EP1462886A2 - Dispositif electronique personnel avec la possibilité de personnaliser la selection de mode - Google Patents

Dispositif electronique personnel avec la possibilité de personnaliser la selection de mode Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1462886A2
EP1462886A2 EP20030024856 EP03024856A EP1462886A2 EP 1462886 A2 EP1462886 A2 EP 1462886A2 EP 20030024856 EP20030024856 EP 20030024856 EP 03024856 A EP03024856 A EP 03024856A EP 1462886 A2 EP1462886 A2 EP 1462886A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
electronic device
mode
button
processor
modes
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP20030024856
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Craig Wojcieszak
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fila Luxembourg SARL
Original Assignee
Fila Luxembourg SARL
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fila Luxembourg SARL filed Critical Fila Luxembourg SARL
Publication of EP1462886A2 publication Critical patent/EP1462886A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/08—Visual time or date indication means by building-up characters using a combination of indicating elements, e.g. by using multiplexing techniques
    • G04G9/10—Visual time or date indication means by building-up characters using a combination of indicating elements, e.g. by using multiplexing techniques by controlling light sources, e.g. electroluminescent diodes
    • G04G9/107—Visual time or date indication means by building-up characters using a combination of indicating elements, e.g. by using multiplexing techniques by controlling light sources, e.g. electroluminescent diodes provided with means for displaying at will a time indication or a date or a part thereof
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G5/00—Setting, i.e. correcting or changing, the time-indication
    • G04G5/04—Setting, i.e. correcting or changing, the time-indication by setting each of the displayed values, e.g. date, hour, independently

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to personal electronic devices, and more particularly to personal electronic devices having multiple modes of operation that can be selected by the user to provide a custom group of operating modes.
  • Typical consumer electronic devices such as watches, mp3 players, heart rate monitors, pedometers, GPS, etc. have various modes (A, B, C, D, E, F%), each mode performing a distinct function at the user's request. Buttons, dials or similar devices are used to sequentially change from one mode to the next. For example, such a device, operating in mode A can only be changed to mode F, via mode B, then C, then D, then E, and finally to mode F.
  • these conventional devices do not provide a mechanism to change from mode A directly to mode C for instance. The present inventors have discovered that this causes a problem in that the user of a conventional device may be required to focus on the electronic device for too long a period of time. Such "target fixation" my cause a hazardous situation where the user of the device is doing an activity that requires full attention, such as running outdoors.
  • the present invention is directed to reducing or eliminating the above-described problems and/or other problems in the art.
  • the present invention is directed to providing custom mode settings for a personal electronic device.
  • an electronic device including a case, and electronics module and an input mechanism.
  • the electronics module is contained by the case and includes at least a processor and a memory configured to store a plurality of available mode settings for the electronic device.
  • the input mechanism is configured to provide input commands to the processor which is configured to, based on the input comments, configure the electronic device to provide a custom mode setting for a subset of the plurality of available modes.
  • a method of setting custom modes in an electronic device includes operating an input mechanism of the electronic device to initiate a custom mode setting sequence, operating the input mechanism to select one of a plurality of available modes of operation of the electronic device, and operating the input mechanism to toggle the selected mode on or off.
  • a mode toggled off is unavailable for use by a user of the electronic device.
  • a computer-readable medium contains program instructions for execution on a processor, which when executed by the processor, cause the electronic device to initiate a custom mode setting sequence, select one of a plurality of available modes of operation of the electronic device in response to user input, and toggle the selected mode on or off in response to user input.
  • a mode toggled off is unavailable for use by a user of the electronic device.
  • Yet another aspect of the invention includes an electronic device having means for containing an electronic module, including at least a processor, means for storing a plurality of mode settings, and means for inputting input commands to the processor.
  • the processor is configured to, based on the input commands, configure the electronic device to provide a custom mode setting for a subset of the plurality of available modes.
  • FIGS. 1a and 1b show an exemplary packaging of a watch for implementing the custom mode feature according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the watch case 1 contains a display 2, and three selector buttons 3, 4, and 5.
  • the display 2 is used to display the operational features of the watch 1 as will be described further with respect to exemplary Figure 6 below.
  • the mode buttons 3, 4 and 5 are buttons that can be depressed by the user of the watch 1 in order to operate the various features available on the watch. It is to be understood that the custom mode setting feature of the present invention is not limited to watches and can be implemented on any personal electronic device.
  • the custom mode setting feature of the present invention is particularly useful for personal electronic devices having a relatively small display and a limited number of input buttons such as in the example shown in Figures 1a and 1b.
  • the packaging of the watch in Figures 1a and 1b is exemplary only, and one of ordinary skill in the art would be able to provide different packaging to implement the custom mode setting feature of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an electronic block diagram showing the architecture of an electronic device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • the electronic device includes an oscillator 202, a crystal 204 and a counter 206 that provides inputs to a microprocessor 208.
  • the microprocessor 208 is also coupled to a display 210, a sound device 212, a random access memory (RAM) 214 a programmable random access memory (PROM) 216 and input switches 218, 220, and 222.
  • the time base oscillator 202 and associated crystal 204 produces a sequence of pulses driving the counter 206 to provide an output frequency to the microprocessor 208.
  • the counter 206 is preferably a frequency dividing counter that provides at least two output bit streams that are read into the microprocessor 206, which uses the inputs from the counter to update software counters kept in random access memory 214 (RAM) that control all timing functions, for example.
  • the software program controlling the microprocessor 208 is contained in a programmable read only memory 216 (PROM).
  • a display 210 contains a memory, address logic, display drivers, and optoelectronics for display of the characters and other symbols, preferably in the form of binary pixels.
  • the device also contains a sound circuit 212 having an auditory amplifier, speaker and any other control logic and circuitry appropriate for providing audio, such as a beeping alarm. Selector buttons 218, 220, and 222, when pressed by the user, transmit a signal to the microprocessor.
  • the electronic device may include a battery as a power source.
  • the watch uses a CR1025 3V button cell, which in normal circumstances will be good for years. However, the battery life will vary due to shelf time and the frequency the EL backlight (described below), alarm and hourly chime are used.
  • FIG 3 is a flow chart showing a general operation of an electronic device having the custom mode setting feature in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the process shown in Figure 3 is implemented on an electronic device having three input buttons such as that shown in Figures 1 and 2.
  • the input buttons are generically referred to as "A,” “B,” and “C” in the flowchart.
  • the electronic device is in a current operating mode as shown by step 301.
  • the current operating mode is the currently selected one of the plurality of operating modes provided by the electronic device.
  • sequential monitoring of whether one of the mode buttons is depressed is accomplished by decision block 303, which monitors the A button, decision block 305, which monitors the B button, and decision block 307, which monitors the C button.
  • step 303 where the electronic device starts a current mode operation.
  • the current mode operation may be a "stopwatch" function, which is started in step 307. That is, pressing button B when the device is in stopwatch mode will start the timer of the stopwatch.
  • step 311 a determination is made whether the C button is depressed and quickly released, or depressed and held for more than three seconds. Where button C is not held for more than three seconds, the process flows to step 313 where the current mode function, such as the stopwatch started with button B as described above, is stopped. Once the current mode function is stopped in step 313, the process returns to step 301 where monitoring of the input buttons resumes. Where button C is depressed for more than three seconds, the current mode function is reset as shown in step 315. Continuing with the timer example introduced above, step 315 may include resetting the timer to zero seconds. Once the current mode function is reset in step 315, the process returns to step 301 where monitoring of the input buttons resumes.
  • step 315 may include resetting the timer to zero seconds.
  • step 319 the current operating mode is changed to another one of the multiple operating modes offered by the electronic device. For example, if the user wishes to change from a stopwatch function to an alarm function, the user would depress and quickly release button A. Changing of the current operating mode may take place in sequence or by display of a menu on the monitor of the device. Moreover, because the operating modes are fixed in number, in a preferred embodiment the process is configured to cycle through all operating modes and then restart at the first operating mode. That is, by pressing the A button in rapid succession, the user can scroll through the available operating modes until the desired mode is found. Once the current operating mode is changed in step 319, the process returns to step 301 where monitoring of the input buttons resumes.
  • step 317 Where button A is depressed and held for more than three seconds in step 317, the process continues to step 321, where a current setup mode is displayed so that the multiple modes of the electronic device can be customized. For example, where the electronic device includes five modes of operation and the user only wishes to use three desired modes, the user presses and holds button A to enter a custom mode setting sequence where the user can operate buttons B and C to select custom modes.
  • buttons A, B, and C are monitored in the custom mode sequence to determine if they have been depressed as shown by decision blocks 323, 327, and 331. Where button A is depressed, the process continues with decision block 325, where determination is made whether button A was released or held for more than three seconds. Where button A was held by the user for more than three seconds, the process exits the custom mode setup sequence and returns to the current operating mode in step 301, where the buttons are again monitored in the regular operation mode sequence of steps 303 -315.
  • step 321 If in the custom mode sequence begun in step 321, the A button is not pressed or inadvertently pressed and quickly released, the process remains in the custom mode setting sequence, and monitoring of the input buttons in this sequence continues.
  • button B is determined to be pressed in decision block 327, the current setup mode is toggled on or off as shown in step 329.
  • the user toggles the current setup mode to off by depressing button B of the electronic device.
  • step 331 determination is made whether button C is pressed by the user. If button C is not pressed, then the process returns to step 321, where the buttons are monitored in the custom mode setup sequence. Where button C is pressed, the process continues with step 333, where the current setup mode is changed to another of the available modes provided by the electronic device. Changing of the available modes may take place in sequence or by display of a menu on the monitor of the device. Moreover, because the available modes are fixed in number, in a preferred embodiment the process is configured to cycle through all available modes and then restart at the first available mode setting. That is, by repeatedly pressing button C in the current setup mode sequence, the user can scroll through the available modes until a particular mode is found.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention would work in conjunction with multifunction watches, such as in a 3-button watching having:
  • the custom mode feature may be accomplished as follows:
  • FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a conventional mode operation process for a digital watch in comparison to a process for setting custom modes in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the cross hatched area of the flow chart indicates the portion of the flow chart generally provided by conventional digital watches.
  • the watch provides a "normal" function display as shown by display function 401.
  • pressing button B allows the user to start or scroll up in a function in step 405, and button C allows stop/set/reset or scroll down in a function as shown in step 407.
  • button A is pressed in the normal function display, the function is changed as shown by step 409.
  • the inventive process displays a master list of all possible functions in the custom mode setting sequence when button A is pressed and held for a period of time as shown by 411.
  • This is the "active function" display shown by 412.
  • the user can manually exit the active function display by pressing button A as seen in step 413.
  • the process automatically exits a custom mode setting sequence and active function display when the user does not provide input for ten seconds.
  • button B is pressed in step 417, the active function display cycles to the next function.
  • the user can toggle the function on or off as shown by step 419. If the function is toggled "off,” the function will not be visible in the normal display mode as shown by step 421. However, if toggled "on,” the function will be visible in normal display mode as seen in step 423. That is, in the embodiment of Figure 4, each of the modes or functions that are toggled off will be removed from the display of the digital watch.
  • FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram showing the custom mode setting feature of the present invention according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • the embodiment of that figure utilizes three input buttons for providing custom mode setting of Chronograph, 50-lap Recall, Countdown Timer (including a repeat function), Time, Date, Alarm, and EL backlight features.
  • all six functions chrono, recall, timer, time, date and alarm
  • button A is pressed to return to the normal display as in step 505
  • the normal function display 507 enables the user to cycle through all six functions by pressing button A as shown by step 509.
  • button A causes the normal function display to display chrono 511, recall 513, timer 515, time 517, date 519, and alarm 521.
  • button A is pressed and held to access a master list of all possible functions, as shown in 523.
  • the activate function display 525 in an embodiment of Figure 5, the user operates the mode buttons to toggle off the timer, date, and alarm modes as shown in step 527. Then, the user does nothing for 10 seconds as shown in step 529 and the display returns to the normal display 531. Then, by pressing button A to change the functions in step 533, the user can only cycle through the normal function chrono 535, normal function recall 537, and normal function time 539, which were toggled to the "on" position in the activate function display.
  • a digital watch implementing the present invention may be implemented as the configuration of Figures 1-2 and may include the following modes:
  • the watch can display any of the six normal operation modes; CHR (chronograph), REC (recall), TMR (timer), TIME, DATE, and ALM (alarm).
  • CHR Crohn's disease
  • REC recall
  • TMR timer
  • TIME timer
  • DATE DATE
  • ALM alarm
  • the display includes a large time display portion as well as smaller mode indicator displays.
  • only those modes that are selected for operation using the custom mode setup feature are displayed on the display of the watch.
  • the user presses the MODE button once. The mode description will appear briefly before the mode is activated.
  • the chronograph counts from 0 hour, 0 minute and 00.00 second to 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59.99 seconds. When the maximum is reached, the time will be entered as a lap automatically.
  • Recall Mode will display two short dashed lines & the Recall icon if there are no laps in memory.
  • the user can set the timer from 0 hour, 00 minute and 00 second to 23 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds.
  • the user may enter any year from 2000 to 2049.
  • EL mode is toggled ON in the Custom Mode (for example, for night use), the EL backlight will be switched on for 5 seconds when any button is pressed. If EL mode is toggled OFF in the Custom Mode (day use), the EL backlight will only be switched on for 5 seconds when pressing & holding the Mode button to enter the Custom Mode.
  • the user can reset the watch.
  • the user holds down the MODE, START/LAP and STOP/RESET buttons simultaneously for two seconds.
  • the LCD will light up briefly and factory settings will be adopted. This procedure is useful when you want to erase all current settings. After resetting the watch, the user will need to reset the time, date, etc.
  • the invention allows the user to activate or deactivate a subset of the device's modes of operation.
  • the invention allows the user to create a subset of modes that the "mode” button controls.
  • the "mode” button then sequentially changes from one mode to the next within this subset. For example, the user can create a subset consisting only of modes A, D, & F.
  • the "mode” button will then simply sequentially change from A to D to F to A, etc until such time as the user changes the subset of active modes.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
EP20030024856 2003-03-24 2003-10-31 Dispositif electronique personnel avec la possibilité de personnaliser la selection de mode Withdrawn EP1462886A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US45654803P 2003-03-24 2003-03-24
US456548P 2003-03-24

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1462886A2 true EP1462886A2 (fr) 2004-09-29

Family

ID=32825464

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20030024856 Withdrawn EP1462886A2 (fr) 2003-03-24 2003-10-31 Dispositif electronique personnel avec la possibilité de personnaliser la selection de mode

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1462886A2 (fr)

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