Abstract: There is provided a digital dial face for facilitating a display of time. The dial face of the present invention comprises at least one centrally located hour indicator and a plurality of minute indicators disposed about the periphery of the hour indicator. Each of the minute indicators may be selectively operative to display a prescribed series of minutes of time. The hour indicator and the minute indicators may collectively function to facilitate the acknowledgment of time. The arrangement of the hour and minute indicators may be reversed such that a single minute indicator and a plurality of hour indicators are provided. In either case, the user may determine time by reading the alpha-numeric display of the central indicator and recognizing the position of the illuminated peripheral indicator. Information displaced on the peripheral indicator need not be read to provide an approximation of time.

Abstract: A fiber optics polychromatic animation configuration for a clock includes an array of penetrating holes in an appropriate amount installed on the numbers and surface of the dial in order to provide polychromatic patterns when the holes are penetrated by fiber optics coupled to multicolor LEDs driven by a circuit board. The circuit board drives the LEDs so as to illuminate the fiber optics accordingly, particularly to display polychromatic animation while the clock is alarming by a time signal or a timer setting, or even while the clock darkens up during the nighttime so that it is still capable of showing time and patterns distinctly.

Abstract: The problem is to provide a battery lid structure for a timepiece case, which does not require complicate machining, such as for slant surfaces and stoppers, in an inner surface of a back lid or case bottom surface, and can reduce a thickness. The back lid has, at an immediately underneath the battery accommodating hole, a different-shaped battery hole having a pair of larger-diameter arcs and a pair of smaller-diameter arcs in an alternate fashion. A battery lid is fitted in the battery hole in a manner described later.

Abstract: The present invention provides a convenient, effective, and interactive system to aid children or others in managing and understanding the concept of time and in remembering scheduled events. The present event clock visually demonstrates the time during which at least one predetermined event is scheduled to occur. Generally, the event clock includes a timing mechanism, an indicator operatively connected to the timing mechanism, and at least one (and preferably several) event marker(s). Each event marker visually symbolizes (through pictures, words, or otherwise) a scheduled event and is disposed in relation to the indicator such that the indicator provides a signal during the time the event is scheduled to occur.

Abstract: Watch-strap device adapted to be worn on the wrist includes an electronic tag for identifying the watch-strap. The tag includes an identification circuit and an antenna that are buried in the watch-strap. The circuit is directly adjacent to the connection of the watch-strap to the watch to avoid damage to the circuit caused by flexing of the watch-strap.

Abstract: To provide a colorful timepiece capable of displaying in multiple Dolors at a low power consumption and with a low development cost using a typical monochrome liquid crystal driving IC, a birefringence color liquid crystal display device (17) and a driving module (27) for driving the liquid crystal display device are installed inside a case (25) with a cover glass. A time display portion displaying normal time in a single color and a mark display portion displaying in a plurality of colors, are provided in a display portion of the liquid crystal display device (17). A liquid crystal driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal display device (17) to supply a scanning signal to scanning electrodes for the time display portion and a data signal to data electrodes for the mark display portion, is provided in the driving module (27).

Abstract: A center wheel & pinion of a wheel train is formed so that high load is applied to the wheel train when a minute hand stands at twelve o'clock. A pulse control circuit outputs a normal driving pulse. When a motor does not rotate by the normal driving pulse, the pulse control circuit outputs a first auxiliary driving pulse. Further, when the motor does not rotate by the first auxiliary driving pulse, the pulse control circuit outputs a second auxiliary driving pulse. The motor 6 normally rotates by the normal driving pulse or the first auxiliary driving pulse or rotates by the second auxiliary driving pulse when the high load is applied to the wheel train, i.e., when the minute hand stands at twelve o'clock. A pointer position detecting circuit judges that the minute hand stands at twelve o'clock when it receives the P3 output signal from the pulse control circuit, i.e., when the second auxiliary driving pulse is outputted from the pulse control circuit.

Abstract: A timepiece including means for intermittently changing the indicated time of day to an intentionally fast setting to discourage tardiness. The timepiece, which may be a wristwatch, pocket watch-or clock, computer clock, or any other time of day indicator, intermittently displays a time of day which is several minutes fast to encourage punctuality. The duration of the intentionally introduced time of day error, as well as the times when that error is intermittently introduced, may be cyclically and/or randomly varied so that the person who consults the timepiece does not know whether the timepiece, at any particular time, is fast or on-time. The days, and the time period(s) during each day, when the fast settings are introduced may be programmed so that the timepiece accurately indicates the time of day except at times when promptness is particularly important.

Abstract: A self-winding watch includes a self-winding mass having a central part surrounded by raceways of a ball bearing. One raceway is integral with the central part. Another raceway is integral with means for positioning and means for removably fastening to watch frame. A reduction gear train for connects the self-winding mass to a barrel arbor. A reversing mechanism converts the two-directional rotational movement of said self-winding mass into a one-directional rotational movement. Two first pinions of the reversing mechanism freely pivot, concentrically, with said central part. Each of the first pinions meshes with a planet pinion. The pivot pin is integral with the central part and the toothing is shaped so as to allow only unidirectional rotations of said first pinions in two opposed respective directions of rotation. The first pinions are integral with two second respective moving parts of the gear train, the directions of rotation of which are opposite, one with respect to the other.

Abstract: A radio-controlled wristwatch includes a casing. A central portion of the casing disposed generally centrally with reference to a longitudinal center axis of the casing is formed of metal at least on the exterior thereof. An antenna core is disposed within a chamber defined by the casing. The antenna core lies on a plane oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis. A spacer ring is disposed in the chamber between the central portion and the antenna core, the spacer ring formed of electrically non-conductive material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reminder watch to be worn on the body of a forgetful person. The watch has a digital display of the date of the day, the time of day, and the name of the weekday; a knob for setting the time and a knob for starting and stopping the time to function as a stop-watch; and the remaining parts of the watch include a small speaker to play sounds such as the voice of a parent and an alarm to indicate that time has run out, a battery to provide power for operating the watch and its functions, and a computer chip specifically designed to announce commands relating to the daily activities of the wearer of the watch, who may be a child. The watch may be worn as a wrist watch fastened to a waist belt, hung around the neck, upper arm, or shoulder, carried in a pocket, or carried in any other fashion so as to be near enough to be heard.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dial (1), in particular for a timepiece, including a plate having at least one recess defining a housing (6) in which a decorative element (8) or suchlike is secured, characterised in that the housing (6) includes a bottom (14) formed of an adhesive strip (16), the adhesive face of which comes into contact with the decorative element (8).

Abstract: The watch provided with a tourbillon includes a regulating device (2) engaging with an escapement (3) which itself engages with a gear train (4) meshing with a fixed wheel (5). The regulating device, the escapement and the gear train are mounted on a plate (6) fixed to a pipe (7) rotatably mounted in a support plate (8, 46), this pipe being situated at the center of the watch and driven in rotation by a spring driven device (9). Preferably, the pipe (7) surrounds a cannon pinion (11) carrying a minutes hand (12), this cannon wheel in turn surrounding a shaft (13) carrying an hours hand (14). The shaft (13) and the cannon pinion (11) are connected by a motion work (15) which is situated underneath the plate.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electric timepiece, in particular a wristwatch, supplied with electric current by an accumulator (16) intended to be recharged once flat, this timepiece (1) including a time-setting stem (4) and at least one control member (6) for at least one horological function of said timepiece (1), characterised in that the time-setting stem (4) is electrically connected to one of the poles (18) of the accumulator (16), and in that the control member (6) can be electrically connected to the other pole of the accumulator (16) after said member has been pressed. The present invention also concerns a timepiece of the type-described above, this timepiece (1) including at least a first and a second control member (6′) each controlling at least one horological function of said timepiece (1), characterised in that each of the first and second control members (6′) can be connected to a respective pole (18, 20) of the accumulator (16) after said member (6′) has been pressed.

Abstract: A correcting lever is integrally provided with a correcting portion for correcting a fifth wheel, a reset portion brought into contact with a reset pin for stopping an output of a pulse signal from an IC, a return spring portion and an engaged portion and is rotatably supported about a rotary center portion (hole) to a base plate. An engagement portion of a winding stem is engaged with the engaged portion by operation of drawing the winding stem and the correcting lever is shifted against the biasing force by a return spring portion in accordance with the motion of the winding stem so that the correcting portion and the reset portion are forcibly rotated to the fifth wheel and the reset pin, respectively, about the rotary center portion (hole) to thereby perform the correcting and reset actions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a watch formed of a wristlet (12) and a case (10) provided with a slide-way (30) in which the wristlet (12) is engaged and may be moved in translation, wherein the wristlet is formed of a strap (36) the length of which substantially corresponds to the length of the wristlet and wherein the two longitudinal edges (36a, 36b) of said strap are rolled over their entire length to form two rolls (36d, 36e).

Abstract: Consumer electronic devices with the ability to receive TV signals such as TV sets or video cassette recorders include a clock for programming said device. Such clocks are controlled by quartz crystals which have some tolerances, the compensation of which are normally done by trimmer capacitors. The real-time clock according to the invention uses the sync signals of the vertical synchronization of a TV picture for the comparison with the oscillation of the quartz crystal. In dependence on said comparison, correction values are calculated. Further, a method for implementing a real-time clock in such a consumer device is given, wherein the real time is generated by adding time intervals of a prescribed length to the sum of former ones.

Abstract: A children's timer device for assisting children in determining the difference between waking time and sleeping time is provided. The device comprises a housing having a viewing opening and a viewing cylinder rotatably mounted within the housing. The viewing cylinder has at least a first scenic image and a second scenic image with each scenic image alternatingly viewable through the viewing opening in the housing. A clock mechanism sets a predetermined time period for viewing at least the first scenic image wherein upon rotation of the viewing cylinder to display only the first scenic image through the viewing opening, the entire first scenic image remains viewable through the viewing opening for the duration of the predetermined time period such that upon expiration of the predetermined time period, the viewing cylinder begins rotation and rotates until only the second scenic image is viewable through the viewing opening.

Abstract: Quadribalanced digital time displays and methods comprising increasing digital minutes displayed on the right flank of centrally positioned digital present hours, in relatively upper and lower positions during the first and second quarter hours, followed by decreasing digital minutes displayed on the left flank of digital next hours, in relatively lower and upper positions during the third and fourth quarter hours, are enhanced by simultaneously displaying markers in one or more of the three quarter hour minute positions not containing digital minutes at any one time to inform the viewer that such marked positions are functional elements of the display but not activated due to the current time being displayed in another of said minute positions at that time. A single displaceable crown control is also provided for facilitating the operation of a timepiece embodying such enhanced quadribalanced time displays and methods.

Abstract: A time-keeper has two discs 5 and 6 at least partly visible from the front of the time-keeper. The discs are urged to rotate by the time-keeper drive mechanism in casing 10 such that each disc rotates in the same direction and angular velocity as time-keeper hand 2. Time-keeper hand 2 is a conventional clock and/or watch hand such as hour hand, minute hand or second hand.