US3994124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic timepiece
Assignee: Suwa Seikosha KK
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Filing: 1975-05-01
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Granted: 1976-11-30
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Expires: 1995-05-01
Abstract
Abstract An electronic timepiece having function circuitry for performing at least two different functions, each responsive to a manually applied function signal and further circuity for automatically selecting the predetermined function circuit responsive to the function signal is provided. The electronic timepiece includes a timekeeping circuit adapted to produce low frequency timekeeping signals. A first switching circuit is adapted to be selectively actuated to selectively produce the function signal and a second switching circuit is disposed intermediate the first switching circuit and each of the function circuits. The second switching circuit is adapted for manual actuation to selectively apply the selectively produced function signals to one of the function circuits and further includes circuitry for receiving one of the low frequency timekeeping signals produced by the timekeeping circuitry and in response thereto automatically selected a predetermined function circuit for selective application of a function signal within a predetermined period after the second switching circuit effects in response to the manual actuation thereof, a selection of one of the function circuits for receiving the function signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Kinji Fujita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:28
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G9/00; G04G9/08; G04G9/12; G04G9/124; G04G5/00; G04G5/04; G04G5/043; G04G5/045; G04G9/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
In an electronic timepiece including oscillator means for producing a high frequency time standard signal, timekeeping circuit means adapted to produce low frequency timekeeping signals in response to said high frequency time standard signal applied thereto, the improvement comprising at least two function means, each said function means performing a respective function in response to a function signal selectively applied thereto; first switching means adapted to be selectively actuated to selectively produce a function signal, and second switching means disposed intermediate said first switching means and each of said function means, said second switching means being adapted to select any one of said function means for receiving said selectively produced function signal, said second switching means further including circuit means adapted to receive one of said low frequency timekeeping signals and in response thereto automatically select a predetermined function means for receiving said selectively produced function signal within a predetermined period after said second switching means has effected a selection of one of said function means to receive said selectively produced function signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
In an electronic timepiece including oscillator means for producing a high frequency time standard signal, timekeeping circuit means adapted to produce low frequency timekeeping signals in response to said high frequency time standard signal applied thereto, the improvement comprising at least two function means, each said function means performing a respective function in response to a function signal selectively applied thereto; first switching means adapted to be selectively actuated to selectively produce a function signal, and second switching means disposed intermediate said first switching means and each of said function means, said second switching means being adapted to select any one of said function means for receiving said selectively produced function signal, said second switching means further including circuit means adapted to receive one of said low frequency timekeeping signals and in response thereto automatically select a predetermined function means for receiving said selectively produced function signal within a predetermined period after said second switching means has effected a selection of one of said function means to receive said selectively produced function signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second switching means includes at least two logic gating means, each said logic gating means being coupled intermediate a respective function means and said first switching means, each said logic gating means being selectively opened or closed to allow a function signal to be applied therethrough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second switching means further includes first counter means coupled to each of said logic gating means, said first counter means being selectively actuated to selectively open and close said logic gating means to select one of said function means to receive said selectively applied function signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second switching circuit means includes second counter means for receiving said timekeeping signal, said second counter means being coupled to said first counter means and in response to said timekeeping signal automatically setting said first counter means to select a predetermined opening and closing of each of said logic gating means within a predetermined time period after said second switching means has effected a selection of a function means to receive said selectively applied function signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second switching means includes a manually operated switch coupled to said first and second counters for effecting selection of one of said function means to receive said selectively applied function signals in response to each actuation thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 5, wherein said timekeeping circuit means includes a plurality of series-connected divider stages, certain of said divider stages being adapted to produce timekeeping signals, display means coupled to said certain divider stages for displaying time in response to said timekeeping signals, each said function means being respectively coupled to one of said certain divider stages having said digital display means associated therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
207 words
In an electronic timepiece including oscillator means for producing a high frequency time standard signal, time-keeping circuit means adapted to produce low frequency time-keeping signals in response to said high frequency time standard signal applied thereto, the improvement comprising at least two function means, each said function means performing a respective function in response to a function signal selectively applied thereto; first switching means adapted to be selectively actuated to selectively produce a function signal, and second switching means disposed intermediate said first switching means and each of said function means, said second switching means being actuated to a first state to prevent application of a selectively produced function signal to any of said function means, and being further adapted to be actuated to at least two further states to selectively apply said selectively produced function signals to one of said function means, said second switching means further including circuit means adapted to receive one of said low frequency timekeeping signals and in response thereto automatically select said first state for preventing the selective application of a function signal to any of said function means within a predetermined period after said second switching means has effected an actuation to one of said first state and further states.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
207 words
In an electronic timepiece including oscillator means for producing a high frequency time standard signal, time-keeping circuit means adapted to produce low frequency time-keeping signals in response to said high frequency time standard signal applied thereto, the improvement comprising at least two function means, each said function means performing a respective function in response to a function signal selectively applied thereto; first switching means adapted to be selectively actuated to selectively produce a function signal, and second switching means disposed intermediate said first switching means and each of said function means, said second switching means being actuated to a first state to prevent application of a selectively produced function signal to any of said function means, and being further adapted to be actuated to at least two further states to selectively apply said selectively produced function signals to one of said function means, said second switching means further including circuit means adapted to receive one of said low frequency timekeeping signals and in response thereto automatically select said first state for preventing the selective application of a function signal to any of said function means within a predetermined period after said second switching means has effected an actuation to one of said first state and further states.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
55 words
an electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second switching means includes at least two logic gating means, each logic gating means being coupled intermediate said respective function means and said first switching means, each said logic gating means being selectively opened or closed to allow a function signal to be appled therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second switching means further includes first counter means coupled to each of said logic gating means, said first counter means being selectively actuated to a first state to open each of said logic gating means and to further states for selectively opening and closing each of said logic gating means to select one of said function means to receive said selctively applied function signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 9, wherein said second switching circuit means includes second counter means for receiving said time keeping signal, said second counter means being coupled to said first counter means and in response to said time-keeping signal automatically setting said first counter means to select said first state and effect a closing of each of said logic gating means within a pre-determined time period after said second switching means has effected a selection of one of a first state and further states.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second switching means includes a manually operated switch coupled to said first and second counters for effecting selection of one of said states in response to each actuation thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 11, wherein said time-keeping circuit means includes a plurality of series-connected divider stages, certain of said divider stages being adapted to produce time-keeping signals, display means coupled to said certain divider stages for displaying time in response to said time-keeping signals, each said function means being respectively coupled to one of said certain divider stages having said digital display means associated therewith.
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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) | 1979-11-30 | 1980-05-31 | 1980-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-30 | 1984-05-31 | 1984-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-30 | 1988-05-31 | 1988-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |