Handwriting Electronic Paper Display with Direct Voltage Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic paper displays have complex structures and high costs, leading to energy wastage and failing to meet energy-saving and environmental protection requirements.

Innovation Solution

A handwritten type electronic paper display is designed with a simple structure comprising a first and second electrode substrate, an electronic paper thin film, a flexible printed circuit, and a stylus, where the electronic paper thin film is sandwiched between the substrates, and connected via a flexible printed circuit, allowing for matrix driving without the need for touch screens or ICs, using a battery as the electrical source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electromagnetic induction or complex circuit processing is used to control electronic paper display, then display control function is achieved, but device structure becomes complex and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay control functionVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex circuit processing and touch screen components from the system. By using a simple two-electrode structure with direct voltage application through a stylus, the invention removes unnecessary intermediate circuitry while maintaining the core display control function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic paper display system performs self-control through direct voltage application. The stylus directly applies voltage to the electronic paper thin film without requiring external circuit processing, enabling the system to control itself through simple electrical excitation rather than complex control circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If electromagnetic induction or complex circuit processing is used to control electronic paper display, then display control function is achieved, but electrical energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay control functionVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes complex circuit processing and electromagnetic induction components that consume significant energy. The simplified direct voltage application through a two-electrode structure eliminates unnecessary energy conversion steps, reducing overall electrical energy consumption while maintaining display control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex electromagnetic induction and circuit processing systems with a simple direct electrical connection system. By using a stylus that directly connects to the electronic paper thin film through a flexible printed circuit, the invention substitutes complex electrical control mechanisms with a simpler direct voltage application method that consumes less energy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If touch screen and drive circuit are provided for position detection, then handwriting input control is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandwriting input controlVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the touch screen and complex drive circuit components from the system. By using a simple two-electrode structure where the stylus directly applies voltage to the electronic paper thin film, the invention eliminates unnecessary position detection and control circuitry while maintaining handwriting input functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves handwriting control through self-service voltage application. The stylus directly connects to the electronic paper thin film via the flexible printed circuit, allowing the user to control the display by simply applying voltage through the stylus without requiring complex position detection or drive circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration results in a low-cost, energy-efficient electronic paper display that can be easily written upon and erased, eliminating the need for complex circuitry and reducing electrical energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The particulates contained within the electronic ink are charged, in which the white particulates are positively charged and black particulates are negatively charged. When a negative voltage is applied on the upper transparent electrode plate, the positively charged white particulates will be attracted to the transparent electrode plate under the effect of the electric field and aggregate there, which makes the transparent electrode plate display white; meanwhile, the negatively charged black particulates are repelled to the bottom electrode plate to hide there under the effect of the electric field formed.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentEP2741136B1Handwriting electronic paper display and method for manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2018.03.28 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP2741136B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2741136B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3G

AI summary

Embodiments of the invention provide a handwritten type electronic paper display and a manufacture method thereof. The handwritten type electronic paper display comprises: a first electrode substrate (1) and a second electrode substrate (2) having a same pixel electrode matrix structure, an electronic paper thin film (3), a flexible printed circuit (4), a stylus (5) and an electrical source. The electronic paper thin film (3) is bonded onto an upper surface of the first electrode substrate (1), a common electrode of the electronic paper thin film is electrically connected to a negative electrode of the electrical source; the second electrode substrate (2) is fixed on the electronic paper thin film (3) in a thin film manner; the flexible printed circuit (4) is adapted for electrically connecting pixels of the first electrode substrate (1) to corresponding pixels of the second electrode substrate (2); and the stylus (5) is electrically connect to a positive electrode of the electrical source.