Abstract: A timepiece push-button structure comprising a spring member composed of tongue portions interconnected by a connection portion, each tongue portion being bridge-shaped so that the central portion is raised while both end portions of the central portion abut against a pressure conductive rubber holder, each tongue portion further including a substantially centrally located arcuate notch and a bifurcation extending therefrom. A push-button having a groove is adapted to engage said notch, and a pressure conductive rubber is adapted for the application of pressure and disposed directly below the push-button.

Abstract: A novel type of digital-to-analog converter circuit is disclosed for an electronic timepiece having a speech synthesizing capability. The converter circuit utilizes pulse width modulation to form a train of pulses in response to successive digital signals which specify amplitude and polarity values for synthesizing speech, with the pulse widths being determined in accordance with the digital signal values. By filtering out the unwanted high frequency components of this pulse train, speech signals can be synthesized through an audio transducer. Such a digital-to-analog converter is capable of operating in a satisfactory manner at low levels of supply voltage, and has a very low power consumption.

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.

Abstract: In an electronic timepiece equipped with both an analog display section having time indicating hands and a digital display section, a time correction system is provided whereby correction of both the analog and digital time displays can be performed by rotation of a crown, with the directions of rotation of the crown for time data incrementation and decrementation being identical both for analog and digital display correction. Selection of either analog time correction or digital time correction is performed simply by pulling the crown out to either of two axial positions. Correction of both analog and digital time display information is thereby simplified and made more rapid, while the number of external operating members is reduced.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a timepiece hand is disclosed, whereby the hand can be made extremely thin and lightweight, as well as strong and rigid. The timepiece hand is in the form of an open shell formed of hard nickel electro-forming. Because a minimum of mechanical working is performed upon the hand during the manufacturing process, bending distortion of the hand is avoided, and such a hand can be made substantially thinner than has been possible with manufacturing methods of the prior art.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece in which an operating state of a timepiece circuit is controlled by a control circuit composed of a counter responsive to clock pulses from the timepiece circuit, a digital/analog converter for converting a digital output signal from the counter to an analog output signal, a potentiometer adapted to generate an analog input signal, and a comparator for comparing the analog output signal and the analog input signal to generate an output signal which is applied to the counter to control the same by which a control signal is generated to control the operating state of the timepiece.

Abstract: In an electronic timepiece having a central processing unit for processing current time and other data, and equipped with a crown and switch means coupled thereto for providing a correction signal comprising a pulse train of relatively high frequency, a bidirectional counter is provided for counting the correction signal pulses, with successive count totals in said counter being transferred in parallel form to be processed by the central processing unit. Processing of the high frequency correction pulses can thereby be performed even with the low maximum frequency which is generally available in an electronic timepiece for use as the clock signal to operate the central processing unit.

Abstract: In an electronic timepiece equipped with a liquid crystal display, means are provided whereby the user can input a freely selected sequence of musical notes to be stored in a memory circuit, to thereby compose a melody, and whereby this melody can be subsequently emitted in audible form when coincidence occurs between a preset alarm time and the current time. Visible monitoring of information specifying the pitch and duration of each note is enabled when a melody is being input, by means of liquid crystal display patterns, together with audible monitoring.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece is provided with a correction signal generating system for producing correction pulses to modify current time or other data. The system includes a rotary switch, coupled to a timepiece crown to be rotated thereby and having a plurality of fixed and movable contacts, with the number of movable contacts being less than the number of fixed contacts, and circuit means for producing a train of correction pulses from either of two output terminals in accordance with the direction of rotation of the timepiece crown. Correction pulses from one of these output terminals serves to increment the quantity being corrected, while correction pulses from the other output terminal serve to decrement that quantity. Gearing may be provided between the crown and the switch rotor, to increase the maximum rate of generation of correction pulses.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece contains a supply voltage source which provides a supply voltage controlled in accordance with temperature, whereby power consumption is reduced by supplying the timepiece circuit with only the amplitude of supply voltage required at any particular operating temperature. Voltage control is performed in accordance with variations in propagation times of circuit elements with temperature, as determined by variations in the frequency of a ring oscillator circuit.

Abstract: A method and drive system for driving an electro-optical display device having a matrix of an n-number of digit electrodes having a plurality of electrodes groups spaced from one another, and a plurality of groups of segment electrodes associated with each of said electrode groups to provide a plurality of display elements at each of the groups. m-number of digit electrodes are simultaneously applied with excitation voltages each having at least two potential levels opposite in porality during an excitation period of:1/n<t.ltoreq.m/nwhere t represents the excitation period during which period n-m number of digit electrodes are applied with a non-excitation or reference voltage having a potential level intermediate between the potential levels of the excitation voltages.

Abstract: A hydrostatic pressure bearing has a gas supply port and liquid supply ports on its bearing surface. A thin bearing clearance is defined by a hydrostatic pressure supporting force between the bearing and a rotor supported by the bearing by supplying a pressurized gas to the bearing surface through the gas supply port. A liquid is fed from the liquid supply ports into the bearing clearance to form a thin liquid film in the bearing clearance, and said liquid film reduces the rate of drop of the static pressure of the gas on the bearing surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a mixture of oxygen and an anesthetic gas at a predetermined flow rate and mixture ratio. The flow rate and mixture ratio are controlled by means of electrically operated throttle valves, responsive to output signals from an electronic control system, generated in accordance with data stored in the control system and with input signals applied to the computer from means for sensing the flow rates of the oxygen and anesthetic gas. Desired flow rate and mixture ratio data may be input by using a numeric keyboard, and are digitally displayed.

Abstract: A novel type of liquid crystal display device is disclosed, whereby data can be written in, via the display device, by utilizing light-generating means such as a light pen. The display device is of matrix configuration, with a switching element being provided individually for each of the elements of the display matrix, and is characterized by a photoelectric element being provided for each display element, whereby data is written in. The discrimination circuit means whereby the statuses of the photoelectric elements are sensed, in a time sharing manner, can utilize the same row and column electrodes used to drive the switching elements of the display matrix, and the photoelectric elements can be formed during the same process, and upon the same substrate, as the switching elements.

Abstract: In a matrix type of liquid crystal display panel, in which an individual switching element is provided on the panel for each of the display elements, the electrodes of each display element comprise a first comb-shaped electrode pattern, to which a display signal voltage is applied through a switching element, and a second comb-shaped electrode pattern which is held at a reference potential, with the first and second comb-shaped patterns being mutually intermeshed and formed upon a single substrate of the panel, whereby application of a display signal voltage causes an electric field to be produced in a direction substantially parallel to the substrate plane to thereby act upon the liquid crystal, rather than in a direction normal to the substrate plane as in the case of a conventional type of liquid crystal display panel.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece havig a stepping motor driving time indicating hands is provided with a system whereby the stepping motor is selectively driven at one of three different drive power levels, in accordance with the load currently being applied to the motor. Detection of the load level is performed by momentarily sampling a voltage induced in the motor drive coil during a short time interval following a drive pulse. The system provides rapid response to changes in load level, highly stable control, and excellent tolerance to variations in characteristics of different stepping motors and circuit components.

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.