Dynamically changing liquid crystal display timekeeping apparatus

• US 5,995,456 A
• Filed: 05/30/1997
• Issued: 11/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boit Inc.
• Original Assignee: Boit Inc.
• Inventors: Brewer, Donald R., Jarcho, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): MISKA, VIT W
• Application Number:
  US08/865,725
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 368/82-84, 368/223, 368/228, 368/232, 368/239-242, 349/97, 349/99, 349/106, 349/117, 349/165, 359/85, 359/98
• US Class Current: 368/84
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 45/0015 Light-, colour-, line- or spot-effects caused by or on stationary parts change of appearance by exchangeable case parts G04B47/046
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/00 Visual time or date indication means
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/0064 in which functions not related to time can be displayed digital output to display devices of digital computers G06F3/14
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/12 using light valves, e.g. liquid crystals

Abstract

A dynamically changing, multi-color liquid crystal display for electronic watches or other design apparel items is provided. The liquid crystal displays incorporated within the watch or designer apparel item can be adapted to provide various colored images such as geometric images, animation images, customized images, designer labels, logos, etc. on colored backgrounds or alternatively provides a color changing capability that is aesthetically pleasing and fashionable. Moreover, the dynamically changing watch or other designer apparel item allows for the electronic control of the color appearance of the liquid crystal displays as well as electronic control of the liquid crystal display images, such images being generally independent of the time of day.

Claims

1. A watch having a multi-colored watch face comprising:

a liquid crystal display (LCD) watch face made from at least one multi-color LCD segment;

a timepiece operatively coupled to the LCD watch face that provides an indication of the time of day on the LCD watch face;

control means for dynamically controlling the color of the LCD watch face so that color changes occur in at least a portion of the watch face independent of the time of day; and

a power source for providing operating power to the electronic timepiece and control means.

2. The watch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the control means includes means for controlling the color changes that occur in at least a portion of the LCD watch face so that such color changes occur in a predetermined sequence that provides a dynamically changing image.

3. The watch as set forth in claim 2 wherein the control means includes means for controlling the color changes that occur in at least a portion of the LCD watch face so that such color changes occur in a predetermined sequence that provides a dynamically changing kaleidoscopic effect.

4. The watch as set forth in claim 2 wherein the control means includes means for controlling the color changes that occur in at least a portion of the LCD watch face so that such color changes occur in a predetermined sequence that provides a dynamically changing logo or similar recognizable image or character.

5. The watch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the watch face has a sealed aperture therethrough, and wherein the watch further includes time-indicating hands operatively associated with the timepiece through the sealed aperture such that movement of the time-indicating hands provides an indication of the time of day.

6. The watch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one multi-color LCD segment of the watch face includes positive dyes and colored polarizers.

7. The watch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one multi-color LCD segment of the watch face includes a twisted-nematic LCD and a retardation film.

8. The watch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one multi-color LCD segment of the watch face includes positive and negative dyes.

9. The watch as set forth in claim 1 wherein the at least one multi-color LCD segment of the watch face includes screen-printing translucent inks.

10. A dynamically changing, multi-color liquid crystal display for designer apparel items comprising:

two generally parallel substrates having interior facing surfaces;

a plurality of electrodes disposed on the interior faces of the substrates that define liquid crystal display segments;

a liquid crystal material disposed between the two substrates; and

electronic control means for applying prescribed voltages across the electrodes of selected liquid crystal display segments in a sequence that is independent of the time of day;

wherein the liquid crystal display segments exhibit selected color changes in response to the prescribed voltages applied across the selected liquid crystal display segments by the electronic control means.

11. The dynamically changing, multi-color liquid crystal display for designer apparel items comprising:

two generally parallel substrates having interior facing surfaces;

a plurality of electrodes disposed on the interior faces of the substrates that define liquid crystal display segments;

a liquid crystal material disposed between the two substrates;

said plurality of electrodes defining a multi-chamber liquid crystal display having a plurality of sealed chambers including liquid crystal display segments for each chamber;

electronic control circuitry for applying prescribed voltages across the electrodes of selected liquid crystal display segments for changing the perceived color of each liquid crystal display segment in a sequence that is independent of the time of day;

wherein the liquid crystal display segments within each chamber exhibit selected color changes in response to the prescribed voltages applied across the selected liquid crystal display segments by the electronic control means.