Electronic printing system including imaging apparatus and electronic paper, method of operating electronic printing system, and method of fabricating imaging apparatus

An electronic printing system, comprising an imaging apparatus and an electronic paper that can be detached from each other and can be coupled together to perform one or more functionalities;

• wherein the imaging apparatus comprises a first electrode and a first passivation layer on the first electrode;
• wherein the electronic paper comprises a second electrode, an electro-optic layer on the second electrode, and a second passivation layer on a side of the electro-optic layer away from the second electrode;
• wherein, when the imaging apparatus and the electronic paper are coupled together to perform at least one of the one or more functionalities, the first electrode, the first passivation layer, the second passivation layer, the electro-optic layer, and the second electrode are sequentially arranged in a stacked structure, the first electrode and the second electrode being configured to apply an electric field to the electro-optic layer;
• wherein, the first passivation layer and the second passivation layer can be detached from each other;
• wherein the imaging apparatus comprises a first transistor, a second transistor, a capacitor, and the first electrode;
• a gate electrode of the first transistor is coupled to a first gate line which is coupled to a gate driving integrated circuit;
• a first source electrode of the first transistor is coupled to a data line which is coupled to a data driving integrated circuit;
• a first drain electrode of the first transistor is coupled to the first electrode and a second capacitor electrode of the capacitor;
• a gate electrode of the second transistor is coupled to a second gate line which is coupled to the gate driving integrated circuit;
• a second source electrode of the second transistor is coupled to a read line;
• a second drain electrode of the second transistor is coupled to the first electrode and the second capacitor electrode of the capacitor;
• and
• a first capacitor electrode of the capacitor is coupled to a reference signal line;
• wherein the electronic printing system further comprises a connecting line connecting the second drain electrode of the second transistor to the read line;
• wherein the read line is in a same layer as source electrodes and drain electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor, and the second capacitor electrode;
• the connecting line is in a same layer as gate electrodes of the first transistor and the second transistor;
• the second drain electrode extends through at least an inter-layer dielectric layer to connect to the connecting line;
• and
• the read line extends through at least the inter-layer dielectric layer to connect to the connecting line.

A method of operating an electronic printing system, comprising:

• providing an imaging apparatus and an electronic paper that can be detached from each other and can be coupled together to perform one or more functionalities;
• assembling the imaging apparatus and the electronic paper so that a first electrode from the imaging apparatus and a second electrode from the electronic paper are capable of forming an electric field for driving an electro-optic layer in the electronic paper;
• scanning an image displayed on the electronic paper by:
• assembling the imaging apparatus and the electronic paper so that the first electrode from the imaging apparatus and the electro-optic layer from the electronic paper are close enough to induce a charge in the first electrode by a unit in the electro-optic layer;
• detecting the charge as a sensing signal by transmitting the sensing signal through a signal line to a detection integrated circuit;
• prior to inducing the charge in the first electrode, resetting the capacitor, and applying a constant voltage signal to the second electrode to induce a charge in the unit of the electronic paper;
• inducing the charge in the first electrode by the constant voltage signal applied to the second electrode;
• turning on a second transistor by an effective voltage of a second gate driving signal provided by a second gate line;
• and
• transmitting a sensing signal caused by the charge on the first electrode through the second transistor and a data line to a detection integrated circuit.