EP0589465A1 - Analogical timepiece with mode changeover warning means - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a timepiece. This timepiece has at least two selectable operating modes, a first so-called clock mode and a second so-called non-clock mode, and it comprises at least one hour hand (h) and one minute hand (m) which can be actuated independently by motor means (18, 20), electronic means (22) for managing the said operating modes and an external control member capable of acting on the said management means, this piece being characterised in that it includes means of visual warning of entry into the non-clock operating mode, these warning means which are formed by the said hour hand (h) and minute hand (m) acting automatically and systematically at least upon entry to the non-clock operating mode. The invention applies to an electronic timepiece with analog display. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to an analog timepiece comprising means for warning of a change of mode.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a timepiece with several operating modes, of the type described in patent application CH 03031 / 90-0 (US sn 07/761 232).

The timepiece described in this document indeed includes, in addition to the normal operating mode, known as the hourly operating mode since providing the hour and the minute, an additional operating mode which can be activated by the user, by manipulation on the stem. This operating mode makes it possible to adjust the hands in a time reference position different from the conventional reference, in which the two hour and minute hands are superimposed at noon.

This operating mode, known as the time reference adjustment mode, makes it possible to fix the time reference position marking the zero hour-zero minute opposite any mark on the dial. Thus, one can for example transform a classic timepiece, such as a watch, into a watch for left-handed people, that is to say with the time-setting crown on the left, and no longer on the right.

This operating mode must however be implemented with caution, since it is understood that the adjustment of a new time reference position completely modifies the time information provided by the hands.

This is why it has been necessary to provide warning means capable of alerting the user at a time chosen judiciously to avoid performing false operations, but without complicating the structure of the part, or increasing its price.

Thus, the present invention aims to provide a timepiece having several operating modes, such as a mode for adjusting a time reference, and comprising effective warning means, but of simplest and least expensive design possible.

The present invention therefore relates to a timepiece with analog display having at least two selectable operating modes, a first said timetable and a second said non-timetable, and comprising at least one hour hand and one minute hand which can be actuated independently by motor means, electronic means for managing said operating modes and an external control member capable of acting on said management means, this part being characterized in that it includes visual warning means of entry into the non-hourly operating mode, these warning means which are formed by said hour and minute hands acting automatically and systematically at least when entering the non-hourly operating mode .

According to another characteristic, the warning means consist of a complete rotation of at least one needle.

More particularly, the warning means consist of a complete rotation of at least one hand, after the latter has been brought back to an initial time reference position.

It will also be specified that the warning means consist of a simultaneous rotation of the two hour and minute hands, at the same speed, in a constant relative position.

Preferably, the warning means consist of a rotation of the hour and minute hands, in a superimposed configuration of said hands, after they have been brought back in this configuration, to the initial time reference position.

To this end, the invention comprises at least one so-called warning register, linked to the management means, this register comprising a value representative of a number necessary for the complete rotation of at least one needle.

• la figure 1 représente sous forme d'un schéma bloc une pièce d'horlogerie qui constitue un mode d'exécution de la présente invention,
  • la figure 2 représente les différentes étapes de fonctionnement de la pièce d'horlogerie représentée à la figure 1,
  • la figure 3 est un organigramme de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, et
  • la figure 4 est un schéma des trois compteurs de positions représentés sur la figure 1.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings which are given solely by way of example and in which:

• FIG. 1 represents in the form of a block diagram a timepiece which constitutes an embodiment of the present invention,
  • FIG. 2 represents the different stages of operation of the timepiece shown in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a flow diagram for implementing the invention, and
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram of the three position counters shown in FIG. 1.

There is shown in Figure 1, in the form of a block diagram, a timepiece constituting an embodiment of the present invention. This timepiece includes in series a quartz oscillator 2, a division chain 4 delivering a signal at 1 Hz, a seconds counter 6 providing a minute signal and in particular forming a digital indicator of the position of the hand of the seconds (not shown), and a counter 8 essentially forming a digital indicator of the position of the minute hand m .

The timepiece according to the invention further comprises a divider by twelve referenced 10, receiving the output signal from the second counter 6, and a counter 12, called the hour counter, forming a digital indicator of the position of the hour hand h .

The hour counter 12, the input of which is connected to the output of the divider 10, receives information from the latter every twelve minutes. The counters 6, 8 and 12 are counters by sixty, the operating mode of which is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4.

As can be seen in this figure, the pulses used for the incrementation (INC) are received by the counter 6, 8, 12 upstream (on the left in the figure). These successive pulses are counted by a binary counter 40 of at least six bits, which they increment. This counter 40 is linked to a divider by 60 referenced 42 which supplies the output pulses and which initializes the counter 40 every 60 pulses (Reset).

As will be understood below, the counters 8 and 12 respectively define, in normal operating mode, the angular position of the minute hands m and the hour hand h on the dial of the timepiece by relative to the time reference position. Since the timepiece described here does not include a second hand, the second counter 6 is only used to provide a minute signal and to increment the other counters 8, 12.

The timepiece according to the invention is furthermore provided with two motors 18 and 20 controlled respectively by power circuits 14 and 16, for driving the minute hand m and the hour hand h respectively (FIG. 2) . The circuits 14 and 16 receive, in normal operating mode, the pulses applied respectively to the inputs of the minute counters 8 and hours 12.

The arrangement of the motors and gears of the present invention will not be described here. Indeed, we already know, in particular from document EP-0 393 605, clock movements comprising several motors capable of independently driving the minutes and hours display hands.

To facilitate understanding of the invention, it will be specified here only that the motors 18 and 20 and their associated gear train are shaped to advance the minute and hour hands by one step of a 60 ^th turn receiving a control pulse from power circuits 14 and 16.

This is why, in normal operating mode, the counter 8 has, in binary form, a value between 0 and 59 (with an initialization at 60) directly representative of the angular position of the minute hand m .

The h hours of needle may also move from 60 ^th round in steps, with each pulse, she spends an hour mark to another five steps at a rate of one step every twelve minutes, thanks to the divider by 12 referenced 10. Thus, the counter 12 records, in normal operating mode, each movement of the hour hand h and includes, in binary form, a value between 0 and 59 (with a initialization at 60) directly representative of the angular position of the hour hand h .

The elements of the timepiece represented by the block diagram of FIG. 1 which have just been described, explain the operation of this timepiece with regard to the normal display of the time.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the timepiece according to the invention further comprises electronic management means 22, called adjustment means, allowing in the described application to modify the position of the corresponding time reference by definition at the zero of the minute hand position and at the zero of the hour hand position), in an operating mode additional, known as non-hourly operating mode or time reference adjustment mode.

These electronic management means or adjustment means 22 comprise inputs MN and H for receiving the contents of the minute counters 8 and hours 12, an activation input EN and an input D of data for movement of the hands towards the forward and backward.

The signals applied to the inputs EN and D are supplied by an interpretation circuit 24 capable of interpreting and providing information relating to the position and the displacement (direction and speed) of the control rod (not shown). The operation of the control rod and of the interpretation circuit 24 are already known from document EP-0 175 961 and will therefore not be described here in detail.

The electronic management means 22 also include two outputs Mmn and Mh for delivering pulses to the motors 18 and 20, and a control output C for managing the state of the two switches 26, 28 arranged at the input of the power circuits 14 , 16 and arranged to transmit to them, either the pulses applied to the inputs of the position indicators of the minute hand 8 and hours 12 when these switches are in a first position referenced a , or the pulses delivered by the electronic means of management 22 when these same switches are in a second position, referenced b .

The electronic management means can advantageously be produced in the form of an integrated circuit comprising a programmed microcontroller. Those skilled in the art will know, from the indications provided here, to carry out the programming of the microcontroller, so as to make it execute the functions described.

The electronic management means 22 are also advantageously associated with two hour 29 and minute 27 registers, comprising two numbers Rh and Rmn, in binary form, which, in a preferred embodiment, are chosen to be equal.

In normal time display mode, the electronic management means 22 are inactive and the motors 18, 20 receive the pulses applied to the inputs of the position counters of the minute and hour hands 8, 12.

The activation of the electronic management means 22 is obtained, for example, by a particular manipulation of the control rod which causes the emission by the interpretation circuit 24 of an activation signal towards the input EN of the means management 22.
the management means 22 then successively execute, in this new operating mode, an initialization phase, an alert phase, an adjustment phase, possibly an additional alert phase, then a display phase

Initialization phase

The watch being in the normal operating mode corresponding to the classic time display (illustrated by step A), the initialization function is activated for example by pushing on the stem with a pressure maintained for a determined time (step B).

The displacement of the rod causes the transmission by the interpretation circuit 24 (FIG. 1) of a signal towards the input EN of the electronic management means 22.

The electronic management means 22 then emit a signal at their output C to place the switches 26 and 28 in state b .

Simultaneously, the electronic management means 22 read the content of the counters 8 and 12 to know the respective positions of the minute hands m and hours h .

The electronic management means 22 then transmit, in a preferred embodiment, the number pulses required on the outputs Mmn and Mh to bring the hands m and h , via the power circuits 14, 16 and the motors 18, 20, to the time reference position defined previously, that is to say that 'they would have if the contents of counters 8 and 12 were equal to zero (this does not affect the operation of counters 6, 8 and 12).

In another embodiment, only one of the needles is moved, and this by emitting a signal only at one of the outputs Mmn or Mh, the other needle remaining fixed in position.

Alert phase

To draw the user's attention to the entry into this operating mode, and to warn him of the activation of initialization, the electronic management means 22 take the content (values Rmn and Rh) of the or registers 27 and 29 and transmit, always at the outputs Mmn and Mh, the number of pulses corresponding to the number Rmn and / or Rh contained, in binary form, in the register (s) 27, 29.

These pulses are received by the motors 18 and 20, via the power circuits 14 and 16. The numbers Rmn and Rh contained in the registers 27 and 29 being advantageously both equal to 60, the hour and minute hands , in a preferred embodiment, both move by a corresponding number of steps, and they perform together at the same speed a rotation of 360 °, that is to say one revolution of the dial, to return at their predetermined time reference position.

In the case where the predetermined time reference position corresponds to a configuration in which the hands are superimposed, the concomitant rotation of the hands is carried out in this superimposed form.

It is therefore understood that the user is informed, in a very simple way, of entering the mode of operation corresponding to the definition of a new time reference position, the implementation of which will be explained below.

We have therefore provided visual warning means formed by the hour and minute hands themselves, these means acting automatically and systematically immediately upon entry into this non-hourly operating mode.

It is also understood that in another embodiment where only one of the registers 27 or 29 is taken into account and where only the corresponding needle is moved, said warning means consist of a complete rotation of at least one needle , after it has been returned to its initial time reference position.

In the preferred embodiment where the hands are both pressed, the warning means consist of a simultaneous rotation of the two hour and minute hands, at the same speed, in a constant relative angular position, for example in superposition .

These warning means apply advantageously to the indication of entry into an operating mode, such as the change of time reference, since the specific movement of the time display hands over a complete revolution and in the same direction clearly indicates a significant change in the time display.

Adjustment phase

In accordance with the application described and still with reference to the document CH 03031 / 90-0 (US sn 07/761 232) mentioned above, the user defines in this phase the new position of the time reference by marking, by means of the hands d 'hours h and minutes m , the position chosen for this new time reference. The movement of the hands is controlled by the control rod, the movement of the latter being interpreted by the circuit 24 which sends corresponding pulses to the input D of the management or adjustment means 22 which, in turn, emit on the outputs Mmn and Mh of the control pulses to the motors 18 and 20.

Preferably, in this phase, the needles remain constantly superimposed. In other words, the management means 22 or the user send the same pulses to the two motors 18 and 20. This allows the user to better realize that the timepiece is in adjustment mode. .

Of course, as mentioned above, it is also possible to produce the management or adjustment means 22 so that only one of the hands is used to indicate the position of the time reference.

You can also choose a different time reference position for the minute hand and the hour hand. For example, with six hours (or eighteen hours) as the time reference position, the hands are exactly opposite.

Display phase

When the user has marked the new position desired for the time reference, he leaves the adjustment mode by a particular manipulation of the control rod. The management means 22 then read the contents of the minute counters 8 and hours 12, which define the current time, and send the corresponding number of pulses to the motors 18 and 20 to move the hands from the reference position to the display position of the current time.

The following example of adjustment illustrates the operation of the timepiece according to the invention.

In Figure 2, there is shown in step A a timepiece here forming a wristwatch intended to be worn on the left wrist. The control rod is therefore on the right. The dial is fitted with four different indexes at 12, 3, 6 and 9. The minute and hour hands each make 60 steps per revolution of the dial.

Typically, noon and midnight are marked by the superposition of the hands at 12 o'clock. This position is chosen as the time reference. The current time is therefore 10h 11mn. The content CPmn of the minute counter is thus equal to 11, and the content CP _H of the hour counter is 50.

When the user enters the adjustment mode, as shown in step B, the two hands move until they are in the time reference position (initialization phase). They then overlap at 12 o'clock.

Then, and in accordance with the invention, as shown in step C, the alert phase is implemented automatically by the warning means. The values Rmn and Rh of the registers 27 and 29 are taken into account by the electronic management means 22 which supply a corresponding number of pulses (here 60) to the motors 18 and 20.

The two hands h and m then perform a complete rotation, preferably at high speed, in a superimposed configuration to warn the user of entering this operating mode which is here a non-hourly operating mode. At the end of this rotation, they find themselves in their time reference position which has not yet changed (step D).

The user then defines (step E) the new desired position for the time reference, by marking this position with the hands (adjustment phase) using manual intervention on the crown.

As can be seen, the new position of the time reference is chosen at 6 o'clock by the user.

This means that, at noon or midnight, the hands will now be, in the normal time display mode, in the position shown in this step.

The user then exits the adjustment mode. At this time, the management means 22 move the hands (display phase) so that they display the current time taking into account the new position of the time reference by advancing each hand by a number of steps equal to the contents of the corresponding counter (step F).

In another embodiment, an alert phase is implemented before returning to the display of the current time to warn the user that he has left the adjustment mode.

It should be noted that during the whole adjustment operation the counters continue to be incremented normally by the time base, so that the number of steps by which the hands have to be advanced is not necessarily equal to the content of the counters at start of the adjustment operation.

The wristwatch can now be worn on the right wrist with the control rod on the left. Adjusting the position of the time reference allows the two hands to be superimposed when it is noon or midnight.

In the embodiments described above, the time reference is indicated, in the adjustment phase, by the position of the superimposed hands, which is also their position during the rapid movement to 360 °, in the alert phase. It is clear that in order to be able to superimpose the hands and move them together, the timepiece movement must include two independent motors, one for each hand.

In the case of a single motor for driving the two needles, the position of a needle determined to mark the position of the time reference. To adjust this time reference, it is of course necessary to have a declutching system, to break the kinematic connection between the two hands at least during the display phase. This can be easily achieved by coupling a wheel of the kinematic chain to the control rod.

Advantageously, the adjustment means can be provided with a table containing a limited number of positions authorized for the time reference. This table is preferably filled in the factory by the manufacturer of the timepiece.

In particular, we can impose that the possible positions are the four positions which in a normal watch indicate 3h, 6h, 9h and 12h.

Claims (8)

Timepiece with analog display having at least two selectable operating modes, a first said hourly and a second said non-hourly, and comprising at least one hour hand ( h ) and one minute hand ( m ) which can be actuated independently by motor means (18, 20), electronic means (22) for managing said operating modes and an external control member capable of acting on said management means, characterized in that it comprises means for visual warning of entry into the non-hourly operating mode, these warning means which are formed by said hour ( h ) and minute ( m ) hands acting automatically and systematically at least during the entry into non-hourly operating mode. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that said warning means consist of a complete rotation of at least one hand. Timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said warning means consist of a complete rotation of at least one hand, after the latter has been brought back to an initial time reference position. Timepiece according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said warning means consist of a simultaneous rotation of the two hour ( h ) and minute ( m ) hands, at the same speed, in a constant relative position. Timepiece according to claim 4, characterized in that said warning means consist of a rotation of the hour ( h ) and minute ( m ) hands, in a superimposed configuration of said hands, after they have been brought back in this configuration, in the initial time reference position. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one register (26, 29) called a warning register, linked to the management means (22), this register comprising a value Rmn, Rh representative of a number necessary for the complete rotation of at least one needle. Timepiece according to claim 6, characterized in that the value Rmn, Rh is equal to 60. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two so-called warning registers (26, 29), linked to the management means (22) and comprising respectively two values Rmn and Rh representative of two numbers necessary for the complete rotation of the two hour ( h ) and minute ( m ) hands, these two values Rmn and Rh being equal to 60.

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