US3946550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quartz crystal timepiece
Assignee: Suwa Seikosha KK
•
Filing: 1974-04-19
•
Granted: 1976-03-30
•
Expires: 1994-04-19
Abstract
Abstract A timepiece having a quartz crystal vibrator serving as a time standard, a liquid crystal display, and divider and driving circuits formed from COS/MOS transistors dividing the high frequency signal from the vibrator into low frequency timing signals for the direct driving of the liquid crystal display. The driving circuit includes a COS/MOS inverter directly coupled at its output to each liquid crystal display segment.
Inventors
- 👤 Kinji Fujita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 21:55
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G19/00; G04G19/02; G04G9/00; G04G9/0023; G04G9/0029; G04G9/0047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A timepiece comprising timekeeping circuit means for producing low frequency timing signals in response to a high frequency time standard signal; liquid crystal display means for the digital display of time; driving circuit means intermediate said time keeping circuit means and said liquid crystal display means for producing driving signals in response to said timing signals for driving said liquid crystal display means; battery voltage source means for producing a low voltage for powering said timekeeping circuit means; and D.C. step-up transformer means for producing a high voltage from a low voltage for application to said driving circuit means as a power signal, said D.C. step-up transformer means having an input supplied with an oscillatory low voltage signal by said timekeeping circuit means, whereby said driving signals are of a high voltage.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A timepiece comprising timekeeping circuit means for producing low frequency timing signals in response to a high frequency time standard signal; liquid crystal display means for the digital display of time; driving circuit means intermediate said time keeping circuit means and said liquid crystal display means for producing driving signals in response to said timing signals for driving said liquid crystal display means; battery voltage source means for producing a low voltage for powering said timekeeping circuit means; and D.C. step-up transformer means for producing a high voltage from a low voltage for application to said driving circuit means as a power signal, said D.C. step-up transformer means having an input supplied with an oscillatory low voltage signal by said timekeeping circuit means, whereby said driving signals are of a high voltage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
A timepiece is recited in claim 1, wherein said timekeeping circuit means includes a quartz crystal vibrator means for producing a high frequency time standard signal and divider circuit means for producing the said timing signals from said time standard signals, said divider circuit means and driving circuit means both being formed of COS/MOS integrated circuits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A timepiece as recited in claim 1, wherein said D.C. step-up transformer means includes transformer winding means having a high voltage output and a low voltage input, and rectifier means connected to said high voltage output for producing said D.C. high voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A timepiece as recited in claim 1, wherein said driving circuit means includes COS/MOS inverter means having outputs directly connected to said liquid crystal display means for driving said liquid crystal display means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A timepiece as recited in claim 4, wherein said liquid crystal display means includes a plurality of segmented digital arrays, one of said COS/MOS inverters being associated with each segment of each array for application of a driving signal thereto.
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) | 1979-03-30 | 1979-09-29 | 1980-03-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-30 | 1983-09-29 | 1984-03-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-30 | 1987-09-29 | 1988-03-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |