Tiled electro-optic displays having flexible substrate and protective layer

Abstract

An electro-optic display including a large area flexible substrate, a plurality of electro-optic display units, and an encapsulating cover sheet secured to the flexible substrate that encapsulates the display units. The encapsulating cover sheet protects the display units from mechanical damage and makes the tiled display units appear as a continuous structure.

1 . A flexible large area electro-optic display system comprising:
 a large area flexible substrate;   a plurality of electro-optic display units attached as tiles to the large area flexible substrate, wherein the electro-optic display units each comprise a front transparent electrode and back pixel electrodes; and   an encapsulating cover sheet secured to the flexible substrate, wherein the encapsulating cover sheet protects the plurality of electro-optic display units from mechanical damage.   
     
     
         2 . The flexible large area electro-optic display system of  claim 1 , further comprising a mask adjacent to seams formed between the plurality of electro-optic display units attached as tiles, the mask being disposed between the plurality of electro-optic display units and the encapsulating cover sheet, and the mask being adapted to hide a non-active portion between the flexible electro-optic display units. 
     
     
         3 . The flexible large area electro-optic display system of  claim 1 , further comprising a substantially clear adhesive layer between the encapsulating cover sheet and the flexible electro-optic display units. 
     
     
         4 . The flexible large area electro-optic display system of  claim 1 , wherein the electro-optic display includes an electro-optic medium comprising a plurality of charged particles disposed in a fluid and capable of moving through the fluid under the influence of an electric field. 
     
     
         5 . The flexible large area electro-optic display system of  claim 1 , wherein the encapsulating cover sheet is thermoformed over the plurality of electro-optic display units. 
     
     
         6 . The flexible large area electro-optic display system of  claim 1 , wherein the encapsulating cover sheet protects the plurality of electro-optic display units from exposure to weather.