Abstract: An analog-type electronic watch with an electrical generating apparatus, this watch having a load compensation function means, and completing avoiding the adverse influence of magnetic noise which accompanying electrical generation operation. This watch has an electrical generator which operates intermittently, an electrical generation detection means which detects electrical generation by the electrical generator based on a prescribed relationship to the operation of a drive judging means, and a control means which, when the driving judging means detects electrical generation by the electrical generator, supplies a compensation drive pulse to a drive circuit, regardless of the judgment results of the driving judging means.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece comprises a casing formed of a thermally conductive material and having a first outer case portion and a second outer case portion connected together to define a space therebetween. The first outer case portion is exposed to the atmosphere and has a first temperature, and the second outer case portion is disposed in physical contact with the wrist of a user during use of the electronic timepiece and has a second temperature different from the first temperature. A thermoelectric element is disposed in the space of the casing for generating an electromotive force due to heat transfer between the first and second outer case portions resulting from the difference between the first and second temperatures. The thermoelectric element has a first support member at one end thereof connected to the first outer case portion of the casing and a second support member at a second end opposite the first end and connected to the second outer case portion of the casing.

Abstract: A generator, for miniature power consuming devices in particular, comprises a rotor wheel (4), which is coupled to a driven shaft and which has magnetized poles, a stator (5) having a plurality of windings for providing an electric voltage, a driving means (2, 33) for driving the driven shaft (3), and a transmission means having a resilient body (34) for providing a resilient transmission between said driving means and said driven shaft. Interrupting means (37) are provided for at least substantially interrupting the transmission between said driving means and said driven shaft as a function of the spring tension of said resilient body. The interrupting means preferably comprise a number of leaf springs, arranged around a disc, or a free-wheel clutch (37).

Abstract: In an electronic timepiece using power supply means consisting of a solar cell and an electric double layer capacitor, whose output voltage varies, as a power supply, a plurality of driving pulse preparation means for preparing driving pulses for driving a stepping motor are arranged. Each driving pulse preparation means prepares a driving pulse group having a combination of pulse widths, which combination is different from that of remaining ones of the driving pulse preparation means. A varying output voltage of the power supply means is detected, and one of the plurality of driving pulse preparation means is selected in accordance with the detected output voltage. A driving pulse for minimizing the current consumption is selected and supplied to the drive circuit of the stepping motor. With this arrangement, the stepping motor can always be driven at a minimum current consumption, and the driving time can be prolonged.

Abstract: A thermoelectriocally powered wristwatch has an endothermic plate affixed to the underside of a case back for absorbing external heat, and a thermal conduction plate for conducting the absorbed heat through heat transfer pins to a thermoelectric conversion element which converts the absorbed heat to electricity for powering the wristwatch. Thermal conduction preventive packings formed of a material having low thermal conductivity, such as plastic or rubber, are interposed between the endothermic plate and the case back and between the case back and the thermal conduction plate.

Abstract: An electronic watch comprises a power supply 1 for generating electric energy by using external energy, a booster portion 2 having at least two booster circuits for sequentially repeating charging by the power supply 1 and boosting and discharging a charged voltage, a storage portion 3 for storing a charge discharged by the booster portion 2, a clock output portion 6 connected to an output terminal of the storage portion 3 and also connected to the power supply 1 by way of a reverse-blocking diode 8 for blocking the stored voltage from reversely flowing to the power supply 1, and a first voltage comparator portion 4 serving as a control portion, wherein the first voltage comparator portion 4 outputs a control signal for switching between charging and discharging of each booster circuit constituting the booster portion 2. Accordingly, effective charging can be made without being influenced by an internal resistance of the power supply 1, thereby reducing the variation of the stored voltage.

Abstract: A thermoelectric module includes a switching circuit for switching the connection between a first thermoelectric element and a second thermoelectric element between series connection and parallel connection, a voltage detecting circuit for controlling the switching circuit by detecting the voltage of the second thermoelectric element, and a storage battery circuit for storing electricity utilizing the voltages generated by the first thermoelectric element and the second thermoelectric element connected by the switching circuit. A voltage generated from an applied temperature difference is detected by the voltage detecting circuit. If there is a sufficient temperature difference, the first thermoelectric element and second thermoelectric element are connected in parallel by the switching circuit to charge the electricity in the storage battery circuit using the doubled current.

Abstract: An improved swinging type generator for use in automatic wrist watches is disclosed. It contains: (a) a base with a center shaft hole, (b) a stator mounted on the base containing at least one layer of ring-shaped coil plate having at least one periodic-wave-shaped induction coil arranged on and along a circumference of the ring-shaped coil plate; (c) an unbalanced-and-weighted swinging magnetic rotor having a central rotary shape. The rotary shaft is mounted in the shaft hole of the base, and the unbalanced-and-weighted swinging magnetic rotor includes a magnetic ring having a plurality of magnets arranged in a head-to-tail manner along a circumference of the magnetic ring.

Abstract: A clock apparatus has a first clock unit, a backup power supply unit, a second clock unit, and a control unit. The first clock unit is used to count time, and the backup power supply unit is used to supply a backup power voltage to the first clock unit, when a general power supply unit does not supply a general power voltage to the clock apparatus. The second clock unit has a higher accuracy than the first clock unit. The control unit is used to adjust the time counted by the first clock unit in accordance with a specific period counted at the second clock unit, and the control unit is also used to control the resetting of an operation of the second clock unit, when the general power supply unit starts to supply the general power voltage to the clock apparatus after the general power supply unit has been stopped.

Abstract: An analog indication type electronic timepiece includes a power generation device for transforming kinetic energy produced by motions of a user into electric energy and for causing the electric energy to output from a magnetic coil as an electric charging energy; a secondary power source charged by said electric charging energy; a timepiece circuit driven by a charged energy from said secondary power source to output motor drive pulses; and a drive motor including a drive coil and a drive rotor rotatably driven when the drive coil is energized by said motor drive pulses.

Abstract: A coupling device (1) between a source of mechanical energy (2) and a generator of electrical energy (3) comprises an arbor (4) driven by said source of mechanical energy, a cylindrical element (5) fixedly and coaxially mounted on the arbor, a tube (6) surmounting said cylindrical element arranged to rotate freely about said arbor and drive said generator. A helical spring (7) is friction-fitted on the cylindrical element and on the tube by its first turns (8) and last turns (9) respectively. A space (10) is provided between said tube and cylindrical element and the central turns (11) of the spring (7).

Abstract: In an electric timepiece using a small and thin thermoelectric element wherein a first insulator made of silicon is on the heat absorbing side and a second insulator made of silicon is on the heat radiating side, when a temperature difference is applied thereon such that the temperature on the heat absorbing side is higher than that on the heat radiating side, heat is transferred in a direction from the insulator 101 to the insulator. In that case, electrons move toward the insulator on the heat radiating side in a n-type semiconductor. Holes move toward the insulator on the heat radiating side in a p-type semiconductor. The n-type semiconductor and the p-type semiconductor are electrically connected in series via a connector and therefore, the heat transfer is converted into current and an electromotive force can be provided between output terminals. Further, the electromotive force is stored in an electric storage means.

Abstract: A split battery contact arrangement (10) for a low voltage portable electronic product having a first circuit (18) and second circuit (18) comprises a split positive battery contact having a first positive contact point (20) selectively isolatable from a second positive contact point (17), the first positive contact point being coupled to the first circuit (18) and the second circuit (16) being coupled to the second positive contact point. The arrangement further comprises a back-up energy source (24) coupled to the first positive contact point and a removable battery (12), which when removed selectively isolates the first circuit from the second circuit, thereby preventing the back-up energy source from powering the second circuit. When the removable battery is inserted, it couples the first circuit to the second circuit.

Abstract: An electric alarm clock is disclosed which operates from a conventional external AC power source but is able to continue timekeeping in the event power from the external source is interrupted. A dial illumination feature is also operable during a power failure.

Abstract: A capacitor, which is charged up by induction currents generated in coils, is used as the current source of the wristwatch. To this end, a rotor, which can rotate about the center of the housing, is provided whose circumferential zone lies in an annular space surrounding the watch mechanism and supports a plurality of coils which are distributed uniformly and are electrically connected in parallel. Attached in the annular space are a plurality of permanent magnet pairs whose magnets are in each case located opposite, separated from one another, and between which the coils oscillate, which coils are connected via annular contact tracks on the rotor and contact springs to a rectifier, via which the capacitor is charged up. The permanent magnets are seated on the circumferential region of a base plate consisting of soft iron, whose central region has a pot-shaped depression for holding the watch mechanism.

Abstract: An electronic wristwatch having an electric generator contained internally therein is provided. The generator converts energy from mechanical to electrical energy to drive the electronic wristwatch. The oscillation of an oscillating weight produces mechanical energy as it oscillates. A wheel train transmits the mechanical energy to the generator by applying a torque to the generator. A limiter prevents transmission of mechanical energy through the wristwatch when the torque to be applied to the generator exceeds a predetermined value and allows the mechanical energy to be transmitted when the torque to be applied to the generator is less than or equal to the predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention comprises a universal stepping motor/gear train module for a wrist instrument having a frame plate, a bridge plate attached thereto and spaced therefrom, a stepping motor comprising rotor and stator disposed between said plates, a reduction gear train having gear members coupled to be driven by the rotor and having coaxial output members adapted to receive analog hands, an input/output circuit board disposed in said frame plate and having a pair of power supply terminals thereon, said frame plate defining a recess large enough to receive at least a portion of a button energy cell, and first and second spring contact connectors having ends adapted to contact the terminals of the energy cell and extending between the recess and the power supply terminals on the input/output circuit board, whereby power may either be supplied to said board directly from said power supply terminals or from said energy cell.

Abstract: A chargeable analog electronic timepiece chargeable by an external A.C. voltage source includes a step motor which includes a driving coil. A motor driving circuit coupled to both terminals of the coil receives the A.C. voltage and selectively applies a charge to the coil for either driving the motor or charging a chargeable battery. A charge control circuit controls a period in which the switching circuit charges the chargeable battery and drives the motor. A PN junction placed in parallel to the switching circuit rectifies the A.C. voltage during charging of the secondary battery so that a single motor coil may drive the watch hands as well as charge the battery and a diode of the switching circuit may be utilized as the rectifier.

Abstract: A small electric device powered by solar cells and by a capacitive charge storage element has stable actuation assured during startup with an as yet uncharged capacitor. Startup problems are avoided by control of the power supply with a threshold value circuit that allows power to be supplied to device components when the components' minimum actuating voltage level has been attained at the capacitor. A deactuating voltage value of the threshold value circuit that is lower than the actuating voltage level prevents interruptions of operation similar to relaxation oscillation behavior due to temporarily increased actuating power requirements by causing deactivation of the components only if the capacitor voltage has dropped below a predetermined operational minimum.

Abstract: An electric power supply system for portable miniature size power consuming devices, comprising an AC generator, a rechargeable battery and a charging device to be fed from the AC generator and maintaining the battery charging level, the AC generator comprising a multi-polar rotor wheel having permanently magnetized poles, a stator having one or more windings providing the AC current and an eccentric mass driving the permanently magnetized rotor wheel; the rotor wheel, the stator and the eccentric mass being mounted coaxially, a transmission being arranged between the eccentric mass and the rotor wheel. According to the invention the transmission is a loose coupling means to be tightened by magnetic fields between the poles of the rotor wheel and the respective poles of the stator.

Abstract: A booster circuit in an electronic watch having: hands for indicating time or a display portion such as a panel for displaying time digitally; a lamp for lighting the display portion by electroluminescence (EL element); and a sound generating portion for generating sound at an alarm setting time by vibration of a piezo-electric element. The booster circuit has a boosting member for driving the EL element and a boosting member for driving the piezo-electric element. These boosting members commonly use one coil.

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.

Abstract: An energy system for powering an electronic watch having a digital or analog time display, the system comprising a primary power source, such as a thermoelectric generator or solar cell, whose output is fed to an energy converter to produce an operating voltage for the electronic circuits and time display of the watch. The system further includes a buffer accumulator that is charged by the energy converter and acts to maintain the operation voltage when the primary source is inactive, thereby providing an uninterrupted supply of operating voltage. The watch also includes a status indicator which senses the prevailing condition of the energy system to produce a signal indicative thereof perceptible to the user of the watch.

Abstract: An illuminated changeable-display sign has lamps which are visible to viewers and which are arranged in rows and columns, has light emitting diodes which are visible to the operator of that sign and which are arranged in corresponding rows and columns, and has control circuitry which enables the data displayed by the LEDS to be exactly the same as or different from the data displayed by the lamps.

Abstract: A solar battery powered electronic timepiece of the type wherein a watch glass and a base plate supporting a solar battery are secured in an annular recess in a watch case. The base plate is positioned on a bottom surface of the recess and secured in position by a resilient packing which is preferably made from a resin material. The packing extends around the base plate and has a portion which overlines the outer periphery of the base plate and on which is positioned the watch glass. Another portion of the packing extends between the outer periphery of the watch glass and a side wall of the recess to secure the watch glass in position. A structure of this type is particularly suitable for securing a base plate of a material such as epoxy resin to which fastening legs cannot easily be attached.