WO2009146505A1

WO2009146505A1 - A method and apparatus for changing an object's colour

Info

Publication number: WO2009146505A1
Application number: PCT/AU2009/000713
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ashton Walter Bishop; Scott Michael Callaghan; Gavin Larkin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-04
Filing date: 2009-06-04
Publication date: 2009-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 2010-12-04

Abstract

A portable electronic device, in particular a mobile phone, the electronic device including a casing made of an electrochromic polymer material, the polymer material being configured to receive an electric charge, and at least partially change colour in response to the received electric charge. The mobile phone may be configured to change to a plurality of different colours, each colour change being associated with a device functionality. Different colours may be associated with different callers, so that the phone changes colour on receiving an incoming call to indicate the caller. The electronic device could alternatively be in the form of a set of toy building blocks made of an electrochromic polymer. The blocks can receive a wireless signal from a base station to trigger a colour change.

Description

A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHANGING AN OBJECT'S COLOUR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and system for changing a colour of an object, and in particular examples, changing the colour of a portion of an electronic device, a toy, or the like.

Description of the Background Art

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Presently, objects such as toys or electronic devices are manufactured with predetermined colours. Accordingly, if a user wishes to acquire the toy or electronic device in a different colour, the manufacturer typically supplies alternatives of either different coloured toys, or in the case of some electronic devices (such as mobile phones, for example), changeable cases.

Thus, there is required a system and/or method for changing an object's colour which overcomes, at least ameliorates one or more disadvantages of existing arrangements, or provides an alternative to existing arrangements.

Summary of the Present Invention According to a first broad form, there is provided an apparatus and method for changing a colour state of a portion of an object.

In a second broad form, there is provided an apparatus for changing a colour state of a portion of an object, the portion of the object having a polymer material, the apparatus being configured to apply an electric charge to the polymer material, wherein the colour state of the portion changes in accordance with the applied electric charge. In a third broad form, there is provided, an electronic device, the electronic device including a polymer material, the polymer material being configured to: receive an electric charge; and, at least partially change colour in response to the received electric charge.

According to one particular example, the polymer material includes any one or a combination of: an electro-chromic polymer (ECP); and, controlled release polymer (CRP).

In accordance with a further example, the electronic device is a portable electronic device.

Thus, in another example, a portion of a casing of the electronic device is formed of the polymer material. Further still, the entire casing is formed of the polymer material. In yet a further example, the casing has a plurality of panels formed from the polymer material, and/or a portion of a screen of the electronic device is formed of the polymer material.

According to another aspect, the electric charge is generated by the electronic device, and/or the electric charge is generated in response to a trigger received by a base station.

In one particular example, the electronic device is a mobile telephone, the colour change being in response to any one or a combination of: messaging functionality, call functionality, and a device attribute, or any other functionality associated with the device. Furthermore, the polymer material can be configured to change to a plurality of colours, each colour change being associated with a device functionality.

In one example, the polymer material includes any one or a combination of an electro- chromic polymer (ECP), and a controlled release polymer (CRP).

According to another example, the object is a toy.

With respect to a further example, the electric charge is applied in accordance with a trigger.

According to another example, the trigger is a received wireless transmission.

According to a further example, the wireless transmission is a radio frequency wave. With respect to another example, the toy is a building block and the apparatus is a radio frequency receiver within the building block.

According to another example, the apparatus further includes a capacitor to store charge received by the wireless transmission.

In a further example, the wireless transmission is transmitted by a transmitter in a base station.

With regard to a further example, the base station is a base platform for the object, the object being a building block.

In another example, transmission of the wireless signal can be controlled by a processing system.

According to a further aspect, the object is an electronic device, and a portion of a casing of the device includes polymer material.

According to another example, the entire casing is formed from the polymer material.

With respect to another example, the casing has a plurality of panels formed from the polymer material.

In another form, the colour state change is an indication of any one or a combination of, device functionality, user instructions, and an alert.

According to another example, the electronic device is a portable electronic device, including any one or a combination of a mobile telephone, a portable music player, a camera, a storage device, a video player, a personal data assistant, and a portable game console, and any other electronic equipment apparent to persons skilled in the art.

In a fourth broad form, there is provided a method for at least partially changing colour of an electronic device, the electronic device including a polymer material, the method including the steps of, in the polymer material: receiving an electric charge; and, at least partially changing colour in response to the received electric charge. According to a fifth broad form, there is provided a method for changing a colour state of a portion of an object, the portion of the object having a polymer material, the method including the step of applying an electric charge to the polymer material, wherein the colour state of the portion changes in accordance with the applied electric charge.

It will be appreciated that any of the above-described forms, examples, or aspects can be provided separately or in combination.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure IA is a flow diagram of an example method/process that can be utilised to embody or give effect to a particular example;

Figure IB is a flow diagram of another example method/process that can be utilised to embody or give effect to a particular example;

Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of an example object, such as a toy; Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of another example toy;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an example object, such as a portable electronic device;

Figure 4 is schematic diagram of an example network infrastructure that can be utilised to embody or give effect to a particular example;

Figure 5 is a functional block diagram of an example processing system that can be utilised to embody or give effect to a particular example; and,

Figure 6 is a functional block diagram of an example processing system that can be utilised to embody or give effect to a particular example. Modes For Carrying Out The Invention

An example of a method/process for changing an object's colour will now be described with reference to Figure IA.

In particular, Figure IA shows at step 100, applying an electric charge to at least a portion of an object with polymer material, and at step 1 10, at least a portion of the object with the polymer material changing colour states, in accordance with the applied electric charge.

Accordingly, an apparatus can be used to change the colour state of a portion of the object, where the portion of the object has a polymer material. The apparatus can be configured to apply an electric charge to the polymer material, wherein the colour state of the portion of the object changes in accordance with the applied electric charge.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that the colour state of an object can include a complete change of colour of an object, or a change of tone, hue, transparency, or the like. Furthermore, although the polymer material can be any form of polymer that is configured to change colour upon application of an electric charge, the polymer material can include an electro-chromic polymer (ECP), and/or a controlled release polymer (CRP), or the like. According to one particular example, the object can be an electronic device, which is a portable electronic device. Thus, either the casing (entire or part thereof), or screen of the electronic device can be formed of the polymer material. In yet a further example, the device (such as the casing) can include a plurality of panels which may be formed of the polymer material. Thus, for example, the device may be a mobile telephone where any combination of the screen, casing, or buttons on the phone can be formed of the polymer material.

In this particular example, the electric charge can be generated by the electronic device in response to user interaction, device functionality, or an alert. Alternatively, the electric charge may also be generated in response to a trigger received by a base station. Thus, if the electronic device is a mobile phone, the electric charge for changing the colour of the case of the phone may be generated by the user receiving or sending text messages (messaging functionality), video messages, browsing the internet, receiving or executing a call (call functionality), or the like.

It will further be appreciated that the device can include a plurality of polymer materials, or the polymer material may be configured to change to a plurality of colours, such that the colour change is associated with or dependent upon the functionality.

Figure IB shows an example of a process which may be implemented in a mobile telecommunication device, such as a mobile phone. In this particular example, at step 120 a mobile phone may receive a signal from a base station of an incoming call, or the like. The phone can the recognise a call attribute at step 130, such as the identity of the caller in accordance with the phone's phonebook information. This can then trigger the phone's internal system to apply an electric charge to a polymer material at step 140, so that the polymer material can change colour accordingly at step 150.

Thus, the polymer material may change colour in accordance with or associated with the identity of the caller (that is, the particular functionality or attribute of the phone), which can allow a user of the phone to recognise the incoming call from the particular colour change. Accordingly, certain attributes, identities, functionalities of the device, can be assigned different polymer materials and/or colour changes within the polymer material. Notably, this can include generated colour changes as a result of the device communicating with other devices, such as receiving and/or transmitting signals to other devices (such as for example, wireless signals to base stations, Bluetooth, or the like).

The process of Figure IA can be implemented with different objects and various apparatus. Examples of the various forms of the implementation of the process of Figure 1 are given below. Example 1 :

In one particular example, the object to which the process of Figure 1 can be applied can include toys.

Figures 2A and 2B show an example of a toy to which the process of Figure 1 can be applied. In this example, the toy includes a building block 200, which can be a part of a set of building blocks, which can be used by children to build particular structures, such as models of cities, or can be used by children for educational purposes, or the like.

Figure 2A shows that the electric charge applied, can be applied in accordance with a trigger, such as a wireless transmission 220, sent by a base station 210. The wireless transmission can be a radio frequency (RF) transmission (or wave), however, it will be appreciated that other forms of wireless transmission (such as Bluetooth or the like, can also be used).

In the example shown in Figure 2A, at least one of the building blocks 200 has a radio frequency receiver 240 formed within the building block. The building block 200 may also include a charge storage facility 250 such as a battery, a capacitor, or the like where, in one example, the capacitor may store electric charge received by the wireless transmission to apply to the object 200 at a later time.

According to a further example, the trigger, and in particular, the transmission of the wireless signal can be controlled by a processing system. An example of a processing system, and a distributed architecture is further described below. It will be appreciated that this can allow a user to remotely control the colour change of the toy.

Figure 2B shows that the base station 210 can be a base platform for the building blocks 200, where a structure can be built on the platform 210 with a plurality of building blocks 200.

Thus, the above-described method and apparatus can be implemented in colour changing toy blocks that can be hard moulded plastics similar to Lego^(R) blocks, which have connecting elements that can connect the blocks 200. Example connecting elements are shown at 260 in Figures 2A and 2B, which allow the blocks 200 to snap -fit together. In one particular example, the blocks can have a number of different shaped, coloured, and sized blocks provided in a set. They are typically made of a rigid moulded plastic, and have a clipping mechanism which allows the blocks to be attached to each other and structures to be built (and in many cases, retain their shape even if under mild duress).

Accordingly, there can be provided a toy set having a plurality of building blocks 200, and the set can include a base station 210. The base station 210 can be a foundation piece for construction (as shown in Figure 2B) where it is either a large battery powered brick block or a relatively thin base place that can be mains powered. The base station 210 can include an RF transmitter device, for transmitting an RF signal 230.

Each block 200 in the set can have a small unit moulded into the block 200 that includes one or more chips/processing systems and one or more capacitors. The processing system of the block can perform a control function, taking input from an input device and also a power function where the processing system of the block 200 can receive RF waves and convert the waves into energy. The RF receiver system can convert the RF emissions from the base plate/station 210 into electrical energy which can be stored a capacitor. The blocks may then be activated to change colour upon being clipped into a structure (such as another block or the base plate/station 210), by using a button, a timer, or the like.

Thus, the set can include processing systems acting as a transceiver and receiver to efficiently transmit RF energy. Radio waves produced by the base module can work over short distances and can facilitate effective energy transmission until the waves reach an antenna that is tuned to the appropriate frequency in the block pieces 200. The wireless power platform 210 can use a specialised transmitter circuit running on conventional current to broadcast a low-power radio signal at a predetermined frequency. The smaller receiver circuit can be embedded in the blocks 200 and can use the energy as a replacement for a battery for smaller blocks and to charge the battery in the larger blocks.

Accordingly, radio frequency (RF) energy can be used to source power to each individual block 200, where in some cases the blocks 200 may not need an inbuilt battery. It will be appreciated that colour changing toys can provide numerous advantages. For example, colour changing blocks can provide greater educational opportunities for children engaged with these toys, as they can change colour depending on a user's interaction with the block, such as for example, correctly placing the block on the structure in accordance with an instruction, or the like. Furthermore, the RF capabilities of the blocks can provide greater freedom of movement and scope of construction as wires are typically not required.

Further examples of other objects which can have a colour changing state are given below.

Example 2:

In a further example, the process of Figure 1 can be implemented with/on an electronic device.

In one particular example, the object can be a portable electronic device, where a portion of the casing of the device includes a polymer material. It will be appreciated that in one example, the entire casing of the device can be formed from the polymer material. Alternatively, the casing can include one or more panels formed from the polymer material.

Thus, the colour state of at least a portion of the object can change as an indication of device functionality, user interaction, or an alert.

In one particular example, the process of Figure 1 can be implemented in a portable electronic device (PED), which has a rigid moulded plastic casing or housing. PEDs can include, but are not limited to mobile telephones, MP3 or MP4 (or any other form) of portable music or video players, portable game consoles, cameras (including digital still and video cameras), personal data assistants (PDAs), portable computers (such as laptops or the like), thumb drives and storage keys (such as USB keys) and other storage devices, smart cards, and DVD, CD players, or portable radio players.

Figure 3 shows an example of an object 300, which in this example is a mobile telecommunication device. In the example of Figure 3, the mobile device 300 has panels 310 which are configured to change colour states upon an application of an electric charge. The electric charge can be applied internally by the applicator device (or apparatus) 320, which can (either internally or externally) form a part of the mobile device 310.

Thus, each of the panels 310 of the device 300 can represent different or varying activities and can change colour states depending on the type of activity. In one example, a panel 310 can change colour states depending on particular interactions with a user of the device 300. In another example, a panel 310 can change colour in accordance with an alarm or the like, a message received on the device, or an incoming call.

In a further example, the apparatus 320 can apply the electric charge to the panels 310 in response to external communication from a processing system, as a part of a distributed architecture (as described below).

It will be appreciated that the application to electronic devices can have numerous advantages. In one particular example, a person that is hearing impaired can use mobile telephones for text messaging, and can receive visual indication via the change in colour state of messages, alarms, information, or the like. In comparison to the vibration of mobile telephones and light screen/light illuminations, the use of ECP colour changing for mobile telephones is not as battery intensive and is thus more sustainable.

Additionally, many PEDs have the same model available in a variety of colours. The application of the process of Figure 1 to PEDs can allow a manufacturer to make one unit, where the colour of the unit can then be changed to a variety of colours, depending on the user's preferences. It will be appreciated that this could provide significant manufacturing and logistical cost and time advantages, as for example, it could reduce the number of separate inventory items shipped as only one unit would need to be manufactured and shipped as opposed to a variety of colours of the same unit/device.

Furthermore, the electronic device can be customised to individual tastes and/or needs. The casing colour of the electronic device can be changed easily, with more variety available to users. As the case of a PED does not need to be changed in order to change the colour, the chance of unit failure due to exposing or damaging the internals during the case changeover is minimised. Further still, as many PEDs have a casing that is integral to the unit, a casing that is adjustable in colour can customise the PED to a user's preference without the need to replace specialist parts of the unit.

According to a further example, the casing of a PED can change colour in response to either system or user actions. For example, the casing can change colour through a game or inline with functional steps through a process undertaken on the unit. This could give an external indication of a progress status, for either notification of non-users or for the user when the process is interrupted and the user is reminded of the progress thus far. For example, many

PEDs hibernate or sleep, so that in order to conserve power, the screen shuts down, which then also hides any indication of the current status of a task or the like. Thus, external ECP indicating panels could provide an indication of the PED status and minimise the power drain caused by an active screen.

Furthermore, an ECP layer can also be used as an external indicator for battery life or remaining memory space, or the like. As generally, ECP does not require a constant charge to be applied, the PED can have panels to indicate known memory space or battery life remaining. In one further example, the battery life can be updated automatically periodic intervals (for example, every few hours when the unit is switched off).

Electro-chromic materials have the ability to change their optical properties in response to an externally applied potential. They can switch (reversibly) from transparent to coloured or between two or more different coloured states. Notably, ECP requires only limited voltage to produce an optical change and can retain the colouration state without the need for constant voltage application (which is typically required with LCD or LED technologies). Furthermore, ECP can be structured similarly to a battery, with electrode, electrolyte and active layers.

PED's are generally constructed of hard plastic materials and have an inbuilt power supply, and can accordingly have ECP panels or layers added to the devices relatively easily, without effecting the other functionality of a PED. Accordingly, PEDs can have an electro-chromic component that is integrated into its structural casing. The component can be a coating external or internal to the casing and the casing itself can be transparent, translucent, or opaque.

The ECP component changes colour, which can render the PED alternate colours to its original hue. The colour change may be between two or more colours, and may occur in one or more instances of an ECP component integrated into the PED casing.

Generally, PED's have a user interface which allows a user to interact with the device. Accordingly, the control of the ECP functionality can form a part of the functionality of the PED (that is, an inbuilt control mechanism of the PED). Thus, in one example, the PED can include a menu option item such as "change colour" or the like.

Typically, PEDs can be manufactured by using a standard injection moulded device casing as the basis. The ECP layer can then be placed on top by any method, such as by using Electro- Chromic Ink (ECI), or the like.

Accordingly, the casing of the device can change colour using the PED's own controls and power source, either in response to a function of the unit, or to a user initiated command. In one particular example, the power can be drawn from the battery inherent to the PED. Typically, the switching potential is low (in one example, 0.1 - 1.5 volts) and the switching itself can be discrete, thus additional battery capacity would generally not be required.

Furthermore, circuitry for applying the electric charge to the polymer material may be provided which is separate to the main circuitry/chip of the PED.

It will be appreciated that there are many advantages which can be provided by having a PED which can change colour. In one particular example, when using the device in daylight or in noisy conditions, a user does not have to rely on a light being turned on in the screen of the device, or vibration of the device, or the like. Thus, a change in colour of the device may suffice in alerting the user with respect to device functionality. An Example Distributed Architecture and Processing System:

The process of Figure 1 can be performed using a distributed architecture, an example of which will now be described with reference to Figure 4.

In this example, a base station processor 201 is coupled to a number of end stations 403, 405 via a communications network 402, such as the Internet, and/or via communications networks 404, such as local area networks (LANs), or wide area networks (WANs). Thus, it will be appreciated that the LANs 404 may form an internal network at a specific location.

Accordingly, in Example 1 provided above, the base station processor 401 can be the base station 210, and the end station 403 can be a user processor which can provide remote instructions to an end station 405 (which can be the toy object 200 such as the block), to change colour. Alternatively, the base station processor 401 can communicate directly with the end station 405.

In Example 2 provided above, the base station processor 401 can be a mobile telecommunications service provider or the like, and end stations 403, 405 can be the mobile telecommunications device. Thus, for example, the service provider 401 can generate a signal for the mobile device 403, 405 to change colour in accordance with a particular situation (such as, for example, an incoming call or a message being received).

The base station processor 401 typically includes one or more processing systems 410, optionally coupled to one or more databases 411.

Accordingly, any form of suitable processing system 410 may be used. An example is shown in Figure 5. In this example, the processing system 410 includes at least a processor 500, a memory 501, an input/output (I/O) device 502, such as a keyboard, and display, and an external interface 503, coupled together via a bus 504 as shown.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the processing system 410 may be formed from any suitable processing system, such as a suitably programmed PC, Internet terminal, lap-top, hand-held PC, or the like, which is typically operating applications software to enable data transfer and in some cases web-hosting and file transfer protocol (FTP) functionality. This would typically therefore require that the processing system 410 is a network server connected via a high-bandwidth connection to the Internet.

Similarly, the end stations 403, 405 are typically adapted to communicate with the processing system 410 positioned at the base station processor 401. It will be appreciated that this can allow for a number of different forms of end stations 403, 405 to be used.

An example of a suitable end station 403, 405 is shown in Figure 6. As shown the end station 403 can includes a processor 600, a memory 601, an input/output device 602 such as a keyboard and display, and an external interface 603 coupled together via a bus 604, as shown. Notably, an internal interface can be provided to allow the end station 403 to be coupled to one of the communications networks 402, 404, and accordingly, this may be in the form of a network interface card, or the like.

In use, the processor 600 is adapted to communicate with the processing system 410 provided in the base station 401 via the communications networks 402, 404.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the end stations 403, 405 may be formed from any suitable processing system, such as a suitably programmed PC, Internet terminal, lap-top, hand-held PC, smart phone, PDA, web server, or the like, which is typically operating applications software to enable data transfer and in some cases web-browsing.

Other Examples

It will be appreciated that the method and system described can be used to change the colour state of a variety of objects, some of which are further described below.

Balls - Colour Change on Impact

Current toys use accelerometers or other motion sensors to set off LEDs embedded in robust plastic/rubber compounds fashioned into balls. They are usually powered by a small battery and are almost exclusively made as complete units that are not repairable (i.e. can't change the battery). Accordingly, in one particular example, an ECP colour changing component can use piezoelectric cells to power the colour change from impact of the ball with other objects. Since ECP requires much less charge to initiate a substantive change in colour of the ball the primary function of the ball would last much longer. A battery can still be integrated but would have a much longer life than with other toys of the sort. Alternately, the piezoelectric cells may be able to power a small ball without the need for a battery and thus making the unit even more robust.

Books with Colour Changing Components

It will be appreciated that books come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and for a variety of purpose. In one particular example, the above-described process and system can be applied to children's books aimed primarily at the early learning stage of a child's development. Thus, for example, a user can be requested to choose the right colour for an object and a portion of the book could then change to that colour. Eg is a frog green or purple? Notably, this type of book could also include a reset on book closed function and other alerts and/or sounds to confirm correctness of choice.

According to a further example, the above-described process can be applied in a book which is about elements that change colour such as chameleons, fruit, the sky, grass etc. In yet a further example, there could be provided a book for colouring in where a user can choose one of a couple of preset colours to make or complete a picture.

Colour Puzzles

An example of colour puzzles can include Rubik's cube type puzzle with programmable levels of difficulty. The colour panels that change colour with two to twelve different colours, providing a very simple two colour puzzle or a very complex twelve colour (six sides but sections change colour according to position).

A series of shapes or even a matrix of squares (5x5 or upwards) could be made from ECP and used such that the sections change colour when touched (using an under set button). This can allow a preset picture to be discovered by the user or allow the user to create a rudimentary picture with the squares/sections in the matrix.

Dolls

Dolls can include pre-printed clothes that can change colour to match other accessories. The doll's accessories could be made from or coated with ECP to when connected to the doll could synchronise its colour to the dolls other clothes.

Vehicles

Cars, trucks, bikes, basically or any other toy vehicle can be made with any ECP coating that changes colour upon impact, button press or in a certain amount of time.

Introducing technology to current board games

It will be appreciated that the above-described process can be applied to existing board games in order to improve board game functionality. Some examples of these are given below.

Twister

The game of Twister can be altered with variable colour patches, which can create a user adjustable degree of difficulty. The twister pad can be created such that a variety of colours can be incorporated therein, arranged in a variety of orders.

Monopoly

It will be appreciated that the above-described process can be applicable to other well known traditional board games. In one example, this can provide the ability to play board games without the user identifiable pieces that usually come with the games.

In the case of Monopoly, the squares can change colour when a player purchases the property designated by that square. Additionally, a colour or picture indicator can show the change from empty to houses to hotels. The squares can all have the tokens printed on them in ECP and switch on and off as players travel around. Furthermore, Community Chest and Chance cards can be random number generated and applied to person's token.

Checkers

It will be appreciated that this is particularly applicable to travel or portable games. Most portable games are miniaturised and thus have lots of very little pieces or they are relatively clunky electronic versions of the games.

An ECP version can allow the board in the board game to have the pieces printed in ECP on the board. The checkers can be an ECP circle that, by using a finger tap can move from square to square. Kinging can be noted by having a thick ring achieved by two ECP circles one within the other.

The foregoing describes only some embodiments of the present invention, and modifications and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, the embodiments being illustrative and not restrictive.

In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" means "including principally but not necessarily solely" or "having" or "including", and not "consisting only of. Variations of the word "comprising", such as "comprise" and "comprises" have correspondingly varied meanings.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1) An electronic device, the electronic device including a polymer material, the polymer material being configured to: a) receive an electric charge; and, b) at least partially change colour in response to the received electric charge.

2) The device of claim 1 , wherein the polymer material includes any one or a combination of: a) an electro-chromic polymer (ECP); and, b) controlled release polymer (CRP). 3) The device of any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the electronic device is a portable electronic device.

4) The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a portion of a casing of the electronic device is formed of the polymer material.

5) The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the entire casing is formed of the polymer material.

6) The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the casing has a plurality of panels formed from the polymer material.

7) The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a portion of a screen of the electronic device is formed of the polymer material. 8) The device of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electric charge is generated by the electronic device.

9) The device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electric charge is generated in response to a trigger received by a base station.

10) The device of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the colour change is an indication of any one or a combination of: a) device functionality; b) user instructions; and, c) an alert.

1 1) The device of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the electronic device is a portable electronic device, including any one or a combination of: a) a mobile telephone; b) a portable music player; c) a camera; d) a storage device; e) a video player; f) a personal data assistant; and, g) a portable game console.

12) The device of claim 11, wherein the electronic device is a mobile telephone, the colour change being in response to any one or a combination of: a) messaging functionality; b) call functionality; and, c) a device attribute

13) The device of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the polymer material is configured to be changed to a plurality of colours, each colour change being associated with a device functionality.

14) A method for at least partially changing colour of an electronic device, the electronic device including a polymer material, the method including the steps of, in the polymer material: a) receiving an electric charge; and, b) at least partially changing colour in response to the received electric charge.

15) The method of claim 13, the method being performed by the device of any one of claims 2 to 12.