Abstract: A charge control circuit for regulating the current applied to a secondary battery utilized as a power supply in an electronic instrument is provided. The secondary battery is adapted to be charged to a predetermined voltage level in response to a charging current being applied thereto. A charging current is produced by a charging device, such as a solar battery. Voltage regulating circuitry is disposed intermediate the charging device and the secondary battery for detecting the voltage level of the secondary battery and, in response thereto, selectively regulating the application of the charging current to the voltage supply.

Abstract: A solid state electronic timepiece including an intermittent supplemental functional capability, e.g., a lamp to illuminate the display, also includes a circuit for the prevention of an undesirable supply voltage drop due to circuit loading by the supplemental function during performance of a primary intermittent timekeeping function, e.g., shifting the contents of a shift register. The supplemental function is turned off during the primary intermittent timekeeping function. In an alternative embodiment, the initiation of the supplemental function is delayed to follow completion of the primary intermittent timekeeping function.

Abstract: An improved electronic timepiece transducer wherein the construction of the permanent magnet rotor and a magnetic permeable stator effects a reduction in energy consumption during operation. In particular, the rotor is characterized by a predetermined thickness and at least two concentric circular equal radii surfaces having the same radius. Similarly, the stator includes highly permeable stator poles having a predetermined thickness and two symmetrical equal radii semi-circular stator surfaces having the same radius and surrounding the rotor. The ratio of the rotor radii to the stator radii and the ratio of the rotor thickness to the stator thickness define a specific relationship that effects a reduction in the energy consumed by the step motor during operation.

Abstract: In an analog timepiece having calendar displays for day and date, a transducer operating independently of the hand driving transducer, feeds, that is, updates the calendar wheels automatically on a daily basis. Synchronization of the daily day and date changes is provided by a twenty-four hour wheel cooperating with the time-keeping mechanism. For setting the calendar displays, turning the stem in one direction polarizes a magnet and advances the day wheel, while turning the stem in the other direction reverses the polarity of the magnet and advances the date dial until desired settings are accomplished. The date advancing transducer can be automatically actuated for end of the month date adjustments.

Abstract: In a multi-layer liquid crystal display panel the terminals for making connection to the electrodes on the plates of each cell layer are so disposed that the terminals for each cell are out of registry with the terminals for all of the other cells. The terminals are connected to external circuitry by way of conductive elastomer blocks, the compressibility of the blocks being such that substantially identical blocks can be used for making contact with the terminals on all of the plates.

Abstract: A step motor for an electronic wristwatch is provided wherein the load on the rotor is reduced. The reduction in the load on the rotor is provided by the configuration of a rotor pinion supporting the rotor and the manner in which same is supported by the rotor support assembly. The rotor pinion includes first and second trunions respectively disposed in first and second bearings. The rotor pinion includes first and second shoulders axially recessed from the ends of the trunions by a predetermined distance so as to define a clearance between the respective shoulders and the respective bearings for each rotary position of the rotor.

Abstract: In a miniature printer for printing with dots on printing paper, concentrically mounted driving cams provide both horizontal and vertical motions which synchronize the reciprocating action of the printing head mechanism with the paper feed and ink ribbon feed mechanism. Constant velocity linear motion is provided for the print head. The printing paper may be removed in either direction from the printer.

Abstract: A small-sized printer having print characters circumferentially disposed around a plurality of print rings rotating by a motor on a common shaft, includes a detector comprised of an integrated circuit board rotating on the same shaft. The rotating circuit board incorporates conductive foil contacts which are sensed during rotation by fixed brushes, thereby providing a series of pulses indicative of the rotational position of the shaft and of the print characters which are in position for printing. An auxiliary signal, generated by additional contacts on the rotating circuit board, indicate positions between the print characters on the print rings. Logic circuitry combines the actual position pulses with the auxiliary signals to output converted position pulses which are free of noise and irregularities in waveform normally associated with brush contact switches. These converted pulses provide accurate timing as is required for the print cycle. A motor stop signal is also provided.

Abstract: A voltage detection integrated circuit including a voltage regulation circuit for controlling the operation thereof is provided. The voltage detection integrated circuit includes a reference voltage circuit for producing a predetermined reference voltage, a voltage converter for converting a detected voltage for measurement and a comparator circuit for comparing the level of the reference voltage to the level of the converted voltage and for producing a comparison signal representative of the difference in voltage levels compared thereby. The voltage regulation circuit is coupled to the comparator circuit and the reference voltage circuit and/or voltage conversion circuit for selectively adjusting the level of the reference voltage produced by the reference voltage circuit and/or the converted voltage produced by the voltage converter, to thereby control the comparison signal produced by the comparator circuit.

Abstract: A gear train mechanism for a wristwatch provides a thinner watch, the gear train comprising a frame plate, a dial, a plate interposed between the dial and the frame plate, and a shaft rotatably supporting a center wheel and pinion. The shaft is attached to the frame plate. Rubbing and misalignment of the hands is prevented by aligning their rotating support members for an extended longitudinal distance on the shaft. This is accomplished by the gear train of this invention despite a reduction in the thickness of the watch. Hour and minute hands or hour, minute, and second hands are provided in alternative embodiments.

Abstract: In a wire type dot printer head a flat lever pivots on a fulcrum when attracted by an electro-magnetic coil. Pivoting of the lever on the fulcrum drives a print wire or needle, in opposition to a biasing spring, against an ink ribbon and paper for printing on the paper with dots. The biasing spring returns the needle to a stand-by condition after printing. A cantilever spring acts on the lever, being attached near the fulcrum. A spacer sheet, impregnated with a lubricant, is disposed between the lever and the electro-magnetic coil so that lubricant is supplied to the fulcrum of the lever and in the region where the lever engages the print needle or wire. The life of the print head is extended by the availability of lubricant, and the lubricant does not interfere with the printing action. The printer head includes a plurality of similar independently operating needles and drive mechanisms.

Abstract: IC input circuitry particularly suited for use in an electronic wristwatch or other small-sized electronic instrument is provided. Each input stage is adapted to receive at least one input. An input terminal is provided for each input stage in order to receive a two-state input signal. An impedance element is disposed intermediate each input terminal and a reference voltage, in order to distinguish between respective states of the input signal. The invention is particularly characterized by gating circuitry for producing a gating signal having a predetermined time interval, and a memory, coupled to each input terminal and impedance element coupled thereto, for selectively storing the state of the input signal applied to the input terminal and discriminated by the impedance element, during the predetermined time interval of the gating signal.

Abstract: A digital display electronic alarm wristwatch which includes a watch case, a cover glass and a case back contains an electro-optical display device, electronic watch body and an alarm buzzer mounted in the watch case and case back not to overlap with the display device in plan view. The watch case is formed with buzzer cover holes on the display side of the case for releasing the alarm buzzer sound.

Abstract: An inspection circuit for use in an electronic timepiece is provided. The inspection circuit is characterized by the use of a gating circuit intermediate the timekeeping circuit of an electronic timepiece and certain counters that apply timekeeping signals to the digital display digits. The gating circuit is adapted to be selectively disposed into an inspection mode and thereby simultaneously apply to certain of the counters producing timekeeping signals a predetermined frequency inspection signal thereby reducing the time required to inspect the performance of the timepiece.

Abstract: A miniature printer includes character rings, each having a series of characters on the outer periphery thereof and teeth on a side surface thereof for selection of a character to be printed. The shaft carrying the character rings also has mounted thereon a radially-slotted disc through the slots of which a light beam is passed for signalling the angular position of said shaft, the light beam being directed at light-detection means. Electronic circuitry controls pawls for selectively stopping the character rings so that a selected character on each ring is brought to rest at a printing position for printing. The electronic circuitry also controls the intermittent feed of printing paper and printing ribbon. A gear-selection mechanism provides for a plurality of printing-paper feed rates as well as for holding the paper stationary when required.A number of the components are of unitary contruction to increase the ease of assembly and decrease the costs as well as the number of parts.

Abstract: A serial printer includes two character rings having raised characters disposed therearound. Both rings rotate on a common axis for selection of characters for printing. One character ring is laterally fixed relative to the common axis; the other character ring translates laterally along the common axis in a carriage driven by a pulley and wire, and biased for quick return. A solenoid actuated claw selects characters for printing as the character rings rotate. A single motor operating in a forward direction causes the character rings to rotate while character selections are made, sequentially causes a single hammer to strike both character rings simultaneously for printing on paper, and translates the carriage one position for serially printing the next digit in a number. Reversal of the motor, after a line of characters is printed, causes release and return of the carriage and advancement of the paper.

Abstract: In a dot printer head, a small, thin and flat lever or chip pivots on a fulcrum when attracted by an electromagnetic coil. Pivoting of the chip on the fulcrum drives a needle, in opposition to a biasing spring, against an ink ribbon and paper for printing on the paper with dots. The biasing spring returns the needle after printing. The fulcrum is positioned by a resilient restraint comprising a leaf spring. The magnetic gap between the coil and chip is small but provides a long needle stroke because of the mechanical advantage in the pivoting element. The gap requires no adjustments. The printer head includes a plurality of similar independently operating needles and drive mechanisms.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display driving circuit arrangement that is formed entirely of elements that can be monolithically integrated in a circuit chip and that adjusts the effective voltage of the drive signals applied to the liquid crystal display cells in response to variations in external conditions is provided. A sensing circuit is adapted to produce a signal representative of a change in an external condition and in response thereto produce a sensing signal representative thereof. A pulse control circuit is adapted to detect the condition signal and in response thereto produce a control signal representative of a variation in effective voltage to be applied to the display cells. A driving circuit is coupled to a liquid crystal display for applying drive signals produced by display control circuit having a variable effective voltage.

Abstract: Multi-colored display devices comprising layered liquid crystal display cells are provided. The multi-colored display devices include a first polarizing plate, a first liquid crystal display cell of the twisted nematic type having an optical activity of about 90.degree. disposed adjacent to the polarizing plate and at least one liquid crystal display cell of the guest-host type containing a dye disposed adjacent to the first display cell. In the guest-host display cell the liquid crystal and dyes are oriented parallel to the polarizing axis of the polarizing plate. The multi-colored display device includes an auxiliary color source which may be a colored polarizing plate disposed on the surface of the device opposed to the first polarizing plate with the axis of polarization of the colored polarizing plate perpendicular to the axis of polarization of the first polarizing plate or an additional liquid crystal cell of the guest-host type including a different dye.