Patents Assigned to Citizen Watch Company
  • Timepiece hand manufacturing method
    Patent number: 4371429
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventors: Tadao Enomoto, Hidefumi Kasai
  • Electronic timepiece with gain/loss adjustment
    Patent number: 4370067
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventors: Ryoji Iwakura, Tatsuo Nitta, Kazutoshi Takahashi
  • Correction signal input system for electronic timepiece
    Patent number: 4370066
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1983
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Sizuo Yamaguchi
  • Electronic timepiece having a system for audible generation of a melody
    Patent number: 4368989
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Hideyuki Kawashima
  • Correction signal generating system for an electronic timepiece
    Patent number: 4367958
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventors: Hisashi Kawahara, Tadashi Hanaoka, Masamichi Yamauchi
  • Drive system for pulse motor
    Patent number: 4361410
    Abstract: In a circuit for driving a pulse motor of an electronic timepiece, the initial part or entirety of each drive pulse is modulated to form a group of high frequency pulses thereby reducing an initial surge of current while rotor of motor is still stationary. Modulation can be controlled according to load placed on motor to provide increased drive energy for heavy loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Nakajima, Takayasu Machida, Kenji Yamada
  • Voltage control circuit responsive to FET propagation time
    Patent number: 4358728
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Yukio Hashimoto
  • Matrix drive system for liquid crystal display
    Patent number: 4356483
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hiroo Fujita, Akira Tsuzuki
  • Hydrostatic pressure gas-liquid double phase bearing
    Patent number: 4346947
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignees: Citizen Watch Company Limited, Tsunamitsu Nakahara, Hiroshi Aoki
    Inventors: Tsunamitsu Nakahara, Hiroshi Aoki, Toru Kurisu
  • Anesthetic gas control apparatus
    Patent number: 4345612
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventors: Tuyoshi Koni, Yoshihisa Urushida, Akira Tsuzuki
  • Liquid crystal display device with write-in capability
    Patent number: 4345248
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventors: Seigo Togashi, Akira Tsuzuki
  • Liquid crystal display panel
    Patent number: 4345249
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1982
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Seigo Togashi
  • Electronic timepiece
    Patent number: 4340946
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventors: Fumio Kanno, Fumio Nakajima
  • Pace timing device
    Patent number: 4337529
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1982
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Shigeru Morokawa
  • Voltage control system for electronic timepiece
    Patent number: 4328572
    Abstract: In an electronic timepiece powered by a lithium battery, a voltage control system is provided whereby a supply voltage of approximately one half of the battery voltage is supplied to certain portions of the timepiece circuit under normal operating conditions, but whereby cessation of operation by the timebase oscillator circuit of the timepiece due to some abnormal state such as excessively low ambient operating temperature is automatically detected and a changeover is made to supply of the full battery voltage to all of the timepiece circuitry. Upon recovery of operation of the timebase oscillator circuit, changeover to the low voltage supply state is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Hisashi Kawahara
  • Electronic timepiece with illumination lamp battery voltage drop compensation circuit
    Patent number: 4328570
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Hisahide Nakagawa
  • Wrist watch
    Patent number: D267077
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Harumichi Kabaya
  • Ring with watch
    Patent number: D267859
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company, Limited
    Inventor: Harumichi Kabaya
  • Wrist watch
    Patent number: D267860
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Harumichi Kabaya
  • Wrist watch
    Patent number: D269254
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventor: Kazuo Kishimoto