Patent · US Expired

Electrostatic image display apparatus

US4931019A · kind A · utility

92Cited by
15References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 1, 1988
Grant dateJun 5, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 1, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB43L1/123
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An electrostatic image display apparatus which uses piezoelectric film to enable a user to form images on a screen. The apparatus is contained within a housing. Supported within the housing is a common electrode. A layer of piezoelectric film is separated a distance from the common electrode by a suspension medium. The suspension medium contains electrially charged pigmented particles, the color of which contrasts with the color of the suspension medium. The housing has an opening for applying localized pressure to one surface of the piezoelectric film. In addition, the apparatus has a source for energizing the common electrode to a preselected electric potential. By applying a force or infrared energy to an area of the piezoelectric film a charge accumules on the inner surface of the film, directly under the point of application of the force. This charge attracts the electrically charged pigmented particles in the suspension medium which are visible through the film and create an image display.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.