Color electro-optic displays, and processes for the production thereof

Abstract

A color filter array is provided in an electro-optic display by ink jet printing a plurality of colored areas ( 22 R, 22 G, 22 B) on one surface of a layer of electro-optic material ( 12 ), an adhesive layer or a protective layer. Alternatively, the ink jet printing may be effected on the same layers in various sub-assemblies used to produce electro-optic displays.

1 . A process for preparing a layer of electro-optic material having a color filter array thereon, which process comprises ink jet printing a plurality of colored areas on one surface of the layer of electro-optic material.  
   
   
       2 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein a plurality of first colored areas and a plurality of second colored areas are printed on said one surface of the layer of electro-optic material, the first and second colored areas being of different colors.  
   
   
       3 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the electro-optic material comprises a rotating bichromal member material or a microcell electrophoretic material.  
   
   
       4 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the electro-optic material comprises an encapsulated electrophoretic material comprising a plurality of capsules in a binder, or a polymer-dispersed electrophoretic material.  
   
   
       5 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the ink used is radiation curable and after the ink has been printed it is exposed to radiation effective to cure the ink.  
   
   
       6 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the ink used comprises pigment particles in an organic solvent.  
   
   
       7 . A process according to  claim 1  wherein the layer of electro-optic material is disposed on a backplane comprising at least one pixel electrode.  
   
   
       8 . A process according to  claim 1  further comprising laminating an adhesive layer over said one surface of the layer of electro-optic material.  
   
   
       9 . A layer of electro-optic material having a plurality of colored areas printed on one surface thereof.  
   
   
       10 . A layer of electro-optic material according to  claim 9  having a plurality of first colored areas and a plurality of second colored areas printed on said one surface, the first and second colored areas being of different colors.  
   
   
       11 . A layer of electro-optic material according to  claim 9  wherein the electro-optic material comprises a rotating bichromal member material or a microcell electrophoretic material.  
   
   
       12 . A layer of electro-optic material according to  claim 9  wherein the electro-optic material comprises an encapsulated electrophoretic material comprising a plurality of capsules in a binder, or a polymer-dispersed electrophoretic material.  
   
   
       13 . A layer of electro-optic material according to  claim 9  disposed on a backplane comprising at least one pixel electrode.  
   
   
       14 . A layer of electro-optic material according to  claim 9  having an adhesive layer laminated over said one surface of the layer of electro-optic material.  
   
   
       15 . An article of manufacture comprising, in order: a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer; an adhesive layer; and a release sheet, wherein the layer of a solid electro-optic medium is a layer according to  claim 9 .  
   
   
       16 . An article of manufacture comprising: a layer of a solid electro-optic medium having first and second surfaces on opposed sides thereof, a first adhesive layer on the first surface of the layer of solid electro-optic medium; a release sheet disposed on the opposed side of the first adhesive layer from the layer of solid electro-optic medium; and a second adhesive layer on the second surface of the layer of solid electro-optic medium, wherein the layer of a solid electro-optic medium is a layer according to  claim 9 .  
   
   
       17 . An article of manufacture comprising: a layer of a solid electro-optic medium having first and second surfaces on opposed sides thereof, a first release sheet covering the first surface of the layer of solid electro-optic medium; and a second release sheet covering the second surface of the layer of solid electro-optic medium, wherein the layer of a solid electro-optic medium is a layer according to  claim 9 .  
   
   
       18 . An article of manufacture comprising, in order: a release sheet; a layer of a solid electro-optic medium; an adhesive layer; and at least one of a light-transmissive protective layer and a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, wherein the layer of a solid electro-optic medium is a layer according to  claim 9 .  
   
   
       19 . A process for preparing a sub-assembly useful for forming a color electro-optic display, the process comprising providing a sub-assembly comprising a layer of electro-optic material and an adhesive layer having an exposed surface, and ink jet printing a plurality of colored areas on the exposed surface of the adhesive layer.  
   
   
       20 . A sub-assembly useful for forming a color electro-optic display, the sub-assembly comprising a layer of electro-optic material and an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer having a plurality of colored areas printed on one surface thereof.  
   
   
       21 . A process for preparing a color electro-optic display, the process comprising providing a film comprising a layer of electro-optic material and a protective layer having an exposed surface, and ink jet printing a plurality of colored areas on the exposed surface of the protective layer.  
   
   
       22 . A film for use in forming a color electro-optic display, the film comprising a layer of electro-optic material and a protective layer having an exposed surface, the protective layer having a plurality of colored areas printed on its exposed surface.  
   
   
       23 . A process for providing printed colored areas on an electro-optic display, the process comprising: 
 providing a display comprising a backplane bearing a plurality of pixel electrodes and a layer of an electro-optic material disposed on the backplane, the display having an exposed surface remote from the backplane;    applying voltages to the pixel electrodes and thereby forming an image on the layer of electro-optic material;    detecting the image; and    ink jet printing the colored areas on the exposed surface in registry with the detected image.    
   
   
       24 . A process for placing a color filter array on an electro-optic display, the process comprising: 
 providing a color filter array;    providing a display comprising a backplane bearing a plurality of pixel electrodes and a layer of an electro-optic material disposed on the backplane, the display having an exposed surface remote from the backplane;    applying voltages to the pixel electrodes and thereby forming an image on the layer of electro-optic material;    detecting the image; and    securing the color filter array on the exposed surface in registry with the detected image.