Reconfigurable color signage using bistable light valve

Reconfigurable color signage comprising:

• an array of light valves each having memory, the array having a major viewing surface and a reverse surface, and each light valve of the array of light valves having an adjustable light transmittance;
• an active matrix positioned on one of the major viewing surface and the reverse surface of the array and including a plurality of conductive select lines and a plurality of conductive data lines, each light valve of the array of light valves being electrically coupled to one of the plurality of select lines and to one of the data lines such that each light valve is separately addressable by a unique combination of select line and data line, the active matrix having a write mode in which signals are supplied to each light valve of the array of light valves to provide a selected light transmittance and a display mode in which the memory of each light valve of the array of light valves retains the selected transmittance after the signals of the write mode have been removed;
• the active matrix being formed on a transparent substrate and including transparent conductors;
• a backlight positioned to direct light in a light path through the array of light valves in accordance with the selected light transmittance;
• and
• a color filter positioned in the light path, the color filter being formed and positioned to define a plurality of pixels and including one red filter, one green filter, and one blue filter for each pixel, the red filter, the green filter, and the blue filter of each pixel being formed and positioned to separate light from the light valves of the array of light valves into different colors, whereby transmittance of light by each light valve of the array of light valves is reconfigurable to effect signage.

Reconfigurable color signage comprising:

• an array of light valves including one of electrophoretic cells and electrochromic cells each having memory, the array having a major viewing surface and a reverse surface, and each light valve of the array of light valves having an adjustable light transmittance;
• an active matrix positioned on one of the major viewing surface and the reverse surface of the array and including a plurality of conductive select lines and a plurality of conductive data lines, each light valve of the array of light valves being electrically coupled to one of the plurality of select lines and to one of the data lines such that each light valve is separately addressable by a unique combination of select line and data line, the active matrix having a write mode in which signals are supplied to each light valve of the array of light valves to provide a selected light transmittance and a display mode in which the memory of each light valve of the array of light valves retains the selected conductivity after the signals of the write mode have been removed;
• drivers coupled to one of the select lines and the data lines of the active matrix through demux circuits;
• the active matrix being formed on a transparent substrate and including transparent conductors;
• a backlight positioned to direct light in a light path through the array of light valves in accordance with the selected light transmittance;
• a color filter positioned in the light path, the color filter being formed and positioned to define a plurality of pixels and including one red filter, one green filter, and one blue filter for each pixel, the red filter, the green filter, and the blue filter of each pixel being formed and positioned to separate light from the light valves of the array of light valves into different colors;
• and
• a diffuser positioned to diffuse light emanating from the array of light valves and the color filter whereby transmittance of light by each light valve of the array of light valves is reconfigurable to effect signage.

A method of reconfiguring color signage comprising the steps of:

• providing an array of light valves each having memory and each light valve of the array of light valves having an adjustable light transmittance, an active matrix positioned in electrical contact with the array and each light valve being separately addressable, the active matrix having a write mode and a display mode in which the memory of each light valve of the array of light valves retains a selected conductivity after signals of the write mode have been removed, a backlight positioned to direct light in a light path through the array of light valves in accordance with the selected light transmittance of each light valve, and a color filter positioned in the light path, the color filter being formed and positioned to define a plurality of pixels and including one red filter, one green filter, and one blue filter for each pixel, the red filter, the green filter, and the blue filter of each pixel each positioned to be associated with a separate light valve of the array of light valves;
• energizing the active matrix into the write mode and supplying signals through the active matrix to each light valve of the array of light valves in the write mode to provide a selected light transmittance to each light valve of the array of light valves;
• and
• de-energizing the active matrix into the display mode in which the memory of each light valve of the array of light valves retains the selected transmittance after the signals of the write mode have been removed.