Flexible timepiece in multiple environments

• US 20030026171A1
• Filed: 08/01/2001
• Published: 02/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fossil Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fossil Incorporated
• Inventors: John, Chan Chin Pang, Brewer, Donald R., Bruneau, Jeffrey Keith
• Granted Patent: US 6,621,766 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 timepiece module comprising:

(a) a timer;

(b) a display connected to said timer;

wherein said display is flexible and reflective; and

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

2. The timepiece module of claim 1 wherein said flex limiter is a module that encases the timer and display.

3. The timepiece module of claim 1 wherein said flex limiter is a support located between the display and a lower module portion

4. The timepiece module of claim 1 wherein said flex limiter is a support located between the display and an upper module portion.

5. The timepiece module of claim 1 wherein said flex limiter is located outside of a module encasing the display.

6. The timepiece module of claim 1 further comprises:

(c) a light source adjacent to the display.

7. The timepiece module of claim 1 wherein said light source is a light emitting diode.

8. The timepiece module of claim 1 where said light source is an electroluminscent lamp.

9. The timepiece module of claim 1 wherein the display comprises an electrophoretic display.

10. The timepiece module of claim 1 wherein the display comprises a gyricon display.

11. The timepiece module of claim 1 wherein the display comprises:

(a) a first substrate;

(b) a display media deposited on said substrate;

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

12. The timepiece module of claim 1 wherein the timer comprises a circuit on a flexible printed circuit board.

13. The timepiece module of claim 1 wherein the display is sealed within a watertight enclosure.

14. The timepiece module of claim 13 wherein the watertight enclosure comprises plastics sealed by an ultra-sonic beam.

15. The claim of 14 wherein said plastic is polyurethane (PU), polyester, polycarbonate (PVC), or cautchouc (pure form of rubber).

16. The timepiece module of claim 1 further comprises a voltage source.

17. The timepiece module of claim 14 wherein the voltage source is a battery.

18. The timepiece module of claim 14 wherein the voltage source is a solar cell.

19. The timepiece module of claim 1 wherein said display in monochromatic.

20. The timepiece module of claim 1 wherein said display is polychromatic.

21. The timepiece module of claim 1 further comprises a color filter adjacent to said display.

22. The timepiece module of claim 1 wherein said display is an irregular shape.

23. The timepiece module of claim 22 wherein said irregular shape incorporates more than one radius of curvature.

24. A fashion accessory comprising:

(a) a timer;

(b) a display connected to said timer;

wherein said display is flexible and reflective;

wherein the display is integrated into the accessory.

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

26. The accessory of claim 24 wherein the accessory is a belt.

27. The accessory of claim 24 wherein the accessory is a wallet.

28. The accessory of claim 24 wherein the accessory is a shoe.

29. A timepiece comprising:

(a) a reflective display;

(b) a timer coupled to the display; and

a light source adjacent to the display.

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

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

32. The timepiece module of claim 30 wherein said light source is located around the periphery of the display.

33. The timepiece module of claim 32 wherein said light source is coupled to a substrate above the display.

34. The timepiece module of claim 33 wherein said substrate is curved.

35. The timepiece module of claim 29 wherein said light source is curved.

36. The timepiece module of claim 33 wherein said display is curved.

37. The timepiece module of claim 29 wherein said light source is an electroluminescent lamp.

38. The timepiece module of claim 29 wherein the light source is an LED.

39. A timepiece module comprising:

(a) a timer;

(b) a display connected to said timer;

wherein said display is flexible and reflective; and

wherein said timer and display are integrated into a watertight module.

40. The timepiece module of claim 39 wherein said reflective display comprises an electrophoretic display.

41. The timepiece module of claim 40 wherein said reflective display comprises a gyricon display.

42. The timepiece module of claim 39 further comprises a light source located adjacent to the display.

43. The timepiece module of claim 40 wherein said light source is located around the periphery of the display.

44. The timepiece module of claim 42 wherein said light source is coupled to a substrate above the display.

45. The timepiece module of claim 44 wherein said substrate is curved.

46. The timepiece module of claim 42 wherein said light source is curved.

47. The timepiece module of claim 44 wherein said display is curved.

48. The timepiece module of claim 42 wherein said light source is an electroluminescent lamp.