Abstract: Described herein is a system for transferring a binary data stream in a serial edge-based transmission format between a computer and a portable device such as the Timex.RTM. Data-Link.TM. watch. In the edge-based format expected by the Data-Link.TM. watch, individual data bits have first and second binary values which are represented by the presence or absence of signal edges at mark times which occur at a pre-selected bit rate. The system includes a computer having a digital output line which can be turned on and off by the computer at any time. The computer also has an internal timer which is programmed to generate timing signals at a frequency which is an integer multiple n of the pre-selected bit rate. An LED is operably connected to the digital output line so that the computer can switch the LED on and off at any time through the digital output line. An application program runs on the computer.

Abstract: Described herein is a system for transferring a binary data stream in a serial edge-based transmission format between a computer and a portable device such as the Timex.RTM. Data-Link.TM. watch. In the edge-based format expected by the Data-Link.TM. watch, individual data bits have first and second binary values which are represented by the presence or absence of signal edges at mark times which occur at a pre-selected bit rate. The system includes a computer having a digital output line which can be turned on and off by the computer at any time. The computer also has an internal timer which is programmed to generate timing signals at a frequency which is an integer multiple n of the pre-selected bit rate. An LED is operably connected to the digital output line so that the computer can switch the LED on and off at any time through the digital output line. An application program runs on the computer.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for remotely and optically programming a portable information device, such as a programmable watch, using a visual display device, such as a CRT monitor. The monitor displays a sequence of changing optical patterns used to optically transmit a serial stream of data. The optically programmable watch has an optical sensor which detects the sequence of optical patterns to optically receive the data stream. The optical patterns transmit machine-readable information that can be detected by the optical sensor, but no meaningful information to a user. The visual display device therefore also displays a human-readable image that explains to a user the sequence of optical patterns being used to transmit the data stream. The human-readable image is displayed in a manner that renders it undetectable by the optical sensor of the programmable watch.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a system and method for serially transferring a sequence of data bits having binary values. This includes a step of displaying sequential display frames on a frame-scanning graphics display device, wherein each sequential display frame is associated with an individual group of data bits. Each group of data bits is associated with one or more data framing bits. The framing bits are inverted from one sequential display frame to the next. Within each display frame, sequentially-scanned data transmission lines are selectively illuminated to represent the individual groups of data bits associated with the display frames and their associated data framing bits. Bits having a first binary value are represented by illuminated display frame lines. Bits having a second binary value are represented by non-illuminated display frame lines.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method of serially transferring a sequence of data bits between a computer and a portable information device such as the Timex Data Link.TM. watch, using the CRT of the computer as a transmission medium. The computer is programmed to display sequential display frames on a frame-scanning graphics display device and to illuminate line segments within the display frames to represent individual data bits. Each line segment has a continuous length on the display device which produces an optical pulse of a corresponding duration. Each data bit is encoded as a different line segment length to produce an optical pulse for each data bit having a duration which is dependent on the value of the data bit. For example, a pulse representing a binary value of 0 has a duration which is relatively longer than that of a pulse representing a binary 1. A receiving device monitors the optical signal created by the CRT and detects rising signal edges.

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.