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WO2001031469A1 - Dispositif de lecture electronique - Google Patents

Dispositif de lecture electronique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001031469A1
WO2001031469A1 PCT/US2000/028691 US0028691W WO0131469A1 WO 2001031469 A1 WO2001031469 A1 WO 2001031469A1 US 0028691 W US0028691 W US 0028691W WO 0131469 A1 WO0131469 A1 WO 0131469A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
reading device
electronic reading
imaging
substrate
paper
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/028691
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001031469A9 (fr
Inventor
Michael W. Riley
Original Assignee
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company filed Critical R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company
Priority to AU12098/01A priority Critical patent/AU1209801A/en
Publication of WO2001031469A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001031469A1/fr
Publication of WO2001031469A9 publication Critical patent/WO2001031469A9/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F15/00—Digital computers in general; Data processing equipment in general
    • G06F15/02—Digital computers in general; Data processing equipment in general manually operated with input through keyboard and computation using a built-in program, e.g. pocket calculators
    • G06F15/025—Digital computers in general; Data processing equipment in general manually operated with input through keyboard and computation using a built-in program, e.g. pocket calculators adapted to a specific application
    • G06F15/0283—Digital computers in general; Data processing equipment in general manually operated with input through keyboard and computation using a built-in program, e.g. pocket calculators adapted to a specific application for data storage and retrieval

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to electronic reading devices, and more particularly, to electronic reading devices having paper-based substrates to display and disseminate information.
  • a typical hand-held electronic reading device includes a display screen which displays a user interface that allows a user to control the retrieval and display of information such as text and/or images.
  • the user interface typically also allows the user to modify the information by highlighting, underlining or otherwise marking same.
  • the display screen of the typical electronic reading device comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD).
  • LCD liquid crystal display
  • This type of display requires a large amount of power, thereby requiring the user to regularly change or recharge the battery used in the device. Additionally, this display generally has poor readability due to narrow viewing angles and poor contrast ratio. This poor readability is exacerbated by the high reflectivity of the screen of the display. Moreover, the typical electronic reading device must be handled carefully due to the fragile nature of the display. Finally, because this display is expensive to manufacture, the electronic reading device must be sold at a high price which prevents it from being accessible to the mass market.
  • the typical electronic reading device In addition to the physical limitations of the typical electronic reading device, the typical electronic reading device has practical limitations.
  • the device merely serves as a medium by which an individual user can receive and read the stored information. Such devices do not allow the individual users to disseminate the information in a tangible form, such as a piece of printed paper. Because the information is viewable only as digitized text on the display, users cannot create copies of the information in its original or modified forms for distribution to third parties.
  • the typical electronic reading device is not widely accepted. Many users, particularly book and newspaper enthusiasts, are reluctant to adopt the electronic reading devices, instead preferring the look and feel of ink on paper. Also, this medium has a high contrast ratio resulting from the use of black ink on white paper which makes the text easier to read. Still further, printed matter offers more flexibility for storage and portability, is lightweight and is more durable because it will not break if dropped.
  • an electronic reading device comprises a display which includes a paper-based substrate and a plurality of display elements wherein each display element has first and second stable states and a first appearance when in the first stable state and a second appearance when in the second stable state.
  • the device further includes a memory for storing information in electronic form and means for causing the display elements to assume one of the stable states in accordance with the stored information.
  • the substrate comprises a single sheet of paper removably disposed adjacent to the electronic reading device and having display elements disposed on the paper-based substrate wherein each display element is an electrically charged ink.
  • the causing means of the electronic reading device comprises a stationary charged plate-like surface having a two-dimensional array of elements. This charged surface also includes a processor coupled to the memory.
  • the causing means may be a charged surface that is movable along the substrate wherein the charged surface comprises a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array of elements.
  • the electronic reading device may have a reprogrammable memory.
  • an electronic reading device comprises a housing having a recess that is accessible through a slot, a paper-based substrate disposed in the recess and removable from the device through the slot and a circuit disposed in the housing which renders content on the paper- based substrate.
  • an electronic reading device includes a housing having a recess therein, a paper-based substrate disposed in the housing and having a plurality of display elements disposed on the paper, a memory disposed in the housing for storing information and an imaging apparatus.
  • the imaging apparatus is coupled to the memory and disposed in the housing adjacent the substrate and is adapted to render content on the substrate in accordance with information stored in the memory.
  • the present invention provides a user with the ability to select and read textual information, modify the selected information and distribute the originally selected or modified information to third persons.
  • Fig. 1 is an perspective view of an electronic reading device according to the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a plan view, with portions broken away, of the reading device according to a first embodiment of the present invention wherein the paper-based substrate is partially inserted into the electronic reading device;
  • Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the electronic reading device taken generally along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic reading device of Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the feeder slot of the electronic reading device of Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a system for processing information retrieved by the electronic reading device of Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 7 is a plan view, with portions broken away, similar to Fig. 2 of the electronic reading device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the electronic reading device taken generally along the lines 8-8 of Fig. 7;
  • Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic reading device of Fig. 7;
  • Fig. 10 is a block diagram of a system for processing information received by the electronic reading device of Fig. 7;
  • Fig. 11 is an perspective view of the electronic reading device according to
  • Fig. 12 is a plan view of the electronic reading device of Fig. 2 or Fig 7 illustrating the annotations created by the writing stylus;
  • Fig. 13 is a plan view of the electronic reading device of Fig. 12 illustrating the imaging substrate partially removed.
  • an electronic reading device 10 in the form of an electronic book comprises a housing 12 and a display in the form of an imaging substrate 14 having a plurality of display elements disposed thereon.
  • the imaging substrate 14 is disposed within a recess 15.
  • the housing 12 includes a transparent face plate 16 that at least partially defines the recess 15.
  • the housing 12 is made of a durable, light-weight, non-breakable plastic material and is compact and easily transportable.
  • the housing 12 is rectangular in overall shape and has a length of approximately seven inches, a width of approximately five inches, and a depth of approximately one-half inch. Referring also to Fig.
  • the housing 12 includes four sides 18a-18d having no openings, a fifth side 18e having the cavity 20 formed therein and a sixth side 18f having a slot 22 formed therein.
  • the cavity 20 extends into the side 18f.
  • the housing 12 may alternatively have a different configuration, if desired.
  • the imaging substrate 14 comprises a paper- based substrate having a bistable material or other coating or other suitable material, such as a polymer composition, deposited thereon. Text and image information stored in a memory of the electronic device 10 is rendered on the side of the imaging substrate 14 which is visible to a user.
  • the bistable material in one embodiment, may comprise E Ink, an ink-type material containing microcapsules wherein each microcapsule contains dye and small chips of pigment carrying a positive charge.
  • E Ink is (or will be) manufactured and/or sold by the E Ink Corporation of Cambridge, MA. To utilize this E Ink display technology, the microcapsules are exposed to an electrical charge causing the pigment chips to move to one end or the other of the microcapsules.
  • the material is preferably (although not necessarily) bistable in the sense that the rendered information remains on the substrate even when the electrical charge is removed.
  • material having a different number of stable states may be used.
  • An alternate material comprises a display technology called “gyricon” invented by Xerox of Palo Alto, CA. This technology utilizes bichromal beads having hemispheres of contrasting color which are charged to exhibit an electrical dipole such that the beads flip in response to applied electrical charge.
  • Such an alternate material is (or will be) manufactured and/or sold by 3M of Minneapolis, MN.
  • the aforementioned materials allow the user to reprogram the imaging substrate 14 to render new content quickly and efficiently. Additionally, because these materials can be sprayed or otherwise deposited on the imaging substrate 14 very finely and the particles comprising these materials is so small, the resolution of the ink on the substrate is often better than current display screens and may even surpass the clarity of conventionally printed text and images.
  • any other ink-like composition that provides clarity and reprogrammability may be used.
  • the face plate 16 protects the imaging substrate 14 from any damage that might occur during ordinary use of the electronic reading device 10.
  • the protective face plate 16 preferably is clear or may be tinted to increase contrast. Additionally, the face plate 16 may be composed of any lightweight and/or durable polymer composition. The surface finish may be treated to reduce reflectivity to improve readability.
  • the electronic reading device 10 is constructed such that the imaging substrate 14 may be removed and replaced with a different sheet of imaging substrate 14. In one possible mode of operation, after content has been rendered on the imaging substrate 14, the imaging substrate 14 may be removed and a different sheet of imaging substrate 14 having the electrically charged ink can be reloaded into the electronic reading device 10.
  • the electronic reading device 10 essentially serves as both a display device and a printer. If desired, once pages of the imaging substrate 14 are removed, the content displayed on the pages may be copied for storage or distribution purposes.
  • Figs. 4, 5 and 9 show the slot 22 consisting of a long, narrow opening in the housing 12 that is slightly longer and slightly wider than the imaging substrate 14.
  • the feeder slot 22 permits the manual transfer of sheets of imaging substrate 14 into and out of the device. In an alternate embodiment, the feeder slot 22 may take any shape or size and/or the apparatus may be provided for automatically assisting in such transfer.
  • the imaging substrate 14 includes a Mylar strip 26.
  • the Mylar strip 26 extends across the width of the imaging substrate 14 at one end thereof and is not visible when the imaging substrate 14 is fully inserted into the electronic reading device 10.
  • the Mylar strip 26 may be approximately one-quarter of an inch wide.
  • the Mylar strip 26 could be located anywhere on the imaging substrate 14.
  • the Mylar strip 26 helps to prevent damage to the imaging substrate 14 when inserting and removing the substrate from the electronic reading device 10.
  • the Mylar strip 26 is more rigid and more durable than the imaging substrate 14 and, thus, helps to reinforce imaging substrate 14 and prevent unwanted bending, cracking or tearing of the substrate.
  • the Mylar strip 26 may include a conductive filament which cooperates with a sensor (not shown) located in the housing 12 for detecting whether or not the imaging substrate 14 has been properly inserted into the electronic reading device 10. Thus, the Mylar strip 26 may act as a type of position validation strip. The Mylar strip 26 may also facilitate the conductivity of the electrical charge traveling between the imaging plate 28 or the imaging bar 30 and the imaging substrate 14.
  • a grip tab 24 is located in approximately the center of the Mylar strip 26; however, the grip tab 24 may be positioned anywhere on the imaging substrate 14.
  • the grip tab 24 may comprise a thickened portion of the Mylar strip 26 onto which an abrasive material is affixed to facilitate gripping of the imaging substrate 14.
  • the grip tab 24 provides a place for a user to grasp the imaging substrate 14 with his or her thumb and forefinger during insertion and removal of the imaging substrate 14 from the electronic reading device 10.
  • the cavity 20 exposes the grip tab 24 thereby allowing the user to easily grasp the grip tab 24 connected to the imaging substrate 14.
  • the imaging plate 28 receives electrical charges in accordance with data 50 stored in a reprogrammable memory 52 as retrieved by a processor 54.
  • An interface circuit 56 controls the application of electrical charges to the various areas of the plate 28.
  • the data 50 may be provided from any source, such as a network, a storage device, the Internet, etc.
  • the charged plate 28 renders the textual and/or image information corresponding to the stored data 50 quickly and efficiently on the imaging substrate 14. To re-render a new page of content, the imaging plate 28 is charged to neutralize or clear the charged ink and, then, re-render it, similar to an erase head on a video cassette recorder or a cassette tape recorder.
  • the plate 28 could be replaced by a movable imaging bar 30.
  • the imaging bar 30 has a cylindrical spindle 34 extending from one end of the imaging bar 30.
  • a substantially similar cylindrical spindle extends from the opposite end of the imaging bar 30.
  • the imaging bar 30 reciprocates back and forth across the imaging substrate 14.
  • the imaging bar 30 comprises a movable one-dimensional or two-dimensional array of charged elements.
  • the imaging bar 30 receives electrical charges in accordance with data 60 stored in a reprogrammable memory 62 as retrieved by a processor 64.
  • An interface circuit 66 controls the application of electrical charges to the various areas of the bar 30.
  • the data 60 may be provided from any source, such as a network, a storage device, the Internet, etc.
  • the imaging bar 30 translates the information into electrical changes. Due to the nature of the imaging bar 30, charges are produced line-by-line. Essentially, the imaging bar 30 functions similarly to the imaging plate 28 described above. Charges are applied which result in the rendering of content on the imaging substrate 14. However, because the imaging bar 30 renders content linearly, the imaging bar technique may be slower and potentially less efficient than the imaging plate technique. On the other hand, if the imaging bar 30 is made stationary and the imaging substrate 14 is moved past the imaging bar 30 by a feeding mechanism, the size (i.e., the length) of the imaging substrate 14 maybe made larger than the corresponding dimension of the housing 12.
  • Fig. 9 diagrammatically shows two imaging bar slots 38, 40 which receive the cylindrical spindle 34 and the substantially similar cylindrical spindle on the opposite side of the imaging bar 30, respectively.
  • the imaging bar 30 may be moved in linear fashion along the slots 38,40 substantially the entire length of the housing 12 by any suitable apparatus.
  • the bar 30 may be moved by an apparatus similar or identical to that found in a scanner to enable the imaging bar 30 to linearly render content on the imaging substrate 14 from top to bottom or vice versa.
  • the electronic reading device 10 includes a conductive sheet protector 32.
  • the conductive sheet protector 32 is a sheet-like protective layer located, in one embodiment, between the imaging substrate 14 and the imaging plate 28 and, in another embodiment, between the imaging substrate 14 and the imaging bar 30.
  • the conductive sheet protector 32 facilitates the transfer of charge between the imaging substrate 14 and either the imaging plate 28 or the imaging bar 30.
  • the conductive sheet protector 32 also protects the imaging plate 28 or imaging bar 30 from damage during the insertion or removal of the imaging substrate 14. Still further, the conductive sheet protector 32 keeps the imaging substrate 14 flat during insertion of the substrate into the electronic device 10 and maintains the flatness of the imaging substrate 14 while the device is operative by securely holding the substrate against the protective face plate 16.
  • an embodiment of the electronic reading device could have a variety of actual or virtual function keys allowing a user to involve one or more functions which control the retrieval and display of data.
  • function keys could be implemented in a number of different ways including, but not limited to, buttons incorporated into the housing 12, attachments to the electronic reading device 10, such as a control panel or keyboard-like device, or icons displayed on the on the imaging substrate 14 by a user interface where the icons vary according to the functions represented.
  • the electronic reading device 10 could include a writing stylus 42 to mark or modify the information displayed on the imaging substrate.
  • the writing stylus 42 has a finely-pointed tip that emits a charge which, when applied to coating of ink material, flips or otherwise alters the ink particles.
  • the electrically charged stylus may interact with the substrate 14 to make annotations on the rendered content, much like a traditional ink-based pen could be used to make markings on a traditional ink and paper page.
  • annotations may be captured and electronically stored in the memory of the electronic reading device 10 for later retrieval.
  • a page of information rendered on the imaging substrate 14 could have multiple markings made by multiple individuals which could be displayed separately or which could be layered on top of one another to review all markings made on a page.
  • the imaging substrate 14 may be removed as illustrated in Fig 13. Once removed, the imaging substrate 14 retains the rendered content as well as the annotations and/or any other modifications. If desired, once pages of the imaging substrate 14 are removed, the content displayed on the pages may be copied for storage or distribution purposes. Morever, if desired, the user could render the original content stored in the memory of the electronic reading device 10 without any markings or annotations.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computing Systems (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)

Abstract

Le dispositif de lecture électronique comprend un affichage constitué en un substrat à base de papier doté d'un certain nombre d'éléments d'affichage. Chaque élément d'affichage présente deux états stables, le premier état stable prenant une première apparence et le second état stable prenant une seconde apparence. Le dispositif de lecture électronique comprend également une mémoire servant à stocker des informations et un circuit qui rend le contenu sur le substrat.
PCT/US2000/028691 1999-10-22 2000-10-17 Dispositif de lecture electronique WO2001031469A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU12098/01A AU1209801A (en) 1999-10-22 2000-10-17 Electronic reading device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US42681799A 1999-10-22 1999-10-22
US09/426,817 1999-10-22

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001031469A1 true WO2001031469A1 (fr) 2001-05-03
WO2001031469A9 WO2001031469A9 (fr) 2002-11-07

Family

ID=23692320

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/028691 WO2001031469A1 (fr) 1999-10-22 2000-10-17 Dispositif de lecture electronique

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1209801A (fr)
WO (1) WO2001031469A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2162825A4 (fr) * 2007-06-29 2011-11-02 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Livre électronique d'écriture

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997004398A2 (fr) * 1995-07-20 1997-02-06 Jacobson Joseph M Livre electronique a affichages de pages multiples
US5825529A (en) * 1996-06-27 1998-10-20 Xerox Corporation Gyricon display with no elastomer substrate
US5847698A (en) * 1996-09-17 1998-12-08 Dataventures, Inc. Electronic book device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997004398A2 (fr) * 1995-07-20 1997-02-06 Jacobson Joseph M Livre electronique a affichages de pages multiples
US5825529A (en) * 1996-06-27 1998-10-20 Xerox Corporation Gyricon display with no elastomer substrate
US5847698A (en) * 1996-09-17 1998-12-08 Dataventures, Inc. Electronic book device

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2162825A4 (fr) * 2007-06-29 2011-11-02 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Livre électronique d'écriture

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2001031469A9 (fr) 2002-11-07
AU1209801A (en) 2001-05-08

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