Patent US4026103A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4026103A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic timepiece with digital display means
Assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
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Filing: 1975-12-01
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Granted: 1977-05-31
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Expires: 1995-12-01
Abstract
Abstract The invention concerns with an electronic timepiece provided with digital display means including an elastomeric display element. This element has an uppermost transparent and solid plate which is made of glass or plastic resin material, serving as a solid base member of the element durable to outside mechanical stresses and shocks. The thickness may amount to about 0.2-2 mm, or so. Transparent upper electrodes are provided at the lower surface of the glass or plastic resin plate, these electrodes being shaped and arranged in registration with the display segments of a scheduled display pattern. The thickness may be in the order of 500-2,000 A.
Inventors
- 👤 Shingo Ichikawa
- 👤 Yoshinobu Kashima
- 👤 Hirotoki Takamune
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:26
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G9/00; G04G9/0023; G04G9/0029; G04G9/0035; G04G9/0041; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/0102; G02F1/0105; G04G17/00; G04G17/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An electronic timepiece with digital display means, comprising a crystal quartz oscillator circuit, a frequency divider circuit receiving signal output therefrom for dividing frequency of said signal into a lower frequency one, a counter circuit for converting the lower frequency signal into time display signal for driving said digital display means through a driver circuit, said display means comprises an elastomeric display structure comprised of a laminated structure, a part of the latter is cut away to form a light-passing window, and an illuminating light source is arranged in close proximity to said window.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An electronic timepiece with digital display means, comprising a crystal quartz oscillator circuit, a frequency divider circuit receiving signal output therefrom for dividing frequency of said signal into a lower frequency one, a counter circuit for converting the lower frequency signal into time display signal for driving said digital display means through a driver circuit, said display means comprises an elastomeric display structure comprised of a laminated structure, a part of the latter is cut away to form a light-passing window, and an illuminating light source is arranged in close proximity to said window.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Electronic timepiece with digital display means of claim 1 wherein said elastomer display structure comprises a reflecting layer having a cut-away portion for providing said window.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
Electronic timepiece with digital display means of claim 1 wherein said cut-out portion is a perforation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
Electronic timepiece with digital display means of claim 1, further comprising a glass plate or a carrier plate covering time display surface of said structure and comprising further reflecting means for reflecting light beams coming from said light source towards said display surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
Electronic timepiece with digital display means, comprising a crystal quartz oscillator circuit, a frequency divider circuit receiving a signal output therefrom for dividing frequency of said signal into a lower frequency one, a counter circuit for converting the lower frequency signal into time display signal for driving said digital display means through a driver circuit, said display means comprises an elastomeric display structure wherein electronic (elastomer) elastomeric display elements of said structure is preparatorily impressed a d.c. bias voltage for later overlapping with display signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
Electronic timepiece with digital display means, comprising a crystal quartz oscillator circuit, a frequency divider circuit receiving a signal output therefrom for dividing frequency of said signal into a lower frequency one, a counter circuit for converting the lower frequency signal into time display signal for driving said digital display means through a driver circuit, said display means comprises an elastomeric display structure wherein electronic (elastomer) elastomeric display elements of said structure is preparatorily impressed a d.c. bias voltage for later overlapping with display signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
Electronic timepiece with display means of claim 5 wherein said structure comprises an electrical layer, said d.c. bias voltage being impressed thereto in such way that "frosted" surface does not appear.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
153 words
In an elastomeric display for an electronic timepiece, said timepiece comprising an oscillator circuit, a frequency divider circuit adapted for dividing the frequency of said oscillator circuit, a counter circuit, a driver circuitry and display means designed and arranged for displaying the output from said frequency divider circuit, and a voltage circuit for operating the display circuit, an improvement in said display means comprising; a transparent baseboard; a plurality of transparent display electrodes adapted for displaying display patterns located on one side of said transparent baseboard; a thin film layer of high molecular elastomer adapted for fine reflecting frost when subjected to an electrical charge located on said transparent display electrodes away from said transparent baseboard; a light-reflecting layer covering said thin film layer away from said transparent display electrodes; and an electrode layer made of conductive high polymeric and elastomeric material located on said light-reflecting layer away from said thin film layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
153 words
In an elastomeric display for an electronic timepiece, said timepiece comprising an oscillator circuit, a frequency divider circuit adapted for dividing the frequency of said oscillator circuit, a counter circuit, a driver circuitry and display means designed and arranged for displaying the output from said frequency divider circuit, and a voltage circuit for operating the display circuit, an improvement in said display means comprising; a transparent baseboard; a plurality of transparent display electrodes adapted for displaying display patterns located on one side of said transparent baseboard; a thin film layer of high molecular elastomer adapted for fine reflecting frost when subjected to an electrical charge located on said transparent display electrodes away from said transparent baseboard; a light-reflecting layer covering said thin film layer away from said transparent display electrodes; and an electrode layer made of conductive high polymeric and elastomeric material located on said light-reflecting layer away from said thin film layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electronic timepiece of claim 7 wherein said thin film layer, said light-reflecting layer, and said electrode layer are laminated on said transparent baseboard by said transparent display electrodes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electronic timepiece of claim 7 wherein said display means further includes means for sealing said display means against external humidity said means comprising an organic substance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
One electronic timepiece of claim 7 wherein said display means further includes means for protecting said thin film layer and said electrode layer from adverse radiation said means comprising an optical filter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electronic timepiece of claim 7 wherein said display means further include a surface formed with recesses suitable for mounting other components therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The electronic timepiece of claim 7 wherein said transparent baseboard includes a curved surface.
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) | 1980-05-30 | 1980-11-29 | 1981-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-30 | 1984-11-29 | 1985-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-30 | 1988-11-29 | 1989-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |