JP2002014378A - Image display medium and image display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image display medium and an image display device which can inexpensively and easily display an image. SOLUTION: In an image display medium 10, a display substrate 14 formed with an electrode 12 on one surface, and a back surface substrate 18 formed with an electrode 16 on the surface opposed to the display substrate 14 are disposed by facing each other through a spacer 20, and a first particle 22 and second particle 24 are enclosed in a space between the display substrate 14 and the back surface substrate 18. The electrode 16 is worked according to a predetermined image pattern. The electrodes 12 and 16 are connected to a voltage applying means 26. Because the electrode of the back surface substrate 18 side is formed by the predetermined image pattern, the image can be easily displayed only by applying fixed voltage to spacing of the electrode.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image display medium and an image display device, and more particularly, to an image display medium and an image display device that can be repeatedly rewritten.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, Twisting Ba has been used as a sheet-like image display medium which can be repeatedly rewritten.
ll Display (two-color separate particle rotation display),
Image display media such as electrophoresis, magnetophoresis, thermal rewritable media, and liquid crystals having memory properties have been proposed.

Among such image display media, a thermal rewritable medium and a memory liquid crystal are excellent in image memory, but cannot display a sufficient white image on a display surface like paper. Is displayed, there is a problem that it is difficult to visually confirm the distinction between the portion where the image is displayed and the portion where the image is not displayed, that is, the image quality is deteriorated.

An image display medium using electrophoresis or magnetophoresis has a memory property of an image and is a technique in which colored particles are dispersed in a white liquid. The black display forming the display portion has a problem that the white liquid always enters the gaps between the colored particles, so that the display becomes grayish and the image quality is deteriorated.

[0005] Further, since a white liquid is sealed inside the image display medium, when the image display medium is removed from the image display apparatus and handled roughly like paper, the white liquid is removed from the image display medium. There was a problem that it could leak out.

[0006] Also, Twisting Ball Di
Spray also has a display memory property, and oil exists only in cavities around particles inside an image display medium, but since it is almost in a solid state, it is relatively easy to form a sheet.

However, even if the hemispherical surfaces painted white are completely aligned on the display side, the light rays that enter the gap between the spheres are not reflected and are lost inside, so that the coverage is 100% in principle. However, there is a problem that the white display cannot be performed and the image is slightly grayed.

In addition, since the particle size is required to be smaller than the pixel size, fine particles having different colors must be manufactured for high-resolution display. There was also the problem that technology was required.

On the other hand, in order to solve the above problems,
As a display technology using toner, a conductive coloring toner and white particles are sealed between opposing electrode substrates, and charges are injected into the conductive coloring toner via a charge transport layer provided on the electrode inner surface of the non-display substrate. The charged electrically conductive toner moves to the display substrate facing the non-display substrate due to the electric field between the electrode substrates, and the conductive colored toner adheres to the inside of the display-side substrate to form the conductive colored toner. 2. Description of the Related Art An image display medium for displaying an image based on a contrast between toner and white particles has been proposed.

Recently, a method using not only conductive colored toners but also insulating or semiconductive colored particles,
A method of directly injecting a charge from an electrode without providing a charge transport layer, a method of applying a charge to particles by frictional charging, and the like have been proposed. It is known that such a display technique using toner or particles is excellent in that the image display medium is entirely formed of a solid, and the display between black and white can be switched by 100% in principle.

[0011]

However, conventional image display media using toners and particles are only designed to be sandwiched between flat plates such as a glass substrate which has been subjected to a conductive treatment, and sufficient performance has been established. Had not been. In particular, the physical structure of the image display medium to hold toner and particles, the electrode structure of the image display medium to achieve optimal driving, control of the charged state of the particles, etc.
There is a problem that a portion that strongly affects the image quality, controllability, reliability, and storability of the image display medium is not sufficient, and a sufficient image display cannot always be performed.

In particular, for simple image display applications such as signboards, advertisements, bulletin boards, message boards, and large image display boards, there is a demand for an image display device that can easily display an image with an inexpensive configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to provide an image display medium and an image display device which can display an image easily at low cost.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a pair of substrates, a pair of electrodes provided between the pair of substrates, and a pair of electrodes provided by the applied electric field. At least one of the pair of electrodes is predetermined in an image display medium including a plurality of types of particles having different colors and charging characteristics while being sealed between the pair of electrodes so as to be movable between the pair of electrodes. Characterized in that it is formed with a different image pattern.

According to the present invention, the pair of substrates are provided with the pair of electrodes on the side facing each substrate. At least one of the electrodes is formed of a transparent electrode. The pair of substrates may be formed of an insulating resin or a glass substrate, at least one of which is, for example, one of transparent, translucent, and colored transparent.

A plurality of types of particles having different colors and charging characteristics are sealed between the pair of electrodes. In addition to insulating particles, conductive, hole-transporting, and electron-transporting particles can be used as the particles.

In such an image display medium, at least one of the pair of electrodes is formed in a predetermined image pattern. Therefore, when a predetermined voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes by the voltage applying means, that is, a voltage that can move the particle group, the particle group having a different color moves between the electrodes according to the charged polarity of the particle. At the same time, the particle group moves according to the image pattern. Therefore, an image can be easily displayed by simply applying a constant voltage between the electrodes.

[0018] At least one of the pair of substrates may be formed in a predetermined image pattern. That is, at least one of the pair of substrates is processed to form a concave portion or a convex portion according to a predetermined image pattern, and particles are sealed in the concave portion. In this case, the electrode may be formed in a concave portion or a convex portion, or may be provided on one outer surface of the substrate.

Further, a pattern member having a concave portion or a convex portion according to a predetermined image pattern may be provided between a pair of substrates, and a plurality of types of particle groups may be sealed in the concave portion. Accordingly, it is not necessary to form the electrodes according to the image pattern, and another image can be easily displayed simply by inserting a pattern member having a concave portion or a convex portion according to another image pattern between a pair of substrates. . In this case, one of the pair of electrodes may be formed in a concave portion or a convex portion of the pattern member. Thereby, the back substrate can be omitted.

By providing the pattern member according to the image pattern in this manner, the image display medium can be easily reworked or repaired.

The electrodes are formed by vapor deposition, coating, adhesion, electrodeposition, adsorption, penetration, absorption, alteration, adhesion, embedding,
Methods such as insertion, insertion, and adhesion can be used.

Alternatively, a plurality of concave portions having a predetermined shape may be formed in a matrix, for example, and a pattern member may be additionally processed according to an image pattern to connect the concave portions. This can prevent the outline around the image from being blurred. Further, it is possible to prevent the particles from being unevenly distributed and unevenly distributed, for example, in the case of being placed vertically. In addition, deterioration due to repeated use due to strain or gravity can be prevented.

Further, a concave portion having a predetermined pattern may be provided separately from the image pattern, and this may be used as a background portion. Thus, the background portion can be decorated without requiring electrical control.

Further, the pair of electrodes may have a simple matrix structure, for example. Thus, a desired image can be displayed.

Further, one of the pair of electrodes may be divided into a plurality of electrode patterns, and the other electrode may be used for a reference potential. In this case, the voltage from the voltage applying means is divided and applied to the plurality of electrode patterns by, for example, a resistor. Thereby, different voltages can be simultaneously applied to the respective electrode patterns, images displayed in the regions corresponding to the respective electrode patterns can be controlled at the same time, and a sequencer, a switch, and the like are not required, and the configuration is more inexpensive. be able to.

Further, a plurality of types of resistors having different resistance values may be used, and the applied voltage may be continuously increased or decreased so that each portion is displayed or hidden stepwise. Thereby, an image can be changed like a moving image.

It is preferable to use a processing device to which an information processing device such as a personal computer is connected as a processing means for the electrodes and the pattern members. As a result, electronic information provided online or in various information media such as a network, electronic information created by a user using information equipment, electronic information shared by an organization to which the user belongs, a scanner For example, processing can be automatically performed according to electronic information that can be digitized and taken into the information peripheral device, and a complicated image can be easily processed.

Further, a flattened natural object such as a pressed flower may be inserted between the substrates instead of the pattern member, or an electrode pattern may be produced using leaf veins of a plant leaf as a mask. Thus, it is possible to provide an image display medium having artistry such as ambiguity and uncertainty that cannot be artificially expressed.

[0029]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the image display medium 10.

The image display medium 10 has an electrode 1 on one surface.
The display substrate 14 on which the second substrate 2 is formed and the rear substrate 18 on which the electrode 16 is formed on the surface facing the display substrate 14 are arranged to face each other with a spacer 20 interposed therebetween. First particles (black particles) in the space between
22 and second particles (white particles) 24 are enclosed.
The electrodes 12 and 16 are connected to the voltage applying means 26.

The display substrate 14 is made of, for example, a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film.
For example, it is composed of an ITO electrode. The rear substrate 18 is made of, for example, a PET film like the display substrate
Is made of aluminum, for example, and aluminum foil may be used. The spacer 20 is made of, for example, mesh nylon.

The first particles 22 have, for example, a particle size of about 20 μm.
m, black non-conductive spherical polymer particles having a positive chargeability of about m.
For example, white non-conductive spherical polymer particles having a particle diameter of about 20 μm and having a negative charge property can be used.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electrode 16 formed on the rear substrate 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the electrodes 16 are processed according to a predetermined image pattern. That is, in the example of FIG. 2, a part of the electrode 16 is cut out along the outline of “X” so that the character of “X” can be displayed. Note that FIG. 1 shows A-
The electrode 16 in the A 'section is shown. For processing of the electrode 16, for example, a well-known dental hand drill or a cutter having a sharp tip and hardness can be used.

As described above, since a part of the electrode 16 is cut off, the electrode 16A of the "X" portion shown in FIGS.
Is floating, and the other electrodes 16 are connected to the voltage applying means 26, so that the potential is controlled.

In such an image display medium 10, for example, a spacer 20 made of a nylon mesh is placed on a back substrate 18, and first particles 22 and second particles 24 are added thereto. It can be manufactured by fixing it with a clip without bonding.

The voltage applying means 26 can be configured to include, for example, a piezoelectric element. The voltage applying means 26 applies pressure to the piezoelectric element to generate power, and supplies a positive voltage of, for example, about 300 V to the electrode 12.

As a result, since the first particles 22 are positively charged, the first particles 22 located in the region of the electrode 16 connected to the voltage applying means 26 move toward the back substrate 18. Since the second particles 24 are negatively charged, the second particles 24 located in the region of the electrode 16 connected to the voltage applying unit 26 move to the display substrate 14 side. As a result, when viewed from the display substrate 14 side, the area corresponding to the electrode 16 is displayed in white.

On the other hand, the first particles 22 and the second particles 24 located in the region of the electrode 16A not connected to the voltage applying means 26, that is, the region corresponding to the character “X”,
Approximately half of that moves due to the influence of the change in the surrounding potential, that is, the change in the potential in the region of the electrode 16 connected to the voltage applying means 26. Thereby, in the region of the electrode 16A, a moderate halftone is obtained,
It becomes gray. Further, the first particles and the second particles 24 located in the portion of the outline of “X”, that is, the region where the electrode is cut off, slightly move due to a change in the surrounding electric potential, but hardly move. The display becomes white. As a result, the character “X” is displayed when viewed from the display substrate 14 side. In this state, the voltage application to the electrode 12 is reduced to 0V.
, The first particles 22 and the second particles 22
Particles 24 are held on the substrate.

When a negative voltage is applied to the electrode 12 by the voltage applying means 26, the first particles 22 and the second particles move to opposite sides, and are displayed in reverse.

As described above, since the electrodes on the rear substrate 18 are formed in a predetermined image pattern, an image can be displayed easily only by applying a constant voltage between the electrodes.

Further, an image display device can be easily manufactured without using any special device or tool. In addition, since it is fixed with a clip without bonding, it can be easily recycled, and by replacing the back substrate 18 on which the electrode 16 of another shape is formed by removing the clip, another image can be easily formed. Can be displayed.

The image display medium 10 may be curved to improve the adhesion of the inner layer of the multilayer structure, or a layer for maintaining the shape may be further added.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the image display medium 30 according to the present embodiment. The same parts as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The image display medium 30 shown in FIG. 3 has a pattern member 32 provided between the display substrate 14 and the back substrate 18.

The pattern member 32 is made of, for example, an acrylic sheet, and is processed according to a predetermined image pattern. That is, a portion corresponding to the image pattern is cut as shown in FIG. In addition, processing means include
A known automatic cutting machine capable of cutting according to a desired image pattern by computer control can be used. The first particles 22 and the second particles 24 are sealed in the cut concave portions.

When the voltage applying means 26 applies, for example, a negative voltage to the electrode 12, the first particles 22 move toward the display substrate 14 because the first particles 22 are positively charged.
4 moves to the rear substrate 18 side because it is negatively charged. Thereby, an image according to the image pattern is displayed in black.

As described above, since the pattern member 32 is processed according to the image pattern, an image can be displayed easily only by applying a constant voltage. Further, since the particles are sealed in the processed concave portions, it is not necessary to process the electrode 16.

Further, the image display medium 30 can be easily manufactured without using any special device or tool, and another image can be easily displayed by replacing the pattern member 32 with another pattern. be able to.

Although the rear substrate 18 is provided in the above description, it is not always necessary to provide the rear substrate 18.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a manufacturing process of the image display medium 40 according to the present embodiment. The same parts as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4 (A), first, a pattern member 32 made of an acrylic sheet is
Is cut in accordance with the image pattern to form a concave portion corresponding to the image pattern.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, an electrode 34 is formed on the pattern member 32 processed according to the image pattern by a conductive processing means (not shown). Electrode 34
Can be formed by, for example, metal deposition, application of a conductive treatment liquid (such as dotite), metal plating, or the like.

After the electrodes 34 are formed over the entire upper surface of the pattern member 32, as shown in FIG. 4C, the protruding portions of the electrodes 34 of the pattern member 32 are removed.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4D, the first particles 22 and the second particles 22 are arranged in the concave portions corresponding to the image pattern.

Then, the display substrate 14 is disposed above the pattern member 32, and the rear substrate 18 is disposed below the pattern member 32, and these are fixed with clips (not shown) therebetween.

Here, when the voltage applying means 26 applies, for example, a negative voltage to the electrode 12, the first particles 22 move to the display substrate 14 side because they are positively charged, and the second particles 2
4 moves to the rear substrate 18 side because it is negatively charged. Thereby, an image according to the image pattern is displayed in black.

As described above, since the pattern member 32 is processed according to the image pattern, an image can be displayed easily only by applying a constant voltage.

Further, since the pattern of the concave portion of the pattern member 32 matches the electrode pattern, the image can be stably displayed even if the image is repeatedly displayed. Also,
Since the electrode 34 is formed not only on the bottom surface but also on the side surface of the concave portion, a strong electric field is generated between the electrode 34 and the electrode 12 formed on the display substrate 14. Can be set low, so that it can be driven with low power. Furthermore, even if the image display medium 40 is vibrated, the movement of the first particles 22 and the second particles 24 is prevented, so that the image display medium 40 can be prevented from being deteriorated.

In order to make the pattern member 32 conductive by means of the electrode 34, when the conductive material is made conductive by using a treatment agent, a simple device is sufficient, so that the size can be easily increased. Further, in the conductive treatment by the treatment agent, the electrodes 34 may be formed by marking using a known printing technique.

Although the rear substrate 18 is provided in the above description, it is not always necessary to provide the rear substrate 18.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fourth embodiment, a modification of the third embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the pattern member 32 of the image display medium according to the fourth embodiment.

The pattern member 32 shown in FIG. 5 is firstly cut by a computer-controlled automatic cutting machine (not shown) to form, for example, square concave portions in a 5 × 5 matrix.

Next, the recesses are cut and connected so that the image pattern "X" to be displayed can be displayed as an example. In the example of FIG. 5, the boundary between the concave portions, that is, the convex portion is cut from the upper left concave portion to the lower right concave portion and from the upper right concave portion to the lower left concave portion, and the image pattern “X” is cut.
Are connected to each other. Similarly, for the concave portions other than the concave portions corresponding to the image pattern “X”, the boundary portions between the concave portions are cut and connected. For the additional processing for cutting the boundary portion, for example, a hand drill, a cutter, or an automatic cutting machine can be used.

Next, a conductive agent is applied to the entire surface of the pattern member 32 processed according to the image pattern on the side where the concave portion is formed. Then, the processing agent applied to the projections of the pattern member 32 is removed. As a result, the conductive treatment agent remains at the connecting portions between the concave portions, and the electrodes 34 are formed in the concave portions as shown in FIG. 5, and the electrode patterns 36A and 36B are formed at the connecting portions between the concave portions. Is done.

Next, the first particles 22 and the second particles 24 are arranged in each concave portion. Then, the display substrate 14 is disposed above the pattern member 32, and the rear substrate 18 is disposed below the pattern member 32. These are sandwiched and fixed by clips (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 6B, the electrode pattern 3
6A is connected to the voltage applying means 26 and to one end of the voltage dividing resistor 38. The other end of the voltage dividing resistor 38 is connected to one end of the voltage dividing resistor 39 and to the electrode (opposite electrode) 12 formed on the display substrate 14. The other end of the voltage dividing resistor 39 is connected to the electrode pattern 36B and grounded. The voltage dividing resistor 38,
39 have the same resistance value, for example.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 6A, the voltage E is applied to the electrode pattern 36A from the voltage applying means 26. Further, a voltage obtained by dividing the voltage E output from the voltage applying means 26 by the voltage dividing resistors 38 and 39, that is, a voltage １ ／ of the voltage E, is applied to the electrode 12. Since the electrode pattern 36B is grounded, approximately 0V
Becomes

That is, the potentials of the electrode patterns 36A and 36B have the opposite polarities when the potential of the electrode 12 is used as the reference potential.

Here, when the voltage applying means 26 applies, for example, a positive voltage E to the electrode pattern 36A, half the voltage is applied to the electrode 12. As a result, the potential of the electrode pattern 36A becomes a positive potential with respect to the potential of the electrode 12, and the first particles 22 sealed in the concave portions corresponding to the electrode pattern 36A are positively charged.
The second particles 24 move to the side of the rear substrate 18 because the second particles 24 are negatively charged.

On the other hand, the potential of the electrode pattern 36B is
Since the potential becomes negative with respect to the potential of the electrode pattern 3, the electrode pattern 3
The first particles 22 sealed in the recess corresponding to 6B are positively charged and move to the rear substrate 18 side, and the second particles 24 are negatively charged and move to the display substrate 14 side. .

As a result, the area corresponding to the electrode pattern 36A becomes black, the area corresponding to the electrode pattern 36B becomes white, and the image pattern "X" is displayed in black.

When the voltage applying means 26 applies a negative voltage to the electrode pattern 36A, the image pattern is inverted in black and white, and the image pattern "X" is displayed in white.

As described above, the electrodes are connected in accordance with the image pattern, and the voltage divided by the resistance is applied to each electrode. Therefore, the image display of a plurality of colors can be easily performed only by applying a constant voltage. it can.

Further, since the concave portions of a predetermined shape are formed in the pattern member 32 in a matrix in advance, it is only necessary to cut and connect the boundary portions of the concave portions according to the image pattern. The image display medium which displays the image of this can be manufactured.

Note that color display may be performed by disposing particles or color filters of different colors in each concave portion.

Further, how to connect (wire) the matrix elements, that is, the respective concave portions, in accordance with the type and characteristics of the image is automatically calculated by software on a computer, or is calculated by a support tool therefor. Accordingly, it is possible to easily manufacture an image display medium that displays an image having a more complicated shape.

Further, the position of the matrix element may be shifted or the shape of the matrix element may be changed to not only a quadrangle but also a hexagon depending on the type and characteristics of the image. May be used.

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the fifth embodiment, a modified example of the fourth embodiment will be described. The same parts as those in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the pattern member 32 of the image display medium according to the fifth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the pattern member 32
A plurality of electrode patterns 36 ₀ , 36 ₁ , 36 ₂ , 36 ₃ , 36
₄ are formed, and the electrode patterns 36 ₁ , 36 ₂ , 3
6 _3, 36 _4, each resistance value is different resistors R _1, R _2, R
₃ and R ₄ (R ₁ <R ₂ <R ₃ <R ₄ ) are connected. As this resistor, for example, an electric resistance element, a tape having a low electric resistance whose resistance can be controlled by its length, or the like can be used.

FIG. 8B shows an equivalent circuit of the voltage applying means 26 and each electrode pattern. As shown in FIG. 8B, one end of each of the resistors R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ , and R ₄ is connected to the voltage applying means 26, and the other end is connected to one end of a resistor R ₀ whose other end is grounded. Each is connected. Note that the resistor R0
Is a unique resistance value of the electrode pattern.

Thus, assuming that the voltage applying means 26 gradually increases the output voltage, each electrode pattern 36
_0, 36 _1, 36 _2, 36 _3, 36 _4, the voltage V ₀ which characteristic as shown in FIG. _{8 (A), V 1,} V 2, V 3, V 4 is applied. That is, the slope of the rising curve of the voltage applied to each electrode pattern is different.

Here, as shown in FIG.
The threshold voltage required to move _tAs voltage application
The output voltage from the means 26 starts to gradually increase, and t₀time
Elapses, the voltage V₀Is the threshold voltage V_tBeyond electrode pattern
36₀The first particle 22 and the second particle 22 at a position corresponding to
The particles 24 move.

[0085] When t ₁ hour has elapsed, the first particles 22 and second particles 24 of the position where the voltages V ₁ corresponding to the electrode pattern 36 ₁ exceeds the threshold voltage V _t move, t ₂ hours When but it passes the first particles 22 and a second position in which the voltage V ₂ corresponding to the electrode pattern 36 ₂ exceeds the threshold voltage V _t
Particle 24 moves and t ₃ hours has elapsed, the first particles 22 and second particles 24 of the position where the voltage V ₃ corresponding to the electrode pattern 36 ₃ exceeds the threshold voltage V _t move, t When ₄ hours elapsed, the first particles 22 and a second position in which the voltage V ₄ corresponding to the electrode pattern 36 ₄ exceeds the threshold voltage V _t
Particles 24 move.

[0086] Thus, the color of the portion of the image pattern "X" (the electrode pattern 36 areas corresponding to ₀₎ and a plurality of background portion (a region corresponding to the electrode pattern 36 _{1-36 4)} are sequentially switched with time. Thereby, an image can be displayed step by step.

It is to be noted that a more complicated display can be made by using not only resistors but also electric circuit elements such as capacitors, transformers, diodes, ICs, and transistors.

Further, as shown in FIG.
2 are connected along a predetermined direction to form a plurality of electrode patterns 36 parallel to each other, and the electrodes 12 formed on the display substrate 14 are formed by a plurality of electrode patterns orthogonal to the electrode patterns 36. An image display medium having a so-called simple matrix structure may be used. Thereby, particles at a position where an image is to be displayed can be selectively moved, and various images can be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 10, the back substrate 18 is made of an acrylic sheet instead of the pattern member 32,
This may be cut in accordance with an image pattern to form the electrode 34 and place particles at the cut location.

In this case, since the background portion is transparent, it can be used for combining the background portion with another image or for applications requiring transmission of light rays such as windows. Further, since the amount of the particles is relatively small, it can be additionally disposed on the exterior of other existing products.

As shown in FIG. 11, the same image pattern may be cut a plurality of times. In this case, the displayed image can be emphasized in the same manner as when the image of the coloring book is painted. Furthermore, since a concave portion in which particles can be uniformly arranged can be provided in the outline of the image pattern, particles having different colors and characteristics can be partially arranged, and an image with high decorativeness can be displayed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of linear concave portions 42 may be cut in the horizontal direction, and as shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of linear concave portions 42 may be formed in the horizontal and vertical directions. Cutting may be performed. Then, the particles are arranged in the concave portions.
In this case, the depth of the cut portion is smaller than that of the image pattern portion so that the wiring of the electrode 34 in the image pattern portion is not disconnected.

As described above, by arranging the particles by providing concave portions having a fixed pattern, the background portion of the image pattern can be decorative. Further, unevenness can be prevented from being felt on the entire display screen. Further, by arranging the particles over the entire surface, surface reflection of light can be suppressed, and a calm impression can be given.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a new product which can be used for surface decoration of furniture and interior members, and which can be variously adjusted according to the mood and health condition at that time. Further, it can be applied to a blind-like use having a dimming function.

[0095]

According to the present invention, an image can be displayed with a simple and inexpensive structure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image display medium according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the electrode according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an image display medium according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an image display medium according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a pattern member according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the potential of each part, and FIG. 6B is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a pattern member according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing the potential of each part, and FIG. 8B is a circuit diagram showing an equivalent circuit.

FIG. 9 is a top view showing another example of the back substrate.

FIG. 10 is a top view showing another example of the back substrate.

FIG. 11 is a top view showing another example of the back substrate.

FIG. 12 is a top view showing another example of the back substrate.

FIG. 13 is a top view showing another example of the back substrate.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image display medium 12, 16 electrodes 14 Display substrate 18 Back substrate 20 Spacer 22 First particle 24 Second particle 26 Voltage applying means 30 Image display medium 32 Pattern member 32 Pattern member 34 Electrode 38, 39 Voltage division resistance

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshiro Yamaguchi 430 Green Tech Nakai, Nakai-cho, Ashigara-gun, Kanagawa Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. Inside (72) Inventor Shota Oba 2274 Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Ebina Office (72) Inventor Nobuyuki Nakayama 430 Green Tech Nakai, Nakai-cho, Ashigara-gun, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72 ) Inventor Ken Matsunaga 430 Green Tech Nakai, Nakai-cho, Ashigara-kami, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A pair of substrates, a pair of electrodes provided between the pair of substrates, and a color sealed between the pair of electrodes so as to be movable between the pair of electrodes by an applied electric field. And a plurality of types of particle groups having different charging characteristics, wherein at least one of the pair of electrodes is formed in a predetermined image pattern. 2. A pair of substrates, a pair of electrodes provided between the pair of substrates, and a color sealed between the pair of electrodes so as to be movable between the pair of electrodes by an applied electric field. And a plurality of types of particle groups having different charging characteristics, wherein at least one of the pair of substrates is formed with a predetermined image pattern. 3. A pair of substrates, a pair of electrodes provided between the pair of substrates, and sealed between the pair of electrodes so as to be movable between the pair of electrodes by an applied electric field and a color. And a plurality of types of particle groups having different charging characteristics, comprising a pattern member having a concave portion or a convex portion according to a predetermined image pattern between the pair of substrates, and An image display medium, wherein the plurality of types of particle groups are enclosed. 4. The image display medium according to claim 3, wherein one of said pair of electrodes is formed in a concave portion or a convex portion of said pattern member. 5. An image display apparatus for displaying an image on an image display medium according to claim 1, further comprising a voltage application unit for applying a voltage between said pair of electrodes. Image display device.