US3889460A - Method and apparatus for correcting time in an electronic wristwatch - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for correcting time in an electronic wristwatch Download PDF

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Publication number
US3889460A
US3889460A US371084A US37108473A US3889460A US 3889460 A US3889460 A US 3889460A US 371084 A US371084 A US 371084A US 37108473 A US37108473 A US 37108473A US 3889460 A US3889460 A US 3889460A
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United States
Prior art keywords
divider
seconds
signal
digital display
display
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Expired - Lifetime
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US371084A
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English (en)
Inventor
Hideaki Yasukawa
Okito Naito
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Suwa Seikosha KK
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Suwa Seikosha KK
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Application filed by Suwa Seikosha KK filed Critical Suwa Seikosha KK
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3889460A publication Critical patent/US3889460A/en
Priority to US05/715,478 priority Critical patent/USRE29327E/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G5/00—Setting, i.e. correcting or changing, the time-indication
    • G04G5/04—Setting, i.e. correcting or changing, the time-indication by setting each of the displayed values, e.g. date, hour, independently
    • G04G5/041—Correction of the minutes counter in function of the seconds' counter position at zero adjustment of the latter

Definitions

  • An electronic timepiece having a pulse generator producing a high frequency time standard signal, a divider circuit formed from a plurality of series-connected divider stages for producing low frequency timing signals in response to said time standard signal and a device for displaying time in response to said timing signals, is provided with a correction circuit disposed in said divider circuit.
  • the correction circuit enables the use of a new method and apparatus for providing a correction signal to the divider stages counting seconds to reset the divider stages to zero seconds during use of the watch, to thereby correct the accuracy of the second display.
  • Electronic timepieces such as Wristwatches have become known for their high accuracy and it is very common for such Wristwatches to sustain an accuracy rate within plus and minus 30 seconds per month. Such accuracy rates will cause watches which include the display of seconds, a feature incorporated into very accurate timepieces, to display the wrong time.
  • Normal time setting such as during insertion of a new battery, in the timepiece, is generally limited to setting the hour and minute.
  • the method of seconds correction during normal use entailed the holding of the second hand in a waiting position until the correct time was reached and then releasing the hand.
  • Such a method required operating a switch two times and considerable waiting which renders such method less than completely satisfactory.
  • an electronic timepiece including pulse generator means for generating a high frequency time standard signal, divider means formed from a plurality of series-connected divider stages for producing low frequency timing signals in response to said high frequency time standard signal and representative of present time, and digital display means for the digital display of time in response to said timing signals.
  • a correction circuit is coupled to certain of said divider stages to apply a reset signal thereto.
  • a method for correcting the seconds display during normal use of the timepiece is provided when the seconds display is incorrect within a time period of plus and minus 30 seconds.
  • an operator Upon observing that the actual time is exactly at a minute indication, an operator provides a correction signal to certain of the divider stages which correspond to the display of seconds, the correction signal effecting the reset of such certain divider stages to zero seconds and the restarting thereof. Where the time displayed is slow by l to 30 seconds, application of the correction signal further effects an advancement of the minute display.
  • Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved small-sized electronic timepiece provided with an improved correction circuit and method for utilizing the same.
  • Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved method for correcting small-sized electronic timepieces.
  • the invention accordingly comprises several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and the apparatus embodying features of the construction, combination of elements and arrangements of parts which are adapted to effect such steps, all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic wristwatch constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the circuitry of the electronic wristwatch illustrated in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the digital display of the electronic timepiece of FIG. 1 illustrating a first mode of correction
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the digital display of the electronic timepiece of FIG. 1 illustrating a second mode of correction
  • FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram including the correction circuit of the electronic timepiece of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 6 is a wave diagram corresponding to the circuit of FIG. 5.
  • an electronic timepiece is illustrated therein and includes a digital display 5, for displaying the present time in terms of minutes, hours and seconds.
  • the front of the watch further includes time setting switches 6 and 7 which enable setting and correction of the hours and the minutes digits respectively of display 5.
  • Switch 8 is a time correcting switch used in the method and apparatus of the instant invention.
  • FIGS. 2 and 5 the circuitry of the electronic timepiece of FIG. 1 is illustrated, including a pulse generator 1, which may take the form of a quartz crystal oscillator or the like.
  • a high frequency time standard signal output of pulse generator 1 is applied to divider and distributor circuit 2 which includes a divider chain which divides the time standard signal into time keeping signals such as hours, minute, and second signals.
  • the dividers of the divider chain producing the time keeping signals may be selectively corrected by means of correction circuit 4 including switches 6, 7 and 8.
  • the instantaneous time-keeping signals are applied to distributor circuits which place them in a form for driving the respective digits of digital display 3.
  • the divider chain of divider and distributor circuit 2 includes divider circuits 9 through 15 each of which produces instantaneous timing signals counted therein for application to distributor circuits 16, 17 and 18 as will hereinafter be discussed.
  • divider circuit 9 receives a high frequency signal such as would be supplied by the crystal oscillator and produces a l-second signal having a period of 1 second. The l-second signal from divider circuit 9 is then applied to a series chain of divider circuits through which produce timing signals for display.
  • divider circuit 10 is a l/ 10 divider circuit for producing a lO-second signal
  • divider circuit 11 is a /a divider for producing a /2 minute signal
  • divider circuit 12 is a V2 divider for producing a 1- minute signal
  • divider circuit 13 is a 1/10 divider for producing a 10-minute signal
  • divider circuit 14 is a 1/6 divider circuit for producing a l-hour signal
  • divider circuit 15 is a l/l2 divider circuit for producing a 12 hour signal.
  • Divider circuits 10 through 15 supply instantaneous timing signals counted therein to distributors 16, 17 and 18 which correspond respectively to the second, minute and hour digits of the digital display, divider circuits 10, 11 and 12 being connected to distributor 16, divider circuits 13 and 14 being connected to distributor l7 and divider circuit 15 being connected to distributor 18.
  • the time correcting circuit 4 includes conventional time setting switches 23 and 24 which correspond to time setting switches 6 and 7 respectively of FIG. 1, and time correcting switch 22 which corresponds to switch 8 of FIG. 1.
  • the time correcting switch 22 is coupled to a waveform shaping circuit 19 which in turn is coupled to divider stages 9 through 12. By application of a correction signal to divider circuit stages 9 through 12 by actuation of switch 22, a reset signal is supplied by the wave shaping circuit 19 to the divider stages to thereby reset the divider stages.
  • Time setting switches 23 and 24 are coupled to control circuits 20 and 21 which control circuits shape the waveform of the time setting signal from switches 23 and 24 and the output or carry signal from the next previous divider stage and supply corrected carry signal to the next subsequent divider stage in response to the respective signals supplied thereto.
  • control circuit 20 receives the carry signal from divider 12 and the correction signal from switch 23 and insures that the count of the signal applied to divider 13 is increased by one for each operation of switch 23 to effect correction of the minutes digits of the digital display. Correction of the hours digits is effected in a like manner by switch 24 and control circuit 21. Control circuits 20 and 21 are each adapted to produce a positive pulse of short duration for each positive excursion of the signals applied thereto.
  • time correction switch 22 there are two possible modes of correction using time correction switch 22, depending on whether the watch is running fast or slow.
  • the first mode where the watch is fast is illustrated in FIG. 3, where the time before correction is l0hours, 59 minutes and 25 seconds.
  • An'operator will use a standard reference source for telling time such as a radio, T.V. or telephone operator to aid in correcting the time.
  • switch 22 is closed and a reset pulse is generated in wave shaping circuit 19 which is then supplied to divider stages 9 I through 12, thus resetting each of said divider stages to zero.
  • the second mode of operation for use when the watch is running slow by 30 seconds or less is illustrated with reference to FIG. 4.
  • correction is effected when the seconds display reads above 30 seconds, at which time output signal 26 from divider stage 12 is negative. If a correction pulse 25 from wave-form shaping circuit 19 is applied to divider stages 9 through 12 to reset the divider stages during this period, the resetting stage 12 to zero makes the output signal 26 positive. The earlier than normal positive excursion of signal 26 produces a pulse out of control circuit 20 (in signal 27) to advance the minute display by one.
  • the watch display as depicted in FIG.
  • An electronic timepiece comprising oscillator means for producing a high frequency time standard signal, divider means for producing low frequency timing signals from said high frequency time standard signals including a plurality of series-connected divider stages, certain of said divider stages corresponding to seconds display, means for the digital display of time in response to said timing signals, said digital display means displaying at least seconds and minutes.
  • said seconds divider stages providing a substantially squarew'ave' 'output signal having a period of 1 minute to the next divider stage, and correction means for applying a reset signal to said certain divider stages which correspond to the incorrect time displayed, said correction means being adapted to set the second digital display to zero without affecting the minute digital display when said reset signal is applied to said certain dividers during the first half cycle of said output signal when the seconds digital display means is 30 or less and to set the second digital display to zero and increase the minute digital display by one when said reset signal is applied to said certain dividers during the second half cycle of said output signal when said seconds digital display read more than 30.
  • correction means includes a wave shaping means for supplying said reset signal to said certain divider stages in the form of a pulse.
  • correction means includes a manually operated switch means coupled to said wave shaping means, for selectively causing the application of said pulse reset signal to said certain divider stages.
  • a method for correcting errors of minus 30 seconds or less in an electronic timepiece having oscillator means for producing a high frequency time standard signal, divider means for producing low frequency timing signals from said high frequency time standard signal including a plurality of series-connected divider stages, certain of said divider stages producing a square wave timing signal to the next divider stage and means for the digital display of time including at least a seconds and a minutes display in response to said timing signals, the method comprising the steps of, at the nearest correct minute indication, in response to the second half cycle of the square wave timing signal resetting the divider stages producing the timing signals associated with the digital display of seconds to zero and increasing the count of the next divider stages producing timing signals associated with the digital display of minutes

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
US371084A 1972-06-19 1973-06-18 Method and apparatus for correcting time in an electronic wristwatch Expired - Lifetime US3889460A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US05/715,478 USRE29327E (en) 1972-06-19 1976-08-18 Method and apparatus for correcting time in an electronic wristwatch

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP47061101A JPS4922974A (US20080293856A1-20081127-C00150.png) 1972-06-19 1972-06-19

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US05/715,478 Reissue USRE29327E (en) 1972-06-19 1976-08-18 Method and apparatus for correcting time in an electronic wristwatch

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US3889460A true US3889460A (en) 1975-06-17

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US371084A Expired - Lifetime US3889460A (en) 1972-06-19 1973-06-18 Method and apparatus for correcting time in an electronic wristwatch

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US (1) US3889460A (US20080293856A1-20081127-C00150.png)
JP (1) JPS4922974A (US20080293856A1-20081127-C00150.png)
GB (1) GB1412512A (US20080293856A1-20081127-C00150.png)
HK (1) HK4178A (US20080293856A1-20081127-C00150.png)
MY (1) MY7800072A (US20080293856A1-20081127-C00150.png)

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2280128A1 (fr) * 1974-07-26 1976-02-20 Eurosil Gmbh Montage pour positionner et regler un dispositif chronometrique
US3955352A (en) * 1973-02-01 1976-05-11 Berney Jean Claude Electronic watch with digital display having a correction mechanism for small errors
US3988597A (en) * 1975-01-31 1976-10-26 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. Time correction circuits for electronic timepieces
US3994124A (en) * 1974-05-01 1976-11-30 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Electronic timepiece
US4020626A (en) * 1974-05-14 1977-05-03 Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha Electronic timepiece
US4044547A (en) * 1974-12-11 1977-08-30 Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha Time adjusting system for an electronic timepiece
US4083176A (en) * 1975-04-03 1978-04-11 Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha Time correcting system for electronic timepiece
US4092820A (en) * 1975-03-25 1978-06-06 Citizen Watch Company Limited Electronic timepiece
US4128993A (en) * 1974-08-15 1978-12-12 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Zero adjustment in an electronic timepiece
US4155218A (en) * 1976-04-23 1979-05-22 Ebauches S.A. Electronic watch
US4185453A (en) * 1976-10-25 1980-01-29 Societe Suisse Pour L'industrie Horlogere Management Services S.A. Time setting and correcting circuit for electronic timepieces
US4201041A (en) * 1977-08-05 1980-05-06 Jeco Company Limited Digital electronic timepiece having a time correcting means
US4292680A (en) * 1974-10-31 1981-09-29 Citizen Watch Company Limited Electronic timepiece
US4300204A (en) * 1975-09-05 1981-11-10 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Time and date information correction in a combination timepiece and calculator utilizing a decimal point indicator display
US4415276A (en) * 1980-08-25 1983-11-15 Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha Electronic timepiece

Families Citing this family (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4984287A (US20080293856A1-20081127-C00150.png) * 1972-12-16 1974-08-13
JPS50126472A (US20080293856A1-20081127-C00150.png) * 1974-03-25 1975-10-04
JPS5132675A (en) * 1974-09-13 1976-03-19 Sharp Kk Denshiudedokei no shingokyokyuhoshiki
JPS5198573U (US20080293856A1-20081127-C00150.png) * 1975-02-05 1976-08-07
JPS5929836B2 (ja) * 1975-03-14 1984-07-23 日本電気株式会社 電子時計
JPS6052395B2 (ja) * 1975-06-14 1985-11-19 カシオ計算機株式会社 時計装置
JPS527278A (en) * 1975-06-16 1977-01-20 Casio Comput Co Ltd Device for timepiece
JPS52274U (US20080293856A1-20081127-C00150.png) * 1975-06-21 1977-01-05
JPS5276968A (en) * 1975-12-23 1977-06-28 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd Second correcting device for electronic watches
JPS5292756A (en) * 1976-01-30 1977-08-04 Hitachi Ltd Time correcting circuit
JPS594677B2 (ja) * 1976-04-19 1984-01-31 カシオ計算機株式会社 電子時計
JPS53138374A (en) * 1977-05-09 1978-12-02 Seiko Epson Corp Time correcting system of electronic wristwatch
JPH0633435Y2 (ja) * 1990-03-28 1994-08-31 リズム時計工業株式会社 デジタル時計

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3643418A (en) * 1969-05-29 1972-02-22 Vogel Paul Time-setting device for an electronic watch
US3672155A (en) * 1970-05-06 1972-06-27 Hamilton Watch Co Solid state watch
US3733810A (en) * 1970-03-06 1973-05-22 Rolex Montres Timepiece with electronically designed digital read-out

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5242068B2 (US20080293856A1-20081127-C00150.png) * 1972-04-01 1977-10-21

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3643418A (en) * 1969-05-29 1972-02-22 Vogel Paul Time-setting device for an electronic watch
US3733810A (en) * 1970-03-06 1973-05-22 Rolex Montres Timepiece with electronically designed digital read-out
US3672155A (en) * 1970-05-06 1972-06-27 Hamilton Watch Co Solid state watch

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3955352A (en) * 1973-02-01 1976-05-11 Berney Jean Claude Electronic watch with digital display having a correction mechanism for small errors
US3994124A (en) * 1974-05-01 1976-11-30 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Electronic timepiece
US4020626A (en) * 1974-05-14 1977-05-03 Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha Electronic timepiece
FR2280128A1 (fr) * 1974-07-26 1976-02-20 Eurosil Gmbh Montage pour positionner et regler un dispositif chronometrique
US4128993A (en) * 1974-08-15 1978-12-12 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Zero adjustment in an electronic timepiece
US4292680A (en) * 1974-10-31 1981-09-29 Citizen Watch Company Limited Electronic timepiece
US4044547A (en) * 1974-12-11 1977-08-30 Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha Time adjusting system for an electronic timepiece
US3988597A (en) * 1975-01-31 1976-10-26 Tokyo Shibaura Electric Co., Ltd. Time correction circuits for electronic timepieces
US4092820A (en) * 1975-03-25 1978-06-06 Citizen Watch Company Limited Electronic timepiece
US4083176A (en) * 1975-04-03 1978-04-11 Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha Time correcting system for electronic timepiece
US4300204A (en) * 1975-09-05 1981-11-10 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Time and date information correction in a combination timepiece and calculator utilizing a decimal point indicator display
US4155218A (en) * 1976-04-23 1979-05-22 Ebauches S.A. Electronic watch
US4185453A (en) * 1976-10-25 1980-01-29 Societe Suisse Pour L'industrie Horlogere Management Services S.A. Time setting and correcting circuit for electronic timepieces
US4201041A (en) * 1977-08-05 1980-05-06 Jeco Company Limited Digital electronic timepiece having a time correcting means
US4415276A (en) * 1980-08-25 1983-11-15 Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha Electronic timepiece

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
MY7800072A (en) 1978-12-31
HK4178A (en) 1978-01-27
JPS4922974A (US20080293856A1-20081127-C00150.png) 1974-02-28
GB1412512A (en) 1975-11-05

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