Patents by Inventor Robert A. Sprague

Robert A. Sprague 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).

  • DRIVING BISTABLE DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20120274671
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to waveforms, circuits and methods for driving bistable displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: SIPIX IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Sprague, Wanheng Wang, Yajuan Chen, Andrew Ho, Bryan Hans Chan, Jialock Wong, Hong-Mei Zang
  • Driving methods for bistable displays
    Patent number: 8274472
    Abstract: Driving methods are described for display devices which have one or more dielectric layers in the path of an electric field driving the display. In an embodiment, image uniformity is improved by periodically refreshing, using an intermediate color state, pixels that remain in one color state before and after a change in displaying a first image and a second image, and by applying driving signals using voltage levels and durations that maintain a global DC balance in the display at near zero to avoid contrast reduction and image artifacts in the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: SiPix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Wanheng Wang, Yajuan Chen, Robert Sprague, Andrew Ho, Hongmei Zang
  • Driving bistable displays
    Patent number: 8243013
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to waveforms, circuits and methods for driving bistable displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sipix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Sprague, Wanheng Wang, Yajuan Chen, Andrew Ho, Bryan Hans Chan, Jialock Wong, Hong-Mei Zang
  • Display device with a brightness enhancement structure
    Patent number: 8237892
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to display devices with a brightness enhancement structure comprising display cells comprising partition walls, and brightness enhancement micro-structures. The present invention is also directed to processes for the manufacture of display devices. The processes enable fabricating a display device with the micro-structures aligned with the display cells of the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Sipix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Sprague, Craig Lin
  • Display devices having micro-reflectors and color filters
    Patent number: 8238021
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a brightness enhancement structure comprising micro-reflectors. The process comprises forming an array of micro-structures by embossing; and depositing a metal layer over the surface of the micro-structures. The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a display device comprising micro-reflectors. The present invention further relates to a display device comprising micro-reflectors and color filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Sipix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Sprague, Yi-Shung Chaug, HongMei Zang, Xiaojia Wang, Gary Kang
  • ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY FLUID
    Publication number: 20120134010
    Abstract: This invention relates to an electrophoretic display fluid comprising a non-mobile or semi-mobile phase and two types of charged pigment particles dispersed in a solvent or solvent mixture, and an electrophoretic display device utilizing such an electrophoretic display fluid. The electrophoretic fluid of the present invention provides improved image qualities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Robert A. Sprague, Xiaojia Wang
  • METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATIC GLUE LEVEL CONTROL
    Publication number: 20120109371
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for automatically controlling hot glue level in a book-binding apparatus. The embodiments include monitoring glue level in a reservoir and measuring glue temperature in the reservoir. If the glue level is below a level threshold value and the glue temperature value is above a temperature threshold, the system dispenses a predetermined amount of meltable glue pellets into the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventors: AARON MATTHEW SANDERS, JOHN ALLEN STROSSMAN, WILLIAM MATTHEW HARNEY, RONALD WILLIAM BOGERT, RANDY ROBERT SPRAGUE
  • Color display devices
    Patent number: 8169690
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to color display devices. The color display devices comprise display cells which is capable of displaying multiple color states. The display device may also comprise black matrix layers or a brightness enhancement structure on the viewing side. The present invention is directed to a display device comprising a plurality of display cells, wherein each of said display cells is sandwiched between a first layer comprising a common electrode and a second layer comprising a plurality of driving electrodes and at least one of the driving electrodes is a designated electrode, and said display device further comprises blocking layers on its viewing side and said blocking layers are located in positions corresponding to the designated electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Sipix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Lin, Robert A. Sprague
  • Electrophoretic display structures
    Patent number: 8154790
    Abstract: This invention relates to a display device comprising a plurality of display cells, wherein said display cells are separated by slanted partition walls. This invention also relates to a display device comprising a plurality of display cells, wherein said display cells are separated by indented partition walls having indented areas. The electrophoretic structures of the present invention may be manufactured by a continuous or semi-continuous roll-to-roll manufacturing process. The structures in which display cells are separated by slanted partition walls or partition walls having indented areas are capable of providing enhanced color states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sipix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaojia Wang, Robert A. Sprague, Gary Yih-Ming Kang
  • Inhaler that uses focused acoustic waves to deliver a pharmaceutical product
    Patent number: 8122880
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for delivering medication to the lungs is described. Acoustic ink printing technology is modified to operate as an inhaler that generates tiny droplets near a patient's nose or mouth. The tiny droplets are easily carried by air currents into the patient's lungs. The inhaler itself is preferably a battery operated portable device that can be easily carried and easily cleaned to avoid contaminating the medication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Jaan Noolandi, Babur B. Hadimioglu, Robert A. Sprague
  • Luminance enhancement structure for reflective display devices
    Patent number: 8120836
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to luminance enhancement structures for reflective display devices. The structure comprises columns and grooves, wherein each of said grooves has a cross-section comprising an apex angle and two edge lines. The structure increases the overall reflectance by reducing the total internal reflection, and as a result, the brightness of a display device is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: SiPix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Lin, Robert A. Sprague
  • Color display devices
    Patent number: 8072675
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to color display devices in which each display cell is capable of displaying three color states. The display fluid filled in the display cells comprises two types of pigment particles. The color display device may further comprise a brightness enhancement structure on its viewing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: SiPix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Lin, Robert A. Sprague
  • COMPOSITE DISPLAY MODULES
    Publication number: 20110273363
    Abstract: The present invention provides composite display modules which have reduced visible dead space between display modules. This is of particular interest for the price rail, where it is desirable to achieve a long (about 3-4 ft) section of an active module. The present invention is directed to a composite display module comprising: (a) more than one single display module, wherein said single display modules are not edge-sealed and they are mounted on a single back support structure and are kept tightly close to each other right up to their edges; and (b) said composite display module is edge sealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Robert A. Sprague, Bryan Hans Chan
  • ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY WITH ENHANCED CONTRAST
    Publication number: 20110261433
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic display with enhanced contrast. The invention is directed to an electrophoretic display comprising: a first layer comprising a common electrode, a second layer comprising at least one collecting pixel electrode, a plurality of display cells which are sandwiched between the first layer and the second layer and are filled with an electrophoretic fluid comprising charged pigment particles dispersed in a solvent or solvent mixture; and a background layer. More specifically, the invention provides an electrophoretic display having the dark color state darker while maintaining the same intensity of the lighter color state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Robert A. Sprague, Craig Lin
  • ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY FLUID
    Publication number: 20110217639
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic fluid which comprises a non-mobile or semi-mobile phase and charged pigment particles. The fluid has many advantages, such as increased contrast without affecting the switching speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Robert A. Sprague
  • Color display devices
    Patent number: 7982941
    Abstract: The color display of the present invention involves a two particle system and is capable of displaying multiple colors with high quality black and white states. The color states are suitable for highlighting function. The color display does not require alignment between the electrodes and the display cells in which a display fluid is filled, which significantly reduces the complexity of the design and also lowers the manufacturing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: SiPix Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Lin, Robert A. Sprague
  • SPATIALLY COMBINED WAVEFORMS FOR ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20110096104
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a driving method for compensating the response speed change of an electrophoretic display due to temperature variation, photo-degradation or aging of the display device, without a complex structure (e.g., use of sensors). This is accomplished by combining two waveforms, one of which causes the grey level to become dimmer and the other waveform causes the grey level to become brighter, as the response speed degrades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventors: Robert A. Sprague, Craig Lin, Tin Pham, Ping-Yueh Cheng
  • ELECTRONIC INFORMATION DISPLAYS
    Publication number: 20110080362
    Abstract: The present invention offers an electronic information display which can be updated at a very low cost. This is accomplished by an electronic display device and a separate writer device. The writer device may comprise an electronic backplane, a mechanical fixture which can be easily be pressed against the electronic information display, and a wireless network and computational infrastructure which connect the writer device to a data base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventor: Robert A. Sprague
  • DISPLAY DEVICES HAVING MICRO-REFLECTORS AND COLOR FILTERS
    Publication number: 20110043894
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a brightness enhancement structure comprising micro-reflectors. The process comprises forming an array of micro-structures by embossing; and depositing a metal layer over the surface of the micro-structures. The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a display device comprising micro-reflectors. The present invention further relates to a display device comprising micro-reflectors and color filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Robert A. Sprague, Yi-Shung Chaug, HongMei Zang, Xiaojia Wang, Gary Kang
  • COLOR TUNING FOR ELECTROPHORETIC DISPLAY
    Publication number: 20110043543
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a color tuning composition and a method for adjusting the color temperature of an electrophoretic display. A display device comprising a color tuning layer of the present invention has several advantages. For example, the colors of the images displayed may be modified according to different needs without affecting the performance of the display device; the level of whiteness may be improved; and in some cases, the need for a UV barrier layer may also be eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Hui Chen, HongMei Zang, Robert A. Sprague