WO1991016694A1 - Vibrating wrist band alert for a wrist worn device - Google Patents

Vibrating wrist band alert for a wrist worn device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1991016694A1
WO1991016694A1 PCT/US1991/002120 US9102120W WO9116694A1 WO 1991016694 A1 WO1991016694 A1 WO 1991016694A1 US 9102120 W US9102120 W US 9102120W WO 9116694 A1 WO9116694 A1 WO 9116694A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
band
wrist
vibrating
armature
alert
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1991/002120
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael J. Deluca
Thomas J. Rollins
Original Assignee
Motorola, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Motorola, Inc. filed Critical Motorola, Inc.
Publication of WO1991016694A1 publication Critical patent/WO1991016694A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
    • G08B1/00—Systems for signalling characterised solely by the form of transmission of the signal

Definitions

  • This invention relates in general to the field of vibrating alerts, and more particularly to a wrist watch selective call receiver having a vibrator motor coupled to a band that vibrates the band in response to a received message.
  • a wrist worn selective call receiver e.g., wristwatch pager
  • alerts the wearer that a message has been received by emitting an audible tone alert or by activating a vibrational (i.e. silent) alert.
  • the vibrational alert is provided by a standard cylindrical motor housing having an unbalanced counterweight (i.e. eccentric mass vibrator).
  • This type of eccentric mass vibrator in the watch housing significantly increases it's size.
  • An example of such a device is the Sundial 8509 wristwatch, manufactured by Sundial Enterprises. Many wristwatch wearers prefer to wear the device loose on their wrist. Therefore, the likelihood of the vibration being detected is diminished. If the wearer does not detect the vibration, an incoming message or alarm signal may be accidentally ignored.
  • a device comprising a band suitable for attaching to an object and a vibrator for vibrating the band in response to an alert signal.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wrist worn device with a wristband vibrating alert.
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic view of a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view of a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • a wrist worn electronic device e.g., watch and/or selective call receiver 10 comprises electronic circuitry (e.g., receiver) 52, a wristband vibrator 54 and a band 22.
  • the wristband vibrator 54 and electronic circuitry 52 are contained in a housing 16.
  • the housing 16 is attached to first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, of the band 22.
  • the band 22 is suitable to be comfortably attached to a user's wrist.
  • the wrist worn electronic device 10 comprises a motor 12 having an armature 14 disposed in the housing 16, the armature 14 attached to first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, of the band 22.
  • the armature 14 comprises a unique configuration such that a first member (i.e. shaft) 24 extends from a motor housing 26.
  • the first member 24 is attached to a second member 28, a third member 30, a fourth member 32, and a fifth member 34, all of which are attached at substantially 90 degree angles.
  • the first end 18 of the band 22 is attached to the third member 30 of the armature 14.
  • a first ring 36 is attached to the first end 18 of the band 22, rotatably engaging the armature 14.
  • the first ring 36 is then free to move along the member 30 of the armature 14 as the armature 14 rotates.
  • a second ring 38 is attached to a second end 20 of the band 22 by rotatably engaging the armature 14.
  • the second ring 38 is then free to move along the member 34 of the armature 14 as the armature 14 rotates.
  • the band 22 may be attached to the armature 14 of the motor 12 in a number of ways without deviating from the intent of the invention.
  • the motor 12 is activated in response to an alert signal (e.g., received message or alarm), thereby enabling the armature 14 to rotate.
  • the first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, of the band 22 will also rotate causing the circumference of the band 22 to change in a cyclic manner, thereby causing the band 22 to vibrate.
  • the band 22 is worn on a user's wrist; therefore, the change in circumference will result in a change in the pressure of the band 22 on the wrist.
  • the band 22 makes direct contact with the user's wrist along the length of the band 22. This results in more nerve endings being contacted than in conventional vibrator alerts, placed in the pager housing. Less vibrational force (i.e. less mechanical power) is required since the user is more sensitive to the vibrational alert. Reducing the mechanical power requirements results in an electrical power savings. Therefore, the invention is more effective than conventional vibrational eccentric mass alerts, by potentially reducing the electrical and mechanical power requirements while providing a larger vibrational area of contact with the user's wrist.
  • a second embodiment of the wrist worn electronic device 10 comprises the motor 12 having a cam 40 disposed in the housing 16, the cam 40 attached to first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, of the band 22.
  • the motor housing 26 is attached to the cam 40 by the shaft 24.
  • the shaft 24 engages the cam 40 generally at the center of one side thereof.
  • a track 42 is formed along a perimeter 44 of the cam 40.
  • Devices 46 and 48 are attached to the first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, of the band 22. The devices 46 and 48 slideably engage the track 42 to provide movement therearound.
  • the motor 12 is activated in response to an alert signal, thereby enabling the shaft 24 and the cam 40 to rotate.
  • the first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, of the band 22 will rotate as the devices 46 and 48 slide along the track 42, causing the circumference of the band 22 to change.
  • the entire band 22 may contact the user's wrist. Therefore, less vibrational force is necessary due to the increased contact area, and the electrical and mechanical power requirements are reduced.
  • a third embodiment of the wrist worn electronic device 10 comprises the motor 12 having a shortened armature 50 disposed in the housing 16.
  • the armature 50 is attached to the second end 20 of the band 22.
  • the first end 18 of the band 22 is fixed to the housing 16.
  • the armature 50, a shortened version of the armature 14 shown in FIG. 1, comprises the shaft 24, the second member 28, and the third member 30, all of which are attached at substantially 90 degree angles.
  • the first end 18 of the band 22 is fixed to the housing 16.
  • the second end 20 of the band 22 is attached to the armature 50 by rotatably engaging the ring 38 with the member 30. The ring 38 is then free to move along the member 30 of the armature 50 as the armature 50 rotates.
  • the end 20 of the band 22 may be attached to the armature 50 in a number of ways without deviating from the intent of the invention.
  • This embodiment provides a non-moving end of the band 22, thereby providing for a simplified electrical connection to elements within the band 22, such as an antenna or battery.
  • the motor 12 is activated in response to an alert signal, thereby enabling the armature 50 to rotate.
  • the first end 18 of the band 22 will remain fixed; however, the second end 20 of the band 22 will be free to rotate causing the circumference of the band 22 to change.
  • the variation in circumference of the band 22 will then alert the user of, for example, a received message.
  • a fourth embodiment of the wrist worn electronic device 10 comprises the motor 12 having the shortened armature 50, disposed in the housing 16.
  • the armature 50 is attached along the member 30 to first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, of the band 22 by the ring 38.
  • the armature 50 comprises the shaft 24, the second member 28, and the third member 30, all of which are at substantially 90 degree angles.
  • the armature 50 will rotate, thereby causing the band 22 to vibrate.
  • the circumference of the band 22 does not change since the first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, are attached to the armature 50. This results in the entire band 22 moving with respect to the motion of the armature 50. Since the entire band may contact the user's wrist, less vibrational force is necessary to produce the same effect as a conventional eccentric mass vibrational alert.
  • the invention then provides a more efficient vibrational alert as electrical and mechanical power requirements may be reduced.

Abstract

A wristworn device (10) includes a receiver (52) for receiving a message which vibrates (54) a wristband (22) to indicate a received message.

Description

VIBRATING WRIST BAND ALERT FOR A WRIST WORN DEVICE
Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to the field of vibrating alerts, and more particularly to a wrist watch selective call receiver having a vibrator motor coupled to a band that vibrates the band in response to a received message.
Background of the Invention
As electronic circuits, particularly receivers, have become miniaturized, it has become possible to package the electronics into housings suitable to be comfortably worn on the wrist. A wrist worn selective call receiver (e.g., wristwatch pager) alerts the wearer that a message has been received by emitting an audible tone alert or by activating a vibrational (i.e. silent) alert.
In conventional watches, the vibrational alert is provided by a standard cylindrical motor housing having an unbalanced counterweight (i.e. eccentric mass vibrator). This type of eccentric mass vibrator in the watch housing significantly increases it's size. An example of such a device is the Sundial 8509 wristwatch, manufactured by Sundial Enterprises. Many wristwatch wearers prefer to wear the device loose on their wrist. Therefore, the likelihood of the vibration being detected is diminished. If the wearer does not detect the vibration, an incoming message or alarm signal may be accidentally ignored.
Thus, what is needed is an improved vibrating alert for a wristwatch selective call receiver that improves the likelihood of a user noticing the vibratory alert.
Summary of the Invention
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vibrating alert for a wrist worn device. In carrying out the above and other objects of the invention in one form, there is provided a device, comprising a band suitable for attaching to an object and a vibrator for vibrating the band in response to an alert signal.
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wrist worn device with a wristband vibrating alert.
FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic view of a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view of a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Referring to FIG. 1, a wrist worn electronic device (e.g., watch and/or selective call receiver) 10 comprises electronic circuitry (e.g., receiver) 52, a wristband vibrator 54 and a band 22. The wristband vibrator 54 and electronic circuitry 52 are contained in a housing 16. The housing 16 is attached to first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, of the band 22. The band 22 is suitable to be comfortably attached to a user's wrist.
Referring to FIG. 2, the wrist worn electronic device 10 comprises a motor 12 having an armature 14 disposed in the housing 16, the armature 14 attached to first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, of the band 22. The armature 14 comprises a unique configuration such that a first member (i.e. shaft) 24 extends from a motor housing 26. The first member 24 is attached to a second member 28, a third member 30, a fourth member 32, and a fifth member 34, all of which are attached at substantially 90 degree angles. The first end 18 of the band 22 is attached to the third member 30 of the armature 14. In the preferred embodiment, a first ring 36 is attached to the first end 18 of the band 22, rotatably engaging the armature 14. The first ring 36 is then free to move along the member 30 of the armature 14 as the armature 14 rotates. Likewise, a second ring 38 is attached to a second end 20 of the band 22 by rotatably engaging the armature 14. The second ring 38 is then free to move along the member 34 of the armature 14 as the armature 14 rotates. The band 22 may be attached to the armature 14 of the motor 12 in a number of ways without deviating from the intent of the invention. In operation, the motor 12 is activated in response to an alert signal (e.g., received message or alarm), thereby enabling the armature 14 to rotate. The first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, of the band 22 will also rotate causing the circumference of the band 22 to change in a cyclic manner, thereby causing the band 22 to vibrate. The band 22 is worn on a user's wrist; therefore, the change in circumference will result in a change in the pressure of the band 22 on the wrist. The band 22 makes direct contact with the user's wrist along the length of the band 22. This results in more nerve endings being contacted than in conventional vibrator alerts, placed in the pager housing. Less vibrational force (i.e. less mechanical power) is required since the user is more sensitive to the vibrational alert. Reducing the mechanical power requirements results in an electrical power savings. Therefore, the invention is more effective than conventional vibrational eccentric mass alerts, by potentially reducing the electrical and mechanical power requirements while providing a larger vibrational area of contact with the user's wrist.
Referring to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of the wrist worn electronic device 10 comprises the motor 12 having a cam 40 disposed in the housing 16, the cam 40 attached to first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, of the band 22. The motor housing 26 is attached to the cam 40 by the shaft 24. The shaft 24 engages the cam 40 generally at the center of one side thereof. A track 42 is formed along a perimeter 44 of the cam 40. Devices 46 and 48 are attached to the first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, of the band 22. The devices 46 and 48 slideably engage the track 42 to provide movement therearound.
In operation, the motor 12 is activated in response to an alert signal, thereby enabling the shaft 24 and the cam 40 to rotate. The first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, of the band 22 will rotate as the devices 46 and 48 slide along the track 42, causing the circumference of the band 22 to change. As in the preferred embodiment, the entire band 22 may contact the user's wrist. Therefore, less vibrational force is necessary due to the increased contact area, and the electrical and mechanical power requirements are reduced.
Referring to FIG. 4, a third embodiment of the wrist worn electronic device 10 comprises the motor 12 having a shortened armature 50 disposed in the housing 16. The armature 50 is attached to the second end 20 of the band 22. The first end 18 of the band 22 is fixed to the housing 16. The armature 50, a shortened version of the armature 14 shown in FIG. 1, comprises the shaft 24, the second member 28, and the third member 30, all of which are attached at substantially 90 degree angles. The first end 18 of the band 22 is fixed to the housing 16. The second end 20 of the band 22 is attached to the armature 50 by rotatably engaging the ring 38 with the member 30. The ring 38 is then free to move along the member 30 of the armature 50 as the armature 50 rotates. The end 20 of the band 22 may be attached to the armature 50 in a number of ways without deviating from the intent of the invention. This embodiment provides a non-moving end of the band 22, thereby providing for a simplified electrical connection to elements within the band 22, such as an antenna or battery.
In operation, the motor 12 is activated in response to an alert signal, thereby enabling the armature 50 to rotate. The first end 18 of the band 22 will remain fixed; however, the second end 20 of the band 22 will be free to rotate causing the circumference of the band 22 to change. The variation in circumference of the band 22 will then alert the user of, for example, a received message.
Referring to FIG. 5, a fourth embodiment of the wrist worn electronic device 10 comprises the motor 12 having the shortened armature 50, disposed in the housing 16. The armature 50 is attached along the member 30 to first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, of the band 22 by the ring 38. As in FIG. 4, the armature 50 comprises the shaft 24, the second member 28, and the third member 30, all of which are at substantially 90 degree angles. In operation, upon activation of the motor 12, the armature 50 will rotate, thereby causing the band 22 to vibrate. The circumference of the band 22 does not change since the first and second ends 18 and 20, respectively, are attached to the armature 50. This results in the entire band 22 moving with respect to the motion of the armature 50. Since the entire band may contact the user's wrist, less vibrational force is necessary to produce the same effect as a conventional eccentric mass vibrational alert. The invention then provides a more efficient vibrational alert as electrical and mechanical power requirements may be reduced.
What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A device, comprising: a band for attaching the device to an object; and means responsive to a signal for vibrating said band.
2. The device according to claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said signal comprises a rotating armature.
3. The device according to claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said signal changes the circumference of said band.
4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said device further comprises a selective call receiver and said means responsive to said signal vibrates to indicate a received message.
5. The device according to claim 1 wherein said signal comprises a watch alarm signal.
6. A selective call receiving device, comprising: means for receiving messages; a band for attaching the receiving means to an object; and means for vibrating said band at least to indicate receipt of a message.
7. The selective call receiving device according to claim 6 which includes watch circuitry.
8. The electronic device according to claim 6 wherein said vibrating means comprises a rotating armature.
9. A method comprising the step of vibrating a band of an electronic message receiving device to indicate a received message.
10. The method according to claim 9 wherein vibrating step comprises the step of changing the circumference of said band.
PCT/US1991/002120 1990-04-16 1991-03-29 Vibrating wrist band alert for a wrist worn device WO1991016694A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US50969890A 1990-04-16 1990-04-16
US509,698 1990-04-16

Publications (1)

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WO1991016694A1 true WO1991016694A1 (en) 1991-10-31

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5388992A (en) * 1991-06-19 1995-02-14 Audiological Engineering Corporation Method and apparatus for tactile transduction of acoustic signals from television receivers
DE19645348A1 (en) * 1996-11-04 1998-05-07 Rainer Dr Kurz Sensor signal pick=up arrangement for transmission of secret data
DE102015104767B4 (en) 2014-09-09 2019-10-10 Beijing Lenovo Software Ltd. Body-worn device and data processing method
DE102014108592B4 (en) 2013-09-25 2019-12-05 Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. Outputs of a portable information handling device
US11164431B1 (en) 2020-09-15 2021-11-02 Marvin Reid Facility security system

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2192505A (en) * 1939-03-10 1940-03-05 Franklin A Raybuck Silent alarm wrist watch
US4139742A (en) * 1977-02-02 1979-02-13 Walker Jay F Cutaneous communication device

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2192505A (en) * 1939-03-10 1940-03-05 Franklin A Raybuck Silent alarm wrist watch
US4139742A (en) * 1977-02-02 1979-02-13 Walker Jay F Cutaneous communication device

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5388992A (en) * 1991-06-19 1995-02-14 Audiological Engineering Corporation Method and apparatus for tactile transduction of acoustic signals from television receivers
DE19645348A1 (en) * 1996-11-04 1998-05-07 Rainer Dr Kurz Sensor signal pick=up arrangement for transmission of secret data
DE102014108592B4 (en) 2013-09-25 2019-12-05 Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. Outputs of a portable information handling device
DE102015104767B4 (en) 2014-09-09 2019-10-10 Beijing Lenovo Software Ltd. Body-worn device and data processing method
US11164431B1 (en) 2020-09-15 2021-11-02 Marvin Reid Facility security system

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