Multi-mode Watch with Rotating Polarizers for Display Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern smart watches lack efficient control over display and brightness of time and image information, particularly in multi-mode operations, leading to unsatisfactory visibility in different operation modes.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid smart watch design incorporating a display unit with a first circular polarizer and a second circular polarizer, controlled by a rotation mechanism, allowing for the adjustment of polarization axes to conceal or show time information and control brightness, enabling operation in watch, image, and dual modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a transparent display device is used for the image display unit, then visibility of image information is improved, but control over brightness and transmittance of time information becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A first circular polarizer is introduced as an intermediary component between the time display unit and the image display unit. This polarizer mediates the light transmission, allowing the controller to adjust the brightness and transmittance of time information by rotating the polarizer's polarization axis, thereby resolving the difficulty of controlling a transparent display device.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical parameters of the light transmission path by rotating the polarization axis of the first circular polarizer. By adjusting the angle of the polarization axis relative to the second circular polarizer, the controller dynamically modifies the transmittance and brightness of time information without altering the transparent display device itself.
2Loss of information
If both time information and image information are displayed simultaneously, then information completeness is improved, but visibility and readability of each information type deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces dynamic control over the display modes through rotation of the first circular polarizer. The system can dynamically switch between displaying only time information, only image information, or both simultaneously by adjusting the polarization axis angle. This dynamic adjustment ensures optimal visibility and readability for each information type while maintaining information completeness when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the image display unit is always on, then access to image information is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller periodically activates the image display unit based on user interaction patterns and operational needs. The image display unit is turned on when image information is required and turned off during periods when only time information is needed, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining easy access to image information when required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution allows for satisfactory visibility of images by selectively displaying time or non-time information, or both, based on operation modes, enhancing user experience through controlled transmittance and brightness adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
A first circular polarizer may be disposed on the time display unit and rotated by the controller... A second circular polarizer may be disposed on the image display unit... a polarization axis of the first circular polarizer and a polarization axis of the second circular polarizer may form an angle greater than 0 degree and less than 90 degrees
Data Source
AI summary
A watch may include a first display unit, a second display unit, a first polarizer set, and a second polarizer set. The second display unit may be positioned over the first display unit and may transmit light. One of the first display unit and the second display unit may display a time information image that indicates time. The other of the first display unit and the second display unit may display non-time information image, e.g., a user interface element. The first polarizer set may be positioned between the first display unit and the second display unit. The second polarizer set may be positioned on the second display unit. One of the first polarizer set and the second polarizer set may rotate relative to the other for enabling the watch to conceal or show the time information image.