Analog wristwatch paging receiver

• US 5,475,653 A
• Filed: 08/30/1994
• Issued: 12/12/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seiko Instruments Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Communications Holding N.V.
• Inventors: Gaskill, Garold B., Dimitriadis, Dimitri, Yamada, Takehide
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US08/298,516
• Time in Patent Office: 469 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/11, 368/12, 368/41-44, 368/47, 368/76, 368/80, 340/825.44-825.49
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/00 Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece clockwork cases for special purposes G04B37/12; clocks with magnifying glass built in the face G04B39/00; time-pieces in which parts or cases produce special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects, G04B45/00, particularly with inscriptions or pictures moved by hand G04B45/003, with specially shaped cases or parts G04B45/0069; combination of writing or drawing implements with devices for indicating time B43K29/087; combined with cameras, projectors, or photographic printing apparatus G03B29/00
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 3/14 incorporating a stepping motor G04C3/02 - G04C3/12 take precedence generating timing pulses G04F5/00, G04G3/00; setting G04G5/00; synchronisation G04G7/00; generating commutating pulses in masterclocks G04C13/0463, G04C13/02; slave clocks actuated intermittently by electromechanical step advancing mechanisms G04C13/10; control circuits for stepping motors in general H02P8/00
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/0064 in which functions not related to time can be displayed digital output to display devices of digital computers G06F3/14
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/228 combined with other devices having a different main function, e.g. watches

Abstract

A paging receiver as part of an analog wristwatch. A received paging message is displayed using an analog watch mechanism which includes hands that are independently controllable. Around the perimeter of the watch face or on the watch bezel are marks representing paging messages, such as "Call Home", "Call Office" etc. Paging messages are displayed by using one of the hands which normally is used to indicate time to point to one of the marks or messages on the perimeter of the watch. Optional features include using the watch hands not used to point to a mark representing a received paging message to point to a predetermined location to alert the user that a message has been received and using an LED can be used to indicate that a message has been received or that a message is pending. Other analog mechanisms, such as disks, drums, and sliding bars visible through respective apertures in the watch face can be used to display information concerning paging messages. These other analog mechanisms can be moved such that a selected mark is visible through the respective aperture in response to receiving a paging message.

Claims

1. A device for displaying a paging message that includes an analog watch mechanism, said analog watch mechanism including a plurality of hands and a disk with a plurality of marks thereon, said device including:

(a) message receiving means for receiving a paging message;

(b) means for moving one of said hands to indicate that a message has been received, and

(c) means for moving said disk such that a mark on said disk indicates the message received.

2. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the analog watch mechanism includes a watch face having an aperture therethrough and said disk is located behind the watch face.