JP2012078867A - Application for capsulated electrophoretic display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a process of manufacturing an electronically addressable display device including a plurality of similar printing operations in a multi-color process in conventional screen printing.SOLUTION: In several process steps, electrically inactive ink is printed on an area of a reception substrate, and in other steps, electrically active ink is printed on a different area of the substrate. The printed display device may be used for various applications. This display device may be used as an indicator by changing the state of the display device after the lapse of a certain time or when a certain pressure, heat, radiation, humidity, sound, gradient, pH or other threshold values are exceeded. In one embodiment, the display device is integrated in a battery indicator. A sticker display device is written. The backing of the sticker is performed with adhesive, and then the sticker may be adhered to a surface in order to manufacture a functional information display unit.

Description

(Technical field to which the invention belongs)
The present invention relates to applications for encapsulated electrophoretic display devices, and in particular to flexible display devices.

(Background of the Invention)
Many applications can benefit from including a display device. For example, projection devices, sketch devices, telephones, pocket books, and battery indicators are just a few applications that display transient information. To date, such applications generally require flexible display devices with very low power consumption, which has prevented widespread integration of display devices.

  Despite much effort in the development of highly flexible reflective display media, there are relatively few examples of display devices formed on semi-flexible substrates, and these examples are moderate. It ’s just a success. For example, plastic-based liquid crystal displays have been developed including twisted nematic (TN), super twisted nematic (STN), polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) and bistable cholesteric liquid crystal. However, problems remain with liquid crystal alignment in TN and STN displays, cholesteric displays are sensitive to cell gap changes, and local stresses can cause changes in the scattering or absorption of PDLC and cholesteric films. Thus, only moderate flexibility can be achieved with these display devices.

  A radioactive electroluminescent film and an organic light emitting diode film can be disposed on a flexible substrate to produce a flexible display. However, these devices require continuous power consumption for operation and are therefore impractical for many applications.

  Another problem with the development of highly flexible display devices is the lack of suitable conductors for addressing the display elements. Typically, an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer vacuum sputtered onto a plastic substrate is used as the upper conductor for the display device. However, if the display device is bent, the ITO layer can be damaged. If the local curvature of the plastic substrate becomes too large, the ITO layer tends to crack and damages the display device.

(Summary of the Invention)
The object of the present invention is a highly flexible reflection that can be easily manufactured and consumes little power (or in the case of a bistable display device) and can therefore be incorporated into various applications. It is to provide a sex display device. The present invention features a printable display device comprising an encapsulated electrophoretic display medium. The resulting display device is flexible. Since the display medium can be printable, the display device itself can be manufactured inexpensively.

  The encapsulated electrophoretic display device may be configured to be stable for a certain amount of time in the optical state of the display device. When the display device has two states that are stable in this way, the display device is called bistable. If more than two states of the display device are stable, the display device can be referred to as multi-stable. For the purposes of the present invention, the term bistability is used to indicate a display device in which either optical state remains fixed once the address voltage is removed. The definition of the bistable state depends on the application of the display device. If the optical state does not change substantially over the required observation time, the slowly decaying optical state can be bistable in nature. For example, in a display device that is updated every few minutes, a display image that is stable for hours or days is actually bistable for its application. In the present invention, the term bistability refers to a display device having an optical state that lasts long enough to be practically bistable for the intended application. Alternatively, an encapsulated electrophoretic display can be constructed in which the image decays quickly (ie, the display is not bistable or multi-stable) once the address voltage to the display is removed. It is. As described, in some applications it is advantageous to use an encapsulated electrophoretic display that is not bistable. Whether the encapsulated electrophoretic display device is bistable or not, and the degree of its bistability, can be controlled by appropriate chemical modification of the electrophoretic particles, suspending fluid, capsule and binder material.

  Encapsulated electrophoretic displays can take many forms. The display device can include capsules dispersed in a binder. The capsule can be any size or shape. Capsules can be, for example, spherical and have a diameter in the millimeter or micron range, but are preferably 10 to several hundred microns. Capsules can be formed by encapsulation techniques as described below. The particles can be encapsulated in a capsule. The particles can be two or more different types of particles. The particles can be, for example, colored, luminescent, light absorbing or transparent. The particles can include, for example, neat pigments, dyed (raked) pigments, or pigment / polymer composites. The display device may further include a suspending fluid in which the particles are dispersed.

  Successful construction of an encapsulated electrophoretic display device requires the proper interaction of several different types of materials and processes such as a polymer binder and optionally a capsule membrane. These materials must be chemically compatible with the electrophoretic particles and fluid and chemically compatible with each other. The encapsulant material may engage in useful surface interactions with the electrophoretic particles or may act as a chemical or physical boundary between the fluid and the binder.

  In some cases, an encapsulation step of the process is not necessary and the electrophoretic fluid can be directly dispersed or emulsified in the binder (or precursor to the binder material) to provide an effective “polymer dispersion electrophoretic display. Device "is configured. In such a display device, the gap created in the binder can be referred to as a capsule or microcapsule even without the capsule membrane. The binder-dispersed electrophoretic display device can be of an emulsification or phase separation type.

  Throughout the specification, reference is made to the word printed or printed. As used throughout the specification, printing is intended to include all forms of printing and coating, and pre-coated coating such as patch dye coating, slot or extrusion coating, slide or cascade coating, and curtain coating. Roll coating such as roll knife coating and roll and reverse roll coating; gravure coating; dip coating; spray coating; meniscus coating; spin coating; brush coating; air knife coating; silk screen printing process; Including electrostatic printing processes; thermal printing processes; and other similar techniques. “Printed element” refers to an element formed using any one of the above techniques.

  In one aspect, the invention features an indicator. The indicator includes a substrate, a transducer, and an electrically addressable display device printed on the substrate in electrical communication with the transducer. In some embodiments, the transducer is printed on the substrate, and in other embodiments, it is conventionally placed on the substrate. The display device shows a change in the optical state in response to the signal from the transducer. In one embodiment, the indicator is a battery indicator. The battery indicator includes an electrically addressable display device printed on the battery in electrical communication with the battery. The optical state exhibits a first value in response to the battery voltage. In one detailed embodiment, the battery indicator includes an electrophoretic display device including a microencapsulated display medium, a first electrode and a second electrode disposed adjacent to the electrophoretic display device; A nonlinear element, a voltage divider, and a resistor are provided. The first and second electrodes apply an electric field to the electrophoretic display medium. The nonlinear element is in electrical communication with the battery and the first electrode. When the battery electrode exceeds a predetermined threshold, the non-linear element conducts battery voltage to the first electrode. The voltage divider is in electrical communication with the battery and the second electrode. The voltage divider supplies a voltage lower than the battery voltage to the second electrode. The resistor is in electrical communication with the non-linear element and the voltage divider.

  In another aspect, the invention features a sticker display device. The electrically active sticker display device includes an encapsulated display medium and an adhesive layer disposed on the first surface of the display medium. In some cases, the encapsulated electrophoretic display device may itself be sufficiently adhesive to function as a sticker without an additional adhesive layer. The display medium includes an electro-optically active material. In one embodiment, the transparent layer containing the electrode is disposed adjacent to the surface of the display medium. In another embodiment, the sticker display device further includes a via extending from the transparent layer to the adhesive layer.

  In yet another aspect, the invention features a method of printing an electrically active display device. The method includes (a) providing a film having a transparent electrode structure disposed on a first surface of the film; (b) printing a display medium on the first surface of the film; c) printing or laminating a second electrode covering at least a portion of the display medium. The display medium includes an encapsulated electro-optically active material dispersed in a binder.

  In yet another aspect, the invention features a wireless control display. The wireless control display device includes an electrically active display device having an encapsulated display medium, a receiver, and a decoder in electrical communication with the receiver. The display device is responsive to the output of the decoder. In one embodiment, the display device further includes a power source connected to the display device. In another embodiment, the display device further includes a plurality of row and column drivers disposed on the substrate for addressing the display device. In yet another embodiment, the display device further includes an antenna in communication with the control circuit.

  In yet another aspect, the invention features a process for manufacturing an electrically addressable display device. The method includes (a) providing a substrate and (b) printing an electrically active ink comprising at least one microcapsule dispersed in a binder on a first region of the receiving substrate. Steps. The optical quality of the electrically active ink is adjusted in response to the broadcast signal.

  In yet another aspect, the invention features a process for printing an electrically addressable display device. The method includes (a) providing a substrate and (b) printing an electrically active ink comprising at least one microcapsule dispersed in a binder on a first region of the receiving substrate. Steps.

  In yet another aspect, the invention features an electrically active display tile. The tile includes a substrate, an electrically addressable display device disposed on the substrate, a controller disposed on the substrate in electrical communication with the display device, and the display tile as another display tile. And a connector disposed on the substrate for connecting to the board. The display device includes an encapsulated display medium. In one embodiment, the display tile further includes a receiver for receiving a radio signal or other electromagnetic radiation, and the controller changes the display in response to the received radio signal. In other embodiments, the display tile further includes memory element stored data, and the controller changes the display in response to the data stored in the memory element.

In yet another aspect, the invention features a wearable display device. The wearable display device includes an article of clothing including an electrically addressable display device incorporated into the wearable item and a controller in electrical communication with the display device. The display device includes an encapsulated display medium. In one embodiment, the controller is incorporated into a wearable item. In another embodiment, the wearable item includes a fashion accessory. In yet another embodiment, the wearable product includes an interface for receiving information from another product that may be displayed by the wearable product, such as a temperature monitor or position sensing device.
The invention is set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The advantages of the invention described above, together with further advantages, may be further understood by reference to the following description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings do not necessarily have a common scale, and a general emphasis is placed on illustrating the principles of the invention.

1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a printed flexible electrophoretic display device. FIG. It is a block diagram of the indicator produced by this invention. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of a battery indicator. It is a figure which shows the voltage-current curve of the nonlinear element contained in a battery indicator. FIG. 3 shows various embodiments of a display medium that is not bistable. FIG. 3 shows various embodiments of a display medium that is not bistable. FIG. 3 shows various embodiments of a sticker display device. FIG. 3 shows various embodiments of a sticker display device. FIG. 3 shows various embodiments of a sticker display device. FIG. 3 shows various embodiments of a sticker display device. FIG. 3 shows various embodiments of a sticker display device. FIG. 3 shows various embodiments of a sticker display device. Fig. 6 is a flow chart showing how one embodiment of a wireless control display device functions. It is a figure which shows one embodiment of a radio | wireless control display apparatus. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of radio paper. 8A to 8D are diagrams showing a tile display system. It is a figure which shows one embodiment of the block diagram of a tile display apparatus. It is a figure which shows one embodiment of the display apparatus which can be worn. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a network data display device.

(Detailed description of the invention)
In accordance with the present invention, a substrate is provided and electronic ink is printed on a first region of the substrate. The present invention takes advantage of the physical properties of electronic ink that allow a wide range of printing and coating techniques to be used in the manufacture of display devices. Electronic ink is an electro-optically active material that contains at least two phases. The electrophoretic contrast medium phase and the coating / binding phase. The electrophoretic phase is, in some embodiments, a type of electrophoretic particle dispersed in a transparent or dyed medium, or separate physical and electrical properties dispersed in a transparent or dyed medium. Including more than one species of electrophoretic particles. The coating / binding phase comprises in one embodiment a polymer matrix surrounding the electrophoretic phase. In this embodiment, the polymer in the polymer binder can be dried, cross-linked, or otherwise cured as in conventional inks, and thus the printing process is used to place the electronic ink on the substrate. obtain. Electronic ink can be printed by several different processes, depending on the mechanical properties of the particular ink used. For example, different processes may be selected depending on the brittleness or viscosity of a particular ink. Very viscous inks are not suitable for placement by the ink jet printing process, but brittle inks cannot be used in a roll knife coating process.

  The optical quality of electronic ink is significantly different from other electronic display materials. The most notable difference is that electronic ink is both pigment-based (like regular printing inks) and thus provides both a high degree of reflectivity and contrast. The light scattered from the electronic ink comes from a very thin layer near the top of the viewing surface. In this respect, electronic ink is similar to a normal printed image. Thus, electronic ink can be easily viewed from a wide range of viewing angles in a manner similar to a printed page. Such inks approximate the Lambertian contrast curve more closely than any other electronic display material. Since electronic ink can be printed, it can be included on the same surface with any other printed material. Electronic ink can be optically stabilized in all optical states. That is, the ink can be set to a sustained optical state. The manufacture of display devices by printing electronic ink is particularly useful in low power applications because of this stability.

  If desired, the colors of the electronically active and inactive inks can be closely matched and the reflectivity can be similar. The electronic ink can be printed so that there is no noticeable boundary between the active ink and the inert ink. This is referred to as “color matching” or “color masking”. Thus, a display device that includes an electronically active portion may appear electronically inactive when the display device is not addressed and can be activated by addressing the display device. Electronic ink is described in further detail in US copending application Ser. No. 08 / 935,800, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Referring to FIG. 1, a display device 1 prints a first conductive coating 2 on a substrate 3, prints an electronic ink 4 on the first conductive coating 2, and applies a second conductive coating 6 to the electronic device. Manufactured by printing on ink 4. The conductive coatings 2 and 6 can be indium tin oxide (ITO) or some other suitable conductive material. Conductive layers 2 and 6 can be applied from the vapor phase by an electrolytic reaction or can be deposited from a dispersed state, such as a spray droplet or dispersion in a liquid. The conductive coatings 2 and 6 need not be the same conductive material. In one detailed embodiment, the substrate 3 is about 4 mils (4
The first conductive coating 2 is a transparent conductive coating such as ITO or transparent polyaniline. The second conductive coating 6 can be an opaque conductive coating such as a patterned graphite layer. Alternatively, the second conductive coating 6 can be polymeric. The polymer can be conductive in nature or can be a polymer carrier with a metal conductor such as a polyester doped with silver or a vinyl resin doped with silver. Conductive polymers suitable for use as the second electrode include, for example, polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, polyphenylene vinylene, and derivatives thereof. These organic materials can be colloidally dispersed or dissolved in a suitable solvent prior to coating.

  In another embodiment, the display device 1 prints the first conductive coating 2 on the first substrate 3, prints the electronic ink 4 on the first conductive coating 2, and the second substrate 3. It is manufactured by printing a second conductive coating 6 on top and configuring the substrates 3 and 3 ′ so that the second conductive coating 6 is in electrical communication with the electronic ink 4.

  The electronic ink 4 includes a plurality of capsules. The capsule may have an average diameter on the order of, for example, about 100 microns. This small capsule allows the display substrate to be bent significantly without permanently deforming or rupturing the capsule itself. The optical appearance of the encapsulated media itself is largely unaffected by the curvature of these capsules.

One benefit of using a printing method to produce a display device is that the need for vacuum sputtered ITO is eliminated by using a coatable conductive material. There are several advantages to replacing vacuum sputtered ITO with a printed conductive coating. The printed conductor can be thinly coated, allowing high light transmission and low reflectivity of the first surface. For example, total transmission can range from about 80% to about 95%. Furthermore, printed conductive coatings are significantly less expensive than vacuum sputtered ITO. Another advantage of an encapsulated electrophoretic display medium is that a relatively low conductor, for example a material having a resistivity on the order of 10 ³ to 10 ¹² ohm square, is used as a lead for addressing the display element. It can be done.

  The flexible and inexpensive display device is useful in many applications. For example, these flexible display devices can be used in applications where the paper is currently a blank display medium. Alternatively, the display device can be manufactured in a disposable display device. The display device can be tightly wound or folded in two. In other embodiments, the display device can be placed on or incorporated into a highly flexible plastic substrate, fabric or paper. The display device can be rolled and bent without damage, thus forming a highly portable large area display device. Since these display devices can be printed on plastic, the display devices can be lightweight. Furthermore, the printable encapsulated electrophoretic display of the present invention can maintain other desirable features of the electrophoretic display, including high reflectivity, bistability and low power consumption.

  The printable display device described above can be incorporated into various applications. In one embodiment, the invention features a new type of indicator that can be printed as a whole. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the indicator 10. The indicator 10 includes an electronically addressable display device 12 that can change between at least two states and a transducer 14 that can generate an electrical event to trigger a change in the state of the display device 12. . Both the electronically addressable display device 12 and the transducer 14 can be printed on the substrate 16. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the indicator 10 further includes a printed battery 18 for powering the transducer 14 and the display device 12. In one embodiment, transducer 14 need not be printed. In this embodiment, a conventional transducer 14 can be disposed on the substrate 16. The display medium 12 is printed as described above. The media 12 can be printed before or after the transducer is placed, provided that the display media 12 is ultimately in electrical communication with the transducer 14.

  In another embodiment, battery 18 is a conventional battery, and the battery voltage is measured and displayed on display device 12. In one detailed embodiment, the battery indicator includes a printed display connected directly to the battery. The battery addresses the display device continuously, but if the battery is discharged for a certain time, it eventually reaches a point where it becomes impossible to address the display device. By changing the characteristics of the transducer, eg, the number of ampere-hours contained by the battery, the battery indicator will indicate a message such as “expired” to the display device after a certain amount of charge has passed. As such, it can function as a “timer”.

  FIG. 3 shows a circuit diagram of the battery indicator 20. The battery indicator 20 is electrically connected to the display device 22 including the display medium 24, the first electrode 26 and the second electrode 27 disposed adjacent to the display medium 24, the first electrode 26 and the battery 30. , A voltage divider 32 in electrical communication with the battery 30 and the second electrode 27, and a resistor 34 in communication with the nonlinear element 28 and the voltage divider 32.

  The battery 30 can be of any type. The battery 30 initially has a maximum voltage. The voltage divider 32 establishes a voltage potential that is a certain fraction of the battery cell voltage at the second electrode 27. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, voltage divider 32 includes high impedance resistors 36 and 38. For example, the voltage divider 32 may have two 5 megohm resistors that apply a voltage potential to the second electrode 27 equal to one half of the battery cell voltage. Alternatively, the battery indicator may have a slide voltage divider. The slide voltage divider can be provided as a potentiometer that uses a non-linear element to control the voltage applied to the display device 24.

  When the battery cell voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage, the non-linear element 28 conducts a voltage equal to the battery cell voltage to the first electrode 26. Examples of suitable non-linear elements are transistors, zener diodes, varistors, metal-insulator-metal structures, organic semiconductors and devices based on materials such as pentacene or regio-regular thiophene, or Any other non-linear device known to those skilled in the art is included. FIG. 3A shows an exemplary current-voltage characteristic of a non-linear element 28 that may be used in the battery indicator 20. The threshold voltage can be adjusted by manufacturing, and the threshold is selected to a voltage at which the battery 30 is still usable. If the battery 30 exceeds the threshold, the junction breaks and the first electrode 26 is set to the battery cell voltage. A useful battery indicator should have very low leakage current (e.g., much lower than 1 microampere (μA)) and when turned on is at least about 100 than when turned off. It should allow twice as much current to flow. The threshold voltage at which the state of the display changes depends on the battery that the indicator is designed to work with. For a 9V alkaline battery, a threshold voltage of about 8 volts (V) is typical. For example, at 9V, the device should exceed 1 μA, at 8V, the device should exceed 100 nanoamperes (nA), and at 7V, the device should exceed 10 nA.

  The voltage from the battery 30 that passes through the non-linear element 28 and is applied to the first electrode 26 is combined with the voltage from the battery 30 that passes through the voltage divider 32 and is applied to the second electrode 27, and is displayed on the display device. An electric field sufficient to activate 22 is applied to display medium 24. At least one of the first electrode 26 and the second electrode 27 includes a transparent conductive material to allow viewing of the display device 22. Alternatively, both electrodes can be placed on one side of the display medium 24, eliminating the need for transparent electrodes. However, once the battery voltage 30 drops below the threshold, the potential at the first electrode 26 is drained through the resistor 34. The potential applied to the display medium 24 changes so that the electric field of the opposite polarity is applied to the display medium 24 by the drain of the potential at the first electrode 26 and the appearance of the display device 22 changes.

  For example, resistor 34 may be a 10 megohm resistor for a typical 9V battery. A typical 9V battery has a rating of 400 milliamp hours (mAh). Over a five year period, there are 43800 hours (5 years × 365 days / year × 24 hours / day = 43800 hours). Therefore, in order for the battery 30 to have a suitable shelf life, the indicator 20 must draw less than 1 (400 mAh / 43800 hours). Ideally, the indicator 20 should draw less than 1 μA. In order to achieve such low current draw, the impedance of the indicator 20 must be on the order of 10 megaohms.

  As mentioned above, the circuit permanently connected to the battery should consume very little power. Several display materials are suitable for such applications. However, some of such display device materials such as liquid crystal displays require more complex cells in manufacturing. In the present invention, an encapsulated electrophoretic display device and an encapsulated twisting ball display device are preferred as the display medium 24 because of their low power draw, printability, and good contrast. . For example, an encapsulated electrophoretic display medium includes a mixture of electrophoretic particles and a dye, or electrophoretic particles that include a plurality of optical properties.

  In one embodiment, the battery indicator 20 operates by applying an electric field of one polarity while the battery is active and then switching to the opposite polarity when the battery becomes invalid. Thus, the display medium need not be bistable.

  Referring to FIG. 4A, a display medium 180 that is not bistable includes at least one capsule 185, each capsule filled with electrophoretic particles 210 and fluid 220. Such a medium exhibits a contrast state when the display device is addressed by the battery, and if the display device is not addressed by the battery, that is, the battery voltage level is greater than the threshold current required to address the display device. This media is useful in battery applications as it also shows a second contrast state. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the electrophoretic particle 210 has a polymer chain branch 200 that repels one particle 210 from another particle 210. In one detailed embodiment, fluid 220 is stained to provide color contrast with particles 210. When the display medium is addressed, the particles 210 move towards the oppositely charged electrode, thereby displaying the color of the particles 210. Once the display medium is no longer addressed, the particles 210 repel each other and redistribute in the fluid 220, thereby displaying the color of the fluid 220. This encapsulated display medium 180 can be printed on a substrate to form a display device. Alternatively, an electrophoretic display device that is not bistable can be formed by providing standard display cells filled with an electrophoretic medium that is not bistable.

  Referring to FIG. 4B, another display medium 290 that is also not bistable includes at least one microcapsule or cell 292 filled with a plurality of metal sols 296 and a transparent fluid 294. The metal sol 296 is a particle smaller than the wavelength of light. In one detailed embodiment, the metal sol 296 includes a gold sol. When an electric field is applied to the microcapsule or cell 292, the sol particles 296 aggregate and scatter light. When the applied electric field is reduced below a certain level, Brownian motion redistributes the sol particles 296 and the display medium 290 appears transparent from the transparent fluid 294.

  In another detailed embodiment, multiple indicators mapped to different voltage thresholds are used to manufacture the battery indicator. An important element in this embodiment is a circuit element that provides shape nonlinearity at a well-controlled voltage level.

  In yet another detailed embodiment, the battery indicator combines multiple non-linearities to provide a tight fit that maps the voltage curve for the open circuit voltage to the closed circuit voltage. It is known that a battery without a load exhibits a voltage that is not the same as the load voltage. Thus, for non-linearity, it can be used to compensate for this difference. Further, a known mapping of closed circuit voltage to open circuit voltage can be used in the printed scale of the indicator.

  In another detailed embodiment, the invention features a timer. The timer includes a junction formed from a p-type semiconductor (eg, boron doped) and an intrinsic or undoped semiconductor. In this device, no current flows. However, if the intrinsic semiconductor becomes n-doped (ie, if the semiconductor has extra electrons available from the valence shell of the dopant atom), current can flow from the n-doped region to the p-doped region. Usually, when doped with phosphorous, the intrinsic semiconductor is n-doped. Alternatively, the same result can be achieved by embedding or placing beta particles that emit substances such as tritium in close proximity to the intrinsic region. Similarly, an n-doped intrinsic junction semiconductor can be treated with an alpha particle emitter, such as helium-5, to change to a p-doped region. Over time, a non-conductive connection with an alpha or beta particle emitter embedded in the intrinsic region becomes a diode-type junction that conducts current, thereby acting as a timer.

  In another detailed embodiment, the timer uses a photosensitive pn junction semiconductor so that light flows current from the n region to the p region. The timer may include a tritium phosphor in the Zener diode and the display device. Zener diodes are diodes designed to withstand reverse breakdown. Light applied to the Zener diode through the tritium phosphor increases the breakdown voltage of the Zener diode. As the tritium system wears down, the Zener diode breakdown voltage decreases and a voltage is applied to the display.

  In another detailed embodiment, the pressure indicator includes a transducer and a display. In some embodiments, the transducer is printed. In another embodiment, the display device is an encapsulated electrophoretic display device. The transducer includes, for example, a printed mechanical switch that closes once a certain pressure threshold is exceeded, thereby causing the printed display to change state. In another example, the pressure can change the electrical characteristics (eg, capacitance) of the circuit that includes the display, thereby changing the state of the display once it exceeds a threshold. Alternatively, the transducer may supply power to switch the state of the display device. An example of such a transducer is a piezoelectric element. In another embodiment, a solar cell can supply power to the display device.

  In another detailed embodiment, the thermometer includes a display device and a heat sensitive structure that can change the state of the display device in response to a thermal stimulus. In some embodiments, the structure is printed. In another embodiment, the display device is an encapsulated electrophoretic display device. For example, a printed bimetal mechanical system can be an electrical switch that changes the state of the printed display. Alternatively, printed chemical structures that react to thermal conditions can be used to alter the electrical properties and states that result from the display. Yet another possibility is a transducer supplying power to switch the state of the display, for example from an electrochemical potential. In another embodiment, a solar cell can supply power to the display device.

  In another detailed embodiment, the light indicator includes a display device and a photosensitive structure that can change the state of the display device in response to photon stimulation. In some embodiments, the structure is printed. In another embodiment, the display device is an encapsulated electrophoretic display device. For example, a printed solar cell array has photoelectrophoretic properties that can supply a voltage to switch the state of the display in response to incident photons. Other structures that are sensitive to other radiation ranges (eg, infrared, ultraviolet, etc.) can also be printed on the substrate along with the display device. In other embodiments, the solar cell may supply power to the display device.

  In another detailed embodiment, the hygrometer includes a display device and a humidity sensitive structure that can change the state of the display device in response to humidity or direct water contact. In some embodiments, the structure is printed. In another embodiment, the display device is an encapsulated electrophoretic display device. For example, structures can be printed that are open circuit until the ionic solution bridges two exposed electrical contacts, thus changing the state of the display. Alternatively, after absorption of a certain amount of water, a chemical structure can be printed that changes the electrical properties sufficiently to change the state of the display. The transducer may supply power to switch the state of the display device using the stored electrochemical potential, for example. Useful materials for this purpose include polyvinyl alcohol, poly-N-vinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, derivatives of these materials, starch and sugar. In other embodiments, a solar cell may supply power to the display device.

  In yet another detailed embodiment, the sound indicator includes a display device and an acoustically sensitive structure that can change the state of the display device in response to an acoustic stimulus. In some embodiments, the structure is printed. In another embodiment, the display device is an encapsulated electrophoretic display device. For example, a mechanically resonating structure similar to a microphone that changes the state of the display device based on piezoelectrically generated energy can be printed. In other embodiments, a solar cell may supply power to the display device.

  In yet another detailed embodiment, the angle indicator includes a display device and an orientation-sensitive structure that can change the state of the display device in response to changes in the orientation of the indicator. In some embodiments, the structure is printed. In another embodiment, the display device is an encapsulated electrophoretic display device. For example, a mercury switch type structure can be provided that closes two electrical contacts when a certain orientation is reached. The alignment structure may also provide power to switch the state of the display device. For example, the transducer may include a mechanical structure that converts mechanical energy involved in angular rotation into electrical energy. In other embodiments, a solar cell may supply power to the display device.

  In yet another detailed embodiment, the pH indicator includes a display device and a pH sensitive structure that can change the state of the display device in response to a change in pH of the solution in which the indicator is immersed. In some embodiments, the structure is printed. In another embodiment, the display device is an encapsulated electrophoretic display device. For example, a chemical cell that undergoes a chemical reaction at a certain pH level can be printed and can change the state of the display. The pH sensitive structure may also supply power to switch the state of the display device. For example, an electrochemical potential can be generated by a chemical reaction. In other embodiments, a solar cell may supply power to the display device.

  In yet another detailed embodiment, the chemical indicator includes a display and a chemically sensitive structure that can change the state of the display in response to external chemical interference. In some embodiments, the structure is printed. In another embodiment, the display device is an encapsulated electrophoretic display device. For example, a printed chemical sensor may be sensitive to an externally introduced drug that causes a chemical reaction, and switches the state of the display device. The chemically sensitive structure may also supply power to switch the state of the display device. For example, an electrochemical potential can be generated by a chemical reaction. In other embodiments, a solar cell may provide power to the display device.

  In addition to providing power to change the state of the display device, additional transducers other than those described above that can provide signals to change the state of the display device will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. .

  In yet another detailed embodiment, any of the above transducers can be connected to another transducer to create a multi-level transducer path that can change the state of the display. For example, the indicator can include a chemically sensitive structure, a heat sensitive structure, and a display, all of which can be printed on a substrate. The heat from the exothermic reaction caused by the chemically sensitive structure can be sensed by the heat sensitive structure, which can then be used to change the state of the display device and to provide power to the display device.

  In another embodiment, the encapsulated electrophoretic display is used to produce a printable adhesive display. Referring to FIG. 5A, a printable adhesive display device 40 includes a substrate 42 coated with a conductive layer forming an upper electrode 44, a display medium 46 disposed adjacent to the upper conductor 44, and a display medium 40. And an adhesive 48 disposed adjacent thereto. The display medium 40 includes an electro-optically active component 50 and a binder 52 that holds the electro-optically active component 50 together. The substrate 42 and the upper electrode 44 are optically transmissive to allow the display device 40 to be viewed through the electrodes. The substrate 42 can be formed of a polymer material such as polyester, for example. The upper electrode 44 can be formed of, for example, an inorganic material such as ITO or a suitable polymer material. The electro-optically active component 50 can be, for example, an encapsulated electrophoretic display material. Alternatively, the electro-optically active constituent material 50 can be any other suitable display device material, such as a biological dye microsphere or a liquid crystal. The binder 52 may be selected from, for example, polyurethane, polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, polyacrylate, polystyrene, polyvinyl butyral, polyester, epoxy, silicone, polycarbonate, derivatives thereof, and pressure sensitive urethanes and adhesives.

  In operation, the adhesive display device 40 is affixed to a receiving surface (not shown) by an adhesive 48. The receiving surface may include a back electrode for addressing the electro-optically active component 50. The back electrode can be electrically connected to a drive or power circuit for operating the display device 40. In this embodiment, the display device 40 is addressed in a “coupled” mode in which the upper electrode 42 is “floating” and is not directly coupled to any particular potential.

  Referring to FIG. 5B, the adhesive display device 56 is a display medium 46 that includes a substrate 42, an upper electrode 44 disposed on the substrate 42, an electro-optically active component 50 and a binder 52. , A display medium 46 disposed adjacent to the upper electrode 44, and an adhesive 48 disposed adjacent to the display medium 46. In this embodiment, the adhesive display device 56 further includes a via 60 that electrically connects the upper electrode 44 to a pad 62 disposed on the back surface of the display medium 46, and the conductive adhesive 64 is applied to the pad 62. Adjacent to each other. The back electrode is disposed on a receiving surface (not shown) to which the adhesive display device 56 is attached. In this embodiment, the upper electrode 44 can be directly connected to a specific potential.

  Referring to FIG. 5C, the adhesive display device 70 includes a substrate 42 and a patterned optically transmissive conductive layer 72 that forms a plurality of upper electrodes, the layer 72 being coated on the substrate 42, A display medium 46 disposed adjacent to the substrate 42, including an electro-optically active component 50 and a binder 52, and an adhesive 48 disposed adjacent to the display medium 46. The adhesive display device 70 further includes at least one via 60 that electrically connects the at least one upper electrode 72 to the pad 62 disposed on the back surface of the display medium 46. The conductive adhesive 64 can be disposed adjacent to the display medium at the general location of the pad 62. The back electrode can be disposed on a receiving surface (not shown) to which the adhesive display device 70 is attached.

  Referring to FIG. 5D, the adhesive display device 80 includes a substrate 42, a continuous upper electrode 44 disposed on the substrate 42, an upper electrode comprising an electro-optically active component 50 and a binder 52. A display medium 46 disposed adjacent to 44, at least one patterned back electrode 82 disposed adjacent to the back surface of display medium 46, and display device 80 to a receiving surface (not shown). And a conductive adhesive 64 disposed adjacent to the back electrode 82. In this embodiment, the receiving surface may include a drive or power circuit for operating the display device 80. In this embodiment, the display device 80 is addressed in a “coupled” mode where the top electrode is “floating”.

  Referring to FIG. 5E, the adhesive display 90 includes a substrate 42, at least one patterned top electrode 72 disposed on the substrate 42, an electro-optically active component 50 and a binder 52. The display medium 46 disposed adjacent to the upper electrode 72, at least one patterned back electrode 82 disposed adjacent to the back surface of the display medium 46, and the dielectric disposed adjacent to the back electrode 82. Layer 92. The adhesive display 90 further includes at least one via 60 extending from the upper electrode 72 through the display medium 46 and the dielectric layer 92 to at least one pad 62 disposed on the back surface of the dielectric layer 92. The adhesive display device 90 further includes at least one via 94 extending from the back electrode 82 through the dielectric layer 92 to at least one pad 96 disposed on the back surface of the dielectric layer 92. Conductive adhesive 64 pads 62 and 96 to adhere display 90 to the receiving surface and to provide electrical communication between circuitry on the receiving surface and electrodes 72 and 82 of display 90. Placed in a general position. To further assist in bonding the display device 90 to the receiver, the display device 90 may further include a non-conductive adhesive 48 disposed adjacent to the exposed dielectric layer 92.

  Referring to FIG. 5F, the adhesive display device 98 includes a substrate 42, a display medium 46 that is disposed adjacent to the substrate 42, including an electro-optically active component 50 and a binder 52, and the display medium 46. And an adhesive 48 disposed adjacent to the back surface. In this embodiment, the display device 98 is addressed only by the back electrode (not shown). The back electrode is disposed on the receiving surface to which the display device 98 is attached. Alternatively, the back electrode may be disposed on the back surface of the display device 98 as shown in FIGS. 5D and 5E.

  In the above embodiment, a stylus can be provided that acts as an upper electrode for addressing the adhesive display device 40. In this embodiment, the stylus can scan the entire display device to address the display device. Alternatively, the stylus can be used as a writing instrument that addresses only certain parts of the display device that it passes through.

  In another embodiment, an encapsulated electrophoretic display device is used to form a wireless control display system. Referring to FIG. 6A, the wireless control display system 300 includes a remote transmitter 370, a receiver 301, a controller 340, and a display unit 350. In one embodiment, receiver 301 includes antenna 302. In one more detailed embodiment, the receiver 301 is in electrical communication with a passive rectifier 310 that deforms and rectifies the energy received by the antenna 302. The antenna 302 can be a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, a planar array, a coil, or any other antenna structure known in wireless reception technology.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the antenna 302 may be placed in a peripheral relationship with respect to the display device 350 to allow it to receive power from a relatively low power signal. For example, an antenna having a cross-sectional area of 1 square meter that receives 10,000 watt signals at 5,000 meters away can receive 3 microwatts of power. In other embodiments, the display device 350 is powered by a solar cell (not shown).

  In one embodiment, antenna 302 includes a plurality of antennas for improving the reception level. Display system 300 further includes an energy storage device 320 in communication with passive rectifier 310. The energy storage device 320 may be a capacitor, battery or any other electrical or non-electrical energy storage device known in the energy storage art. For non-electrical energy storage, the transducer can be used to transmit electrical energy and other forms of energy.

  When the energy level in energy storage device 320 reaches a certain level as detected by energy level detector 330, controller 340 may be activated and the display device updated. Controller 340 decodes the radio signal received by antenna 302 and updates display device 350 based on the information received by antenna 302. Each display device 350 may have a unique identification code 360 that may be stored as dip switch setting or programmed data in a semiconductor device such as PROM or flash RAM, such as in a cellular phone or pager. . The controller 340 searches for this identification number 360 and, if the transmitted ID code matches the stored identification number 360, updates the display device 350 with information on the attached data stream.

  In a preferred embodiment, display device 350 is a low power display device. For example, a bistable non-radioactive display device such as an electrophoretic display device may be used. In one detailed embodiment, an encapsulated electrophoretic display device that is inexpensive and easy to manufacture in a finished product may be used.

  In one detailed embodiment, the radio control display device forms a radio sign that can be updated with information sent via radio frequency energy. The sign includes a surface covered with display material and control circuitry. This control circuit receives broadcast energy. This circuit decodes the information and updates the sign with this information.

  The display device material can be, for example, an encapsulated electrophoretic display device or any other encapsulated display material known to those skilled in the art. These display materials can be printed using conventional printing techniques, thus facilitating and reducing the cost of sign production. The wireless sign is as a billboard in stores, airports, stations, streets, supermarkets, conferences, or any other sign that can best update or power the sign remotely Can be used. The content can be updated using any form of electromagnetic radiation. These signers may use solar cells, batteries or power wiring power sources. These signage can be two-color, three-color, four-color, or full-color.

  The color display device can be manufactured using a multi-step printing process. For example, the first four steps can be a conventional four-color screen printing process to elaborate borders that do not change throughout the life of the device or to lay down various static information. The next step can be the printing of electronic ink that can be selected to exactly match the color obtained from the four-color process. In some embodiments, the top electrode is disposed on the printed electronic ink. The top electrode can also be printed using conventional printing techniques.

In one detailed embodiment, the electronic ink comprises an encapsulated electrophoretic ink that includes TiO ₂ particles mixed in an organic fluid. The organic fluid can contain, for example, a colored dye. The organic dispersion is emulsified in an aqueous solution and encapsulated using any known encapsulation procedure known to those skilled in the art. Examples of such materials include gelatin-gum arabic or urea formaldehyde microcapsules. In this embodiment, the capsule is formulated with a binding material to form a printable electronic ink suspension.

  In another embodiment, the color display device can be manufactured using a lamination process. In this embodiment, static information is printed on the first substrate. In this embodiment, the first embodiment includes at least one transparent or substantially transparent opening. The encapsulated electrophoretic display device is stacked on a printed substrate so that the display device is aligned with the opening.

  In another detailed embodiment, the wireless control display device forms a device capable of receiving broadcast data for personal consumption, referred to herein as radio paper. Content can be customized for individuals, and consumers of information can pay for such customized content using an electronic payment mechanism. The radio paper can be bicolor (eg, black and white) or full color as described above. Transactions for content may be performed on one or more computer networks, including a worldwide computer network known as the Internet. Referring to FIG. 7, the radio paper 400 includes a substrate 402, a display device 404 disposed on the substrate 402, a receiver 406 disposed on the substrate 402, and a control circuit 408 disposed on the substrate 402. Including. The display device 404 can be printed on the substrate 402. Alternatively, flip chip technology can be used to attach the silicon substrate 402 onto the display substrate 404. The control circuit 408 can be fabricated directly on the substrate 402 using a low temperature polysilicon process. A plurality of row and column drivers may be interfaced to the display device 404 backplane to address the display device 404. In one detailed embodiment, the wireless receiver 406 includes traces disposed on the substrate 402. In another detailed embodiment, the wireless receiver 406 includes an antenna mounted on the substrate 402. Radio paper 400 may further include a power source 410 disposed on substrate 402. The power source 410 can be, for example, a solar cell, a thin film battery, or a standard cell.

  The radio paper described above can be used to provide wireless updatable documents. The apparatus includes a document cover, an electronic display on either surface of the cover, and a data receiver. The display device is supplied with data from the data receiver. The display device is visible to the document user and indicates how the message is sent following the delivery of the document. The device can be provided as a product including a folded print, book, magazine, circular, periodicals, catalog, information board, or document cover. Ideally, the electronic display of the device should operate with very low power and be easily visible. For this reason, a general class of reflective electronic display devices is desirable. More ideally, the display device is bistable to minimize power draw as described above. Furthermore, ideally, the display device is flexible and thin like paper to maximize the number of ways the display device can be incorporated. For example, a paper-like thin substrate allows radio paper to be addressed by a desktop unit such as a laser printer. Alternatively, the radio paper can be addressed with a stylus that can pass through the display. The encapsulated electrophoretic display device meets all stated requirements and can be beneficially used for this purpose.

  A data receiver can be any device that can receive information via electromagnetic radiation. In some specific implementations, the data receiver is a pager or other wireless receiver. In other embodiments, the data receiver may receive data via a physical connection such as a coaxial cable.

  The device can operate on battery power. In this case, the device only provides power to the receiver for receiving during certain times of the day when messages are expected to be sent, such as low bandwidth periods with low bandwidth, sleep) mechanism may be incorporated. The device can also incorporate solar cells to eliminate or reduce the need for batteries.

  An example of the usefulness of this device can be shown by referring to a chain of retail stores that distribute the device as a catalog. After sending the catalog, the retail store may determine that some inventory items must be cleared. This typically requires expensive marketing efforts. However, using the device, the chain store can advertise the goods to be wiped out, and in fact allow the consumer to reference a specific page of the catalog. Chain stores can also promote events at retail stores and drive traffic to stores. Chain stores can also communicate various messages to different consumer segments to evaluate bids and marketing messages on a trial basis.

  Ideally, devices can be addressed either individually or as part of a group of devices. The former allows targeted marketing and the latter reduces bandwidth transmission costs.

  In yet another embodiment, an encapsulated electrophoretic display device is used to form a tile display device that allows the manufacture of large area display devices by interconnecting a plurality of tile display devices. When assembled, the tile display may or may not be seamless. A tile pixel can have any shape, such as a circle, rectangle, or other shape, such as a shape present in a mosaic font display. There may be a pixel mask attached to the front of the pixel.

  Referring to FIGS. 8A-8D, the tile display system 800 includes a plurality of tile display devices 801, 802, 803 and 804, and a control device (not shown). Each tile display device 801 includes means for connecting the tile display device 801 to adjacent tile display devices 802, 803, and 804. Tile display system 800 may include any desired number of tile display devices. In one embodiment, the tile display includes a 40 × 30 grid of 16 × 16 pixel tiles to form a VGA resolution screen.

In one detailed embodiment, the tile display system includes a direct connection structure, i.e., each pixel has a respective lead from the controller. Each lead can be a separate or packaged transistor line. In this embodiment, the front surface of the substrate consists of a grid of electrodes, where each electrode is connected to the output of the control chip via vias. Therefore, N ² +1 control lines are required for an N × N lattice. An additional line is used to connect to the continuous upper electrode.

A matrix display device using 2N + 1 control lines can be composed of a plurality of tile display devices using various techniques. In one embodiment, a varistor, metal-insulator-metal, or separate diode array is used to address each pixel individually. In the case of a diode, a separate surface mount Zener diode is useful. For an N × N lattice matrix display using a matrix of two terminals, only 2 ^* N + 1 control lines are needed to control the tile.

  In one detailed embodiment, the tiles are connected to each other using standard electronic connectors 805 located on the edges of the tile 801, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8D. In another detailed embodiment, the tiles are connected to each other using cables. The tile can be attached to the wall, a lightweight metal grid, or any other substrate using nuts soldered to the backside of the tile, or by any other means known in the art to secure the substrate.

  The controller includes a microprocessor or other suitable drive circuit. The controller transmits information to the tile display to update the display using any convenient form of electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, the controller also receives information from the tile display. Data for the display system may be stored in a memory element of the controller or may be received in the form of an electromagnetic signal using a receiver. The receiver can include, for example, an antenna and a passive rectifier in communication with the antenna, as described above.

  In one embodiment, the controller connects to one tile and controls the entire display device. The controller may consist of a battery, a power source, a paging receiver, and a microprocessor for controlling the entire system. The display device can be powered using, for example, a commercially available integrated AC-DC converter. In one embodiment, each tile can have its own high pressure supply. A general inverter chip for use in an electroluminescent backlight can be used in this embodiment.

  One way to control the entire tile system is to have a microcontroller on each tile. In this embodiment, the sign controller indicates a tile connected to it at a certain coordinate position, ie 0,0. With an asymmetric controller layout, the tile can determine which edge the controller is connected to. This tile then communicates with the adjacent tile and increments or decrements the coordinate position appropriately. With this protocol, each tile can determine a unique identification code that identifies its position on the signature. The sign controller can then send data on the common bus, and each tile's microcontroller can receive the data needed to update the tile. When appropriate data appears on the bus, the microcontroller moves this data to the display driver. A write pulse is then applied to the entire signature and the entire display device is updated. The tile display device as described above can be driven successfully with a voltage as low as 3 volts.

In one embodiment, the tile display is driven by controlling each pixel and the top electrode. In order to display an image, the electrodes on the backplane are set to an appropriate pattern of electrodes. The back electrode segment is set to either ground or power and the top electrode is quickly switched between ground and power. With the top electrode at the power source, the area of the display device having the ground potential is addressed and there is no electric field elsewhere. When the upper electrode is switched to ground, other areas of the backplane in the power supply are switched. This method allows the backplane to maximize the voltage received by the display material. Alternatively, a standard bistable addressing mechanism can be used on the back electrode while the top electrode is held at ground potential.

  In one embodiment, a high voltage CMOS display drive circuit such as HV57708PG manufactured by Supertex Corporation (Sunnyvale, CA) can be used to drive the tile display. The HV57708PG is an 80-pin plastic gull-wing surface mount chip with 64 outputs. Each output can sink 15 mA. Four of these chips can control one tile. Other chips, such as Sharp LH1538, which is an 80V128 line tape automatic bonding (TAB) chip, may find use in the context of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 8E, the tile display device 830 includes a substrate 831, a display medium 832, electronics 834, and a driver circuit 836. The tile display 830 can be any convenient size and can have any desired number of pixels. In one embodiment, the tile display 830 is 8 inches by 8 inches and is a 16 × 16 pixel matrix. The substrate 831 of the tile display 830 is a standard etched printed circuit board, copper clad polyimide, polyester with printed conductive ink, or any other suitable substrate with patterned conductive areas. obtain. A display medium 832 such as an encapsulated electrophoretic display can be printed on the front surface of the substrate. Display medium 832 may be an encapsulated electrophoretic suspension consisting of a slurry of capsules in a binder. Each capsule contains a mechanical system consisting of a dielectric suspending fluid and a number of particles. When an electric field is applied to the capsule, the particles are moved into the electric field. By using two different particle types of different charges and colors, such as black and white, a color change can be presented to the viewer. In one embodiment, the material is bistable so that once it is addressed, it remains in its final state. This is used to eliminate power draw during image update. The material responds purely to the electric field, so only the actual current draw results in a change in the charge on the plate on either side of the material. The capacity of the display material can be between 1 picofarad per centimeter and 100 picofarads per centimeter. The capacity varies with different display materials, binders, and total thickness.

  In one detailed embodiment, the display medium is printed on a substrate and then coated with a layer of plastic or glass having a transparent conductive coating such as ITO coating mylar. The necessary connection to the ITO can be made using conductive adhesive, contact or tape.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8E, the tile display 830 is made using the following steps. The electronic ink that forms the display medium 832 is coated on the conductive side of a sheet of ITO sputtering mylar 835 and then dried or cured. The layer of conductive adhesive 836 is selectively applied to the cured electronic ink 832 to form a laminate. This stack is bonded to a copper pad 838 or a backplane 837 consisting of a circuit board with screen printed metal ink placed on the surface. A corner or one edge 839 of the tile display 830 is reserved to allow a connection to be made between the front ITO electrode 833 and the backplane 837. If necessary, the electronic ink 832 is removed from the corner 839 and is made using a conductive adhesive 836 such as a silver-filled epoxy or conductive heat seal.

  In yet another embodiment, the encapsulated electrophoretic display device is incorporated into a garment to provide a wearable display device. Referring to FIG. 9, wearable display device 502 is embodied as a patch on sleeve 504 of jacket 500 that provides weather map 506 or other information. The wearable display device 502 includes a controller 508 that is in electrical communication with a display monitor 510 that includes an encapsulated electrophoretic display medium and a backplane. The display medium is printed on the backplane. The backplane further includes electronic components necessary to address the display device 502. In some embodiments, the wearable display device is in communication with at least one device that provides data for display such as a global positioning unit, news feed, or pager. In these embodiments, the data device communicates information to the display device, which then displays the information for the wearer.

  Wearable display devices include shoes, socks, pants, underwear, wallets, key chains, shoelaces, suspenders, ties, bow ties, buttons, buckles, shirts, jackets, skirts, dresses, ear muffs, hats, glasses, Contact lenses, watches, cuff links, purse chains, belts, backpacks, briefcases, notebooks, gloves, raincoats, watch bands, bracelets, overcoats, windbreakers, vests, ponchos, vests, or clothing or other It can be incorporated into other wearable items, such as any other item of fashion accessory.

  In yet another aspect, the invention features a communication system. The communication system enables a new full message delivery and communication medium that allows messages to be displayed to the user in virtually any location in real time.

  Referring to FIG. 10, the system 1000 includes a plurality of display device receivers 1002. The display device receiver 1002 includes an electronic display device 1004 and a data receiver 1006. In some embodiments, the display receiver is a tiled display or radio paper as described above. The electronic display device 1004 may operate according to principles known in the field of LCDs, plasma display devices, CRTs, electrophoretic display devices or encapsulated electrophoretic display devices. Encapsulated electrophoretic display devices can be coated on many different surfaces, virtually any surface, using suitable binders such as PVC, urethane and silicone binders, and large dimensions using coating techniques. (Such as poster and billboard dimensions), light enough to be installed without an elevated crane, flexible enough to bend in the wind, and image without further power draw Can be retained on these surfaces so that they can operate economically from solar cells or batteries.

  Data receiver 1006 may be, for example, a pager, cellular phone, satellite phone, high frequency receiver, infrared receiver, cable modem, or any other suitable receiver that can receive information from other sources. Data receiver 1006 may transmit and receive information. For example, the data receiver 1006 may transmit confirmation information to confirm that a new data stream has been received. Data receiver 1006 may transmit data, such as may be useful for the overall operation of system 1000, which is weather data as part of a national weather system, for example. Data receiver 1006 may use various or multiple transmission methods for both receiving and transmitting data.

  The function of the data receiver 1006 is primarily to receive data and display text or images in response. The data includes a message, a stream of messages, a code that indicates how the device is to be displayed or a transition between messages, or any other suitable information that causes the display device 1004 to operate as desired by the user. obtain. The data may also include headers, error detection, checksums, routing, or other information that facilitates system 1000 functionality.

  In one embodiment, the data receiver 1006 includes a control system 1008. The control system 1008 facilitates the operation of the communication system 1000. In one embodiment, the control system 1008 functions as a user interface that allows the user to design, author, test, collaborate, approve and / or transmit images and instructions sent to the display device receiver. To do. In another embodiment, the control system 1008 monitors the user's behavior, confirms that payment has been received, verifies that the account has been credited, and verifies that the user has unique permissions. Act as a billing and authorization system that creates usage reports, creates invoices, and / or updates data receivers with insufficient billing status. In another embodiment, the control system 1008 tracks data receivers, generates data receiver history and status reports, enables data receiver classification and screening based on suitable characteristics, and / or data receivers or It functions as a data receiver management system that allows users to assign messages to all networks in that subset. In yet another embodiment, the control system 1008 preprocesses the data into a format suitable for the data receiver or a subset thereof, transmits the data in the manner necessary or most suitable for each data receiver, and according to the desired criteria. Schedule the transmission of data, verify that the data was sent properly, receive and process any information uploaded from the data receiver 1006, re-send any messages that may not have been received, Act as a data delivery system that creates reports of such activities and / or generates messages to field personnel indicating potential service requirements.

  In all of the above embodiments, the control system may use the Internet or the World Wide Web as a user interface, as a data transmission mechanism, as an error detection protocol, as a message delivery service, as a programming environment, or in any suitable manner. . The control system 1008 may also use a data encryption mechanism for enhanced security in user interaction, system operation, data receiver transmission, or data receiver reception. The control system 1008 may also employ a suitable digital payment mechanism to allow funds to be transferred as part of the overall system of use and operation.

  Although the invention has been shown and described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it is intended that the invention form and details without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made.

Claims (1)

Invention described in the specification.

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