A watch including an auxiliary function allowing indication of seconds

Abstract

The invention relates to an analog display watch (10) comprising an electronic watch movement, said electronic watch movement comprising a first motor (13) and a second motor (14), said first motor (13) and said second motor (14) being kinematically connected to a hour hand (15) and a minute hand (16) respectively and being powered by a battery (12), said electronic watch movement further comprising an integrated circuit (17), said integrated circuit (17) being connected to said motors, said watch (10) being characterized in that said integrated circuit (17) is configured to control said first motor (13) and said second motor (14) when said control (18) is requested by a user, to make said hour hand (15) and said minute hand (16) rotate with a displacement angular velocity of six degrees per second and to arrange said hour hand (15) and said minute hand (16) to be collinear and superimposed to each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of watchmaking, particularly to electromechanical watches, that is, to electronic watch movements including analog displays.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a table that includes an auxiliary function, that is, the analog display of the table is adapted to provide the user with information other than the current time. This auxiliary function advantageously allows for the indication of seconds. Background Technology

[0003] Watches, including those with analog displays and powered by batteries, are well known in the prior art.

[0004] The analog display consists of two hands that indicate the hour and minute of the current time, respectively, and a third hand that optionally indicates the second.

[0005] These pointers can be moved by their dedicated motors, such as stepper motors, so that the movement of the pointers is independent of each other. This arrangement has its advantages, especially in enabling the pointers to be driven to perform specific auxiliary functions.

[0006] For example, document EP0644468 describes a table comprising hour and minute hands arranged to rotate independently of each other, wherein the hands carry alphanumeric characters or partial alphanumeric characters. These hands are intended to display information to the user according to time and their arrangement relative to each other.

[0007] Another known auxiliary function enabled by this arrangement is the display of multiple time zones.

[0008] The objective of this invention is to provide a simulated display table with at least two pointers, wherein the pointers can perform auxiliary functions. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, the present invention relates to an analog display watch comprising an electronic clock movement including a first motor and a second motor, the first motor and the second motor being kinematically connected to an hour hand and a minute hand, respectively, and powered by a battery. The electronic clock movement also includes an integrated circuit connected to the first motor, the second motor, and a control unit. The integrated circuit is configured to control the first motor and the second motor when requested by a user, causing the hour hand and the minute hand to rotate at a displacement angular velocity of six degrees per second, and to arrange the hour hand and the minute hand collinear and overlapping each other.

[0010] The terms "collinear" and "overlapping" refer to the fact that the longitudinal axes of the hour and minute hands are parallel, and that the hour and minute hands are oriented with the same sense and in the same direction. In other words, the hour and minute hands occupy the same angular position and simultaneously display the same indication, making it particularly easy for the user to read the information.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the invention may further include one or more of the following features, either individually or in all technically possible combinations.

[0012] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the integrated circuit is configured to control the first motor and the second motor after a predetermined duration to shift the collinear and overlapping hour and minute hands, respectively, such that the hour and minute hands indicate the hour and minute of the current time, respectively.

[0013] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the integrated circuit is configured to control the first motor and the second motor when the control is requested again, so as to shift the collinear and overlapping hour and minute hands, respectively, such that the hour and minute hands indicate the hour and minute of the current time, respectively.

[0014] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the watch includes a third motor connected to the second hand, and the integrated circuit is configured to control the third motor to stop the movement of the second hand when the control is requested.

[0015] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the watch includes a third motor connected to the second hand, and the integrated circuit is configured to control the third motor when the control is requested, so that the second hand rotates at a displacement angular velocity of six degrees per second and that the second hand is collinear with and overlaps with the hour and minute hands.

[0016] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the watch includes a third motor connected to the second hand, and the integrated circuit is configured to control the first motor, the second motor, and the third motor to shift the hour hand, the minute hand, and the second hand respectively, such that during a first minute following a request from the control, the hour hand, the minute hand, and the second hand are all collinear and overlapping, rotating at a displacement angular velocity of six degrees per second, and such that starting from the 61st second after the request, the minute hand indicates the number of minutes elapsed since the request, and such that starting from the 3601st second after the request, the hour hand indicates the number of hours elapsed since the request.

[0017] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the watch includes a third motor connected to the second hand, and the integrated circuit is configured to control the third motor when the control is requested, so as to drive the second hand at a displacement angular velocity of more than 360 degrees per second, for example, 720 degrees per second or 3600 degrees per second.

[0018] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the watch includes a third motor connected to the second hand, and the integrated circuit is configured to control the third motor when the control is requested, so as to shift the second hand to indicate a specific position on the dial, the specific position representing the function performed by the collinear and overlapping hour and minute hands.

[0019] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the integrated circuit is configured to control the first motor and the second motor such that the hour hand and the minute hand are collinear and overlap each other at a common position, the common position being equidistant between the positions occupied by the hour hand and the minute hand before they were shifted to be collinear and overlapped.

[0020] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the integrated circuit is configured to control the first motor or the second motor when the control is requested, to shift the hour hand or the minute hand from the position occupied by it in its initial state indicating the hour or minute of the current time to the position occupied by the other hand, such that the hour hand and the minute hand are collinear and overlap each other.

[0021] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the control element consists of a single component.

[0022] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the control element corresponds to the time setting crown. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent when reading the following detailed description given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0024] - Figure 1 A table according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in block diagram and partially schematically, wherein the hour and minute hands are collinear and overlap. Detailed Implementation

[0025] In this specification, all components of the analog display electromechanical meter 10 that are well known to those skilled in the art, and their arrangement, are described herein in a simplified manner only.

[0026] The watch 10 according to the invention includes a watch case, a watch crystal, and a back cover fixed to the watch case, thereby together defining an internal volume.

[0027] The internal volume contains a portion of the Figure 1 The diagram schematically shows several components, including a dial 11 and a battery 12 designed to power two electric motors 13 and 14 via circuitry, thereby allowing the hour hand 15 and minute hand 16 to rotate via gear trains, respectively. Optionally, the watch 10 may include a third electric motor connected to the second hand (not shown).

[0028] More specifically, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, Table 10 includes only two pointers: a first motor 13 kinematically connected to the hour hand 15 and a second motor 14 kinematically connected to the minute hand 16.

[0029] In a manner known to those skilled in the art, the circuit also includes a quartz oscillator (not shown) associated with integrated circuit 17, which is formed, for example, by a microcontroller. Advantageously, integrated circuit 17 always knows the current time and the angular position of each pointer.

[0030] The control unit 18, designed for user operation, is connected to the integrated circuit 17.

[0031] The control element 18 is preferably composed of a single movable element and is formed, for example, of any component suitable for this purpose, such as a rotating bezel, a button, a touch surface of the case or crystal, etc. Still preferably, the control element 18 corresponds to, for example, a crown with a push-button mechanism that forms the time-setting crown.

[0032] Integrated circuit 17 is configured to servo-control the first motor 13 and the second motor 14 when the control element 18 is requested (e.g., pushed or pulled by a user) so that the hour hand 15 and the minute hand 16 are arranged collinearly and overlap each other (e.g., ...). Figure 1 (as shown), to perform the predetermined function.

[0033] The terms "collinear" and "overlapping" mean that the longitudinal axes of the hour and minute hands are parallel, and that the hands are oriented in the same direction and with the same meaning.

[0034] More specifically, integrated circuit 17 is configured to control the first motor 13 and the second motor 14 when the control element 18 is requested by the user, so as to shift the hour hand 15 and the minute hand 16 respectively, so that they are arranged collinearly and overlap each other, and integrated circuit 17 is configured to rotate the collinear and overlapping hands at a predetermined speed.

[0035] The hour hand 15 and the minute hand 16 thus shift from the initial state to an intermediate state, in which the hour hand 15 and the minute hand 16 indicate the hour and minute of the current time, respectively, and in the intermediate state, the hour hand 15 and the minute hand 16 are collinear and overlap and rotate at a predetermined speed.

[0036] Therefore, the user only visually perceives the movement of a single pointer, which helps in reading the information provided by the latter.

[0037] Advantageously, the driving speed of the hour hand 15 and minute hand 16 corresponds to an angular displacement of six degrees per second. Therefore, the hands visually indicate seconds to the user.

[0038] This feature is particularly advantageous when Table 10 includes an analog display consisting only of an hour hand 15 and a minute hand 16.

[0039] In practice, this feature allows users to benefit from the indication of seconds, enabling them to measure time intervals more accurately.

[0040] If the table 10 includes a second hand, its movement can be stopped, or the second hand can be arranged to be collinear with and overlap with the hour hand 15 and minute hand 16, which overlap each other when the control 18 is requested, and can be driven by an angular displacement of six degrees per second.

[0041] Thus, the control unit advantageously allows for the simultaneous control of all motors, and therefore allows for the simultaneous displacement of all pointers.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, integrated circuit 17 may be configured to perform a timing function when the control element 18 is requested. More specifically, integrated circuit 17 is configured to control the first motor, the second motor, and the third motor to shift the hour hand 15, the minute hand 16, and the second hand, respectively, such that during the first minute following the request from the control element, the hour hand 15, the minute hand 16, and the second hand are all collinear and overlapping, rotating at a displacement angular velocity of six degrees per second, and such that starting from the 61st second after the request, the minute hand 16 indicates the number of minutes elapsed since the request, and such that starting from the 3601st second after the request, the hour hand 15 indicates the number of hours elapsed since the request.

[0043] Alternatively, integrated circuit 17 can be configured to control a third motor when requested by control element 18, so as to drive the second hand at a displacement angular velocity exceeding 360° per second, for example, 720 degrees per second or 3600 degrees per second. Thus, while the hour hand 15 and minute hand 16 indicate seconds, the second hand can indicate minutes of seconds.

[0044] Alternatively, the integrated circuit 17 is configured to control the third motor when the control element 18 is requested, so as to shift the second hand to indicate a specific position on the dial, such as a specific position bearing a specific mark indicating the function performed by the collinear and overlapping hour hand 15 and minute hand 16, such as the indication of seconds or a timing function.

[0045] Since the second hand is usually the longest hand, the indication it provides is very easy for the user to read.

[0046] Advantageously, integrated circuit 17 can be configured to perform one or more of the functions described above, such as after a certain delay occurs following a continuous request from control 18, or after the user positions the hour hand 15 and / or minute hand 16 in a given position to indicate a specific position on the dial, for example.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, when the control element 18 is requested, the first motor 13 and the second motor 14 shift the hour hand 15 and the minute hand 16 so that the hour hand 15 and the minute hand 16 are collinear and overlap each other, thereby bringing them to a common position that is equidistant between the positions they occupy in the initial state.

[0048] In other words, the common position reached by the hour hand 15 and the minute hand 16 before rotating at a predetermined speed defines one of the bisectors of the angle formed by the hour hand 15 and the minute hand 16 at their initial positions.

[0049] Alternatively, when the control element 18 is requested, the first motor 13 or the second motor 14 respectively shifts the hour hand 15 or the minute hand 16 from the position they occupied in their initial state to the position occupied by the other hand, so that they are collinear and overlap each other.

[0050] It goes without saying that, in the case of Table 10 including a second hand, when the control 18 is requested, the second hand can be moved by the third motor to reach the aforementioned common position or the position corresponding to the hour hand 15 and the minute hand 16, so that all the hands are collinear and overlap each other.

[0051] The drive of the collinear and overlapping hour and minute hands 15 is interrupted after a predetermined duration (e.g., a few seconds or tens of seconds) or after a new request from control 18.

[0052] Then, the integrated circuit 17 is configured to control the first motor 13 and the second motor 14 after a predetermined duration or when the control element 18 is requested again, so as to shift the hour hand 15 and the minute hand 16 respectively, so that they occupy a final state in which the hour hand 15 and the minute hand 16 indicate the hour and minute of the current time, respectively.

[0053] In other words, if the hour hand 15 and minute hand 16 are not shifted to the intermediate state, their final state will correspond to their initial state.

Claims

1. An analog display watch (10) comprising an electronic clock movement including a first motor (13) and a second motor (14) kinematically connected to an hour hand (15) and a minute hand (16) respectively and powered by a battery (12), the electronic clock movement further comprising an integrated circuit (17) connected to the first motor (13), the second motor (14) and a control element (18), the watch (10) characterized in that the integrated circuit (17) is configured to, when the control element (18) is used by a user When requested, the first motor (13) and the second motor (14) are controlled to arrange the hour hand (15) and the minute hand (16) collinearly and overlapping each other, and to rotate the hour hand (15) and the minute hand (16) at a displacement angular velocity of six degrees per second, so that the hands visually indicate seconds; and the integrated circuit (17) is configured to control the first motor (13) and the second motor (14) after a predetermined duration to shift the collinear and overlapping hour hand (15) and the minute hand (16) respectively, so that the hour hand (15) and the minute hand (16) indicate the hour and minute of the current time respectively.

2. The table (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The integrated circuit (17) is configured to control the first motor (13) and the second motor (14) when the control element (18) is requested again, so as to shift the collinear and overlapping hour hand (15) and minute hand (16) respectively, so that the hour hand (15) and minute hand (16) indicate the hour and minute of the current time respectively.

3. The table (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The table (10) includes a third motor connected to the second hand, and the integrated circuit (17) is configured to control the third motor to stop the movement of the second hand when the control (18) is requested.

4. The table (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The table (10) includes a third motor connected to the second hand, and the integrated circuit (17) is configured to control the third motor when the control (18) is requested, so that the second hand rotates at a displacement angular velocity of six degrees per second and that the second hand is collinear with and overlaps with the hour hand (15) and the minute hand (16).

5. The table (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The table (10) includes a third motor connected to the second hand, and the integrated circuit (17) is configured to control the first motor, the second motor, and the third motor to shift the hour hand (15), the minute hand (16), and the second hand respectively, such that during the first minute following a request from the control, the hour hand (15), the minute hand (16), and the second hand are all collinear and overlapping, and rotate at a displacement angular velocity of six degrees per second, such that starting from the 61st second after the request, the minute hand (16) indicates the number of minutes elapsed since the request, and starting from the 3601st second after the request, the hour hand (15) indicates the number of hours elapsed since the request.

6. The table (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The table (10) includes a third motor connected to the second hand, and the integrated circuit (17) is configured to control the third motor when the control element (18) is requested, so as to drive the second hand at a displacement angular velocity of more than 360 degrees per second.

7. The table (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The watch (10) includes a third motor connected to the second hand, and the integrated circuit (17) is configured to control the third motor when the control (18) is requested, so as to shift the second hand to indicate a specific position on the dial, the specific position representing the function performed by the collinear and overlapping hour hand (15) and minute hand (16).

8. The table (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The integrated circuit (17) is configured to control the first motor (13) and the second motor (14) such that the hour hand (15) and the minute hand (16) are collinear and overlap each other at a common position, which is equidistant between the positions occupied by the hour hand (15) and the minute hand (16) before they were shifted to be collinear and overlapped.

9. The table (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The integrated circuit (17) is configured to control the first motor (13) or the second motor (14) when the control element (18) is requested, to shift the hour hand (15) or the minute hand (16) from the position they occupied in their initial state indicating the hour or minute of the current time to the position occupied by the other hand, such that the hour hand and the minute hand are collinear and overlap each other.

10. The table (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The control element (18) consists of a single movable element.

11. The table (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The control element (18) corresponds to the time setting crown.

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