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).

  • Publication number: 20200349889
    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: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Tong Lu, Michael James Brownlow, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 10826010
    Abstract: A light-emitting structure maximizes constructive interference for light emission by adjusting charge carrier mobilities of different sub-pixel emissive layers such that charge recombination occurs at a boundary of each emissive layer and one of the charge transport layers. The light-emitting layer structure includes two electrode layers that respectively generate first and second charges that are carried via first and second charge transport layers, and a plurality of emissive layers (EMLs) including a first EML having a first charge mobility favoring the first charges and a second EML having a second charge mobility favoring second charges. The first EML emits light by recombination of the first and second charges at a first boundary layer formed at one of the charge transport layers and the first EML, and the second EML emits light by recombination of the first and second charges at a second boundary layer formed at the other of the charge transport layers and the second EML.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: David James Montgomery, Tim Michael Smeeton, Edward Andrew Boardman
  • Patent number: 10826020
    Abstract: A light-emitting device for use in a display device has enhanced directional light emission, and enhanced on-axis light emission in particular. A light-emitting device includes a layer structure that includes from a non-emitting side: a first electrode layer; a first charge transport layer; an emissive layer; a second charge transport layer; a second electrode layer; an optically transparent layer; and a partially transmitting reflector layer. The light-emitting device comprises a plurality of regions and each region emits light of a different wavelength, such as for example red, green, and blue light-emitting regions. The optically transparent layer is present in at least one of the plurality of regions. The optically transparent layer may be present in more than one of the plurality of regions, and a thickness of the optically transparent layer may differ in different regions to optimize light emission at different wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: James Andrew Robert Palles-Dimmock, Tim Michael Smeeton, David James Montgomery, Nathan James Smith
  • Patent number: 10826011
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a combined charge transport and emissive layer (CCTEL). The light-emitting device includes an anode, a cathode, and a CCTEL disposed between the anode and the cathode, the CCTEL comprising a crosslinked charge transport material and quantum dots. The quantum dots are distributed unevenly within the crosslinked charge transport material. The quantum dots may be phase separated from the crosslinked charge transport material whereby the quantum dots form a layer at least partially within the CCTEL at or adjacent to an outer surface of the CCTEL closest to the cathode or the anode. The quantum dots may phase separate from the crosslinked material at least in part during the deposition of a mixture including the crosslinked material and quantum dots in a solvent, as the solvent component of the mixture evaporates. The quantum dots may phase separate from the crosslinked material at least in part in response to an activation stimulus, such as exposure to UV light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Enrico Angioni, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 10762843
    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: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tong Lu, Michael James Brownlow, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 10741782
    Abstract: A light-emitting device is optimized for radiative recombination and minimizes non-radiative recombination. The light-emitting device includes an emissive layer, a first electrode and a second electrode from which charges are generated, a first charge transport layer that injects charges from the first electrode into the emissive layer, and a second charge transport layer that injects charges from the second electrode into the emissive layer. At least one of the charge transport layers includes a mixture of a first nanoparticle population and a second nanoparticle population, and the first nanoparticle population and the second nanoparticle population are conductive nanoparticles that are energetically non-aligned as between the first nanoparticle population and the second nanoparticle population.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: James Andrew Robert Palles-Dimmock, Edward Andrew Boardman, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Publication number: 20200243616
    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: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Edward Andrew Boardman, Enrico Angioni, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 10720591
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes an anode; a cathode; and an emissive layer disposed between the anode and the cathode, the emissive layer including quantum dots dispersed in a crosslinked matrix formed from one or more crosslinkable charge transport materials. A method of forming the emissive layer of a light-emitting device includes depositing a mixture including quantum dots and one or more crosslinkable charge transport materials on a layer; and subjecting at least a portion of the mixture to UV activation to form an emissive layer including quantum dots dispersed in a crosslinked matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Enrico Angioni, James Andrew Robert Palles-Dimmock, Edward Andrew Boardman, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Publication number: 20200161585
    Abstract: A light-emitting device for use in a display device has enhanced directional light emission, and enhanced on-axis light emission in particular. A light-emitting device includes a layer structure that includes from a non-emitting side: a first electrode layer; a first charge transport layer; an emissive layer; a second charge transport layer; a second electrode layer; an optically transparent layer; and a partially transmitting reflector layer. The light-emitting device comprises a plurality of regions and each region emits light of a different wavelength, such as for example red, green, and blue light-emitting regions. The optically transparent layer is present in at least one of the plurality of regions. The optically transparent layer may be present in more than one of the plurality of regions, and a thickness of the optically transparent layer may differ in different regions to optimize light emission at different wavelengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: James Andrew Robert Palles-Dimmock, Tim Michael Smeeton, David James Montgomery, Nathan James Smith
  • Publication number: 20200144527
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes an anode; a cathode; and an emissive layer disposed between the anode and the cathode, the emissive layer including quantum dots dispersed in a crosslinked matrix formed from one or more crosslinkable charge transport materials. A method of forming the emissive layer of a light-emitting device includes depositing a mixture including quantum dots and one or more crosslinkable charge transport materials on a layer; and subjecting at least a portion of the mixture to UV activation to form an emissive layer including quantum dots dispersed in a crosslinked matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Enrico Angioni, James Andrew Robert Palles-Dimmock, Edward Andrew Boardman, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Publication number: 20200136076
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes an anode; a cathode; and an emissive layer disposed between the anode and the cathode, the emissive layer including quantum dots dispersed in a crosslinked matrix formed from one or more crosslinkable charge transport materials. A method of forming the emissive layer of a light-emitting device includes depositing a mixture including quantum dots and one or more crosslinkable charge transport materials on a layer; and subjecting at least a portion of the mixture to UV activation to form an emissive layer including quantum dots dispersed in a crosslinked matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Enrico Angioni, James Andrew Robert Palles-Dimmock, Edward Andrew Boardman, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 10600980
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes an emissive layer that emits light by recombination of first charges and second charges, a first electrode from which the first charges are supplied, a second electrode located on an opposite side of the emissive layer relative to the first electrode from which the second charges are supplied, and a charge transporting layer that is located between the emissive layer and the first electrode that injects the first charges from the first electrode into the emissive layer. The charge transporting layer includes a nanoparticle layer that provides a roughened electrode interface between the first electrode and the charge transporting layer and the emissive layer includes a plurality of quantum dots in electrical contact with the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Edward Andrew Boardman, David James Montgomery, Tim Michael Smeeton, James Andrew Robert Palles-Dimmock
  • Patent number: 10592028
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel including a plurality of sub-pixels, a touch sensor electrode that is made of a first conductive and opaque material layer that is located directly on the display panel and overlaps a portion of the display panel in between a portion of the plurality of sub-pixels, and a feedline that is made of a second conductive and opaque material layer that is connected to the touch sensor electrode, overlaps a portion of the display panel in between some of the plurality of sub-pixels that is not overlapped by the touch sensor electrode, defines a pair of conductors around a sub-pixel in one or more columns of sub-pixels of the plurality of sub-pixels such that the pair of conductors are electrically connected above and below each sub-pixel in the one or more columns, and routes the touch sensor electrode to a touch sensor controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nick Clark, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 10581007
    Abstract: A light-emitting device includes an anode; a cathode; and an emissive layer disposed between the anode and the cathode, the emissive layer including quantum dots dispersed in a crosslinked matrix formed from one or more crosslinkable charge transport materials. A method of forming the emissive layer of a light-emitting device includes depositing a mixture including quantum dots and one or more crosslinkable charge transport materials on a layer; and subjecting at least a portion of the mixture to UV activation to form an emissive layer including quantum dots dispersed in a crosslinked matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Enrico Angioni, James Andrew Robert Palles-Dimmock, Edward Andrew Boardman, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 10522787
    Abstract: A light-emitting device maximizes optical efficiency when the emissive layer is high refractive index material. Said device includes an emissive layer; a first electrode and a second electrode from which charges are generated; a first charge transport layer that injects charges from the first electrode into the emissive layer; and a second charge transport layer that injects charges from the second electrode into the emissive layer. A Fresnel reflection value at boundaries between the emissive layer and at least one of the first and second charge transport layers is from 5% through 30%, and at least one of the charge transport layers satisfies a half wavelength condition of having a thickness that is equal to within twenty percent of ½ of one wavelength of an integer multiple of ½ of one wavelength in the charge transport layer material within a bandwidth of emission of the emissive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: David James Montgomery, Edward Andrew Boardman, James Andrew Robert Palles-Dimmock, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 10504431
    Abstract: A pixel circuit for a display device includes a drive transistor configured to control an amount of current to a light-emitting device depending upon a voltage applied to a gate of the drive transistor; a second transistor connected to the gate of the drive transistor and a second terminal of the drive transistor such that, when the second transistor is in an on state the drive transistor becomes diode-connected such that the gate and a second terminal of the drive transistor are connected through the second transistor; a light-emitting device that is connected at a first node to the second terminal of the drive transistor and at a second node to a first voltage supply; a third transistor that is connected between an initialization voltage supply and the first node of the light-emitting device, wherein a node N1 is a connection of the second terminal of the drive transistor, the first node of the light-emitting device, and the third transistor; and at least one capacitor having a first plate that is connected
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tong Lu, Michael James Brownlow, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 10497310
    Abstract: A pixel circuit for a display device includes a drive transistor configured to control an amount of current to a light-emitting device during an emission phase depending upon a voltage applied to a gate of the drive transistor; a second transistor connected to the gate of the drive transistor, wherein the second transistor is in an on state during a combined programming and compensation phase and in an off state during the emission phase, and when the second transistor is in an on state the drive transistor becomes diode-connected such that a gate and a second terminal of the drive transistor are connected through the second transistor; a third transistor connected to the second terminal of the drive transistor, wherein the third transistor is in an on state during the combined programming and compensation phase to permit a reference current to be applied through the drive transistor, and is in an off state during the emission phase to remove the reference current; and a capacitor having a first plate that is
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tong Lu, Christopher James Brown, Michael James Brownlow, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Patent number: 10475391
    Abstract: A pixel circuit for a display device includes a drive transistor configured to control an amount of current to a light-emitting device depending upon a voltage applied to a gate of the drive transistor; a second transistor connected to the gate of the drive transistor and a second terminal of the drive transistor, such that when the second transistor is in an on state the drive transistor becomes diode-connected such that the gate and the second terminal of the drive transistor are connected through the second transistor; a light-emitting device that is connected at a first node to a third terminal of the drive transistor and at a second node to a first voltage supply; a third transistor connected to the first node of the light-emitting device, which connects a data voltage to the first node of the light-emitting device; a fourth transistor that is connected between the second terminal of the drive transistor and a second voltage supply; and at least one capacitor having a first plate that is connected to the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tong Lu, Michael James Brownlow, Tim Michael Smeeton, Naoki Ueda
  • Patent number: 10452201
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel including a plurality of sub-pixels; a shield electrode that is made of a first conductive and opaque material, is located directly on the display panel, overlaps a portion of the display panel in between a portion of the plurality of sub-pixels, and is connected to a touch sensor controller; an insulating layer that covers the shield electrode; a touch sensor electrode that is made of a second conductive and opaque material, is located on the insulating layer, overlaps a portion of the display panel in between some of the plurality of sub-pixels, and overlaps the shield electrode; and a feedline is connected to the touch sensor electrode, overlaps a portion of the display panel in between a portion of the plurality of sub-pixels that is not overlapped by the touch sensor electrode, and routes the touch sensor electrode to the touch sensor controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nick Clark, Tim Michael Smeeton
  • Publication number: 20190302959
    Abstract: A display device includes a display panel including a plurality of sub-pixels; a shield electrode that is made of a first conductive and opaque material, is located directly on the display panel, overlaps a portion of the display panel in between a portion of the plurality of sub-pixels, and is connected to a touch sensor controller; an insulating layer that covers the shield electrode; a touch sensor electrode that is made of a second conductive and opaque material, is located on the insulating layer, overlaps a portion of the display panel in between some of the plurality of sub-pixels, and overlaps the shield electrode; and a feedline is connected to the touch sensor electrode, overlaps a portion of the display panel in between a portion of the plurality of sub-pixels that is not overlapped by the touch sensor electrode, and routes the touch sensor electrode to the touch sensor controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Nick CLARK, Tim Michael SMEETON