Selecting apparatus for a multimode electronic wrist instrument
US5088070A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 1991 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 6, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG04C3/001
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A 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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.