US4016508A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic timepiece having plural capacitors for selectively adjusting quartz crystal oscillator output frequency
Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1975-08-14
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Granted: 1977-04-05
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Expires: 1995-08-14
Abstract
Abstract An electronic timepiece has a quartz-crystal oscillator which generates a high frequency output signal and applies it to a divider which divides the signal into a lower frequency output signal suitable as a time base. A manually actuated switch selectively effects electrical connection of one or more capacitors to the quartz-crystal oscillator to accordingly adjust the oscillator output frequency. The number of actuations of the switch determines, through a counter and gate circuitry, which capacitors are connected to the oscillator, and light-emitting diodes visually indicate which capacitors are connected to the oscillator.
Inventors
- 👤 Takenobu Kobori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:47
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F5/00; G04F5/04; G04F5/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
In an electronic timepiece: a quartz-crystal oscillator for generating a high frequency output signal; a divider connected to said quartz-crystal oscillator for receiving therefrom the high frequency output signal and dividing it to a lower frequency output signal suitable as a time base; and means for selectively adjusting the frequency of said quartz-crystal oscillator high frequency output signal comprising a plurality of capacitors each having a preselected capacitance value, and means including a manually actuatable switch for selectively electrically connecting predetermined ones of said capacitors to said quartz-crystal oscillator in accordance with the number of actuations of said switch to accordingly selectively adjust the frequency of said quartz-crystal oscillator output signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
In an electronic timepiece: a quartz-crystal oscillator for generating a high frequency output signal; a divider connected to said quartz-crystal oscillator for receiving therefrom the high frequency output signal and dividing it to a lower frequency output signal suitable as a time base; and means for selectively adjusting the frequency of said quartz-crystal oscillator high frequency output signal comprising a plurality of capacitors each having a preselected capacitance value, and means including a manually actuatable switch for selectively electrically connecting predetermined ones of said capacitors to said quartz-crystal oscillator in accordance with the number of actuations of said switch to accordingly selectively adjust the frequency of said quartz-crystal oscillator output signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
An electronic timepiece according to claim 1; wherein said means for selectively electrically connecting predetermined ones of said capacitors to said quartz-crystal oscillator comprises counting means for counting the number of actuations of said switch and providing corresponding count signals, and means including a plurality of gates each connected between one of said capacitors and said quartz-crystal oscillator and responsive to one of the count signals to electrically connect its associated capacitor to said quartz-crystal oscillator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An electronic timepiece according to claim 2; wherein said counting means comprises a ring counter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electronic timepiece according to claim 2; further including indicating means for providing a visual indication indicative of which of said capacitors is electrically connected to said quartz-crystal oscillator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electronic timepiece according to claim 4; wherein said indicating means comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electronic timepiece according to claim 5; including means electrically connecting said counting means to said light-emitting diodes to effect energization of said diodes in response to respective ones of the count signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electronic timepiece according to claim 1; further including indicating means for providing a visual indication indicative of which of said capacitors is electrically connected to said quartz-crystal oscillator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electronic timepiece according to claim 7; wherein said indicating means comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3690546A
Cited
US3838566A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-04 | 1980-10-04 | 1981-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-04 | 1984-10-04 | 1985-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-04 | 1988-10-04 | 1989-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |