Patent ID: 6314059
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: G04C

Abstract:
A timepiece, comprising:a mechanical energy source;a generator;a train wheel connecting said mechanical energy source and said generator, said mechanical energy source driving said train wheel to cause rotation of said generator, said generator converting rotation into electrical power;a rotation controller coupled to said generator for controlling the rotation of the generator, said rotation controller including:a rotation detector for detecting the rotation of said generator and generating a rotation signal corresponding to said rotation;a reference signal generator for generating a reference signal based on a signal from a time reference source;a brake controller for braking the rotation of said generator;a first counter for counting a first count corresponding to said reference signal from said reference signal generator;a second counter for counting a second count corresponding to said rotation signal from said rotation detector;a comparator for comparing said first count and said second count;said first counter, said second counter and said comparator forming an up/down counter which produces a third count in response to said first count and said second count;said brake controller braking said generator when said third count of said up/down counter selectively falls within a first count range, said first count range extending over a first plurality of values; andsaid brake controller not braking said generator when said third count of said up/down counter selectively falls within a second count range, said second count range extending over a second plurality of values;said first count range being distinct from said second count range.