EP0591913A1 - Time piece capable of receiving radio messages that are displayed by means of the hands - Google Patents

Abstract

The timepiece includes a timekeeper for displaying the hour and the minute by means of hands (4, 5) surmounting a dial (80) surrounded by a bezel (7) and a receiver capable of receiving personal paging messages stemming from at least two call numbers. The call numbers (81) are written in clear or in coded form on the bezel and means are employed so that, on receiving a message, the latter is placed in memory and so that the hands (4, 5) abandon their time-indicating function in order to display, by coming into superposition (4', 5'), the call number which issued the message. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a timepiece for displaying at least the hour and the minute by means of hands surmounting a dial surrounded by a bezel, a receiver capable of receiving messages for searching for persons by broadcasting, reception triggered by dialing on the telephone handset at least two determined and distinct telephone numbers, a memory for storing said calls, an acoustic transducer for signaling at least the arrival of a message and a device control comprising at least one rod fitted with a crown capable of being actuated manually.

A timepiece meeting the generic definition above has already been described in several documents published in the name of the same applicant. The general arrangement of the antenna confined in the housing is the subject of document EP-B-0 339 482 (US-A-4 884 252). The assembly of the movement, the middle part and the back of such a part is described in document EP-A-0 460 526. Finally, the arrangement of the battery supplying the radio frequency part of the watch is described in document EP- A-0 460 525.

More precisely, a timepiece also meeting the generic definition above was put on the market on December 2, 1991 by the applicant of the present invention and bears the name of "Swatch pager tone only", the instructions for use will now be recalled with the aid of FIGS. 1 and 2 accompanying this description.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the timepiece in question. This piece has a timepiece which displays the hour of the day by means of 4 hour and 5 minute hands. It also has a pager system, that is to say a device comprising a receiver of broadcast messages and a memory for storing these messages . The messages are picked up by an antenna appearing in the form of wires 6, antenna wound around the plate of the box. The part is controlled by a control device 3 which comprises on the one hand a crown 10 fitted on a rod not shown and on the other hand by two pushers 1 and 2. The crown can take three different axial positions. The first pusher 1, located at 8 o'clock, allows the pager to be switched ON (ON) or triggered (OFF). The second push-button 2, located at 10 o'clock, enables the pager to be placed in a standby state (SIL = silence) for which the received messages are at least stored in the memory without being signaled by a sound diffuser 8 of which only the orifice has been shown in Figure 1.

The pager is a personalized wristwatch equipped with an integrated radio receiver, capable of receiving paging messages by broadcasting, as already mentioned above. In Switzerland, messages are transmitted by the local call network B of the PTT. Four pager numbers correspond to each pager examined here.

To start or stop the pager, press the first button 1. A long beep confirms that the pager has been put into service and stopped. By pressing crown 10, a short beep will be heard if the pager is engaged, two short beeps if it is put out of service. In out of service mode, the pager consumes little energy, but does not receive a message either.

• 1er numéro d'appel : un bip (long) chaque seconde, figure 2, lettre E;
• 2ème numéro d'appel : deux bips (un court et un long) chaque seconde, figure 2, lettre F;
• 3ème numéro d'appel : trois bips (courts) chaque seconde, figure 2, lettre G, et
• 4ème numéro d'appel : quatre bips (courts) chaque seconde, figure 2, lettre H.

Messages can only be received if the pager is on (ON mode). The calls trigger the following acoustic alarms for approximately sixteen seconds, alarms shown in Figure 2, letters E, F, G and H:

• 1st call number: one beep (long) every second, figure 2, letter E;
• 2nd call number: two beeps (one short and one long) every second, figure 2, letter F;
• 3rd call number: three (short) beeps every second, figure 2, letter G, and
• 4th call number: four (short) beeps every second, figure 2, letter H.

To interrupt the alarm, simply press crown 10. The message is not stored.

The pager, however, automatically stores the messages that come in and are not interrupted by pressing the crown 10. These messages can be restored at any time by simply pressing the crown 10, in the order of the telephone numbers . Note that the messages are announced beforehand and then erased from the memory as soon as the pager is put out of service (OFF mode).

It is possible to receive messages without the acoustic alarms sounding. To do this, press the second push-button 2 which places the pager in standby or silence mode (SIL). This mode change is also confirmed by a long beep. This function can only be activated if the pager is engaged (ON mode). To confirm the silent mode, simply press the crown 10 which will cause the emission of three short beeps. The messages are therefore memorized without the alarm sounding.

To end the inhibition of the acoustic alarm and thus return to normal alarm mode (ON mode), press the second button 2 (SIL) again. A long beep will confirm the return to ON mode and the messages, if there are any, will be restored in the order of the telephone numbers.

From the description which has just been given above, it will be understood that sound codes are used. different depending on the phone numbers (see figure 2). Different sound codes (one, two or three short beeps) are also used to control the mode in which the pager is located (ON, OFF or SIL respectively). It will be understood that this state of affairs can create confusion if the wearer of the pager is not attentive or if his ear is not trained to memorize the codes received. To overcome these drawbacks, the timepiece of the present invention is characterized in that at least the telephone numbers are written in plain text or in coded form on the dial or the bezel and that means are put in place. works so that at least on receipt of a message the latter is stored and that at least one hand leaves its time indicator function to come and show the call number that transmits said message.

• la figure 1 est une vue en plan d'une montre pager exécutée selon l'art antérieur,
• la figure 2 est une illustration des alarmes sonores restituées par la montre pager de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue en plan de la montre pager réalisée selon un premier mode d'exécution de l'invention,
• les figures 4 et 5 montrent des exécutions différentes de lunettes applicables à la montre pager de la figure 3,
• la figure 6 montre le mécanisme de tige-couronne des deux formes d'exécutions de la montre pager, cela dans une première position tirée, stable, de la tige, ce dispositif permettant de commander la pièce d'horlogerie comportant la combinaison d'un garde-temps et d'un pager,
• la figure 7 montre le même mécanisme dans une deuxième position neutre, stable, de la tige,
• la figure 8 montre le même mécanisme dans une troisième position poussée, instable, de la tige,
• la figure 9 est une coupe selon la ligne IX-IX de la figure 7 du pignon coulant collaborant avec la tige,
• la figure 10 est une vue du pignon coulant selon la flèche X de la figure 9,
• la figure 11 est une vue en plan du mécanisme montré en figure 6,
• la figure 12 est une vue en dessous de la figure 11 où apparaît le système de crantage de la tige,
• la figure 13 est un schéma bloc présentant la partie électronique de la montre pager de la figure 3,
• la figure 14 est un diagramme expliquant les fonctions des poussoirs 1 et 2 dont est équipée la montre pager de la figure 3,
• la figure 15 est un diagramme expliquant comment est reçu un message dans la montre pager de la figure 3, quand le récepteur est enclenché,
• la figure 16 est un diagramme expliquant comment sont reçus au moins deux messages dans la montre pager de la figure 3, quand le récepteur est en mode de veille ou de silence,
• la figure 17 est une vue en plan de la montre pager réalisée selon un second mode d'exécution de l'invention,
• la figure 18 est un diagramme montrant comment on agit sur la couronne de la montre pager de la figure 17 pour appeler les divers états dans lesquels ladite montre peut être disposée,
• la figure 19 est un diagramme expliquant comment sont reçus au moins deux messages de la montre pager de la figure 17 quand le récepteur est en mode silence, et
• la figure 20 présente une variante d'exécution de la montre pager illustrée en figure 17.

The invention will now be explained by means of examples illustrated by the drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pager watch executed according to the prior art,
• FIG. 2 is an illustration of the audible alarms reproduced by the pager watch of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a plan view of the pager watch produced according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• FIGS. 4 and 5 show different executions of glasses applicable to the pager watch of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 6 shows the stem-crown mechanism of the two embodiments of the pager watch, this in a first drawn, stable position of the stem, this device making it possible to control the timepiece comprising the combination of a timepiece and a pager,
• FIG. 7 shows the same mechanism in a second neutral, stable position of the rod,
• FIG. 8 shows the same mechanism in a third, unstable pushed position of the rod,
• FIG. 9 is a section along the line IX-IX of FIG. 7 of the sliding pinion collaborating with the rod,
• FIG. 10 is a view of the sliding pinion according to arrow X in FIG. 9,
• FIG. 11 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 6,
• FIG. 12 is a view below of FIG. 11 where the notching system of the rod appears,
• FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the electronic part of the pager watch of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 14 is a diagram explaining the functions of the pushers 1 and 2 with which the pager watch of FIG. 3 is equipped,
• FIG. 15 is a diagram explaining how a message is received in the pager watch of FIG. 3, when the receiver is activated,
• FIG. 16 is a diagram explaining how at least two messages are received in the pager watch of FIG. 3, when the receiver is in standby or silent mode,
• FIG. 17 is a plan view of the pager watch produced according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 18 is a diagram showing how one acts on the crown of the pager watch of FIG. 17 to call up the various states in which said watch can be placed,
• FIG. 19 is a diagram explaining how at least two messages from the pager watch of FIG. 17 are received when the receiver is in silent mode, and
• FIG. 20 shows an alternative embodiment of the pager watch illustrated in FIG. 17.

The timepiece shown in plan in Figure 3 closely resembles that described above with respect to Figure 1. Here we find a control device 3 comprising a crown 10 and two pushers 1 and 2. The watch includes a timepiece allowing the display of the hour using the 4 hand and the minute using the 5 hand. This watch also includes a receiver capable of receiving paging messages by radio , messages received by the antenna 6. At least two messages can be received by the pager, the example illustrated showing four messages. Messages can be stored in a memory. These receiver and memory will be the subject of a description which will be found below. To reach the person wearing the watch, the caller dials a specific telephone number on their telephone handset. According to the prior art recalled above, the wearer of the watch can identify the caller by the particular sound attributed to him (for example 3 beeps in one second, this signal being repeated for approximately sixteen seconds). The sound is diffused by an acoustic transducer. According to the present invention, this acoustic transducer will not be used to identify the caller, but at least to signal that a message has arrived.

According to the essential characteristic of the invention, the call numbers are written on the dial 80 or the bezel 7 of the timepiece, means being used so that upon receipt of a message, the latter is stored and at least one hand (for example the minute hand) leaves its time indicator function at 5 to come and show in 5 'the call number 81 which sends the message.

FIG. 3 shows the call numbers affixed to the telescope 7, these numbers being in coded form. This figure also shows that these are the two hour 4 and minute 5 hands which leave their hour and minute indicator function to come and show, by overlapping in 4 'and 5', the number d call 81 "office" which sends the message. The superposition of the hands requires, as will be described below, two motors each driving a needle. The coded telephone numbers 81 shown in FIG. 3 correspond of course to real numbers that Jean, the family, the chef or the office must dial to reach the wearer of the pager watch. So to summarize, an incoming message sounds an alarm that prompts the wearer to look at his watch. If hands 4 and 5 point to the "office" indication, the wearer is invited to call back his office.

Instead of the coded call numbers shown in Figure 3, we could have numbers written in plain text, that is to say the numbers that John, the family, the manager or the office must dial to reach the carrier. the watch. The coded telephone numbers shown in Figure 3 could be replaced by numbers in numbers, as shown in Figure 5, reference 83, these numbers indicating, very usefully moreover, which telephone numbers should the wearer of the watch s 'he wants to reach John, the family, the chef or the office. FIG. 4 shows yet another way of presenting the calls received by a simple serial number 82, and not necessarily arranged in quadrature, as is the case in FIGS. 3 and 4.

To make the invention more universal, it is useful to propose a pager watch with a removable bezel 7 which is easily interchangeable, if not by the wearer of the watch at least by its manufacturer. Thus at the time of ordering the watch from a retailer, the buyer can make known the indications which he wishes to see appear on the bezel, indications which will be executed by the manufacturer and which will give the watch a personalized appearance.

What has just been said above is valid for the two examples of execution of the invention suggested in this document, that is to say for a watch executed according to FIG. 3 or according to FIG. 17. These two shapes also use in common a control device comprising at least one rod fitted with a crown adapted to be actuated manually. We will now describe this control mechanism where the rod can be brought into at least three different axial positions. For this description, reference is made to FIGS. 6 to 12.

The first position is a stable position, shown in Figure 6, position for which the timepiece can be set by the rotation of the crown. The second position, also a stable position, is shown in FIG. 7. This position has no effect on the watch-pager when the crown is turned. Finally, the third position, illustrated in FIG. 8, is unstable and makes it possible to erase the message by exerting an action in the longitudinal direction of the rod.

The stem-crown 3 of Figures 6 to 8 comprises a stem proper 9 fitted at its end by a crown 10 on which can be exerted, either a rotational movement, or a pressure. The rod 9 slides in an opening 11 made in the middle part 12 of the housing and in a hole 13 made in a bent element 14. The rod has a groove 15 in which takes place a lining 16. The rod has yet another groove 17 in which is adjusted a rocker 18 secured to a pin 19. Finally, the rod comprises a square 20 capable of sliding in a sliding pinion 21 retained axially in place by the bent element 14 and by another fixed bent element 22. We can still recognize in FIGS. 6 to 8, elements described in document EP-A-0 460 526 already cited, namely the plate 23, the dial 24, the first crystal 25 and the second crystal 26.

The sliding pinion 21 is shown in detail in FIGS. 9 and 10. As can be seen in FIG. 10, it has two stages 27 and 28 and a hole 61 intended to receive the square 20 of the rod 9. Each of the stages has a oblong section as seen in Figure 9 on the hatched part of the stage 27. The stages 27 and 28 are angularly offset from one another by about 45 °. As can be seen in FIG. 7 and in FIG. 11 which is a plan view from below in FIG. 7, elastic conductive blades 29 and 30 press respectively on the stages 27 and 28 of the sliding pinion 21, so that when the sliding pinion is rotated by the rod, these blades 29 and 30 alternately come into contact with conductive tracks respectively designated by A and B, these tracks being etched on a printed circuit 31. Figures 6 to 8 show that whatever or the axial position of the rod, the sliding pinion 21 remaining in place, there is always contact of the blade 29 on track A and of the blade 30 on track B, these contacts taking place alternately, as already said.

Figures 6 to 8 and Figure 11 also show that the rod mechanism has two other switches. A first switch 32 is formed by a conductive strip 33 capable of coming into contact with a conductive track C formed on the printed circuit 31. A second switch 35 is formed by a conductive strip 36 capable of coming into contact with a conductive track D also formed on the printed circuit 31. When they are driven by the pin 19, the blades 33 and 36 come into contact with the tracks C and D respectively, the pin 19 being in turn driven by the rocker 18 cooperating with the groove 17 of the rod 9, as is apparent in FIGS. 6 and 8.

FIG. 6 shows the first stable position drawn from the crown stem. It is the time setting position of the timepiece whatever its mode of execution (according to Figure 3 or according to Figure 17). Here the first switch 32 is closed and if the crown 10 is rotated, the first 29 and second 30 conductive blades are driven alternately to enter in contact with the first A and second B conductive tracks respectively. A rotation of the crown at an angular speed lower than a determined speed allows the correction step by step, in more or less, of the indication of the minutes according to the direction of rotation of the crown, while a rotation of the crown at an angular speed greater than said determined speed allows rapid correction, in more or less, of the indication of the hours by whole time zones according to the direction of rotation of the crown. The means used for these corrections are described in detail in the document CH-A-643,427 (US-A-4,398,831), these means being used in the two embodiments of the present invention. It will be added that in this first stable position, the correction of the time zone takes as reference the real time which runs from the activation in the position pulled from the crown, means being used to cancel all corrections of the minutes step by step which would have preceded the correction of the time zone, as described in document EP-B-0 175 961 (US-A-4,620,797). The documents cited here show a watch movement with only one motor, a timer connecting the hour and minute hands. In the present invention, provision is made to equip each of these needles with a two-way motor. For those skilled in the art, however, there will be no difficulty in applying the teaching of the documents cited to a movement comprising two independent motors.

Figure 7 shows the second stable and neutral position of the crown stem. It is a neutral position for which the rotation of the crown has no effect. In this position the first 32 and second 35 switches are open, while the rotation of the rod drives the first 29 and second 30 blades which alternately come into contact with, respectively, the first A and second B conductive tracks.

Figure 8 shows the third unstable and pushed position of the crown stem. This is the position for which the displayed message can at least be erased from memory when the crown is pressed. In this position, the second switch 35 is closed.

If we refer again to Figure 11, we see that the blades 29, 30, 33 and 36 are one and the same element having a common base 37. These blades are cut from a metal sheet, then bent at right angles to the blades 33 and 36. The four blades are therefore connected to the same electrical potential, ie Vpp as will appear in the diagram in Figure 13.

Figure 12 which is a bottom view of Figure 6, shows that the rocker 18, driven by the groove 17 of the rod 9, pivots about a holding axis 38. The rocker is extended by a first nose 39 which cooperates with two notches 40 and 41 formed in a first elastic element 42. The rod of FIG. 12 is shown in the second neutral position where the nose 39 is notched in the notch 40. By pulling on the rod to bring it into first position pulled, the nose 39 will lock into the notch 41. On the other hand, by pressing on the rod 9 from the position it occupies in FIG. 12, the nose 39 rises on a ramp 43 presented by the first elastic element 42, ramp which tends to return the rod to the neutral position when the pressure is interrupted. To further increase the return movement of the rod, the lever 18 has been provided with a second nose 44 which cooperates with a second elastic element 45, the two elastic elements being produced in one piece 46.

The same crown-stem, which has just been described, will be used in two embodiments of the pager watch according to the invention, embodiments which will now be described in detail. In summary, we have seen that the functionality of the rod is the same for both executions in question with regard to a) the time setting function of the watch, b) the neutral function and c) the message erasure function. For point c) the rod will have different functions depending on whether it is used in one or the other of the executions in question.

1) First mode of execution

Figure 3 is a plan view of the first embodiment of the pager watch according to the invention. In this embodiment, the pager watch comprises, in addition to the crown-stem described in detail above, two additional push-buttons 1 and 2. The first push-button 1, located at 8 o'clock, allows the pager to be engaged and triggered. The second push-button 2, located at 10 o'clock, enables the pager to be placed in a standby state for which the received messages are at least stored in the memory without being signaled by the audible warning 8 or shown by hands 4 and 5.

As we have already said, the watch-pager of the invention has two independent motors for indicating the hour and the minute in order to cause the two hands to overlap to show the call number written on the bezel or the dial. Such a mechanism is described in document EP-A-0 393 605 (= US-A-4 969 133) and the reader can refer to it if he wishes to obtain construction details. How from such a mechanism, it is possible to indicate the time on the one hand and to use the same hands to bring them to juxtaposition elsewhere than at noon on the other hand, is described in the document EP -A-0 476 425. This last document relates to an analog timepiece in which the hands are in a determined position, for example superimposed at 12 o'clock to mark a predetermined time reference, for example at noon, this piece comprising a means of adjustment to modify the position, relative to the dial, of the reference time, this new position being for example 6 hours.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the electronic part of the watch-pager illustrated in FIG. 3. The messages picked up by the antenna 6 are received by an RF circuit 64 (for example of the UAA 2033 type from the Philips company) which is connected to a particular circuit 101 by a three-wire bus 102. The particular circuit 101 combines an ordinary microprocessor with a decoder to decode the messages present at the output of the RF circuit 64 (for example of the PCF 5001 type from the Philips company) . This particular circuit also includes a watch circuit (for example of the H 5026 type from the company EM Microelectronic-Marin SA) comprising a clock oscillator 67, a frequency divider, a first driver driving, by a three-wire bus 77, a motor stepper with two directions of rotation driving the hour hand 4 and a second driver attacking by a three-wire bus 77 'a stepper motor with two directions of rotation driving the minute hand 5. The decoder is associated to an external EEPROM memory 103 which can be programmed by the two-wire line 104 called programming to signal only the messages intended for this particular pager, having its own radio identification code (RIC) and responding in this case to a radio call code, for example the one bearing CCIR No. 1 (based on CCIR recommendation 584-1, Dubrovnik, 1986). The particular circuit 101 is connected by a nine-wire bus 105 to the EEPROM memory already mentioned, this memory being associated with another RAM memory. To the particular circuit 101 is connected an audible warning or buzzer 8.

The circuit 101 is connected to the conductive tracks A and B to which the conductive strips 29 and 30 respectively correspond and the conductive tracks C and D to which the conductive strips 33 and 36 respectively correspond the switches 32 and 35 respectively, these tracks and blades having been described above and discussed with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12. The blades 29, 30, 33 and 36 are all connected to a common potential Vpp. The fact that the crown is turned results in tracks A and B being connected alternately to the potential Vpp. This alternation is taken into account by the circuit 101 which is then capable of first knowing the fact that the crown is driven in rotation and then in which direction this rotation takes place.

The RAM memory 103 of FIG. 13 is of a conventional invoice. In this RAM memory the messages are stacked one on top of the other. Since the RAM memory can only contain a limited number of messages, it is clear that if said memory is full, a new incoming message repeating for the second time will cause the loss of the oldest identical message.

Figure 13 also shows that the particular circuit 101 are connected pushers 1 and 2 connected on the other hand to the same potential Vpp.

>1 :

Pression sur le poussoir 1

>2 :

Pression sur le poussoir 2

<10:

Pression sur la couronne 10

   La figure 14 explique les fonctions des poussoirs 1 et 2. Si le pager est en position enclenché (ON) et que l'on presse sur le poussoir 1 (>1), on déclenche ledit pager (OFF), cette opération étant accompagnée par un bip long émis par le transducteur sonore. Inversement, si le pager est en position déclenché (OFF) et que l'on presse le poussoir 1 (>1), on enclenche ledit pager (ON), cette opération étant également accompagnée par un bip long. La figure 14 montre encore que si le pager est enclenché, et seulement à partir de cet état (ON), et que l'on presse sur le poussoir 2 (>2), on dispose le pager en état de veille ou de silence (SIL) pour lequel les messages entrants ne sont qu'enregistrés dans la mémoire. De l'état de veille (SIL), on peut revenir à l'état d'enclenchement (ON) en pressant sur le poussoir 2 (>2). Ici également le passage de ON à SIL et vice-versa entraîne le déclenchement d'un bip long par le transducteur. Enfin, pour savoir dans quel état se trouve le pager, on appuiera sur la couronne 10 et l'on recueillera un, deux ou trois bips courts selon que le pager se trouve respectivement en l'état ON, OFF ou SIL.Using FIGS. 14 to 16, we will now describe how to use the pager watch by acting on the one hand on the crown 10 and on the other hand on the pushers 1 and 2. The symbols used on the figures in question, with their meanings, are as follows:

> 1:

Press button 1

> 2:

Press button 2

<10:

Pressing the crown 10

Figure 14 explains the functions of buttons 1 and 2. If the pager is in the engaged position (ON) and you press button 1 (> 1), you trigger said pager (OFF), this operation being accompanied by a long beep emitted by the sound transducer. Conversely, if the pager is in the triggered position (OFF) and that push button 1 (> 1) is pressed, said pager (ON), this operation also being accompanied by a long beep. Figure 14 also shows that if the pager is engaged, and only from this state (ON), and that one presses on push-button 2 (> 2), the pager is placed in the standby or silent state ( SIL) for which incoming messages are only stored in memory. From standby (SIL), you can return to the ON state by pressing push-button 2 (> 2). Here also the passage from ON to SIL and vice-versa causes the triggering of a long beep by the transducer. Finally, to know what state the pager is in, press the crown 10 and collect one, two or three short beeps depending on whether the pager is in the ON, OFF or SIL state, respectively.

FIG. 15 is a diagram explaining how a message is received by the watch when the pager is engaged. For this, it is initially in the ON state and therefore on standby 100. A message 110 then arrives, detected as corresponding to one of the RICs of the receiver. This message is stored in 111, and triggers an acoustic alarm in 112. Hands 4 and 5 leave their time display function and come to show the caller's number (or code) in 113. The display 113 and the alarm 112 will last a predetermined period of time, for example 12 seconds. A test center 114 assesses whether the signal has lasted more than 12 seconds (> 12s). If so, the hands return to the time display 115, the message is kept in the memory and the receiver returns to the waiting state 100 for a new message. If not, the message is deleted from the memory at 116, the hands return to the time display at 115 and the receiver returns to the waiting state 100 for a new message. Interruption of the signal before 12 seconds has elapsed is caused by arranging the crown 10 (<10) in its third unstable position (FIGS. 8 and 13, switch 35 closed by the contact of the blade 36 with track D).

FIG. 16 is a diagram explaining how two messages 1 and 2 are received by the watch when the pager is in standby or silent mode. For this it is initially in SIL 120 state and therefore on standby. If a first message 121 arrives, it is stored at 122 without display or alarm. The pager then returns to the SIL 120 waiting state. If a second message 123 arrives, the same cycle is repeated: storage 124 then SIL 120 waiting state.

If the watch wearer now wishes to know the calls received during the standby period, he presses push-button 2 (> 2, reference 125) to place the pager in the ON 100 standby state. If messages have been stored, the pager begins by rendering the first message 121 which is announced acoustically and displayed by the superposition of the hour 4 and minute 5 hands (reference 126). As explained in connection with Figure 15, a test center 127 assesses whether the signal has lasted longer than 12 seconds (> 12s). If so, the message is kept in memory and the display of the second message 123 is announced acoustically and displayed by the hands (reference 128). If not (press the crown 10 (<10) before the 12-second period has elapsed), announcement and display 128 of the second message take place, but with erasure (reference 129) of the first message. An identical cycle is then repeated for the second message with or without erasure depending on whether the crown 10 has been pressed or not before the period of 12 seconds has elapsed. Once all the messages have been exteriorized, the hands return to their time display function (reference 130) and the receiver waits for new messages (100) unless it is triggered (OFF ) by pressing button 1 (<1).

2) Second mode of execution

Figure 17 is a plan view of the second embodiment of the pager watch according to the invention. Compared to the first embodiment, this second mode comprises only one crown stem 3 to the exclusion of any other push-button. Here the ON-OFF and ON-SIL functions described above are fulfilled by the crown pin 3.

In this execution, the stem-crown 3 is capable of switching on, off or placing the receiver in a standby state and the triggering (OFF), switching on (ON) and standby (SIL) states are entered in 84 on the bezel 7 of the watch. Hands 4 and 5, in addition to their time display function, can display here not only the telephone numbers 81 as discussed above, but also the state in which the pager is located, for example by overlapping in 4 '', 5 '' on the ON indication, thereby indicating that the pager is engaged.

The electronic part of the watch-pager according to this second embodiment differs from that shown in FIG. 13 only by the absence of pushers 1 and 2 connected to the particular circuit 101. It was therefore not considered necessary to show such a scheme by a new figure. In this second embodiment, only a particular arrangement of the microprocessor included in the circuit 101 makes it possible to pass from the first to the second embodiment, an arrangement which makes it possible to take into account the duration during which the crown 10 can be pressed in its third unstable position.

<10 :

Pression courte sur la couronne 10.

<<10 :

Pression longue sur la couronne 10.

Using figures 15, 18 and 19, we will now describe how to use the pager watch by acting on the single crown 10. The symbols used on the figures in question, with their meanings, are as follows :

<10:

Short press on the crown 10.

<< 10:

Long press on the crown 10.

As is apparent in FIG. 18, by bringing the rod into its third unstable position (FIG. 8) by a first pressure << 10, reference 140, for a period greater than a determined period, for example 2 seconds, one passes from OFF triggered state ON ON state; by the same second pressure << 10, reference 141, from the ON state to the standby state 142; by the same third pressure << 10, reference 142, from the standby state to the triggered state, and so on.

As shown in FIG. 15, if the receiver is in the ON state 100, the indication of the incoming message 110 shown by the hands at 113 is accompanied by an acoustic signal at 112 during a determined period of time, for example 12 seconds, after which the hands return to their time indication position at 115, the message remaining stored in the memory. If before the period of 12 seconds has elapsed, the crown 10 is pressed for a period less than said determined period defined in the paragraph above <10, the message is deleted from the memory at 116 and the hands return to display the time in 115. Note that this process is identical to that described in connection with the first embodiment of the invention with the decision center 114. It can be referred to if necessary.

FIG. 19 is a diagram explaining how two messages 1 and 2 are received when the pager is in silent mode. This reception is the same as that explained in connection with FIG. 16. We will therefore not extend to this here. If the watch wearer now wishes to know the calls received during the standby period, he will switch from SIL mode to ON mode by pressing the crown twice for a period longer than the determined period of 2 seconds (2 x << 10) and this through the OFF mode. The pager will then restore the stored messages as described in connection with Figure 16.

Note that the state of the pager can be inspected at any time. It is enough for that, when the pager indicates the hour, to exert a short pressure (<10) on the crown 10. The hands 4 and 5 will then go, in superposition, to show one of the three inscriptions ON, OFF or SIL written on the bezel 7 (see figure 17).

Figure 20 is an alternative embodiment of the pager watch illustrated in Figure 17. There is shown here on an enlarged scale the part of the watch located between 6 hours and 9 hours. In addition to the indications 81 and 84 carried by the bezel 7, the watch in FIG. 20 bears the indication Y, referenced 85, and the indication BAT, referenced 86.

The Swatch pager tone only watch mentioned in the preamble to this description is equipped with a system warning the wearer that the battery powering the receiver is exhausted. In ON mode, as soon as the battery is below a limit voltage, a sixteen-second beep sounds, a beep which can be interrupted by pressing crown 10. The wearer is thus warned that he must replace the battery within a few hours.

In the present invention, it is the hands which will indicate this state of exhaustion which, as soon as a lower voltage threshold is reached, come, by superimposing, to show the indication BAT, referenced 86. This indication can be preceded by a short beep.

The bezel 7 of the watch in FIG. 20 also carries an indication Y, referenced 85, an indication symbolizing the antenna of the pager. In the event that the quality of the signal is insufficient, the hands show, superimposed (references 4 '''and5''') the indication Y. This indicates to the wearer that he is in a poor area covered by the transmitter broadcasting the messages and that it is in their interest to move.

The BAT and Y functions are possible thanks to a pager self-monitoring system which, for example every four minutes, tests whether the battery voltage and the reception quality are sufficient. If not, the pager displays these shortcomings as explained above.

The invention is not limited to the display of the auxiliary functions BAT and Y. Other functions may exist, for example a FULL function which indicates that the memory is full and / or a NEW function which indicates that a new message arrived. These FULL and NEW indications are written on the bezel or the dial and the hands take care of showing them if necessary.

The description which has just been made is based on two embodiments given as an example. It will be understood that other modes are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, one can imagine a crown stem having an additional stable position to the two stable positions described, this additional position making it possible, by turning the crown, to choose the ON, OFF or SIL functions and to display these functions using the hands hours-minutes of the watch. In this particular embodiment, however, the spirit of the invention remains, namely essentially the display of the call numbers by the hands used to display the time and, in the alternative, the display of the state in which the pager.

Claims (18)

Timepiece comprising a timepiece for displaying at least the hour and the minute by means of hands (4,5) surmounting a dial (80) surrounded by a bezel (7), a receiver (64, 101 ) capable of receiving paging messages by broadcasting, reception triggered by dialing at least two determined and distinct telephone numbers on a telephone handset, a memory (103) for storing said calls, an acoustic transducer (8) to signal at least the arrival of a message and a control device (3) comprising at least one rod (9) fitted with a crown (10) capable of being actuated manually, characterized in that at least the call numbers (81,82,83) are written in clear or in coded form on the dial or the bezel and that means are implemented so that at least on receipt of a message the latter is activated memory and at least one hand (4 ', 5') leaves its function as an indicator of time to come and show the call number that sends said message. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that at least on receipt of a message the two hour (4) and minute (5) hands leave their function of indicating the hour and of the minute to show, by overlapping, the call number that sends said message. Timepiece according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the call numbers (81,82,83) or their coded form are affixed on a removable bezel (7), the inscriptions being executed according to the desire of the wearer of the timepiece. Timepiece according to claim 2, characterized in that the rod (9) can be brought into at least three different axial positions, a first stable position (Figure 6) in which the timepiece can be set by setting the crown (10), a second stable position (figure 7) in which the rotation of the crown has no effect and a third unstable position (figure 8) in which at least the message arrived can be erased from memory by action exerted in the longitudinal direction of the rod. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the first stable position (Figure 6) is a pulled position arranged to close a first switch (32) and for which the rotation of the crown (10) alternately causes first (29) and second (30) conductive strips which come into contact with first (A) and second (B) conductive tracks respectively, that the second stable position (FIG. 7) is an intermediate position between the first and the third position, and that the third unstable position (FIG. 8) is a pushed position arranged to close a second switch (35) when pressure is exerted on the crown. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device (3) further comprises a first pusher (1) capable of switching on or off the receiver of radio messages and a second pusher (2) capable of placing said receiver in a standby state for which the received messages are at least stored in the memory without being signaled by said transducer or shown by said hands. Timepiece according to claim 4, characterized in that the control device comprises only a single rod (9) fitted with a crown (10) capable of being actuated manually and capable of engaging, triggering or to have the receiver in a standby state for which the received messages are at least stored in the memory without being signaled by said acoustic transducer (8) or shown by said hands (4,5), the states of engagement (ON), of triggering (OFF) or of standby (SIL) being written on the dial (80) or the bezel ( 7), the hands (4 '', 5 '') being capable of further showing the state in which the receiver is located. Timepiece according to claim 6 or claim 7, characterized in that when the rod (9) is brought into its first stable position, a rotation of the crown (10) at an angular speed less than a determined speed allows the step-by-step correction in addition or under of the indication of the minutes (5) according to the direction of rotation of the crown, and a rotation of the crown at an angular speed lower than said determined speed allows rapid correction in addition and in addition to the hours indication (4) by entire time zones according to the direction of rotation of the crown. Timepiece according to claim 6, characterized in that if the receiver is in the ON state, the indication of the incoming message shown by the hands is accompanied by an acoustic signal during a predetermined period of time. , after which the hands (4,5) return to their time indication position, said message remaining stored in the memory. Timepiece according to claim 9, characterized in that if the crown (10) is pressed in its third unstable position before said time has elapsed, said message is erased from memory and the hands return to their time indication position. Timepiece according to claim 6, characterized in that if said piece indicates the time, the state of engagement (ON), of triggering (OFF) or of standby (SIL) in which the receiver is indicated by an acoustic signal by pressing the crown in its third unstable position, each of said states being signaled by a different acoustic signal. Timepiece according to claim 6, characterized in that by passing from the standby state (SIL) to the latching state (ON) by pressing on the second pusher (2), the hands successively indicate the messages (81,82,83) which were memorized while the receiver was in the standby state (SIL). Timepiece according to claim 7, characterized in that by bringing the rod (9) into its third unstable position by a first pressure (<< 10) on the crown for a period greater than a determined period, one passes from the triggered state (OFF) to the engaged state (ON), by a second press from the engaged state (ON) to the standby state (SIL), by a third press from the standby state ( SIL) in the triggered state (OFF), and so on. Timepiece according to claim 7, characterized in that if the receiver is in the ON state, the indication of the incoming message shown by the hands is accompanied by an acoustic signal during a determined period of time. , after which the hands return to their time indication position, said message remaining stored in the memory. Timepiece according to claim 14, characterized in that if the crown is pressed (<10) in its third unstable position for a period less than said determined period before said period of time has elapsed, said message is deleted from the memory and the hands (4,5) return to their position of the time indication. Timepiece according to claim 13, characterized in that one passes from the standby state (SIL) in the ON state by two successive presses (<< 10) exerted on the crown each for a period greater than said determined period, the hands (4,5) successively indicating the messages (81) which were memorized while the receiver was in the standby (SIL) state. Timepiece according to claim 7, characterized in that if said piece indicates the time, the state of engagement (ON), triggering (OFF) or standby (SIL) in which the receiver is located is indicated by the hands (4 '', 5 '') which show by overlapping, the corresponding inscription affixed on the bezel (7) or the dial (80), if pressure (<10) is exerted on the crown ( 10) during a period less than said specified period. Timepiece according to claim 7, characterized in that the dial (80) or the bezel (7) further carries a first indication relating to the voltage of the battery supplying the receiver (BAT) and / or a second indication relating to the quality of the radio signal received by the receiver (Y) and whether the hands (4 '' ', 5' '') show the first or second indication depending on whether the battery voltage or the signal quality are insufficient .

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