Abstract: An electronic timepiece equipped with an alarm system whereby an external control member is actuated a desired number of times or for a desired time duration causing a count to be set into a first counter. Subsequently, when an alarm is generated, an identical count value must be set into a second counter by actuating an external control member for the same number of times or for an appropriate time duration in order to shut off the alarm. Possibility of the user shutting off the alarm signal and then falling asleep again is thus greatly reduced. A snooze switch control function can also be easily incorporated.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a frequency supply for providing a relatively high frequency time base signal, a frequency converter responsive to the relatively high frequency time base signal to provide a timing signal, a clock signal, and a time unit signal. A timekeeping circuit is responsive to the time unit signal to provide a time information signal, and at least one of the timing signal, clock signal, and time information signal is chopped into periodic bursts to effect transfer of the at least one of the timing signal, clock signal, and time information signal from one part to another part in the timepiece. The time in response to the time information signal is displayed.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having an acoustic hour information function in which a photosensitive switch mechanism essentially comprising a photosensitive element is provided to detect a quantity of light below a predetermined value in the surrounding environment where the timepiece is placed and control the acoustic hour information function of the timepiece depending upon the detected result.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece equipped with an alarm system in which a single external control member is used as both a snooze switch and an alarm stopping signal. The timepiece has a switching circuit means for generating a snooze signal when the external control member is actuated in a predetermined actuation mode and generating an alarm stopping signal when the external control member is actuated in another predetermined actuation mode. The timepiece includes a snooze control circuit responsive to the snooze signal to temporarily stop an alarm generated by an alarm device, and means for interrupting an alarm enabling signal from being applied to the alarm device to stop the alarm.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a reversible stepping motor to actuate time-indicating hands to provide a time display, which comprises a driver circuit to produce driving current pulses composed of compound pulses appearing each time unit. A rotor of the stepping motor rotates a plurality of steps during each time unit to cause one of the time-indicating hands to advance through unequal intervals to provide a modulated display.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a molded casing made of resin for incorporating in one body, timepiece components including a windshield, display means including an electro-optical display element or pointers, timepiece driving means, battery cell case and external switch means.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a reversible stepping motor to drive rotatable hands to provide a time display. In a first preferred embodiment, the electronic timepiece includes a circuit means to generate alternating current pulses having an increased pulse width or an increased amplitude to drive the stepping motor with an increased driving current during high speed time correction when a manually operable external control member is actuated during time correction.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a reversible stepping motor to actuate time-indicating hands to provide a time display, which comprises a driver circuit to produce driving current pulses composed of compound pulses appearing each time unit. A rotor of the stepping motor rotates a plurality of steps during each time unit to cause one of the time-indicating hands to advance through unequal intervals to provide a modulated display.

Abstract: A set of digital indicators in an electronic display unit of a timepiece are actuated by driving pulses transmitted thereto through respective stages of a multistage frequency divider. A switching mchanism is manually operable to advance certain of these stages, independently of the driving pulses and at a faster rate, to adjust the display. A timer discriminates between short-term and long-term switch reversals to differentiate between a gating signal, giving passage to a train of high-rate stepping pulses, and (a) selection signals identifying an indicator to be stepped or (b) manually produced pulses for adjustment at a slower rate.

Abstract: A switch control unit for an electronic timepiece comprises a plurality of control switches and a sequence decoding circuit which detects sequences of actuations of the control switches to provide a plurality of output signals in dependence on varying combinations of sequences of actuations of the control switches. In modified form, the switch control unit comprises a plurality of control switches, a detecting circuit to detect numbers of actuations of each of the control switches thereby to provide outputs in dependence on varying combinations of numbers of actuations of the control switches, and a decoding circuit to decode the outputs from the detecting circuit to provide a plurality of output signals.

Abstract: A display control circuit for an electronic timepiece for controlling a timer circuit to vary the length of time for which the display of time or calendar information is to be made. In one preferred embodiment, a timer circuit includes a first section of flip-flops for setting a predetermined length of time when a first external switch is operated, and a second section of flip-flops for setting time interval in addition to the predetermined length of time when a second external switch is operated. A control circuit means is coupled to the timer circuit for controlling the same to vary the total length of time to be set by the timer circuit. In another preferred embodiment, the timer circuit is energized with selected one of frequency signals from a frequency converter of the electronic timepiece to set the length of time in dependence on the selected one of the frequency signals.

Abstract: A switch mechanism for an electronic timepiece comprises a minimum number of control switches and an electric circuit means associated therewith. The electric circuit means is arranged such that when the control switches are actuated independently of each other the control switches provide respective switching functions whereas when selected ones of the control switches are concurrently actuated respective switching functions of the control switches are inhibited and, instead thereof, another switching function is provided.

Abstract: A set of digital indicators in an electronic display unit of a timepiece are actuated by driving pulses transmitted thereto through respective stages of a multistage frequency divider. A switching mechanism is manually operable to advance certain of these stages, independently of the driving pulses and at a faster rate, to adjust the display. A timer discriminates between short-term and long-term switch reversals to differentiate between a gating signal, giving passage to a train of high-rate stepping pulses, and (a) selection signals identifying an indicator to be stepped or (b) manually produced pulses for adjustment at a slower rate.

Abstract: A silver peroxide-zinc battery having a positive active material composed of silver peroxide, a negative active material composed of zinc, and an electrolyte comprising an aqueous alkaline hydroxide solution, in which an oxide of manganese is added to the silver peroxide.

Abstract: A battery having a battery cup and a battery cap which has a ridge portion to provide a battery chamber for accommodating a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte. The battery chamber has a contour at its outer periphery different from that of the sealing flanges of the battery cup and the battery cap.

Abstract: A digital display device for forming one or more electro-transmissive display patterns, which comprises a pair of oppositely disposed electrodes to which a signal is supplied for energization. Each of the electrodes includes a number of electro-conductive sections which are disposed with a lower distribution density at the central portion and with a higher distribution density at the contour portion. This mode of distribution of the sections gives an equivalent visual contrast to the situations in which all the sections are disposed with a uniform distribution while at the same time reducing the power consumption rate.

Abstract: An all electronic type timepiece is disclosed which comprises a customary or usual display for displaying time, a calendar, a.m., p.m., colon and other functions. An additional display element is provided separately from the customary display or alternatively is constructed as a part thereof for displaying the operating condition of a time counter circuit even when the customary display is extinguished.

Abstract: A photoelectric display device having an electrically controlled optical means for indicating one of the 7 days of the week by means of a combination of two letters selected from alphabetical letters is disclosed. The device comprises a first display element composed of a plurality of segments arranged in such pattern that all of the letters positioned in the first place of the seven combinations expressing the 7 days of the week can be indicated, and a second display element composed of a plurality of segments arranged in such pattern that all of the letters positioned in the second place of the above mentioned seven combinations can be indicated. Each segment of each of the display elements is electrically controlled to indicate any desired days of the week.

Abstract: To excite a liquid-crystal display element, a square wave is applied to opposite electrodes of that element by a source of alternating voltage through a switching circuit which briefly short-circuits the display element, during every change of polarity of the voltage source, by connecting both electrodes to the same potential via a low-impedance path. As the display element discharges over that path, the source is open-circuited whereby energy consumption is reduced.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece, used as a pager watch, has a speaker for emitting an alarm sound at a preset time and also for reproducing an external call signal intercepted by a receiver for incoming electromagnetic waves. The receiver may be maintained normally inactive, being periodically activated for short time intervals under the control of a frequency divider in the output of a crystal oscillator serving to drive an electro-optical display. Sensors responsive to abnormal ambient conditions, e.g. temperature or blood pressure of the wearer, may also operate the speaker.