EP0693718A1 - Watch with a display device associated with an optical magnifying device - Google Patents

Watch with a display device associated with an optical magnifying device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0693718A1
EP0693718A1 EP95111126A EP95111126A EP0693718A1 EP 0693718 A1 EP0693718 A1 EP 0693718A1 EP 95111126 A EP95111126 A EP 95111126A EP 95111126 A EP95111126 A EP 95111126A EP 0693718 A1 EP0693718 A1 EP 0693718A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
watch
mirror
display device
lens
watch according
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP95111126A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0693718B1 (en
Inventor
Michel Alain Chevroulet
Jean-Michel Mayor
Viron Teodoridis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Centre Electronique Horloger SA
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Centre Electronique Horloger SA
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Application filed by Centre Electronique Horloger SA filed Critical Centre Electronique Horloger SA
Publication of EP0693718A1 publication Critical patent/EP0693718A1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B39/00—Watch crystals; Fastening or sealing of crystals; Clock glasses
    • G04B39/008—Watch crystals; Fastening or sealing of crystals; Clock glasses with means for magnified reading

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a watch comprising an information display device and an optical device for magnifying this display device for the eye of a user of this watch.
  • the focal length of the lens must be very small to allow significant magnification. For example, to obtain a magnification of a factor of 2, the focal length is less than 6 mm.
  • the magnifying lens By accepting that the window has a radius of 1 mm and that the eye is approximately 15 cm from the watch glass, the magnifying lens must have approximately a radius of 2 mm, corresponding to the radius of the virtual image formed by this magnifying lens, so that the date can be read as a whole by a user of the watch.
  • the present invention proposes to solve this problem by providing a watch comprising information display means, capable of having a high density of information, associated with an optical magnification device arranged in the watch so as to allow a Sufficient magnification of these display means to guarantee easy reading of this information.
  • ten line text with line lengths corresponding to about fifteen characters can be displayed by a matrix device having 100 x 100 pixels.
  • pixel one understands localized and substantially uniform information, in particular a light emission by a cell, for example a light-emitting diode or an integrated micro-laser.
  • the above-mentioned matrix device has an area of about 4 cm2 to ensure easy reading.
  • a direct display of 4 cm2 occupies approximately the entire dial of a wristwatch sized for a man's arm. This considerably limits the possibilities of arrangement of this dial.
  • the present invention also aims to provide a watch capable of having a matrix display of approximately 100 ⁇ 100 pixels which can be read correctly by a user of the watch while having a surface, provided on the dial of this watch for the reading of this matrix display, less than 4 cm2, for example from 1 to 2 cm2.
  • the subject of the present invention is a watch comprising a housing, display means and optical magnification means arranged so as to magnify optically, for a user of this watch, information supplied by said display means, this watch being characterized in that it further comprises a first mirror arranged inside said housing for returning towards said optical means for magnifying the light coming from said display means also arranged inside said housing.
  • the length of the optical path separating the display means from the optical magnification means can be relatively large, in particular of a dimension greater than the thickness of the watch itself thanks to to the first mirror allowing a return of the light, coming from the display means, in the direction of the optical magnification means.
  • the first mirror is arranged in the bottom of the case and the optical magnification means comprise a first magnifying lens arranged under the crystal of the watch.
  • the length of the optical path between the display means and this first lens can without other be greater than the thickness of the watch like this will appear even better on reading the detailed description of various embodiments which will follow.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 A first embodiment of a watch according to the invention will be described below with the aid of FIGS. 1 and 2.
  • Watch 1 comprises a watch movement 2 arranged in a box 4.
  • Box 4 includes a case back 6 and a crystal 8.
  • the watch movement 2 is associated with an analog time display comprising a time hand 10 and a hand of minute 12.
  • a micro-flap display device 14 Inside the box 4 are arranged a micro-flap display device 14, a light source 16, a mirror 18 and a magnifying lens 20.
  • the light source 16 is capable of sending light towards the micro-flap display device 14.
  • the latter is arranged so as to return the light coming from the light source 16 towards the mirror 18, which is arranged to return the light from the device 14 towards the magnifying lens 20.
  • the light thus coming from the micro-flap display device 14 leaves the box 4 by passing through the glass 8.
  • Inside the box 4 are also included internal parts 22 and 24 serving to essentially prevent that the light supplied by the light source 16 exit directly from the box 4 through the magnifying lens 20 without having been reflected by the micro-shutter display device 14 and the mirror 18.
  • the light source 16 can be either a monochromatic light source or a polychromatic light source.
  • the mirror 18 is either a spherical mirror or an aspherical mirror used to correct the optical aberrations of the magnifying lens 20.
  • An aspherical mirror is optically more advantageous than a spherical mirror since it essentially eliminates the optical aberrations specific to spherical optical elements.
  • a plane mirror is provided.
  • the magnifying lens 20 is a conventional lens having a certain focal length.
  • the focal length of the lens 20 is 20 mm and the optical distance separating the micro-flap display device 14 and this magnifying lens 20 is 15 mm.
  • the magnifying lens 20 forms a virtual image of the micro-flap display device 14 corresponding approximately to a magnification of a factor of four for the eye of a user situated substantially at a distance of 20 cm from said virtual image relative to the case of a liquid crystal display of a known type also located 20 cm from the eye of a user.
  • the arrangement of the various optical elements 14, 18 and 20 makes it possible to obtain a relatively high magnification of a display device using a magnifying lens having a focal length greater than 10 cm. Therefore, the micro-flap display device 14 can give information with high surface density which could not be read directly by an eye having normal visual acuity without requiring an effort of intense accommodation.
  • the magnifying lens 20 is a spherical lens.
  • the magnifying lens 20 is a cylindrical lens allowing a magnification of the micro-flap display device 14 according to a single dimension. In the latter case, the mirror 18 also has a cylindrical symmetry.
  • microvolute display device 14 The production of the microvolute display device 14 will not be described here in detail since this device is not in itself the subject of the present invention.
  • watch 1 comprises a first dial 26 having on its surface a graduation 28 for indicating the time.
  • watch 1 comprises a second dial 30 situated against the glass 8 or near this glass 8 and serving in particular for the arrangement of the device 14 and the magnifying lens 20.
  • the magnifying lens 20 is glued against the inner surface of the glass 8.
  • the magnifying lens 20 is directly formed in the glass 8.
  • the mirror 18 arranged on the bottom side 6 of the box 4 and the micro-flap display device 14 arranged on the side of the glass 8 of the watch 1 make it possible to increase the optical distance separating the display device 14 and the magnifying lens 20. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a relatively high magnification with a magnifying lens having a relatively large focal length, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the magnifying lens and to reduce aberrations optics generated by this magnifying lens.
  • the abovementioned optical arrangement makes it possible to use a magnifying lens 20 having sufficient dimensions to guarantee correct and easy reading of the micro-flap display device 14 magnified by this magnifying lens 20.
  • the first embodiment of the invention described above does not optimally resolve the congestion issues generated by the conventional optical elements 18 and 20 and the question of the optical quality of the virtual image of the micro-flap display device 14 formed by the magnifying lens 20.
  • a corrective lens is provided, the problem of bulk is further increased.
  • the present invention also aims to solve the problem of the space generated by the various conventional optical elements of the first embodiment described above and to increase the quality of the magnified image of the display device.
  • FIG. 3 Using FIG. 3, a second embodiment of the invention will be described below.
  • a watch 31 comprising a clockwork movement 32 associated with a liquid crystal display device 34 located under the watch glass 8.
  • the watch 31 also includes a case formed by a middle part 4 and a bottom 6. Inside the middle part 4 is arranged an active display device 36.
  • An active display device includes an optical device comprising a set of elementary cells capable of supplying light. By appropriately controlling all of these elementary cells, it is possible to form on the surface of this active display device an image containing a certain amount of information.
  • a flat diffracting lens 38 and a flat diffracting mirror 40 is arranged in the bottom 6 of the watch 31.
  • diffracting mirror there is included a diffracting optical element used in reflection.
  • the mirror 40 is arranged so as to return light coming from the active display device 36 in the direction of the lens 38. It will be noted here that the light sent by the active display device 36 is substantially monochromatic.
  • the active display device 36 is formed by a set of light-emitting diodes or by a set of integrated micro-lasers.
  • the manufacture of the diffracting mirror 40 and the diffracting lens 38 are known to those skilled in the art.
  • the mirror 40 and the lens 38 can be micro-machined so as to essentially eliminate any optical aberration.
  • the profile of the micromachining of the surface 42 of the mirror 40 and of the surface 44 of the lens 38 can be programmed using optical design algorithms known to those skilled in the art.
  • the optical arrangement according to this second embodiment of the invention also makes it possible to obtain relatively large magnifications of the active surface 46. Consequently, the density of information formed on this active surface 46 can be relatively high, which makes it possible, for a certain number of given pieces of information, to considerably reduce the dimensions of the active surface 46.
  • the active surface 46 is defined by a square of 25 mm2 inside which is arranged a matrix of pixels used for the formation of the design defining information for the user of the watch 31.
  • magnification is without other possible with the optical arrangement according to the invention.
  • a virtual image formed by the lens 38 corresponding to a magnification by a factor of four of the active surface 46 is virtually located at an optical distance of lens 38 of about 6 cm. Therefore, it is possible to provide that the surface of the lens 38 is less than the surface of the virtual image.
  • a magnification by a factor of four corresponds approximately to a virtual image of 4 cm2 for an active surface 46 having 25 mm2.
  • the drawing formed on the active surface 46 is compressed only according to the small dimension of the rectangular active surface 46.
  • the virtual image received by the eye of a user has dimensions suitable for writing of a text in particular.
  • the active surface 46 has a width of 5 mm and a length of 2 cm
  • the surface 44 of the magnifying lens 38 has a width of 1 cm and a length of 2 cm.
  • the magnification factor of the magnified dimension has a value between two and five.
  • the flat mirror 40 can be arranged obliquely relative to the bottom 6 of the watch 31 so as to return the light coming from the active display device 36 towards the magnifying lens 38 under a direction substantially perpendicular to the glass 8.
  • FIG. 4 a third embodiment of a watch according to the invention will be described.
  • Watch 51 includes a crystal 8, a middle part 4 and a case back 6. This watch 51 is fitted with a watch movement 2 associated with an analog display comprising an hour hand 10 and a minute hand 12 arranged between the glass 8 and a dial 52.
  • the watch 51 comprises an active display device 36 capable of sending light towards a first flat mirror 40.
  • the latter returns the light coming from the device 36 towards a flat diffracting lens 54 situated at the level of the dial 52 and arranged between the mirror 40 and the flat diffracting lens 38 situated at the level of the glass 8.
  • the lens 54 can, jointly with the lens 38, participate in the magnification of the active surface 46 of the device 36.
  • the lens 54 essentially serves to increase the optical quality of the virtual image of the active surface 46 of the device 36.
  • the lens 54 is arranged so that the light from the mirror 40 is diffracted in a direction slightly angularly offset relative to the direction of light between the mirror 40 and the lens 54.
  • the diffracting lens 38 is arranged so as to change the direction of propagation of the light passing through it so that the angular offset between the direction of the light leaving the watch 51 and the direction perpendicular to the glass 8 and is substantially less than the angular offset between this direction and the direction of the light reflected by the mirror 40.
  • the lens 54 can be glued below or above the dial 52. Then, in an alternative embodiment, the lens 54 can be directly machined in the dial 52. Likewise, the magnifying lens 38 can be either glued under the glass 8, or directly machined in this glass 8 to form with it a single piece.
  • the mirror 40 is constituted, in an alternative embodiment, by a simple conventional plane mirror. Again, the mirror 40 can be arranged in an inclined manner relative to the bottom 6 of the watch 51.
  • the various optical elements are arranged in each of the embodiments so as to define the optimal optical path 56 for the light coming from the display device provided in the watch according to the invention.
  • the use of flat lenses and flat mirrors reduces the size of the optical arrangement of the invention and increases the number of degrees of freedom for the arrangement of the various optical elements constituting the optical arrangement according to the invention.
  • the flat mirror 40 can be a diffracting mirror participating in the magnification function of the active surface 40 of the active display device 36 and / or in reflecting the light at an angle other than the angle of refraction.
  • Watch 61 includes a crystal 8, a middle part 4 and a case back 6. It is fitted with a clockwork movement 32 associated with a liquid crystal display 64.
  • the watch 61 includes inside the housing 4 an active display device 36 capable of sending light towards a first mirror 66, which returns this light towards a second mirror 68 which in turn returns this light in the direction of a flat diffracting mirror 40. Finally, this mirror 40 returns the light coming from the device 36 in the direction of a flat diffracting lens 38, arranged below the display device at liquid crystal 64 relative to ice 8.
  • the first mirror 66 and the flat diffracting mirror 40 are both arranged in the bottom 6, while the second mirror 68 is arranged directly below the liquid crystal display device 64.
  • the light provided by the display device active 36 thus follows a zigzag optical path before crossing the lens magnifying 38 and then out of the watch case 61.
  • Mirrors 66 and 68 can either be formed from conventional refracting mirrors, or from diffracting mirrors. Such an optical arrangement makes it possible to considerably increase the optical distance between the active display device 36 and the magnifying lens 38.
  • the optical arrangement described in this embodiment increases the number of degrees of freedom in the arrangement of each of the optical elements 66, 68, 40 and 38 thus making it possible to optimize the transmission of light coming from the device 36 to form an enlarged virtual image of the active surface 46 of the display device 36.
  • the liquid crystal display device 64 is chosen such that it is transparent for the wavelength of the light coming from the device 36, which sends a substantially monochromatic light. Therefore, it is possible to superimpose a first design provided by the liquid crystal display device 64 and a second design provided by the active display device 36.
  • the device 64 is transparent for the light from device 36 when device 64 is not activated.
  • the mirrors 40, 66 and 68 can be arranged in an inclined manner relative to the bottom 6 and to the glass 8, which are substantially parallel to each other.
  • two internal parts 70 and 72 are provided for preventing the light returned by the first mirror 66 from coming directly through the magnifying lens 38.

Abstract

The watch (31) includes a clock movement (32) associated with a display which may either be a liquid crystal device (34) or an analogue display beneath the cover glass ()8). The watch also includes an active display element (36) situated inside the casing (4) of the watch. Also within the casing is a mirror (40) mounted internally on the base of the casing. A magnifying lens (38) is mounted in the top of the watch, beneath the cover glass. The mirror (40) reflects light from the active source (36) out via the magnifying lens (38) to the observer. <IMAGE>

Description

La présente invention concerne une montre comprenant un dispositif d'affichage d'informations et un dispositif optique de grossissement de ce dispositif d'affichage pour l'oeil d'un utilisateur de cette montre.The present invention relates to a watch comprising an information display device and an optical device for magnifying this display device for the eye of a user of this watch.

Pour afficher des informations, il est connu d'utiliser dans une montre soit un affichage analogique formé généralement d'aiguilles associées à une ou plusieurs graduation(s), soit un affichage digital formé généralement par des cellules à cristaux liquides (LCD).To display information, it is known to use in a watch either an analog display generally formed by hands associated with one or more graduation (s), or a digital display generally formed by liquid crystal cells (LCD).

Il est également connu d'utiliser un disque ou un anneau imprimé associé à un guichet prévu dans le cadran de la montre pour indiquer la date, le jour de la semaine, le mois ou encore l'année. Afin de grossir le nombre indiquant la date, il est connu d'agencer une lentille grossissante au niveau de la glace de la montre en regard du guichet prévu dans le cadran. Dans un tel cas, la distance séparant le disque ou anneau imprimé et la lentille grossissante est généralement inférieure à 3 mm. De ce fait, la focale de la lentille doit être très petite pour permettre un grossissement important. Par exemple, pour obtenir un grossissement d'un facteur 2, la focale est inférieure à 6 mm. En acceptant que le guichet a un rayon de 1 mm et que l'oeil soit environ à 15 cm de la glace de la montre, la lentille grossissante doit avoir environ un rayon de 2 mm, correspondant au rayon de l'image virtuelle formée par cette lentille grossissante, pour que la date puisse être lue dans son ensemble par un utilisateur de la montre.It is also known to use a printed disc or ring associated with a window provided in the watch face to indicate the date, the day of the week, the month or even the year. In order to magnify the number indicating the date, it is known to arrange a magnifying lens at the level of the watch crystal opposite the window provided in the dial. In such a case, the distance between the printed disc or ring and the magnifying lens is generally less than 3 mm. Therefore, the focal length of the lens must be very small to allow significant magnification. For example, to obtain a magnification of a factor of 2, the focal length is less than 6 mm. By accepting that the window has a radius of 1 mm and that the eye is approximately 15 cm from the watch glass, the magnifying lens must have approximately a radius of 2 mm, corresponding to the radius of the virtual image formed by this magnifying lens, so that the date can be read as a whole by a user of the watch.

De plus, avec une lentille d'une focale de 6 mm, les effets de bords sont très importants et les aberrations optiques sont énormes de telle sorte qu'il faut une lentille grossissante ayant un rayon d'une dimension sensiblement double, c'est-à-dire de l'ordre de 4 mm, pour lire correctement et aisément la date, ce qui est énorme pour une focale de 6 mm.In addition, with a lens with a focal length of 6 mm, the edge effects are very important and the optical aberrations are enormous so that a magnifying lens is required having a radius of a dimension substantially double, this is i.e. around 4 mm, for read the date correctly and easily, which is enormous for a focal length of 6 mm.

L'agencement susmentionné est très désavantageux pour ce qui concerne l'encombrement de la lentille grossissante et la qualité de l'image formée par cette lentille reste relativement médiocre. En conséquence, l'agencement décrit ci-avant n'est approprié que pour des grossissement bien inférieurs à un facteur deux. Ainsi, cet agencement ne permet pas une augmentation importante de la densité d'informations supportées par le dispositif d'affichage.The above-mentioned arrangement is very disadvantageous with regard to the size of the magnifying lens and the quality of the image formed by this lens remains relatively poor. Consequently, the arrangement described above is only suitable for magnifications much less than a factor of two. Thus, this arrangement does not allow a significant increase in the density of information supported by the display device.

Le problème exposé ci-avant démontre que dans le cas où des informations sont affichées au niveau du cadran, les possibilités d'agrandir ces informations de manière significative, tout en fournissant une image agrandie de bonne qualité permettant une lecture aisée de ces informations, sont inexistantes pour des montres ayant des dimensions conventionnelles et particulièrement pour des montres-bracelet.The problem explained above demonstrates that in the case where information is displayed on the dial, the possibilities of enlarging this information significantly, while providing an enlarged image of good quality allowing easy reading of this information, are nonexistent for watches having conventional dimensions and particularly for wristwatches.

La présente invention se propose de résoudre ce problème en fournissant une montre comprenant des moyens d'affichage d'informations, susceptibles d'avoir une forte densité d'informations, associés à un dispositif optique de grossissement agencé dans la montre de manière à permettre un grossissement suffisant de ces moyens d'affichage pour garantir une lecture aisée de ces informations.The present invention proposes to solve this problem by providing a watch comprising information display means, capable of having a high density of information, associated with an optical magnification device arranged in the watch so as to allow a Sufficient magnification of these display means to guarantee easy reading of this information.

A titre d'exemple, un texte de dix lignes avec des longueur de ligne correspondant à environ quinze caractères peut être affiché par un dispositif matriciel ayant 100 x 100 pixels. Par pixel, on comprend une information localisée et sensiblement uniforme, notamment une émission de lumière par une cellule, par exemple une diode luminescente ou un micro-laser intégré.As an example, ten line text with line lengths corresponding to about fifteen characters can be displayed by a matrix device having 100 x 100 pixels. By pixel, one understands localized and substantially uniform information, in particular a light emission by a cell, for example a light-emitting diode or an integrated micro-laser.

Pour lire directement le texte susmentionné à une distance d'environ 20 cm, il est nécessaire que le dispositif matriciel susmentionné ait une surface d'environ 4 cm² pour assurer une lecture aisée. On remarquera qu'un affichage direct de 4 cm² occupe environ l'intégralité d'un cadran d'une montre-bracelet dimensionnée pour le bras d'un homme. Ceci limite considérablement les possibilités d'agencement de ce cadran.To read the above-mentioned text directly from a distance of about 20 cm, it is necessary that the above-mentioned matrix device has an area of about 4 cm² to ensure easy reading. We note that a direct display of 4 cm² occupies approximately the entire dial of a wristwatch sized for a man's arm. This considerably limits the possibilities of arrangement of this dial.

La présente invention a également pour but de fournir une montre susceptible d'avoir un affichage matriciel d'environ 100 x 100 pixels pouvant être lu correctement par un utilisateur de la montre tout en ayant une surface, prévue sur le cadran de cette montre pour la lecture de cet affichage matriciel, inférieure à 4 cm², par exemple de 1 à 2 cm².The present invention also aims to provide a watch capable of having a matrix display of approximately 100 × 100 pixels which can be read correctly by a user of the watch while having a surface, provided on the dial of this watch for the reading of this matrix display, less than 4 cm², for example from 1 to 2 cm².

La présente invention a pour objet une montre comprenant un boîtier, des moyens d'affichage et des moyens optiques de grossissement agencés de manière à grossir optiquement, pour un utilisateur de cette montre, des informations fournies par lesdits moyens d'affichage, cette montre étant caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend en outre un premier miroir agencé à l'intérieur dudit boîtier pour renvoyer en direction desdits moyens optiques de grossissement de la lumière provenant desdits moyens d'affichage agencés également à l'intérieur dudit boîtier.The subject of the present invention is a watch comprising a housing, display means and optical magnification means arranged so as to magnify optically, for a user of this watch, information supplied by said display means, this watch being characterized in that it further comprises a first mirror arranged inside said housing for returning towards said optical means for magnifying the light coming from said display means also arranged inside said housing.

Il résulte des caractéristiques de la montre selon l'invention que la longueur du chemin optique séparant les moyens d'affichage des moyens optiques de grossissement peut être relativement grande, notamment d'une dimension supérieure à l'épaisseur de la montre elle-même grâce au premier miroir permettant un renvoi de la lumière, provenant des moyens d'affichage, en direction des moyens optiques de grossissement.It follows from the characteristics of the watch according to the invention that the length of the optical path separating the display means from the optical magnification means can be relatively large, in particular of a dimension greater than the thickness of the watch itself thanks to to the first mirror allowing a return of the light, coming from the display means, in the direction of the optical magnification means.

Dans un mode de réalisation particulier, le premier miroir est agencé dans le fond du boîtier et les moyens optiques de grossissement comprennent une première lentille grossissante agencée sous la glace de la montre. Ainsi, la longueur du chemin optique entre les moyens d'affichage et cette première lentille peut sans autre être supérieure à l'épaisseur de la montre comme cela apparaîtra encore mieux à la lecture de la description détaillée de divers modes de réalisation qui suivra.In a particular embodiment, the first mirror is arranged in the bottom of the case and the optical magnification means comprise a first magnifying lens arranged under the crystal of the watch. Thus, the length of the optical path between the display means and this first lens can without other be greater than the thickness of the watch like this will appear even better on reading the detailed description of various embodiments which will follow.

De même, d'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention seront mieux décrits ci-après à l'aide de la description suivante, faite en référence aux dessins, donnés à titre nullement limitatif, dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 représente une coupe schématique d'une montre selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention;
  • la figure 2 représente une vue schématique de dessus de la montre représentée à la figure 1;
  • la figure 3 est une vue schématique en coupe d'une montre selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention;
  • la figure 4 est une vue schématique en coupe d'une montre selon un troisième mode de réalisation de l'invention;
  • la figure 5 est une vue schématique en coupe d'une montre selon un quatrième mode de réalisation de l'invention.
Likewise, other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better described below with the aid of the following description, given with reference to the drawings, given by way of non-limiting example, in which:
  • Figure 1 shows a schematic section of a watch according to a first embodiment of the invention;
  • 2 shows a schematic top view of the watch shown in Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of a watch according to a second embodiment of the invention;
  • Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view of a watch according to a third embodiment of the invention;
  • Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of a watch according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

On décrira ci-après à l'aide des figures 1 et 2 un premier mode de réalisation d'une montre selon l'invention.A first embodiment of a watch according to the invention will be described below with the aid of FIGS. 1 and 2.

La montre 1 comprend un mouvement horloger 2 agencé dans une boîte 4. La boîte 4 comprend un fond 6 et une glace 8. Le mouvement horloger 2 est associé à un affichage analogique de l'heure comprenant une aiguille d'heure 10 et une aiguille de minute 12. A l'intérieur de la boîte 4 sont agencés un dispositif d'affichage à micro-volets 14, une source de lumière 16, un miroir 18 et une lentille grossissante 20.Watch 1 comprises a watch movement 2 arranged in a box 4. Box 4 includes a case back 6 and a crystal 8. The watch movement 2 is associated with an analog time display comprising a time hand 10 and a hand of minute 12. Inside the box 4 are arranged a micro-flap display device 14, a light source 16, a mirror 18 and a magnifying lens 20.

La source de lumière 16 est susceptible d'envoyer de la lumière en direction du dispositif d'affichage à micro-volets 14. Ce dernier est agencé de manière à renvoyer la lumière provenant de la source de lumière 16 en direction du miroir 18, lequel est agencé de manière à renvoyer la lumière provenant du dispositif 14 en direction de la lentille grossissante 20. La lumière provenant ainsi du dispositif d'affichage à micro-volets 14 sort de la boîte 4 en traversant la glace 8. A l'intérieur de la boîte 4 sont également compris des parties internes 22 et 24 servant à empêcher essentiellement que la lumière fournie par la source de lumière 16 sortent directement de la boîte 4 par la lentille grossissante 20 sans avoir été réfléchie par le dispositif d'affichage à micro-volets 14 et le miroir 18.The light source 16 is capable of sending light towards the micro-flap display device 14. The latter is arranged so as to return the light coming from the light source 16 towards the mirror 18, which is arranged to return the light from the device 14 towards the magnifying lens 20. The light thus coming from the micro-flap display device 14 leaves the box 4 by passing through the glass 8. Inside the box 4 are also included internal parts 22 and 24 serving to essentially prevent that the light supplied by the light source 16 exit directly from the box 4 through the magnifying lens 20 without having been reflected by the micro-shutter display device 14 and the mirror 18.

On notera ici que la source de lumière 16 peut être soit une source de lumière monochromatique, soit une source de lumière polychromatique. Ensuite, le miroir 18 est soit un miroir sphérique, soit un miroir asphérique servant à corriger les aberrations optiques de la lentille grossissante 20. Un miroir asphérique est optiquement plus avantageux qu'un miroir sphérique étant donné qu'il permet d'éliminer essentiellement les aberrations optiques propres aux éléments optiques sphériques. Dans une autre variante de réalisation, il est prévu un miroir plan.It will be noted here that the light source 16 can be either a monochromatic light source or a polychromatic light source. Next, the mirror 18 is either a spherical mirror or an aspherical mirror used to correct the optical aberrations of the magnifying lens 20. An aspherical mirror is optically more advantageous than a spherical mirror since it essentially eliminates the optical aberrations specific to spherical optical elements. In another alternative embodiment, a plane mirror is provided.

Dans ce premier mode de réalisation, la lentille grossissante 20 est une lentille classique ayant une certaine focale. A titre d'exemple, la focale de la lentille 20 est de 20 mm et la distance optique séparant le dispositif d'affichage à micro-volets 14 et cette lentille grossissante 20 est de 15 mm. Par un dimensionnement approprié du dispositif 14, du miroir 18 et de la lentille grossissante 20 aisément réalisable par un homme du métier, la lentille grossissante 20 forme une image virtuelle du dispositif d'affichage à micro-volets 14 correspondant environ à un grossissement d'un facteur quatre pour l'oeil d'un utilisateur situé sensiblement à une distance de 20 cm de ladite image virtuelle relativement au cas d'un affichage à cristaux liquides d'un type connu situé également à 20 cm de l'oeil d'un utilisateur. Ainsi, il apparaît clairement que l'agencement des divers éléments optiques 14, 18 et 20 permet d'obtenir un relativement fort grossissement d'un dispositif d'affichage à l'aide d'une lentille grossissante ayant une focale supérieure à 10 cm. De ce fait, le dispositif d'affichage à micro-volets 14 peut donner des informations à haute densité surfacique qui ne pourraient être lues directement par un oeil ayant une acuité visuelle normale sans nécessiter un effort d'accommodation intense.In this first embodiment, the magnifying lens 20 is a conventional lens having a certain focal length. For example, the focal length of the lens 20 is 20 mm and the optical distance separating the micro-flap display device 14 and this magnifying lens 20 is 15 mm. By an appropriate dimensioning of the device 14, of the mirror 18 and of the magnifying lens 20 easily achievable by a person skilled in the art, the magnifying lens 20 forms a virtual image of the micro-flap display device 14 corresponding approximately to a magnification of a factor of four for the eye of a user situated substantially at a distance of 20 cm from said virtual image relative to the case of a liquid crystal display of a known type also located 20 cm from the eye of a user. Thus, it clearly appears that the arrangement of the various optical elements 14, 18 and 20 makes it possible to obtain a relatively high magnification of a display device using a magnifying lens having a focal length greater than 10 cm. Therefore, the micro-flap display device 14 can give information with high surface density which could not be read directly by an eye having normal visual acuity without requiring an effort of intense accommodation.

Dans une première variante, la lentille grossissante 20 est une lentille sphérique. Dans une deuxième variante, la lentille grossissante 20 est une lentille cylindrique permettant un grossissement du dispositif d'affichage à micro-volets 14 selon une seule dimension. Dans ce dernier cas, le miroir 18 présente également une symétrie cylindrique.In a first variant, the magnifying lens 20 is a spherical lens. In a second variant, the magnifying lens 20 is a cylindrical lens allowing a magnification of the micro-flap display device 14 according to a single dimension. In the latter case, the mirror 18 also has a cylindrical symmetry.

La réalisation du dispositif d'affichage à microvolets 14 ne sera pas décrite ici en détail étant donné que ce dispositif ne fait pas en lui-même l'objet de la présente invention.The production of the microvolute display device 14 will not be described here in detail since this device is not in itself the subject of the present invention.

On remarquera que la montre 1 comprend un premier cadran 26 comportant à sa surface une graduation 28 pour l'indication de l'heure. En outre, la montre 1 comprend un deuxième cadran 30 situé contre la glace 8 ou à proximité de cette glace 8 et servant notamment à l'agencement du dispositif 14 et de la lentille grossissante 20. Dans une première variante, la lentille grossissante 20 est collée contre la surface intérieure de la glace 8. Dans une deuxième variante, la lentille grossissante 20 est directement formée dans la glace 8.It will be noted that watch 1 comprises a first dial 26 having on its surface a graduation 28 for indicating the time. In addition, watch 1 comprises a second dial 30 situated against the glass 8 or near this glass 8 and serving in particular for the arrangement of the device 14 and the magnifying lens 20. In a first variant, the magnifying lens 20 is glued against the inner surface of the glass 8. In a second variant, the magnifying lens 20 is directly formed in the glass 8.

Le miroir 18 agencé du côté du fond 6 de la boîte 4 et le dispositif d'affichage à micro-volets 14 agencé du côté de la glace 8 de la montre 1 permettent d'augmenter la distance optique séparant le dispositif d'affichage 14 et la lentille grossissante 20. De ce fait, il est possible d'obtenir un grossissement relativement fort avec une lentille grossissante ayant une focale relativement grande, ce qui permet de diminuer l'encombrement de la lentille grossissante et de diminuer les aberrations optiques engendrées par cette lentille grossissante. De plus, l'agencement optique susmentionné permet d'utiliser une lentille grossissante 20 présentant des dimensions suffisantes pour garantir une lecture correcte et aisée du dispositif d'affichage à micro-volets 14 grossi par cette lentille grossissante 20.The mirror 18 arranged on the bottom side 6 of the box 4 and the micro-flap display device 14 arranged on the side of the glass 8 of the watch 1 make it possible to increase the optical distance separating the display device 14 and the magnifying lens 20. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a relatively high magnification with a magnifying lens having a relatively large focal length, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the magnifying lens and to reduce aberrations optics generated by this magnifying lens. In addition, the abovementioned optical arrangement makes it possible to use a magnifying lens 20 having sufficient dimensions to guarantee correct and easy reading of the micro-flap display device 14 magnified by this magnifying lens 20.

On notera toutefois que le premier mode de réalisation de l'invention décrit ci-avant ne résout pas de manière optimale les questions d'encombrements engendrés par les éléments optiques classiques 18 et 20 et la question de la qualité optique de l'image virtuelle du dispositif d'affichage à micro-volets 14 formée par la lentille grossissante 20. Lorsqu'une lentille correctrice est prévue, le problème de l'encombrement est encore accru.However, it will be noted that the first embodiment of the invention described above does not optimally resolve the congestion issues generated by the conventional optical elements 18 and 20 and the question of the optical quality of the virtual image of the micro-flap display device 14 formed by the magnifying lens 20. When a corrective lens is provided, the problem of bulk is further increased.

La présente invention a également pour but de résoudre le problème de l'encombrement engendré par les divers éléments optiques classiques du premier mode de réalisation décrit ci-avant et d'augmenter la qualité de l'image grossie du dispositif d'affichage.The present invention also aims to solve the problem of the space generated by the various conventional optical elements of the first embodiment described above and to increase the quality of the magnified image of the display device.

A cet effet, la présente invention propose ci-après d'autres modes de réalisation.To this end, the present invention hereinafter provides other embodiments.

A l'aide de la figure 3, on décrira ci-après un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention.Using FIG. 3, a second embodiment of the invention will be described below.

Sur cette figure 3 est représentée en coupe une montre 31 comprenant un mouvement d'horlogerie 32 associé à un dispositif d'affichage à cristaux liquides 34 situé sous la glace de montre 8. La montre 31 comprend également un boîtier formé d'une carrure 4 et un fond 6. A l'intérieur de la carrure 4 est agencé un dispositif d'affichage actif 36. Par dispositif d'affichage actif, on comprend un dispositif optique comprenant un ensemble de cellules élémentaires capables de fournir de la lumière. Par une commande appropriée de l'ensemble de ces cellules élémentaires, il est possible de former à la surface de ce dispositif d'affichage actif une image contenant un certain nombre d'informations.In this Figure 3 is shown in section a watch 31 comprising a clockwork movement 32 associated with a liquid crystal display device 34 located under the watch glass 8. The watch 31 also includes a case formed by a middle part 4 and a bottom 6. Inside the middle part 4 is arranged an active display device 36. An active display device includes an optical device comprising a set of elementary cells capable of supplying light. By appropriately controlling all of these elementary cells, it is possible to form on the surface of this active display device an image containing a certain amount of information.

Sous la glace 8 est agencée une lentille diffractante plate 38 et un miroir diffractant plat 40 est agencé dans le fond 6 de la montre 31. Par miroir diffractant, il est compris un élément optique diffractant utilisé en réflexion. A nouveau, le miroir 40 est agencé de manière à renvoyer de la lumière provenant du dispositif d'affichage actif 36 en direction de la lentille 38. On notera ici que la lumière envoyée par le dispositif d'affichage actif 36 est sensiblement monochromatique.Under the glass 8 is arranged a flat diffracting lens 38 and a flat diffracting mirror 40 is arranged in the bottom 6 of the watch 31. By diffracting mirror, there is included a diffracting optical element used in reflection. Again, the mirror 40 is arranged so as to return light coming from the active display device 36 in the direction of the lens 38. It will be noted here that the light sent by the active display device 36 is substantially monochromatic.

A titre d'exemple, le dispositif d'affichage actif 36 est formé par un ensemble de diodes électroluminescentes ou par un ensemble de micro-lasers intégrés. La fabrication du miroir diffractant 40 et de la lentille diffractante 38 sont connues de l'homme du métier. Afin d'obtenir une qualité optique optimale de l'image virtuelle de la surface active 46 du dispositif d'affichage actif 36 reçue par l'oeil d'un utilisateur, le miroir 40 et la lentille 38 peuvent être micro-usinés de manière à éliminer essentiellement toute aberration optique. Le profil du micro-usinage de la surface 42 du miroir 40 et de la surface 44 de la lentille 38 peut être programmé à l'aide d'algorithmes de design optique connus de l'homme du métier.By way of example, the active display device 36 is formed by a set of light-emitting diodes or by a set of integrated micro-lasers. The manufacture of the diffracting mirror 40 and the diffracting lens 38 are known to those skilled in the art. In order to obtain optimal optical quality of the virtual image of the active surface 46 of the active display device 36 received by the eye of a user, the mirror 40 and the lens 38 can be micro-machined so as to essentially eliminate any optical aberration. The profile of the micromachining of the surface 42 of the mirror 40 and of the surface 44 of the lens 38 can be programmed using optical design algorithms known to those skilled in the art.

L'agencement optique selon ce deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention permet également d'obtenir des grossissements de la surface active 46 relativement importants. De ce fait, la densité d'informations formée à cette surface active 46 peut être relativement élevée, ce qui permet, pour un certain nombre d'informations données, de diminuer considérablement les dimensions de la surface active 46. A titre d'exemple, la surface active 46 est définie par un carré de 25 mm² à l'intérieur duquel est agencé une matrice de pixels servant à la formation du dessin définissant des informations pour l'utilisateur de la montre 31.The optical arrangement according to this second embodiment of the invention also makes it possible to obtain relatively large magnifications of the active surface 46. Consequently, the density of information formed on this active surface 46 can be relatively high, which makes it possible, for a certain number of given pieces of information, to considerably reduce the dimensions of the active surface 46. For example, the active surface 46 is defined by a square of 25 mm² inside which is arranged a matrix of pixels used for the formation of the design defining information for the user of the watch 31.

Avec une matrice carrée formée de 100 fois 100 cellules élémentaires, il est possible de produire un texte de 10 lignes ayant chacune une longueur d'environ 15 caractères. Chaque cellule élémentaire définit un point d'information élémentaire ou un pixel. Comme cela a été mentionnée dans le préambule du présent exposé d'invention, il est nécessaire de grossir la surface active 46 d'un facteur quatre environ pour permettre une lecture aisée du texte affiché par un tel dispositif d'affichage actif 36, c'est-à-dire pour qu'une personne puisse le lire à une distance d'environ 20 cm sans effort particulier d'accommodation.With a square matrix formed of 100 times 100 elementary cells, it is possible to produce a text of 10 lines each having a length of approximately 15 characters. Each elementary cell defines an elementary information point or a pixel. As mentioned in the preamble to the present disclosure, it is necessary to magnify the active surface 46 by a factor of about four to allow easy reading of the text displayed by such an active display device 36, it that is to say so that a person can read it from a distance of approximately 20 cm without any particular effort of accommodation.

Comme cela a été mentionné dans la description du premier mode de réalisation, un tel grossissement est sans autre possible avec l'agencement optique selon l'invention. Pour une distance optique d'environ 15 mm entre le dispositif d'affichage 36 et la lentille 38, une image virtuelle formée par la lentille 38 correspondant à un grossissement d'un facteur quatre de la surface active 46 est virtuellement située à une distance optique de la lentille 38 d'environ 6 cm. De ce fait, il est possible de prévoir que la surface de la lentille 38 soit inférieure à la surface de l'image virtuelle. En admettant que l'oeil d'un utilisateur est situé à environ 20 cm de l'image virtuelle formée par la lentille 38, un grossissement d'un facteur quatre correspond environ à une image virtuelle de 4 cm² pour une surface active 46 ayant 25 mm². Cependant, étant donné l'éloignement relativement grand de l'image virtuelle par rapport à la lentille 38, il est possible à un utilisateur de la montre 31 de voir l'ensemble des informations fournies par le dispositif d'affichage actif 36 à travers une lentille grossissante 38 ayant une surface carrée de 1 cm². Pour ce faire, cet utilisateur doit faire subir à la montre 31 divers déplacements relativement à la position de ses yeux.As mentioned in the description of the first embodiment, such magnification is without other possible with the optical arrangement according to the invention. For an optical distance of approximately 15 mm between the display device 36 and the lens 38, a virtual image formed by the lens 38 corresponding to a magnification by a factor of four of the active surface 46 is virtually located at an optical distance of lens 38 of about 6 cm. Therefore, it is possible to provide that the surface of the lens 38 is less than the surface of the virtual image. Assuming that the eye of a user is located approximately 20 cm from the virtual image formed by the lens 38, a magnification by a factor of four corresponds approximately to a virtual image of 4 cm² for an active surface 46 having 25 mm². However, given the relatively large distance of the virtual image relative to the lens 38, it is possible for a user of the watch 31 to see all of the information provided by the active display device 36 through a magnifying lens 38 having a square surface of 1 cm². To do this, this user must subject watch 31 to various movements relative to the position of his eyes.

On notera ici que dans le cas d'une montre bracelet portée au poignet, seul un mouvement de rotation selon l'axe longitudinal défini par l'avant-bras de l'utilisateur de la montre 31 peut se faire aisément. Ainsi, comme cela a déjà été mentionné dans le premier mode de réalisation, il est possible de prévoir un miroir 40 et une lentille 38 présentant chacun un profil ayant un plan de symétrie parallèle à l'axe longitudinal de l'avant-bras de l'utilisateur. De ce fait, de manière analogue à un miroir cylindrique et une lentille cylindrique, seule la dimension transversale à l'axe longitudinal de l'avant-bras de l'utilisateur est grossie. Dans un tel cas, étant donné la configuration de la montre 31, la surface active 46 du dispositif d'affichage actif 36, tout comme la surface 42 du miroir 40 et la surface 44 de la lentille grossissante 38 sont rectangulaires. Le dessin formé à la surface active 46, notamment un texte, est comprimé seulement selon la petite dimension de la surface active rectangulaire 46. Ainsi, l'image virtuelle reçue par l'oeil d'un utilisateur présente des dimensions appropriées pour l'écriture d'un texte notamment. A titre d'exemple, la surface active 46 a une largeur de 5 mm et une longueur de 2 cm alors que la surface 44 de la lentille grossissante 38 à une largeur de 1 cm et une longueur de 2 cm. Toujours à titre d'exemple, le facteur de grossissement de la dimension grossie a une valeur comprise entre deux et cinq.It will be noted here that in the case of a wristwatch worn on the wrist, only a movement of rotation along the longitudinal axis defined by the forearm of the user of the watch 31 can be easily done. Thus, as already mentioned in the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a mirror 40 and a lens 38 each having a profile having a plane of symmetry parallel to the longitudinal axis of the forearm of the 'user. Therefore, analogously to a cylindrical mirror and a cylindrical lens, only the dimension transverse to the longitudinal axis of the user's forearm is enlarged. In such a case, given the configuration of the watch 31, the active surface 46 of the active display device 36, just like the surface 42 of the mirror 40 and the surface 44 of the magnifying lens 38 are rectangular. The drawing formed on the active surface 46, in particular a text, is compressed only according to the small dimension of the rectangular active surface 46. Thus, the virtual image received by the eye of a user has dimensions suitable for writing of a text in particular. By way of example, the active surface 46 has a width of 5 mm and a length of 2 cm, while the surface 44 of the magnifying lens 38 has a width of 1 cm and a length of 2 cm. Still by way of example, the magnification factor of the magnified dimension has a value between two and five.

On remarquera que dans une variante de réalisation, le miroir plat 40 peut être agencé de manière oblique relativement au fond 6 de la montre 31 de manière à renvoyer la lumière provenant du dispositif d'affichage actif 36 en direction de la lentille grossissante 38 sous une direction sensiblement perpendiculaire à la glace 8.It will be noted that in an alternative embodiment, the flat mirror 40 can be arranged obliquely relative to the bottom 6 of the watch 31 so as to return the light coming from the active display device 36 towards the magnifying lens 38 under a direction substantially perpendicular to the glass 8.

En se référant ci-après à la figure 4, on décrira un troisième mode de réalisation d'une montre selon l'invention.Referring below to FIG. 4, a third embodiment of a watch according to the invention will be described.

La montre 51 comprend une glace 8, une carrure 4 et un fond 6. Cette montre 51 est équipée d'un mouvement horloger 2 associé à un affichage analogique comprenant une aiguille des heures 10 et une aiguille des minutes 12 agencées entre la glace 8 et un cadran 52.Watch 51 includes a crystal 8, a middle part 4 and a case back 6. This watch 51 is fitted with a watch movement 2 associated with an analog display comprising an hour hand 10 and a minute hand 12 arranged between the glass 8 and a dial 52.

Selon l'invention, la montre 51 comprend un dispositif d'affichage actif 36 susceptible d'envoyer de la lumière en direction d'un premier miroir plat 40. Ce dernier renvoit la lumière provenant du dispositif 36 en direction d'une lentille diffractante plate 54 située au niveau du cadran 52 et agencée entre le miroir 40 et la lentille diffractante plate 38 située au niveau de la glace 8.According to the invention, the watch 51 comprises an active display device 36 capable of sending light towards a first flat mirror 40. The latter returns the light coming from the device 36 towards a flat diffracting lens 54 situated at the level of the dial 52 and arranged between the mirror 40 and the flat diffracting lens 38 situated at the level of the glass 8.

La lentille 54 peut, conjointement à la lentille 38, participer au grossissement de la surface active 46 du dispositif 36. La lentille 54 sert essentiellement à augmenter la qualité optique de l'image virtuelle de la surface active 46 du dispositif 36.The lens 54 can, jointly with the lens 38, participate in the magnification of the active surface 46 of the device 36. The lens 54 essentially serves to increase the optical quality of the virtual image of the active surface 46 of the device 36.

Selon la variante représentée à la figure 4, la lentille 54 est agencée de manière à ce que la lumière provenant du miroir 40 soit diffractée selon une direction légèrement décalée angulairement relativement à la direction de la lumière entre le miroir 40 et la lentille 54. De même, la lentille diffractante 38 est agencée de manière à changer la direction de propagation de la lumière qui la traverse de manière à ce que le décalage angulaire entre la direction de la lumière sortante hors de la montre 51 et la direction perpendiculaire à la glace 8 et soit sensiblement inférieur au décalage angulaire entre cette direction et la direction de la lumière renvoyée par le miroir 40.According to the variant shown in Figure 4, the lens 54 is arranged so that the light from the mirror 40 is diffracted in a direction slightly angularly offset relative to the direction of light between the mirror 40 and the lens 54. even, the diffracting lens 38 is arranged so as to change the direction of propagation of the light passing through it so that the angular offset between the direction of the light leaving the watch 51 and the direction perpendicular to the glass 8 and is substantially less than the angular offset between this direction and the direction of the light reflected by the mirror 40.

On notera que la lentille 54 peut être collée dessous ou dessus le cadran 52. Ensuite, dans une variante de réalisation, la lentille 54 peut être directement usinée dans le cadran 52. De même, la lentille grossissante 38 peut être soit collée sous la glace 8, soit directement usinée dans cette glace 8 pour former avec elle une seule et même pièce.Note that the lens 54 can be glued below or above the dial 52. Then, in an alternative embodiment, the lens 54 can be directly machined in the dial 52. Likewise, the magnifying lens 38 can be either glued under the glass 8, or directly machined in this glass 8 to form with it a single piece.

On notera encore que le miroir 40 est constitué, dans une variante de réalisation, par un simple miroir plan classique. A nouveau, le miroir 40 peut être agencé de manière inclinée relativement au fond 6 de la montre 51. Bien entendu, les divers éléments optiques sont agencés dans chacun des modes de réalisation de manière à définir le chemin optique 56 optimal pour la lumière provenant du dispositif d'affichage prévu dans la montre selon l'invention. L'utilisation de lentilles plates et de miroirs plats diminue l'encombrement de l'agencement optique de l'invention et augmente le nombre de degrés de liberté pour la disposition des divers éléments optiques constituant l'agencement optique selon l'invention. On remarquera aussi que le miroir plat 40 peut être un miroir diffractant participant à la fonction de grossissement de la surface active 40 du dispositif d'affichage actif 36 et/ou à renvoyer la lumière selon un angle autre que l'angle de réfraction.It will also be noted that the mirror 40 is constituted, in an alternative embodiment, by a simple conventional plane mirror. Again, the mirror 40 can be arranged in an inclined manner relative to the bottom 6 of the watch 51. Of course, the various optical elements are arranged in each of the embodiments so as to define the optimal optical path 56 for the light coming from the display device provided in the watch according to the invention. The use of flat lenses and flat mirrors reduces the size of the optical arrangement of the invention and increases the number of degrees of freedom for the arrangement of the various optical elements constituting the optical arrangement according to the invention. It will also be noted that the flat mirror 40 can be a diffracting mirror participating in the magnification function of the active surface 40 of the active display device 36 and / or in reflecting the light at an angle other than the angle of refraction.

En se référant ci-après à la figure 5, on décrira un quatrième mode de réalisation d'une montre selon l'invention.Referring below to FIG. 5, a fourth embodiment of a watch according to the invention will be described.

La montre 61 comprend une glace 8, une carrure 4 et un fond 6. Il est équipé d'un mouvement horloger 32 associé à un affichage à cristaux liquides 64.Watch 61 includes a crystal 8, a middle part 4 and a case back 6. It is fitted with a clockwork movement 32 associated with a liquid crystal display 64.

Selon l'invention, la montre 61 comprend à l'intérieur du boîtier 4 un dispositif d'affichage actif 36 susceptible d'envoyer de la lumière en direction d'un premier miroir 66, lequel renvoie cette lumière en direction d'un deuxième miroir 68 qui renvoie à son tour cette lumière en direction d'un miroir diffractant plat 40. Finalement, ce miroir 40 renvoie la lumière provenant du dispositif 36 en direction d'une lentille diffractante plate 38, agencée au-dessous du dispositif d'affichage à cristaux liquides 64 relativement à la glace 8.According to the invention, the watch 61 includes inside the housing 4 an active display device 36 capable of sending light towards a first mirror 66, which returns this light towards a second mirror 68 which in turn returns this light in the direction of a flat diffracting mirror 40. Finally, this mirror 40 returns the light coming from the device 36 in the direction of a flat diffracting lens 38, arranged below the display device at liquid crystal 64 relative to ice 8.

Le premier miroir 66 et le miroir diffractant plat 40 sont tous deux agencés dans le fond 6, alors que le deuxième miroir 68 est agencé directement au-dessous du dispositif d'affichage à cristaux liquides 64. La lumière fournie par le dispositif d'affichage actif 36 suit ainsi un chemin optique en zigzag avant de traverser la lentille grossissante 38 pour ensuite sortir hors de la boîte de montre 61.The first mirror 66 and the flat diffracting mirror 40 are both arranged in the bottom 6, while the second mirror 68 is arranged directly below the liquid crystal display device 64. The light provided by the display device active 36 thus follows a zigzag optical path before crossing the lens magnifying 38 and then out of the watch case 61.

Les miroirs 66 et 68 peuvent être soit formés de miroirs réfractant classiques, soit de miroirs diffractant. Un tel agencement optique permet d'augmenter considérablement la distance optique entre le dispositif d'affichage actif 36 et la lentille grossissante 38. De plus, l'agencement optique décrit dans ce mode de réalisation augmente le nombre de degré de liberté dans l'agencement de chacun des éléments optiques 66, 68, 40 et 38 permettant ainsi d'optimiser la transmission de la lumière provenant du dispositif 36 pour former une image virtuelle agrandie de la surface active 46 du dispositif d'affichage 36.Mirrors 66 and 68 can either be formed from conventional refracting mirrors, or from diffracting mirrors. Such an optical arrangement makes it possible to considerably increase the optical distance between the active display device 36 and the magnifying lens 38. In addition, the optical arrangement described in this embodiment increases the number of degrees of freedom in the arrangement of each of the optical elements 66, 68, 40 and 38 thus making it possible to optimize the transmission of light coming from the device 36 to form an enlarged virtual image of the active surface 46 of the display device 36.

Le dispositif d'affichage à cristaux liquides 64 est choisi de telle manière qu'il est transparent pour la longueur d'onde de la lumière provenant du dispositif 36, lequel envoie une lumière sensiblement monochromatique. De ce fait, il est possible de superposer un premier dessin fourni par le dispositif d'affichage à cristaux liquides 64 et un deuxième dessin fourni par le dispositif d'affichage actif 36. Dans une variante de réalisation, le dispositif 64 est transparent pour la lumière provenant du dispositif 36 lorsque le dispositif 64 n'est pas activé. A nouveau, les miroirs 40, 66 et 68 peuvent être agencés de manière inclinée relativement au fond 6 et à la glace 8, lesquels sont sensiblement parallèles l'un à l'autre.The liquid crystal display device 64 is chosen such that it is transparent for the wavelength of the light coming from the device 36, which sends a substantially monochromatic light. Therefore, it is possible to superimpose a first design provided by the liquid crystal display device 64 and a second design provided by the active display device 36. In an alternative embodiment, the device 64 is transparent for the light from device 36 when device 64 is not activated. Again, the mirrors 40, 66 and 68 can be arranged in an inclined manner relative to the bottom 6 and to the glass 8, which are substantially parallel to each other.

On remarquera encore qu'il est prévu deux parties internes 70 et 72 servant à empêcher que la lumière renvoyée par le premier miroir 66 sorte directement à travers la lentille grossissante 38.It will also be noted that two internal parts 70 and 72 are provided for preventing the light returned by the first mirror 66 from coming directly through the magnifying lens 38.

Claims (12)

Montre comprenant un boîtier (4,6), des moyens d'affichage (14;36) et des moyens optiques de grossissement (38;54) agencés de manière à grossir optiquement, pour un utilisateur de cette montre, lesdits moyens d'affichage, cette montre étant caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend en outre un premier miroir (40) agencé à l'intérieur dudit boîtier pour renvoyer en direction desdits moyens optiques de grossissement de la lumière provenant desdits moyens d'affichage agencés également à l'intérieur dudit boîtier.Watch comprising a housing (4,6), display means (14; 36) and optical magnification means (38; 54) arranged so as to magnify optically, for a user of this watch, said display means , this watch being characterized in that it further comprises a first mirror (40) arranged inside said housing for returning towards said optical means for magnifying the light coming from said display means also arranged inside of said housing. Montre selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ledit premier miroir (40) est agencé dans la région du fond (6) du boîtier, lesdits moyens optiques de grossissement (38;54) comprenant une première lentille (38) agencée sous la glace (8) de cette montre.Watch according to claim 1, characterized in that said first mirror (40) is arranged in the region of the bottom (6) of the housing, said optical magnification means (38; 54) comprising a first lens (38) arranged under the glass. (8) of this watch. Montre selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que ledit premier miroir (40) est un miroir réfractant asphérique.Watch according to claim 2, characterized in that said first mirror (40) is an aspherical refracting mirror. Montre selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que ledit premier miroir (40) est un élément optique diffractant utilisé en réflexion.Watch according to claim 2, characterized in that said first mirror (40) is a diffracting optical element used in reflection. Montre selon l'une des revendications 2 à 5, caractérisée en ce que ladite première lentille (38) est une lentille diffractante plate.Watch according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said first lens (38) is a flat diffracting lens. Montre selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 5 comprenant un cadran (52), caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens optiques de grossissement (38,54) comprennent en outre une deuxième lentille (54) disposée au niveau dudit cadran, lesdites première et deuxième lentilles étant agencées de manière à grossir optiquement des informations fournies par lesdits moyens d'affichage (36).Watch according to any one of claims 2 to 5 comprising a dial (52), characterized in that said optical magnification means (38,54) further comprise a second lens (54) disposed at said dial, said first and second lenses being arranged so as to optically magnify information supplied by said display means (36). Montre selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 6, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend au moins un deuxième miroir (68) agencé en regard dudit fond (6) dudit boîtier pour renvoyer en direction dudit premier miroir (40) ladite lumière provenant desdits moyens d'affichage (36).Watch according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least a second mirror (68) arranged opposite said bottom (6) of said a housing for returning said light from said display means (36) towards said first mirror (40). Montre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens d'affichage (14) sont formés par un dispositif à micro-volets, ce dispositif à micro-volets étant éclairé au moyen d'une source lumineuse (16) agencée à l'intérieur du boîtier (4,6) de ladite montre.Watch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said display means (14) are formed by a micro-shutter device, this micro-shutter device being illuminated by means of a light source (16) arranged inside the housing (4,6) of said watch. Montre selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens d'affichage (36) sont formés par un dispositif d'affichage actif (36) à forte densité d'informations.Watch according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said display means (36) are formed by an active display device (36) with high information density. Montre selon la revendication 9, caractérisée en ce que ledit dispositif d'affichage actif (36) est formé par un ensemble de cellules élémentaires susceptibles de fournir chacune un signal lumineux définissant un point élémentaire d'information.Watch according to claim 9, characterized in that said active display device (36) is formed by a set of elementary cells capable of each supplying a light signal defining an elementary information point. Montre selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend en outre un dispositif d'affichage à cristaux liquides (64) superposés au moins partiellement audit moyen optique de grossissement (38) et situé entre une glace (8) de la montre et lesdits moyens optiques de grossissement (38), ledit dispositif d'affichage à cristaux liquides étant essentiellement transparent pour la lumière provenant desdits moyens d'affichage (36) lorsque ledit dispositif d'affichage à cristaux liquides n'est pas activé.Watch according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a liquid crystal display device (64) at least partially superimposed on said optical magnification means (38) and situated between a crystal (8) of the watch and said optical magnification means (38), said liquid crystal display device being essentially transparent to the light coming from said display means (36) when said liquid crystal display device is not activated . Montre selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce que ledit dispositif d'affichage à cristaux liquides (64) est également au moins partiellement transparent pour la lumière provenant desdits moyens d'affichage lorsque ledit dispositif d'affichage à cristaux liquides est activé.Watch according to claim 11, characterized in that said liquid crystal display device (64) is also at least partially transparent to the light coming from said display means when said liquid crystal display device is activated.
EP95111126A 1994-07-21 1995-07-15 Watch with a display device associated with an optical magnifying device Expired - Lifetime EP0693718B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH2309/94 1994-07-21
CH02309/94A CH687495B5 (en) 1994-07-21 1994-07-21 Watch comprising a display device associated with an optical magnifying device.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0693718A1 true EP0693718A1 (en) 1996-01-24
EP0693718B1 EP0693718B1 (en) 1999-01-20

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EP95111126A Expired - Lifetime EP0693718B1 (en) 1994-07-21 1995-07-15 Watch with a display device associated with an optical magnifying device

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US (1) US5566137A (en)
EP (1) EP0693718B1 (en)
JP (1) JP3583511B2 (en)
KR (1) KR100371740B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1050678C (en)
CH (1) CH687495B5 (en)
DE (1) DE69507393T2 (en)
HK (1) HK1012081A1 (en)
TW (1) TW314608B (en)

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WO2012134411A1 (en) * 2011-04-01 2012-10-04 Yildirim Cuma Evren Mirror-reflected watch dial
EP3062172A1 (en) * 2015-02-24 2016-08-31 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. Watch provided with a magnifying glass
WO2018178858A1 (en) 2017-03-27 2018-10-04 Fgp Capital Sa Reading device for an apparatus with glass or screen

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IL129455A (en) 1999-04-15 2003-07-06 Mvt Multi Vision Technologies Timepieces
US6330208B1 (en) 1998-10-16 2001-12-11 Xonix Watch Co., Ltd. Watch with front mounted liquid crystal display and liquid crystal display with reflective sheet
US7083326B2 (en) * 2004-09-13 2006-08-01 Ast Ryan C Adjustable watch crystal apparatus
WO2007001292A1 (en) * 2005-06-24 2007-01-04 Hideki Electronics, Inc. (Usa) Radio-controlled clock with remote digital time projection
EP1862873A1 (en) * 2006-06-02 2007-12-05 Montres Rado S.A. Display unit for a portable instrument, such as a watch
US20140269218A1 (en) * 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 Jeffrey Herold Watch Engaged ATIS Reminder Systems
EP3032357B1 (en) * 2014-12-09 2017-05-03 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. Display device for a portable object such as a timepiece
US10564607B2 (en) * 2016-12-12 2020-02-18 Dayton Technologies Limited Apparatus comprising an electroluminescent display
EP3575888B1 (en) * 2018-05-30 2023-04-12 Rolex Sa Timepiece comprising an aspheric lens
EP3835847A1 (en) * 2018-08-08 2021-06-16 Universitat de Valéncia Plenoptic ocular device

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CH368756A (en) * 1960-01-25 1962-12-29 Kyburz & Cie Calendar timepiece
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CH346178A (en) * 1958-04-18 1960-04-30 Kyburz & Cie Glass to cover the dial of an indicating instrument
CH368756A (en) * 1960-01-25 1962-12-29 Kyburz & Cie Calendar timepiece
US3650599A (en) * 1971-01-28 1972-03-21 Carl Pedersen Measuring instrument and reading device assembly
US4451117A (en) * 1983-11-04 1984-05-29 Goode Robert C Digital watch magnifying element

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012134411A1 (en) * 2011-04-01 2012-10-04 Yildirim Cuma Evren Mirror-reflected watch dial
EP3062172A1 (en) * 2015-02-24 2016-08-31 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. Watch provided with a magnifying glass
US9529337B2 (en) 2015-02-24 2016-12-27 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Watch equipped with a magnifier
WO2018178858A1 (en) 2017-03-27 2018-10-04 Fgp Capital Sa Reading device for an apparatus with glass or screen

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP3583511B2 (en) 2004-11-04
CH687495GA3 (en) 1996-12-31
HK1012081A1 (en) 1999-07-23
EP0693718B1 (en) 1999-01-20
CH687495B5 (en) 1997-06-30
CN1118459A (en) 1996-03-13
KR100371740B1 (en) 2003-03-19
US5566137A (en) 1996-10-15
DE69507393D1 (en) 1999-03-04
TW314608B (en) 1997-09-01
CN1050678C (en) 2000-03-22
JPH0862349A (en) 1996-03-08
DE69507393T2 (en) 1999-09-02

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