JP2006030558A - Display recording medium management system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a user to recognize an advantage of utilizing electronic paper EP replacing a paper medium or to recognize information guaranteeing reliability of the electronic paper by easily visualizing the number of repeated use times of the electronic paper EP and the elapsed time of displaying and holding documents by the user. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic paper EP comprising a display section 2 with a document image rewritable and held without power supply, counts the number of writing in which the document image is written into the display 2 by a counter section 42, and a rewriting section 40 constituting a using time display means performs display processing such as displaying a mark in a region 2a according to the number of writing, and changing background colors of the document image. Moreover, a timer section 43 measures a time while the document image is displayed and held and performs displaying according to the measured time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for displaying on a display recording medium a usage state of a display recording medium provided with a display unit that can rewrite a document image and keeps no power supply. The present invention relates to a technique that allows a user to recognize the life of a display recording medium according to the reduction amount, the number of times of use, the novelness of document image information according to the display holding time, and the like.

Documents referred to as documents, contents, etc. are converted into electronic data and processed, such as editing and filing. To view such document data, the user can display the document image on a display device, There is known a method of printing and holding the image on a paper medium.
Whether the document image is displayed on the display or printed is selected according to the user's preference and usage, but as an advantage of printing the document on paper, you can carry the document anytime and anywhere There are conveniences such as portability that allows browsing, and listability that allows multiple page documents to be viewed side by side.

Here, in recent years, as a display recording medium for viewing a document that can replace a paper medium, it is possible to display and hold a document image on the display unit in a non-powered state with a flexible thin shape like a paper. Moreover, an apparatus called electronic paper has been developed that can rewrite the document image and use it repeatedly.
According to such electronic paper, it is possible to view and use the document contents with electronic data without stress as in the case of a document printed on paper in a natural behavior in a human daily environment.

Electronic paper is a device having a display unit that displays and holds a document image in a non-powered state, for example, and can be roughly classified according to a writing format of image information on the display unit, based on electronic data. There are self-writing type electronic paper having a function of writing on a display unit, and optical writing type electronic paper that holds image information projected based on electronic data on a display unit.
Unlike electronic paper, such electronic paper can erase or overwrite the document image displayed and held on the display unit, and can update or repeatedly use the document image displayed and held. Promotion of use is also desired from the viewpoint of saving energy.

  In order to promote the use of electronic paper as described above, a function superior to that of paper media is provided, the user is motivated to use electronic paper instead of paper media, Various improvements such as ensuring the reliability of the device by allowing the user to recognize the lifetime that can perform the desired function are desired.

An object of the present invention is to realize the promotion of the use of electronic paper by paying attention to the room for improvement as described above.
More specifically, for example, by allowing the user to easily recognize the advantage of using electronic paper instead of paper media, or by allowing the user to easily recognize information that ensures the reliability of electronic paper, The purpose is to promote the use of electronic paper by making users recognize the usefulness, convenience, reliability, etc. of electronic paper.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a display recording medium (electronic paper) having a display unit that can rewrite a document image and retains no power, and displays the display according to the number of times the document image is written. By displaying according to the time that the document image is displayed and held, the number of times the user has used the electronic paper is displayed, and the document image displayed and held by the electronic paper is displayed to the user. Visually recognize how much time has passed since the display was held.

In the present invention, the display according to the number of times of writing the document image is, for example, displaying a numerical value representing the number of times, displaying a mark set in advance according to the number of times, and displaying the number of times on the document image displayed on the display unit. However, it is possible to avoid the consumption of paper media through repeated use of electronic paper. The resource saving amount or the carbon dioxide reduction amount converted when the paper medium is consumed may be displayed.
In the present invention, the display according to the display holding time of the document image is, for example, displaying a numerical value representing the time, displaying a mark set in advance according to the time, and displaying and holding the document on the display unit. This is performed by changing the image in advance according to time (background color, border color, design change, etc.).
Here, repeated use of electronic paper is useful for resource saving, carbon dioxide reduction, and the like, and therefore, in the present invention, management that gives a privilege for repeated use of electronic paper is performed.

  The measurement and management of the number of times of writing and the display holding time in the present invention can be performed by the electronic paper itself or by a management device used in connection with the electronic paper, depending on the format and system design of the electronic paper. .

  Specifically, when self-writing electronic paper described later is used in the present invention, rewriting means for writing a document image to be displayed and held on the electronic paper, and counter means for counting the number of writing of the document image. And a usage display means for performing display according to the counted number of times of writing.

  In the present invention, the counter means provided on the electronic paper counts the number of times the document image has been written on the display unit, and the usage display means provided on the electronic paper displays according to the counted number of times of writing. .

  Further, in the present invention, specifically, when self-writing electronic paper described later is used, as a system including a management device that manages the usage status of the electronic paper, the electronic paper is in contact with or non-contact with the management device. A communication means for performing information communication by contact type, a rewriting means for writing a document image to be displayed and held on a display unit, a counter means for counting the number of times of writing a document image, and identifying the electronic paper of the counted number of times of writing Based on the notification means that is transmitted to the management apparatus together with the information and the display instruction received from the management apparatus (for example, the display instruction including designation of the number display data held by the electronic paper, transmission of the number display data to the electronic paper, etc.) And a usage display means for performing display in accordance with the number of times of writing. Similarly, a communication means for performing information communication and a display instruction for managing the number of rewrites for each electronic paper based on the number of times of writing received from the electronic paper and the identification information and causing the electronic paper to display according to the number of times of writing are transmitted. The number of times management means is provided.

  In the present invention, the counter means provided on the electronic paper counts the number of times the document image has been written on the display unit, and the notifying means provided on the electronic paper identifies the number of times the writing has been performed to identify its own display recording medium. Is sent to the management device together with the information to be managed, the number of rewrites for each electronic paper is managed based on the number of times of writing and the identification information received from the electronic paper by the number of times management means provided in the management device, and the number of times of writing to the electronic paper A display instruction for performing display is transmitted, and a display according to the number of times of writing is performed based on the display instruction received from the management apparatus by the usage display means provided in the electronic paper.

  Further, in the present invention, specifically, when optical writing type electronic paper described later is used, the electronic paper is an information system similar to the management device as described above, as a system including a management device that manages the usage status of the electronic paper. A communication unit that performs communication, and a notification unit that transmits information for identifying the electronic paper to the management device. The management device includes a communication unit that performs information communication similarly to the electronic paper, and the electronic paper. A writing unit for writing a document image on the display unit by a method such as projection, and the number of writing of the document image for each electronic paper is managed based on the identification information received from the electronic paper. The number of times management means for performing display is provided.

  In the present invention, the notification means provided in the electronic paper transmits its identification information to the management apparatus, and the writing means provided in the management apparatus writes the document image on the display unit of the electronic paper and the number of times provided in the management apparatus. The management means manages the document image writing frequency for each electronic paper based on the identification information received from the electronic paper, and causes the electronic paper to display according to the writing frequency by the writing process by the writing means.

  Specifically, in the present invention, when self-writing type electronic paper to be described later is used, rewriting means for writing a document image to be displayed and held on the electronic paper on the electronic paper, and display and holding time of the document image by the display unit The timer means for measuring the time and the elapsed time display means for performing display according to the measured display holding time.

  In the present invention, the timer means provided on the electronic paper measures the display holding time of the document image by the display unit, and the elapsed time display means provided on the electronic paper displays according to the measured display holding time.

  According to the present invention, since the user can visually recognize the number of times the electronic paper is repeatedly used and the elapsed time of the document being displayed, the user can easily recognize the advantages of using the electronic paper instead of the paper medium, Alternatively, information that ensures the reliability of electronic paper can be easily recognized by the user, and the use, convenience, and reliability of the electronic paper can be recognized by the user, and the promotion of use of the electronic paper can be realized. it can.

The present invention will be specifically described based on an example.
First, an example of electronic paper (display recording medium) used in the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
Electronic paper is roughly classified according to the document image recording method, and is classified into a self-writing type shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 and an optical writing type shown in FIGS. 14 to 17. As mentioned, it is a device that is thin like paper and has a display unit that can rewrite a document image and that holds no power.

FIG. 11A shows the self-writing electronic paper EP as viewed from the front, and FIG. 11B shows the self-writing electronic paper EP as viewed from the side. The illustrated electronic paper EP includes a display unit 2 that displays and holds an information image and a processing unit 3 that controls processing of electronic data. FIG. Is also represented.
The self-writing type electronic paper EP is a flexible thin device having a size like, for example, A4 size paper, and the processing unit 3 is provided on one piece of the display unit 2 that occupies most of the area. In addition, the magnitude | size of the display part 2 shall be a magnitude | size according to a use.

The processing unit 3 includes a driver 4 that drives the display unit 2, a wireless unit 5 for wireless communication with the outside, a memory 6 that holds electronic data in a readable and writable manner, a processor 7 that performs various processes according to the present invention, and a driver 4, a battery 8 that supplies driving power for the wireless unit 5 and the processor 7, and an operation unit 9 such as a button for receiving an operation input for image display by the driver 4.
The self-writing type electronic paper EP communicates with an external device having a wireless communication function (a writer (reader), which will be described later) by wireless communication with the wireless unit 5 to display document image data and electronic Information such as an identifier (medium ID) set in the paper EP can be transmitted and received, and the information can be held in the memory 6.

Furthermore, the self-writing type electronic paper EP allows the driver 4 to write a document image on the display unit 2 based on the document image data held in the memory 6, and the display unit 2 can be removed even if the driving power of the driver 4 is removed. It has a function to keep the document image in the display state.
The self-writing type electronic paper EP is a fine colored particle (white particles 21 and black particles 22 in the illustrated example) used as toner in a copying machine as shown in FIG. Is sealed between a pair of front and back electrodes 23 whose surface side is transparent, and is sandwiched between a pair of front and back film substrates 24 whose surface side is transparent. An air layer is formed between the electrode layers 23 so that the colored particles 21 and 22 can freely move, and an insulating layer 25 that prevents contact with the colored particles 21 and 22 is provided on the matrix-like electrode layer 23. It has been. Note that a color display can be realized with a simple structure by using a color filter.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 12 showing the operation principle of the display unit 2, the self-writing type electronic paper EP is in a state in which no voltage is applied to the electrode 23 (however, the electrode 23 is charged to the polarity at the previous driving). The negatively charged white particles 21 accumulate on the back side, while the positively charged black particles 22 accumulate on the front side. When the display unit 2 is viewed from the front side, the display unit 2 is observed. Becomes a black state. And if the electrode polarity of the required part of the matrix according to the image information displayed by the operation of the driver 4 based on the data stored in the memory 6 is reversed, the positional relationship between the white particles 21 and the black particles 22 is switched. Thus, a document image based on the contrast between the white particles 21 and the black particles 22 is displayed on the display unit 2. By operating the driver 4 based on different data, the image information displayed on the display unit 2 can be switched depending on the contrast between the white particles 21 and the black particles 22 and can be reused many times.

  Accordingly, the self-writing type electronic paper EP has the property of holding the image information displayed on the display unit 2 with no power supply in addition to the property of being thin and flexible like paper, so that the display can be used like paper. It is a recording medium. Furthermore, since the self-writing electronic paper EP of this example has a wireless communication function and a memory function, electronic data recorded in the memory 6 can be transmitted and received without contact, as will be described later. In addition, it is good also as a non-contact type communication part by magnetic induction with the communication part with which the writer (reader) mentioned later is equipped, or a contact type communication part by terminal contact.

FIG. 14A shows the optical writable electronic paper EP viewed from the front, and FIG. 14B shows the optical writable electronic paper EP viewed from the side. The electronic paper EP shown in the figure has a display unit 12 that displays and holds document images and a processing unit 13 that manages processing of electronic data. FIG. The functional part is also shown.
Like the self-writing type electronic paper EP, the optical writing type electronic paper EP is a flexible thin type having a size like that of, for example, A4 size paper, and the processing unit 13 is included in one piece of the display unit 12 occupying most of the area. Is provided.
As with the self-writing type electronic paper EP, the size of the display unit 12 is arbitrary and is set to a size according to the application.

The processing unit 13 includes an electrode 14 for applying a voltage for driving the display unit 12 as will be described later, a wireless unit 15 for wireless communication with the outside, a memory 16 for holding electronic data in a readable and writable manner, and the present invention. A processor 17 that performs such various processes, a wireless unit 15, and a battery 18 that supplies driving power for the processor 17 are provided.
The self-writing type electronic paper EP communicates with an external device having a wireless communication function (a writer (reader) described later) by the wireless unit 15 so that an identifier (medium ID) set in the electronic paper EP is set. Information can be transmitted and received, and the information can be held in the memory 16.

For example, the optical writable electronic paper EP displays a document image on the liquid crystal panel 39 as shown in FIG. 15, and the optical writable electronic paper EP is superimposed on the liquid crystal panel 39 while applying a voltage to the electrode 14 from an external power source. By irradiating light, the document image displayed on the liquid crystal panel 39 can be transferred to the display unit 12 and displayed and held.
That is, the optical writable electronic paper EP transfers a projected document image to the display unit 12 by applying a voltage to the electrode 14 and holds the document image in a display state even after the voltage applied to the electrode 14 is removed. It has the function to continue.

  The optical writable electronic paper EP includes an organic photoconductive material layer (organic photoconductive layer) 30 and a liquid crystal display material layer used in a copying machine, as shown in FIG. (Microencapsulated cholesteric liquid crystal layer) 31 is combined, these layers are sandwiched between a pair of front and back transparent electrodes 32, and this laminate is sandwiched between a pair of front and back transparent substrate films 33. In this configuration, the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 31 reflects white light, and the light passes through the liquid crystal layer 31 and is absorbed by the black layer 34 provided between the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 31 and the organic photoconductive layer 30. Black display monochrome image display is possible. Furthermore, since cholesteric liquid crystal has a characteristic of interference-reflecting color light according to the helical pitch, color display can be realized with a simple structure by forming the cholesteric liquid crystal layer 31 by laminating liquid crystals having different helical pitches. It is also possible.

  The optical writable electronic paper EP displays an image transferred to, for example, a dimming element panel (light emitting panel) 39 for image writing and displays the display unit 12 as shown in FIG. When the voltage is applied to the electrode 14, the intensity of light is instantaneously converted to the reflection density, and the projection image is held. The image information held in the display unit 12 can be erased by applying an erasing voltage to the electrode 14, and the optical writable electronic paper EP can be reused many times by repeating writing and erasing. Note that the optical writing type electronic paper EP does not perform such an erasing process, but applies the voltage to the electrode 14 as described above to project a new image, whereby the image held in the display unit 12 is displayed. It can be overwritten, and can be reused again and again by such overwriting.

  Therefore, the optical writing type electronic paper EP has the property of holding the document image transferred by projecting the document image without power in addition to the property of being thin and flexible like paper, so that it is used for a printer or a copying machine. It is a display recording medium that can be used like paper and can be reused repeatedly. Further, since the optical writable electronic paper EP of this example has a wireless communication function and a memory function, electronic data recorded in the memory 16 can be transmitted and received without contact, as will be described later. In addition, it is good also as a non-contact type communication part by magnetic induction with the communication part with which the writer (reader) mentioned later is equipped, or a contact type communication part by terminal contact.

Here, regardless of the optical writing type or the self writing type, the communication function such as the wireless unit 5 (15) or the memory 6 (16) or the memory function unit is used as an electronic paper display unit as shown in FIG. 2 is configured as a wireless IC tag (RFID) 27 different from 12 (12), and the RFID tag 27 is attached to the display unit of the electronic paper EP to provide its own identification information to an external device as described above. It is good also as a structure which can do. In the case of a wireless IC tag, the battery may be a capacitor that holds an electromotive force from a writer (reader) described later.
Alternatively, a barcode 28 in which the identification information of itself is two-dimensionally coded may be printed or pasted, and the barcode 28 may be read by a writer (reader) described later to provide the identification information.

The present invention can also be applied to electronic papers other than the above-described examples such as self-writing electronic paper and optical writing electronic paper. For example, the electronic paper can be loaded into an external rewriting device (writer) and displayed. A format in which a document image is electronically written to the part, such as a self-writing type, may be used. That is, the self-writing electronic paper is an example of an electronic paper that does not require an external image writing device, and the optical writing electronic paper is an example of an electronic paper that requires an external image writing device. .
In addition, as the display unit 2 (12) of the electronic paper EP, a liquid crystal having a memory property typified by a ferroelectric liquid crystal, an electrophoretic method in which a charged particle is moved to switch a display, and a charged particle is rotated. Alternatively, a particle rotation method for switching the display, a magnetophoresis method for switching the display by moving particles by magnetism, a thin battery-driven thin liquid crystal or an EL element may be used.

Next, an example of a system that performs management according to the number of document image writing times and display holding time using the electronic paper EP having the above basic configuration will be described.
FIG. 1 shows an example in which the electronic paper EP itself performs counting and management of the number of writings and performs a corresponding display process. FIG. 2 corresponds to the management device 60 based on the number of writings counted by the electronic paper EP itself. FIG. 3 shows an example in which display management is performed, FIG. 3 shows an example in which the management device 60 counts and manages the number of writings and performs corresponding display processing, and FIG. 4 shows the electronic paper EP itself measuring the display holding time. An example is shown in which the corresponding display processing is performed.

  First, the example shown in FIG. 1 uses a self-writing electronic paper EP in which the electronic paper itself has a rewriting function. The electronic paper EP includes a processor 7 and a display unit 2, a communication unit 5, and a memory 6. A rewriting unit 40 constituted by the driver 4, a number management unit 41 constituted by the processor 7 and the work memory 6 are provided.

The number management unit 41 includes a counter unit 42, and the counter unit 42 counts the number of times the document image is written to the display unit 2 performed by the rewriting unit 40, and the number management unit 41 accumulates and manages the counted number of writes. At the same time, display processing according to the number of writing is performed.
In this example, an area 2a for displaying according to the number of times of writing is provided in a part (for example, an edge or a corner) of the display unit 2, and the rewriting unit 40 is under the control of the number management unit 41. The display process according to the number of times of writing to the area 2a to be performed and the display process of writing the document image in the area excluding the area 2a of the display unit 2 can be executed independently.
The number management unit 41 and the rewrite unit 40 constitute a usage display unit that performs display according to the number of writes counted in the area 2a.

The management device 60 includes a writer 70 that serves as an interface for the electronic paper EP, and a server 80 that manages document data for displaying and holding document images on the electronic paper EP.
The writer 70 has a wireless communication unit 71 corresponding to the electronic paper EP including the wireless communication unit 5.
The server 80 stores the document data (or the document ID for acquiring the document data held in the external data server), and reads the document data from the database 81 (or based on the document ID). And a reading unit 82 for reading out corresponding document data from an external data server.

That is, in the management device 60, the server 80 reads out document data designated in response to a user input from an operation unit (not shown), transmits the document data by the wireless unit 71, and transmits the document data to the electronic paper EP by the communication unit 5. It is received and stored in the memory 6.
In the electronic paper EP, the rewrite unit 40 writes a document image on the display unit 2 based on the document data stored and held in the memory 6 in accordance with a user input from the operation unit 9 and displays and holds the document image. Note that a plurality of document data may be stored and held in the memory 6, and the document image to be displayed and held on the display unit 2 by the rewrite unit 40 may be switched according to a user input.

  In the electronic paper EP of this example, every time the rewrite unit 40 writes the document image to the display unit 2 as described above, the counter unit 42 counts the number of times of writing, and when the number of times management unit 41 reaches a predetermined number of times of writing. Under the control of the number management unit 41, a display indicating the number of writings is displayed and held in the area 2a in accordance with the number display data previously stored in the memory 6 by the rewriting means 40. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the number management unit 41 has a table in which the number display data is associated with the number of rewrites such as 0 to 10, 11 to 20, 21 to 50, and so on. Based on the number of rewrites counted by the counter unit 42, the number display image corresponding to the set number of times is displayed in the area 2a.

In the present invention, the number display image can be displayed in various modes.
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in the number display area 2a set at the edge of the display unit 2, one mark (eco mark imitating a tree) M is provided in the range of the number of writing times from 0 to 10. Two marks M are displayed in the range of writing times from 11 to 20, and three marks M are displayed in the range of writing times from 21 to 50. That is, in this case, the image of the number of marks M corresponding to the number of times is held in the memory 6, and the mark image is written in the area 2a according to the number of times of counting.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the number display area 2a set at the edge of the display unit 2 is white in the range from 0 to 10 times and thin in the range from 11 to 20 times. In the range of the number of writing times from 21 to 50, the image is displayed in a border image with the density (or color or color tone) changed such as dark gray. That is, in this case, a border image having a density corresponding to the number of times is held in the memory 6, and a border image is written in the region 2a according to the number of counts.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the number of times of writing counted in the area 2a provided at the corner of the display unit 2 may be displayed as a numerical value (35 times in the figure). A numerical image corresponding to the written number of times is held in the memory 6 and written to the area 2a according to the counted number.
For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the number display area 2a and the display unit 2 for displaying the document image are used without being separated, and the background of the document image is changed in density and color according to the number of times of writing. It may be. That is, in this case, a background image such as a density corresponding to the number of times is held in the memory 6 so that the background image is written to the display unit 2 according to the number of counts, or the document image data itself held for display is stored. Is changed to a different background, or the document data itself is changed to change the background.

Here, when a paper medium is used for viewing a document image, the forest resource that is the raw material of the paper is consumed every time the paper medium is used, and the paper medium becomes garbage when the document image becomes unnecessary. It may cause air pollution by incineration. That is, by using electronic paper EP that can be used repeatedly instead of paper media, it is possible to save forest resources and prevent air pollution due to the generation of carbon dioxide (CO2), and rewrite and use electronic paper EP repeatedly. The number of times can be converted into resource savings and carbon dioxide reductions.
Therefore, for example, as shown in FIG. 9B, the CO2 reduction amount and the forest resource saving amount may be displayed in the area 2a provided at the corner of the display unit 2 according to the number of times of writing. In this case, a numerical image or the like corresponding to the CO2 reduction amount or the forest resource saving amount corresponding to the number of times of writing is held in the memory 6 and written to the area 2a according to the number of times of counting.

According to the above example, how many times the electronic paper EP is written and repeatedly used is displayed in a manner that the user can easily recognize. Therefore, the user can recognize the lifetime of the electronic paper EP due to repeated use, and the reliability as the display holding medium can be ensured.
Further, the user can recognize the degree of contribution to resource saving and air pollution prevention by using the electronic paper EP, and the user can recognize the usefulness of using the electronic paper.

  Next, the example shown in FIG. 2 uses a self-writing type electronic paper EP, and the electronic paper EP is similar to the above example in that the display unit 2, the number display area 2a, the communication unit 5, and the memory 6 are used. , A rewriting unit 40, a processor 7, and a counter unit 42 including a working memory 6. The communication unit 5 and the rewriting unit 40 are counted in the area 2 a according to a display instruction received from the management device 60. The usage display means is configured to display according to the number of times of writing. In the description of this example, the same description as in the above example will not be repeated.

The electronic paper EP is preliminarily assigned with a medium ID for identifying itself, and is recorded and held in the memory 6. When the communication unit 5 communicates with the writer 70, the medium ID is read from the memory 6. The medium ID is transmitted to the writer 70 together with the write count counted by the counter unit 42. That is, a notification means for transmitting the counted number of times of writing together with information for identifying itself to the management apparatus 60 is provided.
In this example, the management device 60 includes a number management unit 41 for managing the number of writings. The number management unit 41 provided in the server 80 is based on the number of writings received from the electronic paper EP and the medium ID. The number of rewrites for each time is managed, and a display instruction for causing the electronic paper EP to perform display according to the number of writes is transmitted from the communication unit 71.

Here, the electronic paper EP performs display in the area 2a based on the number of times of writing based on the display instruction received from the management device 60. The content of this display instruction can be in various modes according to the system setting. .
For example, when the electronic paper EP holds display data corresponding to the number of rewrites (FIG. 6) as in the above example, the number management unit 41 is preset according to the cumulative value of the number of rewrites notified. An instruction to specify display data may be transmitted to the electronic paper EP as a display instruction. When the number management unit 41 (management apparatus side) holds display data (FIG. 6) corresponding to the number of rewrites. The display data newly set in accordance with the integrated value of the number of rewrites notified by the number management unit 41 may be transmitted to the electronic paper EP as a display instruction.

  In the electronic paper EP of this example, whenever the rewrite unit 40 writes the document image to the display unit 2 as described above, the counter unit 42 counts the number of times of writing and communicates with the writer (reader) 70 (or Every time the writing process is performed), the counted number of times of writing is transmitted from the communication unit 5 to the management device 60 together with the medium ID.

  In the management device 60, the communication unit 71 receives the number of writes from the electronic paper EP and the medium ID, and the number management unit 41 manages the number of rewrites for each electronic paper EP based on the received number of writes and the medium ID. A display instruction for causing the electronic paper EP to perform display corresponding to the number of times of writing is transmitted from the communication unit 71. The number management unit 41 has a management table as shown in FIG. 5, for example. The number management unit 41 manages the number of writes notified in association with the medium ID and the latest update date and time each time a predetermined number is reached ( Alternatively, a display instruction is transmitted to the electronic paper EP (every time the number of writing increases).

In the electronic paper EP, when the communication unit 5 receives a display instruction for itself identified by a medium ID or the like, the rewriting means 40 holds in the memory 6 in advance according to the display instruction (or received as a display instruction). A display indicating the number of writings is displayed and held in the area 2a based on the number display data.
As in the above example, the display indicating the number of times of writing can adopt various modes as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, for example, how many times the electronic paper EP is written and repeatedly used. Can be easily recognized.

Here, in the case where the number of writings for each electronic paper EP (that is, the number of times used instead of the paper medium) is centrally managed on the management device 60 side as in this example, each used in the system. Management that grants a privilege to the electronic paper EP (or the user) can be easily performed.
For example, a prize management unit 83 is provided in the server 80, and the prize management unit 83 manages a privilege given to each electronic paper based on the number of rewrites for each electronic paper managed by the number management unit 41. Specifically, for example, when document data is provided to electronic paper for a fee, the prize management unit 83 performs billing processing to reduce the data provision amount as the number of rewrites increases.

Next, the example shown in FIG. 3 uses optical writing type electronic paper EP, and the electronic paper EP is configured as a relatively passive device, and the medium ID set to the display unit 12 and the self is externally provided. An ID notification unit 19 that holds the information so as to be provided is provided. In the description of this example, the same description as in the above example will not be repeated.
The ID notification unit 19 can take various forms. The medium ID is stored in the memory 16 and transmitted to the outside by the communication unit 15. The RFID 27 holds the medium ID so as to be externally readable. For example, the barcode 28 can be used so that the medium ID can be read externally. The writer 70 is provided with a reading unit that acquires the medium ID from the ID notification unit 19 according to the mode of the ID notification unit 19.

  The writer 70 on the management apparatus 60 side has a writing unit 72 for displaying and holding a document image on the display unit 12 of the electronic paper EP. The optical writing type electronic paper EP is loaded in the writer 70 and a writing instruction from the user is given. When input, a document image is projected on the display unit 12 based on the document data read from the database 81, and a write voltage is applied to the electrode 14 of the electronic paper EP, so that the document image is displayed on the display unit 12. Display is retained.

The writing process of the document image to the display unit 12 is counted by the counter unit 42, and the medium ID of the electronic paper written from the ID notification unit 19 in the writing process is acquired. The number of times written is managed by the number management unit 41 as shown in FIG.
The number management unit 41 holds and manages number display data set in advance according to the number of writings as shown in FIG. 6, and is used for displaying the number of times together with the document image when writing the document image on the electronic paper EP. Based on the data, a display image of the number of times is written in the display unit 12 and displayed.

  The display indicating the number of times of writing is divided into areas on the display unit 12 or displayed by overlapping or synthesizing with the document image of the display unit 12, for example, as shown in FIGS. Various modes as shown can be employed, and the user can easily recognize how many times the electronic paper EP has been written and repeatedly used.

Next, the example shown in FIG. 4 uses a self-writing type electronic paper EP, and the electronic paper EP is a timer unit that performs a time measurement process in place of the number management unit 41 and the counter unit 42 in the example shown in FIG. 43 is provided.
In the description of this example, the same description as in the above example will not be repeated.

The timer unit 43 monitors the writing of the document image on the display unit 2 by the rewriting unit 40, and measures the elapsed time from the time when the document image is displayed and held on the display unit 2. That is, the timer unit 43 measures the time during which a certain document image is displayed and held on the display unit 2, and the rewrite unit 40 reads a display image set in advance according to the display holding time measured from the memory 6. The display is held in the area 2a.
The timer unit 43 and the rewriting unit 40 constitute elapsed time display means for performing display according to the display holding time counted in the area 2a.

  In the electronic paper EP of this example, each time the rewriting unit 40 writes the document image to the display unit 2 as described above, the timer unit 43 counts the display holding time for the document image, and at the predetermined display holding time. When reaching, the rewriting means 40 displays and holds the display indicating the display holding time in the area 2a in accordance with the elapsed time display data held in the memory 6 in advance. For example, the memory 6 has a table in which display data is associated with each display holding time, such as 0 to 10 times, 11 to 20 times, 21 to 50 times, and so on. Based on the time measured, an elapsed time display image corresponding to these set times is displayed in the area 2a.

In the present invention, the elapsed time display image can be displayed in various forms. For example (see FIG. 7), the elapsed time area 2a set at the edge of the display unit 2 is displayed on the 0th to 10th days. In the elapsed time range, one mark is displayed, two marks are displayed in the range from the 11th to the 20th, three marks are displayed in the range from the 21st to the 50th, and so on. That is, in this case, the number of mark images corresponding to the display holding time is held in the memory 6, and the mark image is written in the area 2a according to the time keeping time.
Further, as is apparent from referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 9A, FIG. 10, the edge of the display unit 2 and the background of the document image are changed with time, the elapsed time is displayed numerically, etc. The display according to the timekeeping time can be performed in various modes, and the user can easily recognize how old the document image displayed and held on the electronic paper EP is.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the display recording medium management system which concerns on an example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the display recording medium management system which concerns on an example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the display recording medium management system which concerns on an example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the display recording medium management system which concerns on an example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the write frequency management table which concerns on an example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the management table of the data for frequency display which concerns on an example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display mode of the frequency | count of writing which concerns on an example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display mode of the frequency | count of writing which concerns on an example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display mode of the frequency | count of writing which concerns on an example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the display mode of the frequency | count of writing which concerns on an example of this invention. It is a figure which shows self-writing type electronic paper. It is a figure explaining the principle of operation of self-writing type electronic paper. It is a figure explaining the structure of self-writing type electronic paper. It is a figure which shows optical writing type electronic paper. It is a figure explaining the usage method of optical writable electronic paper. It is a figure explaining the principle of operation of optical writing type electronic paper. It is a figure explaining the structure of optical writing type electronic paper. It is a figure which shows the other example of electronic paper.

Explanation of symbols

EP: Display recording medium (electronic paper)
2: display unit, 3: processing unit,
4: Driver, 5: Radio section,
6: Memory, 7: Processor,
12: Display unit, 13: Processing unit,
14: Electrode, 15: Radio section,
16: Memory, 40: Rewrite unit,
41: Count management unit, 42; Counter unit,
43: Timer part, 60: Management device,
70: Writer (reader), 71: Communication unit,
72: writing unit, 80: server,
81: Database, 82: Reading unit,
83: Prize management department,

Claims (20)

A display recording medium provided with a display unit capable of rewriting a document image and maintaining no power,
Rewriting means for writing a document image to be displayed and held on the display unit;
Counter means for counting the number of writing of the document image;
Usage display means for performing display according to the counted number of writings;
A display recording medium comprising: The display recording medium according to claim 1,
The display according to the number of times of writing is performed by displaying the number of times of writing on a display recording medium. The display recording medium according to claim 1,
The display according to the number of times of writing is performed by displaying a mark set according to a predetermined number of times on the display recording medium. The display recording medium according to claim 1,
The display according to the number of times of writing is performed by displaying a resource saving amount or carbon dioxide reduction amount converted when a paper medium is consumed for document image display on a display recording medium. The display recording medium according to claim 1,
The display according to the number of times of writing is performed by adding a change set according to a predetermined number of times to a document image displayed and held on a display unit. A display recording medium management system comprising: a display recording medium having a display unit that can rewrite a document image and retains no power; and a management device that manages the usage status of the display recording medium,
The display recording medium is
A communication means for performing information communication with the management device;
Rewriting means for writing a document image to be displayed and held on the display unit;
Counter means for counting the number of writing of the document image;
A notification means for transmitting the counted number of times of writing together with information for identifying its own display recording medium to the management device;
Usage display means for performing display according to the number of writes based on a display instruction received from the management device,
The management device
Communication means for performing information communication with the display recording medium;
Number of times management means for managing the number of rewrites for each display recording medium based on the number of times of writing received from the display recording medium and the identification information, and transmitting a display instruction for causing the display recording medium to perform display according to the number of times of writing; A display recording medium management system comprising: A display recording medium management system comprising: a display recording medium having a display unit that can rewrite a document image and retains no power; and a management device that manages the usage status of the display recording medium,
The display recording medium is
A communication means for performing information communication with the management device;
Notification means for transmitting information for identifying its own display recording medium to the management device;
The management device
Communication means for performing information communication with the display recording medium;
Writing means for writing a document image on the display unit of the display recording medium;
Frequency management means for managing the number of document image writing for each display recording medium based on the identification information received from the display recording medium, and causing the writing means to display the display recording medium in accordance with the number of writing. A display recording medium management system characterized by the above. In the display recording medium management system according to claim 6 or 7,
The display according to the number of times of writing is performed by displaying the number of times of writing on a display recording medium. In the display recording medium management system according to claim 6 or 7,
The display according to the number of times of writing is performed by displaying a mark set according to a predetermined number of times on the display recording medium. In the display recording medium management system according to claim 6 or 7,
Display according to the number of times of writing is performed by displaying a resource saving amount or carbon dioxide reduction amount converted when a paper medium is consumed for displaying a document image on a display recording medium. system. In the display recording medium management system according to claim 6 or 7,
The display according to the number of times of writing is performed by adding a change set according to a predetermined number of times to a document image displayed and held on a display unit. In the display recording medium management system according to claim 6 or 7,
A display recording medium management system comprising a prize management means for managing a privilege given to each display recording medium based on the number of rewrites for each display recording medium managed by the number management means. A display recording medium provided with a display unit capable of rewriting a document image and maintaining no power,
Rewriting means for writing a document image to be displayed and held on the display unit;
Timer means for measuring the display holding time of the document image by the display unit;
An elapsed time display means for performing display according to the measured display holding time;
A display recording medium comprising: The display recording medium according to claim 13,
The display recording medium is characterized in that the display according to the display holding time is made by displaying the display holding time on a display recording medium. The display recording medium according to claim 13,
The display according to the display holding time is performed by displaying a mark set according to a predetermined display holding time on the display recording medium. The display recording medium according to claim 13,
The display according to the display holding time is performed by adding a change set according to a predetermined display holding time to a document image displayed and held on a display unit. A method of displaying a usage status on a display recording medium having a display unit capable of rewriting a document image and maintaining no power,
The counter means provided in the display recording medium counts the number of times the document image is written on the display unit,
A usage status display method for a display recording medium, characterized in that a usage display means provided on the display recording medium performs display according to the counted number of writings. A method of displaying a usage status of a display recording medium using a display recording medium having a display unit capable of rewriting a document image and maintaining no power supply, and a management device for managing the usage status of the display recording medium,
The counter means provided in the display recording medium counts the number of times the document image is written on the display unit,
The notifying means provided on the display recording medium transmits the counted number of times of writing together with information for identifying its own display recording medium to the management device,
The number management means provided in the management device manages the number of rewrites for each display recording medium based on the number of times of writing received from the display recording medium and the identification information, and performs display on the display recording medium according to the number of times of writing. Send display instructions to
A usage status display method for a display recording medium, characterized in that a usage display means provided on the display recording medium performs display according to the number of times of writing based on a display instruction received from the management apparatus. A method of displaying a usage status of a display recording medium using a display recording medium having a display unit capable of rewriting a document image and maintaining no power supply, and a management device for managing the usage status of the display recording medium,
The notification means provided in the display recording medium transmits information for identifying its own display recording medium to the management device,
Writing means provided in the management device writes a document image on the display unit of the display recording medium,
The number management means provided in the management device manages the number of document image writing for each display recording medium based on the identification information received from the display recording medium, and the number of times writing to the display recording medium by the writing process by the writing means A method for displaying a usage status of a display recording medium, characterized in that display is performed according to the conditions. A method of displaying a usage status on a display recording medium having a display unit capable of rewriting a document image and maintaining no power,
Timer means provided in the display recording medium, the display holding time of the document image by the display unit,
An elapsed time display means provided in the display recording medium performs display according to the measured display holding time.

Images