Abstract: The invention is directed to an alarm shut-off device for an alarm clock or timer permitting a signal delivered by the clock to be interupted or to be cancelled in that the user of the clock approaches the clock or merely moves a part of his body, for example, his hand, towards the clock. Preferably, the clock is equipped with a transmitter 2, 2' emitting infrared radiation or ultrasonic waves and a corresponding receiver 3, 3' which detects the infrared radiation or the ultasonic waves reflected by the moved body part 1. A signal shaping network 4, 5 and 6 determines the variation of the intensity with time, which variation is compared in a threshold switching stage 7 with a predeterminable value which, when exceeded, causes the alarm signal A to be shut off.

Abstract: A timepiece whose functions are controlled by making a voice instead of operating manual switches. Operating signals for functioning the timepiece, except for turning off of the alarm sound, are applied to a voice recognizing circuit. Operation of turning off of the alarm sound is performed by detecting a volume level of voice which is made by the user. Thus, it eliminates difficulty to recognize only the voice of the user while the alarm sound is generated because the voice of the user and the alarm sound are mixed together.

Abstract: An alarm clock system is provided including a replica of a bugle mounted on a stand in a playing position. The bugle replica includes an alarm clock and an apparatus for generating an audible rendition of the tune "Reveille" when the clock indicates a predetermined time, thereby awakening a user.

Abstract: An electronic calendar is provided for displaying time of the day, day of the week, and month-date-year with automatic adjustments for leap years and changes to and from standard and daylight times. The electronic calendar also displays preprogrammed and user programmed information such as holidays, holy days, birthdays, anniversaries, appointments, horoscopes, and other messages. In addition, the electronic calendar incorporates a method for randomly selecting and displaying programmed messages, such as advertisements and safety slogans, at recurring times to reinforce the user's memory of such messages.

Abstract: An alarm device especially suitable for alarm clocks or timers is described, whose alarm signal can either be interrupted for a certain period of time or shut off by an acoustic signal, for example that formed by the human voice. As a result of its low power consumption, the alarm device according to the invention can also be used in battery-powered devices; when installed in an alarm clock or timer, inexpensive mass production is also made possible by using already existing integrated circuits. The alarm device according to the invention is functional even when the acoustic signal produced by the user is only of very short duration or when the alarm signal is delivered as a continuous tone. Advantageously, the alarm device can also be so designed that it delivers an alarm signal at least for a short time when someone is speaking when the alarm signal is triggered and other noises with frequencies outside the frequency range of fundamental tone of the human voice interrupt or shut off the alarm signal.

Abstract: Some at least of the control signals usually produced by manual control members and applied to the control circuit of the watch to control the performance of the different functions thereof are produced directly from words pronounced by the user, belonging to a pre-determined vocabulary, by an assembly for producing control signals by means of speech, which comprises electro-acoustic means for converting a pronounced word into an analog signal representing that word, means for transforming the analog signal into an item of logic control information and means for transforming the logic information into a control signal which can be directly applied to a control circuit for controlling performance of the function corresponding to the word pronounced.

Abstract: Within an easily hand gripped alarm clock, preferably of a soft sperical exterior shape, a shakeable switching means. A first standard alarm is silenced by laterally shaking the clock, and a second moaning sound is emitted after the lateral shaking. A grimacing face imprinted on the round clock face enhances the cathartic effect. The laterally shakeable switch is an enclosed container of mercury with an alarm contact in the central lower bowl and an elevated surrounding trough sloping into the bowl through a channel containing electrical contacts for the second moan sound. The mercury makes and breaks the contacts. An alternative laterally shakeable switch provides an electrically conductive sphere within an enclosed container having a bottom indentation with alarm contacts and an upwardly sloping surrounding spiral trough with parallel track contacts for the moan sound in the bottom of the trough. The sphere connects either sound producing contact pair.

Abstract: An electronic alarm wristwatch including a wristwatch case with a time display and an alarm buzzer therein wherein the display overlaps at least a portion of the alarm buzzer is provided. The alarm buzzer is positioned in a sound member in registration with buzzer openings in the watchcase for directing the buzzer sound to the time display side of the wristwatch. By overlapping the time display and buzzer, the size of the time display area may be increased without increasing the overall size of the wristwatch.

Abstract: A multi-function analogue type watch using upcounters only for performing a variety of functions. In operation the counts of these upcounters are so adjusted that the differences therebetween represent the exact time relation between corrected or reset time and present time.

Abstract: A power supplied reminder electrically connects a tape recorder capable of recording therein a tape recording, a clock capable of time setting, an alarming unit having an alarming circuit and a buzzing speaker and two interlinking switches respectively connected to the alarming circuit and the tape recorder so that the speaker will buzz when a time set in the clock arrives and when the switch connected to the alarming circuit is switched off and the other switch connected to the tape recorder is switched on and thus the tape recorder will play to reproduce the tape recording in which something to done is recorded to remind one to do the something.

Abstract: Programmable alarm clock apparatus includes seven on/off switches, representing each day of the week, which may be selectively turned on or off. Visual indications of the day of the week and the time of the day are also provided. A power failure warning system is included which alerts the user of the apparatus that there has been an interruption of the power and that the entire system needs to be reset.

Abstract: A medication organizing apparatus comprises a timer module (11) and medication containers (12, 13, 14). The timer module (1) and medication containers (12, 13, 14) include dovetail flanges (31) and dovetail grooves (30) for interconnection thereof. The timer module (11) further includes a time interval selecting means (21), indicator (160, 154), and timing means (210, 228, 234, 242, 222) for producing a signal indicating the end of the selected time interval on a recurring basis.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a timepiece having an alarm activating mechanism that serves for effecting the closure of an electrical contact (5a, 9) at a time which is adjustable in advance. The mechanism is arranged in the form of a module (100) which comprises a mechanically unitary assembly formed of two coaxial wheels (6, 8), one of which carries a contact element (9). This unitary assembly is mounted on the framework of the movement so that its angular position is manually adjustable about an axis, and it carries a wheel (5) which is in mesh with the hour wheel (3) and has an embossment (5a) which can enter into contact with the contact element (9). The invention is applicable more particularly to alarm watches.

Abstract: In a preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided a speech synthesizer timepiece with an alarm function or a remaining interval counting function. The timepiece is adapted to set advance announcements at different intervals depending upon the length of a remaining time with respect to an intended time, the intervals being increasingly shorter as the intended time is approached. The remaining time is audibly announced each time the advance announcements are to be delivered.

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.

Abstract: An earring watch comprises an enclosure 4 with a friction clip or pierced-earlobe hook for attachment to the ear. The enclosure contains an energy cell 18, a timekeeping circuit 42-46-48 and an audio transducer 40 for announcing the time in a series of groups of tones, the number of tones in each group equal to a respective digit of the time. The time is announced when the wearer touches one part of the surface of the enclosure twice, another part 6 of the enclosure is electrically connected to the body via the ear, so that the touch completes a circuit between the two parts of the enclosure. Preferably, and to avoid false readouts due to an inadvertent touch, the watch contains circuitry for providing a time readout only if it is touched twice within a predetermined interval.

Abstract: A melody function of an electronic timepiece is incorporated into a one or more LSI chip. A pseudo or dummy scale frequency signal generator responsive to timing signals is developed from a timekeeping divider chain. In one preferred form an audible alarm sound is provided in the form of a desired melody.

Abstract: An alarm timepiece is disclosed which is capable of setting a plurality of alarm settings and selecting which of a plurality of messages should be outputted in association with a respective alarm setting. Selected messages are output by a speech synthesis technique, and an exchangeable ROM cassette is provided for containing speech-synthesizing data characteristic of the content of the messages.

Abstract: A clock alarm deactivation system for a clock with an alarm switch for turning on an alarm device at a preset time. The alarm device can be deactivated by manually operating in sequence a series of pushbutton switches. Each pushbutton switch in the sequence is randomly selected and is identified by an individual indicator light. When setting the clock alarm, the user adjusts a selector control that will select the number of pushbutton switches that the user will be required to push in sequence in order to totally deactivate the alarm device. When the clock alarm sounds at the preset time, simultaneously the first pushbutton switch randomly selected is activated and its identifying indicator light is turned on. After the user pushes the first-activated pushbutton switch the alarm is temporarily silenced and the device will randomly select the second pushbutton switch in the sequence and turn on its respective indicator light.

Abstract: An electronic device with an alarm function has a time count circuit for providing time data and a date count circuit for providing date data. The electronic device also produces an alarm sound at an alarm time. When the date data represents a specific day, the electronic device produces a melody different from the alarm sound to tell the specific day.

Abstract: An alarm clock with an alarm system which can be deactivated by means of either a local or remote manually operated push button switch which must be held in a depressed condition for a predetermined period of time in order to effectively deactivate the clock alarm. Means is provided to adjust the length of required switch hold-down time. An indicator is provided for showing the completion of the required hold-down period. In the case of remote deactivation, wherein the user must walk to the location of the push button switch, a radio link is employed to couple the remotely located switch with the locally positioned clock alarm system and to provide the desired alarm deactivation. The completion of the hold down period is signalled either by visual indicating means or by audible sounding means.

Abstract: In an electronic timepiece, which has a time display section constructed such that optical display elements are selectively driven for time display, the display mode of the time display section can be controlled to provide dynamic displays other than an ordinary time display mode, and in addition to an ordinary time display mode.

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.

Abstract: An alarm electronic wristwatch has an electromagnetic acoustic transducer having a base plate having a plurality of upstanding projections, and a lead substrate superposed on the base plate and having a plurality of openings dimensioned to receive respective ones of the projections. The cooperation between the projections and openings enable precise positioning of the lead substrate on the base plate. The lead substrate has a set of cut-out or recessed portions in which are mounted permanent magnets. A magnetic core and excitation coil are mounted on the base plate and the terminals of the excitation coil are connected to an electrode pattern formed on the upper surface of the lead substrate. The lead substrate extends laterally of the transducer to enable electrical connection to a circuit block of the wristwatch from which drive signals may be applied to the excitation coil.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece, which comprises a circuit for encoding an externally supplied voice and a semiconductor memory for memorizing the encoded voice data. The voice data memorized in the semiconductor memory is read out when a preset time is reached, and the data thus read out is converted into a voice signal which is coupled to a sound producing device such as a loudspeaker for the reproduction of the voice.

Abstract: A timepiece is disclosed which is capable of delivering an alarm sound or message when an alarm time setting is reached. The timepiece further includes an output mode selector for selecting a sound mode for deliverying the alarm sound or alarm message and a silence mode for inhibiting the delivery of the alarm sound or message. Also included is an alarm time announcement output circuit responsive to the output mode selector for delivering an audible indication of an alarm setting time in the form of synthesized human voices when the selector is switched to the sound mode.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having multi-functions comprises a quartz oscillation circuit as a time standard signal generating circuit, a dividing circuit for dividing the output signal of said quartz oscillation circuit, a timing pulse generating circuit for generating a timing pulse signal which operates many kinds of circuit blocks as an input signal of one part of the output of said dividing circuit, a ROM-circuit as a program memory for executing multi-function operations of the timepiece and others, a program counter and page counter for renewing an address of said ROM-circuit, a RAM-circuit as a data-memory for memorizing a controlling memory, an operated result and a time information, an operation circuit for executing many kinds of operations, a data comparison and a data transformation, a latch circuit as an output data memory circuit for temporarily memorizing a display data or other necessary output data, a driver circuit for displaying all of or a part of the contents of said latch circuit, an alarm

Abstract: An alarm device for electronic watches has a memory for storing data representing a specified date. When the user operates a switch on that day, the device sounds an alarm to tell the user the specified date has arrived.

Abstract: A sound emitting device for an electronic timepiece comprising a disk-shaped permanent magnet; a first yoke and second yoke introducing magnetic flux produced by the magnet and forming, outside the periphery of the magnet, a magnetic gap having the magnetic flux in the vertical direction of the perimeter of the magnet and in the horizontal direction of the disk surfaces of the magnet; a diaphragm carrying, within the magnetic flux of the magnetic gap, a moving coil wound at right angles to the magnetic flux and adapted to be vibrated in response to sound signal currents sent to the moving coil; and a support member supporting the permanent magnet, the yokes as well as the diaphragm at the diaphragm peripheral portion and removably secured at the support frame peripheral portion to a case.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a display unit capable of displaying different times in two or more regions in the world, an alarm time setting circuit capable of setting alarm times in the respective regions, and a buzzer device for sounding, at alarm times, different alarm sounds associated with the respective regions.

Abstract: An electronic timepieces comprising a first memory for storing a plurality of code information fixedly. A second memory is provided for storing a plurality of code information corresponding to desirable comment or message information, by selectively extracting the code information stored in the first memory. When it is desired to provide the comment or message information, or an alarm time which is preliminarily established is reached, the code information stored in the second memory is read out. A converting circuit is provided by converting the code information generated from the second memory into a particular symbolic pattern providing a specific meaning.

Abstract: In an electronic clock circuit having both a stepper motor and a PXE (piezoelectric oxide) alarm element, the stepper motor and PXE element are connected in parallel and appropriate motor and PXE drive signals are provided on the same line. With this circuit configuration, an inductance and a transistor are eliminated from the prior art circuit, thus resulting in a smaller and less expensive device.

Abstract: An alarm clock with a local alarm system including a movement-operated switch, a relay with normally closed contacts, and an audible alarm device connected to the power lines through the movement-operated switch and said relay contacts. Said relay is energized by a circuit including a switch closed by lifting an operating knob, or in an alternative form, by lifting the entire clock. The system includes time delay relay latching means to prevent immediately latching the alarm circuit open but requiring the user to maintain the lifting force for a predetermined delay period, sufficient to produce wakefulness of the user, after which the alarm circuit is latched open. A signal lamp shows the delay period to be in effect until the delay period has been completed, thereby requiring the user to manually maintain the lifting force until the lamp becomes extinguished.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a liquid crystal display device and a buzzer comprised of a piezoelectric element. A voltage booster circuit comprised of a capacitor and a semiconductor switching element boosts the voltage of the voltage supply, and the boosted voltage is applied to drive the liquid crystal display device. A buzzer driving circuit inverts the booster voltage and simultaneously applies the booster voltage and the inverted booster voltage to drive the piezoelectric buzzer element. The operating frequency of the voltage booster is increased when the buzzer is operated and when the booster voltage and inverted booster voltage are applied to energize the piezoelectric buzzer element.

Abstract: An alarm clock with a local alarm system including a movement-operated switch, a normally-closed key-operated switch and an audible alarm device connected in series across the power lines. The switch-operating key may be remotely located so as to require the user to leave his bed in order to obtain the key, insert it in the key-operated switch, and turn the key so as to shut off the alarm. The system may include a time delay latching arrangement to prevent immediate latching the key switch open and to require the user to hold the key turned for a predetermined delay period, sufficient to produce wakefulness of the user. A signal lamp shows the delay period to be in effect until the period has been completed, thereby requiring the user to manually hold the key-operated switch open until the lamp becomes extinguished.

Abstract: A single external stem member of an electronic timepiece operates independent switches by push-pull motions and by a rotary operation. Many functions are controlled or adjusted with signals generated by particular sequential combinations of stem member operations in the push-pull and rotary modes. In an alarm timepiece, the rotary switch controls the alarm time setting, and the push-pull switch determines whether an audible alarm and hour markers are to sound, no sounds are to be emitted, or only the alarm is to sound.

Abstract: In an electronic timepiece having a quartz crystal controlled standard frequency oscillator and a device which temporarily imposes a heavy load on the battery when activated, means are provided for changing a value of a circuit constant in the oscillator circuit, such as capacitance or resistance, when the load device is activated. This change in circuit constant value serves to decrease the value of the minimum battery supply voltage below which the oscillator circuit ceases to function, thereby ensuring reliable operation of the oscillator circuit when the timepiece battery voltage drops due to current being supplied to the load device.

Abstract: An alarm device for electronic watches has a memory for storing data representing a specified date. When the user operates a switch on that day, the device sounds an alarm to tell the user the specified date has arrived.

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.

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.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a battery lifetime detection mechanism is provided with a control circuit and external operation member the suitable manipulation of which permits a battery lifetime warning indication, produced in response to a signal from the detection mechanism, to be temporarily displayed in the normal time display mode, transferred to an permanently displayed in another display mode, or converted to an audible warning tone if suitable acoustic means are provided.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: An electrophonic musical instrument which can be of sufficiently small size to be incorporated in a portable electronic timepiece, having operating members which serve to input data corresponding to pitch and timing information for a sequence of musical notes to be stored in an internal memory, and having means whereby said sequence of musical notes can be subsequently automatically reproduced audibly by actuating another operating member.

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.

Abstract: An electronic watch having a stepping motor and equipped with an alarm, in which the number of power transistors necessary for the control of the stepping motor and of the alarm transducer is reduced so as to permit the integration of all the electronics of the watch of a single chip and to reduce the number of terminals of the integrated circuit and the number of interconnections.A pair of the power transistors (5, 6) is common to the control of the motor coil (11) and of the alarm transducer coil (12) and the alarm control signal is inserted between the driving pulses.

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.

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.