Abstract: A time-passage indicator device can comprise a housing, a plurality of light elements located inside the housing, a window comprising an inner and an outer surface, and a processor that controls the plurality of light elements. Some devices also contain a touch sensor, and the processor controls the light elements based upon signals from the touch sensor. The window can be attached to the housing and diffuses or scatters the light from the plurality of light elements. The light elements can emit light through the window forming an illuminated region viewable by a user. The processor can control the light elements such that the illuminated region changes to indicate the passage of time. The illuminated region can be viewable from all angles between 10 degrees and 90 degrees, where the angle of 90 degrees corresponds to a normal viewing angle.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic watch capable of, even if an indicating hand having a large moment of inertia is used, accurately determining success and failure of rotation. The electronic watch detects rotation by using a first detection mode determination circuit (12) and a second detection mode determination circuit (13). In the electronic watch, a timing counter (14) for measuring a time after an output of a normal drive pulse is followed by a detection pulse selection circuit (151) provided as changing means for changing a width or a frequency of a detection pulse in accordance with an output time of the detection pulse. The detection pulse detects the rotation and simultaneously serves as an electromagnetic brake for a rotor (10). The electromagnetic brake for the rotor (10) is controlled by changing the width or the frequency of the detection pulse in a predetermined period, thereby achieving an accurate rotation detection.

Abstract: A step motor control device detects a rotational driving state of a step motor. In a first detection period immediately after termination of the rotational driving state of the step motor, selected switch elements are controlled so that a first detection signal is obtained. If the step motor is not in a rotational driving state, the first detection signal is suppressed to a low voltage that is equal to or lower than a threshold value. In a second detection period immediately after lapse of the first detection period, selected switch elements are controlled so that a second detection signal of high and stable voltage is obtained in accordance with the rotational driving state of the step motor.

Abstract: A control device detects a rotational driving state of a step motor having a coil. First and second switch elements are connected to each other in series, and a node of the first and second switch elements are connected to one side of the coil during use of the control device. Third and fourth switch elements are connected to each other in series, and a node of the third and fourth switch elements are connected to the other side of the coil during use of the control device. A first series circuit has a fifth switch element connected in parallel with the first switch element. A second series circuit has a sixth switch element connected in parallel with the third switch element. A control section controls an on/off operation of the third switch element at a given frequency after a given period has elapsed in a state where the fourth and fifth switch elements are turned on.

Abstract: In an electronic apparatus including a generator device for generating power, a storage device for storing the generated electric energy, and a motor driven by the electric energy stored in the storage device, it is detected whether a magnetic field is generated by power generation. If it is detected that a magnetic field is generated by power generation, a correcting driving-pulse signal having an effective power larger than a normal driving-pulse signal, which is output for controlling the driving of the motor, is output to the motor. In performing this operation, a determination is made by assuming that a magnetic field is generated while the storage device is in the charging state.

Abstract: A driving device of a stepping motor comprises a driver/detector circuit for detecting whether a rotor has rotated or not by comparing a voltage induced across a driving coil by the free oscillation of the rotor with a reference voltage after a driving pulse is cut off and a control circuit automatically varies the pulse width of the driving pulse in response to an output of the driver/detector circuit. The control circuit includes circuitry for lowering the reference voltage when the pulse width of the driving pulse is lengthened thereby enabling use of a wider range of driving pulse widths than would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: The present invention comprises measuring, upon application of a drive pulse to the actuating coil 5 of the stepping motor, the variation in the magnetic induction flux in the stator of the motor, and interrupting the drive pulse when the variation in flux reaches a predetermined value. Measurement of the variation in flux may be effected, for example, by detecting the current in the actuating coil and integrating the difference between the supply voltage of the actuating coil and the product of the current by the d.c. resistance of the coil, or by providing an auxiliary detection coil 71 and integrating the voltage induced therein in an integrator 73, 74. When the integrator outputs exceeds the magnitude of either a positive or negative reference voltage, a comparator circuit 78, 79, 81 provides the signal to a circuit 13 to terminate the drive pulse.

Abstract: In an analog electronic watch having a calendar display the power required during change of the calendar display, about 6 hours out of 24, is greater than at other times. In order to effect economy in power consumption, the pulse for driving the watch motor during the time other than the period in which the calendar display is being changed is only sufficient to drive the time indicating means. In case the motor fails to step when such pulse is applied, this is detected by a detecting circuit and a corrective drive pulse is applied to the motor so as to drive it.

Abstract: A miniature electronic timepiece whose analog-display time-indicating hands are driven by the rotor of a stepping motor actuated by low-frequency periodic timing pulses derived by frequency division from a high-frequency crystal-controlled time base. This motor, in addition to a stator coil wound on a core, includes an auxiliary coil wound on the same core to define a transformer whose primary is the auxiliary coil and whose secondary is the stator coil. To power the electronic watch, a voltage at a predetermined level is required, this being supplied by a converter formed by an electronic chopper interposed between the primary of the transformer and a d-c source whose output is at a different voltage level. The d-c voltage applied to the primary is periodically interrupted, the resultant a-c voltage yielded by the secondary being rectified to provide the desired power voltage.

Abstract: In an electronic timepiece having a stepping motor which drives time indicating means, a system is provided for detecting an increase in the load torque on the stepping motor above a predetermined level. When such an increase is detected, the conditions for detection of the load on the stepping motor are changed, and thereafter drive pulses of increased power are applied to the stepping motor. When the increased load is removed, this is detected under the new set of detection conditions, and a return to the original detection conditions is executed, with the drive pulse power being returned to the original level. Stability of control is thereby provided, together with immediate response to increased load on the stepping motor.

Abstract: A solar battery timepiece has a structure of a module, a base plate on the module, a solar battery cell on the base plate, an insulating flexible sheet provided with a print wiring and interposed between the base plate and the solar battery cell, and a dial ring attached to the peripheral edge of the base plate whereby the solar battery timepiece may be made with a reduced thickness, small in size, simple in construction, shock resistant and reliable in operation.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece circuit is provided with an oscillator for producing a reference signal and a frequency dividing circuit which frequency-divides the reference signal from the oscillator to produce a signal with given time intervals. Clock data stored in the memory is read out therefrom by a timing signal corresponding to the output signal from a given stage of the frequency dividing circuit and is loaded into a shift register where it is stored temporarily. The clock data stored in the memory is read out therefrom at given time intervals by a control signal obtained in accordance with the output signal from a given stage of the frequency dividing circuit, and the read out clock data, together with the clock data read out to the shift register, is subjected to a given operation, with the result that the clock data is updated. The updated clock signal is loaded into the memory by a control circuit.

Abstract: Electric clock with an oscillator, particularly a quartz oscillator, a frequency divider connected to the quartz oscillator and a control stage connected following the frequency divider, via which control stage a stepping motor, which stepping motor is coupled with the dial train, is able to be applied with pulses of the same or alternating polarity. Each pulse is formed from a number of individual pulses, the pulse duty cycle of the individual pulses reducing toward the end of the first mentioned pulses.

Abstract: The electric motor in a digital time piece is driven in accordance with a pulse width modulated signal by supplying the signal first to a logic circuit together with the output signal from a switch which is periodically opened and closed as the motor rotates. Application of a pulse to the logic circuit begins motor rotation which does not stop until the switch is tripped.

Abstract: In an electronic timepiece having a stepping motor, a drive pulse is produced for normally driving the motor, a detecting pulse is generated for detecting whether the motor has rotated in response to the last drive pulse and a correction pulse is produced for driving the motor when non-rotation has been detected. A current limiting resistor is disposed in series with the motor for limiting the current thereto and a switching transistor is connected across the current limiting resistor to short circuit same to effect an increase in the current to the motor. During the detecting pulse, the voltage across the current limiting resistor is compared to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A voltage regulating circuit for supplying a regulated voltage to an electronic circuit of an electronic timepiece. The voltage regulating circuit is comprised of an N-MOS and a P-MOS transistor pair connected in series with drains and gates connected together at a common junction, and a constant current source for providing a constant current through the transistor pair for developing the regulated voltage thereacross. The constant current source is comprised of a third MOS transistor connected in series with the transistor pair, and a biasing circuit for biasing the third MOS transistor to provide a constant current through the transistor pair. The voltage regulating circuit and the electronic circuit of the electronic timepiece are both integrated circuits formed on a common integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: A miniature electronic timepiece whose analog-display time-indicating hands are driven by the rotor of a stepping motor actuated by low-frequency periodic timing pulses derived by frequency division from a high-frequency crystal-controlled time base. The motor, in addition to a stator coil wound on a core, includes an auxiliary coil wound on the same core to define a transformer whose primary is the auxiliary coil and whose secondary is the stator coil. To power the electronic watch, a voltage at a predetermined level is required, this being supplied by a converter formed by an electronic chopper interposed between the primary of the transformer and a d-c source whose output is at a different voltage level. Thus the d-c voltage applied to the primary is periodically interrupted, the resultant a-c voltage yielded by the secondary being rectified to provide the desired power voltage.

Abstract: A solid state clock for an automobile or the like, which includes display means in the form of a vacuum fluorescent display. Current is supplied from the automobile battery to the display through an integrated circuit or "chip". The voltage from the battery is doubled by an inductor coil coupled between the battery and the integrated circuit. An electrical switching means in the form of a transistor is coupled between the integrated circuit and the inductor coil for supplying converted frequency thereto. A second switching transistor and a Zener diode is provided to regulate the duty cycle of the first transistor to maintain the voltage to the display substantially constant.

Abstract: Time adjusting means for electronic timepiece which detects change in the generation condition of pulses generated in response to a manual operation speed and generates a predetermined number of pulses in accordance with the detection output as the time-adjusting pulses. The time adjusting means enables a rapid time adjustment of an electronic timepiece at a high speed. When the manual operation speed exceeds a predetermined speed, the time adjusting means stops the time-adjusting pulse so as to prevent erroneous operation.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece comprises a detection circuit provided with a resistance element which discriminates rotation and non-rotation of a stepping motor by variation of an oscillating circuit, a dividing circuit, a pulse composing circuit, a stepping motor driving circuit, a two phase driving system stepping motor and an inductance, wherein said resistance element is directly connected across a coil output of the stepping motor within an integrated circuit.