CH708964B1 - Control and display method for portable timepiece. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a control and display method for a portable timepiece and to a portable timepiece (1) comprising an hour hand (11) and a minute hand (12) for display of the current time, rotating around a central barrel (10) facing a bezel (150), and also a chronograph module. The portable timepiece (1) further comprises a first analog trend indicator (14) relative to a predefined time interval. According to the control and display method, this analog trend indicator (14) displays the difference between the predefined time interval and a measured time interval.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a control and display method for a portable timepiece, and more precisely comprising means for displaying a timed time.

[0002] Portable electronic stopwatches with digital displays have been used for a very long time in the context of sporting activities to indicate the performances achieved to an athlete or his coach. Due to the digital nature of their display, reading times is however not very intuitive, especially to visualize deviations, since it does not involve any notion of range of movement as for example with hands.

[0003] Furthermore, chronographs with hands are well known in the field of mechanical watchmaking for measuring time intervals with a precision generally down to a tenth of a second. A second hand is activated then stopped by a pusher, and the measured time interval is read next to the bezel for seconds, and on other counters for other units of time (for example minutes, hours, or even fractions of a second). A disadvantage of this type of chronograph is that it only allows successive time intervals to be measured, or even a cumulative overall time interval; it is therefore impossible to view several times measured simultaneously.

[0004] We also know watches which integrate functionalities for displaying elapsed time or remaining time in relation to pre-programmed events, such as for example the watch of patent EP1807738 designed for astronauts carrying out space flights. The time remaining with respect to a given future event is then indicated as negative, and the time elapsed with respect to a past event indicated as positive. This multifunction watch allows you to program and view several countdowns simultaneously, running in relation to predefined events, but is however not designed to measure or compare fixed time intervals like a standard chronograph. Furthermore, the digital display of time values does not make it possible to intuitively materialize the magnitude of temporal differences either.

[0005] There is therefore a need for processes and portable timepieces free from these known limitations.

[0006] In particular, an aim of the present invention is to provide a more user-friendly method and portable timepiece, which enable the user to view and compare time intervals more easily.

[0007] These goals are achieved in particular thanks to a control and display method for a portable timepiece which includes the characteristics of the main method claim 1, as well as a portable timepiece, such as a wristwatch, which comprises the features of the device main claim 7. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] An advantage of the present invention is to be able to legibly materialize differences between measured time intervals and target intervals, and therefore to facilitate their reading in real time. More particularly, the relative nature of such deviations can be displayed very intuitively.

[0009] Another advantage of the present invention is to propose a new relevant performance indicator for timed events, allowing athletes to easily consult additional information which completes their dashboard during the race, and provides them with effective monitoring by relation to prior planning.

[0010] Examples of implementation of the invention are indicated in the description and illustrated by the appended figures in which: - Figure 1 illustrates a portable watch provided with a trend indicator according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention; – Figure 2 illustrates a diagram of the different stages of a control and display method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; – Figure 3 illustrates a portable watch provided with two trend indicators and a digital display device, according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; – Figure 4 illustrates a functional diagram of a portable watch for implementing the method according to the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated by Figure 2, and which is also compatible in particular with the portable watch according to the mode of production of Figure 3.

[0011] Figure 1 represents a wristwatch 1 provided with an analog trend indicator 14 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, where it consists of an additional hand rotatably mounted around the central barrel 10 of the needle of the 11 hours and an 12 minute hand of the movement. The wristwatch 1 comprises a dial 16 surmounted by a bezel 150 provided with a series of graduations 155 over its entire circumference in order to facilitate reading of the current time, and in which is arranged an aperture 19 to 4 hours for date display. Furthermore, three pushers P1, P2 and P4 projecting outside the middle are provided to carry out time measurements as well as adjustment operations, in particular reference time intervals for the measurements, as explained below using of the following figure 2. A control rod T is also provided for setting the current time and for determining different operating modes. It is preferably movable axially in at least 3 distinct positions, at least one of which corresponds to a mode of setting the analog trend indicator 14, and another to setting the current time. On the dial 16 are arranged three small hands opposite three corresponding counters: at six o'clock, the small seconds hand 13 of the current time; at two o'clock, the tenths of a second hand 23 of the tenths of a second counter 230 of the chronograph module, and at 10 o'clock, the hand of the minutes counter 22 of the minutes counter 220 of the chronograph module. The second counter hand 21 of the chronograph module is also arranged to rotate conventionally around the central barrel 10. The proposed arrangement thus makes it possible to add the analog trend indicator 14 to a classic portable watch without having to require modify the display structure usually used for a chronograph.

[0012] On the bezel 150 of circular shape are arranged at least two distinct display segments, on either side of noon, that is to say: a first display segment 151 materializing a delay in relation to at a predefined time interval, a second display segment 152 materializing an advance relative to this same predefined time interval. Such an arrangement is particularly intuitive for instant reading, the noon of a watch - where the "60" graduation is located in Figure 1 - being generally interpreted as the time reference, and chosen as the rest position of the watch. chronograph seconds counter hand 21. We will therefore preferably choose this position also as being that at rest for the additional hand chosen as the first analog trend indicator 14, which will intuitively allow the user of the watch to visualize the delay and the advance in relation to this reference. usual to which we attribute a neutral value.

[0013] The bezel 150 also includes a third display segment 153 arranged around noon, and which aims to indicate the exact correspondence between a predefined time and the time measured using the chronograph module. For this reason, this third angular segment is preferably very restricted compared to the other segments, which extend, in Figure 1, respectively from 9 o'clock to noon and from noon to 3 o'clock, i.e. each over approximately 90 degrees. To reinforce the intuitive nature of the trend display, we can choose different patterns or colors for each of the display segments, for example red for lag and green for lead, and match the third segment display 153 at noon to the trend hand, for example also giving them the same color (blue, yellow) or, alternatively or additionally, a corresponding pattern, such as a triangle pointed downwards at noon and an upward-pointing triangle at the end of the first trend indicator.

[0014] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated, each of the three display segments 151,152,153 comprises a reading scale formed of blocks 154 which are superimposed on the series of graduations 155 of the bezel. The third segment 153 at noon is preferably made up of only one block 154 which highlights the noon graduation in its middle, and the same goes for each of the other blocks in relation to the other graduations of the bezel 150 on the angular sector for displaying the trend, which here extends over 180 degrees, and preferably at most over such an angular range. The reading scale is therefore perfectly homogeneous and allows certain existing elements of a watch to be advantageously reused, such as a classic bezel 150 provided with a series of graduations all around its perimeter to facilitate reading the time current.

[0015] According to the preferred embodiment of Figure 1, the additional hand chosen as the first analog trend indicator 14 extends slightly further than the seconds counter hand 21 of the chronograph module in order to point directly at the reading blocks 154 and that the two needles cannot be confused. According to an alternative embodiment, it could however be arranged a reading scale opposite the end of the analog trend indicator 14 on a flange or at the periphery of the dial 16, so that, if the watch also includes a graduated bezel 150, the reading of information relating to a trend on timing can be completely dissociated from that relating to the current time.

[0016] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the sequences of steps which can be used to program one or more target time intervals and then measure one or more time intervals and then display the corresponding deviations. In the remainder of the description, we will refer jointly to Figures 1 and 2 to explain a preferred embodiment of a watch which contains only one analog trend indicator and where the measurement of time intervals is completely manual, that is to say started and stopped by pressing one of the pushers, and then in conjunction with Figures 2 and 3 for another preferred embodiment according to which the watch contains two distinct analog trend indicators, to indicate deviations absolute or relative on respectively a measuring step and on a sequence of measuring steps, and where the measurement of the time intervals is partially automatic, that is to say preferably started by pressing a pusher, but stopped without requiring any manual intervention from the user.

[0017] At the top of Figure 2, a first step E1 is illustrated, which relates to the programming of a predefined time interval T1. Using a portable watch like that illustrated in Figure 1, this first programming step can consist of the following sequence for each predefined time interval T1 to be programmed: (i) pressing the third pusher P4 to enter an adjustment mode ; (ii) pressing the first pusher P1 to select the time parameter to be adjusted, which can be determined in a predefined order, such as for example first the minutes, then the seconds, then the tenths of a second; (iii) pressure on the second pusher P2 for the effective adjustment of the chosen time parameter; (iv) short press on the third pusher P4 to validate the time value selected using the second pusher P2; – repetition of steps (ii) to (iv) to adjust and validate each of the time parameters of the first predefined time interval T1; – and finally a long press on the third pusher P4, for example for at least a few seconds, to exit adjustment mode.

[0018] This sequence of steps is sufficient when you only wish to program a single predefined time interval, for example to train on an athletics track and measure your travel times compared to programmed reference times. for each round. However, it may also be desirable to program several distinct predefined time intervals corresponding to different portions of a race, such as different portions of a popular running race or a cycling time trial with elevation profiles ( flat, ascent, descent) and/or very different distances. To do this, instead of exiting the adjustment mode by performing a long press on the third pusher P4, the first analog trend indicator 14 can be incremented by one unit next to the graduations 155 of the bezel 150 and indicate that the we move on to the adjustment of a second predefined time interval T1 when all the possible time parameters have been adjusted. We can then repeat the same sequence of steps (ii) to (iv) previously described, and so on for each of the predefined time intervals T1 that we wish to program.

[0019] As indicated on the left of Figure 2, the first programming sequence S1 of predefined time intervals T1 can thus comprise a number of iterations N corresponding to the number of steps to be programmed, that is to say say the number of distinct predefined time intervals T1.

[0020] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention not using the portable watch 1 illustrated in Figure 1, but a portable watch illustrated in Figure 3, preferably comprising a GPS module 49 - illustrated in the diagram functional in Figure 4 only - making it possible to automatically detect the passage to predetermined geographical locations. Such a module can prove particularly interesting for mountain races, in particular ski races, such as for example glacier patrol in Switzerland, where the weather conditions require the wearing of gloves and thus prevent any easy manipulation of pushers. In this case, it is necessary to associate the programming of each predefined time interval T1 with a corresponding location L1, which must be carried out during an additional programming step following each last step (iv) of validation of the last parameter possible time of a given predefined time interval T1. Assuming that a specific GPS programming mode has previously been activated, for example by a long press on the third pusher P4 instead of a short press on the same third pusher P4, it will then be necessary to set coordinates GPS after having adjusted each predefined time interval T1 for example using a sequence of additional adjustment steps similar to those of steps (ii) to (iv) previously described, namely: – pressing on the first pusher P1 to determine the GPS parameter to be adjusted, then – adjusting the GPS parameter using the second pusher P2, and finally – validating this parameter using the third pusher P4, until all possible GPS coordinates have been entered and validated. As soon as this has been done, as previously, we can then choose either to continue programming predefined time intervals T1 and additional corresponding geographical locations by briefly pressing the third pusher P4 when validating the last GPS parameter, or exit setting mode by pressing and holding the third pusher P4.

[0021] Once this first programming sequence S1 has been carried out, we can choose to configure the display of the trend, during the subsidiary parameterization step E6, by choosing the granularity of the scale used next to the needle forming the first analog trend indicator. Indeed, although it is possible to display absolute time differences, that is to say corresponding to an effective time value, we will favor, in the context of the present invention, a display of relative trend, c that is to say deviations corresponding to a percentage of the predefined time intervals T1 which have been programmed. According to the preferred embodiments illustrated in Figures and 1 and 3, it can be seen that each of the display segments relating to the advance and the delay comprises 15 units, which means that the percentage linked to the relative deviation is by a maximum of 15%. The parameterization step would allow an integer multiple to be assigned to these unit values, to bring the maximum percentage to, for example, 30 or 45%. To do this, it is necessary to enter a setting mode, for example by changing the axial position of the rod T, by pulling it one notch outwards. In this axial position of the rod T, pressing on the third pusher P4 makes it possible to increment, for example by successive presses on the first pusher P1 or the second pusher P2, the value read on the graduations 155 of the bezel 150 opposite of the first analog trend indicator 14, the increment value being one unit for each successive press on the pusher and determining the multiplicative factor. So a first pressure would correspond to normal mode - that is to say with a multiplicative factor of 1 - a second pressure would mean a multiplicative factor of 2, a third pressure a multiplicative factor of 3, etc. The multiplicative factor is preferably limited to a maximum of 5, which would mean that the range of relative deviations displayed would be between -75 and +75% of the predefined time intervals T1 programmed.

[0022] Once the subsidiary parameterization step E6 has been carried out, a second sequence S2 can be carried out with a number N of iterations, equal to the number of iterations N of the first sequence S1 of the programming of the different time intervals predefined T1, of the following series of steps: – a second step E2 of measuring a second time interval T2, supposed to correspond to the first programmed predefined time interval T1, then – a third step E3 of displaying this second time interval T2; followed by a – fourth step E4 of displaying a difference D between the first predefined time interval T1 and the second time interval T2 using the first analog trend indicator 14. As indicated previously, the difference D displayed can be an absolute deviation or a relative deviation. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated by Figure 1, the additional hand used as the first analog trend indicator 14 is coaxial and extends slightly further than the seconds counter hand 21 of the chronograph and would measure preferably an absolute deviation in seconds only; we will therefore favor the display of a relative deviation D as a percentage of the first predefined time interval T1. In other words, the function f(T1, T2) determining the difference D will preferably be equal to (T2-T1)/T1.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the measurement of time intervals can be started by pressing the first pusher P1, while for each of these second time interval steps E2, the pusher P2 will be pressed. , which will stop the chronograph while continuing to count the time elapsed since the start. After the fourth step of displaying the difference D, the first analog trend indicator 14 can thus be reset to zero for each subsequent step while the chronograph display will revert, preferably after a few seconds, to a value of display of the time elapsed since the start of the measurement.

[0024] To definitively stop the chronograph, that is to say both to complete a measurement step and to stop the time elapsed since the start of the series of measurement steps, the first pusher P1 is preferably pressed. . According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at the end of the second sequence S2, that is to say after the fourth step E4 of displaying the deviation D of the last measurement step, a fifth step Display E5 allows you to visualize a global deviation G over all the measurement stages, that is to say for the entire elapsed time. The overall deviation G is therefore equal to the sum of the deviations D over the number N of measurement iterations. To do this, if we use a watch with a single trend indicator like the watch illustrated in Figure 1, we can first display the deviation D of the last measurement step using the first hand analog trend indicator 14, then switch, preferably after a few seconds, to the display of the overall deviation G using this same needle.

[0025] Figure 3 illustrates another preferred embodiment for the invention which uses separate dedicated indicators to be able to display simultaneously, and not alternately, the trend on the timing of each of the measurement steps, when there are any. has several, and the overall trend at the end of the series of measurement steps, during the fifth step E5 display. In order to visualize simultaneously, and no longer alternately, two pieces of information linked to the same trend parameter, i.e. the deviation D corresponding to a specific step, and the overall deviation G, we use a second analog trend indicator 18 in addition to the first analog trend indicator 14. This second analog trend indicator 18 indicates the overall difference G, preferably relative, between a first sum of first predefined time intervals T1 and a second sum of second measured time intervals T2 , for a number N of measurement iterations. According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the second analog trend indicator 18 is mounted coaxial with the first analog trend indicator 14 around the same central barrel 10 of the movement hands, so that the display values can be read next to the same scale of the first, second and third display segments 151, 152 and 153 used by the first analog trend indicator 14, and thus only require an additional motor, but no additional bulk on the bezel. Such an arrangement also facilitates the intuitive nature of the comparison between the two pieces of information displayed simultaneously with regard to a common scale. This second indicator, of a shorter length, substantially equal to that of the hour hand 11 of the movement, will also be arranged to always be superimposed on the first indicator except when it indicates an overall deviation G, preferably relative, over a sum of first time intervals T1.

[0026] It will be noted that the only other difference of the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 3 compared to that of Figure 1, apart from the addition of the second analog trend indicator 18, concerns the removal of the small seconds 13 at six o'clock on the dial 16 and its replacement by a digital display module 17, such as for example of the LCD (liquid crystal display) type. This digital display module 17 is used in particular for the entry of GPS coordinates corresponding to predefined locations L1 associated respectively with the first predefined time intervals T1, as explained previously in view of Figure 2. This digital display module 17 can also provide additional information relating to the number of the current programming step, as a subsidiary or alternatively to the positioning of a needle indicating a current programming step number - such as the increment of the first analog trend indicator 14 of a unit described previously for passing the adjustment of a first predefined time interval T1 to a following interval during a first programming sequence S1.

Apart from these differences, all the references in Figure 3 are identical to those in Figure 1 and will therefore not be redescribed.

[0028] Figure 4 illustrates a functional diagram of a portable electronic watch according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, subdivided into three functional blocks for displaying the trend on timing: – a control interface 30, formed by the first pusher P1, the second pusher P2, the third pusher P4 as well as the rod T; – a display module 50, comprising both the analog indicators, that is to say the first analog trend indicator 14 and the second analog trend indicator 18, as well as the digital module 17 used during the sequences of programming; – and an electronic control circuit 40.

The electronic circuit 40 preferably comprises a sensor module 41 - to which a counter module is possibly slaved - to detect and count the pressures applied on the different pushers, as well as a controller circuit 42, comprising for example a microcontroller, connected on the one hand to a time division circuit connected to a resonator to provide a time base 45, and on the other hand to a first control circuit 46 of the motors for the analog display members and a second control circuit 47 of the LCD screen of the digital display module 17. The controller circuit 42 receives signals from the sensor module 41 for navigation and adjustment in different menus; it is also connected to a first flash or SSD type memory zone 43 allowing it to carry out relative or absolute deviation calculations during time interval measurement sequences, and a second memory zone 44, provided for store the temporal and possibly location parameters (i.e. the values of predefined time intervals T1 and the coordinates of the corresponding L1 locations).

The electronic circuit 40 finally preferably comprises two modules connected to the controller circuit 42 and which are provided for the automatic detection of time measurement, namely a transponder module 48, of the RFID type for example, and a GPS module 49. Due to the high energy consumption of each of these modules, in particular the GPS module 49, they can be arranged removably in the case of a watch or activated on request, knowing that it is preferable not to be able to only alternately activate one of these two modules, but never both at the same time, for the measurement of time intervals, nor combine them with manual measurement methods using pushers for intermediate times. The advantage of these two modules is that they do not require any pressure to stop the chronograph. While the transponder module 48 has the relative advantage, compared to the GPS module, of consuming significantly less energy, such a module can nevertheless only be used, a priori, in racing where transponder detection devices have already been installed for intermediate times. Thus the transponder module 48 could not be used for example to carry out a reconnaissance course or plan training, but only to visualize racing performances in real time.

[0031] Preferably, a series of time interval measurements can include up to approximately 20 measurements, and after each measurement, started by pressing the first pusher P1 and stopped by a second press on the second pusher P2 - or alternatively by detection of a terminal by the transponder module 48 or the correspondence of geographical coordinates by the GPS module 49 - the controller circuit 42 sends activation signals to the motor control circuit 46 to position the first analog trend indicator 14 from its rest position at noon on dial 16, visible in Figure 3, next to the value it calculated. Until the last measurement, preferably determined by pressing the pusher P1, whatever the detection mode, i.e. manual or automatic, chosen for intermediate time measurements, the second analog trend indicator 18 is also positioned by the motor control circuit 46, on the same value as that of the first analog trend indicator 14, so as not to disturb the readability of the user by overloading the dial with various angular positions of a plurality distinct needles. The two analog trend indicators are therefore only potentially separated after the last measurement.

[0032] Those skilled in the art will understand that the different preferred embodiments described in the description above are given only by way of example without being intended to be interpreted in a restrictive manner. Thus other types of analog indicators, of the cursor type, possibly even linear, are also possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0033] Furthermore, it will also be understood that it is possible to combine all or part of the characteristics described in the different Figures 1 to 4, and that it is in particular possible to use a portable watch 1 according to the illustrated embodiment. by Figure 1, and which would use an RFID module 48, but not a GPS module 49, or even a watch provided with an RFID module 48 and a GPS module 49, but which would only use a single needle to displaying the trend, global or not.

Claims (13)

1. Control and display method for a portable timepiece (1) comprising means for displaying a timed time and at least one first analog trend indicator (14), a control interface (30) and an electronic circuit (40) for activating said first analog trend indicator, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: – a first step (E1) of programming a first predefined time interval (T1); – a second step (E2) of measuring a second time interval (T2); – a third step (E3) of displaying said second time interval (T2); – a fourth step (E4) of displaying a difference (D) between said first predefined time interval (T1) and said second time interval (T2), using said first analog trend indicator (14) . 2. Control and display method according to claim 1, characterized in that the value displayed for said deviation (D) is a relative value, that is to say as a percentage of the first predefined time interval. 3. Control and display method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first programming step (E1) is carried out manually while said second measuring step (E2) is at least partially automatic. 4. Control and display method according to claim 3, characterized in that said first step (E1) of programming a first time interval (T1) is correlated to the programming of a predefined geographical location (L1). . 5. Control and display method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a first sequence (S1) comprising a number (N) greater than 1 of first steps (E1) of programming first distinct predefined time intervals (T1), a second sequence (S2) comprising the same number (N) of second steps (E2) for measuring second distinct time intervals (T2), characterized in that it comprises a fifth step (E5) of displaying, at the end of said second sequence (S2), a global difference (G) in analog form between the sum of said first predefined time intervals (T1) of said first sequence (S1) and the sum of said second time intervals (T2) of the second sequence (S2). 6. Control and display method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a subsidiary step (E6) of configuring the display of deviations. 7. Portable timepiece for implementing a control and display method according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising an hour hand (11) and a minute hand (12) for the display of the current time, rotating around a central barrel (10), and a chronograph module, characterized in that it comprises said first analog trend indicator (14) relative to said first predefined time interval (T1 ). 8. Portable timepiece according to claim 7, characterized in that said first analog trend indicator (14) is an additional hand rotatably mounted around said central barrel (10), and moving opposite a bezel (150). ), said bezel (150) further comprising at least a first display segment (151) materializing a delay with respect to said first predefined time interval (T1) and a second display segment (152) materializing an advance with respect to said first predefined time interval (T1), said first and second display segments (151,152) being located on either side of noon. 9. Portable timepiece according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said bezel (150) comprises a third display segment (153) extending over a very restricted angular segment relative to the other segments and materializing a correspondence between said first predefined time interval (T1) and said second measured time interval (T2), said third display segment being matched to said first analog trend indicator (14). 10. Portable timepiece according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said first segment, said second segment and said third display segment (151,152,153) comprise a reading scale formed of blocks (154) extending over an angular sector of said bezel (150). 11. Portable timepiece according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a second analog trend indicator (18) distinct from said first analog trend indicator (14), arranged to indicate the deviation global (G) between a first sum of first predefined time intervals (T1) and a second sum of second measured time intervals (T2). 12. Portable timepiece according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that said first analog trend indicator (14) and said second analog trend indicator (18) are mounted coaxially around the central barrel (10) and arranged to always be superimposed, except when said second analog trend indicator (18) indicates said overall deviation (G) over a sum of first predefined time intervals (T1). 13. Portable timepiece according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that said control interface (30) comprises three distinct pushers (P1,P2,P4), and a rod (T) movable axially in at at least three distinct positions, at least one of which corresponds to a setting mode of said first analog trend indicator (14).