Solid Body Light Emitter (e.g., Led) Patents (Class 368/83)
  • Patent number: 11079721
    Abstract: A light-emitting clock has a case, a dial, a light-emitting mechanism, a movement and a plurality of hands. The case has a front cover, a back cover and a washer. The front cover is coupled to the back cover. The washer is disposed between the front cover and the back cover. The dial is disposed between the washer and the back cover. The light-emitting mechanism has a switch, a power unit electrically connected to the switch, and at least one lamp strip electrically connected to the switch. The switch and the power unit are disposed on the back cover. The lamp strip is annularly disposed at the washer. A light-emitting surface of the lamp strip at least faces the rim of the dial. The movement is disposed on the back cover. The hands are coupled to the movement and correspond in position to one side of the dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: TSUEN JER ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Cheng-Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 10642228
    Abstract: This application relates to a wearable electronic device including a housing having an illumination region, where the housing can carry components that can include a processor capable of receiving an input signal and responding to the input signal by providing an illumination signal. The components can further include independently-controllable light-emitting units carried by the housing at the illumination region and in communication with the processor, the light-emitting units capable of (i) receiving the illumination signal from the processor, and (ii) presenting the notification by emitting an amount of light in accordance with the illumination signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Steven P. Cardinali, Amin M. Younes
  • Patent number: 9647178
    Abstract: A package structure of an optical module includes: a substrate having a frame defined with a light-emitting region and a light-admitting region; a light-emitting chip disposed at the light-emitting region of the substrate; a light-admitting chip disposed at the light-admitting region of the substrate; two encapsulants formed in the frame and enclosing the light-emitting chip and the light-admitting chip, respectively; and a shielding layer formed on the frame and the encapsulants and having a light-emitting hole and a light-admitting hole, wherein the light-emitting hole and the light-admitting hole are positioned above the light-emitting chip and the light-admitting chip, respectively. The optical module package structure uses an opaque glue to reduce costs and total thickness of the package structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Lingsen Precision Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Te Tu, Yao-Ting Yeh
  • Patent number: 9041632
    Abstract: A device for displaying a text message, comprising a display (10) having a plurality of characters, each of said characters being arranged at a fixed position, not overlapping with any other of said characters, and being adapted to be switched on and off, and a controller being connected to said plurality of characters and being adapted to switch on and off selected characters so that at a given time, a selected sub-group of said characters is switched on, the selected sub-group displaying a text message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Biegert & Funk Product Gmbh & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Funk, Marco Biegert
  • Publication number: 20150138926
    Abstract: A digital color clock uses Color Digits instead of Roman or Arabic numerals. Each Color Digit is capable of displaying a unique color corresponding to one of the ten Arabic numerals (0-9). Preferably the clock contains at least six Color Digits grouped into three pairs. One of the pairs corresponds to hours, another of the pairs corresponds to minutes, and the remaining of the pairs corresponds to seconds. The three pairs can be separated by unit separators. Both the unit separators and the Color Digits can be illuminated using red/green/blue light-emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the Color Digits are interspersed among other unchangeable color panels. In another embodiment, the digital clock senses and displays the temperature, humidity, and/or date using Color Digits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Adam C. Roman
  • Publication number: 20150117162
    Abstract: A watch display and a method of displaying time and date on a watch face. The watch face has an outer portion with twelve on/off lights spaced around the outer portion of the watch face showing numbers 1 to 12 to represent either the twelve hours of time or the twelve months of a year. An inner portion of the watch face includes on/off lights for showing two digits which would represent the minutes in the time mode or the day of the month in the date mode. The watch display may also include an animation mode wherein the lights run through a cycle of turning on and then off, sequentially, one at a time at desired times such as when the power is turned on or just before it is turned off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Titanium Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Tak Mou T. TSAI
  • Publication number: 20150063080
    Abstract: A portable terminal comprises at least 12 clock indicator lights which are distributed at equal intervals and configured around a display screen of the portable terminal, wherein each clock indicator light serves as a clock graduation; a power supply unit configured to connect to each clock indicator light respectively; and a control unit configured to connect to the power supply unit, according to a current time, control the power supply unit to supply power for the clock indicator light corresponding to a hour hand position on a clock of the current time by adopting a preset first color, and control the power supply unit to supply power for the clock indicator light corresponding to a minute hand position on the clock of the current time by adopting a preset second color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yinyin Ma
  • Publication number: 20140369171
    Abstract: An electronic clock contains a clock module with at least one display panel and a transforming module. The transforming module is mounted in a power supply space of at least one switch on a wall. The clock module is fitted on a rear end of each switch, and the at least one display panel correspond to a displaying portion of each switch. The transforming module is electrically connected with supply mains in the power supply space of the at least one switch so as to output power to the clock module. The at least one display panel is electrically connected with the clock module, and the clock module is electrically coupled with the transforming module so as to receive power outputted by the transforming module, hence the clock module produces electronic signals to display time or/and date on the at least one display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: CHOU WEN HUNG
  • Patent number: 8873343
    Abstract: Devices having symbols or messages that are illuminated and darkened in accordance with a care-taking schedule for a pet, and methods for using the devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Edward Jay Higgins
  • Patent number: 8867318
    Abstract: An alarm clock including a rectangular base, a housing mounted on the base, an opaque portion on the front of the housing, a translucent portion on the front of the housing, a time display located on the front of the housing, and a plurality of light emitting diodes mounted inside the housing behind the translucent portion, wherein a first time prior to a set time for an alarm a first number of the plurality of light emitting diodes are lit, wherein on successive times prior to the set time for the alarm successive numbers of the plurality of light emitting diodes are lit, and wherein at the set time for the alarm the entire plurality of light emitting diodes are lit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Chi Ming Suen
  • Patent number: 8547801
    Abstract: A timer device to induce and encourage a young child to manage time when engaged in daily activities, the timer device comprising visually comprehensible changes in time through the use of red and green lights for the start and end of activity period, respectively. The timer device can further include an audible alarm to signal the end of the activity. Further operational switches and buttons include a power button or switch, start/pause button to start time or pause time, engage buttons, hours buttons (+, ?) and minutes buttons (+, ?) to adjust time on a liquid crystal display (LCD). The timer device can be powered by AC power or battery power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventors: Courtney Anne Zorn, Whitney Kay Burkhardt
  • Patent number: 8194507
    Abstract: A hidden display may be used in an apparatus to display information to a user. The display hardware is generally hidden within the apparatus and illuminated information appears on an outside surface of the apparatus to display the information. The hidden display may couple light into a display panel from the inside of the apparatus to provide the illuminated information on the outside surface of the display panel. The display panel may provide diffuse reflection of ambient light on the outside of the display panel such that the display hardware is not visible behind the display panel but without providing a mirror-like reflection. The display may be used in a variety of different apparatuses or devices including, but not limited to, clocks and clock audio devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Brookstone Purchasing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen B. Mills
  • Publication number: 20110141856
    Abstract: A multimedia projection alarm clock with integrated illumination is disclosed. It includes a projector module which projects an animated image, an illuminating light source which emits illuminating light of adjustable color and/or brightness, a speaker which outputs music or sound effects, and a control unit which animates a projected image and/or varies an illuminating light with music or sound effects so that an alarm signal featuring a theme of vivid figures with matching backgrounds may be provided. The control unit is also equipped with a simple user interface allowing the user to access handy bedside functions such as the night light easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Kuo-Hsiung CHO, Ping-Hung Tsai, Chin-I Liu
  • Publication number: 20110051563
    Abstract: A timepiece includes a casing, a display, a timepiece core unit, and a current processing circuitry. The current processing circuitry includes a rectifying circuitry, an oscillating circuitry, and an output circuitry. The rectifying circuitry is adapted for electrically connected with an AC power source, and arranged to rectify the AC. The oscillating circuitry is electrically connected with the rectifying circuitry, and is arranged to transform the DC outputted from the rectifying circuitry back into AC having a predetermined voltage and a frequency. The output circuitry is electrically connected with the oscillating circuitry, and is arranged to rectifying the AC output from the oscillating circuitry into a DC pulses output, wherein the DC output from the output circuitry is electrically transmitted to the timepiece circuitry for triggering an operation thereof so as to allow the signal generator to generate accurate time signal to display the current time by the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: SHENZHEN GREAT POWER ENTERPRISE CO., LIMITED
    Inventor: QiXiang FENG
  • Patent number: 7646678
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Elemex Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Imai, Hiroyuki Satou, Masahide Hasegawa, Kazuhisa Tohyama, Keiji Nakagawa, Kentarou Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20080175106
    Abstract: Provided herein is a display means for indicating time of day to an observer. A display according to the invention uses a minimal number of indicators, which are arranged in a first row having twelve indicators, and a second row containing eleven indicators. A display means according to the invention provides time of day to the nearest five-minute interval. Also provided a process for displaying the time of day to the nearest five minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Michael Vikesland
  • Patent number: 7385879
    Abstract: A radio-controlled clock (RCC) for receiving and decoding a transmitted time signal to display a precise time in accordance with a time standard. A light emitting diode (LED) display emits sufficient light for easy readability under all lighting conditions, including the time numerals. A signal reception indicator remains lit if the RCC has successfully decoded a time signal. If the time signal is currently being received and decoded, the signal reception indicator flashes. If the decoding is unsuccessful, the signal reception indicator will be unlit until the next decoding attempt. A power transformer to supply current to electronic circuitry contained within in the housing of the RCC is located in the power line cord, as at the plug end, to minimize electromagnetic interference with the decoding of the time signals. A signal strength indicator may have multiple segments to indicate if the received signal is strong, medium, weak or too weak for decoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Equity Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Kibiloski, Charles Wong Tak Chung
  • Publication number: 20080112271
    Abstract: A time projection clock comprises an operating circuit including a clock circuit for time keeping and producing a time signal, and a projection unit incorporating a projection circuit for receiving the time signal from the clock circuit and, in response, projecting a corresponding time image onto an external surface, based on the time signal. The projection circuit comprises a super-bright LED for emitting a light beam, a driver for driving the super-bright LED, and an LCD panel located in front of the super-bright LED and intersected by the light beam to produce the time image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: IDT-LCD HOLDINGS (BVI) LIMITED
    Inventor: Raymond CHAN
  • Publication number: 20080101161
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Imai, Hiroyuki Satou, Masahide Hasegawa, Kazuhisa Tohyama, Keiji Nakagawa, Kentarou Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7221044
    Abstract: A single-chip integrated LED particularly adapted for direct use with a high voltage DC or AC power sources comprises a plurality of electrically isolated LEDs on a generally transparent substrate and bonded to electrically conductive elements on a thermally conductive mount. A reflective coating may be applied to the area between LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: AC LED Lighting, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Zhaoyang Fan, Hongxing Jiang, Jingyu Lin
  • Patent number: 7215319
    Abstract: A feature of the present invention includes a device having a display controller for controlling a display position of the pointer on the display screen, a displacement detector for detecting a displacement of the device itself, and a pointer mover for moving the pointer on the display screen based on the detected displacement of the device itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Kamijo, Tadanobu Inoue, Kohichiro Kishimoto
  • Patent number: 6811278
    Abstract: An electroluminescent clock is disclosed, wherein light emitting dots are installed on the back side of a transparent plate and ring around and beneath luminous markers, whereby when the light emitting dots are enabled, the luminous markers can be presented with uniform lighting to allow a user to see the clock time in the darkness and even from a distance. The night light feature is further enhanced by a special design that creates a soft visual effect on the dial of the clock for easy recognition of clock time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Yuan-Chi Sung
  • Patent number: 6683822
    Abstract: The invention provides an enhanced structure of a time display device includes a circle with 60 display units on the circumference of the clock face, among which 12 display units are made larger for displaying hour of time (hour display units) and the rest (smaller ones) displaying minute of time (minute display units). The display units are made with materials that shine or flicker to indicate time in the dark. To indicate hour of time, a given hour display unit and the two minute display units right next to this hour display unit would be switched on. To indicate minute of time, one of the minute display units would be switched on. While a given display unit has to indicate hour and minute at the same time, it flickers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Inventor: Chin-Shuei Cheng
  • Patent number: 6628571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a watch (2), wherein the time is represented by a plurality of display means (4) that are individually activated or deactivated. Said watch includes a first group (31) of display means for the number of hours, a second group (32) of display means for a first position of the number of minutes and a third group (33) for the second position of the number of minutes. The display means (4) in each group preferably form at least three subgroups (311, 312, 313, 314; 321, 322, 323; 331, 332, 333), wherein the groups and subgroups are arranged in such a way that they can be separately and optically perceived and the amount of display means activated in a group correspond to a figure representing the time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Arman Emami
  • Patent number: 6388642
    Abstract: A bidirectional multispeed indexing control system for a display unit which has an increment input and a decrement input so as to be controllable to sequentially index through an ordered list of discrete elements. The control system has a two-button user interface. The user presses one button to increment once, and holds that button to continuously index at a slow fixed speed. To increase the indexing speed, the user presses the second button while continuing to hold the first button. Indexing speed will continue to increase until either a maximum speed is reached or the user releases the second button, at which point the indexing speed decreases from the value reached while holding the second button. To stop indexing, both buttons are released. To increment in the opposite direction (i.e., decrement), the order in which the buttons are pressed is reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph F. Cotis
  • Patent number: 6326883
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Tym Tek, LLC
    Inventors: David K. Whitehead, Arthur A. Minderler
  • Patent number: 6229767
    Abstract: A display device and an electronic watch permit various information to be clearly distinguished from a background when a solar battery is placed within a display area for displaying the information. A display device and the like include a polarizer, a liquid crystal layer, a polarization separating film, and a solar battery. The polarization separating film operates to transmit linearly polarized light polarized in one direction and to reflect other linearly polarized light. Since the surface of the solar battery has a dark color, such as black, a dark-colored background is displayed by light traveling along an optical path. Information, such as numbers, is displayed in a light reflection color by light that is reflected by the polarization separating film and travels along an optical path. The information, such as numbers, is displayed in a light reflection color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichi Miyazawa, Yasuo Arikawa
  • Patent number: 6046401
    Abstract: A display device comprising a photovoltaic (PV) panel adapted to simultaneously produce electrically needed to operate a display and form either the background or foreground of the said display. The PV panel comprises large continuous sheets of PV material provided with one or more openings. Either light for the display or the display mechanism itself pass through the openings in PV material. The device may include a computer or electrical circuit which will activate the display device responsive to temperature, moisture, light conditions or to a remote signal such as a pager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Joseph Christopher McCabe
  • Patent number: 5917779
    Abstract: A transformerless oven timer which uses a 20 pin microcontroller connected to light emitting diodes. The microcontroller has 2 Kbytes of 8 bit read only memory and has software etched therein. The microcontroller can transfer power and voltage to the light emitting diodes when the oven is connected to, and powered by, an electrical outlet. The software etched into the microcontroller detects whether a resistor is connected to the microcontroller and converts a pin on the microcontroller from an input into an output. The software also synchronizes the microcontroller with the frequency of the electrical outlet to provide that the microcontroller keeps track of time. The transformerless oven timer also includes electrical circuitry connected to the microcontroller, where the electrical circuitry reduces the voltage and current provided to the microcontroller and to the light emitting diodes without using a transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Gabriel, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Ralson, Gregory Jay Ramsey
  • Patent number: 5898647
    Abstract: A carrier for a wrist instrument when it is removed from the wrist band comprises a case made in two pieces of identical construction which slide together and house the wrist instrument and its attachments. The two carrier sections each have a tongue extending across a parting line which is received in a mating channel on the other carrier section. Additional guide pins and recesses hold the assembly in alignment. A holster for the assembled carrier sections cradles the assembly securely and includes a belt clip for attaching the holster to a belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Timex Corporation
    Inventor: Harold S. Goradesky
  • Patent number: 4752919
    Abstract: The time of day is displayed on clock face (10) through the use of two, two-digit numerical stations (20) and (30) and a minutes scale comprised of marks (40). The left-hand station (20) indicates the actual hour of the day and the right-hand station (30) indicates the next hour of the day so that display (30) always indicates one hour past the time shown by display (20). A series of lamps (40) between the two stations are used to form a bar-graph display of the minutes of the hour. A number of display modalities are possible. Electronic and mechanical versions of the timepiece are shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Inventor: Lloyd D. Clark
  • Patent number: 4747086
    Abstract: A digital watch has a fluorescent display which is selectively actuated by depressing a button which extends through the watch casing. The watch crystal is formed from a scratch resistant mineral glass, and has a thin film mercury coating on the inner surface. The mercury coating may be sandwiched between the watch crystal and a thin transparent plastic film. When the fluorescent display is activated the display may be seen by the outside world through the watch crystal. However, when the fluorescent display is inactivated, the watch crystal appears as a mirror to the outside world. In a second embodiment of the invention, a tinted watch crystal is utilized in conjunction with a fluorescent display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1988
    Inventor: Borliam Shaw
  • Patent number: 4597674
    Abstract: Different from a standard digital display utilizing separate digits for seconds, minutes and hours, an electronic timepiece which uses tow digits composed of triads of red, green and yellow L.E.D.s. Each L.E.D. color is synchronically sequenced and each period of display is for one-third of a second. Each color L.E.D. is dedicated to a particular element of time, i.e., red represents second, yellow represents minutes and green represents hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1986
    Inventor: William H. Thompson, III
  • Patent number: 4448544
    Abstract: A simplified dual format time display provides easy-to-read "count up" and "count down" digital readouts which indicate either the hour and the minutes after the hour or the next hour and the minutes before the next hour using conventionally positioned hour and minute digits of substantially equal size. In the "count down" mode, a minus sign appears immediately to the left of the minute digits to provide a readily interpreted algebraic representation of the number of minutes which must yet elapse before the next hour arrives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1984
    Inventor: Richard G. Schreitz
  • Patent number: 4290131
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Company Limited
    Inventors: Kazunari Kume, Hideshi Ohno
  • Patent number: 4258431
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece having both time indicating hands and an electro-optical time display, wherein individual digits of the electro-optical display can be selected for correction and wherein correction of a digit causes the time indicating hands to advance by a precisely corresponding amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fukuo Sekiya, Takashi Yamada
  • Patent number: 4255806
    Abstract: A display for an electronic timepiece or the like has an analog electro-optical display comprising a plurality of segment electrodes radially disposed about a center point and at least one first counterelectrode each bridging at least two radial segment electrodes and a digital electro-optical display comprising a plurality of digital electrodes which define at least one alphanumeric character and at least one second counterelectrode. By using at least two first counterelectrodes each having a different set of radial segment electrodes associated therewith and electrically connecting at least one radial segment electrode of one set in parallel with one radial segment electrode of the other set and in parallel with one digit electrode, the display may be driven in a time multiplex manner with a minimum number of external display connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Assignee: Braun Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kurt Fahrenschon, Friedrich W. Nickol
  • Patent number: 4233681
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece having liquid crystal or light-emitting diode display elements provides a logic network for flickering a part or all segments of the display element at a plurality of repetition rates and duty cycles, whereby additional intelligence associated with the repetition rate and duty cycle is conveyed by the display element. The logic network gives priority of display to any one preselected supplemental flickering intelligence function when there is a coincident demand for more than one supplemental function for display. Flickering draws attention to the supplemental intelligence contained in an otherwise continuous display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha
    Inventor: Masami Murata
  • Patent number: 4207734
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) digital watch with circuitry which allows the watch user to adjust the amount of time the horological information is displayed and to adjust the brightness of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1980
    Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company
    Inventor: Norman E. Moyer
  • Patent number: 4205518
    Abstract: A voltage conversion system for an electronic timepiece having a power source, which system generates power at lower voltage level than that of the power source for operating at least one of a frequency standard, a frequency converter, a time counter circuit and a display system. The voltage conversion system comprises an oscillator circuit coupled to the power source to generate output signals, a plurality of capacitors, and a plurality of switching elements responsive to the output signals for alternately setting the capacitors in a parallel connected condition and a series connected condition, whereby an output voltage lower than that of the power source is generated at an output terminal of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Morokawa
  • Patent number: 4202235
    Abstract: An electronic musical box is disclosed in which a musical score can be readily stored and reproduced and the musical score can be easily changed to another. The musical box includes a pulse generator for generating a unitary pulse for a note whose duration is the shortest in the musical score and generating integer numbers of unitary pulses for other notes in the musical score. A tone pitch generating circuit generates tone pitch signals coded by a plurality of tone pitch switches so as to correspond to the tone pitches of the notes in the musical score. The coded tone pitch signals are stored in a memory, and a musical tone generating circuit reads data stored in the memory and generates musical tones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Assignee: Pilot Man-Nen Hitsu Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Namiki, Akira Terashima, Naomi Yoshizawa