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US 4,396,294 AGranted
Correction system for electronic timepiece with both analog and digital displays
AssigneeCitizen Watch Co., Ltd.
InventorMasaru Yoshida
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an electronic timepiece equipped with both an analog display section having time indicating hands and a digital display section, a time correction system is provided whereby correction of both the analog and digital time displays can be performed by rotation of a crown, with the directions of rotation of the crown for time data incrementation and decrementation being identical both for analog and digital display correction. Selection of either analog time correction or digital time correction is performed simply by pulling the crown out to either of two axial positions. Correction of both analog and digital time display information is thereby simplified and made more rapid, while the number of external operating members is reduced.
Claims24
A correction system for an electronic timepiece having an analog display including time indicating hands for indicating current time data and a digital display for indicating at least current time data, a stepping motor coupled through a wheel train to said time indicating hands to drive said analog display, and timekeeping circuit means and drive circuit means for generating signals to drive said stepping motor and to drive said digital display, comprising:
- a rotatable external operating member movable in an axial direction to selectively establish an analog correction mode of operation and a digital correction mode of operation in dependence on a selected axial position of said external operating member;
- a hands adjusting mechanism for correcting the current time data displayed by said time indicating hands;
- means for coupling said external operating member mechanically to said hands adjusting mechanism in response to the establishment of said analog correction mode of operation in which rotation of said external operating member in a first direction acts to advance a time displayed by said time indicating hands and in which rotation of said external operating member in a second direction opposite to said first direction acts to retard said time displayed by said time indicating hands;
- correction switch means including a rotor and responsive to rotation of said rotor in a first direction for producing a first correction signal and responsive to rotation of said rotor in a second direction opposite to said first direction for producing a second correction signal;
- and
- means for coupling said correction switch means to be rotated by said external operating member and for selectively applying said first and second correction signals to said timekeeping circuit means, in response to the establishment of said digital correction mode of operation in which said timekeeping circuit means is responsive to said first correction signal for incrementing time data produced thereby and responsive to said second correction signal for decrementing time data produced thereby, whereby time data displayed by said digital display is advanced in response to said first correction signal and is retarded in response to said second correction signal, when said timepiece is in said digital display correction mode of operation;
- wherein said correction switch means comprises at least one movable contact forming part of said rotor and a plurality of fixed contacts, and wherein said rotor is coupled to a source of a predetermined logic level potential whereby said fixed contacts are sequentially and momentarily connected to said logic level potential as said rotor is rotated, and further comprising correction signal discrimination circuit means coupled to said fixed contacts and responsive to signals appearing on said fixed contacts in a sequence resulting from rotation of said rotor in said first direction for producing said first correction signal and further responsive to signals appearing on said fixed contacts in a sequence resulting from rotation of said rotor in said second direction for producing said second correction signal;
- and
- wherein said correction switch means includes at least three fixed contacts, and wherein said correction signal discrimination circuit means comprises:
- a first set/reset flip-flop coupled to be set by signals appearing on a first one of said fixed contacts and reset by signals appearing on a third one of said fixed contacts;
- a second set/reset flip-flop coupled to be set by signals appearing on a second one of said fixed contacts and reset by signals appearing on a second one of said fixed contacts;
- a third set/reset flip-flop coupled to be set by signals appearing on said third fixed contact and reset by signals appearing on said second one of said fixed contacts;
- a first logic AND gate coupled to receive a non-inverting output from said first flip-flop and to receive signals from said second fixed contact;
- a second logic AND gate coupled to receive an inverting output from said first flip-flop and to receive signals from said second fixed contact;
- a third logic AND gate coupled to receive a non-inverting output from said second flip-flop and to receive signals from said third fixed contact;
- a fourth logic AND gate coupled to receive an inverting output from said second flip-flop and to receive signals from said third fixed contact;
- a fifth logic AND gate coupled to receive a non-inverting output from said third flip-flop and to receive signals from said first fixed contact;
- a sixth logic AND gate coupled to receive an inverting output from said third flip-flop and to receive signals from said first fixed contact;
- a first logic OR gate coupled to receive output signals from said second, fourth and sixth logic AND gates, for thereby producing said first correction signal comprising a train of pulses having a frequency determined by the rate of rotation of said external operating member;
- and
- a second logic OR gate coupled to receive output signals from said first, third and fifth logic AND gates, for thereby producing said second correction signal, comprising a train of pulses having a frequency determined by the rate of rotation of said external operating member.
18 more elements
A correction system for an electronic timepiece having an analog display including time indicating hands for indicating current time data and a digital display for indicating at least current time data, a stepping motor coupled through a wheel train to said time indicating hands to drive said analog display, and timekeeping circuit means and drive circuit means for generating signals to drive said stepping motor and to drive said digital display, comprising:
- a rotatable external operating member movable in an axial direction to selectively establish an analog correction mode of operation and a digital correction mode of operation in dependence on a selected axial position of said external operating member;
- a hands adjusting mechanism for correcting the current time data displayed by said time indicating hands;
- means for coupling said external operating member mechanically to said hands adjusting mechanism in response to the establishment of said analog correction mode of operation in which rotation of said external operating member in a first direction acts to advance a time displayed by said time indicating hands and in which rotation of said external operating member in a second direction opposite to said first direction acts to retard said time displayed by said time indicating hands;
- correction switch means including a rotor and responsive to rotation of said rotor in a first direction for producing a first correction signal and responsive to rotation of said rotor in a second direction opposite to said first direction for producing a second correction signal;
- and
- means for coupling said correction switch means to be rotated by said external operating member and for selectively applying said first and second correction signals to said timekeeping circuit means, in response to the establishment of said digital correction mode of operation in which said timekeeping circuit means is responsive to said first correction signal for incrementing time data produced thereby and responsive to said second correction signal for decrementing time data produced thereby, whereby time data displayed by said digital display is advanced in response to said first correction signal and is retarded in response to said second correction signal, when said timepiece is in said digital display correction mode of operation;
- in which said external operating member comprises a timepiece crown attached to a time setting stem;
- and
- further comprising a clutch wheel slidably mounted on said time setting stem and adapted to be rotated in unison therewith, and having first engaging means mounted at one end thereof concentric with the axis of rotation of said time setting stem and second engaging means mounted at the axially opposite end thereof, and moreover comprising setting means mechanically linked to said clutch wheel and said time setting stem for controlling the position of said clutch wheel in accordance with movement of said time setting stem in the axial direction, wherein said first engaging means of said clutch wheel engages with said correction switch means when said crown is moved to a first axial position whereby said correction switch means can be actuated to produce said first or said second correction signal by rotation of said crown, and wherein said second engaging means of said clutch wheel engages with said wheel train of said analog display when said crown is moved to a second axial position, whereby said time indicating hands can be advanced or retarded by rotation of said crown.
6 more elements
A correction system for an electronic timepiece having an analog display including time indicating hands for indicating current time data and a digital display for indicating at least current time data, a stepping motor coupled through a wheel train to said time indicating hands to drive said analog display, and timekeeping circuit means and drive circuit means for generating signals to drive said stepping motor and to drive said digital display, comprising:
- a rotatable external operating member movable in an axial direction to selectively establish an analog correction mode of operation and a digital correction mode of operation in dependence on a selected axial position of said external operating member;
- a hands adjusting mechanism for correcting the current time data displayed by said time indicating hands;
- means for coupling said external operating member mechanically to said hands adjusting mechanism in response to the establishment of said analog correction mode of operation in which rotation of said external operating member in a first direction acts to advance a time displayed by said time indicating hands and in which rotation of said external operating member in a second direction opposite to said first direction acts to retard said time displayed by said time indicating hands;
- correction switch means including a movable contact and responsive to movement of said movable contact in a first manner for producing a first correction signal and responsive to movement of said movable contact in a second manner different from said first manner for producing a second correction signal;
- and
- means for coupling said correction switch means to be moved by said external operating member and for selectively applying said first and second correction signals to said timekeeping circuit means, in response to the establishment of said digital correction mode of operation in which said timekeeping circuit means is responsive to said first correction signal for incrementing time data produced thereby and responsive to said second correction signal for decrementing time data produced thereby, whereby time data displayed by said digital display is advanced in response to said first correction signal and is retarded in response to said second correction signal, when said timepiece is in said digital display correction mode of operation;
- wherein said correction switch means comprises at least one movable contact forming part of said rotor and a plurality of fixed contacts, and wherein said rotor is coupled to a source of a predetermined logic level potential whereby said fixed contacts are sequentially and momentarily connected to said logic level potential as said rotor is rotated, and further comprising correction signal discrimination circuit means coupled to said fixed contacts and responsive to signals appearing on said fixed contacts in a sequence resulting from rotation of said rotor in said first direction for producing said first correction signal and further responsive to signals appearing on said fixed contacts in a sequence resulting from rotation of said rotor in said second direction for producing said second correction signal;
- and
- wherein said correction switch means includes at least three fixed contacts, and wherein said correction signal discrimination circuit means comprises:
- a first set/reset flip/flop coupled to be set by signals appearing on a first one of said fixed contacts and reset by signals appearing on a third one of said fixed contacts;
- a second set/reset flip-flop coupled to be set by signals appearing on a second one of said fixed contacts and reset by signals appearing on a second one of said fixed contacts;
- a third set/reset flip-flop coupled to be set by signals appearing on said third fixed contact and reset by signals appearing on said second one of said fixed contacts;
- a first logic AND gate coupled to receive a non-inverting output from said first flip-flop and to receive signals from said second fixed contact;
- a second logic AND gate coupled to receive an inverting output from said first flip-flop and to receive signals from said second fixed contact;
- a third logic AND gate coupled to receive a non-inverting output from said second flip-flop and to receive signals from said third fixed contact;
- a fourth logic AND gate coupled to receive an inverting output from said second flip-flop and to receive signals from said third fixed contact;
- a fifth logic AND gate coupled to receive a non-inverting output from said third flip-flop and to receive signals from said first fixed contact;
- a sixth logic AND gate coupled to receive an inverting output from said third flip-flop and to receive signals from said first fixed contact;
- a first logic OR gate coupled to receive output signals from said second, fourth and sixth logic AND gates, for thereby producing said first correction signal comprising a train of pulses having a frequency determined by the rate of rotation of said external operating member;
- and
- a second logic OR gate coupled to receive output signals from said first, third and fifth logic AND gates, for thereby producing said second correction signal, comprising a train of pulses having a frequency determined by the rate of rotation of said external operating member.
18 more elements
A correction system for an electronic timepiece having an analog display including time indicating hands for indicating current time data and a digital display for indicating at least current time data, a stepping motor coupled through a wheel train to said time indicating hands to drive said analog display, and timekeeping circuit means and drive circuit means for generating signals to drive said stepping motor and to drive said digital display, comprising:
- a rotatable external operating member movable in an axial direction to selectively establish an analog correction mode of operation and an digital correction mode of operation in dependence on a selected axial position of said external operating member;
- a hands adjusting mechanism for correcting the current time data displayed by said time indicating hands;
- means for coupling said external operating member mechanically to said hands adjusting mechanism in response to the establishment of said analog correction mode of operation in which rotation of said external operating member in a first direction acts to advance a time displayed by said time indicating hands and in which rotation of said external operating member in a second direction opposite to said first direction acts to retard said time displayed by said time indicating hands;
- correction switch means including a movable contact and responsive to movement of said movable contact in a first manner for producing a first correction signal and responsive to movement of said movable contact in a second manner different from said first manner for producing a second correction signal;
- and
- means for coupling said correction switch means to be moved by said external operating member and for selectively applying said first and second correction signals to said timekeeping circuit means, in response to the establishment of said digital correction mode of operation in which said timekeeping circuit means is responsive to said first correction signal for incrementing time data produced thereby and responsive to said second correction signal for decrementing time data produced thereby, whereby time data displayed by said digital display is advanced in response to said first correction signal and is retarded in response to said second correction signal, when said timepiece is in said digital display correction mode of operation;
- in which said external operating member comprises a timepiece crown attached to a time setting stem;
- and
- further comprising a clutch wheel slidably mounted on said time setting stem and adapted to be rotated in unison therewith, and having first engaging means mounted at one end thereon concentric with the axis of rotation of said time setting stem and second engaging means mounted at the axially opposite end thereof, and moreover comprising setting means mechanically linked to said clutch wheel and said time setting stem for controlling the position of said clutch wheel in accordance with movement of said time setting stem in the axial direction, wherein said first engaging means of said clutch wheel engages with said correction switch means when said crown is moved to a first axial position whereby said correction switch means can be actuated to produce said first or said second correction signal by rotation of said crown, and wherein said second engaging means of said clutch wheel engages with said wheel train of said analog display when said crown is moved to a second axial position, whereby said time indicating hands can be advanced or retarded by rotation of said crown.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.