Wristwatch Multi-Mode Display Using Rotating Disc
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to display multiple information on a wristwatch with a small surface area while maintaining its luxury design and traditional analog display, as adding digital displays is considered to reduce the luxury appeal.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using a wristwatch with a rotating disc and micro-controller to display information through existing horological indicators, allowing multiple sets of information to be shown on a single scale, utilizing Bluetooth or cellular connections to receive data from smartphones or the cloud, and using hands or disc indicators to represent various information types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a digital display is added to show multiple information, then the information display capability is improved, but the luxury design and traditional analog aesthetic are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The existing analog display elements (hands, date window, rotating disc) are made multi-functional to display both traditional horological information and additional data such as reception sensitivity, sleep tracking, and activity records. The rotating disc serves both as a date display mechanism and as a mode indicator for different information types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by adding a rotating disc that can display different modes and information types without expanding the horizontal footprint of the watch face. This allows multiple layers of information to be displayed in a compact analog format.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple information types are displayed on the watch face, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display is segmented into distinct functional zones: the main analog time display, the date window, the rotating disc for mode indication, and the seconds hand for additional information. This segmentation allows each element to handle specific types of information independently, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating disc dynamically switches between displaying date information and mode indicators based on operational context. The seconds hand also dynamically indicates different information types (reception quality, activity level, sleep quality) depending on the active mode, allowing the display to adapt without adding permanent complex structures.
3Loss of information
If the surface area of the watch face is increased to display more information, then the information capacity is improved, but the ergonomic comfort and traditional wristwatch proportions are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of expanding the two-dimensional watch face area, the patent utilizes the third dimension by implementing a rotating disc that can be turned to reveal different information layers. This vertical dimensionality allows multiple information types to be displayed within the existing surface area constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating disc employs periodic action by being rotated in discrete steps to cycle through different modes and information types. This allows the watch to present multiple information sets sequentially rather than all simultaneously, maximizing information capacity within limited space.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wristwatch comprising an analog display of time and date; a micro-controller, whereby the micro-controller stores a set of indicator modes, whereby the set of indicator modes comprises at least a date mode and a first mode, and for each indicator mode at least a corresponding value; a date and information display part; and a selecting means being arranged to receive an actuation. the date and information display part comprises a display with date and indicator icons, enabled for an analog display of any one of the numbers between 1 and 31 and at least the indicator icon representative of the at least first mode; and a display with percentage values. The selecting means, when actuated, triggers the micro-controller to switch to a determined indicator mode taken from the set of indicator modes stored in the micro-controller, and is further configured to cause the display with date and indicator icons to display in analog mode the date or the indicator icon representative of the determined indicator mode, whereby if the determined indicator mode is the date mode then the display with date and indicator icons displays the corresponding value of the date, and if the determined indicator mode is the first mode, then display with date and indicator icons displays a corresponding icon of the first mode, and a second hand is pointed to a percentage value on the display with percentage values corresponding to the corresponding value stored for the first mode.