Abstract: A device for selection of a combination of motifs for a timepiece, including an inner disc, and a coaxial outer disc, the inner disc having a smaller diameter than the outer disc, the discs including angular sectors of the same size, at least two angular sectors of each disc bearing a motif on their periphery; a device for actuation permitting rotation of the inner disc, and a gear device for coupling the two discs according to a reduction ratio; a dial extending opposite the inner disc, the dial including an aperture to put a motif of the inner disc and a motif of the outer disc into correspondence, such that a complete rotation of the inner disc gives rise to a rotation of the outer disc by one angular sector, the size of the aperture being sufficiently large for each motif of the outer disc to be in correspondence successively with all the motifs of the inner disc, when the inner disc is rotated.

Abstract: A control system for use with a turf maintenance vehicle. In one embodiment, the control system may provide a discrete engine speed input that may provide one engine speed command upon actuation, but result in additional engine speed commands depending on an actuation time of the input. In other embodiments, the vehicle may include an electronic controller (EC) providing resettable property statistics for one or more properties. In still another embodiment, the EC may provide a maintenance monitor onboard the vehicle that indicates maintenance status, when maintenance tasks are due or past due, and permanently records historical information regarding maintenance tasks. The maintenance monitor may further adjust a maintenance interval before the maintenance task is again due based upon inputs to the maintenance monitor.

Abstract: A compact crown for an electronic device such as an electronic watch, including a set of wipers capable of determining a rotation angle, rotation direction, or rotation speed, is disclosed. The set of wipers is in contact with at least one resistance member at different angular positions around a rotation axis. The crown may have a group of ground taps disposed along the resistance member and a measured signal may vary based on the position of each wiper as it contacts the at least one resistance member. A compact crown may also include capacitive members and capacitive sensors in order to similarly determine rotation angle, rotation direction, or rotation speed.

Abstract: A multi-functional portable device including a display module driven by an actuator and configured to be able to display one or more display functions simultaneously or sequentially. A control unit is configured to receive outside information and control the display module according to said one or more display functions, based on the received outside information. The device also includes a computer medium including portions of code for a software application having a plurality of display functions, each of the display functions being configured to be executed in the multifunctional device.

Abstract: A switch for controlling an electrical appliance has a switch housing, an actuation element, a display, and a microprocessor disposed in the switch housing. The actuation element can activate an identifier through the display, which identifier is determined by the microprocessor. Selection of an appropriate system state and an associated maximum value is effected by again actuating the actuation element, specifically while the corresponding identifier associated with this system state is active or displayed. Reaching or exceeding the maximum value is indicated by a signal that is produced by the microprocessor. The microprocessor can optionally be activated once again for a reset mode and/or for a change mode.

Abstract: Timepiece with date display comprises two supports (20, 30), each bearing a set of signs (40, 50) according to an annular arrangement, one bearing signs (50) 0 to 9 forming the date digits and the other bearing signs (40) 0 to 3 forming the decimals, the respective signs (40, 50) being juxtaposed in order to indicate the date (70). The signs (40, 50) are disposed in a non uniform manner, such that the angular deviation formed between the start of a sign (40, 50) and the start of the following sign (40, 50) varies from one sign to another. The timepiece further comprises a mechanism for driving said supports (20, 30) by uniform angular pitches of around 36° per day for the support (30) bearing the signs (50) forming the digits and of around 45° per five days for the support (20) bearing the signs (40) forming the decimals.

Abstract: Circuits, systems, and methods for assembling a composite signal include a frequency translation circuit coupled to receive an input signal and operable to generate a plurality of frequency-translated versions of the input signal at a respective plurality of different frequencies, the plurality of frequency-translated input signals defining a group of frequency translated signals. The plurality of frequency translated signals may each be processed to provide a composite signal.

Abstract: A step motor control device detects a rotational driving state of a step motor. In a first detection period immediately after termination of the rotational driving state of the step motor, selected switch elements are controlled so that a first detection signal is obtained. If the step motor is not in a rotational driving state, the first detection signal is suppressed to a low voltage that is equal to or lower than a threshold value. In a second detection period immediately after lapse of the first detection period, selected switch elements are controlled so that a second detection signal of high and stable voltage is obtained in accordance with the rotational driving state of the step motor.

Abstract: A control device detects a rotational driving state of a step motor having a coil. First and second switch elements are connected to each other in series, and a node of the first and second switch elements are connected to one side of the coil during use of the control device. Third and fourth switch elements are connected to each other in series, and a node of the third and fourth switch elements are connected to the other side of the coil during use of the control device. A first series circuit has a fifth switch element connected in parallel with the first switch element. A second series circuit has a sixth switch element connected in parallel with the third switch element. A control section controls an on/off operation of the third switch element at a given frequency after a given period has elapsed in a state where the fourth and fifth switch elements are turned on.

Abstract: A portable multi-event reminder device includes a battery-powered electrical timer circuit that is programmable with respect to selecting at least two overlapping time periods, so as to generate prompts for at least two functionally related but time-independent events. A solitary two-state switch is the sole input device employed by a user to provide the desired timing programming. The timer circuit is configured to generate a first electrical reminder signal upon expiration of the first selected time period and to generate a second electrical reminder signal upon expiration of the second selected time period. The reminder signals activate one or more sensory alerts that generate human-perceivable alerts for prompting a user.

Abstract: A power-saving controller for controlling a stepping motor mounted in an electronic wristwatch. A pulse signal generator in the controller combines two pulse signals GPi and GPi+2 having different duty factors using a compositing signal CP, based on a reference signal BP, thereby compositing a pulse signal GPi+1 having an intermediate duty factor. Even if the frequency of the reference signal BP is lowered, a step size for controlling the duty factor of a drive pulse is prevented from expanding, thereby keeping the driving power required by the stepping motor from increasing. The lowering of the frequency of the reference signal BP reduces the power consumption of the circuit of the wristwatch, and thus of the controller.

Abstract: Modulo timer apparatus including a chain of modulo counter stages is controllable by write signals generated by a central controller. The central controller is operative to generate a write signal corresponding to a selected counter stage, and a digital control signal. The initial counter stage of the chain includes a selecting circuit controlled by the digital control signal to couple either a reference clock signal or the corresponding write signal to the initial counter stage to alter the count thereof. Each successive counter stage includes a corresponding selecting circuit also controlled by the digital control signal to couple either a pulse signal generated from the preceding counter stage as it counts through its modulus value or the corresponding write signal to the successive counter stage to alter the count thereof.

Abstract: The two-digit number displayed by a display apparatus (1) is adjusted by means of a microcontroller (4) in response to actuation of increment (5) and decrement (6) keys. Each new actuation of the increment key results in incrementation of the displayed number by unity. However, if this actuation is prolonged the first number in each succeeding higher ranking decade are next displayed in direct succession. Similarly, each new actuation of the decrement key results in decrementation of the displayed number of unity. However, if this actuation is prolonged the first number of the current decade and then the first number of each decade of successively lower rank are next displayed in direct succession.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece or clock with a digital display, and with an arrangement for the setting or adjustment of the minutes and/or hour display through either a short or lengthier depression of a timing push button. A single timing push button is provided on the timepiece for the forward and for the backward setting of the display. The single timing push button also serves for the rapid setting of the display. In this connection, the arrangement for the setting of the minutes and/or hour display provides for a distinction between a short depression of the timing push button (t<t.sub.1) and a lengthier depression of the timing push button (t>t.sub.1).

Abstract: A timepiece, able to indicate at least the hours, minutes and seconds, having a rotary stem movable into three axial positions: a stable neutral position in which the timepiece operates normally, a stable outer position and an unstable inner position. When the stem is pulled to the outer position the timepiece switches from the normal operating mode to a correction mode in which it is possible either to correct the minutes indication by rotating the stem slowly, or to perform a change of the hours indication done by rotating it rapidly.Whenever the stem is simply pulled out, or is pulled out followed by a correction of the minutes indication, and is then returned to the neutral position, the timepiece switches automatically and for a set maximum time, e.g. one minute, to a transitory mode in which it is possible to reset the seconds to zero and, at the same time, to cause a return to the normal operating mode by pushing in the stem.

Abstract: An electronic alarm timepiece comprises an alarm generation circuit for generating a plurality of alarm tones, and an alarm selection circuit for selecting a particular alarm tone from the plurality of alarm tones and for enabling generation of the particular alarm tone in response to the agreement between current time information and alarm time information, the selection of the particular alarm tone and the enabling of the generation of the particular alarm tone being carried out by a single operation of the alarm selection means. Preferably, an electronic calculator is incorporated within the electronic alarm timepiece.

Abstract: A multistage counter 3, 5, 7, 10 normally counts seconds pulses from a frequency divider 2. Counters 5 and 7 are units and tens minutes counters and are set by shifting a counter 21 by button B to provide a "1" on output 21d. When a button A is then held down the seconds pulses pass through gates 17 and 22 and count the units counter 5 up to the numeral 0. A flip-flop 19, 26 is then set to disable gate 22 and enable gate 23 so that the units counter stays at the numeral 0 and the tens counter advances to the desired value, when button A is released, which resets the flip-flop. Button A is pressed again to count the units counter from the numeral 0 to the desired value. The invention in one embodiment simplifies the setting of a digital watch and reduces the time (number of pulses) needed to preset the units and tens of minutes counters. The invention can be extended to more than two counters and used for counters other than in clocks and watches.

Abstract: A device comprises means for distinguishing a short depression from a long depression depending on the period of actuation of a control button (block 14), means for selecting in the case of a short depression a minutes correction mode in which the display advances by one minute for each pressure (block 18) and, in the case of a long depression, an hours correction mode in which the display advances by complete hours as long as the depression lasts (block 19). It further comprises means for defining two different advance speeds, a slower speed (SLOW+60 m) and a faster speed (FAST+60 mn) in the hours correction mode, and means for passing automatically first to the slow speed to advance a first hour and then to the fast speed for the following hours.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises commutating means 10 operated by the rotation in one direction or the other of the watch spindle 1, which rotation produces trains of commutation pulses that are phase-displaced with respect to each other. The watch circuit produces from the trains of commutation pulses a signal indicating the direction of rotation of the spindle and produces selection or correction pulses. The commutating means comprise two cams 2, 3 mechanically coupled to the rotatable spindle 1, angularly displaced one with respect to the other and arranged to actuate two resiliently flexible strips 4, 5 which are fixed at one of their free ends and the other free ends of which are alternately brought into contact with and removed from respective fixed contacts 7, 8. The watch circuit can include means for rendering ineffective a predetermined number of selection pulses at the beginning of the rotation of the spindle in one direction or the other.

Abstract: An electronic data storage and retrieval system, particularly embodied in an electronic watch instrument interrogated and controlled by a timed sequence of voltage pulses generated by the user's actuation of a switch or by his tapping or otherwise impacting an electroacoustic transducer such as a small earphone. For audible readout the instrument circuitry, when interrogated, drives the transducer to produce a coded sequence of tones easily learned by the user. The instrument may include an optical readout capability. Register means are provided for auxiliary data and for an alarm capability, and suitably coded user-produced voltage pulses serve to set a desired time in the alarm register, to arm or disarm the alarm, to read out the alarm time, to reset the basic time of the instrument, and to arm or disarm a periodic time readout.

Abstract: In an electronic timepiece having a central processing unit for processing current time and other data, and equipped with a crown and switch means coupled thereto for providing a correction signal comprising a pulse train of relatively high frequency, a bidirectional counter is provided for counting the correction signal pulses, with successive count totals in said counter being transferred in parallel form to be processed by the central processing unit. Processing of the high frequency correction pulses can thereby be performed even with the low maximum frequency which is generally available in an electronic timepiece for use as the clock signal to operate the central processing unit.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece is provided with a correction signal generating system for producing correction pulses to modify current time or other data. The system includes a rotary switch, coupled to a timepiece crown to be rotated thereby and having a plurality of fixed and movable contacts, with the number of movable contacts being less than the number of fixed contacts, and circuit means for producing a train of correction pulses from either of two output terminals in accordance with the direction of rotation of the timepiece crown. Correction pulses from one of these output terminals serves to increment the quantity being corrected, while correction pulses from the other output terminal serve to decrement that quantity. Gearing may be provided between the crown and the switch rotor, to increase the maximum rate of generation of correction pulses.

Abstract: The invention comprises an arrangement which permits placing a timepiece o a state of minimum energy consumption for storage purposes. It includes a manual control arranged to act on an electronic circuit. When the manual control is briefly actuated the minutes hand may be set to the minute, with a longer actuation causing the hands to advance through one time zone. Should the control be actuated while the hands are in motion during time zone adjustment the hands are stopped and the timepiece is in order for storage. The arrangement is applicable to timepieces which must be stored during a certain period and serves to conserve energy as well as to stop the hands in a uniform position for a collection on display.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical pulse generator for producing electronic pulses to set or correct the readout of an electronic digital display. Two contact assemblies rotatable relative to one another cooperate to close at least two pairs of electric contact elements to produce at least two pulses. The pulses have a phase shift relative to one another which is dependent upon the direction of relative rotation of the contact assemblies and a frequency which is proportional to the speed of rotation. Control logic determines the phase shift of one pulse relative to another, i.e. lead or lag, and causes an UP-DOWN counter to produce an up-count or down-count accordingly.

Abstract: A digital input means for miniature type electronic devices comprising an external actuator, mechano-electrical converter and circuit means. The mechano-electrical converter is excited to deliver an output signal which is then supplied to the circuit means and the circuit is operative in response to the operation of the external actuator to deliver an output signal.

Abstract: A process and circuit for the setting of an electronic digital display for a desired time period, particularly the cooking time of a microwave oven. The setting is effected through a series of stepping pulses controlling the registers of counter-display units for a time period which is subdivided into predetermined time units.

Abstract: A solid-state electronic timepiece in which the output of a high-frequency time base is divided down to produce low-frequency timing pulses that are applied to a display actuator adapted to selectively control a multi-digit electro-optic display to present the "time-of-day" and "seconds" as well as other aspects of time information such as calendar date and month. The actuator also serves to supply roll-over pulses to advance the display at a rapid rate for setting purposes. In order to selectively render the display effective in any one of the several aspects or in the setting mode therefor by means of a singlmdmanually-operated coding key, a mode selector is provided which is responsive to the key and operates in conjunction with the display actuator. Code signals produced by the key are decoded by the logic system to produce command signals that are fed to the actuator to cause the display to operate in the aspect mode to present the desired aspect or to operate in the setting mode.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece equipped with a switch means to produce switching pulses in response to actuation of an external operation member, and means for detecting the time intervals between pairs of the switching pulses and producing first control signals indicative of duration of the time intervals. A counter circuit is responsive to the first control signals to provide a second control signal, in response to which a correction signal generation means produces correction signals, the number of which depends on the second control signal.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a stepping motor which can be driven at a normal frequency and at a relatively faster correction frequency includes a manually actuable switch and circuitry responsive to two successive actuations of the switch within a first predetermined time period for effecting a change in the motor drive from the normal frequency to the correction frequency and responsive to a third actuation of the switch after a predetermined time period from said change, to return the motor drive to the normal frequency.

Abstract: A device for correcting the contents of a display, which is used in electronic timepieces equipped with a display for indicating day, date, hour and minute, including a stem which has a crown at a tip portion thereof and is capable of being moved between three stable positions. In the first position, the stem is in its most axially inserted position. At a second position, in which the stem is withdrawn by one step from the most inserted first position, the stem is allowed to turn in both the right and left directions by a suitable angle. At a third position in which the stem is further pulled by one step from the second position, it may also be turned, by an appropriate angle, in both directions. The movement of the stem in the axial direction is detected by a first switch means, and the rotation of the stem at the second and third positions is detected by a second switch means, whereby any one of the four display items is corrected depending upon the state of the two switch means.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having both time indicating hands and an electro-optical time display, wherein individual digits of the electro-optical display can be selected for correction and wherein correction of a digit causes the time indicating hands to advance by a precisely corresponding amount.

Abstract: An electromechanical calendar timepiece has a date display provided by two indicators carrying the "units" and tens data, respectively. The motor which drives these indicators can rotate at a normal speed or at a considerably higher speed. The units data comprise two consecutive figures "1" intended to display, respectively, the unit of the thirty-first of the months having thirty-one days and the first of each month, and one or the other of which displays the units of the eleventh and twenty-first of each month. The motor rotates at said higher speed on the one hand at the end of the months having less than thirty-one days and on the other hand twice each month, i.e. each time the "1" of the units data is displayed at the beginning of the second and the third decades.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a rotatable operating member such as a crown, with switch and pulse generation means coupled to the operating member whereby a number of pulses can be produced each time the operating member is rotated, these pulses being used to modify time information displayed by the timepiece.

Abstract: A countdown device such as a timer employing a digital display is provided ith a plurality of up/down counters, one for each digit column. A single control switch is provided which may be in the form of a push-button and the signal obtained therefrom acts on each counter until a predetermined count is reached and then on the succeeding counter. Thereby digital data may be rapidly introduced, precision of the representation diminishing however as the interval increases.

Abstract: An actuating element for the manual adjustment of a clock comprises a rotating collar face which is arranged around the time indicating device of the clock. In a mechanical or electromechanical clock, the rotating movement of the rotating collar face is transmitted through gearing to the dial train of the clock. In an electronic clock pulse-producing elements are arranged on the collar and pulse-receiving elements are fixed in the clock to produce individual pulses or pulse trains which can be counted in according to the backward counting input of the time storage which is in operative connection with the indicating element of the clock.

Abstract: The disclosed is an electronic timepiece which has storage circuits for respectively storing data regarding a variety of times such as an alarm time for different operating modes, stop watch, timer, etc., a data processing circuit commonly provided for all the storage circuits for executing various time processes, and a control circuit for controlling a mutual transfer of the data between the respective storage circuits and the data processing circuit to selectively process the various times. Accordingly, this timepiece can process a large number of times without increasing the number of the time processing circuits.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having improved means for rapid setting of time, date or alarm time, whereby the number of setting pulses generated for each actuation of an external actuating member is varied depending upon the time intervals between successive actuations.

Abstract: An electrically driven timepiece has a high frequency oscillator, a frequy divider and a time display capable of displaying at least minutes and seconds wherein correcting and setting of the display is obtained by means of a single user accessible switch capable of assuming at least two positions including a neutral and an active position and a sequential discriminator circuit which includes a plurality of memory devices, a timing chain and a bistable circuit controlled by the switch so that cycles of impulses applied to the switch within predetermined time periods by the user will result in the addition of a unit count to the seconds display or the blocking of the display advance or the driving of the display at a higher than normal rate in accordance with the cycle pattern employed.

Abstract: In an electronic digital display control device, a pulse generator is actuated to produce pulses which are fed into a counter to control the setting on the display. A discriminator detects whether the frequency of the pulses exceeds a predetermined frequency limit. If the limit is exceeded, the discriminator connects to the counter a second pulse generator which provides pulses at a freqency higher than the predetermined frequency limit. By so doing, the counter receives a substantially greater number of control pulses per unit of time and sets the digital display very rapidly.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece having an analog display including a time setting mechanism for correction of the hour hand independently of the other hands including an auxiliary circuit for supplying a rapid frequency train of pulses to a step motor for displacing a train of gear wheels by an amount equivalent to a complete turn of the second hand.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical watch for advancing the uncorrected watch indicating members to their correct time indicating positions, after a correction period during which one of the indicating members is adjusted and the advancement of the uncorrected members is interrupted. In regular operation, a pulsed signal at a normal frequency from a watch frequency divider drives a stepping motor to advance the indicating members. At the beginning of the correction period, the pulsed signal is switched from the stepping motor to a pulse counter which counts the pulses occurring during the correction period. After the correction period, the pulsed signal is switched back to the stepping motor and a number of signal pulses at a higher than normal frequency, equal to the count of the pulse counter are applied to the stepping motor to advance rapidly the uncorrected indicating members to their correct time indicating positions.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece equipped with an oscillator for producing a time base, a freuqency divider and time display means drive in response to output signals supplied by the frequency divider, which timepiece includes correction system characterized in that a single switch is provided for rapidly correcting the time display means, wherein time corrections are alternatively accomplished in an advancing and retarding direction each time the switch is depressed.

Abstract: A one button-switch time display set and adjustment apparatus for an electronic timepiece having a digital electro-optic display. The (time) information being displayed is set or adjusted by depressing and holding depressed the buttonswitch which causes the display indicia, i.e. digit (s) and other time display intervals, each to flash or flicker separately in a predetermined order. If the button-switch is released while the segment to be adjusted is being interrogated, indicated by the flickering or flashing of that indicia, the interrogation operation or sequence is interrupted and that indicia continues to flicker. Depressing and holding depressed the button-switch again, for a predetermined time, causes updating of the interrogated indicia at a 1 HZ rate. Releasing the button-switch stops the updating of the selected display indicia and causes the timepiece to return to the normal running mode or operation.