MACHINE-READABLE DISPLAYS

• US 20060279527A1
• Filed: 06/09/2006
• Published: 12/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: E Ink Corporation (E Ink Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: E Ink Corporation (E Ink Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Zehner, Robert W., Comiskey, Barrett, Wilcox, Russell J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,009,348 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/107
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/02 Details of power systems and of start or stop of display operation
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/04 Electronic labels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/344 based on particles moving in a fluid or in a gas, e.g. electrophoretic devices electrophoretic devices per se G02F1/167
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/38 using electrochromic devices

Abstract

A reflective electro-optic display (200) has a bar code display area (206) arranged to display a bar code readable by a bar code scanner.

Claims

1. A reflective electro-optic display having a bar code display area arranged to display a bar code readable by a bar code scanner, the display comprising a rotatable bichromal member or electrochromic electro-optic medium.

2. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 having a visual message display area separate from the bar code display area and arranged to display at least one indicium selected from the group consisting of alphanumeric characters and graphics.

3. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 wherein the bar code display area is arranged to display a one-dimensional bar code.

4. An electro-optic display according to claim 3 wherein the bar code display area is provided with a plurality of parallel elongate electrodes and drive means for applying to the elongate electrodes differing voltages, thereby causing the electro-optic display to display the bar code.

5. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 having a writing means movable linearly relative to the bar code display area, the writing means having at least one electrode capable of writing on the bar code display area.

6. An electro-optic display according to claim 5 wherein the writing means is provided with a plurality of electrodes and means for varying the voltages applied to the electrodes as the writing means is moved relative to the bar code display area, so that the writing means writes a two-dimensional bar code on the bar code display area.

7. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 having input means for receiving data from an source external to the display or from a sensor, and for varying at least one area of the display dependent upon the data.

8. An electro-optic display according to claim 7 wherein the input means comprises at least one electrode provided on the external surface of the display.

9. An electro-optic display according to claim 7 wherein the input means comprises an induction loop.

10. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 further comprising a power source.

11. An electro-optic display according to claim 1 further comprising a pick-up coil arranged for inductive coupling to an external power source.

12. Apparatus for the display of goods, the apparatus comprising a surface for supporting the goods, and an electro-optic display according to claim 1 disposed adjacent the surface for supporting the goods.

13. A reflective electro-optic display having a bar code display area arranged to display a bar code readable by a bar code scanner, the display comprising an electrophoretic electro-optic medium, the electrophoretic medium comprising a plurality of electrically charged particles in a gas and capable of moving through the gas on application of an electric field thereto.

14. An electro-optic display according to claim 13 having a visual message display area separate from the bar code display area and arranged to display at least one indicium selected from the group consisting of alphanumeric characters and graphics.

15. An electro-optic display according to claim 13 wherein the bar code display area is arranged to display a one-dimensional bar code.

16. An electro-optic display according to claim 15 wherein the bar code display area is provided with a plurality of parallel elongate electrodes and drive means for applying to the elongate electrodes differing voltages, thereby causing the electro-optic display to display the bar code.

17. An electro-optic display according to claim 13 having a writing means movable linearly relative to the bar code display area, the writing means having at least one electrode capable of writing on the bar code display area.

18. An electro-optic display according to claim 17 wherein the writing means is provided with a plurality of electrodes and means for varying the voltages applied to the electrodes as the writing means is moved relative to the bar code display area, so that the writing means writes a two-dimensional bar code on the bar code display area.

19. An electro-optic display according to claim 13 having input means for receiving data from an source external to the display or from a sensor, and for varying at least one area of the display dependent upon the data.

20. An electro-optic display according to claim 19 wherein the input means comprises at least one electrode provided on the external surface of the display.

21. An electro-optic display according to claim 19 wherein the input means comprises an induction loop.

22. An electro-optic display according to claim 13 further comprising a power source.

23. An electro-optic display according to claim 13 further comprising a pick-up coil arranged for inductive coupling to an external power source.

24. Apparatus for the display of goods, the apparatus comprising a surface for supporting the goods, and an electro-optic display according to claim 13 disposed adjacent the surface for supporting the goods.

25. A reflective electro-optic display having a bar code display area arranged to display a bar code readable by a bar code scanner, the display having a writing means movable linearly relative to the bar code display area, the writing means having at least one electrode capable of writing on the bar code display area.

26. Apparatus for the display of goods, the apparatus comprising a surface for supporting the goods, and an electro-optic display according to claim 25 disposed adjacent the surface for supporting the goods.

27. A reflective electro-optic display having a bar code display area arranged to display a bar code readable by a bar code scanner, the display further having a visual message area separate from the bar code display area and arranged to display at least one indicium selected from the group consisting of alphanumeric characters and graphics, the electro-optic display having data input means for receiving data from an external data source and displaying this data on at least one of the bar code display area and the visual message area.

28. An electro-optic display according to claim 27 wherein the input means comprises at least one electrode provided on the external surface of the display.

29. An electro-optic display according to claim 27 wherein the input means comprises an induction loop.

30. An electro-optic display according to claim 27 in the form of a smart card.

31. A reflective electro-optic display having a bar code display area arranged to display a bar code readable by a bar code scanner.

32. A package comprising a container, goods confined within the container and capable of being rendered unsuitable for use due to occurrence of a condition, and an electro-optic display affixed to the container and arranged to indicate when the condition has occurred.

33. A device for the electronic display of information on a storage surface comprising:

(a) a goods storage surface, wherein said goods storage surface comprises;

(i) a portion for supporting goods; and

(ii) an extension for displaying information;

and

(b) an updatable electrophoretic display unit proximately disposed on said extension, wherein said electrophoretic display unit comprises;

(i) a bistable encapsulated electrophoretic display medium, and

(ii) a first electrode disposed adjacent said electrophoretic display medium,

wherein said display state changes in response to an electrical signal communicated to said first electrode.

34. A device for the electronic display of information on a storage surface comprising:

(a) a goods storage surface, wherein said goods storage surface comprises;

(i) a portion for supporting goods; and

(ii) an extension for displaying information;

(b) an updatable electrophoretic display unit proximately disposed on said extension, wherein said electrophoretic display unit comprises;

(i) a flexible and bistable encapsulated electrophoretic display medium printable on said extension, and

(ii) a first electrode disposed adjacent said electrophoretic display medium,

wherein an optical display state of said display state changes in response to an electrical signal communicated to said first electrode, and then remains substantially unchanged over a required viewing time upon removal of said electrical signal.