With Wireless Synchronization Patents (Class 368/47)
  • Publication number: 20140086021
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a GPS receiver, outdoor detection device, timekeeping device, control device, and storage device. The control device has an automatic reception control unit that starts reception control when the time kept by the timekeeping device reaches the reception control start time stored in the storage device, and stops reception control until the next reception control start time when a stop reception control condition is met; and a time correction unit that corrects the time kept by the timekeeping device based on time information contained in the satellite signal when satellite signal reception is successful. The automatic reception control unit includes an outdoor reception control unit that executes an outdoor reception process when the outdoor detection device detects being outdoors, and a scheduled reception control unit that executes a scheduled reception process when the time kept by the timekeeping device goes to the scheduled reception time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba
  • Publication number: 20140078870
    Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrating piece, a piezoelectric vibrator, an oscillator, an electronic apparatus and a radio timepiece capable of reducing the size while suppressing reduction of rigidity and having excellent vibration characteristics. The piezoelectric vibrating piece includes a pair of vibrating arm portions in parallel to each other, a base portion integrally fixing base end portions of the pair of vibrating arm portions in a length direction, groove portions on main surfaces of the pair of vibrating arm portions and extending along the length direction, where each of the groove portions includes a first groove portion near a tip portion end of the vibrating arm portions and a second groove portion near the base end portion side of the vibrating arm portions with respect to the first groove portion, and the second groove portion is offset in a ?X axis direction with respect to the first groove portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: SII Crystal Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8665675
    Abstract: A timepiece with a wireless function comprises a movement that displays time; a conductive case that holds the movement; a crystal that is disposed on a face side of the case and covers a face side of the movement; a conductive plate that is disposed between the movement and the crystal and reflects radio waves; and an antenna that has a substantially annular, conductive antenna electrode and is disposed along an outside edge of the conductive plate between the conductive plate and the crystal as seen in a lateral view. The antenna electrode is configured to receive the radio waves reflected by the conductive plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 8666009
    Abstract: An enhanced base station and clock synchronization method are provided. The method includes scanning to discover a satellite transmitting a satellite signal and a master base station providing clock synchronization signal, entering, when a satellite having a signal that fulfills predetermined conditions is found, a master mode for receiving the satellite signal to acquire clock synchronization and transmitting a clock synchronization signal to at least one slave base station, and entering, when no satellite having a signal that fulfills the predetermined conditions is found, a slave mode for receiving the clock synchronization signal from the master base station to acquire clock synchronization. The method allows the base station to switch between the master and slave modes dynamically according to variation of the communication environment, resulting in efficient clock synchronization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jai Jin Lim, Woo Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 8665674
    Abstract: Disclosed is a time code discrimination apparatus that discriminates a time code including one-minute digit and ten-minute digit codes. The time code discrimination apparatus includes: a first code acquiring section to acquire a plurality of sets of one-minute digit codes at a time interval in which the plurality of sets of one-minute digit codes are equal in value of one-minute digit; and a first code discrimination section to execute a process of reducing erroneous discrimination on the plurality of sets of one-minute digit codes acquired by the first code acquiring section, and to discriminate the one-minute digit codes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru Someya
  • Publication number: 20140036641
    Abstract: A time information obtaining device and a radio-controlled timepiece are shown. According to one implementation, the time information obtaining device includes a receiving section, a code identifying section, a decoding section, and a consistency confirming section. The consistency confirming section confirms consistency of time information. The consistency confirming section generates the selected code string using the following: (i) a matching selected code string portion in which, for a code string portion including a code which may change according to the time information, a type of code is selected based on a degree of match between an identified code string and a model code string; and (ii) a majority selected code string portion in which, for a portion other than the above, a type of code is selected by majority determination among the codes identified to be a same position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Takashi SANO, Haruo KAJITANI
  • Patent number: 8644117
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece can improve the frequency of satellite signal reception and reduce power consumption. Such timepiece, e.g., a wristwatch has a GPS device that executes a reception process that locks onto a GPS satellite and receives satellite signals; a reception control unit that controls the reception process; and a solar panel that detects illuminance. The reception control unit includes an illuminance-based reception control unit that runs a reception process based on the detected illuminance, and a scheduled reception control unit that runs a reception process when a preset scheduled time is reached. The illuminance-based reception control unit stops reception when a satellite is not locked onto within a first locking time, and the scheduled reception control unit stops reception when a satellite is not locked onto in a second locking time that is shorter than the first locking time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Matsuzaki, Norimitsu Baba, Katsuyuki Honda, Toshikazu Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20140029388
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece with internal antenna maintains sufficiently high reception performance of circularly polarized waves even when having a metal external case. A drive unit of the timepiece counts a time inside the external case. An antenna has a tubular-shaped side part, a bottom part that covers one of two openings of the side part, and a top part that contacts an inside surface of the side part inside the external case. The bottom part is a back cover of the external case, and the top part has a slot part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20140022871
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a case that is made from a conductive material; a movement that is housed in the case and has a plurality of motors that drive plural staffs disposed at a plurality of locations; a dial that is made from a nonconductive material; and an antenna that is disposed inside the case. At least two display units including a first display unit and a second display unit are formed as plane circles on the surface of the dial with a staff in the plane center of each plane circle. The diameter of the first display unit is greater than the diameter of the second display unit, and the antenna is disposed to a position superimposed in plan view on the first display unit and the second display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20140016441
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece that receives RF signals and displays information suppresses loss of antenna sensitivity to a sufficiently low level without sacrificing display functions. Such an electronic timepiece has a dial on the face of which time is displayed, and an antenna in the shape of a polygon disposed on the back side of the dial. The antenna receives signals passing through the dial. A voltaic is disposed between the dial and the antenna. The distance in between the antenna and the voltaic device is at least 0.2 times the length of the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Matsuzaki
  • Publication number: 20140016440
    Abstract: Provided is a radio-controlled wristwatch that receives a radio wave including day-related information from a satellite within a global positioning system, in which a cycle number of the day-related information is correctly updated even in a case where a power supply voltage drops.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicants: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Kato, Takushi Hagita
  • Patent number: 8630151
    Abstract: The receiver (1) is for receiving radio-synchronous signals for adjusting the time base of a timepiece. The receiver includes an antenna (2) for receiving radio-synchronous signals, a low noise amplifier (3), connected to the antenna, a frequency conversion unit (7) for converting the frequency of the filtered and amplified incoming signals from the amplifier, and a processing unit (8) receiving data signals (data_out) from the conversion unit for adjusting the time base. The conversion unit includes a local oscillator stage (10) with a quartz (12) for supplying oscillating signals (Sm) at a determined frequency, a mixer unit (4) for mixing the incoming signals with the oscillating signals from the oscillator stage to generate intermediate signals (IF), a bandpass filter (5) for filtering the intermediate signals (IF), and a demodulator (6) receiving the filtered intermediate signals and supplying the data signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Arnaud Casagrande, Carlos Velasquez, Emil Zellweger
  • Publication number: 20140010053
    Abstract: A radio-controlled wristwatch that determines whether or not illuminance of light irradiating a solar cell is high, using plural criteria but without directly measuring voltage or current. The wristwatch includes: a solar cell; a control circuit which stops operation under a predetermined condition; and an illuminance detection circuit which indicates illuminance of light irradiating the solar cell being higher than a given threshold value. The wristwatch switches the given threshold value between a first and a second value, larger than the first value, starts the control circuit in a stop state when a signal indicating that the illuminance is higher than the first value is output, receives a satellite signal containing time information from a satellite when a signal indicating that the illuminance is higher than the second value is output, and displays time corresponding to the time information contained in the received satellite signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takushi Hagita, Akira Kato
  • Publication number: 20140003200
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multifunctional case that is suitable for winding an automatic or manual watch having one or more displays, the case includes a box having a removable support designed to hold the watch; a winding mechanism intended to wind the watch when the latter is arranged on the removable support; the multifunctional case also having an adjusting mechanism suitable for adjusting said one or more displays. This solution has in particular the advantage over the prior art of keeping the watch on time when it is arranged in the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: I.M.H. Innovations Manufacturers Horlogeres SA
    Inventor: Fabien Lamarche
  • Publication number: 20140003201
    Abstract: An electronic clock includes: a drive source; a second hand wheel secured with a second hand, and rotated by receiving drive force from the drive source; a connection wheel rotated by receiving a drive force from the second hand wheel; an adjustment wheel adjusting positions of a minute hand and an hour hand, and a minute hand pipe secured with the minute hand, slidably connected with the connection wheel, and including a teeth portion to which drive force is transmitted from the adjustment wheel, and the minute hand pipe slidably rotating with respect to the connection wheel when the minute hand pipe receives the drive force from the adjustment wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Clock Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki SATO
  • Patent number: 8620344
    Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for location-based application program management are described. A mobile device can receive a first application program to be executed in an application subsystem. The first application program can be configured to be invoked or notified when the mobile device is located at a defined location. The mobile device can register the first application program to a second application program that executes in a baseband subsystem. The mobile device can set the application subsystem to a power-saving operating mode. The second application program can monitor a current location of the mobile device. When the mobile device is currently located at the defined location, the second application program can set the application subsystem to an active operating mode, and invoke the first application program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald K. Huang, Morgan Grainger
  • Patent number: 8620224
    Abstract: A communication method for transmitting a control signal from a first communication apparatus to a second communication apparatus, wherein the first communication apparatus performs a retransmission process in which the control signal is transmitted repeatedly until a positive acknowledgment signal is received or until a termination condition is satisfied, and the second communication apparatus that received the control signal transmits the positive acknowledgment signal to the first communication apparatus and determines, based on a period of time, a control start timing for starting control commanded by the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Masato Okuda
  • Patent number: 8620345
    Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems of determining a time zone based on location is disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a mobile device can store one or more geometric shapes using latitude and longitude coordinates. The geometric shapes can be associated with time zones. The mobile device can determine a current location. The mobile device can identify a geometric shape in which the mobile device is currently is located. The mobile device can determine the time zone associated with the identified geometric shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald K. Huang, Morgan Grainger
  • Publication number: 20130322219
    Abstract: An electronic device comprises a receiver configured to receive a satellite signal; a time generator configured to generate time; and a processor configured to selectively execute a first time correction processing or a second time correction processing. The first time correction processing includes acquiring time information based on the received satellite signal and correcting the time based on the acquired time information. The second time correction processing includes calculating the position of the electronic device based on satellite orbit information and the received satellite signal, and correcting the time based on the calculated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 8600346
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure set forth a method for forecasting data usage in a region covered by a cellular network. The method includes defining a first subregion surrounding a first point of interest in the region; and calculating a forecasted usage amount of the cellular network in the first subregion in a second time slot based on a first usage amount of the first subregion in a first time slot, a second usage amount of a second subregion geographically adjacent to the first subregion in the first time slot, a first probability associated with mobile devices in the first subregion migrating to the second subregion, and a second probability associated with mobile devices in the second subregion migrating to the first subregion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventors: Junwei Cao, Guoyu Tu
  • Patent number: 8599650
    Abstract: A marker detecting apparatus includes: a signal input section where a time code signal is inputted; a level detecting section detecting a signal level of a pulse signal of the time code signal at points in a marker characteristic interval to detect a match between the pulse signal and an ideal marker pulse signal in the signal level; a first calculating section calculating a number of the detected matches so as to obtain a value thereof, and correlating the obtained value with a pulse position of the pulse signal, the pulse position being a same in any of frames of the time code signal; a second calculating section adding up the obtained values correlated with the pulse position in the frames; and a marker determining section determining at which pulse position in the frames a marker pulse signal is disposed, based on the added-up value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Teruhisa Tokiwa, Takashi Sano
  • Patent number: 8588443
    Abstract: The method of operating a hearing system comprising at least two devices comprises the step of establishing a common network time among said at least two devices. Said at least two devices can be provided with information on the number of network time units that passed since a time zero point of said common network time. Information on the common network time can be communicated from one device to another device. A wireless link can be used for establishing said common network time. The common network time not only allows for a precise synchronization of events within the hearing system, but also for ordering and sequencing events. A priorization of events, like tasks and actions, is enabled, based on the common network time. Doubly-received or obsolete commands can be recognized and deleted, and tasks can be scheduled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Phonak AG
    Inventors: Raoul Glatt, Micha Knaus, Rolf Laich
  • Patent number: 8576670
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a function for receiving satellite signals transmitted from positioning information satellites for capturable positioning information based on the received satellite signal and a positioning calculation unit that generates positioning information. A time information adjustment unit corrects the internal time information based on the time difference in the assumed positioning region when the time difference evaluation unit determines that the assumed positioning does not contain a time difference boundary. The positioning calculation unit reselects the specific number of positioning information satellites and continues the positioning calculation when the time difference evaluation unit determines that the assumed positioning region contains a time difference boundary. The reception unit terminates satellite signal reception when the time difference evaluation unit determines that the assumed positioning region does not contain a time difference boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshikazu Akiyama
  • Patent number: 8570838
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece with internal antenna maintains sufficiently high reception performance of circularly polarized waves even when having a metal external case. The timepiece has a cylindrical case; a crystal that covers the opening on the face side of the case; a drive mechanism that arranged inside the case; a metal antenna; and a dielectric. The antenna houses the drive mechanism and has a cylindrical side part, a bottom part that covers the opening on the back side of the side part, and an antenna electrode that contacts the inside of the side part. The back cover covers the back side of the case and is also the bottom part. The dielectric extends circumferentially to the side part, and contacts the antenna electrode in the face-back cover direction. A slot extending circumferentially is formed in the antenna electrode. Part or all of the slot is covered by the dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 8570840
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a case that is made at least in part from a conductive material; a dial that is made from a nonconductive material; a solar panel that has an opening and is disposed at a side opposite a display side of the dial, and that receives light incident from the display side of the dial; a patch antenna that is disposed at a side opposite of a light receiving side of the solar panel, and at a position overlapping the opening in plan view; and a date wheel made from nonconductive material that is disposed between the solar panel and the patch antenna in lateral view, and is disposed at a position overlapping, at least in part, the patch antenna in plan view. The dial has a date window, formed at a position overlapping the opening in plan view, for exposing at least part of the date wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 8570839
    Abstract: A time-information obtaining apparatus is provided with an input waveform data pattern generating unit for sampling a received standard-time radio wave signal to generate an input waveform data pattern, an internal time counting unit for generate a base time, a calculation-waveform data pattern generating unit for generating plural calculation-waveform data patterns based on the base time, an invalid-bit detecting unit for detecting in the plural calculation-waveform data patterns, invalid bits not to be compared with the input waveform data pattern, an error counting unit for comparing the sample values of valid bits of the plural calculation-waveform data patterns with the invalid bits removed and the corresponding sample values of the input waveform data pattern to detect discrepancies between them, and a present-time correcting unit for correcting the base time based on the calculation-waveform data pattern having the smallest number of errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Nomura, Hideo Abe
  • Patent number: 8562207
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece that receives RF signals and displays information suppresses loss of antenna sensitivity to a sufficiently low level while using a metal case without sacrificing display functions. An electronic timepiece 100 has a dial 2 on the face 2a of which time is displayed, a flat antenna 11, and a metal case 3. The flat antenna 11 is disposed on the back 2b side of the dial 2 superimposed on the dial 2 in a direction perpendicular to the dial 2, extends in the plane direction of the dial 2, and receives signals passing through the dial 2. The case 3 has a wall 31 that surrounds the dial 2 and the flat antenna 11 in the plane direction of the dial 2. The flat antenna 11 and case 3 are disposed relative to each other in the plane direction of the dial 2 so that side distance b is greater than or equal to 1 time and less than or equal to 2 times antenna depth a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Matsuzaki
  • Publication number: 20130272099
    Abstract: A time calibration method includes steps: establishing a connection between the electronic device and the communication device. A trigger signal is produced to the communication device in response to the operation of the user triggering the communication device to update the time of the communication device. The time provided by the electronic device is obtained and compared to the time provided by the communication device. The time of the electronic device is calibrated according to the updated time of the communication device if the difference between the time provided by the electronic device and the updated time provided by the communication device is greater than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: FENG-CHI YANG
  • Patent number: 8542557
    Abstract: A before/after specific weekday determination device that determines if an evaluation date is before or after a specific date that is identified as an n-th (where n is an integer of 1 or more) specific weekday from the beginning or the end of a specific month. The before/after specific weekday determination device is utilized in a daylight saving time determination device, and in a timepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Jaekwan Oh
  • Patent number: 8542558
    Abstract: A time information acquiring apparatus for acquiring time information from a time code signal included in a standard radio waver including: a pulse measuring section which detects a matching level of an individual pulse signal constituting the time code signal to a predetermined code value; a grouping section which groups pulse signals into one group; a code string estimating section which estimates a code string having a possibility of emerging in a portion of the group in a frame of the time code signal; a code string determining section which determines a probability that the code string indicated by the grouped pulse signals corresponds to the estimated code string based on the matching level; and a time information generating section which generates the time information based on the code string for which the code string determining section determines that the probability is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Teruhisa Tokiwa, Takashi Sano
  • Publication number: 20130242710
    Abstract: There is provided a piezoelectric vibrating piece including: a piezoelectric plate that includes a pair of vibrating arm portions, and a base portion which integrally fixes the base end portions of the pair of vibrating arm portions along a length direction; excitation electrodes which are formed on the vibrating arm portions and vibrate the vibrating arm portions; mounting electrodes which are formed on the base portion and mount the piezoelectric plate on external portions using a joining member; and leading-out electrodes which connect the excitation electrodes and the mounting electrodes, in which the leading-out electrodes are formed by folding back several times between the excitation electrodes and the mounting electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventor: Daishi ARIMATSU
  • Publication number: 20130242711
    Abstract: A timepiece with a wireless function comprises a movement that displays time; a conductive case that holds the movement; a crystal that is disposed on a face side of the case and covers a face side of the movement; a conductive plate that is disposed between the movement and the crystal and reflects radio waves; and an antenna that has a substantially annular, conductive antenna electrode and is disposed along an outside edge of the conductive plate between the conductive plate and the crystal as seen in a lateral view. The antenna electrode is configured to receive the radio waves reflected by the conductive plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 8533516
    Abstract: A timekeeping device that tracks the time provided by a digital broadcast and the protocol of that broadcast, defined by its data frame structure and modulation scheme, are adapted to allow for superior performance of the timekeeping devices in terms of range of operation, immunity to interference, ability to operate with lower cost antennas due to enhanced link robustness, and reduced energy consumption. The timekeeping device operates with infrequent receptions of the broadcast by relying on independent self-compensation. This alleviates the need for frequent receptions to ensure timing accuracy while reducing energy consumption. The mean and variability of successive measurements of timing drift are evaluated and an estimated upper bound for the drift-estimation error is set. Based on this bound, the device employs a reception strategy that relies on less frequent receptions, corresponding to the error in estimating the drift rather than to the magnitude of the drift itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: XW LLC
    Inventors: Oren E. Eliezer, Aditya Awasthi
  • Patent number: 8531921
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a reception unit that receives satellite signals from positioning information satellites; a time information generating unit that generates an internal time; and a manual reception processing unit that activates the reception unit through operation of an operating member and executes a first or a second time correction processing to correct the internal time. The first time correction processing includes acquiring time information from a satellite signal received from one of the positioning information satellites and correcting the internal time based thereon. The second time correction processing includes acquiring time information and satellite orbit information from satellite signals from one or more of the positioning information satellites, calculating the position of the electronic timepiece, and correcting the internal time using the acquired time information and the calculated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 8520473
    Abstract: An electronic device has a reception unit that captures positioning information satellites and receives satellite signals transmitted from the captured positioning information satellites, a solar panel, and a reception control unit that controls the reception unit. The reception control unit includes an evaluation unit that evaluates the reception environment based on power generation by the solar panel, and a mode selection unit that, based on the result from the evaluation unit, selects a time information reception mode for receiving the satellite signals and acquiring time information, or a position and time information reception mode for receiving the satellite signals and acquiring positioning information and time information, and controls operation of the reception unit in the reception mode selected by the mode selection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuyuki Honda
  • Patent number: 8514666
    Abstract: An electronic device with time update function includes a radio module, a clock module, an audio input port, a storage module, and a processing module. The radio module receives and outputs audible signals from the broadcasts of a broadcasting station. The audio input port receives audible sound generated by the radio module, and the clock module provides a source of real time. The processing module determines whether the signals received by the audio input port include current time information, and if so whether the system time is consistent with the current time information. The processing module updates the stored initial time with the current time information and adjusts the system time as necessary. A time update method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Yuan Zhang, Zhang-Yong Zheng, Bi-Qing Luo, Xin Lu, Shih-Fang Wong
  • Patent number: 8514665
    Abstract: A time information acquiring apparatus includes: a first decoder which decodes a time code signal frame by frame so as to generate solo-decoded time information; a first determining section which determines consistency of the solo-decoded time information; a second decoder which combines detection data of the frames, and performs a code determination on the time code signal based on the combined detection data so as to generate sum-up-decoded time information; a second determining section which determines the consistency of the sum-up-decoded time information; and a controller which makes the first decoder generate the solo-decoded time information, the first determining section determine the consistency of the solo-decoded time information, the second decoder generate the sum-up decoded time information, and the second determining section determine the consistency of the sum-up-decoded time information in a predetermined order so as to extract time information having the consistency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Teruhisa Tokiwa, Takashi Sano
  • Patent number: 8514667
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece can easily acquire a leap second information reception time with minimal processor load. A first table groups leap second information reception times expressed by hour, minute, second, and day values into plural minute-second patterns of minute-second combinations that are common to plural hours, and relates numbers identifying these minute-second patterns to the day and hour values. The minute-second combinations are grouped by number in a second table. The number corresponding to the day and hour of the internal time is found from the first table (S1). A minute-second combination that is later than the internal time is found from the minute-second combinations corresponding to the acquired number (S2). And leap second reception time is calculated. If the resulting leap second reception time matches the internal time is determined (S9). If the times match, the leap second information is received (S10, S11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Toshikazu Akiyama, Oh Jaekwan
  • Publication number: 20130208573
    Abstract: Provided are a piezoelectric vibrating piece, a piezoelectric vibrator, an oscillator, an electronic device, and a radio-controlled timepiece which can effectively suppress the vibration leakage while maintaining sufficient rigidity of the piezoelectric vibrating piece without making the piezoelectric vibrating piece large-sized. A chamfered portion is formed on corner portions of a connecting portion 21 on a narrow width portion side on both sides in the widthwise direction (Y direction). Due to such chamfered portions, a cross-sectional area (width size) of the connecting portion is gradually reduced toward the narrow width portion from a distal end side (vibrating arm portion side). The chamfered portion may be formed such that an angle ? with respect to side surfaces on both sides of the connecting portion becomes 60° (?=60°).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Seiko Instruments Inc.
  • Patent number: 8504061
    Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for multi-tier geofence detection are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a mobile device can be configured to perform a task when the mobile device enters a geographic region. The mobile device can monitor a current location using a multi-tier approach. A baseband subsystem can monitor a coarse location of the mobile device using various course location parameters, such as a mobile country code (MCC), a location area code (LAC), or a cell identifier (cell ID), as the mobile device moves closer to the geographic region. Upon determining that the mobile device is in a cell that intersects the geographic region, the baseband subsystem can transfer the monitoring to the application subsystem. The task can be performed when the application subsystem determines that the mobile device is currently located in the geographic region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Morgan Grainger, Ronald K. Huang, Robert Mayor
  • Patent number: 8493816
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a reception unit that receives satellite signals transmitted from a positioning information satellite; an information acquisition unit that processes the received satellite signals to acquire time information and positioning information; a time difference information acquisition component that acquires time difference information based on the acquired position information; a time difference information display that displays as time difference candidates the acquired time difference information; an external input device; a time difference information selection component that selects time difference information from the displayed time difference candidates; a time calculation component that calculates current time based on the acquired time information and the selected time difference information; and a time display that displays the current time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Toshikazu Akiyama
  • Patent number: 8493817
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece that uses electrical power produced by photovoltaic generation as a power source and has a function for receiving microwave signals, including a dial for displaying time information on a front surface thereof, a solar cell that receives light passing through the dial and produces electrical power by photovoltaic generation, and an antenna that is disposed so that at least part of the signal receiving surface opposes at least a part of the back surface of the dial, and receives microwave signals through the dial. The solar cell is not disposed in space between the back side of the dial and the signal receiving surface of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba
  • Patent number: 8488417
    Abstract: A time adjustment device having a time information generating unit that generates and outputs time information containing internal time data; a reception unit that receives satellite signals transmitted from a positioning information satellite in subframe information units; an external input unit that generates, through manual operation thereof, command information that instructs the reception unit to enter a reception mode; a reception timing start setup unit that, when in the reception mode, sets the start time of reception so that the subframe information units are acquired at the time determined by the internal time data; and a corrected time information storage unit that stores the satellite-time-related information as corrected time information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20130176828
    Abstract: Method and apparatus to implement a “virtual” real-time clock at a terminal based on time information from multiple communication systems. At least one system (e.g., GPS) provides “absolute” time information for the virtual real-time clock, and at least one other system (e.g., a cellular system) provides “relative” time information. The virtual real-time clock is “time-stamped” with absolute time as it becomes available from the first system. Relative time (which may be received from multiple asynchronous transmitters) is mapped to the timeline of the virtual real-time clock as it is received from the second system. Absolute time at any arbitrary time instant on the timeline may then be estimated based on the absolute time from the first system and the relative time from the second system. Absolute times from the first system for two or more time instants may also be used to calibrate the relative time from the second system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: QUALCOMM Incorporated
  • Patent number: 8483016
    Abstract: Disclosed is a time information acquiring apparatus wherein: a second data acquiring section acquires a second data by measuring pulse signals of a frame of a time code signal during a period of time including a period of time a first data acquiring section acquires a first data which is stored in a first data storing section; and when a time data, which is generated by a decoder based on information on a starting point of the frame detected by a detecting section and the second data stored in a second data storing section, is determined as inconsistent by a consistency determining section, a controller makes the detecting section re-detect the starting point of the frame, and makes the decoder re-generate the time data based on a result of the re-detection of the starting point of the frame and the second data stored in the second data storing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Teruhisa Tokiwa, Takashi Sano
  • Publication number: 20130170326
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a reception unit that receives satellite signals from positioning information satellites; a time information generating unit that generates an internal time; and a manual reception processing unit that activates the reception unit through operation of an operating member and executes a first or a second time correction processing to correct the internal time. The first time correction processing includes acquiring time information from a satellite signal received from one of the positioning information satellites and correcting the internal time based thereon. The second time correction processing includes acquiring time information and satellite orbit information from satellite signals from one or more of the positioning information satellites, calculating the position of the electronic timepiece, and correcting the internal time using the acquired time information and the calculated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiko Epson Corporation
  • Patent number: 8472284
    Abstract: A radio controlled timepiece includes: a radio wave receiving section which outputs a time code signal; an indicator display section which performs a display regarding a reception condition; a level change detecting section which detects a change of a signal level of the time code signal in a predetermined detection interval in a period of 1 second; an indicator control section which controls a content of the display based on a number of times that the change of the detected signal level appears; and an interval setting section which specifies the detection interval as a whole interval of the period of 1 second during a detecting process of a synchronization point in the time code signal every 1 second, and narrows the detection interval to be a certain interval within the period of 1 second after a detection of the synchronization point every 1 second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Teruhisa Tokiwa, Takashi Sano
  • Patent number: 8467273
    Abstract: A novel and useful system and method for leap second and daylight saving time (DST) correction for use in a radio controlled clock (RCC) receiver. The RCC receiver extracts schedule information from the frame, including the time for the DST transition and whether a leap second needs to be added at the end of this half-year. Linear error correcting coding is used for the leap second and the DST on/off indications, while non-linear error correcting coding (e.g., a look up table) is used for the DST schedule to enhance reception reliability in the presence of noise and interference. The one second/one hour corrections are scheduled to occur when they should take place and the correction is applied exactly when DST or leap second is to go into effect, without having to receive anything around the time of the correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: XW LLC
    Inventor: Oren E. Eliezer
  • Patent number: 8467272
    Abstract: A timepiece with an internal antenna, including: a case that is made from a conductive material; a movement that is housed in the case and has a plurality of motors that drive staffs disposed at a plurality of locations; a dial that is made from a nonconductive material; and a patch antenna that is disposed inside the case on the back side of the dial, receives radio signals transmitted from an external source, and includes a dielectric and an electrode formed in the dielectric; wherein the patch antenna is disposed separated at least a specific distance from the inside surface of the case, and the staffs are disposed between the case and the patch antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 8456959
    Abstract: A timepiece with a wireless function, including a movement for displaying time; a conductive case that holds the movement; a crystal that is disposed on the face side of the case and covers the face side of the movement; a conductive plate that is electrically conductive, disposed between the movement and the crystal, and reflects radio waves; and an antenna that has a substantially annular, conductive antenna electrode, and is disposed along the outside edge of the conductive plate between the conductive plate and the crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa