Abstract:
This invention generally relates to an electronic document reading device, that is to a device such as an electronic book which presents a document to a user on a display to enable the user to read the document. A portable flex-tolerant electronic document reading device, the device including a flex-tolerant display coupled to a flex-tolerant layer of pixel driver circuitry, and wherein said device has a physical configuration comprising a planar display surface and a rear surface having a frame around its outer perimeter to stiffen the device, the frame defining a central region of relatively reduced thickness compared with a thickness of said frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of United Kingdom Patent Application No. 0702347.6, filed Feb. 7, 2007, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention generally relates to an electronic document reading device, that is to a device such as an electronic book which presents a document to a user on a display to enable the user to read the document. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    We have previously described a form of electronic book in our earlier application PCT/GB2006/050235, hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0006]    Background prior art relating to electronic document reading devices can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,124,851, US2004/0201633, US2006/0133664, US2006/0125802, US2006/0139308, US2006/0077190, US2005/0260551, U.S. Pat. No. 6,124,851, U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,306, US2005/0151742, and US2006/0119615. 
         [0007]    There is, however, a desire for improved electronic reading devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    According to a first aspect of the invention there is therefore provided a portable electronic document reading device, the device comprising a display coupled to a layer of pixel driver circuitry, and wherein said device has a physical configuration comprising a planar display surface and a rear surface having a frame around its outer perimeter to stiffen the device, the frame defining a central region of relatively reduced thickness compared with a thickness of said frame. 
         [0009]    In embodiments the “picture-frame” configuration provides an advantageous combination of a degree of flexibility with stiffness. In embodiments the aim is to provide a display which is robust by virtue of being flex-tolerant. For example embodiments of the device we describe are able to withstand a significant degree of flexion, for example, up to 20-30 degrees over the area of the device, giving the reader a substantial degree of actual and perceived robustness. For example, embodiments of a reader of the type we describe may be sat upon without damage. The device is preferably at least A5 size, more preferably approximately or at least US letter or A4 size (in embodiment an active display area of 220 mm×169 mm with a border of 5, 10, 20 or 25 mm). 
         [0010]    One advantage of a picture-frame configuration is that the great majority of the area of the display can be very thin, for example less than 3 mm, more preferably less than 2 mm, most preferably less than 1 mm, so that it experiences a reduced compression/expansion when flexed, the perimeter frame providing stiffness. In some preferred embodiments the display has a flexible, for example plastic, substrate and in particular may comprise a reflective bistable display (for example an electrophoretic, LCD or other like display). Similarly, the pixel driver circuitry preferably also has a flexible, for example plastic, substrate (which may be shared with the display) and in particular preferably comprises active organic electronic devices fabricated by a solution deposition process. However in embodiments the control electronics is formed from conventional silicon devices, which are rigid. Thus in preferred embodiments the control electronics is located in one or more circuit boards at least partially within the frame. The rigid components may be joined to the flexible display and pixel driver circuitry by one or more flexible connectors (preferred embodiments of which are described later). In some particularly preferred embodiments the control electronics together with an internal (rechargeable) power supply and physical or wireless connectors are distributed within the device to provide an approximately even weight distribution. 
         [0011]    Preferably the display is provided with a front sheet of transparent material, preferably PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate)-perspex (“plexiglass” or “lucite”) which acts as a structural member of the device. In preferred embodiments the front display surface is flat and planar to the edges of the device, without a bezel. The device is preferably engineered so that a neutral axis (more precisely, a neutral plane or surface) of the device lies within the thickness of the device, in particular for the central display region. More preferably, however, the neutral surface lies within 500 μm, more preferably 300 μm, most preferably 200 μm of the layer of (active matrix) pixel driver circuitry. Preferably, the neutral surface lies within 1 mm, more preferably 500 μm, most preferably 300 μm of the front surface of the display structure behind the front panel, or within these distances of the front display surface (if, for example, the front panel is less than 1 mm thick). 
         [0012]    In some preferred embodiments, as previously mentioned, the control electronics is located within the frame, and preferably the (electrophoretic) display has outside edges sufficiently within the edges of the device that the display can be coupled to the control electronics by a connector, such as a flexible film, which does not need to be folded back on itself. This assists in achieving overall device flexibility. In preferred embodiments such a flexible film comprises a tape carrier package (TCP), on which may be mounted one or more driver chips for the display (the control electronics comprising, for example, a microprocessor and associated memory, glue, and interface logic). Preferably the flexible film or TCP is not bent by more than 60, 45 or 15 degrees; most preferably, however, the flexible film or TCP is substantially planar. Thus a circuit board bearing the control electronics and the pixel driver circuitry may be in substantially the same plane (for example in planes not spaced apart by more than 5, 3, 2 or 1 mm). Preferably, the TCP and the circuit board is located within the frame area of the device. 
         [0013]    The flexible film or TCP may be connected both electrically and mechanically to the display by conductive adhesive. Such adhesive is particularly prone to failure on flexing. Therefore in some preferred embodiments the flexible film or TCP, more particularly a connection between the film/TCP and the pixel driver circuitry is on or adjacent to a neutral surface of the display, for example within 500, 300, 200 or 100 μm of a neutral surface. 
         [0014]    In preferred embodiments in the central region of the device (that is, away from the frame) the device has layered structure comprising the front sheet of transparent material, the (electrophoretic) display, the pixel driver circuitry and a moisture barrier. Preferably the moisture barrier below the pixel driver circuitry comprises a metal layer, for example a layer of aluminium foil, which provides an effective barrier with little thickness, contributing to the overall device flexibility. A further moisture barrier may be included between the display and the front sheet, but this should be transparent. Preferably some or all of the layers of the layered structure are joined by adhesive, preferably a peel-resistant adhesive, in particular without a through-hole fastener such as a bolt extending through the thickness of the hole structure. This allows a limited (if small) degree of sheer between the layers and hence contributes to stress reduction during limited flexion. 
         [0015]    In some preferred embodiments the rear of the housing incorporates a flex-limiting and/or torsion-limiting structure. For example a flex-limiting structure may comprise a series of parallel grooves the edges of which, under compression, touch at their outer extremities, hence locking the structure in compression. A torsion limiting structure may similarly comprise parallel grooves, although running diagonally as compared with the edges of the device. In torsion, likewise, the upper edges of the grooves close and limit torsion by compression locking. In embodiments the frame may incorporate structures of either or both of these types. 
         [0016]    In embodiments the frame comprises rib around the edge of the rear surface preferably, but not necessarily, extending entirely around the rear edge of the device. In embodiments this frame or rib may be formed by overmoulding or encapsulating the control circuitry; thus the frame may be of one-piece construction. 
         [0017]    In a related aspect the invention provides an electronic document reading device having a picture frame configuration comprising a flat, thin display area stiffened by a surrounding frame. 
         [0018]    Preferably the display has a thickness of less than 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 or 1 mm (apart from the frame). Preferably the frame has a width of less than 5, 4, 2 or 1 cm. 
         [0019]    In preferred embodiments the frame incorporates (rigid) control electronics for the device. Preferably this control electronics is coupled to the flexible display by a flexible film such as a TCP. In embodiments the control electronics is located outside an area of the display so that this flexible film or TCP need not be folded back on itself, thus conferring greater flexibility. 
         [0020]    In a further related aspect the invention provides an electronic document reading device comprising an electronic display with associated pixel driver circuitry attached to a transparent front panel, and wherein a neutral surface of said device lies within a front-to-back thickness of the device. 
         [0021]    In preferred embodiments the (active matrix) pixel driver circuitry extends over a plane behind the display and is attached to the display by adhesive; preferably the display is attached by adhesive to the front panel. Preferably the neutral surface lies within 500, 400 or 300 μm of a plane of the pixel driver circuitry, for example within 1-200 μm of the plane of the pixel driver circuitry. 
         [0022]    In a still further related aspect the invention provides an electronic document reading device comprising an electronic display and a housing, and wherein a rear surface of said housing includes one or both of a flex-limiting and a torsion-limiting structure to limit bending of edges of the device towards the rear. 
         [0023]    Preferably one or both of the flex-limiting and torsion-limiting structure comprises a plurality of grooves. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    These and other aspects of the invention will now be further described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
           [0025]      FIGS. 1   a  to  1   c  show, respectively, a front, display face view, a rear view, and a vertical cross-section view of an electronic document reading device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a detailed vertical cross-section through a display portion of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a vertical cross-section illustrating a mechanical configuration of control electronics for the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a view from above of an internal configuration of the device of  FIG. 1  illustrating the location of control and driver electronics; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5  illustrates display edging for the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a frame moulding for a device according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 7   a  to  7   e  show, respectively, a portion-limiting structure, surface and vertical cross-sectional views of a flex-limiting structure, a view of a portion of a frame of a device according to an embodiment of the invention incorporating both torsion- and flex-limiting structures, an example of a rear surface of a document reader without a frame incorporating flex-limiting structures, and a schematic illustration of the operation of a flex-limiting structure in flex-compression; 
           [0032]      FIG. 8  shows details of encapsulation of a display for an electronic document reader; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  show, respectively, a three-dimensional rear view and a perspective front view of an electronic document reader according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 10  shows a block diagram of control electronics for an electronic document reader according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 1   a  to  1   c , these schematically illustrate an electronic document reading device  10  having a front display face  12  and a rear face  14  incorporating a frame  16  around the edge to stiffen the structure. As can be seen from  FIG. 1   c , in preferred embodiments the display surface  12  is substantially flat to the edges of the device and, in particular, lacks a display bezel. However in embodiments described later it will be seen that the electronic reflective bistable display (for example electrophoretic, LDC or other like displays) does not extend right to the edges of the display surface  12 , and rigid control electronics are incorporated around the edges of the electronic display within the frame members  16 , this approach reducing the overall thickness of the device and thus facilitating flex-tolerance, at the expense of making the overall area of the device slightly larger. This trading of thickness for lateral area also enables flexible tape carrier packages (TCPs) joining the electronic display to the control electronics to lie approximately flat within the device, again facilitating flexibility. Keeping the central region of the device, between the frame members  16 , thin also enhances flexibility as compared with a uniformly slightly thicker configuration. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , this illustrates a vertical cross-section through a display region of the device between the frame members  16 . The drawing is not to scale. 
         [0037]    As can be seen, in preferred embodiments the device has a substantially transparent front panel  100 , for example made of perspex, which acts as a structural member and, in particular, which locates the neutral surface of the device within 1-200 μm the active matrix pixel driver circuitry layer  106 . The active matrix may comprise an array of organic or inorganic thin film transistors as disclosed, for example, in WO01/47045. Such a front panel is not necessary and sufficient physical stiffness could be provided, for example, by the substrate  108  optionally in combination with one or both of the moisture barriers  102 ,  110 . 
         [0038]    The illustrated example of the structure comprises a substrate  108 , typically of plastic such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) on which is fabricated a thin layer  106  of organic active matrix pixel driver circuitry. Attached over this, for example by adhesive, is a reflective bistable display (for example an electrophoretic display)  104 . Alternative display media such as an organic LED display medium or liquid-crystal display medium may also be used. A moisture barrier  102  is provided over the electronic display  104 , for example of polyethylene and/or Aclar™, a fluoropolymer (polychlorotifluoroethylene-PCTFE). A moisture barrier  110  is also preferably provided under substrate  108 ; since this moisture barrier does not need to be transparent preferably moisture barrier  110  incorporates a metallic moisture barrier such as a layer of aluminium foil. This allows the moisture barrier to be thinner, hence enhancing overall flexibility. Approximate example thicknesses for the layers are as follows: 100 μm for moisture barrier  110 , 200 μm for substrate  108 , 5-6 μm for active layer  106 , 190 μm for display  104 , and 200 μm for moisture barrier  102 . The set of layers  102 - 110  form an encapsulated electronic display  112 ; preferably this is bonded, for example by adhesive, to a transparent display panel  100 . The front panel  100  may have a thickness in the range 0.5-2 mm, for example approximately 1 mm. 
         [0039]    If the electronic document reading device had a uniform thickness, i.e., it was stiffened behind the entire display area to improve its robustness as opposed to just being stiffenend in the frame around the display, the neutral surface of the device would end up being located more than 1-2 mm below the active pixel drive circuitry and the TCP connectors, thus potentially significantly increasing a strain in particular on the active electronics when the device is flexed. Furthermore, stiffening across the entire area of the display would lead to an undesirable increase in the weight of the electronic reading device. 
         [0040]    The location of the neutral surface depends upon the stiffness of the display layers  112 —which may be measured experimentally—and of the front panel  100 . The location of the neutral surface may be determined by a straightforward calculation, in a manner well known to those skilled in the art; the location of the neutral surface may be adjusted by, inter alia, adjusting the thickness of front panel  100 . Preferably the neutral surface is located within the active matrix layer  106  or within 1-200 μm of this. 
         [0041]    Surprisingly it has been found that the presence of the front panel  100  has little effect on the overall visual appearance of the display, in particular the contrast ratio. It is speculated that this is because although whites become slightly greyer, black becomes slightly blacker. 
         [0042]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , this shows a simplified vertical cross-section of the device illustrating details of connections between the display  104  and the control circuitry of the device. It is also helpful to refer to  FIG. 4  which shows a view from above. 
         [0043]    In preferred embodiments a printed circuit board  114  is incorporated into the frame  16  of the display device, either as a continuous frame (as illustrated) or as separate PCBs. This PCB carries conventional silicon electronics  116  typically comprising a microprocessor, memory and associated glue logic, for example as shown in  FIG. 10  later. The PCB  114  is connected to the active matrix driver circuitry  106  by a plurality of flexible links  118  such as tape carrier packages (TCPs). As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , preferably the electronics are distributed around the display area to provide an approximately even weight distribution. Also as illustrated in  FIG. 4  a TCP  118  may incorporate a driver integrated circuit  120  to interface between the active matrix circuitry  106  and the control electronics. As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a flexible link  118  may provide a large number of high-density connections to the active matrix circuitry  106  and a smaller number of lower density connections to the control PCB  114 . 
         [0044]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , preferably the control PCB  114  is at approximately the same level as the active matrix driver circuitry  106  so that flexible link  118  is not substantially bent (it will be appreciated that  FIG. 3  is not to scale). The control PCB may be located slightly below the active matrix circuitry  106  and hence may overlap laterally with this circuitry. Alternatively the upper surface of the control PCB  114  may substantially coincide with a level of the upper surface of the active matrix circuitry  106 . In both these and similar configurations, however, it will be appreciated that the flexible link  118  is not substantially bent as would be the case if, for example, the control PCB  114  was located in the central region of the device under the active matrix circuitry  106 —such a bend is undesirable as it would reduce the flexibility of link  118 . (It will be appreciated that, in embodiments, control PCB  114  is double-sided). 
         [0045]    Connections between the active matrix circuitry  106  and the flexible link  118  may be made conductive adhesive, which is particularly vulnerable to cracking. This therefore provides a further advantage of locating the neutral surface in the vicinity of the active matrix circuitry  106  and hence in the vicinity of such an adhesive joint. The same considerations may apply to the joint between link  118  and control PCB  114  (although this electrical connection may be soldered). 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , this schematically illustrates a display edging arrangement (the illustration is simplified, and not to scale). As shown the display edging  122  is provided around the perimeter of electrophoretic display  104 . This may comprise a simple border which may be, for example, sprayed onto the front panel  100 . However in other embodiments to provide a uniform appearance to a user display edging  112  may comprise electrophoretic display material such as an additional, undriven sheet of electrophoretic display or an undriven lateral extension of electrophoretic display  104 . 
         [0047]    The frame member  16  of  FIG. 1  may simply comprise a moulded plastic rib attached to the front panel  100 . However to provide additional environment protection, in particular from moisture, the control electronics may be encapsulated, for example using polyurethane to form an overmoulding  124 . Optionally a plastic back  126  may be provided for the device, although this is not essential. If such a back is included optionally a compliant spacer may be provided between the plastic back and the display and front panel combination for example so as not to substantially displace the position of the neutral surface. Preferably the moisture barriers  102 ,  110  are attached to the other layers of the display by adhesive; preferably the front panel  100  is also attached by adhesive. This is preferable to, for example, a bolt (which could be hidden behind the frame) since this allows a small degree of lateral movement between the various layers of the display when flexed. 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  shows, schematically, further details of encapsulation in an example embodiment of the device. In the illustrated example an encapsulation bead  128  is provided over the edge of the electrophoretic display  104  and active matrix circuitry  106  to help protect against ingress of moisture, air and the like. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , this illustrates examples of various flex-limiting and torsion-limiting structures. The general principle is illustrated in  FIG. 7   e —when flexed the top, outer edges of a groove will contact and limit further flexion because of the compression forces which are generated. An unflexed groove structure is shown in  FIG. 7   b ; the structure of  FIG. 7   a  operates in a similar manner, but with a diagonal link to limit flex-torsion. Combination of the structures of  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , as shown in  FIG. 7   c , can be formed on the back of a frame member  16  to provide a combination of flex and torsion limiting. In another example of an electronic document reading device without frame members a plastic rear surface of the device is provided with a series of grooves as shown in  FIG. 7   d , as illustrated limiting flexion about a vertical axis. A similar arrangement may be employed to limit flexion about a horizontal axis and/or a combination of horizontal and vertical grooves (squares or rectangles) may be employed to limit flexion in two directions. The configuration of the grooves of  FIG. 7   d  have the added advantage that they provide, to a user, a tactile sensation which approximates to the feel of the edges of the pages of a closed book. 
         [0050]      FIG. 9   a  shows a perspective view of the electronic document reader  10  from the rear, illustrating the frame and also a raised portion incorporating, in embodiments a USB (universal serial bus) or similar connector (this may also serve as a handle).  FIG. 9   b  shows the device of  FIG. 9   a  from the front, illustrating the border around the area of the electronic display  104 . The device as illustrated in  FIG. 9   b  also includes a number of user controls  130  for selecting documents and/or pages, turning pages forward and back and the like. However in other embodiments the display may be touch sensitive, for example as described in our co-pending international patent application PCT/GB2006/050220 hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The aforementioned patent application describes an arrangement in which a touch-screen component is positioned below the display, but which is nonetheless operable from the front, display surface, in particular by laminating the display medium and display backplane over a resistive touch-screen (using a pressure sensitive adhesive). However the skilled person will appreciate that other forms of touch-screen technology may additionally or alternatively be employed. 
         [0051]    As mentioned above, in preferred embodiments the display medium is a reflective display medium, in particular an electrophoretic display medium and the backplane comprises a flexible substrate such as PET or PEN (polyethylene naphthalene). Preferably the backplane is fabricated using solution-based transistors preferably patterned by techniques such as direct-write printing, laser ablation or photolithography. Further details can be found in the applicant&#39;s earlier patent applications, including, in particular, WO 01/47045, WO 2004/070466, WO 01/47043, WO 2006/059162, WO 2006/056808, WO 2006/061658, WO 2006/106365 and PCT/GB2006/050265, all hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , this shows example control circuitry  1000  suitable for the above-described electronic document reader  10 . The control circuitry comprises a controller  1002  including a processor, working memory and programme memory, coupled to a user interface  1004  for example for controls  130 . The controller is also coupled to the active matrix driver circuitry  106  and electrophoretic display  104  by a display interface  1006  for example provided by integrated circuits  120 . In this way controller  1002  is able to send electronic document data to the display  104  and, optionally, to receive touch-sense data from the display. The control electronics also includes non-volatile memory  1008 , for example Flash memory for storing data for one or more documents for display and, optionally, other data such as user bookmark locations and the like. An external interface  1010  is provided for interfacing with a computer such as laptop  1014  to receive document data and, optionally, to provide data such as user bookmark data. The interface  1010  may comprise a wired, for example USB, and/or wireless, for example Bluetooth™ interface and, optionally, an inductive connection to receive power. The latter feature enables embodiments of the device to entirely dispense with physical electrical connections and hence facilitates inter alia a simpler physical construction and improved device aesthetics. A rechargeable battery  1012  or other rechargeable power source is connected to interface  1010  for recharging, and provides a power supply to the control electronics and display. 
         [0053]    The skilled person will appreciate that processor control code for a wide range of functions may be stored in the programme memory. By way of example a simple document display procedure may comprise, in operation, sensing a user control  1050 , determining which document to update  1052 , reading a portion of the relevant document from the non-volatile memory  1054 , and writing the read portion of the document to the page display  1056 . 
         [0054]    The skilled reader would also understand that the display may comprise a reflective bistable display, which may include (by way of example only) electrophoretic displays, LCD displays and other like reflective bistable displays. 
         [0055]    No doubt many other effective alternatives will occur to the skilled person. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.