Horology: time measuring systems or devices – Regulating means – For setting
Patent
1994-05-31
1995-12-19
Roskoski, Bernard
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
Regulating means
For setting
368281, 368 69, G04C 1700
Patent
active
054775086
ABSTRACT:
A method and apparatus for control of a digital watch and associated functions, based on a user interface with a menu and thumbwheel. The watch consists of an internal clock, microprocessor, display, rotating cylinder (thumbwheel) operated by the thumb or finger, and a button. The display consists of a matrix of pixels and can display menus or other information with small characters and time and date information in a larger size. Rotating the cylinder results in changing the designated item in a menu, which is typically indicated in reverse video, and pressing the button results in the designated item being selected. In cases where a parameter is modified and the values of the parameter are well known and have a natural order (such as minutes) only the present value of the parameter is displayed, and movement of the thumbwheel causes the displayed value to be incremented or decremented, as appropriate. Pressing the selector button causes the actual value of the parameter to be replaced by the displayed value. The use of a hierarchical set of menus and a thumbwheel allows control of a watch with only a single button and avoids excessive dependence on multiple buttons the function of which is context-dependent and difficult to learn and to remember.
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