Clock (time piece) with an electronic movement

(42) Date of commencement of the patent: 15. 9.1992 (45) Date of issue: 25. 5.1993 (56) Documentation:

DE-0S3143189 US-A 4408899 US-A 40794D US-A 4322831 (54) WATCH WITH ELECTRONIC MOVEMENT (57) A clock with an electronic movement is described, comprising an optical display unit (2) and an acoustic unit (3) for reproducing from a memory retrievable visual or acoustic information is connected, wherein the electronic Uirwerk by a separate computer (7; 12) with associated memory unit (13) is formed for the time program storage, and wherein the computer (7; 12) an interface for networking or for connection to a public data network (11) and outputs for the control of the optical display unit (2) and the acoustic unit (3).

(73)

Patentee:

H0F5TETTER KURT A-1080 VIENNA (AT).

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The invention relates to a timepiece with an electronic movement, with which an optical display unit and an acoustic unit for reproducing visual or acoustic information retrievable from a memory are connected.

Such a clock is known from DE-A-31 43 189. This known clock with alarm trigger is a largely conventional digital clock, in which the movement is realized by means of an oscillator and a frequency divider, and in which an optical display in the form of numerals and pixels and also an alarm unit are provided for the reproduction of a few, permanently stored sound sequences is used. The watch owner has no possibility of influencing the various acoustic and visual displays.

In US-A-4 408 899 there is described the incorporation of acoustic time information reproduction in a stereo system, within which loudspeaker boxes the corresponding circuit components are to be accommodated. However, only a very limited acoustic reproduction is possible, in particular with the aid of a striking signal unit, for example, to sound strike signals via the loudspeakers every quarter of an hour.

US-A-4 079 413 describes a wristwatch with a TV display with electronic magnifying glass, alternatively a time display can be chosen. An acoustic information reproduction is not provided, and moreover, no influence on the visual display itself is possible.

Finally, in US-A-4 322 831 a chain circuit of watches, e.g. As in airport buildings, described, the clocks can exchange with each other Konektursignale to ensure a uniform time display. Apart from a usual time display with LCD display elements here also no visual / acoustic information reproduction is provided.

It is now an object of the invention to provide a clock of the initially mentioned kind, which offers a variety of possibilities for the optical and acoustic displays, whereby also for a facilitated intervention possibility with regard to the design of these acoustic and optical reproductions are made.

The clock according to the invention of the type mentioned is characterized in that the electronic movement is formed by a separate computer with associated storage for time program storage and outputs for controlling the optical display unit and the acoustic unit, and that the computer has an interface for networking or , for a connection to an open-ended data network has or optionally networked via this interface with at least one other computer.

With such a design, a large variety of design options in terms of information reproduction is achieved, for example, the computer, the representation of stored simple Ziffemblättern with pointer positions to complicated computer animations on the optical display unit and the playback of stored acoustic signals, eg. B. Music, the bells of church bells, the hourly beats of a pendulum clock, etc., are controlled with the help of the acoustic unit. In this case, the time program can determine the dynamic sequence on the optical display unit and on the acoustic unit of the clock: for example, the illustrated dial page can be changed or moved in one-second intervals, and other bell tones or compositions can be reproduced at any given hour. The dynamic procedure does not necessarily have to be cyclically recurring, but it can run according to a predetermined concept, according to the time program. As a result, a certain element of surprise is also achieved, as long as the time program is not known, since nobody knows how the optical and acoustic reproductions will be in the next instant, such as which dial will appear on the optical display unit, or which bell tones or which pieces of music will sound, but nevertheless the time is always clearly recognizable. Due to the usually given memory capacity of a computer, it is easily possible to store programs for the dynamic sequence of several years. By networking, an intervention in the information reproduction from the outside is also possible, not only a central control of multiple information reproduction is conceivable, but in particular the reproduction of current messages (optically and / or acoustically) for a longer period, eg. B. in a window area within the dial sheet on the optical display unit, or between the hour beats of the acoustic unit. It is also conceivable, for a short time to completely erase the Ziffemblatt for playback of a message and voizusehen an optical and acoustic information activation, the clock will then be useful as an advertising medium. Such information retrieval can be provided in particular when the clock is attached to public places, such as on central city squares or in parks, in which case information on current affairs can be transmitted.

Especially in such cases, it is to be able to make program changes regardless of the optical display units and acoustic units on the computer, particularly advantageous if the optical display unit and the acoustic unit housed in a separate, separate from the computer housing and the computer via connection cable are connected.

In order to keep the effort in the design of the optical display units as low as possible and in particular to allow easy control by the computer, it is furthermore favorable if the optical display unit is formed by a screen, preferably the screen associated with the computer.

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On the other hand, for good visibility, especially in the case of a set up in public places, also advantageous if the optical display unit is formed by a controlled by the computer large-screen projector.

In order to exploit existing systems in home applications and thus be able to keep the financial and equipment costs low, it is also advantageous if the acoustic unit is formed in a conventional manner by at least one controlled by the computer speakers, preferably through the speakers of an audio system ,

On the other hand, a compact, handy unit can be achieved if the computer with its memory, preferably by a disk drive, for. As for CD-ROM, floppy disks or the like. Formed, is housed together with the optical display unit and the acoustic unit in a common housing

In all of the above-mentioned embodiments, the networking interface offers the possibility of cross-regional telecommunication networking of the movements, for example, to achieve a mutual exchange of information.

The invention will be further explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing, in which: FIG. 1 schematically shows the basic structure of a clock, whose movement is formed by a computer, and a modem is assigned for networking; FIG. 2 schematically two such watches in telecommunications networking; FIG. 3 schematically a modified embodiment of a clock according to the invention, in which all components are housed in a common housing; FIG. 4 an embodiment of the clock according to the invention, which is intended for a large-screen projection and for combination with an audio system; and FIG. 5 a clock designed as a small clock, in which all components are also housed in a single housing.

According to FIG. 1 is in a housing (1), for example, made of wood, plastic, metal or the like. may consist of an optical display unit (2), such as in the form of a conventional screen, an image projector, a video gun, a liquid crystal display (LCD), or a display area with light-emitting diodes (LED), and an acoustic unit (3), z. B. in the form of a loudspeaker, but possibly also a stereo system with speakers installed. On the front of the housing (1), for example, a pendulum sign (4), which may consist of brass, used so as to make an optical reference to a pendulum clock.

About connecting lines (5) and (6), the acoustic unit (3) and the optical display unit (2) to outputs of a computer (7) are connected, which consists in the present embodiment of a central processing unit including memory, and a screen (8) and a keyboard (9) are assigned in a conventional manner. In the memory of the computer (7) the respective time program for the realization of the clock and the various optical and acoustic reproductions is stored wherein the program input or the input of program changes via the keyboard (9) can be done.

The computer (7) further has an unspecified interface for connection to a modem (10) for establishing a connection to a public data network, which is illustrated in Fig. 1 quite schematically at (11). In this way, a telecommunications networking of multiple clocks is possible, as shown in Fig. 2 is illustrated.

In detail, two clocks are illustrated in this Fig. 2 with a structure of FIG. 1, wherein for the second clock for the individual components, the same reference numerals as for the first clock or as in Fig. 1, but provided with an apostrophe. were used. Via the data network (11), a direct exchange of current acoustic and visual messages is possible, depending on the time program stored in each case.

The stored Zeitprogrgamm can display simple Ziffemblättem to complicated computer animations on the optical display unit (2) or (2 *) as well as the reproduction of, for example, beats, songs and the like. with the help of the acoustic display unit (3) or (3 ') control. The program also determines the dynamic sequence during playback using these display units (2, 3) or (2 ', 3'). For example, the dial page may change or move per second, and other bell sounds may be heard or other music played every full hour. This timing is different from conventional clocks, not necessarily cyclically recurring, but can be done according to a very specific concept, according to programming, such as in the sense of a continuous Ablauf'geschichte. This is characterized by the fact that the viewer will not be known programming usually a surprise moment achieved by the fact that the viewer does not know what is seen in the next moment, for example, which Ziffemblatt will be reproduced, which sounds will sound, etc., where but it can nevertheless be provided that the time is always clearly recognizable. The computer with its usual storage capacity also allows the programming of processes for several years (calendar stories).

Interventions in the programmed sequence are advantageously possible in the described timepiece, for instance in order to visualize current messages for a longer period of time within the dial sheet on the optical display unit (2) or (2 ') or acoustically with the aid of the acoustic unit (3 ) or (3 '), z. B. between the clock strikes to play. The visual messages can also be represented by the

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Ziffemblatt on the optical display unit (2) or (2 ') is briefly completely hidden, which in the sense of a complete information input and audio signals with the help of the acoustic unit (3) or (3') can be played. In this respect, the watch can also be used as a woman's medium.

In the case of the clock according to FIG. 3, the components corresponding to the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, as is also the case with the clockwork formations according to FIGS. 4 and 5.

In detail, in the clock according to FIG. 3 all components housed within a common housing (1), wherein in particular the optical display unit (2) directly through the screen ((8) in FIG. 1) of the computer (7) is formed. This optical display unit (2) or the screen is in turn connected via a cable (6) to the computer (7) which incorporates the memory unit, just as the acoustic unit (3) is connected to this computer (7) via a cable (5). Furthermore, a modem (10) for connection to the public data network (11) is installed inside the housing (1). The computer (7) associated keyboard (9) must of course be accessible for any input.

3, the housing (1) in turn made of wood, plastic, metal or the like. Consist, and on the front of this housing (1), a pendulum sign (4), for example made of brass, be embedded.

In the clock shown in Fig. 4, a large housing (1), in turn, for example, wood, plastic, metal or the like., Provided in the optical display unit (2) is a large-screen projector is added to the sound or sound reproduction as Acoustic unit (3) in Fig. 4 only schematically illustrated hi-fi audio system, with speakers installed. Moreover, the training of this clock again corresponds to that of FIG. 1, so that a further explanation is unnecessary.

In Fig. 5 Finally, a small-watch embodiment is shown, in which also all the components within a common housing (1), made of wood, plastic, metal or the like, are housed. The optical display unit (2) consists for example of a miniature screen, an LCD display or an LED display part. As the acoustic unit (3), a mini speaker can be used. The computer is composed of a microprocessor unit (12), which is associated with a memory unit (13), and with this computer unit, the optical display unit (2) and the acoustic unit (3) in turn via connection cable (6) or (5) connected. As storage media, which are used in conjunction with the storage unit (13), a variety of common today embodiments may be used, for. B. CD (Compact Disc) discs as shown in FIG. 5 is schematically illustrated at (14), or floppy disks (15), or memory cards (16) (RAM, ROM or smart cards). Accordingly, the storage device (13) may be a CD-ROM drive, a conventional disk drive, floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, or card system. In particular, the two units (12) and (13) can be implemented together on a microchip card system. Depending on the design, the disk or card-shaped storage media can be inserted through a slot opening (17) in the storage unit (13) or be removed from the latter. The use of chip, RAM or ROM card systems allows in particular to provide small clocks in the format of small table or chimney clocks.

In Fig. 5, finally, again a modem (10) for connection to the public data network (11) is illustrated