DISPLAY APPARATUS

• US 20090251888A1
• Filed: 04/20/2009
• Published: 10/08/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vincent Douglas
• Original Assignee: Vincent Douglas
• Inventors: Douglas, Vincent
• Granted Patent: US 8,482,909 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/103
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0015 providing information, e.g. bracelets with calendars identification bracelets G09F3/005
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0053 Flexible straps
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1652 the display being flexible, e.g. mimicking a sheet of paper, or rollable
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/005 Identification bracelets, e.g. secured to the arm of a person

Abstract

A display apparatus (10) comprises a display band (14) and a control unit (12). The display band (14) is flexible and is dimension for wrapping round the wrist or other part of the user. In preferred forms, the control unit (12) includes a timing circuit and the display band (14) includes a digital time display, the apparatus thus functioning as a watch. Also preferred is the use of a malleable display band (14) allowing the apparatus to be applied to the wrist or the like without use of a buckle or catch. A variety of display bands (14) may be used interchangeably with a single control unit.

Claims

1. A display apparatus comprising a flexible display member comprising a flexible electronic pixel array and a control unit capable of controlling the flexible electronic pixel array, the display member being in the form of a strip of a size suitable to be positioned around a limb of a user, in which the display member is removably attached to the control unit by a male/female connector arrangement, wherein the display member can be detached from the control unit and replaced with an alternative design or size display member to suit the user.

2. A display apparatus according to claim 1, in which the display member is sufficiently stiff as to retain its shape without the need for a latch or other retainer.

3. A display apparatus according to claim 1, in which the display member comprises an electro-luminescent, organic light emitting diode, light emitting polymer, or organic liquid crystal display bonded to a strip.

4. A display apparatus according to claim 3, in which the display member comprises a rubber backing, a strip of thin steel forming said strip, said electro-luminescent, organic light emitting diode, light emitting polymer, or organic liquid crystal display, a filter layer, and an anti-moisture covering.

5. A display apparatus according to claim 1, in which the control unit is releasably secured to a distal portion of the display member.

6. A display apparatus according to claim 1, in which controls are provided on the display member or on the control unit.

7. A display apparatus according to claim 6, in which said controls are in the form of touch-sensitive areas.

8. A display apparatus according to claim 1, in which the control unit comprises means for generating visual patterns on the display member, whereby the apparatus functions as an electronic bracelet.

9. A display apparatus according to claim 1, in which the control unit comprises a timing circuit and the display member is adapted to display time indicia, whereby the apparatus functions as a watch.

10. A display apparatus according to claim 1, further including a sound sensor.

11. A display apparatus according to claim 1, in which the flexible electronic pixel array is provided on one side of the display member and a display is provided on an opposite side of the display member.

12. A display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display member comprises a battery separate from the control unit.

13. A display apparatus according to claim 1, further including a light sensor for controlling illumination of the flexible pixel array in accordance with ambient light.

14. A display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a radio frequency link for remote control of a device.

15. A display apparatus according to claim 1, further including a battery recharged by a solar cell or a thermoelectric cell.

16. A display apparatus comprising a flexible display member comprising a flexible electronic pixel array and a control unit provided at one end of the display member and capable of controlling the flexible electronic pixel array, the display member being in the form of a strip of a size suitable to be positioned around a limb of a user, in which the display member is removably attached to the control unit by a male/female connector arrangement, wherein the display member can be detached from the control unit and replaced with an alternative design or size display member to suit the user.

17. A display apparatus according to claim 16, in which the display member is sufficiently stiff as to retain its shape without the need for a latch or other retainer.

18. A display apparatus according to claim 16, in which the display member comprises an electro-luminescent, organic light emitting diode, light emitting polymer, or organic liquid crystal display bonded to a strip.

19. A display apparatus according to claim 18, in which the display member comprises a rubber backing, a strip of thin steel forming said strip, said electro-luminescent, organic light emitting diode, light emitting polymer, or organic liquid crystal display, a filter layer, and an anti-moisture covering.

20. A display apparatus according to claim 16, in which controls are provided on the display member or on the control unit.

21. A display apparatus according to claim 20, in which said controls are in the form of touch-sensitive areas.

22. A display apparatus according to claim 16, in which the control unit comprises a timing circuit and the display member is adapted to display time indicia, whereby the apparatus functions as a watch.

23. A display apparatus according to claim 16, in which the control unit comprises means for generating visual patterns on the display member, whereby the apparatus functions as an electronic bracelet.

24. A display apparatus according to claim 16, further including a sound sensor.

25. A display apparatus according to claim 16, in which the flexible electronic pixel array is provided on one side of the display member and a display is provided on an opposite side of the display member.

26. A display apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the display member comprises a battery separate from the control unit.

27. A display apparatus according to claim 16, further including a light sensor for controlling illumination of the flexible pixel array in accordance with ambient light.

28. A display apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the control unit includes a radio frequency link for remote control of a device.

29. A display apparatus according to claim 16, further including a battery recharged by a solar cell or a thermoelectric cell.

30. A display apparatus comprising a flexible display member comprising a flexible electronic pixel array and a control unit, the display member being in the form of a strip of a size suitable to be positioned around a limb of a user and the display member extending along the entire length of the strip, in which the display member is a strip or band of thin metal or plastic and which is initially axially straight and transversely concave.

31. A display apparatus comprising a flexible display member comprising a flexible electronic pixel array and a control unit provided at one end of the display member, the display member being in the form of a strip of a size suitable to be positioned around a limb of a user and the display member extending along the entire length of the strip, in which the display member is a strip or band of thin metal or plastic and which is initially axially straight and transversely concave.