US3855783A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Digital electronic timepiece
Assignee: Refac International Ltd
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Filing: 1972-04-20
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1992-04-20
Abstract
Abstract In a digital electronic wrist watch employing a liquid crystal display cell for indicating the time, there is included indicia which flashes once per second so as to allow the counting of seconds and to indicate operation of the display.
Inventors
- 👤 N Luce
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:15
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G9/00; G04G9/0082; G04G9/0094
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
In an electronic digital timepiece comprising in coMbination, an electro-optical display, display driver circuit means including, a power supply, a frequency source adapted to provide a frequency waveform of a relatively high frequency coupled to said power supply, timekeeping means coupled to said frequency source and a driver circuit coupled to said timekeeping means for driving the display so as to indicate the time in digital format, the improvement comprising means coupled to said frequency source for translating said waveform to a 1 Hz signal, a bidirectional switching circuit means the input of which is responsive to said 1 Hz signal and the output of which is coupled to a preselected indicia of said display for causing said preselected indicia of said display to be continuously pulsed at the rate of once per second in accordance with said lower frequency to provide a visual means to a user of said timepiece indicating the passage of one second.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
In an electronic digital timepiece comprising in coMbination, an electro-optical display, display driver circuit means including, a power supply, a frequency source adapted to provide a frequency waveform of a relatively high frequency coupled to said power supply, timekeeping means coupled to said frequency source and a driver circuit coupled to said timekeeping means for driving the display so as to indicate the time in digital format, the improvement comprising means coupled to said frequency source for translating said waveform to a 1 Hz signal, a bidirectional switching circuit means the input of which is responsive to said 1 Hz signal and the output of which is coupled to a preselected indicia of said display for causing said preselected indicia of said display to be continuously pulsed at the rate of once per second in accordance with said lower frequency to provide a visual means to a user of said timepiece indicating the passage of one second.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
157 words
In an electronic digital timepiece comprising in coMbination, an electro-optical display, display driver circuit means including, a power supply, a frequency source adapted to provide a frequency waveform of a relatively high frequency coupled to said power supply, timekeeping means coupled to said frequency source and a driver circuit coupled to said timekeeping means for driving the display so as to indicate the time in digital format, the improvement comprising means coupled to said frequency source for translating said waveform to a 1 Hz signal, a bidirectional switching circuit means the input of which is responsive to said 1 Hz signal and the output of which is coupled to a preselected indicia of said display for causing said preselected indicia of said display to be continuously pulsed at the rate of once per second in accordance with said lower frequency to provide a visual means to a user of said timepiece indicating the passage of one second.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
157 words
In an electronic digital timepiece comprising in coMbination, an electro-optical display, display driver circuit means including, a power supply, a frequency source adapted to provide a frequency waveform of a relatively high frequency coupled to said power supply, timekeeping means coupled to said frequency source and a driver circuit coupled to said timekeeping means for driving the display so as to indicate the time in digital format, the improvement comprising means coupled to said frequency source for translating said waveform to a 1 Hz signal, a bidirectional switching circuit means the input of which is responsive to said 1 Hz signal and the output of which is coupled to a preselected indicia of said display for causing said preselected indicia of said display to be continuously pulsed at the rate of once per second in accordance with said lower frequency to provide a visual means to a user of said timepiece indicating the passage of one second.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
In the electronic timepiece recited in claim 1, wherein said display comprises indicia for the hours, indicia for the minutes, indicia in the form of a colon therebetween, the improvement comprising means for flashing at least part of said colon at the rate of 1 Hertz.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
In the electronic timepiece recited in claim 1, wherein said electro-optical display is a liquid crystal display.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
In the electronic timepiece recited in claim 2, wherein said display is a liquid crystal display.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
In the electronic timepiece recited in claim 1, wherein said means causes the whole colon to flash at a 1 Hertz rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
In the electronic timepiece recited in claim 2, wherein said means for flashing said colon at said 1 Hertz rate has a 50% duty cycle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
In the electronic timepiece recited in claim 2, wherein said display indicates time on a 12 hour base and wherein said colon flashing means causes alternate portions of said colon to flash each 12 hour interval.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
In the electronic timepiece recited in claim 1, wherein said display includes indicia for the hours, indicia for the minutes and indicia for the date and wherein said means for pulsing display indicia causes said date indicia to be pulsed at a 1 Hertz rate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
In the electronic timepiece recited in claim 1, wherein said display includes indicia for hours and indicia for minutes and wherein said timepiece includes means for flashing said hours indicia and minutes indicia at a 1 Hertz rate, each flash indicating the passage of one second.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
In the digital electronic watch recited in claim 10, wherein said display cell contains electrode patterns for forming hours indicia, minutes indicia and a colon therEbetween, said output of said bidirectional switch being applied directly to at least one electrode for forming said colon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |