Abstract: The present invention relates to a thin, layered, variable label structure with built-in electronic functionality. The display and/or other functional elements in the structure may be formed by printing processes. The label structure includes a thin, layered structure with an active display, comprising a base layer and a cover layer of material and a display component situated between the base layer and the cover layer. The display is formed with a layer of electrochromic ink and a pair of spaced apart electrodes. The cover layer includes a window to allow for the layer of electrochromic ink to be visible through the cover layer. The label also is configured to respond to an actuating event by completing an electrical connection between a power source and the pair of spaced apart electrodes of the display component, thereby causing the display to change its appearance.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates electronic components into an electronic core structure that may be readily hot laminated by existing processes. The structure may include multiple desired electronic components, such as a display, battery or other power source, integrated circuits, switches, magnetic stripe emulator, antenna, smart chips or other input devices. The structure includes laminated buffer layers to bridge layers and compensate for variation in electronic component dimensions. The structure may also incorporate battery packaging as part of the core layer structure and use printed electronic circuitry as part of the electronic core layers to impart the desired characteristics. A variety of components may be incorporated in the structure.

Abstract: A universal display module is disclosed which includes a backplane, a top plane and an ink layer in contact with a pair of spaced apart electrodes to form a display and other optional components, such as a drive chip, a battery, a sensor, a logic chip, membrane switches, RFID antenna and a biometric sensor, that can be incorporated into a wide range of devices. Unlike other known display modules, the universal display module in accordance with the present invention is flexible enough to be used in labels, cards, vacuum formed parts, injection molded parts or other integration techniques, such as hot lamination without modifying the module. As such, universal display module in accordance with the present invention provides economies of scale by allowing for the production of a single robust display module that can be used for a variety of end uses and reduces inventories as well as production costs related to both the manufacturing as well as the integration of the display.