Flexible displays

• US 6,639,578 B1
• Filed: 08/27/1998
• Issued: 10/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: E Ink Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Loxley, Andrew, Albert, Jonathan D., Jacobson, Joseph M., Comiskey, Barrett, Zhang, Libing, Drzaic, Paul, Feeney, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, DAVID LEE
• Application Number:
  US09/140,879
• Time in Patent Office: 1,888 Days
• Field of Search: 345/107, 204/606, 349/86, 359/296
• US Class Current: 345/107
• 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 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/16757 Microcapsules

Abstract

A process for creating an electronically addressable display includes multiple printing operations, similar to a multi-color process in conventional screen printing. In some of the process steps, electrically non-active inks are printed onto areas of the receiving substrate, and in other steps, electrically active inks are printed onto different areas of the substrate. The printed display can be used in a variety of applications. This display can be used as an indicator by changing state of the display after a certain time has elapsed, or when a certain pressure, thermal, radiative, moisture, acoustic, inclination, pH, or other threshold is passed. In one embodiment, the display is incorporated into a battery indicator. A sticker display is described. The sticker is adhesive backed and may then be applied to a surface to create a functional information display unit. This invention also features a display that is both powered and controlled using radio frequencies. It describes a complete system for controlling, addressing, and powering a display. The system includes an antenna or antennae, passive charging circuitry, and active control system, a display, and an energy storage unit. There is also a separate transmitter that provides the remote power for the display. The system is meant to be used anywhere it is useful to provide intermittent updates of information such as in a store, on a highway, or in an airport. A tile-based display allowing a modular system for large area display is created using a printable display material.

Claims

1. A method of printing a flexible, electrically active display comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a film having a clear electrode structure disposed on a first surface of the film;

(b) printing a display media on the first surface of the film, the display media comprising an electronic ink comprising an electrophoretic contrast phase and a binder phase; and

(c) printing a second electrode covering at least a portion of the display media.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) comprises printing an encapsulated electrophoretic display media on the first surface of the film, the display media comprising an encapsulated electrophoretic contrast phase and a binder phase.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises printing an opaque conducting electrode covering at least a portion of the display media.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein step (c) comprises printing a silver ink electrode covering at least a portion of the display media.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein step (c) comprises printing a graphite ink electrode covering at least a portion of the display media.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises

(a-a) providing a film; and

(a-b) disposing an electrode structure on the film.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein step (a-b) comprises printing an electrode structure on the film.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises providing a polymer film having a substantially clear electrode structure disposed on a first surface of the film.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein step (a) comprises providing a polyester film having a substantially clear electrode structure disposed on a first surface of the film.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises printing a display media on the first surface of the film, the display media comprising an encapsulated electrophoretic contrast phase and a binder phase, wherein the material is encapsulated in capsules having an average diameter of 100 microns.

11. A method of printing a flexible, electrically active display comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a first film having an electrode structure disposed on a first surface of the film;

(b) printing an encapsulated electrophoretic contrast phase and a binder phase on the first surface of the first film;

(c) providing a second film;

(d) printing an electrode structure on the second film; and

(e) laminating the first film and the second film so that the printed electrode structure is in electrical communication with the encapsulated electrophoretic contrast phase and the binder phase.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein step (a) comprises:

(a-a) providing a first film; and

(a-b) disposing an electrode structure on the film.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein step (a-b) comprises printing an electrode structure on the film.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein step (a) comprises providing a polymer film having an electrode structure disposed on a first surface of the film.