Low power high resolution electrochemical display

Abstract

A flat-panel display comprises a gelatinous material between two panels having a matrix of pixel electrodes formed between the panels. Suspended ionic particles in the gelatinous material, of a color contrasting to the color of the gelatinous material, are translated in the gelatinous material by activating individual ones of the electrodes, and collecting near the electrodes against one of the panels, form pixels of the color of the particles against a background of the color of the gelatinous material. In preferred embodiments data receiving and control circuitry are provided with the flat panel display for activating electrodes in patterns according to received data, the patterns forming images on a screen. Flat panel displays thus formed require power only when an image on the screen is changed. No power is required to maintain an image once formed. Such a display is especially suitable for forming pages of text for various purposes.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A display panel comprising: 
 a first panel;    a second panel spaced apart from the first panel, providing a volume therebetween;    an open-celled, opaque gelatinous material having a first color in the volume between the panels;    multiple ionic particles having a second color suspended in the gelatinous material; and    a matrix of electrodes implemented over a surface of at least one of the panels;    wherein activating individual ones of the electrodes in the matrix of electrodes causes groups of the multiple ionic particles to translate through the gelatinous material and collect against the first panel, forming a pattern of pixels of the second color against a background of the first color.    
     
     
         2 . The display panel of  claim 1  wherein the first color is white and the second color is black.  
     
     
         3 . The display of  claim 1  wherein the matrix of electrodes comprises individual electrodes spaced in a Cartesian array on one of the two panels and a common electrode surface implemented on the other of the two panels.  
     
     
         4 . The display of  claim 3  wherein the individual electrodes are formed in a polysilicon layer deposited on the one of the two panels, and wherein circuitry for controlling activation of the electrodes is also formed on the one of the two panels.  
     
     
         5 . The display of  claim 1  wherein individual electrodes are formed by a first set of substantially parallel lines of transparent, electrically conductive material formed on one of the two panels, and a second set of substantially parallel lines of electrically conductive material at right angles to the first set of substantially parallel lines of transparent, electrically conductive material, the second set of lines formed on the other of the two panels, individual electrodes being formed at the intersections of individual lines on one panel with individual lines on the other panel.  
     
     
         6 . The display panel of  claim 1  further comprising a data port and control circuitry connected to the data port, the control circuitry adapted for addressing and activating individual electrodes according to a data stream received at the data port.  
     
     
         7 . A method for forming an image on a display panel comprising steps of: 
 (a) forming a matrix of pixel electrodes between two parallel, spaced apart panels;    (b) filling volume between the panels with an open-celled, gelatinous material having a first color;    (c) suspending ionic particles having a second color in the gelatinous material; and    (d) activating individual ones of the pixel electrodes causing multiples of the ionic particles to translate through the gelatinous material and to form near the activated electrodes, forming thereby an image    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the first color is white and the second color is white.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the matrix of pixel electrodes comprises individual electrodes spaced in a Cartesian array on one of the two panels and a common electrode surface implemented on the other of the two panels.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the individual electrodes are formed in a polysilicon layer deposited on the one of the two panels, and wherein circuitry for controlling activation of the electrodes is also formed on the one of the two panels.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein individual electrodes are formed by a first set of substantially parallel lines of transparent, electrically conductive material formed on one of the two panels, and a second set of substantially parallel lines of electrically conductive material at right angles to the first set of substantially parallel lines of transparent, electrically conductive material, the second set of lines formed on the other of the two panels, individual electrodes being formed at the intersections of individual lines on one panel with individual lines on the other panel.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising steps for forming a data port and control circuitry connected to the data port, the control circuitry adapted for addressing and activating individual electrodes according to a data stream received at the data port.