Flexible and Rugged eWriters Enabled by Roll to Part Processing

The process to manufacture the VersaNote, the world’s first ultra-flexible and rugged writing display that mimics the feel, flexibility, portability and analog writing of paper will be discussed. Just like paper, this Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Display (ChLCD) requires no power to write, read or maintain written notes. Pressure from any stylus, even a finger nail can be used to write on the display.

This technology is enabled by ultra-thin flexible conductive substrates, flexible circuit boards, electronic components, and new novel electrical interconnect techniques. A fully automated roll to finished part line with web conveyance to handle ultra-thin substrates was designed to help mass produce this display. To further ruggedize, dustproof and waterproof the device, encapsulation techniques of the liquid crystal layer and the electronics components will be discussed.

As this display only requires power to erase the written notes, almost all of electronic components and all of the power supply was removed from the display. The electronics and power supply were integrated into a stylus that can be temporality docked onto the display to supply the erase voltage waveform. This approach reduces unnecessary e-waste as one erase stylus can be used to erase an infinite number of these displays.