Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a main oscillator circuit including a first quartz crystal vibrator as a time standard and also having a secondary oscillator circuit including a further quartz crystal vibrator as a time standard for reducing the affect of temperature on the accuracy of the timepiece by utilizing the different temperature characteristics of the respective time standards is provided. The main oscillator circuit produces a high frequency time standard signal having a first frequency rate that is determined, at least in part, by the temperature characteristic of the first time standard, which characteristic includes an inflection peak at a specific temperature. The second oscillator circuit produces a second high frequency time standard signal having a second predetermined frequency, determined, at least in part, by the temperature characteristic of the second time standard being distinct from that of the first time standard.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece circuit for automatically changing the day of the week by utilizing the timekeeping signals produced by the day counter, month counter and year counter is provided. Remainder circuitry is coupled to the respective day, minute and year counters and is adapted to sum bit signals representative of the binary count of the respective day, month and year counters and divide the summed bit signals by a count of seven and thereby produce a remainder signal. The remainder signal is applied to appropriate decoding and display circuitry to effect a display of the day of the week in response to the remainder signal applied thereto.

Abstract: A plunger switch is releasably held against the inner surface of the outer section of a double-hung window or sliding door; by a suction cup, in an exemplary embodiment. Movement of the inner section with respect to the outer section dislodges the suction cup, releasing the switch and allowing it to close. Closure of the switch actuates a signalling means to generate an alarm signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for treating the top ends of flexible cords or filaments. It comprises holding means for holding articles having flexible cords, delivery means for delivering said holding means in a predetermined direction, cylindrical grinding means disposed at a position adjacent to a delivery passage for delivering said holding means, and means for rotating said cylindrical grinding means around its own axis and around an axis at right angles to its own axis. By virtue of the feature that the cylindrical grinding means is rotated around its central axis and around the axis rectangularly crossing the central axis, the top ends of flexible cords, such as bristles of toothbrushes, can be polished and ground from all the directions and very smooth and round outer ends can be obtained at high efficiency and high rate.

Abstract: An electronic table calculator is provided having a liquid crystal display and an integrated circuit element defining one or more of the display-driving circuitry or the calculating circuitry thereof. The liquid crystal display is defined by a pair of spaced plates having liquid crystal material therebetween contained by a spacer. At least one of the plates projects beyond the spacer and has formed on the same inner surface thereof, electrode portions within the spacer forming a part of the liquid crystal display and electrode portions outside of the spacer to which the integrated circuit element is coupled by face-down bonding.

Abstract: A monolithic solar battery including a plurality of P-N junction unit solar cells mounted on a substrate is provided. Each unit solar cell is isolated electrically from an adjacent cell by a buffer region of a material having a different conductivity than the substrate. An active photovoltaic layer formed on the light receiving surface of each solar cell between two buffer regions overlaps one of the two buffers defining each cell. Wiring for electrically connecting the unit solar cells in series fashion and electrodes are provided on the upper or lower surfaces of the substrate.

Abstract: A burner of the double vortex type wherein combustibles travel in an outer spiral during which time the combustibles ignite and burn and the combustion products are expelled from the burner by travelling along an inner spiral. The inner and outer spiral layers are separated by a cylindrical wall to prevent disruption of the currents and countercurrents and adverse turbulence as a result thereof in order that the combustibles and particularly solid fuels are entrained in the combustion stream for a sufficient residence time for maximum combustion and minimum particulate emission. The burner is particularly suitable for operation at slagging temperatures so that the slag can be collected and drawn off to further reduce particulate emission.

Abstract: A print character selection mechanism for use with printers of the type wein print characters are circumferentially disposed about the character ring and are selectively positioned in a print position by deenergizing an electromagnetic coil is provided. Each of the character rings includes a ratchet gear having a plurality of circumferentially disposed teeth, which teeth correspond to print characters circumferentially disposed about the print character ring. The instant invention is particularly characterized by a comb-shaped yoke member having a plurality of selection yokes, associated with each of the character rings, and a common yoke supporting each of the selection yokes. An electromagnetic coil is disposed about each selection yoke and is normally energized to induce a flux field in the selection yoke. A plurality of selection members are normally disposed in a rest position in abutting engagement with a selection yoke when the electromagnetic coil is energized.

Abstract: An improvement of a vehicle collision anticipating method and device using transmitted and reflected frequency-modulated continuous waves is provided. A low frequency wave is produced by mixing a part of transmitted wave and a reflected wave from the object. The low frequency wave and a Doppler signal obtained from the low frequency wave are signal processed so as to generate signals. A predetermined distance range is obtained by multiplying a time which is determined by the distance between the vehicle and object and the velocity of said object with respect to the vehicle obtained from the Doppler signal, by a relative velocity of the object with respect to the vehicle. A collision of the object against the vehicle is anticipated by detecting the object entering the predetermined distance range in front of the vehicle.

Abstract: A radiation detector and dosimeter is based on the fact that a sufficiently finely-dispersed liquid suspended in a host liquid of high viscosity or gel is stable at temperatures above its normal boiling point for long periods of time provided it is protected from contact with walls, or other types of initiators which can cause volatilization or vaporization of the droplets. Radiation, and particularly neutron radiation of sufficient energy and intensity on coming in contact with such droplets can trigger volatilization. The volume of vapor evolved can then serve as a measure of radiation intensity and dosage.

Abstract: Control circuitry for an electronic timepiece that is capable of producing a signal representative of the timing rate of the electronic timepiece's time standard and the amount that the timing rate of the electronic timepiece is varied, is provided. Control circuitry is positioned intermediate divider circuitry capable of producing an adjusted low frequency time signal and a time display that displays time in response to the adjusted low frequency signal being applied thereto. The control circuitry is adapted to apply the adjusted low frequency time signal produced by the divider circuit to the display. The control circuit is further coupled to timing rate adjustment circuitry for adjusting the timing rate of low frequency time signal produced by the divider circuitry, in order to produce a signal representative of the timing rate of the time standard and of the amount of adjustment of the timing rate of the low frequency time signal affected by the timing rate adjustment circuitry.

Abstract: A booster circuit for use in a miniaturized battery operated electronic instrument such as an electronic wristwatch is provided. The booster circuit includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor. A switching circuit is adapted to be disposed in a first operative mode and thereby apply a supply voltage produced by a battery to a first capacitor and thereby charge same to a first voltage. The switching circuit is further adapted to be disposed in a second operative mode to apply the supply voltage and the first voltage stored in the first capacitor in the second capacitor to produce a predetermined output voltage for driving a load substantially equal to the sum of the supply voltage and the first voltage stored in the first capacitor. The booster circuit is characterized by a load detector for producing a load detection signal in response to a change in the load driven by the output voltage.

Abstract: An artificial fingernail mounting is provided having a frame to which a plurality of artificial fingernails are secured by their tips leaving the cuticle ends of the fingernails free to facilitate the selection of a fingernail by a user. The mounting may be packaged in a parallelpiped box having aligned transparent sections enabling a possible purchaser to examine and select the artificial fingernails without removing the fingernails from the box.

Abstract: A toy plane and launcher set in which the plane can be launched into flight by means of the launcher is provided with a parachute for permitting the plane to float to earth. Means are provided at the apex of the parachute to carry the parachute in a closed mode during flight of the plane with such means being disconnectable from the plane as the plane commences its fall toward earth under the force of gravity thereby permitting the parachute to open.

Abstract: A high speed rotary table ball board game is provided for playing hockey and soccer-like games. The playing surface has a goal at each end. A player controlled movable goalie blocks each goal. The game-piece is driven by curved rotary arms located on each side of the field. One handle is used to rotate all of said arms simultaneously. Rotary motion is imparted to the arms by means of a pawl and ratchet wheel mechanism operated by a player controlled handle. The playing surface is surrounded by sidewalls and a clear plastic cover to keep the gamepiece confined to the playing surface. The playing surface may be hinged at the center for carrying and storage.

Abstract: An improved digital display driving circuit for driving digital display cells forming a ditigal display is provided. The driving circuit includes an interfacing circuit that in response to being energized receives a first data signal for selectively energizing certain of the display cells and a second drive signal for effecting AC driving of the display cells selectively energized by the data signal. The improved driving circuit is characterized by a DC supply coupled to the interfacing circuit, the AC supply being adapted to energize the interfacing circuit, and a detecting circuit coupled intermediate the DC supply and the interfacing circuit for selectively controlling the energizing of the interfacing circuit by the DC supply in response to the presence or absence of the drive signal being applied to the interfacing circuit to thereby prevent DC driving of the display cells.

Abstract: A lock and cover therefor. The lock has a laterally extending rib on its forward face which wraps around to join a pair of lengthwise ribs extending down each side wall of the lock, forming a T-shaped configuration at each side wall. The cover is constructed from flexible, resilient material which substantially surrounds the forward, rearward, side, and bottom walls of the lock. The inner forward panel of the cover has a laterally extending channel which wraps around to join a pair of lengthwise channels extending downwardly along each inner side panel of the cover for mating with the ribs on the lock. The cover also includes a lengthwise channel on an inner surface thereof extending from an edge of said cover for permitting insertion of a key and retention thereof.

Abstract: A digital watch case which includes a cylindrical watch barrel, glass cover, glass sealing means and parting plate mounted from the upper end of the barrel, and a back cover mounted from the opposite end. The watch case is characterized in that the thickness of the watch shell is reduced by providing a receiving surface on a flange of the barrel which extends inside the outer surface of the glass cover. The parting plate supports the glass cover and covers the watch body except for the display area. The back cover is secured to the watch shell by a radial spring means attached to the watch back. Packing means are supported on the back cover to engage compressively with the under horizontal surface of the flange and the back cover.

Abstract: An information reader for reading both light transmissive and light reflective information from an information carrying medium such as a card is provided. The information reader is adapted to selectively dispose a card at a reading position. A transmissive light source is disposed on a first side of the reading position for directing light at the card to be transmitted therethrough. A reflective light source is disposed on the other side of the reading position for directing light at the medium to be reflected therefrom. A light sensitive transducer circuit is disposed proximate to the reading position on the same side of the medium as the reflective light source for detecting either the light transmitted through the medium when the reader is in a transmissive mode, or the light reflected from the medium when the reader is in a reflective mode.

Abstract: A fan cover assembly adapted to cover a fan when not in use and permitting the passage of air in the exhaust direction while the fan is operating. The fan cover assembly includes a frame having openings and a valve element secured to the frame and biased against the frame to close the openings when the fan is off. The valve element is pulled back from the openings to allow air to pass in the exhaust direction when the fan is operating.