U.S. patent number 3,823,550 [Application Number 05/354,192] was granted by the patent office on 1974-07-16 for solid state watch display switch.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Time Computer, Inc.. Invention is credited to John M. Bergey.
United States Patent |
3,823,550 |
Bergey |
July 16, 1974 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
SOLID STATE WATCH DISPLAY SWITCH
Abstract
Disclosed is a solid state wristwatch with an electro-optical
digital display of light-emitting diodes. Incorporated in the watch
is a switch for actuating the display in response to a
predetermined movement of the wearer's arm so that movement of the
other hand or arm is not required and the other hand is left free
for carrying packages or other uses.
Inventors: |
Bergey; John M. (Lancaster,
PA) |
Assignee: |
Time Computer, Inc.
(N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
26912236 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/354,192 |
Filed: |
April 25, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
217765 |
Jan 14, 1972 |
3742699 |
|
|
|
138557 |
Apr 29, 1971 |
3782102 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
368/69; 362/800;
368/225; 368/239; 368/241; 968/448; 968/958; 968/961 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G04G
9/107 (20130101); G04C 3/002 (20130101); G04G
9/10 (20130101); Y10S 362/80 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G04G
9/00 (20060101); G04G 9/10 (20060101); G04C
3/00 (20060101); G04b 019/30 () |
Field of
Search: |
;58/33,5R,85.5
;240/6.43 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wilkinson; Richard B.
Assistant Examiner: Jackmon; Edith Simmons
Attorney, Agent or Firm: LeBlanc & Shur
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. Pat.
application Ser. No. 217,765, filed Jan. 14, 1972 and which is now
U.S. Pat. No. 3,742,699, which is in turn a continuation-in-part of
copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 138,557, filed Apr. 29,
1971 and which is now U.S. Pat. No. 3,782,102.
This invention is directed to a solid state watch having an
electro-optical display and, more particularly, to an improved
switching arrangement for the display. In the present invention,
the watch incorporqtes an arm-actuated switch which is operated
when the wristwatch is moved with the arm of the wearer into a
predetermined position or in a predetermined manner.
This invention relates to a solid state timepiece and, more
particularly, to an electronic wristwatch which employs no moving
parts. In the present invention, a frequency standard in the form
of a crystal oscillator acts through solid state electronic circuit
dividers and drivers to power in timed sequence the light-emitting
diodes of an electro-optical display. Low power consumption and
small size and weight are achieved through the use of the
complementary MOS circuits to produce what is in essence a
miniaturized fixed program computer. The active components of the
watch are completely sealed for longer life and the watch
incorporates a read switch/magnetic setting arrangement.
Battery-powered wristwatches and other small portable timekeeping
devices of various types are well known and are commercially
available. The first commercially successful battery-powered
wristwatch is of the type shown and described in assignee's U.S.
Pat. No. RE 26,187, reissued Apr. 4, 1967, to John A. Van Horn et
al for ELECTRIC WATCH. Electric watches of this type employ a
balance wheel and a hairspring driven by the interaction of a
current-carrying coil and a magnetic field produced by small
permanent magnets.
In recent years, considerable effort has been directed toward the
development of a wristwatch which does not employ an
electromechanical oscillator as the master time reference. In many
instances, these constructions have utilized a crystal controlled
high frequency oscillator as a frequency standard in conjunction
with frequency conversion circuitry to produce a drive signal at a
suitable timekeeping rate. However, difficulties have been
encountered in arriving at an oscillator/frequency converter
combination having not only the required frequency stability but
also sufficiently low power dissipation and small size to be
practical for use in a battery-powered wristwatch.
In order to overcome these and other problems, there is disclosed
in assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,998, issued Feb. 2, 1971, a high
frequency oscillator type watch construction using low power
complementary MOS circuits. The oscillator/frequency converter
combination of that patent is described as suitable for driving
conventional watch hands over a watch dial or, alternatively, for
selectively actuating the display elements of an optical display in
response to the drive signal output of the converter.
In assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 3,576,099, issued Apr. 27, 1971, there
is disclosed an improved watch construction in which the optical
display takes the form of a plurality of light-emitting diodes
which are intermittently energized on demand at the option of the
wearer of the watch. This assures a minimum power consumption and
an increasingly long life for the watch battery. An improved watch
construction of this general type incorporating solid state
circuits and integrated circuit techniques is disclosed in
assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 3,672,155 issued June 27, 1972.
The present invention is directed to an improved watch construction
of the same general type as disclosed in the aforementioned patents
and one which utilizes no moving parts to perform the timekeeping
function. The watch of the present invention consists of three
major components, namely, a quartz cyrstal time base, a miniature
time computer module, and a power supply or battery. These
microminiature components are packaged in a conventional sized
wristwatch chassis or case. The tiny quartz slab is precisely cut
to predetermined dimensions so that it vibrates at 32,768 Hz when
properly stimulated by pulses from an electronic oscillator. The
high frequency from the crystal time base is divided down to 1
pulse per second by utilizing a multistage integrated circuit
binary counter. The time computer module counts the pulse train,
encodes it into binary form, and then decodes and processes the
result so as to provide the appropriate signals at display
stations.
Situated on the front of the watch adjacent the display is a
pushbutton demand switch which, when depressed, instantly activates
the appropriate visual display stations. Minutes and hours are
programmed to display for one and one-quarter seconds, with just a
touch of the demand switch. Continued depression of this switch
causes the minute and hour data to fade and the seconds to
immediately appear. The seconds continue to count as long as the
wearer interrogates the computer module. Computation of the precise
time is continuous and completely independent of whether or not it
is displayed.
The watch display consists of a television screenlike colored
filter which passes the cold red light from gallium arsenide
phosphide (GaAsP) or gallium phosphide GaP) light-emitting diodes.
Preferably, a seven segment array forms each individual number
(except for the hours tens station) at the appropriate moment at a
brightness determined by a specially constructed dimmer or display
intensity control circuit. This dimmer circuit utilizes a
photodetector to measure ambient lighting conditions so the display
intensity provides viewing comfort under all day or nighttime
lighting conditions.
An important feature of the present invention is the incorporation
in a watch of this type of a switch for energizing the display
diodes in response to a predetermined movement of the wearer's arm
on which the wristwatch is mounted during normal operation. In one
embodiment, the arm-actuated switch is used as the sole demand
switch for actuating the display, whereas in the preferred
embodiment the arm-actuated switch is provided as an alternative to
the conventional demand switch, also incorporated in the watch.
As is well known, light-emitting display diodes at the present time
typically consume relatively large amounts of current when they are
activated. Because of this, it has been found desirable to readout
from the watch the displayed time only upon interrogation by the
wearer. For this purpose, the watch has incorporated a demand
switch actuated by a demand button on the face of the watch so that
the time is displayed and the diodes energized only when the demand
button is depressed. The demand button is most conveniently
operated by the thumb or finger of the wearer's other hand,
requiring freedom of the wearer's hand in order to depress the
button. In some instances, such as when the wearer is carrying
packages or objects in his other hand, depressng of the demand
button in order to ascertain the time may be inconvenient.
In order to overcome this difficulty, the present invention
incorporates in the wristwatch, preferably in addition to the
conventional demand switch, an arm-actuated switch which causes the
display to be illuminated and the time to become visible in
response to a predetermined movement of the wearer's arm on which
the wristwatch is mounted. In one embodiment of the present
invention, the arm-actuated switch takes the form of an inertial
switch operated by a short quick motion of the arm in opposing
directions in a plane essentially horizontal to the watch face. In
a second embodiment, a force-actuated switch is provided which
operates in response to an upward movement of the hand or arm in a
direction perpendicular to the plane of the watch face. In another
embodiment, the display is provided with a magnetic switch and a
permanent magnet is attached to or made a part of the wearer's
clothing, such as for example a permanent magnet is embedded in a
belt buckle. When the wearer wishes to observe the time, he simply
draws his arm containing the watch into contact or close proximity
to the permanent magnet. In still another embodiment of the present
invention, the watch is provided with a capacitive switch actuated
by a change in ambient capacitance brought about by moving the
switch contained on the exterior surface of the watch away from the
wearer's skin into proximity of the wearer's body. In all
instances, the arm-responsive or arm-actuated switch is constructed
and positioned to insure that a deliberate action will cause the
switch closure, but at the same time to minimize inadvertent
actuation of the switch by activity which one would experience
during normal routine functions.
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an
improved electronic wristwatch.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a wristwatch
which utilizes no moving parts for performing the timekeeping
function.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a solid state
wristwatch incorporating an armactuated switch for the watch
display.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a solid state
watch having both a demand switch and an arm-actuated switch.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a solid state
wristwatch in which the display is actuated by an inertial
switch.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a solid state
wristwatch in which the display is actuated by a force-responsive
switch through operation of the wearer's wrist.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a solid state
wristwatch in which the watch display is actuated by a magnetic
switch in response to movement of the wearer's wrist.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a solid state
wristwatch in which the watch display is actuated by a capacitive
or resistance switch.
Claims
I claim:
1. A wristwatch comprising a frequency standard for producing
substantially constant frequency electrical signals, a frequency
converter coupled to said frequency standard for producing
corresponding electrical signals of lower frequency than said
frequency standard, an electro-optical time display for displaying
time in decimal numbers, a display actuator coupling said frequency
converter to said electro-optical time display, an electrical power
supply terminal for energizing said time display from a power
supply, and a single pole double-throw inertial switch coupling
said power supply terminal to said display, said switch comprising
a sleeve, a movable electrical conductor in said sleeve, first and
second electrical contacts adjacent opposite ends of said sleeve,
and a delay circuit coupled to said contacts whereby said
electrical conductor must engage both of said contacts within a
predetermined time to operate said switch.
2. A wristwatch according to claim 1 wherein said movable
electrical conductor comprises a drop of mercury.
3. A wristwatch according to claim 1 wherein said delay circuit
includes active elements formed from complementary symmetry MOS
transistors.
4. A wristwatch according to claim 1 wherein said delay circuit is
a digital circuit.
5. A wristwatch according to claim 4 wherein said delay circuit
comprises a binary divider.
6. A wristwatch according to claim 1 wherein said delay circuit
comprises a leading edge triggered monostable multivibrator.
7. A wristwatch according to claim 1 wherein said delay circuit
comprises a falling edge monostable multivibrator.
Description
These and further objects and advantages of the invention will be
more apparent upon reference to the following specification,
claims, and appended drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front or plan view of a wristwatch constructed in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating principal
components of the wristwatch of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a detailed circuit diagram of portions of the electrical
circuit of the wristwatch of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a plan view, similar to FIG. 1, of a modified embodiment
of the wristwatch constructed in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a partial circuit diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 for the
embodiment of the wristwatch illustrated in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 illustrates an arm-actuated inertial switch incorporated in
the wristwatch of either FIG. 1 or FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing the manner of operation of the
inertial switch of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 shows a wrist-operated force-responsive switch for the
wristwatch of either FIG. 1 or FIG. 4;
FIG. 9 shows a magnetic reed switch for the wristwatch of either
FIG. 1 or FIG. 4;
FIG. 10 illustrates diagrammatically a capacitive switch
incorporated in the wristwatch of either FIG. 1 or FIG. 4;
FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating the manner of operation
of the capacitive switch of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 shows a modified capacitive switch circuit;
FIG. 13 shows a capacitive switch construction usable in the
circuit of FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 shows a circuit for a digital timer inertial switch similar
to the one shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 15 shows a leading edge triggered circuit for an inertial
switch constructed in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 16 shows voltage waveforms at various locations in the circuit
of FIG. 15;
FIG. 17 illustrates a trailing edge monostable inertial switch
circuit; and
FIG. 18 shows voltage waveforms for the circuit of FIG. 17.
Referring to the drawings, the novel watch of the present invention
is generally indicated at 10 in FIG. 1. The watch is constructed to
fit into a watch case 12 of approximately the size of a
conventional man's wristwatch. The case 12 is shown connected to a
wristwatch bracelet 14 and includes a display window 16 through
which time is displayed in digital form as indicated at 20. Mounted
on the case 12 is a demand switch pushbutton 18 by means of which
the display 20 may be actuated when the wearer of the wristwatch 10
desires to ascertain the time.
In normal operation, time is continuously being kept but is not
displayed through the window 16. That is, no time indication is
visible through the window and this is the normal condition which
prevails in order to conserve battery energy in the watch. However,
even though the time is not displayed through the window 16, it is
understood that the watch 10 continuously keeps accurate time and
is capable of accurately displaying this time at any instant. When
the wearer desires to ascertain the correct time, he depresses the
pushbutton 18 with his finger and the correct time is immediately
displayed at 20 through the window 16. The hours and minutes are
displayed through the window 16 for a predetermined length of time,
preferably one and one-quarter seconds, irrespective of whether or
not the pushbutton 18 remains depressed. The exact time of the
display is chosen to give the wearer adequate time to consult the
display to determine the hour and minute of time. Should the
minutes change during the time of display, this change is
immediately indicated by advancement of the minute reading to the
next number as the watch is being read. If the pushbutton 18
remains depressed, at the end of one and one-quarter seconds, the
hours and minutes of the display are extinguished, i.e., they
disappear, and, simultaneously, the seconds reading is displayed
through the window 16. The advancing seconds cycling from 0 to 59
continue to be displayed through window 16 until pushbutton switch
18 is released.
FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of the principal components of
the watch 10 of FIG. 1. The circuit comprises a time base or
frequency standard 26 including a piezoelectric crystal to provide
a very accurate frequency such that the frequency standard or
oscillator oscillates at 32,786 Hz. This relatively high frequency
is supplied by a lead 28 to a frequency converter 30 in the form of
a divider which divides down the frequency from the standard so
that the output from the converter 30 appearing on lead 32 is at a
frequency of 1 Hz. The frequency converter 30 preferably comprises
a binary counting chain of complementary MOS transistors of the
type shown and described in assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 3,560,998, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The 1 Hz
signal is applied by lead 32 to a display actuator 34 which, in
turn, drives the display 20 of the watch 10 by way of electrical
lead 36.
FIG. 3 is a cricuit diagram of the watch 10 of the present
invention with like parts bearing like reference numerals. Ingrated
circuit portions of the watch are illustrated by the large lock 70.
This block may be formed of several integrated circuit chips, but
in the preferred constructions, the large block 70 is formed of a
single chip. In any event, it is understood that all the components
within block 70 are formed by large-scale integrated circuit
techniques.
In addition to the integrated circuit 70 in FIG. 3, the watch
comprises a battery 72 which, by way of example only, may comprise
a 3 volt wristwatch battery or two conventional 1-1/2 volt
wristwatch cells connected in series. Connected to the positive
side of the battery is a resistor 73 and the battery energizes the
time display, generally indicated at 38, which is shown in FIG. 3
as consisting of a pair f hours stations comprising the digits
station 74 and the tens station 76 and a pair of combination
minutes and seconds stations comprising digits station 78 and tens
station 80. Stations 74, 78, and 80 in the preferred embodiment of
the display each take the form of a seven bar segment array of
light-emitting diodes, preferably formed of gallium arsenide
phosphide which emit light when energized in the visible red region
of the spectrum. While a seven bar segment display is preferred, it
is apparent that other type displays, such as a 27 dot matrix
display, may be used.
In addition, the display 38 includes a pair of colon dots 81, each
formed by a single light-emitting diode. The display stations are
energized from integrated circuit 70 connected to battery 72 by way
of a plurality of leads 79. The circuit is completed from the leads
79 to the anodes of the light-emitting diodes and the cathodes of
the light-emitting diodes are individually connected to the other
side of the power supply through strobing or switching N-P-N
junction transistors 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, and 92. There is a
separate lead 79 for the total number of bar segments in a display
station. That is, with a seven bar segment display, there are seven
leads 79, each one connected to a separate bar segment of each
station as more fully described below. However, all the cathodes of
each station are connected in common through the N-P-N junction
transistor for that display. There are two bar segments 94 and 96
for the hours tens display station 76 and they have their cathodes
connected to transistor 82 as do the colon dots 81. All cathodes of
the hours units station 74 are connected to transistor 84. Display
stations 78 and 80 are used to display both minutes and seconds so
that station 80 has the cathodes of all diodes connected to
transistor 86, referred to as the minutes transistor, and to
transistor 90, which acts as the seconds transistor. Similarly, all
the diode cathodes of display station 78 are connected to a minutes
transistor 88 and a seconds transistor 92. These transistors have
their bases returned to the integrated circuit 70 through current
limiting resistors 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, and 108, the emitters of
the transistors being connected in common to ground, i.e., the
negative side of the power supply battery 72, as indicated at
110.
The anodes of the bar diodes are energized from bipolar driver
transistors illustrated in FIG. 3 as the P-N-P junction transistors
112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, and 124. Since the greatest number of
bar segments at any display station is seven, there are seven
driver transistors and seven leads 79. The transistor collectors
are connected to the display diodes through individual ones of
current limiting resistors 126 and the driver transistor bases are
connected to the integrated circuit 70 through protective resistors
128. The emitters of the drive transistors are connected in common
as at 130 to the positive side of power supply battery 72.
Components of the oscillator 26 in FIG. 3 external to the
integrated circuit 70 are the crystal 64, the variable capacitor
66, bias resistor 62, and .pi. network capacitors C.sub.1 and
C.sub.2. The remaining portions of the oscillator are incorporated
in the integrated circuit 70 of FIG. 3. For a detailed description
of the preferred embodiment of the oscillator, reference may be had
to assignee's copending United States patent application Ser. No.
143,492, filed May 14, 1971, the disclosure of which application is
incorporated herein by reference.
Also external to the integrated circuit is a demand or read switch
132 which is closed when the button 18 of FIG. 1 is depressed.
Further manually operated switches external to the integrated
circuit 70 are minute-set switch 134 and hours-set switch 136.
These switches are connected across battery 72 from the positive
side of the battery to ground through respective series resistors
138, 140, and 142. The resistors associated with these switches are
used in order to ground the corresponding inputs, otherwise the
corresponding inputs would be floating and could be anything. When
closed, the switches are used to switch the input voltages from
ground to plus.
In the watch of the present invention, the intensity of the light
emitted from the display diodes is varied in accordance with
ambient light. That is, the diode light intensity is increased for
greater contrast when the ambient light is bright, such as during
daytime display, whereas the intensity of the light from the diodes
is decreased when ambient light decreases. The automatic display
intensity control circuitry is generally indicated at 144 in FIG. 3
and comprises a photosensitive resistor 146 suitably mounted on the
face of the watch connected to the positive side of battery 72 and
to a resistor 148 and capacitor 150. These components are connected
to the positive side of the power supply through series resistor
152. Other external components connected to integrated circuit 70
include an internal information lockout lead 154, a transmission
gate control lead 156, and an optional input or continuous display
lead 158, all normally grounded. A further connection to ground is
through resistor 157 and the integrated circuit 70 is also provided
with a carryout lead and terminal 159.
For a detailed disclosure of the elements making up integrated
circuit 70 and the operation of the watch circuitry illustrated in
FIG. 3, reference may be had to the previously mentioned copending
U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 143,492, filed May 14, 1971,
incorporated by reference. Briefly, the oscillator 26 under the
control of piezoelectric quartz crystal 64 produces an output
signal having a frequency of 32,768 Hz. This is divided down by the
frequency converter 30 incorporated in integrated circuit 70 in the
form of a binary divider chain to a frequency of 1 Hz. The display
actuator 34, also partially incorporated in the integrated circuit
70, decodes and converts these signals into a form suitable for
driving a display which timing signals are applied through
resistors 128 and bipolar driver transistors 112, 114, 116, 118,
120, 122, and 124 as time-indicating signals to the anodes of the
display diodes of the display stations. The intensity of the light
from the display diodes is controlled by the photosensor 146
mounted on the face of the watch in response to the intensity of
ambient light. In order to conserve energy from the watch battery,
not all stations are energized at the same time. To this end,
strobing signals are developed at the integrated circuit terminals
S.sub.1, S.sub.2, S.sub.3, S.sub.4, S.sub.5, and S.sub.6 and these
are applied to the strobe transistors 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, and 92.
When the demand button is first depressed, the hours are displayed
on stations 74 and 76 and the minutes of time are displayed on
stations 78 and 80. After one and one-quarter seconds, these
stations are extinguished and if the demand button remains
depressed, stations 78 and 80 then display the seconds of time as
long as the demand button remains depressed. It is thus seen that
stations 78 and 80 serve to display both minutes and seconds. The
strobing outputs are such that the sequence of the display is as
follows: (a) tens of hours and colon, (b) units of hours, (c) tens
of minutes, (d) units of minutes when the demand button is first
depressed or, if it remains depressed after one and one-quarter
seconds, (a) nothing, (b) nothing, (c) tens of seconds, (d) units
of seconds, and in either event the cycle then repeats.
An important feature of the present invention resides in the fact
that the watch 10 is provided with an arm-responsive switch 160
connected in parallel with the demand switch 132 as illustrated in
FIG. 3. Switch 160 is normally open but closes in response to a
predetermined movement of the wearer's arm on which the wristwatch
is mounted. In this way, it is not necessary for the demand button
18 of FIG. 1 to be depressed for time to be displayed by the
diodes. This makes it possible for the wristwatch wearer to
ascertain the time even in those instances where it may not be
convenient to press the demand button, such as when he is carrying
something or in any other instance when the other hand is otherwise
occupied.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
arm-actuated switch 160 is used in combination with or in addition
to the demand switch 132 actuated by pushbutton 18. FIG. 4 is a
front or plan view of a modified watch 10 constructed in accordance
with the present invention. The wristwatch of FIG. 4 is in all
respects identical to the watch of FIG. 1 with the exception that
the pushbutton 18 is eliminated. In this embodiment, the display is
only actuated by a predetermined movement of the wearer's arm and
the watch is provided with a single display switch, such as the
arm-actuated switch 160 as illustrated in FIG. 5. As can be seen,
the only difference between the two embodiments is that the
arm-actuated switch in the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 is the sole
switch for actuating the display, whereas in the embodiment of
FIGS. 1-3, the arm-actuated switch 160 is connected in parallel
with the demand switch and the display may be operated by actuation
of either one of the switches.
FIG. 6 illustrates one form which the arm-actuated switch 160 may
take. FIG. 6 is a view of the watch case 12 with the back removed
and the other parts of the watch omitted for the sake of clarity.
Mounted within the watch case by suitable adhesive, such as epoxy
or the like, is a miniature inertial switch, generally indicated in
FIG. 6 at 162. The switch comprises an electrically conductive
metal sleeve 164 in which is mounted a free-floating electrically
conductive metal ball 166. Sleeve 164 is connected to an electrical
lead 168. Passing through one end of sleeve 164 is a first
electrical contact 170 and passing through the other end of the
sleeve is a second electrical contact 172. Contacts 170 and 172 are
electrically insulated from sleeve 164 by any suitable means, such
as for example by surrounding the portion of the contact passing
through the sleeve with a suitable electrical insulator (not
shown). FIG. 7 shows the equivalent electrical circuit for the
switch 162 and shows associated components, including a first
flip-flop 174, a second flip-flop 176, a divider 178, and an NAND
gate 180. Divider 178 is connected by a lead 182 to the binary
divider chain forming the frequency converter 30 of FIG. 2 so that
a 512 Hz signal available from one of the stages of the frequency
converter 30 is applied to divider 178 of FIG. 7. In operation, the
inertial switch 162 is actuated by a short quick motion of the arm
on which the watch is mounted in opposing directions in a plane
essentially horizontal to the face of the watch. The round metal
ball 166 in FIG. 6 first impacts against the round insulated
contact 170 and the metal sleeve which contains the ball. With this
impact, a closure signal is sent to the time circuit illustrated in
FIG. 7. Before a preselected time has elapsed, for example, 500
milliseconds, the ball must complete the second circuit through
insulated contact 172. In this way, both contacts have to be closed
by a deliberate swing of the arm within a preselected time
interval. A wearer would rarely duplicate this particular motion
sequence during routine daily activities.
Referring to FIG. 7, switch S2 comprising ball 166 and insulated
contact 172 can be in any state but switch S2 and S1 (formed by the
ball and contact 170) cannot both be closed at the same time
because of the mechanical nature of the switch as illustrated in
FIG. 6. Flip-flop 176 can be at any state but flip-flop 174 is
reset to receive an input from switch S1 by a reset pulse (R2) from
divider 178 over lead 184. Nothing happens until switch S1 closes.
When switch S1 closes, flip-flop 174 produces an output reset pulse
(R1) which is applied by a lead 186 and a further lead 188 to
flip-flop 176. The pulse on lead 188 resets flip-flop 176 and the
pulse on lead 186 applied to counter 178 resets the counter. Reset
pulse R1 at the output of flip-flop 174 is conditioned prior to
entry into flip-flop 176 to get a short pulse. The 512 Hz input to
the counter on lead 182 causes an output to occur on an output lead
190 from NAND gate 180 after 2.sup.8 pulses are counted which takes
about 500 milliseconds. The 512 Hz signal is readily available from
the frequency divider 30 of the watch and negative logic is used in
FIG. 7 for consistency with the rest of the watch circuit. If
switch S2 is closed before the 500 millisecond limit, the other
necessary signal to cause an output pulse from NAND gate 180 is
present. If switch S2 does not close within 500 milliseconds after
the closure of switch S1, counter 178 will not cause a NAND gate
output, but merely resets flip-flop 174. The output 190 from NAND
gate 180 triggers the display circuit in the same manner as
momentary closure of the demand switch 132 so that the hours and
minutes of time are displayed for a predetermined period, such as
one and one-quarter seconds. The construction shown in FIGS. 6 and
7 is fully compatible for use in addition to the demand switch as
illustrated in FIG. 3 or may be used without a demand switch as
illustrated in the circuit of FIG. 5. In both cases, the
construction of FIGS. 6 and 7 constitutes the arm-responsive switch
160, generally illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5.
FIG. 8 illustrates a modified construction for the arm-responsive
switch 160 of FIG. 3 or FIG. 5. In FIG. 8, the arm-responsive
switch, generally indicated at 192, takes the form of a simple
force-actuated mechanical switch. Force switch 192 is mounted on
the side of the watch case 12 and is a simple single-pole
single-throw switch comprising a flexible diaphragm 194 carrying a
movable switch contact 196 and a stationary or fixed contact 198
mounted in the sidewall of the watch case 12. Again, switch 192 is
constructed so that it is actuated by a deliberate and somewhat
unconventional movement of the watch wearer which is completely
independent of the arm or hand of the wearer opposite that on which
the watch is mounted. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the
switch is contained inside the sealed flexible diaphragm 194 and an
upward movement of the hand in a direction perpendicular to the
plane of the watch face causes the movable contact 196 to be forced
along with the diaphragm into engagement with the fixed contact 198
by the lower back side of the hand upon which the wristwatch is
mounted. That is, the watch is placed in the conventional manner on
the wearer's wrist but is oriented so that the switch 192 faces
forward, i.e., toward the wearer's hand. With the watch worn in the
normal upward facing position, a backward flexure of the wrist
causes the lower back side of the hand to engage the diaphragm 194
to close the contacts and operate the switch. With this
construction, the switch may be held closed as long as the wearer
desires, i.e., as long as his wrist remains flexed, and the switch
192 functions in the exact same manner as the pushbutton switch
132.
FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the switch 160 of FIGS. 3 and
5. In FIG. 9, the switch, indicated at 200, takes the form of a
magnetic switch mounted by epoxy or other suitable adhesive on the
inside of the case 12, which case is made of nonmagnetic material.
By way of example only, switch 200 may be a magnetic reed switch of
the type shown and described in copending U.S. Pat. application
Ser. No. 138,557 filed Apr. 29, 1971. This switch is preferably
mounted close to the inside surface of the watch case so that it
may be actuated by bringing a permanent magnet close to the outside
of the watch case adjacent the location of the reed switch 200 so
that the switch is operated by the magnetic field from a permanent
magnet passing through the watch case. Again, switch 20 acts in the
same manner as the demand switch 132 and can be held closed as long
as possible. In order to obtain arm-responsive operation, the
permanent magnet is attached to or made part of the wearer's
clothing. In the preferred embodiment, a permanent magnet is
embedded in the buckle of the wearer's belt. When the wearer wishes
to observe the time, he simply draws his arm on which the watch is
mounted into contact with or close proximity to his belt buckle so
that the permanent magnet in the belt buckle operates the switch
200 to display time. Again, the time display is independent of the
wearer's other arm and requires a fairly unconventional movement or
bringing of the watch into a fairly unconventionl position, such as
one which would not be experienced during normal routine
functions.
FIG. 10 shows a further modified construction for the
arm-responsive switch 160. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the
switch, indicated by the reference numeral 202, is responsive to
capacitance and includes a capacitor 204. The capacitor is
indicated in dashed lines in FIG. 10 to indicate that it is mounted
on the outside surface of the watch case 12 where it is normally
away from or remote from the wearer's wrist. The switch is actuated
by a change in capacitance with the switch being sensitive enough
to be actuated by a change in ambient capacitance brought about by
moving the watch on which the switch is mounted away from the
wearer's skin into proximity with the body of the wearer. As an
alternative to change in capacitance, the circuit can be made
responsive to change in resistance if desired and the electrical
circuit for either a variable capacitance, variable resistance, or
a switch combining both is illustrated in FIG. 11. In this circuit,
the capacitor 204 is connected between ground 206 and a
complementary MOS transistor switch 208. Connected in series
between ground and the positive side of the power supply of the
battery with capacitor 204 is a resistor 210. A change in either
capacitance or resistance or both causes the complementary MOS
switch 208 to change state producing an output on lead 212 to
energize the display in the manner previously described The change
in resistance can, for example, be brought about by contact with
the bare skin of the wearer. Other more complicated circuits can be
used, including sensing the detuning of a tuned oscillator circuit
by bringing body capacitance into the circuit and completing a
circuit through the introduction of normally available body
moisture. Other arrangements for varying either capacitance,
resistance, or both, are readily apparent.
FIG. 12 shows a modified circuit construction forming a capacitive
switch in accordance with the present invention and FIG. 13
illustrates the physical construction for the capacitor used in the
switching circuit of FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 12, lead 220 is
connected to a suitable high frequency source in the watch such as
to the frequency converter or divider 30 of FIG. 2 to supply a high
frequency signal to the variable capacitor 222. By way of example
only, lead 220 may be connected to one of the stages of the divider
where a binary signal such as a 512 Hz square wave is available and
supplied to the capacitor. The output of capacitor 222 feeds the
input of a monostable multivibrator 224 by way of lead 226. The
output of monostable 224 is connected to the demand circuit input
illustrated at 228 in FIG. 12 which, by way of example, may
comprise the resistor 138 of FIG. 3 so that when the monostable 224
changes state a demand signal is developed across resistor 138 and
applied to the READ input 2 of the large scale integrated circuit
70 of FIG. 3.
FIG. 13 illustrates a watch case 330 having a viewing window in
which is mounted a watch crystal or glass 332. A logo 334 is etched
preferably into the underside of glass 332 and filled with an
electrical conductor such as gold, silver or aluminum so that the
logo 334 forms one plate of variable capacitor 222 of FIG. 12. This
plate is connected by lead 220 underneath the crystal to the
divider. Also etched in the underside or inside surface of the
watch glass or crystal is a line 336 similarly filled with an
electrical conductor material to form the other plate of variable
capacitor 222 and this plate is similarly connected by lead 226
inside the watch to the monostable 244. With the construction
illustrated in FIG. 13 capacitor 222 formed by the logo 334 and
line 336 may typically have a capacitance value of 0.1 pf. When the
watch case and crystal are brought near the skin of the wearer of
the watch, the capacitance increases to a value which may be on the
order of 5 pf. This change in capacitance is sufficient to pass the
512 Hz signal on the lead 220 from the divider to the monostable
224 causing the output of the monostable to change state and
energize the display diodes in the manner previously described.
FIG. 14 shows a digital timer for an inertial switch constructed in
accordance with the present invention. The circuit of FIG. 14 is
similar to that shown in FIG. 7 but includes a pulse shaper and a
modified inertial switch construction. The inertial switch
generally indicated at 340 comprises a sealed glass tube 342
preferably evacuated and filled with an inert gas. In the tube is a
movable electrical conductor in the form of a drop of mercury 344
which is held together in a single cohesive mass by surface
tension. Projecting through the left end of the glass tube in FIG.
14 are a first pair of electrodes 346 and 348 and projecting
through the right end of the glass tube are a pair of similar
spaced electrodes 350 and 352. Electrodes 346 and 350 are connected
to the positive side of the power supply battery by a lead 354 or
to +V.sub.dd as indicated in the drawing. Switch 340 forms a single
pole double throw inertial switch with electrode 348 connected by
lead 356 to a flip-flop 358 having a set input 360 and a reset
input 362. The output Q of flip-flop 358 is connected by lead 364
to the clear terminal of a binary counter or register 366 which
divides by 2.sup.n where n is the number of binary stages in the
counter. The counter input is taken from lead 368 labelled f and
while this may be at any relatively high frequency lead 368 is
preferably connected to the 512 Hz stage of the frequency converter
or divider 30 of FIG. 2. The output of counter 366 is supplied by
lead 370 as one input to a NAND gate 372 whose output 374 forms the
read or demand signal to the diodes in the manner previously
described. The counter output is also applied over lead 376 as a
reset signal to flip-flop 358.
The Q output of flip-flop 358 is also applied over a lead 378 to a
pulse shaper in the form of a monostable multivibrator 380 whose
output on lead 382 is a narrow trigger pulse applied to the reset
input of a second flip-flop 384. The set input of flip-flop 384 is
connected by a lead 386 to the electrode 352 of switch 340. The Q
output of flip-flop 384 is applied over a lead 388 as a second
input to NAND gate 372.
In the operation of the circuit of FIG. 14 when the merucry drop
344 contacts the left pair of electrodes 346 and 348 flip-flop 358
switches states, enabling the divider 366 and this divider or
counter acts as a digital delay. A pulse appears on the counter
output lead 370 after a time of 2n/f seconds. By way of example
only, this time delay may be on the order of 35 ms. The change of
state of flip-flop 358 also triggers the one shot monostable 380
and the output of the monostable resets the second flip-flop
384.
When the mercury drop 344 subsequently engages the right electrodes
350 and 352 the signal on lead 386 sets flip-flop 384 and the
output of this flip-flop applies a high level on lead 388 to one
input of NAND gate 372. If the signal on lead 370 applied to the
other input of the NAND gate is still low and the left contact 348
has acted through flip-flop 359 and monostable 380 to produce a low
Q on lead 388, an output appears on output lead 374 of NAND gate
372 to activate the display. However, if an output from the divider
on lead 370 appears first, it resets flip-flop 358 over lead 276
and also clears itself so that no output appears on lead 374 and
the display is not energized.
FIG. 15 shows a modified circuit construction in which like parts
bear like reference numerals. In this embodiment, the delay is
formed by a leading edge triggered monostable multi-vibrator. In
FIG. 15 electrode or contact 348 of the inertial switch 340 is
connected to a grounded tie-down resistor 390 and by a lead 392 to
one input of an NOR gate 394. The output of NOR gate 394 is
connected through a capacitor 396 and an inverter 398 to one input
of a NAND gate 400. The output of inverter 398 is fed back by way
of a lead 402 to the other input of NOR gate 394 and the junction
of capacitor 396 and inverter is connected through a resistor 404
to the positive side of the wristwatch battery power supply.
Electrode or contact 352 of the inertial switch 340 is also
connected to a grounded tie-down resistor 406 and by way of a lead
408 to the other input of NAND gate 400. The output of the NAND
gate is connected through a second inverter 410 to output lead 374
which energizes the display.
FIG. 16 shows voltage waveforms at various locations in the circuit
of FIG. 15 labelled a through h respectively. In the operation of
the circuit of FIG. 15 when the mercury drop 344 completes the
circuit to the left contact 348 the positive pulse triggers a
monostable multi-vibrator comprised of NOR gate 394, inverter 398
resistor 404 and capacitor 396. As a result, a positive pulse of a
duration determined primarily by resistor 404 and capacitor 396 is
presented on lead e at the upper input to NAND gate 400. If the
mercury switch 340 now makes contact to the right electrode 352
within that duration of time, a negative pulse is presented at the
output of NAND Gate 400 as indicated at g which is otherwise
normally high and this pulse is inverted in inverter 410. If the
switch does not make contact with electrode 352 within the R-C time
constant period then no pulse is presented at the output g of NAND
gate 400 and the display is not activated.
FIG. 17 shows a further modified inertial switch construction again
with like parts bearing like reference numerals. In FIG. 17 the
inertial switch 340 is utilized with a falling edge trigger
monostable multivibrator. In this construction, the left electrode
348 of inertial switch 340 is connected by a lead 412 through a
capacitor 414 to the upper input of a NOR gate 416 the lower input
of which is grounded as indicated at 418. The output of NOR gate
416 is connected to the input of a second NOR gate 420 by way of a
series capacitor 422 and a shunt resistor 424. The other input of
NOR gate 420 is again grounded as indicated at 426. A feed back
resistor 428 connects the output of NOR gate 420 to the upper input
of NOR gate 416.
The right electrode 352 of inertial switch 340 is connected by a
lead 430 to one input of a NAND gate 432. The other input of this
NAND gate is connected by a lead 434 to the output of NOR gate 416.
The output of NAND gate 432 feeds to one input of a second NAND
gate 436 and the other input of this second NAND gate is connected
to the positive side of the wristwatch power supply battery as
indicated at 438. The output of NAND gate 436 on lead 374 again is
the energizing signal or demand signal for the light-emitting diode
display of the wristwatch.
FIG. 18 shows voltage waveforms at various points in the circuit of
FIG. 17 labelled 1 through 8 respectively. The operation of the
circuit of FIG. 17 is essentially the same as the operation of the
circuit of FIG. 15. However, in FIG. 17 the monostable is falling
edge triggered and engagement of the mercury drop 344 with the
left-hand contact 348 actuates a monostable multivibrator formed by
NOR gates 416 and 420. An impulse on lead 412 from the contact
engagement produces a pulse of a duration determined primarily by
resistors 424 and 428 and capacitors 414 and 422. This pulse is
presented at the upper input of NAND gate 432 and if the mercury
drop 432 engages the right contact 352 within the duration of this
pulse an output from NAND gate 432 is inverted in NAND gate 436 to
produce a diode energizing output on output lead 374.
An important feature of the circuits of FIGS. 14, 15 and 17 as well
as of the circuit of FIG. 7 is that all of these circuits may be
constructed using complementary symmetry MOS transistors. This is
also true of the capacitance circuit of FIG. 12. Since the circuits
are useable with CMOS they are susceptible to large scale
integration and may be incorporated into and form a part of the
large scale integrated CMOS circuit 70 of FIG. 3. Using large scale
integrated circuit techniques, the entire CMOS block 70 including
the circuits just described may be formed on a single integrated
circuit chip.
It is apparent from the above that the present invention provides
an improved solid state wristwatch construction and, more
particularly, one which incorporates a display actuating switch
which is responsive to a predetermined movement of the wearer's
arm. In all instances, the arm-responsive switch may be used by
itself or in conjunction with a demand switch. It is provided to
make it possible to display time without necessitating any
operation by the wearer's other hand so that the other hand is free
for carrying packages or other uses as may be desired. In all
instances, the arm-responsive switch is constructed and/or
positioned so that it is actuated only by a deliberate and
relatively unconventional movement on the part of the wearer. This
assures that the watch display will not be inadvertently actuated
too many times so as to cause an undue drain on the watch
battery.
In some embodiments, the arm-actuated switch produces only an
impulse so that only the minutes an seconds of time are displayed
for a preprogrammed duration, such as one and one-quarter seconds.
In other embodiments, the arm-responsive switch may be actuated as
long as the wearer desires so that the seconds of time are also
displayed. It is apparent that different delays may be programmed
into the watch if it is desired that time be automatically
displayed for a longer period and it is further apparent that
instead of displaying only hours and minutes in response to an
electrical impulse, additional display stations may be provided so
that hours, minutes and seconds may be automatically displayed for
a predetermined length of time.
In the preferred embodiment, the electro-optical display elements
take the form of light-emitting diodes. However, it is understood
that the display can assume any one of several forms. For example,
the electro-optical display may be formed using such well known
devices as miniature incandescent bulbs, other types of
light-emitting diodes, or the well known liquid crystals, as well
as lesser known devices, such as ferro electric crystals or
electroluminescent displays and others.
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The
present inventions are therefore to be considered in all respects
as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention
being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing
description, and all changes which come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *