Corner reflector reflective image display

• US 10,261,221 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2016
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WUXI Clearink Limited
• Original Assignee: Clearink Displays, Inc.
• Inventors: Whitehead, Lorne A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas, Brandi N
• Application Number:
  US15/367,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20170160448A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 359237, 359242, 359265-267, 359270-273, 359290-292, 359295, 359296, 359298, 359315, 359321, 359322
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/124 plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133553 Reflecting elements associated to illuminating devices G02F1/133605
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1677 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/02 reflective

Abstract

Corner cubes are well known retro-reflective devices. Corner cubes may be employed for high brightness in reflective image displays. An embodiment of a reflective image display is disclosed that employs corner cubes with metallized surfaces. Light reflection and absorption may be modulated with electrophoretically mobile light absorbing particles or electrofluidic systems. Display images may be created to convey information to a viewer.

Claims

1. An electrophoretic retro-reflective image display device, comprising:

a front electrode;

an array of corner cube structures, each corner cube structure comprising at least three facets, each facet positioned substantially at an angle with respect to a remaining two facets such that an incoming light ray incident on a portion of a first facet is specularly reflected and the reflected light undergoes specular reflection on the remaining two facets such that an exiting light ray traverses substantially parallel to the incoming light ray;

a rear electrode;

a substrate supporting the array of corner cube structures; and

a plurality of channels positioned between the corner cube structure and the rear electrode;

wherein each of the plurality of channels is configured to communicate one or more electrophoretically mobile particles between the rear electrode and the front electrode through the corner cube structures.

2. The retro-reflective image display device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the corner cube structure comprises three facets which form a prism, the prism having an apex and a base and wherein the apex forms an opening to receive the electrophoretically mobile particles.

3. The retro-reflective image display device of claim 2, wherein a light reflective face of the prism is partially coated.

4. The retro-reflective image display device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the three facets is directionally coated.

5. The retro-reflective image display device of claim 1, further comprising a clear substrate to form a front sheet.

6. The retro-reflective image display device of claim 1, further comprising a medium to suspend the electrophoretically mobile particles.

7. The retro-reflective image display device of claim 1, further comprising a bias source in communication with a processor and a memory system, the memory system including instructions to direct the processor and the bias source to cause the electrophoretically mobile particles to traverse between the rear electrode and the front electrode.

8. The retro-reflective image display device of claim 1, wherein the exiting light ray traverses a path that deviates by not more than 10 degrees from the path of the incoming ray.