Analog controls housed with electronic displays for clocks

• US 6,496,449 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2000
• Issued: 12/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Anascape, Ltd.
• Inventors: Armstrong, Brad A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PARADISO, JOHN ROGER
• Application Number:
  US09/702,091
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 463/36, 463/37, 273/143.B, 345/156, 345/159, 200/513, 368/231
• US Class Current: 368/231
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/218 using pressure sensors, e.g. generating a signal proportional to the pressure applied by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/10 characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1056 involving pressure sensitive buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/00 Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/08 Touch switches specially adapted for time-pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23033 Variable pressure on key gives input value
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03548 Sliders, in which the moving part moves in a plane
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03549 Trackballs G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 : Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 : Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 : using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/70 : having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard mounting together a plurality of independent switches H02B
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 : with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 : characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/004 : Collapsible dome or bubble
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/006 : Only mechanical function
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/012 : Joy stick type
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/018 : Tumbler
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/046 : Multi-colour or double shot injection moulding
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2229/047 : Preformed layer in mould
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/008 : Video game
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2237/002 : Bell crank

Abstract

A clock having a time display and including a pressure-sensitive variable-conductance sensor for creating a varying analog value according to varying depression applied by a finger of a human user to the analog sensor. Multiple analog sensors are sometimes utilized. In one preferred embodiment the analog sensor(s) include resilient dome cap(s) for providing tactile feedback to the finger depressing the analog sensor. Circuitry within a housing is connected to the analog sensor for reading the varying analog value from the analog sensor and causing representative varying of the time value shown by the time display.

Claims

1. A clock displaying time imagery, comprising:

a housing;

electronic circuitry located in said housing, said electronic circuitry at least calculating units of time;

a time display supported by said housing, said time display operatively connected to said circuitry;

a first finger depressible surface in part exposed on said housing, said first finger depressible surface operatively connected to

a first pressure-sensitive variable-conductance analog sensor, said analog sensor for inputting a signal to said circuitry, said signal having variable value depending on variable pressure applied to said first finger depressible surface;

said circuitry structured to receive said signal and to cause the time imagery to change at a variable rate representing the variable pressure applied to said first finger depressible surface.

2. A clock according to claim 1 wherein said time display includes at least three seven-element numeric displays.

3. A clock according to claim 1 wherein at least a second finger depressible surface is in part exposed on said housing, the second finger depressible surface operatively connected to

a second pressure-sensitive variable-conductance analog sensor, the second analog sensor for inputting a second signal to said circuitry, the second signal having variable value depending on variable pressure applied to the second finger depressible surface.

4. A clock according to claim 3 wherein said time display includes at least three seven-element numeric displays.

5. A clock according to claim 3 wherein operation of said first analog sensor causes the time imagery to ascend.

6. A clock according to claim 5 wherein operation of said second analog sensor causes the time imagery to descend.

7. A clock according to claim 6 wherein the analog sensors are structured to provide tactile feedback.

8. A clock according to claim 7 wherein the first and second depressible surfaces are part of a two-way rocker.

9. A clock according to claim 8 wherein said clock is a household clock.

10. A clock according to claim 3 wherein the first and second depressible surfaces are part of a two-way rocker.

11. A clock according to claim 1 wherein the analog sensor is structured to provide tactile feedback.

12. A device for controlling time information, comprising:

a time display having at least three seven-element numeric displays for displaying the time information;

a finger activated pressure-sensitive variable-conductance analog sensor for creating a varying analog value according to varying depression applied by a finger of a user to said analog sensor;

associated with said analog sensor is

means for providing tactile feedback to the finger;

circuitry connected to said analog sensor, said circuitry for reading a varying analog value from said analog sensor and causing representative varying of the time information shown by the time display.

13. A device according to claim 12 wherein said analog sensor is a first analog sensor, said device further includes a second analog sensor, said second analog sensor connected to said circuitry for causing variable control of the time information.

14. A device according to claim 13 wherein said means for providing tactile feedback comprises a resilient dome cap supplying a break-over threshold tactile feedback to the finger.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein said first analog sensor controls ascension of the time information, and said second analog sensor controls descending of the time information.

16. A device according to claim 15 wherein a housing supports said time display, said housing at least in part supports depressible surfaces, said surfaces for depressing the analog sensors.

17. A device according to claim 13 wherein a housing supports said time display, said housing at least in part supports depressible surfaces, said surfaces for depressing the analog sensors.

18. A device for controlling time information, comprising:

a time display for displaying the time information;

a finger activated pressure-sensitive variable-conductance analog sensor for creating a varying analog value according to varying depression applied by a finger of a user to said analog sensor;

circuitry connected to said analog sensor and said time display, said circuitry for reading a varying analog value from said analog sensor and causing representative varying of the time information shown by the time display.

19. A device according to claim 18 wherein said time display includes at least three seven-element numeric displays.

20. A device according to claim 18 wherein said analog sensor is operatively associated with

means for providing tactile feedback to the finger.

21. A device according to claim 18 wherein said analog sensor is a first analog sensor, said device further includes a second analog sensor, said second analog sensor connected to said circuitry for causing variable control of the time information.