Wristwatch paging receiver having analog message display

• US 5,572,488 A
• Filed: 12/17/1993
• Issued: 11/05/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Protocol-ip.com, LLC, Seiko Instruments Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Communications Holding N.V.
• Inventors: Yamada, Takehide, Gaskill, Garold B., Dimitriadis, Dimitri
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US08/169,480
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 368/1, 368/9, 368/10, 368/11, 368/47, 368/76, 368/80, 340/825.44, 340/825.45, 340/825.46, 340/825.49
• 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: G08B 5/228 combined with other devices having a different main function, e.g. watches

Abstract

A paging receiver as part of a wristwatch. Received messages are displayed using an analog mechanism. A plurality of disks largely hidden behind a watch face, but having a small area visible through an aperture in the watch face, can be independently rotated to display standard messages, coded messages, and number sequences. Other analog watch mechanisms such as drums and sliding bars visible through respective apertures in the watch face can include marks representing standard paging messages. These other analog watch mechanisms can be moved such that a selected mark is visible through the respective aperture in response to receiving a paging message. A special hand on the watch may be controlled to point to markings on the watch'"'"'s face or bezel which signify standard paging messages received by the pager.

Claims

1. A method of displaying a paging message using an analog watch mechanism having a disk with marks thereon, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a paging message; and

(b) moving the disk such that the mark is moved to a predetermined position,

wherein the analog watch mechanism includes a watch face having an aperture therethrough and the disk is located behind the watch face, wherein the step of moving the disk includes moving the disk such that the mark is adjacent to the aperture.

2. A device for displaying paging messages, comprising:

paging receiver adapted to receive paging messages;

(b) a surface having a mark thereon representing a paging message, the mark being located on the surface such that the surface can be moved to move the surface to a predetermined position; and

(c) control means, responsive to the paging receiver, for getting paging messages from the paging receiver, and in response to the getting of a message, for moving the surface such that the mark is in the predetermined position,

wherein the device includes a watch face and wherein the surface is a disk arranged parallel to the watch face, and

wherein the watch face has an aperture therethrough, wherein the disk is located behind the watch face, and wherein the predetermined position is adjacent to the aperture.

3. A device for displaying paging messages;

comprising;

(a) a paging receiver adapted to receive paging messages;

(b) a surface having a mark thereon representing a paging message, the mark being located on the surface such that the surface can be moved to move the surface to a predetermined position; and

(c) control means, responsive to the paging receiver, for getting paging messages from the paging receiver, and in response to the getting of a message, for moving the surface such that the mark is in the predetermined position,

wherein the device includes a watch face and wherein the surface is a drum rotatable around its axis, where the drum arranged such that its axis of the drum is parallel to the watch face, and

wherein the watch face has an aperture therethrough, wherein the drum is located behind the watch face, and wherein the predetermined position is adjacent to the aperture.

4. A device for displaying paging messages, comprising:

(a) a paging receiver adapted to receive paging messages;

(b) a surface having a mark thereon representing a paging message, the mark being located on the surface such that the surface can be moved to move the surface to a predetermined position; and

(c) control means, responsive to the paging receiver, for getting paging messages from the paging receiver, and in response to the getting of a message, for moving the surface such that the mark is in the predetermined position;

wherein the device includes a watch face and wherein the surface is an elongate bar moveable along its longitudinal dimension, where the bar is arranged such that its longitudinal dimension is parallel to the watch face.

5. A device for displaying paging messages, comprising:

(a) a paging receiver adapted to receive paging messages;

(b) a surface having a mark thereon representing a paging message, the mark being located on the surface such that the surface can be moved to move the surface to a predetermined position; and

(c) control means, responsive to the paging receiver, for getting paging messages from the paging receiver, and in response to the getting of a message, for moving the surface such that the mark is in the predetermined position,

wherein the device includes a watch face and wherein the surface is an elongate bar moveable along its longitudinal dimension, where the bar is arranged such that its longitudinal dimension is parallel to the watch face, and

wherein the watch face has an aperture therethrough, wherein the bar is located behind the watch face, and wherein the predetermined position is adjacent to the aperture.