IP Library Granted Patent US 7,778,118
Granted Patent B2
US 7,778,118 · App. 12/055,978 · Granted Aug 17, 2010

Watch device having touch-bezel user interface

Assignee: Garmin Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,778,118
App. No.
12/055,978
Granted
Aug 17, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A watch device includes a touch-sensitive user interface employing a sensor positioned within the bezel of the display for detecting when the bezel is touched by a user of the watch device. The sensor may be capable of detecting single presses, multiple simultaneous presses, and scrolling motion presses about the bezel.

Claims (47)

1. A watch device, comprising:

a housing;

a wristband coupled to the housing for holding the housing to the wrist of a user of the watch device;

a display disposed in the housing for displaying information to the user;

a backlight operable to illuminate at least a portion of the display; and

a bezel substantially surrounding the display, the bezel including a ring-shaped capacitive flex sensor for sensing when the bezel is touched, the sensor substantially surrounding the display,

wherein the backlight is operable to be activated in response to simultaneous touches of any two points on the bezel.

2. The watch device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the capacitive sensor comprises a flex circuit and a plurality of sensor pads.

3. The watch device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a processing system for determining a first training parameter for the user of the watch device and calculating a second training parameter for a virtual training partner, the first and second training parameters being displayed by the display, wherein the second training parameter may be adjusted in response to a scrolling motion press on the bezel.

4. The watch device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the display is operable for displaying a plurality of display screens, and where at least one of the display screens displayed is selectable using the bezel.

5. The watch device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the sensor is operable for detecting scrolling motion presses on the bezel.

6. The watch device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the sensor is operable for detecting single presses on the bezel.

7. The watch device as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the sensor has a resolution of at least approximately 128 touch positions.

8. The watch device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a button disposed on the housing adjacent to the bezel, the button for being actuated to provide input to the watch device.

9. The watch device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the button is operable for providing input to the watch device in cooperation with the sensor.

10. The watch device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a position determining component disposed within the housing for determining a geographic position of the watch device.

11. The watch device as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the position determining component comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and an antenna.

12. A watch device, comprising:

a housing having an upper surface and a bottom surface;

a wristband coupled to the housing for holding the housing to the arm of a user of the watch device so that the bottom surface generally rests against the arm;

a processing system disposed in the housing for processing information;

a display disposed in the upper surface of the housing for displaying information to the user;

a backlight operable to illuminate at least a portion of the display; and

a bezel disposed in the housing so that the bezel substantially surrounds the display, the

bezel including a ring-shaped capacitive flex sensor for sensing when the bezel is touched and providing an input to the processing system, the sensor substantially surrounding the display and including a flex circuit and a plurality of sensor pads,

wherein the backlight is operable to be activated in response to simultaneous touches of any two points on the bezel.

13. The watch device as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising a position determining component disposed within the housing for determining a geographic position of the watch device.

14. The watch device as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising the processing system for determining a first training parameter for the user of the watch device and calculating a second training parameter for a virtual training partner, the first and second training parameters being displayed by the display, wherein the second training parameter may be adjusted in response to a scrolling motion press on the bezel.

15. The watch device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the position determining component comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and an antenna.

16. The watch device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the display is operable for displaying a plurality of display screens, and where at least one of the display screens displayed is selectable using the bezel.

17. The watch device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the sensor is operable for detecting scrolling motion presses on the bezel.

18. The watch device as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the sensor is operable for detecting single presses on the bezel.

19. The watch device as claimed in claim 17 , wherein the sensor has a resolution of at least approximately 128 touch positions.

20. The watch device as claimed in claim 12 , further comprising a button disposed on the housing adjacent to the bezel, the button for being actuated to provide input to the watch device.

21. The watch device as claimed in claim 20 , wherein the button is operable for providing input to the watch device in cooperation with the sensor.

22. A watch device, comprising:

a housing;

a wristband coupled to the housing for holding the housing to the wrist of a user of the watch device;

a display disposed in the housing for displaying information to the user;

a backlight operable to illuminate at least a portion of the display; and

a bezel at least partially surrounding the display, the bezel including a capacitive sensor for sensing when the bezel is touched,

wherein the backlight is operable to be activated in response to simultaneous touches of any two points on the bezel.

23. The watch device as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the sensor has a resolution of at least approximately 128 touch positions.

24. The watch device as claimed in claim 22 , further comprising a button disposed on the housing adjacent to the bezel, the button for being actuated to provide input to the watch device.

25. The watch device as claimed in claim 24 , wherein the button is operable for providing input to the watch device in cooperation with the sensor.

26. The watch device as claimed in claim 22 , further comprising a position determining component disposed within the housing for determining a geographic position of the watch device.

27. The watch device as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the position determining component comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and an antenna.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2010
From: SANDEFUR, BRIAN M.
To: GARMIN SWITZERLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 024763/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 29, 2010
From: GARMIN LTD.
To: GARMIN SWITZERLAND GMBH
Reel/Frame 024763/0215 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 26, 2008
From: LYONS, JUSTIN R.; MASSOTH, KRISTIN M.; LOVITT, JOHN H.; STEVENSON, CLAUDETTE D.; DOWNEY, DAVID J.
To: GARMIN LTD.
Reel/Frame 020707/0348 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 6096851700 · Aug 28, 2007
Provisional Application 6101864700 · Jan 2, 2008
Related Publication 20090059730A1 · Mar 5, 2009