With Simultaneous Time Indicating Means Patents (Class 368/71)
-
Patent number: 9994107Abstract: A dial gauge assembly includes a single circuit board that supports light emitting diodes for both illuminating a pointer and backlighting a liquid crystal display. The dial gauge assembly controls illumination of the pointer by switching on and off a plurality of segments disposed within the LCD.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventor: Kenichi Takato
-
Patent number: 9841735Abstract: A smartwatch assembly may include a dial portion having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough and a circuit board having a plurality of LED modules disposed thereon. The plurality of LED modules may be oriented to emit light toward the plurality of apertures of the dial portion. The circuit board may include a control module configured to illuminate the plurality of LED modules in response to an alert and a communication module configured to interface with an electronic device wirelessly and to receive the alert. Methods of making a smartwatch assembly may include disposing a dial portion having a face plate and a plurality of hour-mark apertures extending through the face plate in a watch casing and disposing a circuit board having a plurality of LED modules disposed thereon in a watch casing, the plurality of LED modules corresponding to the plurality of hour-mark apertures.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Inventor: Michael M. Yuen
-
Patent number: 9740171Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a plurality of modes and includes a plurality of indicating hands including a first indicating hand as a mode hand that indicates each mode, an operation section that allows mode switching operation that instructs switching among the modes, and a display control section that moves the plurality of indicating hands to be moved on the basis of the mode switching operation in such a way that periods for which the plurality of indicating hands move in high-speed advance action do not overlap with one another. The display control section first moves the first indicating hand among the plurality of indicating hands.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Reiko Nagahama
-
Patent number: 9098070Abstract: A timepiece, including a main mechanism operable to indicate time, the main mechanism positioned upon or within a face of the timepiece; a first counter including a first operation mechanism, the first counter appearing upon or within the face; a second counter including a second operation mechanism, the second counter appearing upon or within the face; and a third counter including a third operation mechanism, the third counter appearing upon or within the face. When the timepiece is in operation, the first operation mechanism, the second operation mechanism, and the third operation mechanism each have an operation status differing from one another. When the timepiece is in operation, the first operation mechanism, the second operation mechanism, and the third operation mechanism maintain a continuous time loop prior to resetting one or more of the first operation mechanism, the second operation mechanism, and/or the third operation mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2012Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Inventor: Stefan Johansson
-
Publication number: 20140104991Abstract: Timepiece movement (1) driving at least one output wheel set (3), from a means (2A) of generating a time magnitude, or a means (2B) of detecting the magnitude of the state of a control member of this movement, or a means (2C) of measuring a physical magnitude, the position of this output wheel set (3) being linked to an instantaneous value of this magnitude, displayed on a swivelling display base (10) and including a display wheel set (4) cooperating with this output wheel set (3). This display wheel set (4) is permanently coupled to this output wheel set (3) and this movement (1) includes a supplementary wheel set (5) pivoting synchronously or in an integer pivoting velocity ratio relative to supplementary wheel set (5). Timepiece (100) including a movement (1) of this type.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: BLANCPAIN SAInventors: Marco Rochat, Marc-Alexander Hayex
-
Publication number: 20130329530Abstract: The present disclosure includes disclosure of a timepiece, comprising a main mechanism operable to indicate time, the main mechanism positioned upon or within a face of the timepiece, a first counter comprising a first operation mechanism, the first counter appearing upon or within the face, a second counter comprising a second operation mechanism, the second counter appearing upon or within the face, and a third counter comprising a third operation mechanism, the third counter appearing upon or within the face, wherein when the timepiece is in operation, the first operation mechanism, the second operation mechanism, and the third operation mechanism each have an operation status differing from one another, and wherein when the timepiece is in operation, the first operation mechanism, the second operation mechanism, and the third operation mechanism maintain a continuous time loop prior to resetting one or more of the first operation mechanism, the second operation mechanism, and/or the third operation mechanType: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventor: Stefan Johansson
-
Publication number: 20130142015Abstract: Hybrid digital-analog time displays are provided to tell time with digital hour and minute values, as well as simultaneous analog tracks that are coordinated in lengths with the minute values. These displays are shown in four successive quadrants and enable users to view current time exactly from the digital values and approximately from the analog tracks.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicant: EQUITIME, INC.Inventors: Berj A. TERZIAN, Robert Alfred BRODMANN
-
Patent number: 8456960Abstract: Hybrid digital-analog time displays are provided to tell time with digital hour and minute values, as well as simultaneous analog tracks that are coordinated in lengths with the minute values. These displays are shown in four successive quadrants and enable users to view current time exactly from the digital values and approximately from the analog tracks.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Equitime, Inc.Inventors: Berj A. Terzian, Robert Alfred Brodmann
-
Patent number: 8432772Abstract: A chronograph with a chronograph driving mechanism through which a chronograph hand staff of a chronograph hand can be driven in rotation, with a rattrapante hand staff, arranged coaxially to the chronograph hand staff, of a first rattrapante hand that can be driven in superimposed position with the chronograph hand. The chronograph hand staff and rattrapante hand staff are connected to one another in locked-rotation, wherein the rotation of the rattrapante hand staff can be blocked in order to display a split time. A second rattrapante hand is connected frictionally with a second rattrapante hand staff arranged coaxially to the chronograph hand staff. The chronograph hand and the second rattrapante hand can be driven in movement synchronously in superimposed position, wherein the rotation of both rattrapante hand staffs can be blocked independently from one another in order to display two different lap times.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Montblanc-Simplo GmbHInventor: Reinhard Meis
-
Patent number: 8405663Abstract: There is described a mobile device comprising a display screen for displaying an image of a clock having a resolution of at least a first digit representing a tenth of a second and a second digit representing a hundredth of a second; and a processor having an internal clock, the processor adapted to update at least the first digit of the image of the clock on the display screen with true elapsed time, and to update the second digit with a non-true number.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Research In Motion LimitedInventors: Earl Wikkerink, Steve Chung
-
Patent number: 8335134Abstract: A clock device for switching between standard and daylight saving time. The device features a housing with standard alarm clock features. A recess is disposed in the front of the housing. A digital display piece having a front face with a first digital display and a back face with a second digital display snaps into the recess in the housing. The digital display piece can rotate such that either the first or the second digital display faces forwardly. The first digital display is adapted to display standard time and the second digital display is adapted to display daylight saving time. A time change button is disposed on housing, the time change button can pivot between a standard time position and a daylight saving time position. The time change button rotates the digital display piece such that either the first digital display faces forwardly or the second digital display faces forwardly.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2010Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Inventor: Rufus Sneed
-
Publication number: 20120243385Abstract: Timepiece (1000) including a movement (200), a mechanism (750) controlling the power reserve of said drive means (120) with an arbour (751) whose angular position indicates said available torque, a striking mechanism (100) controlled by a striking mechanism control mechanism (1), and a locking lever (771) arranged to lock said movement (200). The timepiece includes a selective stop mechanism (760) according to the drive torque available in the drive means (120), which manages said available torque by limiting or not limiting the operation of all of part of the striking works of said striking mechanism (100), by a transmission mechanism (755) controlling an isolating wheel set (770) controlling the position of said locking lever (771) and arranged to release or prevent the movement of a striking mechanism control rod linkage (700) and/or to allow or prevent the strike of a hammer on a gong.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventor: Eric GOELLER
-
Publication number: 20120230156Abstract: Isolating mechanism (800) for a timepiece (1000) including, on the one hand, a timepiece movement (200) and on the other hand, at least one striking mechanism including feeler spindles for gathering time information from time references driven by said timepiece movement (200). The mechanism includes at least a first isolator (142), arranged to cooperate with a control mechanism comprised in said timepiece (1000), in order, in a first winding position, to take a stop position preventing said time gathering feeler spindles from searching for time information on said time references, and, in a second let down position, to allow said feeler spindles to pass and come into contact with said time references.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2012Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.Inventor: Eric GOELLER
-
Publication number: 20120201103Abstract: A chronograph comprises a main dial with coaxially placed main hands group and at least one sub dial, placed within the main dial, with a therein coaxially placed main hands group. The invention is characterized in that at least one sub hands group displays an indication of current time and the main hands group displays an indication of chrono time. A first preferred form of implementation provides that the sub dial is placed decentralized within the main dial. A second preferred form of implementation provides that the sub hands group is placed coaxially with the main dial; the main dial and main hands group are partially covered by the sub dial; and the sub hands group is coaxially with the main hands group.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2010Publication date: August 9, 2012Inventor: Atte Nicolaas Bakker
-
Publication number: 20120092967Abstract: The invention relates to a timepiece with an analogue display, including a timepiece movement (1) provided with a mechanical output, located on an arbour (2) of said movement, and a display assembly (30) provided with at least one time display device (31, 32, 111, 112) driven by said mechanical output, wherein the display assembly is separate from the timepiece movement (1) and linked to a fixed part (10) of said movement (1) by support means which enables said display device to take several different positions around the output arbour (2) of the movement. According to the invention, the support means of the display assembly includes an intermediate support (34, 70, 72, 70?) secured to the fixed part (10) of the timepiece movement (1) and provided with support members (36, 87, 89, 87?, 89?) allowing said at least one display device (31, 32, 111, 112) to be assembled in several positions on the intermediate support (34, 70, 72, 70?). The invention concerns the field of timepiece display members.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSEInventors: Raphaël COURVOISIER, Roman EGLI, Thierry CONUS
-
Patent number: 8111589Abstract: Digital wristwatch, digital watch, and digital clock. For example, a digital wristwatch comprises: a clocking module able to track: (a) current real time, and (b) rounded time; and a display unit able to display at least the rounded time. Additionally or alternatively, the digital wristwatch comprises: a clocking module able to determine current real time; a rounding unit able to determine that the real current time is at least two seconds prior to a rounded horological hour, and able to calculate rounded-up horological information; and a display unit able to display the rounded-up horological hour.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2010Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Inventor: Joel Vidal
-
Publication number: 20110255379Abstract: Digital wristwatch, digital watch, and digital clock. For example, a digital wristwatch comprises: a clocking module able to track: (a) current real time, and (b) rounded time; and a display unit able to display at least the rounded time. Additionally or alternatively, the digital wristwatch comprises: a clocking module able to determine current real time; a rounding unit able to determine that the real current time is at least two seconds prior to a rounded horological hour, and able to calculate rounded-up horological information; and a display unit able to display the rounded-up horological hour.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventor: JOEL VIDAL
-
Patent number: 7646678Abstract: Provided is a watch capable of performing digital display as well as analog display. The watch can offer digital display without posing disadvantages peculiar to a liquid crystal panel. On the other hand, the watch can reduce the restrictions in design and make the digital display larger and easier to see. The watch includes a light-shielding plate 22 on the rear side of the dial 24. In the light-shielding plate, light-transmitting holes 23 are made piercing from a front of the light-shielding plate to a rear thereof. Thin chip LEDs 17 are inserted in the light-transmitting holes, and mounted on a circuit board 16. The circuit board is placed on the rear side of the light-shielding plate. On the rear side of the circuit board, an analog movement 13 is provided, and an LED drive circuit 33 for driving the LEDs is placed. Thus, the LEDs 17 for digital display are placed on the rear side of the dial.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2005Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Elemex CorporationInventors: Toshiyuki Imai, Hiroyuki Satou, Masahide Hasegawa, Kazuhisa Tohyama, Keiji Nakagawa, Kentarou Hayashi
-
Publication number: 20080101161Abstract: Provided is a watch capable of performing digital display as well as analog display. The watch can offer digital display without posing disadvantages peculiar to a liquid crystal panel. On the other hand, the watch can reduce the restrictions in design and make the digital display larger and easier to see. The watch includes a light-shielding plate 22 on the rear side of the dial 24. In the light-shielding plate, light-transmitting holes 23 are made piercing from a front of the light-shielding plate to a rear thereof. Thin chip LEDs 17 are inserted in the light-transmitting holes, and mounted on a circuit board 16. The circuit board is placed on the rear side of the light-shielding plate. On the rear side of the circuit board, an analog movement 13 is provided, and an LED drive circuit 33 for driving the LEDs is placed. Thus, the LEDs 17 for digital display are placed on the rear side of the dial.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2005Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: Toshiyuki Imai, Hiroyuki Satou, Masahide Hasegawa, Kazuhisa Tohyama, Keiji Nakagawa, Kentarou Hayashi
-
Patent number: 7009915Abstract: The present invention includes a dual display watch module comprising a watch face with selectively changing backgrounds which is capable of displaying the time of day using an analog display superimposed over the color-changing watch face thereby creating unique optical effects and patterns and which has a significantly reduced overall thickness. The invention includes a novel configuration of the internal components of the timepiece resulting in a significant reduction in the thickness of the subject timepiece, thereby enhancing the comfort of the individual wearing the timepiece. The novel configuration comprises positioning two smaller sized batteries in the same spatial plane as the PCB and analog watch movement instead of the conventional stacked assembly arrangement whereby a larger battery is placed directly behind the PCB. This allows for an overall thinner movement, thereby resulting in a significantly thinner watch without detracting from the functionality of the watch.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Fossil, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Brewer, Terrence Chan, Ronald Nalumen, Danny So, Vernon Yau
-
Patent number: 6904001Abstract: Apparatus and method are described for controlling aspects of a users life to provide additional safety, efficiency, and comfort. A clock is described allowing a user to readily track the time spent according to a plurality of tasks, and switch between tasks with a single action. A tweezers is described which provides user feedback on the interposition of objects within the head and which can optionally be configured to provide automatic tweezing. A belt buckle is described which contains an expanding element for use with non-stretchy belt material, such as forms of leather. A necktie is described which increases user safety by including one or more tension release joints to allow the tie easily break apart and separate from the neck of the wearer in response to a sufficient tension force.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: June 7, 2005Inventor: Rodger H. Rast
-
Patent number: 6807130Abstract: Real time balanced, quadribalanced, enhanced quadribalanced or unidirectional segmented digital time display systems are modified by inclusion of selectively prompted displays which are readily visually distinguishable from the real time displays and which prompt the viewer with the letters T, A and d to comprehend that the displays are in modes that enable and thus facilitate the setting or resetting of current real time, an alarm time or calendar values.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2003Date of Patent: October 19, 2004Assignee: Equitime, Inc.Inventor: Berj A. Terzian
-
Patent number: 6639874Abstract: A pointer electronic timepiece (1) has a plurality of step motors, a plurality of pointers (11 to 18), and a plurality of external operation members of a winding crown (5) and buttons (6, 7). The pointer to be adjusted is selected from the plurality of pointers (15 to 18) by operating one of the buttons (6) while drawing out the winding crown (5) to a second stage and the other button (7) is operated to adjust the position of the selected pointer. Since the position of the pointers (15 to 18) driven by three step motors can be adjusted by the two buttons (6, 7), the number of the external operation member is not necessary to be increased even when the pointers (15 to 18), i.e. the step motors, are increased, so that the size and thickness of a movement-holder and cost thereof can be reduced and operability during adjustment can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Eisaku Shimizu, Akihiko Maruyama
-
Patent number: 6614727Abstract: The present invention is a children's sleeptime timer and clock device. It includes (a) a housing adapted to contain and display at least one clock and to contain (b) at least one clock; and (c) a sleeptime display timer contained within the housing, which contains: (i) a moveable, three dimensional display having at least two three dimensional illustrations, wherein, when a first three dimensional illustration is openly displayed, at least a second three dimensional illustration is hidden from view, and when the second three dimensional illustration is openly displayed, at least the first three dimensional illustration is hidden from view, and wherein the first three dimensional illustration relates to a child's sleeptime; (ii) a step-up mechanism connected to the three dimensional display.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Inventor: Patricia E. McGuire
-
Patent number: 6361325Abstract: The present invention is children's sleeptime timer and clock device. It includes a housing which contains and displays a clock, such as a digital clock, and/or an analog clock, and contains a sleeptime display timer. The sleeptime display timer contained within the housing includes a display wheel having at least two illustrations wherein when a first illustration is openly displayed at least a second illustration is hidden from view and vice versa and wherein at least the first illustration relates to a child's sleeptime. There is also a step-up drive mechanism connected to the display wheel and adapted to maintain the display wheel in a first position and then shift it to a second position and vice versa, at predetermined times. There is also a timing mechanism to operate the set-up drive mechanism at the first and second predetermined times to rotate the display wheel, as well as a setting mechanism to permit setting of the first and the second predetermined times.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2000Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Inventor: Patricia E. McGuire
-
Patent number: 6343050Abstract: An analog clock with a contiguous digital display is driven by radio signals from a WWVB or other time keeping radio station. To avoid using magnetic or optical feedback of the position of the hands of the analog clock if an erroneous time is shown (for example because of replacing the battery), the user of the clock physically resets the digital display to the analog setting (which of course is erroneous). Then an associated microprocessor speeds up or slows down the running of the analog clock until a match is made to the actual radio time.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2000Date of Patent: January 29, 2002Assignee: Moneray International Ltd.Inventor: Joseph Tak Ming Kwok
-
Patent number: 6326883Abstract: A device and method for monitoring the delivery of a speech having selected time limits for specific speech types, includes a housing having a control panel, a clock display, and an array of different colored light emitting elements that are activated corresponding to specific speech time limit intervals. A timing circuit generates a signal to a control circuit that corresponds to a specific speech type, wherein the control circuit generates event marker signals that correspond to the lapse of a series of sequential selected time periods in the control circuit. The event marker signals provide for the sequential indication of the light emitting elements that allows for minimal distraction to the speaker to monitor their speech timing while allowing the speaker to wind up the speech in a smooth and timely manner.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2000Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Tym Tek, LLCInventors: David K. Whitehead, Arthur A. Minderler
-
Patent number: 6323783Abstract: A device such as a watch, pager or combination pager/watch that can iteratively display status information messages for set predetermined periods of time at a predetermined location on the display. In normal operation, the device is displaying a variety of standard information. Upon the detection of a status condition, the device will alternately display the standard information and status information messages corresponding to the status condition to more effectively alert the user to the existence of the status condition.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1998Date of Patent: November 27, 2001Assignee: Timex Group B.V.Inventors: Ronald S. Lizzi, Edward Daly, Jr.
-
Patent number: 5815554Abstract: A timing system which permits the operator of the timing system to indicate to others who wish to interact with the operator whether the operator is currently available. If the operator of the device is unavailable, the ting system indicates at what time the operator will be available. A first device on the operator's desk is used for setting the period of time that the operator will be unavailable. A second device is connected to the first device by a communications link and is situated in a location visible to the potential visitors who wish to visit the operator. The second device indicates to visitors whether or not the operator is available and facilitates efficiency in an office environment by not requiring them to travel all the way to the operator's work space. If the operator is unavailable, the second device can also display the time when the operator will be available.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1997Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Inventors: Ken L. Burgess, Michael J. Lanning
-
Patent number: 5691962Abstract: An improved illuminated watch movement with analog and digital features comprising a frame containing an analog stepping motor and gear train connected to operate timepiece hands located substantially in the center of the movement. The frame has a recess on the dial side of the frame with a liquid crystal display disposed in the recess and having an indicia pattern. The liquid crystal display has a large available surface which covers the lower half of the movement up to the hour wheel, so that a variety of indicia patterns may be displayed. An electroluminescent lamp is disposed beneath said liquid crystal display. An electroluminescent dial is disposed on the dial side of the frame and has a window opening framing the indicia pattern. A circuit with actuators is connected to actuate the electroluminescent lamp and/or the electroluminescent dial. The movement further includes a printed circuit board disposed on the opposite side of the frame from the dial and having contact pads.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 1995Date of Patent: November 25, 1997Assignee: Timex CorporationInventors: Herbert Schwartz, Friedrich Mose, Michel Plancon
-
Patent number: 5422864Abstract: An analog timepiece that has a dominating large minute area surrounding a smaller hour inner circle area. The minute outer band area is divided into 2 hemispheres: the right hemisphere starting at the "o'clock" word on top, swing downward "after" around to the "half-past" word and arrow mark below, swinging upward "to or of" to the same "o'clock" word--thus completing the 60 minute band circle. Each of the two hemispheres will be a different but compatible color or shading from the other. The minute numbers in the one hemisphere will be the same size and type as the numbers in the other hemisphere, but of a different compatible color or shading (as blue and green, dark green and light green). The numbers in each hemisphere will begin next to "o'clock" and arrow with the number 5 appearing first in both hemispheres. Then using the multiples of 5, the numbers 5,10,15,20,25,30 will follow appropriately in both hemispheres with the number 30 shared at the bottom by both hemispheres.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1991Date of Patent: June 6, 1995Assignee: James LorelloInventor: James Lorello
-
Patent number: 5202858Abstract: An analog electronic timepiece includes a dial plate in which an opening is formed, an electric-optical display panel arranged below the opening, and a shutter plate movably mounted between the dial plate and the display panel. The shutter plate is moved to a first position, in which only one of two types of data is exposed, when the above described one data is displayed on the display panel, and is moved to a second position, in which only the other data is exposed so that any not-displayed portions in the display panel is not exposed, when the other data is displayed on the display panel, the two types of data being different from each other in the number of displaying digits for displaying them.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1991Date of Patent: April 13, 1993Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takashi Kanzaki
-
Patent number: 4488818Abstract: A watch display comprises time display hands (3, 4) and a reflecting digital display (5) which acts as dial for the hands, the display being transparent under the effect of an electric field and opaque in the absence of the field.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1982Date of Patent: December 18, 1984Assignee: Asulab S.A.Inventors: Eric Saurer, Fereydoun Gharadjedaghi, Yves Ruedin
-
Patent number: 4472065Abstract: A device for converting pulses generated by a 7-segment, 12-hour clock unit of a standard electronic timepiece into a sequence of nonoptical time-indicating signals. The device comprises binary counter means for counting minutes and groups of 5-minute multiples each, a parallel binary-to-serial pulse converter for converting the parallel hour, 5-minute-multiple and minute signals from the 7-segment display unit and from the counter means respectively, into serial pulses distinctly representing hours, 5-minute multiples and minutes respectively. The device also comprises amplifier means for amplifying the serial pulses and aural or tactile sensation-producing device to render the pulses audible or palpable.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 1982Date of Patent: September 18, 1984Inventor: Joseph Goodman
-
Patent number: 4436435Abstract: A timepiece including an analog display of time and a digital display of time is provided. The analog display includes at least an hour hand and a minute hand with the digital display disposed within the region between the analog dial and the cover glass in a region adjacent to the analog display. In another embodiment of the invention, the digital display of the electro-optical type is inclined at an angle between about 5.degree. and 30.degree. with respect to the analog display dial.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1982Date of Patent: March 13, 1984Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa SeikoshaInventor: Kenichi Ushikoshi
-
Patent number: 4413915Abstract: A watch which comprises movable analog display members, a dial and a digital display cell surrounded by said dial. The watch is further provided with means that can be controlled by the user of the watch, for making the digital display device visible or invisible, as desired.The digital display cell is of the twist nematic type.A liquid crystal layer 60a is positioned between two polarizers 60b and 60c. Polarizer 60c can be rotated about an axis 12 perpendicular to its plane by actuating means 13a, 14, 15, 17 which is accessible from the outside of the casing of the watch. The cell can be made substantially invisible by rotating the movable polarizer 60b in order to position its polarizing plane either parallel or perpendicular to the polarizing plane of the other polarizer 60c, depending on whether the color of the dial around the cell is dark or light respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 1981Date of Patent: November 8, 1983Assignee: ETA S.A. Fabriques d'Ebauches ETA 13Inventor: Rene Besson
-
Patent number: 4396294Abstract: In an electronic timepiece equipped with both an analog display section having time indicating hands and a digital display section, a time correction system is provided whereby correction of both the analog and digital time displays can be performed by rotation of a crown, with the directions of rotation of the crown for time data incrementation and decrementation being identical both for analog and digital display correction. Selection of either analog time correction or digital time correction is performed simply by pulling the crown out to either of two axial positions. Correction of both analog and digital time display information is thereby simplified and made more rapid, while the number of external operating members is reduced.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1981Date of Patent: August 2, 1983Assignee: Citizen Watch Company LimitedInventor: Masaru Yoshida
-
Patent number: 4392216Abstract: The integrated circuit, including MOS transistors, for driving the step motor of an analog display is substantially reduced in size by boosting the transistor gate voltage above the battery voltage applied to the source-drain terminals.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1980Date of Patent: July 5, 1983Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa SeikoshaInventor: Masuo Tsuji
-
Patent number: 4370063Abstract: A clock with dual time-indicators, one of each of the indicators being located at a transparent face at opposite ends of a clock casing, includes a drum which is mounted within the casing and is driven by a motor at a rate of one revolution per each twelve hour period or multiple thereof. One time indicator is provided by dial markings on one of the transparent faces, an hour hand marked on one end of the drum, and a minute hand disposed between the dial markings and hour hand. The other time-indicator is provided by dial markings at the other end of the drum and a line marker on the other transparent face.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1981Date of Patent: January 25, 1983Inventor: Joseph Lee
-
Patent number: 4355380Abstract: An electronic timepiece with hands 1, 2 has a plurality of auxiliary digital displays 5, 6 and 7 for indicating the same parameter, e.g., the day of the month. Only the digital display not interfering, at a given moment, with the analog time display is activated by a control circuit which decodes which of three sectors a, b and c are occupied by the hands. The display in the unoccupied sector, or one of the two unoccupied sectors, is always selected.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1980Date of Patent: October 19, 1982Assignee: Ebauches, S.A.Inventors: Freddy Huguenin, Jean-Pierre Wattenhofer
-
Patent number: 4338680Abstract: An electronic timepiece which can provide an analog display by a pointer of time information of at least "hour" and "minute" delivered from an electromechanical time keep mechanism and can digitally display by a photoelectric display device a time information set for emitting an alarm and memorized in an alarm memory circuit is disclosed. The electronic timepiece comprises further means for electrically keeping the time information of at least "hour" and "minute", a coincidence detection circuit for detecting a coincidence of the time information delivered from the electrical time keep mechanism with the time information delivered from alarm memory circuit and an alarm emitting device for emitting an alarm signal by a coincidence signal delivered from the coincidence detection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1979Date of Patent: July 6, 1982Assignee: Citizen Watch Co. Ltd.Inventor: Yasushi Nomura
-
Patent number: 4335453Abstract: In an electronic watch the indication of the time (hours, minutes and possibly seconds) is given in analog form by means of a first passive electro-optic display cell. The display segments of this first display cell are arranged radially with respect to a central point, and the activated segments thereof have the appearance of the conventional hands of an analog watch. The watch comprises a second passive electro-optic display cell furnishing information in digital form, for example indicating the day of the week and the date. So that only the second cell need be provided with an illuminating device, the watch comprises a selector which is manually operable by means of a push-button which, when it is operated, causes the time to be displayed by the second cell at the same time as the illuminating device thereof is operated. This arrangement enables the user to know the time in the dark without it being necessary to provide the first cell with an illuminating device.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 1980Date of Patent: June 15, 1982Assignee: Ebauches Electroniques S.A.Inventor: Jean-Claude Fatton
-
Patent number: 4320484Abstract: A simultaneous analog digital timepiece display comprises two superposed passive electro-optical cells one of which provides analog information and the other digital information. The timepiece is arranged and adapted such that the two types of information displayed are never directly superimposed. Such result is obtained through the provision of three zones for the digital display cell wherein one only of said zones is activated at any one time, such activated zone being chosen so as not to coincide with the position of the analog display hands.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1980Date of Patent: March 16, 1982Assignee: Societe Suisse pour l'Industrie Horlogere Management Services S.A.Inventor: Michel Burdet
-
Patent number: 4312057Abstract: An electronic timepiece is arranged to give an audible time signal indicative of the current time when a user operates an externally manually operable switch means. The operation of the switch means causes a signal emitting means responsive to information relating to the current time to emit a time signal which preferably includes a portion representing a zone within which the current time lies, and a further portion indicative of the current unit of time within the zone. In a preferred embodiment, the signal comprises two parts, one indicating the current hour and the other indicating the current minute.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1978Date of Patent: January 19, 1982Assignee: Citizen Watch Company LimitedInventor: Kazunari Kume
-
Patent number: 4308608Abstract: In a digital electronic timepiece in which days of the week, hours and minutes are displayed on a display device and the displayed days of the week, hours and minutes can be corrected with a correction switch, a time correction switch is used to also correct a displayed day of the week.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1980Date of Patent: December 29, 1981Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Nippondenso Co., Ltd., Jeco Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kozo Uga
-
Patent number: 4303995Abstract: An electronic wristwatch having a calendar display arrangement that is capable of memorizing and displaying date information is provided. Specifically, a digital display that is capable of displaying calendar information is coupled to a calendar display memory that is capable of selectively storing a plurality of predetermined dates therein. Operative means are coupled to the memory and the calendar display for effecting a display of the plurality of dates stored in the memory by the calendar display.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1978Date of Patent: December 1, 1981Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa SeikoshaInventor: Hitomi Aizawa
-
Patent number: 4300221Abstract: An electronic timepiece suitable for use as a worldtime clock having a main display section adapted to perform a display of the particular time selected from among a plurality of kinds of time and a sub-display section adapted to perform a display of another time selected from among the other kinds of time than that displayed in the main display section. Means are provided for selective setting and correction all of the times.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1978Date of Patent: November 10, 1981Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha SeikoshaInventors: Hajime Oda, Nakanobu Moritani, Toshihide Samejima
-
Patent number: 4290131Abstract: An electronic timepiece having time indicating hands driven by a motor through a gear train, and having an analog-to-digital conversion system for time data comprising code disks rotated by the wheel train to provide hours and minutes information in digital coded form, together with means for converting this encoded digital information into digital signals representing hours and minutes information corresponding to the time information indicated by the hands and synchronized with the time indicated by the seconds hand of the timepiece.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1979Date of Patent: September 15, 1981Assignee: Citizen Watch Company LimitedInventors: Kazunari Kume, Hideshi Ohno
-
Patent number: 4280209Abstract: An electronic timepiece having an analog time display and a digital alarm setting system for actuating an alarm at a preset time. The timepiece includes a high-frequency time base whose output is applied to a frequency converter yielding low frequency timing pulses, these being applied to a motor for driving the hour and minute hands through a gear train. The alarm setting system includes an electro-optical digital display whose electronic actuator responds to the same timing pulses to provide a digital display concurrent with the analog display, and a microprocessor associated with a data memory adapted to store the digital value of any selected time setting. The microprocessor compares the existing time expressed as digital data with the stored digital value to produce a representative output signal when the existing value is coincident with the stored value. The output signal acts to trigger an alarm generator to produce an alarm for a predetermined period.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1978Date of Patent: July 21, 1981Assignee: Bradley Time Division, Elgin NationalInventor: Jac A. Mooney
-
Patent number: 4277840Abstract: An electronic timepiece having a first display unit which indicates the present time by means of digital values, and a second display unit of the hand type which displays the time set by an additional function such as alarm function by means of one or more hands.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1978Date of Patent: July 7, 1981Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fukuo Sekiya, Takashi Yamada