CA1266886A - Control interface for combined watch and pager functions - Google Patents
Control interface for combined watch and pager functionsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1266886A CA1266886A CA000554985A CA554985A CA1266886A CA 1266886 A CA1266886 A CA 1266886A CA 000554985 A CA000554985 A CA 000554985A CA 554985 A CA554985 A CA 554985A CA 1266886 A CA1266886 A CA 1266886A
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- Prior art keywords
- display
- information
- switches
- switch
- interface arrangement
- Prior art date
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- Expired - Lifetime
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
A wrist worn device includes a digital watch circuit and a receiver circuit which responds to coded message signals including selective call signalling and message information. An input steering circuit interfaces between the watch circuit and the receiver circuit for normally providing control of the watch circuit by switches located in the device case. The normal watch functions of the switches are permanently marked on the device case. The watch circuit and the receiver circuit couple to an information selector circuit which normally selects the watch output for a common display. When coded message signals are received, the switches are enabled to control the receiver circuit, and the received message information is selected for display. New indicia, electronically selected by the information selector circuit, are displayed on the display defining the new functions of the switches.
A wrist worn device includes a digital watch circuit and a receiver circuit which responds to coded message signals including selective call signalling and message information. An input steering circuit interfaces between the watch circuit and the receiver circuit for normally providing control of the watch circuit by switches located in the device case. The normal watch functions of the switches are permanently marked on the device case. The watch circuit and the receiver circuit couple to an information selector circuit which normally selects the watch output for a common display. When coded message signals are received, the switches are enabled to control the receiver circuit, and the received message information is selected for display. New indicia, electronically selected by the information selector circuit, are displayed on the display defining the new functions of the switches.
Description
~L2~&`E~6 CONTROL INTERFACE FOR COMBINED
WATCH AND PAGER FUNCTIONS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Thi6 invention relate6 generally to the field of controller6 suitable for l~se with min~ature personal communications devices, and more particularly to a 6witch function controller for use with digital electronic watches which incorporate a radio paging receiver.
The 6mall phy6ical 6ize and form factor of wri6t worn digital electronic watches having LCD or LED displays makes it very difficult to provide individual control switche6 for each and every function which can be provided in the watches. As a rc~ult, watch manufacturers have had to devote conslderable effort to minimize the number of control switche6 required to set and control the watch function6. This ha6 resulted in providing only a limited number of control switches providing multiple function capability on the watches.
Selection and control of all of the available functions requires 6equences of control switch operations to be performed which are not always readily apparent, even with the identlfication of the 6witch functions on the watch case.
When a radio paging receiver ie also included in the 6ame ca6e as the watch, the problem i6 further complicated. This is due to the large number of di6tinctly dlfferent functions which are required for control of a paging receiver. It has been the experience of paglng receiver manufacturer~
that the6e function6 mu6t be clearly identlfled to !
~2S68~
avoid confusion or the 106~ of message~ due to improper oper~tion of the controls by the user.
Device case size limits simply addlng additional control swltcheR for the paging receiver functions.
Multlplexing control of the additional function6 required for the paging receiver functions with those of the watch funct~ons using the same control switche6 can create confusion in the operation of the watch and paging receiver functions. Other problem~, such aG when to provide operation of the paging recelver or the watch function6 by the control 6witche6, how long and how often, and how to handle information delivered by the paging receiver have not been but need to be addressed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an ob~ect of the present invention to provide an apparatus 6uitable for controlling the operation of ~ electronic watch and a paging receiver incorporated in a 6ingle wrist worn device.
It i6 a further ob~ect of the inventlon to provide an apparAtus which minimizes the number of control 6W~ tches reguired to operate the watch and paging receiver functions.
It i6 A further ob~ect of the invention to provide an apparatu6 which clearly identifie6 the function~ provided by the control 6witches.
It i6 a further ob~ect of the invention to provide an apparatus which automatically provlde6 operAtion of the paging receiver functions when control of the6e function6 are required.
It i6 a further ob~ect of the invention to provide an apparatu6 which automatlcally provides ~26ti8~
operation of the watch function6 by the control switches, when not required to control the paging receiver functlon6.
It i~ a further ob~ect of the invention to provide an apparatu6 whlch allows manual ~electlon of either watch function~ or paging receiver functions .
~ t is a`further ob~ect of the invention to provide an apparatus which controls the display of time informatlon and me~6age information under the control of the control switch function6.
A switch control interface arr~gement is provided for a device normally generating and di6playing time information, and al80 capable of receiving tran6mitted coded message signals.
Switche6 for controlling the setting and di6play of time are provided. The device case is marked with permanent indicla positionally ad~acent the switches for indicating the 6witch functions. The device includes a receiver circuit for receiving and decoding the transmitted coded message signals to provide control signal~ and informatlon. A 6witch controller i8 coupled to the time generating clrcuit and to the raceiver circuit and enable6 control o~
either the time generating circuit and receiver circuit by the switches. Control of the receiver circult by the switches is automatically obtained when the control signals are derived in the receiver circuit.
In anothsr embodiment of the present ~nvention A displ~y control interface arr~ngement i8 provided for a device normally generating and displaying time information, and also capable of receiving transmitted coded message ~ignals. Switche6 for controlling the settlng and display of time are provided. The device case is marked with permanent indicia positlonally ad~acent the ~wltches for indicating the 6witch functlons. The device includes a receiver circuit for recelving and decoding the tran6mitted coded mes6age 6ignal6 to provide control s~gnal~ and message information. An input steering circuit i8 coupled to the time generating circuit and to the receiver circuit and enables control of either the time generating circuit or the receiver circuit by the 6wltches.
Outputs from the time generating circuit and the receiver circuit are coupled to an information selector circuit which selects either time or me~sage information depending upon whether the time generating circuit or the rece~ver circuit is 6elected by the input 6teering clrcuit. Control of the receiver circuit and di6play of mes6age information by the switche6 is automatically obtained when the control signals are derived in the receiver circuit.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention a di6play control interface arrangement is provided for a wrlst worn device normally generating and di6playing time information, and also capable of receiving tran6mitted coded me66age 6ignals. The transmitted coded me66age 6ignAl include 6elective call signalling and message information. Switche6 for controlling the 6ett~ng and di6play of time are provided. The device ca6e i6 marked with permanent indicia positionally ad~cent the ~witches for indicating the 6witch function6. The device include6 a receiver circuit for receiving and demodulating the coded me6sage signal~ including the 6electlve call 6ignalling and message information.
An identification storage element stores predetermined device identification information. A
decoder compares the 6elective call 6ignalling with the predetermined device ldentification information to provide control 6ignals when the selective call 6ignalling matches the predetermined device identLfication informatlon. An input 6teering clrcuit i6 coupled to the time generating circuit and to the receiver circuit and enable6 control of either the time generating circuit or the receiver circuit by the ~witches. Output6 fr~m the time generating circuit and the receiver circuit are coupled to an information 6elector circuit which 6elects either time or mes6age information depending upon whether the time generating circuit or the receiver circuit i6 6elected by the input steering circuit. The information 6elector circuit al60 electronlcally select6 lndicia di6played positionally ad~acent the switches indicating the new switch functions which are al60 enabled when the receiv6r circult i8 6elected by the input steering circuit. Control of the receiver circuit by the ~witche6, display of the mes6agQ information, and di~play of indicia idicating new 6witch functions, iB automatically obtained when the control 6ignal6 are derived ln the receiver circuit.
These and other ob~ects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to tho6e 6killed in the art upon consideration of the following description and accompanying drawings of the invention.
~6 }~IEF DESCRIPTION OF TRE DRAWINGS
~ he ~e~ture~ o~ the inventlon which are believed to be nov~l are ~et forth with p~rtlcul~rity ~n the appended clalm6. The invention it6elf, t~gether wlth further ob~ects and advantages thereof, ~ay be be6t under~tood by reference to the following descrlption when taken ln con~unction with the accompanying drawlng6, ln the several f~gures of which like referance numerals identlfy ldentlcal element6, in whlch:
FIG. 1 16 a ~impllfied functlonal block diagram of the apparatu~ of the present lnve~tlon~
FIG. 2 1B an ~unctlonal block dlagr~m of the apparatu6 of the present invention lllu~trating the details of the runct~onal blocks shown ln FIG. l.
FIG5. 3A ~o 3H are p~ctorial diagram6 of the display portion of the device lllu~tr~tlng the ~witch control placement and lndicla provlded to control the operation of the apparatus of the pre6ent invention.
FIGS. ~A to 4G are flow diagram6 illu~trating the operation of the apparatus of the present inventlon.
FIGS. SA to 5D are ~low dlagrams lllu6trating the operatlon o~ an alternate embodlment of the ~pparatus of the pre~ent lnventlon.
F~G. 6 16 a functional bloc~ diagram of ~n ~mbodiment of the present invention utlllzing a ~lcroproce~sor for controlllng the operation of the apparatus.
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DESC~IPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
-Reference i6 now directed to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, which represent~ a simplified functional block diagram for a device 10 constructed ln accordance with the pre~ent invention. An electronic watch circuit 20, which is coupled to di~play controller 16, provide6 time information 6uch a6 time and day and date, normally di6played on dlsplay 22. An antenna 12 is coupled to a paging receiver 14, which i8 also coupled to display controller 16. Paging receiver 14 receives tran~ltted coded message signals and di6plays the received mes~age information on display 22 in place of the time. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the time information being generated and displayed by watch circuit 20 may include other function6 6uch as elapsed time, interval timer, and alarm, ju6t to name a few. Control of watch circuit 20 and paging receiver 14 i6 provided by u6er control input6 18, which couple to di6play controller 16. As will be described in greater detail later, control inputs 18 are intended to represent device 6witches 40, 42 and 44 illustrated in FIG. 3A.
In normal operation, the watch-pager arrangement of FIG. 1 functions like a watch with the preeent time d~splayed on display 22. The device switche6, which are the control inputs 18, provide control of the watch functions through display controller 16. ~owever, when tr~nsmitted coded message signals, or pages, are received and decoded by paging receiver 14, in a manner well known to one skilled in the art, a control signal is generated by paging receiver 14 which is coupled to ~6 dlsplay controller 16 causing the watch-pager arrangement to function as a display pager. Thl6 i6 effected by changing both ~he informatlon di~played and the norm~l function of the devlce switches.
Thus, im~ediately after the page has been received, the dl6pl~y indlcate6 a mes6age Wa8 recelved.
Paglng receiver 14 normally lncludes a memory for 6torage of ~he mes6age infor~ation. Readout of the me6sage information 6tored in the memory i~ then controllable by the ~ame device switches normally used to control the watch function6.
Reference 1~ next directed to FIG. 2 whlch shows a more detailed block diagram of the pre6ent invention. Di6play controller 16 is shown to consist of a switch interface controller 34 used for steering control input6 18 to the appropriate ~ection, either the watch, or time keeping circuit 20 or paging recelver 14. Implementations for watch circuit 20 and paging receiver 14 are 6eparately well known to those 6killed in the art, and will only be briefly de6cribed later. Outputs from watch circuit 20 and paging receiver 14 provide 6erlal time and mes6ase information, re6pectively, to di6play selector 38. Di6play 6elector 38 is coupled to switch interface controller 34 and selects time or mes6age lnformatlon for display dependlng upon which 6ection of the watch-pager device is being controlled by 6wltch interface controller 34. The information 6elected by di6play 6elector 38 is provided to di6play lnterface circuit 40 which, in the preferred embodiment of the pre6ent invention de6cribed, includes a serial driver circuit, such a8 the MC145000 ma6ter and MC145001 slave, serial multiplexed LCD driver circuits manufactured by Motorola, which 1~ suitsble for driving di6play 22.
Display 22 comprl6es an LCD di~play 6uitable for di6playing both time and message information, 6uch as ~ultiplexed LCD display6 available from Seiko.
Paglng receiver 14 conslst6 of an antenna 12 coupled to receiver circult 24 as 6hown in FIG. 2.
Receiver 24 receive6 the tran6mitted coded me6~age signal6 which normally consi6t of transmitted 6elective call 6ignalling information and transmitted mes6age information in a manner well known ln the art. The tr~nsmitted coded mes6age signals are demodulated in recelver ~4, agaln in a manner well known to one 6kllled in the art, and provlded at the output of receiver 24 a6 a 6tream of binary lnformatlon representlng demodulated coded message 61gnals 25, con~lstlng of selective call 6ignalling-information 25a and message information 25b. The output of receiver 24 i6 coupled to a decoder circuit 28. Decoder 28 has a second input from code memory, or code plug 26. Code plug 26 stores predetermlned address information consi6ting of one or more addresses to which paging receiver 14 wlll respond. The demodulated selectlve call signalling informatlon 25a i6 compared wlth the addresses stored ln code plug 26 by decoder 28. If the 6electlve call signalling lnformatlon 25a matche6 one of the stored addre66es, a control ~lgnal 29 i~ generated. Control signal 29 is cGupled to memory 30 to effect any 6ub6equently received me66age informatlon 25b to be ~tored. It will be appreciated by one 6kllled ln the art, that memory 30 may be capable of 6toring multlple me6~ages received at different time6. Control slgnal 29 al60 couples to 6witch interfsce controller 34 to effect control of paging receiver 14 by the device ~w~tche~. After the me6sage information 2~b has been stored, decoder 28 generates an alerting 6ignal 37 whlch i~ routed to di~play ~elector 38. Dlsplay selector 38 sends the alerting signal 37 to the alerting circult 32.
Alerting circuit 32 norm~lly deliver6 an audible alert, although other forms a alert 6uch a6 tactile could al60 be delivered. It will be appreciated the alerting circuit 32 may deliver alertlng signals derived from watch circuit 20 during normal operation, such ag when an alarm sig~als are generated by watch circuit 20.
Switch interface controller 34 also couples to timing generator circuit 36 as shown in FIG. 2.
Timing generator 36 controls the time duration during which the received me~6age information i6 displayed on display 22. When switch lnterface controller 34 selects paging receiver 14 in response to control signal 29, a predetermined display time interval such as eight 6econds i6 generated. Upon completion of the di6play time interval, timing generator 36 generates an output to cau6e switch lnterface controller 34 to again select the watch functions. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, timing generator 36 also provides an output which couples to display selector 38 to provide the clock signals necessary to drive the serial displAy driver circuitry in displ~y interface 40 which i6 subsequently coupled to displ~y 22.
As described earlier, control inputs 18 correspond to the device switches 40, 42 and 44. To better under~tand their operation reference is made to FIG. 3A where the device 6witches are shown to ~6 lnclude ~ dl~play 6wltch 40, a set ~wltch 42 and a ~od~ ~wltch 44 The swltch functlon~ are per~anently ~arked on the ca6e of the watch-pager d~vlce and ~n~icate function6 controlled by the ~witches when ln the normal watch, or ti~e di6play ~ode In t~e pr~ferred e~bodlment of the present lnvention, operatlon of watch clrcuit 20 ~unc~ion6 are deqcrlbed a~ ~ollows Actuatlon of dlsplay switch 40 wh$1e tlne lnform~tlon, 6uch as present tlme 64 and AH~PM lndlcator 62 ~re belng dl6played on dl8play 22 as shown in FIG 3A causes day and date lntornation 66 to be dlsplayed,:a6 6hown ln FIG 3B, for a perlod of tl~e, such a6 for a two 6econd interval Addltional operatlons, 6uch as display of ~econds, are also controlled by the di~play ~wltch 40 These tlme dlsplay operatlon6 are de6cribed ln the flowchart6 shown ln F~GS 4A
and 4c to be descrlbed ln gr-ater detall later Actuatlon o~ 6et swltch ~2 wlll place watch clrcult 20 ln the tlme ~ettlng mode as descrlbed ln the flowchart ~hown ln FIGS 4A and 4B, also to be described in greater detail later Actuation of mode -switch 44 will select control of paging receiver 14 by the device switches when time information is being dl6played, to b- dc~crlbed ln detal~ with the ~lowchart 6hown ln FIGS. 4c and 4D
When the pag~ng functlons are selected a~
pre~iously descr~bed, dl6play 6elector 38 changes froa ~hQ tlme dlsp~y ~hown ln FIG 3A to a ~es6age dlsplay ~uch as ~h~t ~hown ln FIG 3C As ~llustrated ln FIG 3C, ln the preferred e~bodl2ent of the prQsQnt lnventlon, the recelved ~e~6age ln~ormatlon 25b ~tor-d ln memory 30 1~ not lmmed~ately dl~played, but rather the text me6sage, ~266886 "PAGE" 68, is displayed indicating the presence of a stored received message. A visual annunciator 70 consisting of five alphanumeric characters, "R", "1", "2", "3", and "4" provides information on the number of received messages currently stored in memory 30. All annunciators are shown in FIG. 3c for the sake of clarity. Normally when no messages have been stored, only the "R" indicator is displayed and cursor 72 would be positioned beneath the "R" indicator. When a first message is received, only the "R" and the "1" indicators are displayed with cursor 72 positioned immediately beneath the "1" indicator as shown in FIG. 3D. Cursor 72 remains beneath the current unread memory position indicator until the received message has been read, at which time cursor 72 would again shift to beneath the "R"
indicator. Additional messages are indicated by the "2", "3" and "4" indicators. The preferred embodiment of the present invention described provides an indication for four received message to be stored and identified by annunciator 70. The method for storing and displaying the received unread messages is described in detail in U.S. Patent Number 4,385,295 to Willard, et al, entitled "Pager with Visible Display Indicating Unread Messages"
which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. It should be noted that other methods for displaying the number of received messages which are stored may be employed without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.
.. . ..
When the paging functlons are selected by swltch interface controller 34, ~witch labels indic~ting the new switch functions are al80 di6played. ~he new labels are provlded by ~ctlvating the appropriate portions of display 22 and include the label6 "Re6et" 46, "Tlme" 4a and "Hold On" 50 as 6hown in FIG. 3c. Dlsplay 6wltch 40, used normally to control the dl6play of time information as prevlously de~cribed, functions as a "Reset" 6witch 46 when paging receiver 14 i~
selected by switch lnterface controller 34. When "Reset" switch 46 18 actuated, the ~udlble alert generated by decoder 28 in re6pon6e to receiving a page i8 suspended and the 6tored received message 76 is di6played as 6hown in FIG. 3E. The label identifying di6play switch 40 next changes to indicate a different 6witch function such as "Read"
52, al60 6hown in FIG. 3E, after the audible alert ha6 been reset and the received message has been initlally read and displayed. Thus the preferred embod~ment of the present invention provides multiple displayable labels for each switch, to clearly indlcate th~ current switch function provided by that switch when multiple i lCti~ 5 are provided by the switch. FIGS. 3C and lll ;trate by oxample the multlple labels "Reset" -6 and "Read"
52 deflning sep~rate functlons controlled by dlsplay swltch 40.
Set switch 42, shown in FIG. 3E normally used to control the setting the time, functions a~ the "Hold On" switch 50 when paging receiver 14 is selected by switch interface controller 34. The "Hold on" 6witch 50 ~llows freezing the received message 76 on display 22 for as long as required by ~66~
suspendlng timing generator 36 operatlon. After "Hold On" ~witch 50 has been actuated, the ~witch function change6 to l'Hol~ off" ~witch 54 a6 ~hown i~
FIG. 3F. Depre~sing the "Hold Off" 6witch 54 restarts timing generator 36, thereby raturning operation to the watch mode when the difiplay time interval has elapsed.
Mode ~witch 44, 6hown in FIGS. 3A to 3H, used to select the paging receiver functlon whsn present time i6 displayed, i~ used to manually reselect the normal watch or "Tlme" 48 function prior to timing generator 36 automatically restoring~the time functions.
While the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrates only a single twelve digit di6play, such a6 6hown in FIG. 3E, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that longer message6 may be tran6mltted, 6tored and di6played.
One method of handllng longer me66age6 i6 6hown in FIG. 3G. A me66age continuation annunciator 78 is displayed indicating further information has been received and the informatlon may be read by actuating di6play 6witch 40 providing the "Read" 52 function to re~d out the next 6egment of the received me6sage. Other methods, 6uch a6 the use of multiple line display6 can al60 be employed without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention described herein.
FIG. 3H illustrates the information displayed when the paging receiver function i6 manually selected using mode switch 44 when no pages have been received and stored. Text indlc~ting "No Page"
80 i6 generated by decoder 28 and di6played a6 shown. It 6hould al60 be ob~erved that the switch ~La6~
functions ~re chAnged ~nd the new labels are displayed as a result of manu~lly 6electing the n~ g~ dl6play ~ode. The normal time dlsplAy may be resel~cted by actuating ~ode ~wltch 44 whlch provid~ lecting the ~Ti~e~ 48 func~ion.
Many such tl~e ~et~dieplay protocols ~re ~nown, but the following i~ a de~cription of that employed ~n the preferred embodlment of the present inventlon. Reference 1~ now directed to the flowchart shown in E'IGS. 4A and 4B which describes the procedur~ to ~et the tl~e for the watch-pager device 10. 5O enter the set time procedure ~t block 100, ~et 6wltch 42 16 actuated a~ 6hown at block 166 of the flowchart shown in FIGS. 4D and 4E which describes the general oper~tion of the watch-pager device 10 to be described ln detail later. The di6play alternates between time ~nd day/date dlsplay6 a6 6hown ~t block 102 ln FIGS. 4A and 4B. ~ en display switch 40 is actllated ~t block 104, the 6econd6 are di6played a6 6hown at block 106. The seconds dlsplay shown ~t block 106 continuea ~nt~ display switch 40 is again actuated a6 6hown at bloc~ lG8, thereby return~ng the di6play to the altern~t~ng ~ode shown at block 102. If di~play swltch 40 16 not actuated a6 6hown at block 104, and lf ~et 6w~tch 42 i6 not actuated as 6hown at block 110, the dlsplay contlnue6 to alternate ti~e and day/date information shown at block 102.
When eet 6witch 42 i~ ~ctuated lls 6hown ~t block 110, the month 18 dl~pl~yed as shown at block 112 there~y allowlng the ~onth to be set. When di6play ewitch 40 i~ actuated a~ 6hown at block 114 t~ ~onth dlEplayed 1~ Advanced to the next ~onth a~
shown at block 116. I f di6pl~y 6witch 40 1~ not ~386 actuated as shown at block 114 and set ~witch 42 is not actuated a~ shown at block 118, the month di~played continues as shown at block 112.
When set switch 42 is actuated as shown at block 118, the day is displayed as ~hown at block 120 thereby allowing the day to be ~et. When display switch 40 is actuated as shown at block 122 the day displayed is advanced to the next day as shown at block 124. If display switch 40 is not actuated as shown at block 114 and set switch 42 is not actuated as shown at block 126, the day dl&played continues as shown at bloc~ 120.
When set 6witch 42 i6 actuated as 6hown at block 126, the hour is displayed a~ shown at block 128 thereby allowing the hours to be set. When display switch 40 i6 actuated as shown at block 130 the hour displayed is advanced to the next hour as shown at block 132. If display switch 40 is not actuated as 6hown at block 130 and set switch 42 is not actuated as shown at block 134, the hour displayed continues as shown at block 128.
When set switch 42 is actuated as shown at block 134 the minute is displayed as shown at block 136 thereby allowing the minutes to be set. When display switch 40 i8 actuated as shown at block 138 the minute displayed is advanced to the next minute 140. If display 6witch 40 is not actuated as shown at block 138 and 6et switch 42 is not actuated as shown at block 142, the minute displayed 136 continues as shown at block 136. When set switch 42 is actuated as shown at block 142 the normal time display i6 obtained as shown at block 146, thus completing the prese~t time ~etting procedure started at block 100.
Reference i~ now dlrected the flowchart shown in ~IG. 4C whlch describes the procedure to view day/date and 6econds. To enter the view tlme procedure ~t block 148, display switch 40 i8 actuated a~ shown at block 168 of the flowchart chown in FIGS. 4D and 4E whic~ descri~es the general oper~tion of the watch-pager device 10 to be described ln detail later. The day/date are di~played a~ shown at block 150 when the view time procedure at block 148 i8 entered as shown in FIG.
4~. If di~play 6witch 40 i6 not actuated a6 ~hown at block 152 and the two 6econd tlme period as ~hown at block 154 ha6 not elap6ed, the day/date displayed continue6 a8 ~hown at block 150. When the two second tlme period ha~ elapsed as ~hown at block 154, the normal time di6pl~y 1~ obtained a~ ~hown at block 156,.thus completing the view time procedure 6tarted at block 148.
If the dlsplay button i6 actua~ed as shown at block 152, then ~econds are di6played as ~hown at block 158. I~ di6play switch 40 is not depressed as ~hown at block 160, the second~ displayed continues as shown at block 158. When display 6witch 40 i8 depressed ~8 ~hown at block 160 are displayed, the normal tlme dlsplay 18 obtained as shown at block 156, thus completing the view time procedure ~tarted at block 148.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other procedure~ to display time and day~date lnformation D~y be enpIoyed without departlng ~rom the scope ~nd splrit of the invention de6cribed. It will al60 be appreciated that other timing function6, well known to those skilled in the ,,~, art, ~ay also be employed wlthout departlng ~rom the ~cope or 6plrlt of the lnventlon desclbed.
Refer~nce 1~ now directed ~o FIGS. 4D and 4E ~hich de~cribes the general op~ration of the wntch-pager dQvlcQ 10. WhLle the watch-pager device lo descrlbed ln the embodiment o~ the present inventlon doe~ not h~ve a po~er control ~wltch, power 16 turned on ~8 sh~wn at block 162 when the battery ha~
been repl~ced. Tine i6 normally di6played a~ 6hown at block 164 when power 1~ suppli~d. When the ~et ~wltch 42 1~ actuated ~8 shown ln block 166, the tlms 6ettlng procedure aB 6hown at b~ock 100 i6 entered, a6 previou61y descrlbed. When the dl6play swltch 40 18 actuated as shown ln block 168, ~he vlew tlme procedure a6 6hown at block 148 L6 enetered, ~180 ~8 prevlou61y de6crlbed. I f a page has not been recelved as 6hown at block 170, but the node ~wltch 44 has ~een actuated ~8 ~hown at block 172 the ~wltch functions Are modlfled a~ previou61y descrlbQd, and nQw ~wltch functlon label~ are generated on the dlsplay ~n ~hown at block 174, placlng the devlce ln the ~e6sage readout procedure ~hown at block 176. The me~sags readout proc~dure chown at block 176 wlll b~ described ln detail l~ter.
Wh~n a page i~ rocelved as shown at block 170 the recelved ~es~age 1B ~tor~d ln memory 30 as ~hown ~t bloc~ 178. Ihe dlsplay durat~on tlmeout 18 lnltlali~d ~a ~hown at ~lock 180 and the ~wltch functlons ~re ~od~led and new swltch functlon labQl~ are generated on the dl~play n~ ~hown at block 1~2, thereby placlng the devlce ln the paglng recelver mode. The text "Page" 16 generated and an audlble alert 1B 60unded a~ 6hown at block 184. If ~.26~6 the mode swltch 44, now having the nTime" ~elect 6witch 48 runction, i6 actuated fi6 shown at block 186, the normal ~wltch ~unctlon~ are restored, the di6played ~witch label6 are cle~red, and the audlble alert iB re~t el8 ~hown ~t block 200, th~reby returnlng tb~ devlce to tha normal tlme di6play mode sh~wn ~t block 164 If the dl6pl~y swltch 40, having tho "Re~et" ~wltch 46 funct$on, i6 actuated a~ 6hown at block 188, the audlble alert i6 re6et AS
shown at block 190, and the ~e66~ge readout proceduro 176 1~ entered I~ the 6et 6witch 42, havlng the ~old On" 6witch 59 functlon, 16 actu~ted as shown at block 192, mes6age tlmeout i8 inhibited a8 shown at block 194 The ~es6~ge displayed 16 frvzen untll the set switch 42, having the "Hold Of r~ 6witch 54 function, iE actuated as 6hown at block 196 If the ~et switch 42, having the ~Hold On~ swltch 50 ~unctlon, wa8 not actuated as shown at block 192, and ~es6age tlmeout occur6 a~ shown at block ~98, tbe normal swltch functlon6 are restored, the di6played ~wltch l~bel~ are cleared, and the ~ud~blQ alert l~ r set ~ shown at block 200, thereby returnlng the device to the normal tlme dlsplay ~od~ ~hown ~t block 164 R-~ercnce ln n~w d~rected to the ~lowchart ~hown ln FIGS. 4F and 4G describes the pro oedure for reading out ~es~ages ~tored ln the memory 30 ~he message readout procedure ~hovn ~t~rting aS block 176 when entered lnltia~lzes the t~lnq ~enerator 36 a8 6hown ~t b~ock 202, thereby extendlng the dlsplay tlme dur~tlon a complete tlme lnterval Ir ~ ~es6~ge ha6 been stored a~ ~hown at block 204 the mes6age 1 readout from memory a~ shown ln block 206 and dl6pl~yed on the dlsplay as 6hown ln block 208.
iæ~
When the dl~play ~witch 40, havlng the "Read" switch 52 functlon, 18 actuated as shown at block 210, memory i6 check for the presence of ~ny addltional mes~ges as ~hown at block 222. If additlonal message~ ~re stored, the ti~eout generator i6 reinitialized as shown at block 224, the next me6sage i6 read as shown at block 206, and the me66age is di~played on the di~play as shown at block 208. Thi6 procedure is repeated until all mes6age6 6tored in memory are read out. If another mQfisage was not 6tored in memory as 6hown in block 222, then the nor~al switch functions are restored, and the displayed 6witch labels are cleared as 6hown at block 226, thereby returning the device to the normal time display mode 6hown at block 228, thereby ending the me6sage readout procedure started at block 176. When the 6et 6witch 42, having thP "Hold on~ 6witch 50 function, iB actuated a8 6hown at block 212 while the mes6age is being displayed, the ~es6age timeout i6 inhlbited a6 6hown at block 214.
The message wlll remain di6played on the di6play until the 6et swltch 42, having the "Hold off"
6witch 54 function, i8 actuated a8 shown at block 216. I~ the set swltch 42, having the "Hold On"
swltch 50 functlon, was not actuated a6 6hown at block 212, then ~es6Age timeout may occur a~ 6hown at block 218. Memory iB checked for the pre6ence of addltion~l messAges ~5 ~hown at block 222, and any addltional messages stored are di6played a8 prevlou61y de~crlbed.
If mode ~wltch 44, having the "Tlme" ~elect swltch 48 function, is actuatad a~ shown ~t bloc~
220 then the normal swltch functlon~ arQ restored, and the dl6played swltch l~bels are cleared a~ shown ~2~;6~6 nt blocX 226, thereby returnins the d~vlce to the norm~l tl~e dlsplay mode ~hown at block 228, thereby ~nding the message readout procedure ~tarted at block 176.
~ lnce it 1~ po~ihle to Qnter the ~escage readout procQdure by ~nu~lly ~ctuat~ng thc mode ~wltch 44 ~8 prevlously described at bloc~ 172, no ~ess~ge~ ~y be ~tor~d ~ ~hown at block 204. When no ve&~age~ are stor~d, the ~l~play would lndicate the tQXt WNo Pageo" as ahown at block 230. When the oet ~wltch 42, havlng the "Hold on" swltch S0 2unction, 18 actuated aa shown ln blocX 232, the me~sage tlmeout is lnhiblted a~ shown ln block 234 freezing the "No P~ges~ dl6play. When the ~et 6wltch 42, h~vlng the "Hold Off" 6wltch 54 functlon, 1~ actuated a6 shown ln blocX 236, mes6age tlmeout can occur as shown at bloc~ 238, ~t which tlme the then the normal sw$tch ~unctlons are re6tored, and the d$splayed ~witch label~ are cleared ~ 8 6hown at block 226, thereby return$ng the devlce to the normAl tlme dl~play ~ode shown at block 228, thereby endlng the ~ea~age roadout procedure started at block 17C.
An alternate e~bodlment of tha watch-pager dQvlce lO 18 de~crlbed ln the ~low charts ~howrl ln FIGS. SA through 5D. Sin oe m~st of the operation of the altern~te embodi~ent of the devlce descrlbed ln FIGS. 5A through 5D have been previously described ~ith re6pect to FIGS. 4D through 4G, respectively, ollly the dl~forencen ln operati~n ~ill ~e deecrl~ed ln detall here.
Referenc~ ia dlrected to the ~lowchart ~hown ln FIGS. 5A and 5B, and in particular to block 240,iaentified by a broken line outline, which shows that the time ~66as6 i6 ~tored ln nemory 30 after the recelved mes6age ~a8 atored in ~e~ry 30 a8 ~hown at block 178. All other operat~on~ ~llustrated ln the flow ch~rt were previously descrlbed.
~eference 18 dlrQcted to th~ ~lowchart ~hown ln FIGS. 5C and 5D and in particular to ~lock 206 ~ich sh~7s the received me~6age is flrst raad ~rom ~mory 30 and then dl6played a~ ~hown at block 208. The rscel~ed me~oeage 16 dl~playQd until a di~play tl~eout occu~ 8~0wn ~t block 242. ThQ
~nformation displayed w~en the timeout occurs i8 checkad a6 shown at block 244. Sinc~ the lnformatlon dl6played wa~ a received ~e6sage, the stored time in~ormation i6 read from memory 30 as shown at block 246 and di6played a6 ehown at block 248. The next tl~e the di6play timeout occurs ~hown at block 242 the infor~ation dl6played i6 ag~in checked a6 6hown at blocX 244. Since time informat~on wa6 di~played then the received me66age 1~ again read from the me~ory 30 as ~hown at block 206 and dlepl~yed a~ ahown at blocX 208, thus re~ultlng ln an ~ltern~tlng dlsplay of the recelved ~e~6age and the r~celved tlme. All other operatlon wlthln the Slowchart are 8~ has been previously de~cr~bed.
By provldlng the ablllty to 6tore the tlme at whlc~ ~ ~e~aqe 1~ recel~d, lt 1~ po6slble to revlew the stored me~sages and to re~pond to them ln ~n order o~ prlorlty whlch 1~ based upon the rec~lpt of the arllest ~os~ge wlth re6pect to the tlme recelved. ~hl~ featur~ enhance6 the utlllty o~ a p~ger whlch has watch funct~ons lncorporated into lt.
l.a66ss6 Referring now to FIG. 6, lllustrated 16 an electrlcal block dlagram of the apparatus o~ the present lnvention utilizing a microcomputer 81 for controlling the operation of the ~pparatu~ of the watch-pag~r 10 previou61y dQscribed. Mlcrocomputer 81 per~orms the combined functions o~ di6play controller 16, including tho6e o~ switch ~nter~ace controller 34, timlng generator 36, di6play selector 38 and display interface 40, as well as the functions of decoder 28 and memory 30 of paging recelver 14 for the embodlment previou~ly 6hown in FIG. 2.
operatlon of the embodlment of the present invantion as 6hown in FIG. 6 is as follows.
Mlcrocomputer 81 18 a slngle chip mlcrocomputer, 6uch as the MC68HC05L6 manufactured by Motorola.
Mlcrocumputer 81 includes a CPU 82 for operatlonal control. An internal bu~s 83 connects all of the elements of the microcomputer 81. An I/O port 84 provldes communlcations to the circuits external to the microcomputer 81. A timer/counter and timer control 36 generates the di6play time duration lnterval for controlllr.g the length of tlne the received mes6age i8 dl6played. Osclllator 86 provldes the clock for operation of CPU 82, provides the reference clock for timer/counter 36, ~nd provide~ the clock signal~ nece66ary to drlve the on-board serl~l display driver 40. 06cillator 86 receives the operating 06clllator frequency signal from real time clock 20. RAM 30 stores the messages as they are received for subsequent display as prevlously de~cribed. ROM 88 contalns the ~lrmware controlling microproce6sor 81 operation. Programs, such a8 for decoding, for time settlng and display, 12~;68~6 for me6sage 6torage and di8play and for controlllng the ~witch operation6 and displayed indicia, are included in ROM 88. An alert generator 90 provide6 the alerting signal in response to decoding the selective call signal informatlon. And the on-board 6erial display driver 40 provide6 the proper slgnal6 for drivlng di6play 22.
Tran6mitted coded mes6age 6ignals including 6electlve call 6ignalling and mes6age information ~re recelved by ~ntenna 12 which iB coupled to receiver 24. Receiver 24 demodulate~ the coded message 6ignals providlng 6elective ball signalling and mes6age information. The output of receiver 24 is coupled to I/O port 84 of microcomputer 81. A1BO
coupled to I/O port 84 i8 code plug, or code memory 26 which store6 the predetermined addres6e6 for the watch-pager 10, as previously de6cribed.
Microcomputer 81 provldes the decoder function, in a manner well known to tho6e 6killed in the art, providing internal control slgnals when the received 6elective call signalling matches the predetermined addre6s informatlon.
The message information received i8 6tored ln RAM 30. Alert generator 90 gener~tes an alertlng signal which is coupled to transducer driver 32. A
6econd input to transducer driver 32 from I/O port 84 controls the alerting signal delivery to transducer 33, produclng an audible alert. The 6econd input to transducer drlver 32 provide6 for 6uch feature6 as silent alertlng, whereln the me66age i6 received and 6tored, however the alerting signal i8 inhlblted from delivery to transducer 33.
Selection of the sllent alertlng feature would be indicated by the absence of the audible alert ~Z6~
annunciator 74, shown in FIG. 3C. Other features, such as interrupting the audlble alert are also con~rolled by the second input. ROM 88 ls al80 read for the text lnformatlon to be dlsplayed lndicating a mes6age has been received. In~ormatlon i~ al~o provlded the display driver for properly displaylng message annunciator 70 and cursor 72, and the swltch label~, as prevlously described.
Di~play ~witch 40, 6et ~witch 42 and mode switch 44 are coupled to mlcrocomputer 81 through I/O port 84 for providing control the the message~
whlle the paglng receiver mode of operation has been selected by microcomputer 81. After the received message has been read, or after the display time duration has elapsed, as previously described, microcomputer 81 resumes time display. A real time clock 20, such as the MC146818, manufactured by Motorola, provides all of the timing function6 for the watch-pager lO, as well as provides the osclllator signal required for operation of the microcomputer 81. The real time clock provides the time, and day/date lnformation whlch 18 updated once each second and read by mlcrocomputer 81 for sub~equent dlsplay. Readout and 6etting of the informatlon of real tlme clock 20, is accompli6hed ln a manner a~ prevlo61y de~crlbed u61ng display swltch 40 and set 6wltch 42. Other features such as alarm feature6 are also provlded by real time clock 20.
one additional circuit which 18 valuable for the oper~tlon of a watch-pager 10 whlch 18 worn on the wrist ls battery ~aver circuit 92, not prevlou61y descrlbed in FIG. 2, although its inclu610n would be obvlous to one 6kllled in the art. Under control o~ microcomputer 81, the battery 6aver circuit 92 i6 periodically turned on and off, thereby conserving power by removing power from the receiver 24. The microcomputar 81 i8 able to pariodically update the tlme display, and periodicAlly control the battery ~Aver clrcuit 92.
If coded message signals are detected on the channel when recelver 24 18 turned on by battery saver circult 92, microcomputer 81 will suspend the oper~tion of battery saver circuit 92 operation, untll the coded mecsage slgnals have been evaluated.
As prevlously described, if the code~ ~es6age 6ignal~ match the predetermined address information, display of tlme~ information will be suspended, and operation of th¢ switches returned to control the receiver and message delivery.
What is claimed is:
WATCH AND PAGER FUNCTIONS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Thi6 invention relate6 generally to the field of controller6 suitable for l~se with min~ature personal communications devices, and more particularly to a 6witch function controller for use with digital electronic watches which incorporate a radio paging receiver.
The 6mall phy6ical 6ize and form factor of wri6t worn digital electronic watches having LCD or LED displays makes it very difficult to provide individual control switche6 for each and every function which can be provided in the watches. As a rc~ult, watch manufacturers have had to devote conslderable effort to minimize the number of control switche6 required to set and control the watch function6. This ha6 resulted in providing only a limited number of control switches providing multiple function capability on the watches.
Selection and control of all of the available functions requires 6equences of control switch operations to be performed which are not always readily apparent, even with the identlfication of the 6witch functions on the watch case.
When a radio paging receiver ie also included in the 6ame ca6e as the watch, the problem i6 further complicated. This is due to the large number of di6tinctly dlfferent functions which are required for control of a paging receiver. It has been the experience of paglng receiver manufacturer~
that the6e function6 mu6t be clearly identlfled to !
~2S68~
avoid confusion or the 106~ of message~ due to improper oper~tion of the controls by the user.
Device case size limits simply addlng additional control swltcheR for the paging receiver functions.
Multlplexing control of the additional function6 required for the paging receiver functions with those of the watch funct~ons using the same control switche6 can create confusion in the operation of the watch and paging receiver functions. Other problem~, such aG when to provide operation of the paging recelver or the watch function6 by the control 6witche6, how long and how often, and how to handle information delivered by the paging receiver have not been but need to be addressed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an ob~ect of the present invention to provide an apparatus 6uitable for controlling the operation of ~ electronic watch and a paging receiver incorporated in a 6ingle wrist worn device.
It i6 a further ob~ect of the inventlon to provide an apparAtus which minimizes the number of control 6W~ tches reguired to operate the watch and paging receiver functions.
It i6 A further ob~ect of the invention to provide an apparatu6 which clearly identifie6 the function~ provided by the control 6witches.
It i6 a further ob~ect of the invention to provide an apparatus which automatically provlde6 operAtion of the paging receiver functions when control of the6e function6 are required.
It i6 a further ob~ect of the invention to provide an apparatu6 which automatlcally provides ~26ti8~
operation of the watch function6 by the control switches, when not required to control the paging receiver functlon6.
It i~ a further ob~ect of the invention to provide an apparatu6 whlch allows manual ~electlon of either watch function~ or paging receiver functions .
~ t is a`further ob~ect of the invention to provide an apparatus which controls the display of time informatlon and me~6age information under the control of the control switch function6.
A switch control interface arr~gement is provided for a device normally generating and di6playing time information, and al80 capable of receiving tran6mitted coded message signals.
Switche6 for controlling the setting and di6play of time are provided. The device case is marked with permanent indicla positionally ad~acent the switches for indicating the 6witch functions. The device includes a receiver circuit for receiving and decoding the transmitted coded message signals to provide control signal~ and informatlon. A 6witch controller i8 coupled to the time generating clrcuit and to the raceiver circuit and enable6 control o~
either the time generating circuit and receiver circuit by the switches. Control of the receiver circult by the switches is automatically obtained when the control signals are derived in the receiver circuit.
In anothsr embodiment of the present ~nvention A displ~y control interface arr~ngement i8 provided for a device normally generating and displaying time information, and also capable of receiving transmitted coded message ~ignals. Switche6 for controlling the settlng and display of time are provided. The device case is marked with permanent indicia positlonally ad~acent the ~wltches for indicating the 6witch functlons. The device includes a receiver circuit for recelving and decoding the tran6mitted coded mes6age 6ignal6 to provide control s~gnal~ and message information. An input steering circuit i8 coupled to the time generating circuit and to the receiver circuit and enables control of either the time generating circuit or the receiver circuit by the 6wltches.
Outputs from the time generating circuit and the receiver circuit are coupled to an information selector circuit which selects either time or me~sage information depending upon whether the time generating circuit or the rece~ver circuit is 6elected by the input 6teering clrcuit. Control of the receiver circuit and di6play of mes6age information by the switche6 is automatically obtained when the control signals are derived in the receiver circuit.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention a di6play control interface arrangement is provided for a wrlst worn device normally generating and di6playing time information, and also capable of receiving tran6mitted coded me66age 6ignals. The transmitted coded me66age 6ignAl include 6elective call signalling and message information. Switche6 for controlling the 6ett~ng and di6play of time are provided. The device ca6e i6 marked with permanent indicia positionally ad~cent the ~witches for indicating the 6witch function6. The device include6 a receiver circuit for receiving and demodulating the coded me6sage signal~ including the 6electlve call 6ignalling and message information.
An identification storage element stores predetermined device identification information. A
decoder compares the 6elective call 6ignalling with the predetermined device ldentification information to provide control 6ignals when the selective call 6ignalling matches the predetermined device identLfication informatlon. An input 6teering clrcuit i6 coupled to the time generating circuit and to the receiver circuit and enable6 control of either the time generating circuit or the receiver circuit by the ~witches. Output6 fr~m the time generating circuit and the receiver circuit are coupled to an information 6elector circuit which 6elects either time or mes6age information depending upon whether the time generating circuit or the receiver circuit i6 6elected by the input steering circuit. The information 6elector circuit al60 electronlcally select6 lndicia di6played positionally ad~acent the switches indicating the new switch functions which are al60 enabled when the receiv6r circult i8 6elected by the input steering circuit. Control of the receiver circuit by the ~witche6, display of the mes6agQ information, and di~play of indicia idicating new 6witch functions, iB automatically obtained when the control 6ignal6 are derived ln the receiver circuit.
These and other ob~ects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to tho6e 6killed in the art upon consideration of the following description and accompanying drawings of the invention.
~6 }~IEF DESCRIPTION OF TRE DRAWINGS
~ he ~e~ture~ o~ the inventlon which are believed to be nov~l are ~et forth with p~rtlcul~rity ~n the appended clalm6. The invention it6elf, t~gether wlth further ob~ects and advantages thereof, ~ay be be6t under~tood by reference to the following descrlption when taken ln con~unction with the accompanying drawlng6, ln the several f~gures of which like referance numerals identlfy ldentlcal element6, in whlch:
FIG. 1 16 a ~impllfied functlonal block diagram of the apparatu~ of the present lnve~tlon~
FIG. 2 1B an ~unctlonal block dlagr~m of the apparatu6 of the present invention lllu~trating the details of the runct~onal blocks shown ln FIG. l.
FIG5. 3A ~o 3H are p~ctorial diagram6 of the display portion of the device lllu~tr~tlng the ~witch control placement and lndicla provlded to control the operation of the apparatus of the pre6ent invention.
FIGS. ~A to 4G are flow diagram6 illu~trating the operation of the apparatus of the present inventlon.
FIGS. SA to 5D are ~low dlagrams lllu6trating the operatlon o~ an alternate embodlment of the ~pparatus of the pre~ent lnventlon.
F~G. 6 16 a functional bloc~ diagram of ~n ~mbodiment of the present invention utlllzing a ~lcroproce~sor for controlllng the operation of the apparatus.
.
.
DESC~IPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
-Reference i6 now directed to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, which represent~ a simplified functional block diagram for a device 10 constructed ln accordance with the pre~ent invention. An electronic watch circuit 20, which is coupled to di~play controller 16, provide6 time information 6uch a6 time and day and date, normally di6played on dlsplay 22. An antenna 12 is coupled to a paging receiver 14, which i8 also coupled to display controller 16. Paging receiver 14 receives tran~ltted coded message signals and di6plays the received mes~age information on display 22 in place of the time. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the time information being generated and displayed by watch circuit 20 may include other function6 6uch as elapsed time, interval timer, and alarm, ju6t to name a few. Control of watch circuit 20 and paging receiver 14 i6 provided by u6er control input6 18, which couple to di6play controller 16. As will be described in greater detail later, control inputs 18 are intended to represent device 6witches 40, 42 and 44 illustrated in FIG. 3A.
In normal operation, the watch-pager arrangement of FIG. 1 functions like a watch with the preeent time d~splayed on display 22. The device switche6, which are the control inputs 18, provide control of the watch functions through display controller 16. ~owever, when tr~nsmitted coded message signals, or pages, are received and decoded by paging receiver 14, in a manner well known to one skilled in the art, a control signal is generated by paging receiver 14 which is coupled to ~6 dlsplay controller 16 causing the watch-pager arrangement to function as a display pager. Thl6 i6 effected by changing both ~he informatlon di~played and the norm~l function of the devlce switches.
Thus, im~ediately after the page has been received, the dl6pl~y indlcate6 a mes6age Wa8 recelved.
Paglng receiver 14 normally lncludes a memory for 6torage of ~he mes6age infor~ation. Readout of the me6sage information 6tored in the memory i~ then controllable by the ~ame device switches normally used to control the watch function6.
Reference 1~ next directed to FIG. 2 whlch shows a more detailed block diagram of the pre6ent invention. Di6play controller 16 is shown to consist of a switch interface controller 34 used for steering control input6 18 to the appropriate ~ection, either the watch, or time keeping circuit 20 or paging recelver 14. Implementations for watch circuit 20 and paging receiver 14 are 6eparately well known to those 6killed in the art, and will only be briefly de6cribed later. Outputs from watch circuit 20 and paging receiver 14 provide 6erlal time and mes6ase information, re6pectively, to di6play selector 38. Di6play 6elector 38 is coupled to switch interface controller 34 and selects time or mes6age lnformatlon for display dependlng upon which 6ection of the watch-pager device is being controlled by 6wltch interface controller 34. The information 6elected by di6play 6elector 38 is provided to di6play lnterface circuit 40 which, in the preferred embodiment of the pre6ent invention de6cribed, includes a serial driver circuit, such a8 the MC145000 ma6ter and MC145001 slave, serial multiplexed LCD driver circuits manufactured by Motorola, which 1~ suitsble for driving di6play 22.
Display 22 comprl6es an LCD di~play 6uitable for di6playing both time and message information, 6uch as ~ultiplexed LCD display6 available from Seiko.
Paglng receiver 14 conslst6 of an antenna 12 coupled to receiver circult 24 as 6hown in FIG. 2.
Receiver 24 receive6 the tran6mitted coded me6~age signal6 which normally consi6t of transmitted 6elective call 6ignalling information and transmitted mes6age information in a manner well known ln the art. The tr~nsmitted coded mes6age signals are demodulated in recelver ~4, agaln in a manner well known to one 6kllled in the art, and provlded at the output of receiver 24 a6 a 6tream of binary lnformatlon representlng demodulated coded message 61gnals 25, con~lstlng of selective call 6ignalling-information 25a and message information 25b. The output of receiver 24 i6 coupled to a decoder circuit 28. Decoder 28 has a second input from code memory, or code plug 26. Code plug 26 stores predetermlned address information consi6ting of one or more addresses to which paging receiver 14 wlll respond. The demodulated selectlve call signalling informatlon 25a i6 compared wlth the addresses stored ln code plug 26 by decoder 28. If the 6electlve call signalling lnformatlon 25a matche6 one of the stored addre66es, a control ~lgnal 29 i~ generated. Control signal 29 is cGupled to memory 30 to effect any 6ub6equently received me66age informatlon 25b to be ~tored. It will be appreciated by one 6kllled ln the art, that memory 30 may be capable of 6toring multlple me6~ages received at different time6. Control slgnal 29 al60 couples to 6witch interfsce controller 34 to effect control of paging receiver 14 by the device ~w~tche~. After the me6sage information 2~b has been stored, decoder 28 generates an alerting 6ignal 37 whlch i~ routed to di~play ~elector 38. Dlsplay selector 38 sends the alerting signal 37 to the alerting circult 32.
Alerting circuit 32 norm~lly deliver6 an audible alert, although other forms a alert 6uch a6 tactile could al60 be delivered. It will be appreciated the alerting circuit 32 may deliver alertlng signals derived from watch circuit 20 during normal operation, such ag when an alarm sig~als are generated by watch circuit 20.
Switch interface controller 34 also couples to timing generator circuit 36 as shown in FIG. 2.
Timing generator 36 controls the time duration during which the received me~6age information i6 displayed on display 22. When switch lnterface controller 34 selects paging receiver 14 in response to control signal 29, a predetermined display time interval such as eight 6econds i6 generated. Upon completion of the di6play time interval, timing generator 36 generates an output to cau6e switch lnterface controller 34 to again select the watch functions. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, timing generator 36 also provides an output which couples to display selector 38 to provide the clock signals necessary to drive the serial displAy driver circuitry in displ~y interface 40 which i6 subsequently coupled to displ~y 22.
As described earlier, control inputs 18 correspond to the device switches 40, 42 and 44. To better under~tand their operation reference is made to FIG. 3A where the device 6witches are shown to ~6 lnclude ~ dl~play 6wltch 40, a set ~wltch 42 and a ~od~ ~wltch 44 The swltch functlon~ are per~anently ~arked on the ca6e of the watch-pager d~vlce and ~n~icate function6 controlled by the ~witches when ln the normal watch, or ti~e di6play ~ode In t~e pr~ferred e~bodlment of the present lnvention, operatlon of watch clrcuit 20 ~unc~ion6 are deqcrlbed a~ ~ollows Actuatlon of dlsplay switch 40 wh$1e tlne lnform~tlon, 6uch as present tlme 64 and AH~PM lndlcator 62 ~re belng dl6played on dl8play 22 as shown in FIG 3A causes day and date lntornation 66 to be dlsplayed,:a6 6hown ln FIG 3B, for a perlod of tl~e, such a6 for a two 6econd interval Addltional operatlons, 6uch as display of ~econds, are also controlled by the di~play ~wltch 40 These tlme dlsplay operatlon6 are de6cribed ln the flowchart6 shown ln F~GS 4A
and 4c to be descrlbed ln gr-ater detall later Actuatlon o~ 6et swltch ~2 wlll place watch clrcult 20 ln the tlme ~ettlng mode as descrlbed ln the flowchart ~hown ln FIGS 4A and 4B, also to be described in greater detail later Actuation of mode -switch 44 will select control of paging receiver 14 by the device switches when time information is being dl6played, to b- dc~crlbed ln detal~ with the ~lowchart 6hown ln FIGS. 4c and 4D
When the pag~ng functlons are selected a~
pre~iously descr~bed, dl6play 6elector 38 changes froa ~hQ tlme dlsp~y ~hown ln FIG 3A to a ~es6age dlsplay ~uch as ~h~t ~hown ln FIG 3C As ~llustrated ln FIG 3C, ln the preferred e~bodl2ent of the prQsQnt lnventlon, the recelved ~e~6age ln~ormatlon 25b ~tor-d ln memory 30 1~ not lmmed~ately dl~played, but rather the text me6sage, ~266886 "PAGE" 68, is displayed indicating the presence of a stored received message. A visual annunciator 70 consisting of five alphanumeric characters, "R", "1", "2", "3", and "4" provides information on the number of received messages currently stored in memory 30. All annunciators are shown in FIG. 3c for the sake of clarity. Normally when no messages have been stored, only the "R" indicator is displayed and cursor 72 would be positioned beneath the "R" indicator. When a first message is received, only the "R" and the "1" indicators are displayed with cursor 72 positioned immediately beneath the "1" indicator as shown in FIG. 3D. Cursor 72 remains beneath the current unread memory position indicator until the received message has been read, at which time cursor 72 would again shift to beneath the "R"
indicator. Additional messages are indicated by the "2", "3" and "4" indicators. The preferred embodiment of the present invention described provides an indication for four received message to be stored and identified by annunciator 70. The method for storing and displaying the received unread messages is described in detail in U.S. Patent Number 4,385,295 to Willard, et al, entitled "Pager with Visible Display Indicating Unread Messages"
which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. It should be noted that other methods for displaying the number of received messages which are stored may be employed without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.
.. . ..
When the paging functlons are selected by swltch interface controller 34, ~witch labels indic~ting the new switch functions are al80 di6played. ~he new labels are provlded by ~ctlvating the appropriate portions of display 22 and include the label6 "Re6et" 46, "Tlme" 4a and "Hold On" 50 as 6hown in FIG. 3c. Dlsplay 6wltch 40, used normally to control the dl6play of time information as prevlously de~cribed, functions as a "Reset" 6witch 46 when paging receiver 14 i~
selected by switch lnterface controller 34. When "Reset" switch 46 18 actuated, the ~udlble alert generated by decoder 28 in re6pon6e to receiving a page i8 suspended and the 6tored received message 76 is di6played as 6hown in FIG. 3E. The label identifying di6play switch 40 next changes to indicate a different 6witch function such as "Read"
52, al60 6hown in FIG. 3E, after the audible alert ha6 been reset and the received message has been initlally read and displayed. Thus the preferred embod~ment of the present invention provides multiple displayable labels for each switch, to clearly indlcate th~ current switch function provided by that switch when multiple i lCti~ 5 are provided by the switch. FIGS. 3C and lll ;trate by oxample the multlple labels "Reset" -6 and "Read"
52 deflning sep~rate functlons controlled by dlsplay swltch 40.
Set switch 42, shown in FIG. 3E normally used to control the setting the time, functions a~ the "Hold On" switch 50 when paging receiver 14 is selected by switch interface controller 34. The "Hold on" 6witch 50 ~llows freezing the received message 76 on display 22 for as long as required by ~66~
suspendlng timing generator 36 operatlon. After "Hold On" ~witch 50 has been actuated, the ~witch function change6 to l'Hol~ off" ~witch 54 a6 ~hown i~
FIG. 3F. Depre~sing the "Hold Off" 6witch 54 restarts timing generator 36, thereby raturning operation to the watch mode when the difiplay time interval has elapsed.
Mode ~witch 44, 6hown in FIGS. 3A to 3H, used to select the paging receiver functlon whsn present time i6 displayed, i~ used to manually reselect the normal watch or "Tlme" 48 function prior to timing generator 36 automatically restoring~the time functions.
While the preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrates only a single twelve digit di6play, such a6 6hown in FIG. 3E, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that longer message6 may be tran6mltted, 6tored and di6played.
One method of handllng longer me66age6 i6 6hown in FIG. 3G. A me66age continuation annunciator 78 is displayed indicating further information has been received and the informatlon may be read by actuating di6play 6witch 40 providing the "Read" 52 function to re~d out the next 6egment of the received me6sage. Other methods, 6uch a6 the use of multiple line display6 can al60 be employed without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention described herein.
FIG. 3H illustrates the information displayed when the paging receiver function i6 manually selected using mode switch 44 when no pages have been received and stored. Text indlc~ting "No Page"
80 i6 generated by decoder 28 and di6played a6 shown. It 6hould al60 be ob~erved that the switch ~La6~
functions ~re chAnged ~nd the new labels are displayed as a result of manu~lly 6electing the n~ g~ dl6play ~ode. The normal time dlsplAy may be resel~cted by actuating ~ode ~wltch 44 whlch provid~ lecting the ~Ti~e~ 48 func~ion.
Many such tl~e ~et~dieplay protocols ~re ~nown, but the following i~ a de~cription of that employed ~n the preferred embodlment of the present inventlon. Reference 1~ now directed to the flowchart shown in E'IGS. 4A and 4B which describes the procedur~ to ~et the tl~e for the watch-pager device 10. 5O enter the set time procedure ~t block 100, ~et 6wltch 42 16 actuated a~ 6hown at block 166 of the flowchart shown in FIGS. 4D and 4E which describes the general oper~tion of the watch-pager device 10 to be described ln detail later. The di6play alternates between time ~nd day/date dlsplay6 a6 6hown ~t block 102 ln FIGS. 4A and 4B. ~ en display switch 40 is actllated ~t block 104, the 6econd6 are di6played a6 6hown at block 106. The seconds dlsplay shown ~t block 106 continuea ~nt~ display switch 40 is again actuated a6 6hown at bloc~ lG8, thereby return~ng the di6play to the altern~t~ng ~ode shown at block 102. If di~play swltch 40 16 not actuated a6 6hown at block 104, and lf ~et 6w~tch 42 i6 not actuated as 6hown at block 110, the dlsplay contlnue6 to alternate ti~e and day/date information shown at block 102.
When eet 6witch 42 i~ ~ctuated lls 6hown ~t block 110, the month 18 dl~pl~yed as shown at block 112 there~y allowlng the ~onth to be set. When di6play ewitch 40 i~ actuated a~ 6hown at block 114 t~ ~onth dlEplayed 1~ Advanced to the next ~onth a~
shown at block 116. I f di6pl~y 6witch 40 1~ not ~386 actuated as shown at block 114 and set ~witch 42 is not actuated a~ shown at block 118, the month di~played continues as shown at block 112.
When set switch 42 is actuated as shown at block 118, the day is displayed as ~hown at block 120 thereby allowing the day to be ~et. When display switch 40 is actuated as shown at block 122 the day displayed is advanced to the next day as shown at block 124. If display switch 40 is not actuated as shown at block 114 and set switch 42 is not actuated as shown at block 126, the day dl&played continues as shown at bloc~ 120.
When set 6witch 42 i6 actuated as 6hown at block 126, the hour is displayed a~ shown at block 128 thereby allowing the hours to be set. When display switch 40 i6 actuated as shown at block 130 the hour displayed is advanced to the next hour as shown at block 132. If display switch 40 is not actuated as 6hown at block 130 and set switch 42 is not actuated as shown at block 134, the hour displayed continues as shown at block 128.
When set switch 42 is actuated as shown at block 134 the minute is displayed as shown at block 136 thereby allowing the minutes to be set. When display switch 40 i8 actuated as shown at block 138 the minute displayed is advanced to the next minute 140. If display 6witch 40 is not actuated as shown at block 138 and 6et switch 42 is not actuated as shown at block 142, the minute displayed 136 continues as shown at block 136. When set switch 42 is actuated as shown at block 142 the normal time display i6 obtained as shown at block 146, thus completing the prese~t time ~etting procedure started at block 100.
Reference i~ now dlrected the flowchart shown in ~IG. 4C whlch describes the procedure to view day/date and 6econds. To enter the view tlme procedure ~t block 148, display switch 40 i8 actuated a~ shown at block 168 of the flowchart chown in FIGS. 4D and 4E whic~ descri~es the general oper~tion of the watch-pager device 10 to be described ln detail later. The day/date are di~played a~ shown at block 150 when the view time procedure at block 148 i8 entered as shown in FIG.
4~. If di~play 6witch 40 i6 not actuated a6 ~hown at block 152 and the two 6econd tlme period as ~hown at block 154 ha6 not elap6ed, the day/date displayed continue6 a8 ~hown at block 150. When the two second tlme period ha~ elapsed as ~hown at block 154, the normal time di6pl~y 1~ obtained a~ ~hown at block 156,.thus completing the view time procedure 6tarted at block 148.
If the dlsplay button i6 actua~ed as shown at block 152, then ~econds are di6played as ~hown at block 158. I~ di6play switch 40 is not depressed as ~hown at block 160, the second~ displayed continues as shown at block 158. When display 6witch 40 i8 depressed ~8 ~hown at block 160 are displayed, the normal tlme dlsplay 18 obtained as shown at block 156, thus completing the view time procedure ~tarted at block 148.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other procedure~ to display time and day~date lnformation D~y be enpIoyed without departlng ~rom the scope ~nd splrit of the invention de6cribed. It will al60 be appreciated that other timing function6, well known to those skilled in the ,,~, art, ~ay also be employed wlthout departlng ~rom the ~cope or 6plrlt of the lnventlon desclbed.
Refer~nce 1~ now directed ~o FIGS. 4D and 4E ~hich de~cribes the general op~ration of the wntch-pager dQvlcQ 10. WhLle the watch-pager device lo descrlbed ln the embodiment o~ the present inventlon doe~ not h~ve a po~er control ~wltch, power 16 turned on ~8 sh~wn at block 162 when the battery ha~
been repl~ced. Tine i6 normally di6played a~ 6hown at block 164 when power 1~ suppli~d. When the ~et ~wltch 42 1~ actuated ~8 shown ln block 166, the tlms 6ettlng procedure aB 6hown at b~ock 100 i6 entered, a6 previou61y descrlbed. When the dl6play swltch 40 18 actuated as shown ln block 168, ~he vlew tlme procedure a6 6hown at block 148 L6 enetered, ~180 ~8 prevlou61y de6crlbed. I f a page has not been recelved as 6hown at block 170, but the node ~wltch 44 has ~een actuated ~8 ~hown at block 172 the ~wltch functions Are modlfled a~ previou61y descrlbQd, and nQw ~wltch functlon label~ are generated on the dlsplay ~n ~hown at block 174, placlng the devlce ln the ~e6sage readout procedure ~hown at block 176. The me~sags readout proc~dure chown at block 176 wlll b~ described ln detail l~ter.
Wh~n a page i~ rocelved as shown at block 170 the recelved ~es~age 1B ~tor~d ln memory 30 as ~hown ~t bloc~ 178. Ihe dlsplay durat~on tlmeout 18 lnltlali~d ~a ~hown at ~lock 180 and the ~wltch functlons ~re ~od~led and new swltch functlon labQl~ are generated on the dl~play n~ ~hown at block 1~2, thereby placlng the devlce ln the paglng recelver mode. The text "Page" 16 generated and an audlble alert 1B 60unded a~ 6hown at block 184. If ~.26~6 the mode swltch 44, now having the nTime" ~elect 6witch 48 runction, i6 actuated fi6 shown at block 186, the normal ~wltch ~unctlon~ are restored, the di6played ~witch label6 are cle~red, and the audlble alert iB re~t el8 ~hown ~t block 200, th~reby returnlng tb~ devlce to tha normal tlme di6play mode sh~wn ~t block 164 If the dl6pl~y swltch 40, having tho "Re~et" ~wltch 46 funct$on, i6 actuated a~ 6hown at block 188, the audlble alert i6 re6et AS
shown at block 190, and the ~e66~ge readout proceduro 176 1~ entered I~ the 6et 6witch 42, havlng the ~old On" 6witch 59 functlon, 16 actu~ted as shown at block 192, mes6age tlmeout i8 inhibited a8 shown at block 194 The ~es6~ge displayed 16 frvzen untll the set switch 42, having the "Hold Of r~ 6witch 54 function, iE actuated as 6hown at block 196 If the ~et switch 42, having the ~Hold On~ swltch 50 ~unctlon, wa8 not actuated as shown at block 192, and ~es6age tlmeout occur6 a~ shown at block ~98, tbe normal swltch functlon6 are restored, the di6played ~wltch l~bel~ are cleared, and the ~ud~blQ alert l~ r set ~ shown at block 200, thereby returnlng the device to the normal tlme dlsplay ~od~ ~hown ~t block 164 R-~ercnce ln n~w d~rected to the ~lowchart ~hown ln FIGS. 4F and 4G describes the pro oedure for reading out ~es~ages ~tored ln the memory 30 ~he message readout procedure ~hovn ~t~rting aS block 176 when entered lnltia~lzes the t~lnq ~enerator 36 a8 6hown ~t b~ock 202, thereby extendlng the dlsplay tlme dur~tlon a complete tlme lnterval Ir ~ ~es6~ge ha6 been stored a~ ~hown at block 204 the mes6age 1 readout from memory a~ shown ln block 206 and dl6pl~yed on the dlsplay as 6hown ln block 208.
iæ~
When the dl~play ~witch 40, havlng the "Read" switch 52 functlon, 18 actuated as shown at block 210, memory i6 check for the presence of ~ny addltional mes~ges as ~hown at block 222. If additlonal message~ ~re stored, the ti~eout generator i6 reinitialized as shown at block 224, the next me6sage i6 read as shown at block 206, and the me66age is di~played on the di~play as shown at block 208. Thi6 procedure is repeated until all mes6age6 6tored in memory are read out. If another mQfisage was not 6tored in memory as 6hown in block 222, then the nor~al switch functions are restored, and the displayed 6witch labels are cleared as 6hown at block 226, thereby returning the device to the normal time display mode 6hown at block 228, thereby ending the me6sage readout procedure started at block 176. When the 6et 6witch 42, having thP "Hold on~ 6witch 50 function, iB actuated a8 6hown at block 212 while the mes6age is being displayed, the ~es6age timeout i6 inhlbited a6 6hown at block 214.
The message wlll remain di6played on the di6play until the 6et swltch 42, having the "Hold off"
6witch 54 function, i8 actuated a8 shown at block 216. I~ the set swltch 42, having the "Hold On"
swltch 50 functlon, was not actuated a6 6hown at block 212, then ~es6Age timeout may occur a~ 6hown at block 218. Memory iB checked for the pre6ence of addltion~l messAges ~5 ~hown at block 222, and any addltional messages stored are di6played a8 prevlou61y de~crlbed.
If mode ~wltch 44, having the "Tlme" ~elect swltch 48 function, is actuatad a~ shown ~t bloc~
220 then the normal swltch functlon~ arQ restored, and the dl6played swltch l~bels are cleared a~ shown ~2~;6~6 nt blocX 226, thereby returnins the d~vlce to the norm~l tl~e dlsplay mode ~hown at block 228, thereby ~nding the message readout procedure ~tarted at block 176.
~ lnce it 1~ po~ihle to Qnter the ~escage readout procQdure by ~nu~lly ~ctuat~ng thc mode ~wltch 44 ~8 prevlously described at bloc~ 172, no ~ess~ge~ ~y be ~tor~d ~ ~hown at block 204. When no ve&~age~ are stor~d, the ~l~play would lndicate the tQXt WNo Pageo" as ahown at block 230. When the oet ~wltch 42, havlng the "Hold on" swltch S0 2unction, 18 actuated aa shown ln blocX 232, the me~sage tlmeout is lnhiblted a~ shown ln block 234 freezing the "No P~ges~ dl6play. When the ~et 6wltch 42, h~vlng the "Hold Off" 6wltch 54 functlon, 1~ actuated a6 shown ln blocX 236, mes6age tlmeout can occur as shown at bloc~ 238, ~t which tlme the then the normal sw$tch ~unctlons are re6tored, and the d$splayed ~witch label~ are cleared ~ 8 6hown at block 226, thereby return$ng the devlce to the normAl tlme dl~play ~ode shown at block 228, thereby endlng the ~ea~age roadout procedure started at block 17C.
An alternate e~bodlment of tha watch-pager dQvlce lO 18 de~crlbed ln the ~low charts ~howrl ln FIGS. SA through 5D. Sin oe m~st of the operation of the altern~te embodi~ent of the devlce descrlbed ln FIGS. 5A through 5D have been previously described ~ith re6pect to FIGS. 4D through 4G, respectively, ollly the dl~forencen ln operati~n ~ill ~e deecrl~ed ln detall here.
Referenc~ ia dlrected to the ~lowchart ~hown ln FIGS. 5A and 5B, and in particular to block 240,iaentified by a broken line outline, which shows that the time ~66as6 i6 ~tored ln nemory 30 after the recelved mes6age ~a8 atored in ~e~ry 30 a8 ~hown at block 178. All other operat~on~ ~llustrated ln the flow ch~rt were previously descrlbed.
~eference 18 dlrQcted to th~ ~lowchart ~hown ln FIGS. 5C and 5D and in particular to ~lock 206 ~ich sh~7s the received me~6age is flrst raad ~rom ~mory 30 and then dl6played a~ ~hown at block 208. The rscel~ed me~oeage 16 dl~playQd until a di~play tl~eout occu~ 8~0wn ~t block 242. ThQ
~nformation displayed w~en the timeout occurs i8 checkad a6 shown at block 244. Sinc~ the lnformatlon dl6played wa~ a received ~e6sage, the stored time in~ormation i6 read from memory 30 as shown at block 246 and di6played a6 ehown at block 248. The next tl~e the di6play timeout occurs ~hown at block 242 the infor~ation dl6played i6 ag~in checked a6 6hown at blocX 244. Since time informat~on wa6 di~played then the received me66age 1~ again read from the me~ory 30 as ~hown at block 206 and dlepl~yed a~ ahown at blocX 208, thus re~ultlng ln an ~ltern~tlng dlsplay of the recelved ~e~6age and the r~celved tlme. All other operatlon wlthln the Slowchart are 8~ has been previously de~cr~bed.
By provldlng the ablllty to 6tore the tlme at whlc~ ~ ~e~aqe 1~ recel~d, lt 1~ po6slble to revlew the stored me~sages and to re~pond to them ln ~n order o~ prlorlty whlch 1~ based upon the rec~lpt of the arllest ~os~ge wlth re6pect to the tlme recelved. ~hl~ featur~ enhance6 the utlllty o~ a p~ger whlch has watch funct~ons lncorporated into lt.
l.a66ss6 Referring now to FIG. 6, lllustrated 16 an electrlcal block dlagram of the apparatus o~ the present lnvention utilizing a microcomputer 81 for controlling the operation of the ~pparatu~ of the watch-pag~r 10 previou61y dQscribed. Mlcrocomputer 81 per~orms the combined functions o~ di6play controller 16, including tho6e o~ switch ~nter~ace controller 34, timlng generator 36, di6play selector 38 and display interface 40, as well as the functions of decoder 28 and memory 30 of paging recelver 14 for the embodlment previou~ly 6hown in FIG. 2.
operatlon of the embodlment of the present invantion as 6hown in FIG. 6 is as follows.
Mlcrocomputer 81 18 a slngle chip mlcrocomputer, 6uch as the MC68HC05L6 manufactured by Motorola.
Mlcrocumputer 81 includes a CPU 82 for operatlonal control. An internal bu~s 83 connects all of the elements of the microcomputer 81. An I/O port 84 provldes communlcations to the circuits external to the microcomputer 81. A timer/counter and timer control 36 generates the di6play time duration lnterval for controlllr.g the length of tlne the received mes6age i8 dl6played. Osclllator 86 provldes the clock for operation of CPU 82, provides the reference clock for timer/counter 36, ~nd provide~ the clock signal~ nece66ary to drlve the on-board serl~l display driver 40. 06cillator 86 receives the operating 06clllator frequency signal from real time clock 20. RAM 30 stores the messages as they are received for subsequent display as prevlously de~cribed. ROM 88 contalns the ~lrmware controlling microproce6sor 81 operation. Programs, such a8 for decoding, for time settlng and display, 12~;68~6 for me6sage 6torage and di8play and for controlllng the ~witch operation6 and displayed indicia, are included in ROM 88. An alert generator 90 provide6 the alerting signal in response to decoding the selective call signal informatlon. And the on-board 6erial display driver 40 provide6 the proper slgnal6 for drivlng di6play 22.
Tran6mitted coded mes6age 6ignals including 6electlve call 6ignalling and mes6age information ~re recelved by ~ntenna 12 which iB coupled to receiver 24. Receiver 24 demodulate~ the coded message 6ignals providlng 6elective ball signalling and mes6age information. The output of receiver 24 is coupled to I/O port 84 of microcomputer 81. A1BO
coupled to I/O port 84 i8 code plug, or code memory 26 which store6 the predetermined addres6e6 for the watch-pager 10, as previously de6cribed.
Microcomputer 81 provldes the decoder function, in a manner well known to tho6e 6killed in the art, providing internal control slgnals when the received 6elective call signalling matches the predetermined addre6s informatlon.
The message information received i8 6tored ln RAM 30. Alert generator 90 gener~tes an alertlng signal which is coupled to transducer driver 32. A
6econd input to transducer driver 32 from I/O port 84 controls the alerting signal delivery to transducer 33, produclng an audible alert. The 6econd input to transducer drlver 32 provide6 for 6uch feature6 as silent alertlng, whereln the me66age i6 received and 6tored, however the alerting signal i8 inhlblted from delivery to transducer 33.
Selection of the sllent alertlng feature would be indicated by the absence of the audible alert ~Z6~
annunciator 74, shown in FIG. 3C. Other features, such as interrupting the audlble alert are also con~rolled by the second input. ROM 88 ls al80 read for the text lnformatlon to be dlsplayed lndicating a mes6age has been received. In~ormatlon i~ al~o provlded the display driver for properly displaylng message annunciator 70 and cursor 72, and the swltch label~, as prevlously described.
Di~play ~witch 40, 6et ~witch 42 and mode switch 44 are coupled to mlcrocomputer 81 through I/O port 84 for providing control the the message~
whlle the paglng receiver mode of operation has been selected by microcomputer 81. After the received message has been read, or after the display time duration has elapsed, as previously described, microcomputer 81 resumes time display. A real time clock 20, such as the MC146818, manufactured by Motorola, provides all of the timing function6 for the watch-pager lO, as well as provides the osclllator signal required for operation of the microcomputer 81. The real time clock provides the time, and day/date lnformation whlch 18 updated once each second and read by mlcrocomputer 81 for sub~equent dlsplay. Readout and 6etting of the informatlon of real tlme clock 20, is accompli6hed ln a manner a~ prevlo61y de~crlbed u61ng display swltch 40 and set 6wltch 42. Other features such as alarm feature6 are also provlded by real time clock 20.
one additional circuit which 18 valuable for the oper~tlon of a watch-pager 10 whlch 18 worn on the wrist ls battery ~aver circuit 92, not prevlou61y descrlbed in FIG. 2, although its inclu610n would be obvlous to one 6kllled in the art. Under control o~ microcomputer 81, the battery 6aver circuit 92 i6 periodically turned on and off, thereby conserving power by removing power from the receiver 24. The microcomputar 81 i8 able to pariodically update the tlme display, and periodicAlly control the battery ~Aver clrcuit 92.
If coded message signals are detected on the channel when recelver 24 18 turned on by battery saver circult 92, microcomputer 81 will suspend the oper~tion of battery saver circuit 92 operation, untll the coded mecsage slgnals have been evaluated.
As prevlously described, if the code~ ~es6age 6ignal~ match the predetermined address information, display of tlme~ information will be suspended, and operation of th¢ switches returned to control the receiver and message delivery.
What is claimed is:
Claims (45)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A switch control interface arrangement for a device normally generating and displaying time information, the device having a plurality of switches for controlling the time display, the switches including permanent indicia positionally adjacent the switches for indicating the switch functions, the device being further capable of receiving transmitted coded message signals, said arrangement comprising:
receiver means for receiving and decoding the transmitted coded message signals to derive control signals;
means for internally generating time information and means for displaying the same;
a plurality of control inputs; and switch controller means including input steering means coupled to said plurality of control inputs and further coupled to said time information generating means and to said receiver means for enabling control of said time information generating means and said receiver means by said control inputs, said switch controller means enabling control of said receiver means in response to the control signals, and information selecting means electronic-ally selecting indicia displayed on said display means positionally adjacent the plurality of switches indicating the new switch functions enabled in response to the control signals.
receiver means for receiving and decoding the transmitted coded message signals to derive control signals;
means for internally generating time information and means for displaying the same;
a plurality of control inputs; and switch controller means including input steering means coupled to said plurality of control inputs and further coupled to said time information generating means and to said receiver means for enabling control of said time information generating means and said receiver means by said control inputs, said switch controller means enabling control of said receiver means in response to the control signals, and information selecting means electronic-ally selecting indicia displayed on said display means positionally adjacent the plurality of switches indicating the new switch functions enabled in response to the control signals.
2. The switch control interface arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of control inputs are coupled to the plurality of switches.
3. A switch control interface arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the transmitted coded message signals includes selective call signalling and wherein said receiver means comprises;
a receiver portion for receiving and demodulating the transmitted coded message signals to derive the selective call signalling and message information;
identification means for storing predetermined device identification information; and decoder means coupled to said identification means and responsive to the selective call signalling information for deriving control signals when the selective call signalling information notches the predetermined device identification information.
a receiver portion for receiving and demodulating the transmitted coded message signals to derive the selective call signalling and message information;
identification means for storing predetermined device identification information; and decoder means coupled to said identification means and responsive to the selective call signalling information for deriving control signals when the selective call signalling information notches the predetermined device identification information.
4. The switch control interface arrangement according to claim 3 wherein said decoder means further includes means for generating an alerting signal coupled to said switch controller means and said receiver means further includes alert delivery means coupled to said switch controller means, said switch controller means effecting the delivery of the alerting signal in response to the control signals.
5. A switch control interface arrangement according to claim 4 wherein the alerting signal delivered is audible.
6. A switch control interface arrangement according to claim 4 wherein said decoder means is responsive to said input steering means for interrupting the alerting signal in response to actuation of one of the plurality of switches.
7. The switch control interface arrangement according to claim 3 wherein said receiver means further comprises memory means coupled to said receiver portion and responsive to said decoder means for storing alert information in response to the control signals.
8. The switch control interface arrangement according to claim 7 wherein said memory means is further responsive to said decoder means which is responsive to said switch controller means for effecting the delivery of the stored alert information in response to actuation of one of the plurality of switches.
9. The switch control interface arrangement according to claim 2 wherein said switch controller means further comprising switch duration generating means for enabling control of said receiver means for a predetermined time duration in response to the control signals.
10. The switch control interface arrangement according to claim 9 wherein said switch duration generating means is further responsive to at least one of the plurality of switches when the alert information is delivered for interrupting the control of said receiver means thereby effecting the display of the information.
11. The switch control interface arrangement according to claim 9 wherein said switch duration generating means is further responsive to at least one of the plurality of switches when time information is displayed for effecting enabling of control of said receiver means thereby effecting the delivery of alert information.
12. The switch control interface arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the time information represents at least time and date watch functions.
13. The switch control interface arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the device may be worn on the wrist.
14. A display control interface arrangement for a device normally generating and displaying time information, the device having a plurality of switches for controlling the time display, the switches including permanent indicia positionally adjacent the switches for indicating the switch functions, the device being further capable of receiving transmitted coded message signals, said arrangement comprising:
receiver means for receiving and decoding the transmitted coded message signals to derive control signals and information;
means for internally generating time information and means for displaying the same;
input steering means coupled to the plurality of switches and further coupled to said time information generating means and to said receiver means for enabling control of said time information generating means and said receiver means by said switches, said input steering means enabling control of said receiver means in response to the control signals;
information selecting means coupled to said time information generating means and to said receiver means for selecting the display of time information and derived information, said information selecting means responsive to said input steering means for selecting the display of derived information in response to the control signals, said-information selecting means further electronically selecting indicia displayed on said display means positionally adjacent the plurality of switches indicating the new switch functions enabled in response to the control signals; and display interface means counted to said display means and responsive to said information selecting means for effecting the display of selected information.
receiver means for receiving and decoding the transmitted coded message signals to derive control signals and information;
means for internally generating time information and means for displaying the same;
input steering means coupled to the plurality of switches and further coupled to said time information generating means and to said receiver means for enabling control of said time information generating means and said receiver means by said switches, said input steering means enabling control of said receiver means in response to the control signals;
information selecting means coupled to said time information generating means and to said receiver means for selecting the display of time information and derived information, said information selecting means responsive to said input steering means for selecting the display of derived information in response to the control signals, said-information selecting means further electronically selecting indicia displayed on said display means positionally adjacent the plurality of switches indicating the new switch functions enabled in response to the control signals; and display interface means counted to said display means and responsive to said information selecting means for effecting the display of selected information.
15. A display control interface arrangement according to claim 14 wherein the derived information displayed in response to the control signals is derived from the transmitted coded message signals.
16. A display control interface arrangement according to claim 15 wherein the transmitted coded message signals includes at least selective call signalling and message information and wherein said receiver means comprises;
a receiver portion for receiving and demodulating the transmitted coded message signals to derive the selective call signalling and message information;
identification means for storing predetermined device identification information; and decoder means coupled to said identification means and responsive to the selective call signalling information for deriving the control signals when the selective call signalling information matches the predetermined device identification information.
a receiver portion for receiving and demodulating the transmitted coded message signals to derive the selective call signalling and message information;
identification means for storing predetermined device identification information; and decoder means coupled to said identification means and responsive to the selective call signalling information for deriving the control signals when the selective call signalling information matches the predetermined device identification information.
17. A display control interface arrangement according to claim is wherein said receiver means further comprises memory means coupled to said receiver portion and responsive to said decoder means for storing the message information in response to the control signals.
18. A display control interface arrangement according to claim 17 wherein said memory means is further responsive to the decoder means which is responsive to said input steering means for effecting the display of the stored message information in response to actuation of one of the plurality of switches.
19. The display control interface arrangement according to claim 14 whereby said information selecting means is capable of selecting multiple indicia selectively displayed on said display means positionally adjacent at least one of the plurality of switches indicating the switch functions selectively enabled in response to the actuation of the one switch when the message information is displayed.
20. The display control interface arrangement according to claim 16 wherein said decoder means further includes means for generating an alerting signal coupled to said information selecting means and said receiver means further includes alert delivery means coupled to said information selecting means, said information selecting means effecting the delivery of the alerting signal in response to the control signals.
21. The display control interface arrangement according to claim 20 wherein the alerting signal delivered is audible.
22. The display control interface arrangement according to claim 20 wherein said decoder means is responsive to said input steering means for interrupting the alerting signal in response to actuation of one of the plurality of switches.
23. The display control interface arrangement according to claim 16 wherein said display controller means further comprising display duration generating means coupled to said input steering means for enabling control of said receiver means for a predetermined time duration in response to the control signals.
24. The display control interface arrangement according to claim 23 wherein said display duration generating means is further responsive to at least one of the plurality of switches when the message information is displayed for interrupting the control of said receiver means thereby effecting the display of time information.
25. The display control interface arrangement according to claim 23 wherein said display duration generating means is further responsive to at least one of the plurality of switches when time information is displayed for effecting the enabling of control of said receiver means thereby effecting the display of message information.
26. The display control interface arrangement according to claim 24 wherein the time information represents at least time and date watch functions.
27. The display control interface arrangement according to claim 14 wherein the device may be worn on the wrist.
28. The display control interface arrangement for a wrist worn device normally generating and displaying time information, the device having a plurality of switches for controlling the time display, the switches including permanent indicia positionally adjacent the switches for indicating the switch functions, the device being further capable of receiving transmitted coded message signals including selective call signalling and message information, said arrangement comprising:
receiver means including a receiver portion, identification means and decoder means, said receiver portion for receiving and demodulating the transmitted coded message signals to derive selective call signalling and message information, said identification information, and said decoder means coupled to said identification means and responsive to the selective call signalling information for signalling matches the predetermined device identification information;
means for internally generating time information and means for displaying the same;
input steering means coupled to the plurality of switches and further coupled to said time information generating means and to said receiver means for enabling control of said time information generation means and said receiver means by said switches, said input steering means enabling control of said receiver means in response to the control signals;
information selecting means coupled to said time information generating means and to said receiver means for selecting the display of time information and message information, said information selecting means responsive to said input steering means for selecting the message information in response to the control signals, said information selecting means further electronically selecting indicia displayed on said display means positionally adjacent the plurality of switches indicating the new switch function enabled in response to the control signals; and display interface means coupled to said display means and responsive to said information selecting means for effecting the display of selected information.
receiver means including a receiver portion, identification means and decoder means, said receiver portion for receiving and demodulating the transmitted coded message signals to derive selective call signalling and message information, said identification information, and said decoder means coupled to said identification means and responsive to the selective call signalling information for signalling matches the predetermined device identification information;
means for internally generating time information and means for displaying the same;
input steering means coupled to the plurality of switches and further coupled to said time information generating means and to said receiver means for enabling control of said time information generation means and said receiver means by said switches, said input steering means enabling control of said receiver means in response to the control signals;
information selecting means coupled to said time information generating means and to said receiver means for selecting the display of time information and message information, said information selecting means responsive to said input steering means for selecting the message information in response to the control signals, said information selecting means further electronically selecting indicia displayed on said display means positionally adjacent the plurality of switches indicating the new switch function enabled in response to the control signals; and display interface means coupled to said display means and responsive to said information selecting means for effecting the display of selected information.
29. The display control interface arrangement according to claim 28 wherein said receiver means further comprises memory means coupled to said receiver portion and responsive to the decoder means for storing the message information in response to the control signals.
30. The display control interface arrangement according to claim 28 wherein said memory means is further responsive to said decoder means which is responsive to said input steering means for effecting the display of the stored message information in response to actuation of one of the plurality of switches.
31 . The display control interface arrangement according to claim 28 wherein said decoder means further includes means for generating an alerting signal coupled to said information selecting means and said receiver means further includes alert delivery means coupled to said information selecting means, said information selecting means effecting the delivery of the alerting signal in response to the control signals.
32 . The display control interface arrangement according to claim 31 wherein the alerting signal delivered is audible.
33 . The display control interface arrangement according to claim 31 wherein said decoder means is responsive to said input steering means for interrupting the alerting signal in response to actuation of one of the plurality of switches.
34. The display control interface arrangement according to claim 28 wherein said display controller means further comprising display duration generating means coupled to said input steering means for enabling control of said receiver means for a predetermined time duration in response to the control signals.
35. The display control interface arrangement according to claim 34 wherein said display duration generating means is further responsive to at least one of the plurality of switches when the message information is displayed for interrupting the control of said receiver means thereby effecting the display of time information.
36 . The display control interface arrangement according to claim 34 wherein said display duration generating means is further responsive to at least one of the plurality of switches when time information is displayed for effecting enabling of control of said receiver means thereby effecting the display of message information.
37 . The display control interface arrangement according to claim 28 wherein the time information represents at least time and date watch functions.
38 . A method for controlling the display on a device normally generating and displaying time information, the device having a plurality of switches for controlling the time display, the switches including permanent indicia positionally adjacent the switches for indicating the switch functions, the device further capable of receiving transmitted coded message signals, said method comprising the steps of:
receiving and decoding the transmitted coded message signals to derive control signals and message information;
modifying the functions of the switches in response to the control signals; and electronically selecting indicia and displaying the same positionally adjacent the switches indicating the new switch functions, whereby in response to receiving and decoding the coded message signals, the switch functions are changed allowing display of the derived message information.
receiving and decoding the transmitted coded message signals to derive control signals and message information;
modifying the functions of the switches in response to the control signals; and electronically selecting indicia and displaying the same positionally adjacent the switches indicating the new switch functions, whereby in response to receiving and decoding the coded message signals, the switch functions are changed allowing display of the derived message information.
39. The method of controlling the display on a device according to claim 38 further comprising the steps of:
storing the derived message information in response to the control signals;
displaying predetermined alphanumeric text indicating a message has been received in the place of the time information in response to the control signals; and generating an audible alert in response to the control signals, whereby the message information received is stored and audible and visual indications are provided.
storing the derived message information in response to the control signals;
displaying predetermined alphanumeric text indicating a message has been received in the place of the time information in response to the control signals; and generating an audible alert in response to the control signals, whereby the message information received is stored and audible and visual indications are provided.
40 . The method of controlling the display on a device according to claim 39 further comprising the steps of:
actuating a first switch for suspending the display of the predetermined alphanumeric text and the generation of the audible alert and selecting the display of stored message information;
and displaying the stored message information, whereby the stored message information is displayed when the first switch of the plurality of switches is actuated.
actuating a first switch for suspending the display of the predetermined alphanumeric text and the generation of the audible alert and selecting the display of stored message information;
and displaying the stored message information, whereby the stored message information is displayed when the first switch of the plurality of switches is actuated.
41 . The method of controlling the display on a device according to claim 39 further comprising the steps of:
actuating a second switch suspending the display of the predetermined alphanumeric text and the generation of the audible alert for effecting the display of time information;
restoring the switches to the original functions; and cancelling the display of the electronically selected indicia, whereby time information is again displayed and the display of the stored message information is terminated when the second switch of the plurality of switches is actuated.
actuating a second switch suspending the display of the predetermined alphanumeric text and the generation of the audible alert for effecting the display of time information;
restoring the switches to the original functions; and cancelling the display of the electronically selected indicia, whereby time information is again displayed and the display of the stored message information is terminated when the second switch of the plurality of switches is actuated.
42. The method of controlling the display of a device according to claim 41 further comprising the steps of:
actuating a second switch to manually select the display of stored message information when time information is displayed;
electronically selecting indicia and displaying the same positionally adjacent the switches indicating the new switch functions in response thereto; and displaying the stored message information, whereby stored message information may be displayed when time information is displayed by actuating the second switch.
actuating a second switch to manually select the display of stored message information when time information is displayed;
electronically selecting indicia and displaying the same positionally adjacent the switches indicating the new switch functions in response thereto; and displaying the stored message information, whereby stored message information may be displayed when time information is displayed by actuating the second switch.
43. The method of controlling the display on a device according to claim 39 further comprising the steps of:
generating a predetermined time period in response to the control signals;
modifying the functions of the switches and electronically selecting indicia electronically and displaying the same positionally adjacent the switches indicating the new switch functions during the predetermined time period;
generating an audible alert during the predetermined time period;
displaying predetermined alphanumeric text indicating a message has been received during the predetermined time period displaying time information upon completion of the predetermined time period; and restoring the switches to the original functions, whereby the display of stored message information is automatically terminated when a first switch is not actuated to display message information during the predetermined time period.
generating a predetermined time period in response to the control signals;
modifying the functions of the switches and electronically selecting indicia electronically and displaying the same positionally adjacent the switches indicating the new switch functions during the predetermined time period;
generating an audible alert during the predetermined time period;
displaying predetermined alphanumeric text indicating a message has been received during the predetermined time period displaying time information upon completion of the predetermined time period; and restoring the switches to the original functions, whereby the display of stored message information is automatically terminated when a first switch is not actuated to display message information during the predetermined time period.
44 . The method of controlling the display of a device according to claim 43 further comprising the steps of:
actuating a first switch to select the display of message information during the predetermined time period;
reinitializing the predetermined time period; and displaying the message information, whereby stored message information may be displayed during the predetermined time period by actuating the first switch.
actuating a first switch to select the display of message information during the predetermined time period;
reinitializing the predetermined time period; and displaying the message information, whereby stored message information may be displayed during the predetermined time period by actuating the first switch.
45. The method of controlling the display of a device according to claim 43 further comprising the steps of:
actuating a second switch for suspending the display of predetermined alphanumeric text and selecting the display of the time information before completion of the predetermined time period; and restoring the switches to the original functions;
cancelling the display of the electronically generated idicia, whereby the display of the stored message information is terminated during the predetermined time period when the second switch is actuated.
actuating a second switch for suspending the display of predetermined alphanumeric text and selecting the display of the time information before completion of the predetermined time period; and restoring the switches to the original functions;
cancelling the display of the electronically generated idicia, whereby the display of the stored message information is terminated during the predetermined time period when the second switch is actuated.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/016,895 US4786902A (en) | 1987-01-02 | 1987-01-02 | Control interface for combined watch and pager functions |
| PCT/US1987/000003 WO1988005184A1 (en) | 1987-01-02 | 1987-01-02 | Control interface for combined watch and pager functions |
| USPCT/US87/00003 | 1987-01-02 | ||
| US07/016,895 | 1987-02-20 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1266886A true CA1266886A (en) | 1990-03-20 |
Family
ID=26689190
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000554985A Expired - Lifetime CA1266886A (en) | 1987-01-02 | 1987-12-21 | Control interface for combined watch and pager functions |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1266886A (en) |
-
1987
- 1987-12-21 CA CA000554985A patent/CA1266886A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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