Patent US3833872A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4376992A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic wristwatch with alarm function
Assignee: Suwa Seikosha KK
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Filing: 1980-02-27
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Granted: 1983-03-15
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Expires: 2000-02-27
Abstract
Abstract An electronic wristwatch without mechanically driven hands has an electromagnetic output which is sensed for measuring the timing rate. A modulated signal applied to the coil of an alarm sounding device produces the electromagnetic field for sensing. The display is fully illuminated while timing in order to eliminate stray electric fields.
Inventors
- 👤 Hitomi Aizawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:11
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G13/00; G04G13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
In an electronic wristwatch including an oscillation circuit generating a time standard frequency signal, a divider network dividing down said standard frequency signal and outputting lower frequency signals, timekeeping circuits, display driving circuits, a display, the improvement therein comprising: an alarm circuit including a sounding device for producing audible signals at a preselected time; induction coil means, said coil means being a portion of said sounding device, said coil means cooperating with a power source, and being adapted to produce a magnetic field externally of said coil means when current flows therethrough, said magnetic field being detectable externally of said wristwatch; switch means, the state of said switch means, on or off, controlling current flow through said coil means; first circuit means for signal generating, said signals being derived from said divider network and applied to said switch means to control said current flow at a first repetition rate to generate a corresponding external magnetic field for timing said wristwatch by magnetic field detection; an external member, operation of said external member activating said first circuit means for signal generation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
In an electronic wristwatch including an oscillation circuit generating a time standard frequency signal, a divider network dividing down said standard frequency signal and outputting lower frequency signals, timekeeping circuits, display driving circuits, a display, the improvement therein comprising: an alarm circuit including a sounding device for producing audible signals at a preselected time; induction coil means, said coil means being a portion of said sounding device, said coil means cooperating with a power source, and being adapted to produce a magnetic field externally of said coil means when current flows therethrough, said magnetic field being detectable externally of said wristwatch; switch means, the state of said switch means, on or off, controlling current flow through said coil means; first circuit means for signal generating, said signals being derived from said divider network and applied to said switch means to control said current flow at a first repetition rate to generate a corresponding external magnetic field for timing said wristwatch by magnetic field detection; an external member, operation of said external member activating said first circuit means for signal generation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
An electronic wristwatch as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising second signal generating means, said second signal generating means outputting signals at a selected time to said switch means at a second repetition rate turning said switch means on and off; said sounding device emitting sound in response to said current passing through said coil means in response to said signals at said second repetition rate, whereby audible sounds are emitted at said selected time to serve as an alarm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
263 words
An electronic wristwatch including an oscillation circuit generating a time standard frequency signal, a divider network dividing down said standard frequency signal and outputting lower frequency signals, timekeeping circuits, display driving circuits, a display, the improvement therein comprising: an induction coil, said coil cooperating with a power source, and being adapted to produce a magnetic field when current flows therethrough, said magnetic field being detectable externally of said wristwatch; switch means, the state of said switch means, on or off, controlling current flow through said coil; first signal generating means, said signals being applied to said switch means to control said current flow at a first repetition rate to generate a corresponding external magnetic field for timing said wristwatch by magnetic field detection; an external member, operation of said external member activating said first circuit signal generating means; second signal generating means, said second signal generating means outputting signals at a selected time to said switch means at a second repetition rate; and a sounding device, said sounding device emitting sounds in response to said current passing through said coil in response to said signals at said second repetition rate, whereby sounds are emitted at said selected time to serve as an alarm, said signals at said first and second repetition rates being modulated at a frequency substantially higher than said repetition rates, said switch means opening and closing at said higher frequency rate, a readily audible alarm sound being produced at said higher frequency, and said timing signals are both audible and effective in inducing a voltage in an external electromagnetic detector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
263 words
An electronic wristwatch including an oscillation circuit generating a time standard frequency signal, a divider network dividing down said standard frequency signal and outputting lower frequency signals, timekeeping circuits, display driving circuits, a display, the improvement therein comprising: an induction coil, said coil cooperating with a power source, and being adapted to produce a magnetic field when current flows therethrough, said magnetic field being detectable externally of said wristwatch; switch means, the state of said switch means, on or off, controlling current flow through said coil; first signal generating means, said signals being applied to said switch means to control said current flow at a first repetition rate to generate a corresponding external magnetic field for timing said wristwatch by magnetic field detection; an external member, operation of said external member activating said first circuit signal generating means; second signal generating means, said second signal generating means outputting signals at a selected time to said switch means at a second repetition rate; and a sounding device, said sounding device emitting sounds in response to said current passing through said coil in response to said signals at said second repetition rate, whereby sounds are emitted at said selected time to serve as an alarm, said signals at said first and second repetition rates being modulated at a frequency substantially higher than said repetition rates, said switch means opening and closing at said higher frequency rate, a readily audible alarm sound being produced at said higher frequency, and said timing signals are both audible and effective in inducing a voltage in an external electromagnetic detector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electronic wristwatch as claimed in claim 3, wherein said signals at said second repetition rate are delivered only over a portion of each second.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electronic wristwatch as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second repetition rate exceeds said first repetition rate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electronic wristwatch as claimed in claim 1, 3 or 5, wherein said signals at said first repetition rate have a pulse width not exceeding 1/16 seconds, and a period not exceeding 10 seconds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electronic wristwatch as claimed in claim 3, or 5, wherein said display is a liquid crystal display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
127 words
An electronic wristwatch including an oscillation circuit generating a time standard frequency signal, a divider network dividing down said standard frequency signal and outputting lower frequency signals, timekeeping circuits, display driving circuits, a liquid crystal display, the improvement therein comprising: and induction coil, said coil cooperating with a power source, switch means, the state of said switch means, on or off, controlling current flow through said coil; first circuit means for signal generating, said signals being applied to said switch means at a first repetition rate for timing said wristwatch; an external member, operation of said external member activating said first circuit means for signal generation, circuit means for lighting every segment of said liquid crystal display during generation of said signals at said first repetition rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
127 words
An electronic wristwatch including an oscillation circuit generating a time standard frequency signal, a divider network dividing down said standard frequency signal and outputting lower frequency signals, timekeeping circuits, display driving circuits, a liquid crystal display, the improvement therein comprising: and induction coil, said coil cooperating with a power source, switch means, the state of said switch means, on or off, controlling current flow through said coil; first circuit means for signal generating, said signals being applied to said switch means at a first repetition rate for timing said wristwatch; an external member, operation of said external member activating said first circuit means for signal generation, circuit means for lighting every segment of said liquid crystal display during generation of said signals at said first repetition rate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electronic wristwatch as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sounding device is a loudspeaker.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electronic wristwatch as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sounding device is a piezoelectric element.
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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) | 1986-03-14 | 1986-09-13 | 1987-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-14 | 1990-09-13 | 1991-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-14 | 1994-09-13 | 1995-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |