E Ink has been granted a patent for a switchable light modulator device. The device consists of two substrates with polymer structures that create cavities filled with a fluid containing electrophoretic particles. The polymer structures include recesses filled with conductive cast parts, which are bonded to both the second substrate and the surface of the recess. The conductive cast parts are enclosed by the surface of the recess and the second substrate. GlobalData’s report on E Ink gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on E Ink, E-transaction user interfaces was a key innovation area identified from patents. E Ink's grant share as of September 2023 was 54%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
A switchable light modulator device with cavities and conductive cast parts
A recently granted patent (Publication Number: US11774791B2) describes a switchable light modulator device that can be used in various applications such as displays, windows, mirrors, sun shades, and signs. The device consists of a first substrate and a second substrate, separated by polymer structures that create multiple cavities. These cavities are filled with a fluid containing electrophoretic particles.
One notable feature of the device is the presence of recesses within the polymer structures, which are filled with conductive cast parts. These cast parts are bonded to both the second substrate and the surface of the recesses, and they are enclosed by the surface of the recesses and the second substrate. The conductive cast parts are made up of a polymer and a conductive filler.
The polymer structures in the device are optically transparent, but the conductive cast parts obscure light and may include a colorant or a light scattering material. This allows the device to have a first state that strongly attenuates light and a second state that is substantially transparent to visible light.
The patent also mentions that the recesses in the polymer structures can vary in depth or width, providing flexibility in the design of the device. Additionally, the first substrate or the second substrate can be made of a flexible transparent material, and they may also include a transparent electrode layer.
Overall, this patented switchable light modulator device offers a versatile solution for controlling the transmission of light in various applications. Its unique design, with recesses filled with conductive cast parts, allows for efficient light modulation. The device can be used in displays, windows, mirrors, sun shades, and signs, providing a range of possibilities for incorporating this technology into different products.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
