Switching assembly in combination wristwatch and calculator

• US 4,055,755 A
• Filed: 04/15/1976
• Issued: 10/25/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Sasaki, Takehiko, Maeda, Hidetoshi, Yonekawa, Masaji, Nakamura, Tutomu
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jerry
• Application Number:
  US05/677,441
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 235/152, 235/156, 58/50 R, 58/152 R, 200/5 A, 307/116, 307/125, 307/130, 340/365 C
• US Class Current: 708/111
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/08 Touch switches specially adapted for time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/007 combined with a calculator or computing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/0208 for combination with other devices having a different main function, e.g. watches, pens
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/84 characterised by ergonomic functions, e.g. for miniature keyboards; characterised by operational sensory functions, e.g. sound feedback legends H01H13/83
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/967 having a plurality of control members, e.g. keyboard H03K17/969, H03K17/972, H03K17/98 take precedence

Abstract

In a combination wristwatch and calculator, a key input means for information entry employs a touch sensitive electronic switching circuitry comprising a C-MOS inverter. One electrode for the touch sensitive electronic switching circuitry is provided on the front panel of the combination wristwatch and calculator, whereas another electrode for the touch sensitive electronic switching circuitry is positioned on the rear surface of the combination wristwatch and calculator. The present key input means is equally applicable to a miniature electronic calculator.

Claims

1. A combination wristwatch and calculator including a conductive casing, a front insulating panel, a time keeping circuit, an arithmetic calculation circuit, a key input means for introducing desired information into the arithmetic calculation circuit, and an information display for displaying information stored in the time keeping circuit and the arithmetic calculation circuit, said key input means comprising:

a plurality of touch electrodes formed on the front insulating panel; and

a plurality of touch sensitive electronic switching circuits, each of the touch sensitive electronic switching circuits including;

a C-MOS inverter circuit having a gate terminal and two power supply terminals,

a power source connected across said power supply terminals,

two input terminals connected to one of said touch electrodes and to said conductive casing, respectively, and

circuit means for inverting the condition of said C-MOS inverter circuit when said two input terminal are connected to each other through a human body resistor.

2. The combination wristwatch and calculator of claim 1, which further comprises a metal belt attached to the combination wristwatch and calculator, wherein the touch sensitive electronic switching circuitries are commonly connected to the metal belt.