Particular Electrolyte Layer Patents (Class 359/270)
  • Patent number: 8730551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, William L. Tonar, John S. Anderson, Henry A. Luten, David J. Cammenga, Juan C. Lara, Jeffrey A. Forgette
  • Patent number: 8693078
    Abstract: This invention contemplates integrating laser scribing/patterning the component layers of electrochromic devices by directly removing (ablating) the material of the component layers. To minimize redeposition of laser ablated material and particulate formation on device surfaces a number of approaches may be used: (1) ablated material generated by the focused laser patterning may be removed by vacuum suction and/or application of an inert gas jet in the vicinity of the laser ablation of device material; (2) spatial separation of the edges of layers and patterning of lower layers prior to deposition of upper layers; and (3) the laser patterning step may be performed by a laser beam focused directly on the deposited layers from above, by a laser beam directed through the transparent substrate, or by a combination of both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Byung Sung Kwak, Nety Krishna
  • Patent number: 8687262
    Abstract: An ion conductor includes a mixture including an electrolyte including a salt including inorganic or organic pairs of negative and positive ions, and a low-molecular liquid crystal material. Further, an impedance of the ion conductor varies in accordance with an increase of a voltage applied to the ion conductor due to an orientation response of the low-molecular liquid crystal material, the impedance being determined by an AC impedance method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tohru Yashiro, Shigenobu Hirano, Koh Fujimura, Yoshihisa Naijo, Yoshinori Okada, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Akishige Murakami
  • Patent number: 8686988
    Abstract: In the case of depositing a metal in a plurality of stages by applying deposition voltages having a plurality of rectangular waves at different voltages to an electrochemical display element, the application time of the rectangular wave at the highest voltage among the plurality of rectangular waves is set to a time (Tip) required for reaching a resistance inflexion point (Rip) where the resistance value (R) of a pixel starts to rapidly increase or shorter. Thus, the element can be prevented from being broken without deteriorating the response characteristics of a display element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Tomoo Izumi
  • Publication number: 20140085699
    Abstract: An electrochromic panel for a control device is disclosed. The electrochromic panel includes a first conduction layer for receiving a positive drive voltage, a second conduction layer for receiving a negative drive voltage, an electrolyte layer disposed on the second conduction layer, and a coloration layer having a pattern and disposed between the electrolyte layer and the first conduction layer, wherein an electron current generated by the negative drive voltage flows from the second conduction layer, the electrolyte layer, the coloration layer to the first conduction layer, such that the coloration layer performs a reduction-oxidation reaction and the pattern of the coloration layer changes from transparent to a non-transparent color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Yao-Han Huang
  • Patent number: 8665511
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe electrochromic devices and methods for forming electrochromic devices. The electrochromic devices include a transparent substrate, a transparent conducting oxide layer coupled to the transparent substrate, and a layer of electrochromic material coupled to the transparent conducting oxide layer. The transparent conducting oxide layer includes indium and zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Hien Minh Huu Le, Thai Cheng Chua, Guowen Ding, Minh Anh Nguyen, Yu Wang, Guizhen Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140009812
    Abstract: Provided are a display device which is advantageous not only in that it can smoothly switch display/non-display for a desired pattern and has a memory effect, but also in that the display device has a simple construction of the members thereof and can be driven at a low voltage, and exhibits high display contrast and can be increased in the display area, and a color electronic paper using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Masayoshi HIGUCHI, Yumeno AKASAKA
  • Patent number: 8625186
    Abstract: An electrochromic compound represented by the following General Formula (1) wherein E represents at least one of O, S, Se, and N—R; R represents at least one of a hydrogen atom, a substitutive aliphatic hydrocarbon group, and a substitutive aromatic hydrocarbon group; X1-X10 may be the same or different and each represent at least one of a hydrogen atom and a monovalent substituent; L1 and L2 may be the same or different and each represent a monovalent substituent; and A? and B? may be the same or different and each represent a monovalent anion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Okada, Shigenobu Hirano, Tsutomu Sato
  • Publication number: 20130335802
    Abstract: An electrochromic display device includes an electrochromic display element including a display electrode, an electrochromic layer provided on the display electrode, an opposing electrode facing the display electrode, and an electrolyte layer sandwiched between the display electrode and the opposing electrode. The electrochromic display device further includes a switching element, and a electric storage element. The display electrode is connected with the opposing electrode by a power source or the electric storage element via the switching element, and when performing driving, part of electric charges, which are stored in the electrochromic display element, are applied for charging the electric storage element, or electric charges in the electric storage element that has been charged are used for driving the electrochromic display element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Sukchan Kim, Tohru Yashiro, Koh Fujimura, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Shigenobu Hirano, Yoshihisa Naijo, Yoshinori Okada, Kazuaki Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8610991
    Abstract: An electrochromic compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1: Also disclosed is an electrochromic device including the electrochromic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rupasree Ragini Das, Chang-Ho Noh, Seog-Jin Jeon
  • Patent number: 8593714
    Abstract: This invention discloses novel electrochromic devices and polymer actuator materials where nanoparticles are used to make composites. In particular, the said nanoparticles are wire shaped and disc shaped. These composites allow EC devices to be made with improved performance, particularly display devices could be made that consume low power and can be manufactured at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: AJJER, LLC
    Inventors: Anoop Agrawal, Juan Carlos L. Tonazzi
  • Patent number: 8564871
    Abstract: An electrochromic apparatus comprises a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer spaced from and disposed substantially parallel to the first electrode. An electrochromic layer is disposed between the first and second electrode layers. An electrolyte layer is disposed between the electrochromic layer and one of the electrode layers. The electrochromic layer comprises the dehydration reaction product of a hydrolyzed aromatic component. An electrochromic composition comprises an aromatic component having an aromatic core and at least two silicon-based groups pending from the aromatic core. The silicon-based groups have a silicon-bonded group selected from the group of hydrolyzable groups, hydrolyzates of hydrolyzable groups, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventors: David Witker, Toshio Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8559092
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Bugno, William L. Tonar, George A. Neuman, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., John S. Anderson, David L. Poll, Joel A. Stray, Bradley L. Busscher, Kenton J. Ypma
  • Patent number: 8542426
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent electrochromic system (100) which includes two pairs of transparent supply electrodes (1-4), which are intended for being electrically connected to variable power sources (20, 21). The electrodes of the two pairs are supported by separate outer walls (10, 11) of the system, on either side of a closed volume which contains electroactive substances. The electrochromic system has superior dynamics and switching rate. Various embodiments of the invention correspond to various modes for connecting the electrodes to the power sources, and to various partitions of the closed volume into separate cells (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale d'Optique)
    Inventors: Samuel Archambeau, Claudine Biver, Jean-Paul Cano, Sandrine Duluard
  • Patent number: 8531754
    Abstract: An electrochromic display element including a display substrate, at least one display electrode, a counter electrode, a counter substrate, at least one electrochromic layer in contact with the display electrode, and an electrolyte layer between the electrochromic layer and the counter electrode, wherein the electrolyte layer contains a matrix resin having a three-dimensionally crosslinked structure and a mixture of a liquid crystal compound and an electrolyte, and wherein the mixture of the liquid crystal compound and the electrolyte is dispersed as a continuous phase in the matrix resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koh Fujimura, Shigenobu Hirano, Tohru Yashiro, Yoshihisa Naijo
  • Patent number: 8526093
    Abstract: An electrically programmable reticle is made using at least one electrochromatic layer that changes its optical transmissibility in response to applied voltages. Transparent conductor layers are configured to the desired patterns. The electrically programmable reticles are either patterned in continuous forms that have separately applied voltages or in a matrix of rows and columns that are addressed by row and column selects such that desired patterns are formed with the application of a first voltage level and reset with the application of a second voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices
    Inventor: Keith Randolph Miller
  • Patent number: 8520286
    Abstract: Colored fluids for electrowetting, electrofluidic, and electrophoretic chromatophore devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the colored fluid includes at least one solvent and at least one oligomeric and/or polymeric dye in the solvent. The oligomeric dye has at least one chromophore attached to one or more oligomeric chains, and the polymeric dye has at least one chromophore attached to one or more oligomeric and/or polymeric chains. The dye also has a molecular weight from 400 to 100,000, solubility in the solvent of at least 5% wt at 25° C., and a dynamic viscosity from 0.5 cPs to 2,000 cPs at 25° C. The solvent may be polar or non-polar each having specific properties defined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Sun Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa Clapp, Russell Schwartz, Stan Vilner
  • Patent number: 8519150
    Abstract: Provided are a ?-electron conjugated polymer having a constitutional unit represented by general formula (2) that is suitable as an electrochromic material that changes from a desired colored state to a decolored state, a new compound that is a raw material of the polymer, and a method for producing the polymer: wherein each X independently represents one selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, —NH—, and —NR1— (wherein R1 is an optionally substituted alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an optionally substituted aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms); each Y independently represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; each Z independently represents one selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and optionally substituted organic groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and W is one selected from the group consisting of an ethynylene group, an optionally substituted ethenylene group, optionally substituted arylene groups, and optionally substituted divalent heteroaromati
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshirou Kondou, Kirihiro Nakano, Tomiaki Otake
  • Patent number: 8493646
    Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first electrochromic region interconnected with a second electrochromic region by a plurality of conductive links disposed between sides of a substrate on which the material layers of the electrochromic device are formed. The plurality of conductive links interconnects a first isolated conductive region of the first electrochromic region with a first isolated conductive region of the second electrochromic region. A sequence of a counter electrode layer, an ion conductor layer and an electrochromic layer is sandwiched between the first conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions and respective second isolated conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions. The second conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions are connected to respective first and second bus bars which are for connection to a low voltage electrical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Samuel Burdis
  • Patent number: 8482839
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrochromic optical lens and a method for the preparation thereof. The lens includes an electrode and a counter-electrode bearing an electrochromic material separated by a solid polymer electrolyte. The method consists of preparing the electrode and the counter-electrode and the assembly thereof by the surfaces thereof bearing the electrochromic material by interleaving an electrolyte membrane between said surfaces. The electrolyte membrane is interleaved in the form of a composition free of volatile liquid solvent, including a precursor of the polymer and a salt, which is liquid or which has a dynamic viscosity [mu] between 100 and 106 Pa·s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignees: Hydro-Quebec, Essilor International (Compagne General d'Optique)
    Inventors: Karim Zaghib, Mathieu Feuillade, Jean-Francois Labrecque, Abdelbast Guerfi
  • Patent number: 8482840
    Abstract: A display device of this embodiment includes a first insulating substrate having a display surface; a first resistive layer disposed on a surface of the first insulating substrate, the surface being opposite the display surface; a first electrochromic layer disposed on a surface of the first resistive layer; an electrolyte layer disposed on a surface of the first electrochromic layer; and a plurality of first electrodes connected to the first resistive layer. In the display device, a voltage is applied to the plurality of first electrodes so that a voltage gradient is generated in an in-plane direction of the first resistive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsutoshi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130163064
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe electrochromic devices and methods for forming electrochromic devices. The electrochromic devices include a transparent substrate, a transparent conducting oxide layer coupled to the transparent substrate, and a layer of electrochromic material coupled to the transparent conducting oxide layer. The transparent conducting oxide layer includes indium and zinc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Intermolecular Inc.
    Inventors: Hien Minh Huu Le, Thai Cheng Chua, Guowen Ding, Minh Anh Anh Nguyen, Yu Wang, Guizhen Zhang
  • Patent number: 8427734
    Abstract: A 3D image display device includes a display module, an electrochromic module, a control element and a sensing element. The display module is provided for generating a left-eye image and a right-eye image. The electrochromic module is comprised of a first transparent substrate, a first transparent conductive element, a plurality of first electrochromic elements, an electrolyte layer, a plurality of second electrochromic elements, a second transparent conductive element and a second transparent substrate. The second electrochromic elements are arranged orthogonally with the first electrochromic elements. The control element is provided for switching the voltage of the first and second transparent conductive elements. The sensing element is provided for sensing a rotating direction of the 3D image display device and transmitting a sensing signal to the control element to change the color of the first or second electrochromic element, so as to produce a parallax barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: J Touch Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Chou Yeh, Chao-Yi Wang, Wen-Chih Lo, Tsung-Her Yeh
  • Patent number: 8373919
    Abstract: Provided is an optical element with an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance in response to the amplitude of an applied voltage. The apodized aperture includes (i) a first substrate having a planar inner surface and an outer surface, (ii) a second substrate having an outer surface and a non-planar inner surface opposing and spaced from the planar inner surface of the first substrate, wherein each of the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate has an at least partial layer of transparent conductive material thereover; and (iii) an electrochromic medium disposed between the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. Foller, Robert H. Tang, Forrest R. Blackburn, Robert W. Walters, Kevin W. Seybert
  • Publication number: 20130033735
    Abstract: According to example embodiments, an electrochromic device includes pixel containing a first sub-pixel and a second sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel includes a first electrolyte contacting a first electrochromic layer. The first electrochromic layer includes a first electrochromic material configured to display each one of transparency and at least two colors, based on a voltage applied to the first electrochromic material. The second sub-pixel includes a second electrolyte contacting a second electrochromic layer. The second electrochromic layer includes a second electrochromic material configured to display each one of transparency, black, and at least one color other than black, based on a voltage applied to the second electrochromic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chang Ho Noh, Rupasree Ragini Das, Jung Woo Kim, Seog Jin Jeon
  • Patent number: 8368992
    Abstract: An electrochromic element comprises a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second substrate in spaced-apart relationship to the first substrate and having a third surface facing the second surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, and an electrochromic medium located between the first and second substrates, wherein the electrochromic medium has a light transmittance that is variable upon application of an electric field thereto. The electrochromic element further comprises a transparent electrode layer covering at least a portion of at least a select one of the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface, wherein the transparent electrode layer comprises an insulator/metal/insulator stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, Henry A. Luten, John S. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Forgette, Scott W. VanderZwaag
  • Publication number: 20130010347
    Abstract: An all-solid-state reflective dimming electrochromic element having a multilayer film formed on a transparent substrate, which is characterized in that the multilayer film has a multilayer structure comprising at least a transparent conductive film layer, an ion storage layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a buffer layer, a catalyst layer, a reflective dimming layer, and a protective layer formed on the transparent substrate, and which is sealed with the protective layer, and a dimming member comprising the same are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Kazuki Tajima, Yasusei Yamada, Kazuki Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8345344
    Abstract: A multicolor photovoltaic electrochromic apparatus is provided, including a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate opposite to the first transparent substrate, a photovoltaic electrochromic device on the first transparent substrate, and a chromogenic device between the first and the second transparent substrates. The photovoltaic electrochromic device includes thin-film solar cells and an electrochromic material on the thin-film solar cells. The thin-film solar cells have different potential differences, and each of the thin-film solar cells includes an anode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a cathode. The chromogenic device includes two electrodes and a chromogenic material thereon. The cathodes of the thin-film solar cells, which have distinct potential differences, are connected to the first electrode and the second electrode of the chromogenic device respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Lee-May Huang
  • Patent number: 8284472
    Abstract: The present invention provides an all-solid-state type reflection light controllable electrochromic device having a buffer layer, and the constitution thereof comprises an all-solid-state reflective dimming electrochromic device in which a transparent conductive film layer, an ion storage layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a buffer layer, catalyst layer, and a reflective light controllable layer of a magnesium alloy thin film, in particular a multilayer thin film that uses a magnesium-nickel alloy, magnesium-titanium alloy or magnesium-niobium alloy, are formed on a transparent base that uses a glass or resin sheet, and a method for manufacturing the device, and an optical switchable component that incorporates the reflective light controllable electrochromic device, and according to the present invention, a reflective light controllable electrochromic device having a novel multilayer structure can be provided that enables high transmittance when it is transparent and enables switching in a short time over a w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kazuki Yoshimura, Yasusel Yamada, Kazuki Tajima
  • Patent number: 8263428
    Abstract: This disclosure provides polymer electrolytes for dye-sensitized solar cells that can not only prevent electrolytes from leaking, but also exhibit a higher solar conversion efficiency when compared with conventional polymer electrolytes, whereby the polymer electrolytes are applicable to a process for manufacturing dye-sensitized solar cells with a large surface area or flexible dye-sensitized solar cells, and methods for manufacturing modules of dye-sensitized solar cells using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Toray Advanced Materials Korea Inc.
    Inventors: Chang-Hoon Sim, Sang-Pil Kim, Ki-Jeong Moon
  • Patent number: 8254012
    Abstract: A display element in which reduced variation in color in the midtone has been achieved even when repeatedly driven is disclosed, comprising opposing electrodes and an electrolyte containing silver or a compound including silver in the chemical structure between the opposing electrodes, wherein the opposing electrodes are driven so that the silver is dissolved or deposited and the following requirement is satisfied: A1/A2>4 in which A1 (mA/cm2) is a maximum value of absolute values of an electric current applied between the opposed electrodes when driven in the direction of from a state of no silver being deposited on the side of the display electrode to that of the silver being deposited and A2 (mA/cm2) is a maximum of absolute values of an electric current applied between the opposing electrodes when driven in the direction of from a state of no silver being deposited on the side of the display electrode to that of the silver being dissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Kokeguchi
  • Patent number: 8248681
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to polyaniline (PANI) materials capable of undergoing stable and reversible polyelectrochromic transitions between multiple oxidation states. More specifically, the embodiments described herein include novel PANI-PAAMPSA structures that are capable of undergoing stable and reversible transitions between the ES, LB and PB oxidation states. In some embodiments, the structures described are capable of undergoing stable transitions over a broad pH range. Also described herein are methods of preparing certain electrochromic structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Yueh-Lin Loo, Joung Eun Yoo, Jacob Tarver
  • Publication number: 20120194894
    Abstract: Disclosed are electrochromic compounds represented by the formulas defined in the specification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tohru Yashiro, Shigenobu Hirano, Yousuke Manabe, Satoshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8233211
    Abstract: An electrochromic display device including a substrate including a dividing wall and a concave portion surrounded by the dividing wall, a first conductive layer formed on a bottom surface of the concave portion, a second conductive layer formed on the dividing wall to electrically connect the first conductive layer within adjacent concave portions to each other in a predetermined direction, a third conductive layer disposed opposite to the first conductive layer, a first color-development layer and an electrolyte layer formed between the first conductive layer and the third conductive layer, and an insulating layer formed on the second conductive layer on the dividing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: KURARAY Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshirou Kondou, Hirofumi Tanabe
  • Patent number: 8228587
    Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first electrochromic region interconnected with a second electrochromic region by a plurality of conductive links disposed between sides of a substrate on which the material layers of the electrochromic device are formed. The plurality of conductive links interconnects a first isolated conductive region of the first electrochromic region with a first isolated conductive region of the second electrochromic region. A sequence of a counter electrode layer, an ion conductor layer and an electrochromic layer is sandwiched between the first conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions and respective second isolated conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions. The second conductive regions of the first and second electrochromic regions are connected to respective first and second bus bars which are for connection to a low voltage electrical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Samuel Burdis
  • Patent number: 8218225
    Abstract: An electrolyte for electrochromic devices is manufactured by mixing (210) a solvent, an ionisable substance and a solvated polymer. The solvent comprises a substance having an amide group and selected from a specified group of substances. The ionisable substance comprises an anion and a cation, where the cation preferably is selected among the alkaline ions. The anion is selected from simple anions, such as hydroxide ions, halide ions or more or less complex organic anions. The polymer is solvated in the mixture of the two other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: ChromoGenics AB
    Inventors: Peter Georen, Roser Marsal Berenguel
  • Publication number: 20120154892
    Abstract: An ion conductor includes a mixture including an electrolyte including a salt including inorganic or organic pairs of negative and positive ions, and a low-molecular liquid crystal material. Further, an impedance of the ion conductor varies in accordance with an increase of a voltage applied to the ion conductor due to an orientation response of the low-molecular liquid crystal material, the impedance being determined by an AC impedance method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Tohru YASHIRO, Shigenobu Hirano, Koh Fujimura, Yoshihisa Naijo, Yoshinori Okada, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Akishige Murakami
  • Patent number: 8189255
    Abstract: The present invention provides an all solid state type reflection light control electrochromic element and a light control member that uses this element, relates to an all solid state type reflection light control electrochromic element, which is a magnesium/titanium alloy reflection type light control element in which a multilayer thin film is formed on a transparent substrate, wherein at least a transparent conductive film layer, an ion storage layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a catalyst layer, and a reflection light control layer employing a magnesium/titanium alloy thin film are formed on the substrate; and a light control member which is incorporated with this reflection light control electrochromic element, and the present invention allows a reflection light control electrochromic element, which has a novel multilayer structure that is colorless when transparent and can be switched in a short time over a wide area, as well as a light control member incorporated with this element to be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kazuki Yoshimura, Kazuki Tajima, Shanhu Bao, Yasusei Yamada
  • Publication number: 20120127554
    Abstract: Provided are a display device which is advantageous not only in that it can smoothly switch display/non-display for a desired pattern and has a memory effect, but also in that the display device has a simple construction of the members thereof and can be driven at a low voltage, and exhibits high display contrast and can be increased in the display area, and a color electronic paper using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Masayoshi Higuchi, Yumeno Akasaka
  • Publication number: 20120120476
    Abstract: A 3D image display device includes a display module, an electrochromic module, a control element and a sensing element. The display module is provided for generating a left-eye image and a right-eye image. The electrochromic module is comprised of a first transparent substrate, a first transparent conductive element, a plurality of first electrochromic elements, an electrolyte layer, a plurality of second electrochromic elements, a second transparent conductive element and a second transparent substrate. The second electrochromic elements are arranged orthogonally with the first electrochromic elements. The control element is provided for switching the voltage of the first and second transparent conductive elements. The sensing element is provided for sensing a rotating direction of the 3D image display device and transmitting a sensing signal to the control element to change the color of the first or second electrochromic element, so as to produce a parallax barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: J TOUCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: YU-CHOU YEH, CHAO-YI WANG, WEN-CHIH LO, TSUNG-HER YEH
  • Patent number: 8169684
    Abstract: The present invention relates to improved electro-optic rearview mirror elements and assemblies incorporating the same. Area of the effective field of view of the electro-optic mirror element substantially equals to that defined by the outermost perimeter of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Mark D. Bugno, William L. Tonar, George A. Neuman, Danny L. Minikey, Jr., John S. Anderson, Mark R. Roth, Nigel T. Lock, Spencer D. Reese
  • Patent number: 8164818
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing electrochromic windows are described. An electrochromic device is fabricated to substantially cover a glass sheet, for example float glass, and a cutting pattern is defined based on one or more low-defectivity areas in the device from which one or more electrochromic panes are cut. Laser scribes and/or bus bars may be added prior to cutting the panes or after. Edge deletion can also be performed prior to or after cutting the electrochromic panes from the glass sheet. Insulated glass units (IGUs) are fabricated from the electrochromic panes and optionally one or more of the panes of the IGU are strengthened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Soladigm, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Collins, Ronald M. Parker, Robert T. Rozbicki, Dhairya Shrivastava
  • Patent number: 8153305
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solid electrolyte, to a process for its manufacture and also to devices comprising it. The electrolyte of the invention is an amorphous solid of formula SivOwCxHyLiz, in which v, w, x, y and z are atomic percentages with 0?v?40, 5?w?50, x>12, 10?y?40, 1?z?70, and 95%?v+w+x+y+z?100%. The electrolyte of the invention finds application in the field of electronics and microbatteries in particular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, St Microelectronics SA
    Inventors: Steve Martin, Raphaël Salot, Pascal Faucherand, Sami Oukassi, Lucie Jodin
  • Publication number: 20120081775
    Abstract: There is disclosed an electrochromic passive-matrix display, wherein each passively addressed pixel cell comprises an electrolyte ionically connecting an electrochromic and electrochemically active polymer and a layer of electrically conducting carbon. Thus, each pixel has a pronounced threshold voltage sufficient for reducing cross talk in an electrochromic display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicants: LINTEC CORPORATION, ACREO AB
    Inventors: Peter Andersson Ersman, Jun Kawahara
  • Publication number: 20120069420
    Abstract: A display device of this embodiment includes a first insulating substrate having a display surface; a first resistive layer disposed on a surface of the first insulating substrate, the surface being opposite the display surface; a first electrochromic layer disposed on a surface of the first resistive layer; an electrolyte layer disposed on a surface of the first electrochromic layer; and a plurality of first electrodes connected to the first resistive layer. In the display device, a voltage is applied to the plurality of first electrodes so that a voltage gradient is generated in an in-plane direction of the first resistive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ALPS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsutoshi SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 8102587
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrochromic device having controlled infrared reflection, in particular of the electrically controllable type, comprising, between a carrier substrate (1a) transparent in the infrared range and a counter-substrate (1b), a multilayer stack. The device is characterized in that this multilayer stack comprises, in succession: a) a metal grid (3) transparent in the infrared range, forming a first electrode; b) an electrochromic functional system (5) comprising a layer (EC1) of an ion-storage first electrochromic material, at least one layer (EL1, EL2) having an electrolytic function, and a layer (EC2) of a second electrochromic material; c) a metal layer (7) capable of reflecting the infrared radiation, forming a second electrode; and d) a lamination interlayer (9) made of a thermoplastic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Emily Bressand, Jean-Christophe Giron, Bastien Royer, Emmanuel Valentin, Samuel Dubrenat
  • Patent number: 8102585
    Abstract: Glazing assembly, comprising in succession: a first rigid substrate (S1), a second rigid substrate (S2), at least one active system (3) comprising at least one film and placed between the substrates (S1 and S2), at least one polymer film (f1) having the function of retaining fragments of the glazing assembly should it break, the said film being placed between the substrate (S1) and the substrate (S2), characterized in that the active system (3) is on the inner face (2) of the substrate (S1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Jean-Christophe Giron, Juergen Schuett, Xavier Fanton, Fabien Beteille
  • Publication number: 20110310458
    Abstract: A transparent smart light source capable of adjusting an illumination direction is provided. The transparent smart light source includes a reflectance/transmittance tunable device that adjusts an illumination direction by reflecting or transmitting light emitted from a transparent organic light-emitting diode (OLED) according to applied voltage, and thus can simply adjust the illumination direction according to purpose. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent optical loss in an unnecessary direction, and power consumption can be reduced. Furthermore, the transparent smart light source can serve as a curtain blocking out external light, as well as a lighting device, and also can be combined with a solar cell to generate electric power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jeong Ik LEE, Hye Yong CHU, Jong Hee LEE
  • Patent number: 8077374
    Abstract: Provided are display devices using electrochromism and PDLC and methods of driving the display devices. A display device may include a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes; a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer between the first electrodes and the second electrodes; a plurality of third electrodes and a plurality of fourth electrodes; a plurality of electrochromic layers between the third electrodes and the fourth electrodes; and an electrolyte layer between the third electrodes and the fourth electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-eun Jang, Seung-nam Cha, Jae-eun Jung, Yong-wan Jin
  • Publication number: 20110279884
    Abstract: An electrochromic display element including a display substrate, at least one display electrode, a counter electrode, a counter substrate, at least one electrochromic layer in contact with the display electrode, and an electrolyte layer between the electrochromic layer and the counter electrode, wherein the electrolyte layer contains a matrix resin having a three-dimensionally crosslinked structure and a mixture of a liquid crystal compound and an electrolyte, and wherein the mixture of the liquid crystal compound and the electrolyte is dispersed as a continuous phase in the matrix resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Koh FUJIMURA, Shigenobu Hirano, Tohru Yashiro, Yoshihisa Naijo