# US 2012/0105935 A1 · Apparatus for displaying information > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2012/0105935 A1 - Document ID: US20120105935A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/261,023 - Filed: 2010-05-14 - Published: 2012-05-03 - Earliest claimed: 2009-05-27 - Assignees: Advanced Display Technology AG - Inventors: Andriy Bitman; Frank Bartels - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120105935A1 ## CPC - G09F 9/377: {the positions of the elements being controlled by pneumatic means} - G02B 26/004: {based on a displacement or a deformation of a fluid} - G09F 9/372: {the positions of the elements being controlled by the application of an electric field} - G09F 13/24: using tubes or the like filled with liquid, e.g. bubbling liquid - G09F 13/0422: {Reflectors} - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract The invention relates to an apparatus for displaying information by way of at least one fluid. For this purpose, the apparatus comprises at least one display element having two volumes, wherein the first volume is disposed between a transparent cover layer and a non-transparent intermediate layer and the second volume is disposed between the intermediate layer and a final layer such that only the content of the upper volume is visible. The display according to the invention further comprises at least one fluidic transition, by way of which the fluid can be transported between the two volumes. The apparatus according to the invention has an optimized space requirement, solves the problem of uneven saturation over the surface of a display element, and is additionally not sensitive to mechanical interference. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-19. (canceled) ### Claim 20 An apparatus for displaying information, comprising at least one display element, including: a fluid, the surface energy thereof may be varied by means of an electric field; a first and a second volume for receiving said fluid, wherein only the first volume is visible and the volumes are separated by a non-transparent intermediate layer; and a fluidic transition between said first and said second volume, wherein said first volume is arranged between an optically transparent cover layer and said non-transparent intermediate layer and said second volume is arranged between said intermediate layer and a final layer and all layers are parallel across their entire area; the fluidic transition connects a lateral end of said first volume with a lateral end of said second volume fluidically, in viewing direction perpendicular to the visible first volume; and said first and said second volume and the volume of the fluid are equal, so that the fluid volume may be dimensionally stable conveyed from the one volume into the volume parallel to the layers to the fluidic transition, so that always that fraction of the fluid volume which is present in the visible volume extends over the entire height between cover layer and intermediate layer. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the fluidic transition is a duct making a shortest connection between the volumes and is therefore perpendicular to the parallel surfaces. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the apparatus comprises several display elements and the second volume of a display element is arranged below the first volume of an adjacent display element, at least except for the region of the fluidic transition. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein both volumes of a display element are arranged after another when seen in viewing direction. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the intermediate layer comprises at least one further fluidic transition for fluidic pressure balance between the two volumes. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The apparatus of claim 24, wherein two of the further fluidic transitions are provided for fluidic pressure balance and at least two of the fluidic transitions are arranged at opposite ends of a volume. ### Claim 26 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein, to avoid an undesired transfer of fluid from one into the other volume, a wall is arranged in at least one of the volumes. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the wall extends at least partly over the entire height of the respective volume. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26, wherien the wall borders the fluidic transition, is perpendicular to the intermediate layer, extends over the entire height of the respective volume and comprises a central interruption of smaller height. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the wall borders the second fluidic transition serving for pressure balance, is perpendicular to the intermediate layer, extends over only a part of the entire height of the respective volume and comprises a central interruption. ### Claim 30 (depends on 26) The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the wall contains no interruptions and comprises a smaller height than the respective volume. ### Claim 31 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein to avoid an undesired transfer of fluid from one volume into the other a bar splitting or reducing the transition is arranged in the region of the fluidic transition. ### Claim 32 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the apparatus includes at least one electrically conducting layer or coating for providing at least one counter electrode as well as a common control electrode for at least two display elements. ### Claim 33 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the apparatus includes at least one electrically conducting layer or coating for providing at least one counter electrode as well as individual control electrodes for each display element. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the counter electrode and the control electrodes are arranged in different layers. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the counter electrode is arranged within the intermediate layer. ### Claim 36 (depends on 32) The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the control electrodes are arranged within the intermediate layer. ### Claim 37 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the intermediate layer is configured reflective at least on one side, so that light incident from the viewing direction is reflected thereby. ### Claim 38 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a second fluid which is immiscible with the first fluid.