JP4653728B2 - Display device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a display device .

  Conventionally, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 11-252229 and 2002-125022 disclose a mobile phone provided with a detachable exterior body (design panel, decorative panel). According to these mobile phones, the appearance of the mobile phone can be changed by changing the exterior body.

  However, in the above-described conventional mobile phone, even if the manufacturer prepares various variations of exterior bodies with different colors and patterns, the number of types is naturally limited, so that it can cope with the preferences of all users. difficult. In addition, it is disadvantageous in terms of cost to provide various types of exterior bodies for each mobile phone model.

  Accordingly, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a mobile phone, a watch, and other devices and devices that can be freely changed in appearance without changing the exterior body, repainting, or repainting the exterior seal. It is providing the housing | casing and exterior body of this.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.

  An apparatus according to the present invention includes a nonvolatile display medium that can hold an image displayed during power supply even after the power supply is stopped, and changes an image or color tone displayed on the nonvolatile display medium. Therefore, the appearance can be changed. This device can freely change its appearance by changing the color tone and pattern of the casing by changing the image and color tone displayed on the non-volatile display medium that is a component of the casing.

  Here, the case is not limited to the case in the computer field, but is used in a broad sense such as a case, a body, and an outer shell (the same applies hereinafter). In addition, the meaning that the casing includes the nonvolatile display medium means that the casing includes the nonvolatile display medium as a component of the casing itself, and the nonvolatile display medium is included in the casing. It does not mean that they are housed in the same (the same applies below). A device in which a non-volatile display medium is accommodated in a housing belongs to a conventional device, like a display device in which other display media (LCD, CRT, etc.) are accommodated in the housing. Although the explanation is a little tedious, the conventional device that houses the nonvolatile display medium in the housing is a nonvolatile device that is a separate component from the housing in order to realize the nonvolatile display function as the main function of the device. A display medium is provided in a housing. On the other hand, the device according to the present invention is provided with a non-volatile display medium as a component of the device casing itself in order to realize a function that can freely change its appearance as an additional function of the device. .

  The housing according to the present invention includes a non-volatile display medium that can hold an image displayed during power supply even after the power supply is stopped, and by changing an image or color tone displayed on the non-volatile display medium, It is comprised so that an external appearance can be changed. This housing can freely change the appearance of the apparatus by changing the color tone and pattern of the housing by changing the image and the color tone displayed on the non-volatile display medium that is a component of the housing.

  An exterior body according to the present invention is an exterior body attached to an outer surface portion of a housing of an apparatus, and includes a nonvolatile display medium capable of retaining an image displayed during power supply even after power supply is stopped. The appearance can be changed by changing the image or color tone displayed on the sexual display medium. This exterior body can change the external appearance of an apparatus by changing the color tone and pattern of an exterior body by changing the image and color tone which are displayed on the non-volatile display medium which is the component.

  When the exterior body according to the present invention is applied to a decorative panel (design panel) that is attached to the outer surface of a device casing mainly for decoration purposes, an image or color tone displayed on a non-volatile display medium that is a component of the exterior panel Since the color tone and pattern can be freely changed by changing, there is no need to replace the decorative panel in order to change the appearance of the apparatus.

  In the timepiece according to the present invention, a non-volatile display medium capable of holding an image displayed at the time of power supply even after the power supply is stopped is provided or built in the dial. This watch can freely change the color tone and pattern of the dial by changing the image and color tone displayed on the non-volatile display medium that is a component of the dial.

  Nonvolatile display media included in a casing, an exterior body, or a clock face according to the present invention include electrophoretic electronic paper, twisted ball electronic paper, and electronic using a ferroelectric liquid crystal. Non-volatile display media used for paper, etc. are included. Electrophoretic electronic paper can display any image by sealing either positively or negatively charged toner particles so that they can be electrophoresed and collecting or retracting them in the pixel area by an electric field applied from the outside. It is an electronic paper configured as follows. Twist-ball electronic paper is capable of displaying arbitrary images by coloring a large number of minute spherical particles in different colors and charging them in a dipole state, and controlling the direction of each spherical particle with an electric field. Electronic paper. This type of electronic paper can rewrite the image to be displayed many times. In addition, there is an advantage that the displayed image can be held without supplying power from the outside.

  These electronic papers are known per se (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-169190 “Electrophoresis device, electronic paper using the same, electronic book device using electronic paper, and manufacturing method thereof”, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-163257 “Information Presentation method, information presentation system and information terminal ", Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-099221" Display device, electronic paper and electronic paper file ", Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-091749," System, method and program for document reference " 024865 “Information Update System”, JP 2002-024570 “Content Information Output Device”, JP 2002-018362 “Destination Information Display”, JP 2001-312250 “Electronic Paper and Electronic Paper File”, JP 2001-312227 "Electronic Paper File", JP2001-311931 "Electronic Paper, Electronic Paper File and Electronic Pen", JP2001-270145 "Printer and its Head", JP2001-209760 "Reusable Electronic Paper" Open 2001-1672 85 “Electronic paper surface creating system and electronic paper surface creating method”, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-167180 “Electronic advertising method and electronic advertising system”, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-092387, “Image display method, image display device, and image display medium” 2000-187253 “Ferrofluid Electric Paper”, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-127478 “Electronic Paper Printer”, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-327470 “Method for Forming Multicolored Spheres for Electronic Paper Display”, etc.).

The development status of electronic paper at the time of filing the present application is generally as follows.
Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. is a display that can be transferred and rewritten by applying microscopic liquid crystals on a paper-like base and applying high external energy such as negative ions or heat. Developing media. A dedicated rewriting device is used for rewriting. The transfer speed is currently about a thermal fax, but the main feature is that the electronic paper can be cut freely and used. As a rewritable display medium, it is thought that it will gradually spread to the general public, beginning with the introduction in limited areas such as posters for announcements of museum exhibitions and advertisements suspended in trains.

  Canon's “paper-like display” is an in-plane electrophoretic display method that displays characters and images by electrically moving colored particles dispersed on a substrate. As with a liquid crystal display, the display contents can be easily rewritten. In addition, the display remains even when the power is turned off. If the layers of cyan, magenta, and yellow are stacked in three layers, it becomes easy to support full color display.

  What Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. developed is an integrated electric circuit and display medium, and the resolution of the display is determined by the number of electrodes. Its features are that it is more flexible than existing displays, consumes less power, and has a very wide viewing angle. In the future, it is expected to be adopted as a display for PDAs, mobile phones and electronic book readers. It can also be used as an advertising medium whose display contents change according to time and place.

  The biggest feature of “Optical Address Electronic Paper” that Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. is developing is that the writing device and the display medium are separated as in the relationship between the printer and paper. As a result, we succeeded in making electronic paper as a display medium simple, light and thin like paper. Electronic paper itself cannot be rewritten independently like a display, but it is a new medium that fills the gap between paper and display as a medium that can take out and rewrite information instantaneously while having the advantages of paper. It is considered.

  US-based e-ink Inc. and the Dutch company Royal Philips Electronics succeeded in developing the world's first “high-resolution active matrix-driven color electronic paper” using electronic ink.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  According to the device of the present invention, the appearance of the device can be freely changed by changing the appearance and color tone displayed on the nonvolatile display medium of the housing, thereby changing the appearance of the device. In order to change the appearance of the device, it is not necessary to change the exterior body, repaint, or repaint the exterior seal.

  According to the housing of the present invention, the appearance of the apparatus can be freely changed by freely changing the appearance by changing the image and the color tone displayed on the nonvolatile display medium inside the casing. In order to change the appearance of the device, it is not necessary to replace the exterior body, repaint the casing, or replace the exterior seal.

  According to the exterior body according to the present invention, it is possible to freely change the appearance of the apparatus by changing the image and color tone displayed on the nonvolatile display medium inside the apparatus, and to freely change the appearance of the apparatus. In order to change the appearance of the device, it is not necessary to replace the exterior body, repaint the casing, or replace the exterior seal.

  According to the timepiece of the present invention, the appearance of the dial or the timepiece can be freely changed by changing the image or color to be displayed on the non-volatile display medium of the dial. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the dial, repaint the dial, or repaint the dial seal.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

  FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are front views showing an example of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention. The device 1 is a computer display device, and includes a liquid crystal display panel 2 and a drive circuit (not shown) in a housing 3. The housing 3 is supported on the table by the legs 4.

  FIG. 1B is a perspective sectional view of a frame portion surrounding the front panel portion 3 a of the housing 3, that is, the display portion of the liquid crystal display panel 2. The front panel portion 3a of the housing 3 includes a resin-made front panel base (panel body) 5 joined to a rear panel (not shown), a non-volatile display medium 6 provided on the front portion of the front panel base 5, And a cover 7 that covers the nonvolatile display medium 6. The cover 7 is made of a material (acrylic, glass, etc.) that transmits visible light well, and the display area of the nonvolatile display medium 6 can be seen through the cover 7.

  The non-volatile display medium 6 is a non-volatile display medium similar to that used for electrophoretic electronic paper, twist ball electronic paper, electronic paper using ferroelectric liquid crystal, and the like. (Multi-color) display is possible. Since a non-volatile display medium itself can be used, a detailed description of its structure is omitted, but basically, the non-volatile display medium 34 and the non-volatile display medium 34 shown in FIG. It is the same structure.

  The non-volatile display medium 6 is driven by a non-volatile display medium driving circuit in the device 1. The drive circuit for the non-volatile display medium is connected to a computer main body (not shown) together with the drive circuit for the liquid crystal display panel 2 and drives the non-volatile display medium 6 according to a control signal from the computer main body. A program for displaying an arbitrary image on the non-volatile display medium 6 (hereinafter referred to as “dressing app”) is installed in the computer main body, and an input device (keyboard, mouse, etc.) (not shown) is installed. By operating the, a desired image can be selected from images created by the user or images prepared in advance and displayed on the non-volatile display medium 6. At that time, the operation screen or the input screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2 of the apparatus 1.

  2A to 2H show an operation example of the apparatus 1. FIG. FIG. 2A shows a power-off state. The display color of the non-volatile display medium 6 in the initial state (at the time of product shipment) is the same color as that of the front panel substrate 5 (in this example, white), and the pattern is blank.

  When the computer main body to which the device 1 is connected is activated and the installed dressing app is activated with the device 1 powered on, as shown in FIG. 2B, the operation screen of the dressing app Is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2. On this operation screen, a color selection mode button 8 and a pattern selection mode button 9 are displayed. The color selection mode button 8 is a button for proceeding to a mode for selecting a background color or the like of the display area of the nonvolatile display medium 6. The pattern selection mode button 9 is a button for proceeding to a mode for selecting a pattern to be displayed on the nonvolatile display medium 6.

  When the color selection mode button 8 is clicked (confirmation operation), a color selection screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2 as shown in FIG. On the color selection screen, a large number of color selection buttons 10-1 to 10-n for selecting a desired color from various color tones, an OK button 11 and a return button 12 are displayed. . By clicking the color selection button for the desired color, the background color of the display area of the selected nonvolatile display medium 6 can be set to the desired color.

  For example, when the “black” color selection button 10-2 is clicked, the background color of the display area of the nonvolatile display medium 6 becomes black. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2D, the color of the front surface of the housing 3 of the device 1 is black. At the same time, an operation screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2. In addition to the color selection mode button 8 and the pattern selection mode button 9, a return button 13 and an end button 14 are displayed on this operation screen. By clicking the return button 13, it is possible to return to the previous screen, that is, the color selection screen of FIG. When the end button 14 is clicked, the dress-up application ends.

  Even after the dress-up application is finished, the background color of the display area of the non-volatile display medium 6 is maintained as the color set on the color selection screen in FIG. 2C, that is, black in the above example. It is held as it is even after the power is turned off. Therefore, unless the background color of the display area of the non-volatile display medium 6 is changed again by the dress-up application, the color of the front surface of the housing 3 of the device 1 is kept black as shown in FIG. Is done.

  When the pattern selection mode button 9 is clicked on the operation screen of FIG. 2B, a pattern selection screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2 as shown in FIG. On the pattern selection screen, a large number of pattern selection buttons 15-1 to 15-n for selecting a desired pattern from various patterns, an OK button 16 and a return button 17 are displayed. . By clicking the pattern selection button for the desired pattern, the pattern to be displayed on the nonvolatile display medium 6 can be set to the desired pattern.

  For example, when a “tiger pattern” pattern selection button 15-2 is clicked, a tiger pattern is displayed on the nonvolatile display medium 6. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2G, the pattern on the front surface of the housing 3 of the apparatus 1 becomes a tiger pattern. It may look like a leopard print, but it can be tiger, leopard, zebra or giraffe. In short, the pattern on the front surface of the housing 3 of the apparatus 1 is the pattern selected on the pattern selection screen in FIG. At the same time, the same operation screen as in FIG. 2D is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2.

  Even after the dress-up application is finished, the pattern displayed on the non-volatile display medium 6 is maintained as the pattern set on the pattern selection screen in FIG. 2F, that is, the tiger pattern in the above example. Even after the power of 1 is turned off, it is held as it is. Therefore, unless the display pattern is changed again by the dress-up application, the pattern on the front surface of the housing 3 of the apparatus 1 is held as a tiger pattern as shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the device 1 of this embodiment, the color tone and pattern on the front surface of the housing 3 of the device 1 are changed by changing the display by the non-volatile display medium 6 incorporated in the housing 3 so as to be visible. It can be changed freely.

  In the above example, the color tone and pattern can be changed only on the front surface of the housing 3 of the device 1, but if the entire housing 3 has the same structure as the front surface portion of the front panel portion 3a, that is, a non-volatile display If the medium 6 is built in the entire housing 3 and the surface thereof is covered with a cover that transmits visible light well, the overall color tone and pattern of the housing 3 can be freely changed.

  In the above example, the non-volatile display medium 6 is built in the entire front portion of the front panel portion 3a, but may be built in only a part of the front portion of the front panel portion 3a.

  The image displayed on the nonvolatile display medium 6 may be not only a pattern but also text information. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, character information such as a work schedule and memo writing can be displayed. Since the display is held as it is even after the apparatus 1 is turned off, it can be used instead of a sticky note.

  Also, an arbitrary image may be directly written with a dedicated electronic pen. In this type of electronic pen, the state of the pixels of the non-volatile display medium 6 (the position of the toner, the orientation of the colored particles, the liquid crystal) Those having a function of changing the orientation, etc.) are used. An arbitrary image can be written by providing a transparent electrode for detecting contact of the pen tip on the surface of the cover covering the non-volatile display medium 6 and changing the state of the pixel in the vicinity of or in contact with the pen tip. it can. Depending on the method of the nonvolatile display medium 6, it is possible to write an image even when the apparatus 1 is turned off.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the device according to the present invention is applied to a liquid crystal display device of a computer has been described. However, other devices such as mobile phones (regardless of stick type, folding type, PHS terminal, satellite phone, Including IP telephones), portable information terminals, audio equipment (CD players, MD players, DVD players, speakers, etc.), electronic dictionary devices, electronic book devices, clocks (watches, wall clocks, stationary clocks), cameras (silver) Cameras using salt film, digital still cameras, digital movie cameras), fixed telephones (home telephones, office telephones, public telephones), wearable computers, computer bodies (regardless of stationary or portable), stationary Type computer CRT display device, organic EL display Device, computer input device (mouse, keyboard, stick, etc.), printer, television receiver (regardless of stationary type or wall-mounted type. CRT display, liquid crystal display, plasma display, organic EL display, field emission display or plasma display) ), Video game machine main unit, video game machine controller, refrigerator (including freezer refrigerator and freezer, including electronic cooling, laser cooling and other cooling methods), washing machine (single tank) Regardless of type or multiple tank type, including those with drying function), clothes dryer, iron, air conditioning equipment, electric fan, toilet seat with anal cleaning function, electromagnetic cooker (including microwave and oven), remote Controllers, navigation devices for vehicles, toys (robots, vehicles, blocks) Lock, etc.), vehicles (private cars, buses, tanks, armored vehicles, etc.), the flying device (aircraft, fighter, helicopter, etc.) is effectively applicable to such.

  When the apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a mobile phone, the appearance (color tone and pattern) of the mobile phone can be freely changed without changing the exterior body, repainting, or re-seal the exterior seal. be able to. The non-volatile display medium built in the case of the mobile phone may be driven by a drive circuit in the mobile phone, or may be a computer installed at a service base (store, service center, etc.) or a computer owned by a user. You may make it drive. When driven by a driving circuit in the mobile phone, the appearance of the mobile phone can be changed anytime and anywhere. It is also possible to download an image of a desired pattern or character and use it for the appearance of a mobile phone. It is also possible to develop new services such as a dressing image creation service and a distribution service for mobile phones.

  Further, when the apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a wearable computer, the appearance (color tone and pattern) of the wearable computer can be freely changed in accordance with the clothes at the time. Furthermore, if a cloth containing a non-volatile display medium is used on the clothing side, for example, the front material of the jacket, the color tone and pattern of the jacket can be freely changed. For example, it can be used like a chameleon, such as changing the color and pattern of a typical business suit in urban areas and changing to camouflage colors in mountainous areas and jungles. I don't think there are many people who use it like this, but I can't say it isn't.

  Further, when the apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a camera, the appearance (color tone or pattern) of the camera can be freely changed in accordance with the user's clothes, shooting location, and the like. In the case of a digital still camera or a digital video camera, the image is displayed on a non-volatile display medium built in the camera housing according to the color tone or pattern of the subject imaged by the camera image sensor (CCD, C-MOS sensor, etc.). The appearance of the camera can be changed by changing the image and color tone. In the case of a mobile phone equipped with an image sensor, an image or color tone displayed on a non-volatile display medium incorporated in the housing of the mobile phone is changed according to the color tone or pattern of a subject imaged by the image sensor of the mobile phone. Thus, the appearance of the mobile phone can be changed.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the apparatus when the apparatus of the present invention is applied to an apparatus (such as a digital still camera, a digital video camera, a mobile phone, and a notebook computer) equipped with an image sensor. The image signal of the subject 23 captured by the image sensor 24 is sent to the signal processing unit 25. The signal processing unit 25 performs predetermined analog signal processing such as noise reduction processing, white balance processing, and γ processing on the input image signal, converts it to a digital image signal, and outputs the digital image signal to the image generation unit 26. . The image generation unit 26 includes an image memory, and develops the digital image signal from the signal processing unit 26 on the image memory as image information. The drive circuit 27 controls each pixel state of the nonvolatile display medium 28 according to the image information developed on the image memory, so that the image of the subject 24 or the color tone or pattern of the subject 23 is displayed on the nonvolatile display medium 28. The corresponding image, color tone and pattern are displayed. Therefore, according to this apparatus, an image, a color tone, or a pattern corresponding to the image of the subject 23 or the color tone or pattern of the subject 23 can be displayed on the casing of the device. For example, a family image or a pet image captured by the image sensor 21 is displayed on the case of a mobile phone or a laptop computer, or a clothing pattern captured by the image sensor 21 is displayed on the case of the mobile phone. can do.

  In addition, when the device according to the present invention is applied to a refrigerator, the color tone or pattern of the refrigerator can be freely changed to match the color tone or pattern of the kitchen floor or wall, or the color tone or pattern of other devices (such as an electromagnetic cooker). can do. Also, the image to be displayed on the non-volatile display medium built in the refrigerator housing may be not only a pattern but also text information. For example, a cooking recipe, shopping information, a child, etc. on the refrigerator door Messages can be displayed. Since the non-volatile display medium can hold the displayed image even after power supply, the power consumption can be reduced as compared with the case where the same type of function is realized by the liquid crystal display panel. Even if a power failure occurs, the message displayed on the refrigerator door will not disappear.

  In addition, when the apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an indoor unit for air conditioning, the color tone or pattern of the indoor unit is changed to the color tone or pattern such as the floor or wall of the room, or other things (other electrical products or furniture, etc.) It can be changed freely according to the color and pattern. In addition, the color and pattern of the indoor unit can be freely changed according to the season and mood at that time.

  In addition, when the apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a stationary clock or a wall clock, the color tone or pattern of the stationary clock or the wall clock is changed to a color tone or pattern such as a floor or a wall of a room, or other objects (other electrical appliances or furniture, Etc.) can be freely changed according to the color tone and pattern. In addition, the color tone and pattern of the stationary clock and wall clock can be freely changed according to the season and mood at that time. Also, if a non-volatile display medium is built in the dial of a watch, stationary clock or wall clock, or if the non-volatile display medium is used as the dial itself, parts can be replaced, the paint on the dial can be repainted, As shown in FIG. 5, the color tone, pattern, character design, and the like of the dial plate 29 can be freely changed without changing the seal.

  In addition, when the device according to the present invention is applied to a toilet seat with an anal cleaning function, the color tone and pattern of the toilet seat with an anal cleaning function, the color tone and pattern of the toilet floor and wall, and other objects (toilet bowl, tank, vanity table, Etc.) can be freely changed according to the color tone and pattern.

  When the apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a wall-mounted television, the color tone and pattern of the wall-mounted television can be freely changed according to the color tone and pattern of the wall, ceiling, floor, etc. of the room. In addition, the color and pattern of the wall-mounted television can be freely changed according to the season and mood at that time. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the color and pattern of the frame portion 21 of the wall-mounted television 20 are changed in accordance with the color and pattern of the wall 22 in the room.

  Further, when the apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a remote controller such as a television receiver or a video recording / reproducing device, the color tone and pattern of the remote controller can be freely changed. The image to be displayed on the non-volatile display medium provided in the housing of the remote controller may be not only a pattern but also text information. For example, text such as a TV broadcast program or a video recording / playing device operation method may be used. Information can also be displayed.

  In the above embodiments, the device and the housing according to the present invention have been described. However, when applied to an exterior body such as a decorative panel attached to the outer surface of the housing of the device, the display is displayed on the nonvolatile display medium inside the device. By changing the image and color tone to be changed, the color tone and pattern of the exterior body can be freely changed, so that it is not necessary to replace the exterior body itself in order to change the appearance of the apparatus.

  FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment when the exterior body according to the present invention is applied to a decorative panel of a foldable mobile phone. As shown in FIG. 7A, a decorative panel 33 is attached to the outer surface of the upper housing 31 of the foldable mobile phone 30. As shown in FIG. 7B, the decorative panel 33 includes a nonvolatile display medium 34 and a cover 35 that covers the nonvolatile display medium 34. The non-volatile display medium 34 is formed by sandwiching a display medium layer 37 of an electrophoretic method, a twist ball method or a method using ferroelectric liquid crystal between two holding sheets 36a and 36b parallel to each other. The holding sheet 36a on the front surface side, that is, the cover 35 side is formed of a material that transmits visible light satisfactorily. The holding sheet 36b on the back side is formed of a material that transmits visible light well or a white material. Pixel electrodes (not shown) are arranged on the opposing surfaces of the holding sheets 36 a and 36 b, and the display medium layer 37 is switched by switching the polarities of the pixel electrodes facing each other by a drive circuit (not shown) in the foldable mobile phone 30. The state of each pixel can be switched. The cover 35 is formed of a material that transmits visible light well, and the display area of the nonvolatile display medium 34 can be seen through the cover 35.

  The decorative panel 33 configured as described above can freely change its appearance as shown in FIG. 8 by changing an image or a color tone displayed on the nonvolatile display medium 34 that is a component thereof. it can. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace the decorative panel 33 in order to change the appearance of the foldable mobile phone 30.

  Further, as the display medium layer 37 of the nonvolatile display medium 34, a method using a ferroelectric liquid crystal is used, and the rear holding sheet 36b is formed of a material that reflects visible light well, or the rear side. If a reflective film or the like that reflects visible light satisfactorily is formed outside the holding sheet 36b, the non-volatile display medium 34 can function as a mirror by making the entire display medium layer 37 light transmissive. it can. The same applies to the case of the nonvolatile display medium in the apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the apparatus shown in FIG. 4, the watch shown in FIG. 5, the wall-mounted television 20 shown in FIG.

  In the case of a mobile phone equipped with an image sensor, the image or color displayed on the non-volatile display medium built in the decorative panel of the mobile phone is changed according to the color tone or pattern of the subject imaged by the image sensor of the mobile phone. The color tone and pattern can be changed. The apparatus configuration in that case is the same as that shown in FIG.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The non-volatile display medium is not limited to a color display capable of color display, but may be a display capable of only monochrome display. Moreover, you may display a moving image on a non-volatile display medium. Further, the present invention includes an apparatus provided with illumination means (backlight, sidelight, or frontlight) without illuminating the display area of the nonvolatile display medium.

  The apparatus according to the present invention is useful when the appearance is freely changed without changing the exterior body, repainting the exterior body, or replacing the exterior seal.

(A) is a front view which shows an example of embodiment of the apparatus concerning this invention, (b) is a perspective sectional view of the front panel part of the housing | casing of the apparatus shown to (a). (A)-(h) is a front view which shows the operation example of the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a front view which shows another example of operation | movement of the apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the apparatus structural example at the time of applying the apparatus concerning this invention to the apparatus provided with the image pick-up element. (A)-(d) is a front view which shows an example of embodiment of the timepiece concerning this invention. It is a front view which shows the operation example at the time of applying the apparatus concerning this invention to a wall-mounted television. (A) is a side view showing an embodiment when the exterior body according to the present invention is applied to a decorative panel of a foldable mobile phone, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the main part. (A)-(d) is a front view which shows the example of an external appearance change of a decorative panel.

Explanation of symbols

1: Device 2: Liquid crystal display panel 3: Housing 3a: Front panel portion 5: Front panel base 6: Non-volatile display medium 7: Cover 9: Pattern selection mode buttons 10-1 to 10-n: Color selection button 15- 1 to 15-n: Pattern selection button 20: Wall-mounted television 21: Frame portion 23: Subject 24: Image sensor 25: Signal processing unit 26: Image generation unit 27: Drive circuit 28: Non-volatile display medium 30: Folding type Mobile phone 31: Upper housing 33: Cosmetic panel 34: Non-volatile display medium 35: Cover 36a, 36b: Holding sheet 37: Display medium layer

Claims (3)

A display device including a housing,
The housing includes a non-volatile display medium that can hold an image displayed during power supply even after the power supply is stopped, only around other display media that realize the display function of the display device,
A driving circuit for displaying an image on the nonvolatile display medium by controlling each pixel state according to image information;
A display device comprising:   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the drive circuit displays character information on the nonvolatile display medium.   The display device according to claim 2, wherein the drive circuit displays a schedule or a memo as the character information on the nonvolatile display medium.

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