Event register device

• US 5,124,960 A
• Filed: 12/28/1989
• Issued: 06/23/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey P. Miller, Robert L. Tesler
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey P. Miller, Robert L. Tesler
• Inventors: Miller, Jeffrey P., Tesler, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Roskoski, Bernard
• Application Number:
  US07/458,025
• Time in Patent Office: 908 Days
• Field of Search: 368/228, 368/286, 368/10, 368/69, 368/70, 368/101, 368/102-106, 368/113
• US Class Current: 368/278
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 37/086 for shaped watches
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 8/08 Means used apart from the time-piece for starting or stopping same
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/00 Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 1/22 in connection with sports or games

Abstract

A personal memory aid device and a pressure sensitive transducer which are both adapted to be worn at differing locations on an operator for the purpose of conveniently registering desired events. Actuation of the pressure transducer, either by a simple motion of the operator or by contact of the operator with another object, causes storage of information, such as an event count, concerning the an event defined by such actuation to be stored for concurrent or later communication to the operator. Wired and microwave links are provided for signalling between the transducer unit and the housing. A preferred embodiment is arranged to be implemented in combination with timekeeping circuitry and to be worn on the wrist of the operator in the manner of a wrist watch. The memory aid device is particularly adapted for use during athletic activity by the provision of a waterproof case.

Claims

1. A register for recording the number of laps swum by a swimmer comprising:

a waterproof housing adapted to be worn on said swimmer'"'"'s wrist;

signalling means adapted to be worn on one of said swimmer'"'"'s fingers for generating a first signal upon completion of a lap by said swimmer;

counting means in said housing for receiving said first signal from said signalling means and for generating an output signal corresponding to the completion of said lap by said swimmer, wherein the time for swimming each such lap is greater than a specified minimum time;

display means in said housing for displaying the number of laps swum by said swimmer; and

means for disabling said counting means for a time period after receiving said first signal, said time period being less than said minimum time.

2. The register of claim 1, wherein said counting means comprises a binary counter.

3. The register of claim 1, wherein said display means comprises:

a binary to binary-coded-decimal converter;

a plurality of light emitting diode drivers coupled to said converter; and

a plurality of light emitting diodes, such of which is coupled to a corresponding one of said drivers.

4. The register of claim 1, herein said signalling means comprises a switch, said switch coupled to a power source, wherein said power source is connected to said counting means upon closure of said switch.

5. The register of claim 4, wherein said signalling means further comprises a debounce filter coupled between said switch and said counting means for preventing spurious connections of said power source to said counting means.

6. The register of claim 1, further comprising means for monitoring the elapsed time from the commencement of swimming by said swimmer.

7. The register of claim 6, further comprising means coupled to said monitoring means for coupling a signal corresponding to said elapsed time to said display means, wherein said elapsed time may be displayed in lieu of said number of laps.

8. The register of claim 1, wherein said signal producing means is coupled to said counting means by a wired link.

9. The register of claim 1, wherein said signalling means further comprises a microwave transmitter for transmitting said event signal to said counting means by microwaves.

10. The register of claim 1, wherein said housing is securable to a strap means for encircling the wrist of said operator.

11. The register of claim 1, wherein said signalling means includes at least one pressure transducer.

12. The register of claim 1, wherein said signalling means is activated by contact with one wall of a swimming pool.