Abstract: An electro-optic medium comprises at least one leuco dye such that the electro-optic medium can develop at least two differing colors upon exposure to two or more differing stimuli. The medium allows for development of differing colors in differing areas of the medium, thus allowing formation of intrinsic color within differing areas of a single layer of the same electro-optic medium. In an electrophoretic medium, the colors may be developed within the electrophoretic particles or within the fluid in which the particles are dispersed.

Abstract: An electrophoretic display (100) has stacked first (104) and second (120) electrophoretic layers, each comprising charged particles (W, C, Y, M) in a fluid (106, 122). The first layer contains particles of white (W) and first color (M) particles and has three optical states (a) white particles adjacent a viewing surface; (b) first color particles lie adjacent the viewing surface; and (c) both types of particles shuttered to allow light to pass through the first layer. The second layer contains particles having second (C) and third (Y) colors and has three optical states (d) second particles (C) adjacent the first layer; (e) third particles (Y) adjacent the first layer; and (f) second (C) and third (Y) particles intermixed within the fluid.

Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises a layer of reflective electro-optic material capable of changing its optical state on application of an electric field, an electrode, a heat generating component in heat conducting relationship with the electro-optic material, and a heat shield disposed between the heat generating component and the electro-optic material, the heat shield comprising a layer of thermally insulating material and a layer of thermally conducting material, the thermally conducting material being disposed between the thermally insulating material and the electro-optic material. The invention also provides an electrophoretic medium comprising a suspending fluid and a plurality of electrically charged particles suspended in the suspending fluid and capable of moving therethrough upon application of an electrical field to the electrophoretic medium, the suspending fluid containing a compatibilizer to reduce its coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: An electro-optic display comprising at least two separate layers of electro-optic material, with one of these layers being capable of displaying at least one optical state which cannot be displayed by the other layer. The display is driven by a single set of electrodes between which both layers are sandwiched, the two layers being controllable at least partially independently of one another. Another form of the invention uses three different types of particles within a single electrophoretic layer, with the three types of particles being arranged to shutter independently of one another.

Abstract: Electrical connection between the backplane and the front electrode of an electro-optic display is provided by forming a front plane laminate (100) comprising, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer (104), a layer of electro-optic material (106), and a layer of lamination adhesive (108); forming an aperture (114) through all three layers of the front plane laminate (100); and introducing a flowable, electrically-conductive material (118) into the aperture (114), the flowable, electrically-conductive material being in electrical contact with the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer (104) and extending through the adhesive layer (108).

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods (including driving methods) for reducing the effects of remnant voltages in electro-optic displays.

Abstract: An electro-optic display comprising at least two separate layers of electro-optic material, with one of these layers being capable of displaying at least one optical state which cannot be displayed by the other layer. The display is driven by a single set of electrodes between which both layers are sandwiched, the two layers being controllable at least partially independently of one another. Another form of the invention uses three different types of particles within a single electrophoretic layer, with the three types of particles being arranged to shutter independently of one another.

Abstract: An electro-optic display having a color filter array is produced by attaching together a direct thermal imaging layer (112) and a backplane (102) having a two-dimensional array of pixel electrodes. The direct thermal imaging layer (112) is then exposed to temperatures sufficient to form a plurality of differently colored areas in the direct thermal imaging layer, the plurality of differently colored areas being aligned with the two-dimensional array of pixel electrodes.

Abstract: A display device (30) comprises a reflective display (38) arranged to render a first image viewable through a viewing surface and a projection means (31-37) arranged to render a second image viewable in reflection on the viewing surface, the reflective display (38) and the projection means (31-37) being mounted on a common frame.

Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods (including driving methods) for reducing the effects of remnant voltages in electro-optic displays.

Abstract: A multi-color electrophoretic medium contains first, second and third species of particles, the particles having substantially non-overlapping electrophoretic mobilities and bring of three different colors. The particles are dispersed in a fluid having a fourth color. A method for driving such a display is also described.

Abstract: A process for producing a color electro-optic display uses an electro-optic sub-assembly comprising an electro-optic layer and a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer. This sub-assembly is laminated to a backplane comprising a plurality of electrodes with the electro-optic layer disposed between the backplane and the electrically-conductive layer. A flowable material is placed over the sub-assembly and a color filter array is placed over the electrically-conductive layer and aligned with the electrodes of the backplane to form the color electro-optic display.

Abstract: A multi-color electrophoretic medium contains first, second and third species of particles, the particles having substantially non-overlapping electrophoretic mobilities and bring of three different colors. The particles are dispersed in a fluid having a fourth color. A method for driving such a display is also described.

Abstract: A process for producing a color electro-optic display uses an electro-optic sub-assembly comprising an electro-optic layer and a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer. This sub-assembly is laminated to a backplane comprising a plurality of electrodes with the electro-optic layer disposed between the backplane and the electrically-conductive layer. A flowable material is placed over the sub-assembly and a color filter array is placed over the electrically-conductive layer and aligned with the electrodes of the backplane to form the color electro-optic display.

Abstract: An electrophoretic medium has walls defining a microcavity containing an internal phase. This internal phase comprises electrophoretic particles suspended in a suspending fluid and capable of moving therethrough upon application of an electric field to the electrophoretic medium. The average height of the microcavity differs by not more than about 5 ?m from the saturated particle thickness of the electrophoretic particle divided by the volume fraction of the electrophoretic particles in the internal phase.

Abstract: A first apparatus for displaying a color image comprises an electro-optic display (1002) having a plurality of pixels, each of which can be independently set to a light-transmissive optical state or a substantially opaque optical state, and lighting means (1006) arranged to flash separate pulses of light of at least two differing colors on to one surface of the electro-optic display (1002). A second apparatus for generating pulses of light of differing colors comprising a light source and a filter assembly comprising first (1100) and second (1106) electro-optic layers each having a light-transmissive state and a colored state, the two colored states being different, and electrodes to switch these layers between these states.

Abstract: The performance of electro-wetting displays can be improved by: (a) providing a concealment member (112) which conceals the moving fluid (108) when that fluid (108) is confined to a small area; (b) using the moving fluid to cover one or more sections of a filter or reflector having differently-colored sections; (c) moving the moving fluid between the rear surface and a side surface of a microcell; (d) using as a substrate for a moving fluid a substrate resistant to wetting by the fluid but pierced by multiple conductive vias capped with a material wetted by the fluid; and (e) coloring the moving fluid with pigments or nanoparticles.

Abstract: A wavelength selective reflection display (10) comprises a wavelength selective reflection medium (20) and a backing member (30) having a first, non-reflective optical state, and a second, reflective optical state. Both the wavelength selective reflection medium (20) and the backing member (30) are divided into pixels (40, 50, 60), and the backing member (30) is switchable between its first and second optical states on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The pixels of the backing member (30) are substantially aligned with those of the wavelength selective reflection medium (20).

Abstract: A tetrachromatic color filter array comprises multiple pixels, each of which comprises first, second, third and fourth sub-pixels having first, second, third and fourth hues, P1, P2, P3 and P4 respectively, these first, second, third and fourth hues having first, second and third hue angles, h1, h2, h3 and h4 respectively. The hues of the sub-pixels such that h3 equals h1+(180°±10°) and h4 equals h2+(180°±10°) in the a*b* plane of the La*b* color space.

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. A third electro-optic display, intended for writing with a stylus or similar instrument, is produced by forming a layer of an electro-optic material on an electrode; depositing a substantially solvent-free polymerizable liquid material over the electro-optic material; and polymerizing the polymerizable liquid material.