Image display apparatus and image display method

• US 20050099363A1
• Filed: 09/03/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Yamamoto, Ryoichi, Sanada, Kazuo, Kimura, Koichi, Inoue, Seiichi, Kodama, Kenichi, Yokouchi, Tsutomu
• Granted Patent: US 7,304,620 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/33
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/24 using tubes or the like filled with liquid, e.g. bubbling liquid

Abstract

The method and apparatus for displaying an image using liquid generate a segment fluid row, in which plural liquid masses each of which includes first liquid having at least one predetermined coloring matter and are separated from each other are arranged in a row shape, by sequentially and intermittently supplying predetermined amounts of the first liquid in accordance with image information of a desired image to be displayed to a flow path provided in accordance with an image display region for image displaying; and display the desired image in the image display region with the first liquid by causing the generated segment fluid row to move to a predetermined position of said flow path.

Claims

1. An image display apparatus that displays an image using liquid, comprising:

an image display plate having an image display region;

a flow path provided in accordance with said image display region and regulating a moving direction of the fluid; and

a segment fluid row formation means for generating a segment fluid row, in which plural liquid masses each of which includes first liquid having at least one predetermined coloring matter and are separated from each other are arranged in a row shape, by sequentially and intermittently supplying predetermined amounts of the first liquid to said flow path in accordance with image information of a desired image to be displayed, and causing the generated segment fluid row to move in said flow path,

wherein the desired image is displayed in said image display region by the first liquid of the segment fluid row moved to a predetermined position of said flow path.

2. The image display apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said plural liquid masses of the segment fluid row are separated from each other by gas or liquid.

3. The image display apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said segment fluid row formation means generates the segment fluid row by arranging plural liquid masses made of second liquid having transparency in a row shape through division of the second liquid in advance and injecting the first liquid into said plural liquid masses of the second liquid in accordance with the image information.

4. The image display apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said segment fluid row formation means generates the segment fluid row by arranging said plural liquid masses made or the first liquid in a row manner through division of the first liquid in advance and injecting second liquid into said plural liquid masses of the first liquid in accordance with the image information.

5. The image display apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the first liquid included in each liquid mass is one of liquid colored using at least one of three coloring matters for R (red), G (green), and B (blue) and liquid colored using at least one of four coloring matters for C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black).

6. The image display apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said flow path includes a position adjustment means for, when the movement of the segment fluid row by said segment fluid row formation means is stopped, adjusting a position of each liquid mass of the segment fluid row.

7. The image display apparatus according to claim 6,

wherein said position adjustment means is one of water-repellent treatment portions and water-receptive treatment portions formed for a wall surface of said flow path and holding each liquid mass of the segment fluid row.

8. The image display apparatus according to claim 6,

wherein said position adjustment means is depression portions formed for a wall surface of said flow path and holding each liquid mass of the segment fluid row.

9. The image display apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said flow path has one flow path entrance and one flow path exit and one segment fluid row moving path is formed between said flow path entrance and said flow path exit.

10. The image display apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said flow path has at least two flow path entrances and at least two flow path exits, with said flow path entrances and said flow path exits being in a one-to-one correspondence, and at least two segment fluid row moving paths are formed between said flow path entrances and said flow path exits.

11. The image display apparatus according to claim 10,

wherein said segment fluid row moving paths extend parallel to each other.

12. An image display method for displaying an image using liquid, comprising:

generating a segment fluid row, in which plural liquid masses each of which includes first liquid having at least one predetermined coloring matter and are separated from each other are arranged in a row shape, by sequentially and intermittently supplying predetermined amounts of the first liquid in accordance with image information of a desired image to be displayed to a flow path provided in accordance with an image display region for image displaying; and

displaying the desired image in said image display region with the first liquid by causing the generated segment fluid row to move to a predetermined position of said flow path.