US4456337A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chemically coupled color-changing display
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1981-12-07
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Granted: 1984-06-26
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Expires: 2001-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A display device is disclosed having a display matrix composed of electronically isolated display elements of a solid, insoluble display material which is capable of reversibly changing color by reaction with soluble reactants. The display matrix is driven by a drive matrix which electrochemically generates the soluble reactants which consist of oxidizing and reducing agents. A selective separator, which is permeable to electrolyte but impermeable to the generated soluble reactants, divides the interior of the device into two compartments; it confines the electrochemically generated soluble reactants and certain soluble chemical species to the compartment containing the generator electrodes and the display matrix and thereby prevents contamination of the other compartment having counter electrodes therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Margie M. Nicholson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:14
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/15; G02F1/1514; G02F1/1516
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
A display device, comprising: an electronically isolated element of a solid, insoluble display material capable of reversibly changing color by reaction with soluble reactants; and drive means for electrochemically generating said soluble reactants.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
A display device, comprising: an electronically isolated element of a solid, insoluble display material capable of reversibly changing color by reaction with soluble reactants; and drive means for electrochemically generating said soluble reactants.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The display device recited in claim 1, wherein said soluble reactants are soluble oxidizing and reducing agents.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The display device recited in claim 2, wherein said display material is an electrochromic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The display device recited in claim 3, wherein said electrochromic material is a rare-earth diphthalocyanine or a diphthalocyanine of yttrium or scandium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The display device recited in claim 4, wherein said electrochromic material is lutetium diphthalocyanine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A display device, comprising: a display matrix having a plurality of distinct, electronically isolated elements of a solid, insoluble display material disposed in a display plane, wherein said display material is capable of reversibly changing color by reaction with soluble reactants.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A display device, comprising: a display matrix having a plurality of distinct, electronically isolated elements of a solid, insoluble display material disposed in a display plane, wherein said display material is capable of reversibly changing color by reaction with soluble reactants.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The display device recited in claim 6, wherein said plurality of distinct elements of display material are disposed in rows and columns in said display plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The display device recited in claim 6, wherein said soluble reactants are electrochemically generated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The display device recited in claim 6, further comprising drive means for electrochemically generating said soluble reactants at a distinct region in said drive means, wherein one distinct region in said drive means is associated with one of said distinct elements of display material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The display device recited in claim 9, wherein a selected one of said distinct elements of display material receives said soluble reactants by diffusion from said one distinct region in said drive means associated therewith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
92 words
The display device recited in claim 10, wherein said drive means comprises: a first linear array of relatively long and narrow, isolated, conductive generator electrodes disposed parallel to each other and parallel to said display plane in a generator electrode plane; a second linear array of relatively long and narrow, isolated, conductive counter electrodes disposed parallel to each other in a counter electrode plane parallel to and spaced apart from said display and generator electrode planes, wherein said generator electrode plane is interposed between said display plane and said counter electrode plane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The display device recited in claim 11, wherein said plurality of elements of display material are distributed in rows and columns aligned with said generator and counter electrodes, and wherein a crossover region of a generator electrode and a counter electrode is associated with a distinct one of said display elements by alignment therewith.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
53 words
The display device recited in claim 12, further comprising selective separator means interposed between said generator electrodes and said counter electrodes, for preventing loss of electrochemically generated soluble reactants from a compartment containing said generator electrodes and said display matrix while permitting passage of the current-carrying ions between said generator and counter electrodes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
86 words
The display device recited in claim 13, further comprising: a body of electrolyte contacting said display matrix, said generator electrodes and said counter electrodes; wherein said electrolyte initially includes, confined away from said counter electrodes, a component of each of two redox couples having one of the two initial components in the reduced form and the other in the oxidized form; and wherein the components of said redox couples can be electrochemically converted to produce soluble reactants for reversibly changing the color of said display material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-06-26 | 1987-12-26 | 1988-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-26 | 1991-12-26 | 1992-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-26 | 1995-12-26 | 1996-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |