Printable electrode structures for displays

• US 6,535,197 B1
• Filed: 08/18/2000
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Comiskey, Barrett, Drzaic, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Brier, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Blackman, Anthony J.
• Application Number:
  US09/641,458
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 345/107, 359/296, 359/297
• US Class Current: 345/107
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/4076 printing on rewritable, bistable "electronic paper" by a focused electric or magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/026 based on the rotation of particles under the influence of an external field, e.g. gyricons, twisting ball displays based on orientable dipolar particles G02F1/172; based on electrophoresis G02F1/167
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133305 Flexible substrates, e.g. plastics, organic film
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13336 Combining plural substrates to produce large-area displays, e.g. tiled displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1334 based on polymer dispersed liquid crystals, e.g. microencapsulated liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1343 Electrodes reflective electrodes G02F1/133553
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1345 Conductors connecting electrodes to cell terminals
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1365 in which the switching element is a two-electrode device G02F1/136277 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/12 photoconductor
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/28 Adhesive materials or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/302 characterised by the form or geometrical disposition of the individual elements
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/372 the positions of the elements being controlled by the application of an electric field
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2074 using sub-pixels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/344 based on particles moving in a fluid or in a gas, e.g. electrophoretic devices electrophoretic devices per se G02F1/167
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/12 the substrate being other than a semiconductor body, e.g. an insulating body
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 10/462 Insulated gate field-effect transistors [IGFETs]

Abstract

Novel addressing schemes for controlling electronically addressable displays include a scheme for rear-addressing displays, which allows for in-plane switching of the display material. Other schemes include a rear-addressing scheme which uses a retroreflecting surface to enable greater viewing angle and contrast. Another scheme includes an electrode structure that facilitates manufacture and control of a color display. Another electrode structure facilitates addressing a display using an electrostatic stylus. Methods of using the disclosed electrode structures are also disclosed. Another scheme includes devices combining display materials with silicon transistor addressing structures.

Claims

1. An electrostatically addressable encapsulated electrophoretic image display comprising:

a film including at least one capsule containing an electrophoretic suspension, said at least one capsule dispersed in a binder; and

at least one pair of electrodes, each of said at least one pair of electrodes disposed adjacent said film, said electrodes comprising printable conductive ink;

wherein application of electrostatic charge to said film modulates the optical qualities of said electrophoretic systems.

2. The display of claim 1, wherein said at least one capsule is dispersed in a polymeric binder.

3. The display of claim 1 wherein said electrodes comprise a material selected from the group consisting of printed silver and graphite ink.

8. The display of claim 1 wherein one side of said film provides a viewing surface through which said display can be viewed, and wherein said pair of electrodes comprises a clear electrode disposed adjacent said viewing surface and a second electrode disposed adjacent the opposed side of said film from said viewing surface.

9. The display of claim 8 wherein said second electrode is opaque.

4. An electrostatically addressable, encapsulated electrophoretic image display comprising:

a film including at least one capsule containing an electrophoretic suspension, said at least one capsule dispersed in a binder; and

a clear electrode disposed adjacent a first side of said film, said electrode comprising a printable substance;

wherein an electrostatic charge applied to a second side of said film modulates the optical qualities of said electrophoretic suspension.

5. The display of claim 4 wherein said electrodes comprise a material selected from the group consisting of printed silver graphite ink.

6. The display of claim 4, wherein said electrode is opaque.

7. The display of claim 4 wherein said electrode comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyanilines, indium tin oxide, and polythiophenes.

10. The display of claim 4 further comprising an opaque electrode adjacent the opposed side of said film from said clear electrode.