Optical Watch Crown Stem for Electronic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical watches with additional electronic functions face challenges in aesthetic and economic complexity due to the presence of spatially separated control members, such as 'joystick' or 'trackball' devices, which complicate the mechanical construction and hinder good sealing of the watch case.
Innovation Solution
A watch with a control member featuring an optical guide and a light source for illuminating a finger, combined with a photo-detector and processor to detect finger movements, allowing for the management of electronic functions without moving elements, thereby simplifying the mechanical construction and maintaining a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a joystick or trackball control mechanism is added to a mechanical watch, then electronic functions can be controlled, but the mechanical construction becomes more complex and water resistance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions for electronic features directly into the existing crown stem mechanism. The crown stem is equipped with both mechanical detection means (for detecting crown movements) and optical detection means (for detecting finger movements on the distal face), allowing a single component to serve dual purposes and eliminate the need for separate joystick or trackball devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The crown stem is transformed into a multi-functional control element. It maintains its traditional mechanical functions (winding, time setting) while simultaneously serving as an interface for electronic function control through integrated optical sensors that detect finger movements on its distal face, making one component perform multiple roles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a joystick or trackball control mechanism is added to a mechanical watch, then electronic functions can be controlled, but the aesthetic appearance and manufacturing cost are negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanisms are merged into the existing crown stem structure rather than being added as separate components. The proximal face and distal face of the crown stem serve different detection purposes, but both are integrated into the same mechanical element, simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to adding separate control devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate control mechanisms are used for mechanical and electronic functions, then both functions can be controlled, but the control mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mechanical detection means and optical detection means into a single crown stem assembly. The mechanical detection means respond to crown movements while the optical detection means respond to finger movements on the distal face, allowing both mechanical and electronic control functions to be integrated in one component rather than requiring separate control mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient control of electronic functions within a mechanical watch, enhancing user interaction while maintaining a sleek design and improving the sealing of the watch case, thus addressing the complexity and aesthetic issues of previous control methods.
Implementation Method 1
The optical guide allows the transmission of optical signals between its distal and proximal faces
Implementation Method 2
an imaging device comprising a photodetector, specifically a matrix light sensor, arranged to produce, when the light source is active, an image of a portion of a user's finger
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A watch according to the invention comprises a control unit (1) for managing one or more electronic functions. The control unit includes an optical guide (15) extending between a proximal face (16) and a distal face (17) relative to the case (5). A light source (18) is arranged to illuminate the distal face (17) through the optical guide (15), and an image-capturing device, comprising a photodetector (19), is arranged to capture an image of a portion of a watch user's finger when the user touches said distal face. A processor generates commands based on signals successively generated by the photodetector, in the manner of an optical mouse, for example, to allow the user to navigate a menu displayed on a digital screen.