JP2005326543A - Sheet medium and communication terminal using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sheet medium provided with a region having display resolution comparable to that of a sheet of printing paper, and in addition, with a region having display responsiveness applicable to a feed back display such as a key entry display, and to provide a communication terminal using the same. <P>SOLUTION: The sheet medium 1 is characterized by disposing the sheet-like medium 7, having optical characteristics reversibly changed by application of an electric field between a pair of transparent electrodes 2 opposing to each other, and dividing the medium 7 into a region A being a first region in which the electric field is controlled by the pair of transparent electrodes 2, and a region B being a second region in which the electric field is controlled by an external writing device 5 moving on the medium 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sheet medium whose optical characteristics are reversibly changed by the action of an electric field, and a communication terminal apparatus using the sheet medium.

As a conventional sheet medium, for example, there is one described in (Patent Document 1). The sheet medium described in this (Patent Document 1) is shown in FIG. In FIG. 8, in the sheet medium, electrophoretic particles 103 are dispersed in a dispersion medium between transparent electrodes 102 respectively formed on opposing surfaces of a transparent member 101 made of a pair of opposing glass plates and film substrates. A large number of microcapsules 105 in which the dispersion system 104 is individually encapsulated in advance by a microencapsulation technique are arranged. In the sheet medium configured as described above, a predetermined voltage is applied from a driver IC (not shown) connected to each of the transparent electrodes 102 to perform an intended display.
Japanese Patent No. 2551783

  However, since the conventional sheet medium has a configuration including a patterned transparent electrode, since the display resolution is determined by the electrode size, there is a problem in that it cannot be displayed in the same manner as a print (300 DPI) printed on paper. ing. Here, if the electrode size is reduced in order to increase the display resolution, the yield in the electrode patterning process is deteriorated, and the number of connections with the driver IC connected thereto increases, resulting in a problem that the cost becomes high.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems. In addition to an area having a display resolution equivalent to that of printed paper, a sheet medium provided with an area having display responsiveness that can be used for feedback display such as key input is provided. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the sheet medium of the present invention is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes facing each other, and an electric field is generated by a first region in which the electric field is controlled by the electrodes and an external writing device moving on the medium. The second area is controlled, and when the display response is required, the first area is displayed. When the high resolution display is required, the second area is displayed.

  According to the sheet medium of the present invention, when display responsiveness is required, for example, input display from a keyboard is easy to use because input contents are quickly displayed as feedback. When a display resolution is required, for example, a document containing a lot of text is displayed at a high resolution so that it is easy to read. Operation and convenience can be improved.

  If this sheet medium is applied to a display unit of a terminal such as a facsimile having a key input or communication function, the contents can be confirmed comfortably in a high-resolution display area, thereby reducing the chance of printing on paper. Therefore, environmental load can be reduced and running cost can be suppressed.

  A first invention of the present application is a sheet medium in which a sheet-like medium whose optical characteristics are reversibly changed by an electric field between a pair of opposed electrodes is divided into a first area and a second area. In the first region, the medium is arranged between a pair of electrodes, and the electric field is controlled by the pair of electrodes, and in the second region, the electric field is controlled by an external writing device moving on the medium. This sheet medium has an area (first area) that can be displayed in real time by a pair of electrodes and an area (second area) that can be displayed with high resolution by a moving external writing device. Convenience is greatly improved because a comfortable operating environment and easy-to-read display are provided for the user.

  The second invention of the present application is characterized in that a pair of electrodes facing each other in the first region are arranged in a matrix shape. By controlling the matrix electrode, a desired location can be obtained. Since an electric field can be generated, desired information can be written on the medium.

  The third invention of the present application is characterized in that a pair of electrodes facing each other in the first region are arranged in a predetermined pattern. Although the degree of freedom is limited, since the number of electrodes can be reduced, it can be displayed in real time.

  A fourth invention of the present application is characterized in that a planar electrode having the entire width of the second region of the medium is arranged on one side surface in the second region, Since the distance to the electrode becomes short, the potential difference required to change the medium can be reduced, so that the withstand voltage level of the external writing device that controls the second region can be lowered.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a planar electrode having the width of the second region of the medium is arranged in the second region, and the planar electrode is a driver that controls the first region. Since the IC is controlled and the output voltage of the driver IC can be used, the withstand voltage level of the external writing device that controls the second region can be further lowered.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an external writing device for controlling the second region is characterized in that an electric field is generated by irradiating a medium with corona ions, the sheet surface of the second region, Can be written in a non-contact manner, so that both the sheet medium and the external writing device are not damaged, and the life can be extended.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the external writing device for controlling the second region has a function of irradiating the medium with light, and a portion where the second region is irradiated with light has a low resistance. In this case, the resolution is determined by the light irradiation spot size, so that ultra-high resolution writing is possible. Furthermore, since non-contact writing is performed, the life can be extended.

  An eighth invention of the present application is a communication terminal device using a sheet medium as a display means. As a result, it is possible to reduce the chances of printing on paper, so the environmental load can be reduced and the running cost can be reduced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a plan view of a sheet medium according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet medium according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an external writing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the provided line type head. 1 and 2, the sheet medium 1
A medium 7 whose optical characteristics are reversibly changed by the action of an electric field is disposed between the transparent electrodes 2 formed on the opposing surfaces of the transparent member 6 made of a pair of opposing glass plates or film substrates. The first region is a region A, and the transparent member 6 is not formed with a transparent electrode, and the second region is a region B in which the medium 7 is disposed.

  Here, the transparent electrodes 2 in the region A are arranged in a matrix and are connected to the row electrode driver IC3 and the column electrode driver IC4. On the other hand, in the region B, an external writing device 5 having a line-type head that selectively generates corona ions is arranged.

  In FIG. 3, in the line type head of the external writing device 5, the ion source 10 that generates corona ions generates corona ions by applying a high voltage (not shown) to the corona wire 11. The upper electrode 9 a and the lower electrode 9 b that are control electrodes control corona ions generated from the corona wire 11. The upper electrode 9a and the lower electrode 9b are arranged at a predetermined interval and are formed so that corona ions can pass through holes provided in the center. A line type head is formed by arranging a plurality of these control electrodes. Further, the upper electrode 9a and the lower electrode 9b are connected to the control power source 12 and further connected to the bias power source 13 so that a predetermined bias is applied to the reference electrode 8.

  The display operation of the sheet medium 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, when displaying the contents input from a keyboard (not shown), the region is obtained by applying a predetermined voltage to the transparent electrode 2 from the row electrode driver IC3 and the column electrode driver IC4 based on information from the input keyboard. At A, the intended display is performed. Therefore, since the display resolution depends on the size of the transparent electrode 2, it is not displayed as the same as the print printed on the paper. However, as long as the content is input from the keyboard, the responsiveness of the display depends on the reaction speed of the medium 7, but is displayed almost in real time. This is because the medium 7 has a memory effect (the display is maintained even if the electric field is lost), so that the row electrode driver IC3 is only within the range of the area A corresponding to the display target according to the input from the keyboard. Since it suffices to scan, the number of scans is limited, and real-time display is possible.

  Next, when displaying a document containing a lot of text, the external writing device 5 applies an electric field for display in the region B while moving in the direction X in FIG. The period is displayed. The display operation will be further described in detail with reference to FIG.

  Now, if the control power supply 12 is set so that the upper electrode 9a becomes-and the lower electrode 9b becomes + (a switch is connected to the L side in the figure), the electric field direction changes from the bottom to the top, so corona ions (in this case) -) Passes, and the control power supply 12 is set so that the upper electrode 9a becomes + and the lower electrode 9b becomes-(a switch is connected to the R side in the figure). (In this case-) cannot pass.

  By this principle, an electrostatic image is formed on the medium 7 by corona ions corresponding to information, and an electric field such as E1 in the figure is generated between the electrostatic image and the reference electrode 8, The desired information can be written on the medium 7.

When erasing the information written on the medium 7, if a potential having a polarity opposite to that of the writing operation is applied to the corona wire 11 so as to allow passage of corona ions, the corona having a polarity opposite to that at the time of writing is scanned. Ions are generated on the medium 7 and the information is erased. For this reason, the display resolution depends on the resolution of the line-type head provided in the external writing device 5, so that it is possible to display the same level as a print printed on paper.

  On the other hand, the responsiveness of the display depends on the reaction speed of the medium 7, but the line type head must be moved in the X direction as shown in FIG. Will be difficult.

  According to this configuration, the sheet-like medium 7 whose optical characteristics are reversibly changed by the action of the electric field is sandwiched between the pair of opposed transparent electrodes 2, and the first region in which the electric field is controlled by the transparent electrodes 2. And the area B that is the second area in which the electric field is controlled by the external writing device 5, the area can be displayed in real time and the area can be displayed in high resolution. Since a comfortable operating environment for the user and an easy-to-read display are provided, convenience is greatly improved.

  Further, since it is not necessary to pattern the transparent electrode 2 over the entire surface of the medium 7, the manufacturing yield is improved, and the sheet medium 1 can be provided at a low cost.

  As the medium 7 described here, various electric fields such as an electrophoretic sheet using a microcapsule, a twist ball type sheet reported by Gyricon (trademark) from Xerox Corporation, and a liquid crystal having a memory property, etc. A medium having a memory characteristic of a driving system can be used.

  In the present embodiment, a system in which corona ions are uniformly generated and selected by the control electrode as the line type head of the external writing device 5 is shown. However, the ion is generated by heating the metal electrode to which a high voltage is applied. It is good also as a system which generate | occur | produces selectively.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the contents displayed on the medium 7 are erased, a scanning method is shown in which a potential having a polarity opposite to that of the display operation is applied to the corona wire 11 so that corona ions can pass. However, by providing a line-type head for display and a line-type head for erasing, a method of performing erasing and writing by a series of operations may be used. In this case, the line type head for erasing may be a simple electrode or a system that generates corona ions.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a matrix structure in which row electrodes and column electrodes are orthogonal to each other as the transparent electrode 2 in the region A is shown, but a planar electrode (solid electrode) in which one side is the entire area A ), And the other one surface may be composed of a pixel electrode of a predetermined size and a switching element such as a transistor.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a system in which a display operation is performed without contact with the medium 7 as a line-type head of the external writing device 5 has been described. May be brought into contact with the medium 7 and a display operation may be performed by selectively applying a voltage. However, from the viewpoint of the life of the medium 7, a system in which the line-type head is not in contact with the medium is desirable.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a plan view of a sheet medium according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except that the pair of electrodes 14 facing each other in the region A are arranged in a predetermined pattern (in this case, a 7-segment type).

  The display operation of the sheet medium 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, for example, when a telephone number is input from a dial (not shown) to make a call, a driver IC (not shown) is applied so that a voltage is applied between electrodes 14 at predetermined positions based on the input information. By controlling, display according to the number of the telephone number input in the area A is performed.

  In this case, although the degree of freedom of the displayed contents is limited as compared with the first embodiment, the numbers input from the dial can be displayed in real time. This is because the number of electrodes 14 constituting 7 segments can be reduced as compared with the case where the number of electrodes is configured in a matrix, and the number of electrodes 14 and driver ICs can be made to correspond to 1: 1. Therefore, more real-time display is possible as compared with the first embodiment.

  Furthermore, since the number of electrodes 14 is small, the number of connections with the driver IC can be reduced, so that the sheet medium and the display system using the sheet medium can be made cheaper than in the first embodiment.

  The case of displaying a document or the like containing a lot of text is the same as that of the first embodiment and will not be described.

  According to such a configuration, the sheet-like medium 7 whose optical characteristics are reversibly changed by the action of an electric field is sandwiched between the pair of opposed transparent electrodes 2, and the transparent electrodes 2 are arranged in a predetermined pattern. By dividing the region A, which is the first region where the electric field is controlled by the electrode 2, and the second region, where the electric field is controlled by the external writing device 5, a real-time displayable region and a high-resolution display are possible. Since the user can use a display area suitable for the purpose and application, the convenience can be greatly improved, and a display system including a sheet medium can be provided at low cost. .

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet medium according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 5, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, in the region B, a planar electrode (solid electrode) 15 having the entire width of the region B is provided on one side surface of a pair of opposing transparent members 6, and the solid electrode 15 is a column electrode driver. Except for being connected to the IC 4, it is the same as in the first embodiment.

  The display operation of the sheet medium 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 5. However, the display operation in the area A is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. The display operation in the area B will be omitted. The description will focus on points that are different from the first embodiment.

  When displaying a document containing a lot of text in the region B, the external writing device 5 applies an electric field for display while moving in the direction X in FIG. Is done. The display operation will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  Now, if the control power supply 12 is set so that the upper electrode 9a becomes-and the lower electrode 9b becomes + (a switch is connected to the L side in the figure), the electric field direction changes from the bottom to the top, so corona ions (in this case) -) Passes, and the control power supply 12 is set so that the upper electrode 9a becomes + and the lower electrode 9b becomes-(a switch is connected to the R side in the figure). (In this case-) cannot pass.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an electrostatic image by corona ions corresponding to information is formed on the medium 7 according to this principle, so that the output of the column electrode driver IC 4 connected to the solid electrode 15 is set to the reference potential. If set, an electric field such as E2 in the figure is generated in the electrostatic image and the solid electrode 15, and desired information can be written in the medium 7.

  Here, as compared with the first embodiment, since the distance between the electrostatic image and the reference electrode is short, the potential of the electrostatic image necessary to change the medium 7 can be reduced, so that the control power supply 12 It is possible to lower the withstand voltage level. Further, in the case where the reference electrode 8 outside the medium 7 shown in FIG. 3 is used as a reference, the electric field strength of the medium 7 varies depending on the location unless the medium 7 and the reference electrode 8 are uniformly adhered, resulting in display unevenness. However, since the solid electrode 15 inside the medium 7 is connected to the column electrode driver IC 4 and this potential can be used as a reference, display unevenness does not occur.

  According to this configuration, the sheet-like medium 7 whose optical characteristics are reversibly changed by the action of the electric field is sandwiched between the pair of opposed transparent electrodes 2, and the first region in which the electric field is controlled by the transparent electrodes 2. And an area B that is a second area in which the electric field is controlled by the external writing device 5, and the area B has a planar electrode having an entire area on one side of the medium 7 ( Since the solid electrode 15) is provided, a real-time display area and a high-resolution display area are provided, so that the user can use a display area suitable for the purpose and application, thereby greatly improving convenience. In addition, the high-resolution display area can be provided as a highly reliable sheet medium without display unevenness. Furthermore, since a member having a low pressure resistance can be used, a display system including a sheet medium can be provided at low cost.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet medium according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the same components as those in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, an optical line head 16 as an external writing device, a solid electrode 15 on both sides of a pair of transparent members 6 facing each other in the region B, and a photoconductive layer 17 are provided so as to be bonded to the solid electrode 15 on one side. ing. The solid electrode 15 is the same as that of the third embodiment except that it is connected to a row electrode driver IC 3 (see FIG. 1) and a column electrode driver IC 4 that control the region A.

  The display operation of the sheet medium 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 6. However, the display operation in the area A is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. The display operation in the area B will be omitted. The description will focus on points different from the third embodiment.

  When displaying a document containing a lot of text in the region B, the optical line head 16 as an external writing device irradiates light while moving in the direction X in FIG. The period is displayed. The display operation will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The optical line head 16 irradiates the photoconductive layer 17 with light for display while applying a voltage between the solid electrodes 15 by the row electrode driver IC3 and the column electrode driver IC4. Here, the photoconductive layer 17 is usually high in resistance, and has a characteristic that the resistance of the portion irradiated with light is reduced by the photoconductive effect.

As described above, the resistance of the photoconductive layer 17 is reduced in the portion where the light from the optical line head 16 is irradiated on the photoconductive layer 17, so that the voltage applied between the solid electrodes 15 has reversible optical characteristics due to the action of the electric field. The medium 7 changes to the initial state. On the other hand, since the photoconductive layer 17 has a high resistance in the portion not irradiated with light, most of the applied voltage is applied to the photoconductive layer 17 and the medium 7 does not change. As a result, the intended display can be performed.

  Here, since the display resolution is the resolution of the optical line head 16, higher resolution display is possible as compared with the first embodiment.

  According to this configuration, the sheet-like medium 7 whose optical characteristics are reversibly changed by the action of the electric field is sandwiched between the pair of opposed transparent electrodes 2, and the first region in which the electric field is controlled by the transparent electrodes 2. And a region B, which is a second region whose electric field is controlled by an external writing device, and the region B has a planar shape having the entire area B so as to sandwich the medium 7 therebetween. By providing an electrode (solid electrode) 15, a photoconductive layer 17 provided so as to be bonded to one solid electrode 15, and an optical line head 16 that moves on the upper surface of the region B, an area that can be displayed in real time Since the user can have a high-resolution display area, the user can use a display area suitable for the purpose and application, so that convenience is greatly improved.

  In this embodiment, an optical line head is used as an external writing device. However, a system in which one optical head is scanned by a polygon mirror may be used without adopting a line head configuration.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a communication terminal using a sheet medium according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. A facsimile terminal device 18 as an example of a communication terminal includes a key input unit 19, a communication unit 20, a control unit 21, and a sheet medium 1 as a display unit thereof.

  The operation when applied to the facsimile terminal device 18 as a typical example of the communication terminal device configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, a destination facsimile number is input from the key input means 19 in order to transmit a document. Then, the control means 21 controls the row electrode driver 3 and the column electrode driver 4 on the basis of the inputted key input and applies a predetermined voltage to the transparent electrode 2, so that the facsimile number inputted in the area A of the medium 7. Is displayed in real time. When the input is completed, the sent document is set at a predetermined location and a start button (not shown) is pressed, and the text is transmitted via the communication means 20. At this time, if information indicating the state of the facsimile terminal device 18 (for example, text transmission is in progress) or an instruction to be continuously requested (please press the start button) is displayed in the area A of the medium 7 for the convenience of the user. Is further improved.

  Next, when receiving the text sent from the other party, the control means 21 sets the external writing device 5 in the area B based on the data received via the communication means 20 in FIG. An intended display is performed on the medium 7 by applying an electric field for display while moving it toward the center. The display operation will be further described in detail with reference to FIG.

  If the control power supply 12 is set so that the upper electrode 9a is-and the lower electrode 9b is + (a switch is connected to the L side in the figure), the electric field direction is from the bottom to the top, so corona ions (in this case-) When the control power supply 12 is set so that the upper electrode 9a becomes + and the lower electrode 9b becomes-(a switch is connected to the R side in the figure), the electric field direction changes from top to bottom. In some cases-) cannot pass.

By this principle, an electrostatic image is formed on the medium 7 by corona ions corresponding to information, and an electric field such as E1 in the figure is generated between the electrostatic image and the reference electrode 8, The desired information can be written on the medium 7. When erasing the information written on the medium 7, if a potential having a polarity opposite to that of the writing operation is applied to the corona wire 11 so as to allow passage of corona ions, the corona having a polarity opposite to that at the time of writing is scanned. Ions get on the medium 7 and the information is erased.

  At this time, since the display resolution depends on the resolution of the line type head provided in the external writing device 5, it is possible to display the same level as the print printed on the paper. Therefore, confirming the contents by displaying the received data in the area B of the medium 7 which is the display unit of the terminal is more uncomfortable or uncomfortable than confirming by printing on thermal paper or plain paper. This eliminates the chance of printing on paper.

  According to such a configuration, the medium 7 whose optical characteristics are reversibly changed by the action of an electric field can be used as a display unit of a terminal having key input and communication functions. Therefore, the user can operate the terminal comfortably without annoying the terminal operation, and the received data is easy to read because it is displayed in the same manner as a print printed on paper.

  Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the chances of printing on paper, so the environmental load can be reduced and the running cost can also be suppressed.

  Since the sheet medium according to the present invention has a real-time display area and a high-resolution display area, it is useful as a display device for a terminal having key input and communication means.

Plan view of a sheet medium in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Sectional drawing of the sheet | seat medium in Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional drawing of the line-type head with which the external writer in Embodiment 1 of this invention was equipped. Plan view of a sheet medium in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Sectional drawing of the sheet | seat medium in Embodiment 3 of this invention Sectional drawing of the sheet medium in Embodiment 4 of this invention Configuration diagram of a communication terminal using a sheet medium in Embodiment 5 of the present invention Sectional view of a conventional sheet medium

Explanation of symbols

1 Sheet medium 2 Transparent electrode 3 Row electrode driver IC
4 column electrode driver IC
5 External Writing Device 6 Transparent Member 7 Medium 8 Reference Electrode 9a Upper Electrode 9b Lower Electrode 8 Reference Electrode 9 Control Electrode 10 Ion Source 11 Corona Wire 12 Control Power Supply 13 Bias Power Supply 14 Electrode 15 Solid Electrode 16 Optical Line Head 17 Photoconductive Layer 18 Facsimile terminal device 19 Key input means 20 Communication means 21 Control means

Claims (8)

A sheet medium in which a sheet-like medium whose optical characteristics are reversibly changed by an electric field between a pair of opposed electrodes is divided into a first area and a second area,
In the first region, the medium is disposed between a pair of electrodes, and an electric field is controlled by the pair of electrodes,
In the second area, an electric field is controlled by an external writing device moving on the medium. The sheet medium according to claim 1, wherein the pair of electrodes facing each other in the first region are arranged in a matrix. The sheet medium according to claim 1, wherein the pair of electrodes facing each other in the first region are arranged in a predetermined pattern. The planar electrode which has the width of the whole said 2nd area | region of the said medium is arrange | positioned in the said 2nd area | region on one side, The claim in any one of Claim 1 to 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The sheet medium as described. A planar electrode having the width of the entire second area of the medium is arranged in the second area, and the planar electrode is controlled by a driver IC that controls the first area. The sheet medium according to claim 1, wherein the sheet medium is a sheet medium. The sheet medium according to claim 1, wherein the external writing device that controls the second region generates an electric field by irradiating the medium with corona ions. The external writing device that controls the second region has a function of irradiating the medium with light, and a layer having a photoconductive effect in which a portion irradiated with light has a low resistance. The sheet medium according to claim 1, wherein the sheet medium is provided. A communication terminal device using the sheet medium according to claim 1 as a display unit.

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