IP Library Granted Patent US 9,024,933
Granted Patent B2
US 9,024,933 · App. 13/588,410 · Granted May 5, 2015

Electronic paper and electronic paper recording system using light receiving elements

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,024,933
App. No.
13/588,410
Granted
May 5, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electronic paper includes: a first substrate which is provided with a plurality of first electrodes; a wiring which applies a voltage to the plurality of first electrodes; a plurality of light receiving elements which are respectively provided between the plurality of first electrodes and the wiring; a second substrate which is arranged to be opposite the first substrate and is provided with a second electrode; an electrophoretic display layer which is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a light guidance unit which is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, and is configured to guide light incident upon the second substrate to the relevant light receiving elements.

Claims (23)

1. An electronic paper, comprising:

a first substrate which is provided with a plurality of first pixel electrodes;

a wiring which applies a voltage to the plurality of first pixel electrodes;

a plurality of light receiving elements which are respectively provided between the plurality of first pixel electrodes and the wiring;

a second substrate which is arranged to be opposite the first substrate and is provided with a second common electrode;

an electrophoretic display layer which is arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate; and

a barrier wall that is:

arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate,

immediately above the light receiving elements, and

configured to guide light incident upon the second substrate to the relevant light receiving elements,

wherein the plurality of light receiving elements detect light from a light irradiation apparatus led using the barrier wall, and control a conduction state between the plurality of pixel electrodes and the wiring, and

wherein the wiring is on a side of the first substrate opposite to a side of the first substrate facing the second substrate such that during a writing operation electricity is conducted between the pixel electrodes and the wiring causing an electric field between the pixel electrodes and the common electrode to be generated such that the electrophoretic display layer can switch the display of pixels corresponding to the light irradiation location without using a driving circuit.

2. The electronic paper according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light receiving elements are arranged in at least a part of a surrounding area of the plurality of first electrodes.

3. The electronic paper according to claim 1 , wherein:

the barrier wall divides a space between the first substrate and the second substrate into a plurality of enclosed regions; and

a dispersion liquid is filled into the enclosed regions and is configured to include a plurality of electrophoretic particles.

4. An electronic paper recording system comprising:

the electronic paper according to claim 1 ; and

a writing apparatus which is used to draw an image on the electronic paper,

wherein the writing apparatus includes:

a voltage applying apparatus which applies a voltage to the wiring included in the first substrate; and

the light irradiation apparatus, wherein the light irradiation apparatus irradiates light which can be detected using the light receiving elements from a side of the second substrate to the electronic paper.

5. The electronic paper according to claim 1 , wherein the light receiving elements are arranged around the first electrodes.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2018
From: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
To: E INK CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 047072/0325 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 17, 2012
From: TAKEI, YOSHIKI
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028826/0570 →