GB2267366A - Display for electronic chronometer - Google Patents

Abstract

A display 9 for an electronic chronometer 1 has a plurality of digital display elements 15 for displaying a first set of numerals and a plurality of radially arranged analogue display elements 17 for displaying a second set of numerals. The analogue display elements 17 are connected to corresponding electrical contacts to enable successive display of the numerals of the second set. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPLAY FOR ELECTRONIC CHRONOMETER The present invention comprises a display for an electronic chronometer such as a watch or a clock.

There are many ways of displaying time (and optionally, date) on such a display. Although the time may be displayed by conventional moving hands, it is common to employ an electronic display such as of the liquid crystal display (LCD) or light emitting diode (LED) type. With the latter electronic type of display, the time may be displayed in purely digital form or in analogue form, eg. by stimulating moving hands using a liquid crystal display.

One known display described in US 4 204 399 comprises radial segments corresponding to hours and fractions of hours therebetween. A central digital display indicates both minutes and hours.

A similar arrangement is disclosed in US 4 540 242.

There, central digital LCD elements are arranged above a reflecting plate and so-called "analogue" radially arranged LCD elements are arranged between the digital display elements and the reflecting plate so as not to overlap the digital elements in the viewing direction.

However, the "analogue" elements are only marker segments and not in the form of numerals.

Another display arrangement is disclosed in US 4 255 806. This display has radially disposed segment display elements and central digital display elements, wherein common or counter electrodes are shared between different sets of radial segment display elements. At least one radial element of one set is connected in parallel with at least one radial element of another set and in parallel with at least one digital element so the display can be driven in time-multiplexed fashion.

The applicants have now devised a particular form of combined analogue and digital display using electronic display elements which combines the clarity of a purely digital display whilst allowing the instant recognition provided by the conventional moving hands.

Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a display for an electronic chronometer, the display comprising a plurality of digital display elements arranged for displaying a first set of numerals, the display further comprising a plurality of radially arranged analogue display elements configured for displaying a second set of numerals, wherein the analogue display elements are connected to corresponding electrical contacts so as to be capable of successive display of the numerals of the second set.

In a preferred embodiment, the numerals of the second set are capable of successive display such that all of the numerals of the second set which have values below and equal to a predetermined number are displayed simultaneously and all the numerals of the second set which have values above the predetermined number are not displayed. This means that first numeral 1 is displayed, then 1 and 2, then 1, 2 and 3 and so on.

This is particularly suitable for display of hours.

To understand these concepts better, it should be appreciated that the preferred embodiment, by way of example only, may be embodied in the form of a chronometer such as a watch which uses the analogue concept to show the "hour". For example, if it is 5 O' Clock, the watch would show figures 1 to 5 only but not the other figures on the face of the watch and is analogous to the "hour" hand of an analogue watch telling the "hour".

The chronometer {veg. watch) uses the digital concept or format to show the "minute" in the middle circle of the display.

The present invention also extends to the display when connected to an electronic circuit for causing the analogue display element to display the numerals of the second set successively in any way herein described.

Preferably, the electronic circuit employs CMOS logic circuitry.

A plurality of further radially arranged display elements concentric with the radially arranged analogue display elements may be provided, for example for displaying the passage of seconds of time. Preferably, the further radially arranged display elements are arranged concentrically inside the radially arranged analogue display elements.

Thus, the aforementioned chronometer according to a preferred embodiment may also use a jumping "dot" to show the "seconds". The dot jumps once every two seconds.

Another preferred feature is use of the digital display elements together with the (main) radially arranged analogue display elements for other functions.

For example, when the chronometer is in an "ALARM" mode, the circuitry may cause the digital display elements to display the minute at which the alarm is to operate and an appropriate one of the radially arranged analogue display elements to display the hour of which the alarm is to operate. Another display element such as 'ALM' may also be used to indicate that the chronometer is in the "ALARM" mode.

Similarly, in a "DATE" mode, the digital display elements may be operated by the circuitry to display the day (date) of the month and an appropriate one of the radially arranged analogue display elements to indicate the current month (eg. '3' for March). Another display element such as "DATE" may also be used to indicate when the chronometer is in the "DATE" mode.

In a preferred embodiment, all the display elements of the display are of the liquid crystal type and comprise individual segment electrodes and common or counter electrodes. By selectively energising respective segment and common or counter electrodes with appropriate electronic circuitry, via the relevant electrical contacts, the successive display of the numerals may be effected.

In a preferred arrangement, the analogue and digital display elements each comprise both segment electrodes and common or counter electrodes, at least one segment electrode of an analogue display element is connected to at least one segment electrode of a digital display element, at least one analogue display element shares a common counter electrode with at least one digital display element but no analogue and digital display elements sharing a common counter electrode have their respective segment electrodes connected together.

Most preferably, the further radially arranged display elements each comprise both segment electrodes and common or counter electrodes, at least one segment electrode of a further display element is connected to at least one segment electrode of an analogue display element or at least one segment electrode of a digital display element, at least one further display element shares a common counter electrode with at least one analogue display element or at least one digital display element but no analogue or digital or further display elements which share a common counter electrode have their respective segment electrodes connected together.

In particular, it is preferred that at least one segment electrode of the further display element is connected to at least one segment electrode of an analogue display element and to at least one segment electrode of at least one digital display element, at least one further display element and at least one analogue display element and at least one digital display element all share a common counter electrode but no further display element, analogue display element and digital display element which share a common counter electrode have their segment electrodes connected together.

Generally speaking, the interconnections between display elements of the segment electrodes and the common counter electrodes, respectively, are all, or mostly, series connections.

Preferably, substantially all the segment electrodes of the digital display elements for displaying the first set of numerals and substantially all the segment electrodes of the analogue display elements for displaying the second set of numerals are arranged in the same plane. Most preferably, when present, substantially all the segment electrodes of the further radially arranged display elements and/or any other display elements are all in that same plane.

Preferably, substantially all the common or counter electrodes are all arranged in another plane below that of said segment electrodes. Thus, the display may be operated in time-multiplexed fashion.

The present invention also extends to an electronic chronometer such as a clock or watch comprising a display according to the present invention.

The invention will now be explained in more detail by the following description of a preferred embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a watch having a circular display according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows another watch having a rectangular display according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows the display of the watch shown in Figure 1, illustrating the interconnection of the segment electrodes and their corresponding electrical contacts; Figure 4 shows the display shown in Figure 3, illustrating the interconnection of the common or counter electrodes and the electrical contacts; and Figure 5 shows the electronic circuit for operating the display shown in Figures 3 and 4.

As shown in Figure 1, watch 1 has a body 3 connected to a strap 5. The body has a round face 7 which comprises a display 9 according to the present invention.

An analogue numeral display area 11 is arranged radially around the circumference of the display. A digital display area 13 is arranged at the centre. As shown, the display time is 10. 59. The minutes are displayed on the digital display area by means of a pair of seven-segment digital display elements 15. The hours are displayed by means of analogue display elements 17 in the analogue display area. In the analogue display area, numerals 1 to 10 are displayed whilst numerals 11 and 12 are not shown, thus indicating 10 hours.

A plurality of display elements 19 are arranged concentrically in an inner ring 21 concentric with the analogue display area. Actually, there are 30 such elements in this inner area but only one is displayed at any one time. The elements of this inner ring are displayed successively to indicate the passage of seconds at two-second intervals.

In Figure 2, a different form of watch 21 is shown. The features are functionally identical to those of the watch shown in Figure 1 except the body 23 and display 25 are rectangular. Thus, the analogue display area 27 comprises the plurality of display elements 29 arranged radially but in a rectangular fashion. Similarly, the inner display area 31 for showing the passage of seconds of time is radially concentric within the analogue display area but also has a rectangular shape. On the watch shown in Figure 2, the time displayed is 08. 28.

This time is depicted in the same manner as the time 10. 59 is shown on the watch of Figure 1.

Figures 3 and 4 shows the electrical connections display elements of the display of the watch shown in Figure 1.

It will be appreciated that the configuration of the display of the watch of Figure 2 is analogous, ie. the electrical connections are the same, but the overall shape of the display is different. All of the display elements are of the liquid crystal type. The connections are connected to CMOS logic circuitry as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

As well as the digital display elements 15, the analogue display elements 17 and the individual display elements 19 for showing passage of seconds, there are display elements 33 for displaying the word "DATE" (for indicating when the digital elements 15 are displaying the date), further elements 35 for displaying the letters "ALM" (for indicating when the alarm is being set), display element 37 for displaying "AM" or "PM" (for indicating whether the displayed time is before or after noon) and further elements 39 showing a sound symbol for indicating when an audible alarm is set.

Operation of function buttons (not shown) in the conventional manner can be used to put the watch into a "DATE" mode or "ALARM" mode and in the latter case to alter the time at which the alarm is intended to sound.

It will be appreciated that these functions are implemented by means of pulse sequences to and from the CMOS logic circuitry.

In the "ALARM" mode, the display elements 35 indicate "ALM" to show that the watch is in this mode. At the centre, the digital display elements 15 show the minute to which the alarm is set and at the perimeter, an appropriate one of the analogue elements 17 indicates the alarm hour. These are advanced or altered by use of the function buttons.

In the "DATE" mode, the display elements 33 indicate that the display is showing the current date. At the centre, the digital display elements 15 show the day (date) of the month and at the perimeter, an appropriate one of the analogue display elements indicate the current month. The function buttons may be used to select the "DATE" mode and to correct the date displayed if appropriate.

Each display element comprises a segment electrode and a common or counter electrode. The common electrodes are so-called because they are common to more than one display element. The interconnections of the segment electrodes are shown in Figure 3 and the interconnections of the counter electrodes are shown in Figure 4. All the segment electrodes are in the same first plane as each other and all the common or counter electrodes are in the same second plane as each other, the second plane being further from the protective front plate of the watch than the first plane.

The display has an octagonal profile 41. An upper edge 43 and an opposite lower edge 45 are each provided with twelve electrical contacts side-by-side. The connections along the top edge 43 are designated, from left to right, COM2, COM3, S20-S12 and COM2. The contacts along the bottom edge 45, from left to right, are designated COM1 and S1-S11. The analogue elements represent the hours 1-12 and are arranged in the normal clock-face pattern.

The analogue numerals 1-12 representing the hours have separate segment electrodes, respectively in order connected to connectors S17, S13, S12, S11, S10, S6, S3, S2, S1, S20, S19 and S18.

If the seconds display elements are individually designated (sl)-(s30j, arranged in the normal clock-face arrangement, hours numeral 1 is connected to (sl) and (s30), 2 is connected to (s5) and (s6), 3 is connected to (s7) and (s8), 4 is connected to (s9) and (s10), 5 is connected to (sll) and (s12), 6 is connected to (s16), 7 is connected to (s19), 8 is connected to (s20) and (s21), 9 is connected to (s22) and (s23), 10 is connected to (s24) and (s25), 11 is connected to (s26) and (s27) and 12 is connected to (s28) and (s29).

The segment electrode of "DATE" is connected to the segment electrode of (s2), to one segment electrode of one of the seven-segment digital display elements and to connector S16. The segment electrode (s3) is connected to one segment electrode each of the two digital display elements and to connector S15. The "AM"/"PM" display segment electrode is connected to (s13), to one segment of one of the digital display elements and to connector S9. The sound display elements is connected to a segment electrode of one of the seven-segment digital displays, to (s14) and connector 88. The segment electrode for (s15) is connected to two segment electrodes of one of the seven-segment digital display elements and to 57. The "ALM" element segment electrode is connected to (s16), hours numeral 6 and S6.

Seconds element (s17) is connected to one segment electrode of one digital display element and to S5 whilst (s18) is connected to two segment electrodes of one of the digital display elements and to 54.

Meanwhile, turning specifically to Figure 4, the interconnections of the common or counter electrodes of these various display elements are as follows: A common electrode electrical path 47 runs from the COM1 terminal to the COM2 terminal at the left-hand end of the upper edge 43 and interconnects hours numerals 6, 7, 8, 9, 1, 12, 11, 10, together with seconds segments (s2)-(s12), the sound symbol, the "AM" /" PM", three segment electrodes of the left-hand digital display element and six segment electrode of the right-hand seven-segment display electrode.

Connector COM3 is connected to another common electrode electrical path 49 which is connected to hours numerals 2-5, to (s13)-(s15), (s20), (s23), (s24), (s27), (s28), (sl) and to the "DATE" and "ALM" symbols.

The COM2 connector at the right-hand end of the upper edge 43 is connected to a third common electrode electrical path 51 which is connected to (s16), (s19), (s21) and (s22).

Figure 5 shows the electrical circuit for operating the display unit shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The display 7 is connected via a plurality of respective electrical connections 53 to an encapsulated CMOS logic integrated electronic circuit 55 which is powered by a 1. 5 V battery 57. This integrated circuit has an internal oscillator, the frequency of which is governed by an external crystal 59, the resonant frequency of which is 32. 768 kHz, fine-tunable by a 20 pF trimmer (variable capacitor) 61.

A plurality of push-button switches 63, 65, 67 are provided for setting the time, date, alarm and changing display functions. The integrated circuit is also connected to a miniture piezoelectric speaker 69 driven by a transistor 71, in order to produce the alarm sound when necessary.

In the light of this disclosure, modifications of the described embodiment, together with other embodiments, all within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims, will now be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this disclosure.

Claims (14)

1. A display for an electronic chronometer, the display comprising a plurality of digital display elements arranged for displaying a first set of numerals, the display further comprising a plurality of radially arranged.analogue display elements configured for displaying a second set of numerals, wherein the analogue display elements are connected to corresponding electrical contracts as to be capable of successive display of the numerals of the second set.

2. A display according to claim 1, wherein the analogue display elements are connected to said corresponding electrical contracts so as to be capable of successive display of the numerals of the second set so that all the numerals of the second set which have values below and equal to a predetermined number are displayed simultaneously and all the numerals of the second set which have values above the predetermined number are not displayed.

3. A display according to claim 1, wherein the analogue display elements are connected via said corresponding electrical contacts to an electronic circuit for causing the numerals of the second set to be displayed successively.

4. A display according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the analogue display elements are connected via said corresponding electronic contacts to an electronic circuit for causing the numerals of the second set to be displayed successively such that all the numerals of the second set having values below and equal to a predetermined number are displayed simultaneously and all the numerals of the second set which have values above the predetermined number are not displayed.

5. A display according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of further radially arranged display elements concentric with said radially arranged analogue display elements.

6. A display according to claim 5 wherein said further radially. arranged display elements are arranged concentrically inside said radially arranged analogue display elements.

7. A display according to any preceding claim, wherein the digital display elements are connected for displaying the current day (date) of the month and the analogue display elements for displaying the current month, when in a DATE mode.

8. A display according to any preceding claim, wherein the digital display elements are connected for displaying the minute to which an alarm is set and the analogue display elements for displaying the hour to which said alarm is set, when in an ALARM mode.

9. A display according to any preceding claim, wherein the analogue and digital display elements each comprise both segment electrodes and common or counter electrodes, at least one segment electrode of an analogue display element is connected to at least one segment electrode of a digital display element, at least one analogue display element shares a common counter electrode with at least one digital display element but no analogue and display elements sharing a common counter electrode have their respective segment electrodes connected together.

10. A display according to claim 9 when dependent on claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the further radially arranged display elements each comprise both segment electrodes and common or counter electrodes, at least one segment electrode of a further display element is connected to at least one segment electrode of an analogue display element or at least one segment electrode of a digital display element, at least one further display element shares a common counter electrode with at least one analogue display element or at least one digital display element but no analogue or digital or further display elements which share a common counter electrode have their respective segment electrodes connected together.

11. A display according to claim 10, wherein at least one segment electrode of a further display element is connected to at least one segment electrode of an analogue display element and to at least one segment electrode of a digital display element, at leat one further display element and at least one analogue display element and at least one digital display element all share a common counter electrode but no further display element, analogue display element and digital display element which share a common counter electrode have their segment electrodes connected together.

12. A display according to any of claims 9-11, wherein substantially all the segment electrodes are arranged in the same first plane, substantially all the common or counter electrodes are arranged in the same second plane, the first plane being closer to a user viewing the display than the second plane.

13. A display for an electronic chronometer, the display being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. An electronic chronometer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.