Patents by Inventor Thomas H. Whitesides

Thomas H. Whitesides 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).

  • Patent number: 9152003
    Abstract: Various types of edge seals for protecting electro-optic displays against environmental contaminants are described. In one type of seal, the electro-optic layer is sandwiched between a backplane and a protective sheet and a sealing material extends between the backplane and the protective sheet. In other seals, the protective sheet is secured to the backplane or to a second protective sheet adjacent the backplane. The electro-optic layer can also be sealed between two layers of adhesive or between one layer of adhesive and the backplane. Other seals make use of flexible tapes extending around the periphery of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Guy M. Danner, Shamus Ford Patry, Charles Howie Honeyman, Thomas H. Whitesides, Michael D. McCreary, Gregg M. Duthaler
  • Publication number: 20150221257
    Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods (including driving methods) for reducing the effects of remnant voltages in electro-optic displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Russell J. Wilcox, Thomas H. Whitesides, Karl R. Amundson, Guy M. Danner, Richard M. Webber, Charles H. Honeyman, Lan Cao, Richard J. Paolini, JR., Rajesh Chebiyam
  • Patent number: 9075280
    Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises, in order, a backplane comprising a plurality of pixel electrodes; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium; a main adhesive layer; and at least one of a light-transmissive protective layer and a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer. The electro-optic layer may be in direct contact with the backplane or separated therefrom by a thin auxiliary layer of adhesive. The main adhesive layer may be colored to provide a color filter array. An inverted front plane laminate useful in forming such a display comprises the same layers except that the backplane is replaced by a release sheet. The display combines good low temperature performance and good resolution at higher temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Whitesides, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Michael D. Walls, Seungman Sohn, Michael D. McCreary, Guy M. Danner, Charles Howie Honeyman, Gregg M. Duthaler, Michael L. Steiner, John E. Ritter
  • Patent number: 9005494
    Abstract: Prior art processes for producing protein-based capsules (for example, capsules for use in electrophoretic media) tend to be wasteful because they produce many capsules outside the desired size range, which is typically about 20 to 50 ?m. Capsule size distribution and yields can be improved by either (a) emulsifying a water-immiscible phase in a preformed coacervate of the protein; or (b) using a limited coalescence process with colloidal alumina as the surface-active particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Valianatos, Rajesh Chebiyam, Jeremy J. Manning, Michael L. Steiner, Thomas H. Whitesides, Michael D. Walls
  • Publication number: 20150070744
    Abstract: Various types of edge seals for protecting electro-optic displays against environmental contaminants are described. In one type of seal, the electro-optic layer is sandwiched between a backplane and a protective sheet and a sealing material extends between the backplane and the protective sheet. In other seals, the protective sheet is secured to the backplane or to a second protective sheet adjacent the backplane. The electro-optic layer can also be sealed between two layers of adhesive or between one layer of adhesive and the backplane. Other seals make use of flexible tapes extending around the periphery of the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Guy M. Danner, Shamus Ford Patry, Charles Howie Honeyman, Thomas H. Whitesides, Michael D. McCreary, Gregg M. Duthaler
  • Patent number: 8902153
    Abstract: A color display has continuous areas of a single color covering a plurality of sub-pixel electrodes. Each sub-pixel of a given color has sub-pixels of the same given color disposed along at least two of its adjacent edges. Each area of a single color may cover a 2×2 array of sub-pixel electrodes. The colors used may be red/green/blue/white (RGBW), red/green/blue/yellow (RGBY), or orange/lime/purple/white.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Alain Bouchard, Thomas H. Whitesides, Michael D. Walls, Steven P. Dudek
  • Patent number: 8891155
    Abstract: Various types of edge seals for protecting electro-optic displays against environmental contaminants are described. In one type of seal, the electro-optic layer is sandwiched between a backplane and a protective sheet and a sealing material extends between the backplane and the protective sheet. In other seals, the protective sheet is secured to the backplane or to a second protective sheet adjacent the backplane. The electro-optic layer can also be sealed between two layers of adhesive or between one layer of adhesive and the backplane. Other seals make use of flexible tapes extending around the periphery of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Guy M. Danner, Shamus Ford Patry, Charles Howie Honeyman, Thomas H. Whitesides, Michael D. McCreary, Gregg M. Duthaler
  • Patent number: 8854721
    Abstract: A laminate comprising a solid electro-optic medium and an electrically conductive layer is tested by passing it over a pair of electrodes at different potentials, with the electrically conductive layer lying on the opposed side of the electro-optic medium from the electrodes. An article which can be tested by this method, and which is useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays, comprises a layer of a solid electro-optic medium and a release sheet comprising an electrically conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Guy M. Danner, Jonathan L. Zalesky, John E. Ritter, Timothy J. O'Malley, Thomas H. Whitesides, Shamus Ford Patry, Alain Bouchard, Richard M. Webber
  • Patent number: 8830553
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Shamus Ford Patry, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Thomas H. Whitesides, Robert W. Zehner, Jonathan D. Albert, Harit Doshi
  • Patent number: 8830560
    Abstract: Various types of edge seals for protecting electro-optic displays against environmental contaminants are described. In one type of seal, the electro-optic layer is sandwiched between a backplane and a protective sheet and a sealing material extends between the backplane and the protective sheet. In other seals, the protective sheet is secured to the backplane or to a second protective sheet adjacent the backplane. The electro-optic layer can also be sealed between two layers of adhesive or between one layer of adhesive and the backplane. Other seals make use of flexible tapes extending around the periphery of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Guy M. Danner, Shamus Ford Patry, Charles Howie Honeyman, Thomas H. Whitesides, Michael D. McCreary, Gregg M. Duthaler
  • Publication number: 20140211296
    Abstract: In electrophoretic media, it is advantageous to use pigment particles having a polymer chemically bonded to, or cross-linked around, the pigment particles, the polymer comprising repeating units derived from a fluorinated acrylate or fluorinated methacrylate monomer. The polymer desirably has a branched chain structure with side chains extending from a main chain. Desirably, the fluorinated acrylate or fluorinated methacrylate monomer comprises from 1 to 5 mole percent of the polymer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael D. Walls, Jason D. Feick, Thomas H. Whitesides
  • Publication number: 20140009817
    Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods (including driving methods) for reducing the effects of remnant voltages in electro-optic displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Russell J. Wilcox, Thomas H. Whitesides, Karl R. Amundson, Guy M. Danner, Richard M. Webber, Charles H. Honeyman, Lan Cao, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Rajesh Chebiyam
  • Patent number: 8582196
    Abstract: In electrophoretic media, it is advantageous to use pigment particles having a polymer chemically bonded to, or cross-linked around, the pigment particles, the polymer comprising repeating units derived from a fluorinated acrylate or fluorinated methacrylate monomer. The polymer desirably has a branched chain structure with side chains extending from a main chain. Desirably, the fluorinated acrylate or fluorinated methacrylate monomer comprises from 1 to 5 mole percent of the polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Walls, Jason D. Feick, Thomas H. Whitesides
  • Patent number: 8558783
    Abstract: The invention provides materials and methods (including driving methods) for reducing the effects of remnant voltages in electro-optic displays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Russell J. Wilcox, Thomas H. Whitesides, Karl R. Amundson, Guy M. Danner, Richard M. Webber, Charles H. Honeyman, Lan Cao, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Rajesh Chebiyam
  • Patent number: 8363299
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Thomas H. Whitesides
  • Patent number: 8319759
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph M. Jacobson, Thomas H. Whitesides, Michael D. McCreary, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Richard M. Webber
  • Publication number: 20120182597
    Abstract: A color filter array is provided in an electro-optic display by ink jet printing a plurality of colored areas (22R, 22G, 22B) on one surface of a layer of electro-optic material (12), an adhesive layer or a protective layer. Alternatively, the ink jet printing may be effected on the same layers in various sub-assemblies used to produce electro-optic displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas H. Whitesides, Andrew Y. Oleson, Guy M. Danner, Richard J. Paolini, JR., Charles Howie Honeyman
  • Publication number: 20120176664
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: E INK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shamus Ford Patry, Richard J. Paolini, JR., Thomas H. Whitesides, Robert W. Zehner, Jonathan D. Albert, Harit Doshi
  • Patent number: 8208193
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Shamus Ford Patry, Richard J. Paolini, Jr., Thomas H. Whitesides, Robert W. Zehner, Jonathan D. Albert, Harit Doshi
  • Patent number: 8199395
    Abstract: A particle for use in an electrophoretic display comprises a light-scattering inorganic core and a light-transmissive colored shell of an organic pigment. The core may be titania and the shell may be formed of particles having an average particle size less than 700 nm. The particles are produced by treating a light-scattering inorganic pigment with a polymer which adsorbs on both the inorganic pigment and an organic pigment; and adding the organic pigment and allowing the organic pigment to mix with the polymer-coated inorganic pigment. The particles may have a polymer coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: E Ink Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas H. Whitesides, Andrew Y. Oleson