Animated sign assembly
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorCharles O'Connell JR.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sign assembly 10 that implements electronic paper to display an animated image. The sign assembly includes a controller 12, a power supply 14, a pair of substantially transparent, electrically conductive sheets 16, 18, and a sheet of electronic paper 24, which is sandwiched between sheets 16, 18. Image layers 20, 22 are imprinted on the sheets 16, 18, or are alternatively held frictionally adjacent to sheets 16, 18 by a frame assembly 56. Image layers 20, 22 include substantially transparent regions 36, 38, 40 and 42 in which sheet 24 is visible. The conductive sheets 16, 18 are connected to controller 12 which provides an electronic signal which is varied over time resulting in the display of an animated or changing image which may be visible when viewed from one or both sides of the sign assembly 10.
Claims20
1) A sign assembly comprising:
- a sheet of electronic paper having a color determined by an electric field to which the sheet is subjected;
- a first conductive sheet disposed on a first side of said sheet of electronic paper;
- a second conductive sheet disposed on a second side of said sheet of electronic paper, the second conductive sheet being formed such that at least a portion of said sheet of electronic paper is visible;
- and
- a source of a varying electric field between said first and second conductive sheets for causing said sheet of electronic paper to change in color.
7) An animated sign assembly comprising:
- a first conductive sheet which is substantially transparent;
- a second conductive sheet;
- an image layer which is disposed over said first conductive sheet and which includes at least one substantially transparent region;
- at least one piece of electronic paper which is sandwiched between said first and second conductive sheets and visible through said at least one substantially transparent region, the electronic paper having a color which corresponds to an electric field;
- a voltage source;
- and
- a controller which is coupled to said voltage source and to said first and second conductive sheets, and which provides a varying electric field over a portion of the electronic paper, thereby causing said portion to change in color.
14) A method for animating a sign comprising the steps of:
- forming a portion of said sign from electronic paper having a color related to an electric field;
- and
- selectively generating a varying electric field over said electronic paper to cause said electronic paper to vary in color, thereby animating said sign.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.