Updateable electronic-ink based display label device

• US 20080303637A1
• Filed: 03/05/2008
• Published: 12/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Gelbman, Alexander, Forbes, Charles
• Granted Patent: US 7,791,489 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.42
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0717 the sensor being capable of sensing environmental conditions such as temperature history or pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07703 the interface being visual
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10079 the collision being resolved in the spatial domain, e.g. temporary shields for blindfolding the interrogator in specific directions

Abstract

An updateable electronic-ink based display label device for attachment to an object to be tracked. The device includes (i) an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink, (ii) an antenna structure, (iii) an interface module, and (iv) a signal transceiver module. The signal transceiver module is responsive to electromagnetic data signals received from a remote communication module, and the addressable display assembly is responsive to output signals generated by the interface module, to display the determined graphical indicia. The antenna structure, the interface module, the signal transceiver module, and the antenna structure are arranged and stacked together to form the updateable electronic-ink based display label device.

Claims

1-98. -98. (canceled)

99. An updateable electronic-ink based display label device for attachment to an object to be tracked, comprising:

an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material disposed between an activation layer and a transparent electrode layer located above said layer of electronic ink, for activating said layer of electronic ink at particular locations to display graphical indicia on the surface of said addressable display assembly, wherein said layer of electronic ink does not require electrical power to maintain the display of said graphical indicia;

at least one antenna structure for receiving electromagnetic data signals from a remote communication module, and carrying information corresponding to one of instructions, programs, data and/or graphical indicia to be displayed by said addressable display assembly;

an interface module having (i) a data storage module for storing data associated with said object, (ii) determining the graphical indicia to be displayed by said addressable display assembly at any moment in time, (ii) controlling and coordinating operation of said addressable display assembly, and (iii) generating output signals supplied to said addressable display assembly for instructing said addressable display assembly to display the determined graphical indicia; and

a signal transceiver, operably connected to said interface module and said at least one antenna structure, for receiving electromagnetic data signals from said remote communication module, using said at least one antenna structure and a wireless communication protocol;

wherein said signal transceiver module is responsive to electromagnetic data signals received from said remote communication module, using said at least one antenna structure, said signal transceiver and said wireless communication protocol;

wherein said interface module is responsive to said transceiver module, and said addressable display assembly is responsive to output signals generated by the interface module, to display the determined graphical indicia; and

wherein said at least one antenna structure, said interface module, said signal transceiver module, and said antenna structure are arranged and stacked together to form the updateable electronic-ink based display label device.

100. The updateable electronic-ink based display label device of claim 99, wherein said data storage module comprises an RFID module for storing data associated with said object.

101. The updateable electronic-ink based display label device of claim 99, wherein said data storage module comprises an EPC module storing a unique identifier associated with said object.

103. The updateable electronic-ink based display label device of claim 99, which further comprises an electrical power source for supplying electrical power to said interface module and said transceiver module.

104. The updateable electronic-ink based display label device of claim 103, wherein said electrical power source is an electrical battery structure disposed within said updateable electronic-ink based display label device.

105. The updateable electronic-ink based display label device of claim 99, wherein addressable display assembly further comprises a protection layer disposed over said layer of electronic ink in order to prevent physical trauma and/or environmental damage.

106. The updateable electronic-ink based display label device of claim 99, wherein said activation layer comprises an activation grid, disposed on a support structure, to form a plurality of addressable pixel locations.

107. The updateable electronic-ink based display label device of claim 99, wherein said electronic ink comprises an arrangement of microcapsules disposed between said transparent electrode layer and said activation layer, and wherein each said microcapsule has disposed therein an electro-phoretic composition of a fluid, such as a dielectric or emulsion fluid, and a suspension of colored or charged particles or colloidal material.

108. The updateable electronic-ink based display label device of claim 99, wherein said data storage module stores identification information for uniquely identifying said object.

109. The updateable electronic-ink based display label device of claim 99, wherein said object is a consumer product.

110. The updateable electronic-ink based display label device of claim 100, wherein said graphical indicia displays information relating to pricing and/or a promotional offer relating to said consumer product.