(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0276164 A1
`
`Amron Dec. 15, 2005 (43) Pub. Date:
`
`
`US 20050276164A1
`
`(54) WATCH ADAPTED T0 ROTATE A
`DISPLAYED IMAGE SO AS TO APPEAR IN A
`SUBSTANTIALLY CONSTANT UPRIGHT
`
`(52) US. Cl.
`
`................................................................ 368/82
`
`ORIENTATION
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Scott Amron, Nesconset, NY (US)
`
`correspondence Address:
`Scott Amron
`P'O' BOX 544
`PlainvieW, NY 11803'0544 (US)
`.
`(21) Appl. No"
`(22)
`Filed:
`
`10/866’625
`Jun. 12, 2004
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ..................................................... G04C 19/00
`
`A digital watch is provided having a viewing display for
`displaying images and including an orientation sensing
`module for sensing angular movement of the watch relative
`to at least one axis of rotation and a control module for
`rotating the image displayed on the viewing display to
`maintain the presentation of an image in a substantially
`constant upright orientation when directed (angled) toward
`a primary or secondary viewing person(s). As the user alters
`the orientation of the watch face, the tilt sensor(s) detects the
`change in device orientation. These changes in orientation
`are used to reorient
`the image being displayed on the
`viewing diSplay 0f the watch.
`
`100
`
` 1
`
`APPLE 1023
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1023
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 15, 2005 Sheet 1 0f 7
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`US 2005/0276164 A1
`
`FIG.1
`
`
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 15, 2005 Sheet 2 0f 7
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`US 2005/0276164 A1
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`FIG.2A
`
` 200
`
`203
`
`204
`
`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 15, 2005 Sheet 3 0f 7
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`US 2005/0276164 A1
`
`FIG.3
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 15, 2005 Sheet 4 0f 7
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`US 2005/0276164 A1
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`FIG.4A
`
`/ Right hand
`of primary
`viewer
`
`of primary
`viewer
`
`'
`
`i
`
`‘
`
` Right hand
`
`Tilted Toward Primary Viewer
`
`Tilted Toward Secondary Viewer
`
`FIG.4C
`
`FIG.4D
`
`Tilted Toward Secondary Viewer
`
`/ Right hand
`of primary
`viewer
`
`Right hand
`of primary
`'
`
`Tilted Toward Primary Viewer
`
`5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 15, 2005 Sheet 5 0f 7
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`US 2005/0276164 A1
`
`501
`
`502
`
`FIG.5A
`
`
`
`
`
`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 15, 2005 Sheet 6 0f 7
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`US 2005/0276164 A1
`
`FIG.6
`
`601
`
`Orientation Sensing
`Module
`
`
`
`602
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Viewing
`
`Display
`Power Source
`
`
`
`Tilt Sensor(s)
`
`600
`
`Typical Digital Watch Circuitry
`
`604
`
`603
`
`Setting
`Buttons
`
`,
`
`6
`
`60
`
`
`Watch
`
`Oscillator
`
`
`
`610
`
`Audible Indicator
`
`7
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication Dec. 15, 2005 Sheet 7 0f 7
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`US 2005/0276164 A1
`
`FIG.7
`
`700
`
`7011
`
`Obtain Orientation Readings
`
`702
`
`703
`
`704
`
`Process Orientation Data
`
`Compare data with preset values
`
`Generate corrected bit pattern
`and load it into the display driver
`
`705
`
`m%
`
`8
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`US 2005/0276164 A1
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`Dec. 15, 2005
`
`WATCH ADAPTED TO ROTATE A DISPLAYED
`IMAGE SO AS TO APPEAR IN A SUBSTANTIALLY
`CONSTANT UPRIGHT ORIENTATION
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001]
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] The present invention relates to a watch adapted to
`rotate the image displayed on the viewing display of the
`watch to maintain the presentation of an image in a sub-
`stantially constant upright orientation when directed
`(angled) toward a primary or secondary viewing person(s).
`
`[0003]
`
`2. Background
`
`[0004] Electronic watches made to include a viewing
`display are becoming increasingly common. Watches are
`now being designed to incorporate the functionality of music
`(MP3) players, digital cameras, photo players, televisions,
`wireless text messaging devices, cellular phones, timers,
`video game devices, PDA’s, GPS tracking devices, etc. .
`.
`.
`Watches such as the Abacus Wrist Net “infowatch” from
`
`FOSSIL and the N3 spot-watch from SUUNTO exemplify
`the impending push for watches designed for increased
`convenience. This added functionality places greater pres-
`sure on the information displaying methods employed by a
`watch. The current methods used to visually present infor-
`mation to an immediate wearer of a wrist watch or the
`
`in the
`primary user of a pocket watch are insufficient
`redirection of visual media to a secondary viewing per-
`son(s).
`
`[0005] Wrist watches are easily read by their immediate
`wearers. However, it is difficult for a secondary viewing
`person(s) to read from an upside down image presented on
`the viewing display of a wrist watch that is naturally tilted
`toward the secondary viewing person(s). Currently,
`the
`immediate wearer of a wrist watch must unnaturally twist
`their arm around to present the displayed image to a sec-
`ondary viewing person(s) in the upright orientation. The
`requisite physical action of awkwardly rotating a watch 180
`degrees to present an upright image to a secondary viewing
`person(s) located across from the primary viewing person(s)
`is to be remedied by the present invention.
`
`[0006] Pocket watches (and digital stop watches) made to
`include a viewing display are currently designed with a
`single “right side up” orientation. With the current design the
`user must reposition the physical device in order to view the
`displayed image in the upright orientation. The present
`invention would allow for a more user friendly design as the
`image displayed on the viewing display would remain in the
`upright orientation despite the physical orientation of the
`pocket watch.
`
`[0007] The present invention is directed toward overcom-
`ing one or more of the problems identified above. The term
`watch is defined as a portable timepiece and is used through-
`out this application as such. Apocket watch is defined herein
`as a portable timepiece carried in a pocket. Awrist watch is
`defined herein as a portable timepiece worn on the wrist of
`a person (a wearable timepiece).
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0008] The present invention relates to a method, system,
`apparatus, and article of manufacture for rotating an image
`
`displayed on the viewing display of a watch to maintain an
`upright orientation when directed (angled) toward a primary
`or secondary viewing person(s). The present
`invention
`rotates the image displayed upon the viewing display of the
`watch based on the spatial orientation of the watch with
`respect to a normal gravitational field. A system in accor-
`dance with the principles of the present invention includes a
`watch comprising an information display capable of dis-
`playing a rotated image, an orientation sensing module for
`obtaining the physical orientation of the watch with respect
`to a normal gravitational field and a control module for
`rotating, calculating and driving the electronically displayed
`image. The image is rotated based upon the orientation of the
`viewing display of the watch to maintain the presentation of
`an upright image.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0009] The various features, functions and advantages
`characterizing the invention will be better understood by
`reference to the detailed description which follows, taken in
`conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
`
`[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a digital wrist
`watch constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodi-
`
`ment of the present invention.
`
`[0011] FIG. 2A-B are perspective views of a digital wrist
`watch constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodi-
`
`ment of the present invention.
`
`[0012] FIG. 3 is a series of side views of a digital wrist
`watch constructed according to the preferred embodiment of
`the present invention included to demonstrate angular bias-
`ing.
`
`[0013] FIG. 4A-D illustrate the orientation dependent
`rotation of a digital
`image presented on a wrist watch
`according to an embodiment of the present invention as
`worn on the wrist of a user.
`
`[0014] FIG. 5A illustrates the orientation dependent rota-
`tion of a digital image presented on a digital pocket watch
`according to one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`[0015] FIG. 5B illustrates the orientation dependant rota-
`tion of a digital image presented on a digital pocket watch
`according to one embodiment of the present invention.
`
`[0016] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the compo-
`nents resident within, or attached to, the watch shown in
`FIG. 1.
`
`[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates an operational flow for an image
`rotation and display processing system according to one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a digital wrist watch constructed
`according to the preferred embodiment of the present inven-
`tion, shown generally at 100. The digital wrist watch 100
`includes a housing 120 having a top, a bottom, a front and
`a back, and a left side and a right side. A strap 106 is
`included for the attachment of the device to the wrist of a
`
`user. A viewing display 101 for displaying images is
`mounted at the top. The viewing display 101 is designed to
`correctly display images rotated in increments of 180
`
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`US 2005/0276164 A1
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`Dec. 15, 2005
`
`degrees, though a smaller incremental rotation is within the
`spirit and scope of the present
`invention. The viewing
`display 101 is a negative mode multiplexed 32-segment
`LCD. More advanced watches might
`include an OLED
`(organic light-emitting diode) display or a dot matrix LCD
`for visually communicating more information than just the
`“Time of Day”.
`
`[0019] The orientation of the digital watch 100 is provided
`using an accelerometer 107, such as the ADXL311 dual-axis
`accelerometer device from ANALOG DEVICES, of Nor-
`wood, Mass. Such a device is small in size and may be
`mounted within the housing 120 of the digital watch 100 on
`a plane parallel with the display face. One skilled in the
`relevant art will appreciate that other sensor/accelerometer
`attachment orientations may be
`implemented without
`departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
`The accelerometer uses the force of gravity as an input
`vector to determine the orientation of the watch in space
`when used as a tilt sensor to sense static acceleration (e.g.,
`gravity). As the digital watch 100 is tilted about the axis 103
`in either the first 104 or the second 108 directions,
`the
`change in tilt may be detected by the orientation sensing
`module comprising the above mentioned accelerometer
`device. A digital watch designed to rotate a displayed image
`in increments smaller than 180 degrees would do so in
`response to a rotation about the axis 102 in either the first
`105 or the second 109 directions as well as to a rotation
`about the axis 103 in either the first 104 or the second 108
`
`directions. The orientation sensing module generates an
`electrical signal that may be sampled to allow the displayed
`image to be continuously updated. One skilled in the rel-
`evant art will appreciate that the orientation of the digital
`watch 200 can be provided using one or more accelerom-
`eters, or tilt sensors, or tilt switches, or inclinometers, or
`gyroscopes that are mounted onto or within the digital watch
`200 in various orientations. Some examples of sensors that
`may be used in such a system include an accelerometer
`ADXL320 device from ANALOG DEVICES, of Norwood,
`Mass., a tilt sensing SQ-SEN-OOlPS device with mechanical
`ball in tube construction from SignalQuest, of Lebanon,
`NH, a single axis miniature electrolytic tilt sensor of the
`NSM Series offered by Nanotron, Inc, of Tempe, Ariz., a
`miniature tilt switch D6B from OMRON Electronic, of
`USA, etc.
`.
`.
`.
`
`[0020] A digital watch such as that described herein as the
`preferred embodiment, comprising an orientation sensing
`module employing an accelerometer device for sensing tilt
`about the axes 103, may also be made to function as a
`pedometer or workout level indicator by taking advantage of
`the inertial sensing capabilities of an orientation sensing
`module comprising an accelerometer. This is made possible
`since the accelerometer can sense tilt and also measure
`
`dynamic acceleration (e.g. vibration), thereby allowing the
`orientation sensing module to function dually as a tilt sensor
`and as an inertial sensing device.
`
`[0021] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a digital wrist
`watch constructed in accordance with an illustrative embodi-
`
`ment of the present invention. The digital wrist watch 200 is
`shown as being angled toward a primary viewing person or
`the wearer of the wrist watch. Typically, a logo of the
`company producing the watch is printed on the watch itself.
`The Logo 202 is included here only to illustrate that the
`watch 200 is positioned in its natural upright orientation.
`
`The displayed image 201 is also presented in the upright
`orientation as is currently the case with all watches. FIG. 2B
`is a perspective view of the same digital wrist watch 203 as
`that pictured in FIG. 2A, 200 rotated about the axis 220 so
`as to be angled toward a secondary viewing person(s). The
`upside down Logo 205 is included here only to illustrate that
`the watch 203 is tilted toward a secondary viewing per-
`son(s), angled away from the primary viewing person. The
`displayed image 204 is also presented in the upright orien-
`tation as is NOT the case with watches currently on the
`market. The automatic rotation of the displayed image based
`on the physical orientation of the watch to present an upright
`image is noted.
`
`[0022] FIG. 3 is a series of side views illustrating the
`degree to which the wrist watch of FIG. 1 must be rotated
`about the axis 103 to trigger a 180 degree image rotation.
`Arrows are placed above the viewing display of the watch
`pictured in each frame of rotation to indicate the orientation
`of the displayed image. The arrows point in the direction of
`the top of the displayed image as is illustrated by 350. Side
`views 300, 301, 302, 304 and 305 are shown to display an
`upright image in the watch’s natural upright orientation for
`easy viewing by the primary viewing person or the wearer
`of the wrist watch. Side views 303, 306 and 307 are shown
`to display an image that is presented in the upright orien-
`tation to a secondary viewing person(s). The degree of tilt
`about the axis 103 at which the image rotates 180 degrees is
`between side views 302 and 303. The degree of tilt at which
`the image rotates 180 degrees is biased to provide the wearer
`of the watch with an upright image in a greater number of
`watch orientations.
`
`[0023] FIG. 4A-D illustrate a digital wrist watch con-
`structed according to the preferred embodiment of the
`present invention as worn on the wrist of a user. FIG. 4A and
`FIG. 4B show the information being displayed on a seven
`segment LCD. FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D show the information
`being displayed on a segmented LCD designed to mimic that
`of a real analog timepiece. FIG. 4A shows the right hand of
`the primary viewing person tilting the display face toward
`him or herself to view the image in an upright orientation.
`FIG. 4B shows the right hand of the same primary viewing
`person tilting the display face toward a secondary viewing
`person(s) to present an upright image to a secondary viewing
`person(s). The rotation of the image displayed on the display
`of the wrist watch is noted.
`
`[0024] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate a digital pocket
`watch constructed according to another embodiment of the
`present invention. The image displayed on the watch face is
`rotated based upon the orientation of the viewing display in
`two dimensions (pitch and roll) to present an image with an
`upright orientation despite angular reorientation of the hous-
`ing and image display. The image is rotated in increments
`smaller than 5 degrees to continuously present an upright
`image. FIG. 5A shows the information being displayed on
`a circular segmented LCD designed to mimic that of a real
`analog timepiece.
`
`[0025] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the compo-
`nents resident within, or attached to, the housing 120 of the
`digital watch 100 shown in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG.
`6, it can be seen that the image rotation, orientation data
`processing, timing and information displaying operations
`are controlled by the control module 600 typical of a digital
`watch. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 6, the control
`
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`
`module 600 includes a power source 607 that includes one
`or more batteries (not shown) or a storage component such
`as a capacitor, a programmable microprocessor unit (MCU)
`603 characterized by a relatively low current consumption
`for extended operation, a watch oscillator 609 comprising a
`watch crystal with a frequency of 32.768 kHz, a memory
`module 604 for storage of program memory and randomly
`accessible variables, a display driver 605 for driving the
`viewing display, a viewing display 606, an audible indicator
`610 such as an externally driven piezo sounder for audibly
`communicating an event and a user control input 608 for
`setting user controlled parameters. The MCU 603 may be
`implemented by either an application specific integrated
`circuit (ASIC) or using a commercially available micropro-
`cessor unit programmed to process orientation information
`and to drive the user interface of the watch. It is the goal of
`the present invention to add orientation sensing, orientation
`data processing and image rotation operations to the func-
`tionality of a digital watch that processes data and drives an
`information display. The orientation sensing module 601
`comprises at least one tilt sensor for sensing angular move-
`ment of the housing relative to at least one axis of rotation
`and to generate an electrical signal representative of a
`change in the physical orientation of the display device.
`
`[0026] FIG. 7 illustrates an operational flow for an image
`rotation and display processing system according to yet
`another embodiment of the present invention. The process-
`ing begins 700 and a set of readings are obtained in module
`701 in order to determine the orientation of the watch. The
`set of readings are taken for measuring the orientation of the
`watch in at least one dimension. These measurements are
`then processed within module 702 to determine the degree
`to which the watch is rotated about each of the monitored
`axes of rotation. The degree of tilt is then compared in
`module 703 with at least one preset number to determine the
`number of increments that the image must be rotated to
`compensate and in which direction. A corrected bit pattern
`is then generated and loaded into the display driver to drive
`the viewing display with an updated image in module 704.
`
`[0027] While this invention has been illustrated and
`described in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
`present
`invention,
`it
`is recognized that variations and
`changes may be made therein. Thus, for example, while the
`illustrative embodiments shown and described herein have
`employed control modules comprised of circuitry typical of
`current digital watches, modification to such circuitry to
`monitor device orientation is implied by the very nature of
`the invention. As such, it suffices to say that the scope of the
`invention disclosed herein should not be limited by the
`specific embodiments illustrated, but rather by the claims
`appended hereto.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. Awatch adapted to display an image and to reorient an
`image displayed thereon in response to a change in physical
`orientation of the image display, the watch comprising:
`
`a housing;
`
`an image display operatively associated with the housing;
`
`display driver circuitry;
`
`a tilt sensing module adapted to sense angular movement
`of the housing relative to at least one axis of rotation
`and to generate an electrical signal representative of a
`change in the physical orientation of the watch; and
`
`a control module responsive to said electrical signal to
`reorient (rotate) the displayed image so as to appear in
`a substantially constant upright orientation relative to
`said axis of rotation despite angular reorientation of the
`housing and image display.
`2. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the tilt sensing
`module comprises at least one accelerometer to measure the
`orientation of the image display to a normal gravitational
`field.
`
`3. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the tilt sensing
`module comprises at least one tilt sensor to measure the
`orientation of the image display.
`4. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the tilt sensing
`module comprises at least one tilt switch to measure the
`orientation of the image display to a normal gravitational
`field.
`
`5. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the tilt sensing
`module comprises an inclinometer or a gyroscope to mea-
`sure the tilt of the image display.
`6. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the corrective
`rotation of the displayed image is executed in increments of
`180 degrees.
`7. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the corrective
`rotation of the displayed image is executed in increments
`smaller than 360 degrees.
`8. The watch according to claim 1, constructed as a pocket
`watch.
`
`9. The watch according to claim 1, constructed as a wrist
`watch.
`
`10. The watch according to claim 1, constructed as a
`wearable timepiece/PDA or a timepiece/music player or a
`timepiece/wireless
`telephone or
`timepiece/wireless
`text
`messaging device or a timepiece/SPOT device or a time-
`piece/GPS device or a timepiece/television or a timepiece/
`digital camera or a timepiece/photo player or a timepiece/
`video player or any combination of the above.
`11. The watch according to claim 1, wherein the image
`display is the face plate (background) of an analog watch.
`12. The watch according to claim 2, wherein a temporary
`reorientation of the displayed image is triggered by a thrust-
`ing hand motion sensed by the tilt sensing module and
`executed by the control module.
`13. The watch according to claim 2, wherein the tilt
`sensing module doubles as an inertial sensing module for
`additional pedometer functionality and/or workout activity
`level reporting functionality.
`14. A method for rotating an image displayed upon a
`watch comprising the steps of:
`
`generating an electrical signal representative of a change
`in physical orientation of the watch display; and
`
`reorienting the image displayed on the watch display to
`appear in a substantially constant upright orientation
`despite a change in physical orientation of the watch in
`response to the electrical signal obtained during the
`generating step.
`15. A watch designed to automatically rotate the image
`displayed on its viewing display upon being tilted toward a
`secondary viewing person(s) for presenting an image in the
`upright orientation to the secondary viewing person(s) by
`means of tilt sensing.
`
`11
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`
`