Apparatus having a rewritable display portion

• US 20040075928A1
• Filed: 10/01/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teruo Sakamaki
• Original Assignee: Teruo Sakamaki
• Inventors: Sakamaki, Teruo
• Granted Patent: US 6,980,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 360/55
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0302 Auxiliary features
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/042 Auxiliary features sensing such features G11B15/06
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/38 Visual features other than those contained in record tracks or represented by sprocket holes the visual signals being auxiliary signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/40 Identifying or analogous means applied to or incorporated in the record carrier and not intended for visual display simultaneously with the playing-back of the record carrier, e.g. label, leader, photograph
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/10 Indicating arrangements; Warning arrangements G11B15/04, G11B19/04, G11B27/34, G11B27/36 take precedence

Abstract

A videocassette has a display portion for displaying recorded contents. The display portion is formed with a display device. The display device has a conductive layer, a PDLC (polymer-dispersed liquid crystal) film, and a protective layer. The display device can repeatedly record and erase visible information.

Claims

1. A recording medium having a display portion for displaying recorded contents,

wherein said display portion is rewritable by being formed with a display device that can repeatedly record and erase visible information.

2. A recording medium as claimed in claim 1,

wherein said display device changes its state between a recorded state and an erased state through action of an electric field in one direction and through action of heat in the other direction.

3. A recording medium as claimed in claim 2,

wherein said display device is formed with a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal film that can change orientation of liquid crystal molecules dispersed in and held by high-polymer material through action of heat and an electric field.

4. A method of using a recording medium having a display portion for displaying recorded contents, said display portion being rewritable by being formed with a display device that can repeatedly record and erase visible information,

wherein an image obtained by processing an image signal recorded on said recording medium is displayed on said display portion.

5. A method of using a recording medium as claimed in claim 4,

wherein said display device changes its state between a recorded state and an erased state through action of an electric field in one direction and through action of heat in the other direction.

6. A method of using a recording medium as claimed in claim 5,

wherein said display device is formed with a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal film that can change orientation of liquid crystal molecules dispersed in and held by high-polymer material through action of heat and an electric field.

7. A container for storing a recording medium, said container having a display portion for displaying contents recorded on the recording medium,

wherein said display portion is rewritable by being formed with a display device that can repeatedly record and erase visible information.

8. A container for storing a recording medium as claimed in claim 7,

wherein said display device changes its state between a recorded state and an erased state through action of an electric field in one direction and through action of heat in the other direction.

9. A container for storing a recording medium as claimed in claim 8,

wherein said display device is formed with a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal film that can change orientation of liquid crystal molecules dispersed in and held by high-polymer material through action of heat and an electric field.

10. A method of using a container for storing a recording medium, said container having a display portion for displaying contents recorded on the recording medium, said display portion being rewritable by being formed with a display device that can repeatedly record and erase visible information,

wherein an image obtained by processing an image signal recorded on said recording medium is displayed on said display portion.

11. A method of using a container for storing a recording medium as claimed in claim 10,

wherein said display device changes its state between a recorded state and an erased state through action of an electric field in one direction and through action of heat in the other direction.

12. A method of using a container for storing a recording medium as claimed in claim 11,

wherein said display device is formed with a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal film that can change orientation of liquid crystal molecules dispersed in and held by high-polymer material through action of heat and an electric field.

13. A mechanically scrollable display comprising a first winder around which a rewritable display medium is wound, and a second winder which winds up the rewritable medium unwound from the first winder,

wherein at least a write unit for writing information to said display medium and an erase unit for erasing information from said display medium are disposed near an entrance/exit portion of either of said first and second winders.

16. A mechanically scrollable display as claimed in claim 13 or 15,

wherein said display medium allows information to be written thereto by action of heat and to be erased therefrom by action of an electric field, said write unit comprises a heating means for applying heat to said display medium to write information thereto, and said erase unit comprises an electric-field application means for applying an electric field to said display medium to erase information therefrom.

17. A mechanically scrollable display as claimed in claim 13, 14, 15, or 16,

wherein said display medium is formed with a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal film.

14. A mechanically scrollable display comprising a first winder around which a rewritable display medium is wound, and a second winder which winds up the rewritable medium unwound from the first winder,

wherein at least an erase unit for erasing information from said display medium is disposed near an entrance/exit portion of either of said first and second winders.

15. A mechanically scrollable display comprising a first winder around which a rewritable display medium is wound, and a second winder which winds up the rewritable medium unwound from the first winder,

wherein a write unit for writing information to said display medium is disposed near an entrance/exit portion of said first winder, and an erase unit for erasing information from said display medium is disposed near an entrance/exit portion of said second winder.