Abstract: A wrist mountable compass capable of directing a user to a selected compass direction is provided. In the preferred embodiment of the compass, the user selects the compass direction. The user is directed to the selected direction by digital pointers appearing on the compass. The compass utilizes a single magnetoresistive sensor to sense the polarity of the horizontal flux lines of the earth's magnetic field.

Abstract: The invention includes systems and methods for calibrating bit transmission rates in a computer system which uses selected raster lines of a frame-scanning display device for serial data transmission to an external receiving device. A system in accordance with the invention includes a data processor and a frame-scanning display device having a total number of available raster lines per display frame. The computer also has an internal timer which is set to generate timing signals at a predetermined frequency. The data processor is programmed to count the number of timing signals and the number of frame scans of the frame-scanning display device which occur during a selected measurement period. The selected measurement period is preferably defined by the occurrence of a predetermined number of frame scans.

Abstract: A multimode electronic timepiece includes a display, a number of manually actuated switches, and an integrated circuit programmed to keep time, to provide a plurality of operating modes, including time-of-day, in a continuous loop, and to permit an operator of the timepiece to cycle through the operating modes sequentially by selectively and repetitively actuating a first of the switches. The improvement includes at least one preselect function mode which displays information from a preselected operating mode along with information from another operating mode. The preselect function mode(s) is engaged by selective actuation of a second of the switches, and in the preferred embodiment, this switch is also used to cycle through the preselect function modes sequentially (where there is more than one preselect function mode).

Abstract: A wristwatch display package is made using two elongated sheet members of transparent plastic joined end-to-end by a flexible hinge. The sheets are folded together, nested and sealed together around the peripheral edges. An elongated display card having printing thereon is disposed between the sheet members and within the sealed peripheral edges. The card has a window for displaying a portion of a wristwatch. The sheet members have protrusions which together form an arcuate cavity. The arcuate cavity is surrounded by the window in the display card and adapted to receive a wristwatch.

Abstract: A wrist-carried instrument has a case with a "6 o'clock" end and a "12 o'clock" end, a band with a first attachment end and a second attachment end, and a first pivoting lug member and a second pivoting lug member. The first and the second pivoting lug members encircle a predetermined portion of the case at the "6 o'clock" end and the "12 o'clock" end, respectively. The first pivoting lug member includes a first pair of arms for pivotably attaching the first pivoting lug member to the case and a second pair of arms for connecting the first attachment end of the band therebetween. The second pivoting lug member includes a first pair of arms for pivotably attaching the second pivoting lug member to the case and a second pair of arms for connecting the second attachment end of the band therebetween. In this manner, the first and the second pivoting lug members are free to pivot about the case to permit the wrist-carried instrument to conform to the contours of a wrist about which it is worn.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for synchronizing the data transfer rate for downloading data from a cathode ray tube (CRT) adapted for transmission of serial data bits as light pulses appearing as spaced lines on the CRT to a portable information device having a photosensor which receives and stores binary coded data corresponding to the light pulses at a fixed pulse reception rate. The CRT displays a calibration pattern of spaced horizontal lines, which is transmitted to the portable information device where it is repetitively compared to a stored calibration character. An acceptable error free transmission is signaled by a preselected number of matches. An audible signal indicates that the transmission rate is acceptable. The CRT pattern line spacing is adjusted until the audible signal is heard.

Abstract: A multifunctional holding plate for use in an analog wristwatch movement with a calendar date ring, a day of the week disc, an engageable time setting pinion and various gear members. The multifunctional holding plate is attached to the movement frame and has (1) retaining fingers to hold the gear members and date ring in place, (2) a flexible detenting spring leg to detent the date ring, (3) a flexible retaining leg to facilitate engagement of the timesetting pinion, and (4) a flexible detenting spring leg to detent the day disc.

Abstract: A multimode electronic timepiece includes a display, a plurality of manually actuated switches, and an integrated circuit having memory locations. The integrated circuit is programmed to keep time and to provide a plurality of modes, including time-of-day and at least one alternate time zone. The integrated circuit is further programmed to permit an operator of the multimode electronic timepiece to set the time-of-day and the alternate time zone in response to actuation of selected switches, and to store the time-of-day and the alternate time zone data in the memory locations. The improvement comprises a flag means which will copy the contents of the memory location storing the time-of-day data to the memory location for the alternate time zone data when the time-of-day has been set and the alternate time zone has not been set by the operator.

Abstract: A system for transferring data from a CRT (cathode ray tube) video display monitor on a personal computer to a portable information device such as a multifunction electronic wristwatch. The CRT video display has a video signal generator providing raster scanning of the screen and a program for formatting the binary coded data into blocks of serial data bits, with start bit and stop bit. The blocks of data are supplied to the video signal generator in synchronism with raster scanning of the screen so as to provide an integral number of one or more blocks of data for each vertical frame, and modulated to vary the brightness of the screen and provide light pulses corresponding to presence or absence of binary coded transmitter pulses. The portable information device is manipulated within line of sight of the CRT screen and has a photosensor to detect light pulses when the photosensor is directed toward the screen.

Abstract: An alarm clock has a motion sensor, a time display comprising an electroluminescent dial, a manual alarm actuator with a lip cover and a flashlight actuator. When the manual alarm actuator is set in the ON position, any movement (e.g., waving a hand) in the field of view of the motion sensor causes the electroluminescent dial to become activated to a first brightness level. Furthermore, when the alarm is sounding, any movement in the field of view of the motion sensor silences the alarm for a preselected time interval, before the sounding of the alarm is resumed ("snooze" function). In the OFF position for the manual alarm actuator, the lip cover covers the motion sensor so that motion detection is prevented. When the flashlight actuator is actuated, the electroluminescent dial becomes activated to a second brightness level. The second brightness level is noticeably brighter than the first brightness level.

Abstract: A system and method for storing and retrieving fixed-width and compressed characters of at least one font, which includes memory having a plurality of memory addresses for storing instructions and encoded character font data representing fixed-width and compressed characters, wherein the encoded character font data for a fixed-width character of any given font is identical to the encoded character font data for a compressed character for the same font. The system addresses the plurality of memory addresses so as to read out the encoded character font data and then, depending upon the value of a control signal generated by the system's control unit, decodes the encoded character font data through a decoder as either a fixed-width or compressed character. The fixed-width or compressed character is then displayed on a dot-matrix display. Each memory address commonly contains a plurality of bits which represents a column of said character.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing electroluminescent timepiece dials having three-dimensional indicia and to timepiece dials produced by this method. A subdial having the indicia projecting therefrom is affixed to the bottom of the electroluminescent dial. Three-dimensional effect is created when the projecting indicia are received by apertures in the electroluminescent dial.