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US3949546A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Illuminating device for digital display wristwatches

Assignee: Suwa Seikosha KK
•
Filing: 1974-03-13
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Granted: 1976-04-13
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Expires: 1994-03-13
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Abstract

Abstract An electronic timepiece having a quartz crystal oscillator serving as a time standard, a digital display, and integrated divider and driving circuits for dividing the high-frequency signal from the oscillator circuit into low-frequency timing signals for the direct driving of the liquid crystal display. A light source is disposed proximate the liquid crystal display. A single power source is utilized to energize the oscillator circuit and divider circuits, as well as to provide a voltage sufficient to energize the driving circuit, liquid crystal display and light source.

Inventors

  • 👤 Toshiaki Saito

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 05:41
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G9/00; G04G9/0023; G04G9/0029; G04G9/0035

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 219 words
An electronic timepiece comprising quartz crystal oscillator means producing a high frequency time standard signal; divider circuit means for producing a low frequency time signals in response to said high frequency time standard signals; liquid crystal display means for digital display of time; driving circuit means intermediate said divider circuit means and said liquid crystal display means for applying driving signals to said display means in response to said time signals applied thereto; a light source disposed proximate to said liquid crystal display means for illuminating same; a single power source for energizing said oscillator means, said divider means, said driving circuit means, and said light source; manually operable time correcting switches disposed externally to said electronic timepiece; switching circuit means adapted to selectively connect said time correcting switches to said divider circuit means when said switching circuit means is in a first mode for the selective correction of digital display of time by said time correcting switches, said switching circuit means being adapted to selectively connect at least one of said time correcting switches to said light source when said switching means is in a second mode for the selective actuation of said light source by said correcting switches; and control switch means connected to said switching circuit means for selecting one of said first and second modes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 219 words
An electronic timepiece comprising quartz crystal oscillator means producing a high frequency time standard signal; divider circuit means for producing a low frequency time signals in response to said high frequency time standard signals; liquid crystal display means for digital display of time; driving circuit means intermediate said divider circuit means and said liquid crystal display means for applying driving signals to said display means in response to said time signals applied thereto; a light source disposed proximate to said liquid crystal display means for illuminating same; a single power source for energizing said oscillator means, said divider means, said driving circuit means, and said light source; manually operable time correcting switches disposed externally to said electronic timepiece; switching circuit means adapted to selectively connect said time correcting switches to said divider circuit means when said switching circuit means is in a first mode for the selective correction of digital display of time by said time correcting switches, said switching circuit means being adapted to selectively connect at least one of said time correcting switches to said light source when said switching means is in a second mode for the selective actuation of said light source by said correcting switches; and control switch means connected to said switching circuit means for selecting one of said first and second modes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 48 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driving circuit means includes booster circuit means for stepping up the lower voltage of said power source to a higher voltage, said booster circuit means being coupled to apply said higher voltage to said liquid crystal display means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 18 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, said liquid crystal display including FE-type liquid crystal display elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 35 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display means, oscillator means, and divider means are adapted to utilize one half or less the capacity of said power source over an extended period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 4, wherein said power source is a battery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 5, wherein said battery includes a potassium hydroxide electrolytic solution therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control switch means is a manually operable switch disposed externally on said timepiece.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2167463A Cited
US2358422A Cited
US2895038A Cited
US2915577A Cited
US2974474A Cited
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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) 1979-04-13 1979-10-13 1980-04-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-04-13 1983-10-13 1984-04-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-04-13 1987-10-13 1988-04-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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