Solid State Oscillating Circuit Type Patents (Class 368/156)
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Patent number: 11275418Abstract: A wireless sensing system includes a power supply unit, a control unit, a backup power unit, and a wake-up unit. The control unit includes a microprocessor. The microprocessor acts according to a forced shutdown instruction and transmits the forced shutdown instruction to the wake-up unit through an internal control pin in order for the wake-up unit to generate a forced shutdown clock matching the forced shutdown instruction, transmit the forced shutdown clock to the power supply unit, and thereby stop the power supply unit from generating electricity, and for the backup power unit to transmit the electricity stored therein to the wake-up unit and thereby enable the wake-up unit to maintain its basic electrically driven functions. The backup power unit can supply a small amount of electricity to sustain the basic electrically driven functions of the system.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2021Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: CHAOYANG UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGYInventor: Chia-Chi Chang
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Patent number: 10698442Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and apparatus for always-on display, and a computer-readable storage medium. The method includes: acquiring a plurality of content elements, a plurality of element meanings and a plurality of storage locations required for the always-on display, where each content element corresponds to an element meaning and a storage location; determining target information content, where the target information content needs to be displayed through an always-on display function; acquiring a content element required for displaying the target information content from the plurality of content elements based on the target information content, the plurality of element meanings, and the plurality of storage locations; and displaying the target information content through the always-on display function based on the acquired content element.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.Inventor: Guosheng Li
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Patent number: 10660564Abstract: A compliance monitoring system (40) for an intraoral appliance comprises a power source (460), a detector (410) for detecting when the intraoral appliance is positioned in the mouth for use, a recorder (430) configured to record measurement data, and a transponder (440) configured to communicate the measurement data. The monitoring system is adjustable based on a particular property of a patient or a group of patients.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: RESMED SASInventors: Ludovic Baratier, Fabrice Paublant, Denis Ropp, Yannick Favre, Ronald James Huby, Muditha Pradeep Dantanarayana
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Patent number: 10156904Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to tactile time feedback. Systems and methods for tactile time feedback include detecting a sequence of touch inputs at an electronic device, and in response to a determination that the sequence of touch inputs meets tactile time output criteria, output a tactile output pattern that indicates a time of day.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Christopher B. Fleizach, Aaron Everitt
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Patent number: 10095644Abstract: Provided is a data transfer device that reduces generation of noise caused by an unnecessary transfer of a serial clock signal. The data transfer device includes: a clock generator circuit that generates a second serial clock signal, the second serial clock signal being synchronized with a first serial clock signal transmitted from a master device; a determination circuit that determines whether a request from the master device is addressed to the data transfer device or not; and a data processing circuit that operates by receiving a transfer of the first serial clock signal from the clock generator circuit on condition of the request from the master device being determined to be addressed to the data transfer device.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2017Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazuhiro Nakamuta, Yuji Shintomi, Satoshi Matsumura, Masanori Iijima
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Patent number: 9946823Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to techniques for dynamic control of design clock generation in emulation. A circuit design for verification is analyzed to determine one or more clock-enabling functions for a specific clock signal. Logic for generating a clock status signal based on the one or more clock-enabling signals is then determined. The clock status signal is employed to control clock generation in an emulation system for emulating the circuit design.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Mentor Graphics CorporationInventors: Krishnamurthy Suresh, Satish Kumar Agarwal, Amit Jain, Sanjay Gupta
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Patent number: 9727767Abstract: Embodiments of a method for clock synchronization in a radio frequency identification (RFID) equipped device, an RFID equipped device, and a hand-held communications device are described. In one embodiment, a method for clock synchronization in an RFID equipped device involves measuring a difference between a field clock frequency generated from an external clock and an internal clock frequency generated from an internal clock and generating outgoing bits in the RFID equipped device in response to the measured difference. Generating the outgoing bits involves adjusting the bit length of at least one of the outgoing bits in response to the measured difference. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventors: Klemens Breitfuss, Peter Thueringer
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Patent number: 9519273Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a display device that displays display information, a drive mechanism that drives the display device, a crown that can perform a rotary operation, and a control device that corrects the display information displayed on the display device by the rotary operation of the crown. The control device has a single correction mode and a continuous correction mode which are selected by the rotary operation of the crown. In the single correction mode, a single correction signal is output to the drive mechanism so that the display device is corrected as much as a single correction quantity. In the continuous correction mode, a continuous correction signal is output to the drive mechanism so that the display device is corrected as much as a continuous correction quantity. The continuous correction quantity is set depending on types of the display information to be corrected in the continuous correction mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Hirokazu Nishijima
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Patent number: 9497364Abstract: The camera module according to the present disclosure can improve reliability by mounting a posture sensor on a PCB and promoting a bending prevention of the PCB.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.Inventors: Nae Seong Kim, Hack Ho Kim
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Patent number: 8963647Abstract: A method is provided for implementing a timer using a floating-gate transistor. The method includes: injecting a charge into a floating-gate transistor at an initial time, where a gate terminal of the floating-gate transistor is comprised of polysilicon encased by an insulating material; creating lattice imperfections at boundary of the polysilicon to cause leakage from the floating-gate transistor; measuring current read out from the floating-gate transistor at a time subsequent to the initial time; and determining an amount of time between the initial time and the subsequent time using the measured current.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Board of Trustees of Michigan State UniversityInventor: Shantanu Chakrabartty
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Patent number: 8816779Abstract: A device for an atomic clock, including: a laser source (102) generating a laser beam; a quarter-wave plate (105) modifying the linear polarization of the laser beam into a circular polarization and vice versa; a gas cell (106) placed on the laser beam having a circular polarization; a mirror (107) sending the laser beam back toward the gas cell; a first photodetector (108a); means (103, 101a, 107) for diverting the reflected beam of the laser source (102), and a second photodetector (109) placed behind the mirror (107), the mirror being semitransparent and allowing a portion of the laser beam to pass therethrough, the second photodetector (109) being used for controlling the optical frequency of the laser and/or for controlling the temperature of the cell (106).Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2010Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique S.A.Inventors: Steve Lecomte, Jacques Haesler
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Publication number: 20140204720Abstract: There are provided a constant voltage circuit that features low current consumption and stable operation, and an analog electronic clock provided with the constant voltage circuit. The constant voltage circuit includes a differential amplifier circuit which is turned on/off by a predetermined signal and which controls the voltage of a gate of an output transistor on the basis of a reference voltage and a feedback voltage that are received, a switch circuit which is connected to an output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit and which is turned on/off by a predetermined signal, and a voltage holding circuit which is connected between the gate of the output transistor and a power supply terminal and which has a resistor and a capacitor connected in series. An analog electronic clock provided with the foregoing constant voltage circuit that supplies a voltage to at least an oscillation circuit and a frequency division circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.Inventors: Kotaro WATANABE, Makoto MITANI
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Patent number: 8559276Abstract: The system for timing a sports competition includes a main timing device having a first time base, and a secondary timing device having a second time base (5). The two timing devices are capable of operating in parallel when the timing system is enabled. The two timing devices are arranged such that the second time base (5) is synchronized by using a reference timer signal (CLKref) generated by the first time base. The second time base (5) includes a phase lock loop (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17) for adapting the frequency of the second timer signal (CLK_T2) according to the frequency of the reference timer signal (CLKref).Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Swiss TimingInventor: Fabien Blondeau
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Patent number: 8391105Abstract: A real time clock circuit is provided that has an onboard oscillator continuously providing an internal clock frequency, which is digitally synchronized to a more accurate reference clock frequency. An exemplary real time clock inhibits synchronization of the internal clock frequency when the reference clock is unavailable or if the reference clock's frequency is outside of a defined accuracy range.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventor: Luke Raymond
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Patent number: 8379492Abstract: A timepiece includes a casing, a display, a timepiece core unit, and a current processing circuitry. The current processing circuitry includes a rectifying circuitry, an oscillating circuitry, and an output circuitry. The rectifying circuitry is adapted for electrically connected with an AC power source, and arranged to rectify the AC. The oscillating circuitry is electrically connected with the rectifying circuitry, and is arranged to transform the DC outputted from the rectifying circuitry back into AC having a predetermined voltage and a frequency. The output circuitry is electrically connected with the oscillating circuitry, and is arranged to rectifying the AC output from the oscillating circuitry into a DC pulses output, wherein the DC output from the output circuitry is electrically transmitted to the timepiece circuitry for triggering an operation thereof so as to allow the signal generator to generate accurate time signal to display the current time by the display.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Shenzhen Great Power Enterprise Co., LimitedInventor: QiXiang Feng
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Patent number: 8201991Abstract: In a frequency corrector, a counter divides a clock signal CK to be input into a fraction of a natural number larger than one to generate a signal having a clock frequency. The counter corrects the number of clock pulses of the signal having the clock frequency in response to a correction signal to output a first frequency-divided signal. A frequency divider circuit divides the first divided signal to output a unit time signal having another frequency and another frequency-divided signal Db composed of plural frequencies. A correction timing generator decodes the both divided signals to detect a correction timing for the first divided signal, and generates plural correction timing signals different in timing from each other. A correction signal generator generates the correction signal in response to the correction timing signals and correction values to provide the correction signal to the counter.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Oki Semiconductor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shinichi Kouzuma
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Patent number: 8130596Abstract: The electronic circuit (1) controls the operation of the peripheral members of a watch. The circuit (1) includes a processor (2) connected to a non-volatile memory (3), which contains instructions to be carried out, peripheral member controllers (4) for interacting with peripheral members of the watch and connecting means (6a, 6b, 7). These connecting means (6a, 6b, 7) are arranged to enable the peripheral member controllers (4), the non-volatile memory and the processor (2) to communicate data relating to the operation of said watch to each other. This electronic circuit (1) further includes initializing means (8) able to act on the peripheral member controllers (4) to initialize said controllers so that they can execute operations independently of the processor (2) and/or the non-volatile memory (3).Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin S.A.Inventor: Yves Godat
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Patent number: 8009520Abstract: A polarization gain medium such as an emitting laser diode provides the optical pumping. An atomic vapor cell is positioned in the laser cavity providing spontaneous push-pull optical pumping inside the laser cavity. This causes the laser beam to be modulated at hyperfine-resonance frequency. A clock signal is obtained from electrical modulation across the laser diode.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Princeton UniversityInventors: Yuan-Yu Jau, Kiyoshi Ishikawa, William Happer
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Patent number: 7729205Abstract: A method and system for accurate timing in a low current system useful in fuzing applications generates a first count of oscillations of an oscillator of unknown frequency during a first period of unknown duration. A second count of oscillations of the oscillator is generated during a second period of a known duration. The duration of the first period is calculated based on the first count and the second count. A solid-state, thin-film battery is able to be used by virtue of low-current characteristics of the system, enabling extended shelf life for fuzing systems.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2008Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Action Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Jonathan C. Siebott, Richard A. Frantz
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Patent number: 7697377Abstract: A timepiece comprises an atomic oscillator for generating and outputting a reference clock signal, and a timepiece module that operates based on the reference clock signal, wherein the atomic oscillator and the timepiece module are disposed separately so as to be thermally separated. The timepiece also comprises a crystal oscillator for generating and outputting a first oscillation signal, an atomic oscillator for generating and outputting a second oscillation signal with a higher precision than the first oscillation signal, a timepiece module that operates based on the first oscillation signal and the second oscillation signal, and a thermal separator for thermally separating the atomic oscillator from the crystal oscillator and the timepiece module. A portable timepiece and electronic device can thereby be configured so that the effects of heat generation can be reduced and power consumption can be reduced even in cases in which the atomic oscillator is used as a reference oscillator.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2006Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Kazunari Agesawa, Kiyoto Takeda
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Patent number: 7580493Abstract: One embodiment of a method of generating a clock signal and synchronizing the generated clock signal with a digital data stream comprises generating a clock signal using an oscillator, identifying a transition in a portion of the data stream, and synchronizing a transition of the clock signal with the identified transition in the data stream by changing a state of the oscillator using control circuitry in response to the identification of the transition in the data stream, wherein the clock signal is synchronized with the data stream for both situations where the oscillator operates at a frequency greater than the data rate and where the oscillator operates a frequency less than the data rate. Other methods and systems are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Robert John Castle
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Patent number: 7486757Abstract: An optical (disc) driving system including the DLL based multiphase clock generator circuit capable of generating 32 different phases from input clock having a frequency of 800 MHz or greater. The multiphase clock generator includes on a delay locked loop (DLL) having a frequency divider for outputting an N-divided clock to a first set of M voltage-controlled delay cells within a feedback loop, and further including an identical set of M voltage-controlled delay cells outside of the feedback loop for delaying the undivided clock and for outputting M multiphase clocks. An optical driver circuit of an optical driving system and a method for implementing a write-strategy for preventing “overlapping” of marks written on adjacent grooves on an optical disc. The circuit and method produce multiple write-strategy waveforms (channels) switching at a high resolution (e.g., T/32) in the Gigahertz frequency range.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2005Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ho-young Kim, Yong-sub Kim
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Patent number: 7476865Abstract: A signal source for use as a frequency source or time keeping signal source includes a radioactive emission source generating a substantially periodic signal corresponding to a radioactive material's disintegration rate. A radioactive emission detector generates a radioactive emission detection signal and, to stabilize the detected periodic signal, a dead time controlling attenuator blanks or shuts off the radioactive emission detection signal for a selected dead time interval in response to each detected radioactive emission (i.e., a detected signal pulse or signal component) generated by the source. The dead time controlling attenuator output provides a long-term and short-term a stable periodic signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2006Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Amit Lal, Hui Li, Hang Guo, Shankar Radhakrishnan
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Publication number: 20080271470Abstract: A timer is provided. The timer includes a rotatable electrically non-conducting ratchet gear, an electrically conducting pawl mechanism, and an electronic drive circuit. The ratchet gear has a plurality of teeth. The electrically conducting pawl mechanism includes a pawl configured to engage one of the plurality of teeth on the ratchet gear. The an electronic drive circuit is electrically coupled to the pawl mechanism. The electronic drive circuit passes a current through the pawl mechanism such that the pawl advances the ratchet gear by one tooth pitch.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2007Publication date: November 6, 2008Applicant: ROBERTSHAW CONTROLS COMPANYInventors: Jason Cheetham, Andrew J. Palmer
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Patent number: 7411867Abstract: Apparatus and method for producing a composite clock signal with optimized stability characteristics from individual clocks which have different stabilities or variances. The composite clock signal includes weighted individual clock signals. In a first (PPN) case, an optimum composite clock is a scale-factor-weighted linear combination of clock signals. In another (non-PPN) case, the optimum stable composite clock is the output of a linear filter of the input clocks signals. Both the phases and frequencies of the individual clocks over time are estimated.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Stephen R. McReynolds
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Patent number: 7339854Abstract: This clock generator comprises an oscillator for generating an alternating current pilot signal and a pulse formatting circuit which is intended to convert the pilot signal from the oscillator into a pulse clock signal having a duty factor of at least approximately 50%. According to one implementation, a series of at least two inverters is provided, the input of the first inverter being controlled by the alternating current pilot signal and the output of the second inverter supplying the clock signal. A power supply means may also be provided to supply the inverters with a regulated power supply voltage dependent on the signals appearing at the outputs of the inverters.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2004Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechique SA, Recherche et DeveloppementInventor: David Ruffieux
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Patent number: 7272078Abstract: A representative measurement indicating a relative oscillation speed of a reference clock during a representative calibration period is ascertained. Multiple calibration periods are defined including first and second calibration periods. The first calibration period begins at a first start time, wherein a first time offset value is equal to a difference between the first start time and a transition point of the reference clock signal within the first calibration period. The second calibration period begins at a second start time, wherein a second time offset value is equal to a difference between the second start time and a transition point of the reference clock signal within the second calibration period. The first and second time offset values are different from one another. Measurements are generated by, for each one of the calibration periods, measuring the speed of the reference clock. The measurements are then averaged.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2006Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)Inventor: Jacobus Cornelis Haartsen
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Patent number: 6958951Abstract: In an ensemble oscillator system including multiple free-running oscillators, a voltage controlled oscillator having a frequency responsive to a control signal, and a differencer unit that measures time differences between the oscillators, an adaptive Kalman Filter Processor (AKFP) generates the control signal responsive to the time differences. The AKFP uses oscillator noise models to model noise/errors of the ensemble system oscillators, including random noise parameters, and adaptively estimates the errors and the random noise parameters to derive the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2004Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventor: Dennis J. Duven
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Patent number: 6958953Abstract: Under the present invention a real time clock circuit, within a set-top box, is provided with an internal clock generator for generating multiple clock signals. Once generated, a first clock signal is divided into an initial set of values representing time and optionally day/date intervals, and then communicated to a set of clock registers. The initial set of values can then be communicated (directly or via a set of DCR registers) to a display component within the set-top box. Updated clock signals are received by the set of DCR registers from an external source such as a satellite or the like thus making the clock very accurate, and are communicated to the display component. Similar to the initial set of values, the updated set of values could be communicated to the display component directly from the set of DCR registers, or via the set of clock registers.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Eric E. Retter, John M. Sutton
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Patent number: 6956793Abstract: A frequency divider circuit uses a base counter to frequency divide a clock signal with period T by an integer value N and employs a cyclic rotational select circuit to select among multiple equally phase shifted signals of a multiple phase clock to generate a fractional term P/k where P is variable from 0 to k?1. The counter counts an output clock that corresponds to the output of a multiplexer selecting from among the multiple clock phases. Depending on the desired fractional term, after N counts of the output clock phases of the multiple phase clock are selected glitch free by rotationally selecting a first phase, and skipping either 0, 1, 2 . . . up to k?1 sequential phases to generate fractional terms 0, 1/k, 2/k, 3/k . . . k?1/k, respectively, thus providing frequency division corresponding to N+P/k where P may be varied from 0 to k?1.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2003Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Hung C. Ngo
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Patent number: 6888780Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system to simultaneously use the microwave and Zeeman end resonances associated with the same sublevel of maximum (or minimum) azimuthal quantum number m to lock both the atomic clock frequency and the magnetic field to definite values. This eliminates the concern about the field dependence of the end-resonance frequency. In an embodiment of the system of the present invention, alkali metal vapor is pumped with circularly-polarized D1 laser light that is intensity-modulated at appropriate resonance frequencies, thereby providing coherent population trapping (CPT) resonances. In another embodiment, pumping with constant-intensity circularly-polarized D1 laser light enhances magnetic resonances that are excited by alternating magnetic fields oscillating at appropriate resonance frequencies.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2004Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: Princeton UniversityInventors: William Happer, Nicholas N. Kuzma
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Publication number: 20040008587Abstract: A method and system for accurate timing in a low current system useful in fuzing applications generates a first count of oscillations of an oscillator of unknown frequency during a first period of unknown duration. A second count of oscillations of the oscillator is generated during a second period of a known duration. The duration of the first period is calculated based on the first count and the second count. A solid-state, thin-film battery is able to be used by virtue of low-current characteristics of the system, enabling extended shelf life for fuzing systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2002Publication date: January 15, 2004Inventors: Jonathan C. Siebott, Richard A. Frantz
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Publication number: 20030112710Abstract: A variety of techniques for low cost reduction of thermal drift in electronic components. These techniques include structures for increasing the thermal mass of an electronic component and for insulating an electronic component from thermal drift caused by air flow as well as structures for thermally isolating an electronic component from heat flow on a circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventors: John C. Eidson, Stanley P. Woods, Hans Sitte
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Patent number: 6567346Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2001Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Thomas J. Aton, Shivaling S. Mahant-Shetti
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Patent number: 6542440Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroyuki Kihara
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Patent number: 6529447Abstract: An apparatus comprising a first circuit and a timing circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate an output clock signal that may compensate for oscillation build-up and stabilization time after a power up. The timer circuit may be configured to provide timing in response to the output clock signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2000Date of Patent: March 4, 2003Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corp.Inventors: K. S. Anil, Thomas K. Mathew, Pradeep Mishra, Rajat Gupta
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Patent number: 6229765Abstract: An electronic sunrise-dependent timepiece, comprising an oscillator circuit for generating clock pulses at a predetermined frequency and a clock circuit coupled to the oscillator circuit for generating minutes and hours and calendar data. An offset correction circuit coupled to the clock circuit and being responsive to a current value of calendar data adds a respective offset to the minutes and hours data so as to generate a sunrise-dependent time of day for display on a suitable display device.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1999Date of Patent: May 8, 2001Assignee: RM-IC Telepathy Ltd.Inventor: Moshe Rabi
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Patent number: 6141296Abstract: A time-of-day clock assembly 10 having an oscillator 14 which generates resonant signals used to selectively update a time-of-day register 27. The assembly 10 increments register 27 at intervals of time which are temporarily modified in order to correct for fractional and calibration type errors.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventor: Paul Michael Progar
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Patent number: 6124765Abstract: An integrated oscillator and associated methods are provided for providing clock signals. The integrated oscillator preferably includes a micro-mechanical oscillating circuit for providing an oscillating clock signal. The micro-mechanical oscillating circuit preferably includes a support layer, a fixed layer positioned on a support layer, remaining portions of a sacrificial layer positioned only on portions of the fixed layer, and an oscillating layer positioned on the remaining portions of the sacrificial layer, overlying the fixed layer in spaced relation therefrom, and extending lengthwise generally transverse to a predetermined direction for defining a released beam for oscillating at a predetermined frequency. The spaced relation is preferably formed by removal of unwanted portions of the sacrificial layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1997Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.Inventors: Tsiu Chiu Chan, Melvin Joseph DeSilva, Syama Sundar Sunkara
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Patent number: 6069850Abstract: A method and apparatus for driving a battery-backed up clock while a computer system is powered-down. The present invention uses an auxiliary power supply, VAUX, to power a microprocessor bus oscillator. The microprocessor bus oscillator is typically a high frequency, highly accurate oscillator. The microprocessor bus oscillator continues to run while the computer system is powered down, but is connected to a wall outlet. Thus, it can be used to synthesize an accurate time base to drive a battery-backed up clock input. A microcontroller, PAL, or other such circuit can be used to convert the high frequency signal from the microprocessor bus oscillator to a frequency suitable for the battery-backed up clock. Thus, a single oscillator is used to keep time for normal operations. Only when the system is moved, or when main power fails, is a battery backed-up crystal oscillator used to keep time. This minimizes the occurrence of timing errors, due to the system being turned off and back on.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1998Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Louis Bennie Capps, Jr., Robert Christopher Dixon, Khuong Huu Pham
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Patent number: 6008720Abstract: A timer alarm device is supported on an ear as an earring by pinching an earlobe of the ear with an arm and a clip. Spring force to pinch the earlobe is produced by permitting a spring provided on the clip to run on a corner of a flat part. A timer circuit, a piezoelectric buzzer, and a battery cell, etc., are accomodated on a head part provided on the upper part of the arm. Since the piezoelectric buzzer for outputting an alarm sound is located in the vicinity of an earhole, a user can hear a greater sound even with a smaller sound volume and hence attention of the user can be securely called. Since functions and component parts are limited to eliminate the need of setting and confirmation that rely upon eyes, even a visually handicapped user can conveniently use the device.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1996Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Honda Tsushin Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kanji Hongu, Yoshiaki Sakamoto
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Patent number: 5943297Abstract: A computer date and time clock including an incrementing binary 32 bit register, used to main elapsed date and time in seconds, and an external 1 Hz clock signal, provided by an oscillator, that increments the register. The oscillator and register are both powered by a battery, to make them independent of computer system power. On computer systems having a 32 bit bus, the register can be read or written with a single I/O cycle on the system bus. Operating system software typically performs time calculations using elapsed seconds since a fixed date and time, thus the register count can represent a number of seconds since the fixed date and time. The 1 Hz clock signal is derived from a higher frequency oscillator using a divider circuit, and a reset circuit within the date and time clock clears the divider circuit each time data is stored in the register.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1997Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Co.Inventor: Thomas H. Baker
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Patent number: 5910930Abstract: Method and apparatus for dynamic control of power management circuitry in a microprocessor. A clock and power management subsystem within the microprocessor contains clock generation and control logic and a powered-down mode register. The register is controlled by register control logic in the microprocessor and determines the powered-down mode of the various hardware units that make up the microprocessor. The clock generation and control logic also receives a powered-down mode enable signal from each of the hardware units. The hardware unit receive a re-power-up signal which, when activated and deactivated, can cause the hardware units to de-activate and activate, respectively, the powered-down mode enable signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1997Date of Patent: June 8, 1999Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: James N. Dieffenderfer, George Filip Diniz, Thomas Andrew Sartorius
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Patent number: 5812497Abstract: A clock synchronizing apparatus is constructed of a multi-input PLL circuit. The multi-input PLL circuit comprises a phase comparator, a variable frequency oscillator, a loop filter, and an adding device. The phase comparator includes a plurality of subtracting devices for subtracting an output signal from each of input signals and a plurality of amplifiers for obtaining a phase comparison characteristic corresponding to the output signal of each subtracting device and for amplifying each phase comparison characteristic by a predetermined gain. Each gain is predetermined for each input signal. One dominant gain is greater than the sum of the other gains.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1997Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Haruki Yahata
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Patent number: 5706256Abstract: A method for selecting fundamental clock frequencies in order to achieve electromagnetic compatibility in electronic products which employ a plurality of clocks. The method require first selecting an ideal frequency for each clock in the product. Then, and until the goal of avoiding coinciding harmonics is complete, the method includes the steps of computing all harmonics of all clock frequencies chosen, determining a minimum difference tolerable in the chosen frequencies and their harmonics for sufficient minimization of electromagnetic interference, and determining if the harmonics of the chosen frequencies coincide impermissibly within the frequency range. If there exists coincidence of harmonics within the predetermined minimum range, then the fundamental frequency of at least one of the clocks corresponding to an interfering harmonic must be adjusted to eliminate the interference.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1995Date of Patent: January 6, 1998Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Medical Inc.Inventors: Rush W. Hood, Jr., Michael B. Duich
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Patent number: 5644271Abstract: A temperature compensation system includes a first oscillator to generate a number of pulses which vary from a desired frequency as a function of temperature of the first oscillator. The system also includes a second oscillator to generate digital pulses at a corrective frequency which is greater than the desired frequency. A sensor provides an temperature signal for the first oscillator. A digital memory has a digital error table addressable by a signal corresponding to the temperature signal to provide a number of pulse errors corresponding to temperature error for each of the number of pulses. Each pulse error is a function of the corrective frequency and a temperature versus frequency characteristic of the first oscillator. An accumulator receives each pulse error to generate a cumulative error corresponding to one of the number of pulses. A variable delay device counts a quantity of corrective pulses from second oscillator to provide a delayed output pulse in accordance with the desired frequency.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1996Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: Mehta Tech, Inc.Inventors: Ivan Petrov Mollov, Robert Eugene Havens
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Patent number: 5640373Abstract: A secure time keeping peripheral device is for synchronizing a time reference clock signal to a system clock signal and is especially suited for use in low-power processor applications. Time reference circuitry adjusts a time reference counter held therein responsive to transitions of the time reference clock signal. At least one system time register is connected to the time reference circuitry to receive the time reference counter responsive to transitions of a synchronizing signal. Synchronizing signal generating circuitry is connected to receive the system clock signal and to provide the synchronizing signal, synchronous to the system clock signal, when an externally provided enable signal is asserted to the synchronizing signal generating circuitry. Since the system time register circuitry is only sampled when the externally provided enable signal is asserted (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1995Date of Patent: June 17, 1997Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventor: Timothy Don Davis
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Patent number: 5617375Abstract: An apparatus for and method of efficiently providing a modular dayclock within a data processing system. This is accomplished by dividing the dayclock hardware into a number of dayclock modules configured to operate in a bit serial fashion. This allows the dayclock to accommodate a variety of dayclock word widths by simply varying the number of dayclock modules provided. Further, since the dayclock may operate serially, rather than in parallel fashion, the number of dayclock module I/O's and board route channels may be substantially reduced. Finally, all control logic may be provided directly in the dayclock modules, thereby eliminating the need for a central dayclock controller.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1995Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Assignee: Unisys CorporationInventors: Mitchell A. Bauman, James L. Federici
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Patent number: 5615177Abstract: A clock synchronizing apparatus is constructed of a multi-input PLL circuit. The multi-input PLL circuit comprises a phase comparator, a variable frequency oscillator, a loop filter, and an adding device. The phase comparator includes a plurality of subtracting devices for subtracting an output signal from each of input signals and a plurality of amplifiers for obtaining a phase comparison characteristic corresponding to the output signal of each subtracting device and for amplifying each phase comparison characteristic by a predetermined gain. Each gain is predetermined for each input signal. One dominant gain is greater than the sum of the other gains.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1995Date of Patent: March 25, 1997Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Haruki Yahata
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Patent number: 5555225Abstract: A microcomputer and a clock generator included therein which comprises a first memory and a second memory for storing a signal from CPU, the second memory make it ready for writing when the content of the memory in the first memory is in accord with a predetermined signal, and provides a clock oscillation stop signal for suspending clock oscillation to a clock oscillator when the content of memory in the second memory is in accord with a predetermined signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 1995Date of Patent: September 10, 1996Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoto Hayashi, Kazuo Nakamura