Abstract: Methods and systems for producing an electro-optic display with a barrier layer for a seamless front surface of a user device. One method of manufacturing includes the following: providing a backplane comprising at least one electrode; disposing a first layer of lamination adhesive above the backplane; disposing a layer of electro-optic material above the first layer of lamination adhesive; disposing a second layer of lamination adhesive above the layer of electro-optic material; disposing a barrier layer, supported by a release film, above the second layer of lamination adhesive; applying a sealing material to peripheral portions of the backplane to form an underfill edge seal between the backplane and the barrier layer; removing the release film; and disposing a front-surface material above the barrier layer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing an electro-optic display with a barrier layer for a seamless front surface of a user device. The electro-optic display may include a barrier layer, supported by a release film, disposed above a layer of electro-optic medium disposed above a backplane. The barrier layer may have dimensions greater than the electro-optic layer, but less than the backplane. An underfill edge seal is created under the barrier layer and release firm, and the release film is removed. A front-surface material is disposed above the barrier layer. The dimensions of the front-surface material may be greater than or equal to the dimensions of the backplane to create a seamless front surface on the user device.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A pixel of an electrophoretic display is driven from one extreme optical state to a second optical state different from the one extreme optical state by applying to the pixel a first drive pulse of one polarity; and thereafter applying to the pixel a second drive pulse of the opposite polarity, the second drive pulse being effective to drive the pixel to the second optical state.

Abstract: An electro-optic display (100) comprises a backplane (102); an electro-optic layer (112) adjacent the backplane (102), the electro-optic layer (112) being smaller than the backplane (102) so as to leave a peripheral portion of the backplane extending beyond the edges of the electro-optic layer (112); and a protective layer (118) disposed on the opposed side of the electro-optic layer (112) from the backplane (102), a peripheral portion of the protective layer (118) extending beyond the edges of the electro-optic layer and being adhered (at 120) to the backplane (102).

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A cyclic rail-stabilized method of driving an electrophoretic display device (1), wherein a substantially dc-balanced driving waveform is used to effect the various required optical transitions. The driving waveform consists of a plurality of picture potential differences (20), which cause the charged particles (6) of the electrophoretic device (1) to cyclically between extreme optical positions in a single optical path, irrespective of the image sequence required to be displayed, i.e. in order to display each grey scale, it is necessary for the particles (6) to first pass through one of the extreme optical states. In order to minimise the effects of dwell time on the image quality and minimise, or even eliminate, the need to consider image history, shaking pulses (10) are generated immediately prior to each picture potential difference (20).

Abstract: A method for addressing a bistable electro-optic display having at least one pixel comprises applying an addressing pulse to drive the pixel to a first optical state; leaving the pixel undriven for a period of time, thereby permitting the pixel to assume a second optical state different from the first optical state; and applying to the pixel a refresh pulse which substantially restores the pixel to the first optical state, the refresh pulse being short relative to the addressing pulse.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Electrophoretic display units (1) comprising pixels (11) situated between common electrodes (6) and pixel electrodes (5) need, for shortening the total image update times, increased driving voltages across the pixels (11) which endanger transistors (12) coupled to the pixel electrodes (5). These increased driving voltage (V6) to the common electrode (6). To protect the transistors (12) against these increased driving voltages, a setting signal (S1, S2) is supplied to the pixel electrode (5) via the transistor (12) for reducing a voltage across the pixel (11) resulting from a transition in the alternating voltage signal (V6). During driving frame periods (Fd) data pulses (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6) are supplied, and during setting frame periods (Fs), the setting signals (S1, S2) are supplied.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A reflective electro-optic display (200) has a bar code display area (206) arranged to display a bar code readable by a bar code scanner.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Waveforms for driving electro-optic displays, especially bistable electro-optic displays, are modified by one or more of insertion of at least one balanced pulse pair into a base waveform; excision of at least one balanced pulse pair from the base waveform; and insertion of at least one period of zero voltage into the base waveform. Such modifications permit fine control of gray levels.

Abstract: A method for addressing a bistable electro-optic display having at least one pixel comprises applying an addressing pulse to drive the pixel to a first optical state; leaving the pixel undriven for a period of time, thereby permitting the pixel to assume a second optical state different from the first optical state; and applying to the pixel a refresh pulse which substantially restores the pixel to the first optical state, the refresh pulse being short relative to the addressing pulse.

Abstract: A tiled electro-optic display (100) comprises a plurality of display units (102) each of which can be individually removed from the display, and a controller (104, 110) arranged to supply drive signals to the plurality of display units (102) and thereby write images thereon, the electro-optic display (100) further comprising means (112) for modifying the drive signals supplied by the controller (104, 110) to reduce variation in electro-optic performance among the plurality of display units (102).