Low power, configurable display for mobile devices

A method for changing an appearance of a mobile terminal, comprising:

• providing a mobile terminal housing with a window;
• forming a first electrode over the window,
• where the first electrode comprises a metal frame formed over the window;
• forming a conductive polymer layer over the electrode layer;
• forming an electrolyte layer over the conductive polymer layer;
• forming an ion storage layer in electrical connection with the electrolyte layer;
• forming a second electrode in electrical connection with the ion storage layer;
• and
• applying a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode,
• where applying the voltage causes the conductive polymer layer to transition from a first visual state to a second visual state.

A system, comprising:

• a mobile telephone housing having a first transparent or semi-transparent region and a second transparent or semi-transparent region formed therein;
• a first electrode formed behind the first transparent or semi-transparent region;
• a second electrode formed behind the second transparent or semi-transparent region;
• a first conductive polymer region formed behind the first electrode, the first conductive polymer region visible through the at least one transparent or semi-transparent region;
• a second conductive polymer region formed behind the second electrode, the second conductive polymer region visible through the at least one transparent or semi-transparent region;
• a single electrolyte layer formed over the first conductive polymer region and the second conductive polymer region;
• and
• logic configured to respond to an event,
• where, in response to the event, the logic causes a voltage to be supplied from a power source to the first and second electrodes, to modify a color of the first and second conductive polymer regions.