Recording rewritable time related information on a label

A method of recording rewritable time related information on a label which can be provided on an article, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an electrically rewritable label which includes a plurality of rewritable segments, each such segment having a layer including cholesteric liquid crystal material which is effective in at least first and second optical states so that the time related information can be written, rewritten and viewed, wherein such time related information relates to usage or potential usage of the article and such time related information can be electrically changed by providing appropriate electrical fields to the material;
• b) providing the label to be associated with the article;
• and
• c) electrically addressing selected segments to write or rewrite appropriate time related information.

A method of recording rewritable time related information on a label which can be provided on a rental article, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an electrically rewritable label which includes a plurality of rewritable segments, each such segment having a layer of a material which is effective in at least first and second optical states so that the return time related information can be written and viewed, wherein such return time related information relates to usage or potential usage of the article and such return time related information can be electrically changed by providing appropriate electrical fields to the material;
• b) providing the label to be associated with the article;
• and
• c) electrically addressing selected segments to write or rewrite appropriate time related information.

A method of recording rewritable time related information on a label which can be provided on a rental article, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an electrically rewritable label which includes a plurality of rewritable segments, each such segment having a light transmissive substrate, a transparent electrode over such substrate, a layer including cholesteric liquid crystal material, a dielectric layer having openings, and a second conductor provided over the dielectric layer and into the openings to be in contact with the cholesteric liquid crystal bearing layer and which is effective at the position in such openings to be in at least first and second optical states so that the return time related information can be written and viewed, wherein such return time related information relates to usage or potential usage of the article and such return time related information can be electrically changed by providing appropriate electrical fields to the material;
• b) providing the label to be associated with the article;
• and
• c) electrically addressing selected segments to erase undesired previous return time related information and writing appropriate return time related information.

A method of renting an article, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a label including an electrically rewritable cholesteric liquid crystal display for displaying time related information related to the usage of the article;
• b) affixed to the label to the article;
• c) writing time related information related to the usage of the article on the display;
• and
• d) delivering the article to a renter.