EP0603353B1 - Multifunction analog watch with removable part - Google Patents

Abstract

Multifunction analog watch with a removable part for fixing to the watchcase. The removable part has graphic elements relating to at least one of the watch's additional functions, and can include mechanical, electrical or electronic elements acting on the additional function through the watch's external control means, for example, push buttoms. By changing the removable part, the watch's graphic elements and even its behaviour can be adapted to given conditions.

Description

At present, there are on the market analog multifunction watches with hands comprising several stepping motors independently driving several gear trains. In the simplest version, two motors drive two hands, but you can also have three, four, five motors each driving one or even more hands, as well as combinations with digital displays. These configurations allow several additional functions to be displayed simultaneously or successively in addition to the conventional time functions. However, for example in the case where several additional functions are displayed successively by means of the same hands, the manipulation of the watch to control and successively display these additional functions becomes very complex, and there are often several graduations on the same dial, which makes reading difficult. In addition, the user most often only uses part of the functions, and access to those he uses is in fact made difficult for him by adding functions which are of no use to him. . Finally, it is very difficult to characterize this type of watch graphically because of their all-round applications.

US Pat. No. 4,623,260 describes a watch comprising three motors driving six hands to selectively display, in addition to the current time, a timed time, a counted down time and a wake-up time. The selection, adjustment and control of these various functions requires the presence of four push buttons and a crown with three axial positions, which complicates the manufacture of this watch and detracts from its aesthetics. In addition, nothing clearly indicates to the user of this watch which of its various functions is in use, which can be very annoying.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these problems by adding to the watch a removable part enabling it to be identified with a very specific function or group of functions. The same watch can be adapted successively to several functions by changing said removable part. This watch comprising a case, means for measuring and displaying the current time and an additional function comprising at least two stepping motors driving at least two hands for the analog display of said current time and of said additional function, means for selecting said additional function and means for controlling said additional function, is characterized in that it also comprises a removable part comprising graphic elements and means for fixing said removable part to said housing , by the fact that said fixing means are coupled to said selection means so that said additional function is selected or not depending on whether said removable part is fixed to said housing or not, and by the fact that part of said graphic elements constitutes a part of said measurement and display means.

Watches are already known which include a removable part. Thus, for example, an advertisement published on page 115 of the review "Popular Mechanic" of June 1961, as well as patent CH-A-339 586, describe a time counter comprising at least one removable ring arranged around their dial . Likewise, the utility model DE-G-9015324 describes a watch comprising interchangeable rings on each of which is inscribed the name of a day of the week. However, these watches all have only one function, so that no additional function is selected or not depending on whether one or the other of the rings is present or not.

Figures 1, 1a and 1b show by way of example a watch according to the invention with a removable part in connection with a "football" function.

Figures 2, 2a and 2b show by way of example certain details of said removable part.

FIGS. 3a and 3b show by way of example two watches according to the invention, the removable parts of which are related to “tennis”, or “multi-chrono” functions.

FIG. 4 shows by way of example the block diagram of the electronic part of a watch according to the invention.

In Figure 1 is shown by way of example an analog watch with multiple functions (1) comprising 6 hands driven by 5 motors.

The first motor drives the hour (2) and minute (3) hands for the conventional time display.

The second motor drives the needle (4) which takes 60 steps per revolution and works on a graduation of 60 positions (5) divided into five sectors graduated from 1 to 5.

The third and fourth motors drive two hands (6 and 7) collaborating with two graduations of 10 positions (8 and 9).

Finally the fifth motor drives the hand (10) which takes 60 steps per revolution and works on the classic graduation of the seconds and minutes (11).

The fact that hands 4, 6, 7 and 10 are driven independently of one another makes it possible to display several functions successively. These additional functions are controlled from the outside by means shown in FIG. 1a, means such as the time-setting crown (12) or pushers (13 and 14). In certain cases also the crown (12) makes it possible to actuate an electromechanical selector of said additional functions comprising means for displaying the selected function (15).

Watches using such configurations currently exist on the market, and we will describe in the following figures only the elements which differentiate the watch according to the invention from existing watches.

The watch according to the invention shown in Figures 1 and la has a completely conventional configuration of watch with chronograph. The hands (2, 3 and 4) permanently display the hour, minute and second of the current time. The hands (6 and 7) respectively display the tens of minutes and the minutes of the chronograph, while the hand (10) displays the second. The time is set by the crown (12), while the chronograph function is controlled by the pushers (13 and 14).

The watch described in FIG. 1 also includes a "football" function which can be selected by the function selector. This "football" function requires very specific graduations, and it would be difficult to integrate them into the normal watch face. This is why it comprises a removable part (16) shown in FIG. 1b which is fixed on it. This removable part is released so that the time setting 12 and the pushers (13 and 14) are easily accessible. It includes graduations corresponding to the first half (17), the second half (18), and the two possible extensions (19 and 20). This removable piece is much cheaper than the watch itself, and can be changed inexpensively, for example during special events. Thus this removable part can carry graphic elements related to this event (21), or related to a personality or a group of personalities (22).

When the "football" function is correctly selected, the functions of hands 4, 6, 7 and 10 are modified as follows. The points of each team are recorded by adequate pressure on the pushers, and displayed using hands 6 and 7. The elapsed playing time is displayed using the hand (10) on a ad hoc graduation in the sector corresponding to the period of play in progress, and by means of the needle (4) which then makes a revolution in five minutes.

Thus, by mounting the removable part on the watch itself, there is practically a second watch comprising all the elements necessary for easy use of the selected auxiliary function. Likewise, special decorative elements can be added to this additional function, elements which can be changed or deleted at any time by changing the removable part. Finally, if the user wants to return to a more classic watch, he only has to remove the removable part to find a chronograph with a usual appearance.

It is obviously possible to introduce several additional functions which can be selected successively, to which correspond as many different removable parts. There is however a risk that the user inadvertently sets up a removable part which does not correspond to the selected function.

To avoid this kind of situation, it would be desirable that the additional function corresponding to the removable part put in place be put into service automatically.

Figures 2, 2a and 2b schematically show by way of example different combinations of removable part / control means making it possible to achieve this condition.

In FIG. 2, the lower part of the removable part comprises on one side a part (30) comprising two pins (31 and 32), and on the other side two claws (33 and 34). These two nipples and these two claws come to be embedded in recesses of the housing (35) arranged in such a way that the removable part holds correctly in place. The housing (35) also comprises two contact systems (36 and 37) connected to the interior of the watch, and collaborating with the two pins (31 and 32).

In FIG. 2, these two contact systems are shown very schematically so as to facilitate understanding. In practice, the actual mechanical construction of these contacts is much more sophisticated, and may for example be in the form of metallic grids overmolded in a plastic housing (35).

We see in the figure that the pins (31 and 32) can have two distinct lengths. If the nipple is short (31), it has no action on the contact system (36), and this last one is closed (ON). By cons if the stud is long (32), it spreads the two blades of the contact system (37), and the latter is open (OFF).

Thus, one can arrange the removable part so as to act on the combination of the contacts, by playing on the length of the two pins. Four combinations are possible: 31/36 32/37 Normal version SHORT / ON SHORT / ON Option 1 SHORT / ON LONG / OFF Option 2 LONG / OFF SHORT / ON Option 3 LONG / OFF LONG / OFF

These three options can correspond to three separate removable parts having different nipple lengths, these three separate removable parts themselves corresponding to three different additional functions.

By incorporating these additional contacts (36 and 37) into the control means already comprising the time setting (12) and the pushers (13 and 14), it is thus possible to automatically put into service inside the watch the additional function corresponding to the removable part placed on the housing.

The operating diagram of the watch according to the invention is given in Figure 4, and will therefore be described later. Before that, two possible variants of the internal configuration of the removable part are given in details 2a and 2b.

In the example described above, the removable part acts on the watch control means only mechanically by actuating or not the contacts (36 and 37).

In FIG. 2a, the stud (32) is arranged in the manner of a "jack", and the two terminals of the contact (37) are electrically connected inside the removable part by two conductive blades (38 and 39 ) which come opposite a pusher (40) which allows, by pressure, to establish contact between these two blades (38 and 39). Thus we manage to incorporate into the removable part an electrical circuit connected to the control means of the watch, and making it possible not only to activate the desired additional function, but to control it more actively by acting on the push-button ( 40).

Note that one could act in the same way with the contact (36) and introduce a second additional pusher incorporated in the removable part.

Finally, note that the contacts controlled by the additional pushers can be of the working type, as shown in FIG. 2a, or of rest.

As long as it is possible to bring electrical connections connected to the watch control means inside the removable part, it is possible to incorporate other electric or electronic elements into this removable part. Figure 2b shows an integrated circuit 41 incorporated in the removable part 16 and connected to the contacts 36 and 37 not shown in this figure 2b. This integrated circuit may include active elements related to the annex function corresponding to the removable part in which it is incorporated. The most interesting case consists in integrating a memory circuit containing information relating to the operation of said additional function, this information being able to be read and transmitted inside the watch by the contacts (36 and 37). The possibilities offered by the incorporation of a memory circuit in the removable part are interesting insofar as one can adapt the operation of an annex function to parameters variable in time by simply changing the information contained in the circuit memory.

In FIGS. 3a and 3b are shown two examples obtained with different removable parts corresponding to a "tennis" function and to a "multi times" function. We recognize the basic watch with its hands 4, 6, 7 and 10 allowing the display of additional functions.

In FIG. 3a, the removable part corresponding to a "tennis" function comprises an additional pusher (50) for initializing the start of the game, a graduation (51) making it possible to display the number of points of the exchange in progress, as well that graphic elements (52) making it possible to display certain particular situations of the game of tennis such as equality, advantage, tie break, etc. These various parameters are displayed by means of the hand (10), while the hands (6 and 7) respectively display the number of games of players A and B. The hand (4) continues to display the second of the current time.

In FIG. 3b, the removable part corresponds to a "multi-stop" function. In fact it is a stopwatch allowing to memorize several intermediate times and to read them again. To this end, the removable part, which comprises two additional pushers (53 and 54), has a scale (55) corresponding to the different memories that can be read again. The timed time is displayed using the hands 6,7,10 and 4 which respectively display tens of minutes, minutes, seconds and the fifth of a second. By appropriate manipulations of the pushers (53 and 54), the needle (10) is placed on the graduation corresponding to the memory position that one wishes to read, which makes it possible to temporarily display the content of this memory. Finally, the removable part presented includes an inscription related to an important sporting event (56) and a personality from the world of sport (57). These graphic elements make it possible to create a precise identification of the product in relation to the chosen auxiliary function.

It goes without saying that the removable parts are arranged so as to act on the control means of the watch to automatically start the commissioning of the additional functions corresponding to each removable part. Thus the user can transform his watch at will into a football, tennis, multi chrono watch, or return to the basic classic version by changing the removable parts and without risk of error.

It is also obvious that, if the examples given here relate to sport, all kinds of additional functions can be performed by the watch according to the invention.

FIG. 4 shows by way of example the block diagram of the electronic part of a watch according to the invention.

The electronic circuit comprises a block (60) comprising all the basic functions, either an oscillator using a quartz resonator (61), frequency dividers to generate precise frequency signals, counters to perform the various time functions, and the circuits for managing the position of the different needles and for controlling the motors 62, 63, 64, 65 and 66 which drive these needles. The functions of this block (60) are not described in detail, since there are now many watches that use this type of function on the market, and these elements are known to those skilled in the art.

The circuits of this type of watch are generally made in programmed logic integrated in microprocessors. It is thus possible to have program blocks dedicated to particular additional functions which can be accessed when the desired function is put into service from outside the watch by appropriate manipulations of the control means, setting crown. '' time, pushers (13 and 14), etc.

In the case of the watch according to the invention, the additional functions are automatically put into service when the removable part corresponding to the desired function is placed on the watch. Furthermore, additional pushers can be incorporated into the removable part for controlling these additional functions.

In the example of FIG. 4, there are two of these pushers, the pusher (40) working with a working contact connected to the contact (37) connected to the inside of the watch as described in FIG. 2, and the pusher (40 ') working with a rest contact connected to the contact (36).

This contact (36) is connected to the input D (67) of a flip-flop D (68) and to the first input of a door "or exclusive reverse" (69) whose second input is connected to the exit (70) from the flip-flop (68). In the absence of pressure on the pusher (40 '), the rest contact is closed and the input D (67) of the flip-flop (68) is at 1. We will assume as a starting point that the output (70 ) of this flip-flop is also 1. Therefore the output of the door (69) is 1. This output goes to the reset input (71) of a timer circuit (72) which is thus maintained in non working state.

When the push button (40 ') is pressed, the rest contact will open and the D input (67), as well as the first door input (69) will change to 0. The output of the door (69) as well as the reset input (71) of the timer (72) also go to 0 and the timer is then activated. Assume that this timer has a time constant of 15 seconds. No signal will therefore appear on its output (73) before this time has elapsed. If the pressure on the pusher (40) is less than 15 seconds, nothing happens. If on the other hand this pressure lasts more than 15 seconds, the timer (72) will deliver a signal on the "clock" input (74) of the flip-flop (68). As the input D (67) of this flip-flop is at 0, the latter will go to 0. Its output (70) goes to 0 and the output of the gate (69) goes to 1, resetting the timer (72 ) in non-operating condition.

When the button (40 ') is released, the reverse operation takes place, and it takes 15 seconds for the flip-flop (68) to return to 1.

However, in practice, the pressure on the pushers is short-lived, and the flip-flop (68) will only change state if necessary when there is a permanent change in the state of the contact, i.e. when changing rooms removable. It is thus possible to differentiate the change of removable part from normal pressures to control the additional functions.

The same configuration is used with the flip-flop (75), the "or exclusive reverse" door (76) and the timer (77) to analyze the signals coming from the contact (37) and the push-button (40). As this pusher acts on a working contact, the input D of the flip-flop (75) is at 0, as well as its output, when one does not act on the pusher.

By installing other removable parts with other combinations of contacts, the four variants described above are obtained.

To ensure the commissioning of the additional function corresponding to the removable part installed, the outputs of the flip-flops (68 and 75) are connected to the inputs (78 and 79) of a program block selector (80) which connects the desired program block with the basic circuit (60). In our case, there are four program blocks corresponding to the four possible combinations, either a block (81) corresponding to the "simple stopwatch" function, a block (82) corresponding to the "football" function, a block (83 ) corresponding to the "tennis" function, and a block (84) corresponding to the "multi times" function.

The outputs of the doors (69 and 76), which change to 1 when the pushers are pressed (40 ', respectively 40), can be used in the same way as the contacts controlled by the pushers (13 and 14) to control the auxiliary functions from the outside. The action of these different control means can be modified according to the auxiliary function which is in service. There can therefore be, within each program block (81 to 84) a part which governs the interaction between push buttons and functions.

Finally, as described in FIG. 2b, it is possible to incorporate into the removable part an electronic circuit, in particular a memory (41), connected to the contacts (36 and 37). The reading of this memory is ensured by means of a circuit (85) which makes it possible to establish the connection between the memory circuit of the removable part (41) and the program blocks (81 to 84), so as to transfer to inside the watch of parameters and / or information relating to the operation of the additional functions contained in the memory (41) of the removable part.

It is obviously not possible to describe in detail all the functions of the electronic circuit of the watch according to the invention, but these are configurations known to those skilled in the art.

Claims (10)

1. Watch comprising a watch-case (35), means (2 to 11, 17 to 20; 2 to 11, 51; 2 to 11, 55) for measuring and displaying the current time and an additional function comprising at least two stepping motors driving at least two hands (2 to 4, 6, 7, 10) for the analog display of said current time and said additional function, means for selecting said additional function (80) and means for controlling said additional function (13, 14; 13, 14, 50; 13, 14, 53, 54), characterized in that it further comprises a removable part (16) comprising graphic elements (17 to 22; 51, 52; 55 to 57) and means (31 to 34) for fixing said removable part (16) to said watch-case (35), in that said fixing means (31 to 34) are coupled to said selection means (80) so that said additional function is or is not selected according to whether or not said removable part (16) is fixed to said watch-case, and in that a part (17 to 20; 51; 55) of said graphic elements (17 to 22; 51, 52; 55 to 57) forms a part of said measuring and display means (2 to 11, 17 to 20; 2 to 11, 51; 2 to 11, 55).
2. Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that said part (17 to 20; 51; 55) of said graphic elements (17 to 22; 51, 52; 55 to 57) comprises a graduation of at least one parameter relating to said additional function.
3. Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that said part (17 to 20; 51; 55) of said graphic elements (17 to 22; 51, 52; 55 to 57) comprises at least one graduation for counting a period of time relating to said additional function.
4. Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that said part (17 to 20; 51; 55) of said graphic elements (17 to 22; 51, 52; 55 to 57) comprises at least one graduation for counting points relating to said additional function.
5. Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that said part (17 to 20; 51; 55) of said graphic elements (17 to 22; 51, 52; 55 to 57) comprises at least one graduation for identifying situations relating to said additional function.
6. Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that another part (22, 21; 56, 57) of said graphic elements (17 to 22; 51, 52; 55 to 57) is arranged so as to establish a relation with at least one event relating to said additional function.
7. Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that another part (22, 21; 56, 57) of said graphic elements (17 to 22; 51, 52; 55 to 57) is arranged so as to establish a relation with at least one personality relating to said additional function.
8. Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for controlling said additional function (13, 14, 50; 13, 14, 53, 54) comprise manual control means (13, 14) arranged on said watch-case (35), and in that said removable part (16) comprises a clearance to facilitate access to said manual control means (13, 14).
9. Watch according to claim 8, characterized in that said removable part (16) comprises an electric circuit (38 to 40) and in that said fixing means (31 to 34) comprise electric connecting means between said electric circuit (38 to 40) and said means for controlling said additional function (13, 14, 50; 13, 14, 53, 54).
10. Watch according to claim 9, characterized in that said electric circuit (38 to 40) comprises a push-button (40; 53, 54).

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