EP0662649A1 - Timepiece with analogical display provided with decimal number processing means - Google Patents

Abstract

The analogue watch includes an adjusting wheel on the side which may be pulled out and used to correct the time displayed by the hands. Alternatively, after pressing the wheel inwards, it may be used to adjust the time remaining before the operation of the alarm facility on the watch. The adjusting wheel is pulled in an out to adjust in turn the hundreds, tens and units of the alarm period, using an additional hand on the display to indicate the required digits. The additional hand points to the numerals up to nine, in order to record the required timer digits.

Description

The present invention relates to a timepiece with analog display comprising means for processing one or more decimal numbers.

More particularly, the invention relates to a timepiece which can display, essentially using hands, in particular hours and minutes, decimal numbers corresponding to a programmed period of time which must elapse until the activation of an alarm.

The term "alarm" is understood here broadly as the supply to the user of a particular message, whether in visual, audible or other form, to inform this user of the expiration of the programmed time.

In a particular application, the decimal number programmed in this room can represent a number of days until the expiration of a date, for example an appointment or a birthday.

The present invention therefore aims to provide an analog timepiece of a simple construction and handling, reliable and inexpensive, capable of processing, that is to say of displaying, memorizing and manage one or more decimal numbers corresponding to a programmed alarm time.

The invention also aims to provide a timepiece capable of displaying and processing decimal numbers in a clear, legible and intelligible manner to guarantee the user a manipulation of this piece which is easy and without risk of error .

To this end, the subject of the invention is a timepiece with analog display comprising means for processing at least one decimal number having several digits corresponding to a period of time which must elapse. until the activation of an alarm, characterized in that it comprises a first display system cooperating with a first hand to selectively indicate the order or weight of said figures, and a second display system cooperating with a second hand to indicate the value of the digit whose order or weight is indicated by the first hand.

According to a particular embodiment, the first display system is arranged in a first angular sector defined on said part, while the second display system is arranged in a second angular sector, complementary to the first.

It will also be specified that the first display system comprises multiples of decimals which define the order or weight of said figures and which are inscribed between the positions 9H and 12H of said piece, the second display system comprising indications 0 to 9 combined with the indications 12H to 9H of a classic time display.

According to yet another particular characteristic of the invention, the first display system includes the indications 1, 10 and 100.

• la figure 1 représente sous forme d'un schéma-bloc une montre selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention;
• la figure 2 est un schéma du fonctionnement d'un compteur de position, du type de ceux incorporés dans le schéma de la figure 1;
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon un mode de réalisation particulier de l'invention;
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus montrant de façon plus détaillée des aiguilles des heures et des minutes de la pièce d'horlogerie de la figure 3, dans deux positions caractéristiques, respectivement (a) d'affichage de l'heure et (B) d'affichage d'un message d'alarme; et
• la figure 5 est un tableau ou organigramme des différentes fonctions d'affichage remplies par une pièce d'horlogerie selon un mode de réalisation simplifié de la présente invention, cette pièce incorporant le schéma-bloc de la figure 1.

However, other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings which are given here only by way of example, and in which:

• Figure 1 shows in the form of a block diagram a watch according to an embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a diagram of the operation of a position counter, of the type of those incorporated in the diagram of FIG. 1;
• Figure 3 is a top view of a timepiece according to a particular embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 4 is a top view showing in more detail the hour and minute hands of the timepiece of Figure 3, in two characteristic positions, respectively (a) displaying the time and (B ) display of an alarm message; and
• FIG. 5 is a table or flowchart of the various display functions fulfilled by a timepiece according to a simplified embodiment of the present invention, this part incorporating the block diagram of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 therefore shows, in the form of a block diagram, a timepiece, for example a watch, constituting an embodiment of the present invention.

This timepiece, as will be understood below, is shaped to be able to process, that is to say to be able to at least display essentially analogically, using its hands, a corresponding composite decimal number programmed time to elapse until an alarm is activated.

The term to process is here used in an extensive way and also covers memorization, management, calculation and in general any combination and operation performed on decimal numbers.

In the example of embodiment which will be described below, the decimal numbers processed represents a number of days which is counted down ("count-down" operation according to the British name) until the expiration of a date, for example a date or a birthday.

In this exemplary embodiment, this treated decimal number is programmed by the user, but it is understood that this invention also applies to a timepiece delivered with a decimal number preprogrammed by a supplier, without the possibility of modification, in order for example to provide an alarm at the end of an important date, in particular the passage to another century, a national holiday, or other.

In addition, it will be understood that, in the example of embodiment described, the user is supplied, at the end of said date, alarm information in the form of an alphanumeric message, the intelligible composition of which is carried out by hands, in particular hours and minutes which will be described below. Although this embodiment is particularly advantageous, the invention is not limited to this type of alarm which can be audible or formed by any other means.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the timepiece according to the invention comprises, in series, a quartz oscillator 2, a division chain 4 delivering a signal at 1 Hz, a position counter of a hand of the seconds, referenced 6, and a minute hand position counter, referenced 8.

It further comprises a divider by twelve referenced 10, receiving the signal from the position counter of the second hand 6, and a position counter of the hour hand referenced 12, the input of which is connected to the output of the divider. 10. The counters 6, 8 and 12 are counters by sixty, the operating mode of which is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, pulses to be counted are supplied to the counters (arrow at the far left of the drawing). These successive pulses are counted by a binary register of at least six bits, which they increment. The status of this register can be read at any time (down arrow on the drawing). At each increment, the register is tested to see if the number it contains is equal to sixty. If this is the case, a pulse is emitted by the test circuit and this pulse causes the reset of the register. The test circuit therefore constitutes a divider by sixty whose signal can be sent to another counter (right arrow on the drawing), which is the case of counters 6, 8 and 12. This timepiece further includes a D-day counter which receives a signal every twelve hours from counter 12. The D-day counter is a divider by 2 which provides a signal every twenty-four hours.

The counters 8 and 12 (FIG. 1) characterize, in normal operating mode, that is to say in the time supply mode, the position, defined according to sixty steps, of the minute and hour hands by report on the dial of the timepiece. Since the timepiece described here does not include a second hand, the second hand position counter only serves to provide a signal whose frequency makes it possible to increment the other counters 8 and 12 appropriately.

This timepiece is furthermore provided with two motors 18 and 20 which can be controlled independently by power circuits 14 and 16 respectively to drive the minute hand MN and the hour hand H respectively (Figures 3 and 4).

The circuits 14 and 16 receive, in normal time mode, the pulses applied respectively to the inputs of the position counters of the minute hands 8 and hours 12.

The arrangement of the motors and gears of this timepiece will not be described here. Indeed, there are already known clock movements comprising several motors for individually actuating the hands. Patent EP-0 393 606 in particular describes a timepiece movement comprising two motors capable of independently driving the minute hand and the hour hand.

The elements which have just been described explain the operation of this essentially analog timepiece with regard to the normal display of the time. However, in accordance with the present invention, the analog watch described here can also process decimal numbers, display them, store them and calculate them and then activate an alarm.

The elements of FIG. 1 which will now be described, make it possible to provide these specific functions.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the timepiece according to the invention comprises electronic control means 22 to enable it to fulfill various time display functions and a so-called "processing" function of one or more decimal numbers. These electronic control means 22 comprise inputs MN and H for receiving the contents of the position counters of the minute hands 8 and hours 12, two activation inputs AN, EN and two input D⁺, D⁻ for the data of displacement of the needles respectively forwards and backwards.

The signals applied to the inputs AN, EN, D⁺ and D⁻ are supplied by a circuit 24 for interpreting the position and displacement of the control rod, referenced T and shown in FIG. 3. The operation of the rod T control and interpretation circuit 24 will not be described in detail here since the skilled person already knows devices of this type. Patent EP-0 175 961 in particular describes a control rod associated with an interpretation circuit which can easily be adapted to be used with the timepiece presently described.

The electronic control means 22 also include two outputs Mmn and Mh for delivering pulses to the motors 18 and 20, and a control output C for managing the state of two switches 26, 28 arranged at the input of the power circuits 14 , 16 and arranged to transmit to them, either the pulses applied to the inputs of the position counters of the minute hand 8 and the hour hand 12 when the switches are in a first position referenced a , or the pulses delivered by electronic means control 22, when the switches are in a second position referenced b .

The electronic control means 22 can advantageously be produced in the form of an integrated circuit comprising a programmed microcontroller. Those skilled in the art will know, from the indications provided here, to carry out the programming of the microcontroller, so as to make it execute the functions described.

In normal time display mode, the electronic control means are inactive and the motors 18 and 20 receive the pulses applied to the inputs of the minute and hour hand counters 8 and 12 respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the timepiece according to the invention will be described below, and more particularly its display systems allowing the composition of decimal numbers.

The timepiece 1 conventionally comprises a box B, as well as a control rod T, the crown of which is seen here more particularly.

Timepiece 1 also includes a dial C on which is provided a conventional time display (not referenced) comprising indications 0 (in the conventional position 12 o'clock) to 11, written clockwise on the dial C .

In addition, and according to the invention, the timepiece 1 comprises a first display system S1 cooperating with a first hand, here the hour hand H, for selectively indicating (see FIG. 5, steps E to J) the order or weight of the digits of the number to be processed, which in the example described with reference to FIG. 5, is the number 365.

The concept of order or weight is used here to indicate generally different classes of information, in particular the values 1, 10 and 100 which represent respectively the unit, the tens and the hundreds of the decimal number to be processed.

As seen in Figure 1, the first display system S1 is formed in a first angular sector Sa1 defined on said part. Thus, this first display system S1 comprises multiple decimals 1, 10 and 100 which define the order or weight of said digits of the number or numbers to be processed and which are entered between the positions 9H and 12H (replaced here by 0) of room 1, clockwise.

Note that the indication 10 is confused with the indication 10H of the conventional time display, while the indication 1 is made between the indications 10H and 11H of this display.

Furthermore, the indication 100 is placed between the indications 9H and 10H of the classic time display

In addition, the timepiece 1 comprises a second display system S2 cooperating with a second hand, here the minute hand MN (see steps E to J of FIG. 5) to selectively indicate the values 0 to 9 of the digits of the decimal number to be processed.

As seen in Figure 3, the second display system S2 is formed in a second angular sector Sa2, complementary to the first S1.

Thus, it is noted that the second display system S2 includes indications 0 to 9 which are respectively confused with the indications 12H (mark 0) to 9H of the conventional time display.

We therefore see on reading Figure 5 (steps E to J) that the second hand, and in particular the minute hand MN (conventionally represented as being the longest) can indicate the value (here 0 to 9) the number whose order or class is indicated by the first hand, among others the H hour hand.

In the example shown, the two display systems S1 and S2 are advantageously arranged on the dial, but in a nonlimiting manner, these can be arranged on a bezel, preferably fixed, of the box B, or on a ice, not shown.

The table or flowchart in Figure 5 includes eleven drawings or steps (referenced from A to K) each representing one of the different display functions that can be fulfilled by the hands of the watch according to the invention. The arrows which connect the various stages A to K and the few indications which accompany them make it possible to understand how one actuates the control rod (here not referenced) to select one of the various display functions, in the various operating modes described.

Setting the time

The elements which have just been described make it possible to correct the time displayed by the hands (which corresponds to step B on the table in FIG. 5).

When the watch is in the normal time display mode (illustrated by step A), the time correction function is activated by pulling the rod (step B). The displacement towards the outside of the rod causes the emission by the interpretation circuit 24 (FIG. 1) of a signal towards the input EN of the electronic control means 22. The reception of this signal by the electronic means of control 22 causes switches 26 and 28 to go into state b . Simultaneously, the electronic control means 22 emit a high signal on the reset line of the second position counter referenced 6 to keep it at zero so that it no longer provides the signal for incrementing the position counters of the 8 and 12 hour hands respectively.

The interpretation circuit 24 then sends pulses corresponding to the different rotational movements printed on the rod, by the user, to the inputs D⁺, D⁻ of the electronic control means 22 which, in turn, emit pulses of command to increment or decrement the position counters of 8 and 12 hour hands and to simultaneously control the motors 18, 20 in order to move the hands. When at the end of the time setting operation, the rod is pushed back (step A), the interpretation circuit 24 provides a deactivation signal to the electronic control means 22 which in turn provide a signal by their output C to put the switches 26, 28 in state a . At the same time, the signal on the reset line returns to zero and the second hand position counter 6 starts again.

Decimal number processing mode

As mentioned above, the timepiece described here is designed to perform an additional so-called processing function.

To this end, it includes two multiple registers 27 and 29 (FIG. 1) for storing the numerical values which will be used to compose, by their combination, a decimal number representing in this example a number of days to count down, here the number 365, before the triggering of an alarm.

In the register 29 are stored fixed values VO1, VO2 and VO3 which correspond, in binary form, respectively to the order or weight values 100, 10 and 1 written on the dial C, in the first display system S1. In this case, the electronic control means 22 comprise a conversion table which can convert these decimal values, recorded in binary form, respectively into values from 1 to 60 corresponding to the characteristic positions of the hour hand on the dial C for that it indicates these decimal values.

In the register 27 are stored values C1, C2 and C3 which correspond, also in binary form, to the selected values of the digits 0 to 9 written on the dial C, in the second display system S2. The electronic control means 22 also include another conversion table which can convert the values 0 to 9 of these digits, selected and recorded in binary form, respectively into values from 1 to 60 corresponding to the positions of the minute hand on dial C, so that they indicate the digits 0 to 9.

The timepiece according to the invention further comprises two other counters or registers 31 and 33 making it possible respectively to store two digital values PMmn and PMh also comprised between 1 and 60 and corresponding respectively to a position of the two hands when they provide a alarm message, at the end of the programmed number of days, counted down.

It can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 that the hands, hours H and minutes MN respectively, carry an alphanumeric message which can only be recomposed and intelligible in a superimposed position characteristic of the hands H and MN.

As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 4, the minute hand MN which is the longest and which is arranged under the hour hand H, carries, near its free end, a first part of a message, here the first two letters T and E of the mention "TEXT", while the hour hand H, which is the smallest, carries a second part of this message, the last two letters, X and T.

In their position represented in step A (FIG. 4), the two time hands H and MN display, in analogical manner and in a conventional manner, time information, for example 10h and 42mn.

In their position shown in step B of this figure 4, the two needles are brought into superimposed position under the action of independent motors 18 and 20 which are controlled by the electronic control means 22, which reconstitutes in this position the "TEXT" message written on these needles, and provides it intelligible to the user. It is in this form that the event at its end is supplied to the user (step K), that is to say visually by a clear alphanumeric message.

In this superposition position which is chosen at 9 o'clock, the two values PMmn and PMh of the registers 31 and 33 are equal to 45.

In the examples shown in Figures 1 and 3, the part according to the invention further comprises an acoustic signal synthesizer circuit referenced 30, which is connected to the electronic control means 22. this circuit is activated at times chosen during the stages of programming of decimal numbers and / or when the alphanumeric message is provided to the user, i.e. when the alarm is triggered.

The user, when he wishes to consult or modify the decimal number representing the number of days to count down before activating the alarm, and when he wishes to activate or deactivate the alarm function, must perform a certain number of manipulations of the control rod, these manipulations being shown in Figure 5, which will now be referred to. It will be noted that the watch in FIG. 5 has been represented in a simplified manner for a better understanding of the drawings, the indication "11" having been omitted.

Entering "processing" mode

When the watch is in the normal time display mode, and the interpretation circuit 24 (FIG. 1) transmits, in the direction of the input AN of the electronic control means 22, an activation signal corresponding to a pressure exerted on the rod, the electronic control means 22 emit a signal on their output C to place the switches 26 and 28 in state b (FIG. 1), that is to say to block the pulses coming from counters 8 and 12. Simultaneously, the electronic control means 22 read the contents of the counters 8 and 12 to know the position of the minute and hour hands. They then emit the number of pulses required on the outputs Mmn and Mh to cause the hands to be superimposed in a chosen position on the workpiece to allow the display of the indication "text" on the dial, as shown in step C of FIG. 5 and more particularly in FIG. 3 (this does not affect the operation of the counters 6, 8 and 12). This position also corresponds to the position of the hands shown in step B of FIG. 4. For example, if the hands are brought into their superimposed position for displaying the alphanumeric messages, at 9 o'clock on the workpiece, as c is the case in FIG. 5 (step C), the electronic control means cause the hands H and MN to be superimposed with regard to the index of the 9 o'clock by emitting a number of pulses equal to the number of pulses which would be necessary to make the contents of counters 8 and 12 both equal to 45, this value 45 being read from counters or registers 31 and 33.

It will be specified here that in the case of the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the hands can be superimposed in any position relative to the dial, provided that the characters have been printed in a direction allowing reading.

The indication of the entry into the alarm mode by the two hands superimposed at 9 o'clock on the dial is therefore immediately perceptible by the user to whom a recomposed alphanumeric message appears, very clearly. In addition, it should be pointed out that this configuration of overlapping the hands is unusual in this region of the dial and cannot in any case be confused with an indication of time.

Thanks to the fact that the electronic management means 22 have brought the two needles into the position where they provide the alphanumeric text message marked on these, the room indicates to the user the entry into the specific operating mode described here, namely the processing or programming mode of the alarm day. At this time (step D), the user can change the overlapping position if he wishes by pulling the rod and printing a corresponding rotation on it. The PMmn and PMh values are then modified.

After returning the rod from the pulled position to the rest position (step C), the electronic management means 22 remain in a standby mode until they have determined, by counting pulses of 1 Hz from of the division chain 4, that two seconds have passed. If these two seconds have passed without the control rod having been actuated again, the electronic management means will cause the two display systems S1 and S2 of the watch to display (a step E, FIG. 5). first value (here the largest value) of order or weight, or a class of values, and these electronic means will simultaneously display the corresponding digit of this value. The hundreds and the number 3 are therefore displayed by these two display systems. In this example, the decimal number 300 which is read from the registers 27 and 29 (C1 = 3 and VO1 = 100, in binary form) by the electronic control means 22, is displayed by the hands H and MN, via a displacement d 'a corresponding number of steps controlled by the control means 22, after reading the conversion tables to provide the motors 18 and 20 with the number of pulses necessary for moving the needles.

By pulling the rod (step F), the user can modify the position of the minute hand, to select a new digit in the range of digits from 0 to 9, in order to modify the hundreds digit by the number he wish programmed.

Note that the hour hand, which has an independent drive, remains fixed during this operation cannot be moved by the user. It therefore permanently indicates throughout the duration of the programming operation which class, order or weight is being processed, while the corresponding digit (quantity) can be modified by the minute hand MN , in collaboration with the second display system S2.

The modification of the hundreds being carried out, the user pushes the rod (step E). The pair of values 100 and 3 which is maintained here is validated as a decimal number 300 (the order of greatest value then having the digit 3). This pair of values is stored as it is or in a converted form, in binary form, in registers 27 and 29 under VO1 and C1.

Again, after a pause time of two seconds, the operation is repeated with the tens (steps G and H), then after this with the unit (steps I and J).

We thus memorized by these means couples of values VO1-C1, VO2-C2 and VO3-C3 corresponding to the numbers of hundreds (here the number 300), tens (here the number 60) and the unit (here the number 5) to record, decomposed and by analog means, the number 365 which will be kept as it is or which will be recorded in the electronic control means 22 or, in another embodiment, which will be stored in binary form in another register, not shown.

These operations being completed, the watch returns to the time display mode, represented in step A, after the reading, by the control means 22, of the position counters 8 and 12 and the subsequent driving of the motors 18 and 20. The switches 26 and 28 are then returned to their state a .

The operations which have just been described relate to the programming of decimal numbers, used here to form another composite decimal number.

This processing mode can also only allow the reading of one or more decimal numbers, preprogrammed by the user or by the supplier of the watch, by combination of the two hour and minute hands respectively. Indeed, after a simple pushing action on the rod, and after step C, the watch according to the invention successively displays all the pairs of orders / figures, as shown by steps E, G and I. During this succession of display operations, the timepiece emits at each stage a corresponding number of audible "beeps", here respectively 3, 6 and 5.

Alarm activation, enter alarm mode

When the timepiece according to the invention is in normal time display mode (step A) and the alarm has been activated, an alphanumeric message and possibly an acoustic signal are emitted as soon as the content of the register 29 has been completely counted down by the management means 22, thanks to the day information received by the counter of days D, that is to say as soon as the values VO1, VO2 and V03 have been counted down until the value 0 (zero), i.e. in this example after 365 days have passed. At this time, the management means 22 (FIGS. 1) bring, as described above, the display needles H and MN in superimposed configuration, in their position for displaying the alphanumeric message (step K, FIG. 5; step B, Figures 4, and Figure 3). During this period of activation of the visual alarm, an audible message is possibly provided, once or repeatedly, according to selected sequences.

The hands can be held in this position until the user has interrupted the emission of the alarm signal by pressing on the stem. The pressure exerted on the rod causes the emission by the interpretation circuit 24 in the direction of the electronic management means 22 of a signal to, on the one hand, interrupt the sound signal, and on the other hand, deactivate the alarm. .

As soon as a pressure has been exerted on the rod marking the deactivation of the alarm, the watch returns to its time display mode (step A).

Claims (11)

Timepiece with analog display comprising means for processing at least one decimal number having several digits corresponding to a period of time which must elapse until the activation of an alarm, characterized in that it comprises a first display system (S1) cooperating with a first hand (H) to selectively indicate the order or weight of said figures, and a second display system (S2) cooperating with a second hand (MN) to indicate the value the number whose order or weight is indicated by the first hand (H). Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the first display system (S1) is provided in a first angular sector (Sa1) defined on said piece, while the second display system (S2) is provided in a second angular sector (Sa2), complementary to the first. Timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first display system (S1) comprises decimal multiples which define the order or weight of said figures and which are inscribed between the positions 9H and 12H of said piece , the second display system (S2) comprising indications 0 to 9 combined with the indications 12H to 9H of a conventional time display. Timepiece according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first display system (S1) includes the indications 1, 10 and 100. Timepiece according to claim 4, characterized in that the indication 10 of the first display system (S1) is confused with the indication 10H of a conventional time display. Timepiece according to claim 4, characterized in that the indication 1 of the first display system (S1) is provided on the piece between the 10H and 11H indications of a classic time display. Timepiece according to claim 4, characterized in that the indication 100 of the first display system (S1) is arranged between the indications 9H and 10H of a conventional time display Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises registers (27, 29) for memorizing decimal numbers formed by the combination of the order or weight and the digit values respectively of the first and second means d 'display (S1, S2). Timepiece according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises management means (22) for adding the decimal numbers of the above-mentioned registers, and for obtaining the decimal number to be processed. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the decimal number to be processed is a number of days. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the hand (H) of the first display system (S1) is the hour hand, while the hand (MN) of the second display system ( S2) is the minute hand.

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