Abstract: An electromechanical alarm clock (42) with a variable alarm indicator (48) on a 12 hour time display, for example, of a numerical face plate (44), is designed, without the need for extensive mechanical or electromechanical setting or switching means, to operate over 24 hours, so that an alarm signal (52) will be emitted not 12 hours, but 24 hours after the setting of an alarm signal time. To this end, a blocking time circuit (75) is provided, which operates slightly longer than 12 hours if it is actuated by the manual deactivation of the alarm signal (51), and is based preferably on the counting of pulses from the time keeping clock circuit (45). The blocking time circuit (75) is also reset by a reset switch (71) when another time is set for the emission of the alarm signal, in any case if the new alarm signal emission time is set within the blocking time period (H). The reset switch (71) provided for this purpose may be combined functionally with the setting handle (73) for the setting of the alarm signal.

Abstract: An autonomous radio timepiece comprises a casing and a bracelet attached thereto. The casing includes an operating circuit, while the bracelet carries a flexible antenna. The antenna can be removed from the bracelet in the event that the bracelet is worn and must be discarded. The antenna carries a plug-in type connector at one end which is adapted to make a tight sealing connection with the casing, and is also adapted to electrically connect the antenna with the circuit of the casing. The circuit within the casing includes a receiver which is fixedly tuned as a function of the antenna inductivity of a foil core to the time message transmitter. Also provided is a variable automatic supplemental tuner to compensate for bending of the bracelet while the receiver is actuated. The antenna comprises a foil of an insulting material on which an antenna conductor is printed, along with two shielding conductors extending parallel to the antenna conductor.

Abstract: An autonomous radio timepiece (1), in particular small, portable timepiece such as a travel alarm clock or a wrist watch includes a display (25) of the prevailing radio field intensity. The display (25) is capable of simultaneously signaling the actuation of a receiver (14) for the decoding of absolute time information and is conveniently combined, in the form of a bar graph, with day indicator flags adjacent a day-of-the-week display (26). When operating outside the time zone for which the transmitter emits the coded absolute time information, the time piece may be manually switched to the instantaneously prevailing time zone. The number of time zone changes may be entered and displayed, or the prevailing hour (H) of the time zone involved is entered, from which an electro-mechanical time display (18) then continues to advance.

Abstract: An autonomous radio controlled timepiece having a display for displaying information relative to receiving conditions to provide the consumer with increased assurance regarding the accuracy of the instantaneous time display. For this purpose, an analog or digital, optionally multidigit display element is provided, which displays supplemental information concerning the quality of reception, expressed as an indication of the period of time elapsed since the most recent monitoring and possible correction of the time display, the correction based on the information received by radio and decoded. The display element offers the lowest possible display value if the radio reception conditions are good enough that each actuation of the receiver leads to the acquisition of usable time information.

Abstract: An autonomous radio timepiece is provided which will furnish a usable time display even when it is outside the time zone of the sender or if the timepiece is to be actuated, when it is not possible at a given point in time to receive valid time telegrams. For this, the timepiece is equipped with a manually actuated hour switch for the input of correction information in a supplemental memory, the content of which is summed together for the actual hour display with that of the hour register, possible set by radio. By actuating a START switch to a full hour, for example, synchronized with the reception of an hour synchronizing signal from another source, the content of the register is brought into a full hour position and from there, stepped forward by an internal time keeping step circuit. The receiver is actuated simultaneously in order to correct the content of the register if a valid time telegram is received.

Abstract: An autonomous radio timepiece with a receiver for receiving time telegram information to be decoded and a reset switch for the restarting the reception, decoding and display functions. The timepiece is structured so that manual actuation is still be possible, and erroneous actions affecting the processor relative to the execution of time telegram decoding and the control of time derived functions are prevented. For this purpose, optionally in addition to the conventional reset switch installed in a covered manner, a separate receiver switch is provided, whereby the receiver may be actuated temporarily and optionally the time display unit then reset into a reference position.

Abstract: A magnetic antenna for a radio receiver such as a radio timepiece can be installed under restricted spacial conditions in a small housing or used as an antenna for a radio wristwatch. The antenna includes a core extending through a coil. The core is made of flexible, high permeability material, so that a flexible connection with the watch is obtained. A multiple flat strip conductor integrated into a watch bracelet serves as the connection between the coil and the receiver. Instead of being flexible, the core may be rigid but pre-formed in a non-linear shape.

Abstract: An autonomous radio timepiece having a time equalizing processor to control and potentially correct the instantaneous time indication on the basis of the prevailing time information received by radio transmission, is equipped with an improved device for temporarily interrupting operation of the time indication. Such a device is provided for the purpose of interrupting the display function of the radio timepiece without deactivating the other auxiliary and operating functions of the radio timepiece, so that following termination of the interruption, normal operation continues without any interference. The display may be interrupted indirectly or directly. In the first case the reset inlet of the time equalizing processor is actuated to trigger the synchronizing process, which otherwise takes place upon the actuation of the radio timepiece.

Abstract: A strip conductor assembly is prefabricated so as to be able to be mounted as a unit into a circuit board of an electro-mechanical clock movement without thereafter requiring further fabrication. The assembly is formed by attaching a circuit chip to a strip conductor network which has already had the necessary gaps formed between ends of respective strips. Wires are attached between the chip and respective strips, and a reinforcing cap is attached to the network so as to interconnect and rigidify certain ones of the strip conductors. A molten plastic mass is poured into an open side of the cap. The mass hardens to completely encapsulate both sides of the strips as well as the chip and wires. That assembly is then cut from the network to form a one-piece prefabricated unit which can be installed in a circuit board of a clock movement.

Abstract: A solar powered electric clock of the type configured as a traditional 400-day clock with a torsional pendulum includes a housing in which the clockworks, dial face and hands are disposed. The housing is supported over a base by means of vertical columns. Solar cells are mounted in a top surface of the base, along with a storage capacitor. No battery is required. A radio signal receiver mechanism for setting the time in response to external radio signals can be provided and mounted in the housing or base. A pendulum drive mechanism can be mounted in the housing or base. The clockworks is driven by a motor which can be mounted in the housing or base.

Abstract: A small electric device powered by solar cells and by a capacitive charge storage element has stable actuation assured during startup with an as yet uncharged capacitor. Startup problems are avoided by control of the power supply with a threshold value circuit that allows power to be supplied to device components when the components' minimum actuating voltage level has been attained at the capacitor. A deactuating voltage value of the threshold value circuit that is lower than the actuating voltage level prevents interruptions of operation similar to relaxation oscillation behavior due to temporarily increased actuating power requirements by causing deactivation of the components only if the capacitor voltage has dropped below a predetermined operational minimum.

Abstract: A solar timepiece comprises a drive unit including a commercially available battery clock mechanism mounted to the back of a support plate for the solar cells. The clock mechanism includes hands arbors which pass through an opening in the support plate. The support plate is angularly adjustable about the axis of the hands arbors so that the longitudinal extent of the solar cells can be made to coincide with the decoratively adapted orientation of light passage areas in the dial face located directly in front of it.

Abstract: A radio controlled timepiece includes a radio receiver for demodulating a transmitted signal on which time and date information has been encoded. A pulse sequence is derived from the transmitted radio signal which is used to drive the stepping motor which advances the hands of a standard display timepiece. If unfavorable reception conditions exist, then the stepping motor will not be driven smoothly and the poor reception will be readily apparent from the irregular movement of the clock hand. A switch is provided to allow the stepping motor to be normally driven by a pulse sequence output of a standard time keeping circuit. A comparator compares the time displayed on the face of the timepiece with the time information encoded on the radio signal and, if the displayed time deviates from the actual time, the frequency of the pulse sequence from the time keeping circuit is adjusted to correct the displayed time.

Abstract: A timepiece receives an externally transmitted radio signal corresponding to an accurate time of day. Disposed within the timepiece is a detecting mechanism for detecting the time of day being displayed by the timepiece. The signals are compared to determine the accuracy of the timepiece. The detection mechanism comprises an optoelectrical system which includes an emitter for directing a beam of radiation toward the sensor. The wheels of the gearworks intersect the beam ahead of the sensor to normally block the beam from the sensor. The wheels include orifices which, when aligned with the beam, permit the beam to reach the sensor, thereby providing an indication of the position of the wheels, and thus of the time being displayed.