Electrochromic Patents (Class 359/265)
  • Patent number: 8988757
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrolyte for electrochromic devices, the substance comprising ?-butyrolactone (gamma-butyrolactone or GBL). The electrolyte may include polymethylmethacrylate. The electrolyte may further include a salt, such as a salt that includes lithium perchlorate or trifluorosulfonimide. In accordance with further aspects to the invention, the electrolyte may include propylene carbonate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Arthur P. Weidner
  • Publication number: 20150077828
    Abstract: The size of an anti-glare mirror in which an electrochromic layer to which voltage can be applied is disposed on a back surface side of a glass substrate serving as a mirror surface can be reduced, and the mirror surface thereof can be used widely. [Solution] A transparent electrode film 19 and an electrochromic layer 20 having a cut portion 25A for exposing a part of the transparent electrode film 19 are sequentially stacked on a back surface of a glass substrate 18, an electrode/reflecting film 21A is stacked on a back surface of the electrochromic layer 20 in an area excluding the cut portion 25A, a first terminal 28 is electrically connected to the electrode/reflecting film 21A, and a second terminal 29 is electrically connected to the transparent electrode 19 within the cut portion 25A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kukita
  • Publication number: 20150077827
    Abstract: A method for lithiating an electrochromic device comprise forming a first transparent conductive layer on a substrate, forming an electrochromic structure on the first transparent conductive layer, forming a second transparent conductive layer on the electrochromic structure, and lithiating the electrochromic structure through the second transparent conductive layer. In one exemplary embodiment lithiating the electrochromic structure comprises lithiating the electrochromic structure at a temperature range of between about room temperature and about 500 C for the duration of the lithiation process. In another exemplary embodiment, lithiating the electrochromic structure further comprises lithiating the electrochromic structure by using at least one of sputtering, evaporation, laser ablation and exposure to a lithium salt. The electrochromic device can be configured in either a “forward” or a “reverse” stack configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Paul P. Nguyen, Shiwei Liu
  • Patent number: 8982443
    Abstract: Provided is a novel electrochromic compound that is excellent in oxidation-reduction repetition and highly transparent when bleached and does not show optical absorption in the visible light region. The compound is an organic compound represented by General Formula [1] shown in Claim 1. In the General Formula [1], A and A? are each independently selected from hydrogen atoms, alkyl groups, alkoxy groups, and aryl groups, wherein at least one of A and A? is selected from the alkyl groups, the alkoxy groups, and the aryl groups. R1 and R2 independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, an aralkyl group, an amino group, or a silyl group; and n represents 1 or 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Shinjiro Okada
  • 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: 8976440
    Abstract: This disclosure describes system and methods for creating an autonomous electrochromic assembly, and systems and methods for use of the autonomous electrochromic assembly in combination with a window. Embodiments described herein include an electrochromic assembly that has an electrochromic device, an energy storage device, an energy collection device, and an electrochromic controller device. These devices may be combined into a unitary electrochromic insert assembly. The electrochromic assembly may have the capability of generating power sufficient to operate and control an electrochromic device. This control may occur through the application of a voltage to an electrochromic device to change its opacity state. The electrochromic assembly may be used in combination with a window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: ITN Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Spencer Berland, Bruce Roy Lanning, Michael Wayne Stowell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8976437
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a transflective electrochromic liquid crystal display device, comprising a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer and an electrochromic layer and a liquid crystal layer, wherein the electrochromic layer is located between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The present invention can achieve a good display effect in each of a reflective mode and a transmissive mode; and production costs are low, and resolution and aperture ratio can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Boe Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Zhou, Jaegeon You, Jikai Yao
  • Patent number: 8970798
    Abstract: A display device includes: a first substrate; a second substrate on the first substrate and facing the first substrate, the second substrate having a first electrode on a surface thereof; a third substrate on the second substrate and facing the second substrate, the third substrate having a second electrode on a surface thereof, the second electrode facing the first electrode and configured to form an electric field between the first electrode and the second electrode; a barrier layer interposed between the second substrate and the third substrate, the barrier layer configured to selectively control transmission and blockage of light in regions thereof corresponding to each of a plurality of pixels; and a first polarizing plate on the third substrate and configured to transmit a portion of light passing through the barrier layer, the portion of light having a first phase, the barrier layer including electrochromic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seon-Hong Ahn
  • Patent number: 8970937
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel electrochromic materials. The electrochromic materials produce various colors. The electrochromic materials can be used to form red electrochromic layers in a simple manner. Therefore, the electrochromic materials are suitable for use in the fabrication of RGB full-color electrochromic devices. Also disclosed herein are electrochromic devices fabricated using the electrochromic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung Uk Son, Chang Ho Noh, Ji Min Lee
  • Patent number: 8970938
    Abstract: An electrochromic device (1) comprises a layered structure (11) having an ion conducting electrolyte layer (20). The ion conducting electrolyte layer (20) in turn comprises particles (30) absorbing electromagnetic radiation. The particles (30) are electrically conducting. The particles have a main light absorption above 700 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Chromogenics AB
    Inventor: Claes Göran Granqvist
  • Publication number: 20150055206
    Abstract: An electrochromic device comprises (i) a conductive layer, (ii) an electrochromic material, on the conductive layer, (iii) an electrolyte, on the electrochromic material, and (iv) a counter-electrode, on the electrolyte. The conductive layer has a surface roughness factor (SRF) of at least 10, and the conductive layer comprises a semi-metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University
    Inventor: Tao Xu
  • Publication number: 20150055207
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly is provided that includes a front substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface; and a rear substrate comprising a third surface and a fourth surface. The rear substrate defines at least one contact via and the front substrate and the rear substrate define a cavity. The mirror assembly further includes a perimeter seal between the front substrate and the rear substrate; and an electrically conductive element at least partially within said at least one contact via that electrically connects with at least one of the second surface and the third surface. The mirror assembly also includes an electro-optic medium disposed in the cavity. In addition, the front substrate and the rear substrate each has a shaped edge having a continuously arcuate shape. The shaped edges can also be formed by grinding the edges together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, William L. Tonar, Adam R. Heintzelman, Autumn W. Trombka, Gary J. Dozeman
  • Patent number: 8964277
    Abstract: A color-changeable protective device for a portable device equipped with a touch screen is provided. The color-changeable protective device comprises a power source and a electro-chromic element. The electro-chromic element is disposed to correspond to the touch screen so as to cover the entire touch screen. According to whether the operating status of the electro-chromic element is a power-on operating status, the electro-chromic element appears to be transparent or opaque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Yao-Han Huang, Hsih-Bin Dai
  • Patent number: 8964279
    Abstract: An electrode is produced on a rigid or flexible support substrate, including a grid network of very fine electrically-conductive lines with nodes and links, to produce a diffraction pattern, as much as possible in an arc shape, in the light transmitted and that results in an absence of high-level optical impacts. The grid network may in addition be produced without preferential direction with a number of three lines joining up at each node and/or with conductive sections extending in the shape of an arc or in wave form between the nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Martin Melcher, Michael Labrot, Benno Dunkmann, Philippe Letocart, Bernhard Reul, Karl-Josef Ollfisch, Marc Maurer
  • Patent number: 8947757
    Abstract: An electrochromic glazing containing: a substrate including a layer structure thereon, which contains a first and second electrode layer, between which a first and second electrochemically active layer are situated, which each reversibly incorporate ions, wherein the first active layer contains an electrochromic material and the two active layers are separated from each other by an electrolyte layer, the layer structure being subdivided into series-connected electrochromic cells by a transition zone comprising: a first trench; a second trench; and a third trench between the first and second trenches, wherein the first and second trenches subdivide the first and second electrode layers into first electrode sections electrically insulated from each other and second electrode sections electrically insulated from each other, respectively, and the third trench is filled with an electrically conductive material, by which the first and second electrode sections of the cells adjacent the transition zone are electrica
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Li-Ya Yeh, Philippe Letocart, Bastien Royer, Norbert Huhn
  • Patent number: 8947756
    Abstract: An electrochromic material including a metal-organic framework including a metal, and an organic compound including a functional group, wherein the organic compound forms a coordination complex with the metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang-Ho Noh, Seog-Jin Jeon, Seung-Uk Son
  • Patent number: 8941908
    Abstract: A porous electrode sheet (1) includes a resin film (2) being transparent and having insulating properties, and a transparent electrode (3) placed on one face (2a) of the resin film (2). The resin film (2) is provided with a plurality of through holes (21) extending linearly from the one face (2a) to the other face (2b). The transparent electrode (3) has openings (31) at positions corresponding respectively to the through holes (21). The through holes (21) of the resin film (2) and the openings (31) of the transparent electrode (3) communicate with each other, and thereby form passages (10) penetrating the porous electrode sheet (1) in the thickness direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Junichi Moriyama, Yozo Nagai, Satoru Furuyama, Hajime Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8919971
    Abstract: The invention is related to an interior rear view mirror that is constructed by front plastic glass shaped in u-form and a mirror housing. The mirror comprises a second plastic glass which crate a inter glass space for a device which changes the reflectivity of the mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Ulrich Bruhnke, Oliver Eder, Kurt Wilfinger
  • Publication number: 20140376075
    Abstract: An electrically controllable device includes two supported electrodes, each coated with a conductive coating, the two electrodes positioned with respect to one another so that the conductive coatings are facing each other. An electroactive system, sandwiched between, and in contact with, the two electrodes, has an area smaller than that of each of the electrodes to define a peripheral groove over the entire perimeter of the electroactive system. A peripheral seal fills the groove over the entire perimeter of the electroactive system and is entirely in contact with the two electrodes. The contact area between the seal and the first electrode and the contact area between the seal and the second electrode each include a conductive part and a non-conductive part. No conductive part of the contact area between the seal and the first electrode is opposite a conductive part of the contact area between the seal and the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Samuel Dubrenat, Jia Mei Soon
  • Patent number: 8908253
    Abstract: There is described a passive variable emittance device comprising: a substrate having a receiving surface adapted to reflect radiations having a given wavelength; an intermediary layer deposited on the receiving surface of the substrate and being substantially transparent to the radiations having the given wavelength; and a thermochromic layer deposited on top of the intermediary layer, the thermochromic layer being substantially transparent to the radiations having the given wavelength for a first temperature below a given transition temperature, and presenting both reflection and absorption for the radiations for a second temperature above the given transition temperature, a total optical thickness for the intermediary and thermochromic layers being substantially equal to one quarter of the given wavelength so that radiations reflected by the thermochromic layer at the second temperature destructively interfere with radiations transmitted by the thermochromic and intermediary layers and reflected by the sub
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignees: Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), MPB Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Ali Hendaoui, Mohamed Chaker, Emile Haddad
  • Patent number: 8908252
    Abstract: An electrochromic fiber or fabric is disclosed. The fiber or fabric includes a flexible, electrically conductive fiber, wherein the fiber comprises a non-electrically conductive organic polymer coated with an electrically conductive polymer; and; a layer comprising an electrochromic material disposed on and surrounding the flexible, electrically conductive fiber; wherein the electrically conductive polymer is PEDOT-PSS, poly(vinylpyridine), a poly(thiophene), a poly(pyrrole), a poly(aniline), a poly(acetylene), a poly(p-phenylenevinylene), a sulfonated polythieno[3,4-b]thiophene, polystyrenesulfonate, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the fiber or fabric is both flexible and elastic. The fibers and fabrics are of particular utility in electrochromic devices, particularly those which form or are a part of garments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: The University of Connecticut
    Inventors: Gregory A. Sotzing, Michael A. Invernale
  • Publication number: 20140355096
    Abstract: An electrochromic device including: (a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes: (1) a solvent; (2) an anodic material; and (3) a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; (d) wherein a seal member, the first substrate, the second substrate, and/or the chamber includes a plug associated with a fill port; and (e) wherein the plug is at least partially cured with an antimonate photo initiator and/or is a one- or two-part plug which comprises a resin or mixture of resins that are substantially insoluble and/or substantially immiscible with an associated electrochromic medium while in the uncured state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Steven J. Veenman, William L. Tonar, Joel A. Stray, Leroy J. Kloeppner, David L. Poll, Gary J. Dozeman, Nalini C. Menon, Kevin L. Ash
  • Publication number: 20140340731
    Abstract: Thin-film devices, for example electrochromic devices for windows, and methods of manufacturing are described. Particular focus is given to methods of patterning optical devices. Various edge deletion and isolation scribes are performed, for example, to ensure the optical device has appropriate isolation from any edge defects. Methods described herein apply to any thin-film device having one or more material layers sandwiched between two thin film electrical conductor layers. The described methods create novel optical device configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Fabian Strong, Yashraj Bhatnagar, Abhishek Anant Dixit, Todd Martin, Robert T. Rozbicki
  • Patent number: 8891154
    Abstract: An electrochromic device including: (a) a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (b) a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; (c) an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes: (1) a solvent; (2) an anodic material; and (3) a cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; (d) wherein a seal member, the first substrate, the second substrate, and/or the chamber includes a plug associated with a fill port; and (e) wherein the plug is at least partially cured with an antimonate photo initiator and/or is a one- or two-part plug which comprises a resin or mixture of resins that are substantially insoluble and/or substantially immiscible with an associated electrochromic medium while in the uncured state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Veenman, William L. Tonar, Joel A. Stray, Leroy J. Kloeppner, David L. Poll, Gary J. Dozeman, Nalini C. Menon, Kevin L. Ash
  • Publication number: 20140333982
    Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electrochromic gel which is excellent in flexibility and which is stretchable, a method for producing the gel, a method for controlling electronic printing and erasing, and a stretchable display. The problem is solved by using an electrochromic gel obtained by laminating an electrolyte-containing gel layer consisting only of an electrolyte-containing gel and an organic-metallic hybrid polymer-containing layer obtained by containing an organic-metallic hybrid polymer in the electrolyte-containing gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: National Institute For Materials Science
    Inventors: Masayoshi Higuchi, Jian Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140327950
    Abstract: Devices and methods related generally to electrochromic materials and their use. In some embodiments, the electrochromic materials are for use on an optical substrate, such as a lens, a semi-finished lens blank, and the like. Some embodiments include an electrochromic stack including nanostructured materials. Some embodiments include an electrochromic stack including nanostructured electrochromic materials. Some embodiments include one or more ion-conducting layers. Methods of making electrochromic stacks having nanostructured materials and/or ion-conducting layers are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Anita TRAJKOVSKA-BROACH, Amitava Gupta, William Kokonaski, Ronald D. Blum
  • Patent number: 8879139
    Abstract: A display mirror assembly for a vehicle having a front shield including a first side and a second side. A partially reflective, partially transmissive element is mounted on the first side. A rear shield is disposed behind the front shield. A display module is mounted between the front shield and the rear shield and includes in order from the front shield: a display; an optic block; a heat sink having an edge lit PCB mounted along a top edge thereof; and a PCB. The front shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a first retaining feature and the rear shield is secured to at least one component of the display module with a second retaining feature. A housing at least partially surrounds the front shield, display module, and rear shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Richard T. Fish, Jr., Danny L. Minikey, Jr., Bradley R. Hamlin, Ethan J. Lee, Eric P. Kern
  • Publication number: 20140321162
    Abstract: The methods, devices, and/or compositions described herein can used to reduce variations, such as spatial and temporal variations, in luminance intensity. Luminance variation is reduced by varying some aspect of transmittance with respect to the intensity of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Motoyuki Toki, Sayoko Tanaka, Masumi Honda
  • Patent number: 8871327
    Abstract: A camouflage structure, capable of altering its appearance, comprises a camouflage graphic layer and a color-changing layer disposed on the camouflage graphic layer. Originally, the camouflage structure presents a first color state. After the color-changing layer changes the color by driving methods, the camouflage structure presents a second color state. For example, a transparent or semi-transparent color-changing layer able to reflect or emitting red light could be disposed on the woodland camouflage graphic layer, which allows for the overall appearance to change from the greenish woodland camouflage to the brownish desert camouflage. Alternatively, the camouflage structure could comprise a greenish camouflage graphic layer made of material with red-shift characteristics, which means the greenish camouflage graphic layer consists of different colors of chromic materials with reversible red-shift characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Chen-Chu Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140313562
    Abstract: A hybrid transparent conductive film, and methods for fabricating such hybrid transparent conductive films, involving the assembly of two-dimensional graphene-based materials with one-dimensional silver and/or copper nanowires with high optical transmittance and good electrical conductivity. The hybrid films are characterized by a good degree of control of the architecture at the nanoscale level, where the weakness(es) of each component are offset by the strengths of the other components. By rational design of the structure and using simple and locate-cost fabrication methods, hybrid films with sheet resistance of 26 ohm/sq and optical transmittance (at ?=550 nm) of 83% for reduced graphene oxide/silver nanowire films, and 64 ohm/sq and optical transmittance of 93.6% for monolayer graphene/silver nanowire films have been fabricated. These values are comparable to transparent conductive films based on indium tin oxide but are now able to be used in flexible electronics due to their good mechanical properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Rodney S. Ruoff, Iskandar Kholmanov
  • Publication number: 20140313561
    Abstract: Conventional electrochromic devices frequently suffer from poor reliability and poor performance. Improvements are made using entirely solid and inorganic materials. Electrochromic devices are fabricated by forming an ion conducting electronically insulating interfacial region that serves as an IC layer. In some methods, the interfacial region is formed after formation of an electrochromic and a counter electrode layer, which are in direct contact with one another. The interfacial region contains an ion conducting electronically insulating material along with components of the electrochromic and/or the counter electrode layer. Materials and microstructure of the electrochromic devices provide improvements in performance and reliability over conventional devices. In addition to the improved electrochromic devices and methods for fabrication, integrated deposition systems for forming such improved devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongchun Wang, Anshu Pradhan, Robert Rozbicki
  • Patent number: 8864321
    Abstract: A controller or control method may be designed or configured to operate without information about the current temperature of the device and/or the device's environment. Further, in some cases, the controller or control method is designed or configured to control transition of an optical device to an intermediated state between two end states. For example, the controller may be configured to control a transition to a state of transmissivity that is intermediate between two end states of transmissivity. In such case, the device has three or more stable states of transmissivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Disha Mehtani, Gordon Jack, Anshu Pradhan
  • Patent number: 8867116
    Abstract: A distate interior electrochromic mirror including: first and second substrates; an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes at least one solvent, at least one anodic material, at least one cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; a cross-linked polymer matrix; wherein, in a first state, the electrochromic medium exhibits a maximum light transmission; and wherein, in a second state, attenuation occurs to a significant extent in at least one of visible radiation and near-infrared radiation; and further wherein the distate electrochromic device does not materially exhibit segregation after being maintained in the second state for 24 continuous hours at 50 degrees centigrade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Leroy J. Kloeppner, Zachary J. Petroelje
  • Publication number: 20140307303
    Abstract: An electrical writing board includes a bottom color plate, an electrochromic board, a touch panel, and a driving circuit module. The electrochromic board is covered on the bottom color plate, and includes a plurality of electrochromic units. The touch panel is covered on the electrochromic board, and outputs a touch signal when the touch panel is touched. The driving circuit module is electrically connected between the electrochromic board and the touch panel, and enables a part of the electrochromic units according to the touch signal to display a handwriting. The handwriting displaying on the electrochromic board is the same as a touch route sensed by the touch panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHEN-HAN LIN
  • Publication number: 20140307302
    Abstract: A directly addressable display device comprising at least one pixel cell (1-9), each pixel cell (1-9) being arranged for displaying a symbol, which symbol is repeatedly switchable between an on-state and an off-state, wherein each pixel cell (1-9) comprises an electrochromic layer (110) comprising an electrochromic and electrochemically active organic polymer material being electrochemically switchable between two different visually detectable coloring states; a counter electrode layer (140) comprising an electronically conductive material, wherein said counter electrode layer (140) in the viewing direction of the display device is arranged behind said electrochromic layer (110); an electrolyte layer (130), which electrolyte layer (130) is solid and arranged spatially between, and in ionic contact with, said electrochromic layer (110) and said counter electrode layer (140); a symbol defining layer (120) which is electronically and ionically insulating, arranged in direct ionic contact with said electrochromic
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: ACREO SWEDISH ICT AB
    Inventors: Peter Andersson Ersman, Mats Sandberg
  • Patent number: 8858748
    Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to electrochromic (EC) devices, assemblies incorporating electrochromic devices, and/or methods of making the same. More particularly, certain example embodiments of this invention relate to improved EC materials, EC device stacks, high-volume manufacturing (HVM) compatible process integration schemes, and/or high-throughput low cost deposition sources, equipment, and factories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Vijayen S. Veerasamy
  • Patent number: 8854714
    Abstract: Colored conductive fluids for electrowetting or electrofluidic devices, and the devices themselves, are disclosed. The colored conductive fluid includes a polar solvent and a colorant selected from a pigment and/or a dye. The polar solvent has (a) a dynamic viscosity of 0.1 cP to 1000 cP at 25° C., (b) a surface tension of 25 dynes/cm to 90 dynes/cm at 25° C., and (c) an electrowetting relative response of 20% to 80%. The colored conductive fluid itself can have an electrical conductivity from 0.1 ?S/cm to 3,000 ?S/cm and can have no greater than 500 total ppm of monatomic ions with ionic radii smaller than 2.0 ? and polyatomic ions with ionic radii smaller than 1.45 ?. The colored conductive fluid should not cause electrical breakdown of a dielectric in the device in which it is employed. An agent for controlling electrical conductivity can optionally be added to the colored conductive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sun Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa Clapp, Jason Heikenfeld, April Milarcik, Russell J. Schwartz, Stanislav G. Vilner, Manjeet Dhindsa, Stephanie Chevalliot
  • Publication number: 20140293192
    Abstract: A display panel can display images or information on at least one surface side and transmit external light through a transmissive display element. The display panel includes a plurality of light-emitting elements that emit light to the one surface side and can be driven independently and a plurality of transmissive display elements that can be driven independently. Alternatively, a display panel transmits external light through a double-side light-emitting element and a transmissive display element. The display panel includes a plurality of double-side light-emitting elements that can be driven independently and a plurality of transmissive display elements that can be driven independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru Hatano
  • Publication number: 20140285865
    Abstract: A variable reflectance mirror reflective element for a vehicular exterior rearview mirror assembly includes a front substrate and a rear substrate, with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween. A mirror reflector is disposed at a third surface of the rear substrate and includes a stack of thin films and has a sheet resistance of less than about 5 ohms per square. Light that reflects off of the mirror reflector and passes through the electrochromic medium and the front substrate exhibits a substantially non-spectrally selective reflectance characteristic to a person viewing the exterior mirror reflective element when no voltage is applied to the electrochromic medium. At least a portion of the mirror reflector extends out under the seal towards a perimeter edge of the rear substrate. An electrical connection, which may include a conductive epoxy, is made to the portion of the mirror reflector outboard of the perimeter seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian A. McCabe, Hamid Habibi, Niall R. Lynam, Donald L. Bareman
  • Publication number: 20140285866
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide electrochromic devices and materials and processes for forming such electrochromic devices and materials. In one embodiment, an electrochromic device contains a lower transparent conductor layer disposed on a substrate, wherein an upper surface of the lower transparent conductor layer has a surface roughness of greater than 50 nm and a primary electrochromic layer having planarizing properties is disposed on the lower transparent conductor layer. The upper surface of the primary electrochromic layer has a surface roughness less than the surface roughness of upper surface of the lower transparent conductor layer, such as about 50 nm or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Phong NGUYEN
  • Patent number: 8842357
    Abstract: A method for lithiating an electrochromic device comprise forming a first transparent conductive layer on a substrate, forming an electrochromic structure on the first transparent conductive layer, forming a second transparent conductive layer on the electrochromic structure, and lithiating the electrochromic structure through the second transparent conductive layer. In one exemplary embodiment lithiating the electrochromic structure comprises lithiating the electrochromic structure at a temperature range of between about room temperature and about 500 C for the duration of the lithiation process. In another exemplary embodiment, lithiating the electrochromic structure further comprises lithiating the electrochromic structure by using at least one of sputtering, evaporation, laser ablation and exposure to a lithium salt. The electrochromic device can be configured in either a “forward” or a “reverse” stack configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul P. Nguyen, Shiwei Liu
  • Publication number: 20140268280
    Abstract: An optical film having electrochromatic characteristics that block selected wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum when activated by an electric signal configured to operate with a controller that activates the electromagnetic characteristics of the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: David Simon, Loran Ambs, Paul Patricio
  • Publication number: 20140268279
    Abstract: An electrochromic device including: a first substantially transparent substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; a second substrate having an electrically conductive material associated therewith; an electrochromic medium contained within a chamber positioned between the first and second substrates which includes: at least one solvent; at least one anodic material; and at least one cathodic material, wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic; wherein at least one of a seal member, the first substrate, the second substrate, and the chamber includes a plug associated with a fill port; and wherein the plug is at least partially cured with at least one photoinitiator and at least one photosensitizer upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength from about 350 nm to about 420 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: STEVEN J. VEENMAN, LEROY J. KLOEPPNER
  • Publication number: 20140253996
    Abstract: One object of the present invention is to provide an electrochromic device having improved insulating film structure to reduce electrical leakage. The improved structure includes a lower conductive layer, upper conductive layer, an electrochromic electrode layer, a counter electrode layer, and at least one ion-conductor layer sandwiched between the electrochromic electrode layer and the counter electrode layer. The lower conductive layer and the electrochromic electrode layer are scribed and the gap formed from the scribing is filled with the layers formed above the electrochromic electrode layer. In some aspects, the ion-conductor layer is also scribed with the lower conductor and electrochromic electrode layers and the gap formed from the scribing is filled with the layers formed above the ion-conductor layer. In further aspects, the insulating film may include one or more buffer layers formed above an ion-conductor layer, further separating the upper conductive layer from the lower conductive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Samuel Burdis, Jean-Christophe Giron, Harvey Kalweit
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8830555
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention include systems for reflective digital light processing (DLP). Embodiments include a light source, a plurality of optically reflective switching devices each having an optically reflective layer in contact with a substrate; a circuit means and power source; controller logic; a projection means; and a display means; wherein each of said plurality of devices is a capable of receiving light from said light source and thereafter reflecting said received light in direct response to a reflective state condition of said each device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Slavek P. Aksamit, David D. Chudy, Cristian Medina
  • Patent number: 8824038
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochromic device including a first non-tempered glass substrate (S1), the linear thermal expansion coefficient of which is between 35 and 60·10?7/° C., said substrate (S1) being coated with a stack including at least one transparent electrically conductive layer (2, 4), an electrochromic material layer (EC2), an ion-conductive electrolyte layer (EL), and a counter electrode (EC1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Giron, René Gy, Thomas Bertin-Mourot
  • Patent number: 8820981
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating light may be comprised of a light source with a lens interposed in a light path from the light source. The lens may be comprised of two or more sections wherein at least one section may be comprised of smart glass. Electrical circuitry may be configured to control a transparency state of the smart glass lens sections. Another embodiment may have two reflectors wherein one of the reflectors may be interposed between the light source and the other reflector and may be comprised of smart glass with a transparent state and a reflective state so that two different reflection patterns may be created. A method for illumination wherein at least one area's illumination is controlled by a section of smart glass is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Greenwave Reality PTE Ltd
    Inventor: Karl Jonsson
  • Publication number: 20140240811
    Abstract: A rearview mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a mirror reflective element having a principal mirror and an auxiliary wide angle spotter mirror. A curved recess is established at a spotter portion of a rear surface of a glass substrate of the mirror reflective element. A spotter mirror reflector coating is established at at least a portion of the curved recess to establish the auxiliary wide angle spotter mirror. A principal mirror reflector coating is established at a surface of the mirror reflective element to establish the principal mirror. A portion of the curved recess is substantially not coated with the spotter mirror reflector coating or a portion of the spotter mirror reflector coating is at least partially hidden from view of a person viewing the front of the mirror reflective element by a coating of the mirror reflective element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Michael J. Baur
  • Publication number: 20140240892
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrostatic chuck is capable of holding a reticle by electrostatic attraction force. The reticle has a planar external shape of a rectangle or a square. The electrostatic chuck includes: a first attraction unit capable of attracting the reticle by the electrostatic attraction force; and a substrate supporting the first attraction unit. The first attraction unit is symmetrical with respect to a first line when the reticle is attracted to the first attraction unit. The first line crosses two opposing sides of the rectangle or the square.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yosuke OKAMOTO, Nobuhiro KOMINE