Alarm interface for a smart watch

• US 6,477,117 B1
• Filed: 06/30/2000
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Narayanaswami, Chandrasekhar, Raghunath, Mandayam T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin, David S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOODWIN, JEANNE M
• Application Number:
  US09/608,043
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/109, 368/243, 368/244, 368/246, 368/247, 368/248, 368/250, 368/251, 368/262, 368/263, 368/267
• US Class Current: 368/251
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 13/026 acting at a number of different times
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R

Abstract

A wearable mobile computing device/appliance (a wrist watch) with a high resolution display that is capable of wirelessly accessing information from a network and a variety of other devices. The mobile computing device/appliance includes a user interface that is used to efficiently interact with alarms and notifications on the watch.

Claims

1. A method for efficiently activating and deactivating alarm functions via a user interface provided in a wearable appliance having a display for displaying textual or graphical content, said display including a touch sensitive panel for detecting physical user interaction, said method comprising:

a) setting a time for an alarm via minute and hour display indicators in response to receipt of scroll events generated by manipulating a scroll device provided on said wearable appliance, said alarm capable of being activated to provide user alarm indication at a set time, said alarm comprising one of;

an absolute alarm for activation at a daily frequency, and, a relative alarm for activation at a predefined time relative to a current time;

b) determining a time setting of a next set alarm and providing an alarm indication at said set time;

c) detecting a first user interaction with said touch sensitive panel to deactivate said alarm indication; and

d) detecting a second user interaction with said touch sensitive panel within a pre-determined time interval of said first user interaction, said second user interaction proactively enabling one of;

setting of a snooze alarm interval, automatic cancellation of said alarm, and, automatic re-setting of said alarm for a next day, whereby minimal user interaction is required to control alarm functions.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second user interaction comprises manipulating said scroll device.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step c) further includes the step detecting absence of any further user interaction with said touch sensitive panel within a pre-determined time interval, and in response, enabling automatic re-activaton of said alarm at a programmable snooze time interval.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, further including the step of:

periodically monitoring a tilt sensor provided in said wearable appliance for determining disposition of said appliance relative to said user, wherein in response to detection of absence of any further manipulation of said touch sensitive panel within a pre-determined time interval, the step of automatically reverting to a programmable snooze setting after said if said appliance is disposed on said user, or automatically canceling said alarm if said appliance is detached from said user.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step a) further includes the step of inputting a text message for association with a set alarm, said activating of said set alarm at said set time including simultaneously displaying said associated text message via said user interface.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said text message includes a hyperlink.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step a) includes setting of a plurality of alarms via said interface, said method further including the steps of:

displaying a watch face display having hour-hand and minute hand indicator mechanisms via said user interface; and

,

generating an icon representing each of said plurality of set alarms and displaying each icon on said user interface display to indicate for said user said set alarm times.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further including the step of manipulating said scroll device to select an icon for enabling display of a detailed text message associated with a set alarm.

9. The method as claimed in claim 1, further including the step of setting a quiet alarm interval in response to scroll events generated by manipulating a scroll device, said quiet alarm interval defining an interval of time in which a set time alarm is to be deactivated, said step b) of determining a time setting of a next alarm further including determining if said set time is within a set quite time interval.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said quiet alarm interval comprises one of an absolute quiet time interval and a relative quiet time interval, said absolute quiet time interval being set to activate at a daily frequency, said relative quiet time interval being activated for a predefined time period relative to a current time.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, further including the step of:

displaying a watch face display having hour-hand and minute hand indicator mechanisms via said user interface; and

,

generating an icon representing a set quiet time interval and displaying said icon on said user interface display to indicate for said user said set quiet time interval.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said setting of an alarm includes receiving coarse-grain and fine-grain alarm set commands in response to scroll events generated by manipulating a scroll device, said fine-grain setting of said alarm corresponding to one (1) minute increment per scroll device event.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said course-grain setting of said alarm corresponds to greater than one minute increments per scroll event.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said alarm indication includes one of an audible alarm and a silent alarm.

15. A system for efficiently activating and deactivating alarm functions via a user interface provided in a wearable appliance having a display for displaying textual or graphical content, said system comprising:

a scroll device for manipulation by a user, to provide scrolling functions enabling setting of an alarm via minute and hour display indicators provided on said wearable appliance display, said scroll device generating scroll events and click events for setting said alarm, said alarm capable of being activated to provide user alarm indication at a set time, said alarm comprising one of;

an absolute alarm for activation at a daily frequency, and, a relative alarm for activation at a predefined time relative to a current time;

a time-keeping mechanism for independently tracking said current time;

a touch sensitive panel for receiving user interactions; and

,

a control mechanism for determining a time setting of a next alarm and providing an alarm indication at said set time, said control mechanism further interfaced with said touch sensitive panel for detecting a first user interaction with said touch sensitive panel to deactivate said alarm indication, and detecting a second user interaction with said touch sensitive panel within a pre-determined time interval of said first user interaction, said second user interaction proactively enabling one of;

setting of a snooze alarm interval, automatic cancellation of said alarm, and, automatic re-setting of said alarm for a next day, whereby minimal user interaction is required to control alarm functions.

16. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said control mechanism further detects absence of any further user interaction with said touch sensitive panel within a pre-determined time interval, and in response, enables automatic re-activation of said alarm at a programmable snooze time interval.

17. The system as claimed in claim 16, further comprising:

a tilt sensor provided in said wearable appliance for determining disposition of said appliance relative to said user, said control mechanism periodically monitoring said tilt sensor whereby, in response to detection of absence of any further user interaction with said touch sensitive panel within a pre-determined time interval, said control mechanism performing one of;

automatically reverting to a programmable snooze time setting if said appliance is disposed on said user, or automatically canceling said alarm if said appliance is detached from said user.

18. The system as claimed in claim 15, further including mechanism for inputting a text message to be associated with a set alarm, and memory storage device for storing said associated text message, said alarm indication including display of said associated text message via said user interface.

19. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said text message includes a hyperlink.

20. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said scroll device is manipulated by a user for setting a plurality of alarms via said interface, said user interface including a watchface display having hour-hand and minute hand display indicators;

said system further comprising;

mechanism for generating an icon representing each of said plurality of set alarms and displaying each icon on said user interface display to indicate for said user said set alarm times.

21. The system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said scroll device is manipulated by a user for selecting a displayed icon, said control mechanism in response enabling display of a detailed text message associated with a set alarm.

22. The system as claimed in claim 15, further including mechanism for setting of a quiet alarm interval defining an interval of time in which a set time alarm is to be deactivated, said control mechanism further determining if a time setting of a next alarm is within a set quite time interval.

23. The system as claimed in claim 22, wherein said quiet alarm interval comprises one of an absolute quiet time interval and a relative quiet time interval, said absolute quiet time interval being set to activate at a daily frequency, said relative quiet time interval being activated for a predefined time period relative to a current time.

24. The system as claimed in claim 22, further including mechanism for transmitting a signal in a pre-determined area including users possessing said wearable appliance, said wearable appliance including device for receiving said transmitted signal and automatically initiating a quiet time setting for each user in said area for a pre-determined time interval.

25. The system as claimed in claim 15, further including mechanism for providing fine-grain and course-grain setting of alarms in response to scroll events generated by manipulating said scroll device, said fine-grain setting of said alarm corresponds to one (1) minute increment per scroll device scroll event.

26. The system as claimed in claim 25, wherein-said course-grain setting of said alarm corresponds to greater than one minute increments per scroll event.

27. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said control mechanism receives said click events for entering setting or canceling of an alarm.

28. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said alarm indication includes one of an audible alarm and a silent alarm.

29. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for efficiently activating and deactivating alarm functions via a user interface provided in a wearable appliance having a display for displaying textual or graphical content, said display including a touch sensitive panel for detecting physical user interaction, said method comprising:

a) setting a time for an alarm via minute and hour display indicators in response to receipt of scroll events generated by manipulating a scroll device provided on said wearable appliance, said alarm capable of being activated to provide user alarm indication at a set time, said alarm comprising one of;

an absolute alarm for activation at a daily frequency, and, a relative alarm for activation at a predefined time relative to a current time;

b) determining a time setting of a next set alarm and providing an alarm indication at said set time;

c) detecting a first user interaction with said touch sensitive panel to deactivate said alarm indication; and

d) detecting a second user interaction with said touch sensitive panel within a pre-determined time interval of said first user interaction, said second user interaction proactively enabling one of;

setting of a snooze alarm interval, automatic cancellation of said alarm, and, automatic re-setting of said alarm for a next day, whereby minimal user interaction is required to control alarm functions.

30. The program storage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 29, wherein said method step c) further includes the step detecting absence of any further user interaction with said touch sensitive panel within a pre-determined time interval, and in response, enabling automatic re-activation of said alarm at a programmable snooze time interval.

31. The program storage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 30, wherein said method further includes the step of:

periodically monitoring a tilt sensor provided in said wearable appliance for determining disposition of said appliance relative to said user, wherein in response to detection of absence of any further manipulation of said touch sensitive panel within a pre-determined time interval, the step of automatically reverting to a programmable snooze setting after said if said appliance is disposed on said user, or automatically canceling said alarm if said appliance is detached from said user.

32. The program storage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 29, wherein said method step a) further includes the step of inputting a text message for association with a set alarm, said step of providing an alarm indication at said set time including simultaneously displaying said associated text message via said user interface.

33. The program storage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 29, wherein said method further includes the step of setting a quiet alarm interval in response to scroll events generated by manipulating a scroll device, said quiet alarm interval defining an interval of time in which a set time alarm is to be deactivated, said step b) of determining a time setting of a next alarm further including determining if said set time is within a set quite time interval.

34. The program storage device readable by a machine as claimed in claim 33, wherein said quiet alarm interval comprises one of an absolute quiet time interval and a relative quiet time interval, said absolute quiet time interval being set to activate at a daily frequency, said relative quiet time-interval being activated for a predefined time period relative to a current time.

35. A method for efficiently activating and deactivating alarm functions via a user interface provided in a wearable appliance providing with a real-time keeping function, and having a display for displaying textual or graphical content, said method comprising:

a) setting a time for an alarm via minute and hour display indicators in response to receipt of scroll events generated by manipulating a scroll device provided on said wrist watch, said alarm capable of being automatically activated to provide user alarm indication at a set time;

b) setting a relative quiet alarm interval in response to scroll events generated by manipulating said scroll device, said quiet alarm interval defining an interval of time from a current time wherein alarms are prevented from being sounded; and

,

c) at said alarm set time, determining if said set alarm time is within said relative quiet alarm interval, and preventing user alarm indication at said set time if said set alarm time is within said relative quiet alarm interval.

36. A system for efficiently activating and deactivating alarm functions via a user interface provided in a wearable appliance having a display for displaying textual or graphical content, said system comprising:

a scroll device for manipulation by a user to provide scrolling functions enabling setting of an alarm via minute and hour hand display indicators provided on said wrist watch display, said scroll device generating scroll events and click events for setting said alarm, said alarm capable of being activated to provide user alarm indication at a set time;

a time-keeping mechanism for independently tracking said current time;

means responsive to scroll events generated by manipulating said scroll device for setting a relative quiet alarm interval, said relative quiet alarm interval defining an interval of time from a current time wherein alarms are prevented from being sounded; and

,

a control mechanism interfaced with said time keeping mechanism for determining if a set alarm time is within said relative quiet alarm interval, and said control mechanism further preventing user alarm indication at said set alarm time if said set alarm time is within said relative quiet alarm interval.