A circuit in an electronic timepiece including a battery, a crystal oscillator, a frequency divider, a display driver and a display for reducing the magnitude of the voltage to one or more of the oscillator or driver circuits after the timepiece is turned on. The circuit initially allows the magnitude of the voltage applied to be the same as that of the battery. After some predetermined time has elapsed, the circuit reduces the applied voltage thereby reducing the power consumption and extending battery life.
A voltage conversion system for an electronic timepiece having a power source, which system generates power at lower voltage level than that of the power source for operating at least one of a frequency standard, a frequency converter, a time counter circuit and a display system. The voltage conversion system comprises an oscillator circuit coupled to the power source to generate output signals, a plurality of capacitors, and a plurality of switching elements responsive to the output signals for alternately setting the capacitors in a parallel connected condition and a series connected condition, whereby an output voltage lower than that of the power source is generated at an output terminal of the system.
A voltage conversion system for an electronic timepiece having a power source, which system generates power at lower voltage level than that of the power source for operating at least one of a frequency standard, a frequency converter, a time counter circuit and a display system. The voltage conversion system comprises an oscillator circuit coupled to the power source to generate output signals, a plurality of capacitors, and a plurality of switching elements responsive to the output signals for alternately setting the capacitors in a parallel connected condition and a series connected condition, whereby an output voltage lower than that of the power source is generated at an output terminal of the system.
A semiconductor integrated circuit has a constant voltage generation circuit and an oscillation circuit for generating a clock signal. The constant voltage generation circuit supplies a first voltage to the oscillation circuit until the clock signal is stabilized and the constant voltage generation circuit supplies a second voltage lower than the first voltage to the oscillation circuit after the clock signal has been stabilized.
Energy is conserved and the life of a lithium battery is extended in a timepiece by using a voltage reduction circuit for normal operation and a voltage regulating circuit during periods of heavy current drain, e.g., alarm or lamp function. A no-clock detector indicates the functional status of the timekeeping standard signal generator and voltage is raised to enable self-starting when oscillator signals are absent. A timer holds the regulated voltage on-line until operations stabilize after a period of heavy load and capacitors used in the voltage reduction circuit bolster the regulated voltage output during high load periods.
