Clock display with composite display module

Abstract

To provide a display device equipped with a composite display module capable of simplifying display and combining a large amount of information. The present invention relates to a display (10) for a watch, comprising a first indicator (12) for a first time zone corresponding to the local time, a second indicator (14) for a time zone corresponding to the second time zone, and a day / night indicator (21) arranged to rotate once in 24 hours. The day / night indicator (21) comprises a first zone (22, 24) having a different visual appearance and representing day and night. To indicate at a given time whether it is day or night in the local time and the time zone of the second time zone, the display (10) further comprises a plurality of display modules (20) comprising at least a first indicator (26) fixedly arranged corresponding to the day / night indicator (21) and a second indicator (28) acting as a reference and arranged corresponding to the day / night indicator (21). The present invention also relates to a watch comprising the display (10).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a timepiece display comprising a composite display module combining various displays, and to a timepiece comprising such a display, in particular a day / night indicator combined with an indicator of local time and at least one display of time in another isochronic time zone, so that the user can read the day / night information associated with each display at a glance and preferably visualize the time difference between local time and time in another isochronic time zone. [Background technology]

[0002] Clocks that are associated with a day / night indicator and are capable of displaying multiple isochronal zones are known.

[0003] As an example, U.S. Patent No. 5,949,649 discloses a clock that can simultaneously display the time in multiple cities or countries. An adjustable shadow disk is superimposed on a world map. The shadow disk has an adjustable dark area that indicates night and an adjustable light area that indicates day. The clock movement ensures relative movement between the translucent world map and the adjustable shadow disk.

[0004] Other examples of timepieces showing multiple time zones with day / night indicators are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,629,492 and US Pat. No. 5,629,492.

[0005] The main disadvantage of these watches is the complexity of the displays, which makes it difficult to read the desired information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 5,917,778 [Patent Document 2] European Patent Application No. 2107435 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent No. 5,745,440 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a display device that includes a composite display module that can combine a large amount of information while simplifying the display.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a display that allows a user to determine at a glance the time difference between local time and the time in a second time zone, and day / night information relating the local time to the time in the second time zone. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to the invention, these objects are achieved in particular by a time display comprising a first indicator for a first isochronal zone corresponding to local time, a second indicator for a second isochronal zone, and a day / night indicator arranged to complete one rotation in 24 hours. The day / night indicator comprises first and second zones, each having a different visual appearance, representing day and night. To indicate at a given point in time (instant) whether it is day or night in local time and in the second isochronal zone, the display further comprises a composite display module comprising at least one first indicator fixedly arranged corresponding to the day / night indicator and a second indicator acting as a reference and arranged corresponding to the day / night indicator.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the composite display module further comprises a time difference indicator that indicates the time difference between the local time and the time of the second isochrone.

[0011] In an embodiment, the time difference indicator is positioned facing the first and second indicating portions of the composite display, and comprises a caption indicating the number of hours of the time difference and positioned around the day / night indicator.

[0012] In an embodiment, the position of the second indicator of the composite display module is adjustable to align it with the time of the second isochronal zone.

[0013] In an embodiment, the second indicator of the composite display module is kinematically coupled to a second indicator corresponding to the time of the second isochrone, such that a change in the time of the second isochrone simultaneously modifies the position of the second indicator of the composite display module.

[0014] In one embodiment, the second indicator of the composite display module is in the form of a needle or transparent disk with a distinctive element.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first indicator of the composite display module is in the form of a bridge defining a window above the day / night indicator, the window preferably resembling an angular section.

[0016] In one embodiment, the day / night indicator is in the shape of a disk, with a first area and a second area extending 180° on either side of an axis of symmetry of the disk.

[0017] In an embodiment, the day / night indicator is in the shape of a globe.

[0018] In one embodiment, the composite display is in the form of a counter.

[0019] In one embodiment, the counter is located at the 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, 9 o'clock or 12 o'clock position relative to the display face.

[0020] Another aspect of the invention relates to a timepiece comprising a display according to the invention.

[0021] Examples of embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and description. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a timepiece display according to an embodiment, comprising a first indication of a first isochronal time zone corresponding to local time, a second indication of time of a second isochronal time zone, and a composite display module. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the composite display shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, the timepiece display 10 comprises a dial 11, a first indicator 12 of local time corresponding to the time of a first isochronal time zone, and a second indicator 14 corresponding to the time of a second isochronal time zone. The first indicator 12 preferably comprises an hour hand 12a and a minute hand 12b. The second indicator 14 is, for example, in the form of a counter. This counter is, for example, located at the 3 o'clock position and comprises a second hour hand 14a.

[0024] In a variant not shown, the time of the second isochronal zone can be displayed by a second hour hand mounted coaxially with the local time hour hand 12a.

[0025] In another variant not shown, the time of the second isochronal zone can be displayed by a disk provided with a reference marking, which can be any distinctive element.

[0026] The display 10 further comprises a combined display module 20, which in this example is arranged at the 6 o'clock position. According to Figure 2, the combined display module 20 comprises a day / night disk 21 which comprises first and second angular regions 22, 24 which typically extend over 180° on either side of the disk's axis of symmetry. The day / night disk 21 is conventionally driven clockwise by the watch movement at a rate of one rotation every 24 hours.

[0027] The composite display module 20 further comprises a first indicator 26 fixedly disposed above the day-night disc 21 and a second indicator 28 functioning as a reference above the day-night disc 21, and indicating whether it is day or night at a given point in time (instant) in local time and in the time of the second isochrone. Preferably, the first indicator 26 is disposed on a bridge 27 that defines a window 30 above the day-night disc 21.

[0028] The window 30 defined by the bridge 27 is, for example, in the form of an angular section. The second indicator 28 is in the form of a fixed hand. This hand is fixed, but its angular position can be adjusted by the watch's crown according to the time of a second isochronal zone when the second indicator 14 is corrected to indicate another isochronal zone. The second indicator 28 is preferably kinematically coupled to the hour hand 14a of the second indicator 14 via a gear train.

[0029] This gear train may have, for example, a gear ratio of 1:1, and the correction of the hour hand 14a of the second isochronal zone simultaneously corrects the angular position of the second indicator 28 according to an embodiment in which the time system of the second indicator 14 is the same as the time system of the second indicator 28, for example 12-hour or 24-hour time system.

[0030] The combined display module 20 also includes a time difference indicator 29 that indicates the time difference between the local time and the time of the second isochronal time zone. In the illustrated example, the time difference indicator 29 is based on a 12-hour system. This indicator 29 includes indices arranged on the dial 11 around the day / night disc 21 facing the fixed hand 28. Therefore, the time difference indicator 29 preferably adopts a typical annular shape.

[0031] In a variant not shown, the second indicator 14 may be adapted to a 12-hour system, while the composite display module 20 may be based on a 24-hour system. In this case, a gear train with a 2:1 gear ratio may be provided with the hour hand 14a of the second isochronal zone and the second indicator 28 of the composite display module 20. In this way, correction by the crown of the watch allows simultaneous correction of the hour hand 14a of the second isochronal zone and the second indicator 28 of the composite display module 20, taking into account the different time systems.

[0032] In a variant not shown, the correction of the second indicator 28 of the combined display module 20 can be made in one-hour jumps, for example by means of a push button. Similarly, the correction of the time of the second isochronal zone does not necessarily have to be made by the crown of the watch, but by a mechanism having one +1 hour pusher or two +1 hour and -1 hour pushers, allowing the time of the second isochronal zone to be advanced or reversed in one-hour jumps by applying one or more pressures to one or the other of the pushers depending on the desired time.

[0033] According to the example shown in Figure 1, the first indicator 12 shows 9 o'clock in the evening for local time, and the second indicator 14 shows 10 o'clock in the morning of the same day for the second isochrone. In Figure 2, the second indicator 28 of the combined display module 20 therefore displays a time difference of -11 hours on the time difference indicator 29, informing the user that the local time is 11 hours ahead of the second isochrone.

[0034] Also, the user can see at a glance that it is night in the (time) zone corresponding to the local time and day in the zone corresponding to the second isochronal time zone. In other words, this day / night indication helps to eliminate ambiguity in the time display of the second isochronal time zone. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 2, the user is immediately informed that the 10 o'clock indication indicated by the second hour hand 14a corresponding to the second isochronal time zone corresponds to 10 o'clock in the morning, not 10 o'clock at night.

[0035] The user can further determine on the combined display module 20 that in the zone corresponding to the second isochrone the time of sunset will occur in 8 hours (11:00 AM to 3:00 AM), while on the time difference indicator 29 he can directly read that in the zone corresponding to local time the time of sunrise will occur in 9 hours. Of course, this display may vary slightly depending on the season and the latitude at which the watch user is located.

[0036] The composite display module 20 thus allows an intuitive reading of a large amount of information combined in a simplified display. This simplified display has the advantage that it can be driven by any type of movement, since only the day / night disc 21 is driven by the movement.

[0037] The illustrated display is merely one embodiment among others encompassed by the appended claims. For example, the composite display module 20 may include two or more indicators to inform the user of the time difference between local time and at least a third isochrone, and information regarding day or night associated with the zone corresponding to the third isochrone. In this case, the display 10 would also include a third time indicator corresponding to the third isochrone.

[0038] In addition, the first and second indicators 26, 28 may be in the form of marks that do not extend above the day / night indicator 21 but are positioned at the same height as the time difference indicator 29.

[0039] In a variant not shown, the day / night disc of the composite display module 20 may be replaced by a terrestrial globe.

[0040] Furthermore, in a variant not shown, the hands 28 of the combined display module 20 can be replaced by a transparent disc placed on the day-night disc 21, making the day-night disc 21 visible through the transparent disc. The transparent disc includes a mark or distinctive element placed in front of a time difference indicator 29, indicating the time difference between local time and the second isochrone. The present application provides the following aspects, for example: [Point 1] a first indicator (12) of a first isochrone corresponding to local time; a second indicator (14) for the time of the second isochronal time zone; A day / night indicator (21) arranged to rotate once every 24 hours, A timepiece display (10) comprising: The display (10) of the timepiece, wherein the day / night indicator (21) comprises a first area and a second area (22, 24) each having a different visual appearance and representing day and night, The display (10) is adapted to indicate whether the local time and the time in the second isochrone are day or night at a given time. At least one first indicator (26) fixedly arranged corresponding to the day / night indicator (21); a second indicator (28) that functions as a reference and is arranged corresponding to the day / night indicator (21); A timepiece display (10) further comprising a composite display module (20) comprising: [Point 2] The display (10) according to aspect 1, characterized in that the composite display module (20) further comprises a time difference indicator (29) that indicates the time difference between the local time and the time in the second isochrone. [Point 3] The time difference indicator (29) It is arranged facing the first indicator and the second indicator (26, 28), A plurality of headings indicating the number of hours of time difference and arranged around the day / night indicator (21) are provided. A display (10) according to aspect 2, characterized in that: [Point 4] A display (10) according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, characterized in that the position of the second indicator (28) of the composite display module (20) is adjustable so as to align the position of the second indicator (28) with the time of the second isochronal zone. [Point 5] The display (10) described in aspect 4, characterized in that the second indicator (28) of the composite display module is kinematically coupled to the second indicator (14) such that changes in the second indicator (14) over time simultaneously modify the position of the second indicator (28). [Point 6] A display (10) according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, characterized in that the second indicator of the composite display module (20) is in the form of a needle (28) or a transparent disk with a distinctive element. [Point 7] A display (10) according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, characterized in that the first indicator (26) of the composite display module (20) is mounted on a bridge (27) above the day / night indicator (21). [Point 8] The indicator (10) according to aspect 7, characterized in that the bridge (27) defines a window (30) through which a portion of the day / night indicator (21) is visible, the window preferably resembling an angular section. [Point 9] A display (10) according to any one of aspects 1 to 8, characterized in that the day / night indicator (21) is in the form of a disk (21) and the first and second areas (22, 24) extend at 180° on either side of an axis of symmetry of the disk. [Point 10] A display (10) according to any one of aspects 1 to 9, characterized in that the day / night indicator (21) is in the form of a globe. [Point 11] A display (10) according to any one of aspects 1 to 10, characterized in that the composite display module (20) is in the form of a counter. [Point 12] A display (10) according to aspect 11, characterized in that the counter is located at the 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, 9 o'clock or 12 o'clock position relative to the dial face of the display. [Point 13] A watch equipped with a display (10) according to any one of aspects 1 to 12.

Claims

1. a first indication (12) of a first isochronous time zone corresponding to a local time; a second indicator (14) of the time of a second isochronal time zone; A day / night indicator (21) arranged to rotate once in 24 hours; A timepiece display (10) comprising: The display (10) of the timepiece, wherein the day / night indicator (21) comprises a first area and a second area (22, 24) having different visual appearances and representing day and night, The display (10) further comprises a composite display module (20) including at least one first indicator (26) fixedly arranged corresponding to the day / night indicator (21) and a second indicator (28) functioning as a reference and arranged corresponding to the day / night indicator (21); the first indicator and the second indicator are arranged to indicate whether the local time and the time in the second isochronal zone are day or night at a given time; A clock display (10) characterized by:

2. 2. The display (10) of claim 1, wherein the composite display module (20) further comprises a time difference indicator (29) for indicating the time difference between the local time and the time of the second isochrone.

3. The time difference indicator (29) It is arranged facing the first indicator and the second indicator (26, 28), A plurality of headings indicating the number of hours of time difference and arranged around the day / night indicator (21) are provided.

3. A display (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that it is

4. 2. The display (10) of claim 1, wherein the position of the second indicator (28) of the composite display module (20) is adjustable so as to align the position of the second indicator (28) with the time of the second isochronal zone.

5. The display (10) of claim 4, characterized in that the second indicator (28) of the composite display module is kinematically coupled to the second indicator (14) such that a change in time of the second indicator (14) simultaneously modifies the position of the second indicator (28).

6. 2. The display (10) of claim 1, characterized in that the second indicator of the composite display module (20) is in the form of a needle (28) or a transparent disk with distinctive elements.

7. 2. The display (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first indicator (26) of the composite display module (20) rests on a bridge (27) above the day / night indicator (21).

8. 8. An indicator (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the bridge (27) defines a window (30) through which a portion of the day / night indicator (21) is visible.

9. A display (10) as described in claim 8, characterized in that the window (30) resembles an angular area.

10. 2. The display (10) of claim 1, wherein the day / night indicator (21) is in the form of a disk (21) and the first and second areas (22, 24) extend 180° on either side of an axis of symmetry of the disk.

11. 2. A display (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the day / night indicator (21) is in the form of a globe.

12. 2. The display (10) of claim 1, wherein the composite display module (20) is in the form of a counter.

13. 13. The display (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the counter is located at the 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, 9 o'clock or 12 o'clock position relative to the face of the display.

14. A timepiece equipped with a display (10) according to claim 1.

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