Watch with a face having tactile portions for activating functions

Abstract

A watch with a face disposed over a watch module with a display presenting a plurality of functions is described. The watch face preferably is rigid and transparent and includes tactile portions that may be depressed to activate the functions that are presented on the display. The watch face has four tactile portions to activate four primary functions. The watch face can also be pressed in between the tactile portions to activate a four secondary functions. In a preferred embodiment, the watch face is secured to the module and module is mounted at a central pivot point in a base. The watch module has switches on its edge, one beneath each tactile portion, and a flexible seal that creates a waterproof region around the switches. The flexible seal also includes knobs, one for each switch, which close the associated switch when the associated tactile portion is depressed. A platform prevents straight-down depression of the watch that could cause more than two switches to close. The watch also includes a bumper surrounding the perimeter of the watch face to fend of inadvertent depression of the tactile portions. In an alternative embodiment, the watch face is movably disposed over a watch module that is secured to the base. The watch face can pivot at a central gimbal point when depressed at a tactile portion to close switches on the edge of the watch module and a platform prevents straight-down depression. Another alternative includes a resilient, gel-like watch face that flows in response to depression at a tactile portion to close switches which activates watch functions.