Abstract: A pulse wave measuring device is provided with a plurality of pulse wave measuring units. Each pulse wave measuring unit has a supporting member to which a beam of a pressure measuring device is attached. Contact portions at the distal end of the beam is in contact with the patient's arm, so that piezoelectric elements mounted on the beam measures the stress variation according to pulsation of the patient's radial artery. The supporting member has two pressing legs between which the contact portions of the beam are situated. The distal ends of the pressing legs are also pressed against the patient's arm. The pressing legs are harder than the radial artery. The interval between the pressing legs can be altered by handling a micrometer head. The contact portions are situated back from the distal ends of the pressing legs.

Abstract: A chargeable analog electronic timepiece chargeable by an external A.C. voltage source includes a step motor which includes a driving coil. A motor driving circuit coupled to both terminals of the coil receives the A.C. voltage and selectively applies a charge to the coil for either driving the motor or charging a chargeable battery. A charge control circuit controls a period in which the switching circuit charges the chargeable battery and drives the motor. A PN junction placed in parallel to the switching circuit rectifies the A.C. voltage during charging of the secondary battery so that a single motor coil may drive the watch hands as well as charge the battery and a diode of the switching circuit may be utilized as the rectifier.

Abstract: To increase the utilization by an electric timepiece, such as a quartz watch, of the electric energy derived from a primary source, such as a photo cell, which energy is stored in a multi-layer capacitor, the voltage on the capacitor is fed to transfer capacitors which are connected in series or in parallel to be charged from the multi-layer capacitor and then connected in series or in parallel to charge an auxiliary capacitor which drives the movement of the timepiece. Provisions are made for starting the watch when the stored voltage is less than the operating voltage of the watch movement.

Abstract: Circuits are provided for avoiding misdetection of a non-rotated condition after driving the timepiece stepping motor. Voltages induced in the rotor coil by external high frequency magnetic fields, and current produced in the coil by lower frequency AC magnetic fields are detected. When a high frequency or AC magnetic field of sufficient intensity to cause a false indication of motor rotation is detected, the motor is next driven with a pulse having greater width than the normal driving pulse so as to assure operation of the motor. A period is provided, before the normal driving pulse would be applied, to detect AC magnetic fields and a period preceding the period for detection of AC magnetic fields is provided for detection of high frequency magnetic fields. A comparator or inverter is used to determine whether the levels of external magnetic fields are sufficient to cause misdetection of rotor position.

Abstract: A quartz crystal analog watch has a circuit block and mechanical elements on one side of a frame plate and the battery power source resting on an insulating plate on the other side of the frame plate. The diameter of the movement approximates the battery diameter.

Abstract: A hand-return mechanism for an electronic timepiece wherein at least one hand is advanced to a predetermined position is provided. The timepiece includes a display hand mechanically coupled to a positionable gear, the rotational position of the gear determining the rotary position of the hand. An electro-mechanical converter includes a rotor mechanically coupled to effect rotation of same. A manually operated hand-adjustment mechanism is adapted to be displaced from a rest position to an adjustment position, the adjustment mechanism being mechanically coupled to the gear, the adjustment mechanism effecting an advancement of the gear and rotor to predetermine respective positions corresponding to 10n second positions to which said hand is to be advanced, where n = 1, 2, 3.

Abstract: An improved quartz crystal timepiece transducer wherein torque of the rotor is maximized, and energy consumption is reduced is provided. The transducer includes a permanent magnet rotor having two opposite polarity poles, the rotor being formed with respect to the mechanical axis to define at least two concentric symmetrical equal radii surfaces. Two stator poles have a common coil wrapped therearound for receiving a timekeeping drive signal applied thereto. Both stator poles have symmetrical equal radii semicircular stator surfaces surrounding the rotor, the radii of the stator surfaces having a specific relationship therebetween, and each of the stator poles is eccentrically disposed with respect to the rotor mechanical axis and each other.

Abstract: A step motor particularly suited for use in a quartz crystal electronic timepiece and adapted to minimize adjustment and fixing of the step motor is provided. The step motor includes a coil adapted to receive a timekeeping signal of a predetermined frequency. A low permeable reference member having two high permeable stator yokes integrally mounted thereto is provided, said yokes being electrically coupled to said coil to be magnetized thereby in a first and second magnetic orientation in response to the application of the timekeeping signal to the coil. A permanent magnet rotor is surrounded by the stator yokes, the rotor being stepped in response to each change in the magnetic orientation of the stator yokes.

Abstract: A step motor particularly suited for use in electronic timepieces wherein the induced current generated by the stepping of the rotor is utilized to minimize the power consumption thereof. The step motor includes a permanent magnet rotor adapted to be stepped through a specific angle, at least two stator poles surrounding same, and an electromagnetic core coupled to the stator poles for providing at least first and second magnetic orientation to said stator poles in order to step said rotor through the specific angle. Coupled to the electromagnetic core is a circuit for applying driving pulses to the stator pole to effect said orientations thereof, and a second circuit coupled to said first mentioned circuit for terminating each drive pulse applied to said electromagnetic core at a time coincident with completion of the stepping of the rotor through the specific angle.