Electrophoretic display devices
First Claim
1. An electrophoretic display system, comprising:
- (a) a cell element including(i) an insulating fluid containing colloidal particles in suspension, said fluid and said particles having respective refractive indices that are different from each other, a substantial number of said particles having a charge of one polarity;
(ii) a light transmissive first electrode;
(iii) a light transmissive second electrode spaced from said first electrode, said fluid being disposed between said first and second electrodes; and
(iv) a light transmissive first plate element disposed at one of said first and second electrodes;
(b) a light transmissive second plate element disposed at the other of said first and second electrodes, said electrodes being disposed between said plate elements, said second plate element having a first surface adjacent to said electrode and a second surface more removed therefrom, said second plate element having a refractive index greater than that for said fluid;
(c) means for selectively moving said colloidal particles to positions adjacent to said second light transmissive plate element to produce light coupling between said cell element and said second plate element; and
(d) means for directing illumination to said second plate element, so that said illumination enters said second plate element and is totally internally reflected except for those positions at said first surface of said second plate element at which said particles are located.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrophoretic display device comprises a cell in which a colloidal suspension of pigment particles is contained between associated electrodes and means are provided for the establishment of a potential between the electrodes for the selective transport of pigment particles. This potential permits changing the spatial distribution of pigment particles in specifically defined regions of the display cell. The device also comprises a light transmissive plate associated with the cell, whereby illumination received in the plate is internally reflected, with light coupling between the illumination and selected regions of the cell at which such particles are suitably disposed. The coupled illumination is transmitted by the cell to the observer. The cell regions at which the particles are disposed are switchably selectable.
174 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An electrophoretic display system, comprising:
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(a) a cell element including (i) an insulating fluid containing colloidal particles in suspension, said fluid and said particles having respective refractive indices that are different from each other, a substantial number of said particles having a charge of one polarity; (ii) a light transmissive first electrode; (iii) a light transmissive second electrode spaced from said first electrode, said fluid being disposed between said first and second electrodes; and (iv) a light transmissive first plate element disposed at one of said first and second electrodes; (b) a light transmissive second plate element disposed at the other of said first and second electrodes, said electrodes being disposed between said plate elements, said second plate element having a first surface adjacent to said electrode and a second surface more removed therefrom, said second plate element having a refractive index greater than that for said fluid; (c) means for selectively moving said colloidal particles to positions adjacent to said second light transmissive plate element to produce light coupling between said cell element and said second plate element; and (d) means for directing illumination to said second plate element, so that said illumination enters said second plate element and is totally internally reflected except for those positions at said first surface of said second plate element at which said particles are located. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification