A clocking device includes a first clocking circuit that generates first clocking data in synchronization with a clock signal, a second clocking circuit that generates second clocking data which is updated in a cycle longer than a cycle in which the first clocking data is updated, an interface circuit that transmits the first clocking data to an external device, and receives a first correction value from the external device, and a storage circuit that stores the first correction value, in which the first clocking circuit sets the first correction value in the first clocking data so as to correct an update timing of the second clocking data.

A wireless parking meter with an improved antenna location is described. The antenna may be located within a covering protruding from the top of the parking meter, allowing radio frequency (RF) signals to be transmitted through a portion of the parking meter with high permittivity to the RF signals. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna may be located within the parking meter housing above a lower parking meter mechanism housing so that RF signals can be transmitted through the dome covering of the parking meter, which may have a high permittivity to the RF signals.

This application relates to time-encoding modulators (TEMs). A TEM receives an input signal (S.sub.IN) and outputs a time-encoded output signal (S.sub.OUT). A filter arrangement receives the input signal and also a feedback signal (S.sub.FB) from the TEM output, and generates a filtered signal (S.sub.FIL) based, at least in part, on the feedback signal. A comparator receives the filtered signal and outputs a time-encoded signal (S.sub.PWM) based at least in part on the filtered signal. The time encoding modulator is operable in a first mode with the filter arrangement configured as an active filter and in a second mode with the filter arrangement configured as a passive filter. The filter arrangement may include an op-amp, capacitance and switch network. In the first mode the op-amp is enabled, and coupled with the capacitance to provide the active filter. In the second mode the op-amp is disabled and the capacitance coupled to a signal path for the feedback signal to provide a passive filter.

Provided are a timepiece movement and a timepiece allowing mounting of a wireless communication device in the timepiece and capable of avoiding generation of restrictions to the design of the timepiece. A movement is arranged on the inner side of a timepiece case having a case back, and drives indicator hands. The movement uses an electric wave from the outside as a power source and is equipped with an RFID tag communicating with an external reader.

A method for transmitting data from an electronic device to an electronic watch is provided, including emitting a first sequence of light signals with a first light source of the device at a light-intensity level among at least four light-intensity levels, the emitted first sequence corresponding to a code of data to be transmitted; emitting a second sequence of light signals at two light-intensity levels corresponding to clock phases, simultaneously to the emitted first sequence, with a second light source of the device; detecting successive light-intensity levels with a first phototransistor of a watch, to reconstitute a sequence of data; detecting a succession of the two light-intensity levels with a second phototransistor of the watch, to reconstitute the clock phases, the first and the second sequences emitted at two distinct wavelengths; and decoding the sequence of data by a sequence of the clock phases to reconstitute the data.

A wireless parking meter with an improved antenna location is described. The antenna may be located within a covering protruding from the top of the parking meter, allowing radio frequency (RF) signals to be transmitted through a portion of the parking meter with high permittivity to the RF signals. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna may be located within the parking meter housing above a lower parking meter mechanism housing so that RF signals can be transmitted through the dome covering of the parking meter, which may have a high permittivity to the RF signals.

A timepiece includes a mechanical oscillator, formed of a mechanical resonator, and a device for regulating the frequency of the mechanical oscillator. This regulation device includes an auxiliary oscillator, an electromechanical device for stopping the mechanical resonator, a sensor arranged to detect the passage of the mechanical resonator via the neutral position thereof, and a measuring device arranged to measure a time drift of the mechanical oscillator. The regulation device is arranged to stop, during a given alternation, the natural oscillation movement of the mechanical resonator selectively either momentarily during a first half-alternation occurring before the passage of the mechanical resonator via the neutral position thereof when the time drift measured corresponds to at least a certain gain, or prematurely during a second half-alternation occurring after the passage of the mechanical resonator via the neutral position thereof when the time drift measured corresponds to at least a certain loss.

A method for measuring the medium frequency of a digital signal derived from a reference periodic signal generated by an electronic oscillator (quartz oscillator) forming a timepiece (2) which includes an analogue time display device and a continuous rotation electromechanical transducer (generator or continuous rotation motor) which is kinematically linked to this display device and wherein the medium rotational speed is regulated by a regulation device. The medium frequency of the digital signal is determined by a measurement device (70) without galvanic contact with the movement of the timepiece. The measurement method makes it possible to determine the rate of the timepiece and the precision of the electronic oscillator based on regulation impulses detected by a magnetic sensor (72) and over a measurement period limited to the duration of an inhibition cycle of periods of the reference periodic signal.

This disclosure describes systems and methods for using a primary device, communicatively coupled to a remote system, to configure or re-configure a secondary device in the same environment as the primary device. In some instances, the primary device may communicatively couple to the secondary device via a short-range wireless connection and to the remote system via a wireless area network (WAN), a wired connection, or the like. Thus, the primary device may act as an intermediary between the secondary device and the remote system for configuring the secondary device.

The present invention is directed to devices that may be used to help young children stay in bed or their room until it is time to get up. The device may be configured as a clock. The clock may be programmable to have a duration of a nap time, or a time when the child is able to get up. A visual countdown timer may be provided with the device (e.g., on the clock face), which may include a graphical representation of the remaining fraction of time before get up time. The visual countdown timer may not include number indicia, but rather includes a graphic (e.g., ring extending about the perimeter of the clock face), which gradually diminishes as the predetermined get up time is approached. A reward drawer may also be provided, which automatically unlocks at the get up time, and provides the child with a prize.