Wearable electronic device with multiple display functionality

• US 20040233788A1
• Filed: 05/20/2003
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timex Group USA Incorporated (Tanager Group BV)
• Original Assignee: Timex Group BV (Tanager Group BV)
• Inventors: Stotz, Gerhard, Galie, Louis M., Plancon, Michel G., Schwartz, Herbert
• Granted Patent: US 7,113,450 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/11
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/02 Divers' equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 19/082 varying from the normal closed scale
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 19/23 by means of additional hands or additional pairs of hands simultaneous indication on several dials G04B19/025; indicating devices giving several simultaneous indications G04B19/048
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/008 combined with a thermometer
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/06 with attached measuring instruments, e.g. pedometer, barometer, thermometer or compass in combination with a tachometer which winds up the clockwork G04B5/206
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/065 with a compass compasses G01C17/00
• 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: G04C 3/146 incorporating two or more stepping motors or rotors
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 7/08 Watches or clocks with stop devices, e.g. chronograph
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/02 Detectors of external physical values, e.g. temperature
• 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

Abstract

A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand positioned on the dial side of a dial, wherein the wearable electronic device uses the display hand(s) to convey information that is stored in the controller of the device and/or provided by sensors and/or an external transmitter. An actuation mechanism, preferably a stepper motor, is used to rotate the display hands in the clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions in predefined increments to convey the information.

Claims

1. An electronic timepiece for conveying information in an analog manner, wherein the electronic timepiece comprises:

at least an hour hand and a minute hand for conveying time of day information and rotatable about a center axis;

a dial having a dial side and an actuation mechanism side; and

at least one display hand rotatable about an axis other than the center axis and positioned on the dial side of the dial;

at least one sensor for sensing at least one parameter external to the electronic timepiece;

a controller, operatively coupled to the sensor, for receiving and processing information based on the at least one parameter sensed by the at least one sensor;

an actuation mechanism, operatively coupled to the controller, for rotating the at least one display hand in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments, wherein the increments and direction of the rotation of the at least one display hand are based at least in part on the at least one parameter being sensed by the sensor;

wherein the positioning of the display hand as it rotates in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in predefined increments conveys information relating to the at least one parameter being sensed.

2. The electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a stepper motor that itself comprises a rotor, the stepper motor operatively coupled to the controller, for stepping in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments based at least in part on the at least one parameter being sensed by the sensor;

wherein the rotor of the stepper motor is operatively coupled to the at least one display hand, and wherein the rotation of the rotor causes the rotation of the at least one display hand in at least one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions and in the predefined increments.

3. The electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 2, wherein the display hand has a gear train operatively coupled thereto, wherein the rotational activity generated by the rotor of the stepper motor is conveyed to the gear train which in turn causes the rotation of the display hand.

4. The electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller includes at least one of a parallel sensor interface for receiving digital signals from a sensor in or mounted to the electronic timepiece and a serial sensor interface for receiving data from a sensor remotely located from the electronic timepiece.

5. The electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller includes a motor hand control circuit and a central processing unit, and wherein the motor hand control circuit receives commands from the central processing unit regarding the number of increments and direction of rotation, and wherein the motor hand control circuit generates pulsed and phased signals for moving the rotor of the stepper motor a desired amount and in a desired direction.

6. The electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the parameter to be sensed is altitude.

7. The electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 4, wherein the signal being received from the sensor is a function of a heartrate, and wherein the display hand rotates as a function of the heartrate being measured.

8. The electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 5, wherein the central processing unit processes successive values received from the sensor, and compares each value to a previous value and provides commands to the motor hand control circuit regarding the number of increments and direction of rotation based on difference between a subsequent sensor value and a previous sensor value.

9. A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner, wherein the electronic device comprises:

a dial having a dial side and an actuation mechanism side; and

at least one display hand having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the display hand rotates about a pivot point spaced apart from a center point of the dial by a fixed distance, and the second end of the display hand sweeps across a portion of the dial side of the dial, wherein the display hand can sweep about an arc;

at least one sensor for sensing at least one parameter external to the electronic device;

a controller, operatively coupled to the sensor, for receiving and processing information based on the at least one parameter sensed by the at least one sensor;

an actuation mechanism, operatively coupled to the controller, for rotating the at least one display hand in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments, wherein the increments and direction of the rotation of the at least one display hand are based at least in part on the at least one parameter being sensed by the sensor;

wherein the positioning of the display hand as it rotates in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in predefined increments conveys information relating to the at least one parameter being sensed.

10. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a stepper motor that itself comprises a rotor, the stepper motor operatively coupled to the controller, for stepping in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in the predefined increments are based at least in part on the at least one parameter being sensed by the sensor;

wherein the rotor of the stepper motor is operatively coupled to the at least one display hand, and wherein the rotation of the rotor causes the rotation of the at least one display hand in at least one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions and in predefined increments.

11. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the display hand has a gear train operatively coupled thereto, wherein the rotational activity generated by the rotor of the stepper motor is conveyed to the gear train which in turn causes the rotation of the display hand.

12. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the controller includes a motor hand control circuit and a central processing unit, and wherein the motor hand control circuit receives commands from the central processing unit regarding the number of increments and direction of rotation, and wherein the motor hand control circuit generates pulsed and phased signals for moving the rotor of the stepper motor a desired amount and in a desired direction.

13. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the central processing unit processes successive values received from the sensor, and compares each value to a previous value and provides commands to the motor hand control circuit regarding the number of increments and direction of rotation based on difference between a subsequent sensor value and a previous sensor value.

14. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the display hand has a length from the pivot point that is one of (a) shorter than the fixed distance and (b) longer than the fixed distance.

15. A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner, wherein the electronic timepiece comprises:

at least an hour hand and a minute hand for conveying time of day information and rotatable about a center axis;

a dial having a dial side and an opposite side; and

at least one display hand rotatable about an axis other than the center axis and positioned on the dial side of the dial;

at least one sensor for sensing at least one parameter external to the electronic timepiece;

a controller, operatively coupled to the sensor, for receiving and processing information based on the at least one parameter sensed by the at least one sensor;

means, operatively coupled to the controller, for rotating the at least one display hand in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments, wherein the increments and direction of the rotation of the at least one display hand are based at least in part on the at least one parameter being sensed by the sensor;

wherein the positioning of the display hand as it rotates in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in predefined increments conveys information relating to the at least one parameter being sensed.

16. A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand rotatable about an axis, wherein the wearable electronic device includes a dial having a dial side and an actuation mechanism side, and the display hand is positioned on the dial side of the dial, wherein the information is transmitted via a signal being transmitted by a transmitter, wherein the wearable electronic device comprises:

a receiver for receiving the signal from the transmitter;

a controller, operatively coupled to the receiver, for receiving and processing the signal;

an actuation mechanism, operatively coupled to the controller, for rotating the at least one display hand in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments, wherein the increments and direction of the rotation of the at least one display hand are based at least in part on the signal being received by the receiver and transmitted by the transmitter;

wherein the positioning of the display hand as it rotates in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in predefined increments conveys information relating to the signal being received by the transmitter.

17. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a stepper motor which itself comprises a rotor, the stepper motor being operatively coupled to the controller, for stepping in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments based at least in part on the signal being received by the receiver and transmitted by the transmitter;

wherein the rotor of the stepper motor is operatively coupled to the at least one display hand, and wherein the rotation of the rotor causes the rotation of the at least one display hand in at least one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions and in the predefined increments.

18. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the controller includes a serial sensor interface for receiving data from the transmitter.

19. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the transmitter transmits the data to the wearable electronic device over a wireless link.

20. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the transmitter is located in a cheststrap, and wherein the signal being received is a function of a heartrate being measured by a sensor in the cheststrap, and wherein the display hand rotates in one of the clockwise and counterclockwise direction and in predefined increments as a function of the heartrate being measured.

21. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the wearable electronic device has a center stem about which rotates at least an hour hand and a minute hand, wherein the display hand is mounted on the center stem, and wherein the display includes indicia relating to heartrate, and wherein the positioning of the display hand on the dial is indicative of the heartrate being measured.

22. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the wearable electronic device comprises at least an hour hand and a minute hand for conveying time of day information and operatively coupled to the gearing arrangement and rotatable about a center axis;

wherein the display hand rotates about an axis other than the center axis.

23. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the display hand has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the display hand rotates about a pivot point spaced apart from a center point of the dial by a fixed distance, and the second end of the display hand sweeps across a portion of the dial side of the dial, wherein the display hand can sweep about an arc;

and

wherein the display hand has a length from the pivot point that is one of (a) shorter than the fixed distance and (b) longer than the fixed distance.

24. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the electronic device is a timepiece.

25. A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand rotatable about an axis, wherein the wearable electronic device includes a dial having a dial side and an opposing side, and the display hand is positioned on the dial side of the dial, wherein the information is conveyed via a signal being transmitted by a transmitter, wherein the wearable electronic device comprises:

a receiver for receiving the signal from the transmitter;

a controller, operatively coupled to the receiver, for receiving and processing the signal;

means, operatively coupled to the controller, for rotating the at least one display hand in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments, wherein the increments and direction of the rotation of the at least one display hand are based at least in part on the signal being received by the receiver and transmitted by the transmitter;

wherein the positioning of the display hand as it rotates in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in predefined increments conveys information relating to the signal being received by the transmitter.

26. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the electronic device is a timepiece.

27. A system for conveying information to a user, the system comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a signal; and

a wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand rotatable about an axis, wherein the wearable electronic device includes a dial having a dial side and an actuation mechanism side, and the display hand is positioned on the dial side of the dial, wherein the information is conveyed via the signal being transmitted by the transmitter, wherein the wearable electronic device comprises;

a receiver for receiving the signal from the transmitter;

a controller, operatively coupled to the receiver, for receiving and processing the signal;

an actuation mechanism, operatively coupled to the controller, for rotating the at least one display hand in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments, wherein the increments and direction of the rotation of the at least one display hand are based at least in part on the signal being received by the receiver and transmitted by the transmitter;

wherein the positioning of the display hand as it rotates in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in predefined increments conveys information relating to the signal being received by the transmitter.

28. A wearable electronic device that conveys information in an analog manner, wherein the wearable electronic device comprises:

at least an hour hand and a minute hand for conveying time of day information and rotatable about an at least essentially center axis;

a dial having a dial side and an opposite side; and

at least one display hand rotatable about an axis other than the center axis and positioned on the dial side of the dial;

an actuation mechanism, for rotating the at least one display hand in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments;

a controller, operatively coupled to the actuation mechanism, for causing the actuation mechanism to rotate the at least one display hand in at least one of the clockwise and counterclockwise direction in the predefined increments based at least in part on data stored in the controller;

wherein the positioning of the display hand as it rotates in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in the predefined increments conveys information relating to the stored data.

29. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the rotation of the display hand by the actuation mechanism is not dependent of the time of day.

30. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the actuation mechanism for rotating the at least one display hand is not mechanically coupled to the hour or minute hands;

whereby the actuation mechanism can rotate the display hand independent of the time of day.

31. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 30, wherein the hour and minute hands are coupled to a gearing arrangement, and the actuation mechanism rotates the display hand independently of any rotation of the hour and minute hand.

32. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a stepper motor that itself comprises a rotor, the stepper motor operatively coupled to the controller, for stepping in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments based at least in part on the data stored in the controller;

wherein the rotor of the stepper motor is operatively coupled to the at least one display hand, and wherein the rotation of rotor causes the rotation of the at least one display hand in at least one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions and in the predefined increments.

33. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the stepper motor is bi-directional.

34. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the display hand has a gear train operatively coupled thereto, wherein the rotational activity generated by the rotor of the stepper motor is conveyed to the gear train which in turn causes the rotation of the display hand.

35. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the data stored is non-time related data.

36. A wearable electronic device that conveys information in an analog manner, wherein the wearable electronic device comprises:

a dial having a dial side surface and an opposite side surface, wherein the dial has a center axis definable as a line that intersects the center of the dial side surface and orthogonal thereto;

at least one display hand rotatable about an axis that is not the center axis;

a module;

an actuation mechanism, for rotating the at least one display hand in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments;

a controller, disposed in the module and operatively coupled to the actuation mechanism, for causing the actuation mechanism to rotate the at least one display hand in at least one of the clockwise and counterclockwise direction in the predefined increments based at least in part on data stored in the controller;

wherein the positioning of the display hand as it rotates in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in the predefined increments conveys information relating to the stored data.

37. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 36, wherein the rotation of the display hand by the actuation mechanism is not dependent on an interval of time.

38. The wearable electronic device as claimed in claim 37, wherein the rotation of the display hand is not dependent on the rotation of an hour or minute hand;

and

wherein the actuation mechanism can rotate the display hand independent of the time of day.

39. A wearable electronic device that can receive and store data from an external source, and further, can convey information relating to the stored data in an analog manner, wherein the wearable electronic device comprises:

at least an hour hand and a minute hand for conveying time of day information and rotatable about an at least essentially center axis;

a dial having a dial side and an opposite side; and

at least one display hand rotatable about an axis other than the center axis and positioned on the dial side of the dial;

a module;

an actuation mechanism, for rotating the at least one display hand in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments;

a controller, disposed in the module and operatively coupled to the actuation mechanism, for causing the actuation mechanism to rotate the at least one display hand in at least one of the clockwise and counterclockwise direction in the predefined increments based at least in part on the data stored in the controller;

wherein the positioning of the display hand as it rotates in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in the predefined increments conveys information relating to the stored data.

40. An electronic timepiece that conveys information in an analog manner, wherein the electronic timepiece comprises:

at least an hour hand and a minute hand for conveying time of day information and rotatable about an at least essentially center axis;

a dial having a dial side and an opposite side; and

at least one display hand rotatable about an axis other than the center axis and positioned on the dial side of the dial;

a module;

an actuation mechanism, for rotating the at least one display hand in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments;

a controller, disposed in the module and operatively coupled to the actuation mechanism, for causing the actuation mechanism to rotate the at least one display hand in at least one of the clockwise and counterclockwise direction in the predefined increments based at least in part on data stored in the controller;

wherein the positioning of the display hand as it rotates in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in the predefined increments conveys information relating to the stored data.

41. The electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 40, wherein the display hand has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the display hand rotates about a pivot point spaced apart from a center point of the dial by a fixed distance, and the second end of the display hand sweeps across a portion of the dial side of the dial, wherein the display hand can sweep about an arc;

and

wherein the display hand has a length from the pivot point that is one of (a) shorter than the fixed distance and (b) longer than the fixed distance

42. A wearable multimode electronic device of the type wherein information is conveyed in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand, wherein the wearable electronic device includes a dial having a dial side and an opposite side, wherein the dial has at least one window, and the display hand is positioned on the dial side of the dial, wherein the wearable multimode electronic device comprises:

an actuation mechanism, operatively coupled to the at least one display hand, for rotating the at least one display hand in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments;

a controller, operable in a first mode and at least a second mode and operatively coupled to the actuation mechanism, for causing the actuation mechanism to rotate the at least one display hand in at least one of the clockwise and counterclockwise direction in the predefined increments; and

a display that is operatively coupled to the controller, positioned on the opposite side of the dial side of the dial and viewable through the at least one window in the dial, wherein the display displays informational indicia corresponding to the mode in which the electronic device is operating, and wherein the informational indicia is changeable based on the mode in which the wearable electronic device is operating;

wherein the positioning of the display hand as it rotates in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in the predefined increments conveys the information by referring to particular informational indicia, and wherein the controller operatively controls the positioning of the hand so that the hand can convey the information in the analog manner for each of the at least two modes.

43. The wearable multimode electronic device as claimed in claim 42, wherein the electronic device comprises:

at least an hour hand and a minute hand for conveying time of day information and rotatable about an at least essentially center axis and wherein the display hand is rotatable about an axis other than the center axis; and

wherein the controller causes the actuation mechanism to rotate the at least one display hand in at least one of the clockwise and counterclockwise direction in the predefined increments based at least in part on data stored in the controller;

wherein the positioning of the display hand as it rotates in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions in the predefined increments conveys information relating to the stored data.

44. The wearable multimode electronic device as claimed in claim 42, wherein the display is an LCD display.

45. The wearable multimode electronic device as claimed in claim 43, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a stepper motor that itself comprises a rotor, the stepper motor operatively coupled to the controller, for stepping in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction in predefined increments based at least in part on the data stored in the controller;

wherein the rotor of the stepper motor is operatively coupled to the at least one display hand, and wherein the rotation of rotor causes the rotation of the at least one display hand in at least one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions and in the predefined increments.

46. The wearable multimode electronic device as claimed in claim 42, including a receiver and memory for respectively receiving and storing data from an external source.