US3892124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wristwatch analyzer
Assignee: TIME COMPUTER Inc
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Filing: 1974-06-14
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Granted: 1975-07-01
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Expires: 1994-06-14
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a device for testing the timing rate of quartz wristwatches and particularly light-emitting diode display watches. It comprises an internal master and an internal slave oscillator. The frequency rate of a watch under test is sensed, amplified and then compared with the internal slave standard. The difference or error rate is multipled and converted into a voltage to actuate a meter. The meter is also used to test battery cells under a simulated watch load.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert O Reese
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:13
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04D; G04D7/00; G04D7/12; G04D7/1207; G04D7/1214
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A timing rate tester for wristwatches having an electrical time standard comprising a wristwatch support including an antenna for sensing electrical energy from the time standard of an operating wristwatch mounted on said support, a reference frequency source, means coupled to said antenna and said reference frequency source for comparing the frequencies of electrical signals from them, and a meter coupled to said comparison means for indicating the results of a comparison.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A timing rate tester for wristwatches having an electrical time standard comprising a wristwatch support including an antenna for sensing electrical energy from the time standard of an operating wristwatch mounted on said support, a reference frequency source, means coupled to said antenna and said reference frequency source for comparing the frequencies of electrical signals from them, and a meter coupled to said comparison means for indicating the results of a comparison.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A tester according to claim 1 including means for testing the voltage of a wristwatch battery cell coupled to said meter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tester according to claim 2 wherein said cell testing means includes means for testing a cell under a simulated watch load.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tester according to claim 1 wherein said support comprises a flat metal plate forming said antenna.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tester according to claim 4 wherein said plate has its top surface covered with an electrically insulating coating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A tester according to claim 4 including a conductive metal plate overlying but spaced from said antenna to shield said antenna from stray radiation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tester according to claim 6 including a layer of resilient material secured to the underside of said shielding plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A tester according to claim 6 wherein said shielding plate has an upturned end and is adapted to receive the arm band of a wristwatch resting on said support.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A tester according to claim 1 wherein the frequency of said reference frequency source is offset from the normal operating frequency of a wristwatch to be tested.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A tester according to claim 9 including a precision frequency source having the normal operating frequency of a wristwatch to be tested, and a switch for coupling sAid precision frequency source to said comparison means in place of said antenna.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tester according to claim 10 wherein said precision frequency source has a frequency of 32,768 Hz.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
A tester for wristwatches with crystal oscillator time standards comprising a metal plate acting as an antenna and forming a support for a wristwatch to be tested, a reference frequency source, a mixer coupled to said antenna and said reference frequency source for producing an output signal indicative of the difference in frequency between said source and a signal sensed by said antenna from the time standard of a watch, and a meter coupled to said mixer for giving an indication of the difference.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
84 words
A tester for wristwatches with crystal oscillator time standards comprising a metal plate acting as an antenna and forming a support for a wristwatch to be tested, a reference frequency source, a mixer coupled to said antenna and said reference frequency source for producing an output signal indicative of the difference in frequency between said source and a signal sensed by said antenna from the time standard of a watch, and a meter coupled to said mixer for giving an indication of the difference.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A tester according to claim 12 including a phase locked loop coupling said mixer to said meter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A tester according to claim 13 including a threshold indicator coupled to said phase locked loop.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tester according to claim 14 including a second phase locked loop coupling said antenna to said mixer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A tester according to claim 12 including a frequency multiplier coupling said mixer to said meter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tester according to claim 16 wherein said frequency multiplier comprises a phase locked loop and a divider.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
A tester according to claim 16 including a second mixer having its output coupled to said meter, means coupling a first input of said second mixer to said frequency multiplier, and means coupling a second input of said second mixer to said reference frequency source.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A tester according to claim 18 wherein said means coupling a second input of said second mixer to said reference frequency source comprises a divider.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tester according to claim 12 including a battery cell tester, a simulated watch load impedance across said cell tester, and a switch for coupling said meter to said cell tester.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tester according to claim 20 wherein said cell tester comprises an electrically insulating housing, a microswitch, a conductive ring on the top of said housing coupled to said microswitch, and a conductive pin slidably mounted in the center of said housing and electrically coupled to said microswitch.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A tester according to claim 21 wherein said microswitch comprises an upwardly spring biased actuating lever whereby downward movement of said pin against said lever actuates said switch.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of testing a wristwatch having a crystal controlled oscillator time standard with a trimmer capacitor comprising placing the watch face down on a support, sensing the frequency of the watch time standard by an antenna mounted externally of the watch, comparing this frequency with a reference frequency, and indicating the amount by which is differs from normal.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
59 words
A method of testing a wristwatch having a crystal controlled oscillator time standard with a trimmer capacitor comprising placing the watch face down on a support, sensing the frequency of the watch time standard by an antenna mounted externally of the watch, comparing this frequency with a reference frequency, and indicating the amount by which is differs from normal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 23 including the step of adjusting said trimmer capacitor to correct the frequency of said time standard.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 24 including the step of replacing the back plate of the watch with a temporary back plate having an aperture permitting access to said trimmer capacitor.
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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) | 1978-06-30 | 1978-12-30 | 1979-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-30 | 1982-12-30 | 1983-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-30 | 1986-12-30 | 1987-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |