US3965666A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Injection logic electronic watch having a current regulated oscillator
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1974-02-19
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Granted: 1976-06-29
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Expires: 1994-02-19
Abstract
Abstract An electronic timekeeping system is implemented in bipolar integrated circuit technology for displaying time by way of a digital display. The bipolar circuitry is implemented utilizing integrated injection logic and has a stacked oscillator/regulator combination which provides a highly regulated timekeeping signal source. The regulator consumes a first amount of current in providing the regulated output, and the first amount of current is reconsumed by the series connected oscillator, thereby conserving system power.
Inventors
- 👤 Clark R. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:54
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10D; H10D84/00; H10D84/60; H10D84/65; G; G04; G04G; G04G3/00; G04G3/02; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/02; H03K19/08; H03K19/082; H03K19/091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
36 words
An electronic digital watch system comprising: a. a current regulator and oscillator serially coupled between first and second system reference potentials; and b. bipolar electronic timekeeping circuitry coupled to said oscillator for receiving a timing signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electronic digital watch system comprising: a. a current regulator and oscillator serially coupled between first and second system reference potentials; and b. bipolar electronic timekeeping circuitry coupled to said oscillator for receiving a timing signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The digital watch system according to claim 1 wherein said timekeeping circuitry is coupled between said current regulator and said second system reference potential.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The digital watch system according to claim 2 wherein said timekeeping circuitry is comprised of an I 2 L integrated circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The digital watch system according to claim 1 wherein said timekeeping circuitry includes a countdown means coupled to said oscillator for generating a system clock signal and counters coupled to said countdown means for providing time indicia.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The digital watch system according to claim 4 wherein said timekeeping circuitry is implemented as an I 2 L bipolar integrated circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The digital watch system according to claim 4 including a display coupled to the output of said counter circuitry for displaying said time indicia.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The digital watch system according to claim 1 wherein said regulator includes a constant current source and a reference resistor, said reference resistor being coupled to said constant current source and to a first output node and said oscillator being coupled to said first output node.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The digital watch system according to claim 7 wherein said regulator includes a second output node coupling said constant current source to said timekeeping circuitry.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
The digital watch system according to claim 7 wherein said oscillator includes an input current source having an input node and a plurality of outputs and a complementary pair of transistors connected in an emitter-follower configuration, the input node of said current source being coupled to the first output node of said regulator and the outputs of said current source being coupled to said complementary pair of transistors to drive said pair of transistors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
73 words
The digital watch system according to claim 9 wherein said input current source includes at least one PNP transistor and a multi-emitter bias transistor having one emitter connected back to its base and its other emitter coupled to said second reference potential, the base of said bias transistor being connected to the base of said at least one PNP transistor and the collector of said bias transistor being coupled to said complementary pair.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The digital watch system according to claim 9 further including an oscillator crystal coupled to the collector of the NPN transistor of said complementary pair and to the base of the PNP transistor of said complementary pair.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
The digital watch system according to claim 11 wherein the PNP transistor of said complementary pair includes a plurality of emitters and said oscillator further includes an output buffer transistor having its base connected to one of the emitters of the PNP transistor of said complementary pair and to the collector of said PNP current source transistor, its emitter being coupled to the collector of said bias transistor and having its collector for providing said timing signal to the timekeeping circuitry.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The digital watch system according to claim 1 further including at least one miniature battery connected in series with said oscillator and regulator for providing said first and second reference potentials.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
An electronic digital watch system comprising: a. a current regulator and oscillator serially coupled between first and second system reference potentials; and b. bipolar electronic timekeeping circuitry coupled to said oscillator for receiving a timing signal, said timekeeping circuitry being coupled between said current regulator and said second system reference potential with said current regulator providing the power for the operation of the timekeeping circuitry.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
An electronic digital watch system comprising: a. a current regulator and oscillator serially coupled between first and second system reference potentials; and b. bipolar electronic timekeeping circuitry coupled to said oscillator for receiving a timing signal, said timekeeping circuitry being coupled between said current regulator and said second system reference potential with said current regulator providing the power for the operation of the timekeeping circuitry.
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) | 1979-06-29 | 1979-12-29 | 1980-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-29 | 1983-12-29 | 1984-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-29 | 1987-12-29 | 1988-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |