Image display medium and image display device

• US 7,848,009 B2
• Filed: 12/24/2008
• Issued: 12/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E Ink Corporation (E Ink Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kayashima, Hiroshi, Machida, Yoshinori, Yamaguchi, Yoshinori, Shigehiro, Kiyoshi, Suwabe, Yasufumi, Tatsuura, Satoshi, Abe, Masaaki, Moriyama, Hiroaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Choi; William C
• Application Number:
  US12/343,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20100020384A1
• Time in Patent Office: 713 Days
• Field of Search: 359/296, 345/107, 430/32, 204/600
• US Class Current: 359/296
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2001/1678 characterised by the composition or particle type
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2003 Display of colours specific for liquid crystal displays G09G3/3607
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2011 by amplitude modulation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/2081 with combination of amplitude modulation and time modulation space and time error diffusion G09G3/2066
• 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

Abstract

An image display medium includes a pair of substrates, a liquid that is enclosed between the substrates, first colored particles, second colored particles and third colored particles. The first colored particles are colored a first color and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates. The second colored particles are colored a second color and move in an opposite direction of the first colored particles. The third colored particles are colored a third color, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the third colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state in which the first colored particles and the second colored particles have aggregated together, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates.

Claims

1. An image display medium comprising:

a pair of substrates, at least one of which is translucent;

a liquid that is enclosed between the substrates;

first colored particles that are colored a first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

second colored particles that are colored a second color that is different from the first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in an opposite direction of the first colored particles; and

third colored particles that are colored a third color that is different from the first color and the second color, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the third colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where the first colored particles and the second colored particles have aggregated together, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates.

2. The image display medium of claim 1, wherein the third color is a complimentary color with respect to the first color or the second color.

3. The image display medium of claim 1, wherein the third colored particles are translucent.

4. The image display medium of claim 1, wherein the first color or the second color is white.

5. The image display medium of claim 1, wherein the first colored particles and the second colored particles include charging characteristics of opposite polarities.

6. The image display medium of claim 1, wherein the second colored particles do not have a charging characteristic and move in an opposite direction of the first colored particles by the movement of the first colored particles.

7. The image display medium of claim 1, wherein the first colored particles and the second colored particles fill the liquid in a volume filling fraction of about 10% to about 60%.

8. The image display medium of claim 1, further comprising fourth colored particles that are colored a fourth color that is different from the first to third colors, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the fourth colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where the first colored particles and the second colored particles have aggregated together, include a charging characteristic that is different from that of the third colored particles, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates.

9. The image display medium of claim 8, wherein the third colored particles and the fourth colored particles include charging characteristics of opposite polarities.

10. The image display medium of claim 8, wherein the first to fourth colors are white, yellow, magenta and cyan.

11. An image display medium comprising:

a pair of substrates, at least one of which is translucent;

a liquid that is enclosed between the substrates;

first colored particles that are colored a first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

second colored particles that are colored a second color that is different from the first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move relatively in an opposite direction with respect to the first colored particles; and

third colored particles that are colored a third color that is different from the first color and the second color, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the third colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where at least one of the first colored particles and the second colored particles have aggregated together, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates.

12. The image display medium of claim 11, wherein the third color is a complimentary color with respect to the first color or the second color.

13. The image display medium of claim 11, wherein the third colored particles are translucent.

14. The image display medium of claim 11, wherein the first color or the second color is white.

15. The image display medium of claim 11, wherein the first colored particles and the second colored particles include charging characteristics of opposite polarities.

16. The image display medium of claim 11, wherein the second colored particles do not have a charging characteristic and move in an opposite direction of the first colored particles by the movement of the first colored particles.

17. The image display medium of claim 11, wherein the first colored particles and the second colored particles fill the liquid in a volume filling fraction of about 10% to about 60%.

18. The image display medium of claim 11, further comprising fourth colored particles that are colored a fourth color that is different from the first to third colors, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the fourth colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where the first colored particles and the second colored particles have aggregated together, include a charging characteristic that is different from that of the third colored particles, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates.

19. The image display medium of claim 18, wherein the third colored particles and the fourth colored particles include charging characteristics of opposite polarities.

20. The image display medium of claim 18, wherein the first to fourth colors are white color, yellow color, magenta color and cyan color.

21. An image display medium comprising:

a pair of substrates, at least one of which is translucent;

a liquid that is enclosed between the substrates;

first colored particles that are colored a first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

second colored particles that are colored a second color that is different from the first color and are dispersed in the liquid;

third colored particles that are colored a third color that is different from the first color and the second color, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the third colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where the first colored particles have aggregated together, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates; and

fourth colored particles that are colored a fourth color that is different from the first to third colors, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the fourth colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where the first colored particles have aggregated together, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates.

22. The image display medium of claim 21, wherein the second colored particles are white.

23. The image display medium of claim 21, wherein the first colored particles, the third colored particles and the fourth colored particles include voltage ranges that are necessary in order for the first colored particles, the third colored particles and the fourth colored particles to move in response to an electric field, and the voltage ranges are respectively set to ranges that do not overlap therebetween.

24. The image display medium of claim 21, further comprising fifth colored particles that are colored white, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates, wherein the third colored particles and the fourth colored particles are configured to have particle diameters where the third colored particles and the fourth colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the fifth colored particles in a state where the first colored particles and the fifth colored particles have aggregated together.

25. The image display medium of claim 21, wherein the voltage that is necessary in order to cause the first colored particles to move is smaller than the voltages that are necessary in order to cause the third colored particles and the fourth colored particles to move.

26. An image display medium comprising:

a pair of substrates, at least one of which is translucent;

a liquid that is enclosed between the substrates;

first colored particles that are colored a first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

second colored particles that are colored a second color that is different from the first color and are dispersed in the liquid;

third colored particles that are colored a third color that is different from the first color and the second color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in an opposite direction of the first colored particles in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates; and

fourth colored particles that are colored a fourth color that is different from the first to third colors, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the fourth colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where the first colored particles have aggregated together, and move in the same direction as the first colored particles in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates.

27. The image display medium of claim 26, wherein the second colored particles are white.

28. The image display medium of claim 26, wherein the first colored particles, the third colored particles and the fourth colored particles include voltage ranges that are necessary in order for the first colored particles, the third colored particles and the fourth colored particles to move in response to an electric field, and the voltage ranges are respectively set to ranges that do not overlap therebetween.

29. The image display medium of claim 26, further comprising fifth colored particles that are colored white, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates, wherein the third colored particles and the fourth colored particles are configured to have particle diameters where the third colored particles and the fourth colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the fifth colored particles in a state where the first colored particles and the fifth colored particles have aggregated together.

30. The image display medium of claim 26, wherein the voltage that is necessary in order to cause the first colored particles to move is smaller than the voltages that are necessary in order to cause the third colored particles and the fourth colored particles to move.

31. An image display device comprising:

a pair of substrates, at least one of which is translucent;

a liquid that is enclosed between the substrates;

first colored particles that are colored a first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

second colored particles that are colored a second color that is different from the first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in an opposite direction of the first colored particles;

third colored particles that are colored a third color that is different from the first color and the second color, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the third colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where the first colored particles and the second colored particles have aggregated together, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

a voltage applicator that applies a voltage between the substrates; and

a controller that controls the voltage applicator in response to image information.

32. An image display device comprising:

a pair of substrates, at least one of which is translucent;

a liquid that is enclosed between the substrates;

first colored particles that are colored a first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

second colored particles that are colored a second color that is different from the first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in an opposite direction of the first colored particles;

third colored particles that are colored a third color that is different from the first color and the second color, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the third colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where the first colored particles and the second colored particles have aggregated together, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

fourth colored particles that are colored a fourth color that is different from the first to third colors, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the fourth colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where the first colored particles and the second colored particles have aggregated together, include a charging characteristic that is different from that of the third colored particles, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

a voltage applicator that applies a voltage between the substrates; and

a controller that controls the voltage applicator in response to image information.

33. An image display device comprising:

a pair of substrates, at least one of which is translucent;

a liquid that is enclosed between the substrates;

first colored particles that are colored a first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

second colored particles that are colored a second color that is different from the first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in an opposite direction relatively with respect to the first colored particles;

third colored particles that are colored a third color that is different from the first color and the second color, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the third colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where at least one of the first colored particles and the second colored particles have aggregated together, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

fourth colored particles that are colored a fourth color that is different from the first to third colors, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the fourth colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where at least one of the first colored particles and the second colored particles have aggregated together, include a charging characteristic that is different from that of the third colored particles, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

a voltage applicator that applies a voltage between the substrates; and

a controller that controls the voltage applicator in response to image information.

34. An image display device comprising:

a pair of substrates, at least one of which is translucent;

a liquid that is enclosed between the substrates;

first colored particles that are colored a first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

second colored particles that are colored a second color that is different from the first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in an opposite direction relatively with respect to the first colored particles;

third colored particles that are colored a third color that is different from the first color and the second color, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the third colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where at least one of the first colored particles and the second colored particles have aggregated together, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

a voltage applicator that applies a voltage between the substrates; and

a controller that controls the voltage applicator in response to image information.

35. An image display device comprising:

a pair of substrates, at least one of which is translucent;

a liquid that is enclosed between the substrates;

first colored particles that are colored a first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

second colored particles that are colored a second color that is different from the first color and are dispersed in the liquid;

third colored particles that are colored a third color that is different from the first color and the second colors are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the third colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where the first colored particles have aggregated together, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

fourth colored particles that are colored a fourth color that is different from the first to third colors, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the fourth colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where the first colored particles have aggregated together, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

a voltage applicator that applies a voltage between the substrates; and

a controller that controls the voltage applicator in response to image information.

36. An image display device comprising:

a pair of substrates, at least one of which is translucent;

a liquid that is enclosed between the substrates;

first colored particles that are colored a first color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

second colored particles that are colored a second color that is different from the first color and are dispersed in the liquid;

third colored particles that are colored a third color that is different from the first color and the second color, are dispersed in the liquid, and move in an opposite direction of the first colored particles in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

fourth colored particles that are colored a fourth color that is different from the first to third colors, are dispersed in the liquid, are configured to have a particle diameter such that the fourth colored particles move through clearances between the first colored particles and the second colored particles in a state where the first colored particles have aggregated together, and move in the same direction as the first colored particles in response to an electric field that is formed between the substrates;

a voltage applicator that applies a voltage between the substrates; and

a controller that controls the voltage applicator in response to image information.