Patents Examined by Bernard Roskoski
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Patent number: 6179464Abstract: The gear train (1) connecting the driving element (3) to the minute wheel (2) includes a wheel and pinion (5) able to be disconnected from this train to interrupt the movement and stop the hour (23) and minute (22) display when the time-setting stem (8) is actuated while in a pulled out position (21). The disconnectable wheel and pinion (5) then undergoes a movement of translation which removes it from the other wheels and pinions (4, 6) of the train (1), the axes about which all the wheel and pinions rotate remaining substantially parallel to each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: ET SA Fabriques D'EbauchesInventor: Marco Bettelini
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Patent number: 6176611Abstract: A timer for measuring a time period including a high frequency generating unit, a low frequency generating unit and a controller connected to the high and low frequency generating units, wherein the controller deactivates the high frequency generating unit during at least a portion of the time period, detects and counts predetermined portions of the signals provided by the high and low frequency generating units and counts a plurality of the portions of the currently active frequency generating unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1997Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: D.S.P.C. Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Asaf Schushan, Yona Leshets
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Patent number: 6176612Abstract: The invention concerns a device for attaching a wristlet (1) to a watchcase including a middle part (2) fitted with a pair of attachment horns (2e) for the wristlet (1), this device allowing instantaneous attaching and detaching of a strand of the wristlet (1) to the middle part (2) without using a tool and without any particular knowledge or visual inspection, characterized in that one of the ends of the wristlet is attached to a plate (4) including two pairs of catches (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) arranged respectively along the longitudinal edges of the plate (4), and co-operating with two pairs of grooves (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) provided in lateral faces of the horns (2e).Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Omega SAInventor: G{acute over (e)}rard Chagnoux
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Patent number: 6178358Abstract: A three-dimensional wheel alignment display system (10) and method includes a processor (12) and display unit (14) interconnected with a motor vehicle wheel alignment system (18) adapted to determine vehicle wheel angular relationships such as camber, caster, and toe. The processor of the display system is configured to manipulate portions of a digital three-dimensional model (100) of at least one motor vehicle wheel and associated suspension components to correspond to the angular relationships determined by the wheel alignment system.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1998Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Hunter Engineering CompanyInventors: Nicholas J. Colarelli, Timothy A. Larson
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Patent number: 6170982Abstract: Pocket watch comprising a middle, a movement accommodated in the middle, a crystal, a cover for protecting the crystal, a stem for setting the time of the movement, and a device for locking the cover. The locking device can be released by manipulating the stem to open the cover. A water-tight enclosure enables the movement to be accommodated and protected. The water-tight enclosure encloses the middle. The locking device is outside the water-tight enclosure. The stem passes through the water-tight enclosure through an aperture and a water-tight joint provided in the aperture. The water-tight enclosure includes a casing ring accommodated inside the watch-case.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1998Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Aveda SAInventor: Edmund W Graber
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Patent number: 6172942Abstract: An output of an oscillating circuit is inputted to a system clock generating circuit, and a CPU performing various arithmetic processes is operated by this system clock. In order to operate a chopping pulse generating circuit and a one-shot pulse generating circuit, the CPU enters into an interrupt operation by means of an interrupt signal from an interrupt signal generating circuit, pulse information of a pulse rank storage circuit which stores a duty width of the chopping pulse generating circuit and pulse information of the one-shot pulse generating circuit, are independently controlled by means of rotation detection information of a rotation detecting circuit in previous driving of a motor, and the motor is driven by means of motor driving pulses formed by the chopping pulse generating circuit and the one-shot pulse generating circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 1999Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Kenji Ogasawara, Teruaki Hanzaki
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Patent number: 6170165Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a gap between two opposing surfaces by utilizing a dial gauge instead of feeler gauges is disclosed. The apparatus includes a mounting block, an extension arm and a dial gauge which may be used to measure any gap distance between about 0.01 mm and about 10 mm. The method is carried out by first zeroing the dial gauge by utilizing a calibration block which has the same thickness as the gap distance to be measured. The novel method and apparatus can be used to replace a conventional feeler gauge method and achieve the benefits of greatly improved precision in measurement, a short measurement time required and completely eliminating human error due to operator dependency.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1998Date of Patent: January 9, 2001Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, LtdInventors: Yung-Dar Chen, Jung-Hao Hsiue, Shiuh-Shzng Chang
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Patent number: 6169709Abstract: A timepiece movement proposed has a spring which drives, via gearing, a time display and a generator (1) supplying an a.c. voltage. The generator (1) powers, via a voltage-transformer circuit (2), a first capacitative component (10). The first capacitative component (10) powers an electronic reference circuit (3, 4, 5) with a stable oscillator (3, 4) and an electronic control circuit (6, 7, 8, 9). The first capacitative component (10) is charged immediately after the movement is started for the first time by one or more passive components. The one or more passive components are replaced, or supplemented in parallel, by one or more active units as soon as the voltage of the first capacitative component (10) is sufficient to operate the one or more active units, the one or more active units having a lower electrical resistance in the pass direction then the one or more passive components.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Inventor: Konrad Schafroth
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Patent number: 6167632Abstract: A dual chalk line device for marking straight lines in construction applications. The dual chalk line device includes a housing with a pair of separable sections and a pair of openings. Each of the sections has a sidewall, a pair of opposite ends, and a pair of side edges extending between the ends. A divider panel is positioned between the sections of the housing to separate the housing into a pair of compartments. A first spool is rotatably disposed in one of the compartments of the housing. A second spool is rotatably disposed in another of the compartments of the housing. Each of the spools has a quantity of line wrapped therearound. A pair of handles are mounted to the spools and positioned outside the housing. The handles permit external rotation of the spools.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Inventor: Ron Shor
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Patent number: 6169707Abstract: A medication storage and reminder device including a generally flat housing defining a uniform upwardly facing array of medication holding cubicles each of which open upwardly for receiving, holding and removal of a dose of medication. The cubicles are arranged in rows and are sufficient in number for receiving individual periodic daily medication doses over a preselected number of days. An individually openable lid is positioned over each cubicle opening and has a separate lock for releasably retaining each lid in a closed position to retain each medication dose within each corresponding cubicle. Each lid bears viewable indicia advising of the proper sequence and timing of manually or automatically opening each lid one at a time to provide access to the corresponding dose of medication.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1998Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Inventor: Douglas A. Newland
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Patent number: 6167000Abstract: A multiple timer device includes a DC power supply circuit, a central processing unit, a slide switch, a function key set, and a liquid crystal multiple display. The slide switch serves to select an operating mode according to settings programmed by pressing the function keys, so that the central processing unit will activate the electromagnetic switch at preprogrammed times, which in turn will connect the AC power source with an output socket. The liquid crystal multiple display is composed of a digital display and a clock hand display. Arranged in a circle around the clock hand display are a plurality of display timing areas for digitally displaying, in relation to the clock hands, the programmed starting times.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1998Date of Patent: December 26, 2000Inventor: Shiou-Sheng Chow
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Patent number: 6161957Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for selecting at least one item of data from a set of data regrouped in accordance with a predetermined order. This method is able to be implemented in an electronic device including means for displaying the selected item of data, input means for supplying, via the action of a user of the device, a direction and successive pulses, means for controlling the display means in a non-instantaneous manner, and a processing unit for the set of data. This method is characterised in that it includes a first step which consists in counting the number of pulses provided, via the action of the user, during the period of time in which said display means is being activated to reach said selected item of data, in order to determine the acceleration provided by said user to said input means during this period of time.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1998Date of Patent: December 19, 2000Assignee: Asulab, S.A.Inventor: Jean-Charles Guanter
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Patent number: 6160767Abstract: A clock includes a base, a clock movement held by the base and having rotatable translucent hour and minute indicators, a cover coaxially connected to the base, and a light source supported between the cover and the indicators for shining light through the indicators to form respective images around the base on a wall behind the base for displaying time. The cover includes a light diffusible extended periphery having an inner surface with an integral visual element for illumination by the light source to appear visible on an outer surface of the periphery, opposite the inner surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: Leona Lighting Design Ltd.Inventor: Wai Kwan Ho
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Patent number: 6160766Abstract: A calendar indicator includes a date disc, a week disc and an indicator member. The date disc is equally divided into 28 date indicating segments. The date disc further has 28 numerals, from "1" to "28", respectively provided in sequence on the 28 date indicating segments of the 28 date sectors. The three adjacent date indicating segments having the numerals "1", "2" and "3" provided thereon respectively form a first, a second and a third sub-segment. Three numerals including "29", "30" and "31" are respectively provided on the first, second and third sub-segments. The week disc which is coaxially and rotatably mounted on the date disc is equally divided into 28 week indicating segments. The indicating member is rotatably mounted on the week disc for indicating what date and day of week is today. Whereby the user may easily find out what day is today and the day of week of today from the calendar indicator of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1998Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Inventor: Chi Sheng Chiang
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Patent number: 6157463Abstract: In a facsimile system having a server device connected to a local-area network system, to which a plurality of client terminals are connected, and connected also to an ISDN and a pay-station telephone network, the server device performs communication with the pay-station telephone network and the plurality of client terminals, performs communication with the ISDN and the plurality of client terminals, and changes over communication between the ISDN and the pay-station telephone network in accordance with a command from each of the plurality of client terminals.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 1992Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Eiichiro Kitagawa
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Patent number: 6154421Abstract: An analog timepiece having a novel means of displaying the current day of the month and indicating the current month of the year. Proximate to each of the hour positions 1 through 12 on the timepiece is a window for displaying the date; the date is displayed in only one of the twelve windows so that the window position proximate to the hour position corresponds to the current month's position within the twelve month calendar year.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 1999Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Inventor: Idit Solomon
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Patent number: 6151278Abstract: An improved programmable and remote-controlled device for awakening a user through the user's sense of touch is disclosed. The device utilizes a time keeping alarm circuit to accurately track and display time and also to output an alarm signal at a user-defined preset alarm time. The alarm signal is modulated, amplified, encrypted, and transmitted to a receiving unit. The receiving unit is strapped to or otherwise held against the user's body. The receiving unit decodes the received encrypted alarm signal and activates a vibrating mechanism utilized to awaken the user via the vibrating mechanism without relying upon an audible alarm.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1998Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: D. NajarianInventor: David Najarian
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Patent number: 6147936Abstract: In an electronic watch provided with an electric power generator (1) for generating power from external energy and charge means (3) for charging power generated by the electric power generator (1), clock means (4) executes time display operation by power of the electric power generator (1) or charge means (3) and produces a count pulse (S10) for counting the amount of power stored in the charge means (3) and a charge monitoring means (6) counts the amount of stored power of the charge means (3) in response to the count pulse (S10) and displays the amount of stored power based on the counted value.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1998Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.Inventor: Fumio Nakajima
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Patent number: 6146011Abstract: To provide a self-correcting watch wherein a high precision self-correction of the watch circuit can be realized without any troublesome operation, a self-correcting watch of the invention having a zero second set button comprises: a time interval counter circuit for counting a time interval from a first pressing of the zero second set button for time setting until each following pressing of the zero second set button for manually correcting time indication; a correction value memory for storing correction information including the time interval and an accumulation of correction values of the time indication performed both manually and automatically from the first pressing of the zero second set button; and a correction value calculator circuit for calculating an absolute time interval at which the time indication is to be corrected automatically by one second, from the time interval of a concerning pressing of the zero second set button counted by the time interval counter, a correction value of the time indType: GrantFiled: December 3, 1997Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Toru Owai
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Patent number: 6146010Abstract: An improved setting mechanism for an electronic watch having a case and circuitry for performing timepiece functions. The setting mechanism includes a setting stem mounted in an opening through the case of the watch. The setting stem is mounted to permit axial and rotational movement of the stem in relation to the case. The setting mechanism also includes a device for generating a first electrical signal which includes incremental electrical pulses in response to a continuous clockwise rotation of the setting stem. The setting mechanism further includes a device for generating a second electrical signal which includes incremental electrical pulses in response to a continuous counterclockwise rotation of the setting stem. The first and the second electrical signals provide inputs to predetermined setting functions for the electronic watch and permit an incremental update of values during the setting functions at a rate directly related to the rate of rotation of the setting stem.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1999Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Assignee: Timex CorporationInventor: Michel Georges Plancon