EP0539333B1 - Liquid crystal matrix display used in a watch - Google Patents

Liquid crystal matrix display used in a watch Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0539333B1
EP0539333B1 EP19920810809 EP92810809A EP0539333B1 EP 0539333 B1 EP0539333 B1 EP 0539333B1 EP 19920810809 EP19920810809 EP 19920810809 EP 92810809 A EP92810809 A EP 92810809A EP 0539333 B1 EP0539333 B1 EP 0539333B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
display device
display
matrix
watch
hands
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19920810809
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0539333A3 (en
EP0539333A2 (en
Inventor
Gabriel C/O J.J. Engel Mossuz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fabrique dEbauches de Sonceboz SA
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Fabrique dEbauches de Sonceboz SA
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Priority to EP19920810809 priority Critical patent/EP0539333B1/en
Publication of EP0539333A2 publication Critical patent/EP0539333A2/en
Publication of EP0539333A3 publication Critical patent/EP0539333A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0539333B1 publication Critical patent/EP0539333B1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0082—Visual time or date indication means by building-up characters using a combination of indicating elements and by selecting desired characters out of a number of characters or by selecting indicating elements the positions of which represents the time, i.e. combinations of G04G9/02 and G04G9/08
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0023—Visual time or date indication means by light valves in general
    • G04G9/0029—Details
    • G04G9/0035—Details constructional

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a matrix display device intended to be associated with a watch, as well as a watch provided with said device.
  • the same user also simultaneously needs very precise information which changes very slowly over time, for example the date and the day of the week, or else information which can be frozen such as the time taken to perform a certain route, as recorded by a chronograph
  • a digital or digital display is preferable, whether this display is mechanical or electronic.
  • An electronic digital or alphanumeric display device has the advantage of visualizing information contained in a memory or a counter; it is then possible to increase the number of information to be displayed by increasing the size of the memory or the number of counters. Generally a more or less complicated selection device makes it possible to choose the information which must be displayed.
  • Electronic matrix display devices are described in particular in US-A-4,362,392, in JP-57-101,788, in JP-54-136,378 and in application EP-A-0.394.814.
  • the first three of these documents describe a watch, respectively a display device, comprising only the digital display, excluding an analog time display.
  • the last of these documents represents, in FIGS. 6a and 6b, a watch comprising hands and a digital display. Note that the digital display is located down and out of the dial and is therefore actually next to the display by hands.
  • EP-B1-0.078.237, JP-54-70.872 and GB-A-2 090 440 as well as applications EP-A-0.408.708, EP-A-0.389.411 and GB-A-2.084.764 describe watches comprising a needle display associated with a digital display device, said device being a segmented liquid crystal display.
  • a segment display has the disadvantage of being able to display only information whose format is predetermined by the number, size and position of the segments.
  • a liquid crystal matrix display device intended to be associated with a needle display, which has the characteristics mentioned.
  • claim 1 particular embodiments being defined in the dependent claims and a watch provided with such a display being defined by the last claim.
  • FIG. 1 there is a watch 1 provided with a dot matrix display screen 2 acting as a dial and currently displaying an acronym.
  • the dial respectively the matrix display screen 2 is pierced in its center with a hole 20 allowing the passage of the hands of the hands 10 of a clockwork movement (not shown), which can be mechanical or electronic and disposed under the matrix display screen 2.
  • the housing 11 of watch 1 can be completed with a winding crown 12 as well as control buttons 37, 43 for display functions.
  • the watch may also include a seconds display hand.
  • a matrix display screen consisting of a dot matrix makes it possible to display either graphical information, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or alphanumeric information, as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
  • graphical information as shown in Figures 1 and 2
  • alphanumeric information as shown in Figures 3 and 4.
  • a relatively complex graphic representation can be obtained , such as the acronym in Figure 2 or a relatively large alphanumeric text such as the maxim in Figure 3 or the calendar indication in Figure 4.
  • the matrix display screen 2 of these figures which acts as the watch face and has a hole 20 in its center, to allow the passage of the hands of the hands 10 to pass freely.
  • FIG. 4 Another embodiments of the matrix display screen 2, respectively of the watch face 1, can be envisaged, for example instead of a matrix whose sides are perpendicular, it is very possible to have a matrix whose sides are oblique, forming a parallelogram, as shown in Figure 4, where there is for example a representation a calendar indication, in order to obtain a tilted writing.
  • Other forms are obviously also possible, for example it is not at all necessary that the number of display points in a column is the same as in a row, which makes it possible to obtain a display matrix of rectangular shape, or it is also possible to vary the number of display points in the columns and in the rows in order to obtain a matrix display of approximately circular or oval shape for a dial of circular or oval shape.
  • the hole 20 it is not at all necessary for the hole 20 to be placed in the center of the display screen 2, it can just as easily be off-center depending on the appearance that one wishes to give to the finished watch.
  • FIG. 5 represents a first embodiment of a block diagram of a control circuit 3 equipping a watch according to the invention provided with a matrix display screen 2 according to the invention.
  • the display matrix 2 is controlled by two display drivers 30 and 31, the first controlling the display lines while the second controlling the columns. Due to the presence of hole 20, a certain number of rows and columns display tracks are interrupted by said hole.
  • a certain number of rows and columns display tracks are interrupted by said hole.
  • the signals supplied to the two drivers 30 and 31 come from two memories 32 and 33.
  • a voltage reference module 34 allows the multiplexing of the signals delivered by the drivers 30 and 31.
  • the voltage reference module 34 has several voltage levels, usually five in addition to the supply voltage for dies of the size considered here.
  • a time module 35 which includes the traditional functions, such as for example an oscillator with its correction devices as well as the control buffers of the stepping motor or motors of an electronic movement, as well as possibly their slaving, functions like a clock which controls a counter 36, which allows the sequential output of the information contained in the memories 32 and 33.
  • the time module 35 also controls the display multiplexing, ie the change of the displayed image, of the matrix display 2.
  • the switch 37 symbolizes a device known in the art, for example a push button disposed on the watch case or a function control device by depressing a bottom portion of the case, allowing the choice of the display to view.
  • FIG. 6 there is another embodiment of a block diagram of a control circuit of a matrix display 2 according to the invention.
  • the control circuit 3 described above is supplemented by an information processing circuit 4.
  • the connection between the portions of the lines 21 and of the columns 22 interrupted by the hole 20 is designed according to another embodiment as described above. Instead of providing for connections between the sections by conductive tracks arranged near the hole 20, these connections 21C and 22C pass outside the display screen 2 to connect each end close to the outside edge of said display screen 2 of each line 21 , respectively of each column 22 interrupted by the hole 20.
  • This embodiment has the advantage over that described above that no place is necessary near the hole 20 for the passage of the conductive tracks, which increases in consequently the available display area.
  • the two described embodiments of the means of connection between the columns or the lines interrupted by the hole 20 do not depend on the embodiment of the control circuit represented in FIG. 5 or in FIG. 6 and that they can very well be interchanged.
  • the information processing circuit 4 of FIG. 6 comprises an information processing unit 40 which receives information from the time module 35 as well as from a sensor 41.
  • the sensor 41 is of a type making it possible to receive the signals corresponding to the information to be displayed by the matrix display 2: it can be, for example, a pressure, temperature or other quantity sensor, or it can be a receiver capable of receive a signal transmitted by a transmitter 42, disposed outside the housing and transmitting signals to said sensor 41.
  • the transmitter 42 can for example represent an antenna transmitting a time signal, the sensor 41 then being a receiving antenna transmitting a synchronization signal from the time module 35.
  • the transmitter 42 can also represent, for example, a programming device transmitting its information to the sensor 41 by acoustic, preferably ultrasonic, or by radiation.
  • the information processing unit 40 loads the memories 32 and 33 with the desired image or information, according to the desire of the user who acts on a device symbolized by the switches 43, two of which are represented on the which can be of the same type or of a different type from that of switch 37.
  • the information processing unit 40 can therefore include several functions such as an analog-digital converter, a character generator and a memory. It is controlled by the internal clock of the time module 35 as well as by the internal software, wired or programmed, which is specific to it. This processing unit 40 is particularly responsible for organizing the information as well as its transfer to the memories 32, 33 of the drivers 30, 31.
  • the data relating to the information to be displayed, image or text, either coming from the outside or being generated by the information processing unit 40, are transmitted bit by bit or else by bytes. These data are stored in memories 32 and 33 to come out in parallel to drivers 30 and 31.
  • the matrix display screen 2 can therefore display a digital image, programmed during the manufacture of the watch or which can be programmed during the purchase or subsequently by the user, via the programming device 42. In this way the watch face can be personalized.
  • the image can be unique or be part of a group of several images which can be viewed independently on demand by one of the devices 43; the number of images that can be viewed depends on the size of the memory of the information processing unit 40.
  • the information processing software can be designed so that the image either fixed or it can move or reverse on the display, automatically or on demand, in order to create an animation of the watch face.
  • the matrix display screen can display evolving information directly related to time counting according to the software introduced in the information processing unit 40. For example, the display of date, day, month, week number, chronograph, moon phases, tide times, times in other time zones, time counters, etc. . Alternatively, it can also display information specific to the user, introduced by the programming device 42, such as, for example, calendar, telephone directory or memo indications. These displays can be displayed permanently, or at specific times controlled by the time module 35, or at the request of the user by pressing one of the pushers or devices 37 or 43. As a variant, it is also possible that in the idle state the matrix display does not display any image or any information, which corresponds to a screen of uniform color or else displays benchmarks and / or figures corresponding to the usual indications of the hours on a dial of watch.
  • the memory of the information processing unit 40 will preferably be of the EPROM type so that it is not necessary to reprogram each image as well as the data contained in the memory of the information processing unit 40 after a battery change.
  • Figures 5 and 6 show two possible embodiments of circuits for controlling a matrix display according to the invention; it is obvious that the discrete elements forming part of these circuits can be designed and arranged in a way different from that described; in particular the elements or modules can be grouped or separated differently, the connections between them can be different, in the same way they can be supplemented by other elements or modules.
  • the circuit will include several "ASIC" integrated circuits, that is one or more integrated circuits designed specifically for this application, which can be carried over by the "Flip-Chip” method consisting in depositing conductive and fusible micro-beads on the connections of the integrated circuits and then return them to the support so that the direct connection is ensured by bonding, reflow or thermocompression of the micro-balls.
  • ASIC application-specific integrated circuit
  • the matrix display device associated with a watch comprising a display by needles fully fulfills the set goals, namely to allow said display to be used as the watch face, on which any type of information compatible with the characteristics of the matrix display can be displayed.

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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif d'affichage matriciel destiné à être associé à une montre, ainsi qu'une montre munie dudit dispositif.The present invention relates to a matrix display device intended to be associated with a watch, as well as a watch provided with said device.

Lorsqu'un utilisateur acquiert une nouvelle montre, il préfère généralement que celle-ci soit munie d'un affichage horaire sous forme analogique. L'oeil repérant facilement le secteur angulaire formé par les aiguilles des heures et des minutes ainsi que la position de ce secteur sur le cadran, l'utilisateur a ainsi très rapidement une juste notion de l'heure présente ainsi que du temps restant avant un rendez-vous par exemple.When a user acquires a new watch, he generally prefers that it be provided with a time display in analog form. The eye easily locating the angular sector formed by the hour and minute hands as well as the position of this sector on the dial, the user thus very quickly has a fair idea of the present hour as well as the time remaining before a appointment for example.

Par contre, le même utilisateur a aussi besoin simultanément d'informations très précises qui évoluent très lentement avec le temps, par exemple la date et le jour de la semaine, ou alors d'informations pouvant être figées telles que le temps mis pour effectuer un certain parcours, comme relevées par un chronographe. Pour ce type d'informations, un affichage numérique ou digital est préférable, que cet affichage soit mécanique ou électronique.On the other hand, the same user also simultaneously needs very precise information which changes very slowly over time, for example the date and the day of the week, or else information which can be frozen such as the time taken to perform a certain route, as recorded by a chronograph For this type of information, a digital or digital display is preferable, whether this display is mechanical or electronic.

Un dispositif d'affichage numérique ou alphanumérique électronique a l'avantage de visualiser une information contenue dans une mémoire ou un compteur; il est alors possible d'augmenter le nombre d'informations à afficher en augmentant la taille de la mémoire ou le nombre de compteurs. Généralement un dispositif de sélection plus ou moins compliqué permet de choisir l'information qui doit être visualisée.An electronic digital or alphanumeric display device has the advantage of visualizing information contained in a memory or a counter; it is then possible to increase the number of information to be displayed by increasing the size of the memory or the number of counters. Generally a more or less complicated selection device makes it possible to choose the information which must be displayed.

La longueur de l'information visualisée par les afficheurs à cristaux liquides est restée longtemps limitée vu que ceux-ci n'étaient pas multiplexés, nécessitant de ce fait un nombre trop important de connexions.The length of the information displayed by the liquid crystal displays remained limited for a long time since they were not multiplexed, requiring therefore too many connections.

Les besoins des utilisateurs augmentant et le multiplexage des cristaux liquides, en particulier des afficheurs à cristaux liquides matriciels, ayant fait ses preuves, le marché offre actuellement des montres permettant de visualiser des informations complémentaires telles que des heures de rendez-vous, des numéros de téléphone, etc.With the increasing needs of users and the multiplexing of liquid crystals, in particular matrix liquid crystal displays, having proven itself, the market currently offers watches making it possible to display additional information such as appointment times, telephone numbers. telephone, etc.

Divers constructeurs ont proposé des dispositifs d'affichage électroniques associés à une montre.Various manufacturers have proposed electronic display devices associated with a watch.

Des dispositifs d'affichage électroniques matriciels sont décrits en particuliers dans US-A-4.362.392, dans JP-57-101.788, dans JP-54-136.378 et dans la demande EP-A-0.394.814. Les trois premiers de ces documents décrivent une montre, respectivement un dispositif d'affichage, ne comportant que l'affichage digital, à l'exclusion d'un affichage horaire analogique. Le dernier de ces documents représente, sur ses figures 6a et 6b, une montre comportant des aiguilles ainsi qu'un affichage numérique. On remarque que l'affichage digital est situé vers le bas et hors du cadran et se trouve donc en fait à côté de l'affichage par aiguilles.Electronic matrix display devices are described in particular in US-A-4,362,392, in JP-57-101,788, in JP-54-136,378 and in application EP-A-0.394.814. The first three of these documents describe a watch, respectively a display device, comprising only the digital display, excluding an analog time display. The last of these documents represents, in FIGS. 6a and 6b, a watch comprising hands and a digital display. Note that the digital display is located down and out of the dial and is therefore actually next to the display by hands.

EP-B1-0.078.237, JP-54-70.872 et GB-A-2 090 440 ainsi que les demandes EP-A-0.408.708, EP-A-0.389.411 et GB-A-2.084.764 décrivent des montres comportant un affichage à aiguilles associé à un dispositif d'affichage digital, ledit dispositif étant un affichage à cristaux liquides à segments. Un affichage à segments a l'inconvénient de ne pouvoir afficher que des informations dont le format est prédéterminé par le nombre, la grandeur et la position des segments. D'autre part, dans le cas d'un affichage à segments, il est relativement aisé de prévoir un trou à travers l'affichage pour le passage des aiguilles dans une zone dépourvue de segments d'affichage, puisque cet emplacement peut facilement être libéré de toute connexion électrique.EP-B1-0.078.237, JP-54-70.872 and GB-A-2 090 440 as well as applications EP-A-0.408.708, EP-A-0.389.411 and GB-A-2.084.764 describe watches comprising a needle display associated with a digital display device, said device being a segmented liquid crystal display. A segment display has the disadvantage of being able to display only information whose format is predetermined by the number, size and position of the segments. On the other hand, in the case of a segment display, it is relatively easy to provide a hole through the display for the passage needles in an area devoid of display segments, since this location can easily be freed from any electrical connection.

Afin d'obtenir un dispositif d'affichage électronique ne comportant pas les inconvénients mentionnés, il est proposé un dispositif d'affichage matriciel à cristaux liquides, selon l'invention, destiné à être associé à un affichage à aiguilles, qui comporte les caractéristiques mentionnées dans la revendication 1, des formes d'exécution particulières étant définies dans les revendications dépendantes et une montre munie d'un tel affichage étant définie par la dernière revendication.In order to obtain an electronic display device which does not have the drawbacks mentioned, a liquid crystal matrix display device according to the invention is proposed, intended to be associated with a needle display, which has the characteristics mentioned. in claim 1, particular embodiments being defined in the dependent claims and a watch provided with such a display being defined by the last claim.

L'invention est plus particulièrement compréhensible à l'examen du dessin annexé, comportant les figures où:

  • la figure 1 représente une montre selon l'invention vue de dessus, comportant un cadran constitué d'un affichage selon l'invention,
  • la figure 2 représente une matrice d'affichage selon l'invention affichant un sigle,
  • la figure 3 représente la même matrice d'affichage affichant une maxime,
  • la figure 4 représente une autre forme d'exécution d'une matrice d'affichage affichant une information d'agenda,
  • la figure 5 représente un schéma bloc du circuit de commande d'une montre selon l'invention comportant un affichage selon l'invention, et
  • la figure 6 représente un schéma bloc d'un circuit de commande selon une autre forme d'exécution.
The invention is more particularly understandable on examination of the appended drawing, comprising the figures where:
  • FIG. 1 represents a watch according to the invention seen from above, comprising a dial consisting of a display according to the invention,
  • FIG. 2 represents a display matrix according to the invention displaying an acronym,
  • FIG. 3 represents the same display matrix displaying a maxim,
  • FIG. 4 represents another embodiment of a display matrix displaying calendar information,
  • FIG. 5 represents a block diagram of the control circuit of a watch according to the invention comprising a display according to the invention, and
  • FIG. 6 represents a block diagram of a control circuit according to another embodiment.

A la figure 1 on a une montre 1 munie d'un écran d'affichage matriciel à points 2 faisant office de cadran et affichant actuellement un sigle. Le cadran, respectivement l'écran d'affichage matriciel 2 est percé en son centre d'un trou 20 permettant le passage des mobiles des aiguilles 10 d'un mouvement d'horlogerie (non représenté), pouvant être mécanique ou électronique et disposé sous l'écran d'affichage matriciel 2. Le boîtier 11 de la montre 1 peut être complété d'une couronne de remontage 12 ainsi que de boutons de commande 37,43 des fonctions d'affichage.In FIG. 1 there is a watch 1 provided with a dot matrix display screen 2 acting as a dial and currently displaying an acronym. The dial, respectively the matrix display screen 2 is pierced in its center with a hole 20 allowing the passage of the hands of the hands 10 of a clockwork movement (not shown), which can be mechanical or electronic and disposed under the matrix display screen 2. The housing 11 of watch 1 can be completed with a winding crown 12 as well as control buttons 37, 43 for display functions.

Seules les aiguilles des heures et des minutes sont représentées sur la figure, mais il est bien entendu que la montre peut aussi comprendre une aiguille d'affichage des secondes.Only the hour and minute hands are shown in the figure, but it is understood that the watch may also include a seconds display hand.

L'usage d'un écran d'affichage matriciel constitué d'une matrice à points permet de visualiser soit des informations graphiques, comme représenté aux figures 1 et 2, soit des informations alphanumériques, comme représenté aux figures 3 et 4. Vu la haute densité de points qu'il est maintenant possible d'atteindre, par exemple une matrice de 6400 points répartis en 80 lignes et 80 colonnes sur une surface correspondant à celle d'un cadran de montre-bracelet, on peut obtenir une représentation graphique relativement complexe, comme par exemple le sigle de la figure 2 ou alors un texte alphanumérique relativement important comme par exemple la maxime de la figure 3 ou l'indication d'agenda de la figure 4. L'écran d'affichage matriciel 2 de ces figures qui fait office de cadran de la montre est percé en son centre d'un trou 20, afin de laisser libre le passage des mobiles des aiguilles 10.The use of a matrix display screen consisting of a dot matrix makes it possible to display either graphical information, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or alphanumeric information, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Given the high density of points that it is now possible to reach, for example a matrix of 6400 points distributed in 80 rows and 80 columns on a surface corresponding to that of a wristwatch dial, a relatively complex graphic representation can be obtained , such as the acronym in Figure 2 or a relatively large alphanumeric text such as the maxim in Figure 3 or the calendar indication in Figure 4. The matrix display screen 2 of these figures which acts as the watch face and has a hole 20 in its center, to allow the passage of the hands of the hands 10 to pass freely.

D'autres formes d'exécution de l'écran d'affichage matriciel 2, respectivement du cadran de la montre 1, peuvent être envisagées, par exemple au lieu d'une matrice dont les côtés sont perpendiculaires, on peut très bien avoir une matrice dont les côtés sont obliques, formant un parallélogramme, comme représenté à la figure 4, où on a par exemple une représentation d'une indication d'agenda, afin d'obtenir une écriture penchée. D'autres formes sont évidemment aussi possibles, par exemple il n'est pas du tout nécessaire que le nombre de points d'affichage dans une colonne soit le même que dans un ligne, ce qui permet d'obtenir une matrice d'affichage de forme rectangulaire, ou alors il est aussi possible de faire varier le nombre de points d'affichage dans les colonnes et dans les lignes afin d'obtenir un affichage matriciel de forme approximativement circulaire ou ovale pour un cadran de forme circulaire ou ovale. De même, il n'est pas du tout nécessaire que le trou 20 soit placé au centre de l'écran d'affichage 2, il peut tout aussi bien être décentré selon l'aspect que l'on désire donner à la montre terminée.Other embodiments of the matrix display screen 2, respectively of the watch face 1, can be envisaged, for example instead of a matrix whose sides are perpendicular, it is very possible to have a matrix whose sides are oblique, forming a parallelogram, as shown in Figure 4, where there is for example a representation a calendar indication, in order to obtain a tilted writing. Other forms are obviously also possible, for example it is not at all necessary that the number of display points in a column is the same as in a row, which makes it possible to obtain a display matrix of rectangular shape, or it is also possible to vary the number of display points in the columns and in the rows in order to obtain a matrix display of approximately circular or oval shape for a dial of circular or oval shape. Similarly, it is not at all necessary for the hole 20 to be placed in the center of the display screen 2, it can just as easily be off-center depending on the appearance that one wishes to give to the finished watch.

La figure 5 représente une première forme d'exécution d'un schéma bloc d'un circuit de commande 3 équipant une montre selon l'invention munie d'un écran d'affichage matriciel 2 selon l'invention. La matrice d'affichage 2 est pilotée par deux drivers d'affichage 30 et 31, le premier commandant les lignes d'affichage alors que le second commande les colonnes. Vu la présence du trou 20, un certain nombre de pistes d'affichage de lignes et de colonnes sont interrompues par ledit trou. Afin de transmettre le signal d'excitation d'affichage d'une ligne 21, respectivement d'une colonne 22 à la portion de ligne 21A, respectivement à la portion de colonne 22A disposée de l'autre côté du trou 20, on dispose, selon une première forme d'exécution montrée à la figure 5, de pistes conductrices 21B, 22B placées dans une portion de la matrice d'affichage ne comportant aucun point d'affichage et entourant le trou 20, afin de relier les deux portions de chaque ligne 21 et de chaque colonne 22 interrompue par le trou 20. De cette manière, les deux portions de chaque ligne 21, respectivement de chaque colonne 22 interrompue par le trou 20 sont excitées par le même signal de commande.FIG. 5 represents a first embodiment of a block diagram of a control circuit 3 equipping a watch according to the invention provided with a matrix display screen 2 according to the invention. The display matrix 2 is controlled by two display drivers 30 and 31, the first controlling the display lines while the second controlling the columns. Due to the presence of hole 20, a certain number of rows and columns display tracks are interrupted by said hole. In order to transmit the display excitation signal of a line 21, respectively of a column 22 to the line portion 21A, respectively to the column portion 22A disposed on the other side of the hole 20, there are, according to a first embodiment shown in FIG. 5, of conductive tracks 21B, 22B placed in a portion of the display matrix having no display point and surrounding the hole 20, in order to connect the two portions of each line 21 and of each column 22 interrupted by the hole 20. In this way, the two portions of each line 21, respectively of each column 22 interrupted by the hole 20 are excited by the same control signal.

Les signaux fournis aux deux drivers 30 et 31 proviennent de deux mémoires 32 et 33. Un module de référence de tension 34 permet le multiplexage des signaux délivrés par les drivers 30 et 31. Pour ceci, le module de référence de tension 34 dispose de plusieurs niveaux de tension, généralement cinq en plus de la tension d'alimentation pour des matrices de la taille envisagée ici.The signals supplied to the two drivers 30 and 31 come from two memories 32 and 33. A voltage reference module 34 allows the multiplexing of the signals delivered by the drivers 30 and 31. For this, the voltage reference module 34 has several voltage levels, usually five in addition to the supply voltage for dies of the size considered here.

Un module horaire 35, qui comprend les fonctions traditionnelles, comme par exemple un oscillateur avec ses dispositifs de correction ainsi que les buffers de commande du ou des moteurs pas-à-pas d'un mouvement électronique, ainsi qu'éventuellement leur asasservissement, fonctionne comme une horloge qui commande un compteur 36, lequel permet la sortie séquentielle des informations contenues dans les mémoires 32 et 33. Le module horaire 35 commande aussi le multiplexage d'affichage, soit le changement de l'image affichée, de la matrice d'affichage 2. Le commutateur 37 symbolise un dispositif connu de la technique, par exemple un bouton poussoir disposé sur le boîtier de la montre ou un dispositif de commande de fonction par enfoncement d'une portion de fond du boîtier, permettant le choix de l'affichage à visualiser.A time module 35, which includes the traditional functions, such as for example an oscillator with its correction devices as well as the control buffers of the stepping motor or motors of an electronic movement, as well as possibly their slaving, functions like a clock which controls a counter 36, which allows the sequential output of the information contained in the memories 32 and 33. The time module 35 also controls the display multiplexing, ie the change of the displayed image, of the matrix display 2. The switch 37 symbolizes a device known in the art, for example a push button disposed on the watch case or a function control device by depressing a bottom portion of the case, allowing the choice of the display to view.

A la figure 6 on a une autre forme d'exécution d'un schéma bloc d'un circuit de commande d'un affichage matriciel 2 selon l'invention. Le circuit de commande 3 décrit précédemment est complété d'un circuit de traitement de l'information 4. On remarque aussi sur cette figure que la liaison entre les portions des lignes 21 et des colonnes 22 interrompues par le trou 20 est conçue selon une autre forme d'exécution que décrite plus haut. Au lieu de prévoir des liaisons entre les tronçons par des pistes conductrices disposées à proximité du trou 20, ces liaisons 21C et 22C passent à l'extérieur de l'écran d'affichage 2 pour relier chaque extrémité proche du bord extérieur dudit écran d'affichage 2 de chaque ligne 21, respectivement de chaque colonne 22 interrompue par le trou 20. Cette forme d'exécution a l'avantage sur celle décrite plus haut qu'aucune place n'est nécessaire à proximité du trou 20 pour le passage des pistes conductrices, ce qui augmente en conséquence la surface d'affichage disponible. Il est bien évident que les deux formes d'exécution décrites des moyens de liaison entre les colonnes ou les lignes interrompues par le trou 20 ne dépendent pas de la forme d'exécution du circuit de commande représenté à la figure 5 ou à la figure 6 et qu'elles peuvent très bien être interchangées.In Figure 6 there is another embodiment of a block diagram of a control circuit of a matrix display 2 according to the invention. The control circuit 3 described above is supplemented by an information processing circuit 4. It is also noted in this figure that the connection between the portions of the lines 21 and of the columns 22 interrupted by the hole 20 is designed according to another embodiment as described above. Instead of providing for connections between the sections by conductive tracks arranged near the hole 20, these connections 21C and 22C pass outside the display screen 2 to connect each end close to the outside edge of said display screen 2 of each line 21 , respectively of each column 22 interrupted by the hole 20. This embodiment has the advantage over that described above that no place is necessary near the hole 20 for the passage of the conductive tracks, which increases in consequently the available display area. It is quite obvious that the two described embodiments of the means of connection between the columns or the lines interrupted by the hole 20 do not depend on the embodiment of the control circuit represented in FIG. 5 or in FIG. 6 and that they can very well be interchanged.

Le circuit de traitement de l'information 4 de la figure 6 comprend une unité de traitement de l'information 40 qui reçoit des informations du module horaire 35 ainsi que d'un capteur 41. Le capteur 41 est d'un type permettant de recevoir les signaux correspondant aux informations à afficher par l'affichage matriciel 2: il peut s'agir par exemple d'un capteur de pression, de température ou d'une autre grandeur, ou alors il peut s'agir d'un récepteur apte à recevoir un signal transmis par un émetteur 42, disposé à l'extérieur du boîtier et transmettant des signaux audit capteur 41. L'émetteur 42 peut par exemple représenter une antenne émettrice d'un signal horaire, le capteur 41 étant alors une antenne réceptrice transmettant un signal de synchronisation du module horaire 35. L'émetteur 42 peut aussi représenter par exemple un dispositif de programmation transmettant ses informations au capteur 41 par voie acoustique, de préférence ultra-sonore, ou par un rayonnement électro-magnétique quelconque, par exemple un rayonnement infra-rouge ou capacitif ou inductif. De cette manière, par un logiciel approprié, il est possible de programmer l'unité de traitement de l'information 40 afin d'afficher un sigle donné, ou les informations voulues. L'unité de traitement de l'information 40 charge les mémoires 32 et 33 de l'image ou de l'information voulue, selon le désir de l'utilisateur qui agit sur un dispositif symbolisé par les commutateurs 43 dont deux sont représentés sur la figure et qui peuvent être du même type ou d'un type différent de celui du commutateur 37.The information processing circuit 4 of FIG. 6 comprises an information processing unit 40 which receives information from the time module 35 as well as from a sensor 41. The sensor 41 is of a type making it possible to receive the signals corresponding to the information to be displayed by the matrix display 2: it can be, for example, a pressure, temperature or other quantity sensor, or it can be a receiver capable of receive a signal transmitted by a transmitter 42, disposed outside the housing and transmitting signals to said sensor 41. The transmitter 42 can for example represent an antenna transmitting a time signal, the sensor 41 then being a receiving antenna transmitting a synchronization signal from the time module 35. The transmitter 42 can also represent, for example, a programming device transmitting its information to the sensor 41 by acoustic, preferably ultrasonic, or by radiation. t electromagnetic any, for example infrared or capacitive or inductive radiation. In this way, by appropriate software, it is possible to program the information processing unit 40 in order to display a given acronym, or the desired information. The information processing unit 40 loads the memories 32 and 33 with the desired image or information, according to the desire of the user who acts on a device symbolized by the switches 43, two of which are represented on the which can be of the same type or of a different type from that of switch 37.

L'unité de traitement de l'information 40 peut comprendre donc plusieurs fonctions comme un convertisseur analogique-digital, un générateur de caractères et une mémoire. Elle est pilotée par l'horloge interne du module horaire 35 ainsi que par le logiciel interne, câblé ou programmé, qui lui est propre. Cette unité de traitement 40 est particulièrement chargée d'organiser l'information ainsi que son transfert vers les mémoires 32, 33 des drivers 30,31.The information processing unit 40 can therefore include several functions such as an analog-digital converter, a character generator and a memory. It is controlled by the internal clock of the time module 35 as well as by the internal software, wired or programmed, which is specific to it. This processing unit 40 is particularly responsible for organizing the information as well as its transfer to the memories 32, 33 of the drivers 30, 31.

Les données relatives aux informations à afficher, image ou texte, provenant soit de l'extérieur, soit étant générées par l'unité de traitement de l'information 40, sont transmises bit par bit ou alors par octets. Ces données sont stockées dans les mémoires 32 et 33 pour ressortir en parallèle vers les drivers 30 et 31.The data relating to the information to be displayed, image or text, either coming from the outside or being generated by the information processing unit 40, are transmitted bit by bit or else by bytes. These data are stored in memories 32 and 33 to come out in parallel to drivers 30 and 31.

L'écran d'affichage matriciel 2 peut donc afficher une image digitalisée, programmée lors de la fabrication de la montre ou alors pouvant être programmée lors de l'achat ou ultérieurement par l'utilisateur, via le dispositif de programmation 42. De cette manière le cadran de la montre peut être personnalisé. L'image peut être unique ou faire partie d'un groupe de plusieurs images qui peuvent être visualisées indépendamment à la demande par un des dispositifs 43; le nombre d'images qu'il est possible de visualiser dépend de la taille de la mémoire de l'unité de traitement de l'information 40. Le logiciel de traitement de l'information peut être conçu de manière à ce que l'image soit fixe ou qu'elle puisse se déplacer ou s'inverser sur l'affichage, automatiquement ou à la demande, afin de créer une animation du cadran de la montre.The matrix display screen 2 can therefore display a digital image, programmed during the manufacture of the watch or which can be programmed during the purchase or subsequently by the user, via the programming device 42. In this way the watch face can be personalized. The image can be unique or be part of a group of several images which can be viewed independently on demand by one of the devices 43; the number of images that can be viewed depends on the size of the memory of the information processing unit 40. The information processing software can be designed so that the image either fixed or it can move or reverse on the display, automatically or on demand, in order to create an animation of the watch face.

Indépendamment des images qu'il peut afficher, l'écran d'affichage matriciel peut afficher des informations évolutives liées directement au comptage du temps selon le logiciel introduit dans l'unité de traitement de l'information 40. On peut avoir par exemple l'affichage du quantième, du jour, du mois, du numéro de la semaine, d'un chronographe, des phases de la lune, des heures des marées, des heures correspondant à d'autres fuseaux horaires, d'un décompte de temps, etc. Alternativement elle peut aussi visualiser des informations propres à l'utilisateur, introduites par le dispositif de programmation 42, comme par exemple des indications d'agenda, de répertoire téléphonique ou de memo. Ces affichages peuvent être affichés de façon permanente, ou à des instants précis contrôlés par le module horaire 35, ou alors sur demande de l'utilisateur par pression sur l'un des poussoirs ou dispositifs 37 ou 43. En variante, il est aussi possible qu'à l'état de repos l'affichage matriciel n'affiche aucune image ni aucune information, ce qui correspond à un écran de couleur uniforme ou alors affiche des repères et/ou des chiffres correspondant aux indications habituelles des heures sur un cadran de montre.Regardless of the images that it can display, the matrix display screen can display evolving information directly related to time counting according to the software introduced in the information processing unit 40. For example, the display of date, day, month, week number, chronograph, moon phases, tide times, times in other time zones, time counters, etc. . Alternatively, it can also display information specific to the user, introduced by the programming device 42, such as, for example, calendar, telephone directory or memo indications. These displays can be displayed permanently, or at specific times controlled by the time module 35, or at the request of the user by pressing one of the pushers or devices 37 or 43. As a variant, it is also possible that in the idle state the matrix display does not display any image or any information, which corresponds to a screen of uniform color or else displays benchmarks and / or figures corresponding to the usual indications of the hours on a dial of watch.

La mémoire de l'unité de traitement de l'information 40 sera de préférence de type EPROM afin qu'il ne soit pas nécessaire de reprogrammer chaque image ainsi que les données contenues dans la mémoire de l'unité de traitement de l'information 40 après un changement de pile.The memory of the information processing unit 40 will preferably be of the EPROM type so that it is not necessary to reprogram each image as well as the data contained in the memory of the information processing unit 40 after a battery change.

Les figures 5 et 6 représentent deux formes d'exécution possibles de circuits permettant la commande d'un affichage matriciel selon l'invention; il est évident que les éléments discrets faisant partie de ces circuits peuvent être conçus et disposés de manière différente de celle décrite; en particulier les éléments ou modules peuvent être regroupés ou séparés de manière différente, les liaisons entre eux peuvent être différentes, de même ils peuvent être complétés par d'autres éléments ou modules.Figures 5 and 6 show two possible embodiments of circuits for controlling a matrix display according to the invention; it is obvious that the discrete elements forming part of these circuits can be designed and arranged in a way different from that described; in particular the elements or modules can be grouped or separated differently, the connections between them can be different, in the same way they can be supplemented by other elements or modules.

Afin d'obtenir tout ou partie des fonctions décrites ci-dessus sur un circuit pouvant être introduit dans un boîtier de montre, certaines précautions sont à prendre à la fabrication dudit circuit. De préférence, le circuit comprendra plusieurs circuits intégrés "ASIC", soit un ou plusieurs circuits intégrés conçus spécifiquement pour cette application, pouvant être reportés par la méthode "Flip-Chip" consistant à déposer des micro-billes conductrices et fusibles sur les connections des circuits intégrés puis à retourner ceux-ci sur le support de façon à ce que la connexion directe soit assurée par collage, par refusion ou thermocompression des micro-billes. Ainsi le dispositif d'affichage matriciel selon l'invention, associé à une montre comportant un affichage par aiguilles remplit entièrement les buts fixés, soit de permettre d'utiliser ledit affichage comme cadran de la montre, sur lequel n'importe quel type d'information compatible avec les caractéristiques de l'affichage matriciel peut être affichée.In order to obtain all or part of the functions described above on a circuit that can be introduced into a watch case, certain precautions must be taken during the manufacture of said circuit. Preferably, the circuit will include several "ASIC" integrated circuits, that is one or more integrated circuits designed specifically for this application, which can be carried over by the "Flip-Chip" method consisting in depositing conductive and fusible micro-beads on the connections of the integrated circuits and then return them to the support so that the direct connection is ensured by bonding, reflow or thermocompression of the micro-balls. Thus the matrix display device according to the invention, associated with a watch comprising a display by needles fully fulfills the set goals, namely to allow said display to be used as the watch face, on which any type of information compatible with the characteristics of the matrix display can be displayed.

Claims (15)

  1. Liquid crystal matrix display device (2) intended to be associated with a display device using hands (10) characterized in that it is pierced by an aperture (20) perbpendicular to the plane of the said display device, intended for the passage of staffs of hands, and in that each section of a track constituting a line (21) or a column (22) of the matrix and which is interrupted by the said aperture is connected to the corresponding section (21A, 22A) by a conducting track (21B, 22B; 21C, 22C).
  2. Display device according to claim 1, characterized in that the said track conductors (21B, 22B) are disposed near to the said aperture.
  3. Display device according to claim 1, characterized in that the said track conductors (21C, 22C) are disposed outside the display matrix.
  4. Display device according to one of the claims 2 or 3, characterized in that it constitutes a matrix whose sides are perpendicular to one another.
  5. Display device according to one of the claims 2 or 3, characterized in that it constitutes a matrix whose sides are not perpendicular to one another.
  6. Display device according to one of the claims 4 or 5, characterized in that it is associated with a control circuit (3) at least comprising: at least one display driver (30, 31), at least one memory unit (32, 33), at least one voltage reference module (34), at least one hour module (35), at least one counter (36) and at least one manual control driver (37).
  7. Display device according to claim 6, characterized in that it is associated in addition with an information processing circuit (4) having at least: one information processing unit (40), at least one sensor (41) and at least one control unit (43).
  8. Display device according to claim 7, characterized in that the said sensor is sensitive to a signal coming from a transmitter (42) disposed outside the said device and being able to include a programming unit, the said signal being of the acoustical or electromagnetic type.
  9. Display device according to one of the claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the signals transmitted to the said device are multiplexed.
  10. Display device according to one of the claims 6 to 9, characterized in that it is capable of displaying at least a graphic image and/or at least an alphanumerical text in a fixed or moving way.
  11. Display device according to claim 10, characterized in that the said graphic image or images and/or the said alphanumerical text or texts are programmable.
  12. Display device according to one of the claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the said graphic image or images and/or the said alphanumerical text or texts are generated from a signal coming from a transmitter disposed on the exterior of the said device.
  13. Display device according to one of the claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the display of the said graphic image or images and/or the said alphanumerical text or texts is controlled by an hour module.
  14. Display device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of integrated circuits of the ASIC type transferred on a support according to the Flip-Chip method.
  15. Watch including a display using hands and a matrix display device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said matrix display device serves as the dial of the said watch.
EP19920810809 1991-10-23 1992-10-21 Liquid crystal matrix display used in a watch Expired - Lifetime EP0539333B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19920810809 EP0539333B1 (en) 1991-10-23 1992-10-21 Liquid crystal matrix display used in a watch

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP91810818 1991-10-23
EP91810818 1991-10-23
EP19920810809 EP0539333B1 (en) 1991-10-23 1992-10-21 Liquid crystal matrix display used in a watch

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EP0539333A2 EP0539333A2 (en) 1993-04-28
EP0539333A3 EP0539333A3 (en) 1993-09-08
EP0539333B1 true EP0539333B1 (en) 1996-01-03

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Cited By (5)

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US5455808A (en) * 1993-11-26 1995-10-03 Asulab S.A. Timepiece with a mobile display
WO1999056184A1 (en) * 1998-04-28 1999-11-04 Blaettler, Ljubica, Buba Watch with an 'animated' dial
US5995456A (en) * 1995-03-10 1999-11-30 Boit Incorporated Dynamically changing liquid crystal display timekeeping apparatus
US6449219B1 (en) 1997-10-21 2002-09-10 Volker Hepp Time sensing device
US6671231B2 (en) 2000-12-11 2003-12-30 Eta Sa Fabriques D'ebauches Sequential control method for a display assembly including two superposed display devices

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US7433275B2 (en) 2000-08-01 2008-10-07 Hourpower Watches, Llc Watch with hidden compartment
JP2002202389A (en) * 2000-10-31 2002-07-19 Sony Corp Clock information distribution processing system, information distribution device, information distribution system, portable terminal device, information recording medium and information processing method
EP1213631A1 (en) * 2000-12-11 2002-06-12 Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches Procedure for sequentially commanding a display assembly comprising two superimposed display devices
FR2830153B1 (en) * 2001-09-21 2004-07-02 France Telecom DIGITAL IMAGE TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY, METHODS IMPLEMENTED IN SUCH AN ASSEMBLY, DIGITAL IMAGE TRANSMISSION DEVICE, AND DIGITAL IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE
AU2002303920A1 (en) * 2002-05-30 2003-12-19 Hourpower, L.L.C. Watch
CH706065A1 (en) 2012-01-23 2013-07-31 Daniel Spadini Watch having an analog display and digital display.
CN106802550A (en) * 2017-03-13 2017-06-06 广东乐源数字技术有限公司 A kind of full-color perforation screen for intelligent watch

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GB1584159A (en) * 1976-06-10 1981-02-04 Sandstedt G Data transfer and storage system
JPS54136378A (en) * 1978-04-13 1979-10-23 Sanyo Electric Co Ltd Electronic watch
GB2084764A (en) * 1980-09-22 1982-04-15 Timex Corp Combination analog/digital timepieces
GB2090440A (en) * 1980-12-16 1982-07-07 Ebauchesfabrik Eta Ag A watch having an analog display and a digital display
JPS57101788A (en) * 1980-12-17 1982-06-24 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Multifunction watch

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5455808A (en) * 1993-11-26 1995-10-03 Asulab S.A. Timepiece with a mobile display
US5995456A (en) * 1995-03-10 1999-11-30 Boit Incorporated Dynamically changing liquid crystal display timekeeping apparatus
US6449219B1 (en) 1997-10-21 2002-09-10 Volker Hepp Time sensing device
WO1999056184A1 (en) * 1998-04-28 1999-11-04 Blaettler, Ljubica, Buba Watch with an 'animated' dial
US6671231B2 (en) 2000-12-11 2003-12-30 Eta Sa Fabriques D'ebauches Sequential control method for a display assembly including two superposed display devices

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0539333A3 (en) 1993-09-08
EP0539333A2 (en) 1993-04-28

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