Wristwatch with a wooden front and touch-activated light display

Abstract

Wristwatch comprising a front (1) made of natural wood with at least partial light transmission, a light display (3) arranged behind the front (1), a capacitive sensor (2) designed to detect a touch of the wooden front (1), and a microcontroller (5) connected to the capacitive sensor (2) and the light display (3), wherein the light display (3) is visible through the wooden front (1) and can be activated by a signal from the capacitive sensor (2).

Description

1. Title of the invention Wristwatch with a wooden front and touch-activated light display 2. Technical field The invention relates to a wristwatch, in particular a wristwatch with a digital time display, in which the display is visible through a front made of natural wood and is activated upon touch. 3. State of the art Wristwatches are known from the prior art that: • have permanently visible digital displays, • use transparent or semi-transparent covers, • have mechanical controls or exposed touch-sensitive surfaces. Furthermore, watches are known in which wood is used as a purely decorative element. However, no wristwatch is known in which natural wood simultaneously serves as a structural element, a light-diffusing display element, and a capacitive user interface, such that the time display is completely hidden when at rest and only becomes visible upon touch. 4. Problem underlying the invention The invention is based on the objective of providing a wristwatch, • in which the display is hidden in standby mode, • which does without mechanical controls, • which has reduced energy consumption, • and in which wood is used not only decoratively but also functionally. 5. Solution to the task This problem is solved by a wristwatch according to the main claim. The invention provides that: • the front of the watch is made of natural wood with partial light transmission, • the time display is generated by internally arranged light-emitting diodes, • a capacitive sensor is arranged behind the wooden front, • the display can be activated by touching the wooden surface, • the light-emitting diodes are controlled directly via inputs / outputs of a microcontroller. The combination of these features results in a constructive arrangement that differs functionally from the state of the art and represents a technical improvement. 6. Description of the invention 6.1 Wooden front The wristwatch has a wooden front (1) made of natural wood, preferably solid or laminated. The wooden front (1) has a controlled thickness and partial light transmission, so that light from light-emitting diodes (3) arranged behind it becomes visible when activated. The wooden front (1) acts simultaneously as a structural component, as a protective layer and as a light-diffusing display element. The light transmission results from the wood thickness, the fiber orientation and / or the natural density of the material, without the need for openings or transparent windows. 6.2 Capacitive touch detection Behind the wooden front (1) at least one capacitive sensor (2) is arranged, which is designed to detect a touch of the outer wooden surface. The wooden front (1) acts as a dielectric intermediate layer, so that operation without mechanical buttons or openings is possible. The sensor (2) can respond to defined touch patterns, such as short or longer touches. 6.3 Display and Microcontroller The display is provided by internally arranged light-emitting diodes (3) which are positioned so that the generated digits or symbols are visible through the wooden front (1). A microcontroller (5) processes the signals from the capacitive sensor (2) and controls the light-emitting diodes (3). The LEDs (3) are controlled directly via the inputs and outputs of the microcontroller (5), preferably without intermediate transistors or driver components. This reduces the circuit complexity, lowers energy consumption, and minimizes the overall height. The display will be automatically deactivated after a predetermined time interval. 6.4 Description of the figures The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a front view of the wristwatch in the inactive state, Fig. 2 a front view of the wristwatch in the active state, Fig. 3 an isometric view of the wristwatch in the active state, Fig. 4 a schematic cross-sectional view of the wristwatch, Fig. 5 an exploded view of the wristwatch. 7. List of reference symbols 1 Wooden front 2 Capacitive sensor 3 Light-emitting diodes 4 Circuit board 5 Microcontroller

Claims

Wristwatch comprising a front (1) made of natural wood with at least partial light transmission, a light display (3) arranged behind the front (1), a capacitive sensor (2) designed to detect a touch of the wooden front (1), and a microcontroller (5) connected to the capacitive sensor (2) and the light display (3), wherein the light display (3) is visible through the wooden front (1) and can be activated by a signal from the capacitive sensor (2). Wristwatch according to claim 1, characterized in that the light indicator (3) is formed by light-emitting diodes. Wristwatch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light-emitting diodes (3) are controlled directly via inputs and outputs of the microcontroller (5), preferably without intermediate driver components. Wristwatch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wooden front (1) serves as a dielectric layer for capacitive touch detection. Wristwatch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light indicator (3) is optically concealed by the wooden front (1) in the standby state. Wristwatch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light display (3) is automatically deactivated after a predetermined time interval.

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