WO2006048393A2 - Time display device - Google Patents

Time display device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2006048393A2
WO2006048393A2 PCT/EP2005/055543 EP2005055543W WO2006048393A2 WO 2006048393 A2 WO2006048393 A2 WO 2006048393A2 EP 2005055543 W EP2005055543 W EP 2005055543W WO 2006048393 A2 WO2006048393 A2 WO 2006048393A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
display device
time
backlight
control unit
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2005/055543
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2006048393A3 (en
Inventor
Wai Fai Ng
Wai Keung Ho
Cho Kiu Wong
Original Assignee
Thomson Licensing
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thomson Licensing filed Critical Thomson Licensing
Publication of WO2006048393A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006048393A2/en
Publication of WO2006048393A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006048393A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0082—Visual time or date indication means by building-up characters using a combination of indicating elements and by selecting desired characters out of a number of characters or by selecting indicating elements the positions of which represents the time, i.e. combinations of G04G9/02 and G04G9/08
    • G04G9/0094—Visual time or date indication means by building-up characters using a combination of indicating elements and by selecting desired characters out of a number of characters or by selecting indicating elements the positions of which represents the time, i.e. combinations of G04G9/02 and G04G9/08 using light valves, e.g. liquid crystals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0066—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form characterised by the light source being coupled to the light guide
    • G02B6/0068—Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
    • 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 
    • G02F1/13—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 liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1335—Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
    • G02F1/1336—Illuminating devices
    • G02F1/133621—Illuminating devices providing coloured light
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0005—Transmission of control signals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0066—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form characterised by the light source being coupled to the light guide
    • G02B6/0073—Light emitting diode [LED]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2320/00—Control of display operating conditions
    • G09G2320/06—Adjustment of display parameters
    • G09G2320/0626—Adjustment of display parameters for control of overall brightness
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G2320/00—Control of display operating conditions
    • G09G2320/06—Adjustment of display parameters
    • G09G2320/0666—Adjustment of display parameters for control of colour parameters, e.g. colour temperature
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
    • G09G3/00—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes
    • G09G3/20—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters
    • G09G3/34—Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix no fixed position being assigned to or needed to be assigned to the individual characters or partial characters by control of light from an independent source
    • G09G3/3406—Control of illumination source
    • G09G3/3413—Details of control of colour illumination sources

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display (LCD) timepiece provided with a background illumination device being capable of varying its light colour dynamically.
  • LCD liquid crystal display
  • LCD timepieces Many types are known.
  • the LCD timepieces can be provided in various devices or apparatuses, such as LCD timepiece for radio, LCD timepiece for desktop calendar, various Audio/Video equipment with LCD means or the like.
  • LCD timepieces For matching and satisfying consumer demand of different levels, novel LCD timepieces are continuously developed.
  • USP 5,995,456 granted for Donald R Brewer et al illustrates a dynamically changing, multi-colour liquid crystal display for electronic watches or other design apparel items.
  • the LCD surface of the watch is composed of a plurality of segments with different colours.
  • a timepiece is provided on the LCD surface.
  • the watch further includes a control unit for dynamically changing colours of the LCD surface to enable at least one segment of the LCD surface to change colour independent of the time.
  • the LCD of the watch is provided with various coloured images such as geometric images, animation images, customized images, designer labels, etc. on coloured backgrounds.
  • the coloured background is provided with a color changing capability that is aesthetically pleasing and fashionable.
  • USP 6,633,510 & 6,639,875 disclose a dual time zone timepiece, of which liquid crystal background display includes two adjacent clock faces. When the clock faces are applied with a voltage, the colours of the corresponding clock faces are changed.
  • the liquid crystal background display further includes a power supply, a clock circuit, and a control circuit electrically connected to the power supply and the clock circuit to control and change voltage applied on the liquid crystal background display.
  • the colours of the corresponding liquid crystal background display will be automatically changed only when the time represented by the clock circuit changes from AM to PM. Namely, the corresponding liquid crystal background display changes a colour representing time before noon into another colour representing time after noon.
  • the prior arts disclose different LCD timepieces, of which backlights are provided with changeable colours.
  • the change of the backlight' s colour is independent of time; and in the second example of the conventional timepiece, the backlight' s colour is just instantly changed at the moment when time is changing.
  • the present invention is to provide a display device which has a background illumination device in a display panel, the colour and intensity of the backlight emitted by the background illumination device can be gradually and continuously changed as a function of time.
  • the present invention provides a display device comprising a time clock circuit, a display panel, a backlight driving circuit, and a main control unit, wherein the backlight driving circuit is connected between the main control unit and a background illumination device which emits the backlight for the display panel.
  • the main control unit connected to the time clock circuit generates a control signal to the backlight driving circuit as a function of time.
  • the backlight of the display device gradually changes its colour and/or intensity as a function of time.
  • the background illumination device comprises multiple light-emitting devices
  • the backlight driving circuit comprises multiple modulators of which electrically connected to the associated light-emitting devices respectively. At least two of the multiple light- emitting devices have different colours, and specifically compensation colours.
  • the mixed colour of the light emitted from the back-light emitting devices to the display panel of the display device is continuously changeable as a function of time.
  • the main control unit comprises a microprocessor for operating a program, a first memory for storage of the program, and a second memory for storage a predefined time-dividing mode data, each time segment determining a corresponding control signal, therefore when the display timepiece is energized, the real time information signal is output from the time clock circuit to the main control unit, and the real time information is displayed on the display panel, the microprocessor of the main control unit receives the real time information signal and perform the program based on the real time information so as to generate a relative control signal corresponding to the time segment of the real time, and then outputs the control signal to the backlight driving circuit so as to drive the multiple modulators to adjust the light intensity of the light emitting devices respectively as a function of time.
  • the present invention provides a novel display device of timepiece obviously different from the conventional products .
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an LCD panel of a liquid crystal display timepiece in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the liquid crystal display timepiece in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a circuit of the LCD timepiece in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic view of various time-dividing modes
  • Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a control program for the liquid crystal display timepiece in accordance with the present invention.
  • the present invention is a novel display device which comprising a time clock circuit, a display panel, a backlight driving circuit, and a main control unit, wherein the main control unit is connected to the time clock circuit and generates a control signal to the backlight driving circuit in order to gradually change the display panel's backlight colour and/or intensity as a function of time.
  • the display device can be an LCD timepiece.
  • a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel 10 of the LCD timepiece according to the embodiment of the present invention is illustrated.
  • the LCD panel 10 includes at least one zone for displaying real time.
  • a background illumination device of the LCD panel 10 includes a layer of light guide panel 20 conjoined on a backside of the LCD panel 10.
  • Multiple light-emitting devices 30 are provided around the light guide panel 20.
  • two light-emitting devices (LED) are shown in figures. Of course, it is also allowed to install more than two light-emitting devices .
  • the light-emitting devices 30 are generally Light Emitting Diodes (LED) , wherein at least two of them have different colours, specifically at least two light-emitting devices 30 have complementary colours, such as red and green, or blue and orange etc. Alternatively, more than two light-emitting devices 30 having different colours such as red, green and blue etc. are also preferably.
  • a diffusing layer 40 is provided on a first side of the light guide panel 20 facing the LCD panel 10.
  • a reflecting layer 50 is provided on a second side of the light guide panel 20 opposed to the first side.
  • the LCD timepiece further includes a main control unit 60 electrically connected to the LCD panel 10, a real time clock circuit 70 electrically connected to the main control unit 60, a backlight driving circuit 80 electrically connected to the main control unit 60 and the light-emitting devices 30 respectively, a keyboard 90, and a power supply (not shown) .
  • the main control unit 60 further includes a microprocessor 61 for operating a program, a first memory 62 for storage of the program and a second memory 63 for storage of data.
  • the backlight driving circuit 80 generally includes multiple modulators 81, each of which has an input end electrically connected to the main control unit 60, and an output end electrically connected to an associated light-emitting device 30 for controlling the light-emitting device 30 to continuously and evenly adjust the light intensity of the light-emitting devices 30.
  • the modulators 81 can be current regulators to adjust the light intensity of the light-emitting devices 30 continuously and evenly by means of changing driving current of the light-emitting devices 30.
  • the modulators 81 also can be pulse width modulators (PWM) to adjust the light intensity of the light-emitting devices 30 continuously and evenly by means of changing the times of electric conduction of the light-emitting devices 30 in a work period.
  • PWM pulse width modulators
  • the colours displayed by the background illumination devices 30 have different modes in different period of a day and will be continuously changed according to the real time. Twenty-four hours of a day can be divided into a plurality of time segments, of which dividing points are Ti, T 2 , T 3 ... T n .
  • Various time-dividing methods are predefined as various time-dividing modes stored in the second memory 63 as options to be selected by a user. With reference to Fig. 4, on the Spring Equinox or the Autumnal Equinox of a year, the day time and the night time are substantially equal, as illustrated in Fig. 4a; the sunshine duration on the Summer Solstice is the longest, as illustrated in Fig.
  • the time-dividing mode 1 includes four dividing points Ti, T 2 , T 3 , T 4 , as shown in Fig. 4a.
  • the time-dividing mode 2 includes four dividing points Ti' , T 2 ', T 3 ', T 4 ' , as shown in Fig. 4b.
  • the time-dividing mode 3 includes four dividing points Ti", T 2 ", T 3 ", T 4 ", as shown in Fig. 4c.
  • the time-dividing mode 1 is set as the default time-dividing mode.
  • the user can use the keyboard 90 to select the time-dividing mode.
  • the user also can use the keyboard 90 to customize special time-dividing modes .
  • Each time-dividing mode corresponds to a control signal, and various control signals determines various colour display modes.
  • Fig. 4a illustrates a time-dividing mode with four segments.
  • the control signal determined by the daytime segment (Ti ⁇ T r ⁇ T 2 ) drives the background illumination device to display the daytime backlight mode. During this time the night backlight is turned off and the daytime backlight is turned on. For example, the red LED is turned on with its light intensity turned to the maximum lightness, and the green LED is turned off.
  • the control signal determined by the evening segment (T2 ⁇ T r ⁇ T 3 ) drives the background illumination device to display a mode with the backlight being gradually changed from the daytime colour into the night-time colour.
  • the night backlight is turned on and the light intensity of the night backlight is gradually increased while the light intensity of the daytime backlight is gradually decreased till the daytime backlight is completely turned off.
  • the red LED is gradually darkled, and the green LED is turned on and gradually brightened.
  • the control signal determined by the night segment (T 3 ⁇ T r ⁇ T 4 ) drives the background illumination device to display the night backlight mode.
  • the daytime backlight is turned off and the night backlight is turned on with its intensity turned to the maximum. Namely, the red LED is turned off and the green LED is turned on and adjusted to the maximum light intensity.
  • the control signal determined by the dawn segment from T4 to Ti drives the background illumination device to display a mode with the backlight gradually changed from the night colour into the daytime colour.
  • the daytime backlight is turned on and the light intensity of the daytime backlight is gradually increased while the light intensity of the night backlight is gradually decreased until the night backlight is turned off.
  • the green LED is gradually darkled, and the red LED is turned on and gradually brightened.
  • the main control unit 60 When the LCD timepiece is energized, the main control unit 60 will perform the program based on the real time information T r input from the real time clock circuit 70 to determine the control signal corresponding to the real time information T r . Thereafter, the determined control signal is input into the backlight driving circuit 80, and the modulators 81 of the backlight driving circuit 80 are driven by the control signal to respectively control the light intensity of the associated illumination device 30 being continuously and evenly changed. Because the illumination device 30 of the present invention has different colours, the mixed lights with various colours and intensities, which pass through the light guide panel 20 and are reflected by the reflecting layer 50 and diffused by the diffusing layer 40, will display a light mixed with various colours and light intensities on the LCD panel 10.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram to perform the program of the main control unit 60.
  • the principles of the LCD timepiece and the main control unit 60 will be described hereinafter in detail in conjunction with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the real time information T r output from the real time clock circuit 70 is input into the main control unit 60, and the microprocessor 61 in the main control unit 60 performs the program.
  • the first step if the calculated result of Ti ⁇ T r ⁇ T 2 is true, then the control signal to display daytime backlight mode is output, if the calculated result is false, then the second step is performed.
  • the second step if the calculated result of T 2 ⁇ T r ⁇ T 3 is true, then the control signal to display the daytime-to-night backlight mode is output, if the calculated result is false, then the third step is performed.
  • the control signal to display the night backlight mode is output, if the calculated result is false, then the control signal to display night-to-daytime backlight mode.
  • the user should input a setup signal by operating the keyboard 90 to alter the program into the setup mode.
  • the setup mode the background illumination device is turned off and the timepiece can be reset. The user can simply select the other time-dividing modes stored in the second memory, or customize a special time-dividing mode and save the customized mode in the second memory 63.
  • the setup is completed, the user can user the keyboard 90 to input a "complete" signal to end the program.
  • the reset LCD timepiece is turned on again, the main control unit 60 is actuated and operated according to the new time-dividing mode to perform the real time program and to output control signals, and the background illumination device is driven to display according to the corresponding modes .
  • the present invention provides the display device with the background illumination device being capable of continuously and gradually changing as a function of time. Therefore, as a novel and interesting product, the present invention has good technical practicability and high commercial value.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Nonlinear Science (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Liquid Crystal Display Device Control (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Control Of Indicators Other Than Cathode Ray Tubes (AREA)
  • Liquid Crystal (AREA)

Abstract

A display device includes a real time clock circuit, a liquid crystal display panel, a background illumination device, a backlight driving circuit, a power supply, and a main control unit electrically connected with the backlight driving circuit and the power supply, wherein the liquid crystal display panel includes at least one zone for displaying of the real time information, the background illumination device includes a plurality of light-emitting devices, specifically at least two light- emitting devices having different colours, the backlight driving circuit includes a plurality of modulators, each of which is electrically connected to an associated light-emitting device in order to continuously control the light intensity of the light-emitting device as a function of time. Advantageously, the light colour and intensity of the entire background illumination device of the display device is capable of being varied gradually or progressively as a function of real time.

Description

Display Device
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display (LCD) timepiece provided with a background illumination device being capable of varying its light colour dynamically.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many types of LCD timepieces are known. The LCD timepieces can be provided in various devices or apparatuses, such as LCD timepiece for radio, LCD timepiece for desktop calendar, various Audio/Video equipment with LCD means or the like. For matching and satisfying consumer demand of different levels, novel LCD timepieces are continuously developed.
USP 5,995,456 granted for Donald R Brewer et al illustrates a dynamically changing, multi-colour liquid crystal display for electronic watches or other design apparel items. The LCD surface of the watch is composed of a plurality of segments with different colours. A timepiece is provided on the LCD surface. The watch further includes a control unit for dynamically changing colours of the LCD surface to enable at least one segment of the LCD surface to change colour independent of the time. The LCD of the watch is provided with various coloured images such as geometric images, animation images, customized images, designer labels, etc. on coloured backgrounds. Moreover, the coloured background is provided with a color changing capability that is aesthetically pleasing and fashionable. USP 6,633,510 & 6,639,875 disclose a dual time zone timepiece, of which liquid crystal background display includes two adjacent clock faces. When the clock faces are applied with a voltage, the colours of the corresponding clock faces are changed. The liquid crystal background display further includes a power supply, a clock circuit, and a control circuit electrically connected to the power supply and the clock circuit to control and change voltage applied on the liquid crystal background display. Thus, the colours of the corresponding liquid crystal background display will be automatically changed only when the time represented by the clock circuit changes from AM to PM. Namely, the corresponding liquid crystal background display changes a colour representing time before noon into another colour representing time after noon.
As illustrated above, the prior arts disclose different LCD timepieces, of which backlights are provided with changeable colours. However, in the first conventional timepiece, the change of the backlight' s colour is independent of time; and in the second example of the conventional timepiece, the backlight' s colour is just instantly changed at the moment when time is changing. These examples do not give any hints for the present invention, and there is no product the same as or similar to the design and technical features of the present invention on the market.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Although the conventional LCD timepiece discloses examples that the backlight of the LCD can be changed as a function of time or independent of time, there is no design to gradually and continuously change the timepiece backlight' s colour and intensity as a function of time. Therefore, the present invention is to provide a display device which has a background illumination device in a display panel, the colour and intensity of the backlight emitted by the background illumination device can be gradually and continuously changed as a function of time.
In order to accomplish the objective mentioned above, the present invention provides a display device comprising a time clock circuit, a display panel, a backlight driving circuit, and a main control unit, wherein the backlight driving circuit is connected between the main control unit and a background illumination device which emits the backlight for the display panel. The main control unit connected to the time clock circuit generates a control signal to the backlight driving circuit as a function of time. Advantageously, the backlight of the display device gradually changes its colour and/or intensity as a function of time.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the background illumination device comprises multiple light-emitting devices, and the backlight driving circuit comprises multiple modulators of which electrically connected to the associated light-emitting devices respectively. At least two of the multiple light- emitting devices have different colours, and specifically compensation colours. Advantageously, the mixed colour of the light emitted from the back-light emitting devices to the display panel of the display device is continuously changeable as a function of time. -A -
According to a further aspect of the present invention, the main control unit comprises a microprocessor for operating a program, a first memory for storage of the program, and a second memory for storage a predefined time-dividing mode data, each time segment determining a corresponding control signal, therefore when the display timepiece is energized, the real time information signal is output from the time clock circuit to the main control unit, and the real time information is displayed on the display panel, the microprocessor of the main control unit receives the real time information signal and perform the program based on the real time information so as to generate a relative control signal corresponding to the time segment of the real time, and then outputs the control signal to the backlight driving circuit so as to drive the multiple modulators to adjust the light intensity of the light emitting devices respectively as a function of time.
Thus, the present invention provides a novel display device of timepiece obviously different from the conventional products .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an LCD panel of a liquid crystal display timepiece in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the liquid crystal display timepiece in accordance with the present invention;
Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a circuit of the LCD timepiece in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic view of various time-dividing modes; and
Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a control program for the liquid crystal display timepiece in accordance with the present invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is a novel display device which comprising a time clock circuit, a display panel, a backlight driving circuit, and a main control unit, wherein the main control unit is connected to the time clock circuit and generates a control signal to the backlight driving circuit in order to gradually change the display panel's backlight colour and/or intensity as a function of time.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display device can be an LCD timepiece. With reference to Figs. 1-2, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel 10 of the LCD timepiece according to the embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The LCD panel 10 includes at least one zone for displaying real time. A background illumination device of the LCD panel 10 includes a layer of light guide panel 20 conjoined on a backside of the LCD panel 10. Multiple light-emitting devices 30 are provided around the light guide panel 20. For example, two light-emitting devices (LED) are shown in figures. Of course, it is also allowed to install more than two light-emitting devices . The light-emitting devices 30 are generally Light Emitting Diodes (LED) , wherein at least two of them have different colours, specifically at least two light-emitting devices 30 have complementary colours, such as red and green, or blue and orange etc. Alternatively, more than two light-emitting devices 30 having different colours such as red, green and blue etc. are also preferably. With reference to Fig. 2, a diffusing layer 40 is provided on a first side of the light guide panel 20 facing the LCD panel 10. In addition, a reflecting layer 50 is provided on a second side of the light guide panel 20 opposed to the first side.
With reference to Fig. 3, the LCD timepiece further includes a main control unit 60 electrically connected to the LCD panel 10, a real time clock circuit 70 electrically connected to the main control unit 60, a backlight driving circuit 80 electrically connected to the main control unit 60 and the light-emitting devices 30 respectively, a keyboard 90, and a power supply (not shown) . The main control unit 60 further includes a microprocessor 61 for operating a program, a first memory 62 for storage of the program and a second memory 63 for storage of data. The backlight driving circuit 80 generally includes multiple modulators 81, each of which has an input end electrically connected to the main control unit 60, and an output end electrically connected to an associated light-emitting device 30 for controlling the light-emitting device 30 to continuously and evenly adjust the light intensity of the light-emitting devices 30. The modulators 81 can be current regulators to adjust the light intensity of the light-emitting devices 30 continuously and evenly by means of changing driving current of the light-emitting devices 30. The modulators 81 also can be pulse width modulators (PWM) to adjust the light intensity of the light-emitting devices 30 continuously and evenly by means of changing the times of electric conduction of the light-emitting devices 30 in a work period. These modulators 81 are known by those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail for the sake of simplicity.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the colours displayed by the background illumination devices 30 have different modes in different period of a day and will be continuously changed according to the real time. Twenty-four hours of a day can be divided into a plurality of time segments, of which dividing points are Ti, T2, T3... Tn. Various time-dividing methods are predefined as various time-dividing modes stored in the second memory 63 as options to be selected by a user. With reference to Fig. 4, on the Spring Equinox or the Autumnal Equinox of a year, the day time and the night time are substantially equal, as illustrated in Fig. 4a; the sunshine duration on the Summer Solstice is the longest, as illustrated in Fig. 4b; and the sunshine duration on the Winter Solstice is the shortest, as illustrated in Fig 4c. Therefore, various time-dividing modes can be predefined according to various sunshine durations. For example, the time-dividing mode 1 includes four dividing points Ti, T2, T3, T4, as shown in Fig. 4a.
The time-dividing mode 2 includes four dividing points Ti' , T2', T3', T4' , as shown in Fig. 4b. The time-dividing mode 3 includes four dividing points Ti", T2", T3", T4", as shown in Fig. 4c. In general, the time-dividing mode 1 is set as the default time-dividing mode. The user can use the keyboard 90 to select the time-dividing mode. The user also can use the keyboard 90 to customize special time-dividing modes . Each time-dividing mode corresponds to a control signal, and various control signals determines various colour display modes.
As described hereinafter in conjunction with an embodiment, Fig. 4a illustrates a time-dividing mode with four segments. The control signal determined by the daytime segment (Ti≤Tr≤T2) drives the background illumination device to display the daytime backlight mode. During this time the night backlight is turned off and the daytime backlight is turned on. For example, the red LED is turned on with its light intensity turned to the maximum lightness, and the green LED is turned off. The control signal determined by the evening segment (T2<Tr<T3) drives the background illumination device to display a mode with the backlight being gradually changed from the daytime colour into the night-time colour. During this period, the night backlight is turned on and the light intensity of the night backlight is gradually increased while the light intensity of the daytime backlight is gradually decreased till the daytime backlight is completely turned off. For example, the red LED is gradually darkled, and the green LED is turned on and gradually brightened. The control signal determined by the night segment (T3≤Tr≤T4) drives the background illumination device to display the night backlight mode. During the night mode, the daytime backlight is turned off and the night backlight is turned on with its intensity turned to the maximum. Namely, the red LED is turned off and the green LED is turned on and adjusted to the maximum light intensity. The control signal determined by the dawn segment from T4 to Ti drives the background illumination device to display a mode with the backlight gradually changed from the night colour into the daytime colour. In this time, the daytime backlight is turned on and the light intensity of the daytime backlight is gradually increased while the light intensity of the night backlight is gradually decreased until the night backlight is turned off. For example, the green LED is gradually darkled, and the red LED is turned on and gradually brightened.
When the LCD timepiece is energized, the main control unit 60 will perform the program based on the real time information Tr input from the real time clock circuit 70 to determine the control signal corresponding to the real time information Tr. Thereafter, the determined control signal is input into the backlight driving circuit 80, and the modulators 81 of the backlight driving circuit 80 are driven by the control signal to respectively control the light intensity of the associated illumination device 30 being continuously and evenly changed. Because the illumination device 30 of the present invention has different colours, the mixed lights with various colours and intensities, which pass through the light guide panel 20 and are reflected by the reflecting layer 50 and diffused by the diffusing layer 40, will display a light mixed with various colours and light intensities on the LCD panel 10. As every specific time segment can determine a corresponding specific control signal, the various control signals associated with various time segments drive the background illumination device to present various colours and brightness at various time segments and continuously and evenly change as a function of the rear time. Figure 5 illustrates a block diagram to perform the program of the main control unit 60. The principles of the LCD timepiece and the main control unit 60 will be described hereinafter in detail in conjunction with an embodiment of the present invention.
At the start, the real time information Tr output from the real time clock circuit 70 is input into the main control unit 60, and the microprocessor 61 in the main control unit 60 performs the program. In the first step, if the calculated result of Ti≤Tr≤T2 is true, then the control signal to display daytime backlight mode is output, if the calculated result is false, then the second step is performed. In the second step, if the calculated result of T2<Tr<T3 is true, then the control signal to display the daytime-to-night backlight mode is output, if the calculated result is false, then the third step is performed. In the third step, if the calculated result of T3≤Tr≤T4 is true, then the control signal to display the night backlight mode is output, if the calculated result is false, then the control signal to display night-to-daytime backlight mode. If the user intends to select other time-dividing modes, the user should input a setup signal by operating the keyboard 90 to alter the program into the setup mode. In the setup mode, the background illumination device is turned off and the timepiece can be reset. The user can simply select the other time-dividing modes stored in the second memory, or customize a special time-dividing mode and save the customized mode in the second memory 63. When the setup is completed, the user can user the keyboard 90 to input a "complete" signal to end the program. When the reset LCD timepiece is turned on again, the main control unit 60 is actuated and operated according to the new time-dividing mode to perform the real time program and to output control signals, and the background illumination device is driven to display according to the corresponding modes .
As described above, the present invention provides the display device with the background illumination device being capable of continuously and gradually changing as a function of time. Therefore, as a novel and interesting product, the present invention has good technical practicability and high commercial value.
Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A display device comprising a time clock circuit (70) , a display panel (10) , a backlight driving circuit
(80) , and a main control unit (60) , characterized in that the main control unit (60) is connected to the time clock circuit (70) and generates a control signal to the backlight driving circuit (80) in order to gradually change the display panel's backlight colour and/or intensity as a function of time.
2. The display device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the backlight driving circuit (80) is connected between the main control unit (60) and a background illumination device which emits the backlight for the display panel (10) .
3. The display device as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the background illumination device comprises multiple light-emitting devices (30), and the backlight driving circuit (80) comprises multiple modulators (81) of which are electrically connected to the associated light-emitting devices respectively.
4. The display device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main control unit (60) comprises a microprocessor (61) for operating a program, a first memory (62) for storage of the program, and a second memory (63) for storage a predefined time- dividing mode data, each time segment determining a corresponding control signal, therefore when the display device is energized, the real time information signal is output from the time clock circuit (70) to the main control unit (60) and displayed on the display panel (10) , the microprocessor (61) of the main control unit (60) perform the program based on the real time information so as to generate a relative control signal corresponding to the time segment of the real time, and then outputs the control signal to the backlight driving circuit (80) so as to control the light emitting and light intensity of the light emitting devices correspondingly.
5. The display device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two predefined time-dividing modes are stored in the second memory (63) of the main control unit (60) to be selectable by a user, and a keyboard (90) electrically connected to the main control unit is provided, whereby the user can use the keyboard to select one of the predefined time-dividing modes from the two predefined modes, or customize and store a special time-dividing mode in the second memory as one optional time division mode for the user.
6. The display device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display panel (10) is a liquid crystal display panel.
7. The display device as claimed in any one of preceding claims, characterized in that a layer of light guide panel (20) is conjoined on a backside of the liquid crystal display panel, and the light-emitting devices (30) are provided around the light guide panel.
8. The display device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a diffusing layer
(40) is provided on a first side of the light guide panel facing the liquid crystal display panel, and a reflecting layer (50) is provided on a second side of the light guide panel opposed to the first side of the light guide panel.
9. The display device as claimed in any one of claim 2-5, characterized in that the modulators (81) of the backlight control circuit (80) are current modulators
10. The display device as claimed in any one of claim 2-5, characterized in that the modulators (81) of the backlight control circuit (80) are pulse width modulators .
11. The display device as claimed in any one of claim 3-5, characterized in that the at least two light- emitting devices (30) have different colours.
12. The display device as claimed in any one of claim 11, characterized in that the at least two light- emitting devices (30) have complementary colours.
PCT/EP2005/055543 2004-11-02 2005-10-25 Time display device WO2006048393A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN200420014188.7 2004-11-02
CN 200420014188 CN2768052Y (en) 2004-11-02 2004-11-02 Liquid crystal display clock

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006048393A2 true WO2006048393A2 (en) 2006-05-11
WO2006048393A3 WO2006048393A3 (en) 2006-09-21

Family

ID=36130065

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2005/055543 WO2006048393A2 (en) 2004-11-02 2005-10-25 Time display device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
CN (1) CN2768052Y (en)
WO (1) WO2006048393A2 (en)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2008068056A1 (en) * 2006-12-04 2008-06-12 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Electronic device and method for controlling the illumination of a display and/or a keypad thereof
EP2041484A1 (en) * 2006-07-03 2009-04-01 Nokia Corporation Changing graphics in an apparatus including user interface illumination
EP2214155A1 (en) * 2009-02-03 2010-08-04 SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Display apparatus
US20120212522A1 (en) * 2010-07-22 2012-08-23 Zte Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling screen backlight
CN104156052A (en) * 2014-07-23 2014-11-19 深圳市金立通信设备有限公司 Method for managing real-time desktop clock
CN107749288A (en) * 2017-11-21 2018-03-02 深圳市华星光电技术有限公司 The Mura compensation methodes of liquid crystal display device and liquid crystal display device

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101819405B (en) * 2010-01-13 2013-07-03 深圳市强大实业有限公司 Electronic clock or watch with changeable display color
CN101950154B (en) * 2010-09-08 2011-12-14 周大庆 Multifunctional environment stimulation device

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4579460A (en) * 1984-05-17 1986-04-01 Shannon Thomas D Synchronous world clock
FR2639753A1 (en) * 1988-11-16 1990-06-01 Vuarnesson Bernard Apparatus for reproducing the apparent vision of a heavenly body
US5245590A (en) * 1992-07-10 1993-09-14 Galison William A Display of changing moon on watch face
WO2002025382A2 (en) * 2000-09-25 2002-03-28 Protein Limited Clock
FR2847044A1 (en) * 2002-11-13 2004-05-14 Gil Boivin Watch with liquid crystal display, has time-keeping circuit controlling the display of uniform color determined periodically

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4579460A (en) * 1984-05-17 1986-04-01 Shannon Thomas D Synchronous world clock
FR2639753A1 (en) * 1988-11-16 1990-06-01 Vuarnesson Bernard Apparatus for reproducing the apparent vision of a heavenly body
US5245590A (en) * 1992-07-10 1993-09-14 Galison William A Display of changing moon on watch face
WO2002025382A2 (en) * 2000-09-25 2002-03-28 Protein Limited Clock
FR2847044A1 (en) * 2002-11-13 2004-05-14 Gil Boivin Watch with liquid crystal display, has time-keeping circuit controlling the display of uniform color determined periodically

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2041484A1 (en) * 2006-07-03 2009-04-01 Nokia Corporation Changing graphics in an apparatus including user interface illumination
EP2041484A4 (en) * 2006-07-03 2012-11-28 Core Wireless Licensing Sarl Changing graphics in an apparatus including user interface illumination
US9140843B2 (en) 2006-07-03 2015-09-22 Core Wireless Licensing S.A.R.L. Changing graphics in an apparatus including user interface illumination
WO2008068056A1 (en) * 2006-12-04 2008-06-12 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Electronic device and method for controlling the illumination of a display and/or a keypad thereof
EP2214155A1 (en) * 2009-02-03 2010-08-04 SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. Display apparatus
US20120212522A1 (en) * 2010-07-22 2012-08-23 Zte Corporation Method and apparatus for controlling screen backlight
CN104156052A (en) * 2014-07-23 2014-11-19 深圳市金立通信设备有限公司 Method for managing real-time desktop clock
CN104156052B (en) * 2014-07-23 2016-09-14 深圳市金立通信设备有限公司 A kind of management method of desktop real-time clock
CN107749288A (en) * 2017-11-21 2018-03-02 深圳市华星光电技术有限公司 The Mura compensation methodes of liquid crystal display device and liquid crystal display device
CN107749288B (en) * 2017-11-21 2020-04-28 深圳市华星光电技术有限公司 Mura compensation method of liquid crystal display device and liquid crystal display device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN2768052Y (en) 2006-03-29
WO2006048393A3 (en) 2006-09-21

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2006048393A2 (en) Time display device
JP6151216B2 (en) Reflective and transflective operating modes for display devices
US7248244B2 (en) Color display device emitting each color light for different time period
US5228013A (en) Clock-painting device and method for indicating the time-of-day with a non-traditional, now analog artistic panel of digital electronic visual displays
US6982931B2 (en) Timepiece
US6414910B1 (en) Timepiece
US6525707B1 (en) Liquid crystal display device and its driving method
RU2526863C2 (en) User interface device for controlling consumer load and lighting system using said user interface device
US20050116922A1 (en) Back-light driving circuit in field sequential liquid crystal display
WO2006033317A1 (en) Analog watch
CN104575404A (en) Light source apparatus, display apparatus, terminal apparatus, and control method thereof
US20040042234A1 (en) Backlight device
CN105513545B (en) A kind of back light unit and its driving method, display device
JP2002258789A (en) Panel drive controller, wristwatch type information device, portable device, and panel drive control method
JP2010015973A (en) Color control of backlighting system
JP2001076525A (en) Lighting system, its driving method, liquid crystal device, and electronic apparatus
US6937212B2 (en) System and method for driving LCD displays
US20050104805A1 (en) Portable electronic apparatus
JP2003271112A (en) Liquid crystal display device
JP2006215582A (en) Color display apparatus
JP2005308895A (en) Liquid crystal display device
JP6403632B2 (en) Display device and watch using the same
JPH1152354A (en) Color display device
JPH0943604A (en) Liquid crystal display device with back light
JPH0451218A (en) Liquid crystal display device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BW BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE EG ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KM KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV LY MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NA NG NI NO NZ OM PG PH PL PT RO RU SC SD SE SG SK SL SM SY TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GM KE LS MW MZ NA SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
NENP Non-entry into the national phase in:

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 05801528

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2