IP Library Granted Patent US 9,097,888
Granted Patent B2
US 9,097,888 · App. 14/299,756 · Granted Aug 4, 2015

Electrowetting display device with light diffuser

Inventor: Andrea Giraldo (Riehen, CH)
Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
G02B26/005G09G3/348G02B2207/115
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,097,888
App. No.
14/299,756
Granted
Aug 4, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electrowetting display device includes at least one picture element having a first support plate, a second support plate and a space between the first support plate and the second support plate. The first support plate includes a reflector for reflecting light and the second support plate includes a light diffuser.

Claims (21)

1. An electrowetting display device comprising at least one picture element having a first support plate, a second support plate and a space between the first support plate and the second support plate, the first support plate including a reflector for reflecting light,

the space including a first fluid and a second fluid immiscible with each other, the first fluid forming a layer on the first support plate when no voltage is applied to the at least one picture element and the second fluid being one or more of: electrically conductive or polar,

wherein the second support plate includes a light diffuser on a side of the second support plate facing the space, the light diffuser including a non-planar surface, and

wherein, without a voltage being applied to the at least one picture element, the second fluid has a varying thickness across an extent of the at least one picture element, the varying thickness being dependent on a shape of the non-planar surface.

2. An electrowetting display device according to claim 1 , wherein the second support plate includes a substrate, the light diffuser being arranged on a side of the substrate closest to the space.

3. An electrowetting display device according to claim 1 , wherein the second fluid adjoins at least part of a non-planar surface of the second support plate, the non-planar surface of the second support plate being non-planar in dependence on a shape of the non-planar surface of the light diffuser.

4. An electrowetting display device according to claim 1 , wherein the non-planar surface comprises a plurality of protrusions which are arranged in one or more of: a random pattern or a regular pattern.

5. An electrowetting display device according to claim 1 , wherein the non-planar surface comprises a plurality of protrusions, a shape of at least one of the plurality of protrusions being one or more of: a shape with a circular cross-section, a shape with a regular polygon cross-section or a wave shape.

6. An electrowetting display device according to claim 1 , wherein the non-planar surface comprises a plurality of protrusions, an average pitch of the plurality of protrusions being different in a first direction than in a second direction, the first and second directions being perpendicular to each other.

7. An electrowetting display device according to claim 1 , wherein the second support plate includes a substrate and the light diffuser is a layer having a varying thickness arranged on the substrate.

8. An electrowetting display device according to claim 1 , wherein the second fluid adjoins at least part of a surface of the light diffuser.

9. An electrowetting display device according to claim 1 , wherein a refractive index of a material forming the light diffuser is different from a refractive index of the second fluid.

10. An electrowetting display device according to claim 1 , wherein a colour filter is arranged in one or more of: the first support plate or the second support plate.

11. An electrowetting display device according to claim 1 , wherein the reflector is a specular reflector.

12. An electrowetting display device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one picture element is transflective and the reflector covers part of a cross-section of the at least one picture element.

13. An electrowetting display device comprising at least one picture element having a first support plate, a second support plate and a space between the first support plate and the second support plate, the first support plate including a reflector for reflecting light,

the space including a first fluid and a second fluid immiscible with each other, the first fluid forming a layer on the first support plate when no voltage is applied to the at least one picture element and the second fluid being one or more of: electrically conductive or polar,

wherein the second support plate includes a light diffuser on a side of the second support plate facing the space, the light diffuser having a first side closest to the space and a second side furthest away from the space, wherein a refractive index of a medium adjoining the first side is one of more of: different from, or substantially the same as, a refractive index of a medium adjoining the second side.

14. An electrowetting display device according to claim 13 , wherein the light diffuser includes a non-planar surface.

15. An electrowetting display device according to claim 14 , wherein, without a voltage being applied to the at least one picture element, the second fluid has a varying thickness across an extent of the at least one picture element, the varying thickness being dependent on a shape of the non-planar surface.

16. An electrowetting display device according to claim 14 , wherein the second fluid adjoins at least part of a non-planar surface of the second support plate, the non-planar surface of the second support plate being non-planar in dependence on a shape of the non-planar surface of the light diffuser.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 7, 2015
From: GIRALDO, ANDREA
To: SAMSUNG LCD NETHERLANDS R& D CENTER B.V.
Reel/Frame 034652/0046 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 7, 2015
From: SAMSUNG LCD NETHERLANDS R & D CENTER B.V.
To: LIQUAVISTA B.V.
Reel/Frame 034732/0233 →
BILL OF SALE Recorded Jul 29, 2014
From: LIQUAVISTA B.V.
To: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 033792/0968 →
Priority Claims (1)
GB 1121212.3 · Dec 9, 2011 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTEP2012074872 · Dec 7, 2012
Related Publication 20140285869A1 · Sep 25, 2014