Abstract: Generator of the clockwork type including a stator formed of at least three coils (11a, 11b, 11c) and a rotor formed of two flanges (81, 82) carried by a shaft (5) and supporting an even number of magnets (91, 92). The rotor is formed of at least two distinct parts prior to assembly with the stator. In order to assemble the rotor, its shaft is introduced into a central space (13) defined by the coils coaxially to the axes of said coils, which thus allows the coils to be closer together so that the distance separating any two adjacent coils is less than the diameter D of said shaft (5) at its center.

Abstract: An absolute time scale clock includes a radioactive isotope and a computer. The computer includes a processor that determines an indication of the current absolute time and a memory that stores a decay constant of the radioactive isotope, a reference time, and an amount of the isotope at the reference time. A energy supply that provides power to the computer. The absolute time scale clock further includes a detector positioned to respond to emissions from the radioactive isotope. The detector generates an indication of the number of emissions over a time interval that varies with the decay rate of the isotope. The processor is responsive to the indication from the detector, the decay constant, the reference time, and the reference amount to determine the indication of current absolute time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically displaying a correct time and date when initially activating a clock. After manufacture of the clock and before it is purchased by the user, a basic data set, including the time and geographical region data, are input to the clock via an interface. The data are stored in a memory of a microcontroller. After purchase by a user, the clock is plugged into a power grid and the correct time and date are displayed without the need to set the clock.

Abstract: A timepiece has an ordinary time measuring section including an ordinary time display unit for measuring an ordinary time and time information (i.e., chronograph) measuring sections including chronograph displays for measuring time information other than the ordinary time (i.e., chronograph information). The timepiece is configured such that the ordinary time display unit and the chronograph display units, are disposed on a display surface of the timepiece without overlapping each other.

Abstract: Setting or resetting of digital dates in digital time displays is facilitated by providing an array of display elements which can be selectively activated to display the capital letters M, D and Y, together with simultaneously displayed digital values of months, days and years, respectively. This enables setting or resetting a digital time display to the corresponding correct current month, day and year, without confusion, uncertainty or ambiguity, even if identical, repeated date values are displayed during the setting or resetting process.

Abstract: The clock system corrects the instant time using a signal transmitted from a stationary satellite. In the clock system, a high-frequency-signal transmitted from the stationary satellite is converted to an intermediate-frequency-signal by an analogue-signal-processing-circuit, then converted into a digital signal, and finally decoded to a digital signal by a digital-signal-processing-circuit. A CPU of the system calculates the stationary-satellite-time out of time data included in the signal transmitted, further the CPU converts it to a co-ordinated universal time (UTC). The clock system corrects the time of a clock circuit with the UTC and displays it on a display. As a result, a user of the system at a fixed point on Earth can always receive the time data from the same satellite, so that the clock system can keep time with high accuracy.

Abstract: A voltage detection and a remaining battery voltage display for a secondary power source so as to notify the user of the remaining battery voltage of the secondary power source at the optimal timing and in an accurate manner. A voltage correlated to the power source capacity of the secondary power source is detected as a detection voltage. The detection voltage is directly output if a rapid charging is not being detected. If the rapid charging is being detected, the detection voltage is output after being corrected for an amount of the apparent voltage boost which occurs in the secondary power source due to the rapid charging. The detection voltage thus obtained is compared with a predetermined reference voltage so as to discriminate the remaining capacity of the secondary power source.

Abstract: A medical information appliance which reminds a user of times to take medications or to perform medical-related activities. It features a delay mode, which shuts the alarm off but later reminds the user to take the indicated medication. Multiple alarms can be set for a variety of medications or other medical events, and multiple delay modes will be activated, so that the user is reminded to take medications which have been indicated by an alarm, but taking the medication was not confirmed by the user. The device also features a readout button for displaying stored medical information, for use by medical technicians in the field without connection to further equipment.

Abstract: A thermoelectric power generator unit is provided with good heat conducting efficiency and increased resistance to damage of thermoelectric elements due to horizontal and vertical force applied to the thermoelectric elements. Protecting members such as a frame and support columns are disposed around thermoelectric elements between a heat absorbing member and a heat radiating member of the thermoelectric power generator unit. A buffer is provided between the thermoelectric elements and at least one of the heat absorbing member and the heat radiating member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile terminal (1) for a wireless telecommunication system and a method providing accurate real time information in such a mobile terminal (1). The mobile terminal (1) comprises input means (3) for inputting basic time information (T0), memory means (4) for storing basic time information (T0) input via said input means (3), real time means (2, 5) for continuously providing real time information (Tx) on the basis of low frequency oscillation signal and said basic time information (T0), and processing means (5) for computing a correction value (K) for correcting said real time information Tx to obtain an accurate real time information (Tacc) on the basis of an accurate time difference between a first accurate time information (T1) and a second accurate time information (T2) and a real time difference between a first real time information (Tx1) and a second real information (Tx2) from said real time means (2, 5).

Abstract: A liquid crystal display panel (10) in a watchcase (41) displays time information and/or calendar information. In the liquid crystal display panel (10), a liquid crystal layer (3) is disposed between an upper substrate (1) and a lower substrate (2). On the upper substrate (1) are formed segment electrodes (5g) and an auxiliary electrode (11) that surrounds the segment electrodes with gaps (G1), and the segment and auxiliary electrodes are composed of the same transparent conductive film. An opposite electrode (6) is formed over the entire display area of the lower substrate (2). The overlaps between the opposite electrode (6) and the segment electrodes (5g) form pixel areas (32), while the overlap between the opposite electrode (6) and the auxiliary electrode (11) forms a background area (33).

Abstract: A digital dial face for facilitating a display of time. The dial face 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 displayed on the peripheral indicator need not be read to provide an approximation of time.

Abstract: A mechanical time piece has a mainspring for generating a rotational force and a front train wheel for undergoing rotation in accordance with a rotational force generated by the mainspring. An escapement and speed control apparatus controls rotation of the front train wheel and has a timed annular balance for undergoing reciprocal rotational movement, an escape wheel and pinion for undergoing rotation in accordance with rotation of the front train wheel, and a pallet fork for controlling rotation of the escape wheel and pinion in accordance with rotational movement of the timed annular balance. A switch mechanism outputs an ON signal when a rotational angle of the timed annular balance becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold angle and outputs an OFF signal when the rotational angle of the timed annular balance does not exceed the threshold angle.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus having an automatic telephone message recording function, having a common memory for storing video and audio data that have been received or are to be transmitted, enables selection of a method of memory management whereby the memory space is divided at a boundary address into two regions which respectively store video data and audio data and a method whereby the memory space is not so divided, but the video data and audio data are written into addresses which successively increase from respectively opposite ends of the memory space. Remaining amounts of memory capacity which can be used to store video and/or audio data can be displayed as respective numbers of standard document pages and telephone calls, the latter representing standard-duration recording intervals.

Abstract: A timing device for use in athletic workouts which measures the passage of short intervals of time such as the recovery periods between successive sets of exercise is disclosed. The present timing device is contained in a housing which may be worn on an elastic band about a user's thumb and actuated by a single finger on the same hand. In one embodiment the timing device includes a sliding interval selector switch that enables the user to select preset time intervals of fifteen, thirty, forty-five, and sixty seconds. The interval selector switch actuates a count-down timer which transmits a signal to a miniature speaker to produce an audible alarm, or in the alternative, to a vibratory device advantageous to visually or hearing impaired users. In an alternative embodiment the timing device includes a microprocessor having memory and computing functions which permit desired time intervals to be programmed by the user.

Abstract: The present invention is an electronic device or chronometer for use by women of various ages to monitor their menstrual, ovulation and menopausal cycles. The chronometer displays information relating to a woman's menstrual cycle readily useful to the woman, including the dates of her last and next menstrual cycles, the number of days that have elapsed since the last menstrual cycle, and the next ovulation day. If desired, the day(s) a woman expects PMS can also be displayed, such as for those who severely experience the associated symptoms.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece with indicator hands having indicator hands capable of providing a variety of indications and capable of preventing unstable movement of the indicator hands, which comprises time hands (101, 102) for showing a time, first and second indicator hands (103, 104) provided separately from said time hands (101, 102), rotating means for reciprocally rotating said first and second indicator hands (103, 104) in directions opposite to each other within a predetermined range, and restricting means for restricting a movable range and capable of adjusting a restricting position of said first and second indicator hands (103, 104). Jumping of hands or the like of the first and second indicator hands (103, 104) due to impact or the like is restricted by the restricting means. Further, where there is a fear that the first and second indicator hands (103, 104) stop in a non-rotatable range, the restricting means is adjusted to change the movable range of the first and second indicator hand (103, 104).

Abstract: The watch includes an electric battery housed in a removable drawer (6) engaged in the case (2), said drawer further including an additional electric apparatus powered by the battery. This apparatus may be a device operating in conjunction with the clockwork movement, for example an acoustic or tactile alarm member, or an independent device, for example a sensor or a data transmission device.

Abstract: When the stem of an electronic watch such as one using a quartz oscillator circuit is pulled out, a switch operates so that the hands stop while the oscillation continues, thereby reducing the current consumption. The watch may be stored in this condition and, to achieve an even further power savings, a counting circuit is provided counts and, when a given amount of time has elapsed after the stem is pulled out, a signal is output, so as to stop both oscillation and frequency dividing. Additionally, a pull-down resistance connected to the switch is made by two transistors having a large and a small resistance values, with the above-noted signal being used to cause conduction through only the transistor with the large resistance value when in the power-saving condition, so that current in that part is small.

Abstract: An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece includes: a voltage-controlled oscillator (25) including a generator that uses a rotor (12) driven by a spring (1a) to rotate, and a brake circuit (23) for controlling the rotation cycle of the generator (20); and a rotation control circuit (50) for controlling the rotation cycle of the generator (20) by controlling the brake circuit (23). The rotation control circuit (50) includes a phase-comparison circuit (54) for comparing the phases of rectangular-wave pulses fr output from a VCO (25) and time standard signal fs, and a brake control circuit (56) for inputting, based on an output from the phase-comparison circuit (54), a signal for controlling the brake circuit (23) to voltage-controlled oscillator (25). By providing the VCO (25) and the phase-comparison circuit (54), PLL control is realized to enable a rapidly responsive system.