Method and construction for autocalibrating an actuation mechanism in an electronic device

US7266051B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Timex Group B.V. · NL

Inventors

• Michel Plancon · Watertown, US
• Helmut Zachmann · Remchingen, DE
• Gerhard Stotz · Eisingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 16, 2003
• Grant date: Sep 4, 2007
• Expiry date: Sep 22, 2024

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G04C3/146
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of calibrating a display hand in an electronic device. The preferred method comprises the steps of initializing a counter; stepping the rotor of the stepping motor a predetermined number of steps in a first direction and incrementing the counter; determining whether the counter is less than a predefined value representing at least the total of (i) the maximum number of steps needed from a zero position on the display to the maximum value on the display; and (ii) the number of steps needed from the zero position on the display to the position such that a channel formed in one of the one or more gears would abut against a tab; and if so, stepping the rotor of the stepping motor the predetermined number of steps in the first direction, incrementing the counter and again determining whether the counter is less than the predefined value; and if not, rotating the rotor of the motor in a direction opposite the first direction the same number of steps needed from the zero position on the display to the position such that the channel would abut against the tab. Several calibration assembly constructions are also provided.