Palo Alto Research Center Inc.

Xerox Corporation

Huladyne Corporation

Michael B Heaney

Gregory Paul Schmitz

Eric J Shrader

Michael C Weisberg

John Dunec

The present exemplary embodiment relates to an improved flexible display system. One form of the display may use various types of switchable materials contained in micro cells formed from a fabric or mesh material. These cells may serve as a spacer between two opposing electrode sheets and may be individually sealed to the electrode sheets on each face. Moreover, the fabric may, in some forms, be implemented as an electrical grid for addressing the micro cells.

Flexible display system

An improved electric paper structure is provided. A ground plane assembly having discontinuous grounding elements is used to render electric paper applications more flexible.

Flexible and transparent ground plane for electric paper

An exemplary embodiment for an electric paper application is provided. The embodiment utilizes a disordered percolation layer for forming conductive islands on electric paper. The percolation layer is comprised of a disordered mixture of conductive and non-conductive particles that are attached to a non-conductive surface to provide conductive islands therein so that the electric charge can be appropriately held near the media plane of the electric paper.

Disordered percolation layer for forming conductive islands on electric paper

An electric paper apparatus comprised of a single sheet of components, and a method of forming same, are provided. The single layer includes display elements, such as bi-stable pixel structures, and conductive particles, both preferably embedded in an insulating matrix of material (e.g. non-conductive particles). The display elements, or bi-stable pixel structures, take the exemplary form of microencapsulated bichromal spheres. The conductive particles serve as both conductive islands and as a ground plane. In this regard, the conductive particles form a discontinuous random pattern of conductive islands on one side of the sheet, and a continuous electrically conductive percolative network, or ground plane, on the other side of the sheet. This is accomplished by varying the effective percolation threshold across the thickness of the sheet. Doing so will provide particles on one side that are below the percolation threshold (e.g. the conductive islands) while the particles on the other side (e.g. the ground plane) are above the percolation threshold.

Disordered three-dimensional percolation technique for forming electric paper

The present exemplary embodiment relates to the use of electronic display materials for electric paper applications. It utilizes an elastomeric ground plane to render electric paper applications more flexible than has been heretofore realized. In other forms, all layers of the electric paper are formed with elastomeric material to provide further flexibility and stretchability.

Flexible electric paper display apparatus

The presently described embodiments provide electric paper, in one form, that is bisymmetrical, both sides of the paper have the same thicknesses of mylar layers and the same thicknesses and patterns of ITO islands. In another form, a disordered layer of conductive particles, non-conductive particles and display elements has the same percolation threshold throughout, and thus is bisymmetrical. In either form, in a system for printing all asymmetries in the printing process are transferred to the printhead, just like in conventional ink printers and paper. As a result, both sides of the electric paper are equally capable of being printed on, just like conventional paper, and the electric paper has the same flexural properties when flexed in a concave or convex manner, just like conventional paper. This construction has the additional practical advantage that there is no longer any need to ensure the electric paper is oriented 'right side up' before printing on it. These improvements all make electric paper more paper-like in feel and use.

Bisymmetrical electric paper and a system therefor

A polymer current limiting device is provided that has a wider operating temperature range and a lower thermal derating than conventional current limiting devices. The device may include pure lead (Pb) electrodes and a perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) polymer mixed with carbon black that achieve the wide temperature range and the low thermal derating.

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Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Michael B Heaney