Printing on electrically writable media and electrically writable displays

A method of printing on an electrically writable medium, comprising projecting invisible charge species from a source onto the medium to electrically reorient switchable display elements in the medium.

A printer for printing on an electrically writable medium, comprising:

• a source of a charge species;
• and
• a charge species projector comprising a mask defining an image and configured to project charge species from the source through the mask and onto the medium to electrically reorient switchable display elements in the medium.

A method of printing on an electrically writable medium, comprising projecting charge species from a source through a mask and onto the medium to electrically reorient switchable display elements in the medium.

A system, comprising:

• a memory interface operable to write data to a memory of a portable data storage device that is removable from the system and carries an electrically writable medium that is integrated with the memory into the portable data storage device;
• and
• a print head operable to print on the electrically writable medium that is carried by the portable data storage device by electrically reorienting switchable display elements in the medium.

A system, comprising:

• a memory interface operable to write data to a memory of a portable data storage device including an electrically writable medium, wherein the memory interface is operable to read data stored on the portable data device;
• and
• a print head operable to print on the electrically writable medium of the portable data storage device by electrically reorienting switchable display elements in the medium.

A system, comprising:

• a memory interface operable to write data to a memory of a portable data storage device including an electrically writable medium;
• and
• a print head operable to print on the electrically writable medium of the portable data storage device by electrically reorienting switchable display elements in the medium, wherein the print head is operable to selectively erase regions of the electrically writable medium.

A system, comprising:

• a memory interface operable to write data to a memory of a portable data storage device including an electrically writable medium, wherein the memory interface is operable to write data to at least one of an optical storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, and a programmable memory storage medium;
• and
• a print head operable to print on the electrically writable medium of the portable data storage device by electrically reorienting switchable display elements in the medium.

A system, comprising:

• a memory interface operable to write data to a memory of a portable data storage device including an electrically writable medium;
• and
• a print head operable to print on the electrically writable medium of the portable data storage device by electrically reorienting switchable display elements in the medium, wherein the print head is operable to project charge species onto the electrically writable medium to electrically reorient switchable display elements in the electrically writable medium.

An electrically writable display, comprising:

• an electrically writable medium containing electrically responsive switchable display elements and being incorporated into a continuous closed-loop web having an outward-facing side and an inward-facing side, the outward-facing side of the continuous web presenting a display surface of the electrically writable medium;
• and
• a scroll system operable to scroll the display surface of the electrically writable medium through a display area.

A display method, comprising:

• providing an electrically writable medium containing electrically responsive switchable display elements and being incorporated into a continuous closed-loop web having an outward-facing side and an inward-facing side, the outward-facing side of the continuous web presenting a display surface of the electrically writable medium;
• and
• scrolling the display surface of the electrically writable medium through a display area.

An electrically writable display, comprising:

• an electrically writable medium having a front side and a back side and containing electrically responsive switchable display elements, the front side presenting a display surface including an optically transparent, electrically conductive layer;
• and
• an external print head disposed adjacent to the back side of the electrically writable medium and operable to apply an electric field sufficient to electrically reorient switchable display elements contained in the electrically writable medium, the applied electric field extending from the back side of the electrically writable medium, through the electrically writable medium, to the front side display surface.