Abstract:
A metric-converter watch device comprising a small watch-shaped housing with a top dock panel pivotably attached to the housing. The clock panel has a front side with a functioning clock face and a back side with a back side screen. An inside touch screen is disposed within the housing. When the clock panel is flipped up, the back screen and the inside screen are powered on to show a calculator interface with the inside screen displaying a plurality of icons and the back screen displaying input numbers and results. A microprocessor is operatively connected to the inside touch screen and back side screen. The microprocessor is configured to perform mathematical operations and configured to convert a first English numeric value to a first metric numeric value and convert a second metric numeric value to a second English numeric value.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 12/537,227 filed Aug. 6, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a device for converting units such as converting metric units to English units and English units to metric units. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a watch comprising a calculator that is configured to convert units. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Individuals may often find themselves in need of converting units from metric units to English units or vice versa. For example, travelers may need to convert units when traveling in a foreign country. Also, many scientists must change between metric and English units on a constant basis. The present invention features a metric-converter watch device with integrated function of a regular watch and a hidden calculator/unit converter. 
     Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A metric-converter watch device comprising a small watch-shaped housing with a top clock panel pivotably attached to the housing. The clock panel has a front side with a functioning clock face and a back side with a back side screen. An inside touch screen is disposed within the housing. When the clock panel is flipped up, the back screen and inside screen are powered on to shown a calculator interface with the inside screen displaying a plurality of icons and the back screen displaying input numbers and results. A microprocessor is operatively connected to the inside screen and touch screen. The microprocessor is configured to perform mathematical operations and configured to convert a first English numeric value to a first metric numeric value and convert a second metric numeric value to a second English numeric value. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the metric-converter watch device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the device of  FIG. 1  with the watch panel flipped up. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the device of  FIG. 1  with the watch panel flipped up. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of the electrical components of the device of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Following is a list of elements corresponding to a particular element referred to herein: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 100 
                 a metric-converter watch device 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 watch housing 
               
               
                   
                 111 
                 first side of the watch housing 
               
               
                   
                 112 
                 second side of the watch housing 
               
               
                   
                 113 
                 third side of the watch housing 
               
               
                   
                 114 
                 fourth side of the watch housing 
               
               
                   
                 115 
                 top surface of the watch housing 
               
               
                   
                 116 
                 bottom surface of the watch housing 
               
               
                   
                 117 
                 solar panel 
               
               
                   
                 118 
                 battery compartment 
               
               
                   
                 119 
                 cavity on the front surface of the watch housing 
               
               
                   
                 150 
                 select icon 
               
               
                   
                 152 
                 mode icon 
               
               
                   
                 154 
                 power icon 
               
               
                   
                 172 
                 first conversion icon 
               
               
                   
                 174 
                 second conversion icon 
               
               
                   
                 210 
                 watch panel 
               
               
                   
                 211 
                 first side of the watch panel 
               
               
                   
                 212 
                 second side of the watch panel 
               
               
                   
                 213 
                 third side of the watch panel 
               
               
                   
                 214 
                 fourth side of the watch panel 
               
               
                   
                 215 
                 top side of the watch panel 
               
               
                   
                 216 
                 back side of the watch panel 
               
               
                   
                 217 
                 first hinge 
               
               
                   
                 218 
                 second hinge 
               
               
                   
                 220 
                 clock 
               
               
                   
                 222 
                 back side screen 
               
               
                   
                 224 
                 inside touch screen 
               
               
                   
                 230 
                 touch screen keypad icons 
               
               
                   
                 232 
                 microprocessor 
               
               
                   
                 234 
                 battery 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring now to  FIG. 1-5 , the present invention features a metric-converter watch device ( 100 ) configured with a calculator that can convert units (e.g., metric units to English units, English units to metric units). The metric-converter watch device ( 100 ) comprises a watch housing ( 110 ), a watch panel ( 210 ) and an inside touch screen ( 224 ). 
     The watch housing may be shaped similar to a standard digital watch, well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the housing  110  may be appropriately small to be worn as a watch. The watch housing ( 110 ) may have a first side ( 111 ), a second side ( 112 ), a third side ( 113 ), a fourth side ( 114 ), a top surface ( 115 ), and a bottom surface ( 116 ); wherein a cavity ( 119 ) is disposed on the top surface ( 115 ); wherein a battery compartment ( 118 ) may be disposed in the bottom surface ( 116 ) of the housing ( 110 ), wherein a battery ( 234 ) is disposed in a battery compartment ( 118 ). 
     The watch panel ( 210 ) has a first side ( 211 ), a second side ( 212 ), a third side ( 213 ), a fourth side ( 214 ), a top side ( 215 ), and a back side ( 216 ), wherein the watch panel ( 210 ) is pivotably attached to the watch housing ( 110 ) such that the watch panel ( 210 ) is pivotably moveable between an open position and a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 4 . The watch panel ( 210 ) resides entirely within the cavity ( 119 ) at the closed position such that the top side of the watch panel ( 210 ) aligns with the top surface ( 115 ) of the watch housing; wherein a functioning clock ( 220 ) is disposed on the top side ( 215 ) of the watch panel ( 210 ) and a back side screen ( 222 ) is disposed on the back side ( 216 ) of the watch panel ( 210 ). In some embodiments, the top side of the watch panel ( 210 ) is on the same plane or is flushed with the top surface ( 115 ) of the watch housing. In some embodiments, the functioning clock ( 220 ) is digital or analogue. 
     The inside touch screen ( 224 ) is disposed within the cavity ( 119 ) of the watch housing ( 110 ), wherein the inside touch screen ( 224 ) faces the back side screen ( 222 ) when the watch panel ( 210 ) is at the closed position; wherein when the touch screen is powered on, a first conversion icon ( 172 ), a second conversion icon ( 174 ) and a plurality of touch screen keypad icons ( 230 ) are displayed on the touch screen. 
     A microprocessor is disposed within the watch housing ( 110 ), wherein the microprocessor ( 232 ) is operatively connected to the battery ( 234 ), the back side screen ( 222 ), the touch screen ( 224 ); wherein when screen ( 224 ) outputs when the first conversion icon ( 172 ), the second conversion icon ( 174 ) or the touch screen keypad icons ( 230 ) are pressed, the touch screen ( 224 ) generates corresponding input signals and sends the input signals to the microprocessor ( 232 ). 
     The microprocessor is configured to perform mathematical operations and configured to convert a first English numeric value to a first metric numeric value and convert a second metric numeric value to a second English numeric value. 
     The microprocessor is configured to receive a first numeric value input from the touch screen when one or more keypad icons ( 230 ) are depressed, subsequently generate a first output command to the back side panel ( 222 ) to display the first numeric value on the back side panel as a first English numeric value; subsequently receive a first input signal from touch screen ( 224 ) when the first conversion icon ( 172 ) is depressed, subsequently calculate a first metric numeric value by multiplying the first English numeric value by a first conversion factor, and the microprocessor then generates a second output command to the back side screen ( 222 ) to display the first metric numeric value. 
     The microprocessor is configured to receive a second numeric value input from the touch screen when one or more keypad icons ( 230 ) are depressed, subsequently generate a third output command to the back side panel ( 222 ) to display the second numeric value on the back side panel as a second metric numeric value; subsequently receive a second input signal from touch screen ( 224 ) when the second conversion icon ( 174 ) is depressed, subsequently calculate the second English numeric value by multiplying the second metric numeric value by a second conversion factor, and the microprocessor then generates a fourth output command to the back side screen ( 222 ) to display the second English numeric value. 
     The back side screen and the inside touch screen offer a distinct advantage of relatively large screens for better visual identification of the touch screen icons and input/output display. 
     In some embodiments, the watch panel ( 210 ) is pivotably attached to the watch housing ( 110 ) via a first pivot hinge ( 217 ) and a second pivot hinge ( 218 ). The first pivot hinge ( 217 ) is disposed on the first side ( 211 ) of the watch panel and the second pivot ( 218 ) is disposed on the second side ( 212 ) of the watch panel. 
     In some embodiments, the watch device further comprises a solar panel ( 117 ) disposed on the front surface ( 111 ) of the watch housing ( 110 ), wherein the solar panel ( 117 ) is operatively connected to the batter ( 234 ) and configured to charge the battery. 
     In some embodiments, the clock ( 220 ) is a digital clock on a screen, operatively connected to and powered by the battery ( 234 ). In some embodiments, the clock ( 220 ) is a digital clock on a screen with its own power source. In some embodiments, the watch device ( 100 ) further comprises a selection icon ( 150 ) and a mode icon ( 152 ) disposed on the second side ( 112 ) of the watch housing ( 110 ), wherein the selection icon ( 150 ) and the mode icon ( 152 ) are operatively connected to clock ( 220 ). The selection icon ( 150 ) and the mode icon ( 152 ) are configured to adjust the clock ( 220 ). Selection icon and the mode icon of a watch are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Other features of the clock ( 220 ) may include: automatic power off, backlight with afterglow, world time tables, daylight savings time modifications, calendars, 12-hour or 24-hour format for time, waterproof, countdown timer, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, the clock ( 220 ) is a quartz clock, wherein the clock ( 220 ) is operatively connected to and powered by the battery ( 234 ). In some embodiments, the clock ( 220 ) is a quartz clock with its own power source. In some embodiments, the clock ( 220 ) is a mechanic clock powered by spring or kinetic movement. 
     In some embodiments, the back side screen ( 222 ) and the touch screen ( 224 ) are turned on automatically when the watch panel ( 210 ) is at the open position, wherein the back side screen ( 222 ) and the touch screen ( 224 ) are turned off automatically when the watch panel ( 210 ) is at the closed position. In some embodiments, a power icon ( 176 ) is disposed on the first side ( 111 ) of the watch housing ( 110 ), wherein the power icon ( 154 ) is operatively connected to the microprocessor and configured to turn on back side screen ( 222 ) and the touch screen ( 224 ) when the power icon ( 154 ) is depressed. 
     In some embodiments, the numeric keypad ( 230 ) comprises a variety of keypad icons (see  FIG. 3 ) many of which may be similar to standard keypad icons on watches and calculators. In some embodiments, the keypad icons include “MRC” for total memory recall/clear (to recall total memory press MRC once and to clear memory press MRC twice), “M+” for memory plus, “M−” for memory minus, “ON/CE” to turn on the calculator and/or to clear all entries, “           ” for correction, numerical keys such as “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”, etc., “GT” for grand total, “%” for percent, “+” for addition, “−” for subtraction, “x” for multiplication, “÷” for division, “+/−” for positive and negative, “√” for square roots, “.” for decimals, and/or “=” for equals.
     The microprocessor ( 232 ) is also configured to convert a numeric value from a metric unit to an English unit or an English unit to a metric unit. Programs of this nature for microprocessors are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a first numerical value may be multiplied by a conversion factor to calculate a first resulting value. Table 1 lists several conversion factors. The present invention is not limited to the values and conversion factors in Table 1. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Numerical Value 
                 Conversion Factor 
                 Resulting Value 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 in 
                 2.5400005 
                 cm 
               
               
                 cm 
                 0.3937007 
                 in 
               
               
                 ft 
                 0.3048 
                 m 
               
               
                 m 
                 3.2808398 
                 ft 
               
               
                 mi 
                 1.6093002 
                 km 
               
               
                 km 
                 0.6213881 
                 mi 
               
               
                 yd 
                 0.9144 
                 m 
               
               
                 m 
                 1.0936132 
                 yd 
               
               
                 in 2   
                 6.4516004 
                 cm 2   
               
               
                 cm 2   
                 0.1550003 
                 in 2   
               
               
                 ft 2   
                 0.0929 
                 m 2   
               
               
                 m 2   
                 10.764262 
                 ft 2   
               
               
                 mi 2   
                 2.5898 
                 km 2   
               
               
                 km 2   
                 0.3861302 
                 mi 2   
               
               
                 acre 
                 0.4046944 
                 hectare 
               
               
                 hectare 
                 2.4710003 
                 acre 
               
               
                 acre 
                 4046.9445 
                 m 2   
               
               
                 m 2   
                 0.0002471 
                 acre 
               
               
                 in 3   
                 16.387022 
                 cm 3   
               
               
                 cm 3   
                 0.0610239 
                 in 3   
               
               
                 ft 3   
                 0.028317 
                 m 3   
               
               
                 m 3   
                 35.314475 
                 ft 3   
               
               
                 Fl oz 
                 29.574074 
                 ml 
               
               
                 ml 
                 0.0338134 
                 Fl oz 
               
               
                 gal 
                 3.785401 
                 liter 
               
               
                 liter 
                 0.2641728 
                 gal 
               
               
                 Imp fl oz 
                 28.410059 
                 ml 
               
               
                 ml 
                 0.0351988 
                 Imp fl oz 
               
               
                 Imp. Gallon 
                 4.546 
                 Liter 
               
               
                 Liter 
                 0.2199736 
                 Imp. Gallon 
               
               
                 Ounce 
                 28.350055 
                 Gallon 
               
               
                 Gallon 
                 0.0352733 
                 Ounce 
               
               
                 Pound 
                 0.4536 
                 Kilogram 
               
               
                 Kilogram 
                 2.2045855 
                 Pound 
               
               
                 Imp. Ton 
                 1016.0536 
                 Kilogram 
               
               
                 Kilogram 
                 0.0009842 
                 Imp. Ton 
               
               
                 Grain 
                 0.0647987 
                 Gram 
               
               
                 Gram 
                 15.4324 
                 Grain 
               
               
                 Lbf 
                 4.4482204 
                 Newton 
               
               
                 Newton 
                 0.224809 
                 Lbf 
               
               
                 Hp 
                 0.7354996 
                 Kw 
               
               
                 Kw 
                 1.35962 
                 Hp 
               
               
                 Psi 
                 0.0680459 
                 Atm 
               
               
                 Atm 
                 14.69595 
                 Psi 
               
               
                 Kj 
                 0.238846 
                 Kcal 
               
               
                 Kcal 
                 4.1867981 
                 Kj 
               
               
                 Fahrenheit 
                 (x − 32)/1.8 
                 Celsius 
               
               
                 Celsius 
                 1.8x + 32 
                 Fahrenheit 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In some embodiments, the housing ( 110 ) is between about 25 to 30 mm in width as measured from the first side ( 111 ) to the second side ( 112 ). In some embodiments, the housing ( 110 ) is between about 30 to 35 mm in width as measured from the first side ( 111 ) to the second side ( 112 ). 
     In some embodiments, the housing ( 110 ) is between about 35 to 45 mm in length as measured from the third side ( 113 ) to the fourth side ( 114 ). In some embodiments, the housing ( 110 ) is between about 45 to 55 mm in length as measured from the third side ( 113 ) to the fourth side ( 114 ). 
     As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of the referenced number. For example, an embodiment wherein the watch housing ( 110 ) is about 30 mm in width includes a watch housing ( 110 ) that is between 27 and 33 mm in width. 
     The following the disclosures of the following U.S. Patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,315; U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,074; U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,285; U.S. Pat. No. 4,093,992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,009. U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,295; U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,516. 
     Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.