US3854278A - Electronic wrist watch display - Google Patents

Electronic wrist watch display Download PDF

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Publication number
US3854278A
US3854278A US00319069A US31906972A US3854278A US 3854278 A US3854278 A US 3854278A US 00319069 A US00319069 A US 00319069A US 31906972 A US31906972 A US 31906972A US 3854278 A US3854278 A US 3854278A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
light
plate
display device
plzt
voltage
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00319069A
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English (en)
Inventor
H Takeshita
K Teraishi
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Suwa Seikosha KK
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Suwa Seikosha KK
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Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP47002868A external-priority patent/JPS4871674A/ja
Priority claimed from JP275172A external-priority patent/JPS5525676B2/ja
Application filed by Suwa Seikosha KK filed Critical Suwa Seikosha KK
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3854278A publication Critical patent/US3854278A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/03—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on ceramics or electro-optical crystals, e.g. exhibiting Pockels effect or Kerr effect
    • G02F1/05—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on ceramics or electro-optical crystals, e.g. exhibiting Pockels effect or Kerr effect with ferro-electric properties
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/03—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on ceramics or electro-optical crystals, e.g. exhibiting Pockels effect or Kerr effect
    • G02F1/055—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on ceramics or electro-optical crystals, e.g. exhibiting Pockels effect or Kerr effect the active material being a ceramic
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0023—Visual time or date indication means by light valves in general
    • G04G9/0029—Details
    • G04G9/0035—Details constructional

Definitions

  • the liquid crystal device suffers from the disadvantage that the liquid crystals themselves are subject to deterioration from the effects of sunlight, heat and the presence of impurities such as moisture or traces of solvent. With respect to light-emitting diodes, these use substantial amounts of current so that the period during which a wristwatch can function without replacement of the battery unit is seriously limited. Further, both the liquid crystal display system and the light-emitting diodes are relatively expensive.
  • the display device of the present invention for showing the time is based on the change of polarization of a light beam by a variety of means including transparent ferroelectric materials which ordinarily are passive but which become active with respect to change in the polarization of light passing therethrough when a voltage is impressed thereon/Further, segments of such materials are arranged so that when activated selectively, numerics become visible.
  • the visibility of the display is enhanced by the use of a light-gathering lens which transmits light to a reflector and then to the display system, where the light-gathering lens is substan tially larger in area than the viewing area.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an improved electronic display for electrically driven Wristwatches.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved electronic display for an electrically driven time-piece where the visibility of the display is enhanced by the use of a large light-gathering lens and a reflector.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide an improved electronic display for an electrically driven wristwatch using polarized light.
  • An important object of the present invention' is to provide an improved electronic display for an electrically driven wristwatch using transparent ferroelectric materials which affect polarization in a light beam when activated by an imposed voltage.
  • FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically the circuit elements involved in the display device of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of a combination of a circularly polarizing plate and a reflector plate showing how reflected light is extinguished;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pair of plates similar to those shown in FIG. 2 containing between them segments of a transparent ferroelectric material activatable to change the degree of polarization;
  • FIG. 5 is a plan view of a monolithic PLZT
  • FIG. 6 is an end view of the device of FIG. 5 indicating polarity of the segments
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a permeation-type display device for an electronic wristwatch
  • FIG. 9 is a side view of a device suitable for use with a wristwatch employing plates similar to those of FIG. 8;
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a display device similar to that of FIG. 9 but using GMO [Gd (M000 1 single crystals.
  • the transparent ferroelectric ceramic as shown in perspective in FIG. 3 and edgewise in FIG. 4 is a PLZT which is set by the hybrid method.
  • the display is of the standard 7-segment type which can display any of the digits from to 9 by selective activation of the segments.
  • Glass plate 4 has a reflective evaporated aluminum film on the lower surface thereof.
  • Plate 1 is a circular polarizer.
  • the necessary change in light intensity i.e., contrast, requires the application of about 300 V.
  • the distance between electrodes 12 is about 1 mm, the area of each electrode is about 3 mm and the thickness of the ceramic is about 60 m [1,.
  • the PLZT display is set by the monolithic method rather than the hybrid method. Suitable arrangements are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 which illustrate the placement of the segments. Transparent electrode film 6 is attached to both faces of PLZT 3, and the segments are formed by an etching technique as is made clear by FIG. 6. The distance between electrode segments is about 1 mm and a PLZT thickness of about 50 m p. is suitable. Here again, adequate contrast between light and dark areas suitable for a wristwatch display is achieved by using voltages of about 300 V.
  • the area of condensing lens 8 is substantially greater than the viewing area constituted by the analyzer plate 11.
  • the light intensity and the contrast of the display viewed on the analyzer plate 11 are much greater than would otherwise be the case. Also, this intensification comsame.
  • the polarizers may be nicol prisms or Polaroid.
  • Polarized light can be used in other ways to achieve the desired display.
  • a basic assembly is shown in exploded view in FIG. 8 where light beam 24 passes through polarizing plate 21 and analyzer plate 23 oriented so that their directions of polarization are at 90 to each other. Between plates 21 and 23 is disposed plate 22 which is of a material exhibiting double refraction. In the absence of plate 22, virtually no light reaches the eye at position 25. However, by inserting plate 22 between polarizing plates 21 and 23, retardation ensues and the plane of polarization of the light passing therethrough is changed so that some of the light transmitted through plate 21 reaches the eye through plate 23. However, in such an arrangement, it is difficult to obtain satisfactory contrast due to the loss in light in passing through the two polarizing plates.
  • FIG. 9 To increase the amount of light reaching the eye a device such as is shown in FIG. 9 is employed, this device resembling that of FIG. 7 externally.
  • light beam 33 is condensed by positive lens 35, is reflected by mirror 34 through PLZT plate 36 to the viewing area constituted by analyzer plate 32.
  • the illumination is increased through the use of condensing lens 33 in this arrangement. It is advantageous to prevent access of stray light to the viewing area and visors 38 and 39 are positioned at the edge of the viewing area for this purpose.
  • the device of FIG. 10 resembles those of FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 with respect to the increase in light intensity achieved in the viewing area by means of use of a positive lens 42.
  • Condensor 42 is contiguous with first polarizing plate 41; the light leaving polarizing plate 41 is reflected and focused by concave mirror 43 and next passes through GMO (Gd (MoO.,) single crystals shown as plate 44, then through sensitive colored plate 45 and the crossed analyzer plate 46 which constitutes the viewing area.
  • GMO Ga (MoO.,) single crystals shown as plate 44, then through sensitive colored plate 45 and the crossed analyzer plate 46 which constitutes the viewing area.
  • the sensitive colored plate 45 transmits light at 570 mu and when voltage is applied to GMO segments along the Z axis, the segments assume a yellow color as a result of retardation by the GMO crystals in combination with the colored plate. When the voltage is inverted, the color of the segments is altered to a bright blue.
  • the thickness of the GMO plate 44 should be about 100a, the necessary voltage is about V and the sensitive colored plate, as aforenoted, transmits at 570 my.
  • the reflector is preferably a top surface reflector using evaporated aluminum (not shown) as the reflecting surface.
  • a timepiece display device for digital display of the time comprising a polarizer plate for circularly polarizing light incident thereon and passing therethrough, a reflector plate opposed to said polarizer plate and means intermediate said opposed plates for controllably retarding said light passing between said opposed polarizer and reflector plates, said means being activatable for controlling the retardation of said light by selective impositions of a suitable voltage to at least a portion of said means, substantially no light reflected from said reflector plate being transmitted through said,
  • a digital time display device comprising a polarizer plate for circularly polarizing light incident thereon and passing therethrough, a reflector plate opposed to said polarizer plate and means intermediate said plates for controllably retarding said light passing between said opposed plates, said means being transparent ferroelectric ceramic of PLZT which can control the retardation of said light by selective impositions of a suitable voltage, substantially no reflected light being transmitted through said polarizer plate in the absence of a voltage applied to said means, being segmented for forming any numeral from 0 to 9 by selective application of a suitable voltage to groups of said segments.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Nonlinear Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
US00319069A 1971-12-27 1972-12-27 Electronic wrist watch display Expired - Lifetime US3854278A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP47002868A JPS4871674A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-12-27 1971-12-27
JP275172A JPS5525676B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-12-28 1971-12-28

Publications (1)

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US3854278A true US3854278A (en) 1974-12-17

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US00319069A Expired - Lifetime US3854278A (en) 1971-12-27 1972-12-27 Electronic wrist watch display

Country Status (4)

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US (1) US3854278A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (2) CH1889872A4 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2263531B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (2) GB1407299A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3943699A (en) * 1975-01-13 1976-03-16 Motorola, Inc. Ultra thin electronic watch
US3945195A (en) * 1975-01-13 1976-03-23 Motorola, Inc. Ultra thin electronic watch with improved visibility display
US4043116A (en) * 1976-01-29 1977-08-23 Metallprodukte A.G. Grenchen Timepiece comprising a flat display device exposed through an opening in a case
US4085576A (en) * 1973-09-27 1978-04-25 Societe Suisse Pour L'industrie Horlogere Management Services, S.A. Monocrystalline display device with storage effect for an electronic timepiece
US4470045A (en) * 1982-05-05 1984-09-04 Litton Systems, Inc. Diffusion-lighted magneto-optic display
US7604396B1 (en) * 2004-08-30 2009-10-20 Don Karterman Wristwatch with movable movement case
US20220170031A1 (en) * 2019-04-01 2022-06-02 Connor David BEHR Eukaryotic host system for producing recombinant proteins

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60117215A (ja) * 1983-11-29 1985-06-24 Sharp Corp 液晶表示装置

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3540209A (en) * 1968-07-31 1970-11-17 Timex Corp Horological time display
US3695747A (en) * 1971-06-04 1972-10-03 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Optical transmission system including strain-biased electrooptic ceramic devices

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3540209A (en) * 1968-07-31 1970-11-17 Timex Corp Horological time display
US3695747A (en) * 1971-06-04 1972-10-03 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Optical transmission system including strain-biased electrooptic ceramic devices

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4085576A (en) * 1973-09-27 1978-04-25 Societe Suisse Pour L'industrie Horlogere Management Services, S.A. Monocrystalline display device with storage effect for an electronic timepiece
US3943699A (en) * 1975-01-13 1976-03-16 Motorola, Inc. Ultra thin electronic watch
US3945195A (en) * 1975-01-13 1976-03-23 Motorola, Inc. Ultra thin electronic watch with improved visibility display
US4043116A (en) * 1976-01-29 1977-08-23 Metallprodukte A.G. Grenchen Timepiece comprising a flat display device exposed through an opening in a case
US4470045A (en) * 1982-05-05 1984-09-04 Litton Systems, Inc. Diffusion-lighted magneto-optic display
US7604396B1 (en) * 2004-08-30 2009-10-20 Don Karterman Wristwatch with movable movement case
US20220170031A1 (en) * 2019-04-01 2022-06-02 Connor David BEHR Eukaryotic host system for producing recombinant proteins

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2263531A1 (de) 1973-07-05
GB1407300A (en) 1975-09-24
CH1889872A4 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-01-30
CH580839B5 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-10-15
GB1407299A (en) 1975-09-24
DE2263531B2 (de) 1978-04-20

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