Abstract: A voltage multiplier and driver circuit for energizing a backlight or lamp device in a timepiece. The circuit includes switching transistors responsive to an alternating signal for alternately disconnecting the lamp (load) while a capacitor is connected across a DC voltage source and for reconnecting the lamp (load) across a series (voltage additive) connection of the DC voltage source and the charged capacitor. The alternating signal frequency and duty cycle are selected to energize the lamp (load) to a predetermined color temperature.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) to produce a variable frequency and duty cycle output proportional to the applied (input) voltage. The VCO comprises RC charge networks to vary both the frequency and duty cycle of an astable multivibrator with applied voltage variations. The VCO has particular application for low voltage and low frequency operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved transflector especially useful in illuminated liquid crystal display devices operative in the reflective and transmissive modes for significantly enhancing the optical viewability thereof, especially in the daytime reflective mode. Typically, the improved transflector is a transluscent plate-like member including as an essential feature a layer portion of white transluscent material having a certain minimum effective thickness in the primary direction of light propagation in the device such that ambient light incident upon the white layer during daylight viewing is subjected to enhanced diffusion, fringing and brightening to provide a brighter appearing background and darker-appearing display characters to the daytime viewer for improved contrast and also to provide an apparent increase in the "brush-stroke" width of the display characters to the same viewer.