Patent ID: 6036358
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: G04D

Abstract:
A method of calculating the period of a pendulum of a mechanical clock, the method comprising the steps of:(a) defining a blanking period having a duration;(b) sensing a first sound associated with the pendulum;(c) ignoring sound from the time that the first sound is sensed for the duration of the blanking period;(d) sensing a second sound after the blanking period elapses, the duration between the times at which the first and second sounds are sensed defining a first half-period of the clock;(e) sensing a third sound after the blanking period elapses, the duration between the times at which the second and third sounds are sensed defining a second half-period of the clock; and(f) calculating the period of the clock based on the durations between the first and third sounds.