Patent Application
20130322218
The present invention relates to electronic devices such as timepieces in general and wristwatches in particular, and specifically, to an improved construction and methodology for displaying and conveying the time in different time zones around the world. Most advantageously, the present invention is applicable to timepieces typically referred to as “analog” or “quartz-analog” watches having hands for displaying time. Analog timepieces that indicate the time in different time zones are well known, examples of which can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,237,544; 5,497,358; 5,499,220; 7,307,916 and 7,742,361, as well as in U.S. Published Application Nos. 2005/0190653; 2006/0239123 and 2010/0067332. However, as discussed below and as would be further understood by those skilled in the art, these prior art constructions all have perceived deficiencies that the present inventors have addressed and overcome. For example, timepieces that have the time zone indicators fixed to the bezel (whereby a hand is provided for pointing to the selected time zone on the bezel) are perceived as being less than optimally desirable for the user. Another perceived drawback are the limitations associated with such timepieces in which there is a meshing engagement between the time zone indication ring and the hour hands, a construction seen in mechanical watches, for example. Another perceived drawback exists even in those mechanical watches that can simultaneously display time in two locations (e.g. a “home” time and a second time), as none of these known watches can enable individualized city/region time zone setting.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a timepiece with an improved time zone function that overcomes perceived deficiencies in the prior art and further achieves the objectives set forth herein.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention o provide an electronic device with an improved time zone feature and functionality.
For example, it is an objective to provide a timepiece with a time zone feature that has improved functionality and a reduction of mechanical complications thereby providing a timepiece that is more flexible, more user-friendly and that can provide more precise timekeeping.
For example, it is an objective to provide such a timepiece that provides for improved individual adjusting of desired time zones and/or for daylight saving time (DST).
Another objective is to provide such a timepiece that allows for an increased number of time zones available for selecting.
Yet another objective is to provide a world time timepiece that provides for the display of the many time zones in one location, e.g. through a window in a dial.
Still another objective is to provide a world time timepiece that provides for easier reading precision, for example, whereby an additional hand and 24-hour indications are provided on the dial to provide a second time-zone time indication.
In addition, the timepiece of the present invention has an improved construction because, for example, at least some of the mechanical features previously required in the bezel are now provided in the movement assembly itself.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and in part be apparent from this disclosure.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, arrangement of parts and sequence of steps which will be exemplified in the construction, illustration and description hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
Generally speaking, in accordance with the present invention, an improved wearable timepiece of the type wherein time zone information is conveyed by the use of at least one indicator rotateable about an axis is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the wearable timepiece comprises a dial assembly having a viewing window, wherein the dial assembly has a front side and a back side, and wherein the at least one indicator is positioned on the front side of the dial assembly, the wearable timepiece comprising a time zone indication assembly, positioned on the back side of the dial, comprising a first rotateable elongated member having a plurality of time zone indications thereon; a second rotateable elongated member that overlies at least part of the first elongated member, wherein the second elongated member has a plurality of time zone indications thereon, wherein at least one time zone indication on the first rotateable elongated member is positionable in the viewing window and at least one time zone indication on the second rotateable elongated member is positionable in the viewing window; an actuation assembly for at least rotating the first elongated member in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction and rotating the second elongated member in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, wherein rotation of the first elongated member in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions causes a subset of the plurality of time zone indications thereon to be positionable in the viewing window and rotation of the second elongated member in one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions causes a subset of the plurality of time zone indications thereon to be positionable in the viewing window; wherein rotation of the first rotateable elongated member and the second rotateable elongated member causes different time zone indications on at least one of the first rotateable elongated member and second elongated member to be positionable in the viewing window; and rotating the at least one indicator in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction; and a controller, operatively coupled to the actuation assembly, tier controlling the rotation of the first and second elongated members and for causing the at least one indicator to rotate in response to a selected time zone indication positioned in the viewing window; wherein the indicator points to indicia on the dial assembly that indicates to a user the time indicated by the selected time zone indication.
In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is directed to a wearable timepiece of the type wherein time zone information is conveyed by the use of at least one indicator rotateable about an axis, the wearable timepiece comprising a dial assembly having a viewing window, wherein the dial assembly has a front side and a back side, and wherein the at least one indicator is positioned on the front side of the dial assembly, the wearable timepiece comprising a time zone indication assembly, positioned on the back side of the dial, comprising a rotateable elongated member having a plurality of time zone indications thereon, wherein at least one time zone indications on the rotateable elongated member is positionable in the viewing window; an actuation assembly for at least (i) rotating the elongated member in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, wherein rotation of the elongated member in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions causes a subset of the plurality of time zone indications thereon to be positionable in the viewing window, wherein rotation of the rotateable elongated member causes different time zone indications on the rotateable elongated member to be positionable in viewing window; and (ii) rotating the at least one indicator in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction; and a controller, operatively coupled to the actuation assembly, for controlling the rotation of the elongated member and for causing the at least one indicator to rotate in response to a selected time zone indication positioned in the viewing window; wherein the indicator points to indicia on the dial assembly that indicates to a user the time indicated by the selected time zone indication.
In yet a further embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of indicating a time in a selected time zone, wherein the wearable timepiece is of the type wherein time zone information is conveyed by the use of at least one indicator rotateable about an axis, the wearable timepiece comprising a dial assembly having a viewing window, wherein the dial assembly has a front side and a back side, and wherein the at least one indicator is positioned on the front side of the dial assembly, the wearable timepiece further comprising a time zone indication assembly, positioned on the back side of the dial, comprising at least one rotateable elongated member having a plurality of time zone indications thereon, wherein at least one time zone indication on the at least one rotateable elongated member is positionable in the viewing window; an actuation assembly for at least (i) rotating the at least one elongated member in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, wherein rotation of the at least one elongated member causes a subset of the plurality of time zone indications thereon to be positionable in the viewing window and rotation of the at least one rotateable elongated member causes different time zone indications on the at least one rotateable elongated member to be positionable in the viewing window; and (ii) rotating the at least one indicator in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction; and a controller, operatively coupled to the actuation assembly, for controlling the rotation of the at least one elongated member and for causing the at least one indicator to rotate in response to a selected time zone indication positionable in the viewing window; wherein the method comprises the steps of rotating the at least one elongated member until a desired time zone indication is positioned in the viewing window; selecting the desired time zone indication; and causing the at least one indicator to rotate in response to the selected time zone indication positioned in the viewing window; wherein the at least one indicator points to indicia on the dial assembly that indicates to a user the time indicated by the selected time zone indication.
In a preferred embodiment, the wearable timepiece is a wristwatch.
For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying figures, in which:
Also, while not all elements are labeled in each figure, all elements with the same reference number indicate similar or identical parts.
Reference is first made generally to
To carry out the foregoing objectives, the wearable timepiece of the present invention, and as illustrated in
Throughout, references are made to a “window 25” or the like. By reference, window 25 (or the like) is intended merely to indicate a designated area of dial assembly 20. That is, the current invention contemplates (and the claims are intended to cover) the idea that dial assembly 20 may be partially, mostly and/or completely transparent, even to the extent that many other time zone indications as discussed herein may be simultaneously visible. That is, reference to “window 25” (or the like) is merely to indicate that there is preferably a designated section (however small or large is one primarily of design choice) on the dial assembly for a user to quickly be able to ascertain what time zone is being selected or in close proximity (e.g. the next time zone) to the selected time zone. In a specific embodiment, window 25 may in fact be an actual opening in the dial or simply a transparent section in the dial.
Electronic device 5, and display assembly 10 in particular, further comprises at least one indicator 28 rotateable about an axis, for conveying time zone information as further discussed below. As illustrated, the dial assembly 20 has a front side and a back side, and the at least one indicator 28 is positioned on the front side of the dial assembly 20. The phrase “on the front side” (or “on the back side”) is not intended to mean that the indicator is physically “on” the dial, but rather simply as a reference point that is intended to mean more akin to “above” and/or “below” as the case may be.
As such, electronic device 5 also comprises a time zone indication assembly, positioned on the back side of the dial. In a preferred embodiment, the time zone indication assembly comprises a first rotateable elongated member 30 having a plurality of time zone indications thereon (e.g. “DENVER,” “LOS ANGELES,” “ANCHORAGE,” etc. and others as illustrated in
Electronic device 5 also includes an actuation assembly, which, in the preferred embodiment, comprises a plurality of stepper motors, for at least (i) rotating the first elongated member 30 in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction and rotating the second elongated member 40 in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, wherein rotation of the first elongated member 30 in the one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions causes a subset of the plurality of time zone indications thereon to be positionable (e.g. visible) in the viewing window 25 and rotation of the second elongated member 40 in one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions causes a subset of the plurality of time zone indications thereon to be positionable (e.g. visible) in the viewing window 25; wherein rotation of the first rotateable elongated member and the second rotateable elongated member causes different time zone indications on at least one of the first rotateable elongated member 30 and second elongated member 40 to be positionable (e.g. visible) in the viewing window as exemplified in
Controlling all the foregoing rotation is a controller, generally indicated at 100, and operatively coupled to the actuation assembly, for controlling the rotation of the first and second elongated members 30, 40 and for causing the at least one indicator 28 to rotate in response to a selected time zone indication positioned in (e,g. visible through) the viewing window 25. In this way, and with further details and examples being set forth below, indicator 28 points to indicia on the dial assembly that indicates to a user the time indicated by the selected time zone indication.
In a preferred embodiment, the opening in (or transparent portion of) the dial may provide for the visibility of three (3) time zones but this is by example and not limitation. Similarly, by example and not limitation, the elongated members 30, 40 of the preferred embodiment are each divided into fifteen (15) segments, but more or less segments are contemplated herein. Moreover, in a particularly preferred embodiment, elongated members 30 and 40 are rings, as illustrated in
As should now be understood, the position of second rotateable ring 40 overlying first rotateable ring 30 in viewing window 25 causes the viewability of differing sequences of time zones.
Turning to
Although it is believed that the construction of the aforementioned first and second assemblies 50 and 80 are well within the purview of the skilled artisan, the following is set forth for completeness, with particular reference being made to assembly 50. Assembly 80 is constructed in a similar maimer.
Assembly 50 preferably comprises stepper motor 60 and the aforementioned one or more wheels operatively coupled to motor 60. Stepper motor 60, which is preferably a bi-directional motor, comprises rotor 61 that is rotateably coupled to at least a first of the wheels of the gearing assembly. That is, the rotor will preferably comprise teeth that meshingly align with the outer teeth of a first wheel 62. In turn, first wheel 62 includes a pinion 63 which itself has teeth that meshingly align with teeth on the outer circumference of a second wheel 64. Second wheel 64 comprises a pinion 65 which itself has teeth that meshingly align with teeth on the outer circumference of a third wheel 66. This third wheel 66 likewise comprises a pinion 67 which itself has teeth that meshingly align with teeth on the outer circumference of member 30. In this way, the rotation of rotor 61 of motor 60 can cause the rotation of member 30. It should be understood that the number of wheels and number of teeth on each wheel may be more or less (or different as the case may be) than that set forth herein, and are really one of design choice for the intended function and based upon a number of known criterions, such as power and torque constraints. The selection of a suitable stepper motor and the arrangement and/or positioning of the components are all within the purview of one skilled in the art. Likewise, members 30 and/or 40 may alternatively he driven by teeth on their inner circumference.
In a preferred embodiment, assemblies 50 and 80 are similarly constructed, so no further details of assembly 80 are needed or necessary.
It should be now be understood in view of the foregoing disclosure and
Nevertheless, to allow for the viewability of the time zones on the first elongated member 30, second elongated member preferably has at least three (3) translucent sections on which no time zones are printed to allow for the visibility of selected time zones on the underlying first elongated member 30.
As alluded to above, the at least one indicator 28 is preferably a display hand, and is used to point to the respective hour demarcations on the dial assembly 20, thus indicating the time in the selected time zone. Indicator 28, which is preferably rotateable about an axis (centered about the dial or otherwise), is also operatively coupled to an actuation mechanism, such as a stepper motor, which, along with a separate set of gearing, is generically indicated by reference number 70 in
In the preferred embodiments, motors 60, 70 and 90 are bi-directional stepper motors thus being able to rotate in either direction, and the construction of acceptable stepper motors to functionally operate in this manner are widely available and well within the understanding of those skilled in the art.
To provide the proper and accurate controlling, positioning and rotation of elongated members 30, 40 (as well as indicator 28), a controller is provided, details of which can be found in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 7,113,450 patent as well as U.S. Pat. No. 7,120,091, the subject matter of which is also incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
In the aforementioned '450 and/or '091 patent, with reference to controller 100 therein, the controller of the present invention preferably comprises all of the functional features described therein to carry out the objectives and features of the present invention. The functionality particular to the present invention shall now be disclosed.
General reference may be made to
Reference thus may also be made to
Although the preferred embodiment provides that controller 100 is highly integrated wherein all timing and display functionality is controlled in controller 100, alternate embodiments could separate the timekeeping functions from those processing and displaying stored or sensed data, as would be understood by one skilled in the art. In addition, known programming techniques, through software and/or switch actuation sequences if desired, are preferably used to program controller 100 so that it “knows” and or otherwise maintains, among other things, accurate time and time zone information. Such functionality and programming features are within the purview of one skilled in the art.
Known methodologies provide for the accurate rotation of indicator 28. For example, indicator 28 may rotate upon the detection of an elapsed 24 hour period or electronic signaling, as would he understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, well known programming techniques such as those described in the patents incorporated herein by reference set forth acceptable methodologies of ensuring proper, sufficient and accurate stepper of the stepper motor(s). Specifically, these known techniques allow controller 100 to determine whether and when to signal motor control circuit 109 to step the respective stepper motor so that a hand 28 or member 30 and/or 40 should rotate, and by how much.
Although variations are contemplated as to how to effectuate and sequence the rotation of the members 30, 40 and indicator 28, a preferred methodology is set forth herein.
At the outset, it is important to keep in mind that the preferred embodiments of the present invention provide that indicator 28 is not meshingly engaged with the standard hour hand and minute hand. In view thereof, the present configuration enables individual adjusting of desired time zones, including for daylight saving time (DST), as the DST is not linked/coupled to members 30, 40 in the preferred embodiments. Time adjustment is preferably done by correction of indicator 28 (e.g. by using pushers S1 (e.g. PB1) or S2 (e.g. PB2) as discussed below), after selection of the desired time zone. This methodology and configuration provides for more precise calibration and increased flexibility than the constructions in the prior art.
For example, the “wanted” time zone (e.g. city), which corresponds to the “selected” time zone, can be selected by actuation of a selected pusher PB1 (e.g. S1) so as to rotate the members 30, 40 in a first (e.g. clockwise) direction or by actuation of a selected pusher PB2 (e.g. S2) so as to rotate the members 30, 40 in a second (e.g. counterclockwise) direction. Since controller 100 maintains “knowledge” of the position of the members 30, 40, the controller can control the appropriate rotation of the elongated members (e.g. rings) so that the desired time zone can be selected. That is, one skilled in the art would recognize that it might be possible, advantageous and/or desirable that a first pusher may cause member 30 to rotate clockwise but cause member 40 to rotate counterclockwise, as such rotation could be used to make the rotations to a particular city more efficiently achieved. In a preferred embodiment, this will turn the members in steps (e.g. one push=one zone). The corresponding time to the city indicated will be indicated by indicator 28. This sequence may be repeated for selection of other time zones, wherein the indicator 28 will accordingly rotate to the proper time of the selected time zones. In the preferred embodiment, the city/zone selected will preferably be in the “center” of the window 25 or the three visible time zones, as the case may be. An indicator 29 (e.g. an arrow shown in
In addition, and as illustrated in the Figures, three (3) segments are preferably provided on elongated member 30 (
For example, from the foregoing it can be seen that there are several setting methodologies, although the two preferred ones are to be hereinafter disclosed.
For example, in a first embodiment, there is the setting of the UTC time zone. This can, for example, be done by the manufacturer or by the user/owner of the timepiece. In this embodiment, a person (or automated process) setting the timepiece will press the associated pusher PB″X″ until “SET” appears in the window 25. Then, using a preferably different associated pusher(s) (e.g. PB″Y″ for clockwise rotation and PB″Z″ for counterclockwise rotation), indicator 28 is rotated until the appropriate UTC time zone is indicated, with reference to the appropriate UTC offset. Then, the SET mode can be exited by actuation of a different or previously used pusher, as discussed above.
In an alternative preferred embodiment, one could begin by desiring the indication of “New York” time on indicator 28. Here, this is preferably done by first bringing the “New York” time zone into the window 25 as set forth above. Then, for example, after a time (e.g. 3 second) delay, the members 30, 40 are rotated again by actuation of an associated pusher until “SET” appears in the window 25. Then, using a preferably different associated pusher, indicator 28 may be rotated until the appropriate hour in New York is indicated by indicator 28. A final actuation of a selected pusher will cause the NY time zone to reappear in window 25 to correspond to the hour indicated by indicator 28.
In yet another alternative embodiment or simply as an additional feature, members 30, 40 could provide for multiple (i.e. two (2) positions) for each time zone to account for “summer” and “winter” time (i.e. DST). This could provide for even more user friendly setting and time indications.
It should also be noted that ½ hour time zones can also be programmed for indicator 28 if desired, and such ½ hour indicators may be provided therefor. Alternatively, a “double minute hand” or two such indicators 28 may be provided, for example, using two contrasting colors.
Reference is now made briefly to
For example, in this alternative embodiment, a stepper motor is provided to rotate elongated member 1030 in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction and at least a second stepper motor is provided to rotate the at least one indicator 1028 in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction. in all other similar ways, controller 100 is operatively coupled to the stepper motors of this alternative embodiment for controlling the rotation of elongated members 1030 and indicator 1028. As would be understood by those skilled in the art, a similarly constructed actuation assembly is provided for elongated member 1030 and indicator 1028. Here too, elongated member 1030 is preferably a ring and indicator 1028 is preferably a display hand. Controller 100 would equally be adapted to control the one elongated member 1030 and indicator 1028 as set forth above. The alternative features and embodiments for the display assembly are likewise applicable to this embodiment as well.
Similarly, in this alternative embodiment, the “wanted” (i.e. selected) time zone can be selected by actuation of a selected pusher PB1 (e.g. S1) to rotate members 1030 in a first (e.g. clockwise) direction or by actuation of a selected pusher PB2 (e.g. S2) to rotate member 1030 in a second (e.g. counterclockwise) direction. Likewise, the corresponding time to the city indicated will be indicated by indicator 1028.
In a similar manner, time can be set for the wanted/selected time zone (or adjusted if necessary to update controller 100 in the timepiece to changes, such as DST). This can be achieved by using, for example, one of the pushers PB3 (e.g. S3) to enter a “SET” menu while the time zone where time is desired to be adjusted may first be selected in the center of the window. Elongated member 1030 will turn and once the SET indicator is in the central position (e.g. SET MODE), time setting for indicator 1028 can be done by pressing a pusher PB1 (e.g. S1) to rotate indicator 1028 clockwise or a different pusher PB2 (e.g. S2) to rotate indicator counterclockwise. The SET MODE can then be exited by actuation of, for example, pusher PB3 (e.g. S3) and the adjusted time zone appears again in window 25. Similarly, the specific methodologies set forth above are equally applicable to this embodiment.
It will thus be seen that the present invention is both patentably different from and a significant improvement over known date displays. Specifically, the present invention provides a unique time zone feature that has improved functionality and a reduction of mechanical complications thereby providing a timepiece that is more flexible, more user-friendly and that can provide more precise timekeeping.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
