a surface of the substrate, a bank surrounding the sub-pixel stack and forming an interior space above the sub-pixel stack, a first material filling the interior space and having a first refractive index, and a second material over the first material and having a second refractive index substantially higher than the first refractive index. The sub-pixel stack comprises an emissive layer between a first transport layer and a second transport layer, a first electrode layer coupled to the first transport layer, and a second electrode layer coupled to the second transport layer. The second electrode layer has a third refractive index substantially matched to the first refractive index.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: DAVID JAMES MONTGOMERY, HYWEL HOPKIN
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Publication number: 20220165978Abstract: A light-emitting device having a first electrode, a second electrode, and an emissive layer (EML) in electrical contact with the first electrode and the second electrode. A charge transport layer (CTL) is positioned between the EML and the second electrode, with the second electrode being an ultrathin transparent metal layer of less than five nanometers, and including an auxiliary electrode metal grid formed by wet etching. The ultrathin transparent metal layer is positioned between the CTL and the auxiliary electrode metal grid, and the ultrathin metal layer is preferably a metal with an etchant selectivity such that it is unaffected by the wet etching of the auxiliary electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2020Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventor: HYWEL HOPKIN
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Publication number: 20220165981Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a first electrode, an electron transport layer (ETL), a second electrode being a transparent conductive electrode (TCE) including electrically conductive nanoparticles; an emissive layer (EML) in electrical contact with the first electrode and the second electrode; and an ultrathin metal layer between the TCE and the ETL, wherein the ultrathin metal layer provides an energy step between the TCE and the ETL.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2020Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventor: HYWEL HOPKIN
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Patent number: 11024681Abstract: A multimode display device is configured for enhanced performance of a non-directional (public) viewing mode and one or more directional (narrow) viewing modes. The display device includes a switchable optical assembly disposed on a viewing side of a top emitting electroluminescent display. The switchable optical assembly includes one of a switchable parallax layer that includes an electro optic material, or a non-switchable parallax layer in combination with a switchable scattering device that includes the electro-optic material and is disposed on the viewing side of the non-switchable parallax layer. The switchable optical assembly is switched so as to re-configure the display device between the non-directional and directional viewing modes.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nathan James Smith, Hywel Hopkin
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Patent number: 11002998Abstract: A backlight system controls a viewing angle in a switchable privacy display system that achieves a strong private mode and enhanced brightness in the private and public modes as compared to conventional configurations. The backlight system includes a first backlight unit that emits light from a non-viewing side of the backlight system toward a viewing side of the backlight system; a second backlight unit located on a viewing side of the first backlight unit that emits light toward the viewing side of the backlight system; and a privacy optic that includes a liquid crystal material and is located on a non-viewing side of the second backlight unit and between the first backlight unit and the second backlight unit, wherein the privacy optic operates to transmit light from the first backlight unit in a limited viewing angle range.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hywel Hopkin, Nathan James Smith
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Publication number: 20210050393Abstract: A multimode display device is configured for enhanced performance of a non-directional (public) viewing mode and one or more directional (narrow) viewing modes. The display device includes a switchable optical assembly disposed on a viewing side of a top emitting electroluminescent display. The switchable optical assembly includes one of a switchable parallax layer that includes an electro optic material, or a non-switchable parallax layer in combination with a switchable scattering device that includes the electro-optic material and is disposed on the viewing side of the non-switchable parallax layer. The switchable optical assembly is switched so as to re-configure the display device between the non-directional and directional viewing modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2019Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Nathan James Smith, Hywel Hopkin
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Patent number: 10899605Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) includes a flexible membrane that creates a suction force by flexing to permit manipulation of a microscale object. The MEMS element includes a casing structure; a flexible membrane attached to the casing structure; and an electrode structure, wherein a voltage applied to the electrode structure causes the flexible membrane to flex relative to the casing structure. The flexible membrane and the casing structure define a gap into which the flexible membrane may flex, and a foot extending from the flexible membrane in a direction away from the casing structure, wherein the foot and the flexible membrane define a clearance region on an opposite side of the flexible membrane from the gap. When the MEMS element interacts with an object to be manipulated the foot spaces the membrane apart from the object, and flexing of the membrane generates the suction force for manipulating the object.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hywel Hopkin, Nathan Smith
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Patent number: 10884314Abstract: A switchable reflective colour filter is provided for use in a display device. The switchable reflective colour filter includes a plurality of sub-pixel regions of at least two colour types, each including a layer of phase change material which is switchable between a first state and a second state, the first and second states being two solid but structurally distinct states having different optical properties. Each sub-pixel region further includes two electrode layers, a mirror layer, and a spacer layer or air gap. The phase change material layer in each sub-pixel region is positioned between the two electrode layers, and separated from the mirror layer by the spacer layer or air gap. The switchable reflective colour filter may be incorporated into a display device including a pixelated switchable absorber. A luminance of coloured light reflected from any of the sub-pixel regions is controllably attenuated by the pixelated switchable absorber.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2016Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Benjamin John Broughton, Diego Gallardo, Edward David Heywood-Lonsdale, Hywel Hopkin
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Patent number: 10802343Abstract: A liquid crystal device (LCD) is configured for minimizing unwanted internal ambient light reflections. The LCD includes a plurality of layers, the layers comprising from a viewing side: a first linear polariser; an external retarder that is made of a cyclic olefin polymer (COP) material or a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) material; a colour filter substrate; a colour filter layer; an internal reactive mesogen (RM) retarder alignment layer; an internal reactive mesogen (RM) retarder; a liquid crystal (LC) layer; and a second linear polarizer. The external retarder and the internal RM retarder are configured such that the optical properties (for example light polarization control function) of the external retarder and the internal retarder are matched to negate each other for light passing through the external retarder and the internal RM retarder. The LCD simultaneously maintains high image quality in both high and low ambient lighting conditions.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Nathan James Smith, Andrew Acreman, Hywel Hopkin, Kiyoshi Minoura, Koji Murata, Yuichi Kawahira, Akira Sakai, Jiyun Yu
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Patent number: 10795477Abstract: A flexible electronic device is used to receive user inputs via flex gestures. The electronic device includes a flexible substrate, a shape sensor configured to determine an axis of bending and a degree of flex of the flexible substrate, and a processor coupled to the shape sensor and configured to determine a flex gesture associated with the axis of bending and the degree of flex, wherein the processor updates an output of the electronic device based on the flex gesture. The output includes display information, user interface elements, and a flex gesture input for a device that is coupled to the electronic device. The flex gestures can be assigned to functions such as moving, zooming, scrolling, cropping, rotating, and selection to manipulate content associated with the flexible electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Andrew Kay, William Frederick Smith, Paul Antony Gass, Hywel Hopkin