DISPLAY ELEMENTS

• US 20130222333A1
• Filed: 02/22/2011
• Published: 08/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DST Innovation Limited
• Original Assignee: DST Innovations Ltd
• Inventors: Miles, Anthony, Miles, Robert Glyn
• Granted Patent: US 9,710,091 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/001 based on interference in an adjustable optical cavity interference filters G02B5/28; devices or arrangements using multiple reflections in spectrometry or monochromators G01J3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/004 based on a displacement or a deformation of a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/96 Touch switches specially adapted for electronic time-pieces with no moving parts G04G21/08
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96046 Key-pad combined with display, back-lit

Abstract

A electrically actuable display element comprises a substrate, a display surface and an electrically actuable element disposed between the substrate and the display surface and electrically actuable so as to bring a portion thereof into proximity or contact with the display surface and thereby change the display state of the display element.

Claims

1. An electrically actuable display element, comprising:

a substrate;

a display surface; and

an electrically actuable element disposed between the substrate and the display surface, electrically actuable to change a display state of the display element when a portion of the electrically actuable element is proximate to or in contact with the display surface.

2. The display element of claim 1, wherein the display surface is substantially transparent, and wherein bringing said portion of the electrically actuable element into at least one of proximity and contact with the display surface causes the portion to be visible through the display surface.

3. The display element of claim 2, wherein the electrically actuable element is disposed within a cell containing fluid.

4. The display element of claim 3, wherein the fluid is electrically conductive, and arranged to provide an electrical contact to the electrically actuable element.

5. The display element of claim 2, wherein the fluid is substantially opaque, and wherein bringing said portion of the electrically actuable element into at least one of proximity and contact with the display surface displaces said fluid from the display surface.

6. The display element of claim 5, wherein the fluid is electrically conductive, and arranged to provide an electrical contact to the electrically actuable element.

7. The display element of claim 1, wherein the electrically actuable element includes a piezoelectric element.

8. The display element of claim 1, wherein the electrically actuable element includes a thermally expandable element and a heater.

9. The display element of claim 1, wherein the portion of the electrically actuable element is optically reflective.

10. The display element of claim 1, wherein the portion of the electrically actuable element is fluorescent.

11. The display element of claim 10, wherein the display surface is arranged to guide ultraviolet light onto said portion.

12. The display element of any one of claims 1 through 11, wherein the display surface is flexible.

13. The display element of claim 12, wherein the electrically actuable element is pressure sensitive and arranged to sense pressure on a surface of the display when brought into contact therewith.

14. The display element of claim 12, wherein bringing said portion of the electrically actuable element into at least one of proximity and contact with the display surface distorts the display surface to provide a tactile display.

15. The display element of claim 14, wherein the electrically actuable element is pressure sensitive and arranged to sense pressure on the display surface when brought into contact therewith.

16. A display element, comprising:

an electrically actuable element to switch a display state of the display element;

wherein the electrically actuable element is pressure sensitive to provide a touch-sensitive display element.

17. The display element of claim 16, further including:

a substrate; and

a display surface;

wherein the electrically actuable element is disposed between the substrate and the display surface and electrically actuable to change the display state when a portion of the electrically actuable element is proximate to or in contact with the display surface.

18. A display system, comprising:

an array of individually electrically addressable display elements;

wherein each display element includes a display surface and an electrically actuable element to switch a display state of the corresponding display element when a portion of the electrically actuable element is proximate to or in contact with the corresponding display surface.

19. The display system of claim 18, wherein each display element is pressure-sensitive to provide a touch-sensitive display.

20. The display system of claim 18, wherein each display element includes:

a substrate; and

a display surface;

wherein the corresponding electrically actuable element is disposed between the corresponding substrate and display surface, and is electrically actuable to switch a corresponding display state when a portion of the display element is at least proximate to the display surface.