Patents Examined by Michael L. Lindinger
  • Patent number: 6707763
    Abstract: A closure cap including a housing including a lower housing portion, an enlarged upper housing portion and defining a shoulder therebetween. The closure cap also includes a switch member being biased outwardly from the shoulder and movable between an outwardly extending position and a retracted position. A timer is carried by the housing and cooperates with the switch member for generating an indication relating to a length of time that the switch member has been in the retracted positioned and corresponding to a time since the closure cap was most recently secured onto the pill container. A child-proof adaptor ring may be removably carried by the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Diduminder Corporation
    Inventors: James Alan Osberg, Chin Chang Franchi, Daryl Osberg
  • Patent number: 6693852
    Abstract: An electronic device in which a braking torque can be increased while reduction in power generation is suppressed, and in which a rotor is prevented from stopping or rotating at an excessive speed. Such an electronic device includes a generator which is driven by an mechanical energy source and a rotation controller which controls the rotational period of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kunio Koike, Eisaku Shimizu, Hidenori Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6690623
    Abstract: A multi-functional timepiece with multicolor time display is a watch or free-standing clock in which the current time is determined by the use of a series of colored lights around the face of the watch. The face has the current layout associated with conventional watches, with the number 12 on top and numbers 1-11 evenly spaced around the perimeter. However, in lieu of hour hands, minute hands and second hands, the invention uses a series light to indicate the time. A group of red lights indicate the hour, a series of yellow lights indicate the minutes, and a series of green lights indicates the seconds. The light is transmitted from a central source via fiber optic tubes. Other functions such as day and date indications are provided in the conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Inventor: Arnold K. Maano
  • Patent number: 6685352
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a power reserve indicator device (1) for a manually or automatically wound timepiece, said timepiece including a barrel, a mainspring housed in the barrel and time display elements mechanically coupled to said barrel, said indictor device (1) including a differential gear (10) a first input (8) of which is driven by a winding gear train (6) which meshes with a first driving gear formed by the barrel core, the output (16) of said differential gear (10) driving a display gear train (18) for indicating the reserve of power assured by the number of winding turns of the mainspring, characterised in that the second input (14) of the differential gear (10) is driven by a letting down gear train (12) which meshes with a second driving gear formed by the outer toothing of said barrel or by a wheel and pinion driven by said barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Frederic Piguet S.A.
    Inventors: Edmond Capt, Alain Zaugg
  • Patent number: 6680877
    Abstract: A solar counter to provide an accurate way of measuring the middle of the night or another selected fraction of the day or night. The solar counter activates an electronic event when it has finished counting down. For example, a lamp can be turned off half way through the dark part of the night. This process is extremely accurate, and adaptations of this concept can be used in the safety industry, irrigation, or in agriculture. One embodiment of this concept has a battery back-up circuit, but a substitute 50/60 Hz clock input frequency in the case of AC power loss can also be provided using an uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Richard M. Lienau
  • Patent number: 6678216
    Abstract: To provide a power accumulation structure of a simple construction, in which a planetary mechanism is not used, for a timepiece using a spring as power. A power accumulation structure of a simple construction not using a planetary mechanism is a power accumulation structure using a threaded mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6678218
    Abstract: The timepiece includes a time base (13), a generator (1) formed in particular of a rotor (2) with permanent magnets and at least one coil (3), a barrel (6) with a mainspring coupled to said generator in order to drive it, analogue time indicating means (7) also driven by said barrel. These time indicating means operate substantially synchronously relative to said time base as long as the torque CB provided by said barrel is greater than or equal to a minimum synchronisation torque CSYNC. The timepiece also includes means (12, 16) for braking said generator, magnetised means (18) having with the rotor, when the generator is stopped, a static positioning torque CP allowing said rotor to be kept in a substantially stationary position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: ETA Sa Fabriques d'Ebauches
    Inventors: Florian Serex, Frédéric Leuba, Denis Burdet
  • Patent number: 6669361
    Abstract: A method for enabling or disabling mode functions in a multimode electronic device is provided. The method comprises the steps of selecting a mode enabling/disabling mode from a plurality of modes by initiating activation of the mode selecting mechanism until the mode enabling/disabling mode is exhibited, causing the integrated circuit to enter the mode enabling/disabling mode, exhibiting at least mode function indicators for at least one of the exhibited mode functions within the plurality of modes as the mode selecting mechanism is cycling through the display of mode functions, and selecting the mode function for which enabling or disabling is desired and initiating the switching of the mode function from one of disabled to enabled if the mode function was disabled or one of enabled to disabled if the mode function was enabled. An electronic device that can carry out the foregoing methodology is also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the electronic device is a timepiece and specifically, a wristwatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Times Group B.V.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Lizzi
  • Patent number: 6667936
    Abstract: An adherent timer device for mounting upon a prescription medicine bottle cap. The device comprises a cover having an aperture through the cover and a skirt extending from the cover with a lip portion inwardly protruding from the skirt. An electronic counting means having an electronic display viewable through the aperture of the cover resides within the skirt. A battery powering the electronic counting means is springably engaged with the electronic counting means. A reset post for breaking engagement of the battery with the electronic counting means extends from the cover. An insulating pull tab is placed between the battery and a spring contact plate interrupting flow of energy from the battery to the electronic counting means. A mounting face has structure for snap fit engagement with the inner lip of the skirt and an adhesive backing for securing the mounting face to a prescription medicine bottle cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Albert F. Ditzig
  • Patent number: 6665194
    Abstract: A substrate for supporting a semiconductor chip has area array connectors on at least two surfaces to provide a large number of connectors to the chip. At least one contact on one surface is not connected to a contact on the other surface through the substrate. Carriers, such as printed circuit boards are mounted to the two surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Janak G. Patel, Dana J. Thygesen
  • Patent number: 6661743
    Abstract: A display includes a plurality of display arrays, such as a time display section (37), a chronological display section (38), and a chronological split display section (39). An upper or lower polarizer is provided with a light modulating section having a reflection type polarizer. To display only the time, the chronological display section (38) and the chronological split display section (39) are shielded by the light modulating section. For chronological display, the chronological display section (38) is lit, and the chronological split display (39) is displayed or shielded as required by a shutter function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Mafune, Masahiro Sase, Kenji Fujita
  • Patent number: 6648502
    Abstract: A wrist-wearable electronic apparatus has a case and a band connected to the case for attaching the electronic apparatus to a wearer's wrist. A flexible expansion chamber is provided on the wrist side of the case or the band, and a pump communicates with the interior of the expansion chamber for supplying air thereto to inflate the expansion chamber so that it can be maintained in close contact with the wearer's wrist. The pump has a pair of push-in portions on opposed lateral sides of the case or band adjacent the wrist side thereof so that the wearer can apply sideways directed forces to actuate the push-in portions to supply air to the expansion chamber. A discharge valve communicates with the interior of the expansion chamber for discharging air therefrom. The pump may be rotatably mounted to enable the wearer to position the push-in portions at desired positions to facilitate actuation thereof by the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Nobukazu Oomori, Haruki Hiranuma
  • Patent number: 6646958
    Abstract: A golfer's watch mechanism includes a first mechanical counter for counting a number of strokes of a golf hole. The first mechanical counter has a mechanical display and a mechanical drive for advancing the count and for positioning the mechanical display based on the count. A second mechanical counter counts a total number of strokes played for a series of golf holes. The second mechanical counter includes a second counter mechanical display and a second counter mechanical drive for positioning the mechanical display based on the total number of strokes. A mechanical control is provided with first and second push-buttons connected to the mechanical drive of said first mechanical counter and connected to the second counter mechanical drive. The mechanical control increments and decrements the first mechanical counter and resets the first mechanical counter and resets the second mechanical counter to zero and increments the second mechanical counter when the first mechanical counter is reset to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Montres Antima S.A.
    Inventor: Hervé Geiger
  • Patent number: 6643224
    Abstract: A timepiece, in which a first liquid crystal display panel and a second liquid crystal display panel, each of which is constituted by sealing a liquid crystal layer in a gap between a pair of substrates formed with electrodes on opposed inner faces thereof respectively, are arranged in a case body having a cover glass with at least portions thereof overlapping, a first polarizing film is provided on an upper substrate of the first liquid crystal display panel on the cover glass side, a second polarizing film is provided between the first liquid crystal display panel and the second liquid crystal display panel, and a third polarizing film is provided on the lower side of a lower substrate of the second liquid crystal display panel respectively, the second polarizing film being a reflection type polarizing film, the first polarizing film, the first liquid crystal display panel, and the second polarizing film constitutes an upper display portion, and the second polarizing film, the second liquid crystal display
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kanetaka Sekiguchi, Masafumi Ide, Takashi Akiyama, Masami Kikuchi, Yuichi Akiba, Koji Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6643141
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus which is capable of maintaining excellent EMC performances even if the number of cables to be connected thereto is increased. An electronic circuit unit is plugged into a subrack from the front of the subrack. A connector unit-receiving block is arranged on the rear surface of the subrack. A connector unit connectable with an external cable to be connected to the electronic circuit unit is plugged into the rear of the subrack at the rear of the electronic circuit unit, for being received within the connector unit-receiving block. The connector unit is configured such that a metal shield case covers a connector board having a connector mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kaetsu, Kazumasa Yoshito, Takashi Inoue, Tsutomu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6639875
    Abstract: A timepiece that has an LCD face that changes color when the time changes between the A.M. and the P.M. to provide a pleasing esthetic appearance to the user. Further, the timepiece may have a manual control such as a button that may be depressed to cause the LCD face to change to any one of several colors as desired by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Alfred E. Hall
  • Patent number: 6639874
    Abstract: A pointer electronic timepiece (1) has a plurality of step motors, a plurality of pointers (11 to 18), and a plurality of external operation members of a winding crown (5) and buttons (6, 7). The pointer to be adjusted is selected from the plurality of pointers (15 to 18) by operating one of the buttons (6) while drawing out the winding crown (5) to a second stage and the other button (7) is operated to adjust the position of the selected pointer. Since the position of the pointers (15 to 18) driven by three step motors can be adjusted by the two buttons (6, 7), the number of the external operation member is not necessary to be increased even when the pointers (15 to 18), i.e. the step motors, are increased, so that the size and thickness of a movement-holder and cost thereof can be reduced and operability during adjustment can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eisaku Shimizu, Akihiko Maruyama
  • Patent number: 6636457
    Abstract: A clock movement with a display for world time zones comprises a power source, a second counter, a minute counter, an hour counter, and a time zone display. The time zone display further comprises an intermediate base, a time zone adjustable ring, and a dial plate. The intermediate base provides a planetary basic gear axially attached to the central of the bottom thereof to be passed through by a minute wheel set. The planetary basic gear at a lower side thereof connects with an axial stem provided a front hour wheel and a join ring at a lower periphery thereof. The join ring at a periphery thereof extends at least two circumferential elastic engaging hooks. The time zone adjustable ring provides an inner gear ring part to mesh with the planetary basic gear. An inner ratchet ring with a plurality of ratchet teeth at the top of the time zone adjustable ring for engaging with the two engaging hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Atop Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wen-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 6636459
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece is controlled such that, when an amount of the actual capacity that remains in storage means 30 thereof is found to be less than a predetermined amount as a result of measurement of a voltage between the terminals of the storage means 30 by voltage measurement means 80, all electrical discharge paths from the storage means 30 to timing means 20 and an electric power generator 10 are completely shut off by the agency of charge/discharge control means 40, thereby preventing occurrence of wasteful over-discharge from the storage means 30. As a result, upon resumption of power generation by the electric power generator 10, entire electric energy generated can be effectively utilized, so that the restart of a time-keeping operation by the timing means 20 is speeded up, and the operation thereafter is stabilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoichi Nagata
  • Patent number: 6628571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a watch (2), wherein the time is represented by a plurality of display means (4) that are individually activated or deactivated. Said watch includes a first group (31) of display means for the number of hours, a second group (32) of display means for a first position of the number of minutes and a third group (33) for the second position of the number of minutes. The display means (4) in each group preferably form at least three subgroups (311, 312, 313, 314; 321, 322, 323; 331, 332, 333), wherein the groups and subgroups are arranged in such a way that they can be separately and optically perceived and the amount of display means activated in a group correspond to a figure representing the time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Arman Emami