Bracelet

• US 6,571,577 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2001
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philip J. Radley-Smith
• Original Assignee: Philip J. Radley-Smith
• Inventors: Radley-Smith, Philip J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, J. J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOP, ANDREA MARIE
• Application Number:
  US09/801,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20010008074A1
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 63/11.1, 63/11.3, 63/3, 368/41, 368/223, 368/281, 368/282, 345/56, 404/50, 404/51, 404/52
• US Class Current: 63/3
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0015 providing information, e.g. bracelets with calendars identification bracelets G09F3/005
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/083 Watches distributed over several housings
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/08 by building-up characters using a combination of indicating elements, e.g. by using multiplexing techniques G04G9/0082 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 9/10 by controlling light sources, e.g. electroluminescent diodes G04G9/0058 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/02 by a carrier person or animal
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/903 Modular display
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/949 Animation processing method

Abstract

A bracelet includes at least one electronic display unit. Each display unit has a display having a plurality of display elements arranged in a sequence lying along the length of the bracelet and/or arranged in a sequence lying substantially around the perimeter of the display. The bracelet has a control circuit to control the display elements so that the characters displayed by the display elements appear to move along the sequence of display elements with time. In the alternative, the characters appear to move along a discrete face which is provided along the bracelet.

Claims

1. A message display bracelet, said bracelet being a wrist bracelet having a length adapted for the bracelet to be worn around the wrist of a user, said bracelet having:

at least one electronic display unit constructed and arranged to display information in a sequence extending substantially around a total perimeter of a face on the bracelet, the face being a discrete face visually distinct from a remainder of the bracelet and having a size such as to be visible as a whole from one direction when worn on the wrist; and

a control device constructed and arranged to control said at least one display unit so that the information displayed appears to move around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet with time;

said at least one display unit having a plurality of segments such as to be selectively energizable by the control device to display information including at least one item selected from the group consisting of shapes and figures which are other than numeric arrangements and other than alphabetical arrangements.

2. A bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the control device and the segments are arranged to display at least one item which is representative of an entity which has as a characteristic thereof movement from one location to another.

3. A bracelet according to claim 2, wherein said control device and the said segments are arranged to display animals which move.

4. A bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the segments are selectively energizable to display characters selected from the group consisting of numerical and alphabetical characters, as well as said items which are other than numeric and alphabetical arrangements.

5. A bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the bracelet is a wrist bracelet.

6. A bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the at least one display unit has a dot-matrix display having cells arranged in a rectangular matrix.

7. A bracelet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one display unit has a plurality of display elements formed from independently controllable liquid crystal segments.

8. A bracelet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one display unit comprises a plurality of display units.

9. A bracelet as claimed in claim 8, wherein the display units are arranged in close proximity to each other and are arranged in groups of at least three adjacent display units.

10. A bracelet as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the display units can be independently controlled.

11. A bracelet as claimed in claim 10, wherein said control device is constructed and arranged to switch each of the display units in a group on and off intermittently and for a short period of time and to switch on and off adjacent display units in a group successively along the length of the bracelet so that the information displayed appears to move along the length of the bracelet with time.

12. A bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the control device is constructed and arranged to display a message of a length greater than said perimeter of said face, the message being displayed by virtue of the movement of the message around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet.

13. A bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the control device comprises an integrated circuit.

14. A bracelet according to claim 1, further comprising a memory constructed and arranged to store information including said items selected from the group consisting of shapes and figures which are other than numeric arrangements and other than alphabetical arrangements.

15. A bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the bracelet includes a receiver for receiving messages transmitted in the form of electromagnetic radiation to be displayed on said at least one display unit.

16. A bracelet according to claim 15, in which the bracelet is a pager.

17. A bracelet according to claim 1, including a memory and a programming device allowing the control device to be programmed by the user by downloading messages from a computer apparatus into the memory of the bracelet.

18. A bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the control device and the segments are arranged to display characters which move.

19. A message display bracelet, said bracelet being a wrist bracelet having a length adapted for the bracelet to be worn around the wrist of a user, said bracelet having:

at least one electronic display unit constructed and arranged to display a message in a sequence extending substantially around a total perimeter of a face on the bracelet, the face being a discrete face visually distinct from the rest of the bracelet and having a size such as to be visible as a whole from one direction when worn on the wrist;

a control device constructed and arranged to control said at least one display unit so that the information displayed appears to move around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet with time, said at least one display unit having a plurality of segments such as to be selectively energizable by the control device to display a message including alphabetical characters; and

a memory constructed and arranged to store said message including alphabetical characters for display by said at least one display unit.

20. A bracelet according to claim 19, wherein the bracelet includes a receiver for receiving data transmitted in the form of electromagnetic radiation to be displayed on said at least one display unit.

21. A bracelet according to claim 20, in which the bracelet is a pager.

22. A bracelet according to claim 20, wherein said memory is constructed and arranged to store a plurality of said messages including alphabetical characters for display by said at least one display unit.

23. A bracelet according to claim 22, wherein the control device is operative to display a message of a length greater than the length of the bracelet, the message being displayed by virtue of the movement of the message along the length of the bracelet.

24. A bracelet according to claim 19, including a programming device constructed and arranged to allow the control device to be programmed by the user by downloading information into the memory of the bracelet.

25. A bracelet according to claim 24, wherein said memory is constructed and arranged to store a plurality of said messages including alphabetical characters for display by said at least one display unit.

26. A bracelet according to claim 25, wherein the control device is operative to display a message of a length greater than the length of the bracelet, the message being displayed by virtue of the movement of the message along the length of the bracelet.

27. A bracelet according to claim 19, wherein the control device comprises an integrated circuit.

28. A bracelet according to claim 19, wherein said at least one display unit has a dot-matrix display having cells arranged in a rectangular matrix.

29. A bracelet according to claim 19, wherein said at least one display unit has a plurality of display elements formed from independently controllable liquid crystal segments.

30. A bracelet according to claim 19, wherein said at least one display unit and said segments are such as to be selectively energizable by the control device to display information including at least one item selected from the group consisting of shapes and figures, which are other than numeric arrangements and other than alphabetical arrangements.

31. A bracelet according to claim 30, wherein the control device and the segments are arranged to display at least one item which is representative of an entity which has as an inherent characteristic thereof movement from one location to another.

32. A bracelet according to claim 19, wherein the segments are selectively energizable to display numerical characters as well as said alphabetical characters.

33. A bracelet as claimed in claim 19, wherein the bracelet has a plurality of display units.

34. A bracelet as claimed in claim 33, wherein the display units are arranged in close proximity to each other and are arranged in groups of at least three adjacent display units.

35. A bracelet as claimed in claim 34, wherein each display unit can be independently controlled.

36. A bracelet as claimed in claim 35, wherein said control device is constructed and arranged to switch each unit in a group on and off intermittently and for a short period of time and to switch on and off adjacent units in a group successively along the length of the bracelet so that the information displayed appears to move around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet with time.

37. A bracelet according to claim 19, wherein the control device is constructed and arranged to display a message of a length greater than said total perimeter of said face of the bracelet, the message being displayed by virtue of the movement of the message around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet.

38. A bracelet according to claim 19, wherein said memory is constructed and arranged to store a plurality of said messages including alphabetical characters for display by said at least one display unit.

39. A bracelet according to claim 38, wherein the control device is operative to display a message of a length greater than the perimeter of the face of the bracelet, the message being displayed by virtue of the movement of the message along the length of the bracelet.

40. A message display bracelet, said bracelet being a wrist bracelet having a length adapted for the bracelet to be worn around the wrist of a user, said bracelet having:

at least one electronic display unit constructed and arranged to display a message in a sequence extending substantially around a total perimeter of a face on the bracelet, the face being a discrete face visually distinct from a remainder of the bracelet and having a size such as to be visible as a whole from one direction when worn on the wrist;

a control device provided to control said at least one display unit so that the message displayed appears to move around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet with time, said at least one display unit having a plurality of segments such as to be selectively energizable by the control device to display a message including alphabetical characters; and

a memory for storing a plurality of such messages including alphabetical characters for display by said at least one display unit;

the control device being constructed and arranged to display a message of a length greater than said perimeter of said face, the message being displayed by virtue of the movement of the message around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet.

41. A bracelet according to claim 40, wherein the bracelet includes a receiver for receiving messages transmitted in the form of electromagnetic radiation to be displayed on said at least one display unit.

42. A bracelet according to claim 41, which the bracelet is a pager.

43. A bracelet according to claim 40, including a programming device allowing the control device to be programmed by the user by downloading messages from a computer apparatus into the memory of the bracelet.

44. A bracelet according to claim 40, wherein the control device comprises an integrated circuit.

45. A bracelet according to claim 40, wherein the display unit has a dot-matrix display having cells arranged in a rectangular matrix.

46. A bracelet according to claim 40, wherein the display unit has a plurality of display elements formed from independently controllable liquid crystal segments.

47. A method of displaying messages on a bracelet, the method comprising:

wearing a bracelet having a length adapted for the bracelet to be worn around the wrist of a user, said bracelet having at least one electronic display unit, a control device, and memory;

displaying information on said at least one electronic display unit in a sequence extending substantially around a total perimeter of a face on the bracelet, the face being a discrete face visually distinct from a remainder of the bracelet and having a size such as to be visible as a whole from one direction when worn on the wrist, said displaying step comprising selectively energizing a plurality of segments of said at least one display unit to display a message including alphabetical characters;

controlling said at least one display unit so that the message displayed appears to move around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet with time;

storing in memory in the bracelet a plurality of such messages including alphabetical characters for display by said at least one display unit; and

displaying a message of a length greater than said perimeter of said face by moving the message around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet.

48. A method according to claim 47, further including receiving messages transmitted in the form of electromagnetic radiation to be displayed on said at least one display unit.

49. A method according to claim 47, in which the bracelet is a pager.

50. A method according to claim 47, further including programming the control device by the user by downloading messages from a computer apparatus into the memory of the bracelet.

51. A method according to claim 47, wherein the control device comprises an integrated circuit.

52. A method according to claim 47, further including displaying messages by a dot-matrix display having cells arranged in a rectangular matrix.

53. A method according to claim 47, further including displaying messages by a plurality of display elements formed from independently controllable liquid crystal segments.

54. A message display bracelet, said bracelet being a wrist bracelet having a length adapted for the bracelet to be worn around the wrist of a user, said bracelet having:

at least one electronic display unit arranged to display messages in a sequence extending substantially around a total perimeter of a face on the bracelet, the face being a discrete face visually distinct from a remainder of the bracelet and having a size such as to be visible as a whole from one direction when worn on the wrist;

a control device provided to control said at least one display unit so that the message displayed appears to move around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet with time, said at least one display unit having a plurality of segments such as to be selectively energizable by said control device to display a message including alphabetical characters;

memory for storing a plurality of such messages including alphabetical characters for display by said at least one display unit;

the control device being operative to display both messages of a length greater than said perimeter of said face and messages of length shorter than said perimeter of said face;

messages greater than said perimeter of said face being displayed by scrolling by virtue of the movement of the message around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet; and

messages shorter than the length of said perimeter of said face being displayed in more than one location around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet simultaneously, and being moved around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet.

55. A bracelet according to claim 54, wherein the bracelet includes a receiver for receiving messages transmitted in the form of electromagnetic radiation to be displayed on said at least one display unit.

56. A bracelet according to claim 55, which the bracelet is a pager.

57. A bracelet according to claim 54, including a programming device allowing the control device to be programmed by the user by downloading messages from a computer apparatus into the memory of the bracelet.

58. A bracelet according to claim 54, wherein the control device comprises an integrated circuit.

59. A bracelet according to claim 54, wherein the display unit has a dot-matrix display having cells arranged in a rectangular matrix.

60. A bracelet according to claim 54, wherein the display unit has a plurality of display elements formed from independently controllable liquid crystal segments.

61. A method of displaying messages on a bracelet, the method comprising:

wearing a bracelet having a length adapted for the bracelet to be worn around the wrist of a user, said bracelet having at least one electronic display unit, a control device, and memory;

displaying messages on said at least one electronic display unit in a sequence substantially around a total perimeter of a face on the bracelet, the face being a discrete face visually distinct from a remainder of the bracelet and having a size such as to be visible as a whole from one direction when worn on the wrist, said displaying step comprising selectively energizing a plurality of segments of said at least one display unit to display a message including alphabetical characters;

controlling said at least one display unit so that the message displayed appears to move around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet with time;

storing in memory in the bracelet a plurality of such messages including alphabetical characters for display by said at least one display unit; and

displaying both messages of a length greater than said perimeter of said face and messages of length shorter than said perimeter of said face;

messages greater than the said perimeter of said face being displayed by scrolling by virtue of the movement of the message around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet; and

messages shorter than the length of said perimeter of said face being displayed in more than one location around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet simultaneously, and being moved around the perimeter of the face of the bracelet.

62. A method according to claim 61, including receiving messages transmitted in the form of electromagnetic radiation to be displayed on said at least one display unit.

63. A method according to claim 61, in which the bracelet is a pager.

64. A method according to claim 61, including programming the control device by the user by downloading messages from a computer apparatus into the memory of the bracelet.

65. A method according to claim 61, wherein the control device comprises an integrated circuit.

66. A method according to claim 61, including displaying messages by a dot-matrix display having cells arranged in a rectangular matrix.

67. A method according to claim 61, including displaying messages by a plurality of display elements formed from independently controllable liquid crystal segments.