Abstract:
A tactilely readable timepiece with a clock device that keeps time. The display comprises a display area and at least one moveable portion within the display. The moveable portion is moveable with respect to the display to form at least one displayed character that is recognizable by touch by a user and has a tactilely sensible shape that is independent of a system of dots. An actuator operably associates the clock device of the moveable portion for displacing and positioning the moveable portion to form the displayed character depending on the current time kept by the clock device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a timepiece that can be read tactilely, and more particularly to a timepiece that can be tactilely read with little or no learning of a complex new tactile code. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Wrist and pocket watches have been developed that are readable by touch alone for the visually impaired or in the dark. U.S. Pat. No. 365,032, for example, discloses a watch with revolving hands that have protuberances for reading time in the dark. The hour hand has one protuberance, and the minute hand has two protuberances to distinguish one hand from the other. Studs or raised points are disposed to be felt at the same time as the hands to provided as guides or position marks. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 360,641 teaches a watch for the blind with hands with projections that can be felt through annular slots between plates to tell the time, with hour and five-minute marks being provided by ribs on the outer surfaces of the plates. 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,222,369 and 2,168,314 disclose watches that can be read by touch. These watches have analog revolving discs with hour and minute indicators or hands that revolve to tell the time and can be felt by touch. Fixed touch-readable projections are provided about the revolving indicators to designate the position of the hours about the face of the watch. 
   Other developments include watches that deliver time information by employing a silent vibration device, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,559,761 and 6,052,339. U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,487 teaches a wristwatch with two square-areas, each with four cursors that come out or back into the case to form codified combinations that can be interpreted by touch. Although not in the field of wristwatches, U.S. Pat. No. 2,091,146 discloses a clock with a disk that makes a complete rotation every twenty-four hours and on which raised dots are provided as Braille numerals. A window is provided to permit a finger to engage the Braille. 
   A timepiece is needed that can provide a sighted person a readily interpretable tactile display of the time, preferably without requiring that the user learn a complex code. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a tactilely readable timepiece that can be easily read tactiley by a person who has good vision, preferably without learning any substantial code system. The preferred embodiment has a clock device that is configured for keeping time, and a display configured for displaying the kept time. The display preferably includes a display area and at least one moveable portion within the display area. The moveable portion is moveable with respect to another portion of the display area to form at least one displayed character. The displayed character is recognizable by touch by a user&#39;s finger. An actuator operably associates the clock device with the moveable portion for displacing and positioning the moveable portion to form a displayed character depending on the current time kept by the clock device. One preferred timepiece is a wristwatch that additionally includes a band configured for mounting the timepiece to a user&#39;s wrist. 
   The preferred displayed character has a tactilely sensible shape which is independent of an interpretation system based on dots. For example, the shape is not a Braille character nor the shape of several dots that need to be added together or that form a certain dot-dash arrangement that would need to be interpreted to obtain what number it represents. 
   The preferred displayed character is geometrical or belongings to a traditionally sight-based alpha-numeric system. The different characters can comprise Arabic numbers, Latin letters, or other letters and numbers from a visual writing or numerical system. The different characters can also comprise geometric shapes that are distinguishable by finger touch, and the preferred geometrical shapes have less than eight sides to facilitate interpretation by an unskilled user. 
   The displayed character can comprise one of a group of different characters representing preselected times kept by the clock device, and one embodiment of the displayed character can be configured to be identified by the user based on its orientation and discrete position in the display area. The preferred characters to be used, however, are configured to be identified by their shape, preferably regardless of their position or orientation. Preferably at least two different characters, and most preferably at least five different characters. To facilitate interpretation by an untrained user, the shape is preferably sufficiently large to be readily determined by touch and identified as a recognizable and preferably familiar character by the normally-sighted user. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the moveable portions comprise elongated segments that are arranged to form the displayed character. The shape of the moveable portions can otherwise be circles, triangles, or other shapes that are readily employable together to cooperatively form the desired displayed character. At least some or all of the characters can be displayed on substantially the same location in the display area. The displayed characters can all comprise a single digit or shape, or alternatively multiple digits or shapes. 
   Also, in the preferred embodiment a plurality of moveable portions are provided, and an actuator is configured to cooperatively position the moveable portions for creating the displayed character the shape of which is produced cooperatively by the moveable portions that are activated. The preferred actuator is configured for changing the elevation of the moveable portions with respect to a portion of the display area to form the displayed character. The actuator can elevate the moveable portions above the remainder of the display area, including unactivated moveable portions to form the display character, or alternatively can depress the moveable portion below the remainder of the display area, for instance. 
   In one embodiment, the moveable portions are generally pie-shaped and arranged generally around a central point on the display such that the height of at least one of the moveable portions is changed with respect to the others to indicate the general analogue clock position corresponding to the time kept on the clock device. Each moveable portion in this embodiment can be at a fixed lateral location in the face of the watch, but change elevates between at least two elevation positions. 
   The characters can represent at least each of the hours in a 12- or 24-hour period. In one embodiment, up to ten different characters are used, and a separate indicator can be used to indicate separately or in combination with the displayed character the remaining hours or other time periods kept in the clock. Another displayed character can also be used to represent different fractions of an hour. At least two, most, and possibly all of the moveable portions that form at least one of the different characters are sufficiently close together that any spacing therebetween is substantially undetectable by touch with a human finger-pad or at least easily distinguishable for other protrusions not associated with the character. In a preferred embodiment, the moveable portions are arranged as an at least seven-segment display, such as a typical digital display found on a digital wristwatch, but as indicated above, operating to be read tactilely instead of by sight. 
   The timepiece can also include an indicator portion that is movable by an actuator between at least two tactilely sensible positions to indicate the time capsule and the clock device in combination with the displayed character. The indicator can comprise a plurality of indicators, each with a position that in conjunction with the displayed character indicates the current time that is kept on the clock device. The plurality of indicators can be disposed around the display area in one embodiment, and in another embodiment an indicator is moveable by an actuator along a path to more precisely indicate the time kept on the clock device in combination with the displayed character. 
   The invention provides a timepiece that can easily be accessed and used, preferably without substantial training, either in a no-light condition or in situations where the user would prefer that no one notice that he or she is checking the time. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are front and perspective views of a preferred embodiment of a wrist watch constructed according to the invention having a seven-segment tactile display; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view diagramatically showing the mechanism to operate the moveable portion thereof; 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  are front and perspective views of another embodiment including a rotational indicator that revolves about the timepiece face; 
       FIGS. 6 and 7  are top and perspective views of an embodiment with a seven-segment display an indicators to show another number; 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  are top and perspective views of an embodiment with multiple movable portions to flexibly show a large variety of displayed characters; 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  are top and perspective views of another embodiment with a seven-segment display in combination with additional moveable portions to display additional shapes; 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  are top and perspective views of an embodiment in which pie-shaped segments display quarter hours; and 
       FIG. 14  is a top view of an embodiment with a single moveable portion and an hour indicator that rotates around the display area. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–3 , a preferred embodiment of the invention is a wristwatch  10  that includes a body  14  to which a wristband  12  is attached. The wristband  12  is configured and dimensioned to mount the body  14  to the wrist of a user. 
   An internal clock device  16  is preferably disposed within the casing of the body  14 , as known in the art, is configured for keeping time. Preferably, the clock device  16  is powered by a power source, such as a battery  26  to keep the time of day. In other embodiments, the clock device is configured as a stopwatch or another type of timer, with appropriate controls being provided for interface by the user. A crown  27  is provided to set the time and operate certain modes of the watch. 
   The a display  18  is provided, preferably on the watch body  14  face. The display  18  includes a display area  20 , in which are disposed a plurality of movable portions  22 . The preferred location of the display area  20  is generally centrally on the front face of the body  14  casing, but can alternatively be disposed in other parts of the watch. Actuators  24  are operably associated with the movable portions  22  to move the movable portions  22  with respect to the display area  20  adjacent thereto to a position to produce a tactile sensation when touched by a user. Suitable actuators known in the art include, for example, piezoelectric, solenoid, and mechanical actuators. 
   The movable portions  22  are preferably moved with respect to the display area  20  by the actuators  24  between inactive and active positions. In the inactive position, the particular movable portion  22  is preferably generally flush with the display area  20 , while in the active position, the particular movable portion  22  is readily distinguishable by touch from the display area  20 , such by a difference in height or elevation. In the embodiment shown, the movable portions  22  are elevated with respect to the adjacent and surrounding display area  20  in the active position to a height  28  at which they are felt by a user&#39;s touch. In the inactive position, the movable portions are retracted sufficiently so that they are easily distinguishable from the movable portions  22  in the active position. Preferably, the movable portions that are in the inactive position are easily distinguishable as being inactive from the movable portions  22  that are in the active position. Most preferably, the movable portions  22  in the inactive position tend to blend in more with the adjacent display area  20 , and most preferably are substantially indistinguishable from the display area  20 . 
   The actuators  24  are controlled by a controller  30 , which is preferably an electronic controller, but can alternatively be a mechanical system to operate the actuators  24 . The controller  30  operatively associates the clock device  16  with the actuators  24  to cause the actuators  24  to move the movable portions  22  depending on the time kept by the clock device  16 . Additionally, the actuators preferably are configured to keep the movable portion in the appropriate position to resist pressure applied by a human finger, so that the finger pressure does not change the displayed information that is represented by the combination of movable portions  22  in their respective positions. 
   The movable portions  22  are configured, disposed with respect to each other, and controller by the controller  30  and actuators  24  to cooperatively form at least one displayed character  32  that is recognizable by touch by a user. The displayed character  32  is sufficiently large that its shape can be tactilely sensed and interpreted by a user. The displayed character  32  is preferably a character that is easily recognizable by a normally sighted person, without learning an additional and substantial code of symbols. For instance, the displayed character is preferably letter or number having the shape that would be used in a visually based numerical or writing system. Preferably, the displayed characters include Arabic numbers or Roman letters. Numbers and letters from other numerical systems or alphabets can be used, or from other character based systems, such as kanji, which are based on reading by sight. 
   Preferably, the displayed character  32  is not from a system of dots, such as Braille. While the known systems based on protruding dots have been developed and are very useful to the visually impaired, they require a degree of study by normally sighted persons to learn the unfamiliar patterns and combinations of dots. The displayed character  32  in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a number eight, having the shape of the Arabic number eight as would be readily identified by a normally sighted person. A user feels the displayed character  32 , and can identify this shape that is familiar as part of a usual, sight based, numbering system, without having to learn a new numbering system. 
   The movable portions  22  of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1–3 , the movable portions  22  include elongated segments that cooperatively form the displayed character  32 . These elongated segments are preferably arranged as an at least seven-segment display, such as found on traditional visual digital watch displays, with three generally horizontal segments disposed one above the other, and four generally vertical segments disposed two on each side of the group of horizontal segments and with their ends near the ends of the horizontal segments. An eight-segment display can display at least the number characters 0 through 8 and 11, in addition to the letters A, C, E, F, G, H, J, L, P, and U or a blank space, for example, without any confusion with another letter and without substantial differences with the normal appearance of these letters. Other letter and number series can be envisioned, but preferably include at least one character having the shape of a character of a visually based numbering or lettering system. Additional segments can be added to form a greater variety of displayed characters. In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , by touch, a user can determine that a number 8 is being displayed. 
   The embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5  also has movable portions  22  arranged as an eight-segment display. The central horizontal segment  22 A is shown in the inactive position, substantially flush with the surrounding display area  20 , while movable portions  22 B are in the active position, protruding from the surrounding display area  20  and with respect to the inactive movable portions  22 A. Thus, by touching the display  18 , a user can determine that the displayed character  32  is a 0. 
   The embodiment of  FIGS. 6 and 7  has movable portions  22  that are movable and positionable for displaying the displayed character  32 , as well as movable portions  34  for displaying an indicator that preferably further defines the time displayed by the displayed character by the combination of particular character that is displayed with the indicators that are active. The indicator shown in this embodiment is another displayed character  36 . Displayed character  32  is a number 2, as five of the movable portions  22 B are active and two movable portions  22 A are inactive. The movable portions of displayed character  36  are aligned with each other and form a number 1, as they are both active. The two displayed characters  32 , 36  are sufficiently far apart to be easily distinguishable by the user by touch. Additionally, while a set of two movable portions  34  is used to form the displayed character  36 , a single movable portion can be used instead such that the indicator or second displayed character  36  has only two states: active, in which it can be felt, and inactive in which it either blends with the display area  20  or has a different tactile appearance. 
   This embodiment, is capable of displaying two displayed characters  32 , 36  simultaneously, and thus can be configured for displaying, for example, the numbers 1 through 12 for a twelve-hour clock. If more movable portions  34  are used for the second displayed character  36  then the numbers 0 through 23 can be displayed for a twenty-four hour clock. In a twenty four-hour clock that uses only two movable portions  34  for the second displayed character, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , then the two movable portions can be considered indicators and move independently or together to symbolize a 1 or a 2 or a.m. or p.m., depending on the combination employed. For instance, in a twenty-four hour mode, activating one of the movable portions  34  indicated a 1, and activating both indicates a 2. In a twelve hour mode, the upper movable portion  40  can serve as an indicator for the presence or absence of the number 1, while the lower movable portion  42  can serve and an indicator or a.m. or p.m. by its activation or deactivation. 
   In this embodiment, all of the characters are displayed in the same portion of the display. Preferably, at least two of the displayed characters are displayed in substantially the same area or overlapping areas, more preferably at least three, five, or seven are displayed in substantially the same or overlapping areas, and most preferably at least nine are displayed in substantially the same or overlapping areas. 
   The embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , on the other hand, displays a single displayed character  32  digit and can represent the hours 1 through 8 and 11. It can also show the tenth hour by displaying a 0 as the displayed character. Another symbol can be used to should the twelfth hour, such as three horizontal lines. The embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  have an indicator  38  with at least an active and an inactive position. This indicator  38  can be used, for example, to represent the number 1, as for the hours ten, eleven, and twelve, or to represent an a.m. or p.m. Although symbols are used in these embodiments to represent some or all of the periods of time kept by the clock device  16 , most preferably, most of the time periods represented, such as most of the hours, are shown by displaying the character corresponding in common usage to the corresponding time period. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , another embodiment of a display  18  are includes a plurality of movably portions  44  arranged as small pixels that are closely spaced so that by activating preselected pixels, a displayed character can be formed, which a user can sense tactilely. In one embodiment, any spacing between the movable portions  44  small enough to be substantially undetectable by touching with the fleshy part of a human finger without using a finger nail. In other embodiments, the spacing can be larger, but preferably close enough such that the displayed character  46  feels like the shape or alphanumeric number being displayed, rather than widely spaced dots to an average sighted person. 
   The pixels are shown as having small round cross-sections, but alternatively can have other shapes, such as triangular or irregular sizes, and configured to be able to form the desired shaped character. The displayed character  46  in these figures is a triangle. Other geometric shapes can be displayed, as well as letters, numbers, and other shapes. The displayed character  46  and its shape features are sufficiently large and distinct from the adjacent display area  20 , including the inactive movable portions  44 A, to be felt and distinguished from at least one other, and preferably all of the remaining characters that can be displayed. 
   The displayed character  46  in  FIGS. 8 and 9  is a triangle. This can be assigned to any time currently kept on the clock device  16 . For instance, the triangle can indicate that it is within the five o&#39;clock hour in one embodiment. In another embodiment, geometric shapes can be used to represent 10, 11, and 12 o&#39;clock, or other hours. Preferably, large and easily tactilely identifiable shapes are used, which can include, circles, squares, pentagons, hourglass shapes, etc. 
   Another manner of showing geometric shapes is employed in the embodiment of  FIGS. 10 and 11 , which in addition to movable portions  22 C forming a seven-segment display, triangular and square filler moving portions  22 D are provided to form the triangle as the displayed character  54 . Other shapes can be represented with different configurations of movable portions. 
   The inventive timepiece can be provided with our without indicators for fractions of an hour. The embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  has several indicators  48  that are movable by actuators controlled by the controller  30  to indicate fractions of an hour. The fractions indicators  48  are disposed about the circumference of the watch body  14  face and around the display area  20 . Other positions for the fractions indicators  48  can alternatively be used. In the embodiment shown, eight fractions indicators  48  are provided, to display eighths of an hour, or 7.5 minute intervals. The fractions indicators are moved axially with respect to the face between inactive and active positions, such that the fractions indicators  48 B in the active position can be felt by touch, while the fractions indicators  48 A in the inactive positions either blend in with the surrounding adjacent portion of the body  14  or have another position such that a user easily identifies which is/are active. Preferably, only one of the fractions indicators  48  is raised to the active position at any time, but in an alternative embodiment, more than one can be raised to indicate smaller fractions of the hour. The embodiment of  FIGS. 6 and 7  has a similar arrangement of fractions indicators  48 , but with only four fractions indicators  48 , such as to indicate quarter hours. Additional fractions indicators can be provided, such as twelve to indicate five minute intervals. The active fractions indicators  50 B in the embodiment of  FIGS. 8 and 9  are move radially with respect to the watch body  14  face and display area  20 . In other embodiments, the fractions indicators can move in different directions or manners. 
   Another type of fractions indicator is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Fractions indicator  52  is rotated about the face of the watch body  14 , preferably at a rate of once per hour along track  53 . The position of the fractions indicator  52  can be felt, and tactile markers can be provided to aid in the interpretation of the fraction of the hour that is indicated. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the indicators  56  can be used to designate the hour kept by the clock device  16  by assuming inactive and active positions at the location around the display are  20  corresponding to the indicated hour. The movable portions  58  in this embodiment show fractions of an hour. In this embodiment, the movable portion  58 B in the active position, is positioned recessed from the remaining movable portions  58 A, which are in the inactive positions. The displayed characters  60  are pie slices with an orientation and location corresponding each quarter hour, preferably indicate in a digital manner the rough position that would normally be displayed by a minute hand. Another indicator  62  is in an active position, recessed from the surrounding display area  20 , which includes the inactive movable portions  58 A, to indicate a.m. or p.m. 
   Referring to  FIG. 14 , hour indicator  66  rotates along track  68  at a rate of preferably once per twelve-hour period. Movable portion  64  moves between active and inactive positions to display a triangle, for instance, as a displayed character  70 , which can be used to indicate a.m. or p.m. 
   While illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that numerous modifications and other embodiments may be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, while the preferred embodiments have displayed characters that are kept active, such as in a substantially fixed position, substantially throughout the time period they designate, other embodiments provide for activating and deactivations the displayed characters, or cycling through several displayed characters to provide a more complete tactile representation of the time kept by the clock device. Also, the timepiece can be configured as clocks or watches other than a wristwatch, such as a pocket watch or a table clock, although the preferred type of timepiece is small and light enough to be portable on one&#39;s person or is a clothes pocket. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.