US4019313A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid crystal watch module
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1975-10-17
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Granted: 1977-04-26
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Expires: 1995-10-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved electronic watch module easily manufactured and easily repaired has a housing lower half containing at least one watch integrated circuit electrically connected to a quartz crystal and a potential source. A switch in the housing lower half is used for operating the watch, i.e., for setting the time as well as providing minutes and seconds on demand rather than hours and minutes normally displayed. A housing upper half contains a liquid crystal display element and means for electrically interconnecting the display element and the at least one watch integrated circuit in the housing lower half. Releasable means fastens the housing lower and upper halves in assembled relationship. The upper and lower housing halves may be separately assembled and tested to insure proper operation prior to fastening them together.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel W. Mason
- 👤 Richard S. Walton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 00:01
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G17/00; G04G17/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
In an electronic timepiece, a display element having a given number of digit positions, first circuits for causing said display element to show hours and minutes in the given number of digit positions, second circuits for causing said display element to show minutes and seconds in the given number of digit positions, and a switch operable selectively to connect said first or second circuits to said display element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
In an electronic timepiece, a display element having a given number of digit positions, first circuits for causing said display element to show hours and minutes in the given number of digit positions, second circuits for causing said display element to show minutes and seconds in the given number of digit positions, and a switch operable selectively to connect said first or second circuits to said display element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electronic timepiece of claim 1 in which said display element is a liquid crystal display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The electronic timepiece of claim 1 in which said switch includes a stem member which is pushed in to cause said display element to show seconds, which is pulled out and rotated in a first direction to set hours as shown by said display element, and which is pulled out and rotated in a second direction to set minutes as shown by said display element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
A timepiece module, which comprises: a housing lower half containing at least one watch integrated circuit electrically connected to a quartz crystal and a potential source, and a switch for operating said watch, a housing upper half containing a display element and means for electrically interconnecting said display element and said at least one watch integrated circuit; said switch having a first position for causing said display element to show seconds, a second position for setting hours as shown by said display element, and a third position for setting minutes as shown by said display element; and releasable means fastening said housing lower and upper halves in assembled relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
109 words
A timepiece module, which comprises: a housing lower half containing at least one watch integrated circuit electrically connected to a quartz crystal and a potential source, and a switch for operating said watch, a housing upper half containing a display element and means for electrically interconnecting said display element and said at least one watch integrated circuit; said switch having a first position for causing said display element to show seconds, a second position for setting hours as shown by said display element, and a third position for setting minutes as shown by said display element; and releasable means fastening said housing lower and upper halves in assembled relationship.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The timepiece module of claim 4 in which said display element comprises a liquid crystal display.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The timepiece module of claim 4 in which said switch includes a stem member which is pushed in to cause said display element to show seconds, which is pulled out and rotated in a first direction to set hours as shown by said display element, and which is pulled out and rotated in a second direction to set minutes as shown by said display element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The timepiece module of claim 4 in which said means interconnecting said display element and said at least one watch integrated circuit comprises a plurality of spring connectors having an end electrically connected to said display element and another end contacting a conductive land electrically connected to said at least one watch integrated circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
85 words
The timepiece module of claim 4 in which said display element comprises a given number of digit positions for indicating time, said at least one watch integrated circuit including first circuits for causing said display element to show hours and minutes in the given number of digit positions, and second circuits for causing said display element to show minutes and seconds in the given number of digit positions, said switch being operable selectively to operatively connect said first and second circuits to said display element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electronic timepiece comprising, the combination, the timepiece module of claim 4 contained in a case having an opening through which said display element is visible.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-25 | 1980-10-25 | 1981-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-25 | 1984-10-25 | 1985-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-25 | 1988-10-25 | 1989-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |