GB2379286A

GB2379286A - Electronic multi-function watch

Info

Publication number: GB2379286A
Application number: GB0120940A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Albert Ng
Original assignee: Innomind International Ltd
Current assignee: Innomind International Ltd
Priority date: 2001-08-29
Filing date: 2001-08-29
Publication date: 2003-03-05
Also published as: GB0120940D0

Abstract

An electronic multi-function watch has a case 12 and a bezel 56 that can be turned with respect to the case to control at least one function of the watch. The watch includes a bezel movement sensor comprising at least two waveform generators 66 that produce respectively different waveforms as the bezel turns, processor means adapted to compare the waveforms and to detect at least one characteristic of that comparison that indicates the direction of movement of the bezel, and function control means responsive to the processor means and to the direction of movement of the bezel. In this way, the watch responds to the direction and extent of angular movement of the bezel, and not to the static angular position of the bezel. The watch may include a time zone facility involving the display of a moving map 80 and in which the map is centred on the chosen time zone. Also a time-setting facility involving the display of an analogue cursor 78 corresponding in position to a time digit being set is provided. The movement of both the cursor and the map can be controlled intuitively by turning the bezel.

Description

WATCH This invention relates to a timepiece such as a watch, and particularly to a multifunction watch having at least one function that can be controlled by turning a bezel around a display.

With the spread of dot-matrix displays and cheap yet powerful processors, modem electronic wristwatches can do much more than merely tell the time and date. Various time-related functions such as a stopwatch and world time zones are almost universal in such watches. Additional functions unrelated to time, such as games, environmental monitors and so on, are becoming commonplace.

The invention extends to other wearable multi-function devices such as dive computers worn on the wrist by scuba divers. Such devices may resemble a wristwatch to a greater or lesser extent but for the purposes of this specification, the term'watch'is to be taken to include such devices and particularly if they are equipped with a bezel that controls at least one of their functions.

The more functions a device such as a watch has, the more control elements such as buttons and/or the more control inputs such as button-pushes are necessary. This introduces complexity of construction, which increases cost and harms reliability, and complexity of operation, which deters users.

There is a limit to the number of buttons that can be accommodated on a watch while being large enough and spaced widely enough to be operable by a user's fingers.

There is also a limit to the amount of information that can be displayed legibly on the typically small display of the watch. The result is that most multi-function watches employ a menu control structure in which a relatively small number of buttonstypically between two and four buttons mounted on the edge of the watch case-are used to navigate around a multi-layer menu as the user is prompted by appropriate indicia on the display. The display then displays information appropriate to the function selected by the user, which information reacts to the operation of that function: for example, incrementing numerals during stopwatch operation.

Menu navigation that relies wholly upon pushing small buttons in the correct sequence can be awkward, time-consuming and error-prone. Watch designers have therefore looked to other control elements, notably a bezel or dial that can be turned about the watch display to select or otherwise control different functions of the watch.

In this way, the number of buttons can be reduced, or more functions can be controlled by the same number of buttons without introducing further menu layers.

Historically, turning bezels have been used to add functionality to a watch-for example for the purpose of calculation if the bezel bears slide rule indicia-but not in a way that influences the operation of the watch itself. More recently, designers of electronic watches have proposed the use of bezels to operate the watch itself.

Examples of such watches are disclosed in EP198576 to Seiko Instruments Inc. and GB2097562 to K. K. Daini Seikosha. Both employ bezels movable stepwise from one angular position to the next, and arrangements of switches that are switchable between on or off states in response to the arrival of the bezel at a new angular position. The arrangement is such that each switch is in either an on or an off state depending upon the angular position of the bezel, and that different combinations of switches are on or off at different respective angular positions of the bezel. Thus, logic gates can detect the angular position of the bezel and cause the functionality of the watch to respond accordingly.

Specifically, EP198576 employs three switch pins co-operable with a patterned member having electrically conductive and non-conductive surface areas over which the switch pins move as the bezel is turned, making and breaking contact as they do so. The pattern of the patterned member and the disposition of the switch pins determines which switches will be on and which will be off at each angular position of the bezel. The bezel bears alphanumeric characters and other symbols for the input of text, whereby the watch can be used to take notes as the bezel is turned to select each successive character.

GB2097562 is conceptually similar to EP198576 but in this case the bezel is shaped to move a group of switch buttons into and out of contact with respective switch plates to turn the switches on and off in various combinations. Here, the bezel bears the name of each mode that can be selected by turning the bezel.

So, both EP 198576 and GB2097562 operate on the principle of sensing the stationary angular position of the bezel, and rely upon indicia engraved or otherwise marked on the bezel. If a watch designer wishes to add to the number of available functions or to vary functions among the number available, the watch must be re-tooled to some extent. For example, as a minimum, a different bezel would be needed to reflect the different functions. More likely, more switches would have to be added and all of the possible switching combinations would have to be recalculated. This is undesirable because it is much preferred for different watch models to share as many parts as possible, for economies of scale. Also, there are limits upon the number of functions that can be accommodated by the watch: there may be space limitations within the watch case that limit the number of switches, and the number of angular positions of the bezel is limited if those positions are to remain readily distinguishable from each other.

In summary, therefore, watch designs like those disclosed in EP 198576 and GB2097562 suffer from limitations on their functionality and from inflexibility of design.

It is against this background that the present invention has been devised.

From one aspect, the invention resides in an electronic multi-function watch having a case and a bezel that can be turned with respect to the case to control at least one function of the watch, wherein the watch includes a bezel movement sensor comprising at least two waveform generators that produce respectively different waveforms as the bezel turns, processor means adapted to compare the waveforms and to detect at least one characteristic of that comparison that indicates the direction of movement of the bezel, and function control means responsive to the processor means and to the direction of movement of the bezel.

In this way, the watch responds to the direction and extent of angular movement of the bezel, and not to the static angular position of the bezel. The bezel therefore ceases to be a limiting factor upon functionality and freedom of design.

Advantageously, the function control means scrolls through a menu or sub-menu of function options in a direction dependent upon the direction in which the bezel moves.

The function control means may also be responsive to the extent of movement of the bezel, for example by scrolling further through a menu or sub-menu of function options the further the bezel moves in a given direction.

The difference between the waveforms may be a difference of phase. For example, the waveforms preferably include a succession of pulses generated as the bezel turns, in which case means may be provided for counting the pulses to determine the extent of movement of the bezel. The pulses can be generated by switches that open and close respective circuits cyclically as the bezel turns. In that case, the characteristic of the comparison between waveforms that indicates the direction of movement of the bezel may be that one waveform changes from open circuit to closed circuit or vice versa while the other waveform remains at open circuit or closed circuit.

To achieve out-of-phase waveforms, the waveform generators preferably include sensors disposed asymmetrically with respect to a straight line through one sensor and a pivot axis of the bezel. Those sensors may be opposed about the pivot axis of the bezel and may take the form of a plurality of pins movable parallel to a pivot axis of the bezel in response to movement of the bezel.

The pins are preferably moved along their respective longitudinal axes bezel by a cam surface shaped to impart longitudinal movement to the pins. For example, the cam surface can comprise a sequence of recesses and projections, which are preferably equi-angularly spaced around the bezel.

A deflectable member between the bezel and a pin may be employed to impart movement to the pin in response to movement of the bezel. Elegantly, that deflectable member may be part of or associated with a bezel holder that holds the bezel to the case. The deflectable member suitably includes a knob opposed to the cam surface, the knob being arranged to bear against a projection of the cam surface to deflect the member and to fit within a recess of the cam surface to release the member from deflection.

Advantageously, each pin is biased toward the bezel by a resilient contact member that moves to make or break an electrical contact in response to movement of the pin.

The pins therefore reciprocate in use, being driven in one direction by the bezel, optionally via the intermediate deflectable member, and in the opposite direction by the resilient contact member.

Another aspect of the invention resides in an electronic multi-function watch having a case, a display and a control element for controlling at least one function of the watch, the watch having at least one time-setting facility in which the control element can be used to increment or decrement one or more time digits on the display representative of hours, minutes or seconds, wherein the display simultaneously displays a cursor indicative of the angular position of an analogue hour, minute or second hand corresponding to the hour, minute or second digit (s) being adjusted.

This aspect of the invention has the advantage of providing a simple, easy-to-read indication of the changing digits without requiring those digits to be read.

Synergistically, the control element is preferably the aforementioned bezel that can be turned with respect to the case to control said at least one function of the watch, wherein the bezel is turned to increment or decrement the or each of said time digits on the display during time setting. Preferably, the selected time digit increments when the bezel is turned clockwise and the cursor moves clockwise in correspondence with that increment. Similarly, the selected time digit decrements when the bezel is turned anticlockwise and the cursor moves anticlockwise in correspondence with that decrement. This mode of operation is highly intuitive.

A further aspect of the invention resides in an electronic multi-function watch having a case, a display and a control element for controlling at least one function of the watch, the watch having at least one time-zone function in which the control element can be used to switch between time zones, wherein the display includes a map that moves within the display to illustrate the time zones related to that map.

This aspect of the invention effectively correlates the varying time zones with the locations to which those times zones relate, and so aids accurate and simple selection and setting of time zones.

The map preferably moves between successive time zones so as to centre the chosen time zone within the display, and can also move north or south during said movement between successive time zones so as to centre a city, country or other geographical location in the chosen time zone within the display. Preferably, the display simultaneously displays text identifying that city, country or other geographical location.

In the context of the invention, references to'centre'or'centring'do not demand that the display is exactly centred on the feature concerned, merely that it is generally central for emphasis in relation to adjacent time zones.

Again, it is much preferred that the control element is a bezel that can be turned with respect to the case to switch between time zones and cause the map to move. For example, it is intuitive that the map moves west within the display, showing successively more easterly time zones, when the bezel is turned clockwise and moves east within the display, showing successively more westerly time zones, when the bezel is turned anti-clockwise.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a watch in accordance with the invention ; Figure 2 is a front view of the watch of Figure 1, fully assembled; Figure 3 is a partial underside view of the bezel of the watch of Figures 1 and 2, showing formations that cause pins to move as the bezel is turned;

Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of the watch of Figures 1 and 2 with the bezel removed to show the disposition of pins in relation to the pivot axis of the bezel; Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view on line B-B of Figure 2; Figure 6 (a) is an enlarged sectional view on line A-A of Figure 2, showing the watch with its bezel in a first angular position; Figure 6 (b) is an enlarged sectional view on line A-A of Figure 2 that corresponds to Figure 6 (a) but shows the watch with its bezel in a second angular position; Figure 7 (a) is a diagram showing out-of-phase signals generated by two switches within the watch of the preceding Figures when the bezel is turned clockwise; Figure 7 (b) is a diagram corresponding to Figure 7 (a) but showing the signals generated by the same two switches when the bezel is turned anticlockwise; Figures 8 (a) and 8 (b) are schematic representations of the display of the watch of the preceding Figures, showing how the display offers a user interface during an adjustment sequence; and Figures 9 (a), 9 (b) and 9 (c) are schematic representations of another display of the invention, showing how the display illustrates world time zones and, during the sequence of those Figures, switches from illustrating one time zone to other time zones.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the drawings, an electronic wristwatch 10 in a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a hollow case 12 having a front aperture closed by a lens 14 and a back aperture closed by a case back 16 attached to the case by screws 18. Whilst material choice is not part of the invention, the case 12 is suitably of ABS plastics, the lens 14 is suitably of acrylic plastics and the case back

16 is suitably of stainless steel. Strap or watchband portions 20, suitably of polyurethane, extend from the case 12 and are attached to the case by spring bars 22; their related fastening components 24 including a buckle are also shown. Other possible strap configurations and fastenings will be apparent to the reader.

The case has three buttons 26 on its edge, two on one side of the case 12 and one on the other side of the case 12. Each button 26 fits into a respective recess 28 formed in the case 12 and is resiliently movable with respect to the case 12 when the button 26 is pushed to operate a contact within the case 12.

Viewed from top to bottom, the components within the case 12 are: a dial 30 defming an oblong viewing aperture surrounded by opaque peripheral regions that may bear indicia and other textual or graphical matter visible through the lens 14; an LCD panel 32 aligned with the viewing aperture of the dial 30, whose edges are masked by the opaque regions around the aperture; an electro-luminescent backlight panel 34 for illuminating the display of the LCD panel 32; a front housing 36 ; elastomeric connectors 38 for the LCD panel 32 and the electro-luminescent backlight panel 34, such as are sold under the trade mark ZEBRA by Fujipoly America Corporation; a PCB 40 ; a first battery contact plate (negative terminal) 42; a back housing 44 co-operable with the front housing 36;

a battery 46 (for example, CR 2032); a second battery contact plate (positive terminal) 48; and a buzzer 50 for generating sounds under control of the PCB 40, which sounds are transmitted toward the front of the watch 10 via a buzzer spring 52 within the back housing 44.

Whilst aspects of the above components are adapted for the purposes of the present invention as will be described, the nature of the components and their disposition within the case 12 are broadly conventional and will be familiar to the skilled reader.

Figure 2 shows that when assembled, the watch 10 is of wholly conventional albeit stylised appearance.

Referring back to Figure 1 and now also introducing Figures 3,4, 5,6 (a) and 6 (b), an annular bezel holder 54 fits around and within the front aperture of the case 12 and carries a bezel 56 that can be turned in stepwise manner through 360 about the bezel holder 54, which remains fixed to the case 12. That is to say, the bezel holder 54 and the bezel 56 are so connected that resistance has to be overcome to turn the bezel 56 from one angular position to the next angular position in stepwise manner. Thus, the bezel 56 is biased to adopt one of a plurality of discrete angular positions when at rest; accidental movement of the bezel 56 out of that position is resisted, whilst permitting such movement if deliberate.

As Figures 3,5, 6 (a) and 6 (b) show, the underside of the bezel 56 is shaped to interact during its turning movement with resiliently deflectable parts of the bezel holder 54.

Specifically, an alternating series of angularly-spaced recesses 58 and projections 60 are disposed around the underside of the bezel 56. When a projection 60 on the bezel 56 encounters an opposed knob 62 on a deflectable part 64 of the bezel holder 54, as shown in Figure 6 (b), that deflectable part 64 is deflected toward the case 12 of the watch. Thus, the bezel 56 may be regarded as a cam. The surmountable resistance to deflection of the deflectable parts 64 gives rise to the stepwise movement of the bezel 56.

Reference is now made to Figures 4,5, 6 (a) and 6 (b). As the deflectable parts 64 of the bezel holder 54 deflect when the bezel 56 turns, they act upon a pair of movable brass pins 66 that are slidably mounted in holes in the case 12 in positions mutually opposed about the front aperture of the case 12, behind the bezel 56. The pins 66 move in parallel to the pivot axis of the bezel 56 under the influence of the deflectable parts 64 of the bezel holder 54 and the opposing bias of respective resilient contact plates 68 cantilevered to the back housing 44, which bias the pins 66 toward the bezel holder 54. As they move, the pins 66 move the respective contact plates 68 to make or break contact with a respective terminal 70 of the PCB 40.

Figure 6 (a) shows the situation when the knob 62 on the deflectable part 64 aligns with and fits within a recess 58 on the underside of the bezel 56. Here, the resilience of the deflectable part 64 allows that part 64 to straighten, releasing pressure on the pin 66 that in turn allows the resilient contact plate 68 to rise into contact with the associated terminal 70 of the PCB 40. Conversely, Figure 6 (b) shows the situation when the knob 62 on the deflectable part 64 aligns with a projection 60 on the underside of the bezel 56. In the example illustrated, the bezel 56 has been turned through 8. 5 between Figure 6 (a) and Figure 6 (b). Here, the deflectable part 64 has been deflected downwardly, applying pressure to the pin 66 that in turn bends the contact plate 68 out of contact with the associated terminal 70 of the PCB 40.

It will be apparent that the effect of turning the bezel 56 through successive angular positions is to create a series of voltage pulses at each terminal 70, which is expressed as a waveform over time while the bezel 56 is being turned. The relationship between the waveforms of voltage pulses at the respective terminals 70 can be used by electronics or software implemented by the PCB 40 to determine the direction of movement of the bezel 56, as will now be explained.

Figure 4 shows that the pins 66 are asymmetrically disposed in relation to the bezel holder 54 and the case 12 about the pivot axis of the bezel 56 (which has been removed from this Figure for clarity). Specifically, in the example shown, one pin 66 is offset by 3 from being symmetrically opposed to the other pin 66 about the pivot axis. Thus, the pins 66 are separated by 1770 in one angular direction and by 183 in the opposite angular direction. Using a clock face analogy, one pin 66 is near, but not

exactly at, the twelve o'clock position and the other pin 66 is at the six o'clock position. It is possible for the angle of offset to be any angle greater than 0 and less than 180 .

The effect of this offset between the pins 66 will be apparent when comparing the voltage pulses experienced at each terminal of the PCB as the bezel 56 is turned, with reference now to Figures 7 (a) and 7 (b) of the drawings. Figure 7 (a) shows the pulses at each terminal 70 or contact plate 68 with time as the bezel 56 is turned clockwise, and Figure 7 (b) shows the pulses at those terminals 70 or contact plates 68 as the bezel 56 is turned anticlockwise. The principle is that the pins 66 are depressed at different times as the bezel 56 turns, hence creating out-of-phase waveforms characteristic of the direction of movement. The electronics or, preferably, software implemented by the PCB 40 recognises the waveform relationship and hence determines the direction of movement of the bezel 56.

Referring to Figure 7 (a), clockwise movement of the bezel 56 implies two possible characteristics of the waveforms. Either (i) contact plate A changes from open circuit to closed circuit when contact plate B is in open circuit (as during Ti to T2 in Figure 7 (a) ), or (ii) contact plate A changes from closed circuit to open circuit when contact plate B is in closed circuit (as during T2 to T3 in Figure 7 (a)).

The opposite is true during anti-clockwise movement of the bezel 56 as shown in Figure 7 (b). Here, either (i) contact plate A changes from open circuit to closed circuit when contact plate B is in closed circuit (as during Ts to T6 in Figure 7 (b) ), or (ii) contact plate A changes from closed circuit to open circuit when contact plate B is in open circuit (as during Tg to Ty in Figure 7 (b)).

Once the direction of movement of the bezel 56 has been determined, the number of pulses in that direction can be counted as a further control input for navigation within a menu. Hence, for example, a series of watch functions such as TIME, SOUND ONOFF, TIMER, CHRONOGRAPH, WORLD TIME, SCHEDULE ALARM and ALARM and then back to TIME can be selected one after another in that sequence by turning the bezel 56 clockwise. The sequence can be reversed simply by turning the bezel 56 anticlockwise. Say the watch is on WORLD TIME : initial clockwise

movement of the bezel 56 calls up SCHDULE ALARM and continued clockwise movement calls up ALARM followed by TIME and so on. Conversely, initial anticlockwise movement of the bezel 56 from WORLD TIME calls up CHRONOGRAPH and then continued anticlockwise movement calls up TIMER followed by SOUND ON-OFF and so on. A single control element in the form of the bezel 56 achieves this, making it easy to return to the preceding function in the sequence rather than having to scroll through the entire list of functions and start again.

Unlike the prior art, therefore, the present invention employs the direction and extent of movement of the bezel 56 as a control input, rather than merely sensing the position of the bezel 56 from among a predetermined number of discrete control positions. Changing the functionality of the watch 12 is simply a matter of reprogramming the PCB 40. Tooling changes between watch models are minimal to non-existent, and can be confined largely to aesthetic elements.

A bezel 56 also forms an intuitive control interface when navigating within a particular watch function, as the remaining Figures will make clear. Whilst bezel control is not essential to these aspects of the invention in their broadest sensecontrol buttons could be used instead and indeed will usually be used in conjunction with a bezel-the use of a bezel is synergistic, highly advantageous and much preferred.

Figures 8 (a) and 8 (b) show how a watch display can offer a user interface during an adjustment sequence in a manner that relates to the movement of the bezel 56.

Specifically, those Figures show the watch display 72 when in a time setting mode, as may be encountered in various function or mode screens when setting the time of day, a countdown timer or an alarm time. As is common, the digit or digits to be adjustednamely the hour digit 74 in Figure 8 (a) and the minute digits 76 in Figure 8 (b)-flash to indicate that an appropriate control input (such as a button-push or preferably a clockwise or anticlockwise movement of the bezel 56) will increment or decrement that digit or those digits. Another control input, such as a push of a different button, switches adjustment from the hour digit (s) 74 to the minute digit (s) 76.

Elegantly, the display 72 of the invention supplements the digital information with a cursor 78 (which preferably also flashes) situated peripherally within the display 72.

The cursor 78 is at the angular location appropriate to the position of the hour or minute hand as the case may be, if that digital time was expressed in the analogue 12hour clock format. Thus, Figure 8 (a) shows the cursor 78 at the seven-o'clock position appropriate to the flashing hour digit'7', and Figure 8 (b) shows the cursor 78 at the 11-minute position appropriate to the flashing minute digits'11'. It will be apparent that the cursor 78 will move clockwise as the bezel 56 is turned clockwise to increment the related digit (s) and vice-versa when the bezel 56 is turned anticlockwise to decrement the related digit (s).

The analogue display element provided by the cursor 78 allows at-a-glance confirmation of the time being set, and makes the display 72 very easy to read. The use of a bezel 56 is much preferred over buttons in this respect because the direction of movement of the bezel 56 is reflected by the direction of movement of the cursor 78, which makes the operation simple and highly intuitive.

Whilst particularly suitable for a hybrid digital/analogue display as shown in Figure 8 (a) and 8 (b), the bezel of the invention may also be applied to the adjustment of an analogue clock display whether the hands of the clock are real or merely images on, for example, a dot matrix panel. Continued clockwise movement of the bezel causes clockwise movement of the hands and vice-versa.

Turning finally to Figures 9 (a), 9 (b) and 9 (c), these show schematically how a dotmatrix display 80 can illustrate and switch between world time zones, preferably under control of the bezel of the invention. The example in these Figures is based upon three of the time zones across the USA, but it will be evident to the reader how the same principle can be extended to all time zones around the world. Specifically, Figure 9 (a) shows Eastern Standard Time in the zone exemplified by New York City, NY, Figure 9 (b) shows Mountain Time in the zone exemplified by Denver, CO, and Figure 9 (c) shows Pacific Time in the zone exemplified by Los Angeles, CA.

As is common in electronic watches, the relevant city, country or time zone is identified by text in a text field 82 and the actual time at that location is displayed

numerically in a time field 84. An abbreviation of the full name of the city, country or time zone appears in the text field 82 and, advantageously, that abbreviation expands into the full name which scrolls within the text field 82 after a time-out period when the watch 12 is left on that time zone.

The watch 12 of the invention has the additional visual confirmation of a world map that moves within the display 80 to highlight the appropriate location, for example by centring that location within the display. The effect is of a moving map behind a stationary window, and is highly effective for conveying the positional relationship between various locations and their related time zones around the world. The intuitive nature of this effect is heightened when navigation is by means of the bezel of the invention. Continued anticlockwise movement of the bezel 56 effects east to west movement across the map from New York City in Figure 9 (a), though Denver in Figure 9 (b) and to Los Angeles in Figure 9 (c). Put another way, the map appears to move east within the stationary'window'of the display 80. Should it be desired to travel back from say Denver to New York City, a simple and wholly intuitive reversal of the bezel movement to clockwise movement is all that is necessary.

It so happens that Los Angeles is south of Denver which in turn is south of New York City. However, movement north and south is irrelevant to the time zone feature, save to the extent that such movement is necessary to centre the chosen city within the display.

Many variations are possible within the inventive concept in addition to those already mentioned. For example, whilst the alternating recesses 58 and projections 60 are equi-angularly spaced around the underside of the bezel 56 in the example shown, it is possible for their angular spacing to vary such that their disposition is not uniform or symmetrical. Similarly, whilst twenty-four projections 60 are shown in the example given, that number can be varied from two upwards.

In view of these and other variants, reference should be made to the appended claims and to other conceptual statements herein rather than the foregoing specific description in determining the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An electronic multi-function watch having a case and a bezel that can be turned with respect to the case to control at least one function of the watch, wherein the watch includes a bezel movement sensor comprising at least two waveform generators that produce respectively different waveforms as the bezel turns, processor means adapted to compare the wavefonns and to detect at least one characteristic of that comparison that indicates the direction of movement of the bezel, and function control means responsive to the processor means and to the direction of movement of the bezel.
2. The watch of Claim 1, wherein the function control means scrolls through a menu or sub-menu of function options in a direction dependent upon the direction in which the bezel moves.
3. The watch of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the function control means is responsive to the extent of movement of the bezel.
4. The watch of Claim 3, wherein the function control means scrolls further through a menu or sub-menu of function options the further the bezel moves.
5. The watch of any preceding Claim, wherein the difference between the waveforms is a difference of phase.
6. The watch of any preceding Claim, wherein the waveforms include a succession of pulses generated as the bezel turns.
7. The watch of Claim 6, including means for counting the pulses to determine the extent of movement of the bezel.
8. The watch of Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the waveform generators include switches that open and close respective circuits cyclically as the bezel turns.

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9. The watch of Claim 8, wherein a characteristic of the comparison between waveforms that indicates the direction of movement of the bezel is that one waveform changes from open circuit to closed circuit or vice versa while the other waveform remains at open circuit or closed circuit.
10. The watch of any preceding Claim, wherein the wavefonn generators include sensors disposed asymmetrically with respect to a straight line through one sensor and a pivot axis of the bezel.
11. The watch of Claim 10, wherein the sensors are opposed about the pivot axis of the bezel.
12. The watch of any preceding Claim, wherein the bezel movement sensor includes a plurality of pins movable parallel to a pivot axis of the bezel in response to movement of the bezel.
13. The watch of Claim 12, wherein the bezel has a cam surface shaped to impart longitudinal movement to the pins.
14. The watch of Claim 13, wherein the cam surface comprises a sequence of recesses and projections.
15. The watch of Claim 14, wherein the recesses and projections are equi-angularly spaced around the bezel.
16. The watch of any of Claims 12 to 15, wherein a deflectable member between the bezel and a pin imparts movement to the pin in response to movement of the bezel.
17. The watch of Claim 16, wherein the deflectable member is part of or associated with a bezel holder that holds the bezel to the case.
18. The watch of Claim 16 or Claim 17 when appendant to Claim 14, wherein the deflectable member includes a knob opposed to the cam surface, the knob being

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arranged to bear against a projection of the cam surface to deflect the member and to fit within a recess of the cam surface to release the member from deflection.
19. The watch of any of Claims 12 to 18, wherein each pin is biased toward the bezel by a resilient contact member that moves to make or break an electrical contact in response to movement of the pin.
20. An electronic multi-function watch having a case, a display and a control element for controlling at least one function of the watch, the watch having at least one timesetting facility in which the control element can be used to increment or decrement one or more time digits on the display representative of hours, minutes or seconds, wherein the display simultaneously displays a cursor indicative of the angular position of an analogue hour, minute or second hand corresponding to the hour, minute or second digit (s) being adjusted.
21. The watch of Claim 20, wherein the control element is a bezel that can be turned with respect to the case to control said at least one function of the watch, and the bezel is turned to increment or decrement the or each of said time digits on the display during time setting.
22. The watch of Claim 21, wherein a selected time digit increments when the bezel is turned clockwise and the cursor moves clockwise in correspondence with that increment.
23. The watch of Claim 21 or Claim 22, wherein a selected time digit decrements when the bezel is turned anticlockwise and the cursor moves anticlockwise in correspondence with that decrement.
24. An electronic multi-function watch having a case, a display and a control element for controlling at least one function of the watch, the watch having at least one timezone function in which the control element can be used to switch between time zones, wherein the display includes a map that moves within the display to illustrate the time zones related to that map.

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25. The watch of Claim 24, wherein the map moves between successive time zones so as to centre the chosen time zone within the display.
26. The watch of Claim 25, wherein the map moves north or south during said movement between successive time zones so as to centre a city, country or other geographical location in the chosen time zone within the display.
27. The watch of Claim 26, wherein the display simultaneously displays text identifying that city, country or other geographical location.
28. The watch of any of Claims 24 to 27, wherein the control element is a bezel that can be turned with respect to the case to switch between time zones and cause the map to move.
29. The watch of Claim 27, wherein the map moves west within the display, showing successively more easterly time zones, when the bezel is turned clockwise and moves east within the display, showing successively more westerly time zones, when the bezel is turned anti-clockwise.
30. A watch, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as illustrated in any of the accompanying drawings.