Abstract: A display device is provided containing a transparent or translucent panel having a display on the front or back of said panel, illuminating means mounted back of said panel to cause light to be transmitted around or through said display, and a plurality of discs mounted for rotation in front of said illuminating means to the rear of said panel and to one side of said display, said discs having radial light transmitting sections and means to cause the rotation of said discs, preferably a clock mechanism, to produce a flashing radial light.

Abstract: A light emitting digital display for use in subminiature assemblies such as miniaturized wrist watches. A crystal controlled frequency reference operates in conjunction with integrated circuitry for providing scanning of a number of display digits and for scanning of individual segments in each digit. The digit scan frequency is above the frequency resolution capability of an observers eye and the segment scan feature allows only one segment in the entire display to be energized at any instant. The segment duty cycle is therefore on the order of the ratio of one to the total number of segments in the display, which allows high peak current to be passed through each segment while maintaining a low average current. The high peak current provides for a high luminous intensity display. A finger switch having two exposed electrodes is actuated by placing a biological segment across the electrodes thereby causing the display to appear.

Abstract: There is disclosed a battery powered wrist watch utilizing solid state circuits and a liquid crystal display to eliminate mechanical parts. Complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices are used to drive liquid crystal display cells. The liquid crystal cells dissipate only microwatts of power when energized and the CMOS devices require appreciable power only when switching from one state to the other. The combination of the liquid crystal display with the CMOS driving circuitry provides a low power, compact, portable watch.

Abstract: An arpeggio circuit for an electronic keyboard instrument has means for generating a desired sweep voltage which is continuously varied, a voltage control type oscillator connected to the generator for generating a sweep frequency which is varying in proportion to the sweep voltage, a plurality of pulse generating means, one for each note of the keyboard instrument, and each having a series connected resonance circuit means and pulse forming means for forming a pulse in response to the output from said resonance circuit means. The pulse generating means are connected to the oscillator in parallel with each other.

Abstract: A digital watch system includes a crystal controlled oscillator with frequency division which controls a set of counters, each counter carrying coded horological data. Selected counter set data is multiplexed into a seven segment decoder. The decoder output is demultiplexed into memories, one for each of the segments in each of the display digits. The memories control segment drivers for the liquid crystal digital displays.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid state wristwatch having a digital light emitting diode display and a low battery voltage circuit for actuating the display to indicate the approach of battery failure. The battery voltage sensing circuit draws power only when the display is energized and causes one of the display stations to blink. It comprises a silicon band gap reference voltage circuit for comparing the battery voltage with a reference voltage that is independent of temperature and battery voltage variations.

Abstract: A digital timing circuit in a digital watch with a two digit display. When said circuit is activated by a pushbutton, the two display elements first display the hours information, next are blank for a short duration, then display the minutes information, then go blank until the button is pushed again.

Abstract: A timepiece with an electrodynamically controlled clockwork has a torsion ndulum intermittently coupled through a gear train with the clockwork for the maintenance of its oscillations. The gear train includes a first pinion mounted on a weighted rocker tending to hold it in mesh with a driving gear actuated by the clockwork; the torsion spring of the pendulum carries near its suspension point a horizontal spur receivable in a slot of a stationary mounting member so as to come periodically to rest on a slot edge, this spur being engageable in its arrested position by a hump on a cam disk entrained by a second pinion which meshes with the first pinion and decouples the latter from the associated gear against the countervailing force of the rocker weight as long as the spur is immobilized. When the spur-biasing force of the torsion spring changes direction, the gear train is re-established and the spur receives an impetus from the engaging hump as it moves away from the arresting slot edge.

Abstract: A digital watch system with a dual display demultiplexer, a liquid crystal display for use in daylight or bright light and a light emitting diode display for use in dim light. The digital watch system includes a crystal oscillator with frequency division which controls a set of counters, each counter carrying coded horological data. Selected counter data is multiplexed into a seven segment decoder which is then demultiplexed into memories, one for each of the segments in each of the liquid crystal display digits. These memories then control segment drivers for the liquid crystal digital displays. In parallel with the liquid crystal demultipliexer, the seven segment decoder outputs operate segment and digit drivers which drive light emitting diodes as a second display for the digital watch.

Abstract: Electronic substrate of the electronic watch is the principal carrier of the electronics and electrical interconnections. It carries two alignment notches with top and bottom spacers embracing the substrate and engaging the alignment notches. The visual horological display is located in the top spacer and the batteries are located in the bottom spacer. Springs press onto the substrate and are contactable for input to the watch electronics. All important parts are keyed together for ease of assembly and accuracy of alignment.

Abstract: An instantaneous or step by step display mechanism for a time-keeper, including a constantly rotating driving wheel, a toothed wheel fixed to a first indication disc, a ratchet wheel also fixed to the indication disc, and a lever pivoted at one end, and carrying a dog engaging with the ratchet wheel, and an intermediate toothed wheel, at the other end. The intermediate wheel meshes with both the driving and indication disc wheels and when in use constantly runs up the indication disc wheel, carrying its end of the lever with it until the dog frees one tooth of the ratchet wheel, whereupon the lever falls back, advancing the display by one figure. The stem of the watch, when pulled, disengages the dog from the ratchet wheel and allows correction of the display, forwards or backwards. Minute, hour or date wheels may be provided.

Abstract: In a digital type electronic musical instrument in which basic frequency is cumulatively counted and a musical tone waveshape is read from a memory by the resultant output of the cumulative counting, a desired vibrato effect is produced by digitally frequency-modulating the basic frequency. Vibrato information for effecting the frequency-modulation is produced from a vibrato code obtained by counting a clock pulse and a vibrato depth signal and has contents which change as time elapses. The frequency-modulation is made by multiplying the basic frequency with the vibrato information. The vibrato depth may be controlled for each individual keyboard. Vibrato frequency may be changed by changing the frequency of the clock pulse for each keyboard. According to an embodiment of the invention, the vibrato depth progressively increases from the start of reproduction of the musical tone. The speed of change of the vibrato depth may also be controlled for each individual keyboard.

Abstract: In a digital type electronic musical instrument in which frequency information corresponding to a depressed key is cumulatively counted and a musical tone waveshape is read from a memory by the resultant output of the cumulative counting, modified frequency information is produced by adding to or subtracting from said frequency information second frequency information represented by a predetermined frequency difference. A tone of a pitch which is slightly different from a normal pitch is generated from this modified frequency information for producing a beat effect between notes in an octave relation. The pitch can be controlled by suitably adjusting the second frequency information. Different beat effects can be produced for respective keyboards by varying the second frequency information by each keyboard.

Abstract: The invention concerns, in particular, an electric wristwatch having an alarm device. In accordance with the invention, the impulses produced for driving the electric movement in the watch are, also, used for operating or controlling the signal-source to the alarm device. For example, in an electric quartz watch the impulses can be extracted from any chosen stage of the frequency divider and after amplificaton can be used to control the signal-source to a buzzer. It is the low pulse repetition frequency of the driving impulses, in balance wheel type watches, which leads to a distinctive signal.

Abstract: An electronic watch structure comprising separate molded plastic rectangular packages for the electronic watch movement and for the battery. The separate packages are mechanically and electrically connected together. The electronic watch movement package comprises two rectangular molded plastic halves having recesses, projections and hooks molded therein to hold the associated elements of the electronic watch movement in place. The movement package also includes a rectangular packing clamped between the halves of the package to form a waterproof seal. Furthermore, the battery in the battery package is electrically coupled to the electronic watch movement by conductive rubber composition members.

Abstract: A quartz-operated digital watch is provided with a casing defining a shallow cavity within which a chamber of hourglass configuration is disposed. This hourglass chamber includes gold dust or particles which, when caused to flow from one chamber portion to another, bridge two electrodes to complete a circuit and render the digital display visible.

Abstract: A circuit for a clock having a time indicating mechanism is connected to regulate the driving of a DC motor by a predetermined amount at predetermined time intervals, so as to actuate the time indicating mechanism without being affected by the variation in the amplitude of the DC energizing voltage available for driving the motor and the variation in the load on the motor. The motor driving circuit has a timing pulse generating circuit for generating timing pulses at the predetermined time intervals, a holding circuit actuated by the timing pulse applied thereto by the timing pulse generating circuit so as to be self-held thus enabling the motor to be energized from the DC energizing voltage, and switching means, connected to the motor or the time indicating mechanism so as to be actuated when the motor is driven by the predetermined amount.