SE IK O

QUA RTZ WATCH

DIGITAL TYPE

TECHNICAL MANUAL
CONTENTS

I. SEIKO DIGITAL QUARTZ WATCH ......................................... 1

II. OPERATING PRINCIPLES .......................................... . ..... 2

1. General ............................................................ 2

2. Behavior of liquid crystal, and structural design of liquid crystal panel . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

3. Electronic circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Ill. MULTIPLEX DRIVE ..................................................... 7

1. Difference between multiplex drive and direct drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

2. Operating principles of multiplex driving system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

IV. SOLAR BATTERY WATCH .. . ............................................. 10

1. Circuit arrangement .................................. . ..... . .......... 10

2. Structure of the panel cover .................................. . ......... 10

V. SPEAKER - OPERATING PRINCIPLES ...................................... 11

1. Alarm circuit ................................... ~ .................... 11

2. Speaker ....................... . .................................... 11

3. Melody alarm .............................. ; ........................ 12

I. SEIKO DIGITAL QUARTZ WATCH

SEIKO DIGITAL QUARTZ WATCH is a highly reliable, all-solid-state liquid crystal display watch. SEIKO's most ad-
vanced technology in high-precision technology and electronics has been incorporated in it as like the analogue quartz
watch.
Unlike the analogue quartz watch, SEIKO DIGITAL QUARTZ WATCH has no mechanical elements such as hands and
gear train. All its functions are electronically controlled. The time is displayed on a liquid crystal panel digitally instead
of by hands.

Features

• Clear-cut digital display

SEIKO DIGITAL QUARTZ WATCH uses a high-quality FE type nematic liquid crystal display which is excellent tn
color balance, contrast, and brightness, showing a clear-cut digital display on a wide display panel.

• Solid-state accuracy from quartz crystal oscillation

SE I KO DIG IT AL QUARTZ WATCH runs on a quartz crystal oscillator with a stable 32, 768 Hz, showing the high timing
accuracy as SEIKO ANALOGUE QUARTZ WATCHES DO.

• High reliability from rationalized structural design

All key components such as liquid crystal panel and electronic circuit are manufactured according to SEIKO's most
advanced technology and its long experience, and their reliability is exceptionally high.

• Easy-to-maintain
The components consist of simplified blocks which facilitate repair service.

• Proof against magnetism

SEIKO DIGITAL QUARTZ WATCH has no mechanical moving parts such as magnetic transducers and is insusceptible
to. magnetism.

• Diversified functions
SEIKO DIGITAL QUARTZ WATCH is available in various models for customer's selection. Depending on the Calibre,
complete calendar function (year, month, date, day of the week), stopwatch function, and other various functions are
provided in addition to the time display.
II. OPERATING PRINCIPLES

1. General

(1) The oscillator circuit applies a voltage across a quartz crystal oscillator to keep it oscillating at a stable frequency
of 32,768Hz, and delivers this frequency in the form of an electrical signal.
(2) The frequency divider circuit converts this electrical signal sequentially, finally obtaining a train of once-every-
second pulses.
(3) The counter, decoder and driver marshal the pulses sent from the frequency divider circuit to generate signals for
driving the liquid crystal display panel.
(4) The liquid crystal panel works by the signals from the counter, decoder and driver.

Electronic circuit block Display block

Ouartz crystal oscillator

1----- - - C-MOS-LSI - - - - - - - - - -

CD
® Counter
Oscillator
circuit 2
®
Frequency
devider circuit
- • Decoder
Driver
y 12:5830
I
Setting device

I
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I

I
- - - -1 - - - - - - - -

•
I
I
Illuminating light
Upconverter

Regulation system @-circ

it u - -~!'------'
Battery

Upconverter circuit: A circuit to step up the battery vo ltage to a leve l necessary fo r driving the liquid c rystal.

2. Behavior of liquid crystal, and structural design of liquid crystal panel

(1) Liquid crystal

As its name suggests, the liquid crystal becomes fluid in a certain temperature range and solid in some other temper-
ature range. It is an organic compound exhibiting intermediate characteristics between liquid and solid crystal, and
optically is organic compound.
When stimulated by a change in temperature, electric field intensity, pressure, etc., the stimulated part of the liquid
crystal changes its color or its transparency. Used in the SEIKO DIGITAL QUARTZ WATCH is a high-quality field-
effect (FE) type nematic liquid crystal display whose optical property changes when applied with a voltage. This liquid
crystal display works on a low voltage, consumes current less, and provides a high contrast.

2
Three phases of substance

Solid- L iquid , ___ _ _ _ _ __ _ Gas

~ Liquid crystal ~

E x. Wa t er

Ice Water

o·c 1oo·c

(2) Structural design of liquid crystal panel

The liquid crystal panel is constructed as ii lustrated below.

VZZZ770//////////////-'4,i- - - - - - - - Polarization sheet

// _,,_,,___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Upper plate glass
L--1:-:-:-::-:i•.-:-::-l•F-=--W•~*+==~-------- T ransparent (segment) electrode.
Liquid crystal panel
·:!/_·;_:J········L~.:'.:::I
t_·
//
+-------------- Liquid crystal
// ~--....+----- ------ Transparent (common) electrode
/I I/ It - Lower plate glass

VZZZZZZZOZZZZZZZ-zi- - - - - - - - - Polarization sheet

L,._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _...::i-- - - - - - - - - - Reflecting mirror

(3) Behavior of liquid crystal and liquid crystal panel

The liquid crystal sandwiched between two glass sheets
has its molecules twisted 90° between the top and bot- Light waves oscillating in a plane
tom as shown in the illustration on the right. normal to the polarizing axis
This is accompl ished by applying a special alignment Light waves osci.llating
treatment to glass sheets (in which the major axes of in a plane in phase with
molecules are aligned in the arrow-marked direction on the polarizing ax is.

the glass surfaces) . Two polarization sheets are also Only light waves
arranged to be staggered by 90° from each other with £:'?j_~~~~f-- oscillating in the
reference to their polarization axis. direction of++
are possibl e.

• No display (no voltage applied ) Arrangement of

Of th e light waves incident upon the liquid crystal liquid crystal
Upper molecules (seen
panel, those transverse waves which are in phase with
plate glass from the top)
the polariz ing ax is are permitted to enter the upper
,,,:;____ Liquid crystal
polarization sheet and then into the liquid crysta l.
These are turned along the twist of the molecular
Lower plate glass
arrangement on thei r way to the lower polarization
sheet, namely, they are turned by 90° in the ultimate
stage.
Since the polarizing axis of the lower polarization sheet Polarization sheet
is at right angles to that of the upper polarization sheet,
Only light waves oscillating
the waves thus twisted by 90° can also pass through
in the direction of t
the lower polarization sheet. are possible.
After passing it, they reach the reflecting mirror, where
they are reflected back passing through the same route.
accordingly, the liquid crystal panel appears bright.

3
• When displayed (voltage applied)

When a voltage is applied between a segment electrode

and the common electrode, the resulting electric field
acts to orient the Iiquid crystal molecules under its
influence vertically.
Thus, admitted waves directly pass through them with-
our twist, and are checked by the lower polarization
sheet from reaching the reflecting mirror.
Accordingly, the voltage-on field-affected segment is
blacked out.
That is, the segment is displayed in contrast with the
surrounding non-affected parts.
In practice, seven transparent segments arranged in an
eight figure are shown on the upper plate glass as be-
low, and are applied with a voltage selectively to form
any desired numeral pattern.
The parts, a, b, c, d, e, f, and g, shown below are called
the segments. The body formed of some or all of these
seven segments is called the digit.

~
f-0 G-b ,---1 ~~e
r. ,___
....,
u~' r~'
..I
I'
I I I I

e-fJ9l;- c
J

~~:::.
I

•••••••
-~
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: I I I I I
- -,
~-_.,_
... _ - - - j ~)

I d

3. Electronic circuit

We have just studied how the liquid crystal works 'on- an electric signal. Here we shall take a glance at the electronic
circuits that generate such an electric signal.
The 32,768 Hz signal from the oscillator circuit is divided by the frequency divider circuit and eventually reduced to
a 1 Hz signal. Thus far, the circuit used in the SEIKO DIGITAL QUARTZ WATCH is just the same as that in the
SEIKO ANALOGUE QUARTZ WATCH.
In the SEIKO DIGITAL QUARTZ WATCH, the signal from the frequency divider circuit is converted through counter,
decoder and driver into electric signals for displaying numerals.

• Counter
The counter is a means to count 1-sec. signals sent from the frequency divider circuit. For example, if sixty pulses of
signal counted make a minute, and the counter counts 1 min. 60 times, it is an hour. In this way, days, weeks and
months are counted.

4
• Decoder
The decode r deciphers the counter data into hours,minutes and seconds, and instructs the driver as to what digits of
the liquid crystal panel and what segments of the digits must be designated by supplying current in order to display a
specific number.

• Driver
The driver supplies electric signals to each segment at the command of the decoder to drive the liquid crystal molecules.
The electrodes on the liquid crystal panel are supplied with a 32-Hz signal (liquid crystal driving signal) tapped from the
frequency divider.
Namely, the common electrodes are supplied with "A" signal while the segment electrodes are supplied with either
.llA" or "B" signal under the control of the driver. (See the illustration below)

Common electrode " A " sig nal

0n n n
I
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H H n
I I

Segment electrod e "A " signal

0 I I I I I I
I I I I I I

J n n I
or I I I I I

"B" signal

Common electrode Segment electrode

No voltage between the common and segment

A A
electrodes, and no display.

A voltage is applied between the common and

A B segment electrodes and the segment is dis-
played black.

Ex . Driving of e-segment

r~: ~~\

:l
.
'I
I

r:t
LI t\---· 0
~
I

~~'
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I :t~'
; ____
....
I I
r - --,
.... _ - - ->
.,
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~
)
I

0 x 0 x x x 0 x 0 x

(Electric signal one-segment: o .... "B" signal)

x .... "A" signal)

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• When displaying e-segment
( 1) The decoder gives the driver a command to display
the e-segment.
Counter
(2) The switch S in the driver is connected to "B"
terminal.

~
(3) The "B" terminal is given "B" signal (an inverted A_B ..._
(lJ
>
'--
(lJ
>
w '--
(lJ
>
'--
(lJ
>
signal of "A" signal applied to the common elec- ·;:::: .::::. ·;:::: ·;::::

trode) and an-E-volt voltage is applied between the s 0 8 0 0 0

common electrode and e-segment electrode, driv-

ing the liquid crystal to blacken thee-segment. Inverter
When the segment electrode is held at 0 volt, the
common electrode will have +E volt and - E volt
alternately at a 32-Hz period.

Segment
electrode Y ~~

=!>-------~mon
32-Hz signal
electrode X

("A" signal)

Common electrode X
("A" signal)

e-segment electrode Y
("B" signal)

• No display of e-segment
(1) The decoder gives the driver a command not to display thee-segment.
(2) The switch Sin the driver is connected to the "A" terminal.
(3) Since the waveform of the electronic signal at the "A" terminal is the same as on the common electrode ("A"
signal), no voltage is applied between the common electrode and e-segment electrode, and thee-segment cannot be
displayed, accordingly.

Common electrode X
("A" signal)
0 D D y 0
X- Y

e-segment electrode Y
("A" signal)
0 D D
Each segment has a driver of its own, and its display is controlled thereby as explained above.

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Ill. MULTIPLEX DRIVE

The liquid crystal driving system (driver) explained in the foregoing chapter is called the direct driving system.
In addition to it, t here is another system called the multiplex driving system, which is detailed hereunder.

1. Difference between direct drive and multiplex drive

The following illustration gives a comparison between the multiplex driving system of Cal. M 158A and the direct
driving system of Cal. 0634A.

Multiplex drive (Ex.: Cal. M158A) Direct drive (Ex.: Cal. 0634A)

'I I

• D3BB•aS:
I I i i .,.._
AIFfll LAP a8
~q~;BBasE
•••
1 ria'-a•-•
L ijO· o

Number of segments: 96 Number of segments: 44

Number of terminals (Number of patterns on both Number of terminals:

sides of the liquid crystal panel)
• For segments : 44
• For segments: 48
• For common electrode:
• For common electrodes : 2
Total: 45
Total: 50

Upper
pattern i(~ r- Segment electrodes
(4pcs)

Lower
pattern

Common electrode 1

As illustrated above, in the direct driving system, there is a signal common electrode and a signal segment electrically
connected to one segment electrode (patterns on both sides of liquid crystal panel).
In the multiplex driving system which Cal. M158A has adopted, however, the number of common electrodes is in-
creased to two, and thereby enabling some segments to be electrically connected with one segment electrode.
Accordingly, the multiplex driving system can display more than twice the number of segments by almost the same
number of segment electrodes used in the direct driving system.

7
2. Operating principles of multiplex driving system

Now let us study the operating principles of the multiplex driving system taking Cal. M 158A as an example.

Taking the segment "a" and "b" al?ne, we find Terminal

the following four combinations of "LIGHTING (One of the patterns located
(ON)" and "NOT LIGHTING (OFF)". on both sides of the liquid
crystal panel)

Combination Segment "a" Segment "b"

(Segment (corresponding (corresponding
signal) to common to common
electrode 1) electrode 2)

A ON ON
B OFF OFF
c OFF ON
D ON OFF

The ON and OFF conditions shown in the above table are determined by how the signals of the common electrodes 1
and 2 and the signals A, B, C and D are combined.

E
0 E/2
Common electrode 1

Common electrode
{
Common electrode 2 o __,___ _

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Signal A
*(1 ON, 2 ON)
0 :----i.__~~--L------l~~....____.L_____.....___,;~--__!_E
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Signal B
(1 OFF, 2 OFF)
o~1--~L_

I
_ ___.__ r:
__;,~--'-__:_---'~-...:.~--1.
~-__:

Terminals to two
segments
Signal C
(1 OFF, 2 ON)

Signal D
(1ON,2 OFF)

+E = 1.58V Battery voltage

E ='7 3.lV Up-converted voltage

* (1 ON, 2 ON) denotes that the segments corresponding to the common electrodes 1 and 2 are lighting. "OFF"
indicates that the segment is not lighting.

8
When the signal D is applied to the terminals of the segments "a" and "b", the following states will be established.

Common electrode 1 and segment "a" Common electrode 2 and segment "b"

Signal of common 0
I I I
Signal of common 0
I
JI l ! ! l I ! !
I I I I
electrode 1 I I I electrode 2 I I I I I

Signal D 0 J I : Signal D 0 J
I
I I : I

+E I
+ E/ 2 I +E/2 I I I
0
0 :
CJ
I
- E/ 2 I - E/ 2 I
- E

Segment "a" is lighting Segment "b" is not lighting.

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IV. SOLAR BATTERY WATCH

1. Circuit arrangement

,1/
-0-
/ 1'
-8-
,,,,,,-
,

Recharge control Electronic .___ _ , suM;TuWETH FR SA~

circuit circuit ~--1 In .•-••-•.- .-,
Solar battery '-------..----' L• • L• C• =· =·

Diode

(1) The solar battery changes light energy as from sun and incandescent lamp etc. into electric energy. Its output is
sent to the movement after passing through the recharge control circuit and secondary battery.
(2) The recharge control circuit always monitors the terminal voltage of the secondary battery; when the secondary
battery runs short of energy, the recharge control circuit functions to supply current from the solar battery to the
secondary battery. When the secondary battery is topped up, the control circuit cuts off current supply.
(3) Like the regular silver oxide battery, the secondary battery shows a flat discharge voltage .
(4) The diode functions to check the backflow of current from the secondary battery to the recharge control circuit.

2. Structure of the panel cover

The following is an explanation of the panel cover with
reference to Cal. A 156A.
( 1) In the case of Cal. A 156A, the solar battery is
mounted under the panel cover.
(2) As illustrated on the right, *SB unit is attached to
the panel cover.
(3 ) The SB unit has silicon solar cells adhered on it.
(4) Electric energy generated in the solar cells passes
through cell electrodes to the copper foi l pattern
of the SB unit and then into the module.

* SB short for Solar Battery.

IEB Electrode

Copper foil pattern

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V. SPEAKER - OPERATING PRINCIPLES

1. Alarm circuit

The alarm circu it consists of an alarm time memory circuit, alarm coincidence circuit, alarm control circu it and a
speaker drive ci rcuit.

r------- - - - - -1
I

4096Hz Alarm signal

I
Frequency
Oscillator circuit 1----.· __Jffi_Jlfl__Jl
divider circuit forming circuit

Liquid crystal panel

Time counter Decoder

circuit D ri ver

Alarm time Alarm coincidence Alarm control Speaker drive

I
I
memory circuit f---~ circuit circuit I
I
'circuit
110
I l__Jffi_JJjl___J
[_ - - - _J
C-MOS-LSI

(1) The alarm time memory circuit keeps in memory a given alarm set time.
(2) The alarm coinc idence circuit compares the data in the time counter circuit with that of the alarm time memory
circuit, and signals when the data coincidence is noticed.
(3) The alarm signal forming circuit converts the output signal of the frequency divider into the one fitted for the
alarm.
(4) The alarm control ci rcuit makes a decision according to the output of the alarm coincidence circuit as to whether
the speaker should be dr.iven or not.
The alarm control circuit also functions to stop the alarm.
(5) The speaker drive circuit amplifies the output of the alarm control circuit to drive the speaker.

2. Speaker

Diaphragm Armatu re Dust protective sheet Speaker cover

Speaker gasket

Caseback gasket

Speaker co il
Caseback Core Per manent magnet

Note : The ill ustration above refers to Cal. A 159A.

11
(1) c:MOS-LSI supplies a 4,096 Hz signal to the speaker coil.
(2) The speaker coil generates an alternating magnetic field of 4,096 Hz.
(3) The core at the center of the speaker block is magnetized to vibrate the armature at a frequency of 4,096 Hz.
(4) Since the armature and diaphragm are integrated, the diaphragm also vibrates at the same frequency, em itting a
sound.
The resonant frequency of the speaker is 4,096 Hz, the same frequency as the drive signal. For th is reason, the
speaker can deliver an enough loudness for all that its current consumption is extremely low.
The signal sent from C-MOS-LSI to the speaker has the waveform shown below.

,____ ~ ...___ .___

I{~ sec_, _
"' "' .,
l/Bsec
.1/Bsec ~ 1

I~
r
1 sec
..
~

3. Melody alarm

The melody alarm is different from the conventional alarm in the following points.

r------- - - - -----1 r------------------ -- -,

Oscillator Frequency Memory for Memory for
circuit divider circuit 1---:.___~ Tempo circuit rhythm circuit melody circuit

Memory
control circuit

L------------- - - --- ------.l

- I

Liquid crystal panel

Time counter Su J;; Tu WE TH Ftl SA [JJ

Decoder
circuit Driver 10:08 59

Alarm time Alarm coincidence Speaker drive

memory circuit 1----~ circuit f----- - - - - ----- Alarm
circuit
control
circuit

I
'---------- - -

12
CD The melody alarm uses a tempo circuit, rhythm circuit, melody circuit and control circuit. (In the conventional
alarm, an alarm signal forming circuit is used.)
® The tempo circuit determines the standard length of a musical note with the clock signal as a basis.
@ The rhythm circuit determines the lengths of the derivative notes according to the standard note determined in
the tempo circuit.
@ Melody circu it tones the notes determined in the rhythm circuit.
@ For the purpose of playing a music, notes and pauses are memorized sequentially in the control circuit. The notes
and pauses are subjected to tempo, rhythm and melody cor:itrol operations while being played back according to
the memory.
@ The melodious signal thus formed is sent to the speaker drive circuit where it is amplified to sound the speaker.
(j) The melody alarm uses a wide-band microspeaker whose diaphragm is specially designed to play a clear, sweet
melody with fullness of volume.

Determines a tempo

J 60

Determines a rhythm

Determines a melody

I
I I
I I

262H z : 330: 392H z

I Hz 1

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K. HATTORI & CO., LTD., TOKYO, JAPAN 80-7 Printed in Japan