MULTI-EYE ANALOG SMART TIMEKEEPING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF MAKING A DISPLAY PANEL

Abstract

The present disclosure discloses a multi-eye analog smart timekeeping apparatus, comprising: a dial, comprising a dial substrate comprising a plurality of view regions; an arm positioned above the dial; a display panel positioned below the dial and comprising a plurality of display regions, each of the display regions corresponding to one of at least two of the view regions;

and a shaft connected to the arm and being through the dial and the display panel. The present disclosure also discloses a method of making a display panel that may be used with the timekeeping apparatus, comprising: providing a first substrate comprising a first area; forming a display layer on the first substrate outside the first area; applying encapsulation material on the first area and around the display layer; sealing the display layer between the first substrate and a second substrate; and drilling a hole in the first area, wherein a size of the hole is smaller than a size of the first area.

Claims

1. A timekeeping apparatus, comprising: a dial, comprising a dial substrate comprising a plurality of view regions; an arm positioned above the dial; a display panel positioned below the dial and comprising a plurality of display regions, each of the display regions corresponding to one of at least two of the view regions; and a shaft connected to the arm and being through the dial and the display panel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display panel is substantially the same size and shape as the dial.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display regions are controllable independently from each other.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display panel comprises a matrix structure, wherein the display panel comprises a hole which the shaft goes through, and wherein the existence of the hole does not affect the display capabilities of the matrix structure around the hole.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display panel further comprises at least one positioning feature on a boundary of the display panel.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dial further comprises at least one positioning feature on a boundary of the dial.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the view regions are hollow.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a material of the view regions is different from a material of the dial substrate, and wherein the material of the view regions is at least semi-transparent.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one of the view regions comprises a magnifying element.

10-12. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a prior art watch.

[0030] FIG. 2A illustrates a top view of a multi-eye watch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIGS. 2B-2D illustrate partial cross-sectional views of a multi-eye watch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates certain functionalities of a multi-eye watch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIGS. 4A and 4B respectively illustrate a top view and a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 4C illustrates a top view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIGS. 4D-4G illustrate cross-sectional views of the display layers according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a perspective view of a display panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a dial according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method of making a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 9 illustrates how various components of a watch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the description below and the accompanying drawings.

Multi-Eye Watch

[0042] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a watch 2 with multiple view regions (or “eyes”) 211-213 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The watch 2 may comprise a display panel 20, a dial 21 comprising a dial substrate, one or more arms 22, a shaft 23, one or more crowns 24, a movement 25, a seat 26 and a circuit board 27.

[0043] The display panel 20 may have one or more independently controllable display regions 201-203, which allow the wearer to view different, independent information and/or use independent software applications (or apps). Each of the display regions 201-203 may correspond to a view region. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2A, the display regions 201-203 respectively correspond to the view regions 211-213. It should be noted that the number of view regions may be equal to or more than the number of display regions. In other words, some view regions may not need a corresponding display region; features other than the display panel, such as a compass and a small clock, may exist in these view regions.

[0044] In some embodiments, the display regions 201-203 may display a digital compass and/or a digital clock to mimic real ones. The display panel 20 may be an LCD panel, an LED panel, an OLED panel, an organic luminescent display panel, a plasma display panel or an electronic ink panel.

[0045] Using one display panel 20 to provide multiple display regions 201-203 has a clear advantage over using multiple smaller display panels because mechanical/electronic design and integration becomes much simpler. Only the individually controllable display regions 201-203 have to be changed, but no additional display panel is required. Another advantage is that the view regions 211-213 of the dial 21 may be changed (e.g., in size and location) without the need to redesign the watch assembly.

[0046] The dial 21 comprises a dial substrate in which the view regions 211-213 may be formed and to which the indices 214 are attached. The view regions 211-213 may be hollow to let the wearer see what is behind them. In some embodiments, the indices 214 may also be printed on the dial substrate and thus be substantially coplanar with the dial substrate. Although only three view regions 211-213 are shown in FIG. 2A, the number of view regions may be more than or less than three if needed.

[0047] In some embodiments, the display panel 20 and the dial 21 are substantially the same in size and shape. This may allow watch designers to have maximum freedom in placing view regions on the dial. Of course, the display panel 20 and the dial 21 may be different in size and/or shape to accommodate other features and/or components of the watch 2.

[0048] The arms 22 are connected to the shaft 23, which goes through the dial 21 and the display panel 20. The shaft 23 is also connected to the movement 25. The use of arms 22 on the dial 21 can help create the look of a traditional watch.

[0049] The crowns 24 may be used to control the arms 22. The crowns 24 may also be designed to control the display regions 201-203 and other features of the watch 2. In some embodiments, the crowns 24 may be in the form of a button. In some embodiments, the crowns 24 may be both rotatable and pressable and thus may act as both a traditional crown and a button.

[0050] The seat 26 accommodates other components of the watch. In some embodiments, the seat 26 may have additional features, such as positioning features (which are described below).

[0051] The circuit board 27 may comprise one or more digital circuits. In some embodiments, the circuit board 27 may comprise a generic microprocessor, a graphic processor, a power management circuit, sensors, a wireless communication module with various capabilities (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, cellular communication including 2G, 3G, 4G and beyond, NFC, and infrared), a display controller, and/or any other suitable components.

[0052] FIG. 2C illustrates another embodiment of the watch of the present disclosure. The components in FIG. 2C that are similar to those in FIG. 2B are labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be discussed in detail.

[0053] One difference between FIGS. 2B and 2C is the existence of an optical element in the view region 211, such as a lens 211a. The lens 211a may magnify or de-magnify the view behind the view region 211 to create a greater variety of visual effects. In some embodiments, the lens 211a is a magnifying element that may help the wearer see more clearly what is behind the view region 211.

[0054] FIG. 2D illustrates another embodiment of the watch of the present disclosure. The components in FIG. 2D that are similar to those in FIG. 2B are labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be elaborated in detail.

[0055] View regions 211-213 need not be hollow. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2D, the materials 211b, 212b of the view regions 211, 212 may be different from the material of the dial substrate of the dial 21. The color and transparency of the materials 211b, 212b may be different from those of the material of the dial substrate of the dial 21. In some embodiments, the materials 211b, 212b may be at least semi-transparent to allow the wearer to see what is behind the view regions 211, 212. Although not shown in FIG. 2D, different materials may be used to form the view region 213. The top surface of the view regions 211, 212 with the materials 211b, 212b may be substantially coplanar with the dial substrate of the dial 21. The materials 211b, 212b may be plastic, glass or any other suitable materials. The materials 211b, 212b may have different colors and/or degrees of transparency. The materials 211b, 212b may create more visual effects.

[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates a possible usage scenario of the watch 2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] The display regions 201-203 may display information from different software applications or apps running on the watch 2 and/or received by the watch 2. Also, the watch 2 may, through the wireless communication module(s) on the circuit board 27 (not shown in FIG. 3), communicate with a device 3, which may be a mobile phone, a laptop, a desktop, a PDA, a hand-held gaming device, a wireless base station, or other devices with communication capabilities. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the display region 201 displays information from an instant messaging application, the display region 202 displays information from a different instant messaging application (or some other application like e-mail), and the display region 203 displays information from an alarm clock application. The display regions 201-203 may display information from applications running on the watch 2, information from applications running on the device 3, or a combination of both. The wearer may, of course, choose the applications to be displayed in the display regions 201-203 and may decide how the watch 2 communicates with the device 3.

Display Panel

[0058] FIGS. 4A and 4B respectively illustrate a top view and a cross-sectional view of a display panel 4 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] The display panel 4 may comprise a first substrate 401, a second substrate 402, a display stack 41 between the substrates 401, 402, a hole 42 with diameter a, an inner encapsulation area 431 surrounded by the display stack 41, an outer encapsulation area 432, and other suitable components, such as a polarizer 44.

[0060] The substrates 401, 402 may be transparent, may provide mechanical support to the display panel 4, and may be made of any suitable materials known in the art, such as glass, resin and plastic. In some embodiments, the substrates 401, 402 may be at least semi-transparent and/or colored to have different visual effects.

[0061] The display stack 41 may comprise display materials and suitable control circuitry. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4B, the display stack 41 may comprise a layer of first electrodes 411, a display layer 412, and a layer of second electrodes 413. In some embodiments, the first electrodes 411 are anodes (such as indium tin oxide, also known by its abbreviation, ITO), and the second electrodes 413 are cathodes. The display layer 412 may comprise a matrix structure.

[0062] The hole 42 would not affect the display capabilities of the display stack 41 around the hole 42. The hole 42 may also serve to let the shaft 23 (not shown in FIG. 4A or 4B) of the watch 2 go through the display panel 4. As explained above, the existence of the arms 22 driven by the shaft 23 and the movement 25 may create an appearance that has the sense of luxury and prestige usually conveyed by mechanical watches. The size and/or shape of the hole 42 can be adjusted to accommodate the shaft 23 that goes through the hole so as to increase mechanical reliability and manufacturing efficiency.

[0063] The encapsulation areas 431, 432 may serve to hold the substrates 401, 402 and the display stack 41 together. The encapsulation areas 431, 432 may also seal the space between them and thus maintain a vacuum state around the display stack 41. The display stack 41 may function more properly in the vacuum state and may be damaged if the vacuum state is not maintained properly. In some embodiments, the inner encapsulation area 431 may be in the shape of a concentric ring surrounding the hole 42 and having a width b.

[0064] FIG. 4C illustrates another embodiment of the display panel 4, in which more holes 421-423 may exist. The size and/or shape and/or location of the holes 421-423 may be different from each other and may be decided based on the needs of the watch designer. The holes 421-423 may allow one or more shafts to go through to drive more than one set of arms. The holes 421-423 may also allow the mechanical components (such as the movement, springs and wheels) behind the display panel 4 to be partially revealed. Such visual effects may further enhance the sense of luxury of the watch. In some embodiments, magnifying and/or demagnifying optical elements may exist in some of the holes 421-423.

[0065] FIGS. 4D-4G provide more details on different types of the display panel 4 according to different embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0066] In FIG. 4D, the display stack 41 comprises electrodes 411, 413 and liquid crystal materials 412a. A backlight 403 that may emit light 404 is below the first substrate 401. The liquid crystal materials 412a may allow the light 404 to pass or block it. The passed light may go through different optical elements 414 to generate light with different colors 404a-404c, such as red, green and blue.

[0067] In FIG. 4E, the display stack 41 comprises electrodes 411, 413 and electroluminescent materials 412b, which may be organic. The electroluminescent materials 412b, when properly stimulated, may generate light with different colors 404a-404c, such as red, green and blue.

[0068] In FIG. 4F, the display stack 41 comprises electrodes 411, 413 and plasma cells 412c to generate light with different colors 404a-404c (such as red, green and blue).

[0069] In FIG. 4G, the display stack 41 comprises electrodes 411, 413 and a pigment layer 412d with a plurality of transparent microcapsules, such as those used in E-Ink. The electrodes 411, 413 may control the movement of charged white/black pigments in the microcapsules so that light 405 may pass or be reflected, resulting in a white/black color.

[0070] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate display panels with different positioning features according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0071] In FIG. 5A, the display panel may comprise a hole 42 in the center and positioning features, such as notches 451-453 distributed on the perimeter of the display panel and a downward protrusion 461. The notches 451-453 may hold corresponding pillars on other components of the watch (such as the seat) so that the components of the watch may hold to each other more firmly, thereby increasing the mechanical stability of the watch. The protrusion 461 may fit into a hollow space in other components of the watch (such as the seat) and may help retain the proper position of the display panel.

[0072] In FIG. 5B, the display panel may comprise a hole 42 in the center and positioning features, such as protrusions 454-456 distributed on the perimeter of the display panel and an upward protrusion 462. The protrusions 454-456 may fit into corresponding notches on other components of the watch (such as the seat) so that the components of the watch may hold to each other more firmly, thereby increasing the mechanical stability of the watch. The protrusion 462 may fit into a hollow space in other components of the watch (such as the dial) and may help retain the proper position of the display panel.

Other Features

[0073] FIG. 6 illustrates a seat 26 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition to receiving the clockwork of the watch, the seat 26 may have additional positioning features, such as pillars 451a-453a and a hollow space 461a. In some embodiments, the pillars 451a-453a may respectively fit into the notches 451-453 of the display panel illustrated in FIG. 5A, and the hollow space 461a may receive the corresponding downward protrusion 461 illustrated in FIG. 5A. In some embodiments, the positioning features that match the pillars 451a-453a and the hollow space 461a may exist on other components of the watch.

[0074] FIG. 7 illustrates a dial 21 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition to the features mentioned above, the dial 21 may have additional positioning features, such as notches 2151-2153. In some embodiments, the notches 2151-2153 correspond to the pillars 451a-453a illustrated in FIG. 6. It should be noted that the pillars 451a-453a on the seat 26 may correspond to the notches 451-453 of the display panel, or the notches 2151-2153 of the dial 21, or both.

Manufacturing Methods

[0075] FIG. 8 illustrates a method of making a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, such as the display panel 4 illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

[0076] In step 802, a first substrate (such as the substrate 401) comprising a first area (such as an area that has the same size and shape as the inner encapsulation area 431) is provided. In step 804, a display layer (such as the display materials and/or associated control circuitry of the display stack 41) is formed on the first substrate outside the first area.

[0077] In step 806, encapsulation material is applied on the first area and around the display layer (such as on the inner and outer encapsulation areas 431, 432). In step 808, the display layer is sealed between the first substrate carrying the display layer and a second substrate with the encapsulation material; note that the encapsulation material helps seal the two substrates and maintain a vacuum state of the display layer in between. In step 810, a hole is drilled in the first area. Although a hole is drilled in the first area, the functionality of the display layer is not affected because of the absence of the display layer in the first area. In addition, since the drilling is within the first area, on which encapsulation material has been applied, the vacuum state is maintained during and after the drilling.

[0078] In some embodiments, the first substrate further comprises at least one second area; the display layer is formed further outside the at least one second area; the encapsulation material is further applied on the at least one second area; and a hole is further drilled in each of the at least one second area. In some embodiments, the size of the hole in each of the at least one second area is smaller than the size of the respective second area. Consequently, more than one hole may be formed on the display panel (such as the display panel illustrated in FIG. 4C).

[0079] In some embodiments, a magnifying element, such as a lens, may be optionally placed in the hole of each of at least one of the at least one second area to provide different optical/visual effects.

[0080] FIG. 9 illustrates how a watch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled. In step 902, a movement is placed on a seat; other components, such as a circuit board and other components of the clockwork, may also be placed on the seat. In step 904, the display panel is assembled; the display panel may optionally have notches and a downward protrusion that respectively correspond to the pillars and hollow space on the seat for better fitting. In step 906, the dial is assembled; the dial may optionally have notches that correspond to the pillars on the seat for better fitting. In step 908, a shaft and arms are connected to the movement. Other components, such as a bezel and watch bands, may also be provided.

[0081] Specific components of a multi-eye analog smart watch and related manufacturing methods have been described. It should, however, be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the present disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting the present disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context.

[0082] In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0083] 1 watch

[0084] 11 view region

[0085] 12 movement

[0086] 13 display panel

[0087] 2 watch

[0088] 20 display panel

[0089] 201 display region

[0090] 202 display region

[0091] 203 display region

[0092] 21 dial

[0093] 211 view region

[0094] 211a lens

[0095] 211b different material

[0096] 212 view region

[0097] 212b different material

[0098] 213 view region

[0099] 214 index

[0100] 2151 notch

[0101] 2152 notch

[0102] 2153 notch

[0103] 22 arm

[0104] 23 shaft

[0105] 24 crown

[0106] 25 movement

[0107] 26 seat

[0108] 27 circuit board

[0109] 3 device

[0110] 4 display panel

[0111] 401 first substrate

[0112] 402 second substrate

[0113] 403 backlight

[0114] 404 light

[0115] 404a red light

[0116] 404b green light

[0117] 404c blue light

[0118] 405 light

[0119] 41 display stack

[0120] 411 first electrode

[0121] 412 display layer

[0122] 412a liquid crystal materials

[0123] 412b electroluminescent materials

[0124] 412c plasma cells

[0125] 412d pigment layer

[0126] 413 second electrode

[0127] 42 hole

[0128] 421 hole

[0129] 422 hole

[0130] 423 hole

[0131] 431 inner encapsulation area

[0132] 432 outer encapsulation area

[0133] a diameter

[0134] b width

[0135] 44 polarizer

[0136] 451 notch

[0137] 452 notch

[0138] 453 notch

[0139] 451a pillar

[0140] 452a pillar

[0141] 453a pillar

[0142] 454 protrusion

[0143] 455 protrusion

[0144] 456 protrusion

[0145] 461 protrusion

[0146] 461a hollow space

[0147] 462 protrusion

[0148] 8 flow chart

[0149] 802 step

[0150] 804 step

[0151] 806 step

[0152] 808 step

[0153] 810 step

[0154] 902 step

[0155] 904 step

[0156] 906 step

[0157] 908 step