Patents by Inventor Robert W. Zehner
Robert W. Zehner 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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Publication number: 20100265561Abstract: The invention relates to electro-optic displays and methods for driving such displays. The invention provides (i) electrochromic displays with solid charge transport layers; (ii) apparatus and methods for improving the contrast and reducing the cost of electrochromic displays; (iii) apparatus and methods for sealing electrochromic displays from the outside environment and preventing ingress of contaminants into such a display; and (iv) methods for adjusting the driving of electro-optic displays to allow for environmental and operating parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: E INK CORPORATIONInventors: Holly G. Gates, Charles H. Honeyman, Ara N. Knaian, Steven J. O'Neil, Richard J. Paolini, JR., Jonathan L. Zalesky, Robert W. Zehner, Ian D. Morrison, Anthony Edward Pullen, Jianna Wang, John Edward Cronin, Justin Abramson, Karl R. Amundson, Guy M. Danner, Gregg M. Duthaler
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Publication number: 20100220121Abstract: A bistable electro-optic display has a plurality of pixels, each of which is capable of displaying at least three gray levels. The display is driven by a method comprising: storing a look-up table containing data representing the impulses necessary to convert an initial gray level to a final gray level; storing data representing at least an initial state of each pixel of the display; receiving an input signal representing a desired final state of at least one pixel of the display; and generating an output signal representing the impulse necessary to convert the initial state of said one pixel to the desired final state thereof, as determined from said look-up table. The invention also provides a method for reducing the remnant voltage of an electro-optic display.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: E INK CORPORATIONInventors: Robert W. Zehner, Holly G. Gates, Karl R. Amundson, Joanna F. Au, Ara N. Knaian, Jonathan L. Zalesky, Alexi C. Arango
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Publication number: 20100220122Abstract: A bistable electro-optic display has a plurality of pixels, each of which is capable of displaying at least three gray levels. The display is driven by a method comprising: storing a look-up table containing data representing the impulses necessary to convert an initial gray level to a final gray level; storing data representing at least an initial state of each pixel of the display; receiving an input signal representing a desired final state of at least one pixel of the display; and generating an output signal representing the impulse necessary to convert the initial state of said one pixel to the desired final state thereof, as determined from said look-up table. The invention also provides a method for reducing the remnant voltage of an electro-optic display.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: E Ink CorporationInventors: Robert W. Zehner, Holly G. Gates, Karl R. Amundson, Joanna F. Au, Ara N. Knaian, Jonathan L. Zalesky, Alexi C. Arango
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Patent number: 7787169Abstract: The invention relates to electro-optic displays and methods for driving such displays. The invention provides (i) electrochromic displays with solid charge transport layers; (ii) apparatus and methods for improving the contrast and reducing the cost of electrochromic displays; (iii) apparatus and methods for sealing electrochromic displays from the outside environment and preventing ingress of contaminants into such a display; and (iv) methods for adjusting the driving of electro-optic displays to allow for environmental and operating parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2005Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: E Ink CorporationInventors: Justin J. Abramson, Karl R. Amundson, Guy M. Danner, Gregg M. Duthaler, Holly G. Gates, Charles H. Honeyman, Ara N. Knaian, Ian D. Morrison, Steven J. O'Neil, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Anthony Edward Pullen, Jianna Wang, Jonathan L. Zalesky, Robert W. Zehner, John E. Cronin
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Publication number: 20100149630Abstract: A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: E INK CORPORATIONInventors: Richard D. LeCain, Ara N. Knaian, Steven J. O'Neil, Gregg M. Duthaler, Guy M. Danner, Robert W. Zehner, Alberto Goenaga, Benjamin Max Davis, Randolph W. Chan, Jonathan D. Albert, Glen Crossley
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Publication number: 20100142030Abstract: A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2010Publication date: June 10, 2010Applicant: E INK CORPORATIONInventors: Richard D. LeCain, Ara N. Knaian, Steven J. O'Neil, Gregg M. Duthaler, Guy M. Danner, Robert W. Zehner, Alberto Goenaga, Benjamin Max Davis, Randolph W. Chan, Jonathan D. Albert, Glen Crossley
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Patent number: 7733335Abstract: A bistable electro-optic display has a plurality of pixels, each of which is capable of displaying at least three gray levels. The display is driven by a method comprising: storing a look-up table containing data representing the impulses necessary to convert an initial gray level to a final gray level; storing data representing at least an initial state of each pixel of the display; receiving an input signal representing a desired final state of at least one pixel of the display; and generating an output signal representing the impulse necessary to convert the initial state of said one pixel to the desired final state thereof, as determined from said look-up table. The invention also provides a method for reducing the remnant voltage of an electro-optic display.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: E Ink CorporationInventors: Robert W. Zehner, Holly G. Gates, Alexi C. Arango, Karl R. Amundson, Joanna F. Au, Ara N. Knaian
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Patent number: 7733311Abstract: A gray scale bistable electro-optic display is driven by storing a look-up table containing data representing the impulses necessary for transitions, storing data representing at least an initial state of each pixel of the display, storing data representing temporal and gray level prior states of each pixel, receiving an input signal representing a desired final state of at least one pixel of the display; and generating an output signal representing the impulse necessary for a transition, as determined from the look-up table, dependent upon the temporal and gray level prior states. Other similar methods for driving such displays are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: E Ink CorporationInventors: Karl R. Amundson, Robert W. Zehner, Ara N. Knaian, Benjamin Zion
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Patent number: 7729039Abstract: A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: E Ink CorporationInventors: Richard D. LeCain, Ara N. Knaian, Steven J. O'Neil, Gregg M. Duthaler, Guy M. Danner, Robert W. Zehner, Alberto Goenaga, Benjamin Max Davis, Randolph W. Chan, Jonathan D. Albert, Glen Crossley
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Patent number: 7688297Abstract: A bistable electro-optic display has a plurality of pixels, each of which is capable of displaying at least three gray levels. The display is driven by a method comprising: storing a look-up table containing data representing the impulses necessary to convert an initial gray level to a final gray level; storing data representing at least an initial state of each pixel of the display; receiving an input signal representing a desired final state of at least one pixel of the display; and generating an output signal representing the impulse necessary to convert the initial state of said one pixel to the desired final state thereof, as determined from said look-up table. The invention also provides a method for reducing the remnant voltage of an electro-optic display.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: E Ink CorporationInventors: Robert W. Zehner, Holly G. Gates, Karl R. Amundson, Joanna F. Au, Ara N. Knaian, Jonathan L. Zalesky, Alexi C. Arango
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Publication number: 20090322721Abstract: Edge effects in electro-optic displays are reduced by (a) ensuring that during rewriting of the display, the last period of non-zero voltage applied all pixels terminates at substantially the same time; and (b) scanning the display at a scan rate of at least 50 Hz.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Applicant: E Ink CorporationInventors: Robert W. Zehner, Karl R. Amundson
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Patent number: 7602374Abstract: Edge effects in electro-optic displays are reduced by (a) ensuring that during rewriting of the display, the last period of non-zero voltage applied all pixels terminates at substantially the same time; and (b) scanning the display at a scan rate of at least 50 Hz.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2004Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: E Ink CorporationInventors: Robert W. Zehner, Karl R. Amundson
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Publication number: 20090231661Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises a backplane; a layer of electro-optic material disposed adjacent the backplane; a protective layer; and a sealing layer of a metal or a ceramic extending between the backplane and the protective layer, and thus sealing the layer of electro-optic material from the outside environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: E Ink CorporationInventors: Shamus Ford Patry, Richard J. Paolini, JR., Thomas H. Whitesides, Robert W. Zehner, Johnathan D. Albert, Harit Doshi
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Publication number: 20090225398Abstract: The invention provides an electrophoretic medium comprising at least two types of particles having substantially the same electrophoretic mobility but differing colors. The invention also provides article of manufacture comprising a layer of a solid electro-optic medium, a first adhesive layer on one surface of the electro-optic medium, a release sheet covering the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposed second surface of the electro-optic medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: E INK CORPORATIONInventors: Gregg M. Duthaler, Karl R. Amundson, Holly G. Gates, John E. Ritler, Russell J. Wilcox, Robert W. Zehner, Barrett Comiskey, Alberto Goenaga, Michael L. Steiner, Anthony Edward Pullen
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Publication number: 20090225397Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises a layer (130) of a solid electro-optic material, at least one electrode disposed adjacent the layer (130) of electro-optic material, and a layer (180) of a lamination adhesive interposed between the layer (130) of electro-optic material and the electrode, the lamination adhesive (180) having a higher electrical conductivity in a direction perpendicular to the layer of lamination adhesive than in the plane of the layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: E Ink CorporationInventors: Karl R. Amundson, Robert W. Zehner, Richard M. Webber, Katharine Geramita, Libing Zhang, Andrew Loxley, Gregg M. Duthaler, John E. Ritter, Michael L. Steiner, Mavyn M. Holman, Justin J. Abramson, Glen Crossley
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Publication number: 20090206499Abstract: A first electrophoretic medium comprises an electrically charged particle suspended in a suspending fluid, the particle having a polymeric shell having repeating units derived from at least one monomer the homopolymer of which is incompatible with the suspending fluid. A second, similar electrophoretic medium comprises a suspending fluid, and first and second types of electrically charged particle suspended in the suspending fluid, the two types of particle having differing optical characteristics but both having polymeric shells. The polymeric shells are arranged such that homoaggregation of the two types of particles is thermodynamically favored over heteroaggregation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2009Publication date: August 20, 2009Applicant: E Ink CorporationInventors: Thomas H. Whitesides, Qingye Zhou, Robert W. Zehner, Karl R. Amundson, Suzanne Balko, Alberto Goenaga, Peter J. Valianatos, Charles H. Honeyman, Elizabeth M. Gates, Matthew A. King, Russell J. Wilcox
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Publication number: 20090179923Abstract: An electro-optic display, having at least one pixel capable of achieving any one of at least four different gray levels including two extreme optical states, is driven by displaying a first image on the display, and rewriting the display to display a second image thereon, wherein, during the rewriting of the display, any pixel which has undergone a number of transitions exceeding a predetermined value without touching an extreme optical state, is driven to at least one extreme optical state before driving that pixel to its final optical state in the second image.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2009Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: E INK CORPORATIONInventors: Karl R. Amundson, Robert W. Zehner, Ara N. Knaian, Benjamin Zion
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Patent number: 7561324Abstract: The invention provides an electrophoretic medium comprising at least two types of particles having substantially the same electrophoretic mobility but differing colors. The invention also provides article of manufacture comprising a layer of a solid electro-optic medium, a first adhesive layer on one surface of the electro-optic medium, a release sheet covering the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposed second surface of the electro-optic medium.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2003Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: E Ink CorporationInventors: Gregg M. Duthaler, Karl R. Amundson, Barrett Comiskey, Holly G. Gates, Alberto Goenaga, John E. Ritter, Michael L. Steiner, Russell J. Wilcox, Robert W. Zehner, Anthony Edward Pullen
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Publication number: 20090168067Abstract: A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2009Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: E INK CORPORATIONInventors: Richard D. LeCain, Ara N. Knaian, Steven J. O'Neil, Gregg M. Duthaler, Guy M. Danner, Robert W. Zehner, Alberto Goenaga, Benjamin Max Davis, Randolph W. Chan, Jonathan D. Albert, Glen Crossley
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Patent number: 7535624Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises a layer (130) of a solid electro-optic material, at least one electrode disposed adjacent the layer (130) of electro-optic material, and a layer (180) of a lamination adhesive interposed between the layer (130) of electro-optic material and the electrode, the lamination adhesive (180) having a higher electrical conductivity in a direction perpendicular to the layer of lamination adhesive than in the plane of the layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2006Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: E Ink CorporationInventors: Karl R. Amundson, Robert W. Zehner, Richard M. Webber, Katherine Geramita, Libing Zhang, Andrew L. Loxley, Gregg M. Duthaler, John E. Ritter, Michael L. Steiner, Mavyn M. Holman, Justin J. Abramson, Glen Crossley