U.S. patent number RE31,225 [Application Number 06/034,083] was granted by the patent office on 1983-05-03 for single switch arrangement for adjusting the time being displayed by a timepiece.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Timex Corporation. Invention is credited to Paul Suppa, Alan E. Willis.
United States Patent |
RE31,225 |
Willis , et al. |
May 3, 1983 |
Single switch arrangement for adjusting the time being displayed by
a timepiece
Abstract
A one button-switch time display set and adjustment apparatus
for an electronic timepiece having a digital electro-optic display.
The (time) information being displayed is set or adjusted by
depressing and holding depressed the buttonswitch which causes the
display indicia, i.e. digit (s) and other time display intervals,
each to flash or flicker separately in a predetermined order. If
the button-switch is released while the segment to be adjusted is
being interrogated, indicated by the flickering or flashing of that
indicia, the interrogation operation or sequence is interrupted and
that indicia continues to flicker. Depressing and holding depressed
the button-switch again, for a predetermined time, causes updating
of the interrogated indicia at a 1 HZ rate. Releasing the
button-switch stops the updating of the selected display indicia
and causes the timepiece to return to the normal running mode or
operation.
Inventors: |
Willis; Alan E. (Stamford,
CT), Suppa; Paul (Somers, NY) |
Assignee: |
Timex Corporation (Waterbury,
CT)
|
Family
ID: |
26710518 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/034,083 |
Filed: |
April 27, 1979 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
545846 |
Feb 13, 1975 |
03953964 |
May 4, 1976 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
368/70; 368/188;
968/917 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G04G
5/045 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G04G
5/04 (20060101); G04G 5/00 (20060101); G04C
017/00 (); G04C 009/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;368/69,70,185,184,187,188 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Miska; Vit W.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Crutcher; William C.
Claims
We claim: .[.1. An electronic timepiece comprising:
an electrooptical display means having a plurality of indicia
thereon for separately indicating different time intervals;
a timekeeping circuit means coupled to said display means for
actuating each indicia to visually display time information;
a manually operated switch having a single manually operated
actuator; and
circuit means operated by said switch and coupled to the
timekeeping circuit means and to the display indicia for effecting
sequential and separate distinction of the indicia and for
effecting separate and selective adjustment of the time information
being displayed thereby by the single manually operated actuator
being manually operated in a prescribed manner..]. .[.2. An
electronic timepiece as in claim 1 wherein:
said actuator being a push-button..]. .[.3. An electronic timepiece
as in claim 2 wherein:
the circuit means effects sequential distinction of indicia being
displayed by said push-button actuator being first operated to a
first position, said circuit means effects selective distinction of
indicia by the push-button actuator being first operated to a
second position, said circuit means effects update of said selected
indicia by the push-button actuator being secondly operated to said
first position, said circuit means effects an end to the update of
said selected indicia at a selected time being displayed and
returns the timepiece to a normal timekeeping operation by the
push-button actuator being secondly operated to said second
position..]. .[.4. A digital electronic timepiece of the kind
having a liquid crystal display comprising a series of individual
display indicia for separate time intervals being coupled to
timekeeping circuit means, wherein the improvement comprises:
a manually operated switch having a push-button actuator; and
control circuit means operated by said switch means and coupled to
the timekeeping circuit means and to the display indicia for
effecting sequential and separate distinction of the separate time
intervals being displayed and for effecting selective adjustment of
said display time intervals by the push-button actuator being
manually operated in a
prescribed manner..]. 5. A digital electronic timepiece having an
electrooptical display consisting of a series of individual display
indicia for separate time intervals being coupled to timekeeping
circuit means comprising:
a manually operated push-button switch means;
control circuit means operated by said push-button switch means and
coupled to said display indicia and said time-keeping circuit means
for effecting sequential visual flashing of the display indicia by
the push-button switch means being first held depressed, said
control circuit means effects prolonged flashing of a selected
indicia by the push-button switch means being first released, said
control circuit means effects a change to the separate time
interval being displayed by the flashing indicia by the push-button
switch means being secondly held depressed, said control circuit
means effects an end to the changing of the time interval selected
for change and returns the timepiece to a normal timekeeping mode
by the push-button switch means being secondly released when the
selected time
interval is being displayed. 6. A timepiece as in claim 5
wherein:
the control circuit means effects a shutdown of the timepiece by
the push-button switch means being manually operated in a
prescribed manner. .Iadd. 7. An electronic timepiece
comprising:
an electrooptical display means having a plurality of indicia
thereon for separately indicating different time intervals;
a timekeeping circuit means coupled to said display means for
actuating each indicia to visually display time information;
a manually operated switch having a single manually operated
actuator; and
circuit means operated by said switch and coupled to the
timekeeping circuit means and to the display indicia for effecting
sequential and separate distinction of the indicia and for
effecting separate and selective adjustment of the time information
being displayed thereby by the single manually operated actuator
being manually operated in a prescribed manner, wherein the circuit
means effects sequential distinction of indicia being displayed by
said push-button actuator being first operated to a first position,
said circuit means effects selective distinction of indicia by the
push-button actuator being first operated to a second position,
said circuit means effects update of said selected indicia by the
push-button actuator being secondly operated to said first
position, said circuit means effects an end to the update of said
selected indicia at a selected time being displayed and returns the
timepiece to a normal timekeeping operation by the push-button
actuator being secondly operated to said second position. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to digital electronic timepieces, and in
particular to a push-button switch time set and adjustment
arrangement.
A number of time correcting systems have been proposed such as
described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,485,033 issued Dec. 23, 1969 to L.
Langley, U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,152 issued Oct. 2, 1973 to F. Mary,
U.S. Pat. No. 3,810,356 issued May 14, 1974 to K. Fujita and U.S.
Pat. No. 3,834,152 issued Sept. 10, 1974 to I. Nishimura and A.
Shimor.
In all these prior art systems, however, multiple switches are
required to correct the displayed time. Obviously, the need for
multiple switches increases the cost of the timepiece, requires
display or case space, causes increased failure or breakage of the
timepiece and complicates the procedure for adjusting the displayed
time. By providing a timepiece having one control switch means for
setting and adjusting the time being displayed, the inherent
disadvantages of the prior art systems are substantially
eliminated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An electronic timepiece comprising an electrooptical display means
having a plurality of indicia thereon for separately indicating
different time intervals, a timekeeping circuit means coupled to
said display means for actuating each indicia to visually display
time information, one manually operated switch, and circuit means
operated by said switch and coupled to the timekeeping circuit
means and to the display indicia for effecting sequential and
separate distinction of the indicia and for effecting separate and
selective adjustment of the time information being displayed
thereby by the switch being manually operated in a prescribed
manner. The control means in addition to these control functions,
i.e. selection and adjustment or setting of the separate time
display indicia, may also control "shutdown" of the timepiece by
shutting off of the oscillator to conserve power.
It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a
single manually operated control means for adjusting the time being
displayed by an electronic timepiece having an electrooptic
display.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a time
adjustment arrangement that eliminates the disadvantages of the
time correction systems of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a manually
operated control means for distinguishing and adjusting selectively
individual display indicia being displayed by an electronic
timepiece having an electrooptic display.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a
manually operated control means with associated electronic
circuitry for distinguishing and adjusting and/or setting
selectively individual display digits and indicia and for
effecting, if desired, shutdown of at least the oscillator section
of the timepiece. These functions being effected selectively upon
manual operation of the control means in a prescribed manner.
Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in
the art from the detailed description of the drawings.
The accompanying drawings diagrammatically illustrate an embodiment
of the present invention by way of example. Like numerals refer to
like parts throughout. The pin connection for the specific
integrated circuit, using the pin designations shown in RCA Solid
State Databook Series SSD-203A COS/MOS Digital Integrated Circuits
1973 edition, are provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic timepiece having
apparatus for adjusting and setting the time information being
displayed by a digital display timepiece;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram or logic flow chart of the interrogation
and updating and shutdown sequence effected by operation of the
control button-switch in the illustrated prescribed manner;
FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are circuit diagrams of the separate sections
of the electronic timepiece shown in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the control button-switch and
associated circuitry in accordance with the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, a liquid crystal multi-indicia display
alarm clock 20 is provided having displayed thereon unit minutes
21, tens of minutes 22, unit hours 23, tens of hours 24, tens of
seconds 25, days 26 and the date 27 for purposes of illustration.
It should be recognized, however, that other types of displays and
timepieces such as electrochromic displays and electronic
wristwatches could also be depicted as alternative embodiments.
The liquid crystal display has a total of six digits and two sets
of bars. Four digits are in line, arranged in two groups of two
digits each for the indication of hours 23, 24 and minutes 21, 22,
respectively. A colon 28 separates the two groups. The seconds
portion 25 of the display consists of six bars, each of which is
excited for 10 seconds (0 to 10 . . . 50 to 60). The date portion
27 of the display has two digits for indicating a maximum of 31
days and seven indicia 26 such as bars or dots for indicating the
day of the week. Each digit comprises seven conductive segments
arranged in a figure eight pattern on a substrate. Each of the 7
day symbols and the seconds symbols are represented by one
conductive segment. A second substrate spaced about 1 milimeter
from the first substrate carries transparent electrodes in the form
of a conductive coating. The space between the substrates is filled
with a liquid crystal material. A numeral or symbol is displayed by
applying a potential between a segment and a corresponding (facing)
transparent electrode.
The display is actuated by a driving circuit which generally
consists of an oscillator 29 controlled by a quartz crystal, a
frequency dividing unit 30, counters 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 and
decoder/driver circuitry 36, 37.
There is also provided control and update logic 38, 39, 40, 41 and
42, actuated by a button-switch means 43 for effecting setting,
resetting, correcting or adjustment of the display indicia 21
through 28 selectively.
Driving circuitry suitable for actuation of the display is known in
the field such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,258,906 issued
July 5, 1966 to S. J. Demby, U.S. Pat. No. 3,333,410 issued Aug. 1,
1967 to A. M. Barbella and U.S. Pat. No. 3,579,976 issued May 25,
1971 to T. F. D'Muhala and, therefore, will not be described in
detail herein to avoid prolixity. Briefly, however, with reference
to FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5 and 6, the oscillator is essentially an
amplifier with a 4.194304 MHZ quartz crystal connected between the
input and output. The frequency divider unit 30 is generally a
series of "flip-flops" connected in tandem which provides a 1 HZ
time base input to the seconds counter 31, and a liquid crystal
excitation frequency such as 32 HZ. The 1 HZ signal is divided by
60 by the seconds counter 31 (shown schematically in FIG. 3) which
provides a 1 minute pulse, i.e. a count of 60 seconds, to the
minutes counter, via update logic gates 39, and generates the
seconds count signal 10S. The seconds count signal 10S is coupled
to logic circuitry (refer to FIG. 4) which provides control signals
for actuating the seconds display 25 (shown in FIG. 1 as 6
ten-second bars 1-10 . . . 51-60). The 1 minute pulses are coupled
to the minutes counter 32 which provides a unit and tens of minutes
count to the decoder/driver logic 36, 37. Decoder/driver logic
circuitry suitable for actuating the display is known in the field
such as is described in the aforementioned prior art patents and,
accordingly, will not be described in detail herein to avoid
prolixity. Specific driver logic is shown in FIG. 6, however, to
illustrate one arrangement by which the display digits and indicia
are caused to flicker selectively. The display indicia, i.e. date,
days, hours, minutes and if desired, the seconds, are caused to
flicker by the application of a flicker control signal, i.e. FLDt,
FLDa, FLH, FLM respectively, to the separate display indicia in a
predetermined order or stepping (like) manner. The minutes counter
32 (shown in detail in FIG. 3) counts the number of pulses received
from 0 to 59, provides a unit minutes and tens of minutes output
count signal to the decoder/driver logic 36, 37, which actuates the
display indicia 21 and 22 respectively, and provides via updapte
logic gates 40 a 1 hour pulse, i.e. a 60 minute count output, to
the hours counter 33. The hours counter 33 (shown schematically in
FIG. 3) counts the number of hour pulses generated by the minutes
counter 32 form 0 to 11 and provides a unit hours and a tens of
hour count signal to the decoder/driver logic 36, 37, which in
response thereto actuates display indicia 23, 24 respectively. The
12 hour pulse output 12 H from the hours counter (refer to FIG. 3)
and the 1 second pulse is coupled to the day counter 34 and the
date counter 35 via update logic gates 41, 42 respectively (refer
to FIG. 5 for schematic details). The output signals of the day and
date counters 34, 35 are coupled to the decoder/drivers 36, 37 to
actuate the appropriate display indicia 26, 27 respectively.
Prior to a detailed discussion of the time adjustment circuitry 38
through 43 in accordance with the invention, reference is made to
FIG. 2 to illustrate the sequence of logic steps performed by this
circuitry when the push-button switch 43 is actuated in the
prescribed manner.
First holding depressed the push-button switch 43 causes the date
indicia 27 to start flashing. This is illustrated by logic step or
block 45. After a predetermined fixed time period D1, such as 4 to
6 seconds, logic step 45 ends and logic step 46 begins. Logic step
46 comprises the flashing of the hours digits 23, 24 and the
holding of the colon 28, which is normally flashing at a 1 HZ rate,
in the on or actuated state to indicate "AM" or off to indicate
"PM" time information. After a second D1 time period, logic step 46
ends and the events represented by logic step 47 begin. The events
represented by logic step 47 consists of flashing the day indicia
26. After a third D1 time period, logic step 48 occurs which
involves the flashing of the minute digits 21, 22. And after a
fourth D1 time period, logic step 44 occurs returning the timepiece
to its normal timekeeping mode or function.
The rate at which the display is flashed during these logic steps
in approximately at a 1 HZ rate, for example on the 1/3 second and
off for 2/3 second. And throughout the above logic steps of
interrogating the separate display indicia, the timepiece continues
to keep accurate time.
If the time correction push-button switch is released, depicted as
P1, while a display indicia is being interrogated, indicated
visually by flashing of the indicia being interrogated, the
interrogation sequence above described is interrupted and that
display indicia which is being interrogated continues to be
interrogated, i.e. continues to flash, for a predetermined
prolonged time period. In this manner visual distinction of the
selected display indicia is effected to indicate that that time
display indicia can now be updated or corrected.
For example, if the push-button switch 43 is released while the
hours digits 23, 24 are flashing, i.e. logic flow step 46, the
hours digits are caused to flash for a prolonged time period, for
example for an additional D1 time, to visually indicate that the
hours display are being interrogated and can be updated. If the
push-button switch 43 is not depressed to effect update during this
prolonged flashing time, the timepiece is returned to the normal
timekeeping mode. Holding depressed the push-button switch 43
again, i.e. logic step 52, causes the hours display digits to
commence updating at the 1 HZ rate, i.e. logic step 53. Releasing
the push-button switch 43 sets the hours digits at the time
indication than being displayed and causes the timepiece to return
to the normal run mode, i.e. logic step 44.
Updating of the date, days and minutes is effected in a similar
manner. However, when correction or setting of the minutes digits
is being effected, i.e. logic step 49, additional logic is provided
to reset the seconds counter at zero.
If the push-button switch 43 is released while the minute digits
are being updated 49, both the minute and hour display digits are
caused to flash 50 thereby indicating the commencing of the
shutdown mode, i.e. logic step 51. If left in this shutdown mode 51
for a predetermined time D2, for example 8 to 16 minutes, the
timepiece will be shutdown. Depressing and releasing the
push-button switch 43 again before the end of the D2 time period
returns the timepiece to the normal run mode, i.e. logic step
44.
The operation of the push-button switch 43 and associated control
logic will now be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 3, 5
and 7.
When the push-button switch 43 (refer to FIG. 7) is first held
depressed VEE potential is applied to the reset (pin 4 and 10) of
the flip-flops of the anti-bounce and the 4 second delay circuits
shown within phantom outlines 54 and 55 respectively. This enables
these circuits to be toggled at the 32 HZ and 1 HZ clock pulse
rates respectively. The anti-bounce circuit divides down the 32 H
pulses until the output on pin 13 of flip-flop 58 goes high, i.e. a
logic "1" state, which disables the 32 HZ clock pulses to the
anti-bounce circuit 54 by means of nor gate 56. At this time,
therefore, pin 13 (Q) and pin 12 (Q) of flip-flop 58 are at a high
and low logic level, respectively.
As long as the push-button switch 43 is first held depressed, the
outputs of nand gates 61 and 71 and nor gates 62 and 76 are held at
a logic "0" level by a low on pin 1 of flip-flop 57. This enables
the 1 HZ pulse input signal on pin 1 of nor gate 63 to clock the 4
second delay circuit 55 which, in turn, provides a pulse-like
output signal, at a 4 second rate, on pins 12 and 13 of flip-flop
64. The 4 second pulses on pin 13 of flip-flop 64 in conjunction
with the high or logic "1" level output on pin 2 of flip-flop 57
causes advance of the state counter 66 through nand gates 65 and
77.
The state counter 66 counts the 4 second clock pulses from nand
gate 77 and provides output enable signals 1 through 4,
sequentially to an input of the flash nand gates 67 through 70 and
to slew or update nand gates 72 through 75. Each enable signal,
therefore, has a duration of approximately 4 seconds. The 1 HZ
signal is coupled to the other input of each of the flash nand
gates 67 through 70. The flash nand gates 67 through 70 when
sequencially interrogated, i.e. enabled by the output enable
signals 1 through 4 of the state counter, provide the flash enable
signals FLDt (flash date), FLH (flash hours), FLDa (flash day) and
FLM (flash minutes), respectively, at the 1 HZ signal rate. These
signals are coupled to the respective display segment drivers for
effecting sequential flashing or flickering of the respective
display segments (refer to FIG. 6 for details of the driver
circuitry).
If the push-button switch 43 is released from first being held
depressed, the flip-flops of the anti-bounce and the 4 second delay
circuits 54, 55 are reset causing the output on pin 12 of flip-flop
58 to go high, i.e. to a logic "1" state. The leading edge of this
high pulse on pin 12 causes flip-flop 57 to toggle thereby
providing on its output pins 1, 2 high and low logic levels
respectively. The low logic level, i.e. a logic "0", on pin 2 is
coupled to nand gate 65 which causes the advance of the state
counter 66 to be inhibited and thereby causes the continued
flashing, i.e. interrogation for updating, of the selected display
indicia.
If the push-button switch 43 is held depressed a second time, the
flip-flops of the anti-bounce and the 4 second delay circuits 54,
55, are again free to toggle. At the end of the anti-bounce
countdown time, the output on pin 13 of flip-flop 58 is at a logic
"1". Since, at this time, the output on pin 1 of flip-flop 57 is
also at a logic "1", nand gate 61 is, thereby, rendered ineffective
to disable the 1 HZ pulses through nor gate 63. And the 4 second
delay circuit 55 continues to toggle until pin 12 of flip-flop 64
goes to a logic low (approximately after a 4 second delay) causing
the output of nor gates 62 and 63 to, also go to a logic low,
thereby, preventing continued toggling of the 4 second delay
circuit 55 by the 1 HZ signal. The logic "1" or high on pin 13 of
flip-flop 64 and on pin 1 of flip-flop 57 are coupled to nand gate
60 which causes a slew or update enable signal, via inverter nand
gate 71, to be provided to an input of each of the slew nand gates
72 through 75.
The other input of each slew nand gate 72 through 75 is coupled to
outputs 1 through 4 of the state counter 66, respectively, to which
the corresponding flash nand gates 67 through 70 are coupled. For
example, an input on nand gates 67 and 72 are coupled to the same
output signal 1 (on pin 2) of the state counter 66. Since the
advance of the state counter 66 is being inhibited, by means of
nand gate 65, the display segment being interrogated, i.e. flashing
or flickering by means of flash nand gates 67 through 70, is caused
to be updated by a slew enable signal from one of the slew nand
gates 72 through 75.
The slew or update signal, i.e. SLDt (slew date), SLH (slew hours),
SLDa (slew days) and SLM (slew minutes), from the interrogated slew
nand gate, i.e. having an enable signal or logic high on both of
its inputs, is coupled to the counters 35, 33, 34, 32 respectively
causing updating or setting of the selected display indicia via
update gate logic circuits 42, 40, 41 and 39 respectively (refer to
FIGS. 3 and 5 for details of the update gate and counter circuits).
For example, if the outputs on pin 4 of nand gate 71 and pin 2 of
the state counter 66 (output signal 1) are both at a high level,
the output of slew nand gate 72 is at a low level. This logic low
is coupled to pins 1, 2 and 8 of logic gate 42 (refer to FIG. 5)
and causes the decoupling of the 24 hour pulse and coupling of the
1 HZ pulse (on pin 9) signals to the date counter input, thereby
effecting update of the unit date counter and display at the 1 HZ
pulse rate.
In all states of logic modes except slew minutes the reset 2
inhibit on pin 13 of nor gate 78 is low and the next release, i.e.
the second release, of the push-button switch 43 resets the state
counter 66 through nor gates 76, 79 and 80 and returns the
timepiece to the normal run mode, i.e. an output logic "1" level on
pin 3 of the state counter 66.
Shutdown of the timepiece is effected by the push-button switch 43
being released for the second time after minutes update and by
maintaining the push-button switch at this position, without
reactuation, for a predetermined time.
With the second release of the push-button switch 43, during update
of the minutes, flip-flop 81 is toggled placing its output on pin 1
at a logic high level which enables nor gates 82, 83 and causes the
minute and hour indicia to flash at the 1 HZ pulse rate. Therefore,
with pin 2 of flip-flop 81 at a logic low, the divide by 512
flip-flop is enabled. If the push-button switch 43 is not depressed
and released a third time within the predetermined time, for
example the 512 seconds, the SD output, i.e. shutdown signal, of
flip-flop 84 triggers transfer gate 85 (see FIG. 3) thereby causing
shutdown of the oscillator 29.
To restart the timepiece after shutdown, the push-button switch is
depressed and released again. This clocks flip-flop 84 to reset the
SD signal.
* * * * *