Horology: time measuring systems or devices – Regulating means – For compensation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-03
2001-11-06
Roskoski, Bernard (Department: 2859)
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
Regulating means
For compensation
C368S047000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312153
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a clock or watch having an accuracy-improving function, and particularly to a clock or watch having an accuracy-improving function that can correct, by the correction of an internal mechanism, a time difference between the time indicated on a display and the time signal obtained from a television or the like, thereby improving the time accuracy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For clocks or watches using a crystal oscillator as a time-counting basis, the relationship between the crystal oscillator and a counter for outputting a time signal based on the number of basic signals (oscillation frequency) output from the crystal oscillator is important.
The basic signal sent from the crystal oscillator to the counter should be always kept at a constant cycle. As soon as it becomes impossible to keep this state, an error of the display time occurs.
Since, however, crystal oscillators are influenced by environment, for example, by temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure, highly accurate crystal materials are used as the basic signal oscillation source in high-quality clocks and watches, and, in addition, correction means, such as a gateway, for correcting the frequency of the basic signal is interposed between the crystal oscillator and the counter.
According to the conventional clocks or watches, however, high-accuracy crystal and incorporation of frequency correction means have increased the price of the clocks or watches. Therefore, these measures cannot be adopted in inexpensive clocks or watches. This renders the occurrence of a large time difference between the display time and the standard time unavoidable. The lower the price, the lower the accuracy of the clocks or watches.
When game machines are an object for use of the clock or watch, use of inexpensive clocks or watches is a precondition in view of the age of purchasers. The poor accuracy of the clock or watch, however, is in many cases a great hindrance to the development and expansion of game machines. The correction of an error, for example, by a method similar to winding of the stem is not an essential measure because the error occurs again after the passage of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a clock or watch having an accuracy-improving function that provides essential measures against an error of the time without need to use high-quality crystal or expensive frequency correction means, such as gateways, and, in addition, based on the measures against an error of the time, enables expansion to game machines.
According to the invention, a clock or watch having an accuracy-improving function, comprises;
a counter for counting a basic signal of a predetermined frequency to provide a counted value;
means for storing a signal number of said basic signal corresponding to a reference time signal;
means for generating said reference time signal to reset said counter when said counted value becomes equal to said signal number;
a time-counting circuit for generating a time by counting said reference time signal;
a display for displaying said time generated by said time-counting circuit;
a manually inputting unit for inputting a time signal to increase or decrease said signal number stored in said storing means and a fast or slow signal; and
a control unit including a computing circuit for computing an increasing or decreasing value for said signal number and increasing or decreasing said signal number in said storing means in accordance with said time signal and said fast or slow signal from the manually inputting unit, said predetermined frequency for said basic signal, and an elapsed time from a time when said signal number is formerly stored in said storing means.
The clock or watch having an accuracy-improving function according to the present invention can be, of course, used as a wristwatch, a wall clock and the like. The clock or watch according to the present invention, however, is best suited for use in game machines.
Examples of the standard time include telephone time signals besides television and radio time signals. The difference between the standard time and the time indicated on the display can be confirmed by viewing the display while hearing sound indicating the standard time.
For example, a possible construction is such that, simultaneously with the standard time, the owner depresses a button or the like and the clock or watch per se regards this depression as an instruction for the detection of the time difference, confirms the time difference, and displays this. Selection of this construction or visual confirmation may be determined based on the contemplated level of game properties as the first priority.
The application of the clock or watch according to the present invention to game machines will be explained. In the application of the clock or watch to game machines, a preferred embodiment is such that, upon an instruction by the owner, the clock or watch per se confirms and displays the time difference.
The application of the clock or watch according to the present invention to game machines is based on such a fundamental idea that the difference between the standard time and the display time is gradually decreased by repeatedly correcting the set value of the register, thereby permitting the owner of the clock or watch to foster the accuracy of the clock or watch.
More specifically, the clock or watch may be constructed as follows. For example, if assume that the clock or watch initially causes a delay of five seconds from the standard time at intervals of 6 hr, the set value of the register is repeatedly corrected to gradually decrease the time difference to 4 sec, 3 sec, and 2 sec.
As soon as the time difference reaches a predetermined level, such as ±1 sec, the generation of sound, light or the like informs that the accuracy has reached the predetermined level. The game may be constructed so that the owner can enjoy the care of the clock or watch in the course of improving the accuracy and a sensation of the attainment of the improvement in accuracy by the care, or a sense of game.
A more specific construction is as follows. The clock or watch is carried to a baseball stadium. A button or the like is depressed simultaneously with the confirmation of the time signal by a portable telephone or with the time signal displayed in the baseball stadium, and, as soon as the time accuracy has reached the level of ±1 sec, a rooter's song for a particular baseball team is output from the clock or watch.
A further possible construction of game is as follows. A plurality of clocks or watches are provided. A transmit/receive function is provided in these clocks or watches. At first, the transmit/receive function is sealed. When the time difference reached a predetermined level as a result of the repetition of the correction of the register, the transmit/receive function is unsealed. In this case, a plurality of persons participate the game. This offers more intense sensation of the attainment and sense of game. Possible media for the transmit/receive function include voices or use of letters such as used in pagers.
In the games having the above construction, the following system may also be used. As soon as the time difference reached a predetermined level, a hidden key using numeral values, letters or the like is set in each clock or watch or any clock or watch and, at the same time, a key setting indication signal for informing the completion of the key setting operation is output. Thereafter, the competition for mutually finding the key set in the clock or watch or the keys set in a plurality of the clocks or watches is carried out to unseal the transmit/receive function of the clock(s) or watch(es).
The integration of the game for decreasing the time difference between the display time and the standard time, with the game for finding the key can further enhance the level of the game.
Preferably, the key is automatically set by the clock or watch per se as soon as the time dif
Hudson Soft Co. Ltd.
Roskoski Bernard
Scully Scott Murphy & Presser
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