U.S. patent application number 12/792301 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-08 for systems and methods for writing on and using electronic paper.
Invention is credited to Henryk Birecki, Omer Gila, Napoleon J. Leoni, Steven T. Rosenberg.
Application Number | 20110298760 12/792301 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45064103 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110298760 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gila; Omer ; et al. |
December 8, 2011 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WRITING ON AND USING ELECTRONIC PAPER
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and
methods for writing on electronic paper ("e-paper") and display
platforms implemented with e-paper. In one aspect, a system for
writing information to electronic paper includes a writing module
and an erasing unit connected to the writing module. The erasing
unit is configured to erase information stored in the electronic
paper. The system also includes a writing unit connected to the
writing module and is configured to write information to the
electronic paper. Information is written to the electronic paper by
orienting the writing module so that the electronic paper passes
the erasing unit prior to passing the writing unit.
Inventors: |
Gila; Omer; (Cupertino,
CA) ; Leoni; Napoleon J.; (San Jose, CA) ;
Birecki; Henryk; (Palo Alto, CA) ; Rosenberg; Steven
T.; (Palo Alto, CA) |
Family ID: |
45064103 |
Appl. No.: |
12/792301 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/179 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J 3/4076 20130101;
G02F 1/1673 20190101; G02F 1/167 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/179 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/033 20060101
G06F003/033 |
Claims
1. A system for writing information to electronic paper comprising:
a writing module; an erasing unit connected to the writing module
and configured to erase information stored in the electronic paper;
and a writing unit connected to the writing module and configured
to write information to the electronic paper, wherein writing
information to the electronic paper includes the writing module
oriented so that the electronic paper passes the erasing unit prior
to passing the writing unit.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a discharging unit
connected to the writing module and configured to remove electric
charge from the outer surface of the electronic paper that passes
the writing unit.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the discharging unit further
comprises a charged roller that removes charges as the roller
passes over the electronic paper.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the erasing unit further
comprises an electrode located close to the surface of the
electronic paper.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the erasing unit further
comprises a corona configured to generate electric charge that
migrates to the surface of the electronic paper, the charge erases
information stored in the electronic paper.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein the corona is suspended above the
electronic paper from the writing module.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the writing unit further
comprises one or more ion heads suspended above the electronic
paper and configured to eject electrons or ions that migrate toward
the surface of the electronic paper.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the writing unit further
comprises one or more needle-shaped electrodes suspended from the
writing module.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the writing module is configured
to span the width of the electronic paper so that the one or more
ion heads can write information to the electronic paper is a single
pass.
10. The system of claim 1, further comprising one or more guide
shafts attached to the writing module, wherein the writing module
slides back and forth along the guide shafts when writing
information to the electronic paper.
11. An electronic writing machine comprising: a slot for receiving
electronic paper; and a system for writing information to the
electronic paper, the system configured in accordance with claim
1.
12. A method of writing information to electronic paper, the method
comprising: passing the electronic paper under an erasing unit, the
erasing unit configured to remove information stored in the
electronic paper; passing the electronic paper under a writing
unit, the writing unit configured to write information to the
electronic paper; and passing the electronic paper under a
discharging unit, the discharging unit configured to remove
electrical charges attached to the surface of the electronic
paper.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein passing the electronic paper
under an erasing unit further comprises applying a charge from an
electrode.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein passing the electronic paper
under an erasing unit further comprises depositing electric charges
onto the surface of the electronic paper, the charges erasing
information stored in the electronic paper.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein passing the electronic paper
under the writing unit further comprising ejecting electrons from
the writing unit toward the surface of the electronic paper.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the writing unit further
comprises one or more ion heads suspended above the electronic
paper and configured to eject electrons or ions that migrate toward
the surface of the electronic paper.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the writing unit further
comprises one or more needles suspended from the writing
module.
18. A card comprising: a substrate; and electronic paper disposed
on the card, wherein information is written on the electronic paper
by the process of claim 11.
19. The card of claim 18, wherein the card further comprises a
security card or a customer card.
20. A system for writing information to electronic paper
comprising: a writing module; and an array of electrodes disposed
on the writing module and operated to erase information stored in a
microcapsule layer of the electronic paper and/or write information
to the electronic paper.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to electronic
paper.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electronic paper ("e-paper") is a display technology
designed to recreate the appearance of ink on ordinary paper.
E-paper reflects light like ordinary paper and may be capable of
displaying text and images indefinitely without using electricity
to refresh the image, while allowing the image to be changed later.
E-paper can also be implemented as a flexible, thin sheet, like
paper. By contrast, a typical flat panel display does not exhibit
the same flexibility, uses a backlight to illuminate pixels, and
has to be periodically refreshed in order to maintain the display
of an image. Typical e-paper implementations include an e-paper
display and electronics for rendering and displaying digital media
on the e-paper, such as electronic books ("e-books"). However, the
majority of the cost associated with these platforms lies in the
electronics used to write on the e-paper, while the cost of the
e-paper is considerably less.
[0003] Manufacturers and users of display platforms continue to
seek cost effective systems and methods for writing on e-paper and
a variety of display platforms using e-paper.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1A shows a plan view of an example piece of electronic
paper.
[0005] FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the
electronic paper, shown in FIG. 1A, along a line A-A.
[0006] FIGS. 2A-2D show four examples of microcapsule
implementations of electronic paper.
[0007] FIG. 3 shows a side view and schematic representation of a
first example writing system configured in accordance with one or
more embodiments of the present invention.
[0008] FIGS. 4A-4B show a side view and a schematic representation
of a second example writing system configured in accordance with
one or more embodiments of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 5 shows a side view and schematic representation of a
third example writing system configured in accordance with one or
more embodiments of the present invention.
[0010] FIGS. 6A-6C show side views of three writing systems
configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
present invention.
[0011] FIGS. 7A-7C show different views of a first example printing
system configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the
present invention.
[0012] FIGS. 8A-8C show different views of a second example
printing system configured in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
[0013] FIGS. 9A-9B show examples of cards configured with a strip
of e-paper for displaying information in accordance with one or
more embodiments of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of an electronic paper
writing machine and a card configured in accordance with one or
more embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] FIGS. 11A-11B show an example of the writing system
configured to write information to electronic paper strip of a card
in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 12 shows a flow diagram of a method of writing
information to electronic paper in accordance with one or more
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems
and methods for writing on electronic paper ("e-paper") and display
platforms implemented with e-paper. The display platforms included,
but are not limited to, cards, posters, general signage, pricing
labels, and any other platforms upon which e-paper can be displayed
and system and method embodiments of the present invention can be
used to write on the e-paper. A general description of the
configuration and operation of e-paper is provided in a first
subsection. A description of system and method embodiments for
writing on e-paper and a description of display platforms
implemented with e-paper are provided in a second subsection.
Electronic Paper
[0018] FIG. 1A shows a plan view of an example piece of e-paper 102
and includes an enlargement 104 of a small portion of the e-paper
102. The enlargement 104 reveals the e-paper 102 includes an array
of embedded, spherical-shaped microcapsules 106. FIG. 1B shows a
cross-sectional view of a portion of the e-paper 102 along a line
A-A, shown in FIG. 1A. The cross-sectional view reveals an example
multilayer structure of the e-paper 102, including a layer of the
microcapsules 106 sandwiched between a transparent insulating layer
108 and a conductive ground layer 110. As shown in FIG. 1B, the
conductive ground layer 110 is disposed on a substrate 112.
Depending on how the e-paper is used determines the thickness and
composition of the various layers. For example, the insulating
layer 108 can be composed of a transparent dielectric polymer and
can range in thickness from approximately 100 nm to approximately
14 .mu.m. The insulating layer 108 can also be composed of a
material that holds charges or is porous or semi-porous to charges
and/or ions. The insulating layer 108 can also be composed of a
first insulating layer and second patterned conductive layer. The
microcapsules, described in greater detail below, can have a
diameter of approximately 50 .mu.m, but may also range in diameter
from approximately 20 .mu.m to approximately 100 .mu.m. The
conductive ground layer 110 can be composed of a transparent
conductive material, such as indium tin oxide, or an opaque
conductive material and can have a thickness ranging from
approximately 5 nm to approximately 1 mm. Typically, the layers
106, 108, and 110 have a total thickness of approximately 100
.mu.m. The substrate 112 can be composed of an opaque material or a
transparent material and can range in thickness from approximately
20 .mu.m to approximately 1 mm, or the thickness can be much larger
depending on the how the e-paper is used. For example, the
substrate 112 can be composed of polyester, plastic, or transparent
Mylar. Also, the substrate 112 can be omitted and the layers 106,
108, and 110 can be mounted on a wall or a product chassis.
[0019] Ideally the insulating layer 108 serves as a wear protection
layer for the layer of microcapsules 106 and normalizes the e-paper
surface, eliminating surface topography and blocking surface
conduction paths on the microcapsule surfaces. A variation on
e-paper 102 includes the layer of microcapsules 106, the ground
layer 110, and the substrate 112, but the insulating layer 108 can
be omitted.
[0020] The microcapsules 106 can be filled with one or more pigment
particles that can be used to display images by looking at the
e-paper 102 from the insulating layer 108 side, although typical
e-paper is viewed through the substrate layer 112. For example,
returning to FIG. 1A, the microcapsules 106 in the microcapsule
layer can be configured with white and black particles. Each
microcapsule can form a black and white pixel or groups of adjacent
microcapsules can form a black and white pixel. When white
particles of a microcapsule are located near the insulating layer
108 the microcapsule appears white to a viewer, and when the black
particles of a microcapsule are located near the insulating layer
108 the microcapsule appears black to the viewer. For example,
enlargement 104 shows a thin vertical line 118 displayed in the
e-paper 102 by a number of microcapsules 114 with black particles
located near the insulating layer 108 surrounded by microcapsules
106 with white particles located near the insulating layer 108. The
microcapsules 106 are designed to exhibit image stability using
chemical adhesion between particles and/or between the particles
and the microcapsule surface. For example, the black and white
microcapsules ideally can hold text and images indefinitely without
drawing electricity, while allowing the text or images to be
changed later.
[0021] FIGS. 2A-2D show four examples of microcapsule
implementations of e-paper. In the example of FIG. 2A, each
microcapsule includes black particles 202 and while particles 204
suspended in a transparent fluid 206. The particles can be of
opposite charges. For example, the black particles 202 can be
positively charged particles and the white particles 204 can be
negatively charged particles. One or more microcapsules form a
pixel of black and white images displayed on the e-paper 102. The
black and white images are created by placing white or black
particles near the insulating layer 108. For example, the
microcapsules 210-212 with white particles located near the
transparent insulating layer 108 reflect white light and appear
white to a viewer 208. By contrast, the microcapsules with black
particles located near the transparent insulating layer 108, such
as microcapsule 214, appear black to the viewer 208, corresponding
to a black portion of the image displayed on the e-paper 102.
Various shades of gray can be created by varying the arrangement,
of alternating microcapsules with white and black particles located
near the insulating layer 108 using halftoning.
[0022] In the example of FIG. 2B, each microcapsule includes black
particles 216 suspended in a white colored fluid 218. The black
particles 216 can be positively charged particles or negatively
charged particles. One or more microcapsules form a pixel of black
and white images displayed on the e-paper 102. The black and white
images are created by placing black particles near or away from the
insulating layer 108. For example, the microcapsules 220-222 with
black particles located away from the transparent insulating layer
108 reflect white light, corresponding to a white portion of an
image displayed on the e-paper 102. By contrast, the microcapsules
with black particles located near the transparent insulating layer
108, such as microcapsule 224, appear black to the viewer 208,
corresponding to a black portion of the image displayed on the
e-paper 102. Various shades of gray can be created by varying the
arrangement of alternating microcapsules with black particles
located near or away from the insulating layer 108 using
halftoning.
[0023] In the example of FIG. 2C, the e-paper 102 is configured as
described above with reference to FIG. 2A, except the insulating
layer 108 is configured with alternating blue, red, and green
regions. Adjacent blue, red, and green regions form color pixels,
such as color pixels 226-228. Color images are created by placing
different combinations of white or black particles near the
insulating layer 108. For example, the microcapsules of color pixel
227 with white particles located near the red and green regions of
the transparent insulating layer 108 reflect red and green light
from the e-paper which appear in combination as a yellow pixel of a
color image observed by the viewer 208. The microcapsules of color
pixel 226 have black particles located near the transparent
insulating layer 108 causing the color pixel 226 to appear black to
the viewer 208. Only one microcapsule of color pixel 228 has white
particles located near the blue region of the transparent
insulating layer 108 reflecting blue light from the e-paper. The
insulating layer 108 may also use other primary colors to create
color images such as regions with yellow, magenta, and cyan. The
insulating layer 108 may also includes spot colors, such as colors
associated with a logo.
[0024] In the example of FIG. 2D, the e-paper 102 is configured as
described above with reference to FIG. 2B, except the black
particles of each microcapsule are replaced by either blue, red, or
green positively, or negatively, charged particles, represented by
differently shaded particles in legend 230. Microcapsules with
adjacent blue, red, and green particles form color pixels, such as
color pixels 232-234. Color images are created by placing different
combinations of colored particles near the insulating layer 108.
For example, the microcapsules of color pixel 234 with red and
green particles located near the insulating layer 108 reflect red
and green light from the e-paper which appear in combination as a
yellow pixel of a color image observed by the viewer 208. The
microcapsules of color pixel 232 have colored particles located
away from the insulating layer 108 causing the color pixel 232 to
appear white to the viewer 208. Only one microcapsule of color
pixel 233 has red particles located near the insulating layer 108
reflecting red light from the e-paper.
[0025] The e-paper 102 and variations shown in FIGS. 2A-2D
represent only a handful of many different varieties of e-paper
that is suitable for use with the electronic paper writing systems
and methods of the present invention. Other types of e-paper
include electrophoretic paper, field induced displays, or any other
display surface activated by an electrical field directed
substantially perpendicular to the display surface.
Electronic Paper Writing Systems and Methods
[0026] For the sake of simplicity and brevity, writing systems and
method embodiments are described using the e-paper described above
with reference to FIG. 2A. However, writing systems and methods are
not intended to be limited in their application. The writing
systems and methods can be used to write to any type of e-paper,
including any of the kinds of e-paper described above in the
preceding subsection.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a side view and schematic representation of an
example writing system 300. The writing system 300 includes a
writing module 302, writing unit 304, and an erasing unit 306. The
writing unit 304 and erasing unit 306 are connected to the same
side of the writing module 300 that faces the outer surface 308 of
the insulating layer 108, with the ion head 304 suspended above the
surface 308. In the example of FIG. 3, the writing unit 304 is an
ion head and the erasing unit 306 can be an electrode that comes
into close contact with, or can be dragged along, the surface 308
in front of the ion head 304. The writing module 302 can be moved
in the direction 310 and the e-paper held stationary; or the
e-paper 102 can be moved in the direction 312 and the writing
module 302 held stationary; or the writing module 302 is moved in
the direction 310 and the e-paper 102 is simultaneously moved in
the opposite direction 312.
[0028] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the black particles and the
white particles of the microcapsules are positively charged and
negatively charged, respectively. The erasing unit 306 erases any
information stored in the microcapsules prior to writing
information with the ion head 304. In the example shown in FIG. 3,
as the e-paper 102 passes under the writing module 302, the
positively charged erasing unit 306 can remove negatively charge
ions attached to the surface 308. The positively charge erasing
unit 306 also creates electrostatic forces that drive positively
charged black particles away from the insulating layer 108 and
attract negatively charged white particles toward the insulating
layer 108. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, as the positively
charged erasing unit 306 passes over the surface 308 and approaches
microcapsule 314, positively charged black particles of the
microcapsule 314 are repelled by the positive charge and driven
away from the insulating layer 108. By contrast, negatively charged
white particles are attracted to the erasing unit 306 and driven
toward the insulating layer 108. When the erasing unit 306 reaches
the microcapsule 316, the white and black particles of the
microcapsule 314 are reversed and the microcapsule 314 reflects
white light.
[0029] FIG. 3 also reveals the writing operation performed by the
ion head 304. In certain embodiments, the ion head 304 can be
implemented as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,623,144, issued Nov.
24, 2009 to Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. The ion head
304 is configured and operated to selectively eject electrons, e-,
318 toward the insulating layer 108, when a region of the e-paper
located beneath the ion head 304 is to be changed from white to
black. As the electrons reach the surface 308, the negatively
charged white particles are repelled and driven away from the
insulating layer 108, while the positively charged black particles
are attracted to the negatively charged electrons and driven toward
the insulating layer 108. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, as the
ion head 304 passes over a portion of microcapsule 320 while
ejecting electrons, the negatively charged white particles are
repelled away from the insulating layer 108 and the positively
charged black particles are driven toward the insulating layer 108.
The electrons 318 can be absorbed by the insulating layer 108 over
the regions that are to written to, or the electrons 318 can create
ions that are absorbed by adhesion forces to the surface 308. In
the case where ions are formed, it is believed that as the
electrons 314 are ejected from the ion head 304, the electrons
interact with certain air molecules to form negatively charge
molecular ions 322 that attach to the surface 308. For example, it
is believed that carbon dioxide in, the air gap between the ion
head 304 and the surface 308 interacts with the ejected electrons
to form a negatively charged carbon dioxide ion that attaches to
the surface 308.
[0030] Embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the
ion head 304 discharging electrons and the, erasing unit 306
erasing information with positive charges. The microcapsules 106 of
the microcapsule layer can be composed of negatively charged black
particles and positively charged white particles. In other
embodiments, the ion head 304 can be configured to produce
positively charged ions, which are absorbed to the surface 308, and
the erasing unit 306 can use negative charges to erase information
stored in the microcapsule layer of the e-paper 102. In other
embodiments, the writing unit can be any charge injection device
with sufficient addressability and resolution. For example, the
writing unit can be a plasma generating needle.
[0031] The negatively charged molecular ions attached to the
surface 308 may help to preserve information written to the e-paper
102. For example, FIG. 3 shows negatively charged molecular ions
324 attached to the surface 308. The negatively charged ions 324
maintain the positively charged black particles located near the
insulating layer 108 and the negatively charged white particles
located away from the insulating layer 108, preserving the
information written to the e-paper 102.
[0032] When the e-paper 102 is handled by a person after writing,
moisture, oils from the person's hands, and static electricity or
tribo charges carried by the person may alter the charge
distribution over the surface 308 or inside the layer 108. These
charges may be large enough to cause a redistribution of white and
black particles in microcapsules. For example, the negatively
charged ions may be moved along the surface 308 switching portions
or entire microcapsules from white to black. In order to prevent
image distortion due to tribo charges, or other charge changing
factors, which might occur due to handling, the particles, the
fluid filling the microcapsules 106, and the insulating layer 108
can be designed to only move for charges and particles with a
magnitude exceeding the magnitude of the charges associated with
handling. For example, the e-paper 102 could be designed so that
charges and charged particles attached to the surface 308 or inside
the layer 108 are redistributed with charges and electrical fields
that can only be generated during the writing phases.
[0033] In other embodiments, writing systems can also be configured
with a discharging unit that removes ions from the surface 308
after the ion head 304 has been used to write information into the
layer of microcapsules 106. The discharging unit can be an active
or a passive contact device that removes positive or negative
charges from the surface 308. For example, the discharging unit 402
can be composed of carbon conductive plastic or a conductive rubber
and operated so that charges jump from the surface 308 onto the
discharge unit. FIG. 4A shows a side view and schematic
representation of an example writing system 400. The writing system
400 is similar to the writing system 300 described above except the
writing system 400 includes a discharging unit 402 connected to the
same side of the writing module 300 that faces the outer surface
308 of the insulating layer 108. As shown in the example of FIG. 4,
the discharging unit 402 can be a passive or active device that is
dragged behind the ion head 304 along the surface 308. The
discharging unit 402 removes negatively or positively charged ions
or charges from the surface 308 thereby reducing the likelihood
that during handling of the e-paper 102 ions are redistributed on
the surface 308 causing a redistribution of white and black
particles in microcapsules. For example, FIG. 4A shows a snapshot
of the negatively charged molecular ions 324 attached to the
surface 308 after information is written to the microcapsules 404
and 406 being removed from the surface 308 by the discharging unit
402. In certain embodiments, a passive discharging unit 402 can be
a rubber material that touches the surface 308 as the e-paper 102
passes under the writing system 400.
[0034] In other embodiments, an active discharging unit 402 can be
a charged roller composed of a conductive rubber that removes
charges from the surface 308 as the roller passes over the surface
308. FIG. 4B shows a side view and schematic representation of an
example writing system 410. The writing system 410 is similar to
the writing system 400 except the discharging unit 402 is a charged
roller 412 that removes charges from the surface 308.
[0035] In other embodiments, the erasing unit 306 of the writing
systems 300 and 400 can be replaced by an AC or DC operated corona.
FIG. 5 shows a side view and schematic representation of an example
writing system 500. The writing system 500 is similar to the
writing system 400 except the erasing unit 306 is replaced with a
corona 502. In the example of FIG. 5, the corona 502 is configured
to generate a plasma of positively charged ionic species that
migrate onto the surface 308 by converting naturally occurring
gaseous molecules and atoms located in the air gap between the
corona 502 and the surface 308 into positively charged ions that
are deposited onto the surface 308. For example, in certain
embodiments, the corona 502 can be configured to convert naturally
occurring nitrogen ("N.sub.2") located in the air gap between the
corona 502 and the surface. 308 into positively charged nitrogen
gas ions ("N.sub.2.sup.+") that are deposited onto the surface 308.
In other embodiments, the writing module can be configured to
inject molecules or atoms, such as N.sub.2 or argon ("Ar"), into
the corona 502, which in turn converts the charge neutral molecules
or atoms into positively charged ions that are deposited onto the
surface 308.
[0036] FIG. 5 also shows a snapshot of the e-paper 102 passing
under the corona 502 as positively charged ions 504 generated by
the corona 502 migrate and are deposited onto the surface 308. As
represented in microcapsule 506, the positively charged ions attach
to the surface 308 and create repulsive electrostatic forces that
drive the positively charged black particles away from the
insulating layer 108 and create attractive electrostatic forces
that drive negatively charged white particles toward the insulating
layer 108, erasing information contained in microcapsule 506. The
ion head 304 is operated to selectively write information into
microcapsules by ejecting electrons 318 that change the ions
deposited on the surface 308 from positively charged ions into
negatively charged ions 508. For example, FIG. 5 shows a snapshot
of information being written to microcapsule 510. The negatively
charged ions 508 attached to the surface 308 create repulsive
electrostatic forces that drive the negatively charged white
particles away from the insulating layer 108 and create attractive
electrostatic forces that drive positively charged black particles
toward the insulating layer 108. After information is written to
the microcapsules, the e-paper 102 continues to pass under the
discharging unit 402, which removes the negatively and positively
charged ions from the surface 308.
[0037] In other embodiments, the corona 502 described above with
reference to FIG. 5 can be used as a discharging unit 402. For
example, the discharging unit represented by the roller 412, shown
in FIG. 4B, can be replaced by an AC or DC operated corona that
generates a plasma of an appropriate charge for removing charges or
ions attached to the surface 308.
[0038] For the sake of simplicity, the writing unit is described
above as having only one ion head, but embodiments of the present
invention are not intended to be so limited. In practice, writing
system embodiments can be implemented with two or more ion heads.
The ion heads can also be used to erase and write information to
the e-paper. For example, a first ion head can be operated as an
erasing unit and a second ion head can be operated as described
above to write information to the e-paper. In still other
embodiments, the ion head 304 can be replaced by one or more
needles operated to supply a charge of an appropriate magnitude for
writing information to the microcapsule layer.
[0039] Writing system embodiments also include writing modules with
an array of electrodes that face the surface 308 of the e-paper 102
and are used to erase information in a first pass of the e-paper
and in a second pass of the e-paper the electrodes can be
selectively operated to write information to the e-paper 102. FIGS.
6A-6B show side views of a writing system 600. The writing system
600 includes a writing module 602 and a one-dimensional or
two-dimensional array of electrodes 604. Each electrode in the
array of electrodes can be individually operated in order to
selectively erase and writing information to the e-paper. The
writing system 600 is oriented so that the electrodes face the
surface 308 of the e-paper 102. The writing system 600 can be
operated by first erasing the information stored in the e-paper
followed by a second pass that selectively writes information to
the e-paper 102. In FIG. 6A, the writing system is operated to
erase information stored in the microcapsule layer by supplying a
positive charge that drives positively charge black particles away
from the insulating layer 108 and drives negatively charged white
particles toward the insulating paper 108. In FIG. 6B, the writing
system is operated to selectively write information into the layer
of microcapsule 106 by supplying a negative charge that attracts
positively charge black particles toward the insulating layer 108
and drives negatively charged white particles away from the
insulating paper 108. In other embodiments, the writing module 602
can include an erasing unit 306 and the array of electrodes 604 can
be operated to write information to the e-paper.
[0040] Writing systems also include writing modules with an array
of electrodes that can erase and write in a single pass. A portion
of the electrodes can be dedicated to erasing while another portion
of the electrodes can be dedicated to writing information to the
e-paper. FIG. 6C shows a side view of a writing system 610. The
writing system 610 includes the writing module 602 and a
one-dimensional or two-dimensional array of individually
addressable electrodes 604. As shown in FIG. 6C, a first portion of
the electrodes 612 is operated to erase information stored in the
layer of microcapsules 106, and a second portion of electrodes 614
is operated to write information to the layer of microcapsules 106.
Note that direction of motion can be sensed, and the operation of
the electrodes 604 can be dynamically changed to reduce motion
direction sensitivity.
[0041] In other embodiments, the two-dimensional array of
individually addressable electrodes can be dimensioned to
substantially match the dimensions of the e-paper, enabling the
array of electrodes to erase and write to the entire e-paper
without scanning. For example, the two-dimensional array of
electrodes engages or contacts the e-paper perpendicular to the
e-paper surface using a solenoid motor or other mechanical
system.
[0042] The microcapsules 106 of the microcapsule layer can also be
composed of negatively charged black particles and positively
charged white particles. In other embodiments, the writing system
is operated to erase information stored in the microcapsule layer
by supplying a negative charge that drives negatively charge black
particles away from the insulating layer 108 and attracts
positively charged white particles toward the insulating paper 108,
and the writing system is operated to selectively write information
into the microcapsule layer by supplying a positive charge that
attracts negatively charge black particles toward the insulating
layer 108 and drives positively charged white particles away from
the insulating paper 108.
[0043] The writing systems described above can be implemented in
various kinds of printing systems. FIG. 7A shows an isometric view
of an example printing system 700. The printing system 700 includes
a writing system 702 mounted on two guide shafts 704 and 706
extending parallel to each other. The writing system 702 is
oriented with the erasing unit, ion heads, and discharging unit
pointed toward e-paper 708. In the example shown in FIG. 7A, the
shafts 704 and 706 extend through the writing module portion of the
writing system 702. The writing system 702 can be moved along the
shafts 704 and 706 using a circular belt (not shown) attached to
the writing module 710 and is driven by a motor (not shown). The
writing system 702 is used to write information to the e-paper by
raster scanning the writing system 702 back and forth as the
writing system 702 is moved along the length of the e-paper 708.
The writing system 702 moves back and forth along the shafts 704
and 706 as indicated by directional arrow 712. In certain
embodiments, the printing system can be implemented by mounting the
shafts 704 and 706 in a housing that holds the shafts 704 and 706
stationary while the e-paper 708 passes under the writing system
702 using a printer carnage (not shown) as indicated by directional
arrow 714. In other embodiments, the e-paper can be held stationary
while the shafts 704 and 706 are moved along the length the
e-paper, as indicated by directional arrow 716.
[0044] FIG. 7B shows a bottom view of the example writing system
702 revealing the writing system 702 is composed of a staggered
arrangement of five separate ion heads 718 used to write
information into the e-paper 708 as described above with reference
to FIGS. 3-5. The writing system 702 also includes an erasing unit
720, as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, and
includes a discharging unit 722, as described above with reference
to FIG. 4.
[0045] FIG. 7C shows a cross-sectional view of the printing system
700 in operation along a line B-B, shown in FIG. 7A. The writing
system 702 is moved along the shafts 704 and 706 as the erasing
unit 720, ion heads 718, and discharging unit 722 are operated to
write information into the e-paper 708, as described above with
reference to FIGS. 3-4. In other embodiments, the erasing unit can
be a corona, as described above with reference to FIG. 5.
[0046] FIG. 8A shows an isometric view of an example printing
system 800. The printing system 800 includes a writing system 802
attached to a guide 804, both of which extend the width of e-paper
806. The writing system 802 is oriented with the erasing unit, ion
heads, and discharging unit pointed toward e-paper 806. The writing
system 802 is configured to write information to the e-paper 806 in
a single pass. In certain embodiments, the e-paper 806 passes under
the writing system 802 using a printer carriage (not shown) as
indicated by directional arrow 808. In other embodiments, the
e-paper 806 can be held stationary while the writing system 802 is
moved back and forth using a mechanized platform connected to the
guide 804, as indicated by directional arrow 810.
[0047] FIG. 8B shows a bottom view of the example writing system
802 revealing the writing system 802 composed of an arrangement of
separate ion heads 812 that extend the length of the writing system
802. The arrangement of ion head 812 write information into the
e-paper 806 in a single pass, as described above with reference to
FIGS. 3-5. The writing system 802 also includes an erasing unit
814, as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, and
includes a discharging unit 816, as described above with reference
to FIG. 4.
[0048] FIG. 8C shows a cross-sectional view of the printing system
800 in operation along a line C-C, shown in. FIG. 8A. As the
writing system 802 moves along the e-paper 806, the erasing unit
814, ion heads 812, and discharging unit 816 write information into
the e-paper 806 as described above with reference to FIGS. 3-4. In
other embodiments, the erasing unit can be a corona, as described
above with reference to FIG. 5.
[0049] The printing systems described above enable e-paper to be
implemented in a variety of different non-electronic-based display
platforms. For example, the paper 608 and 806 can be used in a
variety of different media, including posters, general signage,
pricing labels, e-books. In other embodiments, the display platform
can be a card configured with one or more e-paper strips. The cards
can be composed of a polyester, a plastic, or transparent Mylar in
order to provide a substrate for the one or more e-paper strips, as
described above with reference to FIGS. 1-2.
[0050] FIGS. 9A-9B show just two examples of cards, each card
configured with a strip of e-paper for displaying information. In
the example of FIG. 9A, a card 902 can be a gift card or a card
issued to customers of a business, such as a department store. The
card 902 includes an e-paper strip 904 and may include barcode or
magnetic strip located on the back of the card (not shown), which
is read by an electronic card machine. The card 902 can be issued
value when the card 902 is sold to a customer. This value can be
stored on the card magnetic strip and/or stored in the business's
database, which is linked to the card 902 identification number.
When the card 902 is issued and/or used, the amount can also be
written on the e-paper strip 904. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A,
the card 902 is sold by a business called "The Coffee Shop." When
the customer uses the card 902 to complete a transaction at The
Coffee Shop, the amount on the card is debited accordingly and the
remaining amount of credit available 906 on the card is stored in
the business's database and is written to the e-paper strip 904. In
this way the customer does not have to remember the amount
available on the card after each purchase. Instead, the amount
available on the card is displayed on the e-paper strip 904 after
each purchase. As shown in the example of FIG. 9A, the e-paper
strip 904 can also be used to display advertisements 908 or any
other information.
[0051] In the example of FIG. 9B, a card 910 can be a security card
issued by a company or a government agency that wants to limit a
visitor's access to certain buildings or departments. The card 910
includes an e-paper strip 912. When the card is issued to the
wearer, the wearer's name and any other relevant information can be
written on the e-paper strip 912, so that the wearer's access can
be readily checked simply by reading the information displayed on
the e-paper strip 912. For example, the e-paper strip 912 includes
the wearer's name 914, identifies the wearer as a visitor 916,
indicates which building 918 the wearer has access to, and the date
920 on which the wearer has access.
[0052] Display platforms are not intended to limited to the cards
shown in FIGS. 9A-9B. The cards 902 and 910 are intended to
represent just two of the many different kinds of uses for cards
configured with one or more e-paper strips.
[0053] FIG. 10 shows an isometric view of an e-paper electronic
writing machine 1000 and a card 1002 configured with a strip of
e-paper 1004. The machine 1000 includes a slot 1006 for receiving
1008 and ejecting 1010 the card 1002. The e-paper strip 1004 can be
used to display a variety of different types of written messages,
as well as, images that can be read by the card holder. The machine
1000 includes a writing system, such as the writing systems 700 and
800. FIGS. 11A-11B show an example of the writing system 700
operated to write information to the e-paper strip 1004 of the card
1002 inserted into the machine 1000. The writing system 700 can be
operated to write information to the e-paper strip as described
above with reference to FIG. 7. When the writing system 700 has
completed writing information to the e-paper strip 1004, the card
1002 is ejected from the machine 1000.
[0054] FIG. 12 shows a flow diagram of a method of writing
information to electronic paper. In step 1201, the electronic paper
is passed under an erasing unit, which is configured to remove
information stored in the electronic paper as described above with
reference to FIGS. 3 and 5. In step 1202, the electronic paper is
passed under one or more ion heads, which are configured to write
information to the electronic paper as described above with
reference to FIG. 3. In step 1203, the electronic paper is passed
under a discharge unit configured to remove ions attached the
surface of the electronic paper, as described above with reference
to FIG. 4.
[0055] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used
specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the
invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art
that the specific details are not required in order to practice the
invention. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of
the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration
and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive of or to
limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many
modifications and variations are possible in view of the above
teachings. The embodiments are shown and described in order to best
explain the principles of the invention and its practical
applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best
utilize the invention and various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It
is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the
following claims and their equivalents:
* * * * *