Solid state watch display switch

• US 3,871,170 A
• Filed: 02/20/1974
• Issued: 03/18/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John M. Bergey
• Original Assignee: John M. Bergey
• Inventors: Bergey, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackmon, Edith Simmons
• Application Number:
  US05/444,146
• Time in Patent Office: 391 Days
• Field of Search: 58/5R 240/6.43
• US Class Current: 368/69
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 3/002 Position, e.g. inclination dependent switches
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/10 by controlling light sources, e.g. electroluminescent diodes G04G9/0058 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/107 provided with means for displaying at will a time indication or a date or a part thereof

Abstract

Disclosed is a solid state wristwatch with an electro-optical digital display of light-emitting diodes. Incorporated in the watch is a switch for actuating the display in response to a predetermined movement of the wearer'"'"''"'"'s arm so that movement of the other hand or arm is not required and the other hand is left free for carrying packages or other uses.

Claims

1. A wristwatch comprising a frequency standard for producing substantially constant frequency electrical signals, a frequency converter coupled to said frequency standard for producing corresponding electrical signals of lower frequency than said frequency standard, an electro-optical time display for displaying time in decimal numbers, a display acuator coupling said frequency converter to said electro-optical time display, an electrical power supply terminal for energizing said time display from a power supply, and an arm responsive switch coupling said power supply terminal to said display whereby said display is energized upon a predetermined movement of a wearer'"'"''"'"'s arm upon which said wristwatch is mounted, said arm responsive switch being responsive to variations in resistance.

2. A wristwatch comprising a watch case, timekeeping means in said case including a solid state electronic circuit and an electro-optical time display for displaying time in decimal numbers, an electrical power supply terminal in said case for energizing said display from a power supply, and a switch carried by said case coupling said power supply terminal to said display, said switch being operative in response to a predetermined movement of a wearer'"'"''"'"'s arm upon which the wristwatch is mounted, said switch comprising a solid state switch, and an electrical impedance means coupled to said switch whereby said switch is operated in response to a change in impedance.

3. A wristwatch according to claim 2 wherein said impedance means comprises a capacitor and said switch is operated by a change in capacitance.

4. A wristwatch according to claim 3 including a viewing crystal, said capacitor being mounted on said crystal.

5. A wristwatch according to claim 4 wherein said capacitor is mounted on the inside surface of said crystal.

6. A wristwatch according to claim 2 wherein said impedance means comprises a resistor and said switch is operated by a change in resistance.