With Wireless Synchronization Patents (Class 368/47)
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Publication number: 20140086021Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Norimitsu Baba
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Publication number: 20140078870Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: SII Crystal Technology Inc.Inventor: Takashi KOBAYASHI
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Patent number: 8665675Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
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Patent number: 8666009Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jai Jin Lim, Woo Jae Kim
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Patent number: 8665674Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kaoru Someya
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Publication number: 20140036641Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Inventors: Takashi SANO, Haruo KAJITANI
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Patent number: 8644117Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Jun Matsuzaki, Norimitsu Baba, Katsuyuki Honda, Toshikazu Akiyama
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Publication number: 20140029388Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2013Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
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Publication number: 20140022871Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
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Publication number: 20140016441Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Jun Matsuzaki
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Publication number: 20140016440Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2012Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicants: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD., CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.Inventors: Akira Kato, Takushi Hagita
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Patent number: 8630151Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 21, 2010Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Arnaud Casagrande, Carlos Velasquez, Emil Zellweger
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Publication number: 20140010053Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2012Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takushi Hagita, Akira Kato
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Publication number: 20140003200Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2012Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: I.M.H. Innovations Manufacturers Horlogeres SAInventor: Fabien Lamarche
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Publication number: 20140003201Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Seiko Clock Inc.Inventor: Hiroyuki SATO
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Patent number: 8620344Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ronald K. Huang, Morgan Grainger
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Patent number: 8620224Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 9, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Masato Okuda
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Patent number: 8620345Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Ronald K. Huang, Morgan Grainger
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Publication number: 20130322219Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
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Patent number: 8600346Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 6, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLCInventors: Junwei Cao, Guoyu Tu
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Patent number: 8599650Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Casio Computer Co., LtdInventors: Teruhisa Tokiwa, Takashi Sano
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Patent number: 8588443Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2006Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Phonak AGInventors: Raoul Glatt, Micha Knaus, Rolf Laich
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Patent number: 8576670Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 2, 2009Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Toshikazu Akiyama
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Patent number: 8570838Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 10, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
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Patent number: 8570840Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 2, 2013Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
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Patent number: 8570839Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keiichi Nomura, Hideo Abe
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Patent number: 8562207Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Jun Matsuzaki
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Publication number: 20130272099Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventor: FENG-CHI YANG
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Patent number: 8542557Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Jaekwan Oh
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Patent number: 8542558Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 1, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Casio Computer Co., LtdInventors: Teruhisa Tokiwa, Takashi Sano
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Publication number: 20130242710Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.Inventor: Daishi ARIMATSU
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Publication number: 20130242711Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
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Patent number: 8533516Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: XW LLCInventors: Oren E. Eliezer, Aditya Awasthi
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Patent number: 8531921Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 26, 2012Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
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Patent number: 8520473Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Katsuyuki Honda
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Patent number: 8514666Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 27, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignees: 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
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Patent number: 8514665Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Casio Computer Co., LtdInventors: Teruhisa Tokiwa, Takashi Sano
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Patent number: 8514667Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Toshikazu Akiyama, Oh Jaekwan
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Publication number: 20130208573Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2013Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventor: Seiko Instruments Inc.
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Patent number: 8504061Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Morgan Grainger, Ronald K. Huang, Robert Mayor
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Patent number: 8493816Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 10, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Toshikazu Akiyama
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Patent number: 8493817Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 16, 2009Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Norimitsu Baba
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Patent number: 8488417Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 8, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
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Publication number: 20130176828Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2013Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventor: QUALCOMM Incorporated
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Patent number: 8483016Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Casio Computer Co., LtdInventors: Teruhisa Tokiwa, Takashi Sano
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Publication number: 20130170326Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2012Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventor: Seiko Epson Corporation
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Patent number: 8472284Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Casio Computer Co., LtdInventors: Teruhisa Tokiwa, Takashi Sano
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Patent number: 8467273Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: XW LLCInventor: Oren E. Eliezer
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Patent number: 8467272Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
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Patent number: 8456959Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 1, 2010Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa