WO2004081911A1

WO2004081911A1 - Apparatus for writing an electronic ink label on a record carrier

Info

Publication number: WO2004081911A1
Application number: PCT/IB2004/050160
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes M. Pleunis; Peter A. Hulsen; Keith Baker
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2003-03-10
Filing date: 2004-02-27
Publication date: 2004-09-23

Abstract

It is generally known that it can be difficult to keep track of the information stored on recordable and/or rewritable record carriers. One way of overcoming this problem is by adding an electronic ink label to those record carriers. The invention relates to a system comprising a record carrier 4 comprising an electronic ink label 3 and an apparatus for recording data on the record carrier, the apparatus comprising charging means for charging the electronic ink label. The charging means comprise a write head 1 for charging the electronic ink label 3. By using a write head, it is possible to create a relatively uncomplicated system as no provisions have to be provided for in the recording apparatus or record carrier to communicate between each other. The invention further relates to an apparatus for recording data on the record carrier for use in such a system.

Description

Apparatus for writing an electronic ink label on a record carrier

The invention relates to a system comprising a record carrier comprising an electronic ink label and an apparatus for recording data on the record carrier, the apparatus comprising charging means for charging the electronic ink label. The invention further relates to an apparatus for recording data on the record carrier for use in the system.

It is generally known that, for the general consumer, it is difficult to keep track of the information that is stored on the recordable and/or rewritable record carriers that are used for frequently recording a kinds of information, like e.g. television shows, software, audio, etc. In order to be able to identify and find a particular record carrier, it is necessary that this consumer consistently labels his otherwise anonymous record carriers before or after recording. In general, the average user does not do this very diligently.

International Application WO 02/063602 Al disclosed a record carrier to which an electronic ink label is added. The information displayed on this electronic ink label can be altered each time the record carrier is used in a recording device. To this end, such a device comprises an activator module, which can activate the electronic ink label independent of label movement. In this device, maintaining direct contact and/or proper alignment and or constant distance or speed or line of sight are not required, as the electronic ink label is equipped with an antenna for employing two-way radio wave transmission with the activator module present in the recording device to remotely update and permanently or temporarily alter the information displayed on the label. The activator module comprises a transceiver for receiving input signals from the label and for sending output signals to the label.

The system formed by the record carrier and the recording device disclosed in this document has as a drawback that, due to the use of a radio transmission method for communicating between the electronic ink label and the recording device, it is relatively complicated and more expensive. The record carrier not only has to be provided with an electronic ink label, but also an antenna and transceiver has to be positioned on or associated with this label. This complicates the manufacturing of the record carrier with such a label. Further, the recording device also has to be equipped with an antenna and transmitter and/or transceiver.

It is an object of the invention to realise a less complicated system comprising a record carrier comprising an electronic ink label and an apparatus for recording data on the record carrier.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the system which is characterised in that the charging means comprise a write head for charging the electronic ink label. By using a write head for charging the electronic ink label, the system can be kept relatively uncomplicated, as no provisions have to be provided for in the recording apparatus or record carrier to communicate between each other. Further, it is not necessary to individually address the microcapsules present in the electronic ink label, as the charging is done by the write head and not by individual transistors addressing individual microcapsules. In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, the positioning of the write head over the label is performed without interaction between the record carrier and the apparatus. This can for example be perforaied by connecting a tracking motor to the write head. In this way, no interaction between the record carrier and the apparatus is required. The apparatus can for example use the information supplied to the tracking motor relating to the positioning of the laser for positioning the write head over the electronic ink label. In this way, the write head and the laser move synchronically in a spiral movement over the disc.

In another embodiment of the system according to the invention, the charging means further comprises control logic for introducing a reference voltage to the label. This reference voltage can for example be introduced via clamping means for clamping the record carrier present in the apparatus. This reference voltage can for example be chosen from a set comprising the voltages zero volts and a certain positive or negative voltage. In these embodiments, the control logic introduces a reference voltage to the label. This has the advantage that it becomes easier to change the state (e.g. the colour) of the microcapsules present in the label when applying a positive or negative charge via the write head to the label. Tying the control logic to zero volts in one position of the write head over the label, and to a certain positive or negative voltage in another position, has as an advantage that the information can be written on the label faster and with a higher fidelity. This reference voltage can also be used to erase the label. The apparatus according to the invention for recording data on the record carrier for use in the system according to the invention comprises charging means for charging the electronic ink label, the charging means comprising a write head for charging the electronic ink label.

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows the principle of electronic ink,

Fig. 2A shows a cross-section of an electronic ink label and a write head, Fig. 2B shows embodiments of the write head, Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the system according to the invention, Fig. 4 shows a detail of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 shows in further detail the positioning of the write head over the electronic ink label,

Fig. 6 shows the spiral track the laser follows to read and/or the data on the record carrier,

Fig. 7 shows the dimensional relation between the data track width and the diameter of a microcapsule.

Figure 1 shows the principle of electronic ink. As is shown in Figure 1, electronic ink is formed by a raster of microcapsules, each of which changes colour when a electrical field is applied to the capsule. Inside the capsule are charged pigment chips that move around in a clear fluid. All chips and fluid are closed in microcapsules. When a negative voltage is applied to a microcapsule via the top electrode, the positive charged white pigment chips will move to the top surface, creating a display having a white state (paper-like state, all light coming in is fully reflected). When a positive voltage is applied to a microcapsule via the top electrode, the negative charged black pigment chips will move to the top surface, creating a display having dark state (ink-like state, all light coming in is absorbed). The pigment chips will essentially stay at certain position when the driving voltage is switched off. So, the display is bi-stable. Such a display has paper like readability, low power consumption and thin, often referred as electronic paper. But, the content of the display can be changed electronically. In Figure 1, the electronic ink comprises white pigment chips and black pigment chips, but it is also possible to create of colour display by using differently coloured pigment chips which move to the top surface at different applied voltages. Figure 2A shows a cross-section of an electronic ink label and a write head. In this Figure it can be seen that by applying a positive or negative charge to the different microcapsules which are present in an electronic ink label, the desired text or image can be created on the label. Electronic ink labels are known to a person skilled in the art. for example from the products developed and presented by E Ink Corporation (http://www.eink.com). It must be noted that in the E-ink technology used in electronic books, transistors are used to address the microcapsules in the electronic ink label, whereas this is not essential in the system according to the invention. On such a label, information relating to the content stored or to be stored on the record carrier comprising that label can present. In Figure 2B some embodiments of the write head are shown. The embodiments on the left relate to single needle write heads. These write heads address one microcapsule at the time. When it should turn the microcapsule in the white state the needle should be charged with a negative voltage; when it should turn the microcapsule in the black state the needle should be charged with a positive voltage. The actual lay out of this needle depends on the electrostatic field that is required, and the costs of the head. A write head with a straight needle and with a tapered needle are depicted. The straight head will not create the strong focus of the electro static field that the tapered head will create, but manufacturing is easier. The embodiment on the right relates to an array needle write head. This head addresses multiple microcapsules at the time. Every needle in the array of needles in the head can separately apply a voltage to the microcapsule under it. The layout of the needles can be similar to those from the needles in the single needle write heads.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the system according to the invention. Figure 4 shows in more detail the circled part in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the electronic ink label 3 present on the record carrier 4 comprises the following layers: - a transparent protective top layer 5 ,

- a layer of electronic ink microcapsules 6,

- a dielectric layer 7,

- a conductive layer 8. In order to be able to introduce a reference voltage to the label, there is provided from the clamping zone 9, sometimes also called a "hub", to the conductive layer 8 a connection 10. The clamping zone 9 is used for clamping the record carrier. The connection 10 can consist of a number of contact point of the hub with the conductive layer 8. By introducing such a reference voltage, it becomes easier to change the colour of the microcapsule when applying a positive or negative charge via the write head to the electronic ink label. It must be noted that compared to the general principle of electronic ink as is shown in Figure 1, it is not necessary to have a top electrode in the transparent protective top layer 5. The voltage difference required for changing the colour of the microcapsules can also be achieved by the write head without this electrode. The absence of the top electrode have as an advantage that the visibility of the label is increased, also the complexity of the label is reduced without these electrodes. Control logic 11 is connected to the hub 9. In an embodiment, the control logic is tied in one position to zero volts and in the other position to a positive or negative voltage. This improves fidelity and faster writing of the display. This control logic 11 comprises a multiplexer 12 and a controller 13.

It is also possible to supply the reference voltage using a "blade" present in the apparatus. Such a blade is part of the disc drive and is placed underneath the disc. Then, the blade can supply the reference voltage. The blade can for example be a conductive strip or a number of conductors placed below the disc in order to be able to provide a strong local electrical field. The layout of these conductors is similar to the layout of conductors in the array needle write head depicted in Figure 2B. The added advantage of this layout is that by charging the adjoining needles with a smaller opposite charge the focus of the field can be increased.

In Figure 3 it is further indicated that the write head 1 is connected over a connection 17 to a tracking motor 14. This tracking motor positions the laser over the record carrier 4. This positioning is normally performed using the tracking signals that are obtained when reading and/or recording the record carrier 4. With reference number 15 the writing/detection features normally present in an apparatus for recording data on the record carrier are schematically indicated. These features are well known to the person skilled in the art familiar with recording information on record carrier, and comprise for example in the situation of optical record carriers, a semiconductor laser diode, detectors for detecting the tracking signals and other signals which are used for steering the recording process on the record carrier and optics for guiding the laser to and from the record carrier and to the detectors. The interaction between these writing/detection features 15 and the record carrier 4 is indicated with reference number 16. The apparatus for recording data on the record carrier 4 is indicated with reference number 18.

Figure 5 shows in further detail the positioning of the write head over the electronic ink label. When the record carrier 4 is turning, the tracking motor 14 positions the write head 1 over the electronic ink label in order to "write" the label. The write head 1 can be connected to tracking motor of the laser. In this way, normally available information relating to the positioning of the laser can be used for positioning the write head over the electronic ink label. Doing so, the write head 1 and the laser move synchronically in a spiral movement over the disc, as is shown in Figure 6. Figure 7 shows the dimensional relation between the data track width and the diameter of a microcapsule. Because the width of a data track on a regular record carrier is much smaller (e.g. 0.5 microns for a data track on a CD disc, and 1.6 microns between the data tracks) than the diameter of a microcapsule (-100 microns), there is always a linear pass of the write head 1 over the centre of the microcapsule 2. During this pass the microcapsule can be charged. As the pigment chips essentially stay at a certain position when the driving voltage is switched off, the image on the electronic ink label is retained on the record carrier for re-writing purposes.

Although the invention has been elucidated with reference to the embodiments described above, it will be evident that other embodiments may be alternatively used to achieve the same object. The scope of the invention is therefore not limited to the embodiments described above, but can also be applied to all recording systems for recording data on record carriers, like for example the well known CD-R(W) recorders/discs, or the DVD+R(W) recorders/discs. The scope of the invention is also not limited to certain types of electronic ink labels. The technique behind of electronic ink and electronic ink labels is known to a person skilled in the art.

It must further be noted that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification, including the claims, is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. It must also be noted that the word "a" or "an" preceding an element in a claim does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

Moreover, any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims; the invention can be implemented by means of both hardware and software, and several "means" may be represented by the same item of hardware. Furthermore, the invention resides in each and every novel feature or combination of features.

The invention can be summarised as follows: It is generally known that it can be difficult to keep track of the information stored on recordable and/or rewritable record carriers. One way of overcoming this problem is by adding an electronic ink label to those record carriers. The invention relates to a system comprising a record carrier comprising an electronic ink label and an apparatus for recording data on the record carrier, the apparatus comprising charging means for charging the electronic ink label. The charging means comprise a write head for charging the electronic ink label. By using a write head, it is possible to create a relatively uncomplicated system as no provisions have to be provided for in the recording apparatus or record carrier to communicate between each other. The invention further relates to an apparatus for recording data on the record carrier for use in such a system.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system comprising a record carrier (4) comprising an electronic ink label (3) and an apparatus (18) for recording data on the record carrier, the apparatus (18) comprising charging means for charging the electronic ink label, characterized in that the charging means comprise a write head (1) for charging the electronic ink label (3).

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the positioning of the write head (1) over the label (3) is performed without interaction between the record carrier (4) and the apparatus.

3. A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises a tracking motor (14), the tracking motor being connected (17) to the write head (1).

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charging means further comprises control logic (11) for introducing a reference voltage to the label.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the apparatus further comprises clamping means (9) for clamping the record carrier (4), the reference voltage being introduced via the clamping means.

6. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the reference voltage is chosen from a set comprising the voltages zero volts and a certain positive or negative voltage.

7. Apparatus for recording data on the record carrier for use in the system as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6, the apparatus (18) comprising charging means for charging the electronic ink label, characterized in that the charging means comprise a write head (1) for charging the electronic ink label (3).