Electro-optic display overlays and systems for addressing such displays
AssigneeE Ink Corporation
InventorsHolly G. Gates, Ian D. Morrison, Owen W. Ozier, Benjamin M. Davis, Jonathan D. Albert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A display overlay includes a contrast media layer and a photoconductive layer disposed between two electrodes. Light from an emissive display strikes the photoconductive layer and lowers the impedance of the photoconductive layer at the point at which the light is incident. Voltage applied to the electrodes creates an electric field that addresses the contrast media layer in locations of reduced impedance.
Claims42
A reflective electro-optic display in optical communication with an emissive display, comprising:
- (a) an electro-optic layer;
- (b) a photoconductive layer adjacent the electro-optic layer;
- (c) a first electrode, adjacent a first side of the photoconductive layer;
- (d) a second electrode, adjacent the electro-optic layer;
- and
- (e) a synchronization module receiving signals indicative of emissive display output and controlling the first and second electrodes to apply an electric field to the electro-optic layer responsive to the received signals.
2 The display of claim 1 wherein the electro-optic layer comprises at least one capsule containing a suspending fluid having a first optical property and a particle having a second optical property, wherein application of said electric field causes said capsule to change visual state responsive to said optical properties of said suspending fluid and said particle.
The display of claim 2 wherein said particle is substantially white.
The display of claim 2 wherein said particle is black.
The display of claim 2 wherein said particle is red.
The display of claim 2 wherein said suspending fluid is substantially transparent.
The display of claim 2 wherein said suspending fluid is substantially black.
The display of claim 2 wherein the electro-optic layer comprises at least one capsule containing at least a first particle and a second particle, said first particle having a first optical property and a said second particle having a second optical property, wherein application of said electric field causes said capsule to change visual state responsive to said optical properties of said particles.
A method of controlling a reflective display to have a visual appearance substantially similar to an emissive display, the reflective display including an electro-optic layer adjacent a photoconductive layer, a first electrode adjacent a first side of the photoconductive layer, and a second electrode adjacent the electro-optic layer, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving signals indicative of output from the emissive display;
- and
- (b) controlling the first and second electrodes to apply an electric field to the electro-optic layer responsive to the received signals.
An article of manufacture for controlling a reflective display to have a visual appearance substantially similar to an emissive display, the reflective display including an electro-optic layer adjacent a photoconductive layer, a first electrode adjacent a first side of the photoconductive layer, and a second electrode adjacent the electro-optic layer, the article comprising:
- (a) computer-readable program means for receiving signals indicative of output from the emissive display;
- and
- (b) computer-readable program means for controlling the first and second electrodes to apply an electric field to the electro-optic layer responsive to the received signals.
A reflective electro-optic display in optical communication with an emissive display, comprising:
- (a) an electro-optic layer;
- (b) a photoconductive layer adjacent the electro-optic layer;
- (c) a means for applying an electric field across the electro-optic layer;
- and
- (d) a synchronization module receiving signals indicative of emissive display output and controlling the means for applying an electric field to the electro-optic layer responsive to the received signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.