IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,360,429
Granted Patent B2
US 12,360,429 · App. 18/374,439 · Granted Jul 15, 2025

Electrophoretic display device

Inventors: Xiaolong Zheng (Fremont, CA); Craig Lin (Fremont, CA)
Assignee: E Ink Corporation
G02F1/16757G02F1/167G02F1/1677G02F1/1685G09G3/2003G09G3/344
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,360,429
App. No.
18/374,439
Granted
Jul 15, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electrophoretic medium comprises a fluid and first, second, third and fourth types of particles (W, Y, R, B) having four different colors. The first and third particles have charges of one polarity and the second and fourth particles charges of the opposite polarity; the first particles have a greater zeta potential or electrophoretic mobility than the third particles, and the second particles a greater zeta potential or electrophoretic mobility than the fourth particles. One particle is white (W), one non-white particle (R) is partially light-transmissive, and the remaining two non-white particles (B, Y) are light-reflective. A third light-reflective particle (G) may be added to create a five particle medium.

Claims (15)

1. A method of driving an electrophoretic display, the electrophoretic display comprising a layer of an electrophoretic medium having a viewing surface on one side thereof and a second surface on an opposite side thereof, the electrophoretic display further comprising voltage control means for applying an electric field through the layer of electrophoretic medium, the electrophoretic medium comprising a fluid and first, second, third, and fourth types of particles dispersed in the fluid, the first, second, third, and fourth types of particles being respectively partially light-transmissive red, reflective yellow, reflective blue, and white, the first and third types of particles having charges of one polarity and the second and fourth types of particles having charges of the opposite polarity, the first type of particles having a greater zeta potential or electrophoretic mobility than the third type of particles, and the second type of particles having a greater zeta potential or electrophoretic mobility than the fourth type of particles, the method comprising:

(i) applying a DC balancing pulse of a first driving voltage and a first polarity to the electrophoretic medium;

(ii) after step (i), applying a shaking voltage pulse to the electrophoretic medium to achieve a mixed color state in which all four types of particles are randomly distributed in the fluid;

(iii) after step (ii), applying zero voltage to the electrophoretic medium for a first period of time;

(iv) after step (iii), applying a second driving voltage having a same magnitude as the first driving voltage and an opposite polarity of the first polarity to the electrophoretic medium for a second period of time;

(v) after step (iv), applying zero voltage to the electrophoretic medium for a third period of time, the third period of time being longer than the second period of time; and

(vi) repeating steps (iv) and (v) a plurality of times, thereby causing a process black color to be displayed at the viewing surface.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of times comprises at least four times.

3. A method of driving an electrophoretic display, the electrophoretic display comprising a layer of an electrophoretic medium having a viewing surface on one side thereof and a second surface on an opposite side thereof, the electrophoretic display further comprising voltage control means for applying an electric field through the layer of electrophoretic medium, the electrophoretic medium comprising a fluid and first, second, third, and fourth types of particles dispersed in the fluid, the first, second, third, and fourth types of particles being respectively partially light-transmissive red, reflective yellow, reflective blue, and white, the first and third types of particles having charges of one polarity and the second and fourth types of particles having charges of the opposite polarity, the first type of particles having a greater zeta potential or electrophoretic mobility than the third type of particles, and the second type of particles having a greater zeta potential or electrophoretic mobility than the fourth type of particles, the method comprising:

(i) driving the electrophoretic medium to display a white color at the viewing surface;

(ii) after step (i), applying a first driving voltage to the electrophoretic medium for a first period of time, the first driving voltage having a polarity driving the first and third particles towards the viewing surface;

(iii) after step (ii), applying zero voltage to the electrophoretic medium for a second period of time;

(iv) after step (iii), applying a second driving voltage to the electrophoretic medium for a third period of time, the second driving voltage having a polarity opposite to, and a magnitude less than the first driving voltage, and the third period of time being longer than the first period of time; and

(v) repeating steps (ii) to (iv) a plurality to times, thereby causing the color red to be displayed at the viewing surface.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the plurality to times comprises at least four times.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 11, 2023
From: ZHENG, XIAOLONG; LIN, CRAIG
To: E INK CALIFORNIA,LLC
Reel/Frame 065183/0316 →
MERGER Recorded Oct 11, 2023
From: E INK CALIFORNIA, LLC
To: E INK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 065183/0589 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17339216 · Jun 4, 2021
Provisional Application 63035086 · Jun 5, 2020
Related Publication 20240019752A1 · Jan 18, 2024
References Cited (205)
US 6017584A · Albert et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6067134A · Akiyama et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6504524B1 · Gates et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6531997B1 · Gates et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6545797B2 · Chen et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6607134B1 · Bard et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6620466B2 · Nakamura et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6664944B1 · Albert et al. · 2003 [cited by applicant]
US 6788452B2 · Liang et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6825829B1 · Albert et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 6864875B2 · Drzaic et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6866760B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6914714B2 · Chen et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6922276B2 · Zhang et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6930818B1 · Liang et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6972893B2 · Chen et al. · 2005 [cited by applicant]
US 6982178B2 · LeCain et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7002728B2 · Pullen et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7012600B2 · Zehner et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7038656B2 · Liang et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7038670B2 · Liang et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7046228B2 · Liang et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7052571B2 · Wang et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7072095B2 · Liang et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7075502B1 · Drzaic et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7112114B2 · Liang et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7116318B2 · Amundson et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7144942B2 · Zang et al. · 2006 [cited by applicant]
US 7158282B2 · Liang et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7167155B1 · Albert et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7236292B2 · LeCain · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7312784B2 · Baucom et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 7385751B2 · Chen et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7411719B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7443571B2 · LeCain et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7453445B2 · Amundson · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 7492505B2 · Liang et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7513813B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7535624B2 · Amundson et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7561324B2 · Duthaler et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7636191B2 · Duthaler et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 7649666B2 · Isobe et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7667684B2 · Jacobson et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7679814B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7684108B2 · Wang et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7715088B2 · Liang et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7728811B2 · Albert et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7729039B2 · LeCain et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7733554B2 · Danner et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7791782B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7791789B2 · Albert et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7800813B2 · Wu et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7821702B2 · Liang et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7826129B2 · Wu et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7839564B2 · Whitesides et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7843621B2 · Danner et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7843624B2 · Danner et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 7910175B2 · Webber · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7952790B2 · Honeyman et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7956841B2 · Albert et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 7982941B2 · Lin et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8009348B2 · Zehner et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8034209B2 · Danner et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8040594B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8054526B2 · Bouchard · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8068272B2 · LeCain et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8077381B2 · LeCain et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 8098418B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8159636B2 · Sun et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8177942B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8213076B2 · Albert et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 8363299B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8390301B2 · Danner et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8422116B2 · Sprague et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8441714B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8441716B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8466852B2 · Drzaic et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8482835B2 · LeCain · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8503063B2 · Sprague · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8576470B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8576475B2 · Huang et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8593721B2 · Albert et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8605354B2 · Zhang et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 8649084B2 · Wang et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8670174B2 · Sprague et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8687265B2 · Ahn · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8704756B2 · Lin · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8717664B2 · Wang et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8786929B2 · LeCain · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8786935B2 · Sprague · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8797634B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8810899B2 · Sprague et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8830553B2 · Patry et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8830559B2 · Honeyman et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8854721B2 · Danner et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8873129B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8902153B2 · Bouchard et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8902491B2 · Wang et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8917439B2 · Wang et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 8964282B2 · Wang et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9013783B2 · Sprague · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9075280B2 · Whitesides · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9116412B2 · Lin · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9146439B2 · Zhang · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9164207B2 · Honeyman et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9170467B2 · Whitesides et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9170468B2 · Lin et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9176358B2 · Fujimori et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9182646B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9195111B2 · Anseth et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9199441B2 · Danner · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9238340B2 · Kayal et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9268191B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9279906B2 · Kang · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9285649B2 · Du et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9293511B2 · Jacobson et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9341916B2 · Telfer et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9360733B2 · Wang et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9361836B1 · Telfer et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9383623B2 · Lin et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9423666B2 · Wang et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9436056B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9459510B2 · Lin · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9470950B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9513527B2 · Chan et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9541814B2 · Lin et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9552780B2 · Telfer et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9554495B2 · Danner et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9563099B2 · LeCain et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9640119B2 · Lin et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9646547B2 · Lin et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9671668B2 · Chan et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9697778B2 · Telfer et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9726959B2 · Whitesides et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9733540B2 · LeCain et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9740076B2 · Paolini et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9759980B2 · Du et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9759981B2 · Wang et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9761181B2 · Chan et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9778536B2 · LeCain et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9778538B2 · Telfer et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9779670B2 · Uesaka et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9779671B2 · Gan et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9812073B2 · Lin et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9829764B2 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9835925B1 · Bull et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9921451B2 · Telfer et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9922603B2 · Lin · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 9989829B2 · Telfer et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10032419B2 · Lin et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10036929B2 · Du et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10036931B2 · Chan et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10147366B2 · Lin et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10162242B2 · Wang et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10209556B2 · Rosenfeld et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10234742B2 · Chan · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10332435B2 · Wang et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10339876B2 · Lin et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10353266B2 · Bouchard et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10366647B2 · Szymborski · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10372010B2 · Du et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10380931B2 · Lin et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10380955B2 · Lin · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10431168B2 · Lin et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10444591B2 · Honeyman et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10444592B2 · Bouchard · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10466564B2 · Kayal et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10467984B2 · Buckley et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10475399B2 · Telfer et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10509293B2 · Telfer et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10514583B2 · Zhang · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10586499B2 · Lin et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10591800B2 · Chiu et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10679571B2 · Chiu et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10782586B2 · Liu et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10891906B2 · Lin · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11151951B2 · Lin et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11500261B2 · Wu et al. · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20070237962A1 · Liang et al. · 2007 [cited by applicant]
US 20080043318A1 · Whitesides et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20080048970A1 · Drzaic et al. · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 20090168067A1 · LeCain et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20090225398A1 · Duthaler et al. · 2009 [cited by applicant]
US 20100156780A1 · Jacobson et al. · 2010 [cited by applicant]
US 20110043543A1 · Chen et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20110164301A1 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20120326957A1 · Drzaic et al. · 2012 [cited by applicant]
US 20130242378A1 · Paolini, Jr. et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20130278995A1 · Drzaic et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140055840A1 · Zang et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140078576A1 · Sprague · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150118390A1 · Rosenfeld et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150268531A1 · Wang et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150301246A1 · Zang et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20160048054A1 · Danner · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20180321568A1 · Moriwaki · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20210382369A1 · Zheng et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20220215806A1 · Lin · 2022 [cited by examiner]
CN 110010080A · 2019 [cited by applicant]
CN 112017599A · 2020 [cited by applicant]
JP 2010044114A · 2010 [cited by applicant]
JP 2013250404A · 2013 [cited by applicant]
WO 2012047000A2 · 2012 [cited by applicant]
European Patent Office, “Extended European Search Report”, EP Appl. No. 21817559.4, May 17, 2024. May 17, 2024. [cited by applicant]
Korean Intellectual Property Office, “International Search Report and Written Opinion”, PCT/US2021/035890, Sep. 27, 2021. Sep. 27, 2021. [cited by applicant]