Selecting apparatus for a multimode electronic wrist instrument
Patent 5088070 Issued on February 11, 1992. Estimated Expiration Date: 
May 6, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
May 6, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent ReferencesDigital alarm watch Switch structure for electronic timepiece Multiple time zone, alarm and user programmable custom watch Personal data bank system Joystick switch for timepieces Timer apparatus Regatta timing watch Patent #: 4783773 InventorAssigneeApplicationNo. 696402 filed on 05/06/1991US Classes:368/10, COMBINED WITH DISPARATE DEVICE345/156, DISPLAY PERIPHERAL INTERFACE INPUT DEVICE368/69, With manually actuated display368/82, With electro-optical display368/187By electrical device actuationExaminersPrimary: Miska, Vit W.Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassesG04B 047/00G04C 017/00 G09G 003/02 AbstractA selecting apparatus for a multimode electronic wrist instrument. A microcomputer in the wrist instrument is programmed to sequentially actuate selecting indicia similar to a cursor horizontally and/or vertically on the display to indicate a selectable function for the timepiece. At least four directional switches are operated by movement of an operator's finger with respect to a central reference position. The microcomputer is further programmed to select the selectable operating function displayed when a selecting switch is operated. In one embodiment of the invention, the manual actuating means comprises four separate directional actuators arranged about a central actuator which operates the selecting switch. In another embodiment, the manual actuating means is a single member adapted to movement in at least four directions corresponding to movement of the selecting indicia on the display and also adapted to be depressed in the center to operate the selecting switch. The functions selected may comprise operating modes of the wrist instrument or may comprise alphanumeric characters and/or mathematical operators.Other References
Field of SearchCOMBINED WITH DISPARATE DEVICEWith manually actuated display Operated sequentially for distinct time data With electro-optical display Solid body light emitter (e.g., LED) Liquid crystal display (i.e., LCD) For setting With rate regulation By electrical device actuation Optical With circular pattern of light sources CROWN OR STEM DETAILS Switch or detent Electrical | |
