US4201984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Current controlled drive system for electrochromic displays of the segmented type
Assignee: Sharp Corp
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Filing: 1977-05-24
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Granted: 1980-05-06
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Expires: 1997-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A driving circuit is provided for an electro-optical display which includes an electrochromic material and a predetermined number of display segments, various combinations of the display segments defining different desired display patterns. The electrochromic phenomenon is developed within the electro-optical display upon a flow of current supplied through the display segments. The driving circuit is so constructed as to supply a predetermined amount of the flow of current to the display segments, of which the current value is changed in accordance with the number of the display segments which change their display states.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasuhiko Inami
- 👤 Sadatoshi Takechi
- 👤 Tadanori Hishida
- 👤 Hisashi Uede
- 👤 Hiroshi Take
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:07
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G3/00; G09G3/04; G09G3/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
In a circuit for an electrochromic display which includes an electrochromic material and a predetermined number of display segments, various combinations of the display segments defining different desired display patterns, the improvement comprising: a current supply source means connected to the electrochromic display; and control means for selecting a constant value of the output current of said current supply source corresponding to the number of display segments which are to have their display states changed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a circuit for an electrochromic display which includes an electrochromic material and a predetermined number of display segments, various combinations of the display segments defining different desired display patterns, the improvement comprising: a current supply source means connected to the electrochromic display; and control means for selecting a constant value of the output current of said current supply source corresponding to the number of display segments which are to have their display states changed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The driver circuit of claim 1, wherein the control means includes a current direction determining means for selectively determining the direction of the electric current derived from said current supply source means and flowing through said electrochromic display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The driver circuit of claim 1, wherein said electrochromic display includes a counterelectrode; wherein said display states include a bleached state achieved by a bleaching operation; and wherein said current supply source means further comprises means for maintaining the magnitude of the potential between said display segments and said counterelectrodes below a predetermined value during said bleaching of said display segments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The driver circuit of claim 1, wherein said display states comprise a colored state and a bleached state, the latter being achieved by a bleaching operation; and wherein said current supply source means includes means for limiting current flow through said display segments prior to the end of said bleaching operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
The driver circuit of claim 1, wherein the control means include a current direction determining means for selectively determining the direction of the electric current derived from said constant current source and flowing through said electrochromic display; wherein said electrochromic display includes a counterelectrode; wherein said display states include a bleached state achieved by a bleaching operation; and wherein said current supply source means further comprises means for maintaining the magnitude of the potential between said display segments and said counterelectrodes below a predetermined value during said bleaching of said display segments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The driver circuit of claim 5, wherein said display states further comprise a colored state; and wherein said current supply source means includes means for limiting current flow through said display segments prior to the end of said bleaching operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
The driver circuit of claim 1, wherein: the control means include a current direction determining means for selectively determining the direction of the electric current derived from said constant current source and flowing through said electrochromic display; said current directions including one corresponding to a display segment bleaching operation; and said current supply source means includes means for limiting current flow through said display segments prior to the end of a said bleaching operation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The driver circuit of claim 7, wherein said electrochromic display further includes a counterelectrode; and wherein said current supply source means further comprises means for maintaining the magnitude of the potential between said display segments and said counterelectrode below a predetermined value during a said bleaching operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
The driver circuit of claim 1, wherein said electrochromic display includes a counter electrode; wherein said display states comprise a colored state and a bleached state, the latter being achieved by a bleaching operation; and wherein said current supply source means includes means for limiting current flow through said display segments prior to the end of said bleaching operation; and said current supply source means maintains the magnitude of the potential between said display segments and said counterelectrode below a predetermined value during a said bleaching operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said current supply source means further includes resistance means for individually controlling the level of current supplied to each of said display segments of a said electrochromic display during a said change of display state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention defined in claim 10, wherein the control means includes a current direction determining means for selectively determining the direction of the electric current derived from said current source means and flowing through said electrochromic display.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
The invention defined in claim 10, wherein: the control means include a current direction determining means for selectively determining the direction of the electric current derived from said constant current source and flowing through said electrochromic display; said current directions including one corresponding to a display segment bleaching operation; and said current supply source means includes means for limiting current flow through said display segments prior to the end of a said bleaching operation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention defined in claim 12, wherein said electrochromic display further includes a counterelectrode; and wherein said current supply source means further comprises means for maintaining the magnitude of the potential between said display segments and said counterelectrode below a predetermined value during a said bleaching operation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
86 words
The invention defined in claim 10, wherein said electrochromic display includes a counterelectrode; wherein said display states comprise a colored state and a bleached state, the latter being achieved by a bleaching operation; and wherein said current supply source means includes means for limiting current flow through said display segments prior to the end of said bleaching operation; and said current supply source means maintains the magnitude of the potential between said display segments and said counterelectrode below a predetermined value during a said bleaching operation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-05-06 | 1983-11-05 | 1984-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-05-06 | 1987-11-05 | 1988-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-05-06 | 1991-11-05 | 1992-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |