Device for illuminating luminescent watch displays

Description

Scope of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a device for illuminating luminescent watch displays with luminophore material, comprising a housing arranged to receive at least one receptacle for receiving at least one watch, said device comprising illumination means arranged to illuminate said displays of each said watch.

[0002] The invention further relates to an automatic watch winding device, comprising at least one such illumination device.

[0003] The invention further relates to a universal device for winding and resetting a watch, comprising such an automatic watch winding device.

[0004] The invention relates to the field of intelligent devices, such as intelligent watch winders, for maintaining watches in immediate working condition, displaying the correct time, and with a sufficient power reserve for wear of a few hours, while avoiding premature wear of the watch by incessant and unnecessary winding. Background of the invention

[0005] Document EP3339984, issued on behalf of The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd, describes an intelligent watch winding device. This device is undergoing continuous improvement.

[0006] In particular, one of the developments concerns an intelligent winder, whose main purpose is to limit the recharging of the watch's automatic barrel, as well as to correct the displayed time by subjecting the watch to a modulated movement imparted by an oscillator, following a reading of the time by recognition of the hands in relation to the dial.

[0007] Reading the time is a technically challenging process, largely due to the wide variety of existing dial and hand configurations. Currently, only well-known watches, pre-programmed according to the configuration of their displays relative to their dials, are easily recognizable. Watches whose displays are hands that differ significantly in size and proportion can also be recognized by vision systems, provided that no extraneous optical effects are present, for example, due to an excessive similarity between the dial's design and that of the hands moving in front of or in front of it.

[0008] Furthermore, the lighting conditions during the operation of reading the time by means of vision are strict to avoid reflections on the crystal of the watch.

[0009] An effective way to eliminate these reflections is to cover the winding mechanism with a matte white dome, as is commonly used by professional photographers. The combination of such a dome and a ring light maximizes image quality and minimizes unwanted reflections. In fact, no external light should be able to penetrate the dome, preventing the user from seeing their watch when it is placed on the winder. This is detrimental for a business that wants to showcase a watch to customers while keeping it in optimal working order for demonstration purposes.

[0010] Any improvement that allows for good display recognition, while allowing the user to maintain vision on their watch, is therefore welcome.

[0011] US patent 2008 / 0247278 A1 describes an automatic watch winder that is programmable via a universal serial bus or wirelessly using infrared signals in conjunction with a computer. The watch is placed on a watch holder within a receptacle inside a case. The watch includes a luminescent material that can be illuminated by high-intensity LEDs within the case. The patent also provides means for driving a time base to control the LEDs and excite the luminescent material for a predetermined charging time.

[0012] Document EP 3 579 061 A1 describes a case for housing an electromechanical watch equipped with a stepper motor to drive the watch hands. The case includes a box with a watch holder, a hands position detection system, and means for setting the time on the watch, connected to the hands position detection system. These means are used to set the time based on information received from the hands position detection system and a time reference. The case also includes a camera and LEDs to illuminate the dial and hands to facilitate time setting. Summary of the invention

[0013] The invention aims to improve the conditions for optical condition monitoring of a watch.

[0014] Thus the invention relates to an illumination device for luminescent watch displays with luminophore material, according to claim 1.

[0015] The invention further relates to an automatic watch winding device, comprising at least one such illumination device.

[0016] The invention further relates to a universal device for winding and resetting a watch, comprising such an automatic watch winding device. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description that follows, with reference to the attached drawings, where: there figure 1represents, schematically and in cross-section, an automatic watch winding device, including such an illumination device; this automatic watch winding device is a simple, rotating device, carrying a watch on a receptacle animated by a rotating movement, and which is well suited for use with a single watch; the receptacle is in a closed case, fitted with a closable window, and a light source, controlled by piloting means, and integrated into this case; the figure 2 represents, schematically and in front view, a watch with luminescent displays made of luminescent material, here indices and hands, as seen after recharging with light energy and switching off all light energy sources in the case, and as it appears to a means of vision such as a camera for checking its condition and the time it displays; the figure 3represents, in a very schematic and cross-sectional way, a universal device for winding and resetting a watch, comprising an automatic watch winding device according to the figure 1 ; there figure 4 is a functional block diagram of the interactions between the main control, command, and acquisition means included in the universal device for winding and resetting a watch, the automatic watch winding device, and the illumination device; the figure 5 represents, in a very schematic, partial, and cross-sectional way, a detail of the lower part of the automatic watch winding device according to the figure 1 ; there figure 6represents, in schematic form, another universal device for winding and resetting a watch, comprising an automatic watch winding device which includes a drum carrying several watches that are successively presented in front of lighting devices and acoustic and optical sensing devices; figure 7 is a variant of the device of the figure 6 of similar architecture; the figure 8 represents, in schematic form, another universal device for winding and resetting a watch, comprising an automatic matrix-type watch winding device carrying several watches that are successively presented to lighting devices and acoustic and optical sensing devices; figure 9 represents, in a schematic, partial, and exploded perspective manner, the automatic watch winding device of the figure 1 ; there Figure 10represents, in a schematic, partial, and exploded-section manner, the automatic watch winding mechanism of the figure 1 ; there figure 11 represents, in a schematic and exploded perspective manner, the automatic watch winding mechanism of the figure 1 ; there figure 12 represents, in a schematic, partial, and cross-sectional manner, the automatic watch winding device of the figure 1 . Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0018] The invention aims to provide an illumination device 100 for luminescent watch displays 201, 202, made of luminophoric material, for use in an intelligent winder, or in a similar device including a function for reading the state of the watch, and in particular the time it displays at a given moment, and to include in this device the energy recharging of the indices, appliques, hands, and similar, hereinafter referred to as displays, which are covered with a luminophoric material, in particular "superluminova", by illuminating them, at least momentarily, with an appropriate light source, in particular LEDs, preferably ultraviolet.

[0019] It is proposed to use fairly powerful lighting, preferably ultraviolet, to initially recharge such a luminescent material, notably "superluminova," for luminescent displays, including indexes 202 and hands 201 in the non-limiting example of the figure 2 , then, secondly, turn off all light sources so that, when filmed by a 90 camera or similar, only the signal corresponding to the index 202 and hands 201 will be visible, as shown on the figure 2 , and thus filter out a lot of noise due to dial patterns or watch decoration, or other moving parts not coated with luminescent material.

[0020] This solution also allows for the recharging of the luminescent material, particularly "Superluminova," ensuring the user has a clearly legible watch when they first look at it in the morning upon waking, for example. A smart watch winder with control means connected to a time base can easily track the events of a watch being placed on its winding stand and then removed from the same stand, to determine the average time the watch is removed (for example, "never after 7:30 a.m."), and anticipate the start of the recharging process based on this time, thus synchronizing the maximum energy recharge with the average removal time. This energy recharge can include recharging the watch's power sources, such as the mainspring barrels, and recharging the light sources that are the subject of this invention.

[0021] There figure 2This illustrates the appearance of a watch previously illuminated in white light, in the state where it is no longer subjected to any lighting, with only visible elements such as hands 201, index and appliques 202, possessing luminophore material such as "superluminova" or similar, previously recharged to the maximum in light energy.

[0022] Thus, the invention relates to an illumination device 100 for luminescent displays 201, 202, of a watch with luminophore material.

[0023] This illumination device 100 includes a housing 10, which is arranged to receive at least one receptacle 1 for receiving at least one watch 200.

[0024] The device 100 includes illumination means 20, which are arranged to illuminate the displays 201, 202, of each watch 200.

[0025] According to the invention, these illumination means 20 comprise control means 30 and a time base 40, and at least one light source 50 capable of exciting the luminophore material for a predetermined charging time, or corresponding to a wearing time chosen by the user at the level of a control means 60 that comprises the device 100.

[0026] More specifically, this device 100 includes at least one camera 90 for taking images of a watch 200 placed on such a receptacle 1.

[0027] More specifically, the control means 30 are arranged to prepare an image capture at a given moment on a watch 200 by such a camera 90 placed in the case 10 or in front of a porthole 70 that is part of the case 10. And these control means 30 determine the luminescent displays 201, 202, to be illuminated, and define their activation time by illumination by at least one light source 50, before this image capture, to ensure the selectivity and detection of their respective position.

[0028] More specifically, the light source 50 emits ultraviolet radiation.

[0029] There figure 1 illustrates the positioning of such a light source 50, in particular a ring of white and / or ultraviolet light, enabling the energy recharge of luminescent displays.

[0030] More specifically, the case 10 has a closed and lightproof enclosure, except for a porthole 70 opposite each receptacle 1 for viewing a watch 200 by the user.

[0031] In particular, each porthole 70 is equipped with a shutter 75, which is movable to prevent light from entering the housing 10 at will. In further particular, the closing or opening of this shutter 75 is controlled by the control means 30.

[0032] Alternatively, the shutter is fixed and includes an optical valve that switches from a transparent mode, allowing the user to view the product, to an opaque mode to significantly reduce stray light and, for example, display an image of the product or the brand logo. This configuration allows, in one shuttered state, for the significant reduction or even complete suppression of light entering the case 10, and, if desired, for the display of a logo or image of a watch 200 visible through the window 70. In another viewing state, it allows the watch 200 to be viewed.

[0033] More specifically, the light source 50 is substantially annular.

[0034] More specifically, a light source 50 surrounds each porthole 70 to illuminate the corresponding receptacle 1.

[0035] More specifically, the case 10 has an internal matte dome 80, or one with an anti-reflective coating, to prevent reflections when taking an image of a watch 200 with a camera 90 placed in the case 10 or in front of a porthole 70.

[0036] More specifically, the control means 30 are arranged to prohibit any light emission when an image is taken on a watch 200 by a camera 90 placed in the case 10 or in front of a porthole 70.

[0037] According to the invention, the control means 30 are arranged to prevent any image capture on a watch by a camera 90 when a shutter 75 is open.

[0038] More specifically, the control means 30 are arranged to control the closing of each shutter 75 when an image is taken on a watch by a camera 90.

[0039] More specifically, device 100 includes a camera 90 for taking images of a watch placed on a receptacle 1.

[0040] The invention further relates to an automatic watch winding device 1000, in particular and not limited to rotary movement, comprising a base 9 carrying a motor 2 for driving, in particular and not limited to rotation, at least one receptacle 1 movable relative to the base 9. This receptacle 1 is arranged to receive a mechanical watch or an electronic watch with a mechanical energy source in a winding position, and comprises at least one upper watch holder 7 having a receiving surface for direct contact with a watch 200 fixed to the receptacle 1.

[0041] More specifically, the device 1000 includes at least one such illumination device 100, which is arranged to illuminate each watch 200 placed on a receptacle 1 included in the device 1000.

[0042] The invention further relates to a universal device 2000 for winding and resetting a watch 200 comprising an oscillating resonator 210 arranged to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency N0.

[0043] This universal device 2000 includes means for resetting and correcting the state of the watch 200, including such an automatic watch winding device 1000.

[0044] This universal device 2000 comprising state measurement means 300 for measuring the state of the watch 200, relative to a reference clock 400 to which the state measurement means 300 refer.

[0045] These state measurement means 300 include a vision system 600 comprising at least one camera 90 of the illumination device 100. The time base 40 of the illumination device 100 is also coupled to the reference clock 400.

[0046] More specifically, the universal device 2000 includes stop monitoring means 500, which are arranged to detect the stop or start of an oscillating resonator 210 of a watch 200, and main control means 900, with which the control means 30 of the illumination device 100 are interfaced. These main control means 900 control all the monitoring, acquisition and control means of the universal device 2000. In particular, they are arranged to, when a stop is detected by the stop monitoring means 500, identify, according to information transmitted by the state measurement means 300, the stop time displayed by the watch 200 in its stop position.The main control means 900 then calculate the remaining time until synchronization between the actual time indicated by the reference clock 400 and the stop time, so that, upon expiry of the remaining time, the automatic watch winding device 1000 is activated for the recharging of motive energy, also called resetting, of the watch energy storage means 200.

[0047] More specifically, at least one receptacle 1 includes at least one microphone 310 for listening to a watch 200, and at least one embedded electronic circuit 320 housed in the receptacle 1 for processing the signal from each microphone 310. And the automatic watch winding device 1000 includes, for supplying power to each embedded electronic circuit 320, at least one first coil 3 fixed to the base 9 or to the motor 2, and powered by a static power source carried or relayed by the base 9, and at least one second coil 4 mounted on the receptacle 1 and arranged to cooperate with at least one first coil 3 and arranged to transmit power to each embedded electronic circuit 320, of which at least one embedded electronic circuit 320 is arranged to exchange information with at least one static electronic circuit 330 housed at the base 9.

[0048] The universal device 2000 thus brings together all the means to accommodate a running adjustment device and / or a state adjustment device.

[0049] For rate setting, the Universal 2000 device can incorporate a servo system for adjusting the rate of a watch with a standard oscillator configured to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency N0, with an initial rate error difference DI. This servo system includes a master oscillator configured to generate an excitation oscillation at an excitation frequency NE, constituting a reference, which is equal to the nominal frequency N0, or an integer multiple of the nominal frequency N0, with a master rate error difference AM relative to the reference that is lower than the initial rate error difference DI. This servo system is configured to subject the watch to an excitation oscillation generated by the master oscillator and / or to a modulated movement generated by the master oscillator, until they are synchronized.

[0050] For state adjustment, the universal device 2000 can incorporate a state correction device for correcting the state of a similar watch. The state correction device includes a state correction oscillator, which is arranged to generate an oscillation at an NC correction frequency, and is arranged to subject the entire watch or the entire movement to an oscillation generated by the master oscillator and / or to a modulated movement generated by the state correction oscillator, until the required display state is reached.

Claims

1. A device (100) for illuminating luminescent watch displays (201, 202) contaning luminescent material, comprising a case (10) designed to receive at least one receptacle (1) for receiving at least one watch (200), said device (100) comprising illumination means (20) designed to light said displays on each said watch, said illumination means (20) comprising control means (30) and a time base (40), and at least one light source (50) designed to excite said luminescent material for a pre-determined charging time or corresponding to a wear time chosen by the user using a control means (60) comprised in said device (100), characterised in that said control means (30) are designed to prevent any light emission when an image is captured on a watch by a camera (90) placed in said case (10) or in front of a porthole (70) comprised in said case (10).

2. The illumination device (100) according to claim 1, characterised in that said device (100) comprises at least one camera (90) for capturing an image of a watch (200) placed on a said receptacle (1).

3. The illumination device (100) according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that said light source (50) emits ultraviolet radiation.

4. The illumination device (100) according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that said case (10) comprises a closed and water-resistant compartment except for a porthole (70) facing each said receptacle (1) for the user to view a watch.

5. The illumination device (100) according to claim 4, characterised in that each porthole (70) is equipped with a shutter (75), which is mobile, for preventing, as desired, the introduction of light into said case (10).

6. The illumination device (100) according to claim 4, characterised in that each porthole (70) is equipped with a shutter (75), which is fixed, in the form of an optical valve for, in a shuttered state, significantly reducing or even preventing the introduction of light into said case (10) and displaying a logo or an image of a said watch (200) visible through said porthole (70), and, in another viewing state, allowing said watch (200) to be viewed.

7. The illumination device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that said light source (50) is substantially annular.

8. The illumination device (100) according to claim 7 and according to any of claims 4, 5, 6, characterised in that a said light source (50) surrounds each said porthole (70) to illuminate the corresponding receptacle (1).

9. The illumination device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that said case (10) internally comprises a dome (80) which is matt or comprises an anti-reflection treatment to prevent the presence of reflections when an image is captured on a watch by a camera (90) placed in said case (10) or in front of a porthole (70) comprised in said case (10).

10. The illumination device (100) according to claim 2 and according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that said control means (30) are designed to keep any image from being captured on a watch by a camera (90) when a said shutter (75) is open.

11. The illumination device (100) according to claim 2 and according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that said control means (30) are designed to control the closure of each said shutter (75) when an image is captured on a watch by a camera (90).

12. An automatic watch winding device (1000), comprising a base (9) carrying a motor (2) for driving at least one receptacle (1) that is mobile relative to said base (9), said receptacle (1) being designed to receive a mechanical watch or an electronic watch with a mechanical energy source in a winding position, and comprising at least one upper watch holder (7) comprising a receiving surface for direct contact with a watch (200) fastened to said receptacle (1), characterised in that said device (1000) comprises at least one illumination device (100) according to any of claims 1 to 11, arranged to illuminate each watch placed on a said receptacle (1) comprised in said device (1000).

13. A universal device (2000) for winding and resetting a watch (200) comprising an oscillating resonator (210) designed to generate an oscillation at a nominal frequency N0, said universal device (2000) comprising means for resetting and correcting the state of said watch (200), comprising an automatic watch winding device (1000) according to claim 12, said universal device (2000) comprising state measuring means (300) for measuring the state of said watch (200) relative to a reference clock (400) to which said state measuring means (300) refer, which comprise a viewing system (600) comprising at least one camera (90) on said illumination device (100), and to which said time base (40) of said illumination device (100) is coupled, characterised in that said universal device (2000) comprises stop monitoring means (500) designed to detect the stopping or the running of a said oscillating resonator (210) of a watch (200), and main control means (900), with which said control means (30) for said illumination device (100) are interfaced, and which are designed, when a stop is detected by said stop monitoring means (500), to identify, according to information transmitted by said state measuring means (300), the stop time displayed by said watch (200) in its stop position, to calculate the time remaining until synchronisation between the actual time indicated by said reference clock (400) and said stop time, and, at the end of said remaining time, to activate said automatic watch winding device (1000) to reset the energy storage means in said watch (200).

14. The universal device (2000) according to claim 13, characterised in that at least one said receptacle (1) comprises at least one microphone (310) for listening to a said watch (200) and at least one on-board electronic circuit (320) turned in said receptacle (1) for processing the signal from each said microphone (310), and in that said automatic watch winding device (1000) comprises, for powering each said on-board electronic circuit (320), at least one first coil (3) fastened to said base (9) or to said motor (2) and powered by a static energy source carried or relayed by said base (9), and at least one second coil (4) onboarded in said receptacle (1) and designed to engage with at least one said first coil (3) and designed to transmit energy to each said onboarded electronic circuit (320), in which at least one said onboarded electronic circuit (320) is designed to exchange information with at least one static electronic circuit (330) turned in said base (9).