Abstract: A portable timepiece has a bezel rotatably disposed on a case body, and an elastically deformable gasket interposed between the case body and the bezel in an elastically deformed state to exert a frictional force on the case body and the bezel sufficient to maintain the bezel in a stationary rotational position though permitting the bezel to be manually rotated to any desired position by overcoming the frictional force. One or more lock members are movably disposed on the bezel and contact a slip-preventing part provided on the case body. A manually rotatable holding ring engages with the lock members and is rotatable in one direction to increase the contact pressure between the lock members and the slip-preventing part to thereby prevent unintended rotation of the bezel, and is rotatable in the other direction to decrease the contact pressure to thereby permit manual rotation of the bezel by overcoming the frictional force exerted by the elastically deformed gasket.

Abstract: The multi-function watch (1) includes a magnetic sensor assembly associated with its electronic circuits. The hands (7 to 9) of its display are activated by electric motors to indicate the time in a time mode and directions in a compass mode. In order to indicate simultaneously the direction of north and another pre-selected direction, particularly a heading to be followed, in a clear manner avoiding any risk of confusion between these two directions, the direction of north (N) is shown in real time by the hour (7) and minute (8) hands, aligned opposite each other to form one long hand like that of a conventional compass, whereas the direction (C) corresponding to the heading to be followed is simultaneously shown by the second hand (9), forming the desired angle (A) with the two aligned hands. In compass mode, the heading value is visible on a digital display (13), which has other functions in other modes.

Abstract: A time display device (“TDD”)—equally adaptable to watches, clocks, computers, phones, and vehicles—indicates the current hour of the day by displaying a color that refers an observer to the disclosed color-to-hour matrix, thereby eliminating the traditional hour hand or digit altogether. Alternately adaptable to months, the system may be used with both mechanical and electronic displays. Various disclosed minute indicators provide minute indication by shape, complexity, company logo, air bubbles, or other novel methods. Environmental sensors allow switching between functions. TDD appearance is user-customizable via Internet. Birthstones, gemstones, and precious metals are alternately used as stand-alone time indicators.

Abstract: A flexible circuit interposer includes a flexible circuit substrate which allows in-situ probing of an attached device during, for example, circuit debugging, assembly qualification, and the like. In accordance with one embodiment, a first set of pads (for example, bond pads configured to interface with solder balls) are configured in a predetermined pattern on the bottom surface of a flexible substrate. Similarly, a second set of pads are configured in substantially the same pattern on the top surface of the flexible substrate, wherein each of the pads in the second set of pads is electrically continuous with a corresponding pad in the first set of pads. A third set of pads are configured in the same pad pattern on the top surface of the flexible substrate. One or more conductive traces are formed to connect one or more pads in the first set of pads with spatially-corresponding pads in the third set of pads.

Abstract: A method and device for automatic timing of mass sporting events is described. Participants of the mass event each wear a transponder with an individual code, which is read after the finish and is associated with a recorded time. Upon finishing, an internal timer of the transponder is activated and its transponder time is evaluated with the determination of a finish time from the recorded time as the adjustment amount.

Abstract: To provide a timepiece whose bezel can be easily attached and detached by a user without requiring a special-purpose tool. A male screw, an annular groove disposed downwardly away from the male screw and an annular clearance groove positioned between the annular groove and the male screw are provided on the outer periphery of an annular convex of a case band to which a cover glass is attached. A soft and resilient engagement ring is fitted to the annular groove such that the engagement ring projects out from the annular groove. A bezel includes on its inner periphery a female screw disposed within the clearance groove for releasably engaging with the male screw and an annular engagement convex having a stopper slope. The stopper slope is disposed below the female screw to tightly contact with the outer periphery of the ring. The bezel attached in a condition in which the ring tightly contacts with the stopper slope is rotated in a loosening direction of the bezel through a screw-engagement between the screws.

Abstract: The invention concerns a timekeeping clock wherein on the axis of a mobile counter completing a cycle in 11 seconds is mounted a transparent disc (42) bearing (11) radial markers (44). The dial positioned beneath the disc (41) provides a marking in the form of a marker circle (40) with (10) radial markers (41) numbered 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. At each step of the mobile disc successive alignments occur between a marker of the disc (42) and a marker of the ring (40) thereby enabling tenths of seconds elapsed to be displayed anticlockwise.

Abstract: A portable timer with an alarm, wherein the timed period is limited to multiples of certain discrete periods of time (i.e. fifteen minutes, thirty minutes, one hour, two hours, etc.) without reference to the actual time of the day or to any specific minute or hour of the day. Thus, users need never convert to actual time the length of a period to be timed nor set the device to local time prior to use. The alarm may be set and the timing function initiated with the push of a single button. The device is further operable to provide audible feedback in the form of human speech regarding its operation and operative mode. Additionally, the device allows for the recording of a short message to be played in lieu of an alarm tone at the end of the timed period.

Abstract: A watch winder includes a watch carrier that is freely supported on a rest for ease in mounting and removing the carrier and for reversing the direction of winding by simply turning the watch carrier end-to-end. The watch carrier includes a cylinder and a watch holder insertable into the interior of the cylinder. The rest is adapted to support the cylinder in a horizontal position, and includes first and second support sections having parallel longitudinal axes spaced from each other at a distance less than the diameter of the cylinder. Each section includes a housing having rollers or other support surfaces adjacent the ends of the housing, with at least one of the rollers being driven by an electric motor to rotate the cylinder at predetermined times when the cylinder is supported on the rollers. A feature of the cylinder may be detected to stop rotation at a predetermined orientation.

Abstract: Automatic watches use the movements of the wrist to re-wind the barrel spring and thus supply the necessary energy for the correct functioning of the watch. When the user cannot wear the watch it is proposed to place it on an automatic re-winding device. The device according to the invention is compact and modular. Furthermore, in order to avoid any error of manipulation, the starting and stopping of the re-winding device is done automatically by means of a detection of the presence of the watch (3). The passing of the strap in the detachable base (2) produces the tension of the device.

Abstract: An ear-plug alarm comprises a base station which sets the time, and ear-piece which provides autonomous timing and alarm functions after it is disconnected from the base station. The base station is implemented in personal computer software with an appropriate interface. Each ear-piece stores its own alarm setting, and operates autonomously after it is disconnected, so that a single base station can support any number of ear-pieces. With this method the alarm becomes a count down from the time that it is set, relieving the ear-piece timer of any long-term accuracy requirement.

Abstract: A timepiece is provided with a solar cell 8 comprising a power generation unit 39, having a first electrode, a photovoltaic layer, and a second electrode, stacked up in that order on the solar cell substrate 31 so as to be superimposed on each other, and electric power generated by the solar cell 8 is used as an energy source for executing time display on a time display unit by a dial 14 and hands 5, 6 or a liquid crystal display panel 50. The solar cell 8 is constructed such that a plurality of the power generation units 39, and transmitting portions 40 having a transmittance of light, larger than that for the power generation units, are alternately patterned on a solar cell substrate 31, and is disposed on the visible side of the time display unit so as to be superimposed thereon, thereby ensuring satisfactory power generation efficiency of the solar cell without impairing visibility of the time display unit, and without introducing restrictions on the design feature of the timepiece.

Abstract: A radiotelephone set in which a case housing a miniature microwave transceiver is strapped to the wrist of a user's hand, a microphone mounted on the strap being connected to the transceiver input whereby when the hand is raised to bring the microphone adjacent the user's mouth, the user can then transmit voice messages. An earphone placed within a finger thimble is connected by a cable normally retracted within the case to the transceiver output to reproduce messages received by the transceiver. To operate the radiotelephone set, the thimble carrying the earphone is pulled away from the case to extend the cable, the thimble then being mounted on the index finger of the hand. The hand is then raised so that the thimble can be inserted by the index finger into an ear of the user who can now hear incoming voice messages. When so raised, the hand acts to place the microphone on the strap adjacent the mouth of the user who can now send out voice messages.

Abstract: An electronically controlled timepiece includes an analog circuit (160) driven by a power source (22), a logic circuit (170) driven by a constant voltage regulator circuit (161) forming part of the analog circuit, an oscillator circuit (51) driven by the constant voltage regulator, a power source switch (162) for cutting off the supply of power to the analog circuit other than the constant voltage regulator circuit from the power source during a time correction operation, and a clock cutoff gate (171) for cutting off a clock input from the oscillator circuit to the logic circuit. During the time correction operation, power consumption is reduced because only the oscillator circuit and the constant voltage regulator circuit are operative. The oscillator circuit is not suspended, and an error in time display is eliminated.

Abstract: SYNC parsing for Cable Modem Clock Synchronization is implemented using software processing with hardware assist in a manner that achieves the cost benefits of software SYNC parsing with the time accuracy of hardware SYNC parsing. Hardware scans for the arrival of new MPEG frames. Whenever any MPEG frame arrives, the MPEG frame is processed to extract MAC packets. If a SYNC packet is discovered during this processing, the software determines the SYNC arrival time, a comparison is made between the time the SYNC arrival time and the SYNC time value, and the software uses the difference to adjust the Cable Modem clock. Implementation variations include different approaches to when timestamps are recorded, the calculation of the SYNC arrival time, the use of software to process the MPEG frame and MAC packets, and the use of software to perform the time comparison.

Abstract: The apparatus of timepieces which provide an unobstructed central area of a permanent opaque face for enhanced display of artwork, logos, holograms, text, designs and/or pictures which enables the wearer to discern the time.

Abstract: The timepiece carries a date with a large aperture including a units indicator (9) and a tens indicator (10). Between these indicators and a date control crown-wheel (14) are located mechanisms (17, 18) for driving said indicators, these mechanisms each being provided with a locking system (30, 52) preventing any inadvertent movement of these indicators when shocks are applied to the timepiece.

Abstract: A mechanism for setting and winding of a clockwork, with a winding button spindle, rotatable around its arbor and displaceable in the axial direction, and with a first gear arranged at a distance from the winding button spindle, rotatable around its arbor and displaceable in the direction of its arbor. The rotational movement of this first gear is operatively connected to the rotational movement of the winding button spindle via at least one additional gear. The axial displaceability of the first gear is operatively connected to the axial displaceability of the winding spindle via a first connection device, so that the first gear can be engaged in the axial direction with additional clockwork parts by axial displacement of the winding spindle.

Abstract: A key mode timer with a displaying window and an improved plate structure. The plate structure includes the setting keys, an upper plate and an inner plate. The upper plate has a displaying window. The upper plate is rotated with the setting keys to set the time and the inner plate is fixed. When the displaying window rotates with the upper plate, the numbers and the letters printed on inner plate are shown through the window to enable the user to easily read the time information shown on the timer.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece (100) is provided that has indicator hands capable of providing various indications. The electronic timepiece with indicator hands, characterized by comprising a time hand (101, 102) indicative of time, first and second indicator hands (103, 104) separately provided from the time hand (101, 102), and drive means for reciprocally rotating the first and second indicator hands (103, 104) in opposite directions to each other within a predetermined range.