Self-winding mechanical timekeeping device and relative winder case kit

Abstract

The present invention concerns a kit (1) comprising a timekeeping device (2) driven by a self-winding mechanical movement and a winder case (3) for said timekeeping device (2). The timekeeping device (2) includes means for displaying the counting of time elapsed since an event and means for activating, stopping and resetting the counting of time elapsed since said event. The winder case includes means configured for memorising the time of activation of the timekeeping device (2), microprocessor means (8) and means for comparing the counting of time indicated by said timekeeping device (2) with the stored data of the activation event. The invention has the particular advantage that, in the event of a discrepancy between the counting of time indicated by the timekeeping device (2) and the stored data, the synchronisation of the counting is carried out automatically inside the winder case (3) by means of counting of time correction. The timekeeping device (2) and the winder case (3) may include proximity communication devices so as to enable wireless communication between the timekeeping device (2) and the microprocessor means (8) in the winder case (3). In particular, at the time of the activation event of the timekeeping device (2), the details of the activation event, contained for example in a digital timestamp, may be recorded in an encrypted internal memory of the winder case (3). Furthermore, the details of the activation event may be sent to a remote server from where they are submitted online via a blockchain protocol.

Description

[0001] SELF-WINDING MECHANICAL TIMEKEEPING DEVICE AND RELATIVE WINDER CASE KIT

[0002] § § § § §

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] Technical field

[0005] The present invention relates, in general, to the field of timekeeping devices and concerns, in particular, a kit comprising a timekeeping device driven by a self-winding mechanical movement and a winder case for such timekeeping device.

[0006] Known art

[0007] From the German utility model publication DE 202007017861 Ul, a watch is known that allows the user to access an indication of the time that advances and progresses starting from a certain event. The measurement of the time elapsed since the event can be activated by the user via a special button that is pressed when the event occurs. The time elapsed since the event is displayed in hours, days, weeks and years via a counter arranged in the dial of the watch.

[0008] European patent application publications EP 3410235 Al and EP 3474086 Al describe winding cases for automatic watches or movements having some features in common with the present invention, but which fail to achieve the same technical effects as the present invention.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a kit comprising a self-winding mechanical timekeeping device and its associated winder case which allows not only an accurate measurement of the time elapsed since an event, but also the possibility of synchronizing the timekeeping device and certifying the time measured by said timekeeping device.

[0011] According to the present invention, this object is achieved with a self-winding mechanical timekeeping device and associated winder case kit, wherein said timekeeping device includes means for displaying the counting of time elapsed since an event and means for activating, stopping and resetting the count of time elapsed since said event, characterized in that said winder case comprises

[0012] - support means for supporting the timekeeping device,

[0013] - sensor means adapted to detect the positioning of the timekeeping device on said support means,

[0014] - locking means for locking said timekeeping device on said support means when said sensing means detect the positioning of said timekeeping device on said support means, - actuation means capable of causing an oscillation of said support means carrying said timekeeping device inside said winder case around two mutually orthogonal axes,

[0015] - microprocessor means,

[0016] - microcamera means operatively connected to said microprocessor means to detect the counting of time indicated by said timekeeping device,

[0017] - flash storage means for recording the time of activation of said timekeeping device,

[0018] - correction means for correcting the time counting indicated by said timekeeping device, and

[0019] - electrical power supply means to provide the energy necessary to carry out the operations of charging and correcting the counting of time of said timekeeping device in said winder case, wherein said microprocessor means are configured to compare the counting of time indicated by said timekeeping device with data recorded and stored in said flash storage means and, if necessary, to effect correction of the counting of time by said correction means, the starting time of the counting of time being determined by the removal of the timekeeping device from the winder case for the first time or, alternatively, being preset by the user or the manufacturer.

[0020] The invention has the particular advantage that, in the event of a discrepancy between the counting of the time elapsed since the activation event, indicated by the timekeeping device, and the data recorded and stored in the flash storage media, the correction or synchronization of the counting is carried out automatically inside the winder case of the timekeeping device by means of the timekeeping correction means.

[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the timekeeping device and the winder case may include proximity communication devices so as to enable wireless communication between the timekeeping device and the winder case. In particular, at the time of the activation event of the timekeeping device, the details of the activation event, contained for example in a digital timestamp, may be recorded in an encrypted internal memory of the winder case. Furthermore, the details of the activation event may be sent to a server from where they are submitted online via the blockchain protocol.

[0022] Brief description of the drawings

[0023] The invention will be described below with reference to a preferred embodiment, illustrated for explanatory, and non-limitative, purposes in the attached drawing whose only figure is a schematic representation of the kit according to the invention.

[0024] Detailed description of the invention The drawing shows schematically a kit according to the invention, denoted as a whole by 1. The kit 1 comprises a self-winding mechanical timekeeping device 2 and a winder case 3, generally of box-like shape, suitable not only for storing said timekeeping device 2, but also for recharging it, as well as for carrying out other tasks which will be evident from what follows.

[0025] The timekeeping device 2 may have the shape substantially of a watch or a piece of wrist jewellery and comprises, in a manner known per se, a time counter , preferably of the type with faceted and numbered wheels or similar, capable of indicating to the user, in numerical form via a suitable digital display, the time elapsed since a certain event, for example a birth, a wedding, the passing of a loved one or any other event of interest to the user, measuring such time in days.

[0026] The timekeeping device 2 further comprises means for activating, stopping and resetting the counting of the time elapsed since the event of interest. The timekeeping device 2 may be configured to start the counting time from the time it is removed from its case for the first time. Alternatively, the time of activation of the timekeeping device 2 may be preset by the user or by the manufacturer. The timekeeping device 2 may also be stopped by the user.

[0027] The winder case 3 comprises a support 4 for the timekeeping device 2, a sensor 5 adapted to detect the positioning of the timekeeping device 2 on the support 4, and a locking member 6 adapted to lock the timekeeping device 2 on the support 4 when the sensor 5 detects the positioning of the timekeeping device 2 on the support 4. The locking member 6 may be configured as a locking member movable along the direction of the arrows F and adapted to engage a corresponding bracelet part of the timekeeping device 2.

[0028] The winder case 3 also comprises actuation means 7 adapted for rotating the support means 4 carrying the timekeeping device 2 inside the winder case 3 about two mutually orthogonal axes X and Z. In this way, the rotation of the support means 4 carrying the timekeeping device 2 about the axes X and Y allows the elastic energy reserve to be restored to operate the movement of the timekeeping device 2 when it is not being carried by the user. A suitable button (not shown) is provided to activate the actuation means 7, which also deactivates the same actuation means 7 by applying a prolonged pressure to the button.

[0029] Also included in the winder case 3 are a microprocessor 8, a microcamera 9 operatively connected to the microprocessor 8 to detect the time elapsed since the time of activation and indicated by the timekeeping device 2, a flash memory 10 to record the time of activation of the timekeeping device 2, as well as a correction device 11 to correct the counting of time elapsed since the time of activation. The winder case 3 also includes means of electric power supply, such as a rechargeable battery, to provide the energy necessary for the charging and synchronization operations of the timekeeping device 2.

[0030] A peculiar feature of the kit 1 according to the invention is given by the fact that the timekeeping device 2 and the winder case 3 are adapted to interact with each other in order to ensure the correct counting of time elapsed from the time of activation of the timekeeping device 2.

[0031] More specifically, the microprocessor 8 is configured to compare the counting of time from the activation event indicated by the timekeeping device 2 and detected by the microcamera 9 with the data recorded and stored in the flash memory 10 and, if necessary, activate the correction device 11 to correct the counting of time. For this purpose, the correction device 11 may comprise a mechanical key having the function of accelerating or slowing down the mechanical movement of the timekeeping device 2.

[0032] By means of the configuration described above, when the timekeeping device 2 is placed in the winder case 3, the latter, so to speak, “reads” the counting reported on the timekeeping device 2 via the microcamera 9 and processes through an image recognition algorithm whether or not there is a need to correct the time counting of the timekeeping device 2 and, if necessary, activates the correction device 11 to synchronize the timekeeping device 2.

[0033] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the kit according to the invention, the timekeeping device 2 and the winder case 3 may include proximity communication devices so as to enable wireless communication between the timekeeping device 2 and the winder case 3. In particular, at the time of the activation event of the timekeeping device 2, the details of the activation event, contained for example in a digital timestamp or the like, may be transmitted and recorded in an encrypted internal memory of the winder case 3 via said proximity communication means. The winder case 3 may also comprise an antenna for wireless communication according to conventional protocols, for example Bluetooth and WiFi, and the details of the activation event may be sent to a server from which they are submitted online via a blockchain protocol.

[0034] Kit 1 is associated with a method of operating, adjusting and switching off the timekeeping device 2 which involves the following phases A-D:

[0035] A. Phase dedicated to the initial start-up of the timekeeping device 2 which, as soon as it is removed from the winder case 3, creates an activation event of the mechanical counter and a consequent start of the time counting. B. In a simultaneous phase, the microprocessor 8 records the activation event in the flash memory using an encrypted code. An optional phase is provided for backdating the timekeeping device 2 to a specific date indicated by the user.

[0036] C. Optional adjustment / synchronization phase in case of stoppage due to discharge of the charging springs, or advancement or delay due to accumulated daily deviation. The adjustment takes place by means of the aforementioned microprocessor 8.

[0037] D. Final shutdown phase by pressing and holding the button to activate the charging operations of the timekeeping device 2.

[0038] From the above description it is clear that the invention achieves the intended purposes. It is clear that various modifications, additions or variations obvious to a technician in the field can be made to the invention described above, without thereby departing from the scope of protection provided by the attached claims.

[0039] § § § § §

Claims

CLAIMS1. A kit (1) consisting of a self-winding mechanical timekeeping device (2) and a winder case (3), wherein said timekeeping device (2) includes means for displaying the counting of time elapsed since an event and means for activating, stopping and resetting the counting of time elapsed since said event, characterised in that said winder case (3) comprises:- support means (4) for supporting the timekeeping device (2),- sensor means (5) suitable for detecting the positioning of said timekeeping device on said support means (4),- locking means (6) suitable for locking said timekeeping device (2) on said support means (4) when said sensor means (5) detect the positioning of said timekeeping device (2) on said support means (4),- actuation means (7) capable of determining an oscillation or rotation of said support means (4) carrying the timekeeping device (2) inside said winder case (3) around two axes (X, Z) orthogonal to each other,- microprocessor means (8),- microcamera means (9) operationally connected to said microprocessor means (8) and adapted to detect the counting of the time indicated by the timekeeping device (2),- flash storage means (10) for recording the time of activation of said timekeeping device (2),- correction means (11) for correcting the counting of time indicated by said timekeeping device (2), and- electrical power supply means to provide the energy necessary to carry out the charging and counting of time correction operations of said timekeeping device (2) in said winder case (3), wherein said microprocessor means (8) are configured to compare the counting of time indicated by said timekeeping device (2) with the data recorded and stored in said flash storage means (10) and, if necessary, carry out the correction of the counting of time by said correction means (11), the starting time of the counting of time being determined by the removal of the timekeeping device (2) from the winder case (3) for the first time or, alternatively, being preset by the user or the manufacturer.

2. Kit according to claim 1, characterised in that said timekeeping device (2) and said winder case (3) include proximity communication devices in order to enable wireless communication between said timekeeping device (2) and said microprocessor means (8) in said winder case (3).

3. Kit according to claim 2, characterised in that said winder case (3) comprises an encrypted internal memory for recording a digital timestamp or similar of the activation event of said timekeeping device (2).

4. Kit according to claim 3, characterised in that said winder case (3) comprises wireless communication means for transmitting said digital timestamp of the activation event of said timekeeping device (2) to a remote server.

5. Kit according to claim 4, characterised in that said digital timestamp of the activation event of said timekeeping device (2) sent to said remote server is stored in a distributed ledger by means of a transaction using blockchain technology.§ § § § §

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