Systems and methods for writing on and using electronic paper

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for writing on electronic paper (“e-paper”) and display platforms implemented with e-paper. In one aspect, a system for writing information to electronic paper includes a writing module and an erasing unit connected to the writing module. The erasing unit is configured to erase information stored in the electronic paper. The system also includes a writing unit connected to the writing module and is configured to write information to the electronic paper. Information is written to the electronic paper by orienting the writing module so that the electronic paper passes the erasing unit prior to passing the writing unit.

1 . A system for writing information to electronic paper comprising:
 a writing module;   an erasing unit connected to the writing module and configured to erase information stored in the electronic paper; and   a writing unit connected to the writing module and configured to write information to the electronic paper, wherein writing information to the electronic paper includes the writing module oriented so that the electronic paper passes the erasing unit prior to passing the writing unit.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a discharging unit connected to the writing module and configured to remove electric charge from the outer surface of the electronic paper that passes the writing unit. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the discharging unit further comprises a charged roller that removes charges as the roller passes over the electronic paper. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the erasing unit further comprises an electrode located close to the surface of the electronic paper. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the erasing unit further comprises a corona configured to generate electric charge that migrates to the surface of the electronic paper, the charge erases information stored in the electronic paper. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the corona is suspended above the electronic paper from the writing module. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the writing unit further comprises one or more ion heads suspended above the electronic paper and configured to eject electrons or ions that migrate toward the surface of the electronic paper. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the writing unit further comprises one or more needle-shaped electrodes suspended from the writing module. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the writing module is configured to span the width of the electronic paper so that the one or more ion heads can write information to the electronic paper is a single pass. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more guide shafts attached to the writing module, wherein the writing module slides back and forth along the guide shafts when writing information to the electronic paper. 
     
     
         11 . An electronic writing machine comprising:
 a slot for receiving electronic paper; and   a system for writing information to the electronic paper, the system configured in accordance with  claim 1 .   
     
     
         12 . A method of writing information to electronic paper, the method comprising:
 passing the electronic paper under an erasing unit, the erasing unit configured to remove information stored in the electronic paper;   passing the electronic paper under a writing unit, the writing unit configured to write information to the electronic paper; and   passing the electronic paper under a discharging unit, the discharging unit configured to remove electrical charges attached to the surface of the electronic paper.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein passing the electronic paper under an erasing unit further comprises applying a charge from an electrode. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein passing the electronic paper under an erasing unit further comprises depositing electric charges onto the surface of the electronic paper, the charges erasing information stored in the electronic paper. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein passing the electronic paper under the writing unit further comprising ejecting electrons from the writing unit toward the surface of the electronic paper. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the writing unit further comprises one or more ion heads suspended above the electronic paper and configured to eject electrons or ions that migrate toward the surface of the electronic paper. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the writing unit further comprises one or more needles suspended from the writing module. 
     
     
         18 . A card comprising:
 a substrate; and   electronic paper disposed on the card, wherein information is written on the electronic paper by the process of  claim 11 .   
     
     
         19 . The card of  claim 18 , wherein the card further comprises a security card or a customer card. 
     
     
         20 . A system for writing information to electronic paper comprising:
 a writing module; and   an array of electrodes disposed on the writing module and operated to erase information stored in a microcapsule layer of the electronic paper and/or write information to the electronic paper.