US4377345A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Alarm signaling circuit for timepiece
Assignee: RHYTHEM WATCH Co Ltd
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Filing: 1980-12-24
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Granted: 1983-03-22
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Expires: 2000-12-24
Abstract
Abstract An alarm signaling circuit for a timepiece including a volume control circuit having a variable volume controller which can be externally adjusted and a fixed volume setting means which determines a constant volume, a change over switch which selectively changes the controller and the setting means, and a change over control circuit which has a time section for measuring an alarm signalling time and which supplies a change over control signal to the change over switch after a predetermined passage of time from the start of alarm signaling. The alarm signaling circuit performs the alarm signaling action at a certain volume established by the variable volume controller during a first alarm signaling period from a start of alarm signaling till the predetermined passage of time and further performs the alarm signaling action at a fixed alarm volume determined by the fixed volume setting means in a consecutive second alarm signaling period.
Inventors
- 👤 Shinji Yamada
- 👤 Mitsuru Nagoya
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:36
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G13/00; G04G13/02; G04G13/021; G04G13/023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
An alarm signaling circuit for a timepiece having settable first and second alarm signal periods and which is capable of external and optional determination of alarming volume comprising: a volume control circuit having a variable volume controller which can be externally adjustable and a fixed volume setting means which determines a constant volume; a change over switch which selectively changes between said volume controller and said fixed volume setting means in response to a change over control signal; and a change over control circuit which has a timer section for measuring alarm signaling time and for supplying said change over control signal to said change over switch after a predetermined passage of time from a start of an alarm signaling; whereby alarm signaling action at a certain volume is established by said variable volume controller during said first alarm signaling period and alarm signaling action at a fixed alarming volume is determined by said fixed volume setting means in a consecutive said second alarm signaling period.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
An alarm signaling circuit for a timepiece having settable first and second alarm signal periods and which is capable of external and optional determination of alarming volume comprising: a volume control circuit having a variable volume controller which can be externally adjustable and a fixed volume setting means which determines a constant volume; a change over switch which selectively changes between said volume controller and said fixed volume setting means in response to a change over control signal; and a change over control circuit which has a timer section for measuring alarm signaling time and for supplying said change over control signal to said change over switch after a predetermined passage of time from a start of an alarm signaling; whereby alarm signaling action at a certain volume is established by said variable volume controller during said first alarm signaling period and alarm signaling action at a fixed alarming volume is determined by said fixed volume setting means in a consecutive said second alarm signaling period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An alarm signaling circuit for a timepiece according to claim 1, wherein the alarm signaling action is performed in a different tone between the first alarm signaling period and the second alarm signaling period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
An alarm signaling circuit for a timepiece according to claim 2, wherein an alarming action is performed in melody sounds optionally selected from a plurality of melody sounds during the first alarm signaling period, and an alarm signaling action is performed in electronic sounds in the second alarm signaling period.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
An alarm signaling circuit for a timepiece according to claim 1, wherein alarming signal is formed by an oscillator, a divider for dividing frequency signals from said oscillator, a program counter for dividing the frequency signal from said divider to output a predetermined signal, a ROM memorizing numerically valued data, and a musical scale ROM providing alarm signaling data from said melody ROM to said program counter as an addressing signal and a signal selecting the dividing ratio.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An alarm signaling circuit for a timepiece according to claim 1, wherein said volume controller comprises an FET, fixed resistors connected to said FET, and a variable resistor having its amount of resistance optionally controlled externally to said timepiece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An alarm signaling circuit for a timepiece according to claim 1, wherein said fixed volume setting means includes an FET and two fixed resistors connected to said FET.
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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) | 1986-03-21 | 1986-09-20 | 1987-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-03-21 | 1990-09-20 | 1991-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-03-21 | 1994-09-20 | 1995-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |