JP2004062052A - Device, casing, and outer package - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device whose appearance can be freely changed without refinishing painting, replacing an outer package and the like. <P>SOLUTION: The device 1 is a display device for a computer and formed by housing a liquid crystal display panel 2, a driving circuit and the like in a casing 3. A front panel part 3a of the casing 3 is provided with a front panel base body 5, a nonvolatile display medium 6, and a cover 7 formed by using a material satisfactorily transmitting a visible ray. The nonvolatile display medium 6 is driven by the driving circuit for the nonvolatile display medium in the device 1. The driving circuit is connected to a computer main body together with the driving circuit for the liquid crystal display panel 2 and the nonvolatile display medium 6 is driven by the driving circuit according to a control signal from the computer main body. A program for making the nonvolatile display medium 6 display an optional image and color tone is installed in the computer main body and the color tone and the pattern of the front panel part 3a can be changed by operating an input device such as a mouse and changing the image and the color tone to be displayed by the nonvolatile display medium 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus, a housing, and an exterior body whose appearance can be freely changed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
JP-A-11-252229 and JP-A-2002-125022 disclose a mobile phone having a detachable exterior body (design panel, decorative panel). According to these mobile phones, the appearance of the mobile phone can be changed by replacing the exterior body.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional mobile phone, even if a manufacturer prepares various types of exterior bodies having different colors and patterns, the number of types is naturally limited, so that it is possible to respond to all user preferences. difficult. In addition, it is disadvantageous in terms of cost to provide various types of exterior bodies for each type of mobile phone.
[0004]
Therefore, an object to be solved by the present invention is to provide a mobile phone, a watch, and other devices and devices that can freely change the appearance without performing replacement of an exterior body, repainting, or replacement of an exterior seal. The present invention provides a housing and an exterior body.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0006]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following solutions.
[0007]
An apparatus according to the present invention includes a non-volatile display medium whose housing can hold an image displayed at the time of power supply even after power supply is stopped, and changes an image or a color tone displayed on the non-volatile display medium. Thereby, the external appearance can be changed. This device can change the color tone and pattern of the housing by changing the image and color to be displayed on the non-volatile display medium which is a component of the housing, and can freely change its appearance.
[0008]
Here, the housing is not limited to a housing in the field of computers, 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 housing includes the nonvolatile display medium means that the housing includes the nonvolatile display medium as a component of the housing itself, and the nonvolatile display medium is provided inside the housing. It does not mean that it is accommodated in the same (the same applies hereinafter). A device in which a non-volatile display medium is housed in a housing belongs to a conventional device, like a display device in which another display medium (LCD, CRT, etc.) is housed in a housing. Although the description will be a little confusing, the conventional device in which the non-volatile display medium is housed in the housing is a non-volatile component that is separate from the housing in order to realize the non-volatile display function as the main function of the device. The 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 housing itself of the device in order to realize a function of freely changing its appearance as an additional function of the device. .
[0009]
The housing according to the present invention includes a nonvolatile display medium capable of holding an image displayed at the time of power supply even after the power supply is stopped, and changing an image or color to be displayed on the nonvolatile display medium, thereby It is configured so that the appearance can be changed. This housing can change the color tone and pattern of the housing by changing the image and color to be displayed on the non-volatile display medium which is a constituent element thereof, and can freely change the appearance of the device.
[0010]
The exterior body according to the present invention is an exterior body attached to an outer surface portion of a housing of the device, the exterior body including a nonvolatile display medium capable of holding an image displayed during power supply even after power supply is stopped, By changing the image or the color to be displayed on the sexual display medium, the appearance thereof can be changed. This exterior body can change the color tone and pattern of the exterior body by changing the image and color to be displayed on the non-volatile display medium which is a constituent element thereof, and can freely change the appearance of the device.
[0011]
When the exterior body according to the present invention is applied to a decorative panel (design panel) attached to the outer surface of the housing of the apparatus mainly for the purpose of decoration, images and color to be displayed on a non-volatile display medium as a constituent element thereof By changing the color, the color tone and pattern can be freely changed, so that there is no need to replace the decorative panel to change the appearance of the device.
[0012]
A timepiece according to the present invention has a non-volatile display medium capable of holding an image displayed at the time of power supply even after power supply is stopped, provided or built in a dial. This timepiece can freely change the color tone and pattern of the dial by changing the image and color to be displayed on the non-volatile display medium which is a component of the dial.
[0013]
The non-volatile display medium included in the housing, the exterior body, or the clock face of the present invention includes an electrophoretic electronic paper, a twisted ball electronic paper, and an electronic paper using a ferroelectric liquid crystal. Non-volatile display media used for paper and the like are included. Electrophoretic e-paper seals toner particles charged either positively or negatively so that they can be electrophoresed and collects or retracts in the pixel area by an electric field applied from the outside, so that any image can be displayed. This is an electronic paper configured as follows. Twisted ball-type electronic paper is capable of displaying any image by controlling the direction of each spherical particle by controlling the direction of each spherical particle by charging a large number of small spherical particles in different colors for each hemisphere and charging them in a dipole state. E-paper. This type of electronic paper can rewrite an image to be displayed many times. Moreover, there is an advantage that the displayed image can be held without supplying power from the outside.
[0014]
These electronic papers are known in the art (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-169190, "Electrophoresis Apparatus, Electronic Paper Using the Same, Electronic Book Apparatus Using Electronic Paper, and Method of Manufacturing Same"), and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-163257. Presentation method, information presentation system and information terminal ", JP-A-2002-099221," Display device, electronic paper and electronic-paper file ", JP-A-2002-091749," System, method and program for document reference ", JP-A-2002-091749 024865 “Information update system”, JP-A-2002-024570 “Content information output device”, JP-A-2002-018362 “Destination information display body”, JP-A-2001-312250 “Electronic paper and electronic paper file”, JP-A-2001-313227 "Electronic paper file", JP-A-2001-31 1931 “Electronic paper, electronic paper file and electronic pen”, JP-A-2001-270145 “Printer and its head”, JP-A-2001-209760 “Reusable electronic paper”, JP-A-2001-167285 “Electronic paper surface creation system and "Electronic space creation method", JP-A-2001-167180, "Electronic advertisement method and electronic advertisement system", JP-A-2001-092387, "Image display method, image display device, and image display medium", JP-A-2000-187253, "Ferrofluidic" Electric Paper ", JP-A-2000-127478," Printer for Electronic Paper ", JP-A-11-327470," Method for Forming Multicolored Spheres for Electronic Paper Display ", etc.).
[0015]
The development status of electronic paper at the time of filing the present application is generally as follows.
Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. has a display that can be transferred and rewritten by applying high-energy externally, such as negative ions or heat, to micro-particle liquid crystal on a paper-like base. Developing media. A dedicated rewriting device is used for rewriting. At present, the transfer speed is about the same as that of the thermal fax, but the major feature is that electronic paper can be cut freely and used. It is thought that rewritable display media will be introduced in limited areas, such as posters for announcements at museums and advertisements hanging on trains, and then gradually spread to the general public.
[0016]
“Paper-like display” of Canon Inc. displays characters and images by electrically moving colored particles dispersed on a substrate by a method called an in-plane type electrophoretic display. As with the liquid crystal display, the displayed contents can be easily rewritten. Moreover, even if the power is turned off, the display remains as it is. If three layers of each color of cyan, magenta, and yellow are stacked in three layers, it is easy to support full-color display.
[0017]
The one developed by Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. is one in which an electric circuit and a display medium are integrated, and the resolution of the display is determined by the number of electrodes. It is characterized by being more flexible, consuming less power and having a much wider viewing angle than existing displays. It is expected that it will be used as a display for PDAs, mobile phones, and e-book readers in the future. It can also be used as an advertising medium whose display content changes according to time and place.
[0018]
The biggest feature of "Optical Address Electronic Paper" developed by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. is that the writing device and the display medium are separated like the relationship between printer and paper. As a result, we succeeded in making electronic paper, which is a display medium, simple, light, and as thin as paper. Although electronic paper itself cannot be electrically rewritten alone like a display, it has the advantages of paper, but it will be a new medium that fills the gap between paper and display as a medium that can retrieve and rewrite information instantaneously while having the advantage of paper. It is considered.
[0019]
E. Inc. of the United States and Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands have succeeded in developing the world's first "high-resolution active matrix driven color electronic paper" using electronic ink.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
[0021]
1A and 1B are front views showing an example of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention. The device 1 is a display device of a computer, and includes a liquid crystal display panel 2 and a drive circuit (not shown) housed in a housing 3. The housing 3 is supported on a table by legs 4.
[0022]
FIG. 1B is a perspective sectional view of a frame portion surrounding a front panel 3 a of the housing 3, that is, a display of the liquid crystal display panel 2. The front panel 3a of the housing 3 includes a resin front panel base (panel body) 5 joined to a rear panel (not shown), a non-volatile display medium 6 provided on the front of the front panel base 5, And a cover 7 that covers the nonvolatile display medium 6. The cover 7 is formed of a material (acryl, glass, etc.) that transmits visible light well, and the display area of the nonvolatile display medium 6 can be seen through the cover 7.
[0023]
The non-volatile display medium 6 is a non-volatile display medium similar to that used for electrophoretic electronic paper, twisted ball electronic paper, ferroelectric liquid crystal electronic paper, and the like. (Multi-color) display is possible. Since a known nonvolatile display medium itself can be used, a detailed description of its structure is omitted, but basically, the nonvolatile display medium 34 and the nonvolatile display medium 34 shown in FIG. It has the same structure.
[0024]
The nonvolatile display medium 6 is driven by a drive circuit for the nonvolatile display medium in the device 1. The drive circuit for the nonvolatile 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 nonvolatile display medium 6 according to a control signal from the computer main body. A program for displaying an arbitrary image on the nonvolatile display medium 6 (hereinafter, referred to as a “dress-up application”) is installed in the computer main body, and an input device (keyboard, mouse, etc., not shown) not shown. By operating the user, a desired image can be selected from an image created by the user or an image prepared in advance and displayed on the nonvolatile display medium 6. At that time, the operation screen or the input screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2 of the device 1.
[0025]
2A to 2H show an operation example of the device 1. FIG. 2A shows a state in which the power is off. The display color of the nonvolatile display medium 6 in the initial state (at the time of product shipment) is the same color as the front panel substrate 5 (white in this example), and the pattern is blank.
[0026]
With the power of the device 1 turned on, the computer main body to which the device 1 is connected is started, and the installed dress-up application is started. As shown in FIG. 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 a 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.
[0027]
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 number of color selection buttons 10-1 to 10-n for selecting a desired color from various color tones, a determination (OK) button 11, and a return button 12 are displayed. . By clicking a color selection button of a desired color, the background color of the display area of the selected nonvolatile display medium 6 can be set to a desired color.
[0028]
For example, when the color selection button 10-2 of "black" 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 becomes black. At the same time, an operation screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2. On this operation screen, 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. 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.
[0029]
Even after the dress-up application ends, the background color of the display area of the non-volatile display medium 6 is maintained as the color tone set on the color selection screen of FIG. 2C, that is, black in the above example. It is kept as it is after the power is turned off. Therefore, unless the background color of the display area of the nonvolatile 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.
[0030]
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 number of pattern selection buttons 15-1 to 15-n for selecting a desired pattern from various patterns, a determination (OK) button 16, and a return button 17 are displayed. . By clicking the pattern selection button of the desired pattern, the pattern to be displayed on the nonvolatile display medium 6 can be set to the desired pattern.
[0031]
For example, when the “tiger pattern” pattern selection button 15-2 is clicked, a tiger pattern 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 device 1 becomes a tiger pattern. It may look like a leopard print, but it can be a tiger, leopard, zebra, giraffe or whatever. In short, the pattern on the front surface of the housing 3 of the device 1 is the pattern selected on the pattern selection screen in FIG. At the same time, the same operation screen as that of FIG. 2D is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 2.
[0032]
Even after the dress-up application ends, the pattern displayed on the non-volatile display medium 6 is held as the pattern set on the pattern selection screen of FIG. 2F, that is, the tiger pattern in the above example. 1 is kept as it is even after the power supply is turned off. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2 (h), the pattern on the front surface of the housing 3 of the device 1 is maintained as a tiger pattern unless the display pattern is changed again by the dress-up application.
[0033]
As described above, in the device 1 of this embodiment, the color tone and the 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 visibly incorporated in the housing 3. Can be changed freely.
[0034]
In the above example, the color tone and the pattern can be changed only on the front surface of the housing 3 of the device 1. However, if the entire housing 3 has the same structure as the front surface of the front panel 3a, the nonvolatile display If the medium 6 is incorporated in the entire housing 3 and its surface is covered with a cover that transmits visible light well, the overall color tone and pattern of the housing 3 can be freely changed.
[0035]
Further, in the above example, the non-volatile display medium 6 is built in the entire front part of the front panel part 3a, but may be built in only a part of the front part of the front panel part 3a.
[0036]
Further, the image displayed on the nonvolatile display medium 6 may be not only a pattern but also character information. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, character information such as a work schedule or a memo can be displayed. Since the display is kept as it is even after the power of the apparatus 1 is turned off, it can be used instead of a sticky note.
[0037]
Further, an arbitrary image may be directly written with a dedicated electronic pen. As this type of electronic pen, the state of the pixels of the nonvolatile display medium 6 (the position of the toner, the orientation of the colored particles, the Orientation, etc.). An arbitrary image can be written by providing a transparent electrode on the surface of the cover covering the nonvolatile display medium 6 for detecting contact with the pen tip, and changing the state of the pixel at the location where the pen tip approaches or contacts 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 power of the apparatus 1 is turned off.
[0038]
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, for example, a mobile phone (regardless of a stick type or a foldable type; a PHS terminal, a satellite phone, IP phones, portable information terminals, audio equipment (CD players, MD players, DVD players, speakers, etc.), electronic dictionaries, electronic books, watches (wristwatches, wall clocks, stationary clocks), cameras (silver) Cameras using salt films, digital still cameras, digital movie cameras, fixed telephones (home telephones, office telephones, public telephones), wearable computers, computer bodies (regardless of stationary and portable types), stationary Type computer CRT display device, organic EL display Device, computer input device (mouse, keyboard, stick, etc.), printer, television receiver (whether stationary or wall mounted. CRT display, liquid crystal display, plasma display, organic EL display, field emission display or plasma display) ), Video game consoles, video game consoles, refrigerators (including refrigerators and freezers, including electronic cooling, laser cooling and other cooling systems), washing machines (single tubs) Type, double tank type, including those with drying function), clothes dryer, iron, air conditioner, electric fan, toilet seat with anal washing function, electromagnetic cooker (including microwave, oven), remote Controllers, vehicle navigation devices, toys (robots, vehicles, building blocks) Lock, etc.), vehicles (private cars, buses, tanks, armored vehicles, etc.), the flying device (aircraft, fighter, helicopter, etc.) is effectively applicable to such.
[0039]
When the device according to the present invention is applied to a mobile phone, the appearance (color and pattern) of the mobile phone can be freely changed without changing the exterior body, repainting, or replacing the exterior seal as in the related art. be able to. The non-volatile display medium incorporated in the housing of the mobile phone can be driven by a drive circuit in the mobile phone, or can be driven by a computer installed at a service base (store, service center, etc.) or a computer owned by a user. It may be driven. When driven by the drive 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 favorite pattern or character and use it for the appearance of the mobile phone. It is also possible to develop a new service such as a service for creating a dress-up image of a mobile phone or a distribution service.
[0040]
In addition, when the device 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 clothing at that time. Further, if a cloth having a non-volatile display medium incorporated in the clothing material, for example, a surface material of the jacket, is used, the color tone and pattern of the jacket can be freely changed. For example, in a city area, the color and pattern of a general business suit may be used, and in a mountain area or a jungle, a camouflage color may be used. It's unlikely that many people will use it this way, but I can't say without it.
[0041]
In addition, when the apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a camera, the appearance (color tone and pattern) of the camera can be freely changed according to the user's clothing and shooting location at that time. In the case of a digital still camera or a digital video camera, an image is displayed on a non-volatile display medium built into the housing of the camera according to the color tone or pattern of a subject imaged by an image sensor (CCD, C-MOS sensor, etc.) of the camera. By changing the image and the color tone, the appearance of the camera can be changed. In the case of a mobile phone equipped with an image sensor, an image and a color to be displayed on a non-volatile display medium built in the housing of the mobile phone are changed according to a color and a pattern of a subject imaged by the image sensor of the mobile phone. Thereby, the appearance of the mobile phone can be changed.
[0042]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a device configuration when the device of the present invention is applied to a device having an image sensor (digital still camera, digital video camera, mobile phone, notebook computer, etc.). An 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 the signal into 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 the state of each pixel of the nonvolatile display medium 28 in accordance with 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, or pattern is displayed. Therefore, according to this device, an image of the subject 23 or an image, a color tone, or a pattern corresponding to the color tone or the pattern of the subject 23 can be displayed on the housing of the device. For example, an image of a family or a pet captured by the image sensor 21 is displayed on a housing of a mobile phone or a laptop computer, or a pattern of clothes captured by the image sensor 21 is displayed on a housing of the mobile phone. can do.
[0043]
Further, when the apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a refrigerator, the color tone and the pattern of the refrigerator can be freely changed according to the color tone and the pattern of the floor and walls of the kitchen and the color tone and the pattern of other devices (such as an electromagnetic cooker). can do. The image displayed on the non-volatile display medium built into the refrigerator housing may be not only a pattern but also text information. Can be displayed. Since the non-volatile display medium can hold the displayed image even after power supply, power consumption can be reduced as compared with a case where the same type of function is realized by a liquid crystal display panel. Even if a power failure occurs, messages displayed on the refrigerator door will not disappear.
[0044]
Further, when the device according to the present invention is applied to an indoor unit for air conditioning, the color tone and pattern of the indoor unit are changed to the color tone and pattern of the floor and wall of the room and other objects (other electrical products and furniture, etc.). It can be changed freely according to the color tone and pattern. Further, the color tone and pattern of the indoor unit can be freely changed according to the season, the mood at that time, and the like.
[0045]
In addition, when the device according to the present invention is applied to a stationary clock or a wall clock, the color or pattern of the stationary clock or the wall clock is changed to the color or pattern of a floor or a wall of a room, and other objects (other electrical products and 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 the wall clock can be freely changed according to the season and the mood at that time. Also, if a non-volatile display medium is built into the dial of a wristwatch, a stationary clock, or a 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, the pattern, the character design, and the like of the dial 29 can be freely changed without replacing the seal.
[0046]
Further, when the device according to the present invention is applied to a toilet seat with an anal washing function, the color and pattern of the toilet seat with an anal washing function are changed to the color and pattern of the floor and wall of the toilet, and other objects (toilet, tank, dressing table, Etc.) can be freely changed according to the color tone and pattern.
[0047]
In addition, 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 in accordance with the color tone and pattern of the wall, ceiling, floor, and the like of the room. In addition, the color tone and pattern of the wall-mounted television can be freely changed according to the season and the 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 of the room.
[0048]
When the device 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 the pattern of the remote controller can be freely changed. The image displayed on the non-volatile display medium provided inside the housing of the remote controller may be not only a pattern but also text information. For example, a text such as a TV broadcast program or an operation method of a video recording / reproducing apparatus may be used. Information can also be displayed.
[0049]
In the above embodiments, the apparatus and the housing according to the present invention have been described. By changing the image and the color tone to be changed, the color tone and the 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 device.
[0050]
FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment in which 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 an 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 has a display medium layer 37 of an electrophoresis type, a twist ball type or a type using a ferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched between two holding sheets 36a and 36b which are 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 well. 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 opposing surfaces of the holding sheets 36a and 36b, and the polarity of the pixel electrodes facing each other is switched by a driving circuit (not shown) in the foldable mobile phone 30 to display the display medium layer 37. The state of each pixel can be switched. The cover 35 is made 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.
[0051]
The external appearance of the decorative panel 33 configured as described above can be freely changed as shown in FIG. 8 by changing the image and color to be displayed on the non-volatile display medium 34 which is a component thereof. it can. Therefore, there is no need to replace the decorative panel 33 to change the appearance of the foldable mobile phone 30.
[0052]
Further, as the display medium layer 37 of the nonvolatile display medium 34, a display medium layer using a ferroelectric liquid crystal is used, and the holding sheet 36b on the back side is formed of a material that reflects visible light satisfactorily. By forming a reflective film or the like that reflects visible light satisfactorily outside the holding sheet 36b, the non-volatile display medium 34 can also function as a mirror by making the entire display medium layer 37 in a light transmitting state. it can. The same applies to non-volatile display media in other devices such as the device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the device shown in FIG. 4, the timepiece shown in FIG. 5, and the wall-mounted television 20 shown in FIG.
[0053]
Further, in the case of a mobile phone equipped with an image sensor, an image and a color tone to be displayed on a non-volatile display medium built in a makeup panel of the mobile phone are changed according to a color tone and a pattern of a subject imaged by the image sensor of the mobile phone. Thereby, the color tone and the pattern can be changed. The device configuration in that case is the same as in FIG.
[0054]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The non-volatile display medium is not limited to a material capable of color display, but may be a material capable of only monochrome (monochrome) display. In addition, a moving image may be displayed on a nonvolatile display medium. Further, the present invention also includes a nonvolatile display medium provided with an illumination means (backlight, sidelight or frontlight) without illuminating the display area.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
[0056]
According to the device of the present invention, by changing the image or color to be displayed on the non-volatile display medium of the housing, the appearance of the housing can be changed and the appearance of the device can be freely changed. In addition, there is no need to change the exterior of the apparatus, change the paint, change the exterior seal, etc. to change the appearance of the apparatus.
[0057]
According to the housing of the present invention, by changing the image or color to be displayed on the non-volatile display medium inside the housing, the appearance can be freely changed and the appearance of the device can be freely changed. In addition, it is not necessary to change the exterior of the apparatus, change the paint of the housing, or change the seal of the exterior in order to change the appearance of the apparatus.
[0058]
According to the exterior body according to the present invention, by changing the image or color to be displayed on the nonvolatile display medium inside the exterior body, the external appearance can be freely changed and the external appearance of the device can be freely changed. In addition, it is not necessary to change the exterior of the apparatus, change the paint of the housing, or change the seal of the exterior in order to change the appearance of the apparatus.
[0059]
According to the timepiece according to the present invention, the appearance of the dial can be freely changed by changing the image or the color to be displayed on the nonvolatile display medium of the dial, so that the appearance of the dial or the watch is In order to change the dial, it is not necessary to replace the dial, repaint the dial, or replace the dial sticker.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a front view showing an example of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a perspective sectional view of a front panel portion of a housing of the apparatus shown in FIG.
FIGS. 2A to 2H are front views showing an operation example of the device shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing another operation example of the device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a device configuration when the device according to the present invention is applied to a device having an image sensor.
FIGS. 5A to 5D are front views showing an example of an embodiment of a timepiece according to the invention.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing an operation example when the device according to the present invention is applied to a wall-mounted television.
FIG. 7A is a side view showing an embodiment in which the exterior body according to the present invention is applied to a decorative panel of a foldable mobile phone, and FIG. 7B is a sectional view of a main part.
FIGS. 8A to 8D are front views showing examples of changing the appearance of the decorative panel.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Equipment
2: Liquid crystal display panel
3: Housing
3a: Front panel part
5: Front panel base
6: Non-volatile display medium
7: Cover
9: Pattern selection mode button
10-1 to 10-n: color selection buttons
15-1 to 15-n: Pattern selection buttons
20: Wall-mounted TV
21: Frame part
23: Subject
24: Image sensor
25: signal processing unit
26: Image generation unit
27: Drive circuit
28: Non-volatile display medium
30: Foldable mobile phone
31: Upper case
33: Makeup panel
34: Non-volatile display medium
35: Cover
36a, 36b: holding sheet
37: Display medium layer

Claims (7)

An apparatus having a housing,
The housing includes a nonvolatile display medium capable of holding an image displayed at the time of power supply even after the power supply is stopped, and changes its appearance by changing an image or color to be displayed on the nonvolatile display medium. An apparatus characterized in that it is configured to be able to A housing of the device,
A nonvolatile display medium capable of holding an image displayed at the time of power supply even after power supply is stopped is provided, and by changing an image or a color tone displayed on the nonvolatile display medium, the appearance can be changed. A housing characterized by being configured as described above. An exterior body attached to the outer surface of the housing of the device, comprising a non-volatile display medium capable of holding an image displayed during power supply even after power supply is stopped, and an image displayed on the non-volatile display medium or An exterior body characterized in that its appearance can be changed by changing its color tone. The device includes a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, an audio device, an electronic dictionary device, an electronic book device, a clock, a camera, a fixed telephone, a wearable computer, a computer main body, a computer display device, a computer input device, a printer, and a television receiver. , A video game machine, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a clothes dryer, an iron, an air conditioner, a fan, a toilet seat with an anal cleaning function, an electromagnetic cooker, a remote controller, a vehicle navigation device, a toy or a vehicle. Item 1. The apparatus according to Item 1. The device includes a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, an audio device, an electronic dictionary device, an electronic book device, a clock, a camera, a fixed telephone, a wearable computer, a computer main body, a computer display device, a computer input device, a printer, and a television receiver. , A video game machine, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a clothes dryer, an iron, an air conditioner, a fan, a toilet seat with an anal cleaning function, an electromagnetic cooker, a remote controller, a vehicle navigation device, a toy or a vehicle. Item 2. The housing according to Item 2. The device includes a mobile phone, a portable information terminal, an audio device, an electronic dictionary device, an electronic book device, a clock, a camera, a fixed telephone, a wearable computer, a computer main body, a computer display device, a computer input device, a printer, and a television receiver. , A video game machine, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a clothes dryer, an iron, an air conditioner, a fan, a toilet seat with an anal cleaning function, an electromagnetic cooker, a remote controller, a vehicle navigation device, a toy or a vehicle. Item 3. The exterior body according to Item 3. 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 incorporated in the dial, and the dial or the tone displayed on the non-volatile display medium is changed to thereby change the color of the dial. A watch characterized by changing the appearance of the watch.

Images