User interface features for a watch

• US 8,284,634 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2011
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Ishihara, James Alec, Burton, Maximillian P., Prstojevich, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Leon, Edwin A.
• Application Number:
  US13/329,866
• Publication Number:
  US 20120092968A1
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: 368/62, 368 82- 84, 368/107, 368/113
• US Class Current: 368/113
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 10/00 Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by electric means

Abstract

A watch provides a chronographic function while the watch is in a “sport” mode. If a user activates a button relating to the chronographic function, such as a “start/lap” button, then the light for the watch will automatically activate. The light may remain active for a significantly long time, such as a period of six seconds or more. Alternately or additionally, if a user activates a button while the watch is in a “performance” or “sport” mode, then the light will automatically activate regardless of the button being activated. Still further, the chronographic function of the watch may be configured to not measure a lap time that is lower than a preset threshold value, such as, for example, three seconds.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

in a timing device having a performance mode configured for monitoring athletic performance data and a second mode, and being configured to illuminate a display in both the performance mode and the second mode, detecting selection of the performance mode;

processing input instructing the timing device to record information relating to an athletic activity while operating in the performance mode; and

illuminating the display of the timing device to present the recorded information in response to the input without receiving separate input to cause the illumination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the illuminating of the display is for a preset amount of time.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the preset amount of time is for six or more seconds.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing second input to cause the timing device to operate in the second mode.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising causing illumination of the display in the second mode, wherein the timing device causes illumination of the display for a longer period of time in the performance mode than in the second mode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the recorded information corresponds to monitoring completion of a lap.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the recorded information corresponds to a split time.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

determining that the split time exceeds a predetermined amount prior to recording the split time.

9. A watch comprising:

a display;

a performance mode configured for monitoring athletic performance data;

a nonperformance mode;

a processor; and

a computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed cause the processor at least to perform;

detecting selection of the performance mode;

processing input instructing the watch to record information relating to an athletic activity while operating in the performance mode; and

illuminating the display to present the recorded information in response to the input without receiving separate input to cause the illumination.

10. The watch of claim 9, wherein the illuminating of the display is for a preset amount of time.

11. The watch of claim 10, wherein the preset amount of time is for six or more seconds.

12. The watch of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to process second input to cause the watch to operate in the nonperformance mode.

13. The watch of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to cause illumination of the display in the nonperformance mode, wherein the processor causes illumination of the display for a longer period of time in the performance mode than in the nonperformance mode.

14. The watch of claim 9, wherein the recorded information corresponds to monitoring completion of a lap.

15. The watch of claim 9, wherein the recorded information corresponds to a split time.

16. A timing device comprising:

a display;

a function button configured for indicating a performance mode or a nonperformance mode;

a processor; and

a computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor at least to perform;

detecting actuation of the function button;

determining whether the timing device is in the performance mode or the nonperformance mode;

wherein in response to determining that the timing device is in the performance mode, causing illumination of the display for a first given duration; and

wherein in response to determining that the timing device is in the nonperformance mode, causing illumination of the display for a second given duration which is less than the first duration.

17. The timing device of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to process input instructing the timing device to record information relating to an athletic activity while operating in the performance mode.

18. The timing device of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to cause illumination of the display to present the recorded information in response to the input without receiving separate input to cause the illumination.

19. The timing device of claim 17, wherein the recorded information corresponds to monitoring completion of a lap.

20. The timing device of claim 17, wherein the recorded information corresponds to a split time.