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Timex Datalink or Timex Data Link is a line of watches manufactured by Timex. 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.[2] The early models included models 50, 70, 150 and model 150s (small size).[2] 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.[3][4] The watches have been certified by NASA for space travel and have been used by astronauts and cosmonauts in space missions. 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.
[edit] Wireless data transfer mode
The evolution of the Datalink line shown with metal bands for easy comparison (left to right in order of
chronological appearance): 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 100 m. The model 50 (Timex models 70502/70518) was worn by astronaut
James H. Newman on
STS-88.
[1]
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 fast and easy compared to the manual entry keyboard.[2] 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 be 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.
[edit] Optical sensor
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.[2] Data was transmitted from the CRT of the computer through a series of pulsating horizontal bars,[5] that were then focused by the tiny lens and inputted into the watch EEPROM memory through an optoelectronic transducer operating in the visible light spectrum. The CRT synchronization was possible only for systems operating on Windows 95 and Windows 98. There is a print with binary numbers on the resin strap of the Timex Datalink 50 model 70301. The binary numbers on the print of the strap are actually ASCII codes which, including capitalization, encode the text 'Listen To The Light'.[6]
[edit] Earlier models of the Datalink series
The earlier Datalink models were the Datalink 50, Datalink 70, Datalink 150 and Datalink 150s where the "s" indicated the size of the model as small and it was designed as a ladies watch.[7][2] The 150 and 150s models are essentially the same except that the 150s, having a smaller display, has different display addresses from the 150 and thus it needs its own programming code.[7] The programming code is provided in the Timex Datalink software v 2.1 for all models.[7]
Timex datalink model 70518 and resin strap of model 70301 with
binary ASCII code translating as: "Listen To The Light"
These watches were programmed using the same software and computer GUI. To download the settings to these early models the user was prompted to choose the relevant watch model number.[8] However the menu choices were the same for all models.[8] The only difference was the amount of available memory in the watches and the number of phone numbers, appointments, lists etc. which could be downloaded to each model.
The model number indicated the maximum number of phone numbers that could be downloaded to the watch. For example, the model 150 could store a maximum of 150 phone numbers.[8] The actual number of downloadable phone entries decreased in relation to the other information which was to be downloaded such as appointments, anniversaries, lists, wristapps and watch sounds.[8] These models lacked timers or chronographs of any kind but a simple chronograph could be added as an external application also known as a wristapp.[8]
[edit] Digital display and time zones
The time and date parts of the digital display of the Datalink watches consisted of two main rows of seven segment displays while the lower portion was dot matrix with scrolling capabilities. In time display mode the dot matrix portion of the display showed the day of the week to the left and the time zone to the right. The default time zone was indicated as TZ1 (time zone 1) and was fully user customizable to designate any city in the world, usually using IATA naming conventions. The earlier Datalink models featured dual time zone settings.[8] The secondary time zone had the option to become the local (primary) time by pressing and holding a button until the changeover was effected.[8]
[edit] Ironman Triathlon Datalink
Timex Datalink Notebook Adapters in white and black. The red
LED can program the watch by blinking and is visible on the saucer portion of the adapter to the right of the
serial port connector
The earlier models included many PDA-type functions such as anniversaries, appointments, phone directory etc. but they were lacking some popular watch functions such as multi-lap chronos, exercise and countdown timers, etc. In addition their alarms were limited to only five.[8]
[edit] Notebook adapter
With the advent of portable computers that use active matrix LCD screens which did not refresh like CRT monitors and therefore could not be used for data transfer,[5] in 1997, Timex introduced a notebook adapter that incorporated a red LED and connected with the laptop through the serial port. During download the LED flashed and the flashing programmed the watch much like the horizontal bars of the CRT. In addition systems running on Windows versions other than Windows 95 or Windows 98, such as Windows NT,[9] no longer offered the option of CRT synchronization, making the use of the adapter a requirement even for desktop computers. In addition for systems without a serial port, a USB to serial adapter can be used to connect the Timex adapter to a USB port
