Electrochromic Elements Patents (Class 345/49)
  • Patent number: 7586663
    Abstract: An electrochromic cell is disclosed which can include a first electrically conducting transparent electrode bonded to an electrochemically formed first electrochromic electrode on the surface of the electrode; a second electrically conducting transparent electrode bonded to an electrochemically formed second electrochromic electrode on the surface of the second electrode and a transparent gel polymer electrolyte formed from one or more macromomoners mixed with a plasticizer and an electrolyte salt, the gel polymer electrolyte in contact with both the first and second electrochromic electrodes; the first and second electrochromic electrodes are separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Triton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bijan Radmard, Gregory A. Sotzing
  • Patent number: 7586667
    Abstract: A solid-state electronic electrochromic device (ECD) operates electronically rather than relying on the ionic motion that is common in electrochromic devices. The electronic ECD has at least one active layer sandwiched between two electrodes. The active layer is made of mixed metal oxides and may be made of a mixture of tungsten and praseodymium oxides. The electronic ECD may have only a single active layer, or may have multiple layers that have the same composition and that are separated by thin transparent metal films. Some versions of the electronic ECD incorporate a distribution of small metal particles within the active layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Eclipse Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Hulya Demiryont
  • Patent number: 7535615
    Abstract: An electrochromic element includes a transparent carrier on which a multilayer system is disposed, the multilayer system including an ion storage layer, a transparent solid-state electrolyte layer), an electrochromic electrode layer, and a reflector layer. The reflector layer has a porosity which is sufficient for the penetration of water or water vapour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Flabeg GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Appelfeller, Thomas Hoeing, Franz Jungbauer, Christian Zilker
  • Patent number: 7532383
    Abstract: An electrochromic device which includes a display electrode including a conductive layer disposed on a transparent substrate, a counter electrode disposed to face the display electrode, the counter electrode including a white reflective layer, an electrolyte interposed between the display electrode and the counter electrode, a first electrochromic material layer disposed on the display electrode and a second electrochromic material layer disposed on the counter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Eun Jang, Jae Eun Jung, Seung Nam Cha, Chang Ho Noh
  • Patent number: 7489432
    Abstract: To provide an electrochromic display device which includes a display electrode formed of a substrate having a transparent conductive film; a counter electrode formed of a substrate having a transparent conductive film; and a metal oxide layer which contains a metal oxide and is disposed on the display electrode, the metal oxide layer having an organic electrochromic compound attached, wherein the metal oxide is a long fibrous metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Shibuya, Shigenobu Hirano, Satoshi Uchida, Yoshitaka Sanehira
  • Patent number: 7457027
    Abstract: This invention discloses methods to dispense adhesives for fabricating electrooptic devices. In addition the invention also discloses on how the cavities of these electrooptic devices may be filled using detachable tabs. The Electrooptic devices of this invention may comprise liquid or solid electrolytes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: ElectroChromix, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. LeCompte, Juan Carlos Lopez Tonazzi
  • Publication number: 20080258999
    Abstract: A color coordinating personal use device including a color detector (16) to detect a color of an object of personal use and a color changing material (18) of the personal use item that color changes to a color based on the detected color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Markus Gerardus Leonardus Maria Van Doorn
  • Patent number: 7420727
    Abstract: The present invention is an active matrix electrochromic display architecture where the active components are placed on the backplane of the display, thereby maximizing the viewable pixel area. The cathode of the electrochromic pixel is placed on top of the active components, with respect to the viewer, thereby allowing the active components to be as large as desired while not interfering with the viewable area of the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: NTERA Limited
    Inventor: Micheal Cassidy
  • Patent number: 7375871
    Abstract: A light control system having a full range of dimming for smart-glass by providing an interface between an off-the-shelf dimmer and a electrochromic glass device is disclosed herein. The light control system or electrochromic glass control device acts as an interface that converts an asymmetric alternating current (AC) power signal from the dimmer device into a symmetric, amplitude controlled AC output signal for controlling the tint of the smart-glass device. The electrochromic glass control device includes a powerline interface circuit that receives the asymmetric AC power signal from the dimmer. A controller connects to the powerline interface circuit to generate a control signal responsive to the asymmetric AC power signal. Connecting between the dimmer and the controller, an output stage generates the symmetrical AC output signal responsive to the control signal to control the electrochromic glass device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John Libretto, Michael Ostrovsky, Eugene Frid, Edward Uftring
  • Patent number: 7342708
    Abstract: The present invention relates to complementary electrochromic devices comprising poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and derivatives thereof as a cathodically coloring layer and an indium hexacyanometallate or transition metal hexacyanometallate as an anodically coloring layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Tropics Enterprise Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chuan Ho, Tsai-Shih Tung, Bih-Ya Chen
  • Patent number: 7336410
    Abstract: A display of an electrochromic type, including an active matrix substrate on which a plurality of pixel electrodes corresponding to pixels are arranged in a matrix form; a counter substrate which is provided with a transparent electrode that is common with respect to a plurality of the pixel electrodes; and an electrochromic material which is sandwiched between the active matrix substrate and the counter substrate, and is colored in a boundary either between itself and the pixel electrode or between itself and the transparent electrode; wherein the pixel electrode other than an electrode-exposed part which contacts with the electrochromic material is covered with a transparent protective film; and the electrode-exposed part has a different area from the area of the part onto which a current generated between the transparent electrode and the pixel electrode concentrates, out of the transparent electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Displays, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoichi Hirota, Tetsuya Ohshima, Tatsuya Sugita
  • Patent number: 7312914
    Abstract: Between each transparent pixel electrode driven by TFT as a drive device and a common electrode, a polymer layer located in contact with the transparent pixel electrode and electrically active to change in color by electrochemical oxidization or reduction and a polymeric solid electrolytic layer located in contact with the polymer layer and containing a coloring agent are interposed. Since electrochemical oxidization or reduction brings about a color change, the contrast and the black concentration can be enhanced, and bronzing after long-time use does not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony International (Europe) GmbH
    Inventors: Kenji Shinozaki, Akio Yasuda, Kazuhiro Noda, Toru Udaka, Mieko Kuwahara
  • Patent number: 7310080
    Abstract: Methods and related devices for manipulating ambient light and various light sources for applications including colour displays, screen displays and colored coverings for a multitude of items is disclosed. Methods and related devices for manipulating light for decorative, signaling and other purposes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Inventor: Richard V. Jessop
  • Patent number: 7306833
    Abstract: Structure comprising at least two glass substrates (10, 11) separated by a distance (i), at least one substance (12) at least partly filling the space between the two substrates, and spacers (13) placed between the two substrates in order to maintain their spacing, characterized in that the spacers (13) are fastened to at least one of the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Dorothee Martin, Frank Marandon, Yves Lehmann, Jean-Louis Bonnet, Rino Messere
  • Publication number: 20070171148
    Abstract: The present invention is an active matrix electrochromic display architecture where the active components are placed on the backplane of the display, thereby maximizing the viewable pixel area. The cathode of the electrochromic pixel is placed on top of the active components, with respect to the viewer, thereby allowing the active components to be as large as desired while not interfering with the viewable area of the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Micheal Cassidy
  • Patent number: 7236364
    Abstract: A case for a portable terminal using a color liquid crystal uses a Peltier device to vary the color of the case by means of electrical heating and cooling the interior of the case. The case includes a temperature control apparatus for emitting electrical heat, when an electrical current is applied thereto, and simultaneously cooling the opposite side; a liquid crystal application agent positioned on the upper portion of the temperature control apparatus and adapted to vary the color by means of the electrical heat; and a cooling unit positioned opposite to an upper portion of the temperature control apparatus to cool heat-generating devices inside the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 7215318
    Abstract: A drive control circuit for controlling an electrochromic element is substantially integrated into an integrated circuit, with the exception of resistive elements for dissipating heat away from the integrated circuit. The drive control circuit includes a current regulator for generating a select one of at least two discrete amounts of current to drive the electrochromic element. Further, a control system individually controls a plurality of electrochromic elements and includes shunts coupled in parallel with the individual electrochromic elements. The control system controls the ratio of the reflectance of the individual electrochromic elements as a function of sensed glare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, David J. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7142190
    Abstract: A wireless communication handset (100), or other electrical device, having a housing disposed about electrical communications circuitry. At least a portion of the housing, for example a bezel (144) or keypad area (148) comprising a variable input responsive variable appearance portion, for example an electro-chromic material. A user operable control circuit coupled to the electro-chromic material portion of the housing, whereby a color of the electro-chromic material portion of the housing is variable by the color control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Nelson F. Martinez
  • Patent number: 7116309
    Abstract: A photowriting display device which is capable of performing bright full color display and a photowriting display apparatus which incorporates the photowriting display device and on which the pen moving operation is directly reflected as information to be displayed. A photowriting display device is disclosed which incorporates: an electrochromic display member incorporating a photoconductor in which only regions irradiated with writing light generate carriers to realize conductivity; an electrochromic layer in which light absorption of the regions are reversibly changed owing to electrochemical oxidation and reduction reactions caused to occur due to the conductivity; an electrolyte in which the electrochromic layers are laminated or an electrochromic material is dissolved; and a pair of electrodes laminated through the photoconductor, the electrochromic layer and the electrolyte. A plurality of the electrochromic display members are laminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Kimura, Mitsuru Sawano
  • Patent number: 6924792
    Abstract: Methods and related devices for manipulating ambient light and various light sources for applications including colour displays, screen displays and colored coverings for a multitude of items is disclosed. Methods and related devices for manipulating light for decorative, signaling and other purposes are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Inventor: Richard V. Jessop
  • Publication number: 20030234752
    Abstract: A drive control circuit for controlling an electrochromic element is substantially integrated into an integrated circuit, with the exception of resistive elements for dissipating heat away from the integrated circuit. The drive control circuit includes a current regulator for generating a select one of at least two discrete amounts of current to drive the electrochromic element. Further, a control system individually controls a plurality of electrochromic elements and includes shunts coupled in parallel with the individual electrochromic elements. The control system controls the ratio of the reflectance of the individual electrochromic elements as a function of sensed glare.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Robert R. Turnbull, David J. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20030160741
    Abstract: A wireless communication handset (100), or other electrical device, having a housing disposed about electrical communications circuitry. At least a portion of the housing, for example a bezel (144) or keypad area (148) comprising a variable input responsive variable appearance portion, for example an electro-chromic material. A user operable control circuit coupled to the electro-chromic material portion of the housing, whereby a color of the electro-chromic material portion of the housing is variable by the color control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventor: Nelson F. Martinez
  • Patent number: 6449082
    Abstract: Edge busbars on a substantial perimeter of an electrochromic device are disclosed having electrical paths wrapping over the perimeter edge. Internal busbars interior from the perimeter are disclosed which lower the conductivity of the conductive layer of an electrochromic device. Signals supplied to the busbars to control the electrochromic device are controlled by a switching power supply that allows the maintaining of the color of the electrochromic device without application of continuous power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Anoop Agrawal, Juan Carlos Lopez Tonazzi, Robert LeCompte, John Cronin, Steve Kennedy, Kevin McCarthy, Matthew Denesuk, Gimtong Teowee
  • Patent number: 6381346
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) facial imaging system is disclosed for generating facial images, indexing those images by composite codes and for searching for similar two-dimensional (2-D) facial images. The 3-D images of human faces are generated from a data repository of 3-D facial feature surface shapes. These shapes are organized by facial feature parts. By assembling a shape for each facial part is assembled, a 3-D facial image is formed. Human facial images may be represented with a composite code (facial feature part code and shape code). A 3-D image of any face may be generated using the code to select the proper facial feature shapes from the stored repository of shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Wheeling Jesuit University
    Inventor: Arsev H. Eraslan
  • Patent number: 6369934
    Abstract: A photoelectrochemical-electrochromic device comprising a first transparent electrode and a second transparent electrode in parallel, spaced relation to each other. The first transparent electrode is electrically connected to the second transparent electrode. An electrochromic material is applied to the first transparent electrode and a nanoporous semiconductor film having a dye adsorbed therein is applied to the second transparent electrode. An electrolyte layer contacts the electrochromic material and the nanoporous semiconductor film. The electrolyte layer has a redox couple whereby upon application of light, the nanoporous semiconductor layer dye absorbs the light and the redox couple oxidizes producing an electric field across the device modulating the effective light transmittance through the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Midwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Clemens S. Bechinger, Brian A. Gregg
  • Patent number: 6365068
    Abstract: The invention relates to ionic compounds in which the anionic load has been displaced, and the uses of these compounds. A compound disclosed by the invention comprises an anionic portion combined with at least one cationic portion M+m in sufficient numbers to ensure overall electronic neutrality. The anionic portion is comprised of one of the groups (A) and (B): wherein Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 and Y5 represent a carbonyl group, a sulfonyl group, a thiocarbonyl group, a thionyl group, a —C(═NCN)— or a —C(═C(CN)2)— group; Z represents an electroattractive radical; each of the substituents, RA, RB, RC and RD represents independently of one another a monovalent or divalent organic radical or is part of a polymer chain, with at least one of the substituents RC and RD being a perfluorinated radical. The compounds can be used especially for ionic conducting materials, electronic conducting materials, colorants, and the catalysis of various chemical reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignees: Hydro-Quebec, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Christophe Michot, Michel Armand, Michel Gauthier, Yves Choquette
  • Patent number: 6330101
    Abstract: An EC panel drive unit for a rear-view mirror comprising a timer circuit 2 in which a drive signal is output for a fixed period of time when either a colored state switch SW1 or a colorless state switch SW2 is in the ON position; a D-type flip-flop circuit 9 that sends different output signals, depending on whether the colored state switch SW1 is in the ON position or the colorless state switch SW2 is in the ON position, and a colored/colorless state switching circuit 6 which switches the polarity of DC voltage that is output from a lithium battery based on the output from the D-type flip-flop circuit 9 and then applies the voltage to input terminals Ta and Tb of the EC panel 7. A contact SW2-3 is installed between the two input terminals, Ta and Tb, of the EC panel 7 for providing a short circuit between the two terminals when the colorless state switch SW2 is turned to the ON position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Murakami Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yamamoto, Mitsuyoshi Nagao, Hidenori Sato, Yoshihiro Fujikawa
  • Publication number: 20010023194
    Abstract: A portable communication apparatus (1) has a movable cover (16) with a liquid crystal display (19, 20) mounted thereon. The liquid crystal display (19, 20) is double-sided in at least one part (20), hence showing the information both from a front side and from a back side (21). This part of the display (20) is transmissive, and the rest of the display (19) is either reflective or transflective. The information is viewable through a window (22) in the cover (16) when the cover (16) is closed. As soon as the cover (16) changes positions from closed to opened, or from opened to closed, the information will be rotated 180°, so that the information will appear correctly. The portable communication apparatus has means (30, 31) and steps for the rotation of information, which automatically will be initiated, when the position of the cover (16) is detected by a controller (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Mats Pettersson, Erik Heded
  • Patent number: 6241916
    Abstract: The novel electrochromic system comprises at least one reducible and at least one oxidizable substance OX2 and RED1 respectively, which are linked with one another via a bridge member, and is outstandingly suitable for use in an electrochromic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Uwe Claussen, Horst Berneth, Dietrich Haarer, Jürgen Simmerer, Jochen Schaller
  • Patent number: 6171522
    Abstract: The invention relates to ionic compounds in which the anionic load has been displaced, and the uses of these compounds. A compound disclosed by the invention comprises an anionic portion combined with at least one cationic portion M+m in sufficient numbers to ensure overall electronic neutrality. The anionic portion is comprised of one of the groups (A) and (B): wherein Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 and Y5 represent a carbonyl group, a sulfonyl group, a thiocarbonyl group, a thionyl group, a —C(═NCN)— or a —C(═C(CN)2)— group; Z represents an electroattractive radical; each of the substituents, RA, RB, RC and RD represents independently of one another a monovalent or divalent organic radical or is part of a polymer chain, with at least one of the substituents RC and RD being a perfluorinated radical. The compounds can be used especially for ionic conducting materials, electronic conducting materials, colorants, and the catalysis of various chemical reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignees: Hydro-Qu{acute over (e)}bec, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Christophe Michot, Michel Armand, Michel Gauthier, Yves Choquette
  • Patent number: 5956012
    Abstract: A series drive circuit for driving a plurality of serially-connected electronic elements, such as electrochromic elements. The series drive circuit maintains a accurately controlled voltage across each of the electronic elements, while reducing power consumption and current consumption. A constant voltage is applied to the serially-connected electronic elements that is the sum of the required voltage for each of the electronic elements. In order to prevent excess voltage across any of the elements, shunts are connected in parallel with each of the elements. In order to reduce excess voltage across any of the elements, the voltage across each of the elements is monitored and used to control the shunts to maintain a accurately controlled voltage across each of the serially-connected electronic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Ralph Turnbull, Frederick Thomas Bauer, Peter William Vanderwel
  • Patent number: 5808711
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display assembly (10) can function in either a transparent or reflective mode. The assembly consists of a reflective-type liquid crystal display cell (12) placed in front of an electrochromic panel (14). When a display driver (16) activates the electrochromic panel, it absorbs light. When the driver energizes segments (15) of the reflective-type liquid crystal display cell, they become reflective, providing a visual image to an observer. When the electrochromic panel is not activated by the driver, it is transparent or translucent, allowing the observer to see completely through the liquid crystal display assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Suppelsa, Michael F. Shaw, Thomas J. Swirbel
  • Patent number: 5694144
    Abstract: Electrochromic systems having a material, whose coloration state and/or the transmission in certain electromagnetic radiation wavelengths varies by performing an electrochemical reaction involving the passage of an electric current. The electric current is generated by an intensity generator able to supply a current, whose intensity obeys a reference value determined as a function of the number of charges to be transferred for switching from the initial coloration state to the desired coloration state and as a function of the time chosen for the switching. The system also relates to using a power supply in an electrochromic glazing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventors: Christine Lefrou, Marc Ast