With Calendar Indicator Patents (Class 368/28)
  • Patent number: 7184369
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a timepiece and a mechanism to be used with the timepiece for indicating the date and the day of the present time. In one embodiment, a timepiece may include a dial, indications of seven days of a week inscribed on the dial, and an aperture pierced through the dial and being sized to allow seven dates of a month to appear adjacent the indications on the dial. A mechanism for indicating the date and the day may include a date indicator bearing a series of dates from 1 to 31, a first member configured to cause the date indicator to move by seven days on each Sunday at about midnight, a date corrector bearing a series of dates from 1 to 6 and arranged in such a way that the date corrector can be partially superposed on the date indicator, and a second member configured to cause the date corrector to move in such a way that, at the end of a month having less than 31 days, the date corrector automatically hides incorrect dates and replaces them with its own dates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier S.A.
    Inventor: Frédéric Crettex
  • Patent number: 7167416
    Abstract: The invention relates to a watch comprising a movement arranged for driving hands displaying hours and minutes as well as a counting mechanism for driving an additional hand arranged to display the working time of the watch user, day after day, within a one week cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Inventor: Asthagiri Raman Krishnamani
  • Patent number: 7139224
    Abstract: A calendar stepping mechanism of an eternal calendar of a clock includes a month disk with indentations and elevations corresponding to forty-eight months of a leap year period and a calendar wheel having 31 teeth with one stepping tooth and normal teeth for driving a calendar date display. A stepping lever is pivoted once a day and has a probe finger that rests on the month disk in a normal position of the stepping lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Lange Uhren GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Schneider
  • Patent number: 7133328
    Abstract: Date system for a horological movement comprising a tens disc (2) connected to a star wheel (4) driven by a first drive device (12), and a units disc (1) driven by a second drive device (13). The said drive devices (12, 13) are connected to a rocker (9) which works with cams (10, 11) connected to a driving runner (5), which effects one rotation per month. These cams (10, 11) are provided with a tooth (20) and a notch (21) which keep the first drive device (12) in the disengaged position until the tooth (20) and the notch (21) actuate the said rocker (9) in order to engage and disengage the respective drive devices (12, 13) in such a way as to move the display from the 31st to the 1st of the month without an error of one day between the date indicated and the actual date.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: DE Grisogono
    Inventors: Willy Cleusix, Norbert Perucchi
  • Patent number: 7110325
    Abstract: To provide an electronic timepiece having a simple constitution, being excellent in durability in an electronic timepiece and made to change date display of date display means in accordance with rotation of a time hand. A 24 o'clock detecting switch detects 24 o' clock. A crown rotation switch is made ON when a crown for rotating a time hand is rotated regularly by a predetermined angle and a crown rotation switch is made ON when the crown is rotated reversely by the predetermined angle. A control circuit determines whether a rotational direction of the crown is regular rotation or reverse rotation based on the numbers of operating the crown rotation switches ON, when the 24 o'clock detecting switch detects 24 o'clock, the control circuit 106 regularly rotates or reversely rotates date display of the date display means in the direction in accordance with a result of determination of the direction of rotating the crown to change date to tomorrow or yesterday.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Tomohiro Ihashi
  • Patent number: 7038974
    Abstract: This timepiece comprises an annual or perpetual date display mechanism and also comprises means (11) for operating a device (13) for displaying the number of days in the month being displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Daniel Roth & Gerald Genta Haute Horlogerie S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Dalloz
  • Patent number: 7029034
    Abstract: A calendar is provided for behavior modification as well as a method for using the same. The calendar has calendar sheets and informational sheets. The calendar has objectives sections, data collection sections, analysis sections, non-date pages and/or detachable pages for use by an individual. The calendar may be customized and/or pre-designed for an individual or by the individual. In use, the behavior information may be recorded on the calendar sheet. Information associated with daily, weekly, and/or monthly behavior may be recorded. The information may include weekly and/or monthly averages and/or summations, delta calculations, and/or minimum/maximum data. The calendar may be adapted to measure or track indicators, such as, for example, developmental progress, caloric intake, amount and type of exercise, amount of fat, sodium or sugar, amount of cigarettes smoked, blood pressure measurements, weight gain or the like. A bottom space may also be provided to record monthly goals and/or objectives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Inventor: Patricia M. Newell
  • Patent number: 7031227
    Abstract: The device for displaying the day of the month comprises a units display member (1) and a tens display member (2) provided one with at least one series of numerals from 0 to 9 and the other with a series of numeral from 0 to 3, these units and tens display members being positioned relative to each other so as to display in the space of a large window two numerals side by side. The units display member (1) is divided into ten sectors or a multiple of ten sectors each carrying a numeral from 0 to 9, the nine sectors (a) separating the numerals 0–1, 1–2; . . . 8–9 having an angular extent equal to ?th of the angular extent of the sectors (b) separating the numerals 9 from the numerals 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Richemont International S.A.
    Inventor: Marc Huter
  • Patent number: 7027360
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece with date display function reduces power consumption in conjunction with the user adjusting the date, and makes it easier for the user to set the date. A displayed date detection unit H has a day detector H1 for detecting the displayed day, a month detector H2 for detecting the displayed month, and a year detector H3 for detecting the displayed year. A control unit A controls a calendar mechanism drive unit F according to the date detected by detectors H1 to H3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Joji Kitahara, Jun Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 7004505
    Abstract: A calendar comprising a medium upon which a plurality of indicia are applied, wherein each of the indicia coacts with an adjacent indicia, and wherein each of the indicia is visually indicative of a complete lunar day and a complete solar day. Each indicia for the lunar day coacts with two indicia for the solar day and each indicia for the solar day coacts with two indicia for the lunar day. Additionally, the calendar comprises an interlocking notched indicia weekday banner, wherein the interlocking notched indicia weekday banner represents the relation between the seven days of a Jewish week and the seven days of a secular week. Furthermore, each indicia may form a plurality of indicia identifying a respective plurality of days, a respective one or more weeks, a respective one or more months, or a respective one or more years.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventor: Brad S. Perelman
  • Patent number: 6999380
    Abstract: A timepiece comprises a standard time clock for counting standard time and means for calculating daylight saving time by adding a predetermined time correction value to the standard time when judging that the standard time is within the period of daylight saving time. When a time input for setting the timepiece is after a daylight saving time starting time as expressed in the standard time and before a daylight saving time starting time as expressed in daylight saving time, the timepiece corrects the input time by adding the time correction value thereto and sets the corrected time as daylight saving time for the standard time clock. A monitoring camera device comprises the timepiece. Time data output from the timepiece when an image is captured is added as image capturing time data to image data obtained by capturing the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6964512
    Abstract: Disclosed is a personal organization tool comprising an indicator and an analog display divided into areas representing days of the week to help people organize themselves and remind them of various events or activities. The tool may be used in co-operation with an apparatus for providing information. The tool is particularly useful for people with short-term memory loss who often experience difficulty in keeping track of when they are supposed to do something.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Inventor: A. Daniel Brophy
  • Patent number: 6965801
    Abstract: A method and device that controls one or more apparatus in relation to the expected time of sunrise and sunset at the location of the apparatus. The operator enters a geographic location identifier, such as a zip code or telephone area code, and the controller computes the expected time of sunrise and sunset at the corresponding geographic location. The controller is configured to translate the entered geographic location code into the offset times, based upon the latitude and longitude of the location. The controller is able to either directly retrieve stored time offsets or it retrieves the latitude and longitude that corresponds to the entered geographic location code and determines the time offset from that latitude and longitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Inventor: Christopher R. Hall
  • Patent number: 6958692
    Abstract: Location-dependant personal organizer apparatus for operation with a memory for storing a plurality of appointment entries, each appointment entry including data specifying a time and a place; the personal organizer comprising: a locating unit capable of determining the location of the personal organizer; a clock capable of determining the present time; an alerting unit for generating an alert to a user; and an alert processor coupled to the memory, the locating unit, the clock and the alerting unit and capable of actuating the alerting unit at a period before the stored time for an appointment entry that is dependant on the stored place for that appointment entry and the determined location of the personal organizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Kalevi Ratschunas
  • Patent number: 6958952
    Abstract: According to this method the units and tens numerals are placed onto respective indicator runners (1, 2). Two drivelines are formed, one being a daily driveline between the clock movement and the indicator runners, for moving the units indicator runner (1) selectively step by step by one step every 24 hours, and for moving the tens indicator runner (2) by one step for every ten steps of the units indicator runner (1), in order to move on from one multiple of ten to the next, and for moving the tens indicator alone by one step to move on from “31” to “01” on a 31-day cycle, and an annual driveline between the clock movement and the tens indicator runner, which driveline is programmed to move the tens indicator runner (2) by one step at the same time as the units indicator runner (1) is moved by the daily driveline, to move on from “30” to “01” at the end of the months which comprise less than 31 days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Rolex SA
    Inventors: Jacques Gabathuler, Cédric Jacot
  • Patent number: 6934221
    Abstract: Date mechanism for a timepiece such as a wristwatch including two superposed respectively lower (6) and upper (4) date rings, whose surface is divided into a plurality of sectors, the upper ring (4) including sixteen sectors, fifteen of which respectively bear fifteen successive markings of a cycle of 31 positions, and the sixteenth of which is an extra sector having an open or transparent aperture (8), whereas the lower ring (6) includes seventeen sectors, sixteen of which bear respectively the other sixteen markings of the cycle of 31 positions, and the seventeenth of which is an extra sector, each of said rings cooperating with drive means such that the markings appear successively in a display zone (20) the date mechanism further including a jumper-effect stopping device (22) able to stop each ring (4, 6) in any desired position, the date mechanism being characterised in that one location on the upper ring (4) and one location on the lower ring (6) is provided with a thinned tooth (14) and (16), located b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Roger Willemin, Roger Metzger, Marco Bettelini
  • Patent number: 6925032
    Abstract: Date mechanism for a timepiece such as a wristwatch including two superposed respectively upper (4) and lower (6) date rings, whose surface is divided into a plurality of sectors, the upper ring (4) including sixteen sectors, fifteen of which respectively bear fifteen successive markings of a cycle of 31 positions, and the sixteenth of which is an extra sector having an open or transparent aperture (8), whereas the lower ring (6) includes seventeen sectors, sixteen of which bear respectively the other sixteen markings of the cycle of 31 positions, and the seventeenth of which is an extra sector, each of said rings (4, 6) cooperating with drive means such that the markings of the lower ring appear successively in a display zone (30), the date mechanism being wherein each ring (4, 6) includes two peripheral toothings extending along two stepped, respectively upper and lower rows, the teeth (10, 12) of the upper and lower rows of the upper ring (4) being superposed, whereas the teeth (18, 20) of the upper and lo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Roger Willemin, Roger Metzger, Marco Bettelini
  • Patent number: 6912180
    Abstract: The invention relates to a timepiece comprising a time train, a 31-toothed wheel, a wheel of units of 30 teeth plus a space corresponding to a tooth which is used to drive a star-wheel of units and a four-toothed wheel for driving a star-wheel of tens, a year cam which is solidly connected to a wheel, and drive means for driving said 31-toothed wheel by one revolution per month and the year cam by one revolution per year. The aforementioned 31-toothed wheel is solidly connected to a corrector element. The drive means comprise a cam which is solidly connected to a wheel, a driving yoke, elastic means which are used to press said yoke against the cam, a corrector yoke, a feeler which is arranged to detect the position of the year cam and elastic means in order to connect said yokes to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Manufacture Roger Dubuis S.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Dias
  • Patent number: 6885615
    Abstract: A rectangular vibrating plate 10 in which a piezoelectric element and a reinforcing plate are stacked is supported on a main plate by a support member 11, and is urged toward the rotor 100 by an elastic force of the support member 11. This brings a projection 36 provided on the vibrating plate 10 into abutment with an outer peripheral surface of the rotor 100. In this construction, when the vibrating plate 10 vibrates in the horizontal direction in the figure by an applied voltage from a driving circuit (not shown), the rotor 100 is rotated in a clockwise direction in accordance with the displacement of the projection 36 due to the vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Miyazawa, Yasuharu Hashimoto, Tsukasa Funasaka, Makoto Furuhata
  • Patent number: 6868046
    Abstract: The watch is provided with a circular row of capacitive keys defined by transparent electrodes (21 to 32) arranged on the inner face of the crystal (5) of the watch and connected to a detection device via a multiplexer. These keys are activated by the person wearing the watch placing a finger (38) on the crystal facing one of the electrodes. The watch further includes means for detecting the position of at least one of the hands (8, 9) by means of the same detection device, using the electrodes (21 to 32) of the capacitive keys and/or other fixed electrodes (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Asulab S.A.
    Inventors: Pierre-André Farine, Jean-Charles Guanter, Sergio Rota
  • Patent number: 6850467
    Abstract: To provide a jumper structure which is light-weighted and capable of reducing fabrication cost and a timepiece using the same. A jumper structure of a timepiece is constituted by integrally molding a jumping and restricting portion made of carbon nanofiber and a spring portion made of carbon nanofiber. A jumping and restricting portion of the jumper structure is thicker than the spring portion and the jumping and restricting portion includes a projected portion in a flat plate shape and in an eaves-like shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Mamoru Watanabe, Morinobu Endo
  • Publication number: 20040264301
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are related to navigating through calendar based information on a device. Calendar based content associated with a calendar channel is stored on the device. The device includes modes for categorically displaying different types of information associated with the calendar channel. Example modes include: appointments view, event view, and month view. The appointment view mode is organized to display appointment information on the electronic device. The event view mode is arranged to display event information that is organized according to a day list format. The month view mode displays the days of the month. The calendar channel is synchronized and customized by the user from a single user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Dane M. Howard, Keith C. Curtis, James W. Cooley
  • Patent number: 6826122
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a timepiece such as, in particular, a wristwatch, including a watch movement, a running equation of time device, as well as a date mechanism, this timepiece having a pair of hour (22) and minute (24) hands which indicate the civil time, and an additional minute hand (28) which indicates the true time, the daily position of the true time minute hand (28) with respect to the civil time minute hand (24) being determined by the position of an equation of time cam (32) driven in rotation at the rate of one revolution per year by a date mechanism, characterized in that the true time minute hand (28) is driven by a differential gear (50) which has for respective power take-off a gear train (52) driving the civil time minute hand (24) and a transmission member which co-operates with the equation of time cam (32) to transmit the pivoting movement of said cam (32) to the input of the differential gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Frederic Piguet S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Zaugg
  • Publication number: 20040184355
    Abstract: A timepiece includes an indicator for indicating the passage of one hundred years, and preferably in one year increments. The indicator can be a year hand which revolves, each revolution indicating the passage of one hundred years. The indicator can be set to provide an indication of the age of the owner, the number of years since activation of the timepiece, or some other period relevant to the user. The timepiece can be a watch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Peter M. Simonson
  • Patent number: 6766459
    Abstract: A time keeping apparatus has a display mode for displaying time and a power-saving mode for reducing power consumption. The time keeping apparatus has a time display unit for displaying time, a calendar display unit for displaying a present date, a control unit for stopping, in the power-saving mode, both time display by the time display unit and calendar display by the calendar display unit, and a time information storage unit for storing information relating to an elapsed time of the power-saving mode. Upon switching back to the display mode, the calendar display displays a present date on the basis of information relating to the elapsed time stored by the time information storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Shimura, Hidehiro Akahane
  • Patent number: 6760725
    Abstract: A computer system includes a real time clock and a non-volatile memory that stores a current date and time from the real time clock. This date is proactively updated at the turn of the century by software running on the computer. This software looks for an Interrupt 08 signal and, in response, determines whether the current date stored in the non-volatile memory is equal to Dec. 31, 1999. If it is, the software determines whether the current time is a predetermined amount of time (e.g., one or two seconds) before the end of the day. If both these criteria are met, the current date in the non-volatile memory is set to Jan. 1, 2000 the current time is set to 00:00:00.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Jack D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6744696
    Abstract: This annual date mechanism comprises a correction cam (1a) in kinematic connection with a date indicating runner (1), a correction rocker (8) engaged on the one hand with said correction cam (1a) and, on the other hand, with an annual cam (18). A spring (9) presses the correction rocker (8) against the cams (1a, 18). The correction cam (1a) comprises a portion (1a′) for arming said spring (9), followed by a portion (1a*) sized to cause said date runner (1) to move by one step between “31” and “1”, under the pressure of said spring (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Rolex S.A.
    Inventors: Frank Vernay, Pierre-Alain Graemiger
  • Patent number: 6738316
    Abstract: This date mechanism comprises a units runner (1, 3) equipped with ten teeth or with a multiple of ten teeth and a tens runner (2, 4) equipped with four teeth or with a multiple of four teeth, a transmission connecting these runners to move the tens runner on by one step for every ten steps of the units runner (1, 3) and a drive runner (7, 8) for driving the units runner (1, 3). One tooth of the units runner (1, 3) for moving on from “1” to “2” is a tooth of an auxiliary runner (12) secured to the units runner (1, 3) and which is able to engage alternately with the teeth of the tens indicator runner (2, 4) and with a cam (15) secured to the tens runner (2, 4) and intended to allow the auxiliary runner (12) to drive said tens runner (4) by one step between “31” and “01” without driving the units runner (1, 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Rolex SA
    Inventors: Jacques Gabathuler, Cédric Jacot
  • Patent number: 6735151
    Abstract: The electronic watch includes hands (2, 4, 5) indicating the time, a device (6) displaying at least the date, this device being formed of first (9) and second (10) indicators on which are marked figures (11, 12) respectively indicating the tens and the units of said date. A control member able to be activated manually allows the hands to be set to the correct time and the date to be set. The first (9) and second (10) indicators are each driven by an independent motor (17, 18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches
    Inventor: André Triponez
  • Publication number: 20040081026
    Abstract: Watch comprising a case with the following components arranged inside it:
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Asthagiri Raman Krishnamani
  • Patent number: 6711098
    Abstract: Date display device, intended to be fitted to a timepiece provided with a movement, a dial 10 and hands 12, 14 driven by said movement and displaying the time. A date mechanism, drives first 32 and second 34 display members, mounted to move in rotation on the movement, and provided with indices 24 26. The device is arranged so that, when the mechanism causes the units display to pass from a value n to n+1, n being an integer number comprised between 1 and 9, the first member 32 travels, in the clockwise direction, through an angle equal to 30°, and so that, when n is equal to 1, the index 24 is located in a position corresponding to the position which an hour hand would occupy, when it is one o'clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier S.A.
    Inventor: Vincent Berard
  • Publication number: 20040047243
    Abstract: An improved calendar system that calculates the 25th leap day with precision and determines which centuries are to receive the 25th leap day and which centuries do not. A calendar that has all four seasons starting at the beginning of a month instead of in the middle of a month. A calendar that has the New Year occur on the first day of spring when annual life forms begin anew. An intelligent time reckoning mechanism that meets the needs of any advanced civilization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: John Anthony Karageorge
  • Patent number: 6687191
    Abstract: A calendar timepiece has a main plate having a guide portion and a date indicator driving wheel mounted on the main plate to undergo rotation. A date feed finger is connected to the date indicator driving wheel for rotation therewith to engage the guide portion of the main plate so that the date feed finger is displaced in a generally thickness direction of the main plate. A date indicator has a tooth portion for meshing engagement with the date feed finger when the date feed finger engages the guide portion of the main plate and is displaced in the thickness direction of the main plate so that the date indicator undergoes rotation relative to the main plate to indicate date information during rotation of the date feed finger. A day feed finger is connected to the date indicator driving wheel for rotation therewith. A day indicator is connected to the day feed finger for rotation therewith to indicate a day of the week.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Mamoru Watanabe, Shigeo Suzuki, Kenichi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 6657924
    Abstract: This disclosure provides an organizational calendar and an organizational apparatus and methods of using each. The organizational calendar includes a substantially planar sheet of material that has a plurality of item containers disposed upon the material. In addition, the organizational calendar includes a plurality of time period indicators. Each of the time period indicators includes an item container. Further, the organizational calendar includes a notice indicator located substantially near at least one of the time period indicators. Furthermore, the organizational calendar includes a current time period indicator, which is located substantially near at least one of the time period indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventor: Kim S. McCravy
  • Publication number: 20030198139
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece with date display function reduces power consumption in conjunction with the user adjusting the date, and makes it easier for the user to set the date. A displayed date detection unit H has a day detector H1 for detecting the displayed day, a month detector H2 for detecting the displayed month, and a year detector H3 for detecting the displayed year. A control unit A controls a calendar mechanism drive unit F according to the date detected by detectors H1 to H3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Joji Kitahara, Jun Matsuzaki
  • Publication number: 20030165083
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece without system failure at the time of transfer from the power-saving mode to the display mode is provided. A power-saving control circuit 400 controls drive of a date dial displaying a date when updating a date display, which has been stopped in a power-saving mode, to a current date at the time of transfer from the power-saving mode to the display mode. The power-saving control circuit 400 outputs a date dial drive inhibiting signal, which prohibits drive of the date dial 75, to a date-updating control circuit 300, if a voltage VDD of a power source unit B is less than or equal to a low threshold voltage V1. It outputs a date dial deceleration driving signal, which drives a date dial 75 with a predetermined speed slower than a normal update speed when transferring to the display mode, to a date-updating control circuit 300, if a source voltage VDD is equal to or less than a high threshold voltage V2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Publication date: September 4, 2003
    Inventors: Akihiko Maruyama, Akihiro Sawada
  • Patent number: 6582118
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a wheel train mounted for undergoing rotation and a transmission wheel for undergoing rotation in accordance with rotation of the wheel train. A contact point spring is connected to the transmission wheel for rotation therewith. The contact point spring extends substantially linearly through a rotational center of the transmission wheel. First and second detection patterns contact the contact point spring during rotation of the transmission wheel to generate a rotational position detecting signal corresponding to a rotational position of the transmission wheel. The first and second detection patterns are disposed at an angle of substantially 180 degree relative to the rotational center of the transmission wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nakajima, Takayuki Satodate, Akihiro Matouge, Akihiko Inada, Mitsuru Ishii, Yoshio Koyama, Shigeo Suzuki, Masayuki Kawata, Yuko Sasaki, Eriko Takakuwa
  • Patent number: 6584040
    Abstract: To provide an electronic timepiece enabling reliable detection of a state of rotation of an indication wheel such as a date dial. An ultrasonic motor 1130 has an ultrasonic rotor pinion 1134b. A date dial 1120 is disposed on a main plate 1102 in such a way as to rotate relative thereto. The ultrasonic rotor pinion 1134b is meshed with an intermediate date driving gear wheel 1142a. A date driving wheel 1150 is rotatably disposed on the main plate 1102. A date driving gear wheel 1150b is meshed with an intermediate date driving pinion 1142b. A date driving gear portion 1150b is meshed with a dial gear portion 1120a. A contact point spring 1160 is disposed on a spring guiding portion 1150d. The contact point spring 1160 rotates integrally with the date driving wheel 1150 through the rotation of the date driving wheel 1150. The state of rotation of the date driving wheel 1150 can be detected by contact of the contact point spring 1160 with the contact point pattern 1174.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kenichi Nakajima, Takayuki Satodate, Akihiro Matouge, Akihiko Inada, Mitsuru Ishii, Yoshio Koyama, Shigeo Suzuki, Masayuki Kawata, Yuko Sasaki, Eriko Takakuwa
  • Publication number: 20030112707
    Abstract: Date display device, intended to be fitted to a timepiece provided with a movement, a dial 10 and hands 12, 14 driven by said movement and displaying the time. A date mechanism, drives first 32 and second 34 display members, mounted to move in rotation on the movement, and provided with indices 24 26. The device is arranged so that, when the mechanism causes the units display to pass from a value n to n+1, n being an integer number comprised between 1 and 9, the first member 32 travels, in the clockwise direction, through an angle equal to 30°, and so that, when n is equal to 1, the index 24 is located in a position corresponding to the position which an hour hand would occupy, when it is one o'clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Vincent Berard
  • Publication number: 20030103415
    Abstract: A method for resolving meeting conflicts for an electronic calendar application is disclosed. After receiving a request for setting a first meeting schedule for a first meeting, an electronic calendar application sets a first meeting schedule and a first meeting priority number associated with the first meeting. In response to a request to set a second meeting schedule for a second meeting, and the second meeting schedule conflicts with the first meeting schedule, the electronic calendar application determines whether a second meeting priority number associated with the second meeting is higher than the first meeting priority number associated with the first meeting. If the second meeting priority number is determined to be higher than the first meeting priority number, then the electronic calendar application overrides the first meeting schedule with the second meeting schedule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Cary Lee Bates, Robert James Crenshaw, Paul Reuben Day, John Matthew Santosuosso
  • Publication number: 20030103416
    Abstract: This date mechanism comprises a units runner (1, 3) equipped with ten teeth or with a multiple of ten teeth and a tens runner (2, 4) equipped with four teeth or with a multiple of four teeth, a transmission connecting these runners to move the tens runner on by one step for every ten steps of the units runner (1, 3) and a drive runner (7, 8) for driving the units runner (1, 3). One tooth of the units runner (1, 3) for moving on from “1” to “2” is a tooth of an auxiliary runner (12) secured to the units runner (1, 3) and which is able to engage alternately with the teeth of the tens indicator runner (2, 4) and with a cam (15) secured to the tens runner (2, 4) and intended to allow the auxiliary runner (12) to drive said tens runner (4) by one step between “31” and “01” without driving the units runner (1, 3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Jacques Gabathuler, Cedric Jacot
  • Publication number: 20030099157
    Abstract: A system and method for dynamically adjusting expiration dates displayed on consumer products, the system and method utilizing an LCD display for displaying an expiration date and messages, sensors for monitoring environmental conditions, a clock for counting back the expiration date, and a controller for determining messages and adjustments to the displayed expiration date based on monitored environmental conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Applicant: Pitney Bowes
    Inventor: Douglas B. Quine
  • Patent number: 6515941
    Abstract: An electronic watch which can be small-sized even with an additional mechanism such as a calendar mechanism. In the electronic watch, a rectangular piezoelectric oscillator 32 acting as a piezoelectric actuator is forced at its end face to contact with a beam portion 35, which is mounted on a date ring 31 acting as a second indication member, thereby to drive the date ring 31 directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kenji Suzuki, Akihiro Iino
  • Patent number: 6510108
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a date wheel for undergoing rotation in accordance with movement of an indicator to change a display state of a date display, a 24 hour wheel driven to undergo one complete rotation each 24 hour period in accordance with movement of the indicator, and a contact spring connected to the 24 hour wheel for rotation therewith. A circuit board has first and second electrode patterns electrically connected to each other by the contact spring. A switching circuit changes a voltage level of the first electrode pattern to a first voltage level. A detector outputs an initializing signal corresponding to detection of termination of an operation for interchanging a battery of the electronic timepiece or for correcting time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 6502060
    Abstract: A clock for the attachment of a dog's collar or the like that indicates the passage of time according to the dog's or pet's frame of reference. For example, the rate of passage of time may be such that for each human day of time passage, seven dog or pet days are reflected by the clock's display. Additional data, displays, and information may be carried, manipulated, entered and chosen by the use of user control buttons or the like. A battery may supply power to internal circuitry that drives a display of liquid crystals (LCD). The data carried by the pet chronometer and identification tag may be held in EEPROM such that a power failure does not erase the data. This is particularly useful for any health data or contact information that is incorporated or recorded into the pet chronometer and identification tag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Petronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Lutrell M. Christian
  • Publication number: 20020196709
    Abstract: The Gregorian calendar system is modified by continuing to add a 25th leap year day every four hundred years and then not adding a 25th leap year day every three thousand two hundred years. Then, after 27 cycles of the 3,200 year period, a 25th leap year day is added to align the calendar with the solar year. By doing so, the need for eliminating days from the calendar as is required by the Gregorian calendar as prescribed by Britannica Encyclopedia is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Inventor: John Anthony Karageorge
  • Publication number: 20020181334
    Abstract: A date-displaying endless sheet has thirty-one dates consecutively carried thereon in a machine direction of the sheet. A day-displaying endless sheet has days of the week consecutively placed thereon in a machine direction of the sheet. A first pair of inserting rollers is rotated to feed the date-displaying sheet to an extent that displays the following date, while a second pair of ejecting rollers is rotated to feed the day-displaying sheet to a level that displays the following day of the week. The above-structured daily calendar is semi-permanently operable without the need for calendar sheet replacement as opposed to prior art reel type calendars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Hiroo Nakano
  • Publication number: 20020163858
    Abstract: A seven day clock includes an open-face and a single hand rotatably mounted to, and generally centrally disposed on, the face. A motor driver rotates the hand at a uniform rate of rotation, about an axis of rotation, in a plane parallel to the face. The hand rotates in complete 360 degree revolutions about the face once every seven complete days. The face is demarked into seven contiguous equal sectors each bounded by two radii extending radially outwardly from the axis of rotation and labelled consecutively with the consecutive days of a week. The clock is adapted for a user to apply removable writing so that the writing overlays the face, and so that the removable writing is within the sectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Eric Greenwood
  • Patent number: 6477114
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a calendar advancement device resistant to external shock and capable of achieving date correction in a short time. A date dial advancement transducer (51) is activated in response to a date dial drive signal generated by a 24-hour switch. A date advancement mechanism (a date gear train) (52) employs a Geneva wheel for stabilizing the date dial (70). A bounding restraint lever is regulated using an eccentric cam or the like provided coaxially with the Geneva wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Mutoh, Yasuo Kitajima, Haruhiko Higuchi, Hiroyuki Koike
  • Patent number: 6469958
    Abstract: An automatic electrical device having a rack superimposed on an ordinary calendars and having seven light emitting diodes (LED's) of a single color affixed thereon to indicate the current day of the week, and similarly thirty-seven LED's of a single different color to indicate the current day of the month. Operation of the device is based on an electrical impulse transmitted daily by a clock through a switching network to sequentially energize the LED's. A monthly programmed electrical impulse counter provides means for coordinating operation of the device with calendar changes in a new month. Means provided to adjust leap year variation which provides means to program continuous operation of the device in unlimited time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Eugene V. Bray