Abstract:
THERE IS DISCLOSED HEREIN AN ELECTRONIC TIMEKEEPING DEVICE EMPLOYING A PASSIVE CIRCUIT ELEMENT AS A MASTER FREQUENCY REFERENCE, COMPRISING A MOTOR DRIVEN GEAR TRAIN AND HANDS AND A FEEDBACK CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR THE MOTOR INCLUDING A SPEED TRANSDUCER, AND AN ERROR DETECTION CIRCUIT INCLUDING A RESISTANCE BRIDGE AND A DIFFERENTIAL AMPLIFIER. THE AMPLIFIER OUTPUT OPERATES A CONTROL CIRCUIT WHICH PROVIDES ADJUSTABLE EXCITATION FOR THE MOTOR TO MAINTAIN THE DESIRED OPERATING SPEED. AN ULTRA HIGH PRECISION RESISTOR WITH AN EXTREMELY SMALL RESISTANCE-TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT, IS EMPLOYED IN THE RESISTANCE BRIDGE CIRCUIT AS THE MASTER FREQUENCY REFERENCE.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a wristwatch comprising a crystal oscillator, a frequency divider formed of complementary MOS transistors, a display actuator, and a time display. The watch may be all solid state with integrated circuit construction and include a digital time display of light-emitting diodes. It includes display interrogation on demand and display scanning or strobing as well as time setting.
Abstract:
There is disclosed herein an electrical timepiece including electronic circuitry for generating timing pulses, an electromechanical energy converter driven in stepwise fashion by the timing pulses and a mechanical movement having a second hand driven directly by the energy converter and gear train also driven by the energy converter to drive indirectly the hour and minute hands. The electromechanical energy converter disclosed is characterized by a wound stator having a plurality of magnetic circuits separately excitable to complete a magnetic path with a rotor. As the magnetic circuits are energized in succession, the rotor is attracted from one magnetic circuit to the next, producing stepwise rotation in synchronism with the excitation. A particular feature of the energy converter is the fact that its axial dimension is substantially less than its radial dimension, resulting in a flat configuration especially useful in a wrist watch.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an electronically controlled timepiece suitable for use as a wristwatch. A novel solid state electronic oscillator operating at a frequency substantially in excess of the desired timekeeping rate is connected to a divider in the form of a chain of integrated circuit transistor stages formed of complementary MOS devices. The divider may be formed from static counters or a combination of dynamic and static counters. Connected to the output of the divider is a display actuator and timekeeping display.
Abstract:
DISCLOSED IS A LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY AND POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM PARTICULARLY SUITED FOR A WRISTWATCH. A BAR SEGMENT DIGITAL DISPLAY IS SUBJECTED TO AN ELECTRIC FIELD TO ENERGIZE SELECTED PORTIONS OF THE DISPLAY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OUTPUT OF A TIMEKEEPING SOURCE WITHIN THE WATCH THE DISPLAY IS SEPARATELY POWERED EITHER FROM SOLAR CELLS
OR FROM A PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCER ACTUATED BY WATCH MOVEMENT.
Abstract:
The transducer has a fluid chamber mounting a piezoelectric element at one end and a piston slidably mounted in a reduced diameter portion of the chamber opposite the element. A timebase, including a high frequency oscillator and a frequency divider, applies an electrical signal across the piezoelectric element whereby the element moves to displace the fluid in the chamber thereby driving the piston outwardly against the bias of a spring. The piston is coupled to the gear train of a timepiece. The timed electrical signal is thus converted to an incremental mechanical movement which is amplified by the fluid system to provide timed indexing of the gear train.
Abstract:
There is disclosed herein an electronic solid-state time piece having an electro-optical display such as an integrated semiconductor light emitting diode structure. The display is provided by four or six digit forming display indicators giving a digital readout of hours, minutes and, if desired, second. The device includes electronic time signal generating circuitry, display drive circuitry and display interrogation and scanning means. A time setting mechanism is also provided.