Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B37/00—Cases
  • G04B37/04—Mounting the clockwork in the case; Shock absorbing mountings
  • G04B37/0427—Mountings relative to pocket and wrist watches allowing a rocking movement about a hinge or any other movement
  • G04B37/0472—Rocking mounting of the clockwork
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
  • G04B47/00—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece
  • G04B47/06—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece with attached measuring instruments, e.g. pedometer, barometer, thermometer or compass
  • G04B47/065—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece with attached measuring instruments, e.g. pedometer, barometer, thermometer or compass with a compass
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
  • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
  • G04G9/0064—Visual time or date indication means in which functions not related to time can be displayed
  • G04G9/007—Visual time or date indication means in which functions not related to time can be displayed combined with a calculator or computing means

Definitions

• This invention relates to a watch or other time-piece that further incorporates one or more of a compass, calculator or a telephone number directory.
• a combined time-piece and other information device preferably portable, comprises a single or composite case housing both of a time-keeping system and said other information device, and having time display at one side or face of the case and said other information device on an opposite side or face of the case, preferably further with hinge means for the case relative to a holder therefor so as selectively to present said one and said other side or face for viewing/use by the user.
• said other devices comprises a compass mechanism.
• displays for time and for direction can be designed and implemented ⁇ ach without reference to the other, thereby avoiding either being smaller than is comfortably consulted, and further avoiding mere association of essentially discrete devices.
• said other information device comprises an electronic calculator display/input layout.
• display for time and calculator display/input means need not be squashed together onto one face, i.e. can be designed and implemented each without reference to the other, thereby avoiding either being smaller than is comfortably consulted.
• a portable combined time-piece-and-other information device for wearing on the wrist comprises a plate, preferably an open-topped channel or shell attached or attachable to strap means and further having means including a hinge whereby the aforesaid case is connected to the channel or shell with one of said sides or faces of the case visible and with the case capable of being lifted, reversed, and replaced for alternative viewing/use at its said sides or faces.
• a said channel or shell has spaced parallel sides presenting confronting retention tracks for sliding accommodation of extensions from opposite side edges of the case at or near one end and pivotting of those extensions at least at or near each end of the tracks. Then, the case with either of its display sides or faces uppermost can be flipped up from its other end about its said extensions in one end of the tracks, slid via those side extensions in those tracks to take the former to the other end of the latter, and lowered back into the channel or shell.
• the channel or shell is readily further associated with a displaceable protective cover over the case then down in the channel or shell, whether of hinged or other connection therewith or with said strap, for which latter, it will be appreciated, such cover may be an extension.
• the compass may be of the customary bar-magnet and associated pointer type.
• Faraday shield can be provided between at least the compass magnet and the time-keeping system, whether as a plate or a further enclosing part of suitable magnetic-isolation material for either. It is expected that a shallow dish of such material over substantially the whole of the compass side or face, say incorporating required direction markings on or at its bottom, will be particularly effective, especially in then being of much greater extent than the size of the bar-magnet.
• the calculator will be electronic, and there may be any desired or necessary shielding between them, say via a plate or a shallow dish for the calculator electronics or for the time-keeping mechanism or electronics.
• the other information device comprises a telephone number directory device with an electronic numeric/alphanumeric display/input layout.
• telephone number directory I mean preferably, an electronic telephone number memory device with input and recall facilities.
• the telephone number memory device conveniently comprises an alpha/numeric display, preferably of liquid crystal type, and a key pad (touch sensitive or otherwise) preferably using a minimum number of keys and conveniently a standard sixteen key pad for the input and recall of telephone numbers.
• the use of only sixteen keys calls for function/shift key facilities to be able to input all the letters of the alphabet plus numbers.
• the number of keys employed is largely determined by the size of the case and the minimum size of key which can easily be operated. Thus, the invention is not limited to a key pad using sixteen keys.
• a said channel or shell has spaced parallel sides presenting confronting retention tracks for sliding accommodation of extensions from opposite side edges of the case at or near one end and pivotting of those extensions at a location displaced from each end of the tracks and preferably at or near the centre of said tracks. Said extensions being slid from the ends of said tracks to said locations where the case with one of its display sides or faces uppermost can be flipped up from its other end about its said extensions in said location, then turned over relative to the channel or shell withits other face uppermost and then slid via those side extensions in those tracks to take the former to the other end of the latter.
• the provision of a projection in the tracks, or at least one of the tracks, at said location prevents the extensions from sliding past the projection unless the extensions are rotated so that an indentation in the extension cooperates with said projection to thereby allow the extension therepast.
• the tracks and extensions define the hinge means.
• the telephone number memory and recall will be electronic, and there may be any desired or necessary shielding between them, say via a plate or a shallow dish for the directory electronics or for the time-keeping mechanism or electronics.
• the other information device may even be an alternative form of time display, e.g. digital.
• the present invention will now be described further hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which:-
• Figure 1 is a plan view for time display of device according to the present invention having a case 10 and a channel shaped shell 12;
• Figures 2A, 2B and 2C are plan views for the other information displays for the respective devices of compass, calculator and telephone memory and recall device;
• Figures 3A and 3B are detailed elevation and section (A-A) of one side of the shell 12 according to a first embodiment;
• Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view of the change-over action for the first embodiment of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is an elevation of a time-piece combined with other information device further showing a cover 14;
• Figure 6 is an enlarged view of one embodiment of combined display and sixteen key input layout for the telephone memory directory device
• Figure 7 is another embodiment of telephone memory directory showing an alternative key designation layout
• Figures 8A and 8B are detail elevation and section A-A of Figure 8 of one side of the shell 12 according to a second embodiment.
• Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the change-over action for the second embodiment of Figure 8.
• the case 10 has two opposite sides or faces 10T and 10C for time display (Figure 1), shown as hour/minute hands on a marked disc (markings not shown and it could be digital if preferred), and direction display (Figure 2A), shown as a needle, actually on a bar-magnet 20 that could be above or below a marked disc (markings not shown), but is shown visible.
• Figure 1 time display
• Figure 2A direction display
• Figure 2A needle, actually on a bar-magnet 20 that could be above or below a marked disc (markings not shown), but is shown visible.
• a time-keeping mechanism is indicated by dashed box 22 and is magnetically isolated from the bar-magnet 20 by a shield plate 24 of suitable material, actually shown as a shallow dish substantially coextensive with the face 10T and in all directions greatly exceeding the maximum dimension of the bar magnet 20.
• the shell 12 has upstanding sides 28A, 28B from a base plate 30.
• the sides 28A, 28B can be connected in any suitable way to strap means 32, but shown for a strap of leather or like material type looped at 32A, 32B over telescopically latching bars 34A, 34B in yokes 36A, 36B in the distal edge faces of the sides 28A, 28B.
• the proximal, confronting, edge-faces 38A, 38B of the sides 28A, 28B are essentially parallel and spaced to take the width of the case 10, and are shown with grooved tracks 40 to take spigot-like extensions 42 from sides of the case 10 at or near one of its ends. It is preferred for those extensions 42 to be flatted, and for the grooves or tracks 40 to be of dumb-bell shape, see diagrammatically in Figure 4 showing a change-over sequence in steps A and E thereof.
• That sequence comprises lifting, sliding and replacing the case 10 relative to the open-sided shell 12 in a manner believed to be self-explanatory.
• the calculator display/input layout is shown as a full conventional set of keys (Figure 2B), though touch-sensitive pads could equally well be used.
• Time-keeping electronics are as previously described and are isolated from the calculator electronics by a shield plate 24 of suitable material, actually shown as a shallow dish substantially coextensive with the face 10T. Such shielding may not be necessary.
• the calculator side or face of the case 10 is shown with raised ends above the height of its keys.
• the shell 12 may correspond in construction to that already described with a corresponding method of operation.
• the telephone alpha/numeric display/input layout is shown as a set of keys Figures 2C, 6 and 7, though touch-sensitive pads could equally well be used.
• Time-keeping electronics are as previously described and isolated from the telephone number memory and display electronics by a shield plate 24 of suitable material, say as shown previously as a shallow dish substantially coextensive with the face 10T. Such shielding may not be necessary.
• the time display or face of the case 10 is shown with a covering glass 26T.
• the telephone number display and input side or face of the case 10 may have raised ends above the height of its keys.
• the shell 12 may correspond in construction to that already described with reference to the preceding embodiments.
• An alternative construction is illustrated, which may also be employed with the previously described embodiments.
• the same reference numerals are used to denote equivalent parts.
• the shell differs from that described previously (see Figures 8A and 8B), in that the sides of the shell 12 have grooved tracks 40 to take spigot-like extensions 42 from sides of the case 10 at or near one of its ends, wherein those extensions 42 are preferably circular as shown with an indent 43.
• the grooves or tracks 40 are elongate with a central projection 45 in one side and an oppositely located relief 47 see Figure 8A.
• Figure 9 shows diagrammatically a change-over sequence in steps A, B and C.
• That sequence comprises sliding the case 10 relative to the open-sided shell 12 towards the projection 45 whereat the case can be turned over on itself and slid further to the other end.
• the procedure is reversed.
• Other types of cover could be used, for example hinged to one of the sides 28.
• hinge means may be used in other dual function devices such as combined time-piece and compass and combined time-piece and calculator.
• extension 42 and tracks 40 may be employed, which utilise the basic principles applicable to the described embodiment.
• a latch may be provided to locate the case 10 in the selected one of its two positions. For example, this may take the form of a spring loaded ball 60, remote from the extension 42, which locates in the end of track 40.
• the directory comprises a display and a key pad.
• the display is an alpha/numeric display - such as a liquid crystal unit and the key pad conveniently has sixteen keys set out in 4 rows and 4 columns, which are allotted appropriate numerical or alphabetical, or functional designations to perform the tasks of
• the input of numbers may be of a simple form - for example each number to be stored may be designated a certain code number. This number being pressed in the key pad to recall the telephone number. Of course, the code number would be simple i.e. less digits than the actual telephone number. Input and recall tabs being provided. More preferably, the unit is such as to store the numbers using an alphabetic code or an alphanumeric code related to the name of the person or company to whom the number belongs, or indeed any other related fact which is convenient for the user to remember.
• Abracadabra For example, if the telephone number of a company called Abracadabra were to be stored then this could be done using say the first n, say eight numbers Abracada, followed by the telephone number to be entered in the memory. Recall of that number would be done by keying in the above eight letters and a recall key - whereupon the telephone number would be displayed.
• the display is conveniently of a size to give the full number including the appropriate international or STD dialling codes.
• Figure 6 shows, in more detail, one embodiment of display 50 and key pad 52 in which two letters are allotted to each of 13 keys and a function key (54) is provided to select which of the two letters is to be operative.
• Ten of these 13 keys can also have number designations, with the circuitry then such as to automatically revert to number selection after a predetermined number of code characters have been input - say 8. This defines a set field size and avoids the use of a further function key.
• An additional key 58 with dual function for enter and recall is provided as is a dual function key 56 for cancel entry and cancel memory functions. The operational mode of the keys 56 and 58 is conveniently selected by the function key 54.
• a sixteen key board is used with the keys set out in four rows and four columns. Ten of the keys are marked with the consonants BC, DF . ... VW, XYZ which operate as a first default level. By providing two consonants to each key as illustrated, and with XYZ on one key, the number of keys required can be kept to a minimum. Thus if the letter B is to be entered the appropriately designated key is pressed. The same key would be pressed for the letter C but this need not be detrimental in relation to the advantage of reduced keys.
• the vowels are provided as a second function to five of the consonant keys and are selected by pressing a function-key 62 which reverts to consonants when pressed again.
• a series of letters typically the first n of a name can be entered as a code to a following telephone number which is also to be input into memory and thus enable it to be recalled to display subsequently on input of the same code.
• a maximum of eight (or other suitable number) characters may conveniently be used for the code, but preferably organised so that, in the event that the first six or seven letter characters are identical to a letter code already in store, the circuitry will indicate this on the display and then to admit one or two further characters, perhaps initials. In either case (6 or 7 letters unique, or 7th/8th letter needed) the keyboard will revert to its second default state in which numbers are keyed in when the designated number keys are pressed.
• any first letter code, clash could be indicated at this stage and digits used as further identifiers, say in two reserved field positions
• digits used as further identifiers, say in two reserved field positions
• up to 99 additional numbers could be stored under the same six letter code.
• the total number of coded names which can be stored will depend on the capacity of the memory unit.
• the keyboard After keying in acceptable identifier characters, the keyboard default to its second state allows actual telephone numbers to be input.
• An enter key (64) is then pressed to put the keyed information into memory.
• the entry button may be keyed at the end and/or between letter and number fields of the keying sequence, according to the specific programming sequence of the unit.
• To recall and display any number in the memory the letter code is keyed in, and a recall key 66 pressed. The number is then displayed.
• the sixteen keys are more than sufficient to provide the above outlined functions, in fact showing an ON-OFF key 72 at least relative to the display. Protection against loss of memory contents could be provided via a dual-battery provision so that either may be replaced on appropriate indication, i.e. each alone being enough to power the device.
• the electronic circuitry might even utilize an EPROM for storing the required numbers and allow the unit to be turned off, entirely, or its normal battery removed for changing when run down.
• To "blow” into an EPROM may require additional voltage to that required for normal operation, and an external connection may be provided for a suitable power supply. If the EPROM will not hold data temporarily with normal power on, pending "blowing-in", the unit may also incorporate a small RAM to provide a short term memory facility, which will be operative whenever the unit is switched on, to retain an input number until it can be programmed into the EPROM.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mathematical Physics (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Calculators And Similar Devices (AREA)

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• 1986
  • 1986-05-01 WO PCT/GB1986/000232 patent/WO1986006511A1/en unknown
  • 1986-05-01 EP EP19860902862 patent/EP0220260A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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