(Figure 1 & 2: Timex Datalink)Timex Datalink is a line of watches manufactured by the Timex Corporation. As the name implies datalink watches are capable of data transfer through linking with a computer.
The Datalink line was introduced in 1994 and it was co-developed with Microsoft as a wearable alternative to mainstream PDAs with additional attributes such as water resistance, that PDAs lacked, and easy programmability.
The early models included models 50, 70, and 150. The model numbers indicated the approximate number of phone numbers that could be stored in the watch memory. These early models were, at the time of their introduction, the only watches to bear the Microsoft logo. There has been an evolution over the years as to the number and type of entries that can be stored in the various watch models as well as the mode of data transfer between computer and watch.
Wireless data transfer mode
Although there are other watches capable of storing all kinds of data, they usually had a small keyboard that could be used to input data. The keyboard was tiny and made data input difficult and tedious and decreased the toughness and water resistance, if any, of the watch. Moreover, as soon as the battery expired, one had to manually re-input the data.
The Timex Datalink watches were unique because they could transfer data wirelessly from the computer to the watch and therefore made data transfer easy. Since the files were stored in the computer, they could be edited in the computer and if the watch battery had to be replaced, loss of files in the watch due to reset was no problem, since they could easily downloaded as many times as needed. The data files were accessible via the Timex-Microsoft co-developed special Datalink interface that resided in the computer. In addition, the absence of a keyboard made the watch compact, water resistant and no different at first glance from any other digital watch.
Optical Lens
Upon closer inspection however, a small lens at the position of 12 o'clock on the watch face indicated the mode of the wireless data transmission. Data was transmitted from the CRT of the computer through a series of pulsating horizontal bars, that were then focused by the tiny lens and inputted into the watch EEPROM memory through an opto-electronic transducer operating in the visible light spectrum.
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nman Datalink
There Datalink has been gone through three evolution process. Datalink model 50 (1994), Ironman Triathlon with the Ironman Triathlon logo on the upper part of the face (1997) and Datalink USB sports edition (2003). The small lens is seen on both model 50 and the Ironman. Note also the inverted circular arch digital display frame design on the model 50 compared to the frame design of the other two models. The Microsoft logo appears at the top while the Datalink logo appears at the bottom for model 50. The lower button arrangement and platform is the same for both model 50 and Ironman triathlon but Ironman sports an additional start/split button on its face indicating its additional chronograph functions. All three models are water resistant to 100m.
As groundbreaking and useful as the earlier model were, they were lacking some popular watch functions such as multi-lap chronos, exercise and countdown timers, etc. To address this weakness in the Datalink lineup, in 1997, Timex introduced the Ironman Datalink series that incorporated all the popular featured of the rugged Ironman series such as a choice of timers, greater number of alarms, improved water resistance and more modern look. The tiny lens was retained, however, and the data transfer mode remained wireless through visible light. It was flight qualified by NASA for space missions.
Notebook adopter
With the advent of portable computers that used active matrix LCD, screens that did not refresh like CRT monitors and therefore could not be used for data transfer, in 1997, Timex introduced a notebook adapter that incrporated a red LED and connected with the laptop through the serial port. During downloading the LED flashed and the flashing programmed the watch much like the horizontal bars of the CRT. A USB to serial adapter could also be used to connect the Timex adapter to a USB port.
Timex Datalink USB
The Datalink USB represents the latest stage in the evolution of the Datalink series and it was introduced in 2003. Although initially a mild disappointment for the wireless datalink purists it gained widespread acceptance because although now tethered to the computer through the USB port during data transfer, the new watch featured vastly improved data transfer rates and greatly increased memory capacity and modes of operation as well as two way communication between watch and computer. The usual Timex Ironman attributes of sporty design, water resistance and long battery life apply to this model as well.
Contributed by : Siti Sarah Herman (2007239704)
The Datalink line was introduced in 1994 and it was co-developed with Microsoft as a wearable alternative to mainstream PDAs with additional attributes such as water resistance, that PDAs lacked, and easy programmability.
The early models included models 50, 70, and 150. The model numbers indicated the approximate number of phone numbers that could be stored in the watch memory. These early models were, at the time of their introduction, the only watches to bear the Microsoft logo. There has been an evolution over the years as to the number and type of entries that can be stored in the various watch models as well as the mode of data transfer between computer and watch.
Wireless data transfer mode
Although there are other watches capable of storing all kinds of data, they usually had a small keyboard that could be used to input data. The keyboard was tiny and made data input difficult and tedious and decreased the toughness and water resistance, if any, of the watch. Moreover, as soon as the battery expired, one had to manually re-input the data.
The Timex Datalink watches were unique because they could transfer data wirelessly from the computer to the watch and therefore made data transfer easy. Since the files were stored in the computer, they could be edited in the computer and if the watch battery had to be replaced, loss of files in the watch due to reset was no problem, since they could easily downloaded as many times as needed. The data files were accessible via the Timex-Microsoft co-developed special Datalink interface that resided in the computer. In addition, the absence of a keyboard made the watch compact, water resistant and no different at first glance from any other digital watch.
Optical Lens
Upon closer inspection however, a small lens at the position of 12 o'clock on the watch face indicated the mode of the wireless data transmission. Data was transmitted from the CRT of the computer through a series of pulsating horizontal bars, that were then focused by the tiny lens and inputted into the watch EEPROM memory through an opto-electronic transducer operating in the visible light spectrum.
Iro
nman DatalinkThere Datalink has been gone through three evolution process. Datalink model 50 (1994), Ironman Triathlon with the Ironman Triathlon logo on the upper part of the face (1997) and Datalink USB sports edition (2003). The small lens is seen on both model 50 and the Ironman. Note also the inverted circular arch digital display frame design on the model 50 compared to the frame design of the other two models. The Microsoft logo appears at the top while the Datalink logo appears at the bottom for model 50. The lower button arrangement and platform is the same for both model 50 and Ironman triathlon but Ironman sports an additional start/split button on its face indicating its additional chronograph functions. All three models are water resistant to 100m.
As groundbreaking and useful as the earlier model were, they were lacking some popular watch functions such as multi-lap chronos, exercise and countdown timers, etc. To address this weakness in the Datalink lineup, in 1997, Timex introduced the Ironman Datalink series that incorporated all the popular featured of the rugged Ironman series such as a choice of timers, greater number of alarms, improved water resistance and more modern look. The tiny lens was retained, however, and the data transfer mode remained wireless through visible light. It was flight qualified by NASA for space missions.
Notebook adopter
With the advent of portable computers that used active matrix LCD, screens that did not refresh like CRT monitors and therefore could not be used for data transfer, in 1997, Timex introduced a notebook adapter that incrporated a red LED and connected with the laptop through the serial port. During downloading the LED flashed and the flashing programmed the watch much like the horizontal bars of the CRT. A USB to serial adapter could also be used to connect the Timex adapter to a USB port.
Timex Datalink USB
The Datalink USB represents the latest stage in the evolution of the Datalink series and it was introduced in 2003. Although initially a mild disappointment for the wireless datalink purists it gained widespread acceptance because although now tethered to the computer through the USB port during data transfer, the new watch featured vastly improved data transfer rates and greatly increased memory capacity and modes of operation as well as two way communication between watch and computer. The usual Timex Ironman attributes of sporty design, water resistance and long battery life apply to this model as well.
Contributed by : Siti Sarah Herman (2007239704)
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