Abstract: Disclosed is a clock for use in a master/slave clock system, including a system and method for semi-automatically performing diagnostic self-tests on the status and operability of a plurality of components of one or more secondary clocks. The invention addresses a multitude of diagnostic and problem detection issues, including “no fault found.

Abstract: A reception circuit can receive a plurality of standard time signals and has a reception means for selectively receiving and demodulating any one of the plural standard time signals, and a control means for outputting a control signal that controls the reception means. The reception means includes a signal amplifier unit for amplifying a reception signal representing the received standard time signal; a signal extraction unit for extracting a signal of a specific frequency from the amplified reception signal; a rectifier unit for rectifying the extracted signal of the specific frequency; and a demodulation unit for demodulating the rectified signal of the specific frequency.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for synchronizing cluster time. According to one technique, a master node is appointed in a cluster. Other “slave” nodes periodically synchronize their clocks with the master node. To synchronize its clock with the master node, a slave node sends a timestamped message to the master node, which also timestamps the message and sends the message back to the slave node, which then timestamps the message again. Based on the timestamps, the slave node is able to determine the difference between the master node's clock's time and slave node's clock's time, compensating for the message travel time between master node and slave node. Depending on various circumstances, and based on the determined difference, the slave node adjusts its clock so that the time indicated by the slave node's clock at least begins to approach more closely the time indicated by the master node's clock.

Abstract: A timer control device controlling at least one timer-controlled device having a timer built therein via a network, the time control device including: a timer setting unit setting an operating time and an operating method of the timer built in the at least one timer-controlled device; a timer absolute time provider providing a standard time of an area in which the timer control device is located; a control message generator generating a control message by combining the operating time and operating method of the timer of the timer setting unit with the standard time of the timer absolute time provider; and a control message transmitter transmitting the control message generated by the control message generator to the at least one timer-controlled device.

Abstract: A radio controlled clock includes a main unit and interchangeable antenna modules. The main unit includes an operating circuit and contacts. The circuit has a CPU and decoders for decoding RF time signals having different carrier frequencies received by the modules. The decoders are connected to the contacts. Each module has a body connectable to main unit body, an operating circuit, and contacts connectable to the contacts of the main unit when a module is connected to the main unit. The circuit of the main body includes a receiver tuned to receive a RF time signal having a specific carrier frequency broadcast in a particular country and sends the signal received, via the contacts to a decoder, enabling the CPU to display the local time on a display.

Abstract: A timepiece (1) comprises communication means (2) and hand haft control means (19), executes function processing on the basis of information acquired from an external apparatus via the communication means (2), and controls operation of respective hand shaft blocks (28, 29, 30) of the timepiece (1) via the hand shaft control means (19), so that a variety of information can be displayed under various assignments and in a display mode optionally designated by the external apparatus.

Abstract: SYNC parsing for Cable Modem Clock Synchronization is implemented using software processing with hardware assist in a manner that achieves the cost benefits of software SYNC parsing with the time accuracy of hardware SYNC parsing. Hardware scans for the arrival of new MPEG frames. Whenever any MPEG frame arrives, the MPEG frame is processed to extract MAC packets. If a SYNC packet is discovered during this processing, the software determines the SYNC arrival time, a comparison is made between the time the SYNC arrival time and the SYNC time value, and the software uses the difference to adjust the Cable Modem clock. Implementation variations include different approaches to when timestamps are recorded, the calculation of the SYNC arrival time, the use of software to process the MPEG frame and MAC packets, and the use of software to perform the time comparison.

Abstract: A portable remote control controls a target electronic device. The portable remote control includes a data receiver having an input port for receiving a variable parameter value of a target device, a real time clock for keeping the time of day, a wireless signal transmitter for transmitting the parameter values and the time of day.

Abstract: A time information management system with a simple configuration that instantaneously causes the individual time information of a plurality of timekeeping means within a prescribed area to coincide with standard time information, is formed by time information signal generating means that generates time information that includes standard time information, a time information adjusting means that includes within it a first timekeeping means, receives a time information signal, and outputs time information of the timekeeping means, and second timekeeping means 5-1, 5-2, . . .

Abstract: A technique for setting time of an apparatus which receives signals either from a single analog channel and a single digital channel or from a plurality of analog channels and a plurality of digital channels. In the case that the apparatus receives signals from a plurality of analog channels and a plurality of digital channels, a determination is first made as to whether an input signal is from one of the analog or digital channels. Then, if the input signal is determined to be a signal from one of the digital channels, the current time is set based on current time information from the signal of the digital channel. Conversely, if the input signal is determined to be a signal from one of the analog channels, the current time is set based on the current time information from an arbitrary digital channel.

Abstract: A system is described for providing one or more remote paging receivers with accurate time of day information utilizing a paging provider which encodes page messages into RF signals corresponding to baseband signals for transmission via a paging channel to the receivers. The system includes the receivers and a controller. The controller sends a first page message, which defines an on-time point, to the paging provider for transmission via the paging channel to the receivers, and then sends a second page message to the paging provider for transmission via the paging channel to the receivers. Further, the controller detects the transmission of the first page message in the paging channel and determines a time of day when the on-time point of the first page message was transmitted by the paging provider in the paging channel. The second page message sent by the controller comprises data defining this determined time of day.

Abstract: A highly accurate time keeping device and time keeping system are disclosed. Time of day information is periodically sent to a wristwatch via radio signal. The time of day as displayed by the watch is updated periodically using the radio signal data and maintained between such periodic updates according to an algorithm of the present invention. The disclosed time keeping system thereby maintains a plurality of time keeping devices in substantially exact synchronization over an extended period.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece which corrects time automatically in response to external time information signals. The timepiece includes a first timekeeping circuit for keeping a standard time and a receiver for selectively receiving external signals. A checking circuit checks the external signal to determine whether it contains a time information signal and which provides a current time signal in response to receipt of a time information signal. A second timekeeping circuit receives and stores the current time signal and a setting circuit sets the second timekeeping circuit to the current time in accordance with the current time signal. A correction circuit provides a correction signal and corrects the first timekeeping circuit to the current time in accordance with the correction signal and the current time signal. The correction is applied periodically at a rate which is a function of the error and the time between sucessive reciepts of the time information signal.

Abstract: The cartridge has a memory for containing an information set, a status flag and a buffer for receiving an update to the information set, the update representing a change to only a part of the information set, and a data and power connector for connecting the cartridge to a host computer, the connector being able to receive power from the host computer and exchange data when connected to the host computer. The cartridge includes a power supply election switch including a battery for selectively supplying power from the host computer when the connector is connected and from the battery when disconnected. The update is transferred to the buffer and subsequently from the buffer to the information set in response to the status flag, such that in the event of a disconnection, while the update is being received, the information set is not partially updated.

Abstract: In a wrist watch equipped with a receiving device, an antenna 19 having an antenna winding 19b, wound around an antenna core 19a with the end thereof being fixed, and having a conductible antenna terminal sheet 19d secured to an antenna winding frame 19c is inserted from a notch 10k in a dial 10 and secured with a screw 35 to an antenna support plate 33 which is secured to a circuit substrate 22, there by conducting the antenna 19 and the watch module. The construction ensures simplification of the watch module structure and easy conduction and securing of the antenna and the watch module and secured, with little influence on the receiving performance.

Abstract: The timepiece includes a time keeper in order to display hours and minutes by means of hands (4, 5) surmounting a dial (80) surrounded by a bezel (7) and a receiver capable of receiving messages for seeking persons issuing from at least two calling numbers. The calling numbers (81) are inscribed in plain language or in a coded form on the bezel and means are activated in order that, upon reception of a message, such is stored and the hands (4,5) cease their time-indicating function in order to come into position to show the calling number which emits the message by superposing themselves (4', 5') thereover.

Abstract: A radio-controlled timepiece includes an antenna ferrite core which also serves as a base plate having recesses into which the thicker clockworks components, such as a hands mechanism are disposed. Thinner clockworks parts, such as strip conductors, circuits and optronic display modules are mounted directly to the surface of the core. Plastic inserts are affixed to the bottoms of the recesses and includes holes in which the thicker clockworks parts are mounted.

Abstract: An autonomous radio timepiece (11) with a magnetic antenna (14) located in the vicinity of a electromechanical transducer (25) for driving a time display (19), in order to obtain a radio timepiece with a small volume and operable in a compact manner. To avoid electromagnetic interference with the antenna inlet of a tuned radio-frequency receiver (12), the transducer (25) is deactivated while the receiver (12) is actuated for the reception and coding of an absolute time information (15) transmitted by radio. A subsequent recovery of the transducer drive pulses (42) for autonomous time keeping corrects the display (19). However, a transducer (25.

Abstract: A wristwatch for receiving messages broadcast by radio, includes the assembly of a movement, a caseband (4) and a back cover (44). The movement comprises a baseplate (13) receiving: a display means (1, 2), a first power cell for controlling the time display a message display cell (16), a first crystal (21), electronic circuits (18), a casing (24) for receiving a second power cell (25) and an antenna formed by a coil including turns (23) wound around the movement and bearing on the first crystal and on the casing. The caseband includes a second crystal (41) and caps the upper part of the movement. The back cover overlays the lower part of the movement and is provided with a side opening (47) giving access to the second power cell to enable changing thereof.

Abstract: A method for transposing the time of an event as read at a remote station with one clock to the time frame of another clock at a master station when the clocks are not synchronized and are of insufficient accuracy to provide measurements to within a few microseconds relative to other time measurements which are likewise transposed to refer to the master clock. A list of TV line 10 synch pulse times are maintained at the master for a specific number of recent line 10 pulses. Along with the time reading for the event, the line 10 synch pulse time as read at the remote is sent to the master. The list of line 10 synch times maintained at the master is examined to find the time by the master clock for the same line 10 and the difference between the time by the remote clock and the time by the master clock is used as an indication of the time correction factor to be applied for the transposition.