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US 6,580,545 B2Granted
Electrochromic-nanoparticle displays
AssigneeE Ink Corporation
InventorsIan D. Morrison, Joseph M. Jacobson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A display comprises spaced first and second electrodes, and a plurality of electrochromic nanoparticles disposed between the electrodes, each of the nanoparticles having an electron-rich state and an electron-depleted state, the two states differing in at least one optical characteristic. Upon injection of charge from one of the electrodes, the nanoparticles switch between their electron-rich and electron-depleted states, thus changing an optical characteristic of the display.
Claims25
A display comprising:
- first and second electrodes spaced from one another;
- a plurality of electrochromic nanoparticles disposed between the first and second electrodes, each of the nanoparticles having an electron-rich state and an electron-depleted state, the two states differing in at least one optical characteristic, such that injection of charge from at least one of the first and second electrodes will cause at least some of the nanoparticles to switch between their electron-rich and electron-depleted states;
- and
- a solid non-electrochromic matrix material disposed between the electrodes and surrounding the nanoparticles.
1 more element
A display comprising:
- first and second electrodes spaced from one another;
- a plurality of electrochromic nanoparticles disposed between the first and second electrodes, each of the nanoparticles having an electron-rich state and an electron-depleted state, the two states differing in at least one optical characteristic, such that injection of charge from at least one of the first and second electrodes will cause at least some of the nanoparticles to switch between their electron-rich and electron-depleted states;
- one of the states of the nanoparticles being substantially transparent to visible radiation and the other of the states not being substantially transparent to visible radiation, the first and second electrodes also being substantially transparent to visible radiation, so that the display acts as a light gate;
- and
- a third electrode spaced from the second electrode and a plurality of second electrochromic nanoparticles disposed between the second and third electrodes, each of the second nanoparticles having an electron-rich state and an electron-depleted state, the two states differing in at least one optical characteristic, such that injection of charge from at least one of the second and third electrodes will cause at least some of the second nanoparticles to switch between their electron-rich and electron-depleted states, the second nanoparticles having a non-transparent state differing in optical characteristic from the non-transparent state of the nanoparticles between the first a second electrodes.
2 more elements
A method for operating a display, the method comprising:
- providing first and second electrodes spaced from one another;
- providing a plurality of electrochromic nanoparticles disposed between the first and second electrodes, each of the nanoparticles having an electron-rich state and an electron-depleted state, the two states differing in at least one optical characteristic;
- providing a solid non-electrochromic matrix material disposed between the electrodes and surrounding the nanoparticles;
- and
- injecting charge from at least one of the first and second electrodes into the nanoparticles, and thereby causing at least some of the nanoparticles to switch between their electron-rich and electron-depleted states, thus changing an optical characteristic of the display.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.