GB2348038A

GB2348038A - Liquid crystal display with three-dimensional effect

Info

Publication number: GB2348038A
Application number: GB9906030A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pun Tak Ng
Original assignee: Innomind International Ltd
Current assignee: Innomind International Ltd
Priority date: 1999-03-16
Filing date: 1999-03-16
Publication date: 2000-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-16
Also published as: GB2361574A; GB0118263D0; GB2361575B; GB2361346B; GB2361345B; GB0118273D0; GB2361575A; GB2348038B; GB2361345A; GB0118271D0; GB9906030D0; GB2361346A; GB2361574B; GB0118269D0

Abstract

A display for a watch or the like comprises a matrix of pixels arrayed in intersecting rows and columns, the width of the rows and/or the columns varying progressively moving along a row from column to column or along a column from row to row. In embodiments illustrated, the matrix defines lines of longitude and latitude akin to a two-dimensional projection of an oblate globe. A method of moving an image across such a pixel matrix display is also defined. Also disclosed is a device such as a watch including a display controlled by a display controller to display an image and further including a motion sensor arranged to detect motion of the device, the display controller taking a control input from the motion sensor and being arranged to manipulate the image displayed by the display in response to motion of the device detected by the motion sensor. The device could be a game of chance device in which the motion sensor means acts upon the display means to influence an illustrated selection process in response to motion of the device.

Description

DISPLAY, AND DEVICE HAVING A DISPLAY This invention relates to a display, such as an LCD matrix display, and to a device or apparatus having a display, such as a watch.

The advent of matrix display technologies, notably LCD, has revolutionised small-area displays such as those used on watches. Watches no longer just tell the time or are confined to time-related information: these days, even cheap LCD watches often have additional functions like temperature readouts or data storage facilities.

The consumer demand for more and more functions has in turn applied pressure on display designers to fit ever more information onto a finite, small display area. This has been the driving force behind matrix display technology which allows for the creation of an almost infinite variety of images to form characters and pictures, with a resolution limited only by the density or pitch of dots, cells, elements, segments or pixels in the display. For brevity, these dots, cells, elements, segments or pixels will be referred to collectively as pixels hereafter.

Matrix displays have the resolution and flexibility to enable the display of an image that is too large to be displayed legibly all at once, simply by showing parts of the image in turn. This may, for example, involve apparent relative movement between the image and the display in a scrolling movement in which the image appears to move across the display. The scrolling movement need not necessarily be from top to bottom: it can be from side to side or otherwise across the display. Another way is to show parts of the image one after another in sequence so that, for example, a sentence can be conveyed to a viewer by displaying its constituent words in turn. Either way, the idea is that an already-viewed part of the image disappears from the display to make room for the display of a fresh, unviewed part of the image.

Aside from satisfying these functional needs, the ability of matrix displays to display a moving image has also liberated display designers in an aesthetic sense. Much of the attraction of a display-and hence the commercial success of an article including that display-lies on an aesthetic level. Consumer expectations have risen accordingly.

Hence, there is an added pressure on display designers to outdo each other with imaginative display creations that preferably involve images moving in intriguing ways.

Existing matrix displays typically comprise a rectangular array of pixels, the array comprising identical pixels, usually also rectangular in shape, disposed in straight rows intersecting orthogonally with straight columns. The display layout itself therefore contributes nothing at all to the aesthetic appeal of the article with which it is associated: it is only the image displayed that makes an aesthetic contribution. The aesthetic quality of the image itself is confined by two factors that limit the designer's freedom: one is the resolution of the display in terms of pixel density or pitch, and the other is the regularity of the array in which the pixels are disposed in their rectilinear rows and columns.

The rectangular regularity of the array is a creative burden in that the designer can only build an image on the framework provided by the display. As that framework in terms of pixel disposition is regular, it is difficult to break away creatively and devise a displayed image that is truly unique. It is particularly difficult to add intrigue to a moving image and especially to a scrolling image, which simply advances in a straight line across the display, pixel by pixel along a group of parallel rows or columns.

Whilst higher resolution increases the designer's creative options in that increased pixel density is better for displaying the subtleties of complex, fast-moving images, this must be balanced against the markedly higher cost of high-resolution displays. There is a need for an aesthetically-appealing and yet inexpensive display.

From a first aspect, this invention resides in a display comprising an array of pixels disposed in intersecting rows and columns, the width of the rows and/or the columns varying progressively moving along a row from column to column or along a column from row to row.

The size of a given pixel is suitably determined by, or is otherwise proportional to, the widths at the point of intersection of the column and of the row that both contain that pixel.

Preferably, the width of both the rows and the columns varies progressively moving along a row from column to column and along a column from row to row. It is further preferred that the rows and/or the columns are at a minimum width in a peripheral region of the display and are at a maximum width in a central region of the display.

Thus, the width of a row or column firstly increases moving inwardly from the periphery to the centre along a row from column to column or along a column from row to row, and decreases with continued movement in the same direction outwardly from the centre to the periphery.

The result is that, in preferred embodiments, relatively small pixels are disposed peripherally around a central core of larger pixels, the progression being gradual to create a matrix akin to lines of longitude and latitude in a two-dimensional projection of a globe.

In this arrangement and continuing the globe analogy, columns and rows are grouped side-by-side but are not parallel to each other; their sides taper together or converge moving toward their ends and curve apart or diverge moving toward their centres. Nor are the sides of a row or a column parallel. Instead, each succeeding column or row moving away from the centre is more acutely curved, the sides of the columns and rows preferably being defined by part-elliptical lines whose average radius of curvature becomes smaller approaching the periphery. The columns are, however, symmetrical about a meridian and the rows are symmetrical about an equator.

This aspect of the invention provides a matrix display that is visually intriguing, suggesting that the flat display is a curved solid such as a cylinder or preferably a sphere and that the image is carried by or projected onto the external surface of that curved solid.

The effect of the invention is particularly intriguing when an image is scrolling across the display along a group of columns or a group of rows disposed beside one another, because the image is distorted as it moves from one side of the display to the other.

When an image moves across the display in that way, progressing from periphery to centre and then to opposite periphery, the pixels and hence the line of the image defined by those pixels become progressively larger as that line of the image moves inwardly from the periphery of the display from one row or column of pixels to the next, larger row or column of pixels. Then, after passing the centre of the display, the pixels and hence the line of the image defined by those pixels become progressively smaller as that line of the image moves outwardly from one row or column of pixels to the next, smaller row or column of pixels.

Where the matrix simulates a globe or sphere, this arrangement of pixels simulates viewing the image through a fish-eye lens. In this respect, whilst the image is in fact moving across a stationary display, it can appear in practice that the display is scanning across a stationary image. The better to simulate the effect of a fish-eye lens, the globe or sphere simulated by the matrix is preferably oblate, being flattened at its poles to define a polar diameter that is less than its equatorial diameter.

This aspect of the invention may also be defined in terms of a method of moving an image across a pixel matrix display, the image being defined by a plurality of image elements each defined by the visible state of a respective pixel of the matrix and the image moving by stepwise movement of image elements from pixel to pixel along a row or column of the matrix, wherein pixels in a row or column are of different sizes and cause a corresponding change in the size of the image element during the pixel to pixel movement. Suitably, three or more pixels of a row or column define a progressive variation of pixel size within the row or column.

When applied to an image scrolling across a matrix display, this method may be expressed as a method of moving an image across a pixel matrix display, the image being defined by a plurality of image elements each defined by the visible state of a respective pixel of the matrix and the image moving by stepwise pixel to pixel movement of a line of image elements along a group of rows or columns of the matrix, wherein pixels in a row or column are of different sizes and cause a corresponding change in the length of the line of image elements during the pixel to pixel movement.

The distorting effect of the display of the invention is also particularly evident when the display plays an animation and especially where that animation fills much of the display.

The rapidly increasing distortion near the periphery of the display mimics how the animation might appear if viewed through a crystal ball. This applies even to a still image that is large enough to approach the periphery of the display.

As part of a project in which Applicant has devised the display of the invention as defined above, Applicant has developed a watch that, in addition to telling the time, functions as a portable game of chance device. Playing a game on such a device can result in one of a limited range of outcomes, with selection of an outcome preferably being random or at least appearing to be so.

For example, an outcome could be the display of an'X'or'O', rather like the result of a game of noughts and crosses, or an outcome could be one of four direction arrows: 'left','right','ahead'and'back'. The device is therefore useful as an amusing novelty that helps to make day-to-day decisions such as which player starts a game first or which way to turn when lost at a junction, in much the same manner as tossing a coin.

The link with the display issue outlined previously is that the device uses moving displayed images to illustrate and animate the process of selection among possible outcomes. So, for example, an image in the form of a spinning arrow can illustrate the process of selecting one of the four abovementioned directions. Even if the selection is pre-ordained and/or non-random, the spinning arrow gives the user the impression of random real-time selection and so adds to the entertainment value of the device.

Another moving image with similar attributes is a series of characters in alternating sequence such as X O X 0 X O X..., simulating a reel of a slot machine used in gambling or gaming. When animating a selection process, the characters scroll across the display and the simulated reel slows and stops to leave a selected character X or O left centrally in the display. The realism of the display may be enhanced by the generation of sounds such as clicks as each character moves through the display.

Whilst the addition of, for example, sound effects heightens the user's sense of involvement in the selection process, there is room for greater realism and involvement.

With that objective in view, the invention also resides in a game of chance device including display means for displaying a moving image to illustrate a process of selection among possible outcomes, and motion sensor means acting upon the display means to influence the illustrated selection process in response to motion of the device.

This aspect of the invention is intended to simulate a mechanical game of chance apparatus which is susceptible to being hit or pushed by a player seeking to alter the outcome of a gamble. For example, the invention can simulate a reel-based slot machine which, as is well known or at least widely believed, is susceptible to motion that influences the movement of a spinning reel.

In preferred embodiments, Applicant has devised a device in the form of a watch that illustrates a decision-making or selection process by a moving image that simulates a spinning reel of a slot machine. Shaking the watch activates the motion sensor, which acts upon the display means through a suitable display controller to alter the spinning speed or duration and hence to show a reaction to the user's influence. Whether or not that influence actually affects the outcome of the selection process, which may in any event be pre-ordained, the user has a sense of involvement and realism as if somehow a real slot machine reel is spinning inside the watch and will respond to motion of the watch.

This aspect of the invention runs counter to accepted wisdom which is that a display of a display device should not under any circumstances be affected by motion of the display device itself. More generally, therefore, this aspect may be described as a device including a display controlled by a display controller to display an image and further including a motion sensor arranged to detect motion of the device, the display controller taking a control input from the motion sensor and being arranged to manipulate the image displayed by the display in response to motion of the device detected by the motion sensor.

The provision of a motion sensor in a portable display device to be picked up and worn or carried about the person, such as a watch, lends itself to a further aspect of the invention. In this aspect, a portable display device adapted to be worn or carried about the person comprises a display controlled by a display controller to display an image and further includes a motion sensor arranged to detect motion of the device, the display controller taking a control input from the motion sensor and being arranged to generate a predetermined display response upon motion of the device after a predetermined period without motion of the device.

In this way, the device can play a predetermined display response such as a selfdiagnostic display or a greeting display when the device is picked up by a user after a predetermined period of, say, six hours representing inactivity overnight. The display controller thus preferably includes timeout means adapted to enable the predetermined display response and further includes means responsive to the motion sensor to trigger the enabled predetermined display response when motion of the device is detected.

Examples, other than watches, of portable display devices are electronic games, digital diaries, electronic organizers, personal digital assistants, portable computers and portable audiovisual equipment. Aspects of the invention can, however, be applied to any electronic device that includes a display, including segmental and dot matrix LCD displays of all types as may be used, for example, in LCD computer monitors, audio and video equipment and devices, clocks and other timepieces. It will therefore be apparent that the invention in certain aspects is not limited to portable display devices.

Similarly, the invention can be applied to different display technologies. For example, the invention can be applied to different grades of LCD display such as the basic and least expensive TN (twisted nematic), the better quality and more expensive HTN (high twisted nematic) or the best-quality and most expensive STN (super twisted nematic).

The motion sensor can also be used to enable mode selection or mode control, the user moving the device by, for example, shaking it to generate a desired input to the display controller.

A still further aspect of the invention resides in a method of manipulating an image displayed on a matrix display, the method comprising cyclically activating and deactivating pixels adjacent the pixels that define the image. This technique and its developments are the key to numerous interesting visual effects.

The cyclical activation and deactivation of pixels preferably has the effect of moving the displayed image up and down or side to side by one or more rows or columns of the matrix. More preferably, the displayed image is moved both up and down and side to side by one or more rows and columns of the matrix. By these techniques, the displayed image can appear to shake vertically, horizontally or both vertically and horizontally.

In preferred embodiments, the method further comprises varying the speed of writing to the matrix display from a display controller. The pixel write speed is suitably varied across the display during the write process.

The speed of writing may be varied between groups of pixels such as columns or rows and such variation is preferably applied progressively column-by-column or row-by-row.

This technique can generate a global distortion such as waves progressing across the display.

It is also possible for variation of writing speed to be performed on individual pixels so that, advantageously, the speed of writing to individual pixels is varied in comparison with that to neighbouring pixels. This technique can generate a local distortion such as waves within a particular character or numeral.

Activation and deactivation of pixels preferably take place at a higher frequency than the pixel refresh rate.

In order that this invention can be more readily understood, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a watch constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a flow diagram showing the operation of the watch of Figure 1 and including a picture of the case of such a watch; Figures 3 (a) to 3 (c) are a sequence of schematic plan views of the LCD display matrix of the watch of Figures 1 and 2, the matrix displaying a decision-making display; Figure 4 shows the matrix of Figure 3 but displaying a direction-indicating display when movement of a direction-indicating arrow has ceased; Figures 5 (a) to 5 (c) are a sequence of views showing the matrix of Figures 3 and 4 scrolling an alphanumeric time display; Figures 6 (a) to 6 (d) are views of a simple regular rectangular LCD dot matrix of known type having horizontal rows and vertical columns, the matrix displaying a series of steps of image movement to illustrate an image shaking effect; Figure 7 shows various ways in which the cycle of steps in Figures 6 (a) to 6 (d) can distort an image; Figure 8 corresponds to Figures 6 (a) to 6 (d) and Figure 7 and shows examples of further distorted images created when the write speed to an individual pixel is varied in comparison with neighbouring pixels; and Figure 9 corresponds to Figures 3 and 4 but illustrates the matrix displaying, by way of example, a check pattern to illustrate how apparent distortion of a regular image increases moving towards the periphery of the matrix.

Referring firstly to the circuit diagram of Figure 1, a CPU 1 provided with an external LCD bias and voltage step-up circuit 2 takes inputs from a high-frequency clock circuit 3, a 32786 Hz clock circuit 4, a keyboard circuit 5, a motion sensor switch 6 and a product option switch circuit 7. The CPU 1 controls and gives outputs to an LCD display 8, an LED circuit 9 and a sound output device 10.

The CPU 1 is a general-purpose device whose functionality as described below is mainly implemented in software.

The product option switch circuit 7 has two switches 11 and 12 that can be toggled in four combinations to provide four product set-up options, namely English, French and German languages and a demonstration mode. Thereafter, the three principal control inputs in normal use are effected via the keyboard circuit 5, in which A is a left watch button and B is a right watch button, and the motion sensor switch 6.

The sound output device 10 provides for an audible alarm function and confirms a key input with a beep whenever a button A or B is pressed. It also emits sound effects generated by the CPU 1 in synchronism with and in support of visual effects also generated by the CPU 1 and displayed on the LCD display 8 and by the LED circuit 9.

The LED circuit 9 and the sound output device 10 are linked within the control algorithms of the CPU 1 so that the LED circuit 9 will be activated whenever a sound effect is emitted by the sound output device 10. At least one of the three LEDs of the LED circuit 9 will light in that event, preferably when a button A or B is pressed as further visual confirmation of a key input. Also, the CPU 1 has a timeout algorithm that activates sleep mode by switching off the display when there has been no key input at buttons A or B for say eight seconds. A single LED will also flash every ten seconds or so when the unit is in sleep mode to confirm that the unit has power and is ready for operation.

Nevertheless, all three LEDs of the LED circuit 9 can light in a random or controlled pattern under the control of CPU 1 at other times, for example as an adjunct to the visual effects displayed on the LCD display 8 and generated by the CPU 1 in synchronism with sound effects emitted by the sound output device 10. The combination of sound effects and flashing LEDs with the visual effects on the LCD display 8 may, for example, be designed to lend a robotic feeling to the watch. Other instances when all three LEDs may flash are upon activating the time display by pressing button B as will be described, and when the CPU 1 triggers sleep mode upon operation of the eightsecond timeout. In both cases, an animation appears on the LCD display 8 under control of the CPU 1.

Referring now to Figure 2 in addition to Figure 1, the flow diagram therein starts with the watch being picked up after a lengthy period of stillness and inactivity such as overnight while its owner is asleep and is not wearing the watch. When the watch is picked up in the morning, the motion sensor switch 6 sends an input to the CPU 1. CPU 1 implements timeout means adapted to enable a predetermined display response in the form of a start/wake up greeting 13 when such an input from the motion sensor switch 6 is received after a predetermined period of, say, six hours. The start/wake up greeting 13 may include visual and audio outputs from the LED circuit 9 and the sound output device 10.

Following the start/wake up greeting 13, the watch displays the time at 14 in numerals that scroll across the LCD display 8 in a manner to be described later. After eight seconds without either button A or B being pressed, further timeout means implemented by the CPU 1 sends the watch into sleep mode in which, as mentioned above, the LCD display 8 is off but one of the LEDs of the LED circuit 9 may flash occasionally to show that all is well. Also during sleep mode, a so-called screen saver mode 15 is activated in which, every minute, one of eight randomly selected animations appears fleetingly on the LCD display 8.

The watch reverts to this screen saver mode 15 from any status described hereafter, whenever eight seconds elapse without either button A or B being pressed. The user wakes the watch from screen saver mode 15 by pressing either button A or B, depending upon the mode selection required. Broadly, button A is for mode selection and button B is for mode confirmation, that is, to confirm that a mode selected by pressing button A is the mode desired. However, it will be seen that, initially, button B takes the watch from screen saver mode 15 into time display mode 16 and button A takes the watch from screen saver mode 15 or from time display mode 16 into mode selection 17.

Mode selection 17 starts with decision-making mode 18 and, with repeated presses of button A, direction mode 19, alarm mode 20, time setting mode 21 and sound on/off mode 22. These modes 18 to 22 will be described now in more detail before reverting to a detailed description of time display mode 16.

Decision-making mode 18 is signified by a suitable animation in LCD display 8, for example a rotating question mark. Pressing button B at this juncture triggers one of three decision-making displays under control of the CPU 1 that causes the LCD display 8 to illustrate a selection process culminating in one of two outcomes-X or O, akin to heads or tails of a coin. These displays may reflect truly random generation of outcomes or may be looked up by the CPU 1 from a stored table of possibilities. When in decisionmaking mode 18, each press of button B brings up one of the three decision-making displays in turn or at random.

Two decision-making displays involve comparison between numbers of Xs and Os displayed, the larger displayed number determining the selected outcome. One such display sees a group of Xs and a group of Os meeting on the LCD display 8, and the other sees Xs and Os appearing in alternating fashion within a grid that divides the LCD display 8 into nine parts, analogous to a game of noughts and crosses.

Neither of the abovementioned decision-making displays can be influenced by a user and so they need not be discussed in further detail. However, an aspect of the invention lies in a third decision-making display illustrated in the sequence of Figures 3 (a) to 3 (c), which simulates a reel-based mechanical game of chance apparatus such as a slot machine and so displays a moving image representing a spinning reel of a slot machine bearing an alternating X O X O X O X... sequence.

In Figures 3 (a) to 3 (c), a matrix 23 being part of the LCD display 8 has columns 24 and rows 25. The images of the Xs 26 and the Os 27 scroll downwardly in alternating fashion along the columns 24 and hence across the rows 25. The virtual reel thus represented gradually slows to a halt to indicate the selected outcome which will either be an X 26 or an O 27: an X 26 is the outcome in the example shown in Figure 3 (c).

This third decision-making display allows input from the motion sensor switch 6 when the watch is shaken by a user while the decision-making display is running. The input from the motion sensor switch 6 causes the CPU 1 to influence the decision-making display shown on the matrix 23, thus simulating illicit motion of a slot machine.

Specifically, as the reel gradually slows down, shaking the watch activates the motion sensor switch 6 and the resulting signal to the CPU 1 tells the CPU 1 to interrupt or reset the slowing-down process. In this way, shaking the watch changes the apparent spinning speed of the reel or the duration of spinning and so gives the user the impression of influencing the outcome. To limit the length of spinning, this facility for interrupting or delaying the slowing-down process of the reel is preferably limited to two occasions on each spin of the reel.

The matrix shape illustrated in Figures 3 (a) to 3 (c) above and in Figure 4, Figures 5 (a) to 5 (c) and Figure 9 below embodies a further aspect of the invention which will now be discussed. It is emphasised that the matrix 23 shown in these Figures is a somewhat coarse representation for illustrative purposes. A real matrix will generally have many more pixels within the same area and hence much higher resolution. It is also envisaged that a real matrix could display images as light pixels on a dark background rather than vice versa as illustrated.

As has been mentioned and in common with typical rectangular matrices, the matrix 23 comprises an array of pixels disposed in intersecting rows 25 and columns 24 but in accordance with this aspect of the invention, the width of the rows 25 and the columns 24 varies progressively moving along a row 25 from column to column and moving along a column 24 from row to row.

Specifically, it will be seen that in the embodiment illustrated, the matrix 23 is elliptical and that the sides or edges of the columns 24 and rows 25 are defined by part-elliptical lines 28 whose average radius of curvature becomes smaller approaching the elliptical periphery of the matrix 23. This creates a matrix 23 laid out in a manner akin to lines of longitude and latitude in a two-dimensional projection of an oblate globe, the columns being symmetrical about a meridian 29 and the rows being symmetrical about an equator 30.

Thus, each succeeding column 24 or row 25 moving away from the centre is more acutely curved than the preceding column 24 or row 25. The rows 25 and the columns 24 are therefore relatively narrow in a peripheral region of the matrix 23 and are relatively wide in a central region of the matrix 23.

As the size of a given pixel is determined by the widths at the point of intersection of the column 24 and of the row 25 that both contain that pixel, the result is that relatively small pixels are disposed peripherally around a central core of larger pixels. The progression in pixel size is gradual, in accordance with the gradual progression in width of the columns 24 and rows 25.

Figures 3 (a) to 3 (c) and Figures 5 (a) to 5 (c) show how different images scroll across the display along a group of columns or along a group of rows disposed beside one another, and how the images are distorted as they move from one side of the display to the other.

An image progresses row by row along a group of columns 24 as in Figures 3 (a) to 3 (c) or conversely column by column along a group of rows 25 as in Figures 5 (a) to 5 (c), thus moving in both cases from the periphery to the centre and then to the opposite periphery. During that movement, the pixels become progressively larger as the image moves inwardly from the periphery until, after passing through the centre of the display, the pixels become progressively smaller as the image moves outwardly toward the opposite periphery. The effect is similar to scanning across a stationary image with a fish-eye lens.

Viewed in method terms, the image may be thought of as a plurality of image elements that together define the image. The image elements are arranged in lines that extend across the direction of scrolling and hence along the rows 25 or along the columns 24, depending upon the direction of scrolling. Each image element is defined in turn by the visible state (on or off) of a respective pixel of the matrix 23, whereby movement of the image equates to stepwise movement of the line of image elements from pixel to pixel along a group of rows 25 or columns 24 of the matrix 23.

As successive pixels in a row 25 or column 24 are of different sizes, they cause a corresponding change in the size of the image element during the pixel to pixel movement within that row 25 or column 24. It follows that as the lines that make up the image are themselves made up of image elements, these changes in pixel size cause a corresponding change in the length of the line of image elements and hence in the overall size of the image itself. This change in size is particularly evident upon following the numeral'5'through the sequence of Figures 5 (a) to 5 (c), by way of example.

Moving on now to direction mode 19, this is akin to the decision-making mode 18 in that one of three direction-indicating displays appear on the LCD display 8 under control of the CPU 1, each of which illustrates a selection process. In this instance, the selection process culminates in one of four outcomes being one of four direction arrows :'left', 'right','ahead'and'back'. As with decision-making mode 18, these displays may reflect truly random generation of outcomes or may be looked up by the CPU 1 from a stored table of possibilities; also, when in direction mode 19, each press of button B brings up one of the three direction-indicating displays in turn or at random.

None of the three direction-indicating displays can be influenced by a user shaking the watch and so will not be discussed at any length here, save to say that all of them involve spinning arrows during the selection process whose movement could, if the designer was so minded to program the CPU 1 accordingly, be influenced by input from the motion sensor switch 6. An example of a direction-indicating display is shown in Figure 4 and comprises an arrow 31 that appears to turn about a central pivot 32. This display decides upon one of the four possible direction outcomes in accordance with where the arrow stops: in Figure 4, this has already been decided as the direction'right'.

Unless sound is turned off as will be described below, both the decision-making and direction-indicating displays will be accompanied by sound effects. For example, these sound effects may include clicking to indicate scrolling from one character to the next in the decision-making display that simulates a reel of a slot machine. Such a sound effect serves as an audible confirmation of the movement of the reel and of the effect upon that movenment of shaking the watch.

The next press of button A brings in the alarm mode 20 in which firstly a press of button B enables the digits of the alarm time to be set, a press of button A shifting to the next digit after the digit before has been set. When the alarm time has been set in this way, a set of three alarm tune options is offered, each with its own display on LCD display 8 and sequence of LEDs of LED circuit 9. Each alarm tune option is presented in turn upon pressing button B and a fourth option is alarm off, also obtained by pressing button B and confirmed in the LCD display 8.

The operation of time setting mode 21 obtained on the next press of button A is akin to alarm mode 20 described above, in that firstly a press of button B enables the digits of the current time to be set and then each press of button A shifts to the next digit after the digit before has been set. The calendar is set in similar fashion within time setting mode 21.

The final mode obtained by repeated pressing of button A is sound on/off mode 22 in which, as the name suggests, a press of button B turns the sound facility of the watch on, if previously off, and off, if previously on. When off, sound output device 10 is disabled and so the watch will remain silent instead of adding sound effects to the visual LCD display that accompanies, for example, the decision-making process. However, confirmatory beeps will remain upon pressing button A or B and the alarm function will be determined solely by the alarm mode 20 described above.

Reverting now to a detailed description of the time display mode 16, it will be recalled that, initially, button B is pressed to take the watch from screen saver mode 15 to time display mode 16. When in that time display mode 16, the watch will usually enter normal time display mode 33 in which a short LCD animation accompanied by an LED display, optionally with sound, precedes a time display on the matrix 23. There are four different types of LCD animation in this respect and the watch cycles between them every two hours for variety.

The time is displayed by digits and letters such as'5 : 20 PM'that, in one animation option, scrolls onto the matrix 23 as the last part of the animation, as shown in the sequence of Figures 5 (a) to 5 (c). In alternative animation options, the digits can materialise in situ from pixels that appear in turn to define the digits, or in any other suitably striking way. A press of button B at this juncture will call up the date of the calendar and a further press of button B will display the day of the calendar.

At random, about once in every five times that the time display mode 16 is accessed, the watch lapses into a so-called naughty mode 34 in which the digits of the time display are further distorted by the systematic and rapid activation and deactivation of pixels, for example pixels situated around the pixels that normally define the digits. This causes the digits to shake or appear fuzzy, in some cases creating a virtual or wavy image of the digits akin to viewing the digits as a mirage or through water droplets. The watch can also be put into naughty mode for display or demonstration purposes by pressing both buttons A and B together when in the normal time display mode 33.

Naughty mode 34 involves random selection by the CPU 1 of one of a set of stored pixel control regimes. Its operation will now be explained in more detail.

As is well known, an LCD display works by turning a pixel either on or off as appropriate for a desired image. The display has several and preferably very many pixels arranged in a matrix that are each switched on or off as necessary to construct the desired image and, if required, apparently to move that image across the display. Until the present invention, the aim has been to ensure, above all, that the image is stable and crisply defined.

In naughty mode 34, the invention cycles certain pixels on and off at a high cycle speed that exploits the viewer's persistence of vision and the relatively slow response speed of LCD technology to create interesting visual effects. For example, altering the speed of writing from the CPU to each pixel either together with or independently of other pixels can vary the apparent shaking speed or fuzziness of the image, to greater dynamic effect.

Also, the cycling can be at a frequency that ensures that a pixel does not flicker visibly but instead presents a resting image. With suitably fast apparent movement, the resting image may look much the same as an on or off pixel.

Generally, an LCD pixel is refreshed at a frequency of between 32 Hz and 2 kHz, depending upon whether TN, HTN or STN technology is used. Taking 32 Hz as an example, this means that the shortest time a pixel will remain on or off is around 31 ms: 31.25 ms to be exact. If a graphic image is moved on the LCD display, say one row of pixels left and right, and is moved very quickly so that each movement takes less time than 31.25 ms, the image appears distorted by being expanded or contracted horizontally because there is not enough time for pixels in the rows to the left and right to turn off or on. Some pixels on the display seem to rest and a distorted graphic results.

As an example, Figures 6 (a) to 6 (d) and Figure 7 illustrate the application of this aspect of the invention to a simple LCD dot matrix display 35 of, say, 32 x 20 pixels in a regular rectangular matrix of horizontal rows and vertical columns. This known display 35 is used here for illustrative purposes only and it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the principles to be described in relation to the display 35 can be transferred readily to the matrix 23 described above.

Figure 6 (a) shows a time image'12: 34' centred in the display 35, Figure 6 (b) shows the image shifted horizontally one column to the right, Figure 6 (c) shows the image shifted back to the centre again and Figure 6 (d) shows the image shifted horizontally one column to the left. The image then returns to the centre and so on. Thus, Figures 6 (a) to 6 (d) illustrate a cycle of image movement with each step within the cycle preferably taking less than 31.25 ms in the example discussed. Proceeding though the cycle at this speed causes effects like those shown in the images of Figure 7, where it can be seen that not only is there the appearance of horizontal shaking, but also the verticallyextending portions of the numerals become thicker and thinner.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that this technique can be adapted readily to produce vertical shaking by moving the displayed image up and down by one or more rows. It will also be evident that vertical and horizontal shaking can be combined to produce a composite shaking effect.

Still further interesting effects can be generated by varying the pixel write speed across the display during the write process. If performed on groups of pixels such as columns or rows and if the variation in write speed is applied progressively column-by-column or row-by-row, this variation can create waves of distortion sweeping across the display.

If variation is performed on individual pixels so that the write speed of an individual pixel is varied in comparison with neighbouring pixels, distortion is still more localised so that each numeral, for example, is heavily distorted as shown in the images of Figure 8. The numerals themselves may appear to move like waves.

Returning from naughty mode 34 to normal time display mode 33 can be achieved by shaking the watch, thus causing the motion sensor switch 6 to give a triggering input to the CPU 1, or by pressing button B. The display on the matrix 23 then gradually returns to normal.

As in all modes, reversion to sleep mode from normal time display mode or naughty mode occurs when neither button A nor button B is pressed within eight seconds. This is preceded by a short round-up animation on the matrix 23, accompanied by an LED display from the LED circuit 9.

Referring finally to Figure 9, the matrix 23 illustrated therein displays a check pattern 36. This pattern 36 has been selected as an example to show how the distortion apparently increases in the peripheral regions of the display, thus producing the crystal ball effect mentioned previously.

Many variations are possible without departing from the inventive concepts defined herein. Accordingly, reference should be made to the accompanying claims and other conceptual statements herein rather than to the foregoing specific description to determine the scope of the inventive concepts.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A display comprising a matrix of pixels arrayed in intersecting rows and columns, the width of the rows and/or the columns varying progressively moving along a row from column to column or along a column from row to row.
2. The display of Claim 1, wherein the width of both the rows and the columns varies progressively moving along a row from column to column and along a column from row to row.
3. The display of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the rows and/or the columns are at a minimum width in a peripheral region of the display and are at a maximum width in a central region of the display.
4. The display of any preceding Claim, wherein the columns and rows are grouped sideby-side but are not parallel to each other.
5. The display of any preceding Claim, wherein curved sides or edges defining a row or a column curve together moving toward the ends of the row or column and curve apart moving toward the centre of the row or column.
6. The display of any preceding Claim, wherein each succeeding column or row moving away from the centre of the matrix is more acutely curved that the inwardly preceding column or row.
7. The display of Claim 6, wherein the columns or rows are defined by part-elliptical lines whose average radius of curvature becomes smaller approaching the periphery.
8. The display of any preceding claim, wherein the matrix defines lines of longitude and latitude akin to a two-dimensional projection of a globe.
9. The display of claim 8, wherein the globe is oblate.
10. The display of Claim 8 or Claim 9, wherein columns are symmetrically disposed about a meridian and rows are symmetrically disposed about an equator.
11. A method of moving an image across a pixel matrix display, the image being defined by a plurality of image elements each defined by the visible state of a respective pixel of the matrix and the image moving by stepwise movement of image elements from pixel to pixel along a row or column of the matrix, wherein pixels in a row or column are of different sizes and cause a corresponding change in the size of the image element during the pixel to pixel movement.
12. The method of Claim 11, wherein three or more pixels of a row or column define a progressive variation of pixel size within the row or column.
13. A method of moving an image across a pixel matrix display, the image being defined by a plurality of image elements each defined by the visible state of a respective pixel of the matrix and the image moving by stepwise pixel to pixel movement of a line of image elements along a group of rows or columns of the matrix, wherein pixels in a row or column are of different sizes and cause a corresponding change in the length of the line of image elements during the pixel to pixel movement.
14. A game of chance device including display means for displaying a moving image to illustrate a process of selection among possible outcomes, and motion sensor means acting upon the display means to influence the illustrated selection process in response to motion of the device.
15. The device of Claim 14 wherein the moving image simulates a reel-based slot machine.
16. The device of Claim 14 or Claim 15 and being in the form of a watch that activates the motion sensor upon being shaken.
17. The device of any of Claims 14 to 16, wherein the motion sensor acts upon the display means via a suitable display controller to alter speed or duration of movement of the moving image.
18. A device including a display controlled by a display controller to display an image and further including a motion sensor arranged to detect motion of the device, the display controller taking a control input from the motion sensor and being arranged to manipulate the image displayed by the display in response to motion of the device detected by the motion sensor.
19. A portable display device adapted to be worn or carried about the person, the device comprising a display controlled by a display controller to display an image and further including a motion sensor arranged to detect motion of the device, the display controller taking a control input from the motion sensor and being arranged to generate a predetermined display response upon motion of the device after a predetermined period without motion of the device.
20. The device of Claim 19, wherein the predetermined period represents inactivity overnight.
21. The device of Claim 19 or Claim 20, wherein the display controller includes timeout means adapted to enable the predetermined display response and further includes means responsive to the motion sensor to trigger the enabled predetermined display response when motion of the device is detected.
22. A method of manipulating an image displayed on a matrix display, the method comprising cyclically activating and deactivating pixels adjacent the pixels that define the image.
23. The method of Claim 22, wherein activating and deactivating pixels moves the displayed image up and down or side to side by one or more rows or columns of the matrix.
24. The method of Claim 22 or Claim 23, wherein the displayed image is moved both up and down and side to side by one or more rows and columns of the matrix.
25. The method of any of Claims 22 to 24, further comprising varying the speed of writing to the matrix display from a display controller.
26. The method of Claim 25, wherein the pixel write speed is varied across the display during the write process.
27. The method of Claim 25 or Claim 26, wherein the speed of writing to groups of pixels is varied.
28. The method of Claim 27, wherein the groups of pixels are columns or rows.
29. The method of Claim 28, wherein said variation is applied progressively column-bycolumn or row-by-row.
30. The method of any of Claims 25 to 29 wherein said variation is performed on individual pixels so that the speed of writing to individual pixels is varied in comparison with neighbouring pixels.
31. The method of any of Claims 22 to 30, wherein activation and deactivation take place at a higher frequency than the pixel refresh rate.
32. A device such a watch incorporating the display of any of Claims 1 to 10 or operating according to the method of any of Claims 11 to 13 or 22 to 31.
33. A display, a device or a method, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.