JP2000162650A - Electronic display sheet and electronic display device equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic display sheet which can be easily carried, an electronic display device using this display sheet. SOLUTION: This display sheet 11 has a structure, having an ink sheet 113 held between transparent electrode sheets 111, 112. Electrophoretic ink particles EI sealed in the ink sheet 113 are divided into white particles and blue particles, according to the direction of the applied electric field. By inverting the direction of the electric field in an arbitrary pixel position by the transparent electrode sheets 111, 112 along the positive and negative directions of the X-axis, white pixels and blue pixels can be controlled as desired for displaying images. The ink sheet 113 and transparent electrode sheets 111, 112 have flexibility and can be wound up so that the sheet is easy to carry.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electronic display sheet for performing display based on display data and an electronic display device using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, large-sized CRT displays, PDPs (plasma display panels), OHPs (overhead projectors), liquid crystal projectors and the like have been known as display means used in meetings and the like.

[0003]

However, large CRT displays and PDPs are very heavy and bulky, making them inconvenient to carry.

On the other hand, OHPs and liquid crystal projectors require a separate screen for projection. The screen is windable and lightweight, so it is relatively easy to carry, but the projector itself has a high output. Since a light source and cooling means such as a fan and a motor for cooling the light source are provided, the CRT display or the PD
Like P, it was very heavy and bulky, which was also inconvenient to carry.

Further, since the OHP and the liquid crystal projector are used with the illumination turned off, there is a problem in a conference or the like.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and to provide an electronic display sheet which is easy to carry and an electronic display device using the same.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 has a large sheet-like screen which can be wound up, and an electric drive signal is applied to each pixel position of the screen. And a display control means for controlling the display of the display sheet by giving an electric drive signal to each pixel position on the screen based on the given display data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic display sheet according to the first aspect, wherein the display sheet is non-volatile and maintains a display state even after the supply of the electric drive signal is cut off.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic display sheet according to the first or second aspect, wherein the display sheet includes a large number of charged particles of a predetermined color together with liquids of other colors. And a transparent electrode layer for applying an electric drive signal to each pixel position of the display main body layer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic display sheet according to any one of the first to third aspects, and input means for inputting display data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic display device according to the fourth aspect, the input means includes a digitizer.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic display device according to the fourth aspect, the input means includes a computer.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic display device according to any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, wherein:
Further, an output unit for outputting the display data displayed on the display sheet is provided.

[0014]

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

<1. First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a device configuration of an electronic display device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention and an external view of an electronic display sheet 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic display device 1 according to the first embodiment. The electronic display sheet 10 according to the first embodiment electronically realizes the same function as a conventional blackboard or a conference whiteboard, and emits light for use in a conventional overhead projector or liquid crystal projector. It is easy to carry (portability) by winding the screen. Hereinafter, FIG.
The electronic display device 1 and the electronic display sheet 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

Electronic display device 1 according to the first embodiment
Denotes an electronic display sheet 10 and a personal computer 2 as an input device for inputting display data as a peripheral device.
0, digitizer tablet 30 and scanner 40
And a printer 50, a facsimile 60, and a copier 70 as output means for hard-copying digital data corresponding to the displayed image on a paper medium or outputting the data as a transmission signal. Here, the display data is digital data on which an image displayed on the electronic display sheet 10 is based.

The electronic display sheet 10 includes a display sheet 11 and a display drive section 12, and the display sheet 11 is a large-sized display unit having a size of at least 1 m ² or more. The display drive unit 12 is a magnetic disk drive 12 functioning as the above-described input means.
1 (a magnetic disk MD as a recording medium), and the magnetic disk drive 121 and the above-described personal computer 20 (the magnetic disk drive 20a provided) have a digital data format of display data. Also functions as output means. Further, two rings R are provided at the front end of the display sheet 11, and the entire electronic display sheet 10 can be hung by hanging them on projections provided on a wall or the like.

The digitizer tablet 30 may be of a known type such as an electromagnetic induction type, a capacitance type and a resistance wire type which are usually used.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Is provided with a control unit 120 for performing display control by the display sheet 11 and a battery power supply unit 129. Then, the entire apparatus of FIG. 2 operates by power supplied from a battery power supply unit or power supplied from outside via a power adapter. Hereinafter, the internal structure of the control unit 120 will be described.

The control section 120 is provided with a bus line BL, through which each section described below exchanges data. The external image input / output unit 122 is electrically connected to the scanner 40, the printer 50, and the personal computer 20, and acquires display data based on the image to be displayed from the scanner 40, the printer 50, and the image displayed on the display sheet 11. Corresponding image memory 12 described later
For example, the image data for display stored in 5 is output. The data communication unit 123 communicates image data with the scanner 40, the printer 50, the personal computer 20, the facsimile 60, and the copier 70 via a communication line or infrared rays. Digitizer interface 1
Reference numeral 24 denotes an interface for receiving input data sent from the digitizer tablet 30. The above-described magnetic disk drive 121 reads and writes image data from and to the magnetic disk MD.

The image data input to the control unit 120 through the above-described input / output mechanisms is stored in the image memory 125, read out by the CPU 126 as necessary, and again after being changed. Or written.

The operation panel 127 is an instruction input means for a user using the electronic display sheet 10 to instruct and input desired processing to the display sheet 11.

The CPU 126 converts the displayed image data and supplies an electric drive signal to the display sheet 11 (specifically, voltage application) in accordance with a user's instruction through the operation panel 127 or an instruction through the digitizer tablet 30. The operation control of each part such as the timing control of ()) is performed. Then, the display driver 128
Under the control of 6, the power supplied from the battery power supply unit 129 is controlled and supplied to the display sheet 11.

Further, the battery power supply unit 129 always stores the DC power supplied from the power supply adapter 13 and supplies the DC power to the control unit 120 (internal processing units) as needed.

Next, the main part will be described.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view and a partially enlarged view of the display sheet 11. As shown in the exploded view, the display sheet 11 is a pair of two transparent electrode sheets 111 and 1.
The ink sheet 113 is sandwiched between the sheets 12, and protective sheets 114 and 115 are provided so as to sandwich the ink sheet 113 from the outside.
The protective sheet 114 (at least the front side (X-axis positive side)
Is transparent. Also, a large number of transparent address lines (not shown) that transmit visible light are formed at equal intervals on both transparent electrode sheets 111 and 112, respectively.
The address lines of the transparent electrode sheets 111 and 112 are orthogonal to each other. These address lines are connected to the display driver 128 by a connector code (not shown). The transparent electrode sheets 111 and 112 are publicly known ones used for a liquid crystal display or the like. The voltage is applied to the address lines of the two transparent electrode sheets 111 and 112 in order from the first address to the last address so that each of the address lines can be changed. An electric field corresponding to image information can be applied to a pixel corresponding to each intersection.

The ink sheet 113 is made of an electrophoretic ink (Comiskey et.
l., SID (Society For Information Disply), Boston, MA, M
ay 1997p.7.4L.Drzaic et.al., SID, anheim, CA, MAy 1998
(See p.44.3L) This is a sheet-shaped display medium using a special ink called flexible ink, which has flexibility and non-volatility, and can be displayed, erased, and displayed again by the action of an electric field. Hereinafter, an outline of the structure of the ink sheet 113 will be described.

As can be seen from the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, electrophoretic ink particles (hereinafter referred to as "ink particles") E are provided between the two sealing sheets 113a and 113b.
It has a structure in which many I are sandwiched.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the ink particles EI and an explanatory diagram of the operation. 4 (a) and 4 (b) show FIG.
And the common X axis. The ink particles EI have a structure in which a suspension in which white particles WP are dispersed in a blue liquid BL is enclosed in at least a transparent microcapsule MC that transmits visible light. Among them, white particles WP
Is obtained by crushing rutile titanium dioxide dissolved in low molecular weight polyethylene, which is a pigment, and has a positive charge. The blue liquid BL is obtained by dissolving a blue dye in a mixture of tetrachloroethylene and an isoparaffinic solvent.

With the above structure, as shown in FIG. 4A, when an electric field E is applied to the white particles WP in the direction from the front surface to the back surface (negative direction on the X axis), the white particles WP thereby become negative on the X axis. Microcapsules by electrophoresis
Is collected on the back side (X-axis positive side). As a result, light from above and outside passes through the microcapsules MC, the blue component is reflected by the blue liquid BL, and the other components are absorbed, so that the observer OB views the ink particles EI as “blue”. Conversely, when an electric field E in the direction from the back surface to the front surface (positive X-axis direction) is applied, the white particles WP are thereby generated.
Receives a force in the positive direction of the X-axis, and is collected on the surface side (positive side of the X-axis) inside the microcapsules MC by electrophoresis. As a result, light from above and outside passes through the microcapsules MC, is reflected by the white particles WP, and is caught by the observer OB. Therefore, the observer OB views the position where the ink particle EI exists as “white”.

Since the ink sheet 113 has a large number of ink particles EI having such a structure, each address on the transparent electrode sheets 111 and 112 is sequentially scanned so that the X-axis positive direction is assigned to each address. By forming an electric field E in the directional or negative direction, a desired pixel can be displayed and divided into white and blue.

The voltage applied for inverting the display color as described above requires only a relatively small voltage. Further, once the applied voltage is applied to the ink particles EI and the above-mentioned white or blue state is reached, the state does not change even if the applied voltage is cut off, and the display is maintained. That is,
The ink sheet 113 is a non-volatile (bistable) image display medium.

Further, the ink particles EI are adhered to each other with a flexible transparent adhesive or the like.
The ink particles EI in FIG. Therefore, the ink sheet 113 has flexibility. Also, the transparent electrode sheets 111 and 112
Is also very thin, it has a certain degree of flexibility, and the protective sheets 114 and 115 are also flexible sheets. Therefore display sheet 1
1 can be wound up as shown in FIG. Thus, the electronic display sheet 10 of the first embodiment can be easily carried by being rolled up.

Further, as described above, the color of the ink sheet 113 viewed from the observer OB is realized by a change in the color of the ink particles EI itself (binary gradation of white and blue), so that an overhead projector or a liquid crystal projector is used. However, since it does not use projection light as in the above, or does not use transmitted light as in a liquid crystal display, it can be easily recognized by ordinary illumination light, and power is saved.

Further, since the electrophoretic ink has the above-described simple structure and is relatively easy to form, the electronic display sheet 10 is inexpensive as compared with display means such as a liquid crystal display. .

The method of controlling image display on the electronic display sheet 10 provided with the ink sheet 113 as described above is as follows. The CPU 126 reads image data for display from the image memory 125 in pixel units, and sends the pair of transparent electrode sheets 11 through the display driver 128.
An electric drive signal corresponding to image data is sequentially supplied to each of the address lines 1 and 112 to control the electric field of each pixel (each address). As a result, the ink sheet 113 displays white or blue at each pixel position, whereby the display sheet 11 displays an image corresponding to the display data. Then, once an image for one screen is displayed, each time an instruction to change the image is input, the image of only the changed portion may be displayed again. Therefore, power is saved. This is due to the non-volatility of the electrophoretic ink.

Further, the electronic display device 1 inputs a digitizer tablet 30 with a stylus pen and displays it on the electronic display sheet 10 in real time, so that consumables such as a marker such as a conventional whiteboard are not required. It is. However, the surfaces of the protection sheets 114 and 115 on the front side of the display sheet 11 are formed very smoothly, and contents that do not need to be converted into data are directly written on the display sheet 11 (marker or the like) using a marker or the like. Can be erased with a cloth or the like.

As described above, according to the electronic display sheet 10 of the first embodiment, the display sheet 11 has a large screen in the form of a rollable sheet and performs display based on display data. Since only the control unit 120 for controlling the display of the display sheet 11 is provided, it is easy to hold the display sheet 11 by winding it up, and further, it is not necessary to provide a high-output light source or a cooling unit unlike a projector. Therefore, since it is lightweight and bulky, it is easy to carry.

Further, since the display sheet 11 is a non-volatile display which maintains the display state even after the supply of the electric drive signal is cut off, the address lines are repeatedly scanned by the time required for the response of the ink particles EI to obtain the image information. Is applied to each pixel, the display image is less deteriorated, and there is no need to constantly or periodically supply an electric drive signal (voltage), thereby saving power.

Since the display sheet 11 includes the ink sheet 113, the above portability and power saving can be easily realized.

According to the electronic display device 1 of the first embodiment, in addition to the electronic display sheet 10, the personal computer 20, the digitizer tablet 30, the scanner 40, and the magnetic disk of the electronic display sheet 10 for inputting display data. Since input means such as a drive is provided, display data can be input and displayed externally.

Also, the digitizer tablet 30
Desired characters and pictures can be easily input and changed, and the screen of the personal computer 20 can be enlarged and used for a meeting or the like by using the electronic display sheet 10.

Further, a printer 50 for outputting display data displayed on the electronic display sheet 10 and a facsimile 6
0, the copying machine 70, the personal computer 20 (and its magnetic disk drive 20a), and the magnetic disk drive 121 of the display drive unit 12 are provided as output means, so that the display data displayed on the electronic display sheet 10 can be easily output. it can.

<2. Second Embodiment> FIG. 6 is an external view of an electronic display device 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the electronic display device 2 includes two legs 91a,
It has an input / output board 90 provided with 91b. In addition,
The electronic display sheet 10 is exactly the same as in the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, the input / output board 90 will be described. On the upper part of the input / output board 90, a digitizer board 92 obtained by increasing the size of the digitizer tablet 30 of the first embodiment to substantially the same size as the display sheet 11 is provided.
2a is provided vertically. A storage hole 9 for storing the display driving unit 12 of the electronic display sheet 10 is provided in the middle part.
An input / output unit 9 having a scanner function and a printer function at the bottom and having a power supply adapter (not shown) similar to that of the first embodiment built therein.
3 are provided. As described above, since the input / output board 90 has the functions of the scanner, the printer, and the digitizer, the installation area is smaller than that of individually installing them.

Then, the electronic display sheet 1 is inserted into the storage hole 90a.
0 display drive unit 12 and the display sheet 11
The two suspension rings R provided on the upper end of the I / O board 90 are connected to the two suspension projections 9 provided near the upper end of the input / output board 90.
0b, the display sheet 11
To the input surface 9 of the digitizer board 92 of the input / output board 90
2a can be held almost in close contact.

Then, the user applies a suitable pressure to the stylus pen (not shown) from the surface of the display sheet 11 as in the case of writing desired character or picture shape on a general white board with a marker or the like. While moving, move to the desired shape. Then, the locus of the stylus pen input by the digitizer board 92 is converted into image data and sent to the CPU 126.
U126 causes the display sheet 11 to display the changed image data in real time. As a result, the display sheet 1 can be written like a character or picture on paper.
1, character and picture data can be input.

Although not shown in FIG. 6, the personal computer 20, facsimile 60, and copier 70 provided in the first embodiment can be connected to the display drive unit 12 of the electronic display sheet 10. is there. Further, in the second embodiment, an input / output unit 93 is connected instead of the scanner 40 and the printer 50 in the first embodiment.

With the above configuration, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the display sheet 11 can be substantially adhered to the input surface 92a of the digitizer board 92. Since the data can be held in such a state, it is possible to easily input the data as if writing characters or patterns on paper while watching the real-time display on the display sheet 11.

<3. Modifications> Although the examples of the electronic display sheet 10 and the electronic display devices 1 and 2 including the electronic display sheet 10 have been described in the first and second embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto.

For example, in the first and second embodiments, the monochrome display is performed by the electronic display sheet 10 using the electrophoretic ink capable of switching between white and blue. Instead of the white particles WP, color display may be performed by using E ink particles having particles of color components such as R (red), G (green), and B (blue).

[0052]

As described above, according to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, a large sheet-like screen which can be wound up, and an electric drive signal is applied to each pixel position of the screen. And a display control means for controlling the display of the display sheet by applying an electric drive signal to each pixel position on the screen based on the given display data. Therefore, it is easy to hold the display sheet by winding it up, and it is not necessary to provide a high-output light source or a cooling means like a projector.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the display sheet is non-volatile and maintains the display state even after the supply of the electric drive signal is cut off, it is necessary to supply power constantly or periodically. There is no power saving.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the display sheet includes a display body layer including a collection of transparent capsules in which charged particles of a predetermined color are sealed together with liquids of other colors. Since a transparent electrode layer for providing the electric drive signal is provided at each pixel position of the main body layer, it has rollability and non-volatility, so that portability and power saving can be easily realized.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since input means for inputting display data is further provided, display data can be input and displayed externally.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the input means includes the digitizer, desired characters and patterns can be easily input and changed.

According to the invention of claim 6, since the input means includes a computer, the screen of the computer can be displayed in a large size.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, further comprising an output means for outputting the display data displayed on the display sheet, it is possible to easily output the display data displayed on the electronic display sheet.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a device configuration of an electronic display device according to a first embodiment and an appearance of a display.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic display device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view and a partially enlarged view of a display sheet.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view and an operation explanatory view of an E ink particle.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where a display sheet is wound up.

FIG. 6 is an external view of an electronic display sheet according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 electronic display device 10 electronic display sheet 11 display sheet (display sheet) 12 display drive section (display control means) 20 personal computer (input means, output means) 30 digitizer tablet (input means) 40 scanner (input means) 50 Printer (output means) 60 Facsimile (output means) 70 Copy machine (output means) 92 Digitizer board (input means) 93 Input / output unit (input means, output means) 120 Control unit (display control means) 121 Magnetic disk drive (input) Means, output means)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme court ゛ (Reference) G09G 3/34 G09G 3/34 C (72) Inventor Mitsuhiko Yamada Morihiko Horikawa 4 1-chome Tenjin Kitamachi 1 Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C071 CA05 DA05 DB02 DC01 EA03 EC01 5C080 AA13 BB05 DD13 DD30 EE01 EE17 EE31 FF03 FF09 GG02 GG12 JJ02 JJ06 JJ06 KK05 5C094 AA19 BA06 BA75

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A display sheet having a windable sheet-shaped large screen, and displaying an image by applying an electric drive signal to each pixel position of the screen, and a display sheet based on given display data. Display control means for controlling display of the display sheet by applying the electric drive signal to each pixel position of the screen. 2. The electronic display sheet according to claim 1, wherein the display sheet is a nonvolatile one that maintains a display state even after the supply of the electric drive signal is cut off. Display sheet. 3. The electronic display sheet according to claim 1, wherein the display sheet comprises a set of transparent capsules in which a large number of charged particles of a predetermined color are sealed together with liquids of other colors. An electronic display sheet, comprising: a display body layer comprising: a transparent electrode layer that supplies the electric drive signal to each pixel position of the display body layer. 4. An electronic display device comprising: the electronic display sheet according to claim 1; and input means for inputting the display data. 5. The electronic display device according to claim 4, wherein said input means includes a digitizer. 6. The electronic display device according to claim 4, wherein said input means includes a computer. 7. The electronic display device according to claim 4, further comprising an output unit that outputs display data displayed on the display sheet. apparatus.