Hand And Dial Patents (Class 368/80)
  • Publication number: 20100165796
    Abstract: According to a stepping motor control circuit of the invention, a rotation detecting period is divided into a first segment for detecting an induced signal generated at least in a second quadrant by the rotation of a rotor immediately after driving of a main driving pulse, a second segment being provided after the first segment for detecting the induced signal in a third quadrant, and a third segment provided after the second segment and, when a stepping motor detects the induced signal exceeding a reference threshold voltage in the first segment and the second segment, a control circuit controls a pulse down counter circuit to output a pulse down control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Kenji Ogasawara, Akira Takakura, Saburo Manaka, Keishi Honmura, Takanori Hasegawa, Kosuke Yamamoto, Kazumi Sakumoto, Kazuo Kato
  • Publication number: 20100164426
    Abstract: A detecting period of a stepping motor is divided into a first segment for detecting an induced signal generated at least in a second quadrant by the rotation of a rotor immediately after the driving of a main driving pulse, a second segment being provided after the first segment for detecting the induced signal in a third quadrant, and a third segment provided after the second segment and the control circuit drives the stepping motor by the predetermined fixed main driving pulse having energy not smaller than the maximum energy when a rotation detecting circuit does not detect the induced signal exceeding a reference threshold voltage in the second segment at the time of the rotational driving by the main driving pulse having the maximum energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Keishi Honmura, Saburo Manaka, Kenji Ogasawara, Takanori Hasegawa, Kosuke Yamamoto, Kazumi Sakumoto, Kazuo Kato, Akira Takakura
  • Patent number: 7742364
    Abstract: A timepiece display apparatus causes a day hand to move reciprocally by means of center wheel, driven day wheel, cam, lever, and rack. These wheels, cam, lever, and rack can be easily arranged to fit the available space on the main plate of the movement, and the construction of the display apparatus can thus be simplified. Furthermore, locating the cam between the rotary shaft and rack of the lever portion enables arranging a plurality of parts more compactly than if the cam is disposed to a different location, and affords a simple assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Imao Hiraga, Shigeyuki Fujimori, Yoichi Hayashi, Kenichi Okuhara
  • Patent number: 7742361
    Abstract: Method for switching the time zone indicated by a timepiece (1) in order to switch from an initial time zone to a modified time zone, having the following steps: the user enters a time switch command (268) by means of the crown, the hours' and minutes' hands indicate the time of the modified time zone (274), whilst the seconds' hand indicates a city corresponding to the selected time zone, the timepiece automatically returns (280) to the initial time zone and indicates the time of the initial time zone (202), or the time of the modified time zone is retained by means of a command from the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA
    Inventors: Christoph Behling, Gregoire Renoux
  • Publication number: 20100149924
    Abstract: An invention allows a stepping motor to be reliably driven to rotate when initializing the driving and allows power consumption of the stepping motor to be reduced. The controller, when initializing the driving (for example, replacing a battery), controls a main drive pulse generator to drive a stepping motor using a main drive pulse having a maximum energy and sets the generation cycle of a pulse down control signal of a pulse down counter for pulsing down the main drive pulse to a first cycle to drive the stepping motor, and when pulsing down the main drive pulse to that having a predetermined energy, changes the generation cycle of the pulse down control signal of the pulse down counter to a second cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Kenji Ogasawara, Akira Takakura, Saburo Manaka, Keishi Honmura, Takanori Hasegawa, Kosuke Yamamoto, Kazumi Sakumoto, Kazuo Kato
  • Patent number: 7701807
    Abstract: Impact detecting resistors (141), (143) of an impact detecting circuit (104) detect a counter electromotive force of a step motor (105) generated due to an impact. This counter electromotive force is amplified applying a predetermined period and a predetermined chopper-width by a chopper-amplifying waveform shaping circuit (118). Therefore, even a light impact can be detected. Inverters (145), (146) compare these impact detecting signals (S22), (S23) with a threshold value and detect an impact when the signals exceeds the threshold value. A controlling circuit (102) provides a lock pulse to the step motor (105) through signal lines (AA), (BB) when an impact is detected, brakes rotation of a rotor (162) thereby preventing a deviation of the time displayed with a second hand (106).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Isao Kitazawa, Akiyoshi Murakami, Haruhiko Higuchi
  • Publication number: 20100091616
    Abstract: A timepiece with a dynamic, analogue display of the time. The timepiece has a first hand which rotates at a first speed and a second hand which rotates at a second speed, wherein the time is displayed with respect to a time unit when the two hands coincide in that the angular position of the coincidence indicates the current time of the time unit viewed on a dial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventor: Hannes Bonhoff
  • Patent number: 7697376
    Abstract: Clockwork movement for a wristwatch, comprising a kinematic chain including at least one belt (20, 21) for transmitting the movements and/or couples between at least two pulleys. The pulleys are held on the bottom plate or the bridges by ball bearings (151, 161, 171, 181). The movement is rewound by means of linear oscillating mass (14) charging four barrels (15, 16, 17, 18) through a couple distributor (40). The barrels are non-parallel to one another. The back cover is covered by inclined glasses (110, 120, 130) allowing the barrels, the linear oscillating mass and at least certain pulleys to be seen. The regulating organ (51) is removable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Tag Heuer SA
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Ruchonnet
  • Publication number: 20100046328
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device of the type wherein information is conveyed in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand, wherein the wearable electronic device includes a dial having a dial side and an opposite side, wherein the display hand is positioned on the dial side of the dial, wherein the wearable electronic device comprises among other things, a casing having a frontside and a backside, wherein the dial is viewable from the frontside thereof; and a digital display, operatively coupled to a controller assembly, wherein the digital display displays at least mode specific informational indicia and is viewable only from the backside of the device; at least one actuator, operatively coupled to the controller assembly, for changing the mode specific informational indicia displayed on the digital display; and wherein the controller assembly causes the mode specific informational indicia displayed on the digital display to be thereafter reflected in the information displayed in
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Fred. Olsen
  • Publication number: 20090316535
    Abstract: The present invention aims to prevent a nonrotation state from being brought about even when a drive allowance is changed by variations in a stepping motor or the like. A pulse down counter circuit outputs pulse down control signal for subjecting main drive pulse to control pulse down when time is counted for a predetermined time period. When a detecting signal exceeding a reference threshold voltage detected by a rotation detecting circuit is detected at a first detection section at start of a rotation detecting time period, a control circuit resets the pulse down counter circuit. Thereby, a main drive pulse generating circuit is not subjected to control pulse down by the pulse down counter circuit, and therefore, it is prevented that the main drive pulse is subjected to pulse down unnecessarily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Kenji Ogasawara, Hiroyuki Masaki, Akira Takakura, Saburo Manaka, Keishi Honmura, Kazumi Sakumoto, Kazuo Kato, Takanori Hasegawa, Kosuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7623415
    Abstract: There is disclosed a portable electronic device (1), particularly of the wristwatch type, comprising at least first and second analogue display members, a sensor (23, 52) powered to take measurements of a surrounding physical magnitude and a memory zone (26) for storing the measured physical magnitude values. The electronic circuits of the device are capable of operating the analogue display members, in an operating mode called the historic mode, such that at least one of them indicates the change in the stored value as a function of time opposite suitable graduations (8, 9, 33, 42, 51) of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Guy Raeber, Frank Kräuchi, Beat Gilomen, Vincent Berseth, Jean-Jacques Born, Christophe Germiquet
  • Publication number: 20090285057
    Abstract: The present invention aims to generate a proper drive pulse in accordance with a motor. A plurality of duty generating circuits each generates a signal at a duty ratio different from one another. A main drive pulse generating circuit uses an output signal of the plurality of the duty generating circuits to generate a drive pulse, and a motor driver circuit rotates and drives a stepping motor. The stepping motor drives the hands of a display unit. When a rotation detecting circuit detects that the stepping motor is not rotated, a correction drive pulse generating circuit uses a signal from one of the duty generating circuits to output a correction drive pulse, and the motor driver circuit forcedly rotates and drives the motor by the correction drive pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Kenji Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 7609588
    Abstract: A multifunctional watch has a movement including first and second train wheel rotational centers each arranged at a position between a center of a main plate and an outline portion of the main plate. The first and second train wheel rotational centers are provided with respective first and second train wheel guide portions rotatably guiding respective first and second train wheel members about the respective first and second train wheel rotational centers. A first train wheel having the first train wheel member is arranged rotatably relative to the first train wheel rotational center for rotating one of the small hands only in a single direction of rotation to display the first calendar information. A second train wheel having the second train wheel member is arranged rotatably relative to the second train wheel rotational center for rotating another of the small hands only in a single direction of rotation to display the second calendar information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Takeshi Tokoro, Kei Hirano, Mamoru Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7596057
    Abstract: The invention relates to a chronograph watch with a display with a first retrograde hand for indicating the tenths of a second of the chronograph and a second retrograde hand for displaying the hundredths of a second of the chronograph. The hours, minutes and seconds are displayed by corresponding hands at the center of the dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: TAG Heuer SA
    Inventors: Stephane Linder, Thomas Houlon, Marc-Andre Glassey
  • Publication number: 20090129209
    Abstract: A description is given of a watch movement of the fly-back chronograph type comprising a frame carrying connected a finishing gear train capable of being train kinematically to a chronograph gear train comprising at least one chronograph runner having a chronograph spindle intended to carry a first member for displaying seconds. The movement comprises a fly-back runner coaxial with the chronograph runner and having a fly-back spindle intended to carry a second member for displaying seconds. The fly-back spindle is hollow and passed through by the chronograph spindle, the fly-back runner being mounted rotationally with reference to the frame by means of a bearing. Among other advantages, this construction makes it possible to isolate the chronograph runner from the fly-back runner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre GOLAY
  • Publication number: 20090103398
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a chronograph watch fitted with a going train including: a permanent seconds wheel set secured to a permanent seconds display member, a chronograph seconds wheel set cooperating with a coupling in order to be secured to a chronograph seconds display member, and a third wheel set including a first third wheel fixedly mounted in rotation, meshed either with the permanent seconds wheel set, or with the chronograph seconds wheel set. The going train further includes a second third wheel mounted to move freely, meshed on the one hand, with the permanent seconds wheel set, and on the other hand, with the chronograph seconds wheel set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: OMEGA S.A.
    Inventor: Brice Robin
  • Patent number: 7515508
    Abstract: An indicator assembly for a wearable electronic device having a dial, a slotted opening therein and surface indicia to which an indicator can point and convey information thereby, wherein the indicator assembly comprises a track assembly comprising a first track and a second track spaced apart and aligned parallel thereto, wherein each track includes teeth running along at least a respective portion thereof, wherein the teeth of the respective tracks are in facing alignment; a track assembly gearing assembly that meshingly engages the teeth of the first and second tracks and the gears of a gear assembly so that the track assembly moves linearly; an indicating assembly coupled to the track assembly and extending through the slotted opening in the dial, wherein the linear movement of the track assembly causes the indicating assembly to move linearly in the slotted opening; whereby an indicator of the indicating assembly conveys information by referring to particular surface indicia on the dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventor: Gerhard Stotz
  • Patent number: 7496003
    Abstract: The invention relates to an analogue display device for a timepiece. The inventive device consists of display means which are disposed such as to perform jumps in relation to a dial comprising a haphazard series of values to be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Franck Müller Watchland S.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Müller
  • Publication number: 20090016172
    Abstract: An analog electronic watch of the present invention includes: a display unit (2) for displaying time with a position of a hand; a stepper motor (3) for driving the hand; a motor drive unit (4) for controlling driving of the stepper motor at a predetermined hand drive cycle at normal time; hand position detection means (5) for detecting a position of the hand; a hand position detection means control unit (6) for intermittently controlling driving of the hand position detection means (5) at a first detection cycle which is longer than the hand drive cycle; and a detection cycle changing unit (7) for instructing the hand position detection means (5) to change the detection cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Teruhiko Fujii, Isao Kitazawa, Masaaki Namekawa, Takayuki Uchida, Takayuki Hasumi, Takuji Ike
  • Patent number: 7466633
    Abstract: The electronic watch (1) indicates the time using two hands (2, 3). This electronic watch includes an electronic compass (10), a processing unit (13) with a microcontroller (15) for calculating the direction of North on the basis of detection signals provided by magnetic sensors of the compass. The watch also includes motorised means (16) driving the hands controlled by the processing unit in order to place the hands (2, 3) in a time mode, a selected direction mode or a selected compass mode, and a manual control member (4) connected to the microcontroller processing unit. This control member (4) can be manually activated in a selection position in order to perform selection from the time mode to the direction mode and/or to the compass mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Claude-Alain Giauque, Uwe Schoenherr
  • Patent number: 7443768
    Abstract: There is realized a multifunction timepiece constituted to be able to constitute a plurality of types of hand operating train wheels by only changing positions of integrating parts without changing dimensions and shapes of parts of a movement. A movement of a multifunction timepiece includes a first train wheel rotation center, and a second train wheel rotation center. A train wheel for indicating calendar information is arranged to be rotatable relative to one of the first train wheel rotation center, and the second train wheel rotation center. When the first train wheel rotation center is arranged with a train wheel for indicating calendar information, the calendar information can be indicated by a small hand rotated to move by the train wheel, when the second train wheel rotation center is arranged with a fan shape hand operating train wheel for indicating the calendar information, the calendar information can be indicated by a small hand moved in a fan shape operating train wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Mamoru Watanabe, Takeshi Tokoro, Kei Hirano
  • Patent number: 7440359
    Abstract: The timepiece includes a motor which drives at least one hand via a gear reduction train (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13), and means (22) for detecting at least one angular reference position of an intermediate wheel (9) forming part of the gear reduction train. The detection means are provided for supplying a signal having a first value when the intermediate wheel is occupying the angular reference position (?) and for supplying a signal having a second value when the intermediate wheel (9) is occupying a second angular position (?). The timepiece further includes identification (32) and comparison (33) means for determining, on the basis of the signals supplied by the detection means (22), at least once per revolution of the intermediate wheel (9), whether the real position of the intermediate wheel actually corresponds to the theoretical position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Rudolf Dinger
  • Patent number: 7436737
    Abstract: An electric watch is characterized by including a transmitting circuit 6 for generating a plurality of transmitted signals, transmitting electrodes 1 and 2 for outputting the output signals generated by the transmitting circuit 6, a signal modulating member 3 composed of a rotor arranged adjacently to the transmitting electrodes 1 and 2 in a non-contact manner for modulating the transmitted signals, a receiving electrode 4 arranged adjacently to the signal modulating member 3 in a non-contact manner for receiving the transmitted signals modulated by the signal modulating member 3, a receiving circuit 7 for amplifying received signals received by the receiving electrode 4, and a detecting circuit 8 for detecting mechanical position information of the signal modulating member 3 based on the received signal amplified by the receiving circuit 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Fukuda, Kiyotaka Igarashi, Shinichi Komine, Ryoji Iwakura, Shigeru Morokawa
  • Patent number: 7394727
    Abstract: A clock 1000 of the invention includes a dead-weight body, dead-weight body lifting means 100 for lifting the dead-weight body supplied to a lower position to an upper position, a rotation wheel 210 having, at its periphery, plural reception parts 212 which can hold the dead-weight body, and an escapement mechanism which actuates the rotation wheel intermittently. The dead-weight lifting means includes a drive body 110 provided with a spiral drive surface having a horizontal or inclined axis, and a rotation drive source which rotation-drives the drive body around the axis. The dead-weight lifting means is constructed such that the dead-weight body is driven on the drive surface by rotation of the drive body thereby to be translated from the lower position to the upper position. The dead-weight body lifted by the dead-weight lifting means to the upper position is supplied to the upper reception part, whereby the rotation wheel rotates by the predetermined angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Ushikoshi
  • Publication number: 20080151700
    Abstract: A dial indicator display device according has a needle indicator; a needle moving means for moving the needle indicator; a display panel disposed behind the needle indicator and capable of displaying an image; and a drive control means for controlling the needle moving means and driving the display panel. The drive control means includes a scale display control means for displaying a scale in a scale display area on the display panel overlapping the range of needle movement in plan view, a needle position detection means for detecting the position of the needle indicator, and an information display means. The scale display control means segments the scale display area into a scale area and a no-scale area not including the scale area based on the needle position detected by the needle position detection means, and displays a scale for reading values indicated by the needle indicator only in the scale area, and the information display means displays information in the no-scale area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsutoyo Inoue, Akiko Obara, Keiko Okayasu
  • Publication number: 20080123473
    Abstract: An electronic component comprising a display panel having an image retention characteristic, and a decorative member disposed layered to the display panel. The decorative member passes the display state of at least a portion of the display panel so that the display can be seen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Ozawa, Kazunori Hoshino, Katsutoyo Inoue
  • Patent number: 7362661
    Abstract: A device for teaching one about telling time is provided. The device includes a clock face with rotatable minute and hour hands. The minute and hour hands are adapted so that a user of the device can rotate them manually to indicate a preselected time. The device is able to detect the positions of the hands around the clock face, and to move the hands to indicate a predetermined time without any manual manipulation of the hands by the user. The device can be programmed with a variety of games that a user of the device can play to learn about telling time. The user can manually set the clock hands to indicate a time requested by the device and, if the time the user sets is incorrect, the device can automatically set the hands to the correct time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: K. & M. International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Yager, Michael K. Grasela
  • Publication number: 20080084792
    Abstract: A timepiece according to a first aspect of the invention has a fan-shaped display unit including a display wheel that can rotate, a stepping motor that rotationally drives the display wheel in both forward and reverse directions, a reverse stop that limits reverse rotation of the display wheel, and an indication means that is attached to the display wheel; and a control unit that applies pulses to the stepping motor. The position of the reverse stop is set so that the orientation of one polar axis of the rotor of the stepping motor when the display wheel is stopped by the reverse stop at the reverse stop is within ±360°/(number of magnetic poles of rotor*2) from the static stable position of the polar axis. After stopping at the reverse stop, the polarity of the first pulse applied to the stepping motor by the control unit is constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoichi HAYASHI, Takaya MASAKI
  • Publication number: 20080080321
    Abstract: The timepiece includes a motor which drives at least one hand via a gear reduction train (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13), and means (22) for detecting at least one angular reference position of an intermediate wheel (9) forming part of the gear reduction train. The detection means are provided for supplying a signal having a first value when the intermediate wheel is occupying the angular reference position (?) and for supplying a signal having a second value when the intermediate wheel (9) is occupying a second angular position (?). The timepiece further includes identification (32) and comparison (33) means for determining, on the basis of the signals supplied by the detection means (22), at least once per revolution of the intermediate wheel (9), whether the real position of the intermediate wheel actually corresponds to the theoretical position thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
    Inventor: Rudolf Dinger
  • Publication number: 20080074953
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an analog wristwatch including a watch body and at least two bezels. The watch body further includes a face, along with an hour hand and a minute hand for telling time. The at least two bezels surround the circumference of the face and are rotatably mounted to the watch body. The bezels are used to measure elapsed time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Jacqueline Crisci
  • Publication number: 20070274161
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clock display and particularly a clock display comprising a combined electronic display unit and mechanical clock hands. The clock hand has a visible state for showing the time and a transparent state used when in it is not desired to obscure the underlying display unit. The clock display may be incorporated in a portable device, such as a mobile telephone or a wrist watch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS AB
    Inventor: Ãke Rydgren
  • Patent number: 7269100
    Abstract: The present invention proposes an electronic dive watch (10) including a water resistant case (12) containing a watch movement (15) on which there is mounted a dial (16) provided with at least one first and one second coaxial hand (18, 20), each hand (18, 20) being driven independently by an associated motor (32, 34), of the type wherein the watch movement (15) includes an electronic circuit (30) that controls the first and second hands (18, 20) in accordance with a first operating mode in which each hand (18, 20) indicates a distinct item of data and in accordance with a second operating mode, called the dive mode, in which at least the first hand (18, 20) indicates an instantaneous depth value (Pi), characterized in that, in the dive mode, the first and second hands (18, 20) are controlled such that they simultaneously indicate the same instantaneous depth value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Beat Gilomen
  • Patent number: 7266051
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a display hand in an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventors: Michel G. Plancon, Helmut Zachmann, Gerhard Stotz
  • Patent number: 7236430
    Abstract: A teaching clock for teaching the concept of elapsed time includes a clock face having a minute hand and an hour hand pivotally mounted to the clock face and an elapsed time indicator having an hour hand and a minute hand that move synchronously with the movement of the clock hands. The hour hand is connected to the minute hand such that pivotal movement of the minute hand about the clock face causes the hour hand to pivot synchronously therewith to designate a progression of hours of the day. The minute hand and hour hand are selectively positionable to display a time of day. The elapsed time display may include a releasable connection connected to the minute hand such that the elapsed time display resets to an initial or zero position upon release of the releasable connection whereby an elapsed time is shown by the elapsed time display between any two selected times of day shown by the minute hand and hour hand on the clock face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: World Class Learning Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce B. Brown, Pui Yan Chan
  • Patent number: 7218577
    Abstract: The method of synchronizing the analogue display (41) of a timepiece (40), including an electronic time base (64), is achieved using proximity sensors (60, 62) respectively associated with wheels (46, 48) each having an aperture (54, 56) for defining the angular position of the latter. Determination of the angular position of a wheel requires an angular distance of around 60° to 90° to be travelled with this type of proximity sensor. Dependency of the measurement results upon the temperature generates a problem of precision in determining the angular position of the wheels, in particular a wheel secured to the hour indicator, given that an angle of 60° to 90° corresponds to a time interval of 2 to 3 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Asulab, S.A.
    Inventors: Ermanno Bernasconi, Roger Buehler, Rudolf Dinger, Pierre-André Farine
  • Patent number: 7215601
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand positioned on the dial side of a dial, wherein the wearable electronic device uses the display hand(s) to convey information that is stored in the controller of the device and/or provided by sensors and/or an external transmitter. An actuation mechanism, preferably a stepper motor, is used to rotate the display hands in the clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions in predefined increments to convey the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventors: Michel G. Plancon, Louis M. Galie, Herbert Schwartz, Gerhard Stotz
  • Patent number: 7180830
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novelty item and kit comprising timepiece housing, timepiece face, timepiece hand element and images depicting a combination of morphed and non-morphed images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventor: Lloyd E Cotsen
  • Patent number: 7170826
    Abstract: There is provided a multifunction timepiece wherein the visibility of pointers can be improved, and increases in the thickness of the timepiece can be reduced. This timepiece includes a dial, an hour hand, a minute hand, a pointer, and a movement. The dial has a dial cover and a time display section on the inner periphery thereof. The hour hand is mounted on the time display section and has an hour hand rotating shaft disposed at a different position from the center position of the time display section. The minute hand is mounted on the time display section and has a minute hand rotating shaft disposed at a different position from the center position of the time display section. The pointer is mounted on the time display section and has a pointer rotating shaft. The dimension A from the pointer rotating shaft to the tip of the pointer is greater than the dimension B from the minute hand rotating shaft to the tip of the minute hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuneaki Furukawa, Eiichi Nagasaka, Koji Fukui
  • Patent number: 7154815
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an electronic astronomical watch, in particular of the wristwatch type, said watch (1) being capable of indicating the position of celestial bodies in the heavens, said watch (1) including: a time base (48) for producing a standard frequency signal; means (50) for determining the current time and date from the standard signal means (28, 30) for selecting a celestial body; analogue time display means using two hands (10, 12); means (32) for determining the position of the selected celestial body in the heavens and indicating this position via the display means (10, 12), the watch (1) being wherein it includes a rotating dial (14) on which there is shown the map (16) of the heavens and in that the shape of the hands (10, 12) is such that their intersection or point of conjunction enables any point of the map of the heavens (16) to be designated on the dial (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Asulab S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Raymond Froidevaux
  • Patent number: 7154817
    Abstract: The apparatus includes at least one information storing unit, a unit for processing said information, a management and control unit receiving control signals from the processing unit and a supply unit controlled by said management unit and controlling the movement of said two stepping motors above a dial bearing markings Ri representative of said information. The apparatus is characterized in that said processing unit is provided with an algorithm or correspondence table between a marking Ri and angles ?i?i formed respectively by each hand from a measurement reference and in that the shape of said hands is such that when they have the angular orientations ?i ?i, their elongated parts can intersect above said marking Ri, or their tips can be aligned opposite said marking Ri. The apparatus may be a wristwatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Asulab S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Raymond Froidevaux, Gilles Rey-Mermet
  • Patent number: 7121833
    Abstract: A teaching clock for teaching the concept of elapsed time includes a clock face having a minute hand and an hour hand pivotally mounted to the clock face and an elapsed time indicator having an hour hand and a minute hand that move synchronously with the movement of the clock hands. The hour hand is connected to the minute hand such that pivotal movement of the minute hand about the clock face causes the hour hand to pivot synchronously therewith to designate a progression of hours of the day. The minute hand and hour hand are selectively positionable to display a time of day. The elapsed time display may include a releasable connection connected to the minute hand such that the elapsed time display resets to an initial or zero position upon release of the releasable connection whereby an elapsed time is shown by the elapsed time display between any two selected times of day shown by the minute hand and hour hand on the clock face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: World Class Learning Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce B. Brown, Pui Yan Chan
  • Patent number: 7120093
    Abstract: A watch frame comprising a dial face having a circumferential boundary surrounding the dial face. A single series of hours indicia are arranged along and following the circumferential boundary and surrounding an interior region of the dial face. A first and second time movement, each including respective hour and minute handles are arranged in spaced relationship to each other with the hours and minute handles or each movement operating in conjunction with said single series of hours indicia. A first three stem arrangement coupled to and controlling the first time movement and a second three stem arrangement coupled to and controlling the second time movement having a polygonal shape to compliment that of the watch face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Inventor: Daniel Lazaretnik
  • Patent number: 7113450
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand positioned on the dial side of a dial, wherein the wearable electronic device uses the display hand(s) to convey information that is stored in the controller of the device and/or provided by sensors and/or an external transmitter. An actuation mechanism, preferably a stepper motor, is used to rotate the display hands in the clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions in predefined increments to convey the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventors: Michel G. Plancon, Louis M. Galie, Herbert Schwartz, Gerhard Stotz
  • Patent number: 7072246
    Abstract: A wearable electronic device for conveying information in an analog manner at least in part by the use of at least one display hand positioned on the dial side of a dial, and a rotatable ring positioned on the opposite side of the dial, wherein the wearable electronic device uses the coordination of the display hand(s) and the ring to convey information that is stored in the controller of the device and/or provided by sensors and/or an external transmitter. An actuation mechanism, preferably a stepper motor, is used to rotate the display hand and ring in the clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions in predefined increments to convey the information. In the preferred embodiment, the wearable multimode electronic device is a wristwatch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Lizzi
  • Patent number: 7057976
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a portable electronic timepiece including analogue display means. Preferably, the analogue display means include hour (9), minute (10) and second (11) hands and two concentric date display rings (15, 16) visible through a large aperture (14), said different display members being driven independently of each other. The electronic circuits (20) of the timepiece are arranged for keeping a golf score in a particular operating mode, called the golf mode. The use of current time display means for displaying information relating to golf play means that the timepiece is easy to read in golf mode. The electronic circuits are also arranged to allow the wearer of the timepiece to display, particularly, the scores of any hole already played at any time during the game, owing to intuitive manipulations of a single control member (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Asulab S.A.
    Inventors: Vincent Berseth, Jean-Jacques Born
  • Patent number: 7057102
    Abstract: A solar battery module (5) is provided by forming a solar battery (13) on a surface on one side of an insulating substrate (12) and forming an electrode thin film (11), which is connectable to a reference potential (32) and integrated with the solar battery (13) with an insulating state kept therebetween by the insulating substrate (12), on substantially the entire area of a surface on a side, where the solar battery (13) is not formed, of the insulating substrate (12). The solar battery module (5) is mounted on a portable electronic device (1) with the electrode thin film (11) being connected to the reference potential (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ken Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 7009915
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Fossil, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Brewer, Terrence Chan, Ronald Nalumen, Danny So, Vernon Yau
  • Patent number: 6982931
    Abstract: A watch face uses liquid crystal displays along with a reflective polarizer to produce backgrounds with selective appearances. Therein, the watch employs a polarizer to produce polarized light that is passed downward to a liquid crystal display. The liquid crystal display selectively rotates or does not rotate the polarized light. If the light is rotated, a reflective polarizer layer located beneath the liquid crystal display reflects the rotated light back upward off its surface to provide the watch face with a first color. If the light is not rotated, then the light is transmitted through the reflective polarizer layer to a reflective dial surface disposed beneath. The light is then reflected off the dial surface to provide the watch face with a second color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Fossil, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Brewer, Diarmiud John St. Colum Bland
  • Patent number: 6975562
    Abstract: A method for indicating that a wearable electronic device is operating in a selected mode, wherein the wearable electronic device comprises at least one hand operatively coupled to an actuation mechanism. The method comprises the steps of (a) moving the hand from a first position to a second position, wherein the movement of the hand is through a predetermined sweep angle; (b) moving the hand from the second position back to the first position through the predetermined sweep angle; and (c) repeating at least step (a) and if necessary, repeating step (b); whereby the hand oscillates between the first position and the second position while the wearable electronic device is operating in the selected mode. A wearable electronic device that comprises the foregoing methodology is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Timex Group B.V.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Lizzi
  • Patent number: 6898154
    Abstract: A clock-driving device combined with a conventional core that takes advantage of conventional quartz oscillation comprises providing a magnet on the hand of the conventional core and providing a reed sensing device in the moving path of the magnet. When the magnet enters the sensing region of the reed sensing device, an electric communication path will be generated periodically and trigger the startup of the motor to drive a micro-motive device as well as to rotate the main mandrel to output power. As the motor driving said rotational mandrel to accomplish one action, said micro-motive device will interrupt the electric communication path so as to save electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Kuei-Wen Sheu