Electronic clock and method of controlling the clock
US6636459B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG04C10/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electronic timepiece is controlled such that, when an amount of the actual capacity that remains in storage means 30 thereof is found to be less than a predetermined amount as a result of measurement of a voltage between the terminals of the storage means 30 by voltage measurement means 80, all electrical discharge paths from the storage means 30 to timing means 20 and an electric power generator 10 are completely shut off by the agency of charge/discharge control means 40, thereby preventing occurrence of wasteful over-discharge from the storage means 30. As a result, upon resumption of power generation by the electric power generator 10, entire electric energy generated can be effectively utilized, so that the restart of a time-keeping operation by the timing means 20 is speeded up, and the operation thereafter is stabilized.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.