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YARGH 3T WIS
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I mean, my PC tells time, and it doesn't have a quartz movement in it. Why can't digital watches just use a simple computer program to do the time function? And wouldn't this be even more accurate? |
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Foster 3T WIS 
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I've never owned a PC with an accurate clock. |
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oagaspar Site Founder 
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same here Foster :D....and what would you use as a power source for this computer program watch?:? |
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e.avery 3T WIS 
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The quartz movement works at such a fast rate of vibration (Hz) that a variation in manufacturing will not affect the percentage of accuracy to any great extent. They also use very little power excluding the displays power consumption. So I guess the answer comes down to cost, familiarization with manufacturing methods, and cost. I know nothing about computers. |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS 
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I have a computer program that keeps my clock updated daily online. So a watch with a mini OS of sorts would need the same thing. |
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Paxman 3T WIS 
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Foster wrote: I've never owned a PC with an accurate clock. DITTO!! |
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YARGH 3T WIS
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e.avery wrote: The quartz movement works at such a fast rate of vibration (Hz) that a variation in manufacturing will not affect the percentage of accuracy to any great extent. They also use very little power excluding the displays power consumption. Well, what about cell phones? They don't have movements in them. Mine is always accurate. I ask this question precisely because I am not an expert on either computers or quartz movements, so I was just wondering if there is an easy explanation. I mean, if you wrote a program that covered every second of every day in every year in a four-year sequence (to account for leap years) and timed it out to exactly how many seconds that is, then setting the watch would just be a matter of adjusting one's position on the calendar and counting down, chronograph style -- much as a DVD player counts down the seconds of a movie -- not a process of counting forward indeterminably. When you play a DVD, the DVD player can't ever be "wrong" in its countdown, so I'm just wondering why digital timepieces can't/don't work by this same principle. (obviously, I'm not doing anything particularly important at work today). |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS
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Your cell phone time in all modern phones updates with each incoming call. A computer watch with have to sync with a service to stay accurate just like the atomic watches such as a G-Shock. It is possible I just can't see it being cost effective. Some day maybe. With such technology never say never. Could already be in the works. :cool: |
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e.avery 3T WIS
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I only know that my cell phones update the time no matter were I am. Quartz watches are based on a tech that predates any of the devices you spoke of. All I know is if the Seiko's of the world could figure out a better and cheaper way to do it they would. My next quartz is going to be a Citizen. |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS
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Looks like the concept is in the works out there. http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5878002.html http://jonaslandgren.blogspot.com/2008/01/wristwatch-computer.html http://www.gadgetizer.com/2007/07/10/suunto-launches-core-computer-wristwatch/ http://www.embedded.com/story/OEG20011011S0074 |
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Foster 3T WIS
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Honestly though, if I am not mistaken, computers are controlled by quartz crystals already. Digital chips and components depend on oscillators to synchronize their clock speed. These oscillators function on the same principals as a quartz watch. |
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YARGH 3T WIS
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Foster wrote: Honestly though, if I am not mistaken, computers are controlled by quartz crystals already. If this is true, then it definitely answers my question. I had no idea that computers (the current technology, anyway) needed to use oscillators. |
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Foster 3T WIS
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All of the "ons and offs" or Ones and Zeros in a digital circuit need to happen at the same time in order for a computer to work. An oscillator controls the process. Though not readily available to the public, digital technologly was fairly commonplace in the late 50's. Long before quartz watches. |
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Foster 3T WIS
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Here's another link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_oscillator Last edited on Thu May 8th, 2008 02:43 pm by Foster |
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Ablejack 3T WIS 
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No oscillator. http://gizmodo.com/assets/resources/2008/04/degmeca1.JPG Bouncy.gif |
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Foster 3T WIS
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Technically, isn't the balance wheel an oscillator? ;) |
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KenC Admin 
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Bottom line..a quartz movement is a computer! |
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oagaspar Site Founder
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does anyone really care?...I know Ken still wears his Texas Instrumemnts digital with the calculator for figuring out the 7% tip he needs to leave after the resturaunt early bird dinner....dutch of course |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS
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oagaspar wrote: does anyone really care?...I know Ken still wears his Texas Instrumemnts digital with the calculator for figuring out the 7% tip he needs to leave after the resturaunt early bird dinner....dutch of course Only 7%!!! Oh my! :shock::cool: |
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KenC Admin
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oagaspar wrote: does anyone really care?...I know Ken still wears his Texas Instrumemnts digital with the calculator for figuring out the 7% tip he needs to leave after the resturaunt early bird dinner....dutch of course So I over tip!!! What's the big deal??? Actually, they've never heard the term Early Bird Special in Tucson...it's a Florida thing! ;) |
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oagaspar Site Founder
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I know it must be rough Ken on a fixed income of $50,000. a month!yahoo.gif |
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KenC Admin
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oagaspar wrote: I know it must be rough Ken on a fixed income of $50,000. a month!yahoo.gif That was prior to 9/11!!! :( |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS
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oagaspar wrote: I know it must be rough Ken on a fixed income of $50,000. a month!yahoo.gif I think I recall something about Ken wanting to adopt me now where did I see that. hehehehe :D :cool: yourock.gif |
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