Magnetophoresis type display and graphic input/output device using the same
AssigneeNEC Corporation
InventorTadashi Kobayashi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A magnetophoresis type display suited to display characters, graphics and other patterns which are entered into a handwriting input device, and a graphic input/output device which, by utilizing such a display, in an input mode generates an electric signal (graphic signal) indicative of coordinates of an input point and, in a display mode, displays a pattern responsive to a graphic signal applied thereto. The display is provided with means for partially erasing a pattern which has been entered and displayed. The partial erase means comprises a carriage loaded with a magnet which is movable vertically and horizontally driven by a drive mechanism.
Claims23
A magnetophoresis type display for displaying entered character and graghic patterns, said display comprising:
- a display panel having two opposing flat sheets at least one of which is transparent, a clearance defined between opposing surfaces of said two sheets, a plurality of partitions disposed in said clearance, a plurality of cells defined by said partitions, and a viscous liquid containing particles of a magnetic material and filling each of said cells;
- writing means having a first magnetic pen for generating in a write mode a magnetic field which attracts the magnetic particles, a first guide mechanism for moving said first magnetic pen to a write position over one of opposite surfaces of the display panel, the first guide mechanism comprising a first bar which is movable over parallel paths across and from one side to the other side of said one surface of the display panel, and a first carriage slidable on and along said first bar, said first carriage being loaded with the first magnetic pen;
- and
- partial erasing means having a second magnetic pen for generating a magnetic field which attracts the magnetic particles, a second guide mechanism for moving said second magnetic pen to a partial erase position over the other surface of the display panel, the second guide mechanism comprising a second bar movable over parallel paths across and from one side to the other side of said other surface of the display panel, and a second carriage slidable on and along said second bar, said second carriage being loaded with the second magnetic pen.
A magnetophoresis type display as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first magnetic pens are arranged in a matrix.
A graphic input device which indicates coordinates of an input position of a pen adapted to input character and graphic patterns, comprising:
- an input panel having an input surface on which two groups of conductors are arranged in a grid configuration;
- a display panel consisting of two flat sheets which face each other, a clearance defined between opposing surfaces of said two sheets, a plurality of partitions disposed in said clearance, a plurality of cells defined by said partitions, and viscous liquid containing particles of a magnetic material and fillilng each of said cells, said display panel being superposed on said input panel to constitute an input/output panel;
- an input pen having a coil for selectively magnetically coupling with the conductor groups of said input panel in an input mode;
- display input means having a plurality of magnets for applying magnetic attraction to the magnetic particles when the display panel is accessed;
- drive means for moving said magnets to an access position responsive to an electric signal indicative of a particular position;
- and
- coordinates detecting means for locating a magnetic coupling between the conductor groups of the input panel and the pen and, thereupon, generating an electric signal indicative of input coordinates of the pen which is associated with the magnetic coupling.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.