Portable telecommunication device with removable electrophoretic display

An apparatus, comprising:

• a housing having at least one window disposed therein;
• a transparent tactile pad disposed within said at least one window;
• a modular electrophoretic display capable of being removably received within said housing, wherein said electrophoretic display is positionable at a first orientation within said housing directly below said transparent tactile pad, whereby said electrophoretic display can be viewed through said transparent tactile pad;
• and
• image driver means coupling said conductive lines of said tactile pad and to said electrophoretic display is within said housing at said first orientation, wherein tactile engagement of the transparent tactile pad creates a corresponding image on said electrophoretic display;
• and
• means coupled to said electrophoretic display for preventing the movement of said corresponding image on said electrophoretic display when said electrophoretic display is removed from said housing.

A modular electrophoretic display for use in an electronic apparatus, wherein the electrophoretic display can be selectively detached from the electronic apparatus, said electrophoretic display comprising:

• anode lines, cathode lines and grid electrode lines;
• bias means for biasing said anode lines, cathode lines and grid electrode lines at predetermined voltage potentials to prevent the movement of a predetermined image previously produced on said electrophoretic display by said electronic apparatus when said electrophoretic display is selectively detached;
• and
• means for removing said predetermined voltage potentials when said electrophoretic display is coupled to said electronic apparatus.