Digital clock

• US 5,487,053 A
• Filed: 07/25/1994
• Issued: 01/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technomarket LP
• Original Assignee: Technomarket LP
• Inventors: Beiswenger, John L., Schwimmer, Robert I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US08/279,524
• Time in Patent Office: 547 Days
• Field of Search: 368/69, 368/70, 368/82-84, 368/185, 368/187, 368/239-242, 340/706, 340/711, 340/712, 345/33, 345/34, 345/173-175
• US Class Current: 368/69
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 17/00 Indicating the time optically by electric means G04C19/00 takes precedence; by mechanical means G04B19/00, G04B19/20
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/08 Touch switches specially adapted for time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 5/00 Setting, i.e. correcting or changing, the time-indication radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen

Abstract

A digital clock comprises an electronic timekeeping circuit, plus an electronic digital display connected to the time keeping circuit to display time as controlled by the circuit. An electronic control is provided to permit changing of individual numerals displayed in a plurality of locations by manually pointing at the individual numerals. The electronic control may comprise a transparent, touch-sensitive detector, positioned in front of the digital display to permit manual changing of the individual numerals.

Claims

1. A digital clock which comprises an electronic timekeeping circuit, an electronic digital display connected to said timekeeping circuit to display time as controlled by said circuit, and an electronic control to cause changing of individual numerals displayed by said display in a plurality of locations by manually pointing at said individual numerals, said electronic control comprising a transparent touch-sensitive detector positioned in front of said digital display to permit the electronic control to determine touch location.

2. The digital clock of claim 1 in which said digital display is capable of displaying time indicia in a first color to indicate AM time and in a second color to indicate PM time.

3. The digital clock of claim 1 which carries a clock alarm and circuitry for setting said clock alarm by manually pointing to individual numerals displayed.

4. The digital clock of claim 1 in which said electronic control permits control of digital clock functions by manual pointing at locations on said clock other than said plurality of display locations.

5. The digital clock of claim 1 in which said digital display comprises a liquid crystal display.

6. The digital clock of claim 5 in which said digital display comprises a backlit liquid crystal display.

7. The digital clock of claim 1 in which said digital display comprises an LED display.

8. A digital clock which comprises an electronic timekeeping circuit, an electronic digital display connected to said timekeeping circuit to display time as controlled by said circuit, and an electronic control to cause changing of individual numerals displayed by said display in a plurality of locations by manually pointing at said individual numerals, said electronic control comprising a transparent, touch-sensitive detector positioned in front of said digital display to permit the electronic control to determine touch location, said clock carrying a clock alarm plus circuitry for setting said clock alarm by manually pointing to individual numerals displayed, said electronic control also permitting control of digital clock functions by manual pointing at locations on said clock other than said plurality of display locations.

9. The digital clock of claim 8 in which said digital display is capable of displaying time indicia in a first color to indicate AM time and in a second color to indicate PM time.

10. The digital clock of claim 8 in which said digital display comprises a liquid crystal display.

11. The digital clock of claim 10 in which said digital display comprises a backlit liquid crystal display.

12. The digital clock of claim 8 in which said digital display comprises an LED display.

13. A digital clock which comprises an electronic time keeping circuit, an electronic digital display connected to said time keeping circuit to display time as controlled by said circuit, and an electronic control to cause the changing to different numerals of individual numerals displayed by said display in a plurality of locations, when the user manually points at said individual numerals while the digital clock electronic control is in a numeral-changing mode of operation, said electronic control also having a normal, time-displaying mode of operation when pointing at the numerals does not cause them to change.

14. The digital clock of claim 13 in which said digital display is capable of displaying time indicia in a first color to indicate AM time and in a second color to indicate PM time.

15. The digital clock of claim 13 which carries a clock alarm and circuitry for setting said clock alarm by manually pointing at individual numbers displayed.

16. The digital clock of claim 15 in which said electronic control permits control of digital clock functions by manual pointing at locations on said electronic digital display other than said plurality of display locations which carry the numerals.

17. The digital clock of claim 16 in which said digital display comprises a backlit liquid crystal display.

18. The digital clock of claim 16 in which said digital display comprises an LED display.

19. The digital clock of claim 13 in which said electronic control comprises at least one light beam emitter, at least one light beam sensor, and means for passing at least one light beam from the emitter to the sensor in front of said numerals in a position to permit selective occlusion of at least one light beam by manual pointing, the occlusion being detectable by the electronic control.

20. The digital clock of claim 13 in which said electronic control comprises a transparent, touch sensitive detector positioned in front of said digital display to permit the electronic control to determine touch location.