US6312304B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Assembly of microencapsulated electronic displays
Assignee: E Ink Corp
•
Filing: 1999-12-14
•
Granted: 2001-11-06
•
Expires: 2019-12-14
Abstract
Abstract An electro-optical device is manufactured by separately manufacturing an electronic component and an optical component and subsequently integrating the electronic and the optical components. Separate fabrication of the two components allows each component to be manufactured using processes which optimize its properties.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregg M. Duthaler
- 👤 Peter T. Kazlas
- 👤 Paul S. Drzaic
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:53
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J3/00; B41J3/407; B41J3/4076; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/165; G02F1/166; G02F1/167; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1345; G02F1/136; G02F1/1362; G02F1/1675; G02F1/16757; G02F1/1334; G02F2201/00; G02F2201/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of manufacturing an electro-optical device comprising: a) providing a modulating layer comprising a first substrate and an electro-optical material provided adjacent the first substrate, the modulating layer being capable of changing a visual state upon application of an electric field; b) providing a pixel layer comprising a second substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes provided on a front surface of the second substrate and a plurality of contact pads provided on a rear surface of the second substrate, each pixel electrode connected to a contact pad through a via extending through the second substrate; c) providing a circuit layer comprising a third substrate and at least one circuit element; and d) laminating the modulating layer, the pixel layer and the circuit layer to form the electro-optical device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of manufacturing an electro-optical device comprising: a) providing a modulating layer comprising a first substrate and an electro-optical material provided adjacent the first substrate, the modulating layer being capable of changing a visual state upon application of an electric field; b) providing a pixel layer comprising a second substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes provided on a front surface of the second substrate and a plurality of contact pads provided on a rear surface of the second substrate, each pixel electrode connected to a contact pad through a via extending through the second substrate; c) providing a circuit layer comprising a third substrate and at least one circuit element; and d) laminating the modulating layer, the pixel layer and the circuit layer to form the electro-optical device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step d) comprises d1) laminating the pixel layer and the modulating layer to form a subassembly and d2) laminating the circuit layer and the subassembly, thereby forming the electro-optical device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electro-optical material comprises a plurality of capsules, each capsule comprising a plurality of particles dispersed in a fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the plurality of particles comprises electrophoretic particles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electro-optical material comprises liquid crystals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electro-optical material comprises a plurality of capsules, each capsule comprising a bichromal sphere dispersed in a fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the modulating layer comprises a flexible first substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the modulating layer comprises an organic first substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the modulating layer comprises a first substrate and a transparent common electrode provided on the first substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the pixel layer comprises a second insulative substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising forming the pixel layer by printing a conductive material on the front surface of the second substrate to form the pixel electrodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising forming the pixel layer by evaporating a conductive material on the front surface of the second substrate to form the pixel electrodes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step d) comprises d1) integrating the pixel layer and the modulating layer to form a subassembly and d2) integrating the circuit layer and the subassembly, thereby forming the electro-optical device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein step d1) comprises encapsulating the pixel layer and the modulating layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 wherein step d1) comprises sealing together an edge of the pixel layer and an edge of the modulating layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 13 wherein step d1) comprises laminating the pixel layer and the modulating layer by providing the front surface of the pixel layer adjacent the electro-optical material of the modulating layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein step d2) comprises bonding the circuit substrate layer and the subassembly.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 2 wherein step d1) comprises inserting an adhesive layer between the pixel layer and modulating layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 wherein step d2) comprises bonding the circuit layer to the rear surface of the pixel layer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 19 wherein step d2) comprises bonding the circuit layer and the subassembly through one of thermocompression, thermosonic bonding and mechanical bonding.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 19 wherein step d2) comprises bonding the circuit layer and the subassembly by inserting an adhesive between the circuit layer and the subassembly.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 21 wherein step d2) comprises inserting an adhesive layer comprising an anisotropically conductive material between the circuit layer and the subassembly.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising printing an adhesive layer adjacent the rear surface of the pixel layer around the contact pads prior to performing step d2).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 13 wherein step a) comprises providing a first modulating layer and a second modulating layer, step b) comprises providing a first pixel layer and a second pixel layer, step d1) comprises laminating the first pixel layer and the first modulating layer to form a first assembly and laminating the second pixel layer and the second modulating layer to form a second assembly, and step d2) comprises placing the circuit layer between the first assembly and the second assembly.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the circuit layer comprises a plurality of contacts provided on a front surface of the third substrate and step d2) comprises laminating the modulating layer and the subassembly such that a contact of the circuit layer is provided adjacent the contact pad of the pixel layer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
11 words
An electro-optical device manufactured by the method of claim 13 .
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step d) comprises d1) laminating the pixel layer and the circuit layer to form a subassembly and d2) laminating the modulating layer and the subassembly to form the electro-optical device.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
11 words
An electro-optical device manufactured by the method of claim 27 .
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the circuit layer comprises at least one of a data line driver, a select line driver, a power supply, a sensor, a logic element, a memory device, and a communication device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising testing the modulating layer and the circuit layer prior to performing step d).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the circuit layer comprises a plurality of non-linear devices.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the circuit layer comprises a plurality of organic-based field effect transistors.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising printing an organic-based field effect transistor array on a front surface of the third substrate of the circuit layer.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of manufacturing an electro-optical device comprising: providing a modulating layer comprising a first substrate and an electro-optical material provided adjacent the first substrate, the modulating layer being capable of changing a visual state upon application of an electric field; providing a pixel layer comprising a second substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes provided on a front surface of the second substrate and a plurality of contact pads provided on a rear surface of the second substrate, each pixel electrode connected to a contact pad through a via extending through the second substrate; providing a plurality of via holes through the second substrate and filling the via holes with a conductive material; providing a circuit layer comprising a third substrate and at least one circuit element; and integrating the modulating layer, the pixel layer and the circuit layer to form the electro-optical device.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of manufacturing an electro-optical device comprising: providing a modulating layer comprising a first substrate and an electro-optical material provided adjacent the first substrate, the modulating layer being capable of changing a visual state upon application of an electric field; providing a pixel layer comprising a second substrate, a plurality of pixel electrodes provided on a front surface of the second substrate and a plurality of contact pads provided on a rear surface of the second substrate, each pixel electrode connected to a contact pad through a via extending through the second substrate; providing a plurality of via holes through the second substrate and filling the via holes with a conductive material; providing a circuit layer comprising a third substrate and at least one circuit element; and integrating the modulating layer, the pixel layer and the circuit layer to form the electro-optical device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-05 | 2005-05-07 | 2005-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-05 | 2009-05-07 | 2009-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-05 | 2013-05-07 | 2013-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |