US3812669A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic timepiece
Assignee: ETS SA A SWISS CORP
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Filing: 1972-04-24
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Granted: 1974-05-28
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Expires: 1992-04-24
Abstract
Abstract In an electronic timepiece in which a piezoelectric oscillator acts as a time base and controls a display device through a frequency division chain, the scale of division in the chain is adjustable for regulating the timepiece. A digital comparator compares the logic state of a binary reference with that of specific stages of the division chain, the comparator being alternately blocked during a natural period of the division chain and unblocked during the ensuing period. That ensuing period is cut short and the specific stages of the division chain are reset when there is coincidence between the logic states of the specific stages and the reference.
Inventors
- 👤 F Wiget
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 23:23
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K23/00; H03K23/64; H03K23/66; G; G04; G04G; G04G3/00; G04G3/02; G04G3/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
An electronic timepiece movement comprising: a piezoelectric oscillator acting as a time base, a frequency-division chain, a display device controlled at least indirectly by the output signal of the frequency-division chain, and means to adjust within certain limits the scale of division of the frequencydivision chain and constituted by: a. a digital comparator for comparing the logic state of a binary reference of M bits with that of M stages of the frequency-division chain, b. a device for alternately blocking the comparator during a natural period of the frequency-division chain and unblocking the comparator during the ensuing period, and c. a circuit which cuts short the ensuing period from the instant when there is coincidence between the logic state of the reference and that of the M stages, the M stages of the chain being reset to zero, and the binary reference being constituted by a set of M switches which supply logic-level signals 0 or 1 to the inputs of the digital comparator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
An electronic timepiece movement comprising: a piezoelectric oscillator acting as a time base, a frequency-division chain, a display device controlled at least indirectly by the output signal of the frequency-division chain, and means to adjust within certain limits the scale of division of the frequencydivision chain and constituted by: a. a digital comparator for comparing the logic state of a binary reference of M bits with that of M stages of the frequency-division chain, b. a device for alternately blocking the comparator during a natural period of the frequency-division chain and unblocking the comparator during the ensuing period, and c. a circuit which cuts short the ensuing period from the instant when there is coincidence between the logic state of the reference and that of the M stages, the M stages of the chain being reset to zero, and the binary reference being constituted by a set of M switches which supply logic-level signals 0 or 1 to the inputs of the digital comparator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A movement according to claim 1, comprising a flip-flop which controls the blocking input to the comparator, the flip-flop being itself controlled alternately by the comparator output and the division chain output.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A movement according to claim 2 wherein the output of the flip flop is connected through the agency of a monostable multivibrator to the reset-to-zero inputs of a certain number of stages of the division chain.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
142 words
In an electronic timepiece movement, the combination of: a piezoelectric oscillator functioning as a time base, a frequency-division chain, a display device controlled indirectly by the output signal of the frequency-division chain, and means to adjust within certain limits the scale of division of the frequency-chain constituted by: a. a digital comparator for comparing the logic state of a binary reference of M bits with that of M stages of the frequency - division chain, b. a device for alternately blocking the comparator during a natural period of the frequency-division chain and for unblocking the comparator during the ensuing period, and c. a circuit for cutting short the ensuing period from the instant when there is coincidence between the logic state of the binary reference and that of the M stages, the M stages of the frequency-division chain being reset to zero.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
142 words
In an electronic timepiece movement, the combination of: a piezoelectric oscillator functioning as a time base, a frequency-division chain, a display device controlled indirectly by the output signal of the frequency-division chain, and means to adjust within certain limits the scale of division of the frequency-chain constituted by: a. a digital comparator for comparing the logic state of a binary reference of M bits with that of M stages of the frequency - division chain, b. a device for alternately blocking the comparator during a natural period of the frequency-division chain and for unblocking the comparator during the ensuing period, and c. a circuit for cutting short the ensuing period from the instant when there is coincidence between the logic state of the binary reference and that of the M stages, the M stages of the frequency-division chain being reset to zero.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
In the movement according to claim 4, wherein the binary reference is constituted by an electronic memory.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
In the movement according to claim 5, wherein the electronic memory consists of a shift register.
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) | 1977-05-27 | 1977-11-26 | 1978-05-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-27 | 1981-11-26 | 1982-05-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-27 | 1985-11-26 | 1986-05-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |