Watch display using light sources with a translucent cover

• US 9,201,405 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2014
• Issued: 12/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Clarkson, Brad N., Andren, Bo Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Amy Cohen
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLLINS, JASON M
• Application Number:
  US14/192,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20140177402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 368/82, 368/83, 368/223, 368/241
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/045 Mounting of the display
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/08 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/00 Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/22 electroluminescent electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/33 being semiconductor devices, e.g. diodes

Abstract

A display assembly includes a display selectively displaying human-readable indicia on a face thereof and a cover disposed over the display. The cover has a homogeneous surface over the entire face of the display. The display assembly is controllable between an inactive state and an active state. In the inactive state, the face of the display is not viewable through the cover, and in the active state, the indicia are viewable through the cover.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a band configured to wrap around a wrist or arm of a user to permit the device to be worn by the user;

an electronic module comprising a computer component and configured for wireless communication with an external device, the electronic module further comprising a plurality of light-emitting devices forming a display controlled by the computer component and configured for selectively displaying human-readable indicia, the display being operable between an active state and an inactive state, wherein each of the light-emitting devices is configured to emit light when in the active state;

a cover comprising a flexible material disposed over the display and covering all of the plurality of light-emitting devices, such that the flexible material forms an outermost surface of the device, wherein the flexible material is sufficiently flexible to be bent to an angle of greater than 90 degrees without permanent deformation or fracture,

wherein the flexible material is generally opaque and is disposed over the display, wherein the flexible material is configured to permit a portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting devices to pass through, allowing the display to be visible through the cover when the light-emitting devices are in the active states, and wherein the flexible material is configured to obscure vision of the display when the light-emitting devices are in the inactive states.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the band has a top portion and curved sides configured to wrap around the wrist or arm of the user, wherein the display is located on the top portion.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the flexible material of the cover forms a single, homogenous surface that covers the entire display and extends over the top portion and around the sides of the band.

4. The device of claim 3, further comprising a button operably coupled to the electronic module and configured to interact with the computer component, wherein the button is covered by the flexible material.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the button is covered by the single, homogenous surface.

6. The device of claim 2, wherein the cover comprises a single, integral piece of the flexible material that covers the entire display and extends over the top portion and around the sides of the band.

7. The device of claim 6, further comprising a button operably coupled to the electronic module and configured to interact with the computer component, wherein the button is covered by the flexible material.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the button is covered by the single, integral piece of the flexible material.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the electronic module is sealed to provide water resistance.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the electronic module is configured for displaying movement data on the display.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the light-emitting devices comprises an LED.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a clasp or buckle configured to secure the band on the wrist or arm of the user.

13. A device comprising:

a band having a top portion and curved sides configured to wrap around a wrist or arm of a user to permit the device to be worn by the user;

a display comprising a plurality of light-emitting devices and configured for selectively displaying human-readable indicia, the display being operable between an active state and an inactive state, wherein each of the light-emitting devices is configured to emit light when in the active state;

a cover comprising a flexible material disposed over the display and covering all of the plurality of light-emitting devices, such that the flexible material forms an outermost surface of the device, wherein the flexible material forms a single, homogenous surface that covers the entire display and extends over the top portion and around the sides of the band,

wherein the flexible material is generally opaque and is disposed over the display, wherein the flexible material is configured to permit a portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting devices to pass through, allowing the display to be visible through the cover when the light-emitting devices are in the active states, and wherein the flexible material is configured to obscure vision of the display when the light-emitting devices are in the inactive states.

14. The device of claim 13, further comprising a computer component configured for wireless communication with an external device and for controlling the display.

15. The device of claim 14, further comprising a button operably coupled to the computer component and configured to interact with the computer component, wherein the button is covered by the flexible material.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the button is covered by the single, homogenous surface.

17. The device of claim 14, wherein the device is sealed to provide water resistance for the computer component.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein the computer component is configured for displaying running data on the display.

19. The device of claim 13, wherein each of the light-emitting devices comprises an LED.

20. The device of claim 13, further comprising a clasp or buckle configured to secure the band on the wrist or arm of the user.

21. A device comprising:

a band having a top portion and curved sides configured to wrap around a wrist or arm of a user to permit the device to be worn by the user;

a display comprising a plurality of light-emitting devices and configured for selectively displaying human-readable indicia, the display being operable between an active state and an inactive state, wherein each of the light-emitting devices is configured to emit light when in the active state;

a cover comprising a flexible material disposed over the display and covering all of the plurality of light-emitting devices, such that the flexible material forms an outermost surface of the device, wherein the cover comprises a single, integral piece of the flexible material that covers the entire display and extends over the top portion and around the sides of the band,

wherein the flexible material is generally opaque and is disposed over the display, wherein the flexible material is configured to permit a portion of the light emitted by the light-emitting devices to pass through, allowing the display to be visible through the cover when the light-emitting devices are in the active states, and wherein the flexible material is configured to obscure vision of the display when the light-emitting devices are in the inactive states.

22. The device of claim 21, further comprising a computer component configured for wireless communication with an external device and for controlling the display

23. The device of claim 22, further comprising a button operably coupled to the computer component and configured to interact with the computer component, wherein the button is covered by the flexible material.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the button is covered by the single, integral piece of the flexible material.

25. The device of claim 22, wherein the device is sealed to provide water resistance for the computer component.

26. The device of claim 22, wherein the computer component is configured for displaying movement data on the display.

27. The device of claim 21, wherein each of the light-emitting devices comprises an LED.

28. The device of claim 21, further comprising a clasp or buckle configured to secure the band on the wrist or arm of the user.