Electrostatically-addressable electrophoretic display

• US 6,710,540 B1
• Filed: 08/27/1998
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• 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: Albert, Jonathan D., Comiskey, Barrett
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Vip
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, JOSEPH L
• Application Number:
  US09/140,860
• Time in Patent Office: 2,035 Days
• Field of Search: 313/498, 313/503, 313/506, 313/509, 313/510, 313/511, 313/512, 349/57, 349/84, 349/12, 345/84-87, 345/107-111
• US Class Current: 313/498
• 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 1/1343 Electrodes reflective electrodes G02F1/133553
• 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 15/0283 for data storage and retrieval
• 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 2310/02 : Addressing, scanning or driving the display screen or processing steps related thereto
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/04 : Electronic labels
• 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: 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 19/00 : Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one organic element specially adapted for rectifying, amplifying, oscillating or switching, covered by group H10K10/00
• 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 electrostatically addressable display, comprising:

(a) a substrate;

(b) an encapsulated electrophoretic display medium disposed adjacent to said substrate; and

(c) a movable electrode, wherein application of electronic charge by said movable electrode to said encapsulated electrophoretic display medium modulates an optical property of said encapsulated electrophoretic display medium.

2. The display of claim 1, wherein said substrate further comprises a clear conductive coating.

3. The display of claim 2, wherein said clear conductive coating comprises an ITO-coated polyester.

4. The display of claim 2, wherein the clear conductive coating is connected to ground potential.

5. The display of claim 2, further comprising a dielectric sheet disposed adjacent said encapsulated electrophoretic display.

6. The display of claim 5, further comprising a dielectric sheet adjacent said encapsulated display.

7. The display of claim 1, wherein said substrate further comprises an opaque conductive coating.

8. The display of claim 5, wherein said dielectric sheet further comprises a coating having low conductivity.

9. The display of claim 1, wherein said movable electrode comprises a stylus.

10. A method of addressing an electrostatically addressable display, comprising:

providing said display, said display comprising a substrate, an encapsulated electrophoretic display medium disposed adjacent to said substrate, and a movable electrode; and

applying an electrostatic charge from said movable electrode to said electrophoretic display medium to modulate an optical property of said encapsulated electrophoretic display medium.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of scanning said movable electrode over said electrophoretic display medium.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of scanning said movable electrode over said electrophoretic display medium is performed substantially contemporaneously with the step of applying an electrostatic charge from said movable electrode to said electrophoretic display medium.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of scanning said movable electrode over said electrophoretic display medium and the step of applying an electrostatic charge from said movable electrode to said electrophoretic display medium are performed sequentially.