Time measurement apparatus

• US 5,404,341 A
• Filed: 10/20/1993
• Issued: 04/04/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seiko Instruments Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Instruments Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Horiguchi, Katsuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska, Vit W.
• Application Number:
  US08/140,216
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 368/107-113, 368/250, 368/251
• US Class Current: 368/110
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 10/04 by counting pulses or half-cycles of an ac G04F10/005 takes precedence

Abstract

A time measurement apparatus provides reliable estimation of a current LAP time by comparing it with a standard LAP time. A LAP time watching circuit compares the data in a LAP time measuring circuit with a data in a standard LAP time memory circuit, and outputs a LAP time coincidence signal to an output signal memory circuit. The output signal memory circuit drives an audible indicator.

Claims

1. A time measurement apparatus for displaying time measuring information comprising:

a switch for controlling time measurement activity;

LAP time measuring means for measuring a LAP time;

standard LAP time memory means for storing a standard LAP time measured by said LAP time measuring means and/or a LAP time that is set with discretion by said switch;

LAP time watching means for automatically and continually determining the difference between a current LAP time being measured and a time period obtained by subtracting a preset time from the standard LAP time and for issuing an output signal when the difference is zero;

output signal memory means that generates an output driving signal in accordance with the output of said LAP time watching means;

driving means for providing a driving signal in accordance with the output signal from said output signal memory means; and

informing means for indicating the coincidence of LAP time in accordance with the driving signal from said driving means.

3. A time measurement apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said LAP time measuring means measures hour, minute, second, and 1/10 second.

4. A time measurement apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising:

display control means for controlling the display signal of LAP time and/or standard LAP time; and

display means for displaying LAP time and/or standard LAP time.

5. A time measurement apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said display means has an analog display element.

6. A time measurement apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said display means displays split time.

7. A time measurement apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said informing means produces an audible output sound.

8. A time measurement apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said informing means produces a plurality of different audible output sounds.

9. A time measurement apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said informing means has a motor for generating vibration.

2. A time measurement apparatus for displaying time measuring information comprising:

a switch for controlling time measurement activity;

LAP time measuring means for measuring a LAP time;

standard LAP time memory means for storing a standard LAP time measured by said LAP time measuring means and/or a LAP time that is set with discretion by said switch;

LAP time difference calculating means for automatically and continually determining the difference between a current LAP time being measured add the standard LAP time and for issuing an output signal when the difference is zero;

output signal memory means that generates an output driving signal in accordance with the output of the LAP time difference calculating means;

driving means for providing a driving signal in accordance with the output signal from said output signal memory means; and

informing means for indicating LAP time difference information in accordance with the driving signal from said driving means.

10. A time measurement apparatus comprising:

LAP time measuring means for measuring a current LAP time;

standard LAP time memory means for memorizing a standard LAP time which is measured and/or set;

LAP time watching means for automatically and continually comparing the current LAP time and the standard LAP time, and for outputting a LAP time concurrent information signal when the current LAP time equals the standard LAP time; and

informing means which receives said LAP time concurrent information signal, and produces a signal in accordance with the coincidence of LAP times.

11. A time measurement apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said LAP time measuring means measures hour, minute, second, and 1/10 second.

12. A time measurement apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

display control means for controlling the display signal of the current LAP time and/or standard LAP time; and

display means for displaying the current LAP time and/or standard LAP time.

13. A time measurement apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising:

display means for displaying time information and split time.

14. A time measurement apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said informing means produces an audible output sound.

15. A time measuring means for measuring a current LAP time, comprising:

standard LAP time memory means for memorizing a standard LAP time which is measured and/or set by a user;

means for automatically and continually determining the difference between the current lap time being measured and a time period obtained by subtracting a preset time from the standard LAP time and for issuing an a signal when the difference is zero; and

means receptive of the signal for producing an output signal indicating that the current lap time is approaching the standard lap time.

16. A time measurement apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising

display control means for controlling the display of the current LAP time and/or standard LAP time;

and

display means for displaying the current LAP time and/or standard LAP time.

17. A time measurement apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said means for producing an output signal includes means for producing an audible output sound.