GB1528178A - Control arrangement in an electronic watch - Google Patents

Abstract

1528178 Electronic timepieces EBAUCHES SA 16 Dec 1975 [6 Jan 1975] 51398/75 Heading G3T An electronic timepiece is arranged to selectively display either one of two different types of information data on the same display, the nature of the displayed information being distinguished by causing the display of one type to appear continuous and that of the other to perceivably blink, or alternatively the colour of the emitted light (in the case of LED display) may be changed according to the type displayed. The timepiece Fig. 1 includes an oscillatorfrequency divider circuit 1 for producing coded time of day signals and a chronograph circuit 2 for producing coded elapsed time signals. Normally, with a switch 7 open, a selection gate circuit 3 detailed Fig. 2 (not shown) will pass the coded time of day signals A to be decoded at 4 and a gate circuit or "interface" 5 detailed in Fig. 3 (not shown) will pass the decoded signals to cause activation of appropriate segments of appropriate 7-segment digit devices in an LED display. When the switch 7 is closed the chronograph circuit is activated and a signal SC causes the selection circuit 3 to pass coded elapsed time signals to be decoded at 4. The signal SC also opens a gate (15) of the "interface" gate circuit (Fig. 3) to pass pulse trains m, n, at 8 Hz and 16 Hz respectively and derived from the chronograph circuit 2, to the inputs of NAND gates (8) to (14) to modulate signals from the decoder which are being passed to appropriate segments of the display digits. Thereby these digits are caused perceivably blink. Fig. 5 (not shown) illustrates a gate circuit or interface whereby, in dependence upon the logic state of signal SC, current is directed to one electrode of a respective LED causing it to emit light of one colour or to another electrode thereof causing it to emit light of a different colour.