US3715881A - Display control device for timepieces - Google Patents

Display control device for timepieces Download PDF

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Publication number
US3715881A
US3715881A US00142309A US14230971A US3715881A US 3715881 A US3715881 A US 3715881A US 00142309 A US00142309 A US 00142309A US 14230971 A US14230971 A US 14230971A US 3715881 A US3715881 A US 3715881A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
voltage
timepiece
output
elevating means
timing base
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00142309A
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English (en)
Inventor
P Girard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MFG DES MONTRES ROLEX SA BIENN
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MFG DES MONTRES ROLEX SA BIENN
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Filing date
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Application filed by MFG DES MONTRES ROLEX SA BIENN filed Critical MFG DES MONTRES ROLEX SA BIENN
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Publication of US3715881A publication Critical patent/US3715881A/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0023—Visual time or date indication means by light valves in general
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1335—Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
    • G02F1/1336—Illuminating devices
    • G02F1/133602—Direct backlight
    • G02F1/133604—Direct backlight with lamps
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1347—Arrangement of liquid crystal layers or cells in which the final condition of one light beam is achieved by the addition of the effects of two or more layers or cells
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C17/00—Indicating the time optically by electric means
    • G04C17/0091—Combined electro-optical and electro-mechanical displays
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G17/00—Structural details; Housings
    • G04G17/02—Component assemblies
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G19/00—Electric power supply circuits specially adapted for use in electronic time-pieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0023—Visual time or date indication means by light valves in general
    • G04G9/0029—Details
    • G04G9/0035—Details constructional
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0023—Visual time or date indication means by light valves in general
    • G04G9/0029—Details
    • G04G9/0035—Details constructional
    • G04G9/0041—Illumination devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0023—Visual time or date indication means by light valves in general
    • G04G9/0029—Details
    • G04G9/0047—Details electrical, e.g. selection or application of the operating voltage

Definitions

  • liquid crystals in the manufacture of static elements for displaying ,either a digital or an analogic time indication in timepieces, especially in electronic timepieces.
  • the liquid crystals used for that purpose are in the form of thin layers sandwiched between a pair of plates carrying electrodes. Normally, i.e. in the absence of an electric field, the liquid crystal layer is as transparent as water. This layer becomes, on the contrary, opaque as soon as an electric field is applied thereto. This behavior enables cells to be made for displaying either a digital or an analogic time indication.
  • a voltage higher than that used for the electronic circuits of the watch could, of course, be resorted to for exciting the liquid crystal cells; the timepiece would merely need be provided with two power sources having different voltages. This solution would, however, involve a noticeable increase in the size of the timepiece.
  • a more particular object of the invention is to provide the timepiece with an electric DC source, a timing base supplied by that source and emitting an oscillatory signal, and a voltage elevating means having an input connected to the timing base and an output connected to the liquid crystal cell.
  • FIG. 1 is a sketch of circuits comprising a'transformer and pertaining to the first embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram of a voltage elevating circuit belonging to the second embodiment.
  • a liquid crystal cell comprises a thin liquid crystal layer sandwiched between two solid plates, for instance, glass plates. Thin metallic blades forming electrodes are provided on the surfaces of these glass plates coming in contact with the liquid crystal. These metallic blades may have various shapes and be variously arranged; they are individually connected to a decoder 10 in such manner as to permit an analogic or digital time indication to be displayed.
  • Several embodiments of display devices of this kind are disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 142,141 filed on the same date and entitled: Time display device for timepieces".
  • the electronic device controlling the display is supplied by a DC source having a low voltage such as, for instance, one or more batteries 1 connected in series. It comprises a timing base 2 which includes an oscillatory member driven by the battery 1 and emitting an electric signal oscillating at a relatively high frequency.
  • the timing base may comprise, for instance, a quartz like oscillator 2 of FIG. 1.
  • This timing base is connected to one stage of a frequency divider 3, which reduces the signal frequency to values proper for the control of the application of a voltage to cells RL.
  • a frequency divider As shown in FIG. 1 one stage of the frequency divider is connected through an amplifier 4 to a transformer 5 elevating the voltage.
  • the secondary of transformer 5 has a peak voltage substantially higher than the input voltage.
  • the frequency of this transformer is chosen as high as possible so that it can be made with a very small number of windings. It operates according to the formula: I
  • this transformer can be made with a core having a very small sectional area, because its power is itself very small. Its primary and secondary coils can also have a small number of windings.
  • a transformer of that type canbe wound on a ferrite torus.
  • the output signal of this transformer is rectified by means of a rectifying circuit 6 connected to the output of transformer 5.
  • the output voltage of the rectifier which is substantially constant, is then clipped by a transistor 7, the base of which is connected to the input of the last stage of divider 3.
  • Transistor 7 thus produces pulses having a frequency of 16 Hz in the disclosed embodiment.
  • An adapter 8 is connected between the frequency divider and the base of transistor 7.
  • the voltage applied to the liquid crystal cell is pulsed at a frequency corresponding to the input of the last divider stage and it is high enough to produce a well noticeable contrast within the nematic liquid of cells RL. Since the electric current flows through the nematic liquid only during half the time the cell operates, the device disclosed saves the energy of battery 1, thus increasing its life time.
  • the adjusting circuit 9 of the timepiece controls the decorder 10 directly connected to the liquid crystal cells RL.
  • a high frequency also permits the replacement of transformer 5 by another voltage elevating device.
  • a voltage elevating device comprising cascaded circuits, which are composed of diodes and capacitors, each stage of this device doubling the voltage.
  • FIG. 2 shows such a circuit which is used for merely doubling the voltage.
  • This circuit need not be disclosed in detail, because it is well known to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly possible to elevate the primary voltage v applied to the input a, b and to obtain at the output c, d a voltage being approximately twice as high as the input voltage.
  • a second cascaded circuit will again double the voltage so that the voltage v at the output e, d is four times the voltage v and twice the voltage v
  • the diodes D and the condensors C of the voltage elevating device may be integrated in a single circuit element.
  • the voltage thus obtained can then be rectified and either directly applied to the liquid crystal or be pulsed, or even converted into an alternating voltage by means of an electronic switch. Such an electronic switch could also be integrated, because the consumption does not exceed some microwatts.
  • the same power source may supply the electronic circuits of the timing base and of the frequency divider at a relatively low voltage, while the liquid crystal cells are excited at a substantially higher voltage.
  • the layers of liquid crystal may thus have a substantial thickness and accordingly ensure a good display of the time indication.
  • timing base supplied by said source and emitting an oscillatory signal
  • voltage elevating means having an input connected to said timing base and an output connected to said cell.
  • said voltage elevating means consisting of a transformer.
  • the timepiece of claim 1 further comprising a rectifier connected between the output of said voltage elevating means and said cell.
  • the timepiece of claim 1 further comprising hacking means connected to the output of said voltage elevating means and adapted for converting the output signal to a pulsed or alternating voltage.
  • the timing base including a multistage frequency divider, said voltage elevating means being connected to one stage of said divider, and the output signal of said timing base controlling the application of the pulsed or alternating voltage to said cell.
  • said one stage of the divider to which said voltage elevating means are connected having a first frequency
  • a further stage of said divider having a second frequency lower than said first frequency
  • said further stage of the divider having an output emitting a signal controlling said hacking means.
  • said voltage elevating means comprising cascaded electronic circuits, each stage of said cascaded circuits having an output voltage substantially twice as high as its input voltage.
  • said voltage elevating means being constituted by an integrated circuit.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Nonlinear Science (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
US00142309A 1970-05-11 1971-05-11 Display control device for timepieces Expired - Lifetime US3715881A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH697470A CH532811A (fr) 1970-05-11 1970-05-11 Pièce d'horlogerie comprenant un dispositif d'affichage avec au moins une cellule à cristal liquide

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3715881A true US3715881A (en) 1973-02-13

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US00142309A Expired - Lifetime US3715881A (en) 1970-05-11 1971-05-11 Display control device for timepieces
US00142141A Expired - Lifetime US3712047A (en) 1970-05-11 1971-05-11 Time display device for timepieces

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00142141A Expired - Lifetime US3712047A (en) 1970-05-11 1971-05-11 Time display device for timepieces

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US (2) US3715881A (enrdf_load_html_response)
CH (2) CH697470A4 (enrdf_load_html_response)
DE (2) DE2122682A1 (enrdf_load_html_response)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3815354A (en) * 1973-01-02 1974-06-11 Cal Tex Semiconductor Electronic watch
US3828547A (en) * 1971-02-18 1974-08-13 Suwa Seikosha Kk Quartz crystal timepiece
US3881309A (en) * 1973-03-13 1975-05-06 Biviator Sa Electronic timepiece
US3886724A (en) * 1973-02-23 1975-06-03 Diani Seikosha Kk Liquid crystal display watch
US3946550A (en) * 1971-02-18 1976-03-30 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Quartz crystal timepiece
US3999180A (en) * 1971-10-04 1976-12-21 Rockwell International Corporation Multiplex driver system for liquid crystal display
US4008564A (en) * 1972-06-09 1977-02-22 Luce Nunzio A Liquid crystal display device
US4010603A (en) * 1975-04-30 1977-03-08 Ensign Electronics, Inc. Time marking chronometer
US4026103A (en) * 1974-12-02 1977-05-31 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Electronic timepiece with digital display means

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US3992081A (en) * 1969-06-11 1976-11-16 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Liquid crystal display device with enhanged contrast
JPS4919853A (enrdf_load_html_response) * 1972-06-12 1974-02-21
AT314628B (de) * 1972-07-03 1974-04-10 Elektrovac Fabrikation Elektro Flüssigkristallzelle
US3814501A (en) * 1972-12-04 1974-06-04 Rca Corp Liquid-crystal display device and method of making
US3861135A (en) * 1973-02-08 1975-01-21 Chomerics Inc Electrical interconnector and method of making
DE2410527C3 (de) * 1973-03-08 1983-11-03 Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo Elektronisches Zeitanzeigegerät
GB1422993A (en) * 1973-03-08 1976-01-28 Marconi Co Ltd Liquid crystal display arrangements
JPS55718B2 (enrdf_load_html_response) * 1973-03-10 1980-01-09
JPS49118464A (enrdf_load_html_response) * 1973-03-13 1974-11-12
US3832034A (en) * 1973-04-06 1974-08-27 Ibm Liquid crystal display assembly
JPS605630B2 (ja) * 1973-07-06 1985-02-13 セイコーエプソン株式会社 表示装置
JPS534790Y2 (enrdf_load_html_response) * 1973-10-01 1978-02-06
US3989353A (en) * 1973-11-01 1976-11-02 Intel Corporation Solid planar liquid crystal display with matching leads
US3981558A (en) * 1973-11-12 1976-09-21 Timex Corporation Liquid crystal electro-optical display
US3864905A (en) * 1973-11-14 1975-02-11 Hoffmann La Roche Horological instrument incorporating means for illuminating a liquid crystal display
JPS50123295A (enrdf_load_html_response) * 1974-03-15 1975-09-27
US4104627A (en) * 1974-05-03 1978-08-01 Merz & Bentili Nuklear Ag Digitale, an indicating device containing liquid crystals
US3977176A (en) * 1974-08-22 1976-08-31 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Electronic watch structure
CH609193B5 (fr) * 1976-02-25 1979-08-31 Ebauches Sa Cellule d'affichage électro-optique passif et procédé pour sa fabrication
US4088395A (en) * 1976-05-27 1978-05-09 American Cyanamid Company Paper counter-electrode for electrochromic devices
JPS5320969A (en) * 1976-08-11 1978-02-25 Seiko Epson Corp Liquid crystal watch
CH617281A5 (enrdf_load_html_response) * 1977-07-29 1980-05-14 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie
JPS5846454Y2 (ja) * 1977-11-10 1983-10-22 シャープ株式会社 液晶表示装置の電極構造
US4188094A (en) * 1978-02-15 1980-02-12 Fergason James L Liquid crystal display having light indicia on a dark background
US4235526A (en) * 1979-05-07 1980-11-25 Beckman Instruments, Inc. Liquid crystal display cell having a light field background
US4235525A (en) * 1979-05-07 1980-11-25 Beckman Instruments, Inc. Liquid crystal display cell having a light field background
JPS5660483A (en) * 1979-10-24 1981-05-25 Hitachi Ltd Liquid crystal display unit
DE3627134A1 (de) * 1986-08-09 1988-02-11 Philips Patentverwaltung Verfahren und schaltungsanordnung zur helligkeits- und temperaturabhaenigen steuerung einer lampe, insbesondere zur beleuchtung einer lcd-anzeige
DE69001271T2 (de) * 1989-03-23 1993-10-21 Sonceboz Ebauches Fab Uhr mit einer aus einem oder mehreren LCD-Anzeigeelementen zusammengesetzten Anzeige.
US4997263A (en) * 1989-06-12 1991-03-05 Allied-Signal Inc. Ambient light illuminated liquid crystal display system
US5579035A (en) * 1991-07-05 1996-11-26 Technomarket, L.P. Liquid crystal display module
JP2568467Y2 (ja) * 1991-09-20 1998-04-15 旭光学工業株式会社 液晶表示装置
JP2000267093A (ja) * 1999-03-19 2000-09-29 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 照明装置およびこれを備えた携帯情報機器
US20060251365A1 (en) * 2005-05-04 2006-11-09 Brewer Donald R Watch fiber optic image guide
US20060250897A1 (en) * 2005-05-04 2006-11-09 Brewer Donald R Analog watch fiber optic image guide
JP5786555B2 (ja) * 2011-02-23 2015-09-30 セイコーエプソン株式会社 アンテナ装置、電子機器および電子時計
AT517088B1 (de) 2015-05-13 2016-11-15 Johannes Engl Einrichtung zur Kenntlichmachung eines vorgesehenen Endes der Nutzungsdauer eines Textilprodukts

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US3322485A (en) * 1962-11-09 1967-05-30 Rca Corp Electro-optical elements utilizing an organic nematic compound
US3505804A (en) * 1968-04-23 1970-04-14 Rca Corp Solid state clock
US3593517A (en) * 1968-09-10 1971-07-20 Lawrence S Knippler Illuminated disk clock face

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3828547A (en) * 1971-02-18 1974-08-13 Suwa Seikosha Kk Quartz crystal timepiece
US3946550A (en) * 1971-02-18 1976-03-30 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Quartz crystal timepiece
US3999180A (en) * 1971-10-04 1976-12-21 Rockwell International Corporation Multiplex driver system for liquid crystal display
US4008564A (en) * 1972-06-09 1977-02-22 Luce Nunzio A Liquid crystal display device
US3815354A (en) * 1973-01-02 1974-06-11 Cal Tex Semiconductor Electronic watch
US3886724A (en) * 1973-02-23 1975-06-03 Diani Seikosha Kk Liquid crystal display watch
US3881309A (en) * 1973-03-13 1975-05-06 Biviator Sa Electronic timepiece
US4026103A (en) * 1974-12-02 1977-05-31 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Electronic timepiece with digital display means
US4010603A (en) * 1975-04-30 1977-03-08 Ensign Electronics, Inc. Time marking chronometer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2122682A1 (de) 1971-11-25
CH532811A (fr) 1972-08-31
DE2122683A1 (de) 1971-11-25
CH697470A4 (enrdf_load_html_response) 1972-08-31
DE2122683B2 (de) 1978-09-21
US3712047A (en) 1973-01-23

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