EP1807738B1 - Multifunctional navigational aid watch, particularly suitable for space missions - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic watch, notably for a space mission. It enables the setting, at any point in time, of a first date, start of the mission (t0) with relation to a local time scale (T1) or the Universal Time (GMT), and the determination of a first corresponding time scale (MET). It enables the setting, at any point in time, of a second date, start (t′0) of one of the mission's phases with relation to the first time scale (MET) or to the Universal Time (GMT), and the determination of a second corresponding time scale (PET). It comprises means of setting, recording, calculating and analogue and digital viewing. The digital viewing means displays a negative time value (−) when the start date is located in the future and a positive time value (+) when this date has elapsed. It comprises five audio alarms, a chronometer and a “Timer”.

Description

The invention relates to a multifunction watch for navigation assistance, more specifically a watch with multiple displays and alarms.

To simplify the description, this timepiece will be called simply "watch" below.

In the context of the invention, the term "navigation" must be understood in its general sense: aerial flight, land or sea travel, speleological missions, etc.

It finds a particular, though not exhaustive, application in the field of long-duration space missions.

To fix the ideas, it will be placed in what follows in the case of the preferred application of the invention, namely a space mission whose duration is expressed in days or months.

In the context of the applications recalled above, and more particularly for the aforementioned space missions, it is well known that a certain number of needs are felt.

In the first place, the moment of departure must be precisely dated. It follows that the events characteristics of the mission require a reference to the time either "internal", that is to say relative to the beginning of the mission, or "external", as the "Universal Time" (time of the meridian of Greenwich, called " GMT " for "Greenwich Meridian Time"), also called "Zulu Time" in some Anglo-Saxon publications.

A certain number of temporal information and / or timestamps must also be available, displayable and produce selective, audible and / or visual alarms.

Several time scales must also be available to accommodate various situations, including variable mission durations and / or particular phases of these missions.

Naturally, in addition to the aforementioned "Universal Time", the watch must be able to display the time of the local time zone, one or more hours in other time zones. It must be equipped with common functions such as "stopwatch", date display (day, month, year), etc.

Also, it has been proposed in the known art multifunctional watches being "universal", especially in the context of the applications particularly targeted by the invention, that is to say, navigation aid.

By way of non-exhaustive example, mention may be made of the US patent US 6,144,619 (John P. Reisman ), entitled "FLIGHT WATCH WITH MULTIPLE TIMERS AND ALARM INDICATING MEANS" (for "Flying Stop Watch with Multiple Displays and Alarms").

This patent, as the title suggests, concerns an electronic watch with several functions assisting an airplane pilot in his flight plan. It makes it possible to meet the specific needs of this type of application, automatically and ergonomically, freeing the driver from repetitive tasks and allowing him to focus all his attention on the critical events specific to the flight without being distracted by ancillary tasks.

The watch subject of this patent can display the local time, the time "GMT" (or "Zulu Time"), and forty two time zones. It has several time counters, with six different scales, a chronometer function, up / down counters. It includes analog and digital display devices and various alarms (audio, visual and tactile). These various functions can be preprogrammed using easily accessible control buttons.

One might think that this watch or similar watches, because of the large number of functions with which they are equipped and their flexibility of use fully meet the needs that arise in the context of the applications covered by the invention.

This, however, is not the case, in particular, but not exhaustively, in the case of space missions. Indeed, specific needs for these applications remain unresolved.

It must be possible to set a zero time of an account ahead or a countdown by a specific date. The watch must then be able to automatically calculate the elapsed time from or remaining to a specific event. The elapsed time (in days, hours, minutes, seconds) from an event whose date is known must not require the user of the watch to be alerted to watch the starting point at which to start his stopwatch.

Likewise, the time remaining until an event whose date is known must not require a mental calculation on the part of the operator to determine the time he must set on his time counter, the time separating the instant where it will start the countdown and the time of occurrence of the scheduled event.

This point is very important in the case of a space mission whose activities are planned either according to the time elapsed since the moment of take-off, known under the abbreviation of " MET " (for "Mission Elapsed Time" or "Elapsed Mission Time"), or according to Universal Time (" GMT "). These abbreviations, " GMT " and " MET ", will be used hereinafter with the aim of simplifying the description. " MET " is therefore comparable to an elaborate "chronograph" function. The origin of time is defined in the watch by the date of takeoff and not by a pressure on a predetermined button of the watch at the precise moment of takeoff. This date must be seizable, that is to say "entry" in the watch both before and after takeoff.

Some of these space activities need to be dated with high accuracy relative to the " MET " or " GMT " and in turn require a countdown until a time interval determined has elapsed since a characteristic event of this activity.

For example, the output in the space vacuum is a typical example. The communication constraints impose a precise moment of opening of the airlock door and autonomy constraints impose a maximum working time outside the vessel. The astronaut must therefore always know the time remaining to prepare until the effective opening of the door and the time elapsed since the start of its release.

Other events generating the same need are the ignition of a spacecraft's orbiting engines, docking with another spacecraft, dropping a satellite from the ship's hold, and so on.

If the operator has missed the start of his stopwatch at the moment of occurrence of an interesting event but knows the date, he must be able to enter this date in his watch, which will compensate the delay of the operator and will display the exact elapsed time.

Finally, it must be possible to determine an elapsed time interval, which will be arbitrarily referred to hereinafter as "positive time", or remaining until a specific event, which will be arbitrarily referred to hereinafter as "time negative", event whose date of occurrence must be adjustable by the operator.

In the context of the preferred application of the invention, this time interval corresponds to a phase of the space mission, which may comprise several. Also, this time interval will hereinafter be referred to as " PET " (for "Phase Elapsed Time" or "Phase Elapsed Time").

The time scale must be adjustable by the operator in an appropriate time scale, either relative to " GMT " or to " MET ".

In a context of daily life that is neither related to navigation nor to space missions, we know a watch as described in the document US6188311 . This electronic watch allows the user to define a particular event and time scale associated with that event. In this scale, the time is displayed in negative when the event is coming and it is displayed in positive when the event is exceeded.

The invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the devices of the prior art, to meet the needs that are felt in the field of targeted applications, some of which have just been recalled.

The object of the invention is to provide a multifunction watch for navigation assistance, in particular for a space mission. This object is achieved by the watch comprising the features of claim 1.

According to a first important characteristic, the watch according to the invention comprises first means for defining a time origin of a first predetermined event, by entering into the watch a date of origin of this event, and means determining, recording and displaying the time elapsed from this event with respect to predetermined time scales.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this date can be entered at any time, that is to say more precisely without distinction before or after the occurrence of the event, a function which has been called above " MET ".

According to a second important characteristic, the watch according to the invention comprises means for determining, recording and displaying a time interval remaining until a second predetermined event, that is to say the beginning of a phase of the mission (" PET "), a so-called "negative" time, or an interval of time elapsed since this event, which will be called "positive", a predetermined event whose date is adjustable by the operator in the selected time scale with respect to a predefined time origin, either with respect to "GMT" or with respect to " MET " above.

The watch according to the invention naturally comprises input means, recording and display time " GMT ".

In a preferred embodiment, it also comprises means for capturing, recording and displaying a plurality of hourly beams.

In a still preferred embodiment, the watch according to the invention comprises several "countdown time counter" timers, advantageously five, so as to have several alarms. Advantageously, each of the alarms is associated with a separate audio signal, for example a ring tone or a predefined "beep" sequence.

In a still more preferred embodiment, the watch according to the invention comprises a dual display: a first display of analog type and a second display of digital type.

• la figure 1 est un diagramme temporel illustrant schématiquement le mode de fonctionnement d'une montre selon l'invention et l'interdépendance des principales échelles de temps ;
• la figure 2 illustre schématiquement, en vue de dessus, la configuration extérieure d'une montre selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention ;
• les figure 3A et 3B illustrent le réglage et l'affichage de la fonction dite "GMT" (Temps Universel) ;
• Les figures 4A et 4B illustrent le réglage et l'affichage d'une échelle de temps correspondant à un fuseau horaire local particulier ;
• les figures 5A et 5B illustrent le réglage et l'affichage d'une date correspondant à l'instant origine d'une mission spatiale, dite "MET", par rapport aux échelles de temps local et Universel, respectivement ;
• la figure 5C illustre l'affichage de "MET", avant départ du vaisseau spatial ;
• les figures 6A et 6B illustrent le réglage et l'affichage d'une date correspondant à l'instant origine, dite "PET", d'une phase de la mission spatiale par rapport à la date origine de la mission spatiale ;
• les figures 7A à 7C, illustrent le réglage et l'affichage de trois alarmes ;
• la figure 8 illustre de façon plus détaillée les organes de visualisation de la montre de la figure 1 et ses organes de commande à boutons poussoirs ;
• la figure 9 est un bloc diagramme illustrant schématiquement les principaux circuits électroniques nécessaire au bon fonctionnement de la montre selon l'invention.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a time diagram schematically illustrating the mode of operation of a watch according to the invention and the interdependence of the main time scales;
• the figure 2 schematically illustrates, in plan view, the outer configuration of a watch according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
• the Figure 3A and 3B illustrate the setting and display of the function called " GMT " (Universal Time);
• The Figures 4A and 4B illustrate the setting and display of a time scale corresponding to a particular local time zone;
• the Figures 5A and 5B illustrate the setting and display of a date corresponding to the original time of a space mission, called " MET ", relative to the local and universal time scales, respectively;
• the Figure 5C illustrates the display of " MET " before departure of the spacecraft;
• the Figures 6A and 6B illustrate the setting and display of a date corresponding to the instant origin, called " PET ", a phase of the space mission compared to the origin date of the space mission;
• the Figures 7A to 7C , illustrate the setting and display of three alarms;
• the figure 8 illustrates in more detail the display organs of the watch of the figure 1 and its pushbutton actuators;
• the figure 9 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the main electronic circuits necessary for the proper functioning of the watch according to the invention.

In what follows, without limiting in any way the scope, it will be placed below in the context of the preferred application of the invention, unless otherwise specified, that is to say in the case of a space mission.

The figure 1 is a timing diagram schematically illustrating the mode of operation of a watch according to the invention.

• Échelle de temps "T₁" . Temps local d'un fuseau horaire dénommé arbitrairement "numéro 1".
• Échelle de temps "T₂" : Temps local d'un fuseau horaire dénommé arbitrairement "numéro 2".
• Échelle de temps "GMT" (pour "Greenwich Meridian Time", encore appelé Temps Universel) : les jours sont comptés en nombre depuis le premier janvier. C'est l'échelle de temps de référence universelle utilisée dans toutes les missions de navigation au cours desquelles les vaisseaux spatiaux peuvent être amenés à changer régulièrement de fuseau horaire. "GMT" est un ancien acronyme qui est, actuellement, souvent remplacé par "UTC" (pour "Temps Universel Coordonné").
• Échelle de temps "MET" (pour "Mission Elapsed Time") . Intervalle de temps écoulé depuis un instant prédéterminé, en l'occurrence le début de la mission spatiale. Il est défini dans l'une des échelles de temps T ₁, T ₂ ou "GMT". Dans le cas du vol spatial précité, il s'agit de l'instant précis de décollage du vaisseau.
• Fonction "Alarme" ("AL") : Emission d'un signal sonore à une date réglable par l'opérateur de la montre dans une échelle de temps présélectionnée, soit T ₁, T₂, "GMT" ou "MET".
• Fonction "PET" (pour "Phase elapsed time") : C'est l'intervalle de temps restant jusqu'à un événement prédéterminé, dit "négatif", ou l'intervalle de temps écoulé depuis cet événement, dit "positif", événement dont la date est réglable par l'opérateur de la montre dans une échelle de temps présélectionnée, soit "GMT", soit "MET". Il doit être rappelé que lors d'une mission spatiale, "PET" est la référence de temps utilisée pour les sorties dans l'espace, les phases de rendez-vous ou de séparation des vaisseaux, les corrections d'orbites ou la rentrée atmosphérique.
• Fonction "Timer" ("TMR"): Il s'agit d'un compte à rebours à partir d'une quantité de temps définie à l'avance, pour des durées relativement courtes. C'est une fonction dont est dotée classiquement une montre.
• Fonction "Chronographe" ("CHR") : Il s'agit d'un compte en avant mesurant, avec précision, un intervalle de temps écoulé depuis l'instant d'enclenchement par l'opérateur, pour des durées relativement courtes. C'est une fonction dont est dotée classiquement une montre. Toutefois, là encore, il convient de remarquer que pour les besoins courants, des résolutions "heures - minutes - secondes" ou "minutes - secondes - 1/100 sec." sont classiquement offertes par les chronographes, mais pas ces deux gammes.

In this diagram, and in what follows, the terms used correspond to the following definitions:

• Time scale "T ₁ ". Local time of a timezone arbitrarily named "number 1".
• Time scale "T ₂ ": Local time of a time zone arbitrarily named "number 2".
• Time scale " GMT " (for "Greenwich Meridian Time", also called Universal Time): days are numbered since January 1st. This is the universal reference time scale used in all navigation missions where spacecraft may need to change their time zone regularly. " GMT " is an old acronym that is currently often replaced by " UTC " (for "Coordinated Universal Time").
• Time scale " MET " (for "Mission Elapsed Time"). Interval of time elapsed since a predetermined moment, in this case the beginning of the space mission. It is defined in one of the time scales T ₁ , T ₂ or " GMT ". In the case of theft said space, it is the precise moment of takeoff of the vessel.
• "Alarm" function (" AL "): Emitting a sound signal at a date set by the watch operator in a preselected time scale, ie T ₁ , T ₂ , "GMT" or " MET ".
• Function " PET " (for "Phase elapsed time"): It is the time interval remaining until a predetermined event, called "negative", or the interval of time elapsed since this event, said "positive", event whose date is adjustable by the operator of the watch in a preselected time scale, either "GMT" or " MET ". It should be remembered that during a space mission, " PET " is the time reference used for space exits, ship rendezvous or separation phases, orbit corrections or atmospheric reentry. .
• "Timer" function ( "TMR" ): This is a countdown from a pre-defined amount of time, for relatively short durations. It is a function which is conventionally equipped with a watch.
• "Chronograph"(" CHR ") function: This is a forward count that accurately measures a time interval from the operator's switch-on time for relatively short durations. It is a function which is conventionally equipped with a watch. However, again, it should be noted that for the current needs, resolutions "hours - minutes - seconds" or "minutes - seconds - 1/100 sec." are typically offered by chronographs, but not these two ranges.

The three top axes of the diagram of the figure 1 represent time scales, while the lower four axes represent functions.

More precisely, the two upper axes of the temporal diagram of the figure 1 represent the time scales of the time zones, " T ₁ " and " T ₂ ", which have been called No. 1 and 2, respectively.

An arbitrary instant t _x of the space mission, or present instant, has been represented respectively at (12 H - 6) relative to the local time T ₁ and (12 H +1) relative to the local time " T ₂ ".

The present moment t _x corresponds to 12 H on the axis of the Universal Time " GMT " (third axis of time of the figure 1 under the axes " T ₁ " and " T ₂ ".

The two lower axes of the figure 1 correspond to the time scales " MET " and " PET ", respectively.

A space mission may have one or more distinct phases. We can therefore define a corresponding number of different " PET ".

By cons, by definition, there is only one " MET " per mission, moment that defines the beginning of this mission, for example the precise moment of takeoff of the ship as recalled above.

On the diagram of the figure 1 t _{0 is} the moment 0 or origin of the time scale " MET "', which can be defined with respect to one or other of the time scales " T ₁ ", " T ₂ " , or "GMT".

On the diagram of the figure 1 t ₀ has been called the time 0 or origin of the time scale " PET ", which can be defined with respect to one or the other of the time scales " MET " (internal time scale) "mission") or "GMT" ("external" time scale at the mission).

According to an important characteristic of the invention, " PET " must be considered as a function "Timer" (as defined above), but whose setting parameter is a date and not a duration of time.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the times t ₀ and t ' ₀ (defined by dates) can be entered into the watch at any time, knowing the precise start time of the mission, to be stored and displayed therein. .

According to another characteristic of the invention, there are thus defined "negative" and "positive" times, denoted "+" and "-" respectively, on the axes of the time scales " MET " and "PET".

On the " CHR " and " TMR " axes, arbitrary instants t _CHR and t _TMR have also been shown to actuate these functions.

We will now describe, by reference to the figure 2 , the configuration of a watch 1 according to a preferred embodiment, more precisely the display units of this watch.

Hereinafter, the formats and parameters of display and adjustment of the watch 1 are conventionally defined as follows:

Display format :

The display format may differ from the format used for the setting.

• Y = année ;
• M = mois : 1 à 12 (1 ou 2 chiffres) ou : JAN à DEC (trois lettres)
• J = jour de la semaine (pour fixer les idées, en français : LU, MA, ME, JE, VE, SA, et DI) ;
• D = date dans le mois : 1 à 31 (1 ou 2 chiffres) ;
• d = numéro du jour. 000 à 366 pour GMT ou -99 à 999 pour "MET" ou "PET" ;
• h = heure : 0 à 23 (1 ou 2 chiffres)
• m = minute : 00 à 59 (2 chiffres)
• s = seconde : 00 à 59 (2 chiffres)
• s/100 = centième de seconde : 00 à 99 (2 chiffres).

The following code is used to represent the display or setting:

• Y = year;
• M = month: 1 to 12 (1 or 2 digits) or: JAN to DEC (three letters)
• J = day of the week (to fix the ideas, in French: LU, MA, ME, ME, VE, SA, and DI);
• D = date in the month: 1 to 31 (1 or 2 digits);
• d = number of the day. 000 to 366 for GMT or -99 to 999 for " MET " or "PET" ;
• h = hour: 0 to 23 (1 or 2 digits)
• m = minute: 00 to 59 (2 digits)
• s = second: 00 to 59 (2 digits)
• s / 100 = 100th of a second: 00 to 99 (2 digits).

Display settings :

The display parameters are indicated in the table: "TABLE: Display Parameters", appended to this description.

Setting parameters :

• " T ₁ " or " T ₂ ": + or - h compared to " GMT " (with h expressed in hours)
• "GMT": XYMDhms;
  relationship in which X is a letter that indicates a language chosen to present the days, and possibly months if the operator chooses to present them in letters. X precedes the two digits YY indicating the year during the setting. X can take the values "F" (French), "E" (English) and "S" (Spanish)
  " MET ": "- - -", or
  setting in the time scale " T ₁ " or "T ₂ " or "GMT":
  • - / + .MDhms for setting in time " T ₁ " or " T ₂ "
  • - / + dhms or MDhms for setting in time " GMT "
  " TMR ": hms
  " CHR ": 0.00.00 / 00
  Alarm (" AL "): alarm number, "ON" or "OFF", with time scales
  MJDhm for alarm in time scale " T ₁ " and " T ₂ "
  dhms for alarm in the time scale " GMT " and " MET "
  " PET ""- - -", or
  setting in the time scale " MET " or "GMT"
  - / + dhms for setting in the time scale "MET"'
  - / + dhms or MDhms for setting in time " GMT "'

The settings of " MET " or " PET " are to set the date of zero time of " MET " or " PET ", respectively, expressed in another time scale. When three dashes ("- - -") are present instead of the reference time, this means that " MET " or " PET " are not defined. Since the year is not an available parameter to set " MET " or "PET", the "-" or "+" signs are used to indicate whether the entered date is in the past or (default) in the future.

In the example described on the figure 2 the watch 1 advantageously comprises two types of display units: an analogue needle display member 2 and digital display members, 3 and 4, in a conventional manner per se, with liquid crystals.

Preferably, the analog pointer display 2 is used essentially for displaying the local time of the time zones " T ₁ " or "T ₂ ".

Advantageously, the display 3 is subdivided into three zones, referenced 30 to 32, and the display 4 in two zones, 40 and 41. The functions of these zones will be explained below with respect to the description of the Figures 3A to 7C , it being understood that the zones 30 and 31 are used to specify the nature of the data or functions being displayed: " T ₁ ", "T ₂ ", "GMT", "MET", "PET", etc.

In what follows, since, in the embodiment described, the year is not an available parameter, during the settings of " MET " or "PET", the signs "-" or "+", respectively, can used to indicate if the date entered in the watch is in the past or (by default) in the future.

In these figures, to avoid overloading the drawing, the hands of the analog display 2 have not been shown. In addition, the identical elements from one figure to another and identical to those of the figure 2 have the same references and will only be re-described as needed.

Finally, the detailed settings and displays of the watch 1 will be described, hereinafter with reference to the tables "TABLE T ₁ " to "TABLE PET " appended to this description.

The figure 3A illustrates an example of a " GMT " setting for Tuesday, November 2, 2004, 10 hours 12 minutes 35 seconds.

The letters of the function " GMT " are entered in the zone 30 of the watch 1. "F04"("F" for French language), "11", "2", and "10 12 35" are entered in the zones 31, 32, 40 and 41, respectively.

The figure 3B illustrates an example of display of the " GMT " function that has just been set ( figure 3A ).

During the display, the watch 1 automatically calculates the day of the week (TUESDAY in the example described) corresponding to the date and language (French) entered by the operator.

The "GMT" function is displayed in zone 30, "MA" is displayed in zone 31, "11" is displayed in zone 32, "2" is displayed in zone 40 and the time ("10 12 35 ") in area 41.

As a first alternative, no information is displayed in the zone 32 and the number "307 is displayed in the zone 40, the other zones remaining unchanged.

As a second alternative, the zone 32 displays "NOV" in place of the number "11", the other zones remaining unchanged.

Assuming that the time zone No 1 (scale " T ₁ " of the figure 1 ) represents the local time of HOUSTON (USA), the Figure 4A illustrates an example of setting the function " T ₁ ", a time difference of -5 hours compared to "GMT" (previous setting of the figure 3A ).

The letters of the function " T ₁ " are entered in the zone 30 of the watch 1. " GMT ", "- 5", "2", "5 12 35" are entered in the zones 31, 32, 40 and 41, respectively.

The Figure 4B illustrates an example of display of the local time thus set: function " T ₁ " (zone 31), day ("MA": zone 31), month (number: zone 32), date of the day (zone 40) and "hours, minutes, seconds" (zone 41), ie 5 h 12 min 35 s.

The Figure 5A illustrates a first example of setting of " MET " (zone 30), assuming that the zero moment of " MET " ( figure 1 : t ₀ ) is defined by the following date: "25" (zone 40) February (number "- 2": zone 32) at 21 H 44 min 12 s ("21 44 12": zone 41), HOUSTON time , the local time of the time zone " T ₁ ", as previously defined. This adjustment is therefore made with respect to this time scale (" T ₁ ": figure 1 ). It could just as well have been done with respect to another local time scale, for example " T ₂ ".

The Figure 5B illustrates a second example of setting " MET ", but compared to the time scale " GMT " ( figure 1 ) for this same data. The zone 30 always specifies that it is the setting " MET ", but the zone 31 specifies now that it is " GMT " and no longer " T ₁ ". zones 32, 40 and 41 are adjusted as in the case of the Figure 5A . zone 32 only displays the negative sign ("-").

The Figure 5C illustrates an example of display of the function " MET ", this one day and 13 H 45 min 55 s (zone 41) before the departure of the spaceship, that is to say the beginning of the mission. According to an important characteristic of the invention, " MET " can be set at any time, before or after the instant t ₀ . In the first case, it is a negative time: zone 40 displays "- 01" (for less than one day). Zones 31 and 32 do not display any data.

A "-" sign under " MET " indicates that the date of the zero moment of the "MET" used for the setting is in the future. It is the default value. A "+" sign means that the start time of the "MET" is in the past. This procedure avoids, as has been indicated, to mention the current year when entering the date of the zero time.

As a first alternative for setting, "- 2" and "26" are entered in zones 30 and 40, respectively.

As a second alternative for the setting, if " GMT " is not defined, "- - -" is entered in the area 31, and the areas 40 and 41 display "000" and 0 00 00 ", respectively.

The setting and display of a "chronograph" function is done in a conventional manner and it is unnecessary to re-describe these operations in detail. Zone 30 indicates "CHR" and zones 31 and 41, "00" and "0 00 00", respectively, before the stopwatch starts. Zones 32 and 40 do not display any data.

After triggering, the zone 41 displays the time in hours, minutes, and seconds, for example the number "0 02 31" (0 hours 02 minutes 31 seconds) .and the zone 31 displays the hundredths of a second, for example the number " 89 ". We note the maintenance of hours, minutes and seconds at their usual location to avoid any confusion with hundredths of seconds.

The setting and display of a function "Timer" or "TMR" is also performed in a conventional manner per se. The zone 31 indicates " TMR ", the zone 41 the duration of time to be counted down, for example "2 45 32" (for 2 hours 45 minutes 32 seconds) and the zone 40 the sign "-" to specify that it is is a countdown. Once triggered, " TMR " is decremented per second.

The Figure 6A illustrates an example of setting a " PET " (function entered and displayed in the zone 30) assuming that the instant zero t ' ₀ ( figure 1 ) with respect to the " MET " ( figure 1 : t ₀ ) is 8 days 17 hours 8 minutes 0 seconds.

Area 31 displays the letters of the " MET " function. Area 32 does not display any data. "0 0 8" is entered in zone 40 and "17 08 00" in zone 41.

Alternatively, if " PET " is defined relative to "GMT", the letters of this function are entered and displayed in area 31. "- 3", "5" and "18 01 12" are entered in zones 32, 40 and 41, respectively.

In this same case, again as an alternative, the letters "GMT" are entered and displayed in zone 31. "-", "065" and "18 01 12" are entered in zones 32, 40 and 41, respectively

The Figure 6B illustrates an example of display of the " PET " function (zone 30) at 3 mn and 10 s (zone 41: "0 03 10") of the zero time. The zone 40 displays "- 0 0", the sign "-"("negative" time) indicating that one is before the moment t ' ₀ . Zones 31 and 32 do not display any data.

Alternatively, if " GMT " is not defined, zone 31 displays "- - -" and zones 40 and 41 display "000" and "0 00 00", respectively.

As for " MET ", a "-" sign placed under " PET " during the time-based setting "GMT" indicates that the zero time date of the " PET " used for the setting is in the future. It is the default value. A "+" sign means that the start time of the "MET" is in the past. This procedure allows to avoid, as indicated, having to mention the current year when entering the date of the zero time.

It is worth remembering that " PET " works in a similar way to " MET " but that it concerns specific activities, whereas " PET " is rather dedicated to the mission as a whole.

As indicated, the watch advantageously comprises five "timers" (or more) so as to be able to set and display an equal number of alarms independent of each other and referring to the different time scales: "T ₂ ", "T ₂ ", "GMT", " MET ", etc.

To fix the ideas, we will now illustrate, by reference to Figures 7A to 7C , the setting and display of three of these possible alarms, arbitrarily designated "AL 1" to "AL 3", respectively.

The setting and display of the first alarm, "AL 1", (indicated by zone 30) is illustrated by the Figure 7A . This alarm refers to the " MET " time scale ( figure 1 ). The " MET " scale is indicated on zone 31 and the alarm is set to 3 days (zone 40) 21 H 5 min 17 s. Alarm "AL 1" is active (state "ON"): this state is symbolized by the sign "<" displayed in zone 30 to the right of the symbol "AL 1". For example, the setting is made for 3 days 21 hours 05 minutes 17 seconds. "0 0 3" and "21 05 17" are entered and displayed in areas 40 and 41, respectively. Area 32 does not display any data.

As a first alternative for the setting, "079" and "2 10 00" are entered and displayed in areas 40 and 41, respectively.

As a second alternative for setting, "19" and "2 10 00" are entered and displayed in areas 40 and 41, respectively.

Similarly, the setting and display of the second alarm, "AL 2" (indicated by zone 30) is illustrated by the Figure 7B . This alarm refers to the time scale "T ₂ " ( figure 1 ). The letters of the time scale " T ₂ " are entered and displayed in the zone 31, and the alarm " AL 2" is set to be triggered every Thursday (symbol " JE " displayed by the last two digits of the zone 41) of the month of August (number "8": zone 32) at 6 h 45 min (first part of zone 41: "6 45"). The alarm " AL 1" is inactive in the example described on the Figure 7B (state "OFF"): this state can be deduced from the fact that the sign "<" is not displayed in the zone 30. The zone 40 displays "- - -".

Finally, the setting and display of the third alarm " AL 3" (indicated by zone 30) is illustrated by the Figure 7C . This alarm refers to the time scale " T ₁ " ( figure 1 ). The letters of the time scale " T ₁ " are entered and displayed in zone 31, and the alarm " AL 3" is set at 15 (zone 40) of each month at 18:30 (zone 41: 18). - -). Alarm " AL 3" is active (state "ON"): this state is symbolized by the sign "<" displayed in zone 30 to the right of the symbol " AL 3". Area 40 displays "- - -".

When the alarms are triggered, the watch preferably emits an audio signal attracting the attention of the operator, for example a predetermined sequence of "beep" sound. To fix the ideas, for the alarm " AL 3", the repeated sequence of three "bip" can be adopted: "bip.bip.bip-bip.bip.bip --- bip.bip.bip etc", until the alarm is silenced by the operator (the dashes represent a pause in the transmission, the same can be true for other alarms: for example, a repeated two-beep sequence for the alarm) AL 2 ", etc. Preferably, the watch 1 has five alarms.

As has been indicated, the time and minutes of the time scales " T ₁ " or " T ₂ " can also be permanently displayed by the analog part of the watch: hands 2 ( figure 1 ).

In practice, a number of other conventions can be adopted for configuring different adjustments and displays, in particular to obtain good ergonomics, conventions within the reach of the skilled person and do not need to be described in detail.

• Le réglage de "MET" ou "PET" consistant à régler la date de l'instant zéro exprimée dans une autre échelle de temps ("T₁", "GMT", ...), quand trois tirets (" - - -") sont affichés à la place du temps de référence, cela signifie que "MET" ou "PET" ne sont pas définis.
• Les affichages "MET", "PET " et "Timer" ("TMR") sont associés au signe "-" lorsqu'ils décomptent le temps, c'est-à-dire lorsque la date correspondant à l'instant "zéro" programmé se situe dans le futur.
• Au franchissement de l'instant "zéro", "MET", "PET" et le "Timer" marquent cet instant par un signal audio, par exemple une sonnerie caractéristique de la fonction considérée et continuent à compter en avant sans s'arrêter. A titre d'exemple, pour fixer les idées, la sonnerie de "MET" ne dure que 5 secondes tandis que celles de "PET" et du "Timer" durent plus longtemps (typiquement entre 30 et 60 secondes). L'opérateur peut stopper la sonnerie sans interrompre le comptage du temps qui, dans les trois cas, continue en avant sans s'arrêter. Ce compte continu a l'avantage d'informer l'opérateur du temps écoulé depuis le franchissement de l'instant "zéro".
• "GMT" doit être réglé avant "T₁" et "T₂" qui sont réglés en fonction du décalage horaire depuis "GMT".
• "T₁", "T₂", ou "GMT" doivent être réglés avant "MET", dont l'instant zéro peut être défini dans l'une de ces trois échelles de temps.
• "GMT" ou "MET" doivent être réglés avant "PET", dont l'instant zéro ne peut être défini que dans l'échelle de temps "GMT" ou "MET".
• dans un mode de réalisation préféré, lors du réglage de "MET" ou de "PET", le choix est donné à l'opérateur de ne sélectionner aucun temps de référence afin de signifier qu'il n'y a pas de "mission" ou de "phase" en cours. "MET" ou "PET", respectivement, n'ont alors aucun lieu d'être affiché.

With regard to the more specific features of the invention, however, it can be stated that:

• The setting of " MET " or " PET " to set the date of zero time expressed in another time scale ("T ₁ ", "GMT", ...), when three dashes ("- - - ") are displayed instead of the reference time, this means that" MET "or " PET " are not defined.
• The " MET ", "PET " and "Timer" ("TMR") displays are associated with the "-" sign when they count down the time, that is to say when the date corresponding to the instant "zero" programmed is in the future.
• At the crossing of the instant "zero", " MET ", " PET " and the "Timer" mark this moment by an audio signal, for example a ring characteristic of the function considered and continue to count forward without stopping. For example, to fix the ideas, the ringing of " MET " lasts only 5 seconds while those of " PET " and the "Timer" last longer (typically between 30 and 60 seconds). The operator can stop the ringing without interrupting the time count, which in all three cases continues forward without stopping. This continuous account has the advantage of informing the operator of the time elapsed since the crossing of the instant "zero".
• "GMT" must be set before "T ₁ " and "T ₂ " which are set according to the time difference from " GMT ".
• "T ₁ ", "T ₂ ", or "GMT" must be set before " MET ", whose zero time can be set in any of these three time scales.
• "GMT" or " MET " must be set before " PET ", whose zero time can only be defined in the time scale " GMT " or " MET ".
• in a preferred embodiment, when setting " MET " or " PET ", the choice is given to the operator to select no reference time to indicate that there is no "mission" or "phase" in progress. " MET " or " PET ", respectively, then have no place to be displayed.

We will now describe a practical embodiment of the watch according to the invention and control means for its adjustment, that is to say the entry and entry of data, and the display of these data, by reference to the figure 8 .

On the figure 8 , the elements identical to those of Figures 1 to 7C have the same references and will only be re-described as needed.

In the preferred embodiment of the watch 1, four push buttons, 5, 6, 7 and 9, are sufficient for the control (settings and displays) of the time and functions of the watch. Push buttons are preferred to rotary knobs because they do not require the removal of the watch 1 from the wrist of the user for adjustments. The control buttons, 5, 6, 7 and 9, are advantageously arranged, on the one hand, symmetrically on each side of the watch 1, on the other hand, in the high parts (buttons 5 and 6) and low (buttons 7 and 9) on these sides, so as to avoid the presence of a button in the central area that could create a hard point of pressure on the wrist of the user's wrist when it is arched.

• Zone 30 : champs 300, 301 et 302 ;
• Zone 31 : champ unique 31 ;
• Zone 32 : champ unique 320 ;
• Zone 40 : champ unique 410 ;
• Zone 41 : champs 410, 411 et 412.

The digital display areas, 30 to 41 are subdivided into what will be referred to hereafter as fields:

• Zone 30: fields 300, 301 and 302;
• Area 31: single field 31;
• Zone 32: single field 320;
• Zone 40: single field 410;
• Area 41: Fields 410, 411 and 412.

• La sélection des échelles de temps et des fonctions est effectuée dans l'ordre par des courtes pressions sur le bouton 7 ou en ordre inverse par des courtes pressions sur le bouton 5.
• Le mode de réglage d'un temps ou d'une fonction est démarré, à partir de l'affichage normal de ce temps ou de cette fonction, en pressant plus de 2 secondes sur le bouton 5. Les champs de réglage sont alors sélectionnés cycliquement par pressions successives sur le bouton 6. Le champ sujet à réglage est identifié par clignotement de la valeur courante. Le premier champ réglable (clignotant) dans le cycle est celui du premier paramètre réglable du temps ou de la fonction en cours. Par exemple, pour le réglage de "T ₁", il s'agit du champ 310 mais, pour le "TMR", le premier champ clignotant est le champ 400 indiquant le signe du sens de comptage (positif ou négatif).
• Le choix de l'échelle de temps "T₁" ou "T₂" que l'on désire représenter par les aiguilles est obtenu par une pression prolongée simultanée des boutons 7 et 5 pendant l'affichage normal de l'échelle de temps désirée. Le cycle des champs réglables de l'échelle de temps alors choisie ("T₁" ou "T₂" ) permet de régler les aiguilles indépendamment de l'affichage numérique ce qui, en pratique, permet l'affichage d'une troisième échelle de temps en tant que de besoin.
• Le dernier champ (clignotant) du cycle complet de tous les champs réglables est celui indiquant le temps ou la fonction en cours de réglage ; une pression simple sur le bouton 5 termine alors le mode de réglage. Après avoir amorcé le mode de réglage, si le seul bouton manipulé pendant un cycle complet de changement de champ est le bouton 6, une nouvelle pression du bouton 5 terminera le mode de réglage sans qu'aucune modification ne soit apportée au temps ou à la fonction en cours d'affichage.
• Lorsque le mode de réglage de "MET", "AL" ou "PET" est démarré, le temps de référence indiqué par défaut est l'échelle de temps qui a été utilisée lors du dernier réglage de ces fonctions.
• Lors d'un réglage, une pression prolongée sur le bouton 7 ou 5 provoque un défilement rapide des caractères dans le champ clignotant pour accélérer l'opération de réglage.
• Lorsque une sonnerie est en cours parce que "MET" ou "PET" ou le "TMR" viennent de franchir le temps zéro, une courte pression sur le bouton 5 arrête la sonnerie sans aucune autre action sur la montre.

Briefly, the operating mode of these command control buttons is advantageously as follows:

• The selection of time scales and functions is performed in order by short pressure on the button 7 or in reverse order by short press button 5.
• The time or function setting mode is started from the normal display of this time or function by pressing the 5 button for more than 2 seconds. The setting fields are then cyclically selected. by pressing button 6 repeatedly. The subject field to be set is identified by flashing the current value. The first adjustable field (flashing) in the cycle is that of the first adjustable parameter of the current time or function. For example, for the setting of " T ₁ ", it is the field 310 but, for the "TMR", the first flashing field is the field 400 indicating the sign of the counting direction (positive or negative).
• The choice of the time scale "T ₁ " or "T ₂ " that it is desired to represent by the hands is obtained by a simultaneous prolonged pressure of the buttons 7 and 5 during the normal display of the desired time scale. . The cycle of the adjustable fields of the time scale then chosen ("T ₁ " or "T ₂ ") makes it possible to adjust the hands independently of the digital display which, in practice, makes it possible to display a third scale of time as needed.
• The last field (flashing) of the complete cycle of all the adjustable fields is that indicating the time or function being set; a simple press on the button 5 then ends the setting mode. After initiating the setting mode, if the only button operated during a full field change cycle is knob 6, pressing button 5 again will complete the setting mode without any changes being made to the time or function being displayed.
• When the setting mode of " MET ", " AL ", or " PET " is started, the default reference time is the time scale that was used when these functions were last set.
• When setting, pressing and holding button 7 or 5 causes the characters in the flashing field to scroll rapidly to speed up the setting operation.
• When a ring is in progress because "MET" or " PET " or the " TMR " have just crossed the time zero, a short press on the button 5 stops the ringing without any other action on the watch.

So as to fix ideas, tables, TABLE " T ₁ ", TABLE " T ₂ " TABLE " GMT ", TABLE " MET ", TABLE " AL ", TABLE "CHR", TABLE "TMR", and TABLE " PET "", placed at the end of the present description illustrate in more detail the settings of a watch 1 according to the invention.

By convention, to make the description clearer, the reference numbers of the pushbuttons, 5, 6, 7 and 9, are placed between "()", the reference numbers of the fields are placed between "[]". In addition, the character "*" means "short (s) pressure (s) simple or repeated (s)" and the character "**" means "prolonged pressure typically greater than 2 seconds".

The figure 9 is schematically illustrated in the form of a block diagram, the electronic circuits 8 necessary for the operation of the watch 1 according to the invention.

The four control buttons, 5, 6, 7 and 9, serve as inputs for entering data in the watch 1. They are connected, on the one hand, to a voltage source, for example positive " V ₊ ", arbitrarily representing a" 1 "logic when the push button is actuated, on the other hand to logic circuits 80, which will be called" decoder ".

This decoder comprises combinational logic circuits (based on conventional logic circuits "AND", "OR", "EXCLUSIVE OR", etc.) and sequential, as well as counters and down-timers. It receives several clock signals generated by time and clock circuits 83 under the general reference H _x .

In a conventional manner, the circuits generating clock signals H _x are driven by a quartz 830. The clock signals H _x are appropriately distributed to the other blocks of the circuits 8, and serve in particular as a time base for the displays of the watch 1: digital displays, 3 and 4, and analog 2.

As indicated, with regard to the description of the figure 8 the decoder circuits 80 detect either single control pulses caused by a brief press on one or the other of the control buttons, 5 to 7, a combination of these pulses, and / or a determined duration of time, that is, a long press on one or more of these buttons 5 to 7.

The circuits 8 are articulated, conventionally around a bus 87 of bilateral data transmissions.

The output of the decoder 80 is connected to this bus 87 and the data entries, during the aforementioned adjustments are transmitted to a central unit 81, constituted by a microprocessor or a microcontroller, connected via this bus 87 to a read-only memory unit 82, type "ROM" (for "Read Only Memory") or any nonvolatile memory of similar type. This memory unit 82 stores microprograms or micro-instructions managing, in a manner known per se, the operation of the circuits 8 under the control of the microprocessor 81.

The circuits 8 also include a random access memory unit 84, for example of the type called "RAM" (for "Random Access Memory") and / or a plurality of memory registers.

This memory 84 must include memory locations for storing adjustment data input via the control buttons, 5 to 7, and in particular five memory locations, 840 to 844, dedicated to "GMT", " T ₁ " , "T _2", "MET" and "PET", as well as locations 84 _x for the different alarms. In fact, more memory locations are needed. They are attributed, so permanent or not, at values such as "time to time", etc. In addition, different values are calculated, under the control of the microprocessor 81 and the microprograms recorded in the memory 82, from the aforementioned data or combinations of these data, for example to generate and display " PET " from the scale of time " GMT " or " MET ". These calculations generate intermediate values that are also necessary to store in RAM slots 84.

The bus 87 is also connected to an output interface unit 85 distributing control signals to the two display units: analogue hands 2, more precisely to a drive motor 20 or any similar device, and digital, 3 and 4. Preferably the motor 20 is a stepper motor receiving advance control pulses.

This output interface unit 85 also generates electrical control signals transmitted to a sound alarm signal generation unit 86.

From the foregoing, it is easy to see that the invention achieves the goals it has set for itself.

It must be clear, however, that the invention is not limited to the only examples of embodiments explicitly described, particularly in relation to the Figures 1 to 9 .

For example, the audible alarms can be replaced and / or doubled by other types of alarms: visual, vibratory, etc.

Finally, the numerical examples have been provided only to better fix the ideas and can not constitute any limitation of the scope of the invention. They proceed from a technological choice within the reach of the Man of Profession.

In particular, the watch may include more than five alarms and more than two local time zones.

TABLE " T ₁ "

It is assumed that " T ₁ " is chosen as the time scale of the hands 2 (the setting of the hands 2 is independent of the values of the digital display 3-4 and serves only to manually readjust the hands 2 on the digital display of " T ₁ ", if a gap exists between the two).

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [300] = "T ₁".

(5)** [310]

clignote et indique "GMT".

(7)* ou (5)*

permet de choisir entre l'indication clignotante de "GMT" ou "H - M" dans le champ [310].

The default value of " T ₁ " at the first setting is " GMT ".

(7) * or (5) *

up to [300] = " T ₁ ".

(5) ** [310]

flashes and indicates " GMT ".

(7) * or (5) *

allows you to choose between the flashing indication of " GMT " or "H - M" in the [310] field.

(6)*

[320] clignote et indique la valeur courante du décalage horaire.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [320] = le décalage horaire désiré. Les champs [6] et [7] sont alors modifiés en conséquence. La petite aiguille suit l'ajustement du décalage horaire. (Les minutes et les secondes ne peuvent être corrigées que lors du réglage de "GMT").

(6)*

[300] clignote.

(5)*

"T ₁" reprend l'affichage normal en intégrant la modification du décalage horaire.

If [310] = "GMT", the time difference setting starts:

(6) *

[320] flashes and indicates the current value of the time difference.

(7) * or (5) *

until [320] = the desired time difference. Fields [6] and [7] are modified accordingly. The small hand follows the time difference adjustment. (The minutes and seconds can only be corrected when setting "GMT" ).

(6) *

[300] flashes.

(5) *

" T ₁ " returns to the normal display by integrating the change in the time difference.

(6)*

"H" clignote dans le champ [310].

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à ce que la petite aiguille indique l'heure désirée. La petite aiguille se positionne précisément automatiquement entre deux graduations d'heures en fonction de la position courante de la grande aiguille.

(6)*

"M" clignote dans le champ [310].

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à ce que la grande aiguille indique les minutes désirées. La grande aiguille se positionne précisément entre 2 graduations de minutes en fonction de la valeur courante des secondes indiquées dans le champ [412].

(6)*

[300] clignote.

(5)*

La montre 1 quitte le mode de réglage des aiguilles 2 qui suivent précisément l'échelle de temps choisi ("T ₁" dans l'exemple choisi).

If [310] = "H - M ", the needle setting starts without any influence on the digital display:

(6) *

"H" flashes in the field [310].

(7) * or (5) *

until the small hand indicates the desired time. The small needle is precisely positioned automatically between two graduations of hours according to the current position of the big needle.

(6) *

"M" flashes in the field [310].

(7) * or (5) *

until the big hand indicates the desired minutes. The large hand is precisely positioned between 2 graduations of minutes according to the current value of the seconds indicated in the field [412].

(6) *

[300] flashes.

(5) *

The watch 1 leaves the adjustment mode of the hands 2 which follow precisely the chosen time scale (" T ₁ " in the example chosen).

TABLE " T ₂ "

The setting of " T ₂ " is the same as for " T ₁ ". If the hands 2 represent " T ₁ " and you want to adjust the hands during the setting of " T ₂ ", you must first, before setting, select " T ₂ " as the time scale of the hands 2 by pressing simultaneously on (7) and (5) for more than 2 seconds.

The possible independent setting of the hands 2 in hours and minutes possibly makes it possible to adjust the analog time (the hands 2) to the time zones which are not shifted from "GMT" by whole hours.

"GMT" TABLE

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [300] = "GMT".

(5)**

la langue choisie lors du réglage précédent (par exemple "F" pour français, "E" pour anglais ou "S" pour espagnol) clignote dans [310]

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à ce que la langue désirée apparaisse dans le champ [310].

(6)*

les 2 chiffres "YY" indiquant l'année réglée précédemment clignotent dans [310].

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à "YY" = les deux derniers chiffres de l'année en cours.

(6)*

[320] clignote et indique la valeur courante du mois.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [320] = le mois désiré. 24 valeurs sont proposées : les 12 valeurs numériques possibles de mois et les 12 noms (tronqués à 3 lettres) de mois dans la langue choisie dans la première étape de réglage de "GMT" ci-dessus.

(6)*

[400] clignote et indique la valeur courante de la date dans le mois.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [400] = la date désirée.

(6)*

[410] clignote et indique la valeur courante de l'heure.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [410] = l'heure désirée. La petite aiguille incrémente ou décrémente de la même quantité d'heures ainsi réglées.

(6)*

[411] clignote et indique la valeur courante des minutes.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [411] = les minutes désirées. La grande aiguille incrémente ou décrémente de la même quantité de minutes ainsi réglées.

(6)*

[412] clignote et indique la valeur courante des secondes.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [412] = les secondes désirées. La grande aiguille suit l'ajustement des secondes en cours.

(6)*

[300] clignote.

(7)*

alterne entre l'affichage "M.D.h.m.s." et "ddd.h.m.s."

(5)*

"GMT" démarre le compte du temps à partir de la valeur du temps réglée par les opérations ci-dessus. Les temps "T ₁" (digital et analogique), "T ₂" et "MET" sont aussi corrigés en conséquence automatiquement.

The default value of "GMT" at the first setting is "Monday, January 1 00:00 00:00 00" (in French).

(7) * or (5) *

up to [300] = "GMT".

(5) **

the language chosen during the previous setting (for example "F" for French, "E" for English or "S" for Spanish) flashes in [310]

(7) * or (5) *

until the desired language appears in field [310].

(6) *

the 2 digits "YY" indicating the previously set year flash in [310].

(7) * or (5) *

until "YY" = the last two digits of the current year.

(6) *

[320] flashes and indicates the current value of the month.

(7) * or (5) *

until [320] = the desired month. 24 values are proposed: the 12 possible numerical values of months and the 12 names (truncated to 3 letters) of month in the language chosen in the first step of setting of "GMT" above.

(6) *

[400] flashes and indicates the current value of the date in the month.

(7) * or (5) *

until [400] = the desired date.

(6) *

[410] flashes and indicates the current value of the time.

(7) * or (5) *

until [410] = the desired time. The small needle increments or decrements the same amount of hours thus set.

(6) *

[411] flashes and indicates the current minute value.

(7) * or (5) *

until [411] = the desired minutes. The large needle increments or decrements by the same amount of minutes thus set.

(6) *

[412] flashes and indicates the current value of the seconds.

(7) * or (5) *

up to [412] = the desired seconds. The big hand follows the adjustment of the seconds in progress.

(6) *

[300] flashes.

(7) *

alternates between the display "MDhms" and "ddd.hms"

(5) *

" GMT " starts the count of time from the value of the time set by the operations above. The times " T ₁ " (digital and analog), " T ₂ " and " MET " are also corrected accordingly automatically.

It should be noted that the small and large needles only follow the number of pulses given on the buttons (7) and (5) for hours and minutes respectively independently of the numerical values obtained on the dial of the watch 1. Only the numerical value of the seconds is actually used for the fine positioning of the big hand between two graduations of minutes.
= = = = =

MET TABLE

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [300] = "MET".

(5)**

[310] clignote et indique l'échelle de temps utilisée lors du réglage précédent de "MET".

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [310] = l'échelle de temps désirée ou ` - - - ' si l'on veut terminer l'utilisation de "MET".

At the first MET setting, by default [310] = - - - and all subsequent fields are initialized to zero, meaning that no current " MET " is defined.

(7) * or (5) *

until [300] = " MET ".

(5) **

[310] flashes and indicates the time scale used during the previous setting of " MET ".

(7) * or (5) *

up to [310] = the desired time scale or `- - - 'if you want to end the use of" MET ".

• Si "GMT" est choisi comme référence de temps pour le réglage de "MET" : (par défaut au premier réglage, le temps zéro est "001 jour 0h 00m 00s" ce qui correspond au passage au nouvel an, car il n'y a pas de jour 0 dans le calendrier)

  (6)*

  [400] clignote et indique le jour dans l'année (entre 001 et 366) utilisé lors du précédent réglage.

  (7)* ou (5)*

  jusqu'à [400] = le jour de l'année désiré de l'instant zéro.

  (6)*

  [410] clignote et indique l'heure de l'instant zéro utilisée lors du précédent réglage.

  (7)* ou (5)*

  jusqu'à [410] = l'heure désirée de l'instant zéro.

  (6)*

  [411] clignote et indique les minutes de l'instant zéro utilisées lors du précédent réglage.

  (7)* ou (5)*

  jusqu'à [411] = les minutes désirées de l'instant zéro.

  (6)*

  [412] clignote et indique les secondes de l'instant zéro utilisées lors du précédent réglage.

  (7)* ou (5)*

  jusqu'à [412] = les secondes désirées de l'instant zéro.

  (6)*

  [300] clignote.

  (5)*

  MET compte et affiche le temps restant jusqu'à, ou le temps écoulé depuis, la nouvelle valeur de l'instant zéro.

Depending on the scale chosen, the adjustment steps differ as follows:

• If "GMT" is selected as a time reference for the setting of " MET ": (default at the first setting, the zero time is "001 day 0h 00m 00s" which corresponds to the transition to the new year, because there is no has no day 0 in the calendar)

  (6) *

  [400] flashes and indicates the day in the year (between 001 and 366) used during the previous adjustment.

  (7) * or (5) *

  until [400] = the day of the desired year of the zero time.

  (6) *

  [410] flashes and indicates the time of the zero time used during the previous setting.

  (7) * or (5) *

  until [410] = the desired time of the zero time.

  (6) *

  [411] flashes and indicates the minutes of the zero time used during the previous adjustment.

  (7) * or (5) *

  up to [411] = the desired minutes of the zero time.

  (6) *

  [412] flashes and indicates the seconds of zero time used in the previous setting.

  (7) * or (5) *

  up to [412] = the desired seconds of the zero instant.

  (6) *

  [300] flashes.

  (5) *

  MET counts and displays the time remaining until, or the time elapsed since, the new value of the zero time.

If the operator prefers to set " MET " according to a date expressed in "Month-Day" in the time scale "GMT", it is first necessary to select this display mode for " GMT " according to the instructions "GMT" setting above. The setting of " MET " according to "GMT" is then exactly like the setting of " MET " according to "T ₁ " or "T ₂ " described below.

(6)*

[320] clignote et indique le mois utilisé lors du précédent réglage.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [320] = le mois de l'instant zéro désiré. Les valeurs de mois proposées sont de même nature - numérique ou textuelle - que le mode d'affichage des mois de l'échelle de temps choisie comme référence.

(6)*

[400] clignote et indique la valeur de la date dans le mois utilisée lors du précédent réglage.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [400] = la date désirée de l'instant zéro.

(6)*

[410] clignote et indique l'heure de l'instant zéro utilisée lors du précédent réglage.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [410] = l'heure désirée de l'instant zéro.

(6)*

[411] clignote et indique les minutes de l'instant zéro utilisées lors du précédent réglage.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [411] = les minutes désirées de l'instant zéro.

(6)*

[412] clignote et indique les secondes de l'instant zéro utilisées lors du précédent réglage.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [412] = les secondes désirées de l'instant zéro.

(6)*

[300] clignote.

(5)*

"MET" compte et affiche le temps restant jusqu'à, ou le temps écoulé depuis, la nouvelle valeur de l'instant zéro.

If "T ₁ " or "T ₂ " is selected as the time reference for the setting of " MET ": (default at the first setting, the zero time is "1st January 0h 00m 00s")

(6) *

[320] flashes and indicates the month used during the previous setting.

(7) * or (5) *

until [320] = the month of the desired zero time. The proposed month values are of the same nature - numeric or textual - as the display mode of the months of the time scale chosen as a reference.

(6) *

[400] flashes and indicates the value of the date in the month used during the previous setting.

(7) * or (5) *

until [400] = the desired date of the zero time.

(6) *

[410] flashes and indicates the time of the zero time used during the previous setting.

(7) * or (5) *

until [410] = the desired time of the zero time.

(6) *

[411] flashes and indicates the minutes of the zero time used during the previous adjustment.

(7) * or (5) *

up to [411] = the desired minutes of the zero time.

(6) *

[412] flashes and indicates the seconds of zero time used in the previous setting.

(7) * or (5) *

up to [412] = the desired seconds of the zero instant.

(6) *

[300] flashes.

(5) *

" MET " counts and displays the time remaining until, or the time elapsed since, the new value of the zero time.

(6)*

[300] clignote

(5)*

termine le réglage en laissant "MET" indéfini.

If `- - - 'is selected in field [310] at the beginning of the setting, all the following fields indicate zero:

(6) *

[300] flashes

(5) *

terminates the setting by leaving " MET " undefined.

TABLE " AL "

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [300] = "AL", [301] indique le numéro d'alarme appelé en dernier qui, par défaut au premier réglage, est '1'.

(6)*

jusqu'à [301] = le numéro d'alarme désiré pour lecture ou en vue d'un réglage.

(5)**

[300] et [302] clignotent et [302] indique par défaut le signe " < " signifiant que la sonnerie de l'alarme est active.

(7)* ou (5)*

permet de désélectionner ou re-sélectionner la sonnerie. Le choix ainsi effectué est indiqué par la présence clignotante ou l'absence totale du signe "<".

(5)**

(facultatif) termine le mode réglage quand la seule modification a été la sélection ou désélection de la sonnerie.

(6)*

[310] clignote et indique l'échelle de temps utilisée lors du précédent réglage.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [310] = l'échelle de temps désirée.

The value of the five default alarms at the first setting is in the "GMT" scale on "Monday, January 1, 00:00 am" and the ringer is deactivated.

(7) * or (5) *

until [300] = " AL ", [301] indicates the last called alarm number which, by default at the first setting, is '1'.

(6) *

until [301] = the desired alarm number for reading or for setting.

(5) **

[300] and [302] will flash and [302] will default to the "<" sign indicating that the alarm tone is active.

(7) * or (5) *

deselect or re-select the ringtone. The choice thus made is indicated by the blinking presence or the total absence of the sign "<".

(5) **

(optional) ends the setting mode when the only change was selecting or deselecting the ring.

(6) *

[310] flashes and indicates the time scale used during the previous adjustment.

(7) * or (5) *

up to [310] = the desired time scale.

(6)*

jusqu'à [300] et [301] clignotent.

(5)*

termine le mode réglage.

The sequence (6) * followed by (7) * or (5) * is repeated until all the fields are set to the desired value. This setting is made as follows: when setting the alarm, if one of the parameters "M", "J" or "D" (case "T ₁ " or "T ₂ ") or "d" (case " GMT " or " MET ") is left "white", the alarm is recurrent for each value of the parameter, at the specified time and minutes.

(6) *

until [300] and [301] flash.

(5) *

terminates the setting mode.

TABLE " CHR "

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [300] = "CHR". Le temps courant ou arrêté de l'opération précédente effectuée sur le Chronographe "CHR" est affiché.

(5)**

[310], [410], [411] et [412] sont remis à zéro. Cette opération n'est pas nécessaire si le Chronographe "CHR" est déjà remis à zéro ou si l'opérateur désire démarrer le Chronographe à partir du temps affiché lors de l'arrêt précédent.

At the first setting of "CHR", by default all adjustable fields [310], [410], [411] and [412] are initialized to zero.

(7) * or (5) *

until [300] = " CHR ". The current or stopped time of the previous operation performed on the Chronograph "CHR" is displayed.

(5) **

[310], [410], [411] and [412] are reset. This operation is not necessary if the Chronograph " CHR " is already reset or if the operator wishes to start the Chronograph from the time displayed during the previous stop.

(6)*

démarre le Chronographe "CHR".

(9)*

(facultatif) arrête et affiche le temps intermédiaire. CHR clignote pour indiquer que le temps affiché n'est pas le temps courant du Chronographe "CHR".

(9)*

(opération facultative) annule le temps intermédiaire et retourne à l'affichage du temps courant du Chronographe "CHR" qui peut être ou non déjà arrêté par (6)*.

(6)*

arrête le temps courant.

(7)* ou (5)*

à tout instant permet de sélectionner un autre temps ou fonction et de quitter l'affichage de la fonction "CHR" sans altérer son fonctionnement en cours.

Classic use of the Chronograph " CHR ":

(6) *

starts the Chronograph " CHR ".

(9) *

(optional) stops and displays the split time. CHR flashes to indicate that the time displayed is not the current time of the " CHR " Chronograph.

(9) *

(optional operation) cancels the split time and returns to the current time display of the " CHR " Chronograph which may or may not already be stopped by (6) *.

(6) *

stop the current time.

(7) * or (5) *

at any time allows you to select another time or function and exit the display of the " CHR " function without altering its current operation.

TABLE " TMR "

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [300] = "TMR". Le temps courant ou arrêté de l'opération précédente effectuée sur le "TMR" est affiché.

(5)**

Si le "TMR" a déjà été utilisé à partir du dernier réglage, tous les champs réglables [400], [410], [411] et [412] sont réinitialisés à la valeur du précédent réglage. Le "TMR" est immédiatement utilisable. Si le "TMR" n'a pas encore été utilisé depuis le dernier réglage, cette opération appelle aussitôt le mode réglage décrit à l'étape suivante.

(5)**

[400] clignote et indique par défaut le signe moins ` - '. Le "TMR" entre en mode réglage.

(7)* ou (5)*

change le signe dans le champ [400] si nécessaire. De plus, [410], [411] et [412] sont réinitialisés à zéro. Si [400] indique le signe '+', le temps compte en avant à partir de la valeur indiquée lorsque la fonction "TMR" est démarrée.

(6)*

[410] clignote et indique par défaut la valeur de l'heure au précédent réglage si [400] n'a pas été changé. Sinon la valeur par défaut est zéro.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [410] = l'heure désirée.

(6)*

[411] clignote et indique par défaut la valeur des minutes au précédent réglage si [400] et [410] n'ont pas été changés. Sinon la valeur par défaut est zéro.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [411] = les minutes désirées.

(6)*

[412] clignote et indique par défaut la valeur des secondes au précédent réglage si [400], [410] et [411] n'ont pas été changés. Sinon la valeur par défaut est zéro.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [412] = les secondes désirées.

(6)*

[300] clignote.

(5)*

Le réglage du "TMR" est terminé. Il est prêt à être utilisé comme suit :

(6)*

alternativement démarre et arrête le "TMR" _.

(7)* ou (5)*

à tout instant permet de sélectionner un autre temps ou fonction et de quitter l'affichage de la fonction "TMR" sans altérer son fonctionnement en cours.

At the first setting of " TMR ", by default all adjustable fields [410], [411] and [412] are initialized to zero.

(7) * or (5) *

up to [300] = " TMR ". The current or stopped time of the previous operation performed on the "TMR" is displayed.

(5) **

If the "TMR" has already been used from the last setting, all adjustable fields [400], [410], [411] and [412] are reset to the value of the previous setting. The " TMR " is immediately usable. If the " TMR " has not been used since the last setting, this operation immediately calls the setting mode described in the next step.

(5) **

[400] flashes and indicates by default the minus sign `- '. The " TMR " enters setting mode.

(7) * or (5) *

change the sign in the [400] field if necessary. In addition, [410], [411] and [412] are reset to zero. If [400] indicates the '+' sign, time counts forward from the value indicated when the " TMR " function is started.

(6) *

[410] flashes and indicates by default the value of the time at the previous setting if [400] has not been changed. Otherwise the default value is zero.

(7) * or (5) *

until [410] = the desired time.

(6) *

[411] flashes and defaults to the minutes value at the previous setting if [400] and [410] have not been changed. Otherwise the default value is zero.

(7) * or (5) *

until [411] = the desired minutes.

(6) *

[412] flashes and indicates by default the value of the seconds at the previous setting if [400], [410] and [411] have not been changed. Otherwise the default value is zero.

(7) * or (5) *

up to [412] = the desired seconds.

(6) *

[300] flashes.

(5) *

The setting of the " TMR " is complete. It is ready to be used as follows:

(6) *

alternately starts and stops the " TMR " _.

(7) * or (5) *

at any time allows you to select another time or function and exit the display of the function " TMR " without altering its current operation.

" PET " TABLE

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [300] = "PET".

(5)**

[310] clignote et indique l'échelle de temps utilisée lors du réglage précédent de PET.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [310] = "MET", "GMT" ou "- - - " si on veut terminer l'utilisation de "PET".

At the first setting of " PET ", by default [310] = - - - and all subsequent fields are initialized to zero, meaning that no current PET is defined.

(7) * or (5) *

up to [300] = "PET".

(5) **

[310] flashes and indicates the time scale used in the previous setting of PET.

(7) * or (5) *

until [310] = " MET ", "GMT" or "- - -" if you want to end the use of " PET ".

(6)*

[400] clignote et indique le jour de "MET" ou "GMT" utilisé lors du précédent réglage (entre -99 et 999 pour "MET", ou entre 001 et 366 pour "GMT").

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [400] = le jour de "MET" ou "GMT" désiré de l'instant zéro.

(6)*

[410] clignote et indique l'heure de l'instant zéro utilisée lors du précédent réglage.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [410] = l'heure désirée de l'instant zéro.

(6)*

[411] clignote et indique les minutes de l'instant zéro utilisées lors du précédent réglage.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [411] = les minutes désirées de l'instant zéro.

(6)*

[412] clignote et indique les secondes de l'instant zéro utilisées lors du précédent réglage.

(7)* ou (5)*

jusqu'à [412] = les secondes désirées de l'instant zéro.

(6)*

[300] clignote.

(5)*

"PET" compte et affiche le temps restant jusqu'à, ou le temps écoulé depuis, la nouvelle valeur de l'instant zéro exprimée dans l'échelle de temps "MET" ou "GMT" .

If " MET " or " GMT " are chosen as time scale to define " PET ": (default at first setting, zero time is "000 day 0h 00m 00s" for " MET " and "001 day 0h 00m 00s" for " GMT ")

(6) *

[400] flashes and indicates the day of " MET " or "GMT" used during the previous setting (between -99 and 999 for " MET ", or between 001 and 366 for "GMT" ).

(7) * or (5) *

until [400] = the desired " MET " or " GMT " day of the zero time.

(6) *

[410] flashes and indicates the time of the zero time used during the previous setting.

(7) * or (5) *

until [410] = the desired time of the zero time.

(6) *

[411] flashes and indicates the minutes of the zero time used during the previous adjustment.

(7) * or (5) *

up to [411] = the desired minutes of the zero time.

(6) *

[412] flashes and indicates the seconds of zero time used in the previous setting.

(7) * or (5) *

up to [412] = the desired seconds of the zero instant.

(6) *

[300] flashes.

(5) *

" PET " counts and displays the time remaining until, or the time elapsed since, the new value of the zero time expressed in the time scale " MET " or "GMT".

(6)*

[300] clignote

(5)*

termine le réglage en laissant "PET" indéfini.

If "- - -" is selected in field [310] at the beginning of the setting, all the following fields indicate zero:

(6) *

[300] flashes

(5) *

finish the setting by leaving "PET" undefined.

Claims (9)

1. A watch designed to provide navigational aid, in particular for a space mission, said navigation being associated to a start time of a first predetermined event, comprising input and data entry means for the input of date and/or duration data, storage means for storing said entry data, means for calculating and generating clock signals, at least a digital display means for displaying said entry data and/or data generated from this data controlled by said calculation and generation means of said clock signals, said input and data entry means (5-7, 9, 80) and said storage means (84) being designed for the input and storage of a first start date connected to the Universal Time as determined by the Greenwich Meridian and the generation of a first time scale (GMT) having a start date corresponding to said first start date, said input and data entry means (5-7, 9, 80) and said storage means (84) being designed for the input and storage, at any point in time, of a second start date (to) corresponding to said first predetermined event, referred to as the start of the mission, and the generation of a second time scale (MET), said second time scale (MET) being determined at least from said first time scale (GMT), said digital display means (4) displaying a time value referred to as negative when said second start date (t ₀) is in the future and a time value referred to as positive when this date (to) has elapsed; said input and data entry means (5-7, 9, 80) and said storage means (84) being also designed for the input and storage of time zone differential data to generate at least one third start date corresponding to a first local time zone and the generation of a third time scale (T₁), the origin of which being said third date, said second time scale (MET) being determined from one of said first (GMT) or third (T₁) time scales, by selective operation of the input and data entry means (5-7).
2. A watch according to claim 1, characterised in that said input and data entry means (5-7, 9, 80) and said storage means (84) are designed for the input and storage, at any point in time, of time zone differential data to generate at least one fourth start date corresponding to a second local time zone and the generation of a fourth time scale (T₂), the origin of which being said fourth date, and wherein said generation of said second time scale (MET) is determined from one of said first, third or fourth time scales, by selective operation of the input and data entry means (5-7, 9).
3. A watch according to claim 2, characterised in that, said mission being divided into one or several phases, said input and data entry means (5-7, 9, 80) and said storage means (84) are designed for the input and storage of a fifth start date (t'₀) corresponding to a second predetermined event, corresponding to the start of one of said phases, and the generation of a fifth time scale (PET), said fifth time scale (PET) being determined from one of said first (GMT) or second (MET) time scales, by selective operation of said input and data entry means (5-7, 9), and wherein said digital display means (40) display a time value referred to as negative when said fifth start date (t'₀) is in the future and a time value referred to as positive when this date (t'₀) has elapsed.
4. A watch according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of alarm means (86), wherein said input and data entry means (5-7, 9, 80) and said storage means (84) are designed for the input and storage of dates, selectively activating one of said alarm means (86) in accordance with one of said time scales.
5. A watch according to claim 4, characterised in that said alarm means (86) generate a number of alarms (AL 1, AL 2, AL 3) equal to five.
6. A watch according to one of claims 4 or 6, characterised in that said alarm means (86) emit audio signals, wherein said audio signals are comprised of sequences of audio "beeps", and wherein each of said sequences are different from each other and selectively associated to one of said alarms (AL 1, AL 2, AL 3).
7. A watch according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that said input and data entry means comprise four push-buttons (5-7, 9) and wherein said input and data entry operations take place by short pressing actions on one of said push-buttons (5-7, 9), using predetermined combinations of these push buttons (5-7, 9) or by long pressing actions over determined durations.
8. A watch according to claim 4, characterised in that said storage means (84) comprise a plurality of random access memory positions (840-8444, 84_x) for recording at least the data characterising said first to fifth start dates and said alarm dates.
9. A watch according to claim 3, characterised in that it comprises analogue display means with hands (2) for displaying one of said third (T₁) or fourth (T₂) time scales.

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