JP2004317648A - Display data erasing/writing device and picture display method using the device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to easily write or easily erase display data in/from an inexpensive display medium which does not include a scanning electrode driving circuit and a data electrode driving circuit in its inside. <P>SOLUTION: The display data erasing/writing device is provided with a line contact 32 allowed to be separably brought into contact with a line electrode terminal 54 of the display medium 11 to impress writing voltage, a data contact 31 allowed to be separably brought into contact with a data electrode terminal 52 of the display medium 11 to impress data voltage, carrying means 22, 23 for carrying the display medium 11, and a switching means 91 for switching writing and erasing in/from the display medium and constituted so as to perform erasing operation for erasing a picture displayed on the display medium by impressing erasing voltage while continuously or intermittently carrying the display medium or perform writing operation by impressing writing voltage while continuously or intermittently carrying the display medium in accordance with the switching operation of the switching means 91. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a display data erasing / writing device capable of erasing and writing display data on a display medium, such as electronic paper, paper-like display, and rewritable paper, and an image display method using the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the development of information equipment, a light-weight and thin display device with low power consumption has been demanded. In particular, in order to reduce power consumption, research and development of a reflective display device that does not use components such as a backlight and a polarizing plate are actively performed. Notebook PCs, mobile PCs, and the like are increasingly used in daily life, and low power consumption, small size, light weight, and high definition are being actively used in order to enable the perusal of text and carry a large amount of image data. Among them, research and development of so-called electronic paper for the purpose of still image display have been actively pursued in order to reduce power consumption.
[0003]
Recently, a display technology with low power consumption and good visibility without using components such as a backlight and a polarizing plate has been proposed. However, when such a thin substrate is used as a display medium, a low voltage of an image rewriting system is required. There is a demand for low power consumption, miniaturization, and robustness of the display medium itself.
[0004]
As an example of the above-mentioned display medium, there is one based on electrophoresis. Image display devices utilizing the electrophoretic phenomenon of migrating particles by an electric field formed by applying a voltage to an electrode pair provided in each pixel are described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 and the like.
[0005]
On the other hand, an electrophoretic sheet provided with a common electrode at the center and capable of displaying images on both sides is disclosed in Patent Document 4 and the like.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-10-62824 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-10-90732 [Patent Document 3]
JP 10-149118 A [Patent Document 4]
JP 2002-287180 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, a display device generally includes a display panel module in which a scan electrode drive circuit and a data electrode drive circuit are mounted on a passive or active matrix panel having pixels in which scan electrodes and data electrodes are connected in a matrix. Make up. There is a low-temperature polysilicon TFT type display panel in which these drive circuits are formed together with pixel transistors, but in any case, the scan electrode drive circuit and the data electrode drive circuit occupy much of the manufacturing cost.
[0008]
On the other hand, some display media display images by changing the optical state of the display medium without providing electrodes, but the image quality is poor, and high heat or high voltage is required for writing data. , Its controllability is not satisfactory. For example, when an electric field is applied from the electrode on the outer surface of the display medium, a voltage as high as about 1000 V is higher than when an electric field is applied directly to the migrating particles from the electrode provided on the inner surface of the display medium. Was needed. In addition, when an electric field is applied from the outside, the migration direction of the particles is limited to the vertical direction, and there is a disadvantage that the method cannot be applied to a display sheet that migrates in the horizontal direction.
[0009]
Further, when the display medium is discarded, there is a risk of information leakage related to personal information unless the display state is rewritten to meaningless contents.
[0010]
(Object of the invention)
An object of the present invention is an inexpensive display medium having no scan electrode drive circuit or data electrode drive circuit inside a display medium, and a display data erasing / writing apparatus capable of easily writing display data and using the same. An image display method is provided.
[0011]
It is another object of the present invention to provide a display data erasing / writing device capable of erasing display contents by a simple method and an image display method using the same.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
(Means 1) A plurality of pixels each having an electrode pair for applying an electric field to the display medium are arranged in a matrix, and a line electrode terminal connected to one of the electrode pairs; A data electrode terminal connected to the other, and a display data erase / write device for writing or erasing display data on a sheet-shaped display medium having:
A line contact for applying a writing voltage by detachably contacting the line electrode terminal in the display medium,
A data contact for applying a data voltage by detachably contacting the data electrode terminal in the display medium,
Conveying means for conveying the display medium,
Switching means for switching between writing and erasing on the display medium,
Has,
According to the switching means, while continuously or intermittently transporting the display medium, at least from the line contactor or data contactor, a plurality of line electrode terminals or the data electrode terminals to erase voltage. Is applied, an erasing operation of erasing an image displayed on the display medium, or while continuously or intermittently transporting the display medium, from the line contact to the plurality of line electrode terminals. A display data erasing / writing apparatus, wherein a writing operation is performed by sequentially applying the writing voltage and selectively applying the data voltage from the data contact to a plurality of the data electrode terminals.
[0013]
(Means 2) The display data erasing / writing device according to means 1, wherein the line contact and the data contact are arranged in the same direction so as to face the outer surface of the display medium.
[0014]
(Means 3) The display data erasing / writing device according to means 1, wherein the line contact and the data contact are arranged to face each other so as to face the different outer surfaces of the display medium.
[0015]
(Means 4) The display data erasing / writing device according to means 1, which performs line detection before applying the write voltage or the erase voltage from the line contact.
[0016]
(Means 5) The display data erasing / writing device according to means 1, further comprising a communication means for performing data communication with an IC chip for providing or processing data associated with an image to be displayed mounted on the display medium.
[0017]
(Means 6) In the display medium, a plurality of line electrode terminals connected to one of the electrode pairs are arranged on at least one end, and data connected to the other of the electrode pairs on an outer surface. 2. The display data erasing / writing device according to claim 1, wherein the electrode terminals are continuously or intermittently arranged along the arrangement direction of the line electrode terminals.
[0018]
(Means 7) The display data erasing / writing device according to means 6, wherein the line electrode terminals are arranged on the outer surface on which the data electrode terminals are arranged.
[0019]
(Means 8) The display data erasing / writing device according to means 6, wherein the line electrode terminals are arranged on an outer surface opposite to the outer surface on which the data electrode terminals are arranged.
[0020]
(Means 9) The display data erasing / writing device according to means 6, wherein the data electrode terminal and the other of the pair of electrodes connected thereto are provided on both sides of an insulating base material.
[0021]
(Means 10) The display data erasing / writing device according to means 6, wherein the data electrode terminal is a stripe-shaped conductor arranged on an outer surface of the sheet-shaped display medium.
[0022]
(Means 11) The display data erasing and writing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the switching means switches the transport direction by detecting an insertion direction of the sheet-shaped display medium by a detector provided at a feeding port.
[0023]
(Means 12) In an image display method in which display data is written on the display medium and an image is displayed by inserting a sheet-shaped display medium into a display data writing device,
An image display method using the display data erasing / writing device according to the first aspect.
[0024]
(Means 13) The image display method according to means 12, which performs data communication with an IC chip mounted on the display medium for providing or processing data associated with an image to be displayed.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0026]
(Embodiment 1)
A display medium according to an embodiment of the present invention, a display data writing device therefor, and an image display method using them will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0027]
In the present embodiment, as a display medium, a sheet-like display medium having a memory property using electrophoresis will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.
[0028]
FIG. 1 schematically shows how display data is written on a display sheet 11 as a display medium using an electric writing device 12, and FIG. 1A shows how display data is written during a writing operation or an erasing operation. FIG. 1B shows an outline of the device, and FIG.
[0029]
In FIG. 1, a display sheet 11 is rewritable electronic paper such as an electrophoretic display sheet, and a writing device 12 sends the display sheet to a display sheet while feeding the display sheet in a writing direction indicated by reference numeral 1 like a paper printer. A display signal is written by applying a write signal. Conversely, when it is desired to erase all the display contents displayed on the display sheet 11, the display data is erased by applying the erase signal while conveying the display sheet 11 in the erase direction indicated by reference numeral 2.
[0030]
Reference numeral 13 denotes a feed port for erasing, and 14 denotes a feed port for adding.
[0031]
This writing device 12 is an example in which the erasing operation and the writing operation are switched by changing the transport direction, and the display content of the display sheet 11 is erased by feeding the display sheet 11 from the erasing feed port 13. Is discharged from the writing feed port 14.
[0032]
In the case of writing, the display sheet 11 is inserted from the writing sheet supply port 14 and conveyed in the direction 1 so that the display content is written on the display sheet 11 and discharged from the erasing sheet supply port 13.
[0033]
21 is a writing means having a contact which is an electrical contact for transmitting a write signal, 22 is a front feed roller for conveying the display sheet, 23 is a rear feed roller for conveying the display sheet, and 24 is a display roller of the display sheet 11. An electrode having a contact surface provided on one outer surface.
[0034]
The main mechanical part inside the writer 12 is as shown in FIG. 1B, and the display sheet 11 is continuously driven at a constant speed by two pairs of rollers 22 and 23 as a conveying means, or During the transportation, the contact of the writing means 21 and the contact surface of the electrode 24 are detachably contacted with each other intermittently at a certain step. At this time, the electrical conduction is established by the contact. At this time, by applying a write signal voltage to the display sheet 11 from the writing means 21, the electrophoretic particles held inside the display sheet 11 are moved by the electric field to write data. Perform the operation and display the image. Since the display sheet 11 has a memory property, the display state does not change even after the contact is separated from the electrode.
[0035]
In the case of the erasing operation, the rear feed roller 23 and the front feed roller 22 are rotated in reverse, and the display sheet 11 is conveyed in the erasing direction 2 from the rear feed roller 23 to the front feed roller 22. Then, in the same manner as at the time of writing, by applying an erasing signal voltage to the display sheet from the contact portion between the contact and the electrode 24, the display content is moved by moving the electrophoretic particles inside all the pixels of the display sheet in the same direction. Will be erased.
[0036]
FIG. 2 is a diagram of the writing unit 21 used in the present embodiment as viewed from the lateral direction. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 31 denotes data contacts arranged in a line at the center of the writing means 21, and 32 denotes line contacts arranged at both ends of the data contact row. The data contact 31 and the line contact 32 are formed of a protrusion such as a cone or a pyramid made of a conductor such as a metal, and are connected to a data driver or a line driver for applying a write signal voltage. . Further, the shape of the contact may be a gear shape or a pulley shape.
[0037]
FIG. 3 is a view of the display sheet of the present embodiment as viewed from the back. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 41 denotes a data electrode wiring having a shape in which a plurality of stripes are arranged in parallel at the center of the sheet, and 42 is arranged from one end of one outer surface of the display sheet to the opposite end. This is a line electrode wiring having a stripe shape.
[0038]
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a part of the display sheet according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 51 denotes a display medium having a memory property such as an electrophoretic particle layer, and 52 denotes a data electrode terminal connected to a data electrode 53. The data electrode 53 and the data electrode terminal 52 Electrode wiring 41 is formed. Reference numeral 54 denotes a line electrode terminal which is connected to the transparent electrode 55 serving as a line electrode and provides a contact surface which is removably in contact with the contact 32. The line electrode terminal 54 and the transparent electrode 55 constitute the line electrode wiring 42. Have been. The line electrode wiring 42 extends from one end of the outer surface of the display sheet to the end opposite to the outer surface of the display sheet via the inner surface of the insulating substrate on the display surface side. The electrodes 24 in FIG. 1B mean data electrode terminals 52 and line electrode terminals 54.
[0039]
The line electrode wiring 42 gives a predetermined potential to the surface side of the electrophoretic particle layer 51 by the transparent electrode 55 also serving as a pixel electrode. The data electrode wiring 41 gives a predetermined potential to the back surface of the electrophoretic particle layer 51 by an opaque data electrode 53 also serving as another pixel electrode.
[0040]
The line contact 32 is brought into contact with the line electrode terminal 54, and at the same time, the data contact 31 is brought into contact with the data electrode terminal 52. Then, a voltage for writing data is applied to the pair of pixel electrodes including the transparent electrode 55 and the data electrode 53 from the contacts 31 and 32. If this is a voltage exceeding a threshold for switching the display state of the pixel, the optical state of the pixel changes. The principle is well known.
[0041]
Since only the pixels on the line electrode wiring 42 that are in contact with the line contact 32 and form a closed circuit are the target pixels for data writing, if the contacting line electrode wiring 42 is sequentially switched in chronological order, Data can be written line-sequentially to all pixels.
[0042]
In addition, if the two line contacts 32 are simultaneously brought into contact with the line electrode terminals 54 at both ends and the electrical state at that time is detected, a line (scanning line) of a pixel to which data is to be written can be detected.
[0043]
Therefore, as described later, if the process of applying the write voltage after detecting the line position is repeated continuously or intermittently on the display sheet 11, it is possible to synchronize the sheet conveyance and the line-sequential writing, and It also prevents writing.
[0044]
The data electrode terminal 52 and the line electrode terminal 54 are formed of Cr, Ni, Al formed by a vapor deposition method such as sputtering or CVD, a plating method such as electroplating or electroless plating, or a coating method using a conductive paste. , Cu, Au, Ag or the like or a conductor such as an alloy containing them as one component. In particular, the data electrode terminal 52 may have a stripe-shaped exposed surface in which the contact surface with the contact is continuous in the column direction. Only the portion overlapping the line electrode is exposed, and the contact surface is intermittent in the column direction. It may be a configuration that is physically exposed.
[0045]
The display medium 51 used in the present invention may be an electrophoretic layer formed by dispersing electrophoretic particles in a dispersion medium, or a colored particle having at least two surfaces having different charging characteristics and colors. May be a colored particle layer in which a large number of are arranged.
[0046]
Of course, the display medium 51 used in the present invention is not limited to the one utilizing the electrophoresis phenomenon. For example, a liquid crystal display medium such as a polymer dispersed liquid crystal and a cholesteric liquid crystal, an electrochromic display medium, and the like may be used. A display medium having memory properties is particularly preferably used because the element configuration is simplified as described later.
[0047]
As a substrate on which various electrodes are formed and which is used to hold a display medium, a rigid or flexible sheet of glass or resin, or a capsule is preferably used. As long as the substrate on which an image is displayed is transparent, an opaque substrate can be used otherwise.
[0048]
The line drive voltage waveform and the data voltage waveform used in the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0049]
In FIG. 5, 61 is a line drive voltage waveform for one cycle, 62 is an image erasing voltage, 63 is a data writing voltage for image display, and 64 is a line detection voltage. The line drive voltage waveform 61 is a line selection waveform for determining the optical state of the pixels arranged in one row, and corresponds to a so-called scanning-side signal.
[0050]
This waveform 61 is output from one side of the pair of line contacts 32.
[0051]
First, a line detection voltage 64 is output from one of the line contacts 32. At this time, the other line contact 32 becomes a line detection contact. Thus, when both the line contacts 32 and the line electrode wiring 42 are in contact with each other, the line contact 32 that has not output the line detection voltage 64 Voltage is detected.
[0052]
When this voltage is detected, first, the erasing voltage 62 is applied, and the display of the pixels on one line is set to the all black state regardless of the display state at that time. Next, a data writing voltage 63 is applied. At the same time, a data voltage 66 is applied from the data contact 31 to each data electrode wiring. Is determined. That is, if the combined voltage exceeds the threshold voltage for displaying white, the pixels erased to the black state transition to the white state. Reference numeral 67 denotes a compensation voltage provided as needed, and is used when the characteristics of the display medium and the pixel structure are deteriorated by the application of the DC voltage.
[0053]
By repeating such an operation for each line while feeding the sheet, it is possible to temporarily erase the display data of the pixels on the selected line and then write new display data to the erased pixels. it can. The line detection may be replaced by a method of optically detecting a line to be selected, in addition to the detection of an electric signal as described above.
[0054]
On the other hand, in the drawing, reference numeral 68 denotes a line erase waveform for one cycle when only erase is performed. A line detection voltage 64 is output from one of the line contacts 32, and when both of the line contacts 32 are in contact with the line electrode terminals 54 at both ends, the line detection voltage 64 is output. A line detection voltage 64 is detected from the line contact 32 that is not present. When this is detected, the erasing voltage 62 is applied, and all the pixels on one line are turned black. By repeating this operation by the number of lines, all the pixels are erased to black. The display contents that have been displayed until then cannot be determined. The data voltage waveform at this time may be a voltage such as 65, or the data voltage may be zero. Alternatively, all pixels can be erased by applying an erasing voltage to only the data electrode terminals during the transport period of the display sheet.
[0055]
In the figure, reference numeral 69 denotes a line drive waveform for one cycle for writing only. A line detection voltage 64 is output from one of the line contacts 32, and when both of the line contacts 32 are in contact with the line electrode terminals 54 at both ends, the line detection voltage 64 is output. A line detection voltage 64 is detected from the line contact 32 that is not present. When this is detected, a data writing voltage 63 is applied, and at the same time, a data voltage 66 is applied from the data contact 31 to each data electrode wiring. The display state of the corresponding pixel is determined. In this way, data corresponding to the pixel is written to all the pixels on one line that have been erased to a black state in advance. By repeating this operation by the number of lines, an image is displayed on the display sheet. If the line drive voltage waveform 69 is used, new display data can be overwritten without previously erasing the display data.
[0056]
Whether to use the waveform 61 or the waveform 69 when writing the display data can be determined as appropriate depending on the application of the image display method. Of course, these waveforms 61 and 69 can be selectively used according to the write mode.
[0057]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a pixel configuration used in the present invention.
[0058]
FIG. 6A schematically shows a cross section of a pixel for black display, and FIG. 6B schematically shows a cross section of a pixel for white display. 6, reference numeral 271 denotes an insulating base material made of an upper transparent substrate; 55, a transparent electrode; 273, microcapsules filled with an insulating liquid; 274, white electrophoretic particles; 53, a data electrode; An insulating substrate made of
[0059]
At the time of erasure to the all-black state, the white electrophoretic particles 274 move downward and stay there, thereby exhibiting a black optical state.
[0060]
At the time of data writing, when a voltage equal to or higher than the threshold is applied, the white electrophoretic particles 274 move upward and stay there, and exhibit a white optical state when viewed from above.
[0061]
A display data erasing / writing device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0062]
7 and 8 are flowcharts of an image display method using the display medium and the display data writing device described above, and FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a drive control system of the display data writing device.
[0063]
In FIG. 9, 31 and 32 are the same contacts as in FIG.
[0064]
81 is an image data output device such as a PC for sending data to be written from the outside, 82 is an input interface, 83 is an MPU as a control device that processes data and simultaneously controls the entire apparatus, and 84 temporarily stores data. RAM as a memory, 85 as a ROM for storing an MPU program, 86 as a motor driver for driving a display sheet feed motor so as to be able to rotate forward and backward, 87 as a data voltage waveform to be applied to the data contact 31 A data driver 88 is a line driver that generates a line driving voltage waveform or an erasing waveform applied to the line contact 32, 89 is a line sensor that detects a line detection voltage 64, and 90 is a transport unit that transports the display sheet 11. This is a feed motor that can be rotated forward and backward.
[0065]
Reference numeral 91 denotes a paper sensor as switching means for checking a sheet feeding position and a direction of the display sheet and generating a signal for switching between a writing operation and an erasing operation. Reference numeral 92 denotes a photo-interrupter located at the erasing feed port 13 of the present apparatus and detecting the display sheet 11, and 93 denotes a photo-interrupter positioned at the writing feed port 14 of the present apparatus and detecting the display sheet 11.
[0066]
First, in step 711, when the display sheet 11 is placed on the erasing feed port 13, the photo interrupter detects it and sends a detection signal to the MPU through the sensor 89, whereby the MPU executes an operation program. In step 712, if the feeding port on which the display sheet 11 is placed is the feeding port 13 for erasing, an erasing detection signal is output from the photo interrupter 92 through the sensor 89, and the MPU responds thereto. Then, it is determined that the display sheet 11 has been inserted in the erasing direction, and the erasing operation starts. That is, by controlling the motor driver 86 in step 713 and rotating the feed motor 90 in the reverse direction, the display sheet 11 in the erasing feed port 13 starts to be fed into the apparatus. Almost simultaneously with this feeding, in step 714, the application of the voltage 64 from one of the line contacts 32 is started. After this, the feed motor is still running. When the line contact 32 comes into contact with the line electrode terminal of the display sheet 11, the voltage of one line contact 32 is transmitted to the other line contact 32 through the transparent electrode 55. This voltage is detected by the MPU using the line sensor 89. Upon detection, in step 715, the erasing voltage 62 for erasing the display sheet is output to the line contact terminal 32 of the writing means. Here, an example using the line erase waveform 68 of FIG. 5 is described. In step 717, steps 714 to 716 are repeated until the end of the display sheet is detected by a sensor (not shown). Thus, the erasing operation on the display sheet is completed for all pixels.
[0067]
Next, the case of writing will be described with reference to FIG.
[0068]
First, in step 721, when the display sheet is placed on the additional feeding port 14, the photo interrupter detects it and sends a detection signal to the MPU through the sensor 89, whereby the MPU executes an operation program. In step 722, if the feed port on which the display sheet is placed is the write feed port 14, a write detection signal is output from the photo interrupter 93 through the sensor 89, and the MPU responds thereto. It is determined that the display sheet 11 has been inserted in the writing direction, and the writing operation starts. That is, in step 723, the motor driver 86 is controlled and the feed motor 90 is rotated forward to start feeding the display sheet 11 from the writing feed port 14 into the apparatus. Almost simultaneously with the feeding, in step 724, one of the line drivers is turned ON, and a voltage 64 is applied to one of the line contacts. After this, the feed motor is still running. When the line contact 32 contacts the line electrode terminal of the display sheet, the voltage of one line contact is transmitted to the other line contact through the transparent electrode 55. This voltage is detected by the MPU using the line sensor 89. Upon detection, in step 726, the line driver outputs the data write voltage 63 to be written to the display sheet. Since the display data of the first line has been transferred to the data driver from the RAM in advance, the data of the first line is written on the display sheet by outputting the data at the same time as the application of the data write voltage 63.
[0069]
In step 727, steps 725 to 726 are repeated until the end of the display sheet 11 is detected by a sensor (not shown). At this time, every time the number of lines detected from the display sheet is incremented, the number of lines of data transferred from the RAM is also incremented.
[0070]
Thus, the writing operation on the display sheet is completed. The operation in the overwrite mode without erasure using the line drive voltage waveform 69 is also as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
[0071]
FIG. 10 is a modified example of FIG. 9, in which, instead of the paper sensor 91 and the photointerrupters 92 and 93, a button for generating a signal for instructing an erasing operation by pressing is provided in the writing device as switching means. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the erasing / writing device. The configuration is the same as that shown in FIG. 9 except for the configuration of the switching means.
[0072]
However, in the case of FIG. 10, as another mode, the feeding direction is the same in both the writing operation and the erasing operation, and the erasing operation or the writing operation is selectively performed in response to the output signal of the button. It is also possible.
[0073]
According to the embodiment described above, the display medium does not have a so-called driver IC, so that it can be manufactured at low cost and is suitable as a substitute for paper suitable for mass consumption.
[0074]
When directly applying an electric field to the display medium from an electrode or a contact provided outside the insulating base material, a high voltage was required, but the electrode was located near the display medium of the present embodiment, that is, Since the matrix electrode remains, a high electric field can be applied at a low voltage, and a power-saving writing device can be provided.
[0075]
If a TFT is formed inside the sheet as required, a constant voltage can be applied for a long time by writing in a short time, and the display writing time can be remarkably shortened.
[0076]
The direction in which the electric field is applied to the electrophoretic particles can be freely set not only in the vertical direction but also in a display sheet in which the particles migrate in the horizontal direction, as described later.
[0077]
Since the upper and lower electrodes are fixed inside the sheet, the display is stable and the sheet can withstand bending.
[0078]
Since only display contents can be deleted from the display sheet, unnecessary documents and confidential documents can be easily deleted. Alternatively, it is possible to perform only the additional writing of the display contents, so that the additional information of the historical information can be displayed.
[0079]
(Embodiment 2)
In the above-described embodiment, the display medium having the configuration in which the line electrode terminals are arranged on the outer surface on which the data electrode terminals are arranged and the writing device using the same have been described. In the embodiment described below, a display medium having a configuration in which the line electrode terminals are arranged on the outer surface opposite to the outer surface on which the data electrode terminals are arranged, and a display data writing device using the same will be described. Other configurations are almost the same as the first embodiment.
[0080]
11 and 12, 111 is a double-sided electrode type display sheet, 121 is a data writing means including an electrical contact for transmitting a data signal to be written, 122 is a line writing means including an electrical contact for transmitting a line signal to be written, 142 is a line electrode wiring. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0081]
The main mechanical parts of the display data writing device are as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and face each other while the display sheet 111 is being conveyed in the writing direction 1 at a constant speed by two sets of feed rollers. The writing signal voltage is applied to the display sheet 111 from the contact portions of the lines and data contacts 32 and 31 and the electrodes 142 and 41 on both surfaces of the display sheet 111 to move the electrophoretic particles inside the display sheet 111. Thus, display data is written. Further, the display contents are erased while being conveyed in the erasing direction 2. The write operation and the erase operation are the same as in the first embodiment.
[0082]
In FIG. 13, reference numeral 41 denotes a plurality of data electrode wires arranged in parallel at the center of the back surface of the sheet, and 142 denotes a line electrode wire extending from one end of the sheet surface to the other end across the center. , Are provided in parallel so as to intersect with the data electrode wiring.
[0083]
In FIG. 14, reference numeral 51 denotes an electrophoretic particle layer as a display medium; 52, a data electrode terminal; and 53, a data electrode, which is disposed on the electrophoretic particle layer side. 154, a line electrode terminal; and 55, a transparent electrode connected to the line electrode terminal 154. The data electrode wiring 41 includes a data electrode terminal 52 and a data electrode 51, and the line electrode wiring 142 includes a line electrode terminal 154 and a transparent electrode 55.
[0084]
On one outer surface of the sheet, the data contact 31 comes into contact with the data electrode terminal 52, and the data voltage waveform 65 as shown in FIG. 5 is supplied to the data electrode wiring. On the other hand, on the other outer surface of the sheet, the line contact 32 comes into contact with the line electrode terminal 154, and the line drive voltage waveform 69 as shown in FIG. 5 is supplied to the line electrode wiring 142.
[0085]
The line electrode wiring 142 is connected so that both ends thereof are in contact with the line contact 32, respectively, and is used for detecting the line position as in the first embodiment.
[0086]
Further, as the pixel structure, a configuration as shown in FIG. 6 can be employed.
[0087]
(Another form of pixel structure)
The present invention can also be applied to erasing and writing on a display medium employing a pixel structure different from that of FIG.
[0088]
15A and 15B show a cross section of an element configuration of another embodiment of the electrophoretic display device, wherein FIG. 15A shows a white display state, and FIG. 15B shows a black display state.
[0089]
Each pixel has a pair of electrodes 296 and 297. In the case where the black migrating particles 292 are charged to the positive electrode (a), the migrating particles 292 are concentrated near the counter electrode 296, and from the observer, The color of the insulating layer 294 or the display electrode 297 (when the insulating layer 294 is transparent) is generally recognized. In (b), the migrating particles 292 are arranged so as to spread on the display electrode 297, so that the observer generally recognizes the black color of the migrating particles.
[0090]
For example, when data is rewritten using black migrating particles, an appropriate drive voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes 296 and 297 from the drive power supply 298 in the state of FIG. 15B (black display state). The state transitions to the state of FIG. 15A (white display state). That is, a change in the area occupied by the migrating particles in the pixel indicates a white display state, a black display state, and a gray scale display state intermediate therebetween.
[0091]
In this case, since a pair of electrodes serving as the line electrode wiring and the data electrode wiring are provided on the inner surface side of the base material 293, the pair of electrodes are formed on the base material 293 using an interlayer insulating film. Then, a plurality of data electrode terminals as shown in FIG. 3 may be provided in parallel on the back surface, that is, the outer surface of the base material 293 along the columns, and the line electrode terminals may be arranged at the end. The method of applying the data electrode terminal drive voltage is the same as in the first and second embodiments.
[0092]
In the present invention, the color of the particles is not limited to black or white, but may be a combination of a dispersion medium and particles of other colors. For example, color display can be performed by using particles of each color of RGB instead of white particles. Alternatively, color display can be performed by using a YMC liquid instead of a black liquid.
[0093]
The present invention can be applied to various combinations of a display sheet having electrodes and a writing device having a driver capable of driving matrix wiring.
[0094]
For example, if a card-size display sheet and a card writing device are used, it can be applied to customer management etc. at each store, and if a ticket-size display sheet and a ticket writer are used, it can be used at stations that can get on and off records and balance display etc. Applicable to ticket gate systems.
[0095]
Further, an IC chip capable of non-contact data communication is mounted on the display sheet, billing information and data for protecting billing information are stored in the IC chip, and a communication means for data communication with the IC chip is provided in the data writing device. It carries a well-known billing process. Then, if the state of the billing process is generated as image data and the display medium is driven based on the image data, the state of the billing process (such as the usage fee or the balance) can be displayed on the display medium. Such a system is an IC cash card system or an IC prepaid card system with a display function, that is, the IC chip communicates with the communication means, and the writing device generates an image associated with the data provided or processed by the IC chip. However, it is possible to realize an image display method having a billing function of displaying it on a display medium. In this way, functions that require high-speed data communication and data processing are realized by an IC chip and communication means for communicating with the IC chip wirelessly, and writing of display data that does not require high-speed processing to a display medium is directly performed using a contact. As a result, a system with separated functions is completed.
[0096]
Alternatively, if the writing device has an image memory and the image stored in the memory is written on the display medium, there is no need to carry around, for example, 1000 documents, and lacks the robustness and lightness of a notebook PC. There is no need to carry the device, and it is also possible to carry the desired reading material and browse it anywhere.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, an inexpensive display medium having no scan electrode drive circuit or data electrode drive circuit inside a display medium, and a display medium capable of easily writing display data, and a display data writing device therefor And an image display method using them. Further, the displayed contents can be erased by a simple method.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a display data erasing / writing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing an example of a writing unit used in the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of a display medium used in the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a part of a display medium used in the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a line drive voltage waveform, a data voltage waveform, and a line erase waveform used in the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a pixel structure of a display medium used in the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a flowchart of an erasing operation of the display data writing device used in the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a write operation of the display data writing device used in the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a display data writing device used in the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of another display data writing device used in the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a display medium and a display data writing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing an example of a writing unit used in another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of a display medium used in another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a part of a display medium used in another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a schematic sectional view showing another example of the image structure of the display medium used in the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 writing direction 2 erasing direction 11 display sheet (display medium)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Writing apparatus 13 Erasing feed port 14 Writing feed port 21 Writing means 31 Data contact 32 Line contact 41 Data electrode wiring 42 Line electrode wiring 51 Display medium 52 Data electrode terminal 53 Data electrode 54 Line electrode terminal 55 Transparent electrode (line electrode)

Claims (7)

A plurality of pixels each including an electrode pair for applying an electric field to the display medium are arranged in a matrix, and a line electrode terminal connected to one of the electrode pairs and a pixel electrode connected to the other of the electrode pairs. A data electrode terminal, and a display data erase / write device for writing or erasing display data on a sheet-shaped display medium having:
A line contact for applying a writing voltage by detachably contacting the line electrode terminal in the display medium,
A data contact for applying a data voltage by detachably contacting the data electrode terminal in the display medium,
Conveying means for conveying the display medium,
Switching means for switching between writing and erasing of the display data,
Has,
According to the switching means, while continuously or intermittently transporting the display medium, at least from the line contactor or data contactor, a plurality of line electrode terminals or the data electrode terminals to erase voltage. Is applied, an erasing operation of erasing an image displayed on the display medium, or while continuously or intermittently transporting the display medium, from the line contact to the plurality of line electrode terminals. A display data erasing / writing apparatus, wherein a writing operation is performed by sequentially applying the writing voltage and selectively applying the data voltage from the data contact to a plurality of the data electrode terminals. 2. The display data erasing / writing device according to claim 1, wherein the line contact and the data contact are arranged to face each other so as to face the different outer surfaces of the display medium. 2. The display data erasing / writing device according to claim 1, wherein line detection is performed before applying the writing voltage or the erasing voltage from the line contact. 2. The display data erasing / writing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising communication means for performing data communication with an IC chip mounted on the display medium for providing or processing data associated with an image to be displayed. 2. The display data erasing and writing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the switching means detects a direction in which the sheet-shaped display medium is inserted by a detector provided at a feeding port and switches the transport direction. By inserting a sheet-shaped display medium into a display data writing device, an image display method in which display data is written on the display medium and an image is displayed,
An image display method using the display data erasing / writing device according to claim 1. The image display method according to claim 6, wherein data communication is performed with an IC chip mounted on the display medium for providing or processing data associated with an image to be displayed.

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