Abstract: Hybrid digital-analog time displays are provided to tell time with digital hour and minute values, as well as simultaneous analog tracks that are coordinated in lengths with the minute values. These displays are shown in four successive quadrants and enable users to view current time exactly from the digital values and approximately from the analog tracks.

Abstract: A unified digital time display is presented in an expanded display field and configured for compatibility with prior balanced, quadribalanced, enhanced quadribalanced or unidirectional segmented displays by positioning hour display elements generally in the center of the field, minute display elements in a space beside the right flank of the hour elements, seconds display elements below the hour elements, with markers in a space beside the left flank of the hour elements which are visually different and distinguishable from markers included in the prior displays.

Abstract: An ergonomic watch case, time display and setting crown are provided, with the case shaped generally in the form of an obtuse triangle and attached to a watch strap. A horizontal bisector through the case and time display is offset by a predetermined angle out of perpendicularity with a vertical bisector through the watch strap to improve alignment with a viewer's line of sight when reading the time. An apical setting crown is located at the apex of one of the two acute angles of the case to improve rotation of a crown knob in either direction with minimal resistance or obstruction from the watch case. A chime melody and icon are provided to sound a pleasing wake up call or other time set to be heard.

Abstract: Enhanced control buttons are provided for a digital timepiece, each button marked with an icon which identifies its function, one icon indicative of the so marked button being operable to turn a night light on/off, another icon indicative of the so marked button being operable to access and exit from a real time setting mode, another icon indicative of the so marked button being operable to access and exit from an alarm time setting mode, said alarm button being programmable to operate in response to momentary and relatively longer pressures to perform a variety of alarm time functions, including turning on and off a similar alarm icon in the timepiece's display, turning off the alarm sound after it becomes audible following a set alarm time, and thereafter turning on the alarm icon in the watch display for repetition of the sounding of the alarm 24 hours later at the same previously set alarm time.

Abstract: Balanced, quadribalanced, enhanced quadribalanced or unidirectional segmented digital time display systems are modified by inclusion of enhanced prompts which readily distinguish such real time displays and which comprise the letters AL, dA, and each of M, D and Y in pairs, to symbolize that the displays are in modes for setting or resetting an alarm time or calendar values such as the current day name and the current month, day or year dates.

Abstract: Bicomponent graphics are provided for digital time displays that display the last remaining minute before commencement of a next hour, comprising a flashing zero digit and simultaneously displayed horizontal lines indicative of successive positions that will be traversed by the flashing zero digit in ten-second increments during the last 59 seconds. Such graphics portray an analog of the pathway that the flashing zero digit will follow from farthest to closest positions on the left side of the next hour until the commencement thereof. Digital countdown of the corresponding 59 seconds in coordinated decile segments may be included for greater precision.

Abstract: Real time balanced, quadribalanced, enhanced quadribalanced or unidirectional segmented digital time display systems are modified by inclusion of selectively prompted displays which are readily visually distinguishable from the real time displays and which prompt the viewer with the letters T, A and d to comprehend that the displays are in modes that enable and thus facilitate the setting or resetting of current real time, an alarm time or calendar values.

Abstract: Unidirectional segmented digital timekeeping systems are provided by multiple display elements which are activated to display current hour digit(s) and four selected groups of respective elapsed minute digits which traverse around the hour digit in successive segments of relatively upper and lower quarter hour positions on the right side and during the first half of the current hour, followed by relatively lower and upper quarter hour positions on the left side and during the second half of the current hour. Such displays may be modified to combine with quadribalanced or enhanced quadribalanced digital time displays to provide bidirectional elapsed and remaining timekeeping systems.

Abstract: Setting or resetting of digital dates in digital time displays is facilitated by providing an array of display elements which can be selectively activated to display the capital letters M, D and Y, together with simultaneously displayed digital values of months, days and years, respectively. This enables setting or resetting a digital time display to the corresponding correct current month, day and year, without confusion, uncertainty or ambiguity, even if identical, repeated date values are displayed during the setting or resetting process.

Abstract: Ordered units and methods of multichronographic time sequences are provided which are operable to up count and down count such time sequences by using a single control element for each such type of count. These single control elements are manipulated in a unique series of momentary single, double and relatively long activations during the respective types of counts, thereby rendering more simplified and memorable the performance of such chronographic sequences using the single control element alone, one for each type of chronographic time count. These units and methods are provided in wristwatches which also exhibit digital displays of real time and include a further control element that is operable to switch the display in either direction between an ongoing chronographic time sequence and real time.

Abstract: Digital time displays which include a display of remaining minutes, on the left side, and before commencement of a displayed next hour, such as quadribalanced or enhanced quadribalanced displays, are provided with improved systems and methods of graphics for tracking and portraying the diminishing period of the last 59 seconds before commencement of the next hour.

Abstract: A pair of numeral “8” display elements is operative to perform dual functions in a digital time display, one, to display the values of seconds and, the other, to display an AM or PM indicator which may be separately activated for setting the correct AM or PM cycle synchronized with the hour value in the time display.

Abstract: Quadribalanced digital time displays and methods comprising increasing digital minutes displayed on the right flank of centrally positioned digital present hours, in relatively upper and lower positions during the first and second quarter hours, followed by decreasing digital minutes displayed on the left flank of digital next hours, in relatively lower and upper positions during the third and fourth quarter hours, are enhanced by simultaneously displaying markers in one or more of the three quarter hour minute positions not containing digital minutes at any one time to inform the viewer that such marked positions are functional elements of the display but not activated due to the current time being displayed in another of said minute positions at that time. A single displaceable crown control is also provided for facilitating the operation of a timepiece embodying such enhanced quadribalanced time displays and methods.

Abstract: Quadribalanced digital time displays and methods comprising increasing digital minutes displayed on the right flank of centrally positioned digital present hours, in relatively upper and lower positions during the first and second quarter hours, followed by decreasing digital minutes displayed on the left flank of digital next hours, in relatively lower and upper positions during the third and fourth quarter hours, are enhanced by simultaneously displaying markers in one or more of the three quarter hour minute positions not containing digital minutes at any one time to inform the viewer that such marked positions are functional elements of the display but not activated due to the current time being displayed in another of said minute positions at that time. A single displaceable crown control is also provided for facilitating the operation of a timepiece embodying such enhanced quadribalanced time displays and methods.

Abstract: Quadribalanced digital time displays and methods comprising increasing digital minutes displayed on the right flank of centrally positioned digital present hours, in relatively upper and lower positions during the first and second quarter hours, followed by decreasing digital minutes displayed on the left flank of digital next hours, in relatively lower and upper positions during the third and fourth quarter hours, are enhanced by simultaneously displaying markers in one or more of the three quarter hour minute positions not containing digital minutes at any one time to inform the viewer that such marked positions are functional elements of the display but not activated due to the current time being displayed in another of said minute positions at that time.

Abstract: In a balanced digital time display and method which displays current hours with elapsed unit minutes to the right thereof and next hours with remaining unit minutes to the left thereof, complete positional consistency is achieved by displaying nonsignificant zero digits in the tens of minutes positions adjacent the elapsed and remaining unit minute digits during the initial and final nine minute intervals of an hour, the zero digits being visually smaller in size than the unit minute digits to signify that only the latter are providing significant minute time values during such intervals.

Abstract: To graphically portray the diminution of the last minute before commencement of a next hour in a balanced digital time display, six horizontal elements of a pair of 7-segment arrays of display elements are activated immediately after one remaining minute and zero seconds. These six elements are each individually flashed for and extinguished after ten second intervals, in a sequence that begins with the top element of the outermost array, spaced farthest to the left from the next hour digit, and progresses to the middle and bottom elements of that array, followed by the top, middle and bottom elements of an intermediate array, located between the outermost array and the next hour digit. This sequence provides descending flashing elements in three ladder-like steps down each array, the outermost array graphically portraying the diminution of the first thirty seconds and the intermediate array the diminution of the second thirty seconds of the last remaining minute.

Abstract: A balanced digital time display shows elapsed normal time during an initial period of each hour and thereafter remaining normal time during a subsequent period of the hour. The elapsed normal time is shown by a current hour digit followed by incrementing elapsed minute digits, and the remaining normal time is shown by the hour digit advanced to the next hour and preceded by decrementing minute digits. Means are provided for automatically converting the remaining normal time display to the equivalent elapsed normal time display whenever the display is switched from a normal time mode to a setting mode during the subsequent period of the hour and to revert the display to the equivalent remaining normal time display after setting has been completed. This sequence enables setting the display at all times while in the condition of showing elapsed normal time and avoids problems encountered in setting previous balanced digital time displays while in the condition of showing remaining normal time.

Abstract: A single push-pull stem control is provided for setting and operating digital time displays. The stem may be pushed into a first operative position, relative to a case housing the display and exposing it to view, in which it completes a circuit to the elements of the operating parts which generate normal timekeeping indicia in the display. Upon being pulled out of the case to a second operative position, the circuit to the normal timekeeping elements is discontinued and a circuit is established to elements of the operating parts which generate time setting indicia in the display. The stem may be turned in clockwise and counterclockwise directions while in the second position to perform setting and selecting functions, and also while in the first position to perform other desired functions.

Abstract: Digital time displays are provided for general purpose timekeeping in which each final subminute period before a next hour or, optionally, each initial subminute period after a present hour, is graphically flagged by flashing at least one horizontal segment of pairs of double digit eight arrays flanking an hours display, such arrays being used to display elapsed minutes after a present hour and remaining minutes before a next hour during the time beyond such subminute periods, whereby such flagging occurs in the spaces where minutes are ordinarily displayed and provides singular and unmistakable indicia of such subminute periods to enhance the appeal and efficacy of the displays.