Abstract: A system for initiating scheduled program processing functions such as program display, recording or playback, derives a time clock based on a current time reference indication produced by a particular broadcast source. The derived time clock is used in initiating scheduled processing functions for programs derived from the particular broadcast source and time clocks derived from sources other than the particular broadcast source are disregarded. The system displays a second time clock different to the derived time clock. In addition, the system forms a composite program guide from data from multiple broadcast sources to associate current time reference indications with their corresponding broadcast sources.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece, comprises a timing section to perform timing of time based on an oscillation signal; an electric wave receiving section to receive an electric wave; a voltage detecting section to detect a power source voltage supplied from a power source section; and a stop control section to stop a receiving function of the electric wave receiving section and continue a timing operation of the timing section when the voltage detecting section detects that the power source voltage becomes lower than a first level range, and then to stop the timing operation of the timing section when a warning period for urging a user to perform the power generation by the power generating section elapsed in a state where the power source voltage is lower than the first level range without changing to a lower level than a second level range lower than the first level range.

Abstract: A plug-in electronic clock being operated either by a commercial power source in a normal state or by a D.C. power source in case of a power failure, said electronic clock having means for generation of a pulse train used for a computation of time information in case of a power failure and means for stopping generation of the said pulse train in a case where the commercial power is active so as to prevent interference noise against radio receivers or television receivers, with a correct time information computation being assured when the commercial power source is recovered.

Abstract: A talking timepiece which has two operating modes is disclosed. In a first mode, a power supply provides power to a computer and speech processing circuitry and the computer responds to the switching of a keyboard voice/tone switch for controlling either the speech processing circuitry to produce voice messages at predetermined times or tone alarm generator circuitry to produce tone sounds at predetermined times. In a second or power supply failure mode, a battery backup, which is connected in parallel to the power supply, provides power to only the computer and not the speech processing circuitry when the power supply fails. During this second mode, a switching circuit bypasses the keyboard voice/tone switch and the computer automatically controls only the tone alarm generator circuit. The tone alarm generator circuit is independent of the speech processing circuitry.