Flexible timepiece in multiple environments

• US 6,621,766 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2001
• Issued: 09/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fossil Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fossil Incorporated
• Inventors: Bruneau, Jeffrey Keith, Brewer, Donald R., John, Chan Chin Pang
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lindinger, Michael L.
• Application Number:
  US09/920,507
• Publication Number:
  US 20030026171A1
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 368/276, 368/281-282, 368/10, 368/84, 368/242, 368/82, 368/226-227
• US Class Current: 368/82
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/026 based on the rotation of particles under the influence of an external field, e.g. gyricons, twisting ball displays based on orientable dipolar particles G02F1/172; based on electrophoresis G02F1/167
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/08 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/00 Visual time or date indication means
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/0035 constructional

Abstract

An electrophorectic display is used in a watch, allowing for a dynamic range of new shapes and environments of use. The present invention addresses many of the shortcomings of the prior art watch technology. Specifically, a watch that embodies the present invention is uses addressable reflective display technology such as electronic ink or gyricons. This allows a watch display that features some flexibility. Further, the display can be shaped into a variety of interesting and novel designs that cannot be accomplished using prior art displays. The flexibility of the display also allows for the novel placement of the watch display. For example, the display can be placed onto a shoe, allowing a runner to see the time without having to move his arm into a viewing position. The watch display could also be placed into a wallet, or on a purse or belt. Any flexible garment or accessory could now incorporate a watch. The use of an electrophoretic display is also aided by new sealing technologies that allow the display to be incorporated into high wear, high flex items.

Claims

1. A wrist-worn timepiece comprising:

(a) a display mechanism comprised of a timer connected to a flexible and reflective display unit, wherein said display unit includes a display media comprised of a plurality of encapsulated display elements; and

(b) at least one flex limiter located adjacent to the display unit;

wherein said display mechanism and flex limiter are encased within a flexible watertight watchband comprised of a transparent upper portion bonded to a lower portion.

2. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 1 wherein said flex limiter is a support located between the display unit and the lower portion.

3. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 1 wherein said flex limiter is a support located between the display unit and the upper portion.

4. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 1 wherein said flex limiter comprises a memory strip having a first and second configuration located between the display unit and the lower portion.

5. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 1 further comprising:

(d) a light source adjacent to the display unit.

6. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 5 wherein said light source is a light emitting diode.

7. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 5 wherein said light source is an electro-luminescent lamp.

8. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 1 wherein the display unit comprises an electrophoretic display.

9. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 1 wherein the display unit comprises a gyricon display.

10. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 1 wherein the display unit comprises:

(a) a first substrate;

(b) the display media deposited on said substrate; and

(c) a conductive matrix in contact with the display media, wherein said conductive matrix is addressable.

11. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 1 wherein the timer comprises a circuit on a flexible printed circuit board.

12. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 1 wherein the upper and lower portions are bonded ultrasonically.

13. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 12 wherein the upper and lower portions are bonded only along their adjoining edges.

14. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 13 wherein said upper and lower portions are comprised of polyurethane (PU), polyester, polycarbonate (PVC), or cautchouc (pure form of rubber).

15. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 1 further comprising a voltage source.

16. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 15 wherein the voltage source is a battery.

17. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 15 wherein the voltage source is a solar cell.

18. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 1 wherein said display unit is monochromatic.

19. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 1 wherein said display unit is polychromatic.

20. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 1 further comprising a color filter adjacent to said display unit.

21. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 1 wherein said display unit has an irregular shape.

22. The wrist-worn timepiece of claim 21 wherein said irregular shape incorporates more than one radius of curvature.

23. A fashion accessory comprising:

a timepiece module, integrated into the accessory, and comprised of

(a) a display mechanism which includes a timer connected to a flexible and reflective display unit, wherein said display unit includes a display media comprised of a plurality of encapsulated display elements;

(c) at least one flex limiter located adjacent to the display; and

(d) a flexible watertight module comprised of a transparent upper portion and a lower portion that encases said display mechanism and flex limiter, wherein said upper and lower portions are ultrasonically bonded to one another along their adjoining edges.

24. The accessory of claim 23 wherein the accessory is a purse.

25. The accessory of claim 23 wherein the accessory is a belt.

26. The accessory of claim 23 wherein the accessory is a wallet.

27. The accessory of claim 23 wherein the accessory is a shoe.

28. A timepiece module comprising:

(a) a reflective d splay which includes a flexible substrate having deposited thereon a display media comprised of a plurality of encapsulated display elements;

(b) a timer coupled to the display;

(c) at least one flex limiter located adjacent to the display;

(d) a light source adjacent to the display; and

(e) a flexible watertight module comprised of an upper portion and a lower portion that encases said display, light source, and flex limiter, wherein said upper and lower portions are ultrasonically bonded to one another along their adjoining edges an said upper portion includes a transparent section positioned over the reflective display.

29. The timepiece module of claim 28 wherein said reflective display comprises an electrophoretic display.

30. The timepiece module of claim 29 wherein said reflective display comprises a gyricon display.

31. The timepiece module of claim 29 wherein said light source is located around the periphery of the display.

32. The timepiece module of claim 31 wherein said light source is coupled to the transparent section of the upper portion of the casing.

33. The timepiece module of claim 32 wherein the transparent section of the upper portion of the casing is curved.

34. The timepiece module of claim 32 wherein said light source is curved.

35. The timepiece module of claim 32 wherein said display is curved.

36. The timepiece module of claim 32 wherein said light source is an electro-luminescent lamp.

37. The timepiece module of claim 32 wherein the light source is an LED.

38. The timepiece module of claim 28 further comprising a translucent substrate layer positioned between the display and the upper portion, wherein the light source is coupled to said substrate layer.

39. The timepiece module of claim 38 wherein the substrate layer is curved.

40. The timepiece module of claim 38 wherein the light source is curved.

41. The timepiece module of claim 38 wherein said display is curved.

42. The timepiece module of claim 38 wherein the light source is an electro-luminescent lamp.

43. The timepiece module of claim 38 wherein the light source is located around the periphery of the display.

44. The timepiece module of claim 38 wherein the translucent substrate layer is a color filter.

46. The method for manufacturing a timepiece of claim 43 wherein the flex limiter comprises a memory strip having a first and second configuration.

47. The method for manufacturing a timepiece of claim 43 wherein the display mechanism comprises a timer connected to a reflective display unit.

48. The method for manufacturing a timepiece of claim 47 wherein the insert unit further comprises a light source positioned adjacent to the display unit.

49. The method for manufacturing a timepiece of claim 48 wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.

50. The method for manufacturing a timepiece of claim 48 wherein the light source is an electro-luminescent lamp.

51. The method for manufacturing a timepiece of claim 47 wherein the display unit comprises an electrophoretic display.

52. The method for manufacturing a timepiece of claim 47 wherein the display unit comprises an gyricon display.

53. The method for manufacturing a timepiece of claim 47 wherein the display unit comprises:

(a) a first substrate;

(b) the display media deposited on said substrate; and

(c) a conductive matrix in contact with the display media, wherein said conductive matrix is addressable.

54. The method for manufacturing a timepiece of claim 47 wherein the display unit is monochromatic.

55. The method for manufacturing a timepiece of claim 47 wherein the display unit is polychromatic.

56. The method for manufacturing a timepiece of claim 47 wherein the insert unit further comprises a color filter positioned adjacent to the display unit.

45. A method for manufacturing a timepiece having a flexible display mechanism comprised of a plurality of encapsulated display elements comprising:

(a) aligning said display mechanism adjacent to at least one flex limiter to form an insert unit;

(b) positioning said insert unit between a first and second module portion; and

(c) ultrasonically bonding said first module portion to said second module portion along their adjoining edges.