IP Library Granted Patent US 10,180,661
Granted Patent B2
US 10,180,661 · App. 15/072,749 · Granted Jan 15, 2019

Frequency division circuit, method of controlling frequency division circuit, and analog electronic timepiece

Inventor: Kazumi Sakumoto (Chiba, JP)
Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
G04G3/02
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,180,661
App. No.
15/072,749
Granted
Jan 15, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A frequency division circuit includes a first frequency division circuit which divides a frequency of a reference signal that is generated by an oscillation circuit. An input/output terminal outputs an output signal of the first frequency division circuit for testing. A selection circuit outputs as an intermediate signal one of a first intermediate signal which is input from the input/output output terminal, and a second intermediate signal which is an output signal of the first frequency division circuit. A second frequency division circuit divides a frequency of the intermediate signal output from the selection circuit. A switching time count circuit begins counting a predetermined amount of time after the second frequency division circuit starts frequency-dividing the intermediate signal and, after elapse of the predetermined amount of time, switches the intermediate signal output from the selection circuit from the first intermediate signal to the second intermediate signal.

Claims (16)

1. A frequency division circuit comprising:

a first frequency division circuit that divides a frequency of a reference signal and outputs a first frequency-divided signal;

a monitor terminal which outputs the first frequency-divided signal for use in testing and to which an external signal can be input;

a selection circuit connected to receive the first frequency-divided signal output from the first frequency division circuit and an external signal inputted to the monitor terminal, the selection circuit being configured to select and output as an intermediate signal either the first frequency-divided signal or the external signal in response to a selection control signal;

a second frequency division circuit that divides a frequency of the intermediate signal and outputs a second frequency-divided signal; and

a switching time count circuit configured to start counting time when the second frequency division circuit starts frequency-dividing the intermediate signal and, after elapse of a predetermined amount of time, output a selection control signal to the selection circuit to cause the selection circuit to output the first frequency-divided signal as the intermediate signal.

2. The frequency division circuit according to claim 1 ; wherein the switching time count circuit is configured to output a selection control signal that causes the selection circuit to output the first frequency-divided signal as the intermediate signal when an external signal is not input to the monitor terminal.

3. The frequency division circuit according to claim 1 ; wherein the external signal has a frequency higher than the frequency of the first frequency-divided signal.

4. The frequency division circuit according to claim 1 ; wherein the external signal has a frequency that is an integer number times higher than the frequency of the first frequency-divided signal.

5. The frequency division circuit according to claim 1 ,

wherein the second frequency division circuit includes a frequency divider group in which multiple frequency dividers are connected in series, each dividing a frequency of an input signal in half to output as an output signal, and

wherein the switching time count circuit counts the predetermined amount of time, based on an output signal of one of the frequency dividers of the frequency divider group.

6. An analog electronic timepiece comprising:

the frequency division circuit according to claim 1 ;

a stepping motor which rotationally drives hands of the timepiece; and

circuitry which generates drive pulses in synchronism with a frequency division signal output from the frequency division circuit for stepwise rotationally driving the stepping motor.

Assignments (2)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Oct 17, 2024
From: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
To: SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 069183/0051 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 17, 2016
From: SAKUMOTO, KAZUMI
To: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
Reel/Frame 038013/0402 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2015-101396 · May 18, 2015 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160342139A1 · Nov 24, 2016