Electronic-ink based display tagging system employing a plurality electronic-ink display tags having a stacked architecture and being powered and programmed by a portable tag activation module

• US 7,913,908 B2
• Filed: 05/23/2008
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Metrologic Instruments Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Gelbman, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Michael G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Haupt; Kristy A
• Application Number:
  US12/154,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20090039169A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 235/451, 235/383, 235/375, 235/492, 235/385, 340/5.91
• US Class Current: 235/451
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1454 involving copying of the display data of a local workstation or window to a remote workstation or window so that an actual copy of the data is displayed simultaneously on two or more displays, e.g. teledisplay
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/02 Forms or constructions layered products B32B
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/372 the positions of the elements being controlled by the application of an electric field
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2300/023 Display panel composed of stacked panels
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/16 Use of wireless transmission of display information
• 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

Abstract

An electronic-ink based display tagging system including a plurality of programmable electronic-ink display tags, and a portable tag activation module for programming display indicia to be displayed on each electronic-ink display tag. Each electronic-ink display tag includes an addressable display assembly including a layer of electronic ink including a bi-stable non-volatile imaging material. Each electronic-ink display tag includes an antenna structure for receiving radio-frequency (RF) power signals transmitted by the portable tag activation module, and (ii) sending and/or receiving electromagnetic signals carrying information corresponding to one of instructions, programs, data or graphical indicia to be displayed by the addressable display assembly. Each electronic-ink display tag also includes an integrated circuit structure having a storage element for storing instructions, programs and data, and a programmed processor in electrical communication with the addressable display assembly. A signal transmitting structure transmits signals from the antenna structure, to the portable tag activation module, whereas a signal receiving structure receives electromagnetic signals from the portable tag activation module, using the antenna structure. A power converter converts received RF-power signals into electrical power signals and stores electrical charge for powering the integrated circuit structure, including the programmed processor, to process instructions and data to (i) determine the graphical indicia to be displayed by the addressable display assembly and (ii) activate the addressable display assembly to display determined graphical indicia.

Claims

1. An electronic-ink based display tagging system, comprising:

(A) a plurality of programmable electronic-ink display tags; and

(B) a portable tag activation module for powering each said programmable electronic-ink display tag and programming determined display indicia to be displayed thereon;

wherein each said programmable electronic-ink display tag is securable to an item, a location, or other suitable support structure, by way of a securing mechanism, and wherein said programmable electronic-ink display tag further includes;

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;

an antenna structure for (i) receiving radio-frequency (RF) power signals transmitted by said portable tag activation module, and (ii) sending and/or receiving electromagnetic signals carrying information corresponding to at least one of instructions, programs, data and graphical indicia to be displayed by said addressable display assembly;

an integrated circuit structure having (i) a storage element for storing said instructions, programs and data, and (ii) a programmed processor in electrical communication with said addressable display assembly, and using said programs to process said instructions and data for (i) determining the graphical indicia to be displayed by said addressable display assembly, (ii) controlling and coordinating operation of said addressable display assembly, and (iii) generating output signals for instructing said addressable display assembly to display the determined graphical indicia;

a signal transmitting structure, operably connected to said integrated circuit structure and said data antenna structure, for transmitting signals from said antenna structure, to said portable tag activation module;

a signal receiving structure, operably connected to said integrated circuit structure and said antenna structure, for receiving electromagnetic signals from said portable tag activation module, using said antenna structure;

wherein said received electromagnetic signals carry information corresponding to said programs, said instructions, said data or said graphical indicia to be displayed by said addressable display assembly;

a power converter, supported on said integrated circuit structure, and operably connected to said antenna structure, for converting said received RF-power signals into electrical power signals and storing electrical charge for powering said integrated circuit structure, including said programmed processor, to process instructions and data to (i) determine the graphical indicia to be displayed by said addressable display assembly and (ii) activate said addressable display assembly to display said determined graphical indicia;

wherein said integrated circuit structure is responsive to electromagnetic signals received from said portable tag activation module, by said antenna structure and said signal receiving structure;

wherein said addressable display assembly is responsive to said output signals generated by said programmed processor, to display the determined graphical indicia; and

wherein said antenna structure, said integrated circuit structure, said signal transmitting structure, and said signal receiving structure are arranged and stacked together behind and within the spatial extent of said addressable display assembly so as to form said programmable electronic-ink display tag having a stacked construction.

2. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein each said portable tag activation module receives electromagnetic data signals from said antenna structure, carried by one said programmable electronic-ink display tag.

3. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said signal transmitting structure and said signal receiving structure are realized as a signal transceiving structure.

4. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said addressable display assembly further comprises a protection layer disposed over said layer of electronic ink in order to prevent said addressable display assembly from inadvertent physical trauma and/or environmental damage.

5. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said activation layer comprises an electronic activation grid layer, disposed on a support structure, to form a plurality of addressable pixel locations, wherein each said addressable pixel location is addressable by said programmed processor.

6. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 5, wherein said programmed processor controls each pixel location in said activation grid layer to form human and/or machine readable graphical indicia within said layer of electronic ink.

7. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 5, 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, and a suspension of colored or charged particles or colloidal material.

8. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 7, wherein said microcapsules filled with electrically-charged white colored particles suspended in a black or colored dye.

9. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 5, wherein the graphical indicia displayed by said addressable display assembly is textual and/or graphic information.

10. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said fluid comprises a dielectric or emulsion fluid.

11. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said graphical indicia is displayed on the surface of said addressable display assembly, in human and/or machine readable form.

12. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said portable tag activation module employs a processor arranged with a receiver, a transmitter, and an antenna device.

13. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said receiver and said transmitter in said portable tag activation module are combined into a single transceiver device for both sending and receiving electromagnetic signals.

14. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said portable tag activation module is configured to transmit or receive, by way of electromagnetic signal transmission, commands, instructions, software programs, and parameters or variables associated with either (i) pixel address locations of said addressable display assembly, (ii) the graphical indicia displayed on the surface of said addressable display assembly, or (iii) instructions for subsequent use by said programmable electronic-ink display tag.

15. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said antenna structure transmits electromagnetic signals from said programmable electronic-ink display tag to said portable tag activation module, and wherein said transmitted electromagnetic signal carries information or data associated with the status of the graphical indicia displayed by said addressable display assembly, or the status or operating condition of said programmable electronic-ink display tag.

16. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said programmed processor communicates with said storage element in order to store data associated with programs, instructions or stored pixel addresses in said storage element, and access selected data therefrom for use in determining the particular graphical indicia displayed by said addressable display assembly.

17. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said storage element comprises a volatile or non-volatile memory element, or combinations thereof, such as RAM, ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM.

18. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said programmed processor executes one or more preprogrammed sequences stored locally within said storage element, for determining which graphical indicia is displayed by said addressable display element, for generating output signals to activate said addressable display device to display said graphical indicia based on said executed preprogrammed sequences.

19. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said programmed processor processes instructions received from said portable tag activation module, to generate output signals to activate said addressable display device to display said graphical indicia based on processed instructions.

20. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said transmitted and received electromagnetic signals are radio frequency (RF) based electromagnetic signals transmitted and received between said programmable electronic-ink display tag and said portable tag activation module.

21. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein each said programmable electronic-ink display tag is of the tag type selected from the group including:

a shelf-type programmable electronic-ink display tag, a hang-type programmable electronic-ink display tag, and an anti-theft-type programmable electronic-ink display tag used in connection with an electronic tag-based surveillance system.

22. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 1, wherein said portable tag activation module is hand-supportable.

23. An electronic-ink based display tagging system, comprising:

(A) a plurality of programmable electronic-ink display tags; and

(B) a portable tag activation module for powering each said programmable electronic-ink display tag and programming determined display indicia to be displayed thereon;

wherein each said programmable electronic-ink display tag is securable to an item, a location, or other suitable support structure, by way of a securing mechanism, and wherein said programmable electronic-ink display tag further includes;

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;

an antenna structure for (i) receiving radio-frequency (RF) power signals transmitted by said portable tag activation module, and (ii) transmitting and/or receiving electromagnetic signals carrying information corresponding to at least one of instructions, programs, data and graphical indicia to be displayed by said addressable display assembly;

an integrated circuit structure having (i) a storage element for storing said instructions, programs and data, and (ii) a programmed processor in electrical communication with said addressable display assembly, and using said programs to process said instructions and data for (i) 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 for instructing said addressable display assembly to display the determined graphical indicia;

a signal receiving structure, operably connected to said integrated circuit structure and said antenna structure, for receiving electromagnetic signals from said portable tag activation module, using said antenna structure;

wherein said received electromagnetic signals carry information corresponding to at least one of said programs, said instructions, said data and said graphical indicia to be displayed by said addressable display assembly;

a power converter, supported on said integrated circuit structure, and operably connected to said antenna structure, for converting said received RF-power signals into electrical power signals and storing electrical charge for powering said integrated circuit structure, including said programmed processor, to process instructions and data to (i) determine the graphical indicia to be displayed by said addressable display assembly and (ii) activate said addressable display assembly to display said determined graphical indicia;

wherein said integrated circuit structure is responsive to electromagnetic signals received from said portable tag activation module, by said antenna structure and said signal receiving structure;

wherein said addressable display assembly is responsive to said output signals generated by said programmed processor, to display the determined graphical indicia; and

wherein said antenna structure, said integrated circuit structure, and said signal receiving structure are arranged to form said programmable electronic-ink display tag having a stacked construction.

24. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 23, wherein each said programmable electronic-ink display tag further includes a signal transmitting structure, operably connected to said integrated circuit structure and said antenna structure, for transmitting signals from said antenna structure, to at least one said portable tag activation module.

25. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 24, wherein said signal transmitting structure and said signal receiving structure are realized as a signal transceiving structure.

26. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 23, wherein said addressable display assembly further comprises a protection layer disposed over said layer of electronic ink in order to prevent said addressable display assembly from inadvertent physical trauma and/or environmental damage.

27. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 23, wherein said activation layer comprises an electronic activation grid layer, disposed on a support structure, to form a plurality of addressable pixel locations, wherein each said addressable pixel location is addressable by said programmed processor.

28. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 23, 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, and a suspension of colored or charged particles or colloidal material.

29. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 23, wherein said portable tag activation module employs a processor arranged with a receiver, a transmitter, and an antenna device.

30. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 23, wherein said receiver and said transmitter in said portable tag activation module are combined into a single transceiver device for both sending and receiving electromagnetic signals.

31. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 23, wherein said portable tag activation module is configured to transmit or receive, by way of electromagnetic signal transmission, commands, instructions, software programs, and parameters or variables associated with either (i) pixel address locations of said addressable display assembly, (ii) the graphical indicia displayed on the surface of said addressable display assembly, or (iii) instructions for subsequent use by said programmable electronic-ink display tag.

32. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 23, wherein said antenna structure transmits electromagnetic signals from said programmable electronic-ink display tag to said portable tag activation module, and wherein said transmitted electromagnetic signal carries information or data associated with the status of the graphical indicia displayed by said addressable display assembly, or the status or operating condition of said programmable electronic-ink display tag.

33. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 23, wherein said storage element comprises a volatile or non-volatile memory element, or combinations thereof, such as RAM, ROM, EPROM, or EEPROM.

34. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 23, wherein said programmed processor processes instructions received from said portable tag activation module, to generate output signals to activate said addressable display device to display said graphical indicia based on processed instructions.

35. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 24, wherein said transmitted and received electromagnetic signals are radio frequency (RF) based electromagnetic signals transmitted and received between said programmable electronic-ink display tag and said portable tag activation module.

36. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 23, wherein each said programmable electronic-ink display tag is of the tag type selected from the group including:

a shelf-type programmable electronic-ink display tag, a hang-type programmable electronic-ink display tag, and an anti-theft-type programmable electronic-ink display tag used in connection with an electronic tag-based surveillance system.

37. The electronic-ink based display tagging system of claim 23, wherein said portable tag activation module is hand-supportable.