Display device using electrochromism and methods of driving the same

• US 7,869,113 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2009
• Issued: 01/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Cha, Seungnam, Jung, Jaeeun, Jang, Jaeeun, Jin, Yongwan
• Primary Examiner(s): Mack; Ricky L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tra; Tuyen Q
• Application Number:
  US12/453,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20100110522A1
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 359/265, 359/266, 359/267, 359/268, 359/269, 359/270, 359/271, 359/272, 359/273, 359/274, 359/275, 359/253, 359/296, 359/452, 345/107, 345/105, 345/84, 345/85
• US Class Current: 359/266
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1524 Transition metal compounds
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2202/36 Micro- or nanomaterials

Abstract

Provided is a display device using electrochromism and methods of driving the same. The display device may include an electrochromic device, a plurality of first electrodes electrically connected to upper electrodes of the electrochromic device, and a plurality of second electrodes electrically connected to lower electrodes of the electrochromic device. By short-circuiting the first electrode and the second electrode, a desired pixel changes to reveal a predetermined or given color.

Claims

1. A display device comprising:

a lower substrate and an upper substrate configured to face each other with a given distance between the lower substrate and the upper substrate;

a plurality of lower electrodes on a top surface of the lower substrate;

a plurality of upper electrodes on a bottom surface of the upper substrate;

an electrochromic layer between the lower electrodes and the upper electrodes;

an electrolyte layer between the lower electrode and the upper electrode;

a plurality of first electrodes on a top surface of the upper substrate, and electrically connected to the upper electrodes; and

a plurality of second electrodes to cross the first electrodes on the top surface of the upper substrate, and electrically connected to the lower electrodes.

2. The display device of claim 1, further comprising:

insulating layers between the first electrodes and the second electrodes at positions where the first electrodes and the second electrodes cross each other.

3. The display device of claim 1, further comprising:

a flexible substrate above the upper substrate; and

a transparent electrode on a bottom surface of the flexible substrate.

4. The display device of claim 3, further comprising:

at least one spacer between the upper substrate and the transparent electrode.

5. A method of driving the display device of claim 3, the method comprising:

applying a given voltage to the upper electrodes and the lower electrodes in order to short-circuit the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby changing a color of the display device.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

allowing the upper electrodes and the lower electrodes to enter into a floating state.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein short-circuiting the first electrode and the second electrode comprises:

pressing the flexible substrate, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected on the upper substrate via the transparent electrode formed on the bottom surface of the flexible substrate.

8. The display device of claim 1, wherein the electrochromic layer is on one of a bottom surface of the upper electrodes and a top surface of the lower electrodes.

9. The display device of claim 5, wherein the electrochromic layer comprises a plurality of nano particles and electrochromic material layers coated on surfaces of the nano particles.

10. The display device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of nano particles comprise TiO₂.

11. The display device of claim 1, further comprising:

a counter material layer between the lower electrodes and the upper electrodes.

12. The display device of claim 1, further comprising:

a white reflective layer between the lower electrodes and the upper electrodes.

13. A method of driving the display device of claim 1, the method comprising:

applying a given voltage to the upper electrodes and the lower electrodes in order to short-circuit the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby changing a color of the display device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

allowing the upper electrodes and the lower electrodes to enter into a floating state.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the electrochromic layer comprises a material that changes color by receiving electrons, further comprising:

applying a positive (+) voltage to one of the upper electrodes and the lower electrodes on which the electrochromic layer is formed.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the electrochromic layer comprises a material that changes color by receiving holes, further comprising:

applying a negative (−

) voltage to one of the upper electrodes and the lower electrodes on which the electrochromic layer is formed.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein short-circuiting the first electrode and the second electrode comprises:

providing a conductive material electrically connecting the first electrodes and the second electrodes.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the conductive material is one of a conductive pen and a hand of a user.