US3854277A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic stop-watch and timepiece
Assignee: Seikosha KK
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Filing: 1972-04-26
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1992-04-26
Abstract
Abstract An electronic time-keeping device capable of functioning both as a stop-watch and as a timepiece. A signal generator constructed as a crystal oscillator provides a base frequency that is divided in a plurality of stages of frequency dividers and is then counted by counters that effect a time count displayed visually on a time display. The time count is applied from the counters to display elements through latch circuits constituting storage circuits under control of latch control means when the device functions as a stop watch and through these latch or storage circuits and other counting circuitry handling hour counts when the device functions as a timepiece. A reset unit resets the frequency dividers and the counters but is ineffective on the content of the counting unit consisting of the counters during a time count while the device functions as a stop-watch. A timeadjust unit receives count signals from the counters and generates a time-adjust signal applied to make time adjustments on the content of the counters when the device is used as a timepiece.
Inventors
- 👤 T Samejima
- 👤 Y Ooi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:55
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G5/00; G04G5/02; G04F; G04F10/00; G04F10/04; G04G9/00; G04G9/08; G04G9/10; G04G9/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
213 words
An electronic time-keeping device usable as a stop-watch and as a timepiece comprising, a signal generator for generating pulses having a base frequency, frequency-dividing means dividing the base frequency in time, time count start-stop means for controlling a time count, counting means for counting the output pulses of said frequency-dividing means and developing therefrom signals representative of a time count having predetermined units of time, latch means comprising storage circuits receptive of said signals representative of a time count, latch control means to control storage of said time count signals to cause said device to function as a stop-watch means, display means for displaying a time count when said device functions as a stopwatch and as a timepiece and in which said time count start-stop means develops a signal output maintaining said counting means in a counting state, and includes counting means for controlling the content of a time count of said counting means comprising reset means for generating a reset output signal applied to said counters and gate means receiving a signal from said counting start-stop means and said reset output signal from said reset means rendering the reset output signal ineffective when said time count start-stop means develops said output signal thereof for maintaining said counting means in said counting state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
213 words
An electronic time-keeping device usable as a stop-watch and as a timepiece comprising, a signal generator for generating pulses having a base frequency, frequency-dividing means dividing the base frequency in time, time count start-stop means for controlling a time count, counting means for counting the output pulses of said frequency-dividing means and developing therefrom signals representative of a time count having predetermined units of time, latch means comprising storage circuits receptive of said signals representative of a time count, latch control means to control storage of said time count signals to cause said device to function as a stop-watch means, display means for displaying a time count when said device functions as a stopwatch and as a timepiece and in which said time count start-stop means develops a signal output maintaining said counting means in a counting state, and includes counting means for controlling the content of a time count of said counting means comprising reset means for generating a reset output signal applied to said counters and gate means receiving a signal from said counting start-stop means and said reset output signal from said reset means rendering the reset output signal ineffective when said time count start-stop means develops said output signal thereof for maintaining said counting means in said counting state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
An electronic time-keeping device usable as a stop-watch and as a timepiece according to claim 1, in which said counting control means includes time-adjust means having means for generating a time-adjust output signal applied to said counting means to effect a time count adjustment to thereby adjust a time indication on said display means, and gate means receiving time count signals from said counting means and said time-adjust output signal applying said time-adjust output signal to said counting means advancing the time count content of said counting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
185 words
An electronic time-keeping device usable as a stop-watch and as a timepiece comprising: a signal generator for generating pulses having a base frequency, frequency-dividing means dividing the base frequency, time count start-stop means for controlling a time count, counting means for counting the output pulses of said frequency-dividing means and developing therefrom signals representative of a time count having predetermined units of time, latch means comprising storage circuits receptive of said signals representative of a time count, latch control means for selectively controlling said latch means to continuously store one time count signal corresponding to a desired stop time thereby defining a stop-watch mode of operation and to successively store each time count signal thereby defining a time-piece mode of operation, and display means for displaying a time count when said device functions in said stop-watch and said timepiece modes of operation, wherein said counting means has means enabling it to continuously count when said latch means continuously stores one time count signal during the stop-watch mode to permit a plurality of time counts to be displayed during one timing sequence in the stop-watch mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
185 words
An electronic time-keeping device usable as a stop-watch and as a timepiece comprising: a signal generator for generating pulses having a base frequency, frequency-dividing means dividing the base frequency, time count start-stop means for controlling a time count, counting means for counting the output pulses of said frequency-dividing means and developing therefrom signals representative of a time count having predetermined units of time, latch means comprising storage circuits receptive of said signals representative of a time count, latch control means for selectively controlling said latch means to continuously store one time count signal corresponding to a desired stop time thereby defining a stop-watch mode of operation and to successively store each time count signal thereby defining a time-piece mode of operation, and display means for displaying a time count when said device functions in said stop-watch and said timepiece modes of operation, wherein said counting means has means enabling it to continuously count when said latch means continuously stores one time count signal during the stop-watch mode to permit a plurality of time counts to be displayed during one timing sequence in the stop-watch mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
An electronic time-keeping device according to claim 3, wherein said time count start-stop means develops an output signal for maintaining said counting means in a counting state and wherein said device further comprises counting control means for controlling the content of a time count of said counting means comprising reset means for generating a reset output signal applied to said counters and gate means receiving a signal from said counting start-stop means and said reset output signal from said reset means rendering the reset output signal ineffective when said time count start-stop means develops said output signal thereof for maintaining said counting means in said counting state.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
An electronic time-keeping device according to claim 4, wherein said connecting control means includes time-adjust means for generating a time-adjust output signal applied to said counting means to effect a time count adjustment to adjust the time indication on said display means and gate means receiving time count signals from said counting means and said time-adjust output signal for applying said time-adjust output signal to said counting means to advance the time count content of said counting means.
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) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |