With Electronic Memory Storage Patents (Class 368/251)
  • Patent number: 5343446
    Abstract: A combination electronic digital wristwatch and electronic shift scheduler using a digital liquid crystal display, enclosed within a watch-type case, for use primarily by firefighters. The invention provides both a device and a method that allows an individual who needs to keep track of platoon and shift schedule information to enter, display, review, search, and modify that information on a full-function wristwatch. The combination includes time and date display, a chronograph function, and an alarm clock with chime. Four switches are connected to a signal conditioner for encoding each switch closure to be input into a CPU which generates the required signals for the display after reference to the calendar information stored in the ROM and the user input information stored in the RAM. The CPU makes the calculations required for the operation of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Assignee: Firetime, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Simmons, Terrence Chen
  • Patent number: 5283655
    Abstract: A video camera apparatus having a solid state imager for generating video signals and a black level balance adjusting circuit for automatically adjusting black levels of the video signals. The video camera apparatus comprises an incident light control device, an electronic shutter control circuit, a comparator and a processor. The incident light control device controls the amount of light incident to the solid state imager. The electronic shutter control circuit varies the mode of the solid state imager between at least a first mode and a second mode. The effective accumulating period of the solid state imager in the first mode is different from the corresponding period in the second mode. The comparator compares the voltage level of the video signal obtained in the first mode with that obtained in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Makoto Usami
  • Patent number: 5222209
    Abstract: A schedule displaying device is provided with a comparator and a controller in addition to a memory, an input device, a display, and a timer. Thus, the scheduled plans are stored and displayed together with the respective scheduled time in a corresponding manner and in time sequence. Moreover, the number of the scheduled plans is arranged to be counted and displayed for each day of the week in the schedule displaying device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kaoru Murata, Eichika Matsuda
  • Patent number: 5065084
    Abstract: An electronic equipment using a battery as an energizing power source includes a display unit, a signal generator for generating operation clocks while the electronic equipment is being actuated, a counter for measuring the number of the clocks, a calculator for calculating an operating time of the battery based upon the result of the counting operation by the counter, an estimating unit for estimating a consumption state of the battery based upon the result of the calculation by the calculator, and an informing unit for making the display unit display beforehand the expiration of the lifetime of the battery based upon the result of the estimation by the estimating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinori Oogita
  • Patent number: 5050141
    Abstract: A multimode electronic timepiece has an electroptic display, an alarm, several pushbuttons and an integrated circuit programmed to keep time. Several timepiece operating modes include a pace mode, wherein audible periodic beeping sounds are produced by the alarm which correspond to the value of a preselected pace of an operator. A first manual actuation of a pushbutton commences a timing event, and second manual actuation of the pushbutton terminates the timing event. An internal program alters the preselected pace and stores an altered pace in response to the time elapsed between first and second actuation of the pushbutton. The program displays the altered pace and causes the alarm to beep at a rate equivalent to the altered pace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: Timex Corporation
    Inventor: Tom Thinesen
  • Patent number: 5008839
    Abstract: A sports training apparatus for injecting actual game timing into team practice includes a portable housing having an on/off switch, a skill level selection switch, an area selector switch for selecting position areas for practice, and two time sequence initiator switches. A light and a horn are attached to the housing for signaling a running of a time sequence, and the end of the time sequence, respectively. A programmable controller is mounted in the housing and connected to the above mentioned switches and light and horn. For baseball, the programmable controller is programmed with up to 29 speed time sequences including those for infielder, outfielder, and steal position areas for pre-high school, high school, college, and professional skill levels. For the infielders and outfielders each are provided two time sequences for practicing plays as follows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Inventors: John D. Goodwin, Samuel D. Goodwin, Wilford House, James Farrar
  • Patent number: 4896306
    Abstract: In an electronic scheduler, date, time and schedule contents are stored in a memory, and then schedule data are read out from the memory to be displayed on a display unit. The electronic scheduler is arranged by a memory device for storing plural of the schedule data by combining at least time range data with corresponding schedule information, an entry device for entering time data as searching information into the electronic scheduler, a comparator for comparing the entered time data with the time range of the respective schedule data stored in the memory device so as to judge whether or not the schedule data corresponds to data to be searched, and a display unit for displaying the corresponding schedule data in response to the judgement result by the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Sanbongi, Minoru Tagi
  • Patent number: 4896308
    Abstract: A digital clock for giving acoustic time-indicating signals having an oscillator, a time integrated circuit driven by the oscillator, a first display element connected to the time integrated circuit to show hour and minute and, a second display element connected to the time integrated circuit to show a day among a week. A minute and a hour decoders are connected to the first display element to convert signals into a form of binary code. A memory unit receives the signals from the minute and hour decoders. A setting circuit has a number of flip-flops and control switches to be connected to inputs of the memory unit to pre-set a moment for giving acoustic time-indicating signals. An acoustic generator and a driving interface are connected to respective outputs of the memory unit and are driven by the memory unit to output the time-indicating signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Inventor: Huoy J. Hwang
  • Patent number: 4879699
    Abstract: A timepiece includes an audio output device operable for announcing a plurality of different audio functions including stopwatch, timer, automatic time of day, alarm and user requested time of day. Selecting circuitry chooses among the group of audio functions based on a predetermined prioritized order. The device is operable for announcing one or more of the audio functions at different levels of sound volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yumi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 4849948
    Abstract: A highly portable, disposable, self-contained timer provides a user-perceptible signal at automatically-successive, fixed time intervals to alert the user as to the times for taking medications. The time intervals are not variably programmable, and different timers having different fixed time intervals are provided for use with different medications. Preferably, the time intervals are nonuniform, comprising multiple shorter intervals combined with a longer interval corresponding to a normal sleeping period so that, when the timer is initialized in accordance with the user's sleeping cycle, no signal is emitted while the user is asleep. The device is powered by a nonreplaceable battery for economy and disposability, and a deactivator circuit is included which permanently disables the unit after a predetermined length of time well within the life of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Medalarm Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley D. Davis, Judson C. Groshong, Leonard J. Marcel
  • Patent number: 4715010
    Abstract: An easy to use schedule alarm is disclosed which is capable of sounding an alarm and displaying the content of a schedule or memorandum automatically without setting the alarm time or entering a data display instruction. With the scheduled data or memorandum being entered into the device in advance, it can notify the scheduled times by sounding an alarm and by displaying the contents of a schedule and memorandum thus serving to prevent one from leaving out scheduled times and data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Inoue, Shinji Tsugei, Shigeki Iguchi
  • Patent number: 4712926
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece which produces a time tone based on a time code signal from a time code disk, comprising a control circuit for generating read-in signals in response to a start signal produced on the hour, memory circuit means for storing a time code signal from said time code disk in response to said read-in signals, wherein a stored code signal of said memory circuit means is supplied to a clock strike count control circuit as a signal for limiting the number of time tone strikes. Further, first and second memory circuit means are provided for storing the time code successively, and an AM/PM discriminating circuit is also provided for discriminating AM and PM by receiving said stored time codes of said first and second memory circuit means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1987
    Assignee: Rhythm Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Tohru Tanabe
  • Patent number: 4618264
    Abstract: An electronic alarm timepiece has a rotatable ring producing clicks when the ring is rotated from a first position aligned with one of the hands to a second position at which the alarm will be actuated when the hand reaches such position. The clicks are transmitted to the electronic timepiece logic through the same piezoelectric transducer which produces the alarm sound. The logic means actuates the alarm after an elapsed time which is proportional to the number of clicks counted when the ring is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Timex Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce H. Kamens, George E. Ritter
  • Patent number: 4544283
    Abstract: An alarm timepiece is capable of providing an alarm sound twice, one time well before the announcement time and the other at sharply the alarm announcement time. The alarm time-piece includes a first register for storing preset points in time in which to actuate the main alarm; a second register for storing a given length of preparatory time a decision circuit for determining when provide a precautionary alarm as well as the subject alarm time through calculation on said preset points in time, updated time of day and the preparatory period. The calculation is executed through the use of an adder/subtractor and comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 4538924
    Abstract: A clock device having a clock circuit to produce time data outputs of hour, minute and second, and an operational circuit to perform predetermined operations based on the time data outputs from the clock device, wherein the changing information for "day", "hour", and "minute" in the data outputs is forwarded to the operational circuit prior to change in the real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichi Nakata
  • Patent number: 4530068
    Abstract: An electronic hand-held memory device is capable of containing character information and numerical information stored together as a pair. Either or both types of information may be outputted, and the numerical information may be used for calculation. Loading and fetching of character information and numeral information are performed upon actuation of keys. The desired key in effect acts as a memory key during a numeral information calculation mode. The desired key may serve as a constant memory key or a memory total key. When printing an output is desirable, the beginning of the character information is aligned with the most significant digit position and the end of the numeral information is aligned with the least significant digit position of a printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nakanishi, Yoshiyuki Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 4523856
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece is provided with an alarm and means coupling a sounding unit to a circuit generating a sonic signal. The first electrode (6) of the sounding unit (5) is mechanically and electrically fixed to a metallized decoration (4) set under the glass (3). Two conductive members (12) are arranged to pass through the timepiece dial and then to be elastically supported, the first against the decoration (4) and the second against the second electrode (7) of the sounding unit in order to connect said unit to the terminals (10) of the signal generating circuit. The arrangement facilitates encasing the timepiece and thus realizes an increased productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Societe Suisse pour l'Industrie Horlogere Management Services
    Inventor: Claude-Andre Gygax
  • Patent number: 4508457
    Abstract: The electronic timepiece includes coding means to code voice signals inputted from an outside source, a semi-conductor memory circuit in which the coded signal is written and stored, a voice synthesizing circuit which reads the coded signals from the memory circuit and converts the coded signals into an analog voice signal, generating means to generate voice using the analog output of the voice synthesizing circuit, and a controller which controls reading and writing of coded signals out of and into the memory circuit. The control signals provided by the controller are of variable period in response to operation of an external member such that data is written into and read out of the memory circuit at selected bit rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha
    Inventor: Hitomi Aizawa
  • Patent number: 4493043
    Abstract: A medical timing system has a programmed computer controlled display and audible buzzer, with inputs from a timing switch and a readout button which are connected together so that pregnancy labor pains may be timed, contraction patterns may be rehearsed by an expectant mother, and fetus movements may be counted. The medical timing system is preferably hand-held and compact so that the timing switch and readout button may be easily actuated and so that accurate and reliable timing measurements may be made and recorded through use of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Inventor: Frank P. Forbath
  • Patent number: 4491049
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument having key input means selectively actuable to cause the production of sounds corresponding to respective notes of the musical scale, comprises a memory circuit for storing the respective notes, and a clear circuit actuated to partially amend at least one of the notes from the contents of the memory means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takemi Mizuta, Tomohiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 4472069
    Abstract: A miniaturized electronic apparatus having an alarm sound generating function comprises an alarm sound data memory, in which alarm sound data for a plurality of different alarm sounds are memorized. Peculiar alarm sounds can be preset for each season or month or weekday so that upon reaching of an alarm time in the corresponding season or month or on the corresponding weekday it is selectively read out from the memory to produce the corresponding alarm sound from a sound generator. A designated order of the plurality of different alarm sounds can also be set in the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Haruo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 4470706
    Abstract: In an analog type of electronic timepiece provided with an alarm function, means are provided whereby the timepiece hands are rapidly rotated into positions indicating a preset alarm time, when changeover from a normal operating mode to an alarm time mode is designated, and are rapidly rotated back to indicate current time when return to the normal operating mode is designated. Signals for controlling these rapid rotations of the hands are generated using only two counter circuits, for measuring and storing the difference between the alarm time and current time, and the system differs from prior art arrangements in that no errors are introduced into the time information during the intervals in which changeover between current time display and alarm time display takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1984
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventors: Katsuo Nishimura, Minoru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4459036
    Abstract: The electronic instrument includes a memory for storing scheduled time and schedule details, a clock circuit producing time signals, a comparator producing a comparison signal in response to comparison and coincidence of the time signals from the clock circuit with the scheduled time, a discriminating memory with a storage of a signal for decision for and against clear of the scheduled time and details in the memory, and a control unit for discriminating, in response to the comparator producing the comparison signal, the storage of signal in the discriminating memory to control over clear and non-clear of the scheduled time and schedule details in the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Sado, Juji Kishimoto, Masayuki Sasaki, Mitsuo Cho
  • Patent number: 4444512
    Abstract: For an electronic timepiece arranged and adapted to give reminders there is rovided a method for comparing a timekeeping state (1) with the contents of a register (2), a circuit (3) for applying the method and a utilization of such circuit.A programmable register (2) releases a signal whenever the contents of at least one counter (1) coincide with the contents of a portion of the register (2). In another portion of the register (2) is programmed the code of a state (-) which corresponding counters (1) will never attain under normal operations and the comparison (3) between the state of these counters (1) and that of said other portion of the register (2) is validated whatever may be the state. The comparison circuit (3) may be obtained from the arithmetic and logic units of a microprocessor as employed in a reminder giving timepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1984
    Assignee: Societe Suisse pour l'Industrie Horlogere Management Services S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Felix Perotto, Jean-Felix Perotto
  • Patent number: 4406549
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece with alarm function includes a voice code memory for storing voice codes corresponding to externally coupled voices in accordance with write instruction signals corresponding to respective alarm times. The voice code memory includes a plurality of memory regions, and new voice codes are stored in a memory region immediately adjacent to the memory region in which voice codes are already stored. The voice codes read out from the voice code memory at the arrival of a predetermined alarm time are decoded for coupling to a sound producing unit to produce sound corresponding to the read out voice codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1983
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naoki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4405241
    Abstract: Voice sounds can be recorded by recording sections in an electronic device having a timepiece function. The voice sounds indicate the purposes corresponding to alarm times so that the recorded contents may be reproduced upon operation of a particular switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Aihara, Iwao Tahara, Yushin Matsuo, Naoki Takahashi, Takuo Wakabayashi, deceased, Shigemasa Wakabayashi, executor
  • Patent number: 4396904
    Abstract: An electronic pace timing device whereby a physically perceptible pace timing signal can be repetitively generated, and whereby the repetition frequency of this pace timing signal can be set into the pace timing device as a numeric value, by actuation of external operating members. No calculations are performed in order to convert the numeric value specifying the repetition frequency of the pace timing signal into an actual pace timing signal, so that the overall circuit configuration can be very simple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Tadashi Hanaoka
  • Patent number: 4390287
    Abstract: In an electronic device having an function of displaying time in an optical analog display with pointers, the information on the position of the pointers on the analog display can be stored as digital information in a memory of the electronic device. The electronic device is multi-functional since it is capable of inputting or displaying time information for time schedules of buses, planes, and trains at the positions of the analog display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Morio Morishige
  • Patent number: 4382688
    Abstract: A medical dispenser having an electronic reminder to take the medication which is disabled upon the user doing so.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Inventor: Roy J. Machamer
  • Patent number: 4368988
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a plurality of alarm time memory circuits in a semiconductor memory means for memorizing different alarm times and a memory for memorizing voice data of messages telling for example what has to be done at alarm times memorized in the respective alarm time circuits.The voice data memorized in the memory are obtained through conversion of externally coupled voice signals, and at the arrival of an alarm time the corresponding voice data is read out and coupled to a loudspeaker for reproducing the recorded message voice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Iwao Tahara, Toshiharu Aihara, Naoki Takahashi, Yushin Matsuo, Takuo Wakabayashi, deceased, by Shigemasa Wakabayashi, legal representative
  • Patent number: 4358840
    Abstract: An analogue alarm electronic timepiece has electronic circuitry for controlling the drive of the time-indicating hands by a reversible stepping motor to selectively position the hands at desired alarm time and display time settings. Externally operable switches control the operation of the electronic circuitry and enable re-positioning of the hands by the motor to the previously set alarm time so that the user of the timepiece may confirm the alarm time setting. The electronic circuit includes a first settable memory means for storing the time difference between the alarm time and the present time, and a second settable memory means for storing the time difference between the present time and the display time. First means are provided for detecting coincidences between the alarm time and the present time. Second means are provided for detecting coincidence between the present time and the display time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha
    Inventors: Kenichi Ono, Shuji Otawa, Masaharu Shida
  • Patent number: 4337529
    Abstract: A pace timing device for timing steps or other actions during physical exercise, providing audible tone bursts as timing information, and equipped with means for setting the repetition rate and rhythm of the tone bursts to suitable values. Audible and visible indications can be given of elapsed time and of numbers of actions completed during an exercise period, and pulse rate or other physiological parameters can be measured while exercise is being undertaken, and visible or audible indications thereof provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1982
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Shigeru Morokawa
  • Patent number: 4320479
    Abstract: An analogue electronic timepiece is described having an oscillator, a frequency divider, a hand display means, an hour and minute circuit for counting the output of the frequency divider, and an alarm setting circuit. An equality checking circuit adapted to compare the output of the hour and minute circuit with the output of the alarm setting circuit to produce a coincidence signal. An alarm device is operated by the coincidence signal, gate means, and a manual switch. The gate means is so arranged to produce a signal for setting an alarm time in the alarm setting circuit in accordance with the closing of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Sekine, Yasuhiko Nishikubo
  • Patent number: 4301524
    Abstract: A programmable microcomputer controlled alarm clock has a multi-key input keyboard for setting the time of day, the month and date, and the alarm times of two or more independent alarms. Each alarm may be set to generate an alarm signal at a selected time on each day of two to six consecutive days of a seven-day period, the alarm sequence being automatically repeated each following seven-day period. In the normal operational mode, time of day is displayed until a month-and-date switch, an alarm-period or doze switch, or an alarm-enabling switch is actuated to display the respective date and alarm time. After the particular switch is actuated and the appropriate time information displayed, the clock returns to display time of day within several seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Koepp, Floyd F. Oliver, James V. Barnett
  • Patent number: 4293939
    Abstract: In an electronic timepiece having an analog type of time display by means of hours and minutes hands, an alarm system is provided which functions electronically and independently of the analog display system. An alarm signal is generated when the time duration counted by an alarm timekeeping circuit coincides with an alarm time stored in an alarm time memory circuit, said alarm time being set by the timepiece user actuating a switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Nishikubo, Mitsuo Sekine
  • Patent number: 4280210
    Abstract: An electronic alarm timepiece comprises a quartz crystal oscillator, a frequency divider, a display driving means, a display means, an alarm signal shaping means and an alarm means. The alarm signal shaping means is so arranged that a pair of output signals which are opposite in phase are produced with the aid of output signals of the frequency divider for actuating the alarm means, whereby it is possible to provide an alarm signal shaping means in the form of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit having sufficient power to actuate the alarm means without other amplifying circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Nishikubo, Mitsuo Sekine
  • Patent number: 4280209
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece having an analog time display and a digital alarm setting system for actuating an alarm at a preset time. The timepiece includes a high-frequency time base whose output is applied to a frequency converter yielding low frequency timing pulses, these being applied to a motor for driving the hour and minute hands through a gear train. The alarm setting system includes an electro-optical digital display whose electronic actuator responds to the same timing pulses to provide a digital display concurrent with the analog display, and a microprocessor associated with a data memory adapted to store the digital value of any selected time setting. The microprocessor compares the existing time expressed as digital data with the stored digital value to produce a representative output signal when the existing value is coincident with the stored value. The output signal acts to trigger an alarm generator to produce an alarm for a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Assignee: Bradley Time Division, Elgin National
    Inventor: Jac A. Mooney
  • Patent number: 4279029
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece in which scheduled time data on specified date or on specified day of the week are set into a counter and their contents are displayed. When the scheduled time comes, an alarm sound is generated. If specific data are inserted instead of the instruction data representative of the date or the day of the week, the timepiece generates the alarm sound repeatedly at the scheduled time. A number of scheduled contents can be set using the same circuit construction and set action for generating repeatedly the alarm sound can be made easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1981
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Seikosha
    Inventors: Hajime Oda, Masanori Fujita, Nakanobu Moritani
  • Patent number: 4276541
    Abstract: A hand-written pattern is introduced through a matrix input means and stored in a matrix memory. An alarm time is set and stored in an alarm time memory. A detection circuit develops a detection output when the current time reaches the alarm time set in the alarm time memory. In response to the detection output, the hand-written pattern stored in the matrix memory is read out and displayed on a matrix display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Inoue, Akira Tanimoto, Isamu Washizuka
  • Patent number: 4269025
    Abstract: An electronic alarm timepiece has a time counter, an alarm time memory circuit and a coincidence detector for detecting a coincidence between the time count and the stored alarm time for actuating an alarm. The alarm time memory circuit is a presettable counter and it is presettable to load the present time count in the time counter therein. In this way, a coarse adjustment of the alarm time can be set and a manually operable mechanism is provided to increment the count in the alarm time memory circuit to obtain the precise desired alarm time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha
    Inventor: Kenichi Kondo
  • Patent number: 4270194
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a frequency supply for providing a relatively high frequency time base signal, a frequency converter responsive to the time base signal to provide a relatively low frequency time unit signal, timing signals, and a plurality of word pulses indicative of a plurality of data words representing time data concerning the current time and additional data concerning alarm time. A timekeeping register stores the time data and the additional data and provision is made for generating a carry signal in dependence on the time data. The information in the register is altered in response to the time unit signal and the carry signal to update the time data and provision is made to write in the additional data into the register. The coincidence between the current time and the alarm time is detected by an alarm unit which generates a coincidence signal indicative thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventors: Shigeru Morokawa, Fukuo Sekiya, Yukio Hashimoto, Yasushi Nomura, Keiichiro Koga
  • Patent number: 4267589
    Abstract: There are provided a frequency divider for dividing the frequency of the frequency signal produced by an oscillator, a counter for counting the number of the frequency divided fundamental signal, an input circuit for prestoring a time to be announced in a memory device so as to operate an alarm device, a comparator for comparing the time counted by the counter with a preset time, an input circuit supplied with a message so as to display the message concurrently with the operation of the alarm device, a character memory device for storing the applied message, and a display device for displaying the stored message. The content of the counter is compared with the time to be announced preset in the memory device. When a coincidence holds a buzzer is operated and at the same time a predetermined message preset in the character memory device is displayed on the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tetsuo Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 4262351
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a frequency supply for providing a relatively high frequency time base signal, a frequency converter responsive to the time base signal to provide a relatively low frequency time unit signal, timing signals, and a plurality of word pulses indicative of plurality of data words representing time data concerning the current time, and a set of additional data other than the time data. A primary register is arranged to store the time data and the additional data, and display means displays the time data and the additional data. An external control member is adapted to provide an input signal when actuated, and an indexing signal is generated in response to the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventors: Shigeru Morokawa, Fukuo Sekiya, Yukio Hashimoto, Yasushi Nomura, Keiichiro Koga
  • Patent number: 4262346
    Abstract: Circuitry for reducing power consumption in a multi function electronic timepiece utilizes a low frequency signal from the timing pulse generating circuit and a halt signal from the time signal processing circuitry to inhibit the feeding of timing signals to the processing circuitry after the receipt of a halt signal signifying the end of a function routine and until the receipt of the next low frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha
    Inventors: Seiko Sasaki, Kazuhiro Asano
  • Patent number: 4257115
    Abstract: A switch structure for an analog quartz crystal timepiece having a watchglass plate, a time dial to display time in an analog mode, and a digital display device, which switch structure comprises a plurality of transparent electrically conductive electrode films provided on the watchglass plate at positions corresponding to numerical display indicia on the time dial to permit generation of input signals corresponding to the numerical display indicia, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Hatuse, Minoru Natori, Toshikazu Shimazaki, Kouhei Kawanobe, Hiroshi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 4255803
    Abstract: In an electronic timepiece equipped with an alarm function, an alarm time memory circuit is provided for setting in an alarm time by actuation of an external control member and another memory circuit is provided into which an advance warning time period can be set and stored. Means are provided for detecting coincidence between the current time and an advance warning time comprising the difference between the memorized alarm time and the advance warning time period, to provide an advance warning signal prior to the actual alarm time. Parallel computation is used to generate said advance warning time, and the advance warning time period can be continuously displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Mitsuo Sekine
  • Patent number: 4251877
    Abstract: A signal-generating system for a striker clock comprises a clockwork-driven hour disk (12) having conductor tracks which coact with respective contact springs of an hour switch (13) whose pattern of energization changes from one quarter hour to the next, thereby calling forth different numerical values which are stored in a first read-only memory (18) and determine the number of strikes to be emitted in any 15-minute interval when a switch (8) coupled with the minute shaft of the clock is briefly closed. A flip-flop (23) set upon such closure starts a periodically pulsed binary counter (25) which works into a comparator (20) also receiving the numerical value read out from the first memory (18); when the count matches that value, the comparator resets the flip-flop and the counter. The reading of the counter is further transmitted to a decoder (30) addressing a second read-only memory (31) which actuates selected sound emitters (37a-37f) the requisite number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Assignee: KUNDO-Kieninger & Obergfell
    Inventor: Erich Scheer
  • Patent number: 4246651
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece equipped with an alarm system whereby an external control member is actuated a desired number of times or for a desired time duration causing a count to be set into a first counter. Subsequently, when an alarm is generated, an identical count value must be set into a second counter by actuating an external control member for the same number of times or for an appropriate time duration in order to shut off the alarm. Possibility of the user shutting off the alarm signal and then falling asleep again is thus greatly reduced. A snooze switch control function can also be easily incorporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1981
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventors: Yuzo Komatsu, Yasushi Nomura
  • Patent number: 4244041
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece with an alarm device, having a digital display unit for indication of the actual time and a memorized time of alarm, and an analog display unit driven by a stepping motor. In such a timepiece, the alarm signal is produced from signals delivered by the frequency divider and is transmitted to an electroacoustic transducer when coincidence exists between the time as measured by the timepiece and the memorized time of alarm. During the signal, the consumption of current is relatively high and is further increased when a driving pulse of the stepping motor is superimposed upon the alarm signal. Such a peak of current is undesirable because the magnetic field produced by the excitation coil of the electroacoustic transducer may disturb the correct functioning of the motor.A solution to this problem is to shift the alarm pulses in time with respect to the driving pulses so that they never appear simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: Ebauches Electroniques SA
    Inventor: Michel Vermot
  • Patent number: RE32655
    Abstract: An electronic schedule calendar and diary for storing in an electronic memory a plurality of future calendar appointments and events for each of a plurality of daily, weekly, or other date interval periods, and enabling the selective retrieval and electronic display of said plural appointments and events for any selected time period. The electronic diary employs manually or remotely controlled entry of said future appointments and events in digital form; manually or remotely controlled correction and updating of said data; and manually controlled retrieval or readout into a visual electronic display. A time-of-day electronic clock may also be included together with an automatic alarm for providing an alarm for each selected appointment or even entered into the memory. In a systems version, a plurality of electronic diaries are employed with a central memory or monitor. Each diary is selectively placed in communication with the central memory for transfer of data therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventor: Alfred B. Levine