Rear electrode structures for electrophoretic displays

• US 6,664,944 B1
• Filed: 08/27/1998
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: E Ink Corporation (E Ink Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: E Ink Corporation (E Ink Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Jacobson, Joseph, Albert, Jonathan D., Comiskey, Barrett
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala, Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, DAVID LEE
• Application Number:
  US09/141,448
• Time in Patent Office: 1,937 Days
• Field of Search: 345/107, 349/139, 349/140, 349/141
• US Class Current: 345/107
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/4076 printing on rewritable, bistable "electronic paper" by a focused electric or magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/30 Inkjet printing inks
• 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 1/1345 Conductors connecting electrodes to cell terminals
• 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: G04B 47/00 Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece clockwork cases for special purposes G04B37/12; clocks with magnifying glass built in the face G04B39/00; time-pieces in which parts or cases produce special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects, G04B45/00, particularly with inscriptions or pictures moved by hand G04B45/003, with specially shaped cases or parts G04B45/0069; combination of writing or drawing implements with devices for indicating time B43K29/087; combined with cameras, projectors, or photographic printing apparatus G03B29/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• 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 2380/04 Electronic labels
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/097 Inks comprising nanoparticles and specially adapted for being sintered at low temperature H05K1/095 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/105 : by conversion of non-conductive material on or in the support into conductive material, e.g. by using an energy beam
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/1241 : by ink-jet printing or drawing by dispensing
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 10/46 : Field-effect transistors, e.g. organic thin-film transistors [OTFT] H10K10/43 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 10/462 : Insulated gate field-effect transistors [IGFETs]
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/30 : Coordination compounds
• CPC Class Codes: H10K 85/60 : Organic compounds having low molecular weight H10K85/10 - H10K85/50 take precedence

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 electrophoretic display comprising:

a substrate;

at least one capsule containing a suspending fluid and at least one charged particle, said charged particle having an optical property; and

at least two electrodes disposed on said substrate adjacent said at least one capsule and positioned in a spaced apart relationship to one another,

wherein a potential difference between said electrodes causes the particles to migrate toward at least one of said at least two electrodes, thereby effecting change in visual state.

2. The display of claim 1, wherein said suspending fluid is substantially transparent.

3. The display of claim 1, wherein said at least one charged particle has a black color.

4. The display of claim 1, wherein said at least one charged particle has a white color.

5. The display of claim 1, wherein one of said at least two electrodes is substantially transparent.

6. The display of claim 1, wherein both of said at least two electrodes are substantially transparent.

7. The display of claim 1, wherein one of said at least two electrodes has a first optical property and the other of said at least two electrodes has a second optical property.

8. The display of claim 7, wherein said at least one charged particle is black and wherein application of a first voltage potential to a black electrode causes said black particles to migrate within said capsule to a location adjacent said black electrode, causing said capsule to appear substantially white, and wherein application of a second voltage potential to said black electrode causes said black particles to migrate within said capsule to a location adjacent said white electrode causing said capsule to appear substantially black.

9. An electrophoretic display comprising:

at least one capsule containing a suspending fluid and at least one particle having a first optical property;

at least two electrodes, each having a second optical property adjacent said at least one capsule; and

at least one electrode having said first optical property adjacent said at least one capsule;

wherein application of a voltage potential to said at least two electrodes causes the capsule to change visual state.

10. The electrophoretic display of claim 9, wherein each of said at least two electrodes has a different optical property.

11. The electrophoretic display of claim 9, wherein said suspending fluid is dyed.

12. The electrophoretic display of claims 9, wherein said suspending fluid is substantially transparent.

13. The electrophoretic display of claim 9, wherein said at least one particle has a black color.

14. The electrophoretic display of claim 9, wherein said at least one electrode is substantially transparent.