By Changing Physical Characteristics (e.g., Shape, Size Or Contours) Of An Optical Element Patents (Class 359/290)
  • Publication number: 20150062686
    Abstract: An apparatus is described that selectively absorbs electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus includes a conducting surface, a dielectric layer formed on the conducting surface, and a plurality of conducting particles distributed on the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer can be formed from a material and a thickness selected to yield a specific absorption spectrum. Alternatively, the thickness or dielectric value of the material can change in response to an external stimulus, thereby changing the absorption spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Duke University
    Inventors: David R. Smith, Antoine Moreau, Cristian Ciraci, Jack J. Mock
  • Patent number: 8970941
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus related to an electromechanical display device. In one aspect, an analog interferometric modulator (AIMOD) includes a reflective display pixel having a movable reflective layer and a stationary absorber layer, the reflective layer and absorber layer defining a cavity therebetween. A color notch filter may be employed to produce an improved white state. In some implementations, the color notch filter is positioned on a side of the substrate opposite the absorber layer. In some other implementations, the color notch filter is positioned between the substrate and the movable reflective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Ma, Tallis Young Chang, John Hyunchul Hong, Ion Bita
  • Patent number: 8970939
    Abstract: A multi-state light modulator comprises a first reflector. A first electrode is positioned at a distance from the first reflector. A second reflector is positioned between the first reflector and the first electrode. The second reflector is movable between an undriven position, a first driven position, and a second driven position, each having a corresponding distance from the first reflector. In one embodiment, the three positions correspond to reflecting white light, being non-reflective, and reflecting a selected color of light. Another embodiment is a method of making the light modulator. Another embodiment is a display including the light modulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Clarence Chui, William J. Cummings, Brian J. Gally
  • Patent number: 8970940
    Abstract: The MEMS shutter includes a shutter having an aperture part, a first spring connected to the shutter, a first anchor connected to the first spring, a second spring and a second anchor connected to the second spring, an insulation film on a surface of the shutter, the first spring, the second spring, the first anchor and the second anchor, the surfaces being in a perpendicular direction to a surface of a substrate, and the insulation film is not present on a surface of the plurality of terminals, and a surface of the shutter, the first spring, the second spring, the first anchor and the second anchor, the surfaces being in a parallel direction to a surface of the substrate and on the opposite side of the side facing the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Takuo Kaitoh, Takeshi Kuriyagawa, Ryou Sakata, Osamu Karikome, Timothy J. Brosnihan
  • Publication number: 20150055205
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for a MEMS display incorporating extended height actuators. A light modulating component can be positioned between a substrate and an opposing surface coupled to the substrate. A suspended electrode can be coupled to the light modulating component and suspended between the substrate and the opposing surface. An extended-height electrode can be positioned immediately adjacent to the suspended electrode, and can extend from the substrate up to a height beyond the height of the suspended electrode. The suspended electrode and the extended-height electrode can be configured to move the light modulating component laterally with respect to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler A. Dunn, Timothy J. Brosnihan
  • Publication number: 20150055208
    Abstract: An electrowetting display device includes a black matrix that includes a plurality of openings corresponding to pixels, respectively, a first extension portion extending in a driving direction of an electrowetting layer, the driving direction being a direction in which motion of the electrowetting layer is induced when a voltage difference is applied between a common electrode and a pixel electrode, and a partition wall that partitions the pixels. The first extension portion includes first and second areas respectively extending in opposite directions to each other and a third area having a width substantially the same as a width of the partition wall. The first area has a width less than about half of a first length corresponding to a length extending between both sides of each pixel in the driving direction, and the second area has a width less than the width of the first area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Seung Bo Shim, Sung-Kyun Park, Yong Jun Park, Hyun-Sup Lee, Jin-Ho Ju
  • Patent number: 8964280
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a depth of a cavity between two layers of a light modulating device. A method of making a light modulating device includes providing a substrate, forming a sacrificial layer over at least a portion of the substrate, forming a reflective layer over at least a portion of the sacrificial layer, and forming one or more flexure controllers over the substrate, the flexure controllers configured so as to operably support the reflective layer and to form cavities, upon removal of the sacrificial layer, of a depth measurably different than the thickness of the sacrificial layer, wherein the depth is measured perpendicular to the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Hau Tung, Lior Kogut
  • Publication number: 20150043053
    Abstract: This light modulation panel is provided with: a substrate having comb electrodes disposed on a uniformly planar electrode with an insulating layer therebetween; a substrate provided with a uniformly planar electrode; a light modulation layer obtained by dispersing anisometric members in a medium; and a circuit for changing the direction in which an electric field is applied, which changes the direction of an electric field applied to the light modulation layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Satoh, Kohzoh Nakamura, Hisashi Watanabe, Takahiro Nakahara
  • Patent number: 8951424
    Abstract: A substrate for an electrowetting display device including a pixel electrode, a partition wall pattern and a water-repellent pattern. The pixel electrode is formed on a base substrate. The partition wall pattern is disposed along an edge of the pixel electrode to expose the pixel electrode. The water-repellent pattern is disposed at a space formed by the pixel electrode and the partition wall pattern to be extended along a lower portion of side surfaces of the partition wall pattern from an area on which the pixel electrode is formed. The water-repellent pattern exposes an upper portion of the side surfaces and an upper surface of the partition wall pattern. Thus, a manufacturing reliability of a substrate for an electrowetting display device is improved to prevent a display quality from being reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Bo Shim, Jin-Ho Ju, Dae Ho Kim, Sang-Il Kim, Sung-Kyun Park, Jae-Jin Lyu
  • Publication number: 20150036205
    Abstract: According to certain embodiments of the invention, an electrowetting device and a method for improving the response speed of an electrowetting device may be provided. The electrowetting device can includes: an electrode; an insulation film including a dielectric material that is coated over the electrode; a droplet positioned over the insulation film; and a power control unit configured to control a voltage applied to the electrode, where the power control unit reaches a particular contact angle by applying a first voltage that is higher than a second voltage corresponding to the particular contact angle, and applies the second voltage once the particular contact angle is reached. According to certain embodiments of the invention, the response speed of an electrowetting device can be improved by applying different voltages according to the contact angle of the droplet in an electrowetting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Myongji University Industry and Academia Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Sang-Kug Chung, Jeong-Byung Chae, Jeong-Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8947761
    Abstract: An optical element includes: a first electrode and a second electrode that are arranged opposite each other, in which the first electrode allows part of incident light to pass therethrough and reflects another part of the incident light, and the second electrode reflects light that has passed through the first electrode; a first dielectric film and a second dielectric film covering the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively; and a first medium and a second medium each interposed and sealed in a space containing a cavity portion between the first dielectric film and the second dielectric film, in which the first medium and the second medium have refractive indices different from one another, and one of the first medium and the second medium is a polar liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Takahashi, Hidehiko Takanashi
  • Publication number: 20150029576
    Abstract: The present invention provides a transmission/reflection dual-functional electrowetting display panel, which has two operation modes of transmission and reflection and specifically includes a plurality of main pixel (20). Each main pixel (20) includes a plurality of sub-pixels (22). Each sub-pixels (22) includes: a first, a second, and a third substrates (42, 44, 49), a light-blocking control layer (46), and a color displaying layer (48). The light-blocking control layer (46) includes: a first reflection electrode (53) and a first transmission electrode (54) and a first polar solution (55) and a nonpolar light-absorbing solution (56). The color displaying layer (48) includes a second reflection electrode (63) and a second transmission electrode (64) and a second polar solution (65) and a nonpolar color-displaying solution (66).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Hsiaohsien Chen
  • Publication number: 20150029577
    Abstract: A surfactant includes a hydrophobic functional group, a hydrophilic functional group and a linker disposed between the hydrophobic functional group and the hydrophilic functional group. The linker is connected to the hydrophobic functional group and the hydrophilic functional group. The linker has a cleavable bond with a bond energy lower than a bond energy of a bond included in the hydrophilic functional group and a bond included in the hydrophobic functional group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Sung-Chan Jo, Jae-Cheol Park, Sang-Ji Park, Hye-Young Park, Yiying Jia, Min-Jeong Oh, Hee-June Kwak
  • Patent number: 8941909
    Abstract: Provided is a display device, including: a pair of substrates arranged at an interval; oil filled between the pair of substrates; a shutter arranged in the oil; a drive portion, which is arranged in the oil, for driving the shutter in a predetermined direction; and a wall portion provided in the oil and on one of the pair of substrates. The wall portion is positioned adjacent to the shutter in one of the predetermined direction of the shutter and a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction. The wall portion has a height exceeding a height of the shutter in a thickness direction of the shutter. The wall portion has at least a part positioned lateral to the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Takeomi Morita, Takahiko Muneyoshi, Hideki Nakagawa, Toshio Miyazawa, Katsumi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20150022875
    Abstract: An electrowetting display apparatus includes a first base substrate, a second base substrate which faces the first base substrate, a first electrode on the first base substrate, and a second electrode on the second base substrate, where the second electrode faces the first electrode. A barrier wall is on the first electrode, where the barrier wall defines a storage area. A surface of the first electrode and the barrier wall is overlapped by a barrier layer. In addition, a water-repellent layer is on the barrier layer which is in the storage area. First and second fluids are in the storage area, the first fluid is separate from the second fluid, and the first fluid or the second fluid has a polarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Dong-Hwan Kim, Sang-Il Kim, Tae-Woon Cha, Myung-Hwan Kim, Woo Yong Sung, Jeongho Lee, Hyoung-Wook Lee, Hyeon Gu Cho
  • Patent number: 8937757
    Abstract: In an optical deflector apparatus, an optical deflector chip includes a mirror, an actuator adapted to rock the mirror, and first pads on a front surface of the optical deflector chip and connected to the actuator. A first substrate includes second pads on a back surface of the first substrate, and an opening is formed in the first substrate. The front surface of the optical deflector chip is adhered to the back surface of the first substrate in such a way that the first pads of the optical deflector chip are in contact with respective ones of the second pads of the first substrate and the mirror opposes the opening. A back surface of said optical deflector chip is adhered to a front surface of a second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20150015931
    Abstract: This invention relates to electrowetting fluids, the use of these fluids for the preparation of an electrowetting displays devices, and electrowetting display devices comprising such fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Merck Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Louise Diane Farrand, Nathan Smith, Roshan Kumar, Anthony Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8934165
    Abstract: An electrophoretic particle of the invention include: a mother particle; and a covering layer, wherein the covering layer includes a plurality of polymers, each of which includes a polymerization initiator which includes a polymerization initiation group linked to a surface of the mother particle and polymerization parts in which monomers are polymerized from the polymerization initiation group as a starting point, wherein each of the polymer include the polymerization initiator, a first polymerization part, which is coupled to the polymerization initiator, in which first monomers that includes monomers with cross-linking groups are polymerized, and a second polymerization part in which second monomers that does not include monomers with cross-linking groups are polymerized, and the polymers are linked to each other at the cross-linking groups of the first polymerization parts via cross-linking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Aoki, Harunobu Komatsu, Shinobu Yokokawa
  • Publication number: 20150009244
    Abstract: A device cover includes a protective layer and a display layer. The display layer includes a plurality of display pixels. Each display pixel includes a first fluid having a first color characteristic and a second fluid having a second color characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Robert Reid
  • Publication number: 20150002768
    Abstract: A system for controlling switchable glass based upon intention detection. The system includes a sensor for providing information relating to a posture of a person detected by the sensor, a processor, and switchable glass capable of being switched between transparent and opaque states. The processor is configured to receive the information from the sensor and process the received information in order to determine if an event occurred. This processing includes determining whether the posture of the person indicates a particular intention, such as attempting to take a photo. If the event occurred, the processor is configured to control the state of the switchable glass by switching it to an opaque state to prevent the photo-taking of an object, such as artwork, behind the switchable glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: SHUGUANG WU
  • Patent number: 8922870
    Abstract: An electronic device may have a MEMS device formed of a first conductive material. A trench may be formed in the MEMS device. A layer of non-conductive material may be formed in the trench. A second conductive material may be formed upon the non-conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: DigitalOptics Corporation MEMS
    Inventors: Ankur Jain, Roman C. Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 8922869
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrowetting display device and a manufacturing method for the same, using a UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer. The UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can include a UV-cured fluorine based material positioned above a cured UV reactive material. In an embodiment, the electrowetting display device can also include a substrate with a layer of pixel electrodes formed over the substrate, and partition walls formed over at least a portion of the layer of pixel electrodes. In one embodiment, the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can be formed between the partition walls and above an inter-layer insulation film. In another embodiment, the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer can be formed between the partition walls and above the layer of pixel electrodes. The electrowetting display can also include a water repellent layer formed over the UV light reactive fluorosurfactant layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Taimei Kodaira
  • Patent number: 8922871
    Abstract: An electrowetting display device includes: a lower substrate, a pixel electrode disposed on the lower substrate, a lower water-repellent layer disposed on the pixel electrode, a plurality of partitions disposed on the lower water-repellent layer and an oil layer disposed on the lower water-repellent layer between the partitions, and wherein the partitions include a side wall having a reverse taper structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Byung Seok Choi, Seung-Jin Baek, Ji Eun Lee, Wang Su Hong
  • Publication number: 20140376079
    Abstract: An electrowetting display device includes a plurality of pixels each including an array substrate, an opposite substrate, and an electrowetting layer. The array substrate includes a base substrate, a barrier wall defining a pixel area, a partition wall partitioning the pixel area into a plurality of sub-pixel areas, a hydrophobic layer disposed in the sub-pixel areas, and an electronic device controlling the electrowetting layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Kwang-Chul Jung, JaeJin Lyu, Hyun Sup Lee, Meehye Jung
  • Publication number: 20140368517
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling the actuation of an analog interferometric modulator. In one aspect, a voltage may be determined from a sense electrode. A distance between one or more of the electrodes may be determined based on the voltage. The sense electrode may be capacitively coupled to another electrode, and may be implemented in a mirror of a movable layer of an interferometric modulator, or may be implemented in a floating fixed layer of an interferometric modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Alok Govil
  • Patent number: 8908255
    Abstract: A method for forming an optical deflection device includes providing a semiconductor substrate comprising an upper surface region and a plurality of drive devices within one or more portions of the semiconductor substrate. The upper surface region includes one or more patterned structure regions and at least one open region to expose a portion of the upper surface region to form a resulting surface region. The method also includes forming a planarizing material overlying the resulting surface region to fill the at least one open region and cause formation of an upper planarized layer using the fill material. The method further includes forming a thickness of silicon material at a temperature of less than 300° C. to maintain a state of the planarizing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Miradia Inc.
    Inventors: Xiao Yang, Yuxiang Wang, Wook Ji, Justin Allen Payne, Ye Wang, Howard Woo
  • Patent number: 8908254
    Abstract: Optical apparatus for a display device. The optical apparatus comprises a cavity, and a first fluid (14) and a second fluid (16), held within the cavity, which are immiscible with each other. The first and second fluids are separated from each other by a meniscus (28) having a peripheral edge (30). The optical apparatus further comprises a fluid motion control system arranged to control movement of the first and second fluids within the cavity using electrostatic forces, and a first surface (26) and a second surface (21). The first surface has a different wettability for the first fluid than for the second surface. The first and second surfaces are arranged in the cavity to determine, upon activation of the fluid motion control system, a motion of the fluids within the cavity which has a preferential initiation at a first part (32) of the peripheral edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bokke Johannes Feenstra, Roy Van Dijk, Robert A. Hayes
  • Publication number: 20140355102
    Abstract: An electrowetting display apparatus includes a first substrate including a first electrode that receives a gray-scale voltage and a second electrode insulated from the first electrode and receiving a reference voltage, a second substrate, a fluid layer, and a color filter. The color filter has a first thickness in an area corresponding to the first electrode and a second thickness in an area corresponding to the second electrode, and the first thickness is larger than the second thickness. Accordingly, a cell gap of the electrowetting display apparatus is reduced, and color reproducibility of the electrowetting display apparatus is improved without sacrificing brightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Sanghyun Lee, Yungkyung Park, Dohyoung Kwon, Gichang Park, Jongseo Lee, Andrea Giraldo, Nicolas Bergeron
  • Publication number: 20140355100
    Abstract: A display element (2) includes an upper substrate (first substrate) (8), a lower substrate (second substrate) (9), and a polar liquid (21) that is sealed in a display space (5) formed between the upper substrate (8) and the lower substrate (9) so as to be moved toward an effective display region (P1) or a non-effective display region (P2). Each of a plurality of pixel regions (P) includes a thin film transistor (switching element) (SW) connected to a signal electrode (10) and a scanning electrode (11). In each of the pixel regions (P), a first common electrode (13) is provided on the effective display region (P1) side, and a pixel electrode (12) connected to the thin film transistor (SW) is provided on the non-effective display region (P2) side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshiki Matsuoka, Tomoko Teranishi, Takuma Tomotoshi
  • Publication number: 20140355099
    Abstract: An electro-wetting display panel including an active device array substrate, a dielectric layer, a rib structure, an opposite substrate, a first fluid and a second fluid is provided. The active device array substrate includes a first substrate and a plurality of pixel structures. Each pixel structure includes a shielding electrode connected to a common potential, an active device located between the shielding electrode and the first substrate, and a pixel electrode electrically connected to the active device. The dielectric layer covers the pixel structures. The rib structure is disposed on the active device array substrate and has openings. The active device and the pixel electrode of each pixel structure are located within one of the openings. The first fluid is configured between the dielectric layer and the opposite substrate. The second fluid is configured between the dielectric layer and the first fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yu-Hsiang Tsai, Kuo-Lung Lo
  • Publication number: 20140355101
    Abstract: A pixel device using optically active fluid contained within elastomeric materials and actuated through dielectric elastomer membrane is disclosed. The underlying mechanism of optical contrast in this display pixel is the spread and contraction of the fluid contained within a pre-stretched elastomer membrane and a substrate. The actuation mechanism for the fluid flow is a dielectric elastomer membrane coated with compliant electrodes on both sides. When both electrodes are connected to a voltage source, the oppositely charged electrodes attract each other, compressing the sandwiched elastomer membrane in the thickness direction but increasing its lateral dimension. Due to geometrical constraint, the change in the membrane lateral dimension results in the net volume change of the fluid reservoir, causing optically active fluid to move from the display cavity into the fluid reservoir or vice versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Samuel Shian, David Clarke, Roger Diebold
  • Patent number: 8902489
    Abstract: An electrowetting display includes first and second substrates facing each other, an electrowetting layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a hydrophobic barrier layer. The electrowetting layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and includes a first fluid and a second fluid, and the first fluid has an electrical conductivity or a polarity. The first electrode is disposed on the first substrate, and the second electrode forms an electric field in cooperation with the first electrode to control a position of the first fluid. The hydrophobic barrier layer is disposed between the first substrate and the electrowetting layer to cover the first electrode and includes a first surface making contact with the first electrode and a second surface having a hydrophobicity stronger than a hydrophobicity of the first surface and making contact with the electrowetting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Liquavista B.V.
    Inventors: SungHoon Yang, Woo Yong Sung
  • Patent number: 8902490
    Abstract: The invention relates to a display, for using liquids to display information and a corresponding method. According to the invention, said display comprises a number of display elements with cavities, at least one display liquid for displaying information and at least one liquid reservoir for providing the at least one display liquid, characterized in that each display element further comprises a dosing device, by means of which display liquid from the liquid reservoir may be dosed into and out of the display element. The dosing device thus permits a precise dosing of defined display liquid volumes into or out of the display element. The method in which said dosing device finds use is used for precisely repeated dosing of defined volumes of display liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Display Technology AG
    Inventors: Frank Bartels, Juergen Rawert, Andriy Bitman
  • Publication number: 20140347716
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink for an electrowetting element comprising colorant particles and a solvent, wherein the colorant particles have a specific gravity of 2 or less and an average particle diameter of 20 to 300 nm, and wherein the content of the colorant particles in the ink is 5 to 50% by mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Yu Nagahara, Takeshi Wakiya
  • Patent number: 8896902
    Abstract: A microelectromechanical system substrate includes a first substrate and an optical gate that is disposed on the first substrate and configured to move to at least two different positions. The optical gate comprises a color filter and a light absorbing section. A display apparatus includes a first substrate; a second substrate that faces the first substrate; an optical gate disposed on the first substrate, configured to move to at least two different positions, and comprising a color filter and a light absorbing section; and a light shielding layer that contacts the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seon-Tae Yoon, Hyun Min Cho, Jae Byung Park, Yu-Kwan Kim, Donchan Cho
  • Patent number: 8896903
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making an electrowetting display device having a plurality of picture elements, each picture element being defined by walls surrounding a display region, the plurality of picture elements covering a first area of a support plate. The method comprises the steps of: applying a hydrophobic layer covering at least the first area; lowering the hydrophobicity of the hydrophobic layer over a second area substantially outside the display regions; forming the walls on the hydrophobic layer over the first area. The present invention further relates to an electrowetting display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Vermeulen, Bruce Scott, Mick Evans, Ivar Schram
  • Patent number: 8896904
    Abstract: A method for making a support plate for an electrowetting device includes providing the support plate with a hydrophobic layer; arranging a pattern of hydrophilic material on the hydrophobic layer; and removing a surface layer of the hydrophobic layer by a solvent. The electrowetting device may include a support plate with a hydrophobic layer having a thickness, and a pattern of hydrophilic material arranged on a first area of the hydrophobic layer, the thickness of the hydrophobic layer being larger within the first area than outside the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Liquavista B.V.
    Inventors: Romaric Massard, Chiara Cometti, Bokke Johannes Feenstra
  • Patent number: 8895910
    Abstract: An optical element for condensing light is provided, wherein the optical element has a first cylindrical face and a second cylindrical face at one side and a third cylindrical face at an other side and a plane including an axis of the first cylindrical face and an axis of the third cylindrical face intersects with a plane including an axis of the second cylindrical face and the axis of the third cylindrical face. A light detection device for detecting light is provided, wherein the light detection device includes the optical element as described above and an element for detecting light condensed by the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Suguru Sangu, Atsushi Sakai
  • Publication number: 20140340733
    Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Robert F. Dillon, Neil H.K. Judell, Timothy I. Fillion, Gurpreet Singh, Nathan E. Wallace
  • Patent number: 8891152
    Abstract: This methods and devices described herein relate to displays and methods of manufacturing cold seal fluid-filled displays, including MEMS. The fluid substantially surrounds the moving components of the MEMS display to reduce the effects of stiction and to improve the optical and electromechanical performance of the display. The invention relates to a method for sealing a MEMS display at a lower temperature such that a vapor bubble does not form only at temperatures about 15° C. to about 20° C. below the seal temperature. In some embodiments, the MEMS display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate separated from the first substrate by a gap and supporting an array of light modulators, a fluid substantially filling the gap, a plurality of spacers within the gap, and a sealing material joining the first substrate to the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Pixtronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene E. Fike, III, Joyce H. Wu, Jasper Lodewyk Steyn, Jignesh Gandhi
  • Patent number: 8885245
    Abstract: A multi-layer hidden hinge and actuator design for high fill factor biaxial MEMS mirror array for wavelength selective switches (WSS) including a coarsely aligned orthogonal vertical comb drive and/or parallel plate actuator. Each micro-mirror in the MEMS linear piano micro-mirror array comprises a reflective body/mirror layer, a ground/hinge layer and a hot electrode/substrate layer. To increase the amount of surface area available for the hot and ground electrodes, the dimensions of the ground/hinge layer are extended longitudinally or laterally across the air gap between reflective layers to beneath the adjacent reflective layer. Ideally, diffraction patterns are formed on the surface of the ground/hinge layer to prevent stray light from reflecting back into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Abdul Jaleel K. Moidu, John Michael Miller
  • Patent number: 8885244
    Abstract: An ornamental display device having at least one interferometric modulator, a signal receiver configured to receive an external signal and a processor configured to control the display based on the external signal is disclosed. In one aspect, the external signal is emitted from a controller. In another aspect, the external signal is emitted from a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Gally, William J. Cummings
  • Patent number: 8885243
    Abstract: An electrowetting display device including a first base substrate, a second base substrate facing the first base substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first base substrate, a second electrode disposed on the second base substrate to face the first electrode, a partition wall disposed between the first and second electrodes to define a receiving area, a hydrophobic layer disposed on the first electrode, a hydrophilic layer disposed on the second electrode, and first and second fluids accommodated in the receiving area and immiscible with each other. At least one of the first fluid and the second fluid has a polarity. The hydrophilic layer allows droplets separated from a hydrophobic fluid of the first and second fluids to be merged with the hydrophobic fluid. Accordingly, a change in amount of the fluids in each pixel is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Liquavista B.V.
    Inventors: Seonggyu Kwon, Sang-Myoung Lee, Gwan Ha Kim, Sunghwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8879142
    Abstract: In a manufacturing method of a display apparatus, a substrate including a first area, which includes a first pixel, and a second area different from the first area is prepared. Then, a first capsule layer having first display capsules is formed on the substrate, and a first photolithography process is performed on the first capsule layer to remove the first capsule layer from the second area and to form a first capsule pattern on the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youngjoon Cho
  • Patent number: 8879137
    Abstract: A high sensitivity transient grating ultrafast radiation to optical image converter is based on a fixed transmission grating adjacent to a semiconductor substrate. X-rays or optical radiation passing through the fixed transmission grating is thereby modulated and produces a small periodic variation of refractive index or transient grating in the semiconductor through carrier induced refractive index shifts. An optical or infrared probe beam tuned just below the semiconductor band gap is reflected off a high reflectivity mirror on the semiconductor so that it double passes therethrough and interacts with the radiation induced phase grating therein. A small portion of the optical beam is diffracted out of the probe beam by the radiation induced transient grating to become the converted signal that is imaged onto a detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Richard E. Stewart, Stephen P. Vernon, Paul T. Steel, Mark E. Lowry
  • Publication number: 20140320948
    Abstract: An optical element (100) includes a cell (30) having: a first substrate (11), at least a portion of at least one surface of which has conductivity; a second substrate (12) which is arranged so as to face the conductive surface of the first substrate (11); a non-conductive oil (16) and a conductive hydrophilic liquid (14) that are provided between the conductive surface of the first substrate and the second substrate; and a hydrophobic insulating film (20) that is provided at least at a portion on the conductive surface side of the first substrate, that contacts the non-conductive oil, and that has a crosslinking structure derived from a polyfunctional compound having two or more polymerizable groups, wherein the shape of an interface between the non-conductive oil and the hydrophilic liquid changes according to the voltage applied between the hydrophilic liquid and the conductive surface (17A) of the first substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Hiroyuki SUZUKI, Takashi KATO
  • Patent number: 8873128
    Abstract: A micromechanical mirror arrangement comprising a mirror plate (1) which forms a translation mirror, which is connected via at least one holding element (2), preferably two or more holding elements, to a frame structure (3) and is movable in translation relative to this frame structure, characterized in that the connection region (4) of at least one holding element (2), preferably of all holding elements, with the mirror plate (1) is arranged inwardly offset, viewed from the outer margin (5) of the mirror plate toward to the center (6) of the mirror plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V., Technische Universitaet Dresden
    Inventors: Holger Conrad, Thomas Grasshoff, Denis Jung, Thilo Sandner
  • Publication number: 20140313177
    Abstract: An electrowetting system includes an electrowetting element having a first fluid and a second, immiscible fluid. The configuration of the fluids is dependent on the voltage applied to the element, the voltage being appliable upon closing a switch. With the switch being open, the voltage on the element is substantially maintainable for a period of time which is shorter than or equal to a relaxation time period of the element due to backflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Roy Van Dijk, Bokke Johannes Feenstra, Anthony John Slack, Henricus Petronella Maria Derckx
  • Patent number: 8861065
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose an electronic paper active substrate and a method of forming the same and an electronic paper display panel. The electronic paper active substrate comprises: a base substrate, a gate electrode, a first common electrode, a second common electrode, a gate insulating layer, an active layer, source-drain electrodes, a passivation layer, a resin passivation layer, and a pixel electrode layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Boe Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhuo Zhang, Cuili Gai
  • Patent number: 8861064
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a device (10, 10a-10d) comprising: a set of on-chip circuits (110-160, 170, 180), each of the circuits configured to generate a magnetic field (300) perpendicular to a planar surface of the set when energized; a ferrofluidic layer (40) interfaced to the planar surface; and a logic circuit (50) configured to selectively energize (200, 200a) one ore more circuits of the set such as to generate a magnetic field at the energized circuits and a deformation (41, 44, 45) of the ferrofluidic layer in response thereto and to modulate optical beams (IR1, IR2) directed to the ferrofluid layer. Preferably, an additional liquid layer (60) is interfaced to the ferrofluid layer, opposite to the on-chip circuits, which is not miscible with the ferrofluid layer. The invention can be applied to micro-display/projection devices, programmable optical reflecting lenses, or to micro-molding applications for surface replication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tobias P. Lamprecht, Thomas E. Morf, Jonas R. Weiss