Mechanically Actuated Stop Time Type Patents (Class 368/110)
  • Patent number: 11899408
    Abstract: A pointer controller includes at least one processor; and a display that includes a pointer. The at least one processor is configured to control the display so as to display an elapsed time, switching between (i) a first display mode for display of the elapsed time cumulatively by causing, upon resumption of display, movement of the pointer that inherits a previous display time and (ii) a second display mode for display of the elapsed time non-cumulatively by causing, upon resumption of display, movement of the pointer that does not inherit the previous display time. The movement of the pointer controlled by the at least one processor is such that the first display mode and the second display mode differ from each other in a way of movement that indicates how the pointer moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoki Ishikawa, Shuto Oikawa, Hitoshi Tanaka, Chiharu Shiratori
  • Patent number: 11644794
    Abstract: An assembly includes a plurality of gongs, which are connected to at least one gong carrier for a striking mechanism of a watch. Some gongs each connected to a respective gong carrier and a group of gongs connected to one and the same gong carrier are produced with materials different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Blancpain SA
    Inventors: Laurane Chevallier, Jérôme Favre, Mehdi Denden
  • Patent number: 11638865
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to on course rating systems (OCRS) and, more particularly, to its pace targets on cross country or road race course segments and related systems and methods of use. The method includes: obtaining performance equivalences (PEQs) of a first rated course including a track equivalent time of the first rated course; and obtaining a goal time, the equivalent of the first course but on a second course; and providing pace targets on selected segments for the second rated course using the track equivalent time and the goal time in order to cumulatively produce the goal time of the second rated course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventor: John N. Tucker
  • Patent number: 11194295
    Abstract: A smart watch comprises a case, a display device configured to present a user interface disposed in substantially all of a face of the case, a bezel around the display device configured to be rotated to select a mode of operation of the smart watch, and an analog first watch arm and an analog second watch arm disposed over the display, the second watch arm coaxial with the first watch arm. In a first mode of operation, the user interface presents a watch dial and control the first and second watch arms indicate a time of day first and second watch arms to indicate a time of day. In a second mode of operation, the user interface presents a dial and control the first and second watch arms form a pointer, the pointer configured to indicate a reading on the dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Inventors: Jochen R. Katzer, Carey J. Spesard
  • Patent number: 11188030
    Abstract: A timepiece display mechanism including a barrel with a spring between the arbor of a first wheel set driven by a drive wheel set, and a drum carrying a peripheral snail cam traversed by a feeler controlling the periodic jump of a display member, this drum carrying an peripheral finger outside the trajectory of this feeler, this first wheel set including an eccentric crank pin permanently guiding a groove to control the periodic back and forth motions of a pivoting anchor piece, which includes, on either side of an anchor piece axis, a beak and a stop for stopping or releasing this finger depending on the angular position of this anchor piece, the angular travel of each finger between its release by this beak and return to abutment on this stop defining the jump duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Alain Zaugg, Christophe Riedo
  • Patent number: 11074798
    Abstract: Disclosed is a computer system for alerting emergency services. The system comprises a monitoring device, a at least one physical symptom device, a transmitter, a processor, and memory. The memory stores a predetermined baseline for one or more vital signs of a patient, a physical symptom baseline, each physical symptom baseline corresponding to a device of the physical symptom device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Agency for Science, Technology end Research
    Inventors: Phin Peng Lee, Thien Khanh Nguyen, Xiong Zhou, Cheryl Jia Wei Chng
  • Patent number: 10372084
    Abstract: An analog electronic watch includes a hand and a control unit. The hand is configured to be rotatable. The control unit fast-forwards the hand to perform a fast-forward operation in different ways according to whether a type of a display object after switching is a time type or a period type, in a case where display contents are switched by using the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD
    Inventor: Hiroshi Morohoshi
  • Patent number: 10338531
    Abstract: An analog electronic watch includes a hand and a control unit. The hand is configured to be rotatable. The control unit fast-forwards the hand to perform a fast-forward operation in different ways according to whether a type of a display object after switching is a time type or a period type, in a case where display contents are switched by using the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD
    Inventor: Hiroshi Morohoshi
  • Patent number: 10171179
    Abstract: An optical module and an optical line terminal device are disclosed. According to an example, the optical line terminal device comprises a system board and an optical module. The system board comprises an optical module control circuit comprising a main control chip and a drive circuit. The optical module comprises a circuit board provided with an electrical interface, an optical assembly and a memory unit. The memory unit is configured to store an operation parameter of the optical assembly. The electrical interface has a first pin to be connected with a drive end of the optical assembly and a second pin to be connected with a data transmission pin of the memory unit. In this way, main control chip is allowed to read the operation parameter of the optical assembly through the first pin and configure the drive circuit accordingly, while the drive circuit is allowed to drive the optical assembly through the second pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignees: HISENSE BROADBAND MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD., HISENSE BROADBAND MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Qiang Zhang, Qisheng Zhao
  • Patent number: 10146188
    Abstract: A smart watch includes a case, a display device configured to present a user interface disposed in substantially all of a face of the case, a bezel around the display device configured to be rotated to select a mode of operation of the smart watch, and an analog first watch arm and an analog second watch arm disposed over the display, the second watch arm coaxial with the first watch arm. In a first mode of operation, the user interface presents a watch dial and control the first and second watch arms indicate a time of day first and second watch arms to indicate a time of day. In a second mode of operation, the user interface presents a dial and control the first and second watch arms form a pointer, the pointer configured to indicate a reading on the dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen R. Katzer, Carey J. Spesard
  • Patent number: 10139783
    Abstract: A hand device includes a hand configured to reciprocally move in a fan shape at an equal speed in a counterclockwise direction and in a clockwise direction, a driving unit configured to drive the hand, and a display unit, at least a part of which is arranged below the hand and within a reciprocal movement range of the hand, the display unit being configured to display predetermined information by a combination of a blinking and a position of the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koichi Matsuzawa, Takaomi Yonekura, Iichiro Hashimoto, Keishirou Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10101708
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a power generator that generates electric energy, a power storage that stores the electric energy, a capacity detector that detects remaining capacity of the power storage, an operation unit, an operation detector that detects a measurement display operation for instructing the operation unit to display a measurement time, and a capacity display operation for instructing the operation unit to display the remaining capacity, an indicating hand that is used in displaying the measurement time and the remaining capacity, a drive unit that drives the indicating hand, and displays the remaining capacity after moving the indicating hand so as to indicate a preset reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Osami Yamada
  • Patent number: 10037010
    Abstract: The timepiece comprises a timekeeping mechanism and a switching device arranged to switch this timekeeping mechanism between two states. The switching device comprises a movable switching organ and a rotary control organ arranged to be stepwise driven in order to successively occupy a plurality of distinct angular positions about its axis of rotation. The movable switching organ and the rotary control organ respectively support a first magnetic structure and a second magnetic structure arranged so that, in a first angular position of the rotary control organ, a first magnetic force acts on the switching organ in a given direction, and so that, in a second angular position of the rotary control organ, a second magnetic force acts on the switching organ in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Benoit Legeret, Benoit Junod
  • Patent number: 10031486
    Abstract: A method of setting/calibrating a feature or function in a setting/calibrating mode of an electronic device comprising at least one actuatable selector, wherein the setting/calibrating of the feature or function requires an actuation of the at least one selector, wherein the electronic device comprises at least one indicator hand coupled to an actuation mechanism that rotates the at least one indicator hand in at least one of a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, wherein the method comprises the steps of using the at least one indicator hand to indicate the actuatable selector for actuation; setting/calibrating the feature or function; and exiting the setting/calibration mode. An electronic device that carries out the foregoing method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Timex Group USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Felix Poguntke
  • Patent number: 9599966
    Abstract: Timepiece wheel set (1) including an arbor (3) carrying a wheel (4), and a heart cam (2) in an angularly indexed position with respect to the wheel (4), the heart cam (2) is freely mounted in a radial direction (R) with respect to the axis (D) of the arbor (3), and is returned in a neutral position towards the axis (D) by at least one flexible element (6), which is either a strip (25; 26) incorporated in the heart cam (2), or a spring (60) inserted between the wheel (4) and the heart cam (2), and the flexible element (6) is dimensioned to damp impacts applied to a peripheral cam track (23) comprised in the heart cam (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Matthaus Friedli, Roman Egli
  • Patent number: 9317016
    Abstract: An instrument for counting duration for differentiated phases, including: plural mechanisms for recording a time duration, each actuatable, for activation and deactivation thereof, by a first controller; a general controller for controlling, from an inactive position in which all the recording mechanisms are deactivated, activation of only one of them, selected by a selector, and for again controlling, at a final moment, deactivation of all the recording mechanisms; a switch configured, during a command for activation of one of the recording mechanisms, to trigger the deactivation of all other recording mechanisms and to save totality of the recorded times, counted on each of the recording mechanisms. The selector is configured to be controlled by a user or/and by a measuring mechanism or/and by a signal to trigger the activation of one of the recording mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Hamilton International AG
    Inventors: Ines Ruestenberg, Gerald Matthey, Fabien Balli
  • Patent number: 9188962
    Abstract: A timing device that includes an anode layer, a cathode layer and an electrolyte attached to a base layer. The anode layer and the cathode layer are placed adjacent to one another along an axis of the timing device. Upon activation of the timing device the anode layer is depleted away from the cathode layer until the timing device is fully expired. Once the timing device is expired, a change is seen indicating that the timing device has expired. In some embodiments, a color change indicates that the timing device has expired. In some embodiments, as the timing device expires electronically readable information is uncovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Vision Works IP Corporation
    Inventor: Alfred S. Braunberger
  • Patent number: 9146541
    Abstract: A device (100; 200) for resetting to a predetermined position an indicator member (2, 13; 22) indicative of a parameter connected with time, notably a “flyback” device, the indicator member being kinematically linked to a drive mobile (15; 35), the device comprising an energy accumulator (9) and a return element (1; 21) for returning the indicator member indicative of the parameter connected with time to the predetermined position, the return element being powered by energy from the accumulator, the energy being supplied to the energy accumulator by a user via a control member (4) for resetting to the predetermined position, the control member being able to be manipulated by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: ROLEX S.A.
    Inventors: Pascal Billet, Julien Cattaneo, Marco La China, Denis Rudaz, Fabiano Colpo
  • Patent number: 9076278
    Abstract: Systems and methods for timing of a passing of an object past a monitored location where the monitored location is being monitored by timing system having at least one automated object detection system for wirelessly detecting the passing of the object at the monitored location. The system comprises a remote entry computer system having a processor for executing computer executable instructions, a clock for determining a present time, a user interface for receiving user input data, a memory being a computer readable medium storing the computer executable instructions and the received user input data, and a communications interface for communicating with the timing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Innovative Timing Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Kurt S. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8953418
    Abstract: A timepiece includes two hands (14, 16) advancing in superposition to display a first item of information regarding the current time. On demand, by operating a control (17), one of the two hands moves relative to the first to display a second item of information regarding the current time, the two hands returning to a superposed position when the control is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: La Montre Hermes SA
    Inventor: Frederic Crettex
  • Patent number: 8923096
    Abstract: Methodologies and constructions of displaying elapsed time on a wristworn device, which include among other things, having at least two display hands one of which that will rotate faster or stop so that they become coincident with each other, then rotate together and then reassume their normal and accurate positions. Such is particularly important with respect to one of the hands that is preferably a seconds hand that might otherwise be displaying seconds of the time of day (“TOD”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Timex Group USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard Stotz, Louis M. Galie
  • Patent number: 8854926
    Abstract: An electronic multi-lane stop watch is disclosed. Said multi-lane stop watch can record multi-athletes' split times and final times simultaneously. Said multi-lane stop watch can also automatically save collected data to files and export/import information and data to/from external devices such as computers or printers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Yingjie Lin
  • Publication number: 20140269226
    Abstract: There is provided a pressure actuated timing device for use with activities such as games. In some embodiments, the electrical component of the invention will comprise a conventional “tap light” (or “tap-on-light”) in electronic communication with a digital or other stopwatch or electronic timer. Additionally, a game player will be equipped with a rubber ball or similar lightweight and resilient object (e.g., a bean bag, a soft plastic toy, etc.) that may be attached to the user's hand via an elastic tether. In some embodiments, the object will be to strike the tap light with a thrown object in a minimal period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Arlen J. Lowrance
  • Patent number: 8737175
    Abstract: A chronograph comprises a main dial with coaxially placed main hands group and at least one sub dial, placed within the main dial, with a therein coaxially placed main hands group. The invention is characterized in that at least one sub hands group displays an indication of current time and the main hands group displays an indication of chrono time. A first preferred form of implementation provides that the sub dial is placed decentralized within the main dial. A second preferred form of implementation provides that the sub hands group is placed coaxially with the main dial; the main dial and main hands group are partially covered by the sub dial; and the sub hands group is coaxially with the main hands group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: Atte Nicolaas Bakker
  • Patent number: 8730767
    Abstract: The timepiece includes first (1) and second (2) rings to which indications (3, 4) are affixed for displaying, in combination with each other, a time-related magnitude (5), which appears in a large aperture (6). The rings (1, 2) have equal dimensions, are arranged one on top of the other and off-center in relation to each other such that, at the vertical of the large aperture, the outer edge (7) of the first ring (1) substantially borders the inner edge (8) of the second ring (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Raphael Balmer, Stephane Claude
  • Publication number: 20140064042
    Abstract: An instrument for counting duration for differentiated phases, including: plural mechanisms for recording a time duration, each actuatable, for activation and deactivation thereof, by a first controller; a general controller for controlling, from an inactive position in which all the recording mechanisms are deactivated, activation of only one of them, selected by a selector, and for again controlling, at a final moment, deactivation of all the recording mechanisms; a switch configured, during a command for activation of one of the recording mechanisms, to trigger the deactivation of all other recording mechanisms and to save totality of the recorded times, counted on each of the recording mechanisms. The selector is configured to be controlled by a user or/and by a measuring mechanism or/and by a signal to trigger the activation of one of the recording mechanisms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Hamilton International AG
    Inventors: Ines Rüstenberg, Gérald Matthey, Fabien Balli
  • Patent number: 8441893
    Abstract: An electronic timing device is disclosed for simply and easily indicating elapsed time since a food container was opened. The electronic timing device can be directly attached to the food container and can be activated when first opening the food container. Activation occurs via a simple one-button-press operation. Thereafter, the electronic timing device displays elapsed time in days. Additionally, via a further one-button-press operation, the electronic timing device can display elapsed time in hours within the current day. Thereafter, viewing the display readily indicates the elapsed time since the food container was first opened. The electronic timing device can be reused by directly attaching it to another food container and re-activating the electronic timing device. The electronic timing device can be used with any container or to indicate elapsed time of any event having occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Double U Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Deborah Joy Stephens Stauffer, Kathleen McCann Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 8406085
    Abstract: The swim device includes a wrist unit system wearable on a wrist and a hand, at least one hand sensor unit that is wearable on a hand, and at least one foot sensor unit wearable on a foot. The wrist unit system includes a wrist unit and at least one pressure sensor. The wrist unit includes an integrated circuit chip (ICC) computer; a battery; an alarm, a display and housing with input buttons, and a wrist band with an embedded antenna. The hand/foot sensor unit includes an integrated circuit chip (ICC) computer with a battery. The pressure sensor is attached to a cap that is worn on the first segment of a finger or big toe in such a manner that the pressure sensor faces the water-bound side of the finger or big toe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Masami Sakita
  • Patent number: 8406086
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece can reduce a burden imposed on a user who performs a manipulation for correcting the positional displacement of a pointer when a position of the pointer is displaced due to the demonstration of the pointer movement. The electronic timepiece includes: a pointer which is rotated in a first direction based on a manipulation signal corresponding to a manipulation from the outside; and a control part which performs the demonstration of the pointer movement in which the pointer is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction and the first direction, wherein the pointer is positioned at a position where a rotational angle in the first direction from a preset reference position is smaller than a rotational angle in a second direction from the reference position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shimizu, Tomohiro Ihashi, Kenji Ogasawara, Kazuo Kato, Kazumi Sakumoto, Akira Takakura, Eriko Noguchi, Takanori Hasegawa, Keishi Honmura, Saburo Manaka, Kosuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8348495
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a striking member and a struck member that is driven when struck by the striking member, at least one of the striking member and the struck member being made from a metallic glass alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Kamiya
  • Patent number: 8315127
    Abstract: An athletic performance measurement system determines the reaction time, performance time and response time for an athlete to perform an event. A timing processor is in communication with two spaced-apart switches and when the athlete activates the first switch, it sets in motion a system for randomly activating a transducer that alerts the athlete to start the test. The athlete manipulates the first switch in response to detecting the activated transducer while the device measures the time it takes for this activity, thereby defining the athlete's reaction time. Then, the athlete manipulates the spaced apart second switch while the system monitors the time it takes to perform this task, thereby defining the athlete's performance time. The total response time is then calculated by adding the reaction time to the performance time. A testing protocol for performing a plurality of timed tests and averaging the scores is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Reichow, Joshua K. Hoyt, Ryan Coulter
  • Patent number: 8295131
    Abstract: In a chronograph timepiece in which the chronograph hands are electrically rotated by a motor drive pulse and are mechanically zero-restoring-controlled, a basic drive control unit controls a motor so as to drive the chronograph hands when it is detected by a contact portion and a setting releasing detection portion that the setting of the chronograph hands by a setting mechanism has been released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kato, Akira Takakura, Kenji Ogasawara, Saburo Manaka, Kazumi Sakumoto, Hiroshi Shimizu, Tomohiro Ihashi, Keishi Honmura, Takanori Hasegawa, Kosuke Yamamoto, Eriko Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8289816
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chronograph timepiece whose chronograph hands are electrically drive-controlled and mechanically zero-restoring-controlled, wherein it possible to perform a normal operation at the time of start operation and reset operation. After a mechanical control unit releases the setting of chronograph hands in response to the start operation of a start/stop button, a contact portion is placed in a start state, and an electrical control unit starts a time measurement operation to electrically hand-movement-drive the chronograph hands, and, after a contact portion is placed in a reset state in response to a reset operation of a reset button and the electrical control unit electrically resets the time measurement operation, the mechanical control unit mechanically zero-restores and sets the chronograph hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Kato, Akira Takakura, Kenji Ogasawara, Saburo Manaka, Kazumi Sakumoto, Hiroshi Shimizu, Tomohiro Ihashi, Keishi Honmura, Takanori Hasegawa, Kosuke Yamamoto, Eriko Noguchi
  • Patent number: 8223594
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chronograph timepiece in which it is possible to prevent the chronograph drive timing and the magnetic field detection timing from overlapping each other to unnecessarily effect driving with correction drive pulses. A processing unit controls drive circuits so as to drive a time indication motor and a chronograph indication motor with a predetermined timing based respectively on timekeeping information obtained and chronograph measurement information obtained, and effects control such that a magnetic field detecting unit detects a magnetic field with a predetermined timing; when the drive timing for the chronograph indication motor and the magnetic field detection timing for the magnetic field detecting unit overlap each other, the processing unit changes the magnetic field detection timing for the magnetic field detecting unit so that the drive timing for the chronograph indication motor and the magnetic field detection timing for the magnetic field detecting unit may not overlap each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ihashi, Kenji Ogasawara, Kazuo Kato, Kazumi Sakumoto, Hiroshi Shimizu, Akira Takakura, Eriko Noguchi, Takanori Hasegawa, Keishi Honmura, Saburo Manaka, Kosuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8179744
    Abstract: The timepiece display device includes a rotating analogue indicator member (21), a first counter wheel set (38) and a second counter wheel set (44), whose positions are respectively representative of two magnitudes to be displayed by said indicator member (21), and a switch mechanism (40) with manual control (23) for selectively displaying the first or second magnitude via the indicator member. The display device is characterized in that the switch mechanism includes a rotating arbour (73) kinematically connected to the indicator member (21) and a sliding wheel set (71) secured to the arbour in rotation and provided for sliding, via the action of the manual control device (23), so as to selectively occupy on the arbour (73) a first axial position, in which the sliding wheel set (71) is coupled with the first counter wheel set (38), and a second axial position, in which the sliding wheel set (71) is coupled with the second counter wheel set (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Vincent Laucella, Jean-Philippe Rochat
  • Patent number: 7948834
    Abstract: A watch that advantageously allows an athlete, such as a runner, to conveniently and instantly calculate a pace at which a distance was traveled. The watch includes a chronographic process and a pace calculation process. In order to determine a pace, the athlete enters the travel distance into the pace calculation process. The athlete then initiates a count by the chronographic process when he or she starts traveling the designated distance. When the athlete finishes traveling the designated distance, he or she stops the count, so that the chronographic process measures the total elapsed time required to travel the designated distance. The pace calculation process then obtains the total elapsed time from the chronographic process, and divides the designated travel distance by the total elapsed time to calculate the pace at which the distance was traveled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan M. Schrock, Edward L. Boyd
  • Patent number: 7887232
    Abstract: A game timer, especially suited in one embodiment as a chess clock, including means for direct input of minimum average playing speed in moves per unit time as well as input of the required number of moves in one or more time control sequences. Direct input means that minimum average speed is not inferred from the number of moves to be completed over an initially allotted period of time, as in conventional chess clocks, but is instead input as number of moves per hour or per minute. The units of time are established by a separate input. The separate inputs of minimum average speed and number of moves per time control sequence generate an initial allotted time automatically, which provides a ready means of enforcing the input minimum average speed. With the number of moves in a time control sequence set to one, the timer emulates a Fischer Clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Inventor: Royal C. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7856374
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturer to present Web-based edu-games so as to train retail staff member about the manufacturer and its products and to access edu-game data and retail sales data from a database. A Website can be created to provide a point of interaction between the manufacturer, retailer, and retail staff member. By accessing this Website, the retail staff member is presented with the web-based edu-games and learns about the manufacturer and its products. The retail staff member can be presented with incentives by the manufacturer for completing the web-based training off time, which may prevent the retailer from paying for the costs of training the retail staff member. Alternately, retailers can also do training in-house (e.g., if required by statute). Manufacturers and retailers compare education levels to sales data to determine the effects of the training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: 3Point5
    Inventor: Paul Kirwin
  • Patent number: 7710834
    Abstract: A watch that advantageously allows an athlete, such as a runner, to conveniently and instantly calculate a pace at which a distance was traveled. The watch includes a chronographic process and a pace calculation process. In order to determine a pace, the athlete enters the travel distance into the pace calculation process. The athlete then initiates a count by the chronographic process when he or she starts traveling the designated distance. When the athlete finishes traveling the designated distance, he or she stops the count, so that the chronographic process measures the total elapsed time required to travel the designated distance. The pace calculation process then obtains the total elapsed time from the chronographic process, and divides the designated travel distance by the total elapsed time to calculate the pace at which the distance was traveled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan M. Schrock, Edward L. Boyd
  • Publication number: 20100039904
    Abstract: An elapsed time and remaining time liquid crystal measuring device having a display face around the periphery of which there are a plurality of numerical indicia marks arranged in a generally clockwise pattern with successive numerical indicia marks decreasing in numerical value in a clockwise direction from a twelve o'clock position. An annular ring of electronically generated graphic indicia are visible on the display face and spaced inwardly from the peripheral numerical indicia and a digital numerical read-out display of elapsed times is visible internally of the annular ring of graphic indicia. There is at least one electronic control element for setting a desired elapsed set time into the device, which desired elapsed set time is indicated both on the digital read-out display and as a complete ring or an arcuate section of the annular ring on the display face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventor: Janice L. Rogers
  • Patent number: 7532544
    Abstract: A multifunction timer device for providing a time/date stamp on objects includes a housing, a controller with a timer circuit contained in the housing, a display for displaying information from the timer circuit, and a multifunction input button. The input button is operable in predetermined sequences to select operating and display modes of the timer device. The input button can be operated to display an actual date or time, to display a current timer value, to select between count-up and count-down modes, and to increment a counter. An adhesive backing is provided for attaching the timer device to an object. A communications link is provided for interfacing the controller with an external programmer. A reset trigger is used to automatically reset the timer device when the object is moved in a particular way, such as when a lid is removed from a pill container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: Kevin C. Morse
  • Patent number: 7445374
    Abstract: The invention concerns a chronograph watch movement, comprising a chronograph mechanism, including: a chronograph gear-train comprising first (40) and second (38) wheels completing a revolution in sixty seconds and a revolution in a fraction of an hour respectively and arranged in the center of the movement, a control device (48) for starting and stopping the rotation of the chronograph gear-train, and a reset device (50). In said movement, the chronograph mechanism further comprises switching means designed such that, upon activation, they connect the second wheel (38) of the chronograph gear-train to a finishing mobile, so that the display means borne by the second wheel display the current time unit equivalent to that of the measured time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier S.A.
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Methuen Forsey, Robert Greubel
  • Publication number: 20080165623
    Abstract: A multifunction timer device for providing a time/date stamp on objects includes a housing, a controller with a timer circuit contained in the housing, a display for displaying information from the timer circuit, and a multifunction input button. The input button is operable in predetermined sequences to select operating and display modes of the timer device. The input button can be operated to display an actual date or time, to display a current timer value, to select between count-up and count-down modes, and to increment a counter. An adhesive backing is provided for attaching the timer device to an object. A communications link is provided for interfacing the controller with an external programmer. A reset trigger is used to automatically reset the timer device when the object is moved in a particular way, such as when a lid is removed from a pill container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Kevin C. Morse
  • Patent number: 7382692
    Abstract: An add-on timer for a medicine container is provided having a base plate affixed to the top of an existing lid, a housing overlaying and coupled to the base plate, and a timing unit within the housing. The housing is displaceable relative to the base plate by a person depressing or twisting the housing, which actuates a switch and resets the timing unit. A display indicates the elapsed time since the container was last accessed, to assist a patient in following dosage instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Add-On Timer, LLC
    Inventor: William K. Hildebrandt
  • Patent number: 7372014
    Abstract: A poolside connector system and method for use with swimming pool race timing systems and signaling devices. A deck plate or similar poolside signal junction is provided with an optical receiver terminal, and a cable connection from a poolside signaling device such as a touchpad or backup button is provided with an optical transmitter terminal that can be plugged into the deck plate terminal. Electrical signals from the touchpad and backup button representing completed laps are transmitted as optical signals to the deck plate junction. The optical connection at the deck plate is non-conductive and electrically sealed from the poolside environment, and thus has no exposed electrical terminals to corrode. The low voltage DC current on which the optical terminals operate is provided in sealed fashion to the electrically insulated optical terminals, in a preferred form via an inductive power coupling whose halves are sealed in the deck plate and the removable cable connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Service Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Stebbins, James E. Crouch
  • Patent number: 7364352
    Abstract: A mechanism having at least a function of measuring an arbitrary elapsed time is provided, which disables the function from being reset after the function is started, and enables the function to be reset after the function is stopped. The function is continuously held in an electrical ON state after being started, except when being normally stopped. This provides a time measurement device and method in which an electrical operating state and a mechanical operating state can coincide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidehiro Akahane, Kenichi Okuhara, Akihiko Maruyama, Nobuhiro Koike
  • Patent number: 7292505
    Abstract: Instrument for measuring intervals of time including a chronograph mechanism (4) which it is possible at least to start, stop and reset to zero, said instrument (1) being characterized in that it further includes a ringing mechanism (6) which emits an acoustic signal at least when the chronograph mechanism (4) is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Glashütter Uhrenbetrieb GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Schmiedchen
  • Patent number: 7277361
    Abstract: A timekeeping device enables easily knowing how much playing time has passed and can automatically keep track of time added to compensate for stoppage time. The timekeeping device 1 has a input unit 2, a display unit 3, an alarm unit 5, and a control unit 4. The control unit 4 has a timekeeping unit 41 including a first timer 41A and a second timer 41B, a input control unit 42, a timekeeping control unit 43, a display control unit 44, a alarm control unit 45, and memory 46. The alarm unit 5 outputs a first alarm when the second timer 41B is keeping time and the time kept by the first timer 41A reaches a preset time setting. When the second timer is not keeping time and the time kept by the first timer reaches the preset time, the alarm unit 5 outputs the second alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba
  • Patent number: 7275859
    Abstract: The invention concerns a display device for a watch movement comprising: a frame (110), an assembly of wheels pivotably mounted on the frame and wherein the angular position of a first (116) and a second (120) among them is based on the state of an information to be displayed, and a display member (126) mobile about an axis (A-A), and designed to enable data associated with the first (116) or the second (120) wheel to be displayed by the same display member (126).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier S.A.
    Inventors: Stephen Edward Methuen Forsey, Robert Greubel
  • Publication number: 20070183269
    Abstract: A timekeeping device enables easily knowing how much playing time has passed and can automatically keep track of time added to compensate for stoppage time. The timekeeping device 1 has a input unit 2, a display unit 3, an alarm unit 5, and a control unit 4. The control unit 4 has a timekeeping unit 41 including a first timer 41A and a second timer 41B, a input control unit 42, a timekeeping control unit 43, a display control unit 44, a alarm control unit 45, and memory 46. The alarm unit 5 outputs a first alarm when the second timer 41B is keeping time and the time kept by the first timer 41A reaches a preset time setting. When the second timer is not keeping time and the time kept by the first timer reaches the preset time, the alarm unit 5 outputs the second alarm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba