An electronic timepiece comprising counters and logic devices, in which the counters are utilized to memorize a variation of rate of the timepiece with respect to a time reference in response to actuation of a control means, and in which the logic devices are controlled by signals delivered by the frequency divider chain and are arranged to periodically effect automatic correction of the variation of rate by an amount equivalent to the value memorized in the counters. The invention relates to a timepiece which permits the user to himself adjust the rate of his watch by means of a simple manipulation not requiring any complicated adjustment of electronic circuits, and which further performs an automatic correction of the variation of rate.

An electronic timepiece uses a dynamic type shift register, as a time count circuit, which has a plurality of memory sections corresponding to an equal number of time count units and a cycle number memory section arranged such that it is preceded by said plurality of memory sections. An adder and shift memory unit are serially connected to the shift register to provide a shift circulation circuit and the shift circulation is effected by an oscillation signal from a reference oscillator. The adder adds [1] to the contents of the cycle number memory section for each data shift cycle of the shift register. Each time the count value of the cycle number memory section reaches a predetermined cycle number, the count value of a smallest time unit is counted one step. In this way, a carry is propagated to the subsequent large time unit memory sections according to the data shift circulation cycle of the shift register. A memory circuit is also provided which preliminarily stores a correction value corresponding to an error occuring between the oscillation frequency of the reference oscillator as generated per unit time and the standard oscillation frequency which drives the shift circulation circuit. Upon receipt of a correction timing signal the memory circuit has its correction value substracted at a rate of one circulation cycle per minute, thereby to correct such an error. The correction value indicates a total number of subtractive circulation cycle per hour.

An electronic timepiece having an integrated circuit including a high frequency oscillator with a frequency divider circuit for dividing the high frequency output to provide a low frequency time unit signals. A time counter circuit responds to the time unit signals and develops time information signals. A decoder is coupled to the time counter circuit and provides display information signals in response to the time information signals. A driver circuit provides drive signals in response to the display information signals and an electro-optical device responds to the drive signals to display time information. A frequency adjustment circuit adjusts the high frequency signal to a correct value and has a plurality of frequency adjustment ratio setting terminals selectively coupled to output terminals of the driver circuit to develop outputs representative of frequency adjustment ratios. Pulse generating circuitry is provided for generating output pulses in dependence upon the output signals and the high frequency signal is adjusted to a correct valve in response to output pulses.

An electronic timepiece includes a frequency supply for providing a relatively high frequency time base signal, a frequency converter responsive to the time base signal to provide a relatively low frequency time unit signal, and timekeeping means responsive to the time unit signal to provide current time information. The current time information is corrected and displayed. A calculation command signal is generated and enables a circuit means to produce, in response to the time unit signal, a frequency error signal indicative of an error in the frequency of the time unit signal. A gain/loss adjustment signal is generated in response to the frequency error signal, and a frequency adjusting circuit is provided for adjusting the frequency of the time unit signal in response to the gain/loss adjustment signal.

A method and circuit for selecting a function of a watch. A predetermined number and a predetermined sequence of electrical code signals are user generated by two switches which are located on the watch. The code signals correspond to at least one function of the watch. The sequence of code signals is stored and the code signals occurring within a predetermined time period are counted. The count of the code signals occurring within the predetermined time period is compared to the predetermined number and the stored sequence of code signals are decoded only when the count of the code signals equals the predetermined number within the predetermined time period.