JPS60225228A - Electronic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make an appliance compact and thin by laminating an input part formed with a monomolecular accumulated film, a processing part which process signals from this input part, and an output part. CONSTITUTION:A DC bias and an AC voltage are applied between electrodes 2-2 and 2-6 by a DC power source 2-14 and an AC power source 2-13. When an incident light is irradiated from the side of a substrate 2-1 by an input pen, an output display layer 2-5 emits light through a molecular layer 2-3 for optical sensor input and an electric charge storage layer 2-4 which consist of monomolecular accumulated films. This light is extinguished when a switch 2-15 is switched. In case of recording, a recording sheet where a molecular layer 2-8 is approximated to a part under a transparent electrode 2-6, and the light due to light emission of the output display molecular layer 2-5 is used for recording. When display information is transferred to an external memory, light emitting layers 2-17 are lit successively, and the current flowed to a driving circuit 2-12 is detected, and this output is transferred to the external memory.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to an electronic device, particularly a thin electronic device, equipped with input means, processing means, and output means for information such as characters and images.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, in the field of large electronic devices, there are devices that can display and record at the same time.Display devices (for example, CRT)
It is a modular system that connects the printer and a recording device (such as a thermal printer) with a signal line. However, due to the nature of the device, it was large in size, and its field of use was limited to large office machines.

Although there are small and thin calculators and language practice machines that use liquid crystals, they only have calculation functions or language practice functions and do not have any other functions.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned prior art, and aims to provide a thin and compact electronic device.

[Structure of the invention]

The configuration of the electronic device of the present invention is characterized by having an input section each made of a monomolecular cumulative film, a processing section that processes a signal from the input section, and an output section that outputs the signal from the processing section. It is said that

〔Example〕

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a thin electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. l-1 is a light lambda sensor section that detects optical input information and converts it into an electrical signal, l-2 is a signal processing section that processes the electrical signal from the light input sensor section 1-1, and 1-3 is a signal processing section. A display section that receives a signal from section 1-2 and displays a display corresponding to optical input information; l-4 is display section 1;
-3 is a recording unit that records the displayed image upon receiving the optical signal, and l-5 is a signal processing unit that records the image displayed on the display unit 1-3.
This is an external signal output section (transmission section) for transmitting the signal of the signal processing section directly as an electrical signal to another system via the display section l-3, recording m1-4 or external signal. The output section 1-5 may also be simply referred to as an output section.

Next, the functions of each part and the thin films forming each part will be explained.

The function of the light input sensor section 1-1 is to detect light from a pen-shaped light input means that emits light when pressed, for example, and convert it into an electrical signal. In addition, the optical input sensor part is formed of a molecular layer that has photoconductivity.
The molecular layer is selected from photoconductive dyes such as long-chain alkyl-substituted merocyanine dyes, long-chain alkyl-substituted triphenylmethane dyes, and pyrene.

The length of the alkyl group is preferably C=10-18. Specific examples include.

The function of the signal processing unit 1-2 is to accumulate electrical signals from the light sensor unit 1-1, output signals to the display unit 1-3 as appropriate to display image information, and send external signals to other systems. The output signal is transmitted via the output section 1-5. This signal processing section is formed by a molecular layer that generates polarization in response to the electrical signal from the pre-input sensor section 1-1, and the polarized molecular layer is capable of accumulating charges in traps by injecting electrons and holes. A long-chain saturated fatty acid or a compound having a long-chain saturated fatty acid group, and the length of the alkyl group is desirably selected from c=te to 22. Examples include araxic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, and the like. In addition, in the case of compounds with long-chain fatty acid groups,
There may be a trap site in a portion other than the long chain fatty acid group.

The function of the display section 1-3 is to output the electrical signals accumulated in the signal processing section 1-2 as an image, and perform a display corresponding to optical input information. This display section is formed of a molecular layer that emits light in response to an electric field.For example, the function of the anthracene recording section 1-4, in which the functional portion is located between the hydrophobic group and the parent tree group, is the function of the display section 1-4. It is sensitive to light from 3 and records the light image.

This recording section is made of a layer that is colored by light.
As the molecular layer, for example, long-chain alkylated spiropyran, which exhibits photochromic properties, is used alone or in combination with a long-chain saturated fatty acid.

Specific examples of long-chain alkylated spiropyrans include the following compounds.

When spiropyran alone is irradiated with light, it isomerizes and becomes colored, but it returns when the light is blocked. However, by mixing 10 to 80 layers of long-chain saturated fatty acids in an amount of 1% to the total amount, the colored state can be maintained even when light is blocked. As long chain saturated fatty acids, those with c=18 to 22 are used.

The function of the external signal output section 1-5 is to detect the polarization state of the signal processing section 1-2 and send it as an electric signal to an external shift register. This external signal output section is wired in a matrix so that the polarization state of the signal processing section can be detected, and the width of each wire is about 10 to 100 times the width of a molecule.

The above-mentioned prior input sensor section l-1. Signal processing unit 1-21 display unit l-3. The monomolecular layer or the monomolecular layer cumulative layer of the recording section 1-4 can be formed by, for example, the known Langmuir-Prodgett method (
(hereinafter abbreviated as LB method) (Experimental Chemistry Course, Vol. 18, p. 488~
Page 507, round neck). In addition to the LB method, it may be formed by, for example, a vapor deposition method or a CVD method.

According to the LB method, it is possible to form a uniform film having a thickness equal to the length of the molecule, so that thinning can be easily achieved. The film area can also be varied from a small area to a large area with almost no restrictions, depending on the size of the substrate. Furthermore, according to the LB method, since the molecular distribution within the film is uniform, high-definition display is possible. Further, according to the LB method, various molecules can be stacked. Furthermore, by mixing molecules, it is possible to laminate films containing a mixture of two or more types of molecules.

In the present invention, at least one type of functional molecule layer, in most cases three types, is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the membrane, and signals are exchanged between the membranes. In this case, insulating molecules such as long-chain saturated fatty acids are mixed with the functional molecules to prevent signal leakage in a direction parallel to the membrane. Furthermore, the LB method can also easily arrange the trapping sites of long-chain saturated fatty acids, which are polarized molecules, in the signal processing section 1-2 in an orderly manner.

In this way, the system including the input sensor section, signal processing section 9 display section can be created by laminating and integrating the LB layer.
Compared to the conventional method of connecting components separated by function using metal wiring or the like, the process is simpler and the film can be made thinner and more compact.

Furthermore, since the recording section can also be formed in a sheet shape, by recording the display light close to the display section, the entire system can be made thinner and more compact.

The structure and operation of the embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 0, which is a detailed configuration diagram including the cross-sectional structure of the thin electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

2-1 is a transparent substrate, and 2-2 is a transparent electrode formed on the entire surface of the substrate 2-1. 2-3 is a molecular layer for optical sensor manual operation, 2-4 is a charge storage layer as a signal processing section, 2
-5 is a display molecular layer, which is created and laminated by the LB method.

2-6 is a striped transparent electrode formed thereon. 2-10 is an extraction electrode part (signal output part),
Display drive circuit section 2-1 via extraction wiring group 2-11
Connected to 2.

Also, 2-13 is an AC power supply, 2-14 is a DC power supply,
By switching the switch circuit 2-15, an AC signal superimposed on a positive DC bias voltage or an AC signal superimposed on a negative DC bias voltage is transferred between the transparent electrode 2-2 and the transparent electrode 2-2.
It can be applied between 6 and 6.

2-12 is a drive circuit section which controls switching of the switch circuit 2-15, detects the discharge current from the extraction wiring 2-tt, and outputs it to the external memory via the wiring 2-24.

2-7 is a recording molecular layer integrally formed on the sheet substrate 2-8 by the LB method, and 2-9 is a recording sheet driving section.

2-18 is a transparent substrate, and 2-18 is a transparent electrode formed in a stripe shape on the substrate 2-18. However, its direction is perpendicular to that of the transparent electrode 2-6. 2-17 is a light emitting layer and is created by the LB method. 2-18 is a transparent electrode. These are formed in one piece (hereinafter referred to as a panel). Reference numeral 2-20 is an extraction electrode section of the transparent electrode 2-18, and a panel control circuit section 2-20 is connected to the panel control circuit section through an extraction wiring group 2-21. -23. The panel control circuit section 2-23 controls the AC power supply 2-22 to apply an AC voltage between the transparent electrodes 2-IB and 2-18.
7 to emit light. Further, the panel control circuit section 2-23 and the drive circuit section 2-12 are electrically connected, and the voltage application scanning timing of each striped transparent electrode 2-18 on the panel side and each striped transparent electrode 2 on the display side are The read timing of -6 is properly matched.

Although an electroluminescent layer (EL layer) is used as the display section in the embodiment, a liquid crystal layer, an electrochromic layer, or the like may also be used.

Furthermore, if a flexible material, for example a plastic member, is used for the substrate 2-1.2-1111, the thickness of each functional molecule layer is extremely thin, so each functional part has flexibility, Therefore, the entire electronic device can also be made flexible.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be explained. First, both electrodes 2-2
．． An AC voltage superimposed on a DC bias is applied to 2-6 by a DC power supply 2-14 and an AC power supply 2-13. However, since the peak of the AC voltage is set at approximately the same level as the DC bias, in this state no effective AC voltage is applied to the display molecular layer 2-5 and no light emission is observed.Although a reverse voltage is applied, in this case Since no current flows through the rectifier (not shown), no light emission is observed.For example, when incident light is irradiated from the substrate 2-1 side with an input pen, carriers are generated in the molecular layer for optical sensor manual operation. This occurs and is moved by the DC electric field, injected into the charge storage layer, and trapped. This trapped carrier becomes a space charge and acts to cancel the applied DC bias. Therefore, AC is effectively applied to the output display molecule layer 2-5 in this portion, and it emits light.

Erasing is performed by switching the switch 2-15 and applying a DC bias in the opposite direction to expel carriers from the charge storage layer.

Note that if a cumulative film is created by mixing molecules with different emission spectrum peaks in the output display molecular layer 2-5 using an AC voltage, by changing the magnitude of the AC voltage depending on the light input, molecules with different emission spectrum peaks can be mixed. Color display is also possible by accumulating carriers or emitting light.

When recording is to be performed next, a recording sheet with a recording molecular layer provided on the recording sheet substrate 2-8 is brought close to the lower part of the transparent electrode 2-6, and light emitted from the output display molecular layer 2-5 is used. Recording is performed by causing a photochromic change in the recording molecular layer. The recording sheet drive unit 2 feeds and sends the recording sheet.
-9.

-) When transferring display information to an external memory, the panel is moved to bring the substrate 2-18 closer to the substrate 2-1. The light is applied sequentially from the end to cause the light emitting layer 2-17 to emit light. By receiving this light, the resistance of the optical sensor's artificial molecular layer 2-3 decreases, and the charges in the charge storage layer are discharged. The drive circuit section 2-12 sequentially detects the flowing current through the striped transparent electrodes 2-6, and transfers this signal information to an external memory via the connection line 2-24.

Erasing the display is performed in a similar manner, with the only difference being that no signal information is transferred to the memory.

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are schematic diagrams of a thin electronic device in a notebook shape according to another embodiment of the present invention. The size of the device body 3-1 is 380 mm in height.
The display area is 250 mm long x 170 layers wide, and the storage capacity of one sheet of paper is 25 sheets. When you open the lid, there is a display panel part 3 on the front.
3 and an operating button switch 3-5 is arranged at the lower front surface. (Figure 3(a)).

First, turn on the power by operating the power switch 3-4 connected to the internal flat battery.Next, press the switch on the display and draw the specified image on the display panel with the input pen 3-8. When you press the print switch when you want a hard copy, the written information is printed from the paper output section 3-6 onto the paper 3-9 (Fig. 3 (b)). It comes out. If you want to store write information in an external memory, use the line 3-10 to any memory device (magnetic disk, semiconductor memory, magnetic tape, etc.) and connect it to the zero-order panel via the connector 3-7. 3-2 is superimposed on the display panel 3-3 and the memory switch is operated. Striped light is sequentially scanned from the panel 3-2, and the data can be erased and simultaneously stored in an external memory device.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, since it is constituted by a molecule-sized input section, 9 molecule-sized processing sections, and a molecule-sized output section, it has excellent image resolution and can be configured extremely thin.

Therefore, it is possible to significantly downsize a multifunctional electronic device that performs input 9 display, processing, recording, transfer, and erasure. For this reason 1
It can be applied to office or home electronic devices that require easy and portable functionality, and can improve the efficiency of learning and office work.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a thin electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram including a cross-sectional structure of the thin electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a thin electronic device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 1-1... Optical input sensor section 1-2... Signal processing section 1-3... Display section 1-4... Recording section 1-5... External signal output section 2-1...・Substrate 2-2...Transparent electrode 2-3...Molecular layer for optical sensor human power 2-4...Charge storage layer 2-5...Molecular layer for output display 2-6...Transparent electrode 2-7... Recording molecular layer 2-8... Recording sheet substrate 2-9... Recording sheet drive section 2-10... Extracting electrode section 2-11... Extracting wiring group 2- 12... Drive circuit section 2-13... AC power supply 2-14... DC power supply 2-15... Switch circuit 2-18... Transparent electrode 2-17... Light emitting layer 2-18 ...Transparent electrode 2-18...Substrate 2-20...Takeout electrode section 2-21...Takeout wiring group 2-22...AC power supply 2-23...Panel control circuit section 2- 24...Connection line to memory 3-1...Device main body 3-2...Panel with optical scanner 3-3...Display panel 3-4...Power switch 3-5...Operation Button switch 3-6...Paper output section 3-7...Signal output connector 3-8...Light pen 3-9...Print paper 3-10...Connection line to memory device Patent applicant Canon Co., Ltd. Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] An electronic device having an input section each made of a monomolecular cumulative film, a processing section that processes a signal from the input section, and an output section that outputs a signal from the processing section.