Particular Electrochromic Layer Structure Patents (Class 359/273)
  • Publication number: 20110141544
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochromic display device, including, a first substrate, first electrodes provided on an upper surface of the first substrate, a second substrate provided to be opposed to the first substrate above the first substrate, the second substrate being formed of a transparent material, second electrodes provided on an undersurface of the second substrate, at least a part of the second electrodes being formed of a transparent electrode material, and an electrochromic composition layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate. The electrochromic composition layer contains an electrochromic composition including a supporting electrolyte, a polar solvent, a leuco dye, a hydroquinone derivative and/or a catechol derivative, a ferrocene derivative, and a compound having a carbonyl group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicants: Funai Electric Advanced Applied Technology Research Institute Inc.,, Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Suzuki, Tetsuya Higuchi, Wu Weng, Toshimi Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 7944597
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel electrochromic materials. The electrochromic materials are viologens into which an imidazole derivative is asymmetrically introduced. The electrochromic materials can be used in a variety of electrochromic displays, including electrochromic windows and smart windows. Also disclosed herein are electrochromic devices that use the electrochromic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rupasree RaginiDas, Chang-Ho Noh, Jin-Min Lee
  • Publication number: 20110063709
    Abstract: Electrochemically active formulations may be used for flashing electrochromic displays, in particular for those that in addition to blinking can switch on a permanent symbol with the blinking display. The formulations contain at least two chemically different dye systems. The formulations provide a first dye system that is reversibly switchable at a low voltage, hence suitable for blinking representation of symbols. A second dye system is activated at a higher voltage and is suitable for permanent display of symbols due to the bistability or irreversibility thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Andreas Kanitz, Marek Maleika, Gotthard Rieger, Wolfgang Roth
  • Patent number: 7903314
    Abstract: In an electrochromic mirror, an insulating film is disposed between a conductive reflective film and an electrolytic solution and the conductive reflective film and the electrolytic solution are electrically insulated from each other except inside of insulating film side small holes. Accordingly, in a portion where the insulating film side small holes are not formed, the conductive reflective film does not come into contact with the electrolytic solution, as the result, a ferrocene ion is not reduction-reacted. Thereby, a current is very effectively suppressed from steadily flowing between the conductive film and the conductive reflective film due to repetition of a redox reaction of ferrocene, resulting in very effectively suppressing a voltage from dropping due to the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventors: Junichi Nakaho, Masaharu Hattori, Atsushi Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20110043886
    Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first electrode, a second electrode disposed opposite the first electrode, a porous electrochromic layer disposed on the first electrode or the second electrode, and an electrolyte disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The porous electrochromic layer includes different sized nanoparticle clusters, and each nanoparticle cluster includes a plurality of nanoparticles and an electrochromic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicants: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., INHA-INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Seog-Jin JEON, Chang-Ho NOH, Wan-In LEE
  • Patent number: 7894118
    Abstract: An electrochromic compound having in the molecule at least an adsorbable group, a redox chromophore and a spacer portion, and represented by the following General Formula (1): wherein A represents the adsorbable group, C represents the redox chromophore, and X represents the spacer portion represented by the following formula; wherein R1 and R3 each represent an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic derivative group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenobu Hirano, Takeshi Shibuya, Hiroshi Kondo, Yuki Nakamura, Yukiko Abe, Tohru Yashiro
  • Patent number: 7884995
    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 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: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, Joel A. Stray, Steven J. Veenman, Leroy J. Kloeppner, David L. Poll, Gary J. Dozeman, Nalini C. Menon
  • Patent number: 7884994
    Abstract: Provided is an electrochromic device (ECD) that includes: a first transparent electrode having a first substrate having thereon a first electrically conductive layer; a second transparent electrode having a second substrate having thereon a second electrically conductive layer; a first polymeric layer on the first transparent electrode, wherein the first polymeric layer includes a cathodic electrochromic polymer and a first non-electrochromic polymeric matrix; a second polymeric layer on the second transparent electrode, wherein the second polymeric layer includes an anodic electrochromic polymer and a second non-electrochromic polymeric matrix; and an electrolyte layer disposed between the first polymeric layer and the second polymeric layer. Also provided is a process of producing the ECDs, as well as the electrochromic layers themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Saint Gobain Glass France
    Inventor: Fabienne Piroux
  • Publication number: 20110013254
    Abstract: A light weight electrochromic dimmable mirror stack (300, 600) is presented that is composed only of solid-state layers (315, 615) with a total thickness of less than 50 micron and a reflector (310, 610). Normally such a kind of layered device suffers from iridescence due to interference of light waves reflecting at the interfaces between the layers of the electrochromic device. The solution provided by the invention is to pattern at least one of the layers (315, 615) in the device such that the interference effects are smeared out and a more neutral color is obtained. Various possible configurations are described and also the method to produce such a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Edy Widjaja, Peter Persoone
  • Patent number: 7872791
    Abstract: An electrochromic device (50) includes at least the typical five layer stack (12, 14, 16, 18, 20) between two substrates (22, 24) and connections elements (42, 44, 66) to the electron conducting layers (12, 14). At least one of the connections elements (42, 44, 66) are arranged through the substrate (22, 24). In preferred embodiments the points where the connection elements (42, 44, 66) penetrate the substrates are situated at different lateral positions. The substrates (22, 24) are typically plastic substrates. In another aspect of the invention, a manufacturing method providing an electrochromic device (50) according to the above described principles is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Chromogenics Sweden AB
    Inventors: Richard Karmhag, Greger Gustavsson
  • Patent number: 7869114
    Abstract: Electrochromic device having at least one carrier substrate (S1) provided with a functional multilayer defining a deposition zone and comprising, in succession: a first electroconductive layer (1), (the one closest to the substrate); a first electrochemically active layer (2); an electrolyte layer (3); a second electrochemically active layer (4); and a second electroconductive layer (5), characterized in that the functional multilayer is deactivated, with the exception of the first electrochemically active layer (2), in at least a first, partial margination zone (A) located along at least one edge of said deposition zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Emmanuel Valentin, Samuel Dubrenat
  • Patent number: 7855821
    Abstract: An electrochromic device having an electrochromic medium which includes a compound represented by the following formula: wherein R1-R10 are the same or different and comprise H, an alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkenyl, and/or alkynyl group containing approximately 1 to approximately 50 carbon atom(s), wherein the carbon atom(s) may be a linking group to, or part of, a halogen, a N, O, and/or S containing moiety, and/or one or more functional groups comprising alcohols, esters, ammonium salts, phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof; with the proviso that R2 and R7 each comprise at least two carbon atoms, at least one of R2 and R7 comprises less than 2 ? hydrogen atoms and is void of a benzyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Baumann, Thomas F. Guarr, David A. Theiste
  • Patent number: 7839555
    Abstract: In a display device that includes a display space provided on a display surface side and a liquid sealed inside the display space so as to be operable and is constituted so as to be able to change a display color on the display surface side according to an application of an electric field to the liquid, the liquid is an ionic liquid containing an ambient temperature molten salt combining a cation and an anion. Further, an amount of water blended in the liquid is 0 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the ionic liquid. This makes it possible both to reduce a voltage to be applied to the liquid so as to allow driving at a low voltage and to improve an operation performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichi Nakano, Akio Miyata, Tomoko Teranishi, Hiroko Niwano
  • Patent number: 7835059
    Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in a tristate electrochromic device, comprising: (a) at least one solvent; (b) at least one anodic material; (c) 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; (d) wherein, in a first state, the electrochromic medium exhibits a maximum light transmission; (e) wherein, in a second state, variable attenuation occurs to a significant extent in one of visible radiation or near-infrared radiation without significant attenuation in the other; and (f) wherein, in a third state, variable attenuation occurs to a significant extent in the other spectral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Punam Giri, Thomas F. Guarr
  • Patent number: 7830583
    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: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Neuman, Henry A. Luten, John S. Anderson, Jeffrey A. Forgette, Scott W. Vander Zwaag
  • Patent number: 7830584
    Abstract: The present invention provides an organic-inorganic composite material containing a metal oxide, and a functional organic material located on the metal oxide, wherein the functional organic material and the metal oxide are bound via a silanol bond. An aspect that the silanol bond is formed by reacting a silane coupling agent with the metal oxide, and an aspect that the silane coupling agent has a reactive terminal are preferred. The present invention also provides a display electrode for electrochromic display device and electrode for photoelectric conversion device using the organic-inorganic composite material, an electrochromic display device using the display electrode and a photoelectric conversion device using the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Shibuya, Shigenobu Hirano
  • Publication number: 20100277788
    Abstract: An electrochromic display module employing a unique combination of architecture and electrochromic composition to provide an extended life to the module. The architecture may involve the use of an extended seal about a perimeter of a display portion where the composition is located. In this manner, the rate of solvent leakage from the composition may be substantially reduced. Additionally, the electrochromic composition itself may make use of particular low volatility solvents and constituent combinations so as to discourage the amount particle generation therein. Ultimately, an electrochromic display module having a useful life of more than about 3 years may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Steven Paul Webb, Dennis Brestovansky, Craig Richard Berry, John Russell Kingery
  • Patent number: 7826124
    Abstract: A flexible electrochromic (EC) panel that is usable for a display device or for other applications in which at least a region of the panel is selectively caused to change opacity. An exemplary EC panel includes an electrochromic working layer or electrode formed of a PProDOT-Me2 polymer film that is deposited on an indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flexible substrate. Similarly, a counter electrode is formed by depositing a vanadium oxide-titanium oxide (V2O5—TiO2) composite film on another ITO PET coated flexible substrate. An ultraviolet light-cured film sealant is employed to seal the flexible panel and also serves as a spacer between the working and counter electrodes. The film sealant is patterned to define a volume for injecting an electrolyte solution through an inlet port provided in the film sealant. The inlet port is then closed. The EC panel can readily be flexed without damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization
    Inventors: Chunye Xu, Chao Ma, Minoru Taya
  • Patent number: 7821696
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electrochromic mirror having a variable reflectivity, a glare sensor for sensing levels of light directed towards the front element from the rear of the vehicle, an ambient sensor for sensing levels of ambient light, a display positioned behind the partially transmissive, partially reflective portion of the reflector for displaying information therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, Jeffrey A. Forgette, John S. Anderson, David J. Cammenga, Robert R. Turnbull, Philip B. Hall, Mark D. Bugno, Alan R. Watson
  • Publication number: 20100253994
    Abstract: Electrically active, cathodically coloring electrochromic polymers are blended with a non-electrochromic, non-electrically conductive binder polymer to provide an electrochomic composition with greatly enhanced performance in an electrochromic device over time. It is also found that blending an electrochromic polymer with a non-coloring electroactive material allows for greater design in preparing electrochromic devices as it enables the use of a higher amount of typically low coloring anodic materials due to increased need for charge balancing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventors: Nancy Nase Cliff, David Yale, Jennifer Jankauskas, Ece Unur
  • Patent number: 7808693
    Abstract: An electrochromic device includes a first conductive layer, a single-layer or dual-layer ion conductor layer, and a second conductive layer. The layers are deposited using PVD, CVD, PECVD, atomic layer deposition, pulsed laser deposition, plating, or sol-gel techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Soladigm, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7804635
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment of an electrochromic thin-film material comprises a metal-chalcogen compound; and/or a mixture or solid solution of one or more metal-rich metal-chalcogen compounds and/or lithium. One or more of the metals comprise Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Sb, or Bi, or combinations thereof; and one or more of the chalcogens comprise O, S, Se, or Te, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Soladigm, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongchun Wang, Paul P. Nguyen, Jeremy Alexander Dixon
  • Patent number: 7782519
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and methods for multi-color electrochromic devices. In one embodiment, pixels of a first color electrochromic material (i.e. pigment) are arranged in first areas on a substrate with pixels of a second color electrochromic material in second areas to define a two-dimensional pattern of the first and second color on the substrate. When the applied electric field or current supplied to each pixel is changed, the device may produce the respective colors of the electrochromic materials and may produce a blended color because of the arrangement of the pixels. In accordance with further aspects of the disclosure, the electrochromic materials may form a design, pattern, logo, or picture when the electrochromic materials are activated. In yet further aspects of the disclosure, a substrate is masked and unmasked as a plurality of colors are applied to the substrate to produce a multi-color electrochromic display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Arthur P. Weidner
  • Publication number: 20100188726
    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: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TEHCNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kazuki Yoshimura, Yasusel Yamada, Kazuki Tajima
  • Publication number: 20100182673
    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: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Jae-eun Jang, Seung-nam Cha, Jae-eun Jung, Yong-wan Jin
  • Patent number: 7751111
    Abstract: Provided is a display element which is drivable with simple components and at a relatively low voltage and exhibits high display contrast, enhanced white display reflectance, superior response speed and reduced image unevenness. The display element includes opposing electrodes having therebetween an electrolyte containing silver or a compound having silver in the chemical structure, wherein the opposing electrodes are driven by a drive circuit disposed for each of pixels so that the silver is dissolved and deposited and the opposing electrodes are provided on a plane separate from the drive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Kokeguchi
  • Patent number: 7746533
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are electrochromic devices using a very low band-gap conjugated polymer having a band gap (Eg) of less than or equal to about 1.5 eV, and having little or no electrochromism in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: The University of Connecticut
    Inventors: Gregory A. Sotzing, Venkataramanan Seshadri
  • Patent number: 7742216
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrochromic display device comprising a pair of transparent substrates facing each other, an anode electrode and a cathode electrode respectively formed on the transparent substrates, an electrolytic layer disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, an electrochromophore layer of a nano structure formed on at least one of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode, and a redox promoter layer coated with a conductive compound, on the other electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chang Ho Noh, Sung Hen Cho, Ki Yong Song, Tae Rim Choi, Tamara Byk
  • Publication number: 20100142027
    Abstract: A display medium is provided. The display medium includes a pair of electrodes disposed so as to have a gap therebetween, an electrolyte disposed between the pair of electrodes, an electroconductive porous layer disposed at least one of the pair of electrodes at the side facing the other electrode, a first electrochromic dye held by the porous layer, a second electrochromic dye dispersed in the electrolyte and forming a color different from the color of the first electrochromic dye. Both the first electrochromic dye and the second electrochromic dye are oxidation dyes which form colors by an electrochemical oxidation reaction and are rendered color-faded by an electrochemical reduction reaction, or reduction dyes which form colors by an electrochemical reduction reaction and are rendered color-faded by an electrochemical reduction reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi TATSUURA, Ryojiro AKASHI, Yoshinori MACHIDA, Kiyoshi SHIGEHIRO
  • Publication number: 20100134865
    Abstract: Disclosed is an electrochromic display device comprising: a first substrate; a first electrode; a second substrate; a second electrode; and an electrochromic composition layer, wherein the device is of a passive matrix drive where the device performs a display by an energization between the electrodes, and performs a erasion of the display, wherein the first electrode comprises electrodes, the second electrode comprises a plurality of transparent display electrodes, a pixel is formed where the electrodes are in a grade separated crossing, at least a surface of the electrodes is respectively oxidized, the electrochromic composition layer comprising (i) insulative partition walls and (ii) an electrochromic composition including a supporting electrolyte, a polar solvent, and a leuco dye, and wherein the device displays a selected pixel by applying a voltage of a first potential difference, and applies the voltage of a second potential difference so as not to cause any energization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicants: Funai Electric Advanced Applied Technology Research Institute Inc., Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya HIGUCHI, Masao Suzuki, Toshimi Fukuoka, Wu Weng
  • Publication number: 20100110523
    Abstract: An automotive rearview mirror assembly includes an electrochromic reflective element having a transparent electrical conductor disposed at a second surface of a first substrate and a mirror reflector disposed at a third surface of a second substrate. The mirror assembly includes electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry for controlling dimming of the electrochromic medium. The mirror assembly may include one or more features and at least one of the features may share a component with the electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry and/or share circuitry with the electrochromic mirror dimming circuitry. The mirror assembly may include a video camera and/or an on-demand display viewable through the mirror reflector by the driver of the equipped vehicle when displaying information and substantially non-viewable by the driver of the equipped vehicle when not displaying information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Desaraju V. Varaprasad, Mingtang Zhao, Craig A. Dornan, Anoop Agrawal, Pierr-Marc Allemand, Niall R. Lynam
  • Publication number: 20100097684
    Abstract: A display element containing at least 1 type of electrochromic compound, which is reversibly subjected to coloration or decoloration by at least either of electrochromic oxidation and reduction reaction, and an electrolyte between a pair of a display electrode and an opposed electrode; and undergoing a color tone change by an electrode driving operation, wherein a compound represented by following Formula (1) is held on the opposed electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Kaori ONO, Osamu ISHIGE, Takeshi HAKII, Akihito HISAMITSU
  • Patent number: 7702434
    Abstract: A motor vehicle and an indicating apparatus for a motor vehicle, includes a display for optical depiction of information concerning the motor vehicle by the emission of light, and having a decorative layer positioned on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Cedric Dupont, Arne Stoschek, Sven Strohband
  • Publication number: 20100091352
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel electrochemical display element, which can realize bright white display, high-contrast black and white display, and full-color display by a simple member construction, and a method for driving the display element. The display element is characterized in that it comprises opposed electrodes, and an electrolyte, an electrochromic compound, a metal salt compound, and a white scattering material between the opposed electrodes, and multicolor display of three or more colors is carried out by black display, white display, and display of color other than black by driving the opposed electrodes by taking advantage of 1) a color change as a result of oxidation and reduction reactions of the electrochromic compound, and 2) a color change as a result of reduction precipitation and oxidation dissolution of a metallic element contained in the metal salt compound in at least one of the opposed electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kokeguchi, Takeshi Hakii, Osamu Ishige
  • Publication number: 20100079845
    Abstract: An all-solid-state electrochromic device comprises a transparent base material, and an electrochromic multilayer-stack structure formed on the transparent base material. The electrochromic multilayer-stack structure comprises a first transparent-conductive film formed on the transparent base material, an ion-storage layer formed on the first transparent-conductive film, a solid-electrolyte layer formed on the ion-storage layer, and an electrochromic layer formed on the solid-electrolyte layer. The electrochromic layer comprises a reflection-controllable electrochromic layer. In one exemplary embodiment, the electrochromic layer comprises a reflection-controllable layer that comprises at least one of antimony and an antimony-based alloy. A second transparent-conductive film can be formed on the reflection-controllable layer, or between the reflection-controllable layer and the solid-electrolyte layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: Zhongchun Wang, Paul P. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7675667
    Abstract: Devices including EC monomers polymerized using chronoamperometry to deposit a very thin homogeneous layer followed by cyclic voltammetry to increase the density of the EC polymer film. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to specific web like configurations for a grid of conductive material deposited onto a transparent substrate. The web like configuration is based either on concentric circles, or on concentric ellipses. Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed to an imaging system including a digital window that is disposed between a prism and a patterned analytic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Chunye Xu, Lu Liu, Minoru Taya
  • Publication number: 20100053724
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel electrochromic materials. The electrochromic materials are viologens into which an imidazole derivative is asymmetrically introduced. The electrochromic materials can be used in a variety of electrochromic displays, including electrochromic windows and smart windows. Also disclosed herein are electrochromic devices that use the electrochromic materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Rupasree RaginiDAS, Chang-Ho NOH, Jin-Min LEE
  • Patent number: 7667173
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes at least one photosensitive element capable of delivering an electrical signal when light of at least one wavelength of the visible spectrum reaches it, and an electrooptic system functioning as an electrochemical shutter. The electrooptic system is located in the path of at least one light ray capable of reaching the photosensitive element and possesses at least one optical property, dependent on electrochemical reaction, that can be modified by an electrical control signal. The optical property is preferably transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre Caubet, Michael Gros-Jean
  • Publication number: 20100039692
    Abstract: A switchable mirror element includes a switchable layer having a chromic property enabling the switchable layer to be reversibly changed from a transparent state by hydrogenation and a mirror state by dehydrogenation, and a catalytic layer disposed on the switchable layer and configured to promote hydrogenation or dehydrogenation in the switchable layer. The switchable layer includes an alloy of one or more metals from calcium, strontium, and barium, and magnesium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Yasusei Yamada, Kazuki Yoshimura, Shanhu Bao, Kazuki Tajima, Michiru Sakamoto, Hidetoshi Ueno
  • Patent number: 7660029
    Abstract: Tunable photonic crystals offer an interesting possibility to adjust the photonic band gap (PBG) as per requirement. Various methods of achieving this have been tried that include polarization of liquid crystals, thermal effects and more. Chromogenic devices provided in accordance with the present invention include combinations and subcombinations of electrochromic, photochromic, thermochromic devices featuring TMO based inverse opals having tunable photonic band gaps (PBG) for certain frequencies. Electrochromic (EC) materials in which a reversible optical property change can be induced with the application of a small electric field offer a novel possibility to tune the PBG in a controlled and reversible way. The reversible chemical change and the ensuing change of optical constants in these periodically arranged EC materials make the PBG tunability possible. In a recent work we have demonstrated for the first time the PBG tunability of EC materials deposited in the form of periodic inverse opals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Universite de Moncton
    Inventors: Pandurang Ashrit, Sulan Kuai
  • Publication number: 20100020380
    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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Tonar, David J. Cammenga, John S. Anderson, David L. Poll, George A. Neuman, Joel A. Stray
  • Patent number: 7649668
    Abstract: A transparent glazing, and a control method thereof, with a field of view that can be darkened over a portion of its surface by electrically controlling at least one functional element incorporated into a multilayer composite, the light transmission of which glazing can be varied reversibly. The functional element, for example a solid-state electrochromic multilayer system, includes at least one electrochromic functional layer enclosed between two surface electrodes. The surface electrodes and their leads are matched to one another and spaced spatially with respect to one another such that darkening starts at one edge of the functional element and, with a remaining voltage applied between the surface electrodes, propagates continuously over the surface of the functional element until it is completely and uniformly colored. The glazing can be used as an electrically controllable sunshield for windshields of vehicles or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Xavier Fanton, Laurent Claude, Samuel Dubrenat, Juergen Schuett
  • Patent number: 7649669
    Abstract: A display device including a color filter having a multiple types of electrochromic dyes disposed on a pixel by pixel basis, the electrochromic dyes allowing reversible coloring or decoloring, and a light quantity control element for controlling an amount of light emitted to the electrochromatic dyes of the color filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Daisuke Abe
  • Patent number: 7643201
    Abstract: An electrochromic mirror includes a transparent electrode film, an electrochromic film formed at one thickness direction side of the transparent electrode film, a light reflective film that reflects light that has transmitted through the transparent electrode film and the electrochromic film, a lithium ion transmissive film provided between the electrochromic film and the light reflective film, an electrically conductive film provided at the one thickness direction side of the transparent electrode film and at a side of the light reflective film opposite from the lithium ion transmissive film, and an electrolytic solution that comprises lithium ions and is enclosed between the light reflective film and the electrically conductive film. The lithium ion transmissive film transmits lithium ions and imposed diffusion of silver from the side of the light reflective film to the side of the electrochromic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho, National University Corporation Nagoya University
    Inventors: Junichi Nakaho, Masaharu Hattori, Atsushi Yamaguchi, Nagahiro Saito, Takahiro Ishizaki, Osamu Takai
  • Publication number: 20090323159
    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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: National Institute of Adv Industrial Sci and Tech
    Inventors: Kazuki Yoshimura, Kazuki Tajima, Shanhu Bao, Yasusei Yamada
  • Publication number: 20090316249
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochromic display device which can realize a reduction in color drift in storing images and has excellent memory properties. The electrochromic display device is an active matrix drive-type electrochromic display device containing opposed electrodes, at least one type of a porous layer containing titanium oxide with an electrochromic dye adsorbed thereon, and at least one type of a porous layer containing tin oxide. The active matrix drive-type electrochromic display device is characterized in that the tin oxide-containing porous layer is connected to a pixel circuit used in active matrix drive through one of the opposed electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Kokeguchi
  • Patent number: 7633669
    Abstract: Electrolyte solutions for electrochromic devices such as rear view mirrors and displays with low leakage currents are prepared using inexpensive, low conductivity conductors. Preferred electrolytes include bifunctional redox dyes and molten salt solvents with enhanced stability toward ultraviolet radiation. The solvents include lithium or quaternary ammonium cations, and perfluorinated sulfonylimide anions selected from trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF3SO3?), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3SO2)2N?), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3CF2SO2)2N?) and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF3SO2)3C?). Electroluminescent, electrochromic and photoelectrochromic devices with nanostructured electrodes include ionic liquids with bifunctional redox dyes. Some of the electrolyte solutions color to red when devices employing the solutions are powered, leading to red or neutral electrooptic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony K. Burrell, Anoop Agrawal, John P. Cronin, Juan C. L. Tonazzi, Benjamin P. Warner, T. Mark McCleskey
  • Publication number: 20090284821
    Abstract: Electrochromic device having at least one carrier substrate (S1) provided with a functional multilayer defining a deposition zone and comprising, in succession: a first electroconductive layer (1), (the one closest to the substrate); a first electrochemically active layer (2); an electrolyte layer (3); a second electrochemically active layer (4); and a second electroconductive layer (5), characterized in that the functional multilayer is deactivated, with the exception of the first electrochemically active layer (2), in at least a first, partial margination zone (A) located along at least one edge of said deposition zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Emmanuel Valentin, Samuel Dubrenat
  • Patent number: 7604717
    Abstract: The invention relates to an essentially metallic target of a cathodic sputtering device, in particular a magnetic-field-assisted device, the said target mainly comprising nickel alloyed with at least one other minor element in order to reduce or eliminate its ferromagnetism. The invention also relates to the use of the target to manufacture an electrochromic material with anodic colourization as a thin layer based on alloyed nickel oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Fabien Beteille, Jean-Christophe Giron, Marc Vermeersch
  • Patent number: 7599109
    Abstract: Embodiments of a security device utilizing electrochromic material are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David A. Champion, Chinmay Suresh Betrabet