US4234945A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic timepiece with hourly strike mechanism
Assignee: Citizen Watch Co Ltd
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Filing: 1978-03-06
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Granted: 1980-11-18
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Expires: 1998-03-06
Abstract
Abstract An electronic timepiece having an acoustic hour information function in which a photosensitive switch mechanism essentially comprising a photosensitive element is provided to detect a quantity of light below a predetermined value in the surrounding environment where the timepiece is placed and control the acoustic hour information function of the timepiece depending upon the detected result.
Inventors
- 👤 Yasushi Nomura
- 👤 Yuzo Komatsu
- 👤 Shigeru Morokawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:31
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B21/00; G04B21/02; G04B21/10; G04G; G04G13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
An electronic timepiece comprising: (a) a timepiece mechanism comprising a time reference signal generator, a frequency divider connected to said generator, a time keep mechanism connected to said divider, and a display device connected to said time keep mechanism; (b) an acoustic information mechanism comprising an hour information time detection means receiving an output from said time keep mechanism, an acoustic hour information control means, and an alarm mechanism receiving an output of said acoustic hour information control means and emitting an alarm in response thereto; and
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
An electronic timepiece comprising: (a) a timepiece mechanism comprising a time reference signal generator, a frequency divider connected to said generator, a time keep mechanism connected to said divider, and a display device connected to said time keep mechanism; (b) an acoustic information mechanism comprising an hour information time detection means receiving an output from said time keep mechanism, an acoustic hour information control means, and an alarm mechanism receiving an output of said acoustic hour information control means and emitting an alarm in response thereto; and
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
(c) a photosensitive switch mechanism controlling said acoustic information mechanism, said photosensitive switch mechanism comprising an intermittent switch means and a memory means each connected to said timepiece mechanism, and a photosensitive element controlled intermittently by said intermittent switch means whereby the amount of light intermittently received by said photosensitive element is memorized by said memory means so that said acoustic information mechanism may be controlled in response to the memorized contents in said memory means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
(c) a photosensitive switch mechanism controlling said acoustic information mechanism, said photosensitive switch mechanism comprising an intermittent switch means and a memory means each connected to said timepiece mechanism, and a photosensitive element controlled intermittently by said intermittent switch means whereby the amount of light intermittently received by said photosensitive element is memorized by said memory means so that said acoustic information mechanism may be controlled in response to the memorized contents in said memory means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein said photosensitive switch mechanism is connected to said acoustic hour information control means of said acoustic information mechanism and thereby controlling said acoustic hour information control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein said photosensitive switch mechanism is connected to said alarm mechanism and thereby controlling said alarm mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein a volume of said alarm mechanism is directly controlled by variations of resistance caused by variations of quantity of light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electronic timepiece further comprises an input control circuit having a switch means for stopping the operation of said acoustic information mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electronic timepiece further comprises an input control circuit having a switch means inserted between said acoustic information mechanism and said photosensitive switch mechanism for stopping control of said photosensitive switch mechanism on said acoustic information mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electronic timepiece as claimed in claim 1 wherein said alarm mechanism is also an acoustic hour information means for independently controlling the acoustic hour information.
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) | 1983-11-18 | 1984-05-19 | 1984-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-18 | 1988-05-19 | 1988-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-18 | 1992-05-19 | 1992-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |