US3668861A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Solid state electronic watch
Assignee: Suwa Seikosha KK
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Filing: 1971-11-10
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Granted: 1972-06-13
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Expires: 1991-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A watch is provided with a liquid crystal display system operable at high levels of ambient illumination and a solid state display system operable at low levels of ambient illumination. A photo-transistor selects the display system appropriate to the ambient light level.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiromitsu Mitsui
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 18:05
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G9/00; G04G9/08; G04G9/085; G04G9/0023; G04G9/0029; G04G9/0035; G04G9/0041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
45 words
A solid state electronic watch comprising a passive display element for time display in regions of relatively high incident light intensity, an active display element for time display in regions of relatively low light intensity and means for activating said passive and active display elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
45 words
A solid state electronic watch comprising a passive display element for time display in regions of relatively high incident light intensity, an active display element for time display in regions of relatively low light intensity and means for activating said passive and active display elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
A solid state electronic watch as defined in claim 1, wherein said passive display element includes a sealed cell having a transparent outer face and liquid crystal material within said cell and said activating means includes means for imposing a voltage transverse to said cell sufficient to cause said liquid crystal material to disperse light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A solid state electronic watch as defined in claim 2, wherein said outer face has thereon segments in an array such that any digit from 0 to 9 may be shown by suitable activation by said activation means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A solid state electronic watch as defined in claim 1, wherein said active display element includes an electroluminescent material activatable by said activation means to emit radiation, said activation resulting from passage of current through said electroluminescent material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A solid state electronic watch as defined in claim 3, wherein said active display element has thereon segments in an array such that any digit from 0 to 9 may be shown by suitable actIvation by said activation means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A solid state electronic watch as defined in claim 1, wherein said activation means comprises a photo-transistor positioned in said watch to sense the level of said incident light and generate a signal characteristic of said incident light level, and circuit means to activate said passive display element at high incident light levels and to activate said active display element at low incident light levels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A solid state electronic watch as defined in claim 1, wherein said active display element is disposed behind said passive display element so that said active display element, when activated, may be viewed through said passive display element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A solid state electronic watch as defined in claim 6, wherein a portion of said active display element overlies a portion of said passive display element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A solid state electronic watch as defined in claim 1, wherein said watch includes a semi-conductor base plate and said display elements and said activating means are mounted monolithically on said base plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A solid state electronic watch as defined in claim 3, wherein said electroluminescent material is gallium arsenide.
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) | 1975-06-13 | 1975-12-13 | 1976-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-13 | 1979-12-13 | 1980-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-13 | 1983-12-13 | 1984-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |