Abstract:
The present disclosure discloses a multi-eye analog smart timekeeping apparatus, comprising: a dial, comprising a dial substrate comprising a plurality of view regions; an arm positioned above the dial; a display panel positioned below the dial and comprising a plurality of display regions, each of the display regions corresponding to one of at least two of the view regions; and a shaft connected to the arm and being through the dial and the display panel. The present disclosure also discloses a method of making a display panel that may be used with the timekeeping apparatus, comprising: providing a first substrate comprising a first area; forming a display layer on the first substrate outside the first area; applying encapsulation material on the first area and around the display layer; sealing the display layer between the first substrate and a second substrate; and drilling a hole in the first area, wherein a size of the hole is smaller than a size of the first area.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure generally relates to timekeeping devices, and, more specifically to multi-eye smart watches with analog arms and related manufacturing methods. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Watches are well-known timekeeping devices. Traditional watches are made of mechanical components only, such as movements, wheels, shafts, springs, dials and arms. Such watches require delicate craftsmanship and are often worn to demonstrate the social-economic status and refined taste of the wearers. Although offering a sense of luxury and prestige, purely mechanical watches are less accurate and more limited in functionalities compared to other types of watches, which are composed of technologically advanced components, such as vibrating quartz crystals and integrated circuits. 
         [0003]    Efforts have been made to enhance the functionalities of purely mechanical watches. As an example of the results of such efforts,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a watch  1  with a single view region  11  (normally referred to as “single-eye”). The watch  1  has a mechanical look because of the dial, the crown and the arms connected to a movement  12  by a shaft in the center. A small rectangular display panel  13  whose location corresponds to the single view region is placed beneath the dial. It can be seen from  FIG. 1B  that the size and location of the display panel  13  are limited by the movement  12  and thus cannot be flexibly designed. The limited size and location of the display panel  13  often restricts the amount of information that can be displayed, hindering further expansion of digital functionalities. 
         [0004]    An approach to provide more digital functionalities to a watch is to get rid of the clockwork and make the watch completely digital. Such a watch has no dial or arm, but has only a display panel. The display panel “displays” arms and a dial to mimic the appearance of a mechanical watch. However, such a mimicked appearance lacks the sense of luxury and prestige conveyed by the appearance of a traditional watch. Also, advanced digital functionalities may not appeal to watch customers who want a traditional look more than modern features. 
         [0005]    One way to provide more digital features to a watch while preserving the traditional “look and feel” is to use multiple display panels beneath a dial with multiple view regions (normally referred to as “multi-eye”). However, as shown in the prior art watch in  FIG. 1B , the size and location of the display panel  13  are limited by the movement  12 . Additional display panels would still be limited by the movement. Moreover, the mechanical/electronic structures and the associated assembly processes must be redesigned whenever there is a change in the configuration of the view regions and/or display panels (e.g., number and size). Because of such inflexibility, it is costly to design and manufacture this kind of watch. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0006]    Therefore, there is a need to address the abovementioned deficiencies of prior art watches. 
         [0007]    According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a timekeeping apparatus is provided. The timekeeping apparatus comprises a dial, an arm positioned above the dial, a display panel positioned below the dial, and a shaft connected to the arm and being through the dial and the display panel. The dial comprises a dial substrate that comprises a plurality of view regions. The display panel comprises a plurality of display regions, each of the display regions corresponding to one of at least two of the view regions. In some embodiments, the view regions may be windows or areas of materials that are different from the material of the dial substrate and have sufficient transparency in the materials of the view regions to allow the wearer to see things behind the view regions. In some embodiments, the timekeeping apparatus may be a watch. 
         [0008]    The timekeeping apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure provides more flexibility to the designers of watches having both a traditional appearance and enhanced digital functionality, particularly to more flexibility in the number, size, shape and location of view regions on the watch without undesirably increasing the number of electronic components or significantly increasing the complexity in integrating the mechanical and electronic parts of the watch. The wearer may simultaneously view different things from the display panel even though the display panel is behind the dial. It is also possible that some view regions may be traditional, e.g., providing a smaller clock with its arms and dials to indicate different time zones, 
         [0009]    The configuration of the view regions (e.g., number, size, shape, location, color and material) may change rapidly to meet customer needs. Since the plurality of display regions of the watch of the present disclosure are provided by the same display panel rather than different, smaller display panels, watch designers do not have to redesign the final assembly every time the configuration of the view regions changes. Also, the integration of the mechanical and electronic components would be less complicated. These advantages could be very appealing to designers of traditional branded watches who would like to expand their product lines by offering dual-mode (mechanical/electronic) watches but fear the high costs in research and development and a possible low speed of time-to-market 
         [0010]    Since the arms and dial of the watch may have a more traditional flair, the watch according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may appeal more to potential buyers who like enhanced digital features but prefer watches with visible mechanical components. 
         [0011]    According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel of the watch has substantially the same size and shape as the dial. 
         [0012]    Since the display panel has substantially the same size and shape as the dial, watch designers may choose to place view regions almost anywhere on the dial to meet their needs, in other words, watch designers may have maximum freedom in placing view regions on the dial. In some other embodiments, the display panel and the dial do not have to be the same in size or shape. Their sizes and/or shapes may be different to accommodate additional features on the display panel and/or the dial (e.g., positioning features that increase the overall mechanical reliability of the watch) and/or to allow room for other components of the watch (e.g., a bezel). 
         [0013]    According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display regions of a single display panel are controllable independently from each other. 
         [0014]    Consequently, the wearer is allowed to view different, independent information and/or use independent software applications (or apps) in different view regions. The display regions may be controlled by software, firmware, hardware or any suitable combination thereof. Independently controllable display regions that correspond to respective view regions on the dial of the watch allow the wearer to customize what to do with and what to see from each display region. For example, the wearer may simultaneously be notified of incoming SMS/instant messages, see the time in a time zone other than that indicated by the arms, and be guided by a (software or hardware implemented) compass. This degree of versatility makes for great convenience. 
         [0015]    According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel of the watch comprises a matrix structure and a hole which the shaft goes through, and the hole does not affect the display capabilities of the matrix structure around the hole. 
         [0016]    Matrix-structure display panels such as those based on liquid crystals, LED, OLED, organic luminescent materials, plasma cells and electronic ink, have high performance and are used in many modern digital devices. Thus, it could be advantageous to use these display panels in smart watches. However, they might be sensitive to even small amount of physical damage. Therefore, any damage to the electrodes of a pixel could prevent the areas surrounding the pixel from functioning properly. In addition, the display layer of a display panel should be in a vacuum state after sealing. Punching a hole in a traditional matrix-structure display panel would severely damage the panel, making it unable to function properly or even unusable. In contrast, the display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a hole whose existence does not affect the display capabilities of the matrix structure around the hole, which makes the display panel suitable for a watch with mechanical arms connected to a movement by a shaft through the hole. The mechanical arms can make the watch have the visual appeal of a traditional watch. 
         [0017]    According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel further comprises at least one positioning feature on the boundary of the display panel. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the dial further comprises at least one positioning feature on the boundary of the dial. 
         [0018]    Positioning features, such as notches that may receive corresponding protrusions/pillars on other components of the watch and protrusions that may fit into corresponding holes/notches/hollow areas of other components of the watch, would be useful in holding together all components of the watch more tightly, enhancing the mechanical reliability of the watch. Having positioning features on the boundary of the display panel and on the boundary of the dial could give more flexibility in designing the view regions of the dial and the display regions of the display panel. The positioning features may be two- or three-dimensional. 
         [0019]    According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the view regions are hollow. Hollow (i.e., empty) view regions allow light to go through and let the wearer see what is behind the view regions. 
         [0020]    According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the material of the view regions is different from that of the dial substrate, wherein the former is at least semi-transparent. 
         [0021]    Cutting out or hollowing out portions from the dial substrate is not the only way to create view regions. They may also be created by making the material of some portions of the dial substrate (usually made of non-transparent material) become at least semi-transparent, such as plastic and glass. It is not necessary that view regions be made of completely transparent material. The degree of transparency may be chosen to fit different (e.g., visual) design needs. The view regions may also be colored to provide more visual effects, and it is known that plastic and glass may be colored. The top surface of the view regions may or may not be substantially coplanar with that of the dial substrate. 
         [0022]    According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the view regions may comprise an optical element, e.g., a lens, which may magnify or de-magnify the view below. Magnifying the display regions may help the user to see them more clearly and may be useful to users with reduced eyesight. Magnifying the display regions may also help create a greater variety of visual effects. 
         [0023]    According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for making a display panel that could be suitable for a smart watch with the aforementioned functionality and design flexibility is provided. The method comprises providing a first substrate comprising a first area, forming a display layer on the first substrate outside the first area, applying encapsulation material on the first area and around the display layer, sealing the display layer between the first substrate and a second substrate, and drilling a hole in the first area with the size of the hole being smaller than that of the first area. In some embodiments, the display layer may comprise an anode, a cathode, and display materials. In some embodiments, the display materials may be liquid crystal, LED, electroluminescent materials, plasma cells and/or electronic ink. 
         [0024]    The display layer is in a vacuum state after sealing. The method according to the above embodiment, however, would not destroy the vacuum state during or after the drilling of the hole, because it is the encapsulation material (rather than the display layer/material/circuity) that is present in the area to be drilled. The encapsulation material in the area to be drilled maintains the vacuum state, and the absence of a display layer/material/circuitry in the area to be drilled may prevent the entire display layer (particularly the portion around the hole) from being damaged. The method according to the above embodiment would also remove the constraint on the placement of the display panel that would otherwise be required to accommodate the existence of the movement, which may mechanically drive the arms. The hole may also allow a shaft to go through for letting the movement to drive the arms. The arms can preserve the prestigious feel often attributed to mechanical watches. 
         [0025]    The method according to the above embodiment may be adapted to provide more than one hole in the display panel. 
         [0026]    According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first substrate further comprises at least one second area; the step of forming the display layer on the first substrate outside the first area further comprises forming the display layer on the first substrate outside the at least one second area; the step of applying encapsulation material on the first area and around the display layer further comprises applying encapsulation material on the at least one second area; and the step of drilling the hole in the first area further comprises drilling a hole in each of the at least one second area, a size of the hole in each of the at least one second area being smaller than a size of the respective second area. 
         [0027]    Additional holes may be drilled for connecting additional shafts to additional arms or may reveal the mechanical structure behind the dial and the display panel, such as the movement, springs and wheels. Watches with a visible internal mechanical structure may allow wearers to see how the mechanical components of the watches work together and further enhance the sense of luxury. 
         [0028]    According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, some of the additional holes may comprise an optical element therein, e.g., a lens, which may magnify or de-magnify the view behind the lens. Magnifying the mechanical structure behind the dial and/or the display panel may help the wearer to see the components more clearly and may further enhance the elegance of the watch. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a prior art watch. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a top view of a multi-eye watch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0031]      FIGS. 2B-2D  illustrate partial cross-sectional views of a multi-eye watch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates certain functionalities of a multi-eye watch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0033]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  respectively illustrate a top view and a cross-sectional view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4C  illustrates a top view of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 4D-4G  illustrate cross-sectional views of the display layers according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, 
           [0036]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate a perspective view of a display panel according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a dial according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is a flow chart of a method of making a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  illustrates how various components of a watch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are assembled. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]    The present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the description below and the accompanying drawings. 
       Multi-Eye Watch 
       [0042]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a watch  2  with multiple view regions (or “eyes”)  211 - 213  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The watch  2  may comprise a display panel  20 , a dial  21  comprising a dial substrate, one or more arms  22 , a shaft  23 , one or more crowns  24 , a movement  25 , a seat  26  and a circuit board  27 . 
         [0043]    The display panel  20  may have one or more independently controllable display regions  201 - 203 , which allow the wearer to view different, independent information and/or use independent software applications (or apps). Each of the display regions  201 - 203  may correspond to a view region. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2A , the display regions  201 - 203  respectively correspond to the view regions  211 - 213 . It should be noted that the number of view regions may be equal to or more than the number of display regions. In other words, some view regions may not need a corresponding display region; features other than the display panel, such as a compass and a small clock, may exist in these view regions. 
         [0044]    In some embodiments, the display regions  201 - 203  may display a digital compass and/or a digital clock to mimic real ones. The display panel  20  may be an LCD panel, an LED panel, an OLED panel, an organic luminescent display panel, a plasma display panel or an electronic ink panel. 
         [0045]    Using one display panel  20  to provide multiple display regions  201 - 203  has a clear advantage over using multiple smaller display panels because mechanical/electronic design and integration becomes much simpler. Only the individually controllable display regions  201 - 203  have to be changed, but no additional display panel is required. Another advantage is that the view regions  211 - 213  of the dial  21  may be changed (e.g., in size and location) without the need to redesign the watch assembly. 
         [0046]    The dial  21  comprises a dial substrate in which the view regions  211 - 213  may be formed and to which the indices  214  are attached. The view regions  211 - 213  may be hollow to let the wearer see what is behind them. In some embodiments, the indices  214  may also be printed on the dial substrate and thus be substantially coplanar with the dial substrate. Although only three view regions  211 - 213  are shown in  FIG. 2A , the number of view regions may be more than or less than three if needed. 
         [0047]    In some embodiments, the display panel  20  and the dial  21  are substantially the same in size and shape. This may allow watch designers to have maximum freedom in placing view regions on the dial. Of course, the display panel  20  and the dial  21  may be different in size and/or shape to accommodate other features and/or components of the watch  2 . 
         [0048]    The arms  22  are connected to the shaft  23 , which goes through the dial  21  and the display panel  20 . The shaft  23  is also connected to the movement  25 . The use of arms  22  on the dial  21  can help create the look of a traditional watch. 
         [0049]    The crowns  24  may be used to control the arms  22 . The crowns  24  may also be designed to control the display regions  201 - 203  and other features of the watch  2 . In some embodiments, the crowns  24  may be in the form of a button. In some embodiments, the crowns  24  may be both rotatable and pressable and thus may act as both a traditional crown and a button. 
         [0050]    The seat  26  accommodates other components of the watch. In some embodiments, the seat  26  may have additional features, such as positioning features (which are described below). 
         [0051]    The circuit board  27  may comprise one or more digital circuits. In some embodiments, the circuit board  27  may comprise a generic microprocessor, a graphic processor, a power management circuit, sensors, a wireless communication module with various capabilities (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, cellular communication including 2G, 3G, 4G and beyond, NFC, and infrared), a display controller, and/or any other suitable components. 
         [0052]      FIG. 2C  illustrates another embodiment of the watch of the present disclosure. The components in  FIG. 2C  that are similar to those in  FIG. 2B  are labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be discussed in detail. 
         [0053]    One difference between  FIGS. 2B and 2C  is the existence of an optical element in the view region  211 , such as a lens  211   a.  The lens  211   a  may magnify or de-magnify the view behind the view region  211  to create a greater variety of visual effects. In some embodiments, the lens  211   a  is a magnifying element that may help the wearer see more clearly what is behind the view region  211 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 2D  illustrates another embodiment of the watch of the present disclosure. The components in  FIG. 2D  that are similar to those in  FIG. 2B  are labeled with the same reference numerals and will not be elaborated in detail. 
         [0055]    View regions  211 - 213  need not be hollow. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2D , the materials  211   b,    212   b  of the view regions  211 ,  212  may be different from the material of the dial substrate of the dial  21 . The color and transparency of the materials  211   b,    212   b  may be different from those of the material of the dial substrate of the dial  21 . In some embodiments, the materials  211   b,    212   b  may be at least semi-transparent to allow the wearer to see what is behind the view regions  211 ,  212 . Although not shown in  FIG. 2D , different materials may be used to form the view region  213 . The top surface of the view regions  211 ,  212  with the materials  211   b,    212   b  may be substantially coplanar with the dial substrate of the dial  21 . The materials  211   b,    212   b  may be plastic, glass or any other suitable materials. The materials  211   b,    212   b  may have different colors and/or degrees of transparency. The materials  211   b,    212   b  may create more visual effects. 
         [0056]      FIG. 3  illustrates a possible usage scenario of the watch  2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0057]    The display regions  201 - 203  may display information from different software applications or apps running on the watch  2  and/or received by the watch  2 . Also, the watch  2  may, through the wireless communication module(s) on the circuit board  27  (not shown in  FIG. 3 ), communicate with a device  3 , which may be a mobile phone, a laptop, a desktop, a PDA, a hand-held gaming device, a wireless base station, or other devices with communication capabilities. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the display region  201  displays information from an instant messaging application, the display region  202  displays information from a different instant messaging application (or some other application like e-mail), and the display region  203  displays information from an alarm clock application. The display regions  201 - 203  may display information from applications running on the watch  2 , information from applications running on the device  3 , or a combination of both. The wearer may, of course, choose the applications to be displayed in the display regions  201 - 203  and may decide how the watch  2  communicates with the device  3 . 
       Display Panel 
       [0058]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  respectively illustrate a top view and a cross-sectional view of a display panel  4  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0059]    The display panel  4  may comprise a first substrate  401 , a second substrate  402 , a display stack  41  between the substrates  401 ,  402 , a hole  42  with diameter a, an inner encapsulation area  431  surrounded by the display stack  41 , an outer encapsulation area  432 , and other suitable components, such as a polarizer  44 . 
         [0060]    The substrates  401 ,  402  may be transparent, may provide mechanical support to the display panel  4 , and may be made of any suitable materials known in the art, such as glass, resin and plastic. In some embodiments, the substrates  401 ,  402  may be at least semi-transparent and/or colored to have different visual effects. 
         [0061]    The display stack  41  may comprise display materials and suitable control circuitry. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4B , the display stack  41  may comprise a layer of first electrodes  411 , a display layer  412 , and a layer of second electrodes  413 . In some embodiments, the first electrodes  411  are anodes (such as indium tin oxide, also known by its abbreviation, ITO), and the second electrodes  413  are cathodes. The display layer  412  may comprise a matrix structure. 
         [0062]    The hole  42  would not affect the display capabilities of the display stack  41  around the hole  42 . The hole  42  may also serve to let the shaft  23  (not shown in  FIG. 4A or 4B ) of the watch  2  go through the display panel  4 . As explained above, the existence of the arms  22  driven by the shaft  23  and the movement  25  may create an appearance that has the sense of luxury and prestige usually conveyed by mechanical watches. The size and/or shape of the hole  42  can be adjusted to accommodate the shaft  23  that goes through the hole so as to increase mechanical reliability and manufacturing efficiency. 
         [0063]    The encapsulation areas  431 ,  432  may serve to hold the substrates  401 ,  402  and the display stack  41  together. The encapsulation areas  431 ,  432  may also seal the space between them and thus maintain a vacuum state around the display stack  41 . The display stack  41  may function more properly in the vacuum state and may be damaged if the vacuum state is not maintained properly. In some embodiments, the inner encapsulation area  431  may be in the shape of a concentric ring surrounding the hole  42  and having a width b. 
         [0064]      FIG. 4C  illustrates another embodiment of the display panel  4 , in which more holes  421 - 423  may exist. The size and/or shape and/or location of the holes  421 - 423  may be different from each other and may be decided based on the needs of the watch designer. The holes  421 - 423  may allow one or more shafts to go through to drive more than one set of arms. The holes  421 - 423  may also allow the mechanical components (such as the movement, springs and wheels) behind the display panel  4  to be partially revealed. Such visual effects may further enhance the sense of luxury of the watch. In some embodiments, magnifying and/or demagnifying optical elements may exist in some of the holes  421 - 423 . 
         [0065]      FIGS. 4D-4G  provide more details on different types of the display panel  4  according to different embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0066]    In  FIG. 4D , the display stack  41  comprises electrodes  411 ,  413  and liquid crystal materials  412   a.  A backlight  403  that may emit light  404  is below the first substrate  401 . The liquid crystal materials  412   a  may allow the light  404  to pass or block it. The passed light may go through different optical elements  414  to generate light with different colors  404   a - 404   c,  such as red, green and blue. 
         [0067]    In  FIG. 4E , the display stack  41  comprises electrodes  411 ,  413  and electroluminescent materials  412   b,  which may be organic. The electroluminescent materials  412   b,  when properly stimulated, may generate light with different colors  404   a - 404   c,  such as red, green and blue. 
         [0068]    In  FIG. 4F , the display stack  41  comprises electrodes  411 ,  413  and plasma cells  412   c  to generate light with different colors  404   a - 404   c  (such as red, green and blue). 
         [0069]    In  FIG. 4G , the display stack  41  comprises electrodes  411 ,  413  and a pigment layer  412   d  with a plurality of transparent microcapsules, such as those used in E-Ink. The electrodes  411 ,  413  may control the movement of charged white/black pigments in the microcapsules so that light  405  may pass or be reflected, resulting in a white/black color. 
         [0070]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate display panels with different positioning features according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0071]    In  FIG. 5A , the display panel may comprise a hole  42  in the center and positioning features, such as notches  451 - 453  distributed on the perimeter of the display panel and a downward protrusion  461 . The notches  451 - 453  may hold corresponding pillars on other components of the watch (such as the seat) so that the components of the watch may hold to each other more firmly, thereby increasing the mechanical stability of the watch. The protrusion  461  may fit into a hollow space in other components of the watch (such as the seat) and may help retain the proper position of the display panel 
         [0072]    In  FIG. 5B , the display panel may comprise a hole  42  in the center and positioning features, such as protrusions  454 - 456  distributed on the perimeter of the, display panel and an upward protrusion  462 . The protrusions  454 - 456  may fit into corresponding notches on other components of the watch (such as the seat) so that the components of the watch may hold to each other more firmly, thereby increasing the mechanical stability of the watch. 
         [0073]    The protrusion  462  may fit into a hollow space in other components of the watch (such as the dial) and may help retain the proper position of the display panel. 
       Other Features 
       [0074]      FIG. 6  illustrates a seat  26  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition to receiving the clockwork of the watch, the seat  26  may have additional positioning features, such as pillars  451   a - 453   a  and a hollow space  461   a.  In some embodiments, the pillars  451   a - 453   a  may respectively fit into the notches  451 - 453  of the display panel illustrated in  FIG. 5A , and the hollow space  461   a  may receive the corresponding downward protrusion  461  illustrated in  FIG. 5A . In some embodiments, the positioning features that match the pillars  451   a - 453   a  and the hollow space  461   a  may exist on other components of the watch. 
         [0075]      FIG. 7  illustrates a dial  21  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition to the features mentioned above, the dial  21  may have additional positioning features, such as notches  2151 - 2153 . In some embodiments, the notches  2151 - 2153  correspond to the pillars  451   a - 453   a  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . It should be noted that the pillars  451   a - 453   a  on the seat  26  may correspond to the notches  451 - 453  of the display panel, or the notches  2151 - 2153  of the dial  21 , or both. 
       Manufacturing Methods 
       [0076]      FIG. 8  illustrates a method of making a display panel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, such as the display panel  4  illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
         [0077]    In step  802 , a first substrate (such as the substrate  401 ) comprising a first area (such as an area that has the same size and shape as the inner encapsulation area  431 ) is provided. In step  804 , a display layer (such as the display materials and/or associated control circuitry of the display stack  41 ) is formed on the first substrate outside the first area. In step  806 , encapsulation material is applied on the first area and around the display layer (such as on the inner and outer encapsulation areas  431 ,  432 ). In step  808 , the display layer is sealed between the first substrate carrying the display layer and a second substrate with the encapsulation material; note that the encapsulation material helps seal the two substrates and maintain a vacuum state of the display layer in between. In step  810 , a hole is drilled in the first area. Although a hole is drilled in the first area, the functionality of the display layer is not affected because of the absence of the display layer in the first area. In addition, since the drilling is within the first area, on which encapsulation material has been applied, the vacuum state is maintained during and after the drilling. 
         [0078]    In some embodiments, the first substrate further comprises at least one second area; the display layer is formed further outside the at least one second area; the encapsulation material is further applied on the at least one second area; and a hole is further drilled in each of the at least one second area. In some embodiments, the size of the hole in each of the at least one second area is smaller than the size of the respective second area. Consequently, more than one hole may be formed on the display panel (such as the display panel illustrated in  FIG. 4C ). 
         [0079]    In some embodiments, a magnifying element, such as a lens, may be optionally placed in the hole of each of at least one of the at least one second area to provide different optical/visual effects. 
         [0080]      FIG. 9  illustrates how a watch according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled. In step  902 , a movement is placed on a seat; other components, such as a circuit board and other components of the clockwork, may also be placed on the seat. In step  904 , the display panel is assembled; the display panel may optionally have notches and a downward protrusion that respectively correspond to the pillars and hollow space on the seat for better fitting. In step  906 , the dial is assembled; the dial may optionally have notches that correspond to the pillars on the seat for better fitting. In step  908 , a shaft and arms are connected to the movement. Other components, such as a bezel and watch bands, may also be provided. 
         [0081]    Specific components of a multi-eye analog smart watch and related manufacturing methods have been described. It should, however, be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the present disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting the present disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  watch 
           11  view region 
           12  movement 
           13  display panel 
           2  watch 
           20  display panel 
           201  display region 
           202  display region 
           203  display region 
           21  dial 
           211  view region 
           211   a  lens 
           211   b  different material 
           212  view region 
           212   b  different material 
           213  view region 
           214  index 
           2151  notch 
           2152  notch 
           2153  notch 
           22  arm 
           23  shaft 
           24  crown 
           25  movement 
           26  seat 
           27  circuit board 
           3  device 
           4  display panel 
           401  first substrate 
           402  second substrate 
           403  backlight 
           404  light 
           404   a  red light 
           404   b  green light 
           404   c  blue light 
           405  light 
           41  display stack 
           411  first electrode 
           412  display layer 
           412   a  liquid crystal materials 
           412   b  electroluminescent materials 
           412   c  plasma cells 
           412   d  pigment layer 
           413  second electrode 
           42  hole 
           421  hole 
           422  hole 
           423  hole 
           431  inner encapsulation area 
           432  outer encapsulation area 
         a diameter 
         b width 
           44  polarizer 
           451  notch 
           452  notch 
           453  notch 
           451   a  pillar 
           452   a  pillar 
           453   a  pillar 
           454  protrusion 
           455  protrusion 
           456  protrusion 
           461  protrusion 
           461   a  hollow space 
           462  protrusion 
           8  flow chart 
           802  step 
           804  step 
           806  step 
           808  step 
           810  step 
           902  step 
           904  step 
           906  step 
           908  step