Wristwatch Electrophoretic Display Sensor Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a growing demand for flexible display devices that can efficiently display time information and adapt to various designs, while maintaining low power consumption and flexibility, as seen in electrophoretic displays, but existing solutions do not fully leverage these capabilities for wearable devices.

Innovation Solution

An information display apparatus and method utilizing an electrophoretic display integrated into a wristwatch with a band section, featuring a control unit that changes display patterns based on user input and sensor data, allowing for flexible and power-efficient time information presentation and band design updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If electrophoretic display is used in wearable devices, then power consumption is reduced and flexibility is improved, but the display cannot dynamically adapt to user viewing behavior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddisplay adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display dynamically changes its state based on detected user actions. When the sensor detects that the user is looking at the watch, the display transitions from a low-power off-state to an active time-display state, providing adaptability while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses sensor feedback to detect user viewing behavior and automatically adjusts the display accordingly. The sensor monitors user actions and provides feedback to the control unit, which then modifies the display state to match user needs, resolving the contradiction between static power savings and dynamic adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the display continuously shows time information, then user convenience is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous display operation, the system uses periodic activation based on detected user actions. The display turns on only when the sensor detects the user is looking at the watch, and remains off otherwise, creating a periodic on-off pattern that reduces power consumption while maintaining convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The watch automatically detects when the user needs to view the time and activates the display without requiring manual user input. The sensor system monitors user behavior and self-regulates the display state, providing convenience only when needed while minimizing power consumption during unnecessary periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If the display remains off to save power, then energy efficiency is improved, but the user cannot easily check the time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidtime checking ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor provides feedback about user viewing behavior to the control unit, which then activates the display when needed. This feedback mechanism ensures the display is on only when the user actually needs to check the time, balancing energy efficiency with ease of time checking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual user interaction (pressing buttons to activate display) with automatic sensor-based detection. The sensor detects user actions and automatically triggers the display, eliminating the need for mechanical button presses while maintaining energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 provides a flexible and power-efficient display system that can change display patterns dynamically, offering user customization and extended battery life, while maintaining the flexibility and low power consumption characteristics of electrophoretic displays.

Implementation Method 1

The electrophoretic display simply requires the passage of electric current only at the time of switching of a display

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Data Source

PatentUS11024068B2Implementing time display on a watch based on whether a wearer has looked at the watch

Publication Date: 2021.06.01 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for displaying information, a program, and a communication system, which enable the provision of an apparatus making use of a display device excellent in flexibility. An information display apparatus includes a display unit including a time information presenting section for presenting at least time information and a band section to be worn on an arm, and a display control unit for changing a display of the display unit. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, the information display apparatus.