EP0644469A1 - Analogical timepiece with at least an universal time display - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a timepiece with analogue display having at least one universal time display mode. This timepiece includes - time display means consisting of an hour hand and of a minute hand, - time-zone display means including at least one analogue member for tagging the said time zones and able to provide an item of information referring to the geographic position of the said time-zones, with respect to the Earth, - motive means able to drive the said analogue display members opposite time, respectively location indications, and - electronic control means conformed in order to drive the said display means, by actuation of the said motive means, this invention being characterised in that the said analogue member allowing the tagging of time-zones consists of at least one of the two time display hands, for example the hour hand, brought by the electronic control means into a distinctive position in combination with the other hand, in particular the minute hand. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a timepiece having at least one universal time display mode, that is to say allowing to provide the user with time information relating to the 24 time zones defined on the globe. .

A piece of this type is known from document EP 0 364 602 which describes a timepiece comprising, in addition to the hour and minute display hands respectively, a third analog member also having the shape of a hand and can be pointed towards one of the 24 chosen time zones, coinciding with a drawing representing the earth seen from the north pole.

This structure is not the most rational because it requires the provision of a third analog member, with obviously a specific arrangement corresponding to the guide guns in the horometric movement of this part.

Thus, the present invention aims to remedy this drawback by providing a timepiece with analog display having a universal time display mode, of the simplest possible construction, and of which the display means offer no confusion when reading the dial, which is responsible for a great deal of information, timetables and geographic information.

To this end, the subject of the present invention is a timepiece with an analog display which is characterized in that the analog member enabling the time zones to be identified consists of at least one of the two time display hands. , for example the hour hand, brought by electronic control means into a distinctive position in combination with the other hand, especially the minute hand.

It will be specified here that the analog member allowing the location of the time zones is preferably constituted both by the hour hand and by the minute hand, brought under control of the electronic control means in a superposed position, l 'one over the other.

• la figure 1 représente sous forme de schéma bloc une montre à affichage universel de l'heure, conforme à la présente invention;
• la figure 2 est un schéma de fonctionnement d'un compteur de position, du type de ceux incorporés dans le schéma de la figure 1;
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus agrandie d'un cadran de la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention, représentant le globe terrestre vu depuis le pôle nord avec sur celui-ci les 24 fuseaux horaires; et
• la figure 4 est un tableau ou organigramme des différentes fonctions d'affichage remplies par la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention qui comporte un cadran tel que celui représenté à la figure 3.

However, other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings which are given here only by way of example and in which:

• FIG. 1 shows in the form of a block diagram a watch with universal time display, in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a diagram of the operation of a position counter, of the type of those incorporated in the diagram of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of a dial of the timepiece according to the invention, representing the terrestrial globe seen from the north pole with on it the 24 time zones; and
• FIG. 4 is a table or flowchart of the various display functions fulfilled by the timepiece according to the invention which comprises a dial such as that shown in FIG. 3.

There is shown in Figure 1, in the form of a block diagram, a timepiece, for example a watch, having a universal time display mode, and 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 second hand position counter, referenced 6, and a position counter of the minute hand, referenced 8.

It further comprises a divider by twelve referenced 10, receiving the signal from the position counter of the second hand 6, and a position counter of the hour hand referenced 12, the input of which is connected to the output of the divider. 10. The counters 6, 8 and 12 are counters by sixty, the operating mode of which is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, pulses to be counted are supplied to the counters (arrow at the far left of the drawing). These successive pulses are counted by a binary register of at least six bits, which they increment. The status of this register can be read at any time (down arrow on the drawing). At each increment, the register is tested to see if the number it contains is equal to sixty. If this is the case, a pulse is emitted by the test circuit and this pulse causes the reset of the register. The test circuit therefore constitutes a divider by sixty, the signal of which can be sent to another counter (right arrow on the drawing), which is the case for counters 6, 8. Counter 12 can optionally supply this signal if d 'other counters, day or month are associated with it.

The counters 8 and 12 (FIG. 1) define, in normal operating mode, that is to say in the time supply mode, the position, defined according to sixty steps, of the minute and hour hands by report on the dial of the timepiece. Since the watch described here does not include a second hand, the second hand position counter is only used to generate a signal whose frequency makes it possible to increment the other counters 8 and 12 appropriately.

The timepiece is furthermore provided with two motors 18 and 20 which can be controlled independently by power circuits respectively. 14 and 16 to drive the minute hand and the hour hand respectively. The circuits 14 and 16 receive, in normal time mode, the pulses applied respectively to the inputs of the position counters of the minute hands 8 and hours 12.

The arrangement of the motors and gears of this timepiece will not be described here. Indeed, there are already known clock movements comprising several motors for individually actuating the hands. Patent EP-0 393 606 in particular describes a timepiece movement comprising two motors capable of independently driving the minute hand and the hour hand.

The elements of the watch, represented by the block diagram of FIG. 1, which have just been described, explain the operation of this essentially analog timepiece with regard to the normal display of the time. However, in accordance with the present invention, the analog watch described here can also display information relating to the time in 24 time zones, as well as direction information for the geographical location and the distinction of the 24 time zones.

The elements of FIG. 1 which will now be described make it possible, on the one hand, to display the 24 time zones to locate them geographically, and on the other hand, to correct the time displayed by the hands for each of these zones, when necessary.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the timepiece includes electronic control means 22 to enable it to fulfill various functions for displaying the time and a function for locating time zones. These electronic control means 22 comprise inputs MN and H to receive the contents of the position counters of the minute hands 8 and hours 12, two activation inputs AN, EN and two inputs D⁺, D⁻ for the data for moving the needles respectively forwards and backwards.

The signals applied to the inputs AN, EN, D⁺ and D⁻ are supplied by a circuit 24 for interpreting the position and displacement of the control rod. The operation of the control rod and of the interpretation circuit 24 will not be described in detail here since the person skilled in the art already knows devices of this type. Patent EP-0 175 961 in particular describes a control rod associated with an interpretation circuit which can easily be adapted to be used with the timepiece presently described.

The electronic control 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 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 counters of the minute hand 8 and the hour hand 12 when the switches are in a first position referenced a , or the pulses delivered by the electronic control means 22, when the switches are in a second position referenced b .

The electronic control means 22 can advantageously be produced in the form of an integrated circuit comprising a programmed microcontroller. Those skilled in the art will be able, from the indications provided here, to carry out the programming of the microcontroller, so as to make it execute the functions described.

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

The table or flowchart in Figure 4 has 6 drawings or steps (referenced from A to F) representing each one of the different display functions that can be fulfilled by the hands of the watch according to the invention. The arrows which connect the different stages A to F and the few indications which accompany them make it possible to understand how the control rod is actuated to select one of the different display functions, in the different operating modes described.

Setting the time

The elements which have just been described make it possible to correct the time displayed by the hands (which corresponds to step B on the table in FIG. 4).

When the watch is in the normal time display mode which is actually the time of the time zone in which the user is located (illustrated by step A), the time correction function is activated. by pulling on the rod. The displacement towards the outside of the rod causes the emission by the interpretation circuit 24 (FIG. 1) of a signal towards the input EN of the electronic control means 22. The reception of this signal by the electronic means of control 22 causes switches 26 and 28 to go into state b . Simultaneously, the electronic control means 22 emit a high signal on the reset line of the second position counter 6 to keep it at zero so that it no longer provides the signal for incrementing the hand position counters 8 minutes and 12 hours respectively.

The interpretation circuit 24 then sends pulses corresponding to the different rotational movements printed on the rod, by the user, to the inputs D⁺, D⁻ of the electronic control means 22 which, in turn, emit pulses of command to increment or decrement the position counters of the 8 minute and 12 hour hands and to command simultaneously the motors 18, 20 in order to move the needles. When at the end of the time setting operation, the rod is pushed back, the interpretation circuit 24 provides a deactivation signal to the electronic control means 22 which in turn will supply a signal by their output C to put the switches 26, 28 in state a . At the same time, the signal on the reset line returns to zero and the second hand position counter 6 starts again.

Time zone display mode

As mentioned above, the timepiece described here is intended to provide time information relating respectively to several time zones.

To this end, this timepiece includes two counters 27 and 29 (FIG. 1) for respectively memorizing several pairs of digital values HFmn1 to HFmn24, and HFh1 to HFh24 comprised here between 1 and 60, and corresponding respectively to the position of l minute hand and that of the hour hand when they must display the time of the different time zones. The counters 27 and 29 are normally incremented by the hourly seconds signal, via the control means 22.

In FIG. 1 and in the following text, reference will be made to 24 digital values HFmn and HFh but it is understood that a different number of values can be stored in each counter or register 27 if it is desired to bring, in display mode of time zones, hour and minute hands in their position corresponding to other different hours of time zones, cut in another way.

The timepiece according to the invention further comprises two counters or registers 31 and 33 allowing respectively to store two sets of values numerical PFmn1 to PFmn24, and PFh1 to PFh24 also between 1 and 60 and corresponding respectively to the different positions of the two hour and minute hands in their function of locating a particular time zone inscribed on the dial.

Here too, a different number of locating positions can be stored.

Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the dial (not referenced) of the timepiece according to the invention includes an image which is the view of the terrestrial globe, seen from the north pole, with inscriptions on it. , the 24 time zones.

The operating principles of a timepiece comprising means for displaying the time and said time zones will now be described according to the invention.

The user, when he wishes to consult or adjust the different hours of the different time zones, must carry out a certain number of manipulations of the control rod, these manipulations being shown in FIG. 4, to which reference will now be made.

Entering the universal time display mode

When the watch is in the normal time display mode and the interpretation circuit 24 (FIG. 1) transmits, in the direction of the input AN of the electronic control means 22, an activation signal corresponding to a pressure exerted on the rod, the electronic control means 22 emit a signal on their output C to place the switches 26 and 28 in state b (FIG. 1), that is to say to block the pulses coming counters 8 and 12. Simultaneously, the electronic control means 22 read the contents of counters 8 and 12 to know the position of the minute and hour hands. They then emit the number of pulses required on the outputs Mmn and Mh to bring the needles to superimpose in a chosen position on the part to allow the display of the time zone corresponding to the current time. This step, referenced C in FIG. 4, does not affect the operation of the counters 6, 8 and 12.

It is understood that before bringing the hands to be placed in this superposed configuration above one of the 24 time zones, the electronic control means 22 read beforehand the digital values PFmni and PFhi of the counters 31 and 33 of positions of time zones, values which correspond to the position of the ith time zone previously stored in the control means as being the last time zone selected by the user.

Thus, in step C, by way of example, if the hands are brought into their superposed positions for locating time zones close to 8 hours as is the case in FIG. 4, the electronic control means bring the hour and minute hands to be superimposed in the vicinity of the 8-hour index by emitting a number of pulses equal to the number of pulses that would be necessary to make the contents of counters 8 and 12 both equal to approximately 38 , this value 38 being read by the counters in registers 31 and 33.

Then, in step D, the user can pull the rod and by a slow rotation in one direction or another, he can move the hour and minute hands in their superimposed positions opposite one of the other time zones on the dial. At this time, the electronic control means 22 read from the counters 31 and 33 according to the new numerical value corresponding to the new angular position of the two needles on the workpiece, what is the corresponding time zone among the 24 existing and, after identification of the time zone these electronic control means 22 will read from the counters or registers 27 and 29 with multiple data, what is the position of the hour and minute hands that will display the time of this time zone, and therefore what are the corresponding values HFmn and HFh. Then, after the user has returned the rod to the normal position and has pressed it again or for a few seconds, the timepiece according to the invention (step E) displays the time of the time zone selected timetable, by supplying motors 18 and 20 with the number of pulses necessary to move the hour and minute hands in their new time display position relative to their old superposition position corresponding to the marking geographic of the selected time zone.

In this position (step F), the user can pull the rod and modify the time of the time zone considered, that is to say modify the numerical value HFmn, HFh of the counters or registers 27 and 29 corresponding to the position minute and hour hands for the time in the ith time zone considered or for switching from winter time to summer time.

After the user has pushed the rod back, the timepiece returns to the classic time mode for displaying the time in the time zone where the user is located. To this end, the electronic control means 22 read the registers 8 and 12 and supply the number of pulses necessary for the motors 18 and 20 to move the hands into their new display position.

It is therefore understood from what has just been described that a timepiece with analog display having a universal time display has been provided, and in which the analog member which allows the identification of time zones is constituted by the two hour and minute hands brought under control of the electronic control means 22 in a superposed position, one relative to the other.

It will be specified here that the analog device for locating time zones can be constituted by one of the two time display hands, for example the hour hand leaving the other hand, in particular the immobile minute hand when locating the corresponding time zone. Thus, in this other example, the electronic control means would only use one of the position counters 31 or 33.

It is also understood that electronic control means have been provided which include means for managing the angular position of the hand (s) in the geographic location function of the time zone location, in relation to the time information allocated to these different time zones and managed by the position counters 27 and 29 respectively. In addition, this timepiece includes means for memorizing the angular position of the hand or hands, namely the counters 31 and 33, according to indications geographic areas carried by the coin, that is to say as a function of the view of the terrestrial globe from the north pole inscribed on the dial.

In addition, these storage means are controlled by the rod and / or by other external control members which can be actuated by the user to bring the time hand (s), here the two hands, into their superposed positions, in their tracking function with regard to said geographical indications carried by the piece.

Claims (8)

Timepiece with analog display having at least one universal time display mode and comprising: time display means comprising at least two analog display members constituted respectively in the form of an hour hand and a minute hand, these hands being intended to provide time information relating respectively to multiple time zones, means for displaying said time zones comprising at least one analog member for locating said time zones and capable of providing information relating to the geographical position of said time zones, with respect to the earth, - motor means capable of driving said analog display members with regard to indications of time and places respectively, and electronic control means configured to control said display means, by actuation of said motor means, characterized in that said analog member enabling the time zones to be identified consists of at least one of the two time display hands, for example the hour hand, brought by the electronic control means to a distinctive position in combination with the other hand, especially the minute hand. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the analog member allowing the identification of time zones is constituted both by the hour hands and by the minute hand. Timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the analog member enabling the time zones to be identified is formed by the two hour and minute hands, brought under control of the electronic control means in a superposed position, one with respect to the other. Timepiece according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said electronic control means comprise means for managing the angular position of the hand or hands in their function of geographical location of the location of time zones, in relationship with the time information assigned to these different time zones. Timepiece according to claim 4, characterized in that the management means comprise means for memorizing the angular position of the hand or hands, according to geographical indications carried by said piece. Timepiece according to claim 5, characterized in that the storage means are linked in said piece to one or more external control members, which can be actuated by a user to bring the time hand (s) into their tracking function opposite one of said geographical indications carried by the piece. Timepiece according to claim 6, characterized in that the motor means are shaped to move the two hour and minute hands concomitantly in at least one constant angular position, opposite said geographical indications carried by the piece Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said motor means consist of two motors which can be independently controlled by the electronic control means, these motors being linked respectively to the two hour hands and of minutes.

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