Components and methods for use in electro-optic displays

Abstract

A front plane laminate useful in the manufacture of electro-optic displays comprises, in order, a light-transmissive electrically-conductive layer, a layer of an electro-optic medium in electrical contact with the electrically-conductive layer, an adhesive layer and a release sheet. This front plane laminate can be prepared as a continuous web, cut to size, the release sheet removed and the laminate laminated to a backplane to form a display. Methods for providing conductive vias through the electro-optic medium and for testing the front plane laminate are also described.

1 . A method of testing an electro-optic medium, the method comprising:
 disposing a layer of the electro-optic medium on a light-transmissive first electrically-conductive layer;   disposing a second electrically-conductive layer on the opposed side of the layer of electro-optic medium from the first electrically-conductive layer;   applying a potential difference between the first and second electrically-conductive layers, thereby forming an image on the medium; and   observing the image thus formed.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the electro-optic medium comprises an electrophoretic medium. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises an encapsulated electrophoretic medium. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises electrically charged particles and a fluid present as a plurality of discrete droplets surrounded by a continuous phase comprising a polymeric material. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein the electrophoretic medium comprises a microcell electrophoretic medium.