E Ink California, LLC

E Ink Corporation

Xiaolong Zheng

Craig Lin

HongMei Zang

Yih-Ming Kang

Pubudu Thilanka Galwaduge

Hui Du

An electrophoretic medium comprises a fluid and first (B), second (Y), third (R) and fourth (W) particles dispersed in the fluid and having differing colors. The first (B) and third (R) particles bear charges of one polarity and the second (Y) and fourth (W) particles bear charges of the opposite polarity, The first particles (B) have a greater zeta potential than the third particles (R), and the second particles (Y) have a greater zeta potential than the fourth particles (W). One of the particles (W) is white, one of the non-white particles (B) is partially light-transmissive, and the remaining two non-white particles are light-reflective. To display the color of a mixture of the first (B) and second (Y) particles at a viewing surface, the medium is driven to display the second particles (Y) at the viewing surface, then a first driving voltage is applied for a first period to drive the second (Y) and fourth (W) particles towards the viewing surface, then a second driving voltage, of opposite polarity to and lower magnitude than, the first voltage, is applied for a second period less than the first period, and finally the applications of the two driving voltages are repeated.

Method for driving electrophoretic display device

An electrophoretic medium comprises a fluid and first, second, third and fourth types of particles (W, Y, R, B) having four different colors. The first and third particles have charges of one polarity and the second and fourth particles charges of the opposite polarity; the first particles have a greater zeta potential or electrophoretic mobility than the third particles, and the second particles a greater zeta potential or electrophoretic mobility than the fourth particles. One particle is white (W), one non-white particle (R) is partially light-transmissive, and the remaining two non-white particles (B, Y) are light-reflective. A third light-reflective particle (G) may be added to create a five particle medium.

Electrophoretic display device

An electrophoretic medium comprises a fluid and first, second, third and fourth types of particles (W, Y, R, B) having four different colors. The first and third particles have charges of one polarity and the second and fourth particles charges of the opposite polarity; the first particles have a greater zeta potential or electrophoretic mobility than the third particles, and the second particles a greater zeta potential or electrophoretic mobility than the fourth particles. One particle is white (W), one non-white particle (B) is partially light-transmissive, and the remaining two non-white particles (R, Y) are light-reflective. A third light-reflective particle (G) may be added to create a five particle medium.

A method for collimating light using a film including elongated chambers of bistable electrophoretic fluids. The light-collimating films are suitable to control the amount and/or direction of light incident to a transmissive substrate. Such films may be integrated into devices, such as LCD displays, to provide a zone of privacy for a user viewing the LCD display. Because the light-collimating film is switchable, it allows a user to alter the collimation of the emitted light on demand. Because the films are bistable, they do not require additional power after they have been switched to a display state.

Switchable light-collimating layer with reflector

A switchable light-collimating film can be used as a privacy filter for computer monitors or other display devices. The film comprises a plurality of elongated chambers having pigment particles, the position of which can be controlled by the applied electric field. Distribution of the pigment particles throughout the elongated chambers, as opposed to their concentration on one side of the chambers, narrows the viewing angle to the light passing through the film and provides privacy of the viewing images to the user.

Switchable light-collimating layer including bistable electrophoretic fluid

Methods and controllers for driving a light-collimating film including elongated chambers of bistable electrophoretic fluids. The light-collimating films are suitable to control the amount and/or direction of light incident to a transmissive substrate. Such films may be integrated into devices, such as LCD displays, to provide a zone of privacy for a user viewing the LCD display. Because the light-collimating film is switchable, it allows a user to alter the collimation of the emitted light on demand. Because the films are bistable, they do not require additional power after they have been switched to a display state.

Driving waveforms for switchable light-collimating layer including bistable electrophoretic fluid

A light-collimating film including elongated chambers of bistable electrophoretic fluids. The light-collimating films are suitable to control the amount and/or direction of light incident to a transmissive substrate. Such films may be integrated into devices, such as LCD displays, to provide a zone of privacy for a user viewing the LCD display. Because the light-collimating film is switchable, it allows a user to alter the collimation of the emitted light on demand. Because the films are bistable, they do not require additional power after they have been switched to a display state.

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Fremont, CA, United States of America

Xiaolong Zheng