Wristwatch and wristwatch-type display device

Abstract

To provide a wristwatch and a wristwatch-type display device with a new value that has never been before.SOLUTION: A wristwatch 1 includes a rectangular parallelepiped wristwatch body 100, five display units 210 to 214 formed over the entire area of each of five of six surfaces constituting the surface of the wristwatch body 100 except a lower surface, and a display control unit that controls the display of each of the five display units 210 to 214. The display control unit may have a function to control the display of each of the five display units 210-214 so that images to be displayed on each of the five display units 210-214 are linked or related to each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wristwatch and a wristwatch-type display device. [Background technology]

[0002] Wristwatches with new and unprecedented value are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Figure 33 is a diagram shown to explain a conventional wristwatch 900. Note that the wristwatch 900 shown in Figure 33 is the wristwatch described in Figure 13 of Patent Document 2. In Figure 33, Figure 33(a) is a perspective view of wristwatch 900 when displaying, and Figure 33(b) is a perspective view of wristwatch 900 when not displaying. As shown in Figure 33, wristwatch 900 does not display anything, let alone a time display, when not displaying, so while it is a wristwatch, when not displaying the time it is a wristwatch that does not make the presence of a time display conscious, providing new value to wristwatches. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Design Registration No. 1158328 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-206577 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in human society, new times demand products with new value, and the field of watches is no exception.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a wristwatch and wristwatch-type display device that have new and unprecedented value. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] [1] The wristwatch of the present invention is characterized by comprising a rectangular parallelepiped wristwatch body, at least two display units formed across the entire area of ​​each of the six surfaces that make up the surface of the wristwatch body: "the upper surface opposite the lower surface that faces the user's arm when in use" and "at least one of the four side surfaces," and a display control unit that controls the display of each of the at least two display units.

[0007] [2] In the wristwatch of the present invention, it is preferable that the display control unit has a function of controlling the display of each of the at least two display units so that the images displayed on each of the at least two display units are linked or related to each other.

[0008] The term "linked" as used herein also includes cases where images displayed on at least two display units move seamlessly across the at least two display units. It also includes cases where at least two display units change their lighting state one after the other based on a predetermined rule or randomly. For example, it also includes cases where one of the at least two display units displays red, followed by another display unit displaying the same or a different color, where each display unit displays independently in sequence based on a predetermined rule.

[0009] [3] In the wristwatch of the present invention, the at least two display units are preferably five display units formed across the entire area of ​​each of the five faces consisting of the top face and the four side faces. That is, the wristwatch of the present invention preferably comprises a rectangular parallelepiped watch body, five display units formed across the entire area of ​​each of five of the six faces that make up the surface of the watch body, excluding the bottom face that faces the user's arm when in use, and a display control unit that controls the display of each of the five display units.

[0010] [4] In the wristwatch of the present invention, it is preferable that the five faces of the wristwatch body are entirely unpatterned when nothing is displayed on the five display sections.

[0011] [5] In the wristwatch of the present invention, the five display units are preferably made up of five organic EL display sheets or five micro LED display sheets, and the five organic EL display sheets or five micro LED display sheets are preferably attached to the five faces of the wristwatch body.

[0012] [6] In the wristwatch of the present invention, it is preferable that the five display units consist of one organic EL display sheet or one micro LED display sheet, and that the one organic EL display sheet or one micro LED display sheet is folded to fit the external shape of the wristwatch body and attached to the wristwatch body.

[0013] [7] In the wristwatch of the present invention, a first group of electrodes for supplying power and electrical signals to the organic EL display sheet or the micro LED display sheet is exposed on the five faces of the wristwatch body, and a second group of electrodes for receiving the power and electrical signals from the first group of electrodes is provided on the back surface of the organic EL display sheet or the micro LED display sheet at a position corresponding to the first group of electrodes, and a drive circuit is provided for supplying electrical signals to control the lighting state of each pixel of the organic EL display sheet or the micro LED display sheet, and it is preferable that the first group of electrodes and the second group of electrodes are each electrically connected.

[0014] [8] In the wristwatch of the present invention, it is preferable that the gaps between the five display sections are filled with a black material so that the gaps are not visible.

[0015] [9] In the wristwatch of the present invention, it is preferable that a protective material be applied and hardened to the five display sections so as to completely cover the five display sections.

[0016]

[10] In the wristwatch of the present invention, when the display unit formed on the top surface opposite the bottom surface of the wristwatch body is defined as a top display unit, and the display units formed on the four sides of the wristwatch body are defined as four side display units, if the display mode of the five display units is an analog clock display mode in which the time is displayed using multiple hands, it is preferable that the display control unit controls the display of each of the five display units so that at least the longest hand of the multiple hands extends from the top display unit to one of the four side display units, and so that the part of the hand that extends to the one side display unit that is displayed on the top display unit and the part that is displayed on the one side display unit rotate in conjunction with each other.

[0017]

[11] In a wristwatch of the present invention, of the five display units, the display unit formed on the top surface opposite the bottom surface of the wristwatch body is referred to as the top display unit, and the display units formed on the four side surfaces of the wristwatch body are referred to as the four side display units. Of the four side display units, the side display unit located at the back when viewed from the user during use is referred to as the first side display unit, the side display unit located on the back of the user's hand is referred to as the second side display unit, the side display unit located opposite the first side display unit is referred to as the third side display unit, and the side display unit located opposite the second side display unit is referred to as the fourth side display unit. When the display mode of the five display units is an analog clock display mode that displays the time with multiple hands, it is preferable that the display control unit controls the display of each of the five display units so that the interior of the wristwatch body is visible to the user as if it were visible through the display, and so that the numerical values ​​representing the time in the analog clock display mode are displayed forward-left on at least the third side display unit and reversed-left on at least the first side display unit.

[0018]

[12] In the wristwatch of the present invention, when the display mode of the five display units is an analog clock display mode in which the time is displayed using multiple hands, it is preferable that the display control unit controls the display of each of the five display units so that when used, the user can see through to the inside of the wristwatch body as if it were visible through the display, and so that the multiple hands rotate while positioned inside the wristwatch body.

[0019]

[13] In the wristwatch of the present invention, it is preferable that the display control unit controls the display of each of the five display units so that the user can see through to the inside of the wristwatch body.

[0020]

[14] In the wristwatch of the present invention, when, of the five display units, the display unit formed on the top surface opposite the bottom surface of the wristwatch body is defined as the top display unit, and the display units formed on the four side surfaces of the wristwatch body are defined as the four side display units, if the display mode of the five display units is a digital clock display mode that displays the time using a combination of multiple numbers, it is preferable that the display control unit controls the display of each of the five display units so that at least some of the multiple numbers extend from the top display unit onto the four side display units, or so that any protruding portions return to the top display unit.

[0021]

[15] In the wristwatch of the present invention, the five display sections are preferably touch panels.

[0022]

[16] In the wristwatch of the present invention, it is preferable that the display control unit controls the display of each of the five display units so that when a user swipes their finger on the touch panel surface, the image changes in accordance with the swiping motion.

[0023]

[17] The wristwatch-type display device of the present invention is characterized by comprising a rectangular parallelepiped wristwatch-type display device main body, at least two display units formed across the entire area of ​​each of the six surfaces that make up the surface of the wristwatch-type display device main body, namely, "the upper surface opposite the lower surface that faces the user's arm when in use" and "at least one of the four side surfaces," and a display control unit that controls the display of each of the at least two display units.

[0024]

[18] In the wristwatch-type display device of the present invention, it is preferable that the display control unit has a function of controlling the display of each of the at least two display units so that the images displayed on each of the at least two display units are linked or related to each other.

[0025]

[19] In the wristwatch-type display device of the present invention, it is preferable that the at least two display units are five display units formed across the entire area of ​​each of the five surfaces consisting of the top surface and the four side surfaces.

[0026] It is preferable that the wristwatch-type display device of the present invention also have the same features as the wristwatch of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] As will be apparent from the embodiments described below, the wristwatch and wristwatch-type display device of the present invention can display a variety of images in a variety of ways, utilizing not only the top surface of the rectangular parallelepiped wristwatch body but also the sides. As a result, the wristwatch and wristwatch-type display device of the present invention can provide a wristwatch and wristwatch-type display device with unprecedented new value. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a wristwatch 1 according to an embodiment worn on the left wrist of a user. [Figure 2]This is an enlarged view of the wristwatch 1 worn on the user's wrist as shown in Figure 1, and is a view shown to explain the first display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating a wristwatch body 100 of a wristwatch 1 according to an embodiment and a display unit 200 formed on five surfaces of the wristwatch body 100 excluding the bottom surface. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a control system for operating a wristwatch 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating how to deal with gaps that occur between adjacent organic EL display sheets. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the state in which a protective member 290 has been applied and hardened so as to cover the entire wristwatch 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a first modification of the first display mode. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram shown to explain the second display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fourth display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fifth display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a sixth display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a seventh display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an eighth display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the ninth display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a case where five display units 210 to 214 are formed from one organic EL display sheet. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the second display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment, shown to explain the case where the user looks at the wristwatch 1 with their arm bent more strongly. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another display mode (tenth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining another display mode (eleventh display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining another display mode (twelfth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining another display mode (thirteenth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining another display mode (fourteenth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining another display mode (fifteenth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another display mode (sixteenth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another display mode (sixteenth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining another display mode (seventeenth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining another display mode (18th display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining another display mode (19th display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another display mode (20th display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another display mode (20th display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. [Figure 31]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a case where five display units 210 to 214 are made up of three organic EL display sheets. [Figure 32] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which the display unit 200 is made up of at least two display units. [Figure 33] 1 is a diagram showing a conventional wristwatch 900 for explaining the same. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a wristwatch 1 according to an embodiment worn on a user's left arm. In FIG. 1, arrow A indicates the direction of the user's line of sight when looking at the wristwatch 1 worn on the left wrist. That is, when a user looks at the wristwatch 1 worn on the left wrist, the user typically looks at the wristwatch 1 with the elbow of the arm slightly bent toward the user's body (toward the abdomen or chest), and arrow A indicates the direction of the user's line of sight at this time. In FIG. 1, arrow A is drawn in a horizontal direction, but the actual direction of the line of sight is typically directed diagonally downward from the user's eyes.

[0030] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the wristwatch 1 worn on a user's wrist as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2(a) is an enlarged view of the wristwatch 1 worn on a user's wrist as viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2(b) is an enlarged view of the wristwatch 1 worn on a user's wrist as viewed in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1 (substantially the opposite direction to arrow A). Note that FIG. 2 shows the wristwatch 1 displaying the time in an analog clock display mode, which indicates the time using hour and minute hands. FIG. 2 is also used to explain a first display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. The first display mode will be described later.

[0031] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the wristwatch body 100 of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment and the display unit 200 formed on five surfaces excluding the bottom surface of the wristwatch body 100. Figure 3(a) is a perspective view of the wristwatch body 100, and Figure 3(b) is a plan view showing the display unit 200 of the wristwatch 1 expanded into five display units 210-214.

[0032] The configuration of a wristwatch 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3. The wristwatch 1 according to an embodiment comprises a rectangular parallelepiped wristwatch body 100, five display units 210-214 formed across five of the six surfaces of the wristwatch body 100 (the top surface and four side surfaces) excluding the bottom surface that faces the user's wrist when in use, a strap 300 for attaching the wristwatch 1 to the user's wrist, and a display control unit 450 (the display control unit 450 will be described later with reference to Figure 4) that controls the display of each of the five display units 210-214. Note that in the present invention, "formed across the entire area" means that it is sufficient that the display units appear to be formed across the entire area when viewed from the user, and they do not necessarily have to be formed across the entire area in the strict sense.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3(a), the wristwatch body 100 is a rectangular parallelepiped with a predetermined thickness t, and five display units 210-214 are formed on five surfaces, namely a top surface 110 opposite the bottom surface and four side surfaces (a first side surface 111, a second side surface 112, a third side surface 113, and a fourth side surface 114), as shown in Fig. 2(a) and Fig. 2(b). Of the five display units 210-214, the display unit formed on the top surface 110 of the wristwatch body 100 is referred to as a top surface display unit 210, the display unit formed on the first side surface 111 of the wristwatch body 100 is referred to as a first side surface display unit 211, the display unit formed on the second side surface 112 of the wristwatch body 100 is referred to as a second side surface display unit 212, the display unit formed on the third side surface 113 of the wristwatch body 100 is referred to as a third side surface display unit 213, and the display unit formed on the fourth side surface 114 of the wristwatch body 100 is referred to as a fourth side surface display unit 214.

[0034] The five display units 210 to 214 are made up of five organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display sheets. That is, the top display unit 210 is made up of a top organic EL display sheet, the first side display unit 211 is made up of a first side organic EL display sheet, the second side display unit 212 is made up of a second side organic EL display sheet, the third side display unit 213 is made up of a third side organic EL display sheet, and the fourth side display unit 214 is made up of a fourth side organic EL display sheet.

[0035] In the following description, when the five display units 210 to 214 are described as corresponding organic EL display sheets, the organic EL display sheets will be referred to using the same reference numerals as the five display units 210 to 214, such as top organic EL display sheet 210, first side organic EL display sheet 211, second side organic EL display sheet 212, third side organic EL display sheet 213, and fourth side organic EL display sheet 214.

[0036] When the top organic EL display sheet 210, the first side organic EL display sheet 211, the second side organic EL display sheet 212, the third side organic EL display sheet 213, and the fourth side organic EL display sheet 214 are collectively described, they may be referred to as "each organic EL display sheet 210-214." When the first side organic EL display sheet 211, the second side organic EL display sheet 212, the third side organic EL display sheet 213, and the fourth side organic EL display sheet 214 are collectively described, they may be referred to as "each side organic EL display sheet 211-214."

[0037] Each of these organic EL display sheets 210-214 is attached one by one to the top surface 110 and four side surfaces (first side surface 111, second side surface 112, third side surface 113, and fourth side surface 114) of the wristwatch body 100. This forms the wristwatch 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Note that while Figures 1 and 2 show an analog time display, when nothing is displayed, the entire display section 200 is blank. Here, blank means that not only is there no analog time display, but there is no digital time display or any other display.

[0038] In this case, five organic EL display sheets (organic EL display sheets 210-214) are attached one by one to the wristwatch body 100 to form the display unit 200. By doing this, the corners of the wristwatch 1 (the corners formed by the top organic EL display sheet 210 and each of the side organic EL display sheets 211-214) can be made right angles, and the flatness of each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214 can be increased, resulting in a neat appearance.

[0039] Furthermore, first electrode groups 120 for supplying power and electrical signals to each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214 are exposed on five surfaces of the wristwatch body 100, namely, the top surface 110 and four side surfaces (first side surface 111, second side surface 112, third side surface 113, and fourth side surface 114). Second electrode groups 220 for receiving power and electrical signals from the first electrode groups 120 are provided on the back surface of each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214 at positions corresponding to the first electrode groups 120. Corresponding electrodes of the first electrode groups 120 on the wristwatch body 100 and the second electrode groups 220 on each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214 are electrically connected. A drive circuit for supplying electrical signals for controlling the lighting state of each pixel on each organic EL display sheet is provided on the back surface of each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214. The drive circuit is not shown in FIG. 3.

[0040] Figure 4 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the control system for operating wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. Of the various functions possessed by wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, the functional block diagram shown in Figure 4 shows mainly the functional blocks necessary for display.

[0041] The wristwatch main body 100 includes a display image selection unit 410 as a user interface that allows the user to select what to display on the five display units 210-214 (each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214), an image data storage unit 420 that stores images to be displayed on each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214, a synchronization signal generation unit 430 that generates a synchronization signal to synchronize the organic EL display sheets 210-214 so that the images displayed on each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214 are linked or related, a time data generation unit 440 that generates current time data, and a display control unit 450 that controls the display of each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214. The images displayed on each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214 may be images stored in the image data storage unit 420, images generated by an image data generation unit (not shown), or images received from an external device via communication. For example, the images may be images from the user's smartphone or images from a contracted video distribution company.

[0042] On the other hand, the display unit 200 side has a drive circuit 510 for the top organic EL display sheet 210, a drive circuit 511 for the first side organic EL display sheet 211, a drive circuit 512 for the second side organic EL display sheet 212, a drive circuit 513 for the third side organic EL display sheet 213, and a drive circuit 514 for the fourth side organic EL display sheet 214.

[0043] Although not shown in Figure 4, the wristwatch main body 100 also has a power supply unit for supplying power to each functional block shown in Figure 4, and power from the power supply unit and various signals from the display control unit 450 are supplied via a first electrode group 120 (see Figure 3(a)) provided on the wristwatch main body 100 side and a second electrode group 220 (see Figure 3(c)) provided on each organic EL display sheet 210 to 214 side.

[0044] The display control unit 450 reads out images stored in the image data storage unit 420 based on the content selected by the user from the display image selection unit 410, and performs control to display the read-out images on each of the organic EL display sheets 210 to 214. At this time, the display of each of the organic EL display sheets 210 to 214 is controlled so that the images to be displayed on each of the organic EL display sheets 210 to 214 are linked or related to each other.

[0045] In this way, the display control unit 450 performs control to display images read from the image data storage unit 420 on each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214, but when the wristwatch 1 according to embodiment 1 is started up, it also performs control to display a display image selection screen that functions as the display image selection unit 410. By displaying the display image selection screen on the wristwatch 1, the user can select the content they want to display from the displayed display image selection screen. The display control unit 450 then controls the display based on the display mode selected by the user. Note that display image selection may also be performed from a selection screen on the user's smartphone that is linked to the wristwatch.

[0046] For example, if the user selects analog time display from the display image selection unit 410, the five display units 210-214 of the wristwatch 1 according to embodiment 1 will be in analog clock display mode, and the display control unit 450 will read the current time data from the time data generation unit 440 and control the drive circuits 510-514 of each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214 to display the current time using hour and minute hands on each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214, as shown in Fig. 2. Note that display image selection may also be performed from a selection screen on the user's smartphone linked to the wristwatch. Specific methods for displaying the time in analog time display mode will be described later.

[0047] 3, the organic EL display sheets 210-214 are attached to five of the six surfaces that make up the surface of the wristwatch body 100, excluding the bottom surface. That is, the top organic EL display sheet 210 is attached to the top surface 110 of the wristwatch body 100, the first side organic EL display sheet 211 is attached to the first side surface 111 of the wristwatch body 100, the second side organic EL display sheet 212 is attached to the second side surface 112 of the wristwatch body 100, the third side organic EL display sheet 213 is attached to the third side surface 113 of the wristwatch body 100, and the fourth side organic EL display sheet 214 is attached to the fourth side surface 114 of the wristwatch body 100. When the organic EL display sheets 210-214 are attached to the corresponding surfaces of the wristwatch body 100 in this way, gaps corresponding to the thickness of the organic EL display sheets may be formed between adjacent organic EL display sheets at the corners of the wristwatch body 100.

[0048] 5 is a diagram for explaining how to deal with gaps that occur between adjacent organic EL display sheets, taking as an example a gap that occurs between the top organic EL display sheet 210 and the third side organic EL display sheet 213.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 5, at the corners of the wristwatch body 100, black members 280 are embedded between adjacent organic EL display sheets (in this case, between the top organic EL display sheet 210 and the third side organic EL display sheet 213). The black member may be, for example, black silicone rubber. By filling the gaps between adjacent organic EL display sheets with black members 280 in this way, the gaps between the adjacent organic EL display sheets become less noticeable, giving the wristwatch 1 a neater, more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0050] Although Figure 5 only shows the gap between the top organic EL display sheet 210 and the third side organic EL display sheet 213, the gaps between the five display sections 210 to 214, i.e., between the first side organic EL display sheet 211 and the second side organic EL display sheet 212, between the second side organic EL display sheet 212 and the third side organic EL display sheet 213, between the third side organic EL display sheet 213 and the fourth side organic EL display sheet 214, between the fourth side organic EL display sheet 214 and the first side organic EL display sheet 211, and between the top organic EL display sheet 210 and each of the side organic EL display sheets 211 to 214, are also filled with black member 280.

[0051] This results in the black member 280 being embedded in the corners of the wristwatch body 100, i.e., between adjacent organic EL display sheets. Then, a protective member 290 (see FIG. 6) is applied and cured to the surface of each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214 with the black member 280 embedded between the adjacent organic EL display sheets, so as to cover the entire organic EL display sheets 210-214.

[0052] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the state in which protective member 290 has been applied and cured so as to cover the entire wristwatch 1. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa in Fig. 2(a), and does not show components such as the display control unit 450 present inside the wristwatch body 100 (see the functional block diagram in Fig. 4). As shown in Fig. 6, transparent protective member 290 has been applied and cured so as to entirely cover the five display units of the wristwatch 1, that is, the top organic EL display sheet 210 and each of the first side organic EL display sheets 211-214.

[0053] Here, a waterproof, corrosion-resistant, and heat-resistant silicone resin or the like is preferably used as the protective member 290. In this way, transparent protective member 290 is applied and cured so as to entirely cover the five display sections of wristwatch 1, that is, top organic EL display sheet 210 and each of first side organic EL display sheets 211-214, making the wristwatch waterproof, corrosion-resistant, and heat-resistant, and also less susceptible to breakage, resulting in a highly reliable wristwatch.

[0054] Next, we will explain the specific display modes of wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. Wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment can be worn on either the left or right wrist of the user, but here we will explain the case where wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment is worn on the left wrist of the user, as shown in Figure 1.

[0055] [First display mode] The first display mode will now be described. Let us assume that the user selects analog clock display from display image selection unit 410. As a result, the five display units 210-214 display the time in analog clock display mode using multiple hands, and the current time is displayed on the five display units 210-214 of wristwatch 1. Here, "multiple hands" can be exemplified by an hour hand, minute hand, and second hand, but the first display mode will be described as a case where the time is displayed using the hour hand and minute hand.

[0056] For example, as shown in Fig. 2, assume that the current time is displayed as 1:43. In the first display mode, the hour hand 230 points between the numbers "1" and "2" that represent the time on the top surface display unit 210, and the minute hand 240 extends from the top surface display unit 210 to the fourth side display unit 214. Specifically, the hour hand remains on the display on the top surface display unit 210, but the minute hand 240 passes between the numbers "8" and "9" on the top surface display unit 210, bends at a corner P1 formed by the top surface display unit 210 and the fourth side display unit 214, and extends to the fourth side display unit 214.

[0057] Here, the hand displayed by extending from the top surface display unit 210 to the fourth side surface display unit 214 may be either the hour hand 230 or the minute hand 240, but it is preferable to display the longer hand by extending from the top surface display unit 210 to the fourth side surface display unit 214. When comparing the lengths of the hour hand and the minute hand, the minute hand is generally longer than the hour hand. For this reason, here, the hand displayed by extending from the top surface display unit 210 to the fourth side surface display unit 214 is the minute hand.

[0058] In FIG. 2, the numbers "1" to "12" representing the time are displayed on the top surface display unit 210, and the hour hand 230 is displayed on the top surface display unit 210. Therefore, the time in hours can be intuitively known from the position of the hour hand 230. On the other hand, the minute hand 240 is displayed as if it extends from the top surface display unit 210 to the fourth side display unit 214. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately determine the time in minutes from the tip Pe of the minute hand 240. To make it easier to determine the position indicated by the tip Pe of the minute hand 240, it is preferable to display some kind of mark (e.g., a circle M) on each of the side display units 211 to 214 at a position corresponding to the numbers "1" to "12" displayed on the top surface display unit 210 (see FIG. 2). By displaying such a circle M, the current time in minutes can be easily read from the position indicated by the tip Pe of the minute hand 240.

[0059] The display control for displaying the hour hand 230 and minute hand 240 in this manner is performed by the display control unit 450. That is, in the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, the display control unit 450 controls the display of each of the five display units 210-214, i.e., each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214, so that the minute hand 240 extends from the top surface display unit 210 to one of the side surface display units 211-214, and so that the minute hand 241 displayed on the top surface display unit 210 and the minute hand 242 displayed on at least one of the four side surfaces rotate in conjunction with each other.

[0060] In this case, specific display control of the minute hand 240 involves controlling the drive circuit 510 of the top organic EL display sheet 210 and the drive circuit 514 of the fourth side organic EL display sheet 214 based on a synchronization signal from the synchronization signal generator 430 so that the minute hand 241 displayed on the top display unit 210, i.e., the minute hand 241 displayed between the rotation axis Po and the corner P1 (referred to as the top display minute hand 241), and the minute hand displayed on the fourth side display unit 214, i.e., the minute hand 242 displayed between the corner P1 and the tip Pe of the minute hand 240 (referred to as the side display minute hand 242), rotate in unison. On the other hand, display control for displaying the hour hand 230 involves driving the drive circuit 510 of the top organic EL display sheet 210 so that the hour hand 230 rotates around the rotation axis Po on the top display unit 210.

[0061] Here, we have explained the case where the minute hand 240 is displayed on the fourth side display unit 214, but as the time changes moment by moment, the top surface display minute hand 241 is displayed as rotating in a so-called clockwise direction on the top surface organic EL display sheet 210, and the side surface display minute hand 242 is displayed as rotating in a so-called clockwise direction on each side display unit 211 to 214 in conjunction with the top surface display minute hand 241.

[0062] Since the top surface display unit 210 formed on the wristwatch body 100 is not circular, in order to display the minute hand 240 extending across each of the side display units 211 to 214, it is necessary to vary the length of the minute hand 240 (the length from the rotation axis portion Po to the corner portion P1) depending on the position of the minute hand 240. For example, it is necessary to control the display so that the length of the top surface display minute hand 241 differs when the minute hand 240 is positioned at "9" on the fourth side surface display unit 214 and when it is positioned at "11."

[0063] In this type of display control, the length of the top surface display minute hand 241 is set in advance according to the position of the minute hand 240, and the display control unit 450 displays the top surface display minute hand 241 based on the length of the top surface display minute hand 241 set according to the position of the minute hand 240. By the display control unit 450 performing this type of display control, it is possible to display the minute hand 240 from the rotating shaft portion Po to the tip portion Pe as a single minute hand, regardless of the position of the minute hand 240 on the top surface display unit 210.

[0064] Thus, in the first display mode, not only are the hour hand 230 and minute hand 240 displayed on the top surface display unit 210, but the minute hand 240 is displayed in a state where it extends from the top surface display unit 210 to one of the side display units 211 to 214. In this way, the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment is capable of displaying in the first display mode, making it a wristwatch with new value not previously seen.

[0065] [Modification 1 of the first display mode] In the first display mode described above, the numbers "1" to "12" representing the time are displayed on the top surface display unit 210. However, as shown in Fig. 7, they may also be displayed on each of the side display units 211 to 214. That is, the display control unit 450 controls the drive circuits of the organic EL display sheets 211 to 214 so that the first side display unit 211 displays "11," "12," and "1," the second side display unit 212 displays "2," "3," and "4," the third side display unit 213 displays "5," "6," and "7," and the fourth side display unit 214 displays "8," "9," and "10." In this case, it is preferable to display circles M on the top surface display unit 210 at positions corresponding to the numbers "1" to "12" displayed on each of the side display units 211 to 214.

[0066] 2, the hour hand 230 is displayed on the top surface display unit 210, and the minute hand 240 is displayed so as to extend onto one of the side surface display units 211 to 214. Note that the numbers "1" to "12" may be displayed on both the top surface display unit 210 and each of the side surface display units.

[0067] By displaying in the first variation of the first display mode, the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment becomes a wristwatch with new and unprecedented value.

[0068] [Second display mode] FIG. 8 is a diagram used to explain the second display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. Like the first display mode described above, the second display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment is when the five display units 210-214 are set to analog clock display mode. In the second display mode, like the first variation of the first display mode described above (see FIG. 7), the numbers "1" to "12" indicating the time are displayed on the side organic EL display sheets 211-214. In the second display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment, the display control unit 450 controls the display of each of the five display units 210-214 so that the user can see through to the interior of the wristwatch body 100, and so that the time displayed in analog clock display mode is displayed in a forward-facing orientation on the third and fourth side display units 213 and 214 of the wristwatch body 100, and in a reversed orientation on the first and second side display units 211 and 212.

[0069] Here, controlling the display of each of the organic EL display sheets 210-214 so that the interior of the wristwatch body 100 can be seen through means controlling the display as if the wristwatch body 100 were a transparent container, specifically, controlling the display so that the user can see each of the interior sides of the wristwatch body 100 (the inner side 111a of the first side 111 and the inner side 112a of the second side 112) and the interior bottom surface 115a of the wristwatch body 100. Note that the "transparent container" in this case may be a colorless, transparent container, or a colored, transparent container that is light-transmitting.

[0070] By performing such display control, it appears as if the inside of wristwatch body 100 is transparent to the user. In other words, it appears as if wristwatch body 100 is a transparent container. In particular, the numbers "11," "12," "1," "1," "3," and "4" displayed on first side display unit 211 and second side display unit 212, which are not normally visible to the user, are displayed with the left and right reversed when viewed from the user, so the user has the sensation that wristwatch body 100 is a transparent container through which the inside of wristwatch body 100 can be seen.

[0071] In the second display mode, the hour hand 230 and the minute hand 240 are displayed on the top surface display unit 210, which appears transparent to the user. In this case, the minute hand 240 is shown to be displayed only on the top surface display unit 210, but it may also be displayed by extending across one of the side display units 211 to 214, as in the first display mode.

[0072] In this way, in the second display mode, it is as if the interior of wristwatch body 100 is visible to the user, and the numerical values ​​representing the time in analog clock display mode are displayed right-to-left in third side display unit 213 and fourth side display unit 214, and are displayed left-to-right reversed in the areas of top display unit 210 corresponding to first side display unit 211 and second side display unit 212, making wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment a wristwatch with new and unprecedented value. Note that because first side display unit 211 and second side display unit 212 are not visible to the user, they may not display numerical values ​​or other information representing the time in analog clock display mode, but they may display the numerical values ​​representing the time right-to-left, as in the case of third side display unit 213 and fourth side display unit 214, so that people other than the user do not feel uncomfortable when looking at the wristwatch.

[0073] [Third display mode] 9 is a diagram used to explain the third display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. Similar to the first and second display modes described above, the third display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment also shows the five display sections 210 to 214 in analogue clock display mode.

[0074] In the third display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, as in the second display mode, the display control unit 450 controls the display so that the user can see through to the interior of the wristwatch body 100, that is, as if the wristwatch body 100 were a transparent container. However, in the third display mode, the display control unit 450 controls the display so that the hour hand 230 and minute hand 240 rotate while positioned inside the wristwatch body 100.

[0075] Here, the display control for making the interior of wristwatch body 100 appear as if it is see-through when viewed from the user during use can be achieved by controlling the display so that the user can see the inside sides of wristwatch body 100 (inner side 111a of first side 111 and inner side 112a of second side 112) and the inside bottom surface 115a of wristwatch body 100 is visible to the user, similar to the second display mode. In this case, similar to the second display mode, the numbers "11", "12", "1" and "1", "3", and "4" displayed on first side display unit 211 and second side display unit 212, which are not actually visible to the user, are displayed in a manner that the individual numbers are displayed left-right reversed when viewed from the user.

[0076] Furthermore, the third display mode not only displays the interior of the wristwatch body 100 in a see-through manner, but also displays the hour hand 230 and minute hand 240 as rotating while positioned inside the wristwatch body 100. Here, displaying the hour hand 230 and minute hand 240 as rotating while positioned inside the wristwatch body 100 means that the rotation axis portion Po of the hour hand 230 and minute hand 240 is located at approximately the middle position in the thickness t direction of the wristwatch body 100, and the hour hand 230 and minute hand 240 are displayed as rotating while being displayed so that they are contained inside the wristwatch body 100.

[0077] As a result of display control unit 450 performing such display control, similar to the second display mode described above, the user can see inner side surface 111a of first side surface 111 and inner side surface 112a of second side surface 112 inside watch body 100, as well as the internal bottom surface 115a of watch body 100. Furthermore, in the third display mode, the hour hand 230 and minute hand 240 appear to the user to be rotating while positioned inside watch body 100.

[0078] In this way, in the third display mode, the user can see as if they are inside the watch body, and the hour and minute hands appear to rotate while positioned inside the watch body, making the watch 1 of this embodiment a watch with new value not seen before.

[0079] [4th display mode] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a fourth display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. In the first to third display modes described above, the five display units 210 to 214 are set to analog clock display mode. The fourth display mode is a case where the five display units 210 to 214 are set to digital clock display mode. The digital clock display mode here refers to a display mode where the time is displayed numerically, rather than using hour and minute hands. The fourth display mode also displays not only the time, but also the date, day of the week, and other information. To achieve this display, the user can set the five display units 210 to 214 to digital clock display mode by, for example, selecting "digital clock display" from the display image selection screen, which functions as the display image selection unit 410.

[0080] By setting the five display sections 210-214 to the digital clock display mode, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, the top display section 210 displays the current time, such as 10:25:34, as "10:25:34." It also displays today's date, such as October 1, 2020, as "20.10.01," and today's day of the week as "Thursday." Furthermore, other information, such as today's weather forecast, is displayed on each of the side display sections 211-214 (the fourth side display section 214 in the example of FIG. 10) using weather symbols. This information can also be displayed in a flowing manner on each display section. For example, the days of the week can be displayed in a flowing manner, with various pieces of information displayed one after the other.

[0081] In this way, in the fourth display mode, various information including a digital clock display can be displayed as images using the five display units 211 to 214, and some or all of the information (images) can be displayed in a flowing manner, making the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment a wristwatch with new value not seen before.

[0082] [5th ​​display mode] In the first to fourth display modes described above, the five display units 210-214 are used in clock display mode (analog time display mode or digital clock display mode), but the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment can be set to various display modes other than clock display mode. In the fifth display mode, a case where a display mode other than the time display mode (referred to as other display mode) is set will be described.

[0083] FIG. 11 is a diagram used to explain the fifth display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the fifth display mode presents a display that, from the user's perspective, appears as if a transparent container contains liquid, and the liquid repeatedly increases and decreases within the transparent container. To achieve this display, the user selects, for example, "Other Display Modes" from the display image selection screen that functions as the display image selection unit 410, and then selects, for example, "Pattern 1" from among the multiple options within "Other Display Modes." This results in the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment displaying the fifth display mode as shown in FIG. 11.

[0084] In the fifth display mode, the wristwatch body 100 appears to the user as if it were a transparent container, and that the transparent container contained a liquid (shown in gray). The liquid in the transparent container then sways and fluctuates in volume. By having the liquid move in this way within the transparent container, the user feels a sense of enjoyment and wonder just by watching the movement of the liquid, and the display does not become boring. It is also possible to control the display so that the color of the liquid gradually changes.

[0085] In this way, in the fifth display mode, the display appears to the user as if there is liquid in a transparent container, and that liquid is repeatedly increasing and decreasing within the transparent container.Therefore, although the wristwatch 1 of the embodiment is essentially a wristwatch, it is capable of displaying things other than the time, making it a wristwatch with new value not seen before.

[0086] [6th display mode] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the sixth display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. Like the fifth display mode, the sixth display mode is a display mode when various display modes other than the time display mode are set. In this case, the user selects, for example, "Other Display Modes" from the display image selection screen that functions as the display image selection unit 410, and then selects, for example, "Pattern 2" from among the multiple options in "Other Display Modes." This initiates the display shown in FIG. 12.

[0087] In the sixth display mode, as shown in Fig. 12, a grid pattern is displayed on the five display units 210 to 214. As shown in Fig. 12(a) and Fig. 12(b), the size of the squares formed by the grid is varied. The size of the squares may be varied continuously and gradually, or may be varied stepwise from large to medium to small. The entire grid pattern may also be displayed moving, for example, from right to left as shown in the figure.

[0088] In this way, in the sixth display mode, a predetermined pattern can be displayed across all five display surfaces, and the size of the pattern can be changed and displayed in a flowing manner, so that while wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment is essentially a wristwatch, it can also display things other than the time, making it a wristwatch with new value never before seen.

[0089] [7th display mode] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the seventh display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. Like the fifth and sixth display modes, the seventh display mode is a display mode when various display modes other than the time display mode are set. In this case, the user selects, for example, "Other Display Modes" from the display image selection screen that functions as the display image selection unit 410, and then selects, for example, "Pattern 3" from among the multiple options in "Other Display Modes." This initiates the display shown in FIG. 13.

[0090] In the seventh display mode, as shown in Fig. 13, a pattern resembling numerous polka dots is displayed as if flowing across the five display units 210 to 214, as seen by the user. In this case, for example, the display is controlled so that numerous polka dots appear as if springing up from the third side display unit 213, and each polka dot gradually grows larger as it flows across the top display unit 210, the fourth side display unit 214, the second side display unit 212, and the first side display unit 211. The user will find the movement of the polka dots entertaining and mysterious, and will not tire of the display. Note that the display may be controlled so that the color of each polka dot changes individually or as the polka dots grow.

[0091] In this way, in the seventh display mode, a polka dot-like pattern can be displayed across all five display sections, and the pattern can be displayed in a flowing manner while changing size and color.Therefore, while the wristwatch 1 of the embodiment is essentially a wristwatch, it is capable of displaying things other than the time, making it a wristwatch with new value not seen before.

[0092] [8th display mode] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the eighth display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. Like the fifth to seventh display modes, the eighth display mode is a display mode when various display modes other than the time display mode are set. In this case, the user selects, for example, "Other Display Modes" from the display image selection screen that functions as the display image selection unit 410, and then selects, for example, "Pattern 4" from among the multiple options in "Other Display Modes." This initiates the display shown in FIG. 13.

[0093] The eighth display mode, as shown in Fig. 14, controls the display so that the rectangular parallelepiped watch 1 appears to the user as if it were divided into multiple blocks. For example, the rectangular parallelepiped watch 1 may be displayed as if it were divided into four blocks as shown in Fig. 14, and then each of the four blocks may be displayed as being further subdivided, and then the display may return to its original state (the state before division). In this case, display control may be performed such that the color of each block is changed, or the color of each predetermined area is changed.

[0094] As explained above, in the eighth display mode, the rectangular parallelepiped wristwatch 1 can be displayed as if it were divided into multiple blocks when viewed from the user's perspective. Therefore, while the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment is essentially a wristwatch, it can also display things other than the time, making it a wristwatch with new value not seen before.

[0095] [9th display mode] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the ninth display mode of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. Like the fifth to eighth display modes, the ninth display mode is a display mode when various display modes other than the time display mode are set. However, while the fifth to eighth display modes were display modes for displaying patterns, the ninth display mode is a display mode for displaying composite images on the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. Here, a composite image refers to the display of various images, such as a time image, a monthly calendar image, or a photograph, in a linked or related manner on the five display sections 210-214. In this case, the user selects, for example, "composite" from the display image selection screen. This results in a display such as that shown in FIG. 15. In this case, various images can be displayed not only on the top display section 210 of the wristwatch 1 but also on each of the side display sections 211-214, allowing for a wide variety of composite images to be displayed.

[0096] In this way, in the ninth display mode, it is possible to display a variety of composite images using all five display sections, so that the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment, while essentially a wristwatch, is capable of displaying things other than the time, making it a wristwatch with new value not seen before.

[0097] While the first to ninth display modes have been described above as display modes of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment, these are merely examples, and various other displays are possible. For example, it would be possible to display a fish swimming in an aquarium with the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped wristwatch 1, or to rapidly display a stylized flower going from a bud to blooming.

[0098] As explained above, with the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, it is possible to display images in a variety of ways on the five display units 210-214 (top display unit 210 and side display units 211-214) of the rectangular parallelepiped wristwatch body 100. Furthermore, when displaying images on the five display units 210-214, the display of each of the five display units is controlled so that the images displayed on each of the five display units 210-214 are linked or related, which gives wristwatch 1 a variety of uses and makes it possible to provide a wristwatch with new value not previously available.

[0099] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, modifications such as those shown below are also possible.

[0100] (1) In the above embodiment, in the display modes (first to third display modes) in which the five display units 210 to 214 are in analog clock display mode, no mention is made of the second hand, but it is also possible to display the second hand in addition to the hour and minute hands.

[0101] That is, when the present invention is in an analog clock display mode in which the time is displayed using multiple hands, the display control unit 450 controls the display of each of the five display units so that at least the longest hand among the multiple hands extends from the top display unit 210 to one of the four side display units (each of the side display units 211 to 214), and the part of the hand extending to one side display unit that is displayed on the top display unit 210 and the part that is displayed on one side display unit rotate in conjunction with each other.

[0102] Here, when the multiple hands are hour and minute hands, the minute hand is generally longer than the hour hand, so as explained in the first display mode above, the minute hand 230 is displayed so as to extend from the top display unit 210 to one of the side display units 211 to 214.

[0103] Furthermore, when the multiple hands are an hour hand, a minute hand, and a second hand, and the lengths of the hands are such that the hour hand < the minute hand < the second hand (where "<" represents an inequality sign), only the second hand is displayed so as to extend from the top surface display unit 210 to one of the side display units 211 to 214. As described above, it is defined as "at least the longest hand" among the multiple hands, so not only the longest second hand but also the second longest minute hand may be displayed so as to extend from the top surface display unit 210 to one of the side display units 211 to 214.

[0104] Furthermore, when the multiple hands are an hour hand, a minute hand, and a second hand, and the lengths of the hands are such that the hour hand < the second hand < the minute hand, only the minute hand is displayed so as to extend from the top surface display unit 210 to one of the side display units 211 to 214. In this case too, since it is defined as "at least the longest hand" among the multiple hands, not only the longest minute hand but also the second longest second hand may be displayed so as to extend from the top surface display unit 210 to one of the side display units 211 to 214.

[0105] Furthermore, when the multiple hands are an hour hand, a minute hand, and a second hand, and the length of each hand is such that the hour hand < the minute hand = the second hand, the minute hand and the second hand are displayed so as to extend from the top surface display unit 210 to one of the side display units 211 to 214. By doing so, "at least the longest hand" is displayed so as to extend from the top surface display unit 210 to one of the side display units 211 to 214.

[0106] (2) In the above embodiment, each display mode has been described as showing some kind of display (analog clock display, digital clock display, and various patterns) on the five display sections 210-214 of wristwatch 1, but it is also possible to set a no-display mode in which nothing is displayed on the five display sections 210-214. In this no-display mode, the entire area of ​​the five display sections is blank. In this way, by making it possible to set a no-display mode, the wristwatch becomes one in which the presence of a time display is not made noticeable in no-display mode, thereby adding new value to the wristwatch.

[0107] (3) In the display modes of the above embodiments, no mention is made of the color of the displayed content, but it is of course possible to display in color. For example, in the case of an analog clock display, it is possible to display the hour hand and minute hand in different colors, or to display them in different colors at the top of the hour, such as 1 o'clock or 2 o'clock.

[0108] (4) In the above embodiment, the five display units 210 to 214 are formed from five organic EL display sheets (top organic EL display sheet 210, first side organic EL display sheet 211, second side organic EL display sheet 212, third side organic EL display sheet 213, and fourth side organic EL display sheet 214), but the five display units 210 to 214 may be formed from a single organic EL display sheet.

[0109] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a case where the five display units 210-214 are made up of a single organic EL display sheet. When the five display units 210-214 are made up of a single organic EL display sheet, the organic EL display sheet is shaped as shown in FIG. 16. In this case, the single organic EL display sheet has a shape in which a top organic EL display sheet 210 located in the center is expanded in all directions, with a first side organic EL display sheet 211, a second side organic EL display sheet 212, a third side organic EL display sheet 213, and a fourth side organic EL display sheet 214. A single organic EL display sheet having such a shape is folded along the dashed lines shown in FIG. 16 so as to fit the outer shape of the wristwatch body 100 (see FIG. 3(a)), and then attached to the wristwatch body 100.

[0110] This allows for a configuration similar to that of the wristwatch 1 according to the above embodiment. If the five display units 210-214 are made up of a single organic EL display sheet, there will be no gaps at the bends (the areas indicated by the dashed lines in Fig. 16), and so there will be no need to fill these bends with the black material described in Fig. 5. However, gaps equivalent to the thickness of the organic EL display sheet may be formed at the corners of each side display unit, so it is preferable to fill these gaps with black material. That is, in the single organic EL display sheet shown in FIG. 16, gaps equivalent to the thickness of the organic EL display sheets may be formed between the first side organic EL display sheet 211 and the second side organic EL display sheet 212, between the second side organic EL display sheet 212 and the third side organic EL display sheet 213, between the third side organic EL display sheet 213 and the fourth side organic EL display sheet 214, and between the fourth side organic EL display sheet 214 and the first side organic EL display sheet 211, and therefore it is preferable to fill these gaps with a black member.

[0111] If the five display units 210-214 are made up of a single organic EL display sheet, it becomes easy to link or associate the images displayed on the top and side surfaces, simplifying the operation of the organic EL display sheet. Therefore, the supply of power and electrical signals from wristwatch main body 100 to the organic EL display sheet only needs to be to a single organic EL display sheet, and therefore it is sufficient to provide a group of electrodes in a corresponding location on both wristwatch main body 100 and the single organic EL display sheet.

[0112] (5) In the above embodiment, we have described a case where the user looks at wristwatch 1 with their elbow slightly bent toward their body (towards their stomach or chest), but there are also cases where the user bends their arm more strongly when looking at wristwatch 1. Figure 17 is a diagram shown to explain a case where the user looks at wristwatch 1 with their arm bent more strongly in the second display mode of wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment.

[0113] In the second display form (see FIG. 8) described in the above embodiment, the display control unit 450 controls the display of the third side display unit 213 and the fourth side display unit 214 so that the time display in the analog clock display mode is displayed left-right correctly on the third side display unit 213 and the fourth side display unit 214, and controls the display of the top display unit 210 so that it appears as if the time display is displayed left-right reversed on the first side display unit 211 and the second side display unit 212 when viewed from the user. This is because the third side display unit 213 and the fourth side display unit 214 are located in a position that is visible to the user.

[0114] However, if the user bends their arm more strongly to look at the wristwatch 1, the user will see the second side display unit 212 and the third side display unit 213, as shown in Fig. 17. In this case, therefore, it is preferable that the display control unit 450 controls the display of the second side display unit 212 and the third side display unit 213 so that the left and right are displayed in the second side display unit 212 and the third side display unit 213, and controls the display of the top surface display unit 210 so that the left and right are displayed in the first side display unit 211 and the fourth side display unit 214 as if they were reversed when viewed by the user.

[0115] (6) In the above embodiment, the first to ninth display modes have been described, but other display modes are also possible.

[0116] [10th display mode] Figure 18 is a diagram used to explain another display mode (tenth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. The tenth display mode is similar to the fifth display mode (see Figure 11), but as shown in Figure 18, from the user's perspective, it appears as if there is liquid 250 inside the wristwatch 1, and that the liquid 250 is swaying, and the current time 252 is displayed on the top surface display unit 210. In the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, the display control unit 450 controls the display of each of the five display units 210 to 214 to enable the above display modes.

[0117] [11th display mode] FIG. 19 is a diagram used to explain another display mode (eleventh display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, the eleventh display mode is a display mode that displays the ribbon 254 being wound around the wristwatch 1. In the eleventh display mode, the ribbon 254 may be displayed as it is wound around and then unwound over time. In the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, the display control unit 450 controls the display of each of the five display units 210-214 so that the above display modes are possible.

[0118] [12th display mode] Figure 20 is a diagram used to explain another display mode (twelfth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 20, the twelfth display mode is a display mode in which, in addition to the display of the eleventh display mode, the current time 252 is displayed on the top surface display unit 210. In the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, the display control unit 450 controls the display of each of the five display units 210 to 214 so that the above display modes are possible.

[0119] [13th display mode] FIG. 21 is a diagram used to explain another display mode (thirteenth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 21, the thirteenth display mode is a display mode that displays fine particles 256 seeping from the top to the bottom of the wristwatch 1. In the thirteenth display mode, the surface color may periodically change and fine particles of a different color may be seen seeping in. In the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, the display control unit 450 controls the display of each of the five display units 210-214 to enable the above display modes.

[0120] [14th display mode] FIG. 22 is a diagram used to explain another display mode (fourteenth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22, the fourteenth display mode is a display mode in which multiple images 258 making up a video frame are displayed stacked from the present (top) to the past (bottom). As time passes, older images of the multiple images 258 are displayed on the top display unit 210. Furthermore, the four side display units 211-214 display edge faces 260 of the stacked multiple images 258. In the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, the display control unit 450 controls the display of each of the five display units 210-214 to enable the above display modes.

[0121] [15th display mode] FIG. 23 is a diagram used to explain another display mode (fifteenth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. The fifteenth display mode, as shown in FIG. 23, is a display mode in which small balls 262 are initially displayed scattered and moving randomly within a rectangular parallelepiped, and then, over time, the small balls 262 gather on the upper surface to reveal the current time 252. The small balls 262 may move over time, or in response to hand movement, for example. In the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, the display control unit 450 controls the display of each of the five display units 210-214 to enable the above display modes.

[0122] [16th display mode] FIGS. 24 and 25 are diagrams illustrating another display mode (sixteenth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. In the sixteenth display mode, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the current time 252 is initially displayed on the top display unit 210. However, when the wristwatch is accelerated, for example by moving the arm, this triggers the current time 252 to jiggle and extend to the sides. FIG. 25 shows a series of movements in which the current time extends not only on the top display unit 210 but also on one or more of the side display units 211-214. As shown in FIG. 25, the four numbers that make up the current time extend not only on the top display unit 210 but also on the four sides, changing their display mode from a to h in FIG. 25. In the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, the display control unit 450 controls the display of each of the five display units 210-214 to enable the above-described display modes.

[0123] [17th display mode] Figure 26 is a diagram used to explain another display mode (seventeenth display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 26, the seventeenth display mode is a display mode in which the current time 252 is initially displayed on the top surface display unit 210, but when acceleration is applied to the wristwatch, for example by moving the arm, that movement triggers the pseudo wristwatch frame 264 inside the wristwatch 1 to appear to vibrate (an optical illusion display mode). In the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, the display control unit 450 controls the display of each of the five display units 210-214 to enable the above display mode.

[0124] [18th display mode] Fig. 27 is a diagram used to explain another display mode (18th display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. In the 18th display mode, as shown in Fig. 27, a different flow in flow direction 266 occurs on each display surface (top display unit 210 and four side display units 211-214), and this flow changes, for example, every second, as shown in the upper and lower diagrams of Fig. 27. In the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, the display control unit 450 controls the display of each of the five display units 210-214 to enable the above display mode.

[0125] [19th display mode] FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating another display mode (19th display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 28, the 19th display mode is a display mode in which a pattern 268 representing pressure changes over time is displayed on the side display units 211-214. The 19th display mode may be a so-called heart rate monitor display mode, in which the pattern 268 representing pressure changes over time is a pattern representing the user's heart rate, moving, for example, counterclockwise on the four side display units 211-214 and the top display unit 210, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 28. Alternatively, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 28, the pattern 268 representing pressure changes over time may be a pattern representing the sound pressure of music being played, moving, for example, counterclockwise on the four side display units 211-214, while information about the music being played and icons 270 for operating a player related to the music playback are displayed on the top display unit 210, as a so-called music visualizer display mode. In the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, the display control unit 450 controls the display of each of the five display units 210 to 214 so that the above-described display modes are possible.

[0126] [20th display mode] 29 and 30 are diagrams illustrating another display mode (20th display mode) of the wristwatch 1 according to the embodiment. The 20th display mode is a display mode in which the display is switched by a swipe motion. For example, as shown in the upper diagram of FIG. 29, in the initial state, a first image G1 is displayed on four display units: the top display unit 210, the first side display unit 211, the second side display unit 212, and the third side display unit 213, and a second image G2 is displayed on the remaining fourth side display unit 214. Then, as shown in the lower diagram of FIG. 29, by swiping a finger over any portion P of the boundary between the first image G1 and the second image G2, the boundary between the first image G1 and the second image G2 and the boundary between the second image G2 and a third image G3 (not shown) are pulled and moved. After that, when any part P is further swiped with the finger and the swiping action is ended, the display mode is such that the boundary between the first image G1 and the second image G2, and the boundary between the second image G2 and the third image G3 appear to be stuck to something and stopped, as shown in Figure 30.

[0127] Examples of display switching by swiping include analog / digital display switching, clock / calendar display switching, and unlocking, but various other display switching is also possible. In the wristwatch 1 according to this embodiment, the display control unit 450 controls the display of each of the five display units 210-214 so that the above display modes are possible.

[0128] When the twentieth display mode is realized, a touch panel in which a touchpad is provided on the surface of each of five organic EL display sheets is used as the five display units 210 to 214. The touchpads may be provided on the surface of the black member 280.

[0129] (7) In the above embodiment, a case has been illustrated in which the gaps formed between the five display units 210 to 214 (between adjacent organic EL display sheets) are made less noticeable by filling the gaps with a black member. However, because the organic EL display sheets are thin, there may be cases in which the gaps are not noticeable in the adjacent portions of the organic EL display sheets. In such cases, it is not necessary to fill the adjacent portions of the organic EL display sheets with a black member. Even if a black member is not filled in, it is preferable to apply and harden a protective member so as to cover the entire display unit.

[0130] (8) In the above embodiment, the five display units 210 to 214 are formed from five organic EL display sheets (see FIG. 3(b)). Also, as a modification of the above embodiment, the five display units 210 to 214 are formed from one organic EL display sheet (see FIG. 16). However, this is not limiting. That is, the five display units 210 to 214 may be formed from two to four organic EL display sheets. For example, as shown in FIG. 31, the five display units 210 to 214 may be formed from three organic EL display sheets. In FIG. 31, the first side display unit 211, the top display unit 210, and the third side display unit 213 are formed from one connected organic EL display sheet, and the second side display unit 212 and the fourth side display unit 214 are each formed from two separate organic EL display sheets. As a result, the five display units 210 to 214 are each made up of three organic EL display sheets.

[0131] Note that the five display units 210-214 are not limited to being composed of three organic EL display sheets, and although not shown, for example, the second side display unit 212, the top display unit 210, and the fourth side display unit 214 may be composed of one connected organic EL display sheet, and the first side display unit 212 and the third side display unit 214 may each be composed of two separate organic EL display sheets. In this way, the five display units 210-214 are composed of three organic EL display sheets.

[0132] Although not shown, the five display units 210 to 214 may each be made up of two organic EL display sheets. For example, the first side display unit 211 to the fourth side display unit 214 may each be made up of one connected organic EL display sheet, and only the top display unit 210 may be made up of one separated organic EL display sheet. In this way, the five display units 210 to 214 are each made up of two organic EL display sheets.

[0133] Similarly, although not shown, the five display units 210-214 may each be made up of four organic EL display sheets. For example, the first side display unit 211 and the top display unit 210 may each be made up of one connected organic EL display sheet, and the second side display unit 212, the third side display unit 213, and the fourth side display unit 214 may each be made up of three separate organic EL display sheets. As a result, the five display units 210-214 are made up of four organic EL display sheets.

[0134] (9) In the above embodiment, the wristwatch is described as having five display units, but it does not have to have five display units. That is, the wristwatch of the present invention may also include a rectangular parallelepiped wristwatch body 100, at least two display units formed across the entire area of ​​each of the six surfaces that make up the surface of wristwatch body 100: "the top surface opposite the bottom surface that faces the user's wrist when in use" and "at least one of the four side surfaces," and a display controller that controls the display of each of the at least two display units. That is, in the wristwatch 1 according to the above embodiment, the at least two display units are five display units formed across the entire area of ​​each of the five surfaces consisting of the top surface and four side surfaces, but instead of five display units, the wristwatch may have at least two display units.

[0135] FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the display unit 20 consists of at least two display units. In FIG. 32, an expanded view of the display unit 200 of a wristwatch having two to four display units is shown. In FIG. 32, FIGS. 32(a) and 32(b) show cases with two display units, FIGS. 32(c) to 32(f) show cases with three display units, and FIGS. 32(g) to 32(i) show cases with four display units. As shown in each diagram in FIG. 32, in a wristwatch having two to four display units, there is a side that does not have a display unit made of an organic EL display sheet, but a protective member may also be applied and cured on the side that does not have a display unit made of an organic EL display sheet.

[0136] Furthermore, even when there are two to four display units as shown in each diagram of Fig. 32, each display unit may be made up of multiple organic EL display sheets or may be made up of a single organic EL display sheet. That is, Fig. 32(a) and Fig. 32(h) show cases where each display unit is made up of two organic EL display sheets, Fig. 32(c) and Fig. 32(e) show cases where each display unit is made up of three organic EL display sheets, and Fig. 32(g) shows cases where each display unit is made up of four organic EL display sheets. Furthermore, Fig. 32(b), Fig. 32(d), Fig. 32(f), and Fig. 32(i) show cases where each display unit is made up of a single organic EL display sheet.

[0137] 31 and 32, the top surface display unit 210 may be square, but may be rectangular as shown in Fig. 3 used in the description of the above-mentioned embodiment. Conversely, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the top surface display unit 210 is rectangular, but may be square.

[0138] (10) In the above embodiment, the display unit 200 (five display units 210 to 214) is made of an organic EL display sheet, but it may be made of a micro LED (Light Emitting Diode) display sheet.

[0139] (11) In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to a wristwatch 1. However, it can also be applied to a wristwatch-type display device. Even in the case of a wristwatch-type display device, the device comprises a rectangular parallelepiped wristwatch-type display device body, at least two display units formed across the entirety of each of the six surfaces of the wristwatch-type display device body: the top surface opposite the bottom surface that faces the user's wrist during use, and at least one of the four side surfaces; and a display control unit that controls the display of each of the at least two display units. Furthermore, the display control unit preferably has the function of controlling the display of each of the at least two display units so that the images displayed on each of the at least two display units are linked or related to each other. In such a wristwatch-type display device, the at least two display units are preferably five display units formed across the entirety of each of the five surfaces consisting of the top surface and four side surfaces. In such a wristwatch-type display device, the display control unit 450 may be configured to perform display control specific to wristwatch-type display devices, which is not particularly required for a wristwatch.

[0140] In this way, the wristwatch display device of the present invention can display various images in various ways by utilizing not only the top surface but also the side surfaces of the rectangular parallelepiped wristwatch display body. Therefore, the wristwatch display device of the present invention can provide a wristwatch display device with new value not previously available. The wristwatch display device of the present invention can also be modified in the same way as the wristwatch of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 1 wristwatch, 100 wristwatch body, 110 top surface of wristwatch body 100, 111 first side surface of wristwatch body 100, 112 second side surface of wristwatch body 100, 113 third side surface of wristwatch body 100, 114 fourth side surface of wristwatch body 100, 120 first electrode group, 200 display unit, 210 top surface display unit (top surface organic EL display sheet), 211 first side surface display unit (first side surface organic EL display sheet), 212 second Side display section (organic EL display sheet for second side), 213... third side display section (organic EL display sheet for third side), 214... fourth side display section (organic EL display sheet for fourth side), 210 to 214... five display sections, 211 to 214... four side display sections (each side display section), 220... second electrode group, 230... hour hand, 240... minute hand, 241... top display minute hand section, 242... side display minute hand section, 250... liquid, 252... current time , 254.... Ribbon, 256... Fine particles, 258... Multiple images, 260... End surface, 262... Small balls, 264... Pseudo watch frame, 266... ​​Flow direction, 268... Pattern, 270... Icon, 272... Swipe direction, 280... Black member, 290... Protective member, 300... Belt, 410... Display image selection unit, 420... Image data storage unit, 430... Synchronization signal generation unit, 440... Time data Generation unit, 450... Display control unit, 510... Drive circuit for top organic EL display sheet, 511... Drive circuit for first side organic EL display sheet, 512... Drive circuit for second side organic EL display sheet, 513... Drive circuit for third side organic EL display sheet, 514... Drive circuit for fourth side organic EL display sheet, G1... First image, G2... Second image, P... Any part, Po... Rotation axis part, P1... Corner part, Pe... Tip of minute hand

Claims

1. A rectangular watch body and At least two display units are formed over the entire area of ​​each of the six surfaces that make up the surface of the wristwatch body: "the upper surface opposite to the lower surface that faces the user's arm when in use" and "at least one of the four side surfaces"; a display control unit that controls the display of each of the at least two display units; A wristwatch characterized by comprising:

2. 2. The wristwatch according to claim 1, A wristwatch characterized in that the display control unit has a function of controlling the display of each of the at least two display units so that the images displayed on each of the at least two display units are linked or related to each other.

3. 3. The wristwatch according to claim 1, A wristwatch characterized in that the at least two display sections are five display sections formed across the entire area of ​​each of the five surfaces consisting of the top surface and the four side surfaces.

4. 4. The wristwatch according to claim 3, The wristwatch is characterized in that the five faces of the wristwatch body are entirely unpatterned when nothing is displayed on the five display sections.

5. 5. The wristwatch according to claim 3 or 4, the five display units are composed of five organic EL display sheets or five micro LED display sheets, A wristwatch characterized in that the five organic EL display sheets or the five micro LED display sheets are attached to the five faces of the wristwatch body, respectively.

6. 5. The wristwatch according to claim 3 or 4, The five display units each include one organic EL display sheet or one micro LED display sheet, A wristwatch characterized in that the one organic EL display sheet or one micro LED display sheet is folded to fit the outer shape of the wristwatch body and attached to the wristwatch body.

7. 7. The wristwatch according to claim 5 or 6, a first electrode group for supplying power and electrical signals to the organic EL display sheet or the micro LED display sheet is exposed on the five surfaces of the wristwatch body; a second electrode group for receiving the power and the electrical signal from the first electrode group is provided on a back surface of the organic EL display sheet or the micro LED display sheet at a position corresponding to the first electrode group, and a drive circuit for supplying an electrical signal for controlling the lighting state of each pixel of the organic EL display sheet or the micro LED display sheet is provided; A wristwatch characterized in that the first electrode group and the second electrode group are electrically connected to each other.

8. The wristwatch according to any one of claims 5 to 7, The wristwatch is characterized in that the gaps between the five display sections are filled with a black material so that the gaps are not visible.

9. The wristwatch according to any one of claims 3 to 8, A wristwatch characterized in that a protective material is applied and hardened to the five display sections so as to cover the entire five display sections.

10. The wristwatch according to any one of claims 3 to 9, When the display unit formed on the top surface of the wristwatch body opposite the bottom surface is referred to as a top display unit, and the display units formed on the four side surfaces of the wristwatch body are referred to as four side display units, When the display mode of the five display units is an analog clock display mode in which the time is displayed using multiple hands, the display control unit controls the display of each of the five display units so that at least the longest hand of the multiple hands extends from the top display unit to one of the four side display units, and the part of the hand that extends to the one side display unit that is displayed on the top display unit and the part that is displayed on the one side display unit rotate in conjunction with each other.

11. The wristwatch according to any one of claims 3 to 9, Of the five display sections, the display section formed on the top surface opposite the bottom surface of the wristwatch body is called the top display section, and the display sections formed on the four side surfaces of the wristwatch body are called the four side display sections, and of the four side display sections, the side display section located on the far side when viewed from the user during use is called the first side display section, the side display section located on the back side of the user's hand is called the second side display section, the side display section located on the opposite side of the first side display section is called the third side display section, and the side display section located on the opposite side of the second side display section is called the fourth side display section. When the display mode of the five display units is an analog clock display mode that displays the time with multiple hands, the display control unit controls the display of each of the five display units so that the inside of the wristwatch body is visible to the user, and so that the numerical values ​​representing the time in the analog clock display mode are displayed upright on at least the third side display unit and reversed on at least the first side display unit.

12. The wristwatch according to any one of claims 3 to 9, When the display mode of the five display units is an analog clock display mode that displays the time with multiple hands, the display control unit controls the display of each of the five display units so that when used by the user, the interior of the watch body is visible as if it were a transparent view, and the multiple hands rotate while positioned inside the watch body.

13. The wristwatch according to any one of claims 3 to 9, The display control unit controls the display of each of the five display units so that the user can see through to the inside of the wristwatch body.

14. The wristwatch according to any one of claims 3 to 9, When, of the five display units, the display unit formed on the top surface opposite the bottom surface of the wristwatch body is referred to as a top display unit, and the display units formed on the four side surfaces of the wristwatch body are referred to as four side display units, When the display mode of the five display units is a digital clock display mode that displays the time using a combination of multiple numbers, the display control unit controls the display of each of the five display units so that at least some of the multiple numbers extend from the top display unit onto the four side display units, or so that any protruding parts return to the top display unit.

15. The wristwatch according to any one of claims 3 to 9, A wristwatch characterized in that the five display sections are made up of touch panels.

16. 16. The wristwatch according to claim 15, The display control unit controls the display of each of the five display units so that when a user swipes their finger on the touch panel surface, the image changes in accordance with the swiping motion.

17. a rectangular parallelepiped wristwatch-type display device main body; At least two display units are formed over the entire area of ​​each of the six surfaces constituting the surface of the wristwatch-type display device body, namely, "the upper surface opposite to the lower surface that faces the user's arm when in use" and "at least one of the four side surfaces"; a display control unit that controls the display of each of the at least two display units; A wristwatch-type display device comprising:

18. 18. The wristwatch-type display device according to claim 17, A wristwatch-type display device characterized in that the display control unit has the function of controlling the display of each of the at least two display units so that the images displayed on each of the at least two display units are linked or related to each other.

19. 19. The wristwatch-type display device according to claim 17 or 18, A wristwatch-type display device characterized in that the at least two display sections are five display sections formed over the entire area of ​​each of five surfaces formed by the top surface and the four side surfaces.

Images