Electrical Time Base Patents (Class 368/155)
  • Patent number: 11650546
    Abstract: A universal device for the winding and time-setting of a watch with oscillating resonator, including a rewinding and state corrector, including an automatic winding mechanism, state measurer relative to a reference, stoppage monitor to observe the stoppage of the resonator, running monitor of the resonator, controller to identify the stoppage time displayed, compute the time remaining until a synchronisation between the actual time indicated by the reference and the stoppage time, and, when this remaining time has elapsed, activate the winding mechanism to rewind the storage device of the watch, and, following activation of the winding mechanism, await the determination of the stabilisation of the nominal running of the resonator by these monitors before allowing adjustment of the state of the watch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Develonment Ltd
    Inventors: Baptiste Hinaux, Jérôme Favre
  • Patent number: 10754300
    Abstract: A timepiece, in which an indicating hand is driven by a motor and high speed processing is required for driving a load other than the indicating hand, includes a main control circuit that instructs drive timing of the motor so as to drive the load, and that is operated by an operation frequency serving as a first frequency, and a motor control unit that generates a drive pulse for driving the motor, and that is operated by an operation frequency serving as a second frequency which is lower than the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Kazuo Kato
  • Patent number: 10620588
    Abstract: A stepping motor includes: a rotor; and a stator including an opening accommodating the rotor, a first side yoke extending from the opening in a first direction, a second side yoke extending from the opening in a second direction that is a direction opposite to the first direction, and one or a plurality of coils magnetically coupled to the first side yoke or the second side yoke. Assuming a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction is defined as a third direction, a first recess is formed in an outer circumference of the stator at a position rotated from the third direction toward the second direction by a prescribed first angle and a second recess that determines a stable resting position of the rotor is formed at a position rotated from the second direction toward the third direction by a prescribed second angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuta Saito
  • Patent number: 10545460
    Abstract: A motor group including motor modules, each including a motor device driving a display wheel set, with a centre pipe fixed on a plate, including a device for rotational guiding, about a main axis, of a display wheel set internal or external to the centre pipe, this module includes an axial stop arranged to limit to a predetermined value the axial play in the direction of the main axis between the centre pipe and the display wheel set, wherein a protruding surface of the centre pipe or of the display wheel set, or an added axial stop, captively mounted between the centre pipe and the display wheel set, or fixed to the display wheel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Raphael Balmer, Pascal Lagorgette
  • Patent number: 10411717
    Abstract: A device and method is presented to allow the high frequency clock generators and functional blocks of a wireless communication device to enter a very low power sleep state while the low frequency reference clock generator within the wireless communications device remains in an active state. The timing block provides methods of increasing and maintaining accuracy of the system timer which may have been reduced by temperature variation or manufacturing defects. The timing block also allows for selection of the highest accuracy clock from among multiple high frequency clock references. A device for timing control is presented comprising at least one high frequency reference clock, a low frequency reference clock and a timing controller for generating a system timer, wherein the timing controller selects one of the at least one high frequency reference clock and processes the low frequency reference clock with the selected high frequency reference clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Ian K. Appleton
  • Patent number: 10001757
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a display section, a display control section, a reception section, a clock section, a timing section, a leap second acquisition section, a time correction section that corrects internal time information by using time information acquired by the timing section, and a leap second correction section that corrects the internal time information by using leap second information acquired by the leap second acquisition section. In a case where the operation of the timing section is followed by the operation of the leap second acquisition section, the time correction section corrects the internal time information by using the time information acquired by the timing section, and the display control section causes the display section to display, before the leap second acquisition section acquires the leap second information, time based on the internal time information corrected by the time correction section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshikazu Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20150124571
    Abstract: A measurement information management system includes: a measurement device; and a mobile information device, in which the measurement device includes a detail information generation unit which generates detail information including position information obtained by measuring position information, a title information transmission unit which transmits title information for identifying the detail information to the mobile information device, and a detail information transmission unit which transmits the detail information to the mobile information device according to a transmission request signal, and the mobile information device includes a detail information request unit which transmits the transmission request signal of the detail information of which the estimated transfer time necessary for transmitting the detail information corresponding to the title information transmitted from the measurement device from the measurement device to the mobile information device is determined to be shorter than a predetermi
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Shinji HIRABAYASHI
  • Patent number: 9010997
    Abstract: Lubricating apparatuses (10, 20, 30, 40) that support the axes of a stator guide (70) and a rotor (50) fit into an opening of a stator (60) are separate components and by fitting the stator guide (70) and lubricating apparatuses (10, 20, 30, 40) into the cylindrically shaped opening of a constant diameter disposed in a bottom plate (80), a bearing can be configured that aligns the central axis of the opening of the stator (60) and the rotational axis of the rotor (50) with high precision. Additionally, the structure of the lubricating apparatus (10, 20, 30, 40) is simplified and configures an electronic timepiece that can use the bearing-less stator (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd., Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Sumida, Moto Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20150103632
    Abstract: A portable electronic device (biological information measurement device) is attachable to or detachable from a cradle and includes a USB terminal portion connected to a terminal provided in the cradle, an initial start-up unit that initially starts up the biological information measurement device, a connection determination unit that determines whether the connection has been released after the USB terminal portion has been connected to a terminal portion of the cradle, and a resetting unit that causes the initial start-up unit to initially start up the biological information measurement device when it is determined by the connection determination unit that the connection has been released after the cradle has been connected to the USB terminal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Yuichi TAKANO, Naoshi FURUTA
  • Publication number: 20150085625
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stepping motor including a rotor, a plurality of coils and a switching mechanism. The stepping motor simultaneously or sequentially applies driving pulses to the coils to rotate the rotor by a predetermined step angle, and while the driving pulses are being applied to part of the coils, the switching mechanism switches the rest of the coils other than the part of the coils driven by the driving pulses into a high impedance state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta SAITO, Yohei KAWAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20140362671
    Abstract: The electronic timepiece movement (2) is equipped with a motor (4) including a stator and a permanent magnet rotor (6) situated in a stator hole, said stator defining at least two magnetic poles (12, 14) respectively including at least two pole shoes (16, 18) extending at the periphery of the hole. The motor includes at least one coil (28) respectively mounted around at least one core (26). The two pole shoes and the core form together a first part made of ferromagnetic material formed by or including a single-piece wafer forming both the two pole shoes and the core. An end portion of the core is connected to at least one corresponding pole shoe by a second part, defining a base plate or a main plate made of magnetic material, to which the first part is secured and on which elements of the electronic timepiece movement are at least partially mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Pascal LAGORGETTE, Raphael BALMER, Joel MARIDOR
  • Patent number: 8438415
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for steering a time-of-day (TOD) clock for a computer system having a physical clock providing a time base for executing operations that is stepped to a common oscillator. The method includes receiving, at a processing unit, a request to change a clock steering rate used to control a TOD-clock offset value for the processing unit, the TOD-clock offset defined as a function of a start time (s), a base offset (b), and a steering rate (r). The unit schedules a next episode start time with which to update the TOD-clock offset value. After updating TOD-clock offset value (d) at the scheduled time, TOD-clock offset value is added to a physical-clock value (Tr) value to obtain a logical TOD-clock value (Tb), where the logical TOD-clock value is adjustable without adjusting a stepping rate of the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eberhard Engler, Mark S. Farrell, Klaus Meissner, Mark A. Check, Evangelyn K. Smith
  • Patent number: 8379492
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a casing, a display, a timepiece core unit, and a current processing circuitry. The current processing circuitry includes a rectifying circuitry, an oscillating circuitry, and an output circuitry. The rectifying circuitry is adapted for electrically connected with an AC power source, and arranged to rectify the AC. The oscillating circuitry is electrically connected with the rectifying circuitry, and is arranged to transform the DC outputted from the rectifying circuitry back into AC having a predetermined voltage and a frequency. The output circuitry is electrically connected with the oscillating circuitry, and is arranged to rectifying the AC output from the oscillating circuitry into a DC pulses output, wherein the DC output from the output circuitry is electrically transmitted to the timepiece circuitry for triggering an operation thereof so as to allow the signal generator to generate accurate time signal to display the current time by the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Shenzhen Great Power Enterprise Co., Limited
    Inventor: QiXiang Feng
  • Publication number: 20120300597
    Abstract: Lubricating apparatuses (10, 20, 30, 40) that support the axes of a stator guide (70) and a rotor (50) fit into an opening of a stator (60) are separate components and by fitting the stator guide (70) and lubricating apparatuses (10, 20, 30, 40) into the cylindrically shaped opening of a constant diameter disposed in a bottom plate (80), a bearing can be configured that aligns the central axis of the opening of the stator (60) and the rotational axis of the rotor (50) with high precision. Additionally, the structure of the lubricating apparatus (10, 20, 30, 40) is simplified and configures an electronic timepiece that can use the bearing-less stator (60).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Tatsuo Sumida, Moto Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20120250469
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention relate generally to real-time clock circuit, and more particularly to systems, devices and methods of integrating two oscillators in one real-time clock circuit to generate accurate time of day over an industrial temperature range. A primary oscillator is employed to generate a first high precision clock while having a higher frequency and consuming more power; a secondary oscillator is employed to generate a second clock that has a low frequency and consumes less power, but may not meet the time accuracy requirement. When the real-time clock is provided with sufficient power (MSN mode), time of day is constantly tracked by the primary oscillator, but when the real-time clock is powered by a battery (SLEEP mode), time of day is tracked by the secondary oscillator while the primary oscillator is switched on at an update frequency to compensate errors in the time of day.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Bertham John White, Nathan Theodore Hackett
  • Patent number: 8135978
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for performing a Perform Timing Facility (PTFF) instruction for steering a Time of Day (TOD) clock of the computer system for synchronizing the TOD clock with TOD clocks of other computer systems. The computer system comprises a memory; and, a processor in communications with the computer memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eberhard Engler, Mark S. Farrell, Klaus Meissner, Ronald M. Smith, Sr., Evangelyn K. Smith, legal representative, Mark A. Check
  • Patent number: 8094522
    Abstract: An electronic clock makes no erroneous determination of rotation detection and suppresses unnecessary current consumption even when being provided with a second hand having a large moment of inertia. The electronic clock uses a first detection mode determination circuit and a second detection mode determination circuit to perform the rotation detection. The electronic clock includes a determination selecting circuit as changing means for changing the determination period of the second detection mode in accordance with the determination period of the first detection mode. Even when the current waveform is disturbed, erroneous determinations are prevented in a way that the determination terminal of the second detection mode is shortened if the first detection mode terminates earlier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohichi Satoh, Yuh Takyoh
  • Publication number: 20110051563
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a casing, a display, a timepiece core unit, and a current processing circuitry. The current processing circuitry includes a rectifying circuitry, an oscillating circuitry, and an output circuitry. The rectifying circuitry is adapted for electrically connected with an AC power source, and arranged to rectify the AC. The oscillating circuitry is electrically connected with the rectifying circuitry, and is arranged to transform the DC outputted from the rectifying circuitry back into AC having a predetermined voltage and a frequency. The output circuitry is electrically connected with the oscillating circuitry, and is arranged to rectifying the AC output from the oscillating circuitry into a DC pulses output, wherein the DC output from the output circuitry is electrically transmitted to the timepiece circuitry for triggering an operation thereof so as to allow the signal generator to generate accurate time signal to display the current time by the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: SHENZHEN GREAT POWER ENTERPRISE CO., LIMITED
    Inventor: QiXiang FENG
  • Patent number: 7852711
    Abstract: Devices and methods for determining a current location using a location detection element, determining a local time zone based on the current location using a memory unit, keeping time using a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) oscillator unit co-fabricated on a common substrate with the location detection element, and determining a local time based on the local time zone using a controller element. Optional embodiments comprise a MEMS oscillator unit that is fabricated underneath, next to, or on top of the location detection element. Additional embodiments comprise a GPS chip optionally assisted by a cell phone chipset or FM receiver to enhance location and time determination. Optional embodiments may additionally enter a power conservation mode after the current location has been determined, or may detect air travel to disable the location detection element and enable the location detection element upon detected landing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Pillar, LLC
    Inventors: Alissa M. Fitzgerald, Dave Mooring
  • Publication number: 20100220558
    Abstract: Various apparatuses, methods and systems for a real time clock are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide a real time clock including a clock generator having a first input connected to a clock signal and a second input connected to a time set signal. The clock generator produces a time change signal at an output of the clock generator. Counters, each adapted to track a different unit of time, are connected to the time change signal. The clock generator is adapted to generate a pulse on the time change signal for each pulse of the time set signal, and to generate separate pulses on the time change signal for consecutive pulses on the clock signal and the time set signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Sanjeeva Reddy Pindi
  • Patent number: 7681064
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for steering a time-of-day (TOD) clock for a computer system having a physical clock providing a time base for executing operations that is stepped to a common oscillator. The method includes computing a TOD-clock offset value (d) to be added to a physical-clock value (Tr) value to obtain a logical TOD-clock value (Tb), where the logical TOD-clock value is adjustable without adjusting a stepping rate of the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eberhard Engler, Mark S. Farrell, Klaus Meissner, Ronald M. Smith, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7663979
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece (10) includes a case (12) which is fitted with a dial (28) and which contains an electronic control circuit (22) driving a display device (24), of the type wherein the dial (28) includes a main body (48) in the form of a plate which is made of semiconductor material, and of the type wherein the control circuit (22) includes at least one control unit (36) and a time base circuit (34), characterized in that the control circuit (22) includes at least one integrated circuit element (34, 36) which is etched in the main body (48) of the dial (28). The invention also proposes a dial (28) to be fitted to the timepiece (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Pierre-André Meister, André Zanetta, Emmanuel Fleury, Fabien Blondeau
  • Patent number: 7617410
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for synchronizing adjustment of a time of day (TOD) clock for a computer system having multiple CPUs, each CPU having an associated physical clock providing a time base for executing operations that is stepping to a common oscillator, and an associated logical TOD clock. The method includes detecting propagation of a carry at a pre-determined bit position of the physical clock associated with a CPU in the computer system; and, updating, in response to the detecting of the pre-determined bit position carry, a TOD-clock offset value (d) to be added to a physical clock value (Tr) value to obtain a logical TOD clock value (Tb) for use by a CPU in the system. In this manner, each CPU computes a new logical TOD clock value in synchronization—the new logical TOD clock value taking effect simultaneously for the multiple CPUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Check, Ronald M. Smith, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20090238044
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic clock which makes no erroneous determination of rotation detection and suppresses unnecessary current consumption even when being provided with the second hand having a large moment of inertia. The electronic clock uses a first detection mode determination circuit 112 and a second detection mode determination circuit 113 to perform the rotation detection. The electronic clock includes a determination selecting circuit 113c as changing means for changing the determination period of the second detection mode in accordance with the determination period of the first detection mode. Even when the current waveform is disturbed, erroneous determinations are prevented in a way that the determination terminal of the second detection mode is shortened if the first detection mode terminates earlier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Kohichi Satoh, Yuh Takyoh
  • Patent number: 7583564
    Abstract: To provide a piezoelectric actuator whereby impact resistance can be greatly improved without complicating the design or causing a reduction in drive efficiency. When a piezoelectric actuator 31 is incorporated into a main plate 14, an arm part 513 of a vibrator 50 is disposed across from a protrusion 144 via spaces SP1, SP2 having specific dimensions. With the presence of these spaces SP1, SP2, a free end FR moves freely within the spaces SP1, SP2 during driving, but a vibrating part 511 is captured at the free end FR by the protrusion 144 when external impact is applied, and the vibrating part 511 can therefore be prevented from moving beyond the dimensions of the spaces. Resistance against impact from falling can thereby be easily and greatly improved without reducing the drive efficiency, and the usual difficulty of reconciling both drive efficiency and impact resistance can be resolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Joji Kitahara, Akihiro Sawada
  • Publication number: 20090180357
    Abstract: An atomic clock at optical frequency based on atomic beam and a method for generating the atomic clock comprises: The atomic beam (8) is ejected from a pile mouth after heating an atomic pile (1) in a vacuum chamber (2); A laser (4) corresponding to frequency of a clock transition transfers the atomic beam (8) from a ground state of the clock transition to an excited state of the clock transition in a adiabatic passing mode; After interaction with the laser corresponding to the frequency of a clock transition, the atomic beam (8) passes a signal detection region with a detection laser (5), and after the interaction with the detection laser (5), each of the atoms gives off a photon of spontaneous emission; An emitted fluorescence photon signal from atoms which is excited by the detection laser (5) is explored; A clock laser (4) for exploring transition frequency of an atomic clock is modulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Jing-Biao Chen
  • Publication number: 20090135678
    Abstract: The electronic circuit (1) controls the operation of the peripheral members of a watch. The circuit (1) includes a processor (2) connected to a non-volatile memory (3), which contains instructions to be carried out, peripheral member controllers (4) for interacting with peripheral members of the watch and connecting means (6a, 6b, 7). These connecting means (6a, 6b, 7) are arranged to enable the peripheral member controllers (4), the non-volatile memory and the processor (2) to communicate data relating to the operation of said watch to each other. This electronic circuit (1) further includes initialising means (8) able to act on the peripheral member controllers (4) to initialise said controllers so that they can execute operations independently of the processor (2) and/or the non-volatile memory (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: EM Microelectronic-Marin S.A.
    Inventor: Yves Godat
  • Patent number: 7476865
    Abstract: A signal source for use as a frequency source or time keeping signal source includes a radioactive emission source generating a substantially periodic signal corresponding to a radioactive material's disintegration rate. A radioactive emission detector generates a radioactive emission detection signal and, to stabilize the detected periodic signal, a dead time controlling attenuator blanks or shuts off the radioactive emission detection signal for a selected dead time interval in response to each detected radioactive emission (i.e., a detected signal pulse or signal component) generated by the source. The dead time controlling attenuator output provides a long-term and short-term a stable periodic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Amit Lal, Hui Li, Hang Guo, Shankar Radhakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20080111445
    Abstract: The invention proposes a drive module intended to engage with a clock wheel having a plate made of crystalline or amorphous material comprising a lower layer, which forms a substrate, and an upper layer, into which an MEMS type of micromotor is etched, wherein the micromotor has at least one actuator rotatably driving a rotor, characterised in that a pinion arranged coaxially to the rotor is rotatably connected to the rotor and disposed above the rotor, said pinion being provided to engage with the clock wheel in an engagement zone located close to an outer peripheral edge of the plate, that the rotor is disposed on the plate in order to minimise the distance between the outer peripheral edge of the rotor and the outer peripheral edge of the plate corresponding to the engagement zone, and that the diameter of the pinion is larger than that of the rotor so as to protrude relative to the plate into the engagement zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSE
    Inventors: Lionel Paratte, Andre Zanetta, Pierre-Andre Meister, Yves Petremand, Nicolas Golay, Fabien Blondeau, Wilfried Noell
  • Patent number: 7356725
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for steering a time-of-day (TOD) clock for a computer system having a physical clock providing a time base for executing operations that is stepped to a common oscillator. The method includes computing a TOD-clock offset value (d) to be added to a physical-clock value (Tr) value to obtain a logical TOD-clock value (Tb), where the logical TOD-clock value is adjustable without adjusting a stepping rate of the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eberhard Engler, Mark S. Farrell, Klaus Meissner, Ronald M. Smith, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20070183270
    Abstract: A disclosed timer circuit for clocking a predetermined time includes an oscillator and a frequency dividing unit for dividing a frequency of an oscillating signal output from the oscillator. A comparing unit determines whether a short-time mode instruction is received by comparing a voltage received at an external terminal with a predetermined voltage. A switch causes the oscillating signal to bypass a part of the frequency dividing unit in response receiving the short-time mode instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventors: Koichiro Sakamoto, Junji Takeshita, Takashi Takeda
  • Patent number: 7167417
    Abstract: A time correction system has a timepiece with pointers for displaying the time, and a correction instruction device. The correction instruction device has a timing section for timing reference time data, a time input section for inputting pointed time data corresponding to the time indicated by the pointers, a comparison section for comparing the reference time data and the pointed time data, and a communication section for outputting a correction instruction signal based on the results of this comparison to the pointer type timepiece. The pointer type timepiece has an external signal detection circuit for receiving the correction instruction signal, a drive control section for controlling the driving of the pointers, and a time correction control circuit for matching the readings of the pointers with the reference time data based on the received correction instruction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hidehiro Akahane, Osamu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6973010
    Abstract: In a generator 120 in an electronic-controlled mechanical timepiece, the winding core 133b of a coil 134 arranged nearer to the perimeter of a base plate 2 is made shorter than the winding core 123b of a coil 124 arranged more inside. Accordingly, it is possible to make the area of an opening 2c can be made smaller in comparison with the prior art, and make the timepiece more small-sized by making smaller the outer diameter of the base plate 2 as keeping the distance D1 between the corner part of the opening 2c and the perimeter of the base plate 2 to the same degree as the prior art and thereby securing the strength of the base plate 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Koike, Mamoru Miyasaka, Osamu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6961287
    Abstract: A time-error-compensating apparatus and method corrects errors in a real-time clock caused by temperature fluctuations or other external influences. The apparatus includes a frequency counting unit which counts a high-frequency clock signal and a low-frequency clock signal, and a time compensating unit which computes a clock count compensation value based on a comparison of the count values of of the low-frequency and high-frequency clock signals. Correcting time using a high-frequency clock is highly desirable because a clock of this type has proven to be accurate in high external stress conditions. Use of this clock also allows the real-time clock to be implemented as a low-frequency, inexpensive low-frequency clock. The method and apparatus are well suited to correcting time information in the terminals of a mobile communications system, or in any other system or device where time tracking is sought.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Soo Jung
  • Patent number: 6958953
    Abstract: Under the present invention a real time clock circuit, within a set-top box, is provided with an internal clock generator for generating multiple clock signals. Once generated, a first clock signal is divided into an initial set of values representing time and optionally day/date intervals, and then communicated to a set of clock registers. The initial set of values can then be communicated (directly or via a set of DCR registers) to a display component within the set-top box. Updated clock signals are received by the set of DCR registers from an external source such as a satellite or the like thus making the clock very accurate, and are communicated to the display component. Similar to the initial set of values, the updated set of values could be communicated to the display component directly from the set of DCR registers, or via the set of clock registers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric E. Retter, John M. Sutton
  • Patent number: 6856581
    Abstract: A simple electronic horological device, termed a time cell, is presented with associated methods, systems, and computer program products. A time cell has an insulated, charge storage element that receives an electrostatic charge through its insulating medium, i.e. it is programmed. Over time, the charge storage element then loses the charge through its insulating medium. Given the reduction of the electric potential of the programmed charge storage element at a substantially known discharge rate, and by observing the potential of the programmed charge storage element at a given point in time, an elapsed time period can be determined. Thus, the time cell measures an elapsed time period without a continuous power source. One type of time cell is an analog time cell that may have a form similar to a non-volatile memory cell, particularly a floating gate field effect transistor (FGFET). The time cell may have an expanded floating gate for storing an electrostatic charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Viktors Berstis, Peter Juergen Klim, Chung Lam
  • Patent number: 6831879
    Abstract: A simple electronic horological device, termed a time cell, is presented with associated methods, systems, and computer program products. A time cell has an insulated, charge storage element that receives an electrostatic charge through its insulating medium, i.e. it is programmed. Over time, the charge storage element then loses the charge through its insulating medium. Given the reduction of the electric potential of the programmed charge storage element at a substantially known discharge rate, and by observing the potential of the programmed charge storage element at a given point in time, an elapsed time period can be determined. Thus, the time cell measures an elapsed time period without a continuous power source. One type of time cell is an analog time cell that may have a form similar to a non-volatile memory cell, particularly a floating gate field effect transistor (FGFET). The time cell may have an expanded floating gate for storing an electrostatic charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Viktors Berstis, Peter Juergen Klim, Chung Lam
  • Patent number: 6829200
    Abstract: A simple electronic horological device, termed a time cell, is presented with associated methods, systems, and computer program products. A time cell has an insulated, charge storage element that receives an electrostatic charge through its insulating medium, i.e. it is programmed. Over time, the charge storage element then loses the electrostatic charge through its insulating medium. Given the reduction of the electric potential of the programmed charge storage element at a substantially known discharge rate, and by observing the electric potential of the programmed charge storage element at a given point in time, an elapsed time period can be determined. Thus, the time cell is able to measure an elapsed time period without a continuous power source. One type of time cell is a binary time cell that may have a form similar to a non-volatile memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Viktors Berstis, Peter Juergen Klim, Chung Lam
  • Patent number: 6826128
    Abstract: A simple electronic horological device, termed a time cell, is presented with associated methods, systems, and computer program products. A time cell has an insulated, charge storage element that receives an electrostatic charge through its insulating medium, i.e. it is programmed. Over time, the charge storage element then loses the charge through its insulating medium. Given the reduction of the electric potential of the programmed charge storage element at a substantially known discharge rate, and by observing the potential of the programmed charge storage element at a given point in time, an elapsed time period can be determined. Thus, the time cell measures an elapsed time period without a continuous power source. One type of time cell is an analog time cell that may have a form similar to a non-volatile memory cell, particularly a floating gate field effect transistor (FGFET). The time cell may have an expanded floating gate for storing an electrostatic charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Viktors Berstis, Peter Juergen Klim, Chung Lam
  • Patent number: 6791906
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a method and system for allowing a frequency synthesizer to function despite long delays. A first and second phase comparator, each with at least three inputs and an output are preset to a predetermined logical value by a first control circuit. A first signal is connected to an input of the first and second phase comparators. A second signal is connected to a second input of the second phase comparator and to the input of a programmable dead zone delay circuit. The output of the programmable dead zone delay circuit is connected to a second input of the first phase comparator. A preset value, determined by the first control circuit, is presented on the outputs of the first and second phase comparators. Until metastability is resolved, these outputs retain a valid fail-safe default.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Fischer, Samuel D. Naffziger
  • Patent number: 6760277
    Abstract: A test system for a design of a network device under test includes an oscillator configured for generating a first clock signal for a first clock domain, and field programmable gate arrays. Each field programmable gate array is configured for performing device operations according to the first clock domain and transferring data to another device at a network data rate based on a second clock domain. Each field programmable gate array includes clock conversion logic configured for generating a second clock signal for the second clock domain, based on the first clock signal. Hence, the generation of the second clock signal within each field programmable gate array ensures that timing accuracy is maintained, enabling communication between the field programmable gate arrays at high-speed data rates based on the second clock domain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Rizwan M. Farooq
  • Publication number: 20040027924
    Abstract: A method for producing a computer-assisted real-time system that includes at least one processing unit. Data exchange between the processing unit and the environment or one or more additional processing units is synchronous or asynchronous. At least one real clock is allocated to the processing unit to correlate data exchange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Ralf Mnzenberger, Frank Slomka, Matthias Drfel, Oliver Bringmann
  • Patent number: 6567346
    Abstract: An absolute time scale clock includes a radioactive isotope and a computer. The computer includes a processor that determines an indication of the current absolute time and a memory that stores a decay constant of the radioactive isotope, a reference time, and an amount of the isotope at the reference time. A energy supply that provides power to the computer. The absolute time scale clock further includes a detector positioned to respond to emissions from the radioactive isotope. The detector generates an indication of the number of emissions over a time interval that varies with the decay rate of the isotope. The processor is responsive to the indication from the detector, the decay constant, the reference time, and the reference amount to determine the indication of current absolute time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas J. Aton, Shivaling S. Mahant-Shetti
  • Patent number: 6556512
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile terminal (1) for a wireless telecommunication system and a method providing accurate real time information in such a mobile terminal (1). The mobile terminal (1) comprises input means (3) for inputting basic time information (T0), memory means (4) for storing basic time information (T0) input via said input means (3), real time means (2, 5) for continuously providing real time information (Tx) on the basis of low frequency oscillation signal and said basic time information (T0), and processing means (5) for computing a correction value (K) for correcting said real time information Tx to obtain an accurate real time information (Tacc) on the basis of an accurate time difference between a first accurate time information (T1) and a second accurate time information (T2) and a real time difference between a first real time information (Tx1) and a second real information (Tx2) from said real time means (2, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Sony International (Europe) GmbH
    Inventor: Gregor Winkler
  • Publication number: 20030076747
    Abstract: A time-error-compensating apparatus and method corrects errors in a real-time clock caused by temperature fluctuations or other external influences. The apparatus includes a frequency counting unit which counts a high-frequency clock signal and a low-frequency clock signal, and a time compensating unit which computes a clock count compensation value based on a comparison of the count values of of the low-frequency and high-frequency clock signals. Correcting time using a high-frequency clock is highly desirable because a clock of this type has proven to be accurate in high external stress conditions. Use of this clock also allows the real-time clock to be implemented as a low-frequency, inexpensive low-frequency clock. The method and apparatus are well suited to correcting time information in the terminals of a mobile communications system, or in any other system or device where time tracking is sought.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Dong Soo Jung
  • Publication number: 20020196710
    Abstract: A clock source selector for selecting either a first clock signal A or a second clock signal B in accordance with a switch request signal includes three retiming circuits each consisting of two clocked flip-flops. The switch request signal is first retimed relative to clock A to give a signal P, is then retimed relative to clock B to give a signal Q, and finally is retimed relative to clock A to give a signal R. Selector circuitry operates such that when signal Q is asserted, the second clock signal B is output, when neither signal P nor signal R, as combined by a NOR gate, are asserted, the first clock signal A is output, and at other times a zero level is output. The clock source selector can be used in an integrated circuit to form a glitch-free multiplexer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Dellow, Paul Elliott
  • Patent number: 6463013
    Abstract: A clock generating apparatus and method for generating clock signals of different frequency. The clock generating apparatus and method receives and divides a main clock signal to obtain a reference clock signal. Then, the reference clock signal and the first feedback clock signal are phase-locked to obtain the first clock signal. Moreover, the reference clock signal and the second feedback clock signal are phase-locked to obtain the second clock signal. The reset signal and the first clock signal are received by a divider. The divider then outputs the first feedback clock signal. Another divider receives the reset signal and the second clock signal and then outputs the second feedback clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo-Ping Liu, Jiin Lai, Jyh-fong Lin, Yu-Wei Lin
  • Publication number: 20020126583
    Abstract: An absolute time scale clock includes a radioactive isotope and a computer. The computer includes a processor that determines an indication of the current absolute time and a memory that stores a decay constant of the radioactive isotope, a reference time, and an amount of the isotope at the reference time. A energy supply that provides power to the computer. The absolute time scale clock further includes a detector positioned to respond to emissions from the radioactive isotope. The detector generates an indication of the number of emissions over a time interval that varies with the decay rate of the isotope. The processor is responsive to the indication from the detector, the decay constant, the reference time, and the reference amount to determine the indication of current absolute time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas J. Aton, Shivaling S. Mahant-Shetti
  • Patent number: 6400651
    Abstract: An electronic device has a battery for storing electric power, an electronic circuit driven by electric power from the battery, and a coil block for generating a magnetic field in accordance with a signal from the electric circuit. A protective film is connected to the battery and is disposed over the coil block for protecting the coil block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Mamoru Watanabe, Shigeo Suzuki, Kenichi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 6363036
    Abstract: A light clock measures time by having a light pulse source initiating a light pulse which travels a preset distance in an open or closed loop. A counter is increases incrementally upon detection of the light pulse by a light pulse detector. Each increment is a time interval, which is determined by the preset distance divided by the speed of the light pulse. If the loop is an open loop, another light pulse may be initiated upon detection of the previous light pulse. If the loop is a closed loop, no further light pulse initiation beyond the initial light pulse is required, but, when necessary, a light pulse amplifier is used to amplify the light pulse for the next cycle around the closed loop in the light pulse transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Lighttime, L.L.C.
    Inventor: James Patrick Siepmann