Electronic component and electronic device

• US 20080123473A1
• Filed: 08/07/2006
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Hoshino, Kazunori, Ozawa, Noriaki, Inoue, Katsutoyo
• Application Number:
  US11/499,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20080123473A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/18
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1677 Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. reflectors or illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 45/00 Time pieces of which the indicating means or cases provoke special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects ornamental shaping of dials G04B19/10 lubrication of clockwork bearings G04B31/008; special effects and pictures in general B44F
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/00 Visual time or date indication means

Abstract

An electronic component comprising a display panel having an image retention characteristic, and a decorative member disposed layered to the display panel. The decorative member passes the display state of at least a portion of the display panel so that the display can be seen.

Claims

1. An electronic component comprising:

a display panel having an image retention characteristic; and

a decorative member disposed layered to the display panel and visibly passing the display state of at least a portion of the display panel.

2. The electronic component described in claim 1, wherein a three-dimensional shape is formed on a surface of the decorative member.

3. The electronic component described in claim 1, wherein recessed portions comprising a plurality of sides of different slope are formed in at least a portion of a surface of the decorative member.

4. The electronic component described in claim 1, wherein the decorative member is a flat member.

5. The electronic component described in claim 1, wherein the decorative member is made from a moisture resistant material.

6. The electronic component described in claim 1, wherein the display panel is an electrophoretic display panel.

7. The electronic component described in claim 1, further comprising a through-hole for passing a drive member for driving analog hands when analog hands are provided.

8. An electronic component comprising:

a display panel comprising a display layer having an image retention characteristic, and a transparent layer covering the display side surface of the display layer; and

a three-dimensional shape formed in the transparent layer of the display panel.

9. An electronic device comprising:

a display unit comprising a display panel having an image retention characteristic; and

a decorative member disposed layered to the display panel and visibly passing the display state of at least a portion of the display panel.

10. The electronic device described in claim 9, wherein a three-dimensional shape is formed on a surface of the decorative member.

11. The electronic device described in claim 9, further comprising analog hands that are driven above the display area of the display unit for indicating time.

12. The electronic device described in claim 9, further comprising analog hands that are driven above the display area of the display unit for indicating time,

wherein an image is displayed on the display panel in an area overlapping the drive range of the analog hands.

13. The electronic device described in claim 9, wherein time is digitally displayed by the display panel.

14. The electronic device described in claim 9, wherein the electronic device is a timepiece having the display unit disposed inside a timepiece case.

15. The electronic device described in claim 9, further comprising the display unit, analog hands driven above a display area of the display unit, and a movement for driving the analog hands, inside a timepiece case;

and

a through-hole rendered in the display panel to pass a drive member for transferring drive power from the movement to the analog hands.

16. The electronic device described in claim 9, wherein the display panel is an electrophoretic display device.

17. The electronic device described in claim 9, wherein the display panel comprises a special display unit for presenting a special display including a moon phase display;

and

the portion of the decorative member overlapping the special display unit is rendered as a through-hole or transparent window, and the portion of the decorative member not overlapping the special display unit is opaque.

18. The electronic device described in claim 9, wherein one or a plurality of complementary decorative members is disposed to the surface of the decorative member;

and

the display panel displays in an area surrounding the complementary decorative member.

19. The electronic device described in claim 9, wherein one or a plurality of recessed portions is formed on a surface of the decorative member;

and

the display panel displays in areas corresponding to the recessed portions.

20. The electronic device described in claim 9, wherein the decorative member is made from a moisture resistant material.