US3789600A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic time measurement
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1972-09-22
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1992-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A display which includes a plurality of numeric indicators is driven at one of a number of frequencies such as 10, 100 and 1,000 Hz, for measuring time in increments such as tenths, hundredths or thousandths of a second. A switch is provided for enabling the user to change from one frequency to another. The switch also is connected to decimal point indicators on the display for automatically selecting the decimal point appropriate to the frequency selected.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul L Chapman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:37
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F10/00; G04F10/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
An electronic stop watch comprising, in combination: a display for displaying time comprising numeric indicators and decimal point indicators, each decimal point indicator located between a pair of numeric indicators, and said decimal point indicators including a tenths decimal point indicator and a hundredths decimal point indicator; means, including counter means, coupled to said display for driving the same for causing it to display a quantity representing the count stored in said counter means; means producing a plurality of alternating signals, each at a different frequency said dIfferent frequencies being related to one another by powers of ten and including 10Hzs. and 100Hzs. frequencies; selector means for applying to the counter means any one of said signals for causing the counter means to advance at the frequency of said particular signal selected; and means responsive to said selector means for energizing a different decimal point indicator and no other decimal point indicator for each different frequency selected by said selector means, for indicating on said display the magnitude of the units of time represented by the quantity displayed thereon and including means for solely energizing the tenths decimal point indicator when the 10Hzs. signal is selected and means for solely energizing the hundredths decimal point indicator when the signal is selected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
An electronic stop watch comprising, in combination: a display for displaying time comprising numeric indicators and decimal point indicators, each decimal point indicator located between a pair of numeric indicators, and said decimal point indicators including a tenths decimal point indicator and a hundredths decimal point indicator; means, including counter means, coupled to said display for driving the same for causing it to display a quantity representing the count stored in said counter means; means producing a plurality of alternating signals, each at a different frequency said dIfferent frequencies being related to one another by powers of ten and including 10Hzs. and 100Hzs. frequencies; selector means for applying to the counter means any one of said signals for causing the counter means to advance at the frequency of said particular signal selected; and means responsive to said selector means for energizing a different decimal point indicator and no other decimal point indicator for each different frequency selected by said selector means, for indicating on said display the magnitude of the units of time represented by the quantity displayed thereon and including means for solely energizing the tenths decimal point indicator when the 10Hzs. signal is selected and means for solely energizing the hundredths decimal point indicator when the signal is selected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
In the combination as set forth in claim 1, said display comprising a liquid crystal display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
In the combination as set forth in claim 1, said selector means comprising manually operable switch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
In the combination as set forth in claim 3, said means responsive to said selector means comprising second switch means ganged to said manually operable switch means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
125 words
An electronic stop watch comprising, in combination: a display for displaying time; means, including counter means, coupled to said display for driving the same for causing it to display a quantity representing the count stored in said counter means; means concurrently producing a plurality of alternating signals, each at a different frequency, and each at a different output lead; selector means for connecting a particular one of said output leads to said counter means for causing the counter means to advance at the frequency of the particular signal present at the selected output lead; starting means for producing an initiating signal; and variable delay means receptive of said initiating signal for applying a start signal to said counting means after a variable interval of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
125 words
An electronic stop watch comprising, in combination: a display for displaying time; means, including counter means, coupled to said display for driving the same for causing it to display a quantity representing the count stored in said counter means; means concurrently producing a plurality of alternating signals, each at a different frequency, and each at a different output lead; selector means for connecting a particular one of said output leads to said counter means for causing the counter means to advance at the frequency of the particular signal present at the selected output lead; starting means for producing an initiating signal; and variable delay means receptive of said initiating signal for applying a start signal to said counting means after a variable interval of time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
89 words
An electronic stop watch as set forth in claim 5 wherein said variable delay means comprises a frequency divider coupled to one of the input leads of said means producing a plurality of alternating signals for producing an output signal in response to each n input signals it receives, and means responsive to said initiating signal for producing said start signal in response to the first output signal produced by said frequency divider after the occurrence of said initiating signal, where n is an integer substantially greater than 1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electronic stop watch as set forth in claim 5 wherein said display comprises a liquid crystal display.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electronic stop watch as set forth in claim 5 further including: alarm means responsive to the actuation of said starting means prior to the time said start signal occurs for producing an alarm signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
137 words
An electronic stop watch comprising, in combination: a display for displaying time; means, including counter means, coupled to said display for driving the same for causing it to display a quantity representing the count stored in said counter means; means producing a plurality of alternating signals, each at a different frequency; selector means for applying to the counter means a particular one of said signals for causing the counter means to advance at the frequency of said particular signal; means responsive to said selector means for indicating on said display the magnitude of the units of time represented by the quantity displayed thereon; starting means for producing a start signal for said counting means; and delay means receptive of said start signal for applying a delayed start signal to said counting means after an interval of time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
137 words
An electronic stop watch comprising, in combination: a display for displaying time; means, including counter means, coupled to said display for driving the same for causing it to display a quantity representing the count stored in said counter means; means producing a plurality of alternating signals, each at a different frequency; selector means for applying to the counter means a particular one of said signals for causing the counter means to advance at the frequency of said particular signal; means responsive to said selector means for indicating on said display the magnitude of the units of time represented by the quantity displayed thereon; starting means for producing a start signal for said counting means; and delay means receptive of said start signal for applying a delayed start signal to said counting means after an interval of time.
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) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |