Abstract: Energy is conserved and the life of a lithium battery is extended in a timepiece by using a voltage reduction circuit for normal operation and a voltage regulating circuit during periods of heavy current drain, e.g., alarm or lamp function. A no-clock detector indicates the functional status of the timekeeping standard signal generator and voltage is raised to enable self-starting when oscillator signals are absent. A timer holds the regulated voltage on-line until operations stabilize after a period of heavy load and capacitors used in the voltage reduction circuit bolster the regulated voltage output during high load periods.

Abstract: A pin wheel feed mechanism for transporting documents having feed perforations along the marginal edges thereof. The mechanism includes a pair of symetrically constructed guide frames, each adapted for use on either marginal edge of the feeding document. A pin wheel is rotatably housed in each guide frame and includes a plurality of equiangularly spaced pins which project radially from the surface of each wheel for feeding the document. A notch is provided between each pair of adjacent pins to accommodate warps in the marginal edges of the document to insure positive feed.

Abstract: A dynamic divider circuit comprised of insulating gate field effect transistors and capable of operation using minimal current consumption in a reduced space is provided. Master and slave multiple inverters and an intermediate inverter are formed from complementary connected P-channel and N-channel insulated gate field effect transistors, the master and the slave inverter being directly coupled to the master inverter. The coupling of the master, intermediate, and slave inverters providing reduced current consumption and a more simplified circuit by utilizing the parasitic capacitance of said field effect transistors as a memory.

Abstract: A matrix liquid crystal display circuit operates on a level of AC voltage equal to the voltage required for DC drive. The circuit includes a selecting transistor connected to the picture element and a capacitor for each picture element of the matrix. The capacitor in each row connects to a common electrode and the transistor gates in each row connect to a common electrode. The voltage level of the common capacitor electrode is shifted periodically relative to a reference voltage in order to invert the image signal polarity across the picture element and produce an AC drive. Inverted image signals of similar voltage level are alternately sampled.

Abstract: A quartz crystal analog watch has a circuit block and mechanical elements on one side of a frame plate and the battery power source resting on an insulating plate on the other side of the frame plate. The diameter of the movement approximates the battery diameter.

Abstract: An electrostatic printer for printing images on an electrostatic recording medium. The electrostatic printer includes an elongated electrode and a back electrode. The back electrode is spaced from the elongated electrode to define a gap therebetween. The gap, defined by the elongated electrode and the back electrode, is adapted to permit the passage of the electrostatic recording medium in a predetermined direction and is effectively reduced at a given point on the elongated electrode. The elongated electrode is displaceable relative to the back electrode so that the point on the elongated electrode which then defines the effectively reduced gap is displaced laterally of the direction of passage of the electrostatic recording medium in response to the displacement of the elongated electrode.

Abstract: A synchronizing circuit especially suitable for a matrix television set using a flat display, such as comprised of liquid crystals, light emitting diodes or electro-luminescent elements in place of a cathode ray tube, is provided. Signals necessary for horizontal and vertical scannings, or the like, are obtained by dividing the signal from an oscillator circuit. The frequency of the oscillator circuit does not equal that of the horizontal scanning signal, that is, in the order of 16 KHz. Phase comparison is performed on a horizontal synchronizing signal and a scanning signal, which is obtained by dividing the signal from the oscillator circuit, to apply negative feedback to the oscillator circuit whereby synchronization is performed. The oscillator is voltage controlled. The circuit is fabricated in a substantially integrated construction using few external parts.

Abstract: The integrated circuit, including MOS transistors, for driving the step motor of an analog display is substantially reduced in size by boosting the transistor gate voltage above the battery voltage applied to the source-drain terminals.

Abstract: A small printer using character wheels is provided. The printer includes a plurality of character wheels frictionally mounted on a shaft for rotation therewith and having a ratchet wheel on side surface. Associated with each character wheel is a pivotable selector pawl actuatable by an electromagnet. The number of electromagnets is less than the number of selector pawls and character wheels. Stopper cams are actuatable into locking engagement with the ratchet wheels on even-numbered character wheels when the shaft begins to rotate. Only odd-numbered character wheels are caused to rotate with the shaft. The desired characters on the odd-numbered character wheels are selected when the electromagnets are energized selectively to move the selector pawls into locking engagement with the ratchets on the odd-numbered character wheels. During the next revolution of the shaft, the stoppers are retracted, that is, out of engagement with the ratchets on the even-numbered type wheels.

Abstract: A printer of the needle or hammer impact type prints by release of spring-stored energy, driving the needle or hammer against a platen or character ring. A rotating cam restores the printing member to a locked standby condition after impact, and an electromagnet attracts a moveable core to allow release of the printing member at selected times for printing. The gap between the moveable and fixed cores of the electromagnet is periodically closed mechanically and electrical energization of the electromagnet only maintains the attracted state of the fixed and moveable cores.

Abstract: An electro-photographic printer utilizing a liquid crystal material which operates as a light valve. The liquid crystal material is sandwiched between two base plates which include electrodes which define a plurality of micro-shutters. A light source illuminates one side of the liquid crystal material. A driving circuit selectively applies driving signals to the electrodes for selectively opening and closing the micro-shutters to allow light from the light source to pass therethrough. A photo-sensitive drum on the other side of the liquid crystal receives the light transmitted through the liquid crystal to form characters. The characters are transmitted to a recording paper. The liquid crystal material, which has an inverted dielectric anisotropy on opposite sides of the critical frequency, is selectively driven by selectively applying two different frequency signals to the liquid crystal.

Abstract: A serial printer for use in portable electronic calculators and the like. The printer includes a single printing head having a plurality of characters divided into two groups circumferentially disposed therearound in a predetermined pattern. A first selecting mechanism selects one of the two groups of characters. A second selecting mechanism selects the particular character in the group selected by the first selecting mechanism which is to be printed on a printing tape. The first selecting mechanism may include a helical gear mechanism which selects between the two groups of characters.

Abstract: An ink jet printer includes pumped-forced circulation of ink through the printer head and a nozzle cap which together eliminate gas from the ink supply and overcome ink stagnation which adversely affect printing quality. Ink from a tank circulates through the printer head and returns to the tank while the nozzles are capped. A brief flow of ink from the nozzles completes a purging of the head prior to printing.

Abstract: A multi-alarm watch includes a liquid crystal display means for providing both conventional time displays and an alarm time schedule display indicating simultaneously a plurality of times of day scheduled for an alarm signal. Separated or overlapped displays are used. The displays are driven by AC multiplexed voltage signals with each display having a different duty cycle. A random access memory stores data for the scheduled alarm circuitry and display. For greater visibility the scheduled display shows alarm times for twelve hours at one time and an address decoder converts timekeeping signals into a memory address code for the alarm schedule. A conventional alarm is also provided, and distinctive audible signals identify different functional outputs.

Abstract: A time correction circuit for an electronic timepiece comprising an oscillator circuit inputting a high frequency standard signal to a divider network, the divider network dividing down the standard signal in a plurality of stages. Correction data is periodically applied to a plurality of divider stages to advance or retard the timing rate when a selected stage achieves a preferred logic state. Occurrence of a logic state in a subsequent divider stage enables the circuits for the next periodic application of the correcting data. Coarse and fine adjustments can be made.

Abstract: A liquid crystal matrix display provides scanning in a plurality of modes wherein the number of scanning electrodes simultaneously driven is varied. Higher driving duty cycles are used as the number of simultaneously driven scanning electrodes increases. Energy consumption is reduced and the quality is improved. A change-over circuit lowers the driving voltage during simultaneous scanning.

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.