Applications of electro-optic displays
AssigneeE Ink Corporation
InventorsRichard J. PAOLINI, Jr., Michael D. MCCREARY, Carl TAUSSIG, Paul APEN, George G. HARRIS, Sunil Krishna SAINIS, Joseph FILLION
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Electro-optic, especially electrophoretic, displays are used in variety of architectural and furniture applications, including a tile (100) comprising an electro-optic layer (110) capable of changing the color of the file, front and multiple rear electrodes and a light-transmissive polymeric layer (102), the exposed surface of which is textured to provide a plurality of facets inclined to the plane of the tile (100), the rear electrodes being aligned with the facets. A variable color writable board is also provided.
Claims8
A variable color writable board in combination with a marker containing at least one of a colorant and light-scattering medium, the writable board having a writable surface on which the colorant or light-scattering medium is capable of being dispensed, and an electro-optic layer viewable through the writable surface, the electro-optic layer being capable of displaying at least two different colors, thereby enabling the appearance of the writable board to be changed.
A method of guiding a user to a selected one of a plurality of locations within an area, the method comprising:
- providing, at a plurality of locations within the area, a variable direction sign capable of displaying at least two different direction indicators;
- providing the user with a portable token containing information identifying the selected location;
- and
- bringing the portable token adjacent one of the variable direction signs so that the one variable direction sign receives at least part of the information identifying the selected location, thereby causing the one variable direction to display a direction indicator appropriate to guide the user to the selected location.
A room divider comprising:
- a plurality of color changing modules arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, each module containing an electro-optic display and being arranged to display at least two different colors, each module being pivotally connected to at least one module in a row above or below its own, and also pivotally connected to at least one module in the same row;
- support means arranged to support the modules above a floor or below a ceiling;
- and control means arranged to control the modules so that at least some modules change color at times differing from those of other modules.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.