Abstract: An alarm wristwatch comprises a watchcase having a back with an inclined peripheral portion and a watchband attached to the watchcase at opposite sides. A transducer for generating an alarm signal faces a cavity provided in a rear portion of the watch case. A plurality of sound holes provided in the inclined peripheral portion of the watchcase back open into this cavity. The second holes are located within an angle of 45.degree. on either side of the longitudinal center line of the watchband so that they are not blocked or muffled by the arm of the wearer. The cavity and sound holes are so proportioned as to constitute a Helmholz resonator by which the sound produced by the transducer is intensified and efficiently transmitted to the exterior of the watchcase.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece comprises a detection circuit provided with a resistance element which discriminates rotation and non-rotation of a stepping motor by variation of an oscillating circuit, a dividing circuit, a pulse composing circuit, a stepping motor driving circuit, a two phase driving system stepping motor and an inductance, wherein said resistance element is directly connected across a coil output of the stepping motor within an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) digital watch with circuitry which allows the watch user to adjust the amount of time the horological information is displayed and to adjust the brightness of the display.

Abstract: A voltage conversion system for an electronic timepiece having a power source, which system generates power at lower voltage level than that of the power source for operating at least one of a frequency standard, a frequency converter, a time counter circuit and a display system. The voltage conversion system comprises an oscillator circuit coupled to the power source to generate output signals, a plurality of capacitors, and a plurality of switching elements responsive to the output signals for alternately setting the capacitors in a parallel connected condition and a series connected condition, whereby an output voltage lower than that of the power source is generated at an output terminal of the system.

Abstract: A device for automatic tonal accompaniment in musical instruments equipped with a rhythm unit, the fundamental, the quint, or another tone related to a chord being held and/or the chord itself becoming available in a predetermined sequence in a selected rhythm, for at least one tonal key a chord sensor is provided at whose output a signal appears in the presence of a chord, and an associated switching device is connected thereto which in the absence of a chord switches the chord sensor to detection of individual tones.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece reduces power consumption by normally driving the stepping motor with a short pulse and driving the motor with a wide pulse under heavy load conditions by sensing the rotor position. A detection circuit senses the voltage drop across a detection element in series with the motor coil for driving a first detection pulse and senses again for driving a second detection pulse. If the second voltage drop is larger, then the rotor is not rotating whereupon the wide pulse is used to drive the motor.

Abstract: An alarm electronic timepiece comprising a timepiece circuit, a display for displaying time, an alarm for generating an alarm sound at an alarm time, a memory circuit for memorizing the alarm time and an alarm control circuit for controlling the tone quality and a sound volume of the alarm sound. The alarm control circuit includes externally operable switches of the timepiece which are operable for controlling the alarm sound and which are also operable for correcting time.

Abstract: A horological device is provided with an alarm switch in the form of an alarm wheel having a conductive path extending from a topside of the wheel to a bottom side of the wheel. The alarm wheel is adapted to operate in an alarm circuit arranged to generate audible signals at a predetermined time. An alarm setting pinion is engaged with the alarm switch to prevent undesired movement of the alarm wheel in case of mechanical shock.

Abstract: The polygonal flat glass 1a stretches itself out to the edge of the watchcase except on two diametrically opposed sides, where it is held between portions 3 by cylindrical pins 6 clamped within through holes formed by two semicylindrical grooves 7, 8 provided in the metallic case section and in the glass, respectively. The glass 1a and the pins 6 are held transversely in place by the pressure which gaskets 10, 11 exert on the glass. Rough walls of grooves 7, 8 and pins softer than the metallic case section and the glass increase the clamping action of gaskets 10, 11. An opaque mask formed under a peripheral glass area hides gasket 11 and the upper face of the spacing ring 14. The glass sides secured to the middle case section 2a could also be curvilinear.

Abstract: An acoustic signal generator circuit produces electrical acoustic signals ose frequency spectrum and envelop curve respectively determine the acoustic parameters, pitch and timbre and, respectively, the change in amplitude with time and accordingly the volume, attack and decay phenomena and also quasi stationary behavior of the corresponding sound. There is a manually actuated control device for influencing at least one part of the acoustic parameters. The control device can be constructed in a manner similar to an accordion with a blow bellows and at least one keyboard.

Abstract: An electronic watch having chronograph performance is provided with a pulse sound generator for generating a pulse sound at a predetermined interval. The pulse sound generator comprises a counter for counting predetermined clock pulses received from the frequency dividing circuit of the watch, a memory for memorizing a predetermined time interval, manually operable means for selecting the time interval memorized by the memory, a coincidence circuit for detecting coincidence between the contents of the counter and the time interval memorized by the memory and a pulse sound generating circuit for generating a pulse sound when such coincidence occurs.

Abstract: An electronic watch having a time counter for counting a time standard signal to develop a count representative of present time, a recurrent alarm time memory circuit for storing a recurrent alarm time, and a single alarm time memory circuit for storing a once-occurring alarm time. A setting circuit is operable for clearing the contents of the single alarm time memory circuit. A coincidence detecting circuit detects coincidence between the contents of the time counter and the contents of both memory circuits, and develops an output signal when coincidence is detected. Alarm time clearing circuitry responds to the output signal of the coincidence detecting circuit for enabling the setting circuit to clear the single alarm time memory after the once-occurring alarm time has occurred. An alarm circuit is responsive to the output signal of the coincidence detecting circuit for developing an alarm each time the contents of the time counter coincides with the contents of one of the memories.

Abstract: Disclosed is a combination calculator and timepiece. The combination calculator and timepiece consists of a calculator unit and timepiece unit, said calculator unit operating arithmetic function in response to key input means provided on the calculator unit and said timepiece unit functioning for horological operation and chronometrical operation etc. A display unit is included within the calculator unit for indicating arithmetic computation and another display is included within the timepiece unit for indicating time information derived from the timepiece unit. The display of the calculator unit and the display of the timepiece unit are disposed on opposite faces of a common housing enclosing the calculator and timepiece.

Abstract: A time-shared electronic musical instrument is provided with programmable wave-form generating and tone coloring circuits in order to maintain the musical characteristics regardless of pitch. The circuits comprise programmable keyers and wave-shapers, programmable envelope generators, programmable filters, and a programmable voicing selection circuit, in all of which certain characteristics of the output signal are tailored to the frequency of the musical tone.

Abstract: A CPU of a computer, or preferably a so-called microprocessor controls the tone waveshape generation. A tone generator unit, an instrument keyboard unit, a tone quality control unit are connected to a common data bus to which the CPU and the associated memories are also connected. Thus, the tone generator unit may be considered as a terminal unit of a computer system. Hence, the freedom in selecting the algorithm for generating a waveshape and the freedom in selecting and changing the parameters related to the waveshape generation are substantially increased. And therefore a gradually changing waveshape is very easily generated in one embodiment of this invention.

Abstract: A hollow generally cylindrical member is provided as a central support means for the clockwork of watches or clocks. The member has an outwardly extending annular flange portion against which may be abutted such clockwork elements as a dial carrier and a mechanism housing in superposed relation. The cylindrical member comprises, at the end thereof opposite the flange, a plurality of resiliently supported latch portions which are formed by providing U-shaped recesses extending axially inwardly from said other end of the bushing, with the result that each latch portion can be flexed radially inwardly since the bushing is preferably formed of a generally elastic material.

Abstract: A portable watch and compass device is provided which has a separate housing for the watch and compass. The housing for the watch is arranged above the compass housing and is movable about a hinge axis extending parallel to the longitudinal extent of a person's arm wearing the watch as a wristwatch. With the housings arranged one above the other and separately from one another, and with the further provision of a mirror at the underside of the watch housing, the watch housing can be selectively hingedly moved to an adjusted open and locked position to accommodate convenient reading of the compass without interference by the watch face characters and the like.

Abstract: An electrically energized timepiece movement is provided with motion work the form of a planetary train entirely supported on the frame of a driving motor. Coaxial planet pinions are excentrically located on a minute wheel, one planet pinion engaging a fixed central gear and the other engaging the hour wheel.

Abstract: An electronic wristwatch including an auxiliary power supply for energizing at least the timekeeping circuit when the main power supply is being removed for replacement is provided. The wristwatch includes a high frequency time standard that vibrates at a high frequency and a timekeeping circuit coupled to the high frequency time standard for converting the high frequency vibrations of the time standard into low frequency timekeeping signals representative of actual time. A display is coupled to the timekeeping circuit for displaying actual time in response to the low frequency timekeeping signals applied thereto. The main power supply is coupled to the timekeeping circuit and to the display for delivering a voltage of a sufficient magnitude to operate the timekeeping circuit and display.

Abstract: A mounting structure incorporated into the dashboard of an automotive vehicle or the like for removably supporting a portable, self-contained, battery operated alarm clock to enable the clock to be easily mounted in the dashboard and just as easily removed therefrom to enable the clock to be used in the vehicle in a customary manner and removed therefrom and carried to any desired location for use as a portable alarm clock having general utility. The clock is especially useful by travelers since it can be taken out of the automobile and into the motel or hotel room so that it can be used as an alarm clock. The mounting structure and clock are uniquely associated so that the clock may be easily inserted but yet securely retained in the vehicle dashboard even when traversing rough or uneven roadways and the like with a manually manipulated structure enabling easy removal of the clock from its secure position in the dashboard.