US4472065A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Time read-out device for electronic clocks
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1982-03-16
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Granted: 1984-09-18
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Expires: 2002-03-16
Abstract
Abstract A device for converting pulses generated by a 7-segment, 12-hour clock unit of a standard electronic timepiece into a sequence of nonoptical time-indicating signals. The device comprises binary counter means for counting minutes and groups of 5-minute multiples each, a parallel binary-to-serial pulse converter for converting the parallel hour, 5-minute-multiple and minute signals from the 7-segment display unit and from the counter means respectively, into serial pulses distinctly representing hours, 5-minute multiples and minutes respectively. The device also comprises amplifier means for amplifying the serial pulses and aural or tactile sensation-producing device to render the pulses audible or palpable.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Goodman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:11
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B25/00; G04B25/02; G04G; G04G13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
In combination with the 7-segment, 12-hour clock unit of an electronic timepiece providing output pulses in terms of minutes, tens of minutes and hours, a device converting pulses generated by said 12-hour clock unit, into a sequence of nonoptical time-indicating signals, comprising binary counter means fed by said output pulses for counting minutes and groups of 5-minute multiples each, a parallel binary-to-serial pulse converter for converting the parallel hour signals from said unit, and 5-minute-multiple and minute signals from said counter means, into serial pulses distinctly representing hours, 5-minute multiples and minutes respectively, amplifier means for amplifying said serial pulses, and a nonoptical time-indicating device to render said pulses appreciable.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
In combination with the 7-segment, 12-hour clock unit of an electronic timepiece providing output pulses in terms of minutes, tens of minutes and hours, a device converting pulses generated by said 12-hour clock unit, into a sequence of nonoptical time-indicating signals, comprising binary counter means fed by said output pulses for counting minutes and groups of 5-minute multiples each, a parallel binary-to-serial pulse converter for converting the parallel hour signals from said unit, and 5-minute-multiple and minute signals from said counter means, into serial pulses distinctly representing hours, 5-minute multiples and minutes respectively, amplifier means for amplifying said serial pulses, and a nonoptical time-indicating device to render said pulses appreciable.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
133 words
In combination with the 7-segment, 12-hour clock unit of an electronic timepiece providing output pulses in terms of minutes, tens of minutes and hours, a device converting pulses generated by said 12-hour clock unit, into a sequence of nonoptical time-indicating signals, comprising a 7-segments-to-binary converter for converting pulses from said 12-hour clock unit into binary signals representing hours and minutes, a minutes-to-five minute multiples converter for converting minutes signals from said 7-segments to binary converter into 5-minute multiples and minutes, a parallel binary-to-serial pulse converter for converting parallel hour, 5-minute-multiple and minute signals from said 7-segment-to-binary converter and said minutes-to-5 minute multiples converter respectively, into serial pulses distinctly representing hours, 5-minute multiples and minutes respectively, amplifier means for amplifying said serial pulses, and a nonoptical time indicating device to render said pulses appreciable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
133 words
In combination with the 7-segment, 12-hour clock unit of an electronic timepiece providing output pulses in terms of minutes, tens of minutes and hours, a device converting pulses generated by said 12-hour clock unit, into a sequence of nonoptical time-indicating signals, comprising a 7-segments-to-binary converter for converting pulses from said 12-hour clock unit into binary signals representing hours and minutes, a minutes-to-five minute multiples converter for converting minutes signals from said 7-segments to binary converter into 5-minute multiples and minutes, a parallel binary-to-serial pulse converter for converting parallel hour, 5-minute-multiple and minute signals from said 7-segment-to-binary converter and said minutes-to-5 minute multiples converter respectively, into serial pulses distinctly representing hours, 5-minute multiples and minutes respectively, amplifier means for amplifying said serial pulses, and a nonoptical time indicating device to render said pulses appreciable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said groups of 5-minute multiples each, as counted by said binary counter, are groups of fifteen minutes each, said 5-minute-multiple signals are quarter-hour signals, and said 5-minute multiples represented by said serial pulses are quarter hours.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said 5-minute multiples are quarter hours.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said group of 5-minute multiples each, as counted by said binary counter, are groups of ten minutes each, said 5-minute-multiple signals are tens-of-minutes signals, and said 5-minute multiples represented by said serial pulses are tens of minutes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said 5-minute multiples are tens of minutes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said nonoptical time-indicating signals are sequences of audible pulses of different length, spacing, and audio frequency.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
68 words
The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said pulses are audible and are dash-like for hours, double-dot-like for 5-minute multiples and dot-like for minutes, the audio frequency of the dash-like pulses being the lowest, and the audio frequency of the dot-like pulses being the highest, and wherein the time is ascertained by counting the dashes for hours, the double-dots for 5-minute multiples and the dots for minutes.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
24 words
The device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said nonoptical time-indicating signals are sequences of palpable pulses of different length and spacing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said pulses are palpable and are dash-like for hours, double-dot-like for 5-minute multiples and dot-like for minutes, and wherein the time is ascertained by counting the dashes for hours, the double-dots for 5-minute multiples and the dots for minutes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said nonoptical time indicating device comprises a speaker.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
57 words
The device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said nonoptical time indicating device comprises a projection accessible to the user's fingertip and an electromagnetic arrangement which, in response to said serial pulses, causes said projection to perform a reciprocating movement, whereby, via his tactile sense, said user is enabled to perceive said time indicating signals.
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) | 1987-09-18 | 1988-03-19 | 1988-09-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-18 | 1992-03-19 | 1992-09-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-18 | 1996-03-19 | 1996-09-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |