JP2013050565A - Electronic paper device and information display system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic paper device and an information display system which surely prevent information leakage, surely secure and manage power supply, and also facilitate system construction.SOLUTION: An electronic paper device 10 which achieves low power consumption and has structure without connection, is configured to: receive power supplied from a power transmission device 60 by non-contact power transmission; receive display data from a server 70 by wireless communication; update image display by the received display data; and maintain the display state without consuming display power after the display update. When a power supply area monitoring unit 23 detects the electronic paper device 10 having left from a power supply area by non-contact power transmission, a deletion processing unit 40 is configured to self-delete a display image and stored display data or overwrite them by another image by using power slightly stored in a power storage unit 22.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic paper device that uses electronic paper as information display means, and an information display system that uses the electronic paper device as an information display terminal.

  Electronic paper is developed as an information display device that is thin like paper and can repeatedly display and erase data many times. It is easier to see than a liquid crystal display, and power is only used when changing the screen contents. Power consumption is low, the display can be maintained even when the power is turned off, and it is light, and it can be applied to notebook PCs that use a liquid crystal display as an information display means, electronic books, electronic newspapers, electronic dictionaries, etc. In addition, applications to various devices and systems such as electronic advertisements and electronic posters have been proposed.

  Further, there are the following devices as devices close to the electronic paper device and the system using the same.

(A) Battery-operated information terminal device (b) Projector or large screen display device (c) Non-contact power transmission display device (d) Information display device using electronic paper Electronic paper as described above Is going to be used in various fields, but depending on the form of use, it may cause leakage, loss, or loss of display information, or it may cause a functional failure in information communication. Has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5).

JP 2006-039833 A JP 2006-350190 A JP2008-203842 JP2009-76994A Patent No. 4060331

  (1) In Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-039833: Image Management System), a management apparatus monitors a communication area where a display recording medium (electronic paper) is present, and displays a display recording medium that exists outside the area. The display recording medium that has transmitted the erase signal and received the erase signal is supposed to erase the content image.

  In this system, it is assumed that the management device and the display recording medium can communicate wirelessly. If the communication of the erasure signal is interrupted due to some trouble, the content image remains unerased if it goes out of the communicable area. May be retained and may cause information leakage.

  (2) In Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-350190: Electronic Paper and Security System), in order to ensure security, the power supply cartridge is detachable, and when it is removed, the display is erased. Therefore, ensuring security depends on the user's attachment / detachment of the power supply cartridge, and the user can intentionally and easily break the security. Also, from the viewpoint of power saving, the electronic paper is battery-powered and the display disappears when there is no power supply, which causes a problem in terms of power consumption.

(3) Battery-operable information terminal device It is conceivable to use a battery as a power source and use electronic paper for information display of an information terminal device capable of communication operation. Although this type of device can be cable-less, there are problems in terms of power consumption when various functions are installed for the purpose of display only.

  In addition, there is a problem of information leakage because the received data can be saved and information can be easily taken out, such as having a storage medium such as a hard disk in the apparatus and being connectable to an external storage medium.

  Moreover, although it depends on the function of the device, it is generally a high-priced product. For example, distribution to a plurality of people such as conference materials has problems in terms of facility introduction cost, securing a power outlet, and portability.

(4) Projector or large-screen display device A projector or a large-screen display device is available as a device that allows multiple people to share information simultaneously. For example, it is possible to share information among all attendees by installing one or several projectors or displays in the conference room. However, you can refer to separate pages like paper (paper) or add supplementary materials. I can't refer to it.

  In such a case, it will be necessary to re-display it upon request, to distribute separately printed materials, to distribute electronic files for information terminals, etc. (Resource saving), information leakage due to taking out materials.

  (5) In Patent Document 3 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-203842 display device and circuit), a display device capable of non-contact power transmission in which electronic paper obtains power from electromagnetic waves is used. Further, in Patent Document 4 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-76994 non-contact data transfer device), data can be transmitted in addition to non-contact power transmission.

  This type of device can eliminate congestion due to power cords and communication line wiring, as with televisions and terminal devices capable of non-contact power transmission as home appliances and general information devices. However, since the efficiency of non-contact power transmission is low, it is more difficult to reduce the consumption than when directly connecting to a power supply, and this is counterproductive and problematic in terms of energy saving. In addition, when power supply is interrupted, the display cannot be maintained without a battery or the like. In particular, when applied to a projector or a large screen display device, there is a problem with the amount of electric power that can be contactlessly transmitted.

(6) Apparatus for displaying information using electronic paper There are apparatuses using electronic paper of various methods such as electronic books. In this apparatus, by using electronic paper that can hold a display without power, a display power source is unnecessary except when updating the display, so that the power consumption can be reduced and the battery can be operated for a long time.

  However, since replacement or charging is indispensable when the battery is exhausted, the trouble of maintenance is left. In the case of electronic paper that requires constant power, battery replacement or charging is further frequent.

  In addition, since the purpose of the original apparatus using electronic paper is to replace paper (paper or books), many do not consider holding and erasing the screen. When displaying over several pages, it is necessary to transfer data to an internal storage medium by communication or to connect an external storage medium, and there is a problem of information leakage such as copying data or taking out the storage medium itself. In addition, there is an information leakage problem in that the display can be held without a power source, and the display data can be taken out as it is.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic paper device and an information display system that ensure prevention of information leakage, secure power supply and management, and facilitate system construction.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is such that the electronic paper device is supplied with power by non-contact power transmission, receives display data by wireless communication, updates the image display with the received display data, and updates the display. Low power consumption and connectless configuration that can maintain the display state without consuming display power. When it detects that it is away from the power supply area by non-contact power transmission, it uses a little accumulated power. Thus, an electronic paper device in which a display image and stored display data can be self-erased or overwritten with another image and an information display system using this electronic paper device are characterized by the following configuration.

(Invention of electronic paper device)
(1) Display data is received by wireless communication from the electronic paper unit (50), the contactless power transmission unit (20) that receives power by wireless transmission from the contactless power transmission and transmission device (60), and the server (70). The received display data is displayed as an image on the electronic paper unit, and the control unit (30) deletes the display image and the stored display data when it is recognized that it has moved out of the power supply area for receiving power from the power transmission device. ).

  (2) In the electronic paper device according to (1), the contactless power transmission unit (20) is different from the contactless power transmission device (60) in any of an electromagnetic induction method, an electromagnetic resonance method, and a radio wave method. A power storage unit (22) is provided which receives power by using such a transmission method and uses the received power as a power source for the entire apparatus.

  (3) In the electronic paper device according to (1) or (2), the contactless power transmission unit (20) is configured to transmit the contactless power transmission / transmission device when the amount of received power is lower than a specified level. The power supply area monitoring part (23) which recognizes having moved out of the power supply area from is provided.

  (4) In the electronic paper device described in (1) to (3) above, the power storage unit (22) is configured to receive electric power as electric power when the electronic paper device moves out of the power supply area and cannot receive power. Means for storing a part of the electricity in a capacitor such as an electric double layer capacitor, and when the power feeding area monitoring unit (23) recognizes that the device has moved out of the power feeding area, the accumulated power of the capacitor is used as a power source for the entire device; A switching means is provided.

  (5) In the electronic paper device described in the above (1) to (4), a writing process for displaying an image after the display data received from the server (70) is changed to the image format of the electronic paper unit (50) And a deletion processing unit (40) for overwriting a display image of electronic paper with predetermined image data.

  (6) In the electronic paper device according to (1) to (5), the electronic paper unit (50) uses an electronic paper that can maintain a display state without consuming display power after display update. In order to reduce consumption, the image display unit (52) is provided which is energized at the time of image update and is not energized at all times.

  (7) In the electronic paper device described in (1) to (6) above, it is recognized that the power supply area monitoring unit (23) has moved out of the power supply area, and the security level determination unit (39) When it is determined that the display data received in step 32) is a security level that prohibits information from being taken out, the erasure processing unit (40) erases the image of the image display unit (52) by overwriting with predetermined image data. The stored data in the memory unit (32) is erased.

  (8) In the electronic paper device according to (1) to (7), the power feeding area monitoring unit (23) delays a certain time in recognizing that the electronic paper device has moved out of the power feeding area. By providing this, the sensitivity at the boundary between the inside and outside of the power feeding area is dulled, so that there is a certain degree of portability and a browsing environment such as paper (paper) is provided.

  (9) In the electronic paper device described in the above (1) to (8), the electronic paper device (10) is assigned with an individual security level, and this security level information is added to the display data. The determination unit (39) determines whether or not to erase the display image and display data according to the security level.

(Invention of Information Display System)
(10) A system is constructed by the electronic paper device (10), the non-contact power transmission power transmission device (60), and the server (70). The electronic paper device (10) includes the electronic paper unit (50) and the non-paper A non-contact power transmission unit (20) that receives power by wireless transmission from the contact power transmission power transmission device (60), and display data received by wireless communication from the server (70), and the electronic paper unit using the received display data It is characterized by comprising a control unit (30) for displaying an image.

  (11) In the information display system according to (10), the data management computer (72) of the server (70) includes a data management means for transmitting display data to a specific electronic paper device, and a plurality of electronic One of the data management means for transmitting the same display data simultaneously to the paper device is provided, and the electronic paper device is provided with means for receiving the display data of any of the transmission means.

  (12) In the information display system according to (10) or (11), the electronic paper device (10) transmits a display data transmission request to the server (70) based on an operation of the switch unit (35). The data management computer (72) of the server (70) transmits corresponding display data to the electronic paper device (10).

  (13) In the information display system according to (10) to (12) above, the electronic paper device (10) and the server (70) encrypt display data and a display data transmission request wirelessly communicated therebetween. It is characterized by having means that can.

  (14) In the information display system according to the above (10) to (13), communication of display data from the server (70) to the electronic paper device (10) uses a short-distance low-power radio. It is characterized by.

As described above, according to the present invention, the electronic paper device is supplied with power by non-contact power transmission, receives display data by wireless communication, updates the image display with the received display data, and displays power after the display update. The display state can be maintained without consuming power, and it has a low power consumption and connectionless configuration. When it is detected that it is away from the power supply area by non-contact power transmission, it displays using a little accumulated power. Since the image and stored display data can be self-erased or overwritten with another image, information leakage prevention is ensured, power supply and management are ensured, and system construction is facilitated. In particular,
(1) The main power supply by non-contact power transmission is between the display data reception and display update when updating the display image, and in the standby state by using electronic paper that can hold the display even without power Almost no power is consumed and energy saving effect is great.

  (2) The electronic paper device has a function of automatically erasing the display image and the accumulated display data or overwriting with another image without depending on the server when leaving the power supply area by non-contact power transmission. Therefore, the leakage of information can be limited, so the information leakage prevention effect is great. Even if the display image is erased, the display data can be received again from the server by returning to the power supply area, so that the display can be re-displayed.

  (3) By limiting the amount of display data transmitted from the server, the amount of data stored in the electronic paper device can be minimized, and the risk of information leakage can be minimized.

  (4) When power is supplied by contactless power transmission and the power supply is interrupted, the electronic paper device moves to outside the power supply area for the power necessary for erasing the display image and display data, and then performs the erasure operation. Since it only needs to have the function of storing the power for the time it takes to enter, a large-capacity secondary battery or charging circuit is unnecessary, and the use of an electric double layer capacitor makes it compact, low cost, and long life. Can be realized.

  (5) By receiving power supply by non-contact power transmission and receiving display data wirelessly, it is freed from troublesome connection of power cords and communication cables. The viewing environment has the same portability as.

  (6) As non-contact power transmission methods, there are an electromagnetic induction method, an electromagnetic field resonance method, and a radio wave method. Any method may be used in an electronic paper device, and the range of the supply area differs depending on each method. Can be used according to the scale of portability and information security.

  (7) By providing a time delay in the time from the movement outside the power supply area to the start of erasure due to the storage capacity, even in a non-contact power transmission method with a short power supply possible distance such as an electromagnetic induction method, Since it is portable, it becomes a viewing environment having portability similar to that of paper (paper).

  (8) As a wireless communication method, any communication method can be used as long as the communication can be performed in a minimum area that is not easily intercepted from other communication distances beyond the feeding area by non-contact power transmission, and secure communication can be realized. good. In the present invention, it is assumed that a general wireless PAN is used without mentioning a communication system. For example, in the case of a short-distance low-power radio such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, UWB, and ANT, the information security range is narrowed and an energy saving effect can be expected.

  (9) The first purpose of the security function is to erase the display image and display data of the device moved out of the power supply area to prevent information leakage. However, it is not erased for less important data. In addition, the reliability of the security function can be increased and simplified by stopping the function of notifying that the vehicle has moved out of the power supply area.

The system block diagram by the electronic paper apparatus with a security function and a server. The detailed block diagram of an electronic paper apparatus with a security function and a server. Explanatory drawing of detection outside a communication area and electric power feeding area.

(1) Outline of Electronic Paper Device and Information Display System FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an electronic paper device with a security function by non-contact power transmission and an information display system using the electronic paper device. The electronic paper device 10 (10a, 10b, 10c) includes a non-contact power transmission unit 20, a control unit 30, and an electronic paper unit 50. The information display system includes a large number of electronic paper devices 10 and power transmission devices 60 (60a, 60b) that can transmit power in a non-contact manner through the wireless power transmission path 80 in a one-to-one or one-to-N configuration for each electronic paper device 10. 60c) and a server 70 capable of transmitting display data through the wireless communication transmission path 90 in a one-to-one or one-to-N configuration to each electronic paper device 10.

(2) Description of Detailed Configuration and Information Display Operation As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless power transmission path 80 is connected to the electronic paper with security function from the non-contact power transmission power transmission unit 61 in the power transmission device 60 for non-contact power transmission. It is supplied to the non-contact power transmission power receiving unit 21 in the device 10. Non-contact power transmission methods include an electromagnetic induction method, an electromagnetic resonance method, a radio wave method, and the like. Any method may be used in this apparatus, but the performance of the wireless power transmission path 80 varies depending on each method. . When emphasizing security and narrowing the power supply area, it is preferable to use an electromagnetic induction method. In the current technology of the electromagnetic induction method, the wireless communication transmission line 80 is within about several centimeters to several tens of centimeters.

  Data in the display data storage unit 71 in the server 70 is transferred by the data management computer 72 to the communication control unit 31 in the electronic paper device with security function 10 through the communication control unit 73 via the wireless communication transmission path 90, and stored in the memory. Stored in the unit 32. As a method of this wireless communication transmission, the wireless communication transmission line 90 can communicate in a minimum communication area that is more than a power supply area by non-contact power transmission and difficult to intercept from others, and can realize secure communication. To do. In general, a wireless PAN defined by a standard can be used and is not special. For example, short-distance low-power radio and extra-low-power radio such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, UWB, and ANT can be used. The data management computer 72 of the server 70 includes data management means for transmitting display data to a specific electronic paper device, and data management means for simultaneously transmitting the same display data to a plurality of electronic paper devices. The electronic paper device is provided so that it can receive display data of any of the transmission means.

  The display data stored in the memory unit 32 is converted into image data having an image format for the electronic paper unit 50 by the image conversion unit 33 and then written to the electronic paper unit 50 by the writing processing unit 34. At this time, the display power supply unit 37 also supplies power to the electronic paper unit 50. The written image data is driven by the dryer unit 51 and displayed on the image display unit 52.

  When all display data is completely written to the electronic paper unit 50 from the memory unit 32, the power supplied from the display power supply unit 37 is also cut off. For the image display unit 52 in the electronic paper device 10, by using electronic paper that can hold an image even when there is no power, power supply from the display power supply unit 37 is not required except for image display switching, and the like. Bring power effect.

  When requesting display data from the electronic paper device with security function 10 side, the switch unit 35 of the electronic paper device with security function 10 has an input function, and the display data transmission requesting unit 36 determines whether or not there is a switch input. When there is a switch input, the data is transferred to the communication control unit 73 in the server 70 through the communication control unit 31 via the wireless communication transmission path 90, and the data management computer 72 recognizes the display data transfer request. Upon receiving the request, the server 70 transfers the display data 71 in the server 70 to the electronic paper device with security function 10 in the same manner as in the above procedure. It is preferable that the transmission request unit 36 can encrypt display data wirelessly communicated by the communication control unit 31 and the display data transmission request. Further, by limiting the amount of display data requested for transmission, the amount of data stored in the electronic paper device can be minimized, and the risk of information leakage can be minimized.

  The wireless power supplied via the wireless power transmission path 80 is used as a power source for the electronic paper device with security function 10 and is stored in the power storage unit 22. The power of the power storage unit 22 is stored at least when the image displayed on the image display unit 52 of the electronic paper unit 50 is erased or rewritten and the data of the memory unit 32 is erased by the security function. Therefore, use capacitors such as electric double layer capacitors and chemical capacitors, and do not use large-capacity secondary batteries or special charging circuits.

  When the power supply area monitoring unit 23 detects that the electronic paper device with security function 10 is separated from the non-contact power transmission power transmission device 60 and the power level to be wirelessly fed is lowered and the power supply is not possible, the power supply area monitoring unit 23 While notifying the processing unit 40 that it is out of the power supply area, the power stored in the power storage unit 22 is supplied as a circuit power source of the electronic paper device 10 with security function. The power supply area monitoring unit 23 has a certain time delay in recognizing that the apparatus has moved out of the power supply area, thereby reducing the sensitivity at the boundary between the power supply area and the outside, thereby providing a certain degree of portability. Yes, it provides a browsing environment like paper.

  When the electronic paper device with security function 10 is at the boundary between the inside and outside of the power feeding area of the wireless power feeding transmission path 80, notification to the erasing processing unit 40 may occur frequently. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, there is no problem when the electronic paper device 10a is in the power supply area 80a, but the electronic paper device 10b is in the vicinity of the power supply area 80b and goes back and forth in the power supply area 80b. In such a case, the erasure processing unit 40 is provided with a hysteresis so that the erasure process is started after a certain period of time since power supply is disabled. For example, when the electronic paper device 10c shown in FIG. 3 is separated from the power supply area 80c of the transmission path 80 to some extent, the erasing process is activated. If it is at the boundary between the inside and outside of the power supply area 80c, the warning display unit 42 such as an LED alerts the user. Thus, a browsing environment similar to paper (paper) having a certain degree of portability is provided.

  When the erasure processing unit 40 recognizes that it has moved out of the power supply area, it notifies the write processing unit 34 of a display image erasure request corresponding to the security level. The highest security level is an image displayed on the image display unit 52 of the electronic wafer unit 50 and data erasure of the memory unit 32. The image erasure in the image display unit 52 is performed by writing certain data into the electronic paper unit 50 or overwriting with image data in the fixed image data unit 41. The fixed image data at this time may be a message image for the user.

  The security level is determined by the security level determination unit 39. The determination factor is determined based on the security level assigned to each electronic paper device with security function 10 and the security level in units of display data. The security level assigned to each electronic paper device with security function 10 is roughly classified into devices that are permitted to take out information and devices that are prohibited.

  The security level in units of display data is added to the display data transferred from the server 70, transferred to the electronic paper device with security function 10, and managed by the security level determination unit 39. These are also classified by display data permitted to be taken out and display data prohibited. When the electronic paper device and display data are both prohibited from being taken out, the security level is regarded as the highest level. When the security level is the lowest level, the display image may not be erased and a message notifying that the user has gone out of the power supply area may be notified.

10: Electronic paper device with security function 20: Non-contact power transmission unit 21: Non-contact power transmission power reception unit 22: Power storage unit 23: Power feeding area monitoring unit 30: Control unit 31: Communication control unit 32: Memory unit 33: Image conversion Unit 34: Write processing unit 35 Switch unit 36: Display data transmission request unit 37: Display power supply unit 38: Device ID
39: Security level determination unit 40: Erase processing unit 41: Fixed image data unit 42: Warning display unit 50: Electronic paper unit 51: Dryer unit 52: Image display unit 60: Non-contact power transmission power transmission device 61: Non-contact power transmission Power transmission unit 70: Server 71: Display data 72: Data management computer 73: Communication control unit 80: Wireless power and power supply area 90: Wireless communication and communication area

Claims (14)

  Display data is received by wireless communication from the electronic paper unit (50), the non-contact power transmission unit (20) that receives power by wireless transmission from the non-contact power transmission power transmission device (60), and the server (70). A control unit (30) for displaying the displayed display data as an image on the electronic paper unit and erasing the display image and the stored display data when it is recognized that the display unit has moved out of a power supply area for receiving power from the power transmission device. An electronic paper device characterized by that.   The electronic paper device according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact power transmission unit (20) is different from the non-contact power transmission device (60) in any one of an electromagnetic induction method, an electromagnetic resonance method, and a radio wave method. An electronic paper device, comprising: a power storage unit (22) that receives power at the power source and uses the received power as a power source for the entire device.   3. The electronic paper device according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact power transmission unit (20) is outside a power supply area from the non-contact power transmission power transmission device when the amount of received power is lower than a specified level. An electronic paper device comprising a power supply area monitoring unit (23) for recognizing that the mobile device has moved.   The electronic paper device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power storage unit (22) uses a part of the received power as an electric double layer as power when the electronic paper device moves out of the power supply area and cannot receive power. Means for storing electricity in a capacitor such as a capacitor, and the power supply area monitoring unit (23) has means for switching the power stored in the capacitor as a power supply for the entire apparatus when the device recognizes that the device has moved out of the power supply area. An electronic paper device characterized by the above.   The electronic paper device according to claim 1, wherein the display data received from the server (70) is displayed on an image after the display data is changed to the image format of the electronic paper unit (50), An electronic paper apparatus comprising both an erasing processing unit (40) for overwriting a display image of electronic paper with predetermined image data.   The electronic paper device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the electronic paper unit (50) uses an electronic paper that can maintain a display state without consuming display power after display update, for reducing power consumption. An electronic paper apparatus comprising an image display unit (52) that is energized when an image is updated and is normally de-energized.   7. The electronic paper device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply area monitoring unit (23) recognizes that the power supply area has moved out of the power supply area, and the security level determination unit (39) receives the display in the memory unit (32). When it is determined that the data has a security level that prohibits information from being taken out, the erasure processing unit (40) erases the image of the image display unit (52) by overwriting with predetermined image data, and the memory unit (32 ) Stored data is erased.   The electronic paper device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the power supply area monitoring unit (23) supplies power by providing a certain time delay in recognizing that the electronic paper device has moved out of the power supply area. An electronic paper device characterized in that it has a certain degree of portability by dulling the sensitivity at the inner and outer boundaries of the area, and provides a browsing environment such as paper (paper).   9. The electronic paper device according to claim 1, wherein the electronic paper device (10) is assigned with an individual security level, the security level information is added to the display data, and the security level determination unit (39) An electronic paper device that determines whether or not to erase the display image and display data according to the security level.   A system is constructed by the electronic paper device (10), the non-contact power transmission power transmission device (60) and the server (70). The electronic paper device (10) includes the electronic paper unit (50) and the non-contact power transmission. A non-contact power transmission unit (20) that receives power by wireless transmission from the power transmission device (60) and display data by wireless communication from the server (70), and an image is displayed on the electronic paper unit by the received display data An information display system characterized by comprising a control unit (30).   11. The information display system according to claim 10, wherein the data management computer (72) of the server (70) includes a data management means for transmitting display data to a specific electronic paper device, and a plurality of electronic paper devices. An information display system comprising any one of data management means for transmitting the same display data all at once, and the electronic paper apparatus comprising means for receiving display data of any of the transmission means.   The information display system according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the electronic paper device (10) transmits a display data transmission request to the server (70) based on an operation of a switch unit (35), and the server (70). The data management computer (72) transmits the corresponding display data to the electronic paper device (10).   13. The information display system according to claim 10, wherein the electronic paper device (10) and the server (70) include means for encrypting display data wirelessly communicated between them and a display data transmission request. An information display system characterized by   14. The information display system according to claim 10, wherein communication of display data from the server (70) to the electronic paper device (10) uses a short-distance low-power radio. system.

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