Rollable Electronic Paper With Integrated Mobile Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic paper is inconvenient to store and requires an additional mobile device for wireless communication, increasing user cost and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A portable electronic device integrating electronic paper with a mobile communication module, a guiding mechanism, and support structures that allow the electronic paper to be rolled and extended for use, enabling wireless communication and display control without the need for an extra mobile phone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electronic paper is integrated with mobile communication module, then convenience of storage and communication is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of storage and communicationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines electronic paper with mobile communication module, guiding mechanism, and support structures into a single integrated portable device, eliminating the need for separate electronic paper display and mobile phone, thus improving convenience while managing complexity through functional integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable device performs multiple functions including display, wireless communication, and rolling storage within a single device, allowing it to replace both electronic paper display and mobile phone, thereby improving ease of operation despite increased complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If electronic paper is rolled for storage, then portability is improved, but display area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoiddisplay area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic paper is designed to dynamically change between rolled and unrolled states, allowing it to transition from a compact portable form to a large display area when needed, resolving the contradiction between portability and display area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic paper can be rolled and stored within the guiding mechanism of the portable device, similar to a nested structure, allowing the large display area to be compacted into a small portable form when not in use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If advanced communication system is used, then communication capability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic paper updates display information periodically or on-demand rather than continuously, allowing the advanced communication system to operate intermittently, thus maintaining communication capability while reducing overall power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enhances storage convenience, provides a larger display area for reading, and reduces power consumption, allowing for a more portable and user-friendly device with improved vision quality and extended standby time.

Implementation Method 1

The driving part is used for rolling the flexile connecting part so as to drive the electronic paper to be contained in the guiding space

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

The basic principle of the electronic paper is to use microcapsule technology to wrap electrophoretic liquid as well as suspended pixel particles into nano-sized microcapsules... each of the microcapsules includes white positively-charged particles and black negatively-charged particles suspended in the clear liquid. When a negatively-charged electrical field is applied to the top side of the microcapsule, the said white particles move upward. Meanwhile, there is a positively-charged electrical field applied to the bottom side of the microcapsule such that the said black particles move downward.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentUS8270159B2Portable electronic device capable of containing electronic paper

Publication Date: 2012.09.18 INVECTEC APPLIANCES CORPORATION

AI summary

A portable electronic device includes an electronic paper, a case, a guiding mechanism, an assembling mechanism, a mobile communication module, a first support structure and a second support structure. The guiding mechanism is disposed in the case to form a guiding space. The assembling mechanism is disposed in the guiding mechanism. The assembling mechanism includes a flexible connecting part and a driving part. The driving part is connected to the electronic paper and the flexible connecting part for rolling the flexible connecting part to contain the electronic paper in the guiding space. The first and second support structures are pivoted to two ends of the case respectively and form a support rail. A connecting socket on the first support structure is electrically connected to the mobile communication module. The electronic paper moves along the support rail to connect to the connecting socket upon the stretching state.