Patents by Inventor Tim Michael Smeeton

Tim Michael Smeeton 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: 11626534
    Abstract: A quantum dot LED display apparatus includes a substrate having a plurality of banks deposited thereon. A plurality of red emitting LED sub-pixels, green emitting LED sub-pixels, and blue emitting LED sub-pixels are individually disposed between the banks. Each of the red emitting LED sub-pixels, green emitting LED sub-pixels, and blue emitting LED sub-pixels has an emissive layer, wherein each of the emissive layers comprises quantum dots, an organic matrix, and a photoinitiator. A first concentration of the photoinitiator in the blue emitting LED sub-pixels is lower than a second concentration of the photoinitiator in the red emitting LED sub-pixels, and lower than a third concentration of the photoinitiator in the green emitting LED sub-pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Edward Andrew Boardman, Enrico Angioni, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Publication number: 20220393061
    Abstract: A quantum dot LED display apparatus includes a substrate having a plurality of banks deposited thereon. A plurality of red emitting LED sub-pixels, green emitting LED sub-pixels, and blue emitting LED sub-pixels are individually disposed between the banks. Each of the red emitting LED sub-pixels, green emitting LED sub-pixels, and blue emitting LED sub-pixels has an emissive layer, wherein each of the emissive layers comprises quantum dots, an organic matrix, and a photoinitiator. A first concentration of the photoinitiator in the blue emitting LED sub-pixels is lower than a second concentration of the photoinitiator in the red emitting LED sub-pixels, and lower than a third concentration of the photoinitiator in the green emitting LED sub-pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: EDWARD ANDREW BOARDMAN, ENRICO ANGIONI, TIM MICHAEL SMEETON
  • Publication number: 20220208873
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a sub-pixel region with a sub-pixel stack having a first electrode, second electrode, emissive layer between the first electrode and second electrode, a first charge transporting layer between the emissive layer and the first electrode, and a second charge transporting layer between the emissive layer and the second electrode. A bank in a bank region surrounds the sub-pixel stack. One of the first charge transporting or injecting layer and the second charge transporting or injecting layer is formed in the sub-pixel region and the bank region, and an electrical resistance of the first charge transporting layer and the second charge transporting layer in the bank region is higher than the sub-pixel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: ANDREA ZAMPETTI, VALERIE BERRYMAN-BOUSQUET, TIM MICHAEL SMEETON
  • Patent number: 11367859
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an emissive layer between the first and second electrodes. The emissive layer comprises quantum dots that are capable of producing circularly polarized luminescence. The quantum dots are chiral structured perovskite quantum dots, each comprising a core having a chiral crystal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Iain Hamilton, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 11327531
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing display panel apparatus for folding flat screen displays, the shock-absorbing apparatus includes a planar display layer comprising a viewing surface and an opposing non-viewing surface, the display layer further comprising at least one folding region and at least one non-folding region for folding along at least one axis of rotation; a shock absorber in co-planar peripheral contour with the display layer, the shock absorber having at least one first discontinuity sub-dividing the shock absorber into physically separate regions; an adhesive layer disposed between the shock absorber and the non-viewing surface; and wherein the adhesive layer has at least one second discontinuity between the shock absorber and the display panel in the at least one folding region of the display layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Edward Andrew Boardman, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 11322707
    Abstract: A light-emitting device is configured to emit light in improved accordance with the Rec. 2020 specification. The light emitting device includes a substrate; a first electrode disposed on the substrate between an outer surface of the light emitting device and the substrate; a second electrode disposed between the first electrode and the outer surface; a first emissive layer in electrical contact with the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first emissive layer includes quantum dots that emit light when electrically excited, and wherein the first emissive layer is associated with a first peak wavelength, ?1; and a second emissive layer disposed between the first emissive layer and a viewing side of the light emitting device, wherein the second emissive layer is a photoluminescent layer that includes quantum dots that emit light when optically excited, and the second emissive layer is associated with a second peak wavelength, ?2, different from the first peak wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Edward Andrew Boardman, Enrico Angioni, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 11316135
    Abstract: A light-emitting layer structure that maximizes constructive interference for light emission by varying a phase shift introduced by reflective electrodes. The light-emitting layer structure includes a first and second optical cavity including a first and second reflective electrode; a first and second partially transparent electrode; and a first and second emissive layer (EML) disposed between the first and second reflective electrodes and the first and second partially transparent electrodes, wherein the first EML emits light having a first wavelength; wherein the first reflective electrode introduces a first phase shift, depending on the first wavelength, on reflection of light emitted by the first EML; and wherein the second EML emits light having a second wavelength and the second reflective electrode introduces a second phase shift, depending on the second wavelength, on reflection of light emitted by the second EML, and the first phase shift is different from the second phase shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: David James Montgomery, Edward Andrew Boardman, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 11309506
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes an anode, a cathode, and a crosslinked emissive layer disposed between the anode and the cathode in which quantum dots are dispersed. The crosslinked layer includes a crosslinked material and quantum dots dispersed in the crosslinked mater, the quantum dots having ligands respectively bonded to the quantum dots. The quantum dots are distributed unevenly within the crosslinked material. The ligands have a concentration relative to the weight of the quantum dots of 10 to 45 wt %. A method of forming a crosslinked emissive layer of a light-emitting device in which quantum dots are dispersed includes the steps of depositing a mixture on a deposition surface and subjecting at least a portion of the mixture to an activation stimulus to crosslink the cross-linkable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Enrico Angioni, Isabel Arranz De La Calle, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Publication number: 20220102671
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing display panel apparatus for folding flat screen displays, the shock-absorbing apparatus includes a planar display layer comprising a viewing surface and an opposing non-viewing surface, the display layer further comprising at least one folding region and at least one non-folding region for folding along at least one axis of rotation; a shock absorber in co-planar peripheral contour with the display layer, the shock absorber having at least one first discontinuity sub-dividing the shock absorber into physically separate regions; an adhesive layer disposed between the shock absorber and the non-viewing surface; and wherein the adhesive layer has at least one second discontinuity between the shock absorber and the display panel in the at least one folding region of the display layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: EDWARD ANDREW BOARDMAN, TIM MICHAEL SMEETON
  • Patent number: 11264597
    Abstract: A light emitting structure comprises a bank surrounding a sub-pixel stack on a substrate, a first filler material in an interior space above the sub-pixel stack, and a second filler material over the first filler material. The sub-pixel stack emits a first emission peak along an on-axis direction substantially normal to a top surface of the sub-pixel stack and through an interface between the first and second filler materials. The sub-pixel stack emits a second emission peak along an off-axis direction that is totally internally reflected by the interface before reaching a sloped sidewall of the bank and is then emitted along the on-axis direction. An emissive area of the sub-pixel stack is configured such that the second emission peak is reflected by the interface not more than once before reaching the sloped sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: David James Montgomery, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Publication number: 20210408416
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes an anode, a cathode, and a crosslinked emissive layer disposed between the anode and the cathode in which quantum dots are dispersed. The crosslinked layer includes a crosslinked material and quantum dots dispersed in the crosslinked mater, the quantum dots having ligands respectively bonded to the quantum dots. The quantum dots are distributed unevenly within the crosslinked material. The ligands have a concentration relative to the weight of the quantum dots of 10 to 45 wt %. A method of forming a crosslinked emissive layer of a light-emitting device in which quantum dots are dispersed includes the steps of depositing a mixture on a deposition surface and subjecting at least a portion of the mixture to an activation stimulus to crosslink the cross-linkable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Enrico Angioni, Isabel Arranz De La Calle, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Publication number: 20210399263
    Abstract: A light emitting structure comprises a bank surrounding a sub-pixel stack on a substrate, a first filler material in an interior space above the sub-pixel stack, and a second filler material over the first filler material. The sub-pixel stack emits a first emission peak along an on-axis direction substantially normal to a top surface of the sub-pixel stack and through an interface between the first and second filler materials. The sub-pixel stack emits a second emission peak along an off-axis direction that is totally internally reflected by the interface before reaching a sloped sidewall of the bank and is then emitted along the on-axis direction. An emissive area of the sub-pixel stack is configured such that the second emission peak is reflected by the interface not more than once before reaching the sloped sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: DAVID JAMES MONTGOMERY, TIM MICHAEL SMEETON
  • Patent number: 11176890
    Abstract: A display system includes a display panel comprising a plurality of pixel circuits, and a measurement and data processing unit that is external to the display panel. Each pixel circuit includes a light-emitting device having a first terminal connected to a first voltage supply and a second terminal opposite from the first terminal; a first transistor connected between a data voltage supply line from the measurement and data processing unit and the second terminal of the light emitting device; and a second transistor connected between the second terminal of the light-emitting device and a sample line to the measurement and data processing unit. The measurement and data processing unit samples a measured voltage at the second terminal of the light-emitting device through the sample line and outputs a data voltage to the light-emitting device based on the measured voltage to compensate variations in properties of the light-emitting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tong Lu, Michael James Brownlow, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Publication number: 20210328165
    Abstract: A light emitting device comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and an emissive layer between the first and the second electrodes. The emissive layer comprises a first plurality of quantum dots having hole transporting ligands, and a second plurality of quantum dots having electron transporting ligands, where at least one of the first and the second plurality of quantum dots is incorporated in a matrix. The matrix comprises at least one of an electrically insulating material, a photo-responsive material, and a dielectric material. The matrix comprises cross-linked molecules, the cross-linked molecules transport charge carriers to or away from the at least one of the first plurality of quantum dots and the second plurality of quantum dots that is incorporated in the matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: ANDREA ZAMPETTI, ENRICO ANGIONI, EDWARD ANDREW BOARDMAN, TIM MICHAEL SMEETON
  • Patent number: 11152538
    Abstract: A light emitting structure comprises a substrate, a sub-pixel stack over a surface of the substrate, and a bank surrounding the sub-pixel stack on the substrate. The light emitting structure also comprises a first filler material in the interior space, and a second filler material over the first filler material. The sub-pixel stack emits a first emission peak along an on-axis direction substantially normal to a top surface of the stack and emits a second emission peak along an off-axis direction at an angle to the on-axis direction. The first emission peak is emitted through an interface between the first filler material and the second filler material substantially without total internal reflection. The second emission peak is totally internally reflected by the interface before reaching a sloped sidewall of the bank and is emitted along the on-axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: David James Montgomery, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 11147169
    Abstract: A light-emitting device has improved impact resistance over conventional configurations. Such a light-emitting device includes a display panel layer, a housing layer, an impact absorbing layer adjacent the housing layer, a metal layer that is disposed between the impact absorbing layer and the display panel layer and that is deformable during an impact on the light-emitting device, and a compliant layer that is disposed between the metal layer and the display panel layer that enables a shape of the display panel layer to be maintained when the metal layer is deformed. Due to a compliance or low stiffness of the compliant layer, a permanent deformation of the metal layer due to an impact or device shape change is not discernibly transferred into the shape of the display panel layer, and the shape of the display panel layer is essentially maintained so that an impact or shape change does not adversely affect display performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tim Michael Smeeton, Mayuko Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20210313485
    Abstract: A light emitting structure comprises a substrate, a sub-pixel stack over a surface of the substrate, and a bank surrounding the sub-pixel stack on the substrate. The light emitting structure also comprises a first filler material in the interior space, and a second filler material over the first filler material. The sub-pixel stack emits a first emission peak along an on-axis direction substantially normal to a top surface of the stack and emits a second emission peak along an off-axis direction at an angle to the on-axis direction. The first emission peak is emitted through an interface between the first filler material and the second filler material substantially without total internal reflection. The second emission peak is totally internally reflected by the interface before reaching a sloped sidewall of the bank and is emitted along the on-axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: DAVID JAMES MONTGOMERY, TIM MICHAEL SMEETON
  • Patent number: 11133438
    Abstract: A light-emitting device incorporates an electrode that includes conductive nanoparticles to increase emission performance. A light-emitting device includes a substrate; a first electrode disposed on the substrate between a viewing side of the light-emitting device and the substrate; a second electrode disposed between the first electrode and the viewing side of the light-emitting device, wherein the second electrode includes a layer of nanoparticles that are electrically conductive; and an emissive layer comprising quantum nanoparticles in electrical contact with the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first emissive layer includes a material that emits light when electrically excited. Multiple light-emitting devices may constitute sub-pixels that are combined into a pixel, such as for a display device, wherein each sub-pixel emits light of a different color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Edward Andrew Boardman, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Publication number: 20210216100
    Abstract: A cover window for a display device comprising a substrate, a joining layer and an outer cover, wherein the cover window has at least one folding region and at least one non-folding region. The substrate in the folding region has openings filled with at least a first filler material and a second filler material, wherein a stiffness of the first filler material is less than a stiffness of the second filler material, and the stiffness of the second filler material is less than a stiffness of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventor: TIM MICHAEL SMEETON
  • Publication number: 20210217996
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an emissive layer between the first and second electrodes. The emissive layer comprises quantum dots that are capable of producing circularly polarized luminescence. The quantum dots are chiral structured perovskite quantum dots, each comprising a core having a chiral crystal structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: IAIN HAMILTON, TIM MICHAEL SMEETON