US 11,698,546 B2
Object provided with an electro-optic display device
Axel Schindler, Ins (CH); and Alain Hamm, Neuchatel (CH)
Assigned to The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd, Marin (CH)
Filed by The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd, Marin (CH)
Filed on Jul. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/811,195.
Application 17/811,195 is a continuation of application No. 16/597,223, filed on Oct. 9, 2019, granted, now 11,556,023.
Claims priority of application No. 18204699 (EP), filed on Nov. 6, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0350190 A1, Nov. 3, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G02F 1/1333 (2006.01); G02F 1/133 (2006.01); G02F 1/1343 (2006.01); G02F 1/1345 (2006.01); G04B 19/04 (2006.01); G04B 19/06 (2006.01); G04G 9/00 (2006.01); G04G 17/04 (2006.01); H05K 1/14 (2006.01); H05K 1/18 (2006.01); H10K 50/805 (2023.01)
CPC G02F 1/133331 (2021.01) [G02F 1/13306 (2013.01); G02F 1/13439 (2013.01); G02F 1/13452 (2013.01); G02F 1/13332 (2021.01); G02F 1/133308 (2013.01); G02F 1/133317 (2021.01); G02F 1/133334 (2021.01); G04B 19/04 (2013.01); G04B 19/06 (2013.01); G04G 9/007 (2013.01); G04G 17/045 (2013.01); H05K 1/147 (2013.01); H05K 1/189 (2013.01); H05K 2201/10128 (2013.01); H05K 2201/10136 (2013.01); H10K 50/805 (2023.02)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An object comprising:
an electro-optic display device externally delimited by a contour and which is provided with an optically active element, whose optical properties can be modified by applying an electric voltage or current between at least one electrode and one corresponding auxiliary electrode, between which the optically active element is disposed,
a middle part which delimits an opening closed by a crystal, the crystal comprising a top surface and a bottom surface beneath which the electro-optic display device is arranged,
an external electronic power and control device in addition to elements for the electrical connection of the electro-optic display device to the external electronic power and control device, the crystal being provided with an opaque frame which is made remotely from the edges of the opening and which covers the contour of the electro-optic display device so as to conceal the electrical connection elements, the electro-optic display device defining an active display area which is delimited by the opaque frame, such that, even when the electro-optic display device is activated and displays information, a transparent area remains between the opaque frame and the edges of the opening,
wherein the active display area includes a polarizer, and the polarizer does not extend into the transparent area such that an area beneath the transparent area is visible when the electro-optic display device is activated and displays the information.