Electrowetting and electrostatic screen display systems, color displays and transmission means

• US 7,310,080 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2005
• Issued: 12/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intellectual Properties I KFT
• Original Assignee: Shoot The Moon Products II LLC
• Inventors: Jessop, Richard V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shapiro, Leonid
• Application Number:
  US11/130,432
• Publication Number:
  US 20050285835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 345/179, 345/48, 345/49, 345/84, 345/105, 345/107
• US Class Current: 345/89
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/004 based on a displacement or a deformation of a fluid

Abstract

Methods and related devices for manipulating ambient light and various light sources for applications including colour displays, screen displays and colored coverings for a multitude of items is disclosed. Methods and related devices for manipulating light for decorative, signaling and other purposes are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A display or light-modulating apparatus, comprising:

at least one measure of liquid located on a surface which, at least in the absence of an applied electric field, is hydrophobic in respect of said measure of liquid; and

at least one spatial distribution of differently-colored light filters;

wherein a change in the location or shape of said measure of liquid due to electrowetting effect causes, directly or indirectly, a change in one or more properties of light passing onto, through or reflected by at least one portion of said spatial distribution of differently-colored light filters, thereby modulating one or more properties of light emitted or reflected by said apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said change of shape or location of said one or more measures of liquid serves to modulate the color of light emitted or reflected by said apparatus.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said measure of liquid is functioning as a lens.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one said measure of liquid serves to magnify the image of one or more portions of said spatial distribution of differently-colored light filters.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said measure of liquid is a polar liquid, and wherein one or more separately-addressable electrodes incorporated within said apparatus are electrically insulated from at least one of said measures of polar liquid.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said change in the location or shape of at least one said measure of liquid serves to attenuate or prevent the passage of light through said measure of liquid, so that a modulation of the location or shape of said measure of liquid due to electrowetting effect causes a change in the amplitude or intensity of light which passes onto, or through, or is reflected by, at least a portion of said spatial distribution of differently-colored light filters, so as to cause a change in the color, amplitude or intensity of light emitted or reflected by said apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said measure of liquid selectively reflects light onto or through at least one portion of said space distribution of differently-colored light filters, so as to cause a change in properties of light emitted or reflected by said apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one said measure of liquid is colored, and acts as a color filter.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one measure of liquid is polar.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one measure of non-polar liquid is incorporated in said apparatus together with at least one measure of polar liquid;

wherein said polar and non-polar liquids are mutually-immiscible;

wherein a change of location or shape of a measure of polar liquid due to electrowetting effect in turn causes a change in the location or shape of an adjacent mcasure of non-polar liquid; and

wherein said measure of non-polar liquid acts as an optical instrument to modulate the color or other properties of light which passes onto, or through, or is reflected by, at least one portion of said spatial distribution of differently-colored light filters.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said measure of liquid is acting as an optical instrument.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a light-reflecting display or light-modulating device.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said change of location or shape of said measure of liquid is functioning to controllably modulate the reflection or refraction of light which passes onto, or through, or is reflected by, at least one portion of said space distribution of differently-colored light filters.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus incorporates at least one light source, and wherein said change of location or shape of said at least one said measure of liquid serves to controllably modulate the color, amplitude, angle of distribution or intensity of light emitted by said apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a display device, and wherein a stylus is further incorporated in the apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said apparatus is functioning to provide the functionality of one or more optical switches, or as a signaling device, by controllably modulating the color, amplitude, intensity or angle distribution of light emitted, transmitted or reflected by said apparatus.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said at least one light source is a light-emitting diode (‘

LED’

).

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said apparatus is a light-projecting display device.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said spatial distribution of differently-colored filters is not incorporated within said apparatus, and wherein the function of said change of location or shape of said measure of liquid is to controllably modulate the angle of distribution, amplitude or intensity of light emitted by said apparatus.

20. A light-modulating or display apparatus incorporating:

one or more measures of polar liquid located on a surface which, at least in the absence of an applied electric field, is hydrophobic with respect to said liquid;

a spatial distribution of two or more separately-addressable electrodes arranged at different locations adjacent to, and on substantially the same plane as, said surface;

wherein the application or modulation of voltage potential between one or more of said separately-addressable electrodes and a ground electrode causes a change in the hydrophobic properties of said surface at one or more locations along said surface adjacent to said measure of liquid due to electrowetting effect, thereby causing a change in the location of said measure of liquid along said surface, which serves, directly or indirectly, to modulate one or more properties of at least a portion of the light emitted or reflected by said apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein one or more of said separately-addressable electrodes are electrically insulated from said one or more measures of polar liquid.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said measure of liquid is colored, and functions as a color filter.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one of said measures of polar liquid is colored, and wherein said electrowetting effect causes said measure of liquid to move, partly or entirely, into or out of one or more light paths, thereby modulating the color of light in said one or more light paths.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising at least one measure of colored non-polar liquid that is immiscible with said measure of polar liquid;

wherein said change of location of said measure of polar liquid along said surface due to electrowetting effect causes a corresponding change of location or shape of said measure of non-polar liquid;

wherein said measure of non-polar liquid functions as a light filter, and where said change of location or shape of said non-polar liquid serves to change the color of at least a portion of light emitted or reflected by said apparatus.

25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one of said measures of liquid is functioning to modulate the intensity, amplitude or angle of distribution of light emitted or reflected by said apparatus.

26. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising at least one light source, wherein said change of location of at least one of said measures of liquid serves to controllably modulate the color, amplitude, intensity or angle of distribution of at least some portion of the light emitted or reflected by said apparatus.

27. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the application of a voltage potential to a sequence or series of particular said separately-addressable electrodes located adjacent to said measure of liquid at any particular time causes said measure of liquid to be moved progressively along said surface due to a series of electrowetting effects taking place.

28. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said apparatus is a display device, and wherein at least one of said measures of liquid is colored;

wherein by moving along said surface into or out of one or more light paths due to electrowetting effect, at least one said measure of colored liquid serves to modulate the color of light emitted or reflected by said apparatus.

29. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein at least one of said measures of liquid travels along a predetermined route on said surface defined by the presence of greater hydrophobic properties in respect of said measure of liquid in locations adjacent to said route than in locations along the course of said route.

30. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein a predetermined spatial distribution of different hydrophobic levels at different locations along said surface is provided, so that said measure of liquid is caused to change its shape or route along said surface when induced by electrowetting forces to move along said surface.

31. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising one or more measures of non-polar colored liquid that are immiscible with said polar liquid;

and further comprising a circular or looped route on said surface, with at least one light path provided adjacent to the course of said route;

wherein said change of location of said polar liquid due to electrowetting effect causes a corresponding change of location or shape of at least one said non-polar measures of liquid; and

wherein the movement of at least one polar or non-polar measure of liquid into or out of at least one light path serves to modulate the color of light passing in said light path.

32. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said apparatus is a display means, and wherein the successive application of electrical potential to a series or sequence of said separately-addressable electrodes located adjacent to said measure of liquid at any particular time causes said measure of liquid to progressively move along said surface from one location to another due to a series of electrowetting effects taking place.

33. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said measure of liquid is acting as a lens.

34. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising at least one measure of non-polar liquid, mutually-immiscible with said polar liquid wherein a change of location of said measure of polar liquid causes a change in the location or shape of said measure of non-polar liquid.

35. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said apparatus is a display means, and wherein said measure of polar liquid is enclosed within a cavity on at least one side of which is provided one or more lightpaths;

and

wherein the movement of a measure of colored liquid entirely or partially into or out of one or more said light paths causes the color or intensity of light emitted or reflected by said apparatus at or adjacent to said one or more light paths to be modulated.

36. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said apparatus is a light-reflecting display means, incorporating one or more reflective surfaces on the opposite side of said measure of liquid from the location of an observer of said display means.

37. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said apparatus is a light-reflecting display means, and wherein said apparatus further comprises a stylus.

38. A light-modulation or display device incorporating:

at least one measure of polar liquid located on a surface, wherein at least a portion of said surface is hydrophobic with respect to said measure of liquid;

one or more separately-addressable electrodes;

a ground electrode;

wherein the independent modulation of electrical potential difference with respect to said ground electrode and one or more of said separately-addressable electrodes serves to controllably modulate the distribution of hydrophobic levels at the interface between said mcasure of liquid and said surface due to electrowetting effect, thereby changing the shape of said measure of liquid, and thereby controllably modulating properties of light passing onto or through, or reflecting off, said measure of liquid.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said measure of liquid is serving as a liquid lens, and wherein said change of shape of said measure of liquid serves to controllably modulate optical properties of said liquid lens.

40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said change of shape of said measure of liquid serves to controllably modulate the angle, angle distribution, amplitude or intensity of light passing onto or through, or which is reflected off, said measure of liquid.

41. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising at least one light source, wherein said change of shape of said measure of liquid serves to controllably modulate the intensity, amplitude, angle or angle of distribution of light emitted by said at least one light source.

42. An apparatus incorporating:

at least one measure of a polar liquid located on a surface, at least some portion of said surface being hydrophobic with respect to said measure of liquid;

a ground electrode;

a resistant electrode comprising a length or area of electrically conductive material,

wherein electrical potentials are applied to two or more different points along said length or area of conductive material with respect to said ground electrode, so that a spatial distribution of voltage potential is created between said ground electrode and two or more different points along said length or area of conductive material, in accordance with Ohm'"'"'s Law; and

wherein modulation of the differences of electrical potentials applied to said different points of said resistant electrode with respect to the electrical potential of said ground electrodes creates a space distribution of electric field along said hydrophobic surface which thereby controllably modulates the spatial distribution of magnitude of different hydrophobic levels along said surface in respect to, and at or adjacent to, the location of said at least one measure of liquid, thereby controllably changing the shape or location of said at least one measure of liquid due to electrowetting effect.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said resistant electrode is electrically insulated from said measure of polar liquid.

44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said surface, at least in the absence of an applied electric field, incorporates a predetermined space distribution of different hydrophobic levels in respect to said measure of liquid at different locations along said surface.

45. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said apparatus is a light-modulation or display device, and wherein said change of shape or location of said at least one measure of liquid serves, directly or indirectly, to controllably modulate properties of light emitted, transmitted or reflected by said apparatus.

46. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said ground electrode is not incorporated within said apparatus, so that the distribution of the electric field along said surface is determined by the difference of electric potentials between said different points along, or over the length or area of, said resistant electrode.

47. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said apparatus is a light-modulation or display device, and wherein said change of location or shape of said measure of polar liquid serves to controllably modulate properties of light passing onto, through or which are reflected by, said measure of liquid.

48. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said apparatus is a light-modulating device, further comprising at least one measure of non-polar liquid, mutually-immiscible with said polar liquid, wherein said electrowetting effect causes a change in the shape or location of said polar liquid, which in turn causes a corresponding change of shape or location of said measure of non-polar liquid, and wherein a change in the location or shape of either said polar or said non-polar measure of liquid serves to controllably modulate properties of light passing onto, through or which are reflected by, that measure of liquid.

49. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said apparatus is a display or light-modulating apparatus, and wherein said at least one measure of liquid is colored and functions as a light filter.

50. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said at least one measure of liquid is progressively moved along said surface, or progressively changed in shape, by progressive application or modulation of different electrical potentials with respect to said ground electrode to said two or more different points along said length or area of conductive material.

51. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said apparatus is a display or light-modulating apparatus, further comprising at least one measure of non-polar liquid, mutually-immiscible with said polar liquid and in contact with said at least one measure of polar liquid, wherein at least one of said measures of liquid is colored, and at least one other of said measures of liquid is of a different color or is substantially colorless, and where said at least one measure of colored liquid acts as a light filter to modulate the color of at least some portion of the light emitted or reflected by said apparatus.

52. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said apparatus is a display or light-modulating apparatus, wherein said measure of liquid functions to controllably impede or obstruct at least some portion of the light passing through a light path.

53. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said apparatus is a display or light-modulating apparatus, and further comprises at least one light source, and wherein said change of shape or location of said measure of liquid serves to controllably modulate properties of light passing onto or through at least one said measure of liquid.

54. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said apparatus is a display or light-modulating apparatus, and further comprises at least one light source, and wherein said change of shape or location of said measure of liquid serves to controllably modulate the intensity, angle distribution, color or amplitude of light emitted by, transmitted through or reflected by said apparatus.

55. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said apparatus is a display or light-modulating apparatus, wherein said change of location or shape of said at least one measure of liquid serves to controllably modulate the light-reflecting properties of said measure of liquid.

56. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said apparatus is a display or light-modulating apparatus, and wherein said measure of liquid acts as a lens.

57. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising at least one spatial distribution of different light-modulating or light-filtering properties, wherein said electrowetting effect changing the shape or location of at least one said measure of liquid is used to controllably modulate the refraction of light passing onto or from one or more different portions of spatial distribution of different light-modulating or light-filtering properties, thereby modulating properties of light emitted or reflected by said apparatus.

58. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said resistant electrode or said ground electrode are separated from at least one said measure of liquid by an electrically-insulating substance or layer.

59. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said resistant electrode has different specific linear resistance at different points along its length or area.

60. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein said apparatus is a light-modulating or light-switching device, wherein voltage potentials between said ground electrode and said different points of said resistant electrode are controllably modulated to create a space distribution of electrical field across said hydrophobic surface, thereby creating a space distribution of different hydrophobic levels along said surface so as to provide a means of controllably modulating the contact angle at different points of the interface between said measure of liquid and said hydrophobic surface due to electrowetting effect, thereby providing a means of controllably modulating the shape of said measure of liquid, and thereby changing properties of light passing onto or through, or reflected by, said measure of liquid.