Abstract: An electro-optic display comprising, in order: a light-transmissive layer of conductive material; a layer of bistable electro-optic medium; a layer of light-shielding material; a plurality of pixel electrodes; a layer of photoconductive material; and one or more light emitters. In one exemplary embodiment, the layer of photoconductive material is adapted to bridge a gap between an address line and at least one of the pixel electrodes when the photoconductive material is in a low impedance state. In another, non-exclusive embodiment, the electro-optic display further comprises a second electrode layer between the layer of photoconductive material and the one or more light emitters and a driver adapted to apply voltage between the light-transmissive layer of conductive material and the second electrode layer.

Abstract: An energy harvesting electro-optic display is disclosed comprising a photovoltaic cell that converts part of the incident light to electric current or voltage, wherein the electric current or voltage is used for the operation of the electro-optic display upon the conversion or stored in a storage component to be used for the operation of the display

Abstract: An electro-optic media includes either a plurality of microcapsules in a binder, a polymeric sheet containing sealed microcells, or droplets in a continuous polymeric phase. Each of the microcapsules, microcells, or droplets contain a dispersion that includes a plurality of charged composite particles and a suspending fluid, and the charged particles move through the suspending fluid under the influence of an electric field. The composite particles include one or more types of pigment particles that are at least partially coated with a polymeric material. Each of the binder, polymeric sheet, continuous polymeric phase, the charged composite particles, and the suspending fluid have an index of refraction, and a difference between the index of refraction of the composite particles and at least one of the binder, polymeric sheet, continuous polymeric phase, and solvent is less than or equal to 0.05 at 550 nm.

Abstract: An electrophoretic medium includes a fluid, a first, light scattering particle (typically white) and second, third and fourth particles having three subtractive primary colors (typically magenta, cyan and yellow); at least two of these colored particles being non-light scattering. The first and second particles bear polymer coatings such that the electric field required to separate an aggregate formed by the third and the fourth particles is greater than that required to separate an aggregate formed from any other two types of particles. Methods for driving the medium to produce white, black, magenta, cyan, yellow, red, green and blue colors are also described.

Abstract: A method of forming a color-changing fiber that can be incorporated into fabrics and other woven materials. The color changing fibers include an annular wall and a conductive wire axially extending through the annular wall, a core strand surrounded by the annular wall and extending axially through a central portion of the fiber, and an encapsulated electro-optic medium disposed on a surface of the core strand.

Abstract: A display apparatus including: a plurality of display tiles; a controller configured to control the display tiles; a mounting structure for mounting the plurality of display tiles, the mounting structure including a conductive interconnect layer having a plurality of traces configured to connected the plurality of display tiles to the controller, and a connector connecting at least one display tile to the mounting structure. The at least one display tile is sufficiently flexible to have a curvature, wherein the curvature produces a space between the at least one display tile and the mounting structure to house the controller.

Abstract: A magneto-electrophoretic medium that can be globally and locally addressed and erased. The medium provides a writeable display with no perceivable lag and the ability to write and erase with only minimal power requirements. In particular, the magneto-electrophoretic medium can be erased by providing a subthreshold electric stimulus and supplementing a second non-electric stimulus that disturbs the written state and allows the magneto-electrophoretic particles to return to their original state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for pressure-sensitive, electrophoretic displays, which may optionally include haptic feedback. A display may comprise a first conductive layer having a pressure-sensitive conductivity and an electrophoretic layer positioned adjacent to the first conductive layer, wherein the electrophoretic layer is in electrical communication with the first conductive layer and is configured to locally change state based on a pressure applied to the first conductive layer. Local and global writing and erasing of the display can also be achieved.

Abstract: An electrophoretic medium includes a fluid, a first, light scattering particle (typically white) and second, third and fourth particles having three subtractive primary colors (typically magenta, cyan and yellow); at least two of these colored particles being non-light scattering. The first and second particles bear polymer coatings such that the electric field required to separate an aggregate formed by the third and the fourth particles is greater than that required to separate an aggregate formed from any other two types of particles. Methods for driving the medium to produce white, black, magenta, cyan, yellow, red, green and blue colors are also described.

Abstract: An electro-optic device comprising electrophoretic medium including a dispersion of a plurality of particles in a fluid configured to migrate within the fluid in a direction responsive to an applied electric field. The plurality of particles include a first type of particles having a first charge of a first charge polarity, a second type of particles having a second charge of a second charge polarity, and a third type of particles having a third charge of the second charge polarity. The first charge polarity is opposite to the second charge polarity, and the third type of particles are configured to migrate within the fluid in a direction responsive to an applied magnetic field gradient.

Abstract: An active molecule delivery system whereby active molecules can be released on demand and/or a variety of different active molecules can be delivered from the same system and/or different concentrations of active molecules can be delivered from the same system. The invention is well-suited for delivering pharmaceuticals to patients transdermally. In some embodiments, the system includes two separate reservoirs and a mixing area thereby allowing precursors to be mixed immediately before transdermal delivery.

Abstract: A first display comprises a layer of electro-optic material with first and second electrodes on opposed sides thereof, at least one electrode. One or both electrodes having at least two spaced contacts, and voltage control means are arranged to vary the potential difference between the two spaced contacts attached to the same electrode. A second display comprises a layer of electro-optic material with a sequence of at least three electrodes adjacent thereto. Voltage control means vary the potential difference between the first and last electrodes of the sequence. The electrodes of the sequence alternate between the two surfaces of the layer of electro-optic material, and have edges which overlap with or lie adjacent the preceding and following electrodes of the sequence. The electrodes, other than the first and last, are electrically isolated such that the potential thereof is controlled by passage of current through the layer of electro-optic material.

Abstract: A temperature regulation system includes a laminate material that has a first light transmissive electrode layer, a rear electrode layer, and a bistable electrophoretic medium disposed between the first and second electrode layer. The electrophoretic medium includes two types of particles that have different charges and color. The amount of incident radiation (visible light, infrared, etc.) that is absorbed by the laminate can be modified by providing a voltage between the electrode layers.

Abstract: An electro-optic fiber including a conductive fiber, a layer of electro-optic medium on the conductive fiber, and a conductor on the layer of electro-optic medium. A method of making the electro-optic fiber including the steps of coating a conductive fiber with an electro-optic medium and applying a conductor to the electro-optic medium. The resulting fibers can be woven to create a color-changing material, such as a fabric.

Abstract: Active matrix backplanes including an array of hexagonal electrodes or an array of triangular electrodes. Because the backplane designs route the gate lines along the periphery of the electrodes there is less cross talk with the surface of the electrode. The disclosed designs simplify construction and control of the electrodes and improve the regularity of the electric field above the electrode. Such backplane electrode designs may be particularly useful in electrowetting on dielectric (EWoD) devices and electrophoretic displays (EPD).

Abstract: Methods of making a top-plane connection in an electro-optic device and devices including such connections. A through hole is created through a rear substrate to provide a connection between a conductor coupled to the rear substrate and a light-transmissive conductive layer coupled to a top transparent substrate. The hole is subsequently filled with a top-plane connection material that provides an electrical connection between the conductor and the light-transmissive conductive layer, but does not provide an electrical connection between a separate rear conductive layer and the light-transmissive conductor.

Abstract: An electrical connection between the backplane and the light-transmissive front electrode of an electro-optic display is provided by forming an aperture through the top front electrode coupled and a substrate coupled thereto and subsequently introducing a flowable, electrically-conductive material into the aperture. The flowable, electrically-conductive material provides an electrical contact between the light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer and the backplane.

Abstract: A first display comprises a layer of electro-optic material with first and second electrodes on opposed sides thereof, at least one electrode. One or both electrodes having at least two spaced contacts, and voltage control means are arranged to vary the potential difference between the two spaced contacts attached to the same electrode. A second display comprises a layer of electro-optic material with a sequence of at least three electrodes adjacent thereto. Voltage control means vary the potential difference between the first and last electrodes of the sequence. The electrodes of the sequence alternate between the two surfaces of the layer of electro-optic material, and have edges which overlap with or lie adjacent the preceding and following electrodes of the sequence. The electrodes, other than the first and last, are electrically isolated such that the potential thereof is controlled by passage of current through the layer of electro-optic material. Methods for driving these displays are also provided.

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: A first display includes a layer of electro-optic material with first and second electrodes on opposed sides thereof. One or both electrodes have at least two spaced contacts. Voltage control means are arranged to vary the potential difference between the two spaced contacts attached to the same electrode. A second display includes a layer of electro-optic material with a sequence of at least three electrodes adjacent thereto. Voltage control means vary the potential difference between the first and last electrodes of the sequence. The electrodes of the sequence alternate between two surfaces of the layer of electro-optic material, and have edges that overlap or lie adjacent the preceding and following electrodes of the sequence. The electrodes, other than the first and last, are electrically isolated such that the potential thereof is controlled by passage of current through the layer of electro-optic material. Methods for driving these displays are also provided.