Joseph Arthur Crowley

US Patent:

6428868, Aug 6, 2002

Filed:

Oct 30, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/960865

Inventors:

Nicholas K. Sheridon - Los Altos CA
Joseph M. Crowley - Morgan Hill CA

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B32B 3300

US Classification:

428 402, 428195, 428 38

Abstract:

A gyricon or twisting-particle display based on nonspheroidal (e. g. , substantially cylindrical) optically anisotropic particles disposed in a substrate. The particles can be either bichromal or polychromal cylinders, preferably aligned parallel to one another and packed close together in a monolayer. A rotatable disposition of each particle is achievable while the particle is thus disposed in the substrate; for example, the particles can already be rotatable in the substrate, or can be rendered rotatable in the substrate by a nondestructive operation performed on the substrate. In particular, the substrate can be made up of an elastomer that is expanded by application of a fluid thereto so as to render the particles rotatable therein. A particle, when in its rotatable disposition, is not attached to the substrate. The close-packed monolayer configuration of particles provides excellent brightness characteristics and relative ease of manufacture as compared with certain other high-brightness gyricon displays.

US Patent:

6440252, Aug 27, 2002

Filed:

Dec 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/465801

Inventors:

David K. Biegelsen - Portola Valley CA
Joseph M. Crowley - Morgan Hill CA
Alexander E. Silverman - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G02F 1167

US Classification:

156245, 264246, 2642978, 264 17, 335306, 345 85, 345 86, 156500

Abstract:

Methods and systems consistent with the present invention can be used to assemble composite rotatable-element components and can be used to form a laminate substrate system, and use a plurality of rotatable-element components or rotatable-element component material of two classes. Each class is defined by a common response or responses to incident electromagnetic radiation of interest. The method for assembling a composite rotatable-element component comprises: dispersing a plurality of rotatable-element components of a first class to first preferred positions on a first carrier; dispersing a plurality of rotatable-element components of a second class to second preferred positions on a second carrier; performing a first manipulation of the first carrier and the second carrier such that one of the plurality of rotatable-element components of a first class and one of the plurality of rotatable-element components of a second class touch at a first contact point; and performing a second manipulation of the rotatable-element components that touch such that they bond to form a composite rotatable-element component. The method for assembling a laminate substrate further comprises: performing a third manipulation of the first carrier and the second carrier such that they touch at a set of second contact points; and performing a fourth manipulation of the first carrier and the second carrier such that they bond to form the laminate substrate.

US Patent:

6497942, Dec 24, 2002

Filed:

Oct 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/970070

Inventors:

Nicholas K. Sheridon - Los Altos CA
Joseph M. Crowley - Morgan Hill CA

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

B32B 2714

US Classification:

428195, 428 402, 428 38, 345107, 345108, 359296

Abstract:

A gyricon or twisting-particle display based on nonspheroidal (e. g. , substantially cylindrical) optically anisotropic particles disposed in a substrate. The particles can be either bichromal or polychromal cylinders, preferably aligned parallel to one another and packed close together in a monolayer. A rotatable disposition of each particle is achievable while the particle is thus disposed in the substrate; for example, the particles can already be rotatable in the substrate, or can be rendered rotatable in the substrate by a nondestructive operation performed on the substrate. In particular, the substrate can be made up of an elastomer that is expanded by application of a fluid thereto so as to render the particles rotatable therein. A particle, when in its rotatable disposition, is not attached to the substrate. The close-packed monolayer configuration of particles provides excellent brightness characteristics and relative ease of manufacture as compared with certain other high-brightness gyricon displays.

US Patent:

6846377, Jan 25, 2005

Filed:

Jul 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/189746

Inventors:

David K. Biegelsen - Portola Valley CA, US
Joseph M. Crowley - Morgan Hill CA, US
Alexander E. Silverman - Sunnyvale CA, US

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G02F 1167

US Classification:

156245, 1562722, 1562731, 156277, 1563798, 156384, 156423, 156500

Abstract:

Methods and systems consistent with the present invention can be used to assemble composite rotatable-element components and can be used to form a laminate substrate system, and use a plurality of rotatable-element components or rotatable-element component material of two classes. Each class is defined by a common response or responses to incident electromagnetic radiation of interest. The method for assembling a composite rotatable-element component comprises: dispersing a plurality of rotatable-element components of a first class to first preferred positions on a first carrier; dispersing a plurality of rotatable-element components of a second class to second preferred positions on a second carrier; performing a first manipulation of the first carrier and the second carrier such that one of the plurality of rotatable-element components of a first class and one of the plurality of rotatable-element components of a second class touch at a first contact point; and performing a second manipulation of the rotatable-element components that touch such that they bond to form a composite rotatable-element component. The method for assembling a laminate substrate further comprises: performing a third manipulation of the first carrier and the second carrier such that they touch at a set of second contact points; and performing a fourth manipulation of the first carrier and the second carrier such that they bond to form the laminate substrate.

US Patent:

59148055, Jun 22, 1999

Filed:

Sep 13, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/716675

Inventors:

Joseph M. Crowley - Morgan Hill CA

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G02B 2600

US Classification:

359296

Abstract:

A gyricon or twisting-ball display having superior reflectance characteristics comparing favorably with those of white paper is based on a material made up of two populations (e. g. , two different sizes) of optically anisotropic particles, such as bichromal balls, disposed in a substrate. Particles of the first population, as considered by themselves without the particles of the second population, are disposed in the substrate in a closely packed (e. g. , geometrically regular) arrangement having interstices. Particles of the second population are disposed in the interstices of the arrangement. A rotatable disposition of each particle is achievable while the particle is thus disposed in the substrate; for example, the particles can already be rotatable in the substrate, or can be rendered rotatable in the substrate by a nondestructive operation performed on the substrate. In particular, the particles can be situated in an elastomer substrate that is expanded by application of a fluid thereto so as to render the particles rotatable therein. A particle, when in its rotatable disposition, is not attached to the substrate.

US Patent:

58153063, Sep 29, 1998

Filed:

Dec 24, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/773664

Inventors:

Nicholas K. Sheridon - Los Altos CA
Linda T. Romano - Sunnyvale CA
James C. Mikkelsen - Los Altos CA
Edward A. Richley - Palo Alto CA
Joseph M. Crowley - Morgan Hill CA

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G02B 2600

US Classification:

359296

Abstract:

A gyricon or rotating-particle display having an "eggcrate" substrate. The display includes a substrate having a cavity-containing matrix whose cavities are disposed substantially in a single layer and are arranged within the matrix substantially in a geometrically regular pattern, and a plurality of optically anisotropic particles disposed in the cavities in the substrate, with each cavity containing at most one of the optically anistropic particles. A rotatable disposition of each particle is achievable while the particle is thus disposed in the substrate; the particle, when in its rotatable disposition, is not attached to the substrate. Each particle, for example, can have an anisotropy for providing an electrical dipole moment, the electrical dipole moment rendering the particle electrically responsive such that when the particle is rotatably disposed in an electric field while the electrical dipole moment of the particle is provided, the particle tends to rotate to an orientation in which the electrical dipole moment aligns with the field. The single layer of cavities can be substantially planar, and the geometrical pattern of cavities can be a two-dimensional array pattern in the plane of the layer, such as a hexagonal, rectangular, or rhomboidal array pattern. The substrate can further include first and second members between which members the matrix is disposed; at least one of the members can include an optically transmissive window through which a flux of optical energy can pass so as to be incident on the particles.

US Patent:

60550910, Apr 25, 2000

Filed:

Sep 13, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/716672

Inventors:

Nicholas K. Sheridon - Los Altos CA
Joseph M. Crowley - Morgan Hill CA

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G02B 2600

US Classification:

359296

Abstract:

A gyricon or twisting-particle display based on nonspheroidal (e. g. , substantially cylindrical) optically anisotropic particles disposed in a substrate. The particles can be bichromal cylinders, preferably aligned parallel to one another and packed close together in a monolayer. A rotatable disposition of each particle is achievable while the particle is thus disposed in the substrate; for example, the particles can already be rotatable in the substrate, or can be rendered rotatable in the substrate by a nondestructive operation performed on the substrate. In particular, the substrate can be made up of an elastomer that is expanded by application of a fluid thereto so as to render the particles rotatable therein. A particle, when in its rotatable disposition, is not attached to the substrate. The close-packed monolayer configuration of particles provides excellent brightness characteristics and relative ease of manufacture as compared with certain other high-brightness gyricon displays.

US Patent:

58255290, Oct 20, 1998

Filed:

Sep 13, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/713325

Inventors:

Joseph M. Crowley - Morgan Hill CA

Assignee:

Xerox Corporation - Stamford CT

International Classification:

G02B 2600

US Classification:

359296

Abstract:

A gyricon or twisting-ball display in which optically anisotropic particles, such as bichromal balls, are disposed directly in a working fluid, such as a dielectric liquid, without an elastomer substrate or other cavity-containing matrix. The display apparatus has an optically transmissive viewing surface, behind which the working fluid is disposed with the particles in it. The particles are arranged in a closely packed stable arrangement in which neighboring particles tend to keep one another in place. For example, the particles can be arranged in a hexagonally packed monolayer. The working fluid does not substantially constrain the particles to remain in the stable arrangement, notwithstanding the direct contact of the fluid with the particles.