Patents by Inventor Richard D. Ciervo

Richard D. Ciervo has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7379394
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising a first pusher located in a first position on the electronic device, wherein actuation of the first pusher causes initiation of a first operational sequence; a second pusher located in a second position on the electronic device, wherein actuation of the second pusher causes initiation of a second operational sequence; an integrated circuit, operatively coupled to the first and second pushers, for selectively carrying out the first and second operational sequences; switching means for switching the operational sequences initiated by the first and second pushers such that subsequent to actuation of the switching means, the first pusher causes initiation of the second operational sequence and the second pusher causes initiation of the first operational sequence; whereby the first operational sequence is different from the second operational sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventor: Richard D. Ciervo
  • Patent number: 7065006
    Abstract: A method of enabling the displayability of at least one hidden mode in a multimode electronic device, wherein the method comprises the steps of determining that data in the at least one hidden mode satisfies a specified condition; and causing the mode indicator of the hidden mode to be displayable during a step of cycling among the viewable modes; wherein the at least one hidden mode is available for selecting from the viewable modes in the mode selecting mode. An electronic device that can carry out the foregoing methodology is also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the electronic device is a timepiece and specifically, a wristwatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventor: Richard D. Ciervo
  • Patent number: 6604851
    Abstract: A method of setting a multimode electronic device operable in a current mode, a mode setting mode and a next mode. If a predetermined number of electrical signals are generated prior to the expiration of a predetermined period of time, the electronic device exits the current mode and enters the next mode. Locking conditions are also provided to assist in ensuring the device remains in a “home,” such as the time-of-day, mode. In one embodiment, the switching mechanism includes a rotating setting stem and the electronic device is a watch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventors: Ronald S. Lizzi, Nino L. Sarmiento, Edward J. Daly, Richard D. Ciervo, Robert Demarchi, Manjunath Garalapuraiaha, John T. Houlihan, John L. Garay, Skip Kurdi
  • Patent number: 6353579
    Abstract: A method of illuminating a display in an electronic device comprising a display, a lamp for illuminating said display, a plurality of actuated switches one of which is a lamp switch that when activated, causes the activation of the lamp to illuminate the display, and an integrated circuit coupled to the plurality of actuated switches, the integrated circuit being able to sense the activation of each of the plurality of actuated switches, wherein the method comprises the steps of sensing the activation of the lamp switch, activating the lamp to illuminate the display for a first predetermined period of time, sensing the activation of another one of the plurality of actuated switches, determining whether the another one of the plurality of actuated switches was activated while the display was illuminated; and if so maintaining the illumination of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventor: Richard D. Ciervo
  • Patent number: 6183099
    Abstract: A lightguide for illuminating a dial of a timekeeping device having a flat portion having a bottom surface and an upper surface in facing alignment with the watch dial, a lightpipe integrally formed with and extending below the flat portion, the lightpipe having a foot region at one end thereof, and geometries molded into the bottom surface of the flat portion to selectively eject internally reflected light from the bottom surface of the flat portion through the upper surface, where the lightguide provides illumination to the dial when a concentrated light source disposed below and spaced apart from the foot region conducts light to the lightpipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Timex Corporation
    Inventors: John L. Garay, Richard D. Ciervo, William M Kurple