Abstract: A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand positioned on the dial side of a dial, wherein the wearable electronic device uses the display hand(s) to convey information that is stored in the controller of the device and/or provided by sensors and/or an external transmitter. An actuation mechanism, preferably a stepper motor, is used to rotate the display hands in the clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions in predefined increments to convey the information.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device comprising a rotateable member for indicating the day of the week, wherein each day of the week is displayable with an AM indicator and a PM indicator, an actuation mechanism, operatively coupled to the rotateable member, for rotating the rotateable member in at least one of the clockwise and counterclockwise direction; and a controller, operatively coupled to the actuation mechanism, for causing the rotation of the rotateable member after at least essentially 12 hours so as to shift between indicating a day indicator with the AM indicator and (ii) the day indicator with the PM indicator. The rotateable member can be a day ring, merely an elongated member or a display hand. After essentially 12 hours the rotateable member again rotates so as to shift between displaying in the window (i) the day indicator with the PM indicator and (ii) a successive day indicator with the AM indicator. In a preferred embodiment, the wearable electronic device is a watch.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand positioned on the dial side of a dial, wherein the wearable electronic device uses the display hand(s) to convey information that is stored in the controller of the device and/or provided by sensors and/or an external transmitter. An actuation mechanism, preferably a stepper motor, is used to rotate the display hands in the clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions in predefined increments to convey the information.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand positioned on the dial side of a dial, wherein the wearable electronic device uses the display hand(s) to convey information that is stored in the controller of the device and/or provided by sensors and/or an external transmitter. An actuation mechanism, preferably a stepper motor, is used to rotate the display hands in the clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions in predefined increments to convey the information.

Abstract: A wearable electronic device comprising a movement assembly for two differing display assemblies, wherein the improvement comprises a controller with changeable functionality, operatively coupled to the actuation mechanism, for controlling the actuation of the actuation mechanism; wherein the functionality of the controller for operating the first display assembly is different from the functionality for operating the second display assembly; whereby the display functionality of the wearable electronic device is changeable based on the display assembly operatively coupled to the one or more gears in the module and whereby the module and subassembly can be used to provide differing display functionality based on the display assembly coupled thereto.

Abstract: A timepiece comprising a date display, comprising a date display assembly comprising a date ring, a first gearing assembly being meshingly coupled to the date ring for causing the rotation of the date ring; and a stepping motor comprising a rotor, wherein the rotor of the stepping motor is rotateably coupled to the at least one or more wheels of the first gearing assembly, wherein the rotation of the rotor causes the date ring to rotate; a date-keeping assembly operatively coupled to the date display assembly, comprising: at least a second gearing assembly comprising at least an hour wheel and a detection wheel assembly, wherein at least certain rotational increments of the detection wheel, and the clockwise or counterclockwise direction thereof, causes the rotor of the stepping motor to rotate so that the date ring can be rotated in one of a clockwise or counterclockwise direction; whereby the rotation of the hour wheel through a predetermined midnight position results in that the stepping motor causes the d

Abstract: Crown setting device for an alarm setting crown and/or a time setting crown in an analog wristwatch uses a rotatable top ring mounted on the watch case, having gear teeth on its underside which mesh with gear teeth on the crown(s) to rotate the crown(s). This serves to set the time and/or alarms with less time and effort than conventional crown setting. Preferably involute gear teeth are used, but a simple version employs the conventional crown knurling as "teeth".

Abstract: An improved illuminated watch movement with analog and digital features comprising a frame containing an analog stepping motor and gear train connected to operate timepiece hands located substantially in the center of the movement. The frame has a recess on the dial side of the frame with a liquid crystal display disposed in the recess and having an indicia pattern. The liquid crystal display has a large available surface which covers the lower half of the movement up to the hour wheel, so that a variety of indicia patterns may be displayed. An electroluminescent lamp is disposed beneath said liquid crystal display. An electroluminescent dial is disposed on the dial side of the frame and has a window opening framing the indicia pattern. A circuit with actuators is connected to actuate the electroluminescent lamp and/or the electroluminescent dial. The movement further includes a printed circuit board disposed on the opposite side of the frame from the dial and having contact pads.

Abstract: A water-resistant timepiece of the type including a crystal, a timepiece dial and movement assembly, and a long-life energy cell, which comprises a continuous case of plastic having: a first outer peripheral member adapted to receive said dial and movement assembly and the long-life energy cell, and further adapted to receive the crystal to form a water-resistant seal therewith; a thin substantially flat case back wall integral with the peripheral member to form an annular edge; and a peripheral groove located in the bottom of the peripheral member. A case back blank of substantially uniform thickness, having a substantially flat central portion and an integral peripheral side wall, and preferably made of stainless steel, cooperates with the peripheral groove of the case to integrally attach the case back blank to the case to complete a thin timepiece having improved water resistance, high mechanical and structural integrity, and an aesthetic appearance.

Abstract: An improved reduction gear assembly with friction drive/slip coupling for a timepiece movement, comprising a metal pinion member having a toothed pinion and a coaxial stem extending from an abutment surface on said pinion, including (1) a cylindrical portion, (2) a frustum portion tapering from a smaller diameter to a larger diameter (3) a terminating tapered end portion; and a plastic wheel member having a toothed wheel and first and second coaxial journals extending from opposite sides of the. A central passage in the journals has a constricted section therein with a diameter slightly less than that of said larger diameter of said frustum portion on said metal pinion member with the frustum disposed in said constricted passage with a snap fit, whereby a friction drive/slip coupling is provided between the metal frustum portion of the metal pinion member and the constricted passage of the plastic wheel member.

Abstract: Briefly stated, the invention comprises an improved stepping motor and method of making it including locating it in the timepiece frame, the stepping motor including a rotor and a stator. A flat magnetizable stator member defines a central opening with diametrically opposed narrow sections on either side of the opening, a non-magnetic bushing disposed in the opening and secured to the surface of the stator member. The bushing has diametrically opposed cut-out portions aligned with the narrow sections. The narrow sections are severed to separate the stator into two pole shoes which are retained in position by the bushing. The severing is preferably by laser, but may includes sawing or other severing methods. The pole shoes of the stator member are then attached to the timepiece frame plate. The stepping motor rotor is journalled in bores formed in the frame and bushing.

Abstract: An improved stepping motor rotor assembly comprises a rotor having a shaft and a driving member such as a gear pinion, a centering washer disposed on the shaft and a recess with a short finished cylindrical wall coaxial with the shaft and annular abutment surface at the bottom of the recess, a rare earth permanent magnet having a rough center hole preferably drilled by laser beam defining an annular clearance with the shaft and having a finished outer cylindrical wall extending into the recess with a loose fit to center the magnet with respect to the rotor axis, and a holding washer forming an interference fit with the shaft and pressing the magnet axially against the abutment surface on the centering washer. The centering washer may be restrained in axial position by a light interference fit with the shaft or it may be held by contacting the driving member.

Abstract: An electronic analog timepiece with hour and minute hand driven by a stepping motor in accordance with low frequency timekeeping signals supplied by a high frequency quartz time reference. The electronic time-setting control circuit is controlled by a single manual push-button switch. The time is adjusted for correction, daylight saving or time zone change at slow, fast and accelerated rate in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Both an automatic single hour time correction with automatic restart, and a manual restart option are incorporated.