Horology: time measuring systems or devices – With calendar indicator
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-18
2001-05-29
Roskoski, Bernard (Department: 2859)
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
With calendar indicator
C368S034000, C368S035000, C368S066000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240052
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electronic watch with calendar having a date display.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional analog electronic watch with calendar provided with a date display, the calendar also stops when the crown is pulled out to stop the hour and minute hands.
Therefore, when the watch is restarted after leaving it for a long time when the hour and minute hands have stopped in order to save power, it is troublesome to adjust the calendar and in particular, the date. Analog watches provided with an end-of-month non-correction function are of two types, i.e. a type where the user makes a correction in February of each leap year, and a type where the date at the end of the month is automatically determined over a period of several years. In general, however, a year and month display is not provided, and if the watch stops for a long time, the month or year and month are no longer determined so that it is impossible to correct the date.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an electronic watch with calendar which avoids the need to correct the date after stopping the hour and minute hands long time, and avoids the need to determine the year or month and year.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the above objects, this invention provides an electronic watch with calendar comprising a 24-hour switch for outputting a signal every 24 hours in synchronism with a time mechanism converter, a converter for driving a date display based on a signal from this 24-hour switch during normal watch operation, a 24-hour counter for outputting a 24-hour signal after receiving a signal from a time mechanism circuit, and a control mechanism which generates a control signal for changing over from the signal which operates the converter for driving the date display to the 24 hour counter output signal after stopping the time mechanism converter. The calendar is advanced by the 24-hour counter even after the hour and minute hands have stopped, so there is no need to update the date and adjust the calendar when the watch is restarted. Therefore the user of the watch need only adjust the hour and minute hands, or occasionally make an adjustment of the hour and minute hands or a date correction of one day. Further, in the case of an analog watch without a year and month display which automatically determines the end of the month including February and February of every leap year for a period of several years, it was difficult to determine the month and year if the watch was left on its own, but this determination is now made unnecessary.
Alternatively, the electronic watch with calendar may comprise a 24-hour switch for outputting a signal every 24 hours in synchronism with a time mechanism converter, a converter for driving a date display based on a signal from this 24-hour switch during normal watch operation, a 24-hour counter for outputting a 24-hour signal after receiving a signal from a time mechanism circuit, and a control mechanism for generating a control signal which applies this 24-hour output signal as the signal which operates the converter which drives the date display, in which case the watch functions in the same way.
If the control mechanism generates the aforesaid change-over control signal based on the position of a crown, the control mechanism may be controlled using the position in which the crown stops the time and minute hands, for example.
If the control mechanism generates the aforesaid change-over control signal based on a switch provided outside the watch, it is possible to change over freely to the 24-hour counter, so the user can make a choice as to whether to stop the watch completely or allow the calendar to continue operating alone.
If the control mechanism generates the aforesaid control signal based on a voltage detection signal, power can be saved when the watch is left on its own with low batteries, so the calendar can be kept running for a long period of time.
If the 24-hour counter starts operating when it receives the control signal from the control mechanism, the power consumption of the 24-hour counter can be reduced.
If the 24-hour counter operates in synchronism with the time mechanism circuit when the watch is operating normally, it can be adjusted to match the speed of the ordinary time mechanism circuit, and a change of date can always be made at an appropriate time.
Further, if a slip mechanism is interposed between the minute hand fixed wheel and the hour hand fixed wheel, and a regulating means is provided to regulate the rotation of the crown, it is possible to prevent the crown from rotating, and thereby to prevent the 24-hour switch from operating and the date from changing incorrectly after changing over to the 24-hour counter, due to the magnitude of the slip torque of the slip mechanism.
Moreover, if the 24-hour counter is reset every time the 24-hour switch is operated, the advance rate of the 24-hour counter and the advance rate of the hour and minute hands can be matched to each other.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4695168 (1987-09-01), Meister et al.
patent: 4733384 (1988-03-01), Meister et al.
Higuchi Haruhiko
Kitajima Yasuo
Koike Hiroyuki
Mutoh Takeo
Citizen Watch Co. Ltd.
Goodwin Jeanne-Marguerite
Koda & Androlia
Roskoski Bernard
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