Communications: electrical – Continuously variable indicating – With meter reading
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-24
2001-11-27
Horabik, Michael (Department: 2635)
Communications: electrical
Continuously variable indicating
With meter reading
C368S244000, C368S288000, C368S030000, C368S071000, C370S311000, C370S313000, C455S039000, C455S039000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06323783
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to devices for generating and displaying time information and receiving transmitted coded messages, and in particular, to an improved displaying methodology for providing status information messages to a user.
Generally, devices for both generating and displaying time information and receiving transmitted coded messages (hereinafter “pager/watches”) that display status information messages in response to a status condition are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,217 describes a radio pager with a visible indicator for displaying the number of received pages. Similarly, the design patent art is replete with pager constructions that display icons representing various status conditions.
It can therefore be seen that the prior art has recognized the need to alert a user to various status conditions taking place within a pager or a combination pager/watch. For example, representative icons may be displayed when a message buffer is full, etc. However, the known display methodology is deficient in that it insufficiently alerts a user to the particular status condition. Exemplary is the pager that merely constantly displays a battery icon to indicate a low battery level or an icon indicating receipt of a new message. Such constant and continuous displays without interruption may go unnoticed by the user. Likewise, other pager/watch displays may sacrifice one important display message for another. For example, if there is only one designated area on the display for status information, priority of displaying the messages becomes a major problem.
Accordingly, a device, which may be a pager, a watch, or a combination pager/watch that more expeditiously and effectively alerts a user to a status condition is desired. Similarly, it is also desirable to alert the user to the status condition in a manner that minimally intrudes on the user's ability to instantaneously obtain other information from the display. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide such a device that overcomes the aforementioned deficiencies. The invention disclosed herein achieves the aforementioned and below mentioned objectives.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Generally speaking, and in accordance with the invention, a device, such as a pager, a watch or a combination pager/watch that can iteratively display status information messages for predetermined periods of time at a predetermined location on the display is provided. The device preferably generates and displays first information such as the day of the week and then cycles through a series of status conditions to determine if any status conditions are satisfied. The device would generate status information messages corresponding thereto. The device displays the first information at a predetermined location on the display, and then alternately displays the status information messages at the predetermined location on the display for selected predetermined periods of time and thereafter, redisplays the first information at the predetermined location on the display. The display is arranged such that when the first information is being displayed on the display, the status information messages are not being displayed on the display, and when the status information messages are being displayed on the display, the first information is not being displayed on the display. The multiple status information messages are alternately displayed on the display, all at the predetermined location on the display and preferably one at a time.
Also in accordance with the present invention, a method of displaying information on a display of the device is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the method comprises generating and displaying first information at a predetermined location on the display, determining whether a first status condition is satisfied such that it is necessary to display on the display a first status information message corresponding thereto, displaying at the predetermined location of the display for a predetermined period of time the first status information message, and redisplaying the first information at the predetermined location on the display. Again, additional status information messages are alternately displayable at the predetermined location of the display.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device that receives transmitted coded signals and/or generates and displays time information and that includes an improved display methodology.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a device that more effectively alerts a user to a plurality of status conditions.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a watch, a pager and/or pager/watch that more expeditiously alerts a user to various status conditions.
Yet another object of the present invention is to expeditiously and effectively alert a user to status conditions without sacrificing access to other desirable displayed information.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious from the specification.
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 and methodology hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4385295 (1983-05-01), Willard et al.
patent: 4412217 (1983-10-01), Willard et al.
patent: 4786902 (1988-11-01), Davis et al.
patent: 4851829 (1989-07-01), DeLuca et al.
patent: 5406272 (1995-04-01), Jang
patent: 5774061 (1998-06-01), Kudoh
Daly, Jr. Edward
Lizzi Ronald S.
Bangachon William L
Carmody & Torrance LLP
Horabik Michael
Timex Group B.V.
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