Method for setting a multimode electronic device

A method of setting a multimode electronic device of the type having a switching mechanism that generates intermittent electrical signals when the switching mechanism is displaced in either a first or second direction and an integrated circuit operable in at least a current mode, a mode setting mode and a next mode and operatively coupled to the switching mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting one or more first electrical signals generated by the switching mechanism;
• determining whether at least a predetermined number of electrical signals are generated prior to the expiration of a predetermined period of time, and
• if so:
• causing the electronic device to exit the current mode and enter the next mode;
• and if not:
• not permitting the electronic device to exit the current mode and enter the next mode.

A method of setting a multimode electronic device of the type having a switching mechanism that generates intermittent electrical signals when the switching mechanism is displaced in either a first or second direction and an integrated circuit operable in at least a current mode, a mode setting mode and a next mode and operatively coupled to the switching mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:

• detecting first electrical signals generated by the switching mechanism;
• determining whether a predetermined number of electrical signals are generated prior to the expiration of a predetermined period of time, and if so, causing the electronic device to exit the current mode and enter the next mode;
• and
• after causing the electronic device to exit the current mode and enter the next mode, the steps of:
• unlocking a crown lock condition and starting a locking timer;
• determining whether another signal generated by the switching mechanism is detected prior to the expiration of the locking timer;
• and if so
• causing the electronic device to exit the current mode and enter a next mode.

A method of setting a multimode electronic device of the type having a switching mechanism that generates electrical signals when the switching mechanism is displaced in either a first or second direction and an integrated circuit operatively coupled to the switching mechanism and operable in a plurality of modes including at least a current mode, a mode setting mode, a next mode and a home mode, the entering of which from a current mode prohibits the exiting thereof for a predetermined period of time, the method comprising the steps of:

• while the electronic device is in the current mode, detecting a electrical signal generated by the switching mechanism;
• causing the electronic device to exit the current mode and enter a next mode;
• determining whether the next mode is the “home” mode and if so
• not permitting the electronic device to exit the “home” mode and enter a next mode for a predetermined period of time even if the switching mechanism is being displaced in a first or second direction during the predetermined period of time.

A method for setting a multimode electronic device of the type comprising a rotating switching mechanism that generates intermittent electrical signals when the rotating switching mechanism is rotated in a first or second direction, an integrated circuit that processes the intermittent electrical signals, is operatively coupled to the rotating switching mechanism and is operable in at least a mode changing mode and an information setting mode, and a mechanical switch, operatively coupled to the integrated circuit, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

• moving the mechanical switch from a first position to a second position when a changing of the mode of the electronic device is desired;
• changing the mode of the electronic device by causing the rotation of the rotating switching mechanism;
• and
• upon completion of the changing step, moving the mechanical switch from the second position to the first position;
• wherein when the mechanical switch is in the first position the integrated circuit does not process the intermittent electrical signals even if the rotating switching mechanism is rotated in a first or second direction, and when the mechanical switch is in the second position the integrated circuit does process the intermittent electrical signals when generated by the rotating switching mechanism;
• whereby inadvertent changing of the modes of the electronic device is prevented when the mechanical switch is in its first position.