Abstract: An electronically controlled timepiece includes an analog circuit (160) driven by a power source (22), a logic circuit (170) driven by a constant voltage regulator circuit (161) forming part of the analog circuit, an oscillator circuit (51) driven by the constant voltage regulator, a power source switch (162) for cutting off the supply of power to the analog circuit other than the constant voltage regulator circuit from the power source during a time correction operation, and a clock cutoff gate (171) for cutting off a clock input from the oscillator circuit to the logic circuit. During the time correction operation, power consumption is reduced because only the oscillator circuit and the constant voltage regulator circuit are operative. The oscillator circuit is not suspended, and an error in time display is eliminated.

Abstract: A motion detection means 5 has a power generation detection circuit 51 for detecting the output voltage of a generating means 4, and a decision unit 52 for determining if the radio-controlled timepiece 1 is moving based on the output voltage from the power generation detection circuit 51. If when a standard time signal is to be received by means of a receiver 2 the not moving detection signal indicating that the radio-controlled timepiece 1 is not moving is output from the motion detection means 5, the reception operation is executed and the time displayed on the time display means 3 is adjusted. By receiving the standard time signal when the radio-controlled timepiece 1 is not moving, accurate time information can be received and the reliability of standard time signal reception can be improved because the reception success rate is also improved.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of titanium oxide particles comprising chloride ion, and a Brønsted base other than chloride ion, preferably at least one kind of ion selected from nitrate ion and phosphate ion. Preferably the titanium oxide particles are predominantly comprised of brookite titanium oxide particles. The aqueous titanium oxide dispersion is prepared by hydrolyzed titanium tetrachloride in the presence of at least one kind of a Brønsted acid. A thin film formed from this aqueous titanium oxide dispersion exhibits good photo-catalytic activity, transparency and adhesion to a base material.

Abstract: An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece, which is an electronic apparatus, includes a generator driven by a mainspring to generate electrical energy, and a rotation controlling unit driven by the electrical energy to control the rotation rate of the generator. The rotation controlling unit includes a brake controlling unit that compares a rotation detection signal indicative of the rotation rate of the generator with a reference signal to control braking on the generator, and a generator halting unit that applies a brake and halts the generator if the braking amount applied to the generator in a predetermined time is smaller than, or equal to, a first predetermined braking value. Because the generator is halted if a predetermined amount of cumulative brake applications are applied within the predetermined time, the generator is not halted in response to temporary disturbances while it is assuredly halted when the rotation becomes slow.

Abstract: To provide an electronic unit which can prevent brake control from stopping a generator. An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece, which is an electronic unit, includes a generator 2 driven by a coil spring 1 to generate electric power, and a rotation control unit 50 driven by electric energy of the generator to control the rotation period of the generator 2. The rotation control unit 50 is provided with a brake control unit 55 for comparing a reference signal fs with a rotation-detection signal FG1 corresponding to the rotation period of the generator 2 to apply brake control to the generator 2, and a generator-stop preventing unit 56 for setting the amount of brake to be applied to the generator 2 to a first brake setting value to prevent the generator 2 from being stopped, when the rotation period of the generator 2 is equal to or longer than a first setting period which is longer than a reference period.

Abstract: A composite structure having a photocatalytic function and can be used for deodorization and wastewater treatment, comprising a foamed or porous substrate having apparent specific gravity of 0.9 to 0.01 and finely divided titanium oxide particles having a photocatalytic function which are adhered onto the surface of the foamed or porous substrate. Gas such as air having offensive odor or wastewater is allowed to be in contact with the composite structure having a photocatalytic function, whereby smelly or harmful substances contained in the gas or wastewater are decomposed.

Abstract: An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece, which is an electronic device, is equipped with a generator 2 for converting the mechanical energy transmitted from a mainspring through the intermediary of a wheel train into electrical energy, and a rotation control unit for controlling the rotation cycle of the generator 2. The rotation control unit is equipped with a count-up/down counter 60 that compares a reference signal with a rotation detection signal of the generator 2 thereby to adjust a braking time for the generator 2, and a brake control signal generating circuit 81 that corrects the time set at the count-up/down counter 60 on the basis of the rotation cycle of the generator 2. If the rotation cycle of the generator 2 significantly deviates from a reference signal cycle, then the braking time is adjusted on the basis of the rotation cycle.

Abstract: An aqueous titanium oxide-dispersed sol comprising titanium oxide particles dispersed in water, said sol comprising chloride ions in an amount of 50 to 10,000 ppm by weight as the chlorine element. Titanium tetrachloride is hydrolyzed to form an aqueous titanium oxide-dispersed sol and the chloride ion concentration thereof is controlled. Another aqueous titanium oxide-dispersed sol comprising brookite-type titanium oxide particles dispersed in water, said titanium oxide particles having an average particle size of not more than 0.5 &mgr;m and a specific surface area of not less than 20 m2/g. Addition of titanium tetrachloride to hot water at 75 to 100° C. followed by hydrolysis at 75° C. to the boiling point of the mixture.

Abstract: An aqueous titanium oxide-dispersed sol comprising titanium oxide particles dispersed in water, said sol comprising chloride ions in an amount of 50 to 10,000 ppm by weight as the chlorine element. Titanium tetrachloride is hydrolyzed to form an aqueous titanium oxide-dispersed sol and the chloride ion concentration thereof is controlled. Another aqueous titanium oxide-dispersed sol comprising brookite-type titanium oxide particles dispersed in water, said titanium oxide particles having an average particle size of not more than 0.5 &mgr;m and a specific surface area of not less than 20 m2/g. Addition of titanium tetrachloride to hot water at 75 to 100° C. followed by hydrolysis at 75° C. to the boiling point of the mixture.

Abstract: An electronically controlled timepiece includes an analog circuit (160) driven by a power source (22), a logic circuit (170) driven by a constant voltage regulator circuit (161) forming part of the analog circuit, an oscillator circuit (51) driven by the constant voltage regulator, a power source switch (162) for cutting off the supply of power to the analog circuit other than the constant voltage regulator circuit from the power source during a time correction operation, and a clock cutoff gate (171) for cutting off a clock input from the oscillator circuit to the logic circuit. During the time correction operation, power consumption is reduced because only the oscillator circuit and the constant voltage regulator circuit are operative. The oscillator circuit is not suspended, and an error in time display is eliminated.

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.

Abstract: An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece, which is an electronic apparatus, includes a generator driven by a mainspring to generate electrical energy, and a rotation controlling unit driven by the electrical energy to control the rotation rate of the generator. The rotation controlling unit includes a brake controlling unit that compares a rotation detection signal indicative of the rotation rate of the generator with a reference signal to control braking on the generator, and a generator halting unit that applies a brake and halts the generator if the braking amount applied to the generator in a predetermined time is smaller than, or equal to, a first predetermined braking value. Because the generator is halted if a predetermined amount of cumulative brake applications are applied within the predetermined time, the generator is not halted in response to temporary disturbances while it is assuredly halted when the rotation becomes slow.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of titanium oxide particles comprising chloride ion, and a Brønsted base other than chloride ion, preferably at least one kind of ion selected from nitrate ion and phosphate ion. Preferably the titanium oxide particles are predominantly comprised of brookite titanium oxide particles. The aqueous titanium oxide dispersion is prepared by hydrolyzed titanium tetrachloride in the presence of at least one kind of a Brønsted acid. A thin film formed from this aqueous titanium oxide dispersion exhibits good photo-catalytic activity, transparency and adhesion to a base material.

Abstract: An electronically controlled timepiece includes an analog circuit (160) driven by a power source (22), a logic circuit (170) driven by a constant voltage regulator circuit (161) forming part of the analog circuit, an oscillator circuit (51) driven by the constant voltage regulator, a power source switch (162) for cutting off the supply of power to the analog circuit other than the constant voltage regulator circuit from the power source during a time correction operation, and a clock cutoff gate (171) for cutting off a clock input from the oscillator circuit to the logic circuit. During the time correction operation, power consumption is reduced because only the oscillator circuit and the constant voltage regulator circuit are operative. The oscillator circuit is not suspended, and an error in time display is eliminated.

Abstract: With respect to a generator (20), a storage device (22) for storing electrical energy output from the generator and a bypass circuit (31) are connected in parallel with each other. A bypass circuit switch (33) of this bypass circuit (31) is controlled on and off according to the voltage of the storage device (22). This makes it possible to reduce the input current into the storage device so as to implement a reduction in the voltage of the storage device, thereby preventing overcharging. Moreover, since a generated waveform corresponding to the rotation period of the generator can be obtained, the rotation period of the generator can be controlled highly precisely and reliably based on this generated waveform, thereby implementing the indication of the correct time.

Abstract: An electronic device capable of increasing the braking torque applied to an electric power generator without causing a significant reduction in electric power generated by the electric power generator. The electronic device, which may be embodied in an electronically controlled mechanical clock, includes an electric power generator for converting mechanical energy transmitted from a spring via a wheel train to electrical energy, and a rotation controller for controlling the rotation period of the electric power generator.

Abstract: An aqueous titanium oxide-dispersed sol comprising titanium oxide particles dispersed in water, said sol comprising chloride ions in an amount of 50 to 10,000 ppm by weight as the chlorine element. Titanium tetrachloride is hydrolyzed to form an aqueous titanium oxide-dispersed sol and the chloride ion concentration thereof is controlled. Another aqueous titanium oxide-dispersed sol comprising brookite-type titanium oxide particles dispersed in water, said titanium oxide particles having an average particle size of not more than 0.5 &mgr;m and a specific surface area of not less than 20 m2/g. Addition of titanium tetrachloride to hot water at 75 to 100° C. followed by hydrolysis at 75° C. to the boiling point of the mixture.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a power generator (20) as a power supply, a capacitor (30) for accumulating generated power, a logic circuit (170) driven by the power from the capacitor, and a power supply cut-off circuit (31). When the power generator starts operating,the power supply cut-off circuit (31) does not supply power to the logic circuit (170) until a voltage of the capacitor (30) reaches a preset voltage. When the voltage of the capacitor (3) becomes equal to or greater than the preset voltage, power is supplied from the capacitor to the logic circuit. Accordingly, a leakage current when power generation starts is prevented, and most of the generated power is accumulated in the capacitor. The capacitor, can rapidly accumulate electricity, and the time until activation of an electronic circuit driven by the capacitor is reduced.

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.

Abstract: To provide an electronic unit which can prevent brake control from stopping a generator. An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece, which is an electronic unit, includes a generator 2 driven by a coil spring 1 to generate electric power, and a rotation control unit 50 driven by electric energy of the generator to control the rotation period of the generator 2. The rotation control unit 50 is provided with a brake control unit 55 for comparing a reference signal fs with a rotation-detection signal FG1 corresponding to the rotation period of the generator 2 to apply brake control to the generator 2, and a generator-stop preventing unit 56 for setting the amount of brake to be applied to the generator 2 to a first brake setting value to prevent the generator 2 from being stopped, when the rotation period of the generator 2 is equal to or longer than a first setting period which is longer than a reference period.