Display device

• US 7,359,108 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2004
• Issued: 04/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Liquavista B.V. (Amazon.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Feenstra, Bokke Johannes, Hayes, Robert Andrew, Massard, Romaric Mathieu
• Primary Examiner(s): Ben; Loha
• Application Number:
  US10/543,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20060132404A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,555 Days
• Field of Search: 359/296, 359/245, 359252-254, 359/228, 359/462, 359/463, 359/666, 345/6, 345/32, 345/41, 345/48, 345/51, 345/55, 345/60, 345/82, 345/84, 345/97, 345/107, 345/204, 349/1, 349/74, 349/84, 349/95, 349/144, 556/87, 556/465
• US Class Current: 359/296
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/005 based on electrowetting

Abstract

An exemplary display device based on layer displacement having a perforated white substrate positioned close to a transparent substrate. Layer (fluid) displacement such as oil movement results in the (colored) oil film being pumped in a controlled manner above the white substrate. Fluids of three subtractive colors can be independently pumped to separate spaces. Based on the color strength of the used fluids good color rendition can be obtained for a flow channel thickness of less than 25 microns and therefore a total pixel thickness including the sub pixel reservoirs of less than 200 microns.

Claims

1. A display device having a viewing side and comprising:

picture elements having at least one first fluid and a second fluid immiscible with each other within a space between a first transparent support plate facing the viewing side and a second support plate, the second fluid being electroconductive or polar,

an intermediate substrate between the first support plate and the second support plate, the intermediate substrate having a reflective surface at the side of the first support plate and being provided with at least one passage between spaces at both sides of the intermediate substrate, and

an electrode arranged on the second support plate for introducing flow of the first fluid through said passage.

2. A display device according to claim 1 in which the device comprises:

at least one further transparent substrate between the intermediate substrate and the first support plate and with at least one passage between spaces at both sides of the further transparent substrate and spaces between the intermediate substrate and the second support plate.

3. A display device according to claim 2 in which mutually separated spaces at both sides of the further transparent substrate and corresponding mutually separated spaces between the intermediate substrate and the second support plate comprise first fluids of different colors.

4. A display device according to claim 1 in which the device comprises:

two further transparent substrates between the intermediate substrate and the first support plate, defining three spaces and with at least one passage between each of said spaces and spaces between the intermediate substrate and the second support plate.

5. A display device according to claim 4 in which mutually separated spaces at both sides of each of the two further transparent substrates and corresponding mutually separated spaces between the intermediate substrate and the second support plate comprise first fluids of different colors.