With Wireless Synchronization Patents (Class 368/47)
  • Publication number: 20100195448
    Abstract: A wireless clock system includes a master clock or other master time source, and a plurality of slave clocks or repeater devices. Each slave clock can both wirelessly receive and wirelessly transmit time signals including current time data. To avoid conflicts among the slave clocks, each slave clock transmits time signals in a frequency-hopping manner over pseudo-randomized frequencies and at pseudo-randomized transmission start times. In another embodiment, power consumption at the slave clocks is minimized by activating and deactivating receivers within the slave clocks at predetermined times and at predetermined intervals, each interval being longer than the previous interval, until valid time signals are received from either the master clock or another slave clock. Calibration of the slave clock's time base is also performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicants: THE SAPLING COMPANY, INC., VIRTUAL EXTENSIONS
    Inventors: Ilan Shemesh, Goll Ofec, Leor Hardy, Yariv Oren, Paz Hameiri
  • Publication number: 20100188938
    Abstract: Packet formats and associated metering infrastructure for filtering meter reading data that is being transmitted by utility meters are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method is provided of measuring the accuracy of an endpoint clock, such as a utility meter clock, from a remote device configured to capture transmissions that originate from the utility meter. Generally, the method includes synchronizing the time maintained by the utility meter with the time maintained by the remote device. The method receives and decodes a packet that includes a time stamp provided by the utility meter. Then, the method calculates the extent of the inaccuracy of the time stamp in the received packet and determines whether the extent of the inaccuracy satisfies a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: ITRON, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew Johnson, Mark Cornwall
  • Patent number: 7760588
    Abstract: A radio controlled time piece 1 actively using a time-programmed receiving operation and a forced receiving operation with respect to a standard radio signal and having an object the enablement of highly accurate and efficient time correction by properly receiving time information or calendar information and the like by executing a minimum amount of receiving operations, having a receiving means 2, a timekeeping means 18, a display means 4, a control means 10 for controlling the drive condition of the timekeeping means 18, an external input means 7, and a control information storage means 8, wherein when performing singularly or consecutively a time-programmed receiving operation that operates when a prescribed timekeeping value of the timekeeping means is reached, based on a first receiving method and a forced reception operation which operates by the operation of the external input means 7, based on a second receiving operation method, the first receiving method of time-programmed receiving operation and th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akinari Takada
  • Publication number: 20100177600
    Abstract: Methods and systems of extending battery life of remote battery-operated timekeeping devices by minimizing the number of required synchronizations per unit of time needed to maintain a predetermined accuracy of the devices. The number of synchronizations are minimized by first calculating a time error rate between the remote timekeeping device and a master device over a sample period. Then, a synchronization is delayed and the remote timekeeping device is compensated based on the time error rate. The compensation delays the need for a synchronization yet maintains the predetermined accuracy of the remote timekeeping device. In some embodiments, the remote timekeeping device is compensated and multiple synchronizations are delayed before a new synchronization is necessary to maintain the predetermined accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Derek J. Brykowski, Terrence J. O'Neill, Vince Guarna, John Hill
  • Publication number: 20100177602
    Abstract: A time information obtaining apparatus, comprises: an input waveform data generating section for sampling a received signal including a time code at a predetermined sampling period to obtain sampling points every one unit time length, and generating input waveform data having one or more unit time lengths based on data having at least one unit time length including the obtained sampling points; a predicted waveform data generating section for generating a plurality of pieces of predicted waveform data with respect to each class of a standard time radio wave; a correlation value calculating section for calculating correlation values between the input waveform data and the plurality of pieces of predicted waveform data of each of the classes; a correlation value comparing section for comparing the correlation values to calculate optimum values; and a judging section for judging the class of the standard time wave based on the optimum values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Abe
  • Patent number: 7751283
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a timer which measures a current time, a display which displays information based on the time, a receiver which, by receiving and decoding a signal, including time information indicating a standard time, which is encoded by means of a predetermined communication system, acquires the time information, and a controller which, as well as instructing the receiver to acquire the time information, corrects a deviation of the measured time, based on the time information, and instructs the display to display information based on the corrected time. The controller gives an instruction in such a way that no time period occurs in which both the receiver's operation of acquiring the time information, and the display's operation of displaying the information based on the corrected time, are executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Michio Irie, Osamu Urano
  • Publication number: 20100165795
    Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses are described and illustrated in which time and date of are provided to a medical device via wireless signals to ensure accurate time keeping by the medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: LifeScan Scotland Ltd.
    Inventors: David Elder, Raymond Welsh, Ian Shadforth
  • Patent number: 7738321
    Abstract: To make a setting as to whether or not a time code is automatically received simple, and suppress a wasteful use of an electric power by a reception operation under an environment incapable of suitably receiving the time code. A reception circuit receives and outputs the time code through an antenna, and a control circuit corrects a time instant which is being clocked to a time instant corresponding to the time code. If a crown is operated to a time instant correction position, an input circuit outputs an operation signal denoting this. The control circuit responds to the operation signal to thereby control a reception operation of the reception circuit to OFF. At this time, a time instant correction is performed by hand by operating the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 7738322
    Abstract: When lack of a part data on a time code included in a received standard radio wave is detected, the lack is filled up with a corresponding data part of another time code. The time of a radio-wave timepiece is corrected in accordance with the time code whose lack has been filled up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Murata, Kaoru Someya
  • Publication number: 20100138187
    Abstract: Time synchronization of two clocks is disclosed herein, such as two stationary clocks. A global time signal from a global time reference or common time source can be used to calculate a common view based clock offset between the two clocks. In parallel, a network based clock offset between the two clocks can be calculated based on messages exchanged over a communication network interconnecting the two clocks, without reverting to the global time reference. Two recent values (e.g., the two most recent values) of the common view clock offset and the network based clock offset can be combined or superposed in a seamless way to produce a final time offset estimate. The combination of independently calculated common view and network based clock offsets can be a weighted average of the two values, involving respective weights based on quality estimates of the latter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Dacfey DZUNG, Mats Larsson
  • Publication number: 20100128572
    Abstract: An analog radio controlled clock includes a housing, a plurality of indicating, a radio controlled unit, and an audio alarm arrangement, which includes an alarm control unit and an audio device. The alarm control unit is disposed in the receiving cavity of the housing to communicate with the driving control unit for allowing setup of an alarm time. The audio device is electrically connected with the alarm control unit, and is arranged to generate interactive audible signal to a user regarding setting of an alarm time, wherein the audio device is arranged to commands and transmits them to the alarm control unit for setting up the alarm time, so that the user is able to set up the alarm time through commands such as voice instructions and simple physical actuation to the analog radio controlled lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Tai Wai LUK
  • Patent number: 7724612
    Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining corrected time information in a GPS-enabled device connected to a mobile handset via a short-range wireless network, such as a Bluetooth™ Piconet™. The mobile handset includes a GPS time and a network clock synchronized with a network clock in a short-range wireless network interface in the GPS-enabled device. The GPS-enabled device may send requests for time information to the mobile handset. The mobile handset receives the request and latches the network clock time and the GPS time. The captured network clock time and GPS times are sent to the GPS-enabled device in response to the request. The GPS-enabled device subtracts the captured network clock time from its own network clock time and adds the difference to the captured GPS time to obtain a corrected GPS time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Sirf Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Syed Khalid Azim
  • Publication number: 20100124151
    Abstract: An antenna device includes an oscillating body capable of oscillating at a predetermined natural frequency, and being displaceable by external magnetic field, and a converter for converting motion of the oscillating body to an electrical signal. When a radio wave signal of a frequency band at which the oscillating body resonates comes, the oscillating body resonates with a magnetic field component of the radio wave signal, and the converter converts the motion to the electrical signal, whereby an electrical signal corresponding to the radio wave signal is outputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru SOMEYA
  • Patent number: 7719928
    Abstract: Apparatuses, circuits, and methods for receiving at least one radio signal in a radio controlled timing apparatus using a single timing source. The present invention advantageously eliminates the need to provide an additional timing source to receive at least one radio signal, and therefore reduces the material cost and eliminates many engineering challenges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: David Meltzer, Gregory Blum
  • Patent number: 7720452
    Abstract: A reception circuit can receive a plurality of standard time signals and has a reception means for selectively receiving and demodulating any one of the plural standard time signals, and a control means for outputting a control signal that controls the reception means. The reception means includes a signal amplifier unit for amplifying a reception signal representing the received standard time signal; a signal extraction unit for extracting a signal of a specific frequency from the amplified reception signal; a rectifier unit for rectifying the extracted signal of the specific frequency; and a demodulation unit for demodulating the rectified signal of the specific frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Fumiaki Miyahara, Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 7715279
    Abstract: A time correction device has a reception unit that receives satellite signals transmitted from positioning information satellites orbiting the Earth; a time correction information storage unit that stores time correction information for correcting time information produced by a time information generating unit; and a time information correction unit for correcting the time information based on the time correction information. The satellite signals are transmitted by individual positioning information satellites, and contain a time-related information part denoting time-related information that is kept by each satellite, and a satellite information part denoting satellite information other than the time-related information. The time correction information is generated based on the time-related information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Urano, Teruhiko Fujisawa, Katsuyuki Honda, Jun Matsuzaki
  • Publication number: 20100112947
    Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing attributes among electronic devices is provided. The method includes scanning a low energy bluetooth network for one or more attributes of a second electronic device by a first electronic device, establishing a low energy bluetooth connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device, synchronizing the one or more attributes of the second electronic device and one or more attributes of the first electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Prateek Basu MALLICK
  • Patent number: 7710833
    Abstract: A radio-controlled timepiece has a reception means that receives a standard radio signal containing time information; a demodulation means that demodulates the standard radio signal received by the reception means and outputs a demodulated signal; a waveform discrimination means that discriminates the waveform of the demodulated signal based on a specific waveform discrimination standard, and outputs a code corresponding to the waveform; a time information conversion means that converts the code output by the waveform discrimination means to time information; and a waveform discrimination standard changing means for changing the waveform discrimination standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Eisaku Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20100097895
    Abstract: A radio-controlled timepiece in which its reception sensitivity is further enhanced. The radio-controlled timepiece includes: an antenna core 11 made of a magnetic material and formed as a single integrated body including a coiled portion (11a) wound with a coil 19 and extension portions 11b and 11c which are located respectively on the end-portion sides; additional cores 15 and 16 made of a magnetic material; magnetism-collection members 17 and 18 made of a magnetic material; a main plate 31 (timepiece substrate) made of a non-magnetic material; a guide member 33 made of a non-magnetic material; and a liquid-crystal-panel supporting frame 32 (magnetism-collection-member supporting members, pressing member) made of a non-magnetic material and having protrusions 32a and 32b (pressing members) formed thereon. When the main plate 31, the guide member 33, and the liquid-crystal-panel supporting frame 32 are assembled together, the protrusions 32a and 32b press the magnetism-collection members, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Tatsuo Sumida, Kazuo Sakamoto, Tadashi Yasuoka
  • Publication number: 20100097896
    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: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba
  • Patent number: 7701806
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece with wireless information function that is small, has good reception performance, and has a construction that improves the freedom of design. Antennae 5A and 5B are disposed inside a short cylindrically-shaped metal case 1 of which both ends along its cylindrical axis L1 are open with the axes L5A and L5B of the antennae 5A and 5B substantially parallel to the cylindrical axis L1 of the case 1. A magnetic-field-passing part capable of passing the magnetic field of radio waves is disposed in an open side of the case 1 along an extension of the antenna axis. Radio waves entering from the open side of the case 1 can therefore be received by the antenna, and the material of the case 1 does not affect the reception performance of the antennae 5A and 5B. The case 1 can therefore be made from metal, increasing the freedom of design and making it possible to improve the appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Oguchi, Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20100074059
    Abstract: The radio-controlled timepiece is configured to include an antenna receiving a standard radio wave and a plurality of motors driving indicator portions which indicate information. A fourth motor which is driven at a lowest frequency during the standard radio wave reception of the antenna is disposed closer to the antenna than the rest of the motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: Takayuki Hasumi, Moto Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7684015
    Abstract: A system and method for clock synchronization and position determination using entangled photon pairs is provided. The present invention relies on the measurement of the second order correlation function of entangled states. Photons from an entangled photon source travel one-way to the clocks to be synchronized. By analyzing photon registration time histories generated at each clock location, the entangled states allow for high accuracy clock synchronization as well as high accuracy position determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
    Inventor: Yanhua Shih
  • Patent number: 7680485
    Abstract: A clocking unit (27) that clocks a time; a display unit (3) that displays a time based on clock information from the clocking unit (27); a receiving unit (20) that receives standard radio waves from transmitting stations in at least two countries or regions; a second-synchronization detecting unit (23) that detects second-synchronization information (P3) from a demodulated signal (P2) obtained by the receiving unit (20); a transmitting station determining unit (25) that analyzes the demodulated signal (P2) based on the second-synchronization information (P3) to determine a transmitting station in a country or a region; and a decoding unit (26) decodes information included in the standard radio wave from the transmitting station determined by the transmitting station determining unit (25) to obtain time information are included, and the clock information of the clocking unit (27) is corrected based on the time information obtained by the decoding unit (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akinari Takada
  • Publication number: 20100054087
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a function for receiving satellite signals transmitted from positioning information satellites, including a satellite signal reception unit that receives the satellite signals, a satellite capturing unit that executes a process of capturing the positioning information satellites within a capture time based on the satellite signals received by the satellite signal reception unit, a time adjustment information generating unit that acquires satellite information from the satellite signal sent from the positioning information satellite captured by the satellite capturing unit, and generates time adjustment information based on the satellite information, a time information adjustment unit that adjusts internal time information based on the time adjustment information, a time information display unit that displays the internal time information, and a time limit setting unit that variably sets a time limit for the time adjustment information generating unit to generate the time adjustm
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jun Matsuzaki
  • Publication number: 20100039901
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a clock module for providing time information, a communication module, and a time adjustment module. The broadcast module receives and decodes broadcast radio signals. The time adjustment module extracts correct time information from the decoded broadcast radio signals, and adjusts the time information of the clock module according to the correct time information. The invention also provides a time adjustment method applied in the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: KUANG-JEN LIU
  • Publication number: 20100039902
    Abstract: Provided is a system for distributing and information processing watch information contents D1 concerning a variety of clocks, the system comprising: an information distribution device 19 that distributes watch information contents D1 concerning a variety of clocks, the contents being created in advance, as data to an information user's hand held terminal device #i (i=1 to n); and a plurality of hand held terminal devices #i that acquires and processes watch information contents D1 distributed as data by this information distribution device 19, wherein a software watch based on the watch information contents D1 is displayed as a video image, and a time is clocked at the hand held terminal device #i. In this manner, a plurality of software watches with different designs can be configured, and time display of these software watches can be automatically corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Eiji Kawai
  • Patent number: 7661008
    Abstract: Under the present invention a real time clock circuit, within a set-top box, is provided with an internal clock generator for generating multiple clock signals. Once generated, a first clock signal is divided into an initial set of values representing time and optionally day/date intervals, and then communicated to a set of clock registers. The initial set of values can then be communicated (directly or via a set of DCR registers) to a display component within the set-top box. Updated clock signals are received by the set of DCR registers from an external source such as a satellite or the like thus making the clock very accurate, and are communicated to the display component. Similar to the initial set of values, the updated set of values could be communicated to the display component directly from the set of DCR registers, or via the set of clock registers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric E. Retter, John M. Sutton
  • Patent number: 7656751
    Abstract: One or more embodiments provide Common Industrial Protocol (CIP) based time synchronization systems and methods. The CIP Sync solution can be part of Ethernet/IP and can be based on standard UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and/or IEEE 1588 (Time Synchronization) Ethernet technology. According to an embodiment is a system that compensates for step changes in a master clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Rischar, Kendal R. Harris, Mark Chaffee
  • Publication number: 20100014388
    Abstract: Disclosed is a time information obtaining device comprising: a reception section to receive a standard time radio wave; an input waveform data generation section to generate input waveform data, based on data having the unit of time length; an estimated waveform data generation section to generate estimated waveform data, wherein the estimated waveform data comprises the value in which each sample point is described by the plurality of bits, and has the same time length as the input waveform data, and comprises at least one code which configures the time code, and a waveform of the estimated waveform data is sequentially shifted by a predetermined sample; a correlation value calculation section to calculate a correlation value; a correlation value comparison section to compare the correlation value to calculate an optimal value; and a control section to specify a beginning position of a second in the time code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo ABE
  • Patent number: 7649812
    Abstract: A time adjustment device having a reception unit that receives satellite signals transmitted from positioning information satellites; a time information generating unit that generates internal time information; a time information adjustment component that corrects the internal time information; and a reception controller that controls operation of the reception unit; wherein the satellite signal contains satellite time information that is kept by the positioning information satellite; the reception unit can select a first reception mode for receiving first information including the hour, minute, and second data in the satellite signal, and a second reception mode for receiving second information including the hour, minute, and second data, week information for the current year, month, and day, and satellite health information in the satellite signal; the time information adjustment component includes a time adjustment recording component that records whether or not the time was adjusted using the second infor
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Norimitsu Baba
  • Publication number: 20100008192
    Abstract: A signal composing circuit 12 receives a signal including a time code from a receiving circuit 10, and detects input waveform data of a unit time length, whose value at ach sampling point is given by a value expressed in plural bits. The input waveform data is accumulated. CPU 13 calculates a minimum position on a time axis, where the minimum value of the accumulated input waveform data is given and a maximum gradient position on the time axis, where a difference between values of the accumulated input waveform data at adjacent sampling points is maximum, and further calculates a leading position of a unit time length of the signal including the time code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo ABE
  • Patent number: 7643380
    Abstract: A receiving circuit is provided with an amplifier circuit for amplifying the electric signal received by an antenna circuit, a frequency converter/detector circuit for converting a frequency of the electric signal amplified by the amplifier circuit to acquire an intermediate frequency signal, and for detecting the intermediate frequency signal to acquire a demodulated signal, and a filter circuit for removing an intermediate frequency component from the demodulated signal acquired by the frequency converter/detector circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru Someya
  • Publication number: 20090323478
    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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru SOMEYA
  • Patent number: 7639569
    Abstract: An equipment case for use in an electronic device such as a radio wave wrist watch case comprises a metal case body, a metal back cover, a spacer member, and a ring member. The case body has an opening and houses an antenna inside the case body. The back cover covers the opening of the case body. The spacer member is provided between the case body and the back cover, and increases the electric resistance between the case body and the back cover. The ring member is screwed to the case body, and fixes the back cover to the case body by pressing the back cover against the spacer member towards the case body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junro Yano, Takanobu Kanezashi
  • Publication number: 20090296530
    Abstract: A start date and an end date of a daylight saving time input by a user is stored in the daylight saving time information storage unit (41). The radio-controlled adjustment section (20) generates a time to adjust the time which the clocking unit (10) is clocking, by daylight saving time information and a standard time received via an antenna (AT) and a reception circuit (21), and adjusts the time of the clocking unit (10) by use of the generated time. Here, the daylight saving time determination unit (42) references to the daylight saving time period stored in the daylight saving time information storage unit (41), and adjusts the time of the clocking unit (10) so that the time becomes one which corresponds to the user-set daylight saving time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Kenji Ozawa
  • Publication number: 20090296531
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a first clock signal using a second clock signal and a plurality of calibration periods may include generating incremented counter values at a counter responsive to edges of the second clock signal. For at least two of the plurality of calibration periods, an initial incremented counter value from the counter may be stored in memory at an initial edge of the first clock signal for the respective calibration period, a final incremented counter value may be stored in memory at a final edge of the clock signal for the respective calibration period, and the at least two of the plurality of calibration periods may be overlapping with different initial and final edges of the first clock signal. For each of the plurality of calibration periods, a number of edges of the second clock signal occurring during the respective calibration period may be determined using the initial and final incremented counter values stored in memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Jacobus Cornelis Haartsen, Aalbert Stek
  • Publication number: 20090274011
    Abstract: A radio-controlled timepiece that receives a standard time signal containing a time code and adjusts internal time data, the radio-controlled timepiece including a reception unit that receives the standard time signal, and a control unit that controls the reception unit. The reception unit has an amplifier circuit that amplifies a reception signal of the standard time signal, and an analog/digital conversion circuit that digitizes the amplified reception signal and acquires a time code. The control unit sets the reception mode of the reception unit to a normal reception mode or to a high sensitivity reception mode that improves reception performance compared with the normal reception mode, sets the reception mode to the high sensitivity reception mode for a specific period that is set based on the time code of the standard time signal after establishing at least second synchronization with the time code of the standard time signal, and otherwise sets the reception mode to the normal reception mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20090271110
    Abstract: In a local time amendment system, a navigation apparatus has a clock section to count a clock time (UTC, Universal Time Coordinated) in units of hours, minutes, and seconds based on an atomic clock of a GPS Satellite. In contrast, a cellular phone acquires information on local time wirelessly via a base station, which is connected to a mobile radio communication network. The information on local time signifies a local time of each administrative area, for instance, a country, state, city, etc. The navigation apparatus acquires data in units of hours indicated by an internal clock section of the cellular phone to thereby amend the clock time counted by the clock section with respect to the units of hours to thereby amend the clock time, which is indicated by the clock section, to the local time accurate with respect to units of hours in addition to units of minutes and seconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wataru Sugiura
  • Patent number: 7609590
    Abstract: A receiving device includes: an antenna to which a communication signal containing time information is inputted; a ground allowing the antenna to function; a conductive part; a gain characteristics change unit which interrupts continuity between the ground and the conductive part to change the gain characteristics of the antenna; a receiving unit which obtains the time information from the communication signal inputted to the antenna; and a control unit which commands the gain characteristics change unit to interrupt the continuity and commands the receiving unit to obtain the time information. When the time information cannot be obtained from the communication signal inputted to the antenna having a certain type of gain characteristics, the control unit commands the gain characteristics change unit to interrupt the continuity and commands the receiving unit to obtain the time information from the communication signal inputted to the antenna whose gain characteristics have been changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Michio Irie
  • Publication number: 20090251997
    Abstract: A radio wave receiving device includes at least one magnetic drive unit and an antenna structure having a narrow core formed of magnetic material and a coil wound around the central part of the core. The device further includes two external magnetic members, each having a connecting part connected magnetically to one end part of the core. One magnetic member has a magnetism collecting part expanded in one side of the antenna structure from the connecting part to exclude the antenna structure, and the other magnetic member has a magnetism collecting part expanded in the other side of the antenna structure from the connecting part to exclude the antenna structure. These external magnetic members cover the drive unit in the both sides and shut off magnetic flux of external magnetic field from the both sides and collect magnetic flux of radio wave on the one end part of the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soh KIMURA
  • Publication number: 20090248357
    Abstract: A received waveform memory 22 stores one (1) frame of received waveform data acquired by sampling a signal including a time code with a predetermined sampling period, where each sample is represented by a plurality of bits. Correlation value calculating sections 24-26 compare the received waveform data with one (1) frame of first prediction code data corresponding to a code of a position marker or a marker, where each sample is represented by a plurality of bits, one (1) frame of second prediction code data corresponding to a code “0”, and one (1) frame of third prediction code data corresponding to a code “1” respectively. Correlation value comparing section 27 compares the first, second and third correlation values with one another to specify the prediction code data whose correlation is largest to output the code data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo ABE
  • Publication number: 20090231963
    Abstract: In a time correcting apparatus, a signal including time codes is sampled to generate a bit sequence of input TCO data. A prognostic TCO data generating unit 33 generates a bit sequence of prognostic TCO data based on a current time calculated by a time calculating circuit 17. An error number calculating unit 34 compares bits of the input TCO data with bits of the prognostic TCO data to count the number of discrepancy, thereby calculating the number of errors, and shifts bits of the prognostic TCO data to generate new TCO data and compares bits of the new TCO data with bits of the input TCO data to calculate the number of errors. A judging unit 35 judges if the number of errors is valid. When the number of errors is valid, a time correcting unit 36 calculates a time difference of the calculated current time based on the number of shifting bits, as much as which number of shifting bits the prognostic TCO data has been shifted to calculate such valid number of errors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo ABE
  • Publication number: 20090231962
    Abstract: An electric wave receiving apparatus obtains the received data in a partial period, and judges the timing of the received data in which partial data has been received by comparing the received data with the partial data. Thereby, the electric wave receiving apparatus performs correction of the second data of timing data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru Someya
  • Patent number: 7583949
    Abstract: A frequency switching signal for switching a reception frequency of an antenna based on a reception success or failure signal output from a detection circuit and a standard time code output from a demodulator is output to a reception frequency selection circuit. The reception frequency is switched to the frequency which is the same as an intermediate frequency other than that of the standard radio waves, and at the same time, an output temporarily stopping signal is output to a local oscillation circuit to temporarily stop the output of a local oscillation signal of the local oscillation circuit, enabling to output the reception signal which was received by the antenna as the intermediate frequency signal without synthesizing and converting it in the frequency conversion circuit to be detected by a detection circuit. Thereby, the reception of the radio wave composed of a plurality of frequencies can be realized with a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru Someya
  • Publication number: 20090201771
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece with an internal antenna includes an outside case including a metal back cover, an antenna for receiving external radio frequency information, the antenna including a magnetic core that is long in one direction and is made from a magnetic material, and a coil that is wound around the magnetic core, a reception processor that processes the external radio frequency information received by the antenna, a module that houses the antenna and the reception processor and is housed inside the outside case, and a metal magnetic foil member that has greater magnetic permeability than the back cover and is positioned outside at least the lead-facing areas opposite the lead parts on the inside surface of the back cover facing the module. The magnetic core has a coil winding part around which is wound the coil positioned in the middle part in the lengthwise direction, and a pair of lead parts projecting from both sides of the coil winding part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fumiaki Miyahara
  • Publication number: 20090180356
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a reception unit that receives satellite signals transmitted from positioning information satellites; a time information generating unit that generates an internal time; a manual reception process unit that starts operation of the reception unit and executes a manual reception process when an external operating member is operated; an automatic reception process unit that automatically operates the reception unit and executes an automatic reception process when a predetermined condition is satisfied; a simple time adjustment process unit that executes a simple time adjustment process to receive a satellite signal from one positioning information satellite by means of the reception unit, acquire time information from the received satellite signal, and adjust the internal time; and a high precision time adjustment process unit that executes a high precision time adjustment process to receive satellite signals from a plurality of positioning information satellites by means of the
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teruhiko Fujisawa
  • Publication number: 20090161491
    Abstract: An antenna device includes an antenna for receiving a time information radio wave, and an antenna support member. In the antenna, a coil is wound around a center portion of a core. In the support member, a non-magnetic portion supports two magnetic portions independently and both end portions of the core of the antenna are magnetically coupled with the magnetic portions. A radio wave controlled timepiece includes a case in an inner space of which the antenna and the support member are installed as described above. In the inner space, a time counting unit, a time display unit connected to the time counting unit, and a time updating unit configured to update the time displayed on the display unit, based on the time information radio wave received by the antenna, are installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaoru SOMEYA, Kazuaki Abe
  • Patent number: 7551521
    Abstract: A time information receiver and radio controlled watch that receives a time code in which different data pulses are disposed one in a unit period. A composite signal waveform of a plurality of detected signals of the time code shifted sequentially by a unit period of 1 second is obtained by sample adders. A start point of each unit period is detected from the composite signal waveform as a seconds synchronization point where the receiver and watch is seconds-synchronized with the time code. An accurate seconds synchronization point is detected from the detected signal even when the same includes a considerable noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kaoru Someya
  • Publication number: 20090135677
    Abstract: In correcting a time discrepancy, a clock may be speeded up or slowed down using an adjustment ratio. The ratio may be used to slow down or speed up the clock for an amount of time, after which the clock speed will be correct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventor: Michel VEILLETTE