EP0878751B1 - Uhr verbunden mit einem Kompass und einem Sucher - Google Patents

Uhr verbunden mit einem Kompass und einem Sucher Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0878751B1
EP0878751B1 EP19970108070 EP97108070A EP0878751B1 EP 0878751 B1 EP0878751 B1 EP 0878751B1 EP 19970108070 EP19970108070 EP 19970108070 EP 97108070 A EP97108070 A EP 97108070A EP 0878751 B1 EP0878751 B1 EP 0878751B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
timepiece
user
compass
timepiece according
sighting
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19970108070
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0878751A1 (de
Inventor
Nicolas Moser
Christophe Germiquet
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.)
Asulab AG
Original Assignee
Asulab AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Asulab AG filed Critical Asulab AG
Priority to DE1997610705 priority Critical patent/DE69710705T2/de
Priority to EP19970108070 priority patent/EP0878751B1/de
Publication of EP0878751A1 publication Critical patent/EP0878751A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0878751B1 publication Critical patent/EP0878751B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • G04B47/00—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece
    • G04B47/06—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece with attached measuring instruments, e.g. pedometer, barometer, thermometer or compass
    • G04B47/065—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece with attached measuring instruments, e.g. pedometer, barometer, thermometer or compass with a compass

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a timepiece associated with a compass and a viewfinder.
  • the compass is used to determine the direction of magnetic north or the direction of any heading relative to that direction.
  • the viewfinder allows a user to accurately determine a selected azimuth direction or a given heading.
  • sights are known, in particular in the field of armaments and in particular for firearms.
  • Several devices used to determine the course or the azimuthal direction of a given object or region are equipped with viewfinders.
  • viewfinders devices used to indicate the direction corresponding to a given geographical or magnetic azimuth are provided with viewfinders, in particular for orienteering.
  • a viewfinder By viewfinder, we understand a device defining a reference axis which can be arranged relative to the eye of a user so that the latter can visually determine an object or a geographical area located in the extension of said reference axis by orienting the viewfinder so that said reference axis intercepts the region of its said eye.
  • a long groove of a certain length can serve as a viewfinder.
  • a viewfinder is generally formed of at least two sights arranged so as to be able to be aligned one behind the other relative to the eye of a user and to allow the eye to this user to determine jointly with the aiming a geographical area or an object located more or less far in the extension of the alignment of the two targets defining a reference axis.
  • the viewfinder is formed by two grooves or notches separated from each other during a sighting by an empty intermediate region thus allowing a user to align these two grooves or notches one behind the other so that the transverse profile of each of the two grooves or notches are confused for the eye of the user who can then precisely determine an object or a geographical area appearing in the extension of these transverse sections confused for his eye.
  • a mirror bottom is provided at the upper module comprising the watch movement.
  • the upper module can be brought into a position angularly offset by about 45 ° relative to the general plane of the lower module, which is parallel to the reference axis defined by the two sights. Thanks to this arrangement, a user can take aim. However, this aiming is carried out visually through the articulation which defines an empty space for this purpose between the two modules when the upper module is angularly offset relative to the lower module.
  • the device described above has several drawbacks. First, its structure is complex and expensive. Then, the superposition of two independent modules comprising respectively the timepiece movement and the compass is bulky. In addition, it is not easy to perform a sighting through the free space provided between the two modules offset angularly by about 45 °, as is apparent in particular from Figure 1 of this document. Indeed, this free space is limited and disturbs the visual field of the user, which in particular prevents him from adjusting properly to determine the object or the geographic area targeted.
  • Patent CH 324 565 describes a wristwatch with a casing mounted in a pivoting manner to allow this casing to be rotated so as to show in the visible upper part of the watch either the time display or the magnetic hand of a compass.
  • the case is mounted on a frame comprising the means of attachment to a bracelet.
  • two sighting targets also formed by two notches whose walls are located just above the surface defined by the glass protecting the magnetized needle of the compass.
  • This compass watch does include a viewfinder and it does not include an articulated module or mirror arranged above the compass module and the viewfinder, but the aiming device described in this document CH 324 565 or in document EP-A-0 743 576, which comprises an electronic compass, is not functional because it does not allow real aiming to be carried out in the manner in which this has been defined above. Indeed, when the user brings the two test patterns in such a way that the two notches are confused for his eye, that is to say that the cross section of these two notches are superimposed and therefore confused for his eye, l he magnetized needle of the compass is no longer visible and thus any precise aiming is not possible.
  • the present inventors propose to provide a solution to this problem which paries the major drawbacks mentioned above by providing a timepiece associated with a compass and a viewfinder which is relatively inexpensive and in particular space-saving construction, while being perfectly functional for aiming easily, safely and effectively.
  • the present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a case and means for displaying the time, this timepiece being associated with an electronic compass and a viewfinder allowing a joint determination of a direction.
  • azimuth selected, characterized and in that an electronic unit is provided, electrically connected to said electronic compass and arranged to determine, using signals supplied by this compass, the azimuthal orientation of a reference axis of said timepiece, and warning means controlled by said electronic unit to provide at least one perceptible signal to a user of said timepiece when aiming using the viewfinder, said electronic unit being arranged so that said signal is provided to said user when said reference axis is aligned with said selected azimuth direction.
  • the device according to the invention preferably comprises a viewfinder formed by two sights arranged in the upper part of the case of the timepiece, in particular at the level of the bezel or the crystal forming this case.
  • the reference axis defined by the viewfinder corresponds to the 6 o'clock axis -12 hours from the case.
  • the warning means are formed by electrically activated sound means, said perceptible signal forming a sound signal.
  • the warning means are formed by electrically activated optical means and providing a visual signal which can be perceived by the user during a sighting.
  • the optical means are arranged on the surface of the case in the region of this case located substantially at 6 o'clock.
  • the wristwatch 2 comprises a case 4 formed by a middle part 6, a bezel 8 and a crystal 10 covering and protecting display means 12.
  • Watch 2 further comprises a crown 20 and an LCD display 22.
  • the display means 12 comprise a dial 24 and a set of hands 25 allowing an analog indication of the time or other variables, in particular one of the hands of the set of needles 25 can be used to indicate a direction.
  • an electronic compass 26 comprising a permanent magnet 28 mounted for free rotation in the housing 4 and two electromagnetic sensors 29 and 30 known to those skilled in the art and arranged relative to the axis of rotation of the permanent magnet 28 with an angular offset of 90 °.
  • the two electromagnetic sensors 29 and 30 each supply an electrical signal to an electronic unit 32 arranged to process the electrical signals received from the sensors electromagnetic 29 and 30 so as to precisely determine the direction of the magnetic axis 34 of the permanent magnet 28 in the general plane of the housing 4.
  • the electromagnetic sensors 29 and 30 being integral with the housing 4, the electronic unit 32 can determine using a processing known to those skilled in the art, the azimuthal orientation of the reference axis 36 defined by the two sighting rods 14 and 15.
  • the general plane of the housing 4 is provided horizontal.
  • an audible alarm 40 is electrically connected to the electronic unit 32.
  • a person skilled in the art knows how to set up a vibrator or an acoustic device capable of providing sounds or audible signals perceptible by a user of the watch 2.
  • L A person skilled in the art will find descriptions of the arrangement of vibrators or acoustic devices, in particular in documents EP 0 741 344, EP 0 712 059, US 4 267 849, US 4 330 878 and US 4 373 624.
  • the electronic unit 32 is arranged to control the warning means, formed by the sound device 40, to provide at least a first audible signal perceptible by a user of the watch 2 when he is aiming by means of the viewfinder 14, 15. More particularly, the electronic unit 32 controls the sound device 40 so that the user is informed by any sound signal when the reference axis 36 is aligned with a selected azimuthal direction. To activate the compass mode and thus allow a user to carry out a sighting, it is planned to use the crown or control rod 20 which is electrically connected to the electronic unit 32.
  • the LCD display indicates an angular deviation relative to the direction of the North magnetic pole or the North geographic pole depending on the variant provided and in particular the possibility of introducing either the user's geographic position, that is to enter the value of the magnetic declination of the north geographic pole relative to the north magnetic point.
  • a person skilled in the art knows how to arrange the electronic unit 32 to allow one or the other of these introductions of magnetic declination values and geographic or magnetic azimuths according to the intended mode of use. Thanks to the arrangement described above, a user can therefore select an azimuthal direction, then take aim precisely in this selected azimuthal direction using the viewfinder 14, 15, while keeping the wristwatch 2 on the wrist.
  • the user When aiming, the user does not see the display means 12 but is informed by the sound device 40 when the case 4 of the watch 2 is oriented in the azimuthal direction selected, namely that the 6 o'clock axis 12 o'clock corresponding to the reference axis 36 is aligned with this selected azimuth direction.
  • the space above the viewfinder 14, 15 being completely free, a user can thus efficiently and easily carry out an aiming with precision to achieve the intended objective or to determine the magnetic or geographical azimuth of an object or d 'a geographic area relative to the geographic position where it is located.
  • any means of introduction known to those skilled in the art can be used, in particular an introduction to the using a rotating bezel, capacitive or pressure sensors, buttons, push-buttons or the set of hands 24.
  • the sound device 40 can have several functions and can be used in various ways to provide the signal necessary for the user who is aiming using the wristwatch 2. In order to give the user an indication of the deviation of the housing 4 relative to the azimuthal direction selected, it is possible to provide various sounds or a sound having a variable frequency and / or a variable amplitude.
  • the electronic unit 32 is arranged so as to control the sound device so that it supplies a signal having a first frequency, in compass operating mode, when the reference axis 36 does not coincide with the direction azimuthal selected, this signal having an increasing or decreasing amplitude depending on whether the angular offset between the selected direction and the reference axis 36 increases or decreases.
  • the sound device When the reference axis 36 is aligned with the selected direction, the sound device is controlled so as to provide another signal having a frequency different from the non-alignment signal described above. It is also possible to mark such a difference by varying the tone of the sounds provided. Those skilled in the art can provide various variants for the operation and control of the warning means while remaining within the scope of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 Using FIGS. 3 and 4, a second embodiment of the invention will be described below.
  • the references already described in the description of the first embodiment will not again be all described here in detail.
  • the wristwatch 42 comprises a case 44 formed by a middle part 46, a bezel 48 and a crystal 10 covering and protecting the time display means 12.
  • Two sights are arranged on the crystal 10 sight 14 and 15 respectively having two grooves or notches 16 and 17 aligned and together defining a reference axis of the case 44 parallel to the axis 6 o'clock-12 o'clock of this case.
  • Inside the housing 44 is also arranged an electronic compass 26 whose two electromagnetic sensors 29 and 30 each provide an electrical signal to an electronic unit 52 which, like the electronic unit 32 of the first embodiment described above, makes it possible to determine the position of the housing relatively to the direction of magnetic north or geographic north according to the chosen reference system.
  • the electronic unit 52 is therefore arranged to determine the azimuthal orientation of the housing 44, in particular the azimuthal direction defined by the reference axis defined by the viewfinder 15, 16.
  • the hour hand 50 is used, when the watch 42 is activated in a compass mode, in particular using the crown 20, to indicate the direction of magnetic or geographic north or the direction of a heading or azimuth given. Since the sights 14 and 15 are arranged on the glass 10, it is easy in this embodiment to provide a telescope 48 which is rotating and can thus be used to determine a given azimuthal direction without taking aim when the direction to follow should not be known precisely by the user of the watch 42.
  • the warning means used to indicate to the user performing a sighting when the reference axis defined by the viewfinder 14, 15 is aligned on a selected azimuthal direction are formed by electrically activated optical means.
  • These optical means are formed in the example given for this second embodiment by three light diodes 54, 55, 56 arranged on the surface of the case 44, more particularly on an outer upper surface of the middle part 46 in a region located at 6 o'clock. .
  • this user can easily see the diodes 54, 55 and 56 and perceive one or more optical signals provided by these diodes.
  • the electronic unit 52 is electrically connected to a power supply 58 of the diodes 54, 55 and 56.
  • the diodes 54, 55 and 56 can be used in various ways in various variants to warn or inform a user of the fact that the reference axis defined by the viewfinder 14, 15 is aligned or not aligned with a selected azimuth direction. For example, when the user has to turn the housing 44 anti-clockwise, the diode 54 is activated and provides a light signal. By cons, when the housing 44 must be rotated clockwise, it is the diode 56 which provides a light signal.
  • the central diode 55 is activated and provides a light signal or it is possible to provide that the three diodes 54, 55 and 56 are activated. In another variant, it is even possible to provide that during the correct alignment of the reference axis on the selected direction, the signal supplied by the diodes consists of an absence of light emission.
  • the diodes can be of different colors, for example, the outer diodes 54 and 56 of red color while the central diode 55 is of green color.
  • the second embodiment with the visual warning means allows use of the watch 42 as a compass and underwater orientation device, that is to say usable during a dive.
  • the indicator hand 50 used alternately to indicate the time or a given direction, is actuated by a motor 62 supplied by an electrical supply 64 electrically connected to the electronic unit 52 which is arranged to control this motor 62.
  • warning means providing at least one signal perceptible to a user of a timepiece according to the invention when the latter performs a sighting by means of the viewfinder associated with this timepiece.
  • the other elements of the invention as described in the first embodiment remain similar.

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

Claims (10)

  1. Zeitmeßgerät (2; 42), das ein Gehäuse (4; 44) und Anzeigemittel (12), die insbesondere der Anzeige der Uhrzeit dienen, umfaßt, wobei diesem Zeitmeßgerät ein elektronischer Kompaß (26, 28, 29, 30) und eine Visiervorrichtung (14, 15) zugeordnet sind, die gemeinsam eine Bestimmung einer ausgewählten Azimutrichtung ermöglichen, gekennzeichnet durch eine elektronische Einheit (32; 52), die mit dem elektronischen Kompaß (26, 28, 29, 30) elektrisch verbunden und so beschaffen ist, daß sie mit Hilfe elektrischer Signale, die von diesem Kompaß geliefert werden, die Azimutorientierung einer Bezugsachse (36) des Zeitmeßgeräts bestimmt, und Alarmmittel (40; 54, 55, 56, 58), die durch die elektronische Einheit gesteuert werden, um wenigstens ein von einem Benutzer des Zeitmeßgeräts wahrnehmbares Signal auszugeben, wenn mittels der Visiereinrichtung ein Visiervorgang ausgeführt wird, wobei die elektronische Einheit so beschaffen ist, daß das Signal an den Benutzer ausgegeben wird, wenn die Bezugsachse auf die gewählte Azimutrichtung ausgerichtet ist.
  2. Zeitmeßgerät nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Alarmmittel (40) aus einer elektrisch aktivierten Tonvorrichtung gebildet sind.
  3. Zeitmeßgerät nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Alarmmittel aus optischen Mitteln (54, 55, 56) gebildet sind, die durch eine Stromversorgung (58), die mit der elektronischen Einheit (52) verbunden ist, elektrisch aktiviert werden.
  4. Zeitmeßgerät nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die optischen Mittel aus wenigstens einer Diode (54, 55, 56) gebildet sind, die auf einer äußeren Oberfläche des Gehäuses (44) in einem Bereich dieses Gehäuses angeordnet ist, der sich im wesentlichen bei 6 Uhr in bezug auf eine herkömmliche Zeitanzeige mit 12 Stunden befindet.
  5. Zeitmeßgerät nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Alarmmittel durch einen Vibrator gebildet sind, der ein vom Körper eines Benutzers wahrnehmbares Vibrationssignal liefert.
  6. Zeitmeßgerät nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Visiereinrichtung aus zwei Visierkerben (14, 15) gebildet ist, die auf einem Glasreif (8) des Gehäuses (4) diametral entgegengesetzt auf der 6 Uhr-12 Uhr-Achse des Zeitmeßgeräts (2) angeordnet sind.
  7. Zeitmeßgerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Visiereinrichtung aus zwei Visiereinschnitten (14, 15) gebildet ist, die auf dem Glas (10) diametral entgegengesetzt auf der 6 Uhr-12 Uhr-Achse des Zeitmeßgeräts (42) angeordnet sind.
  8. Zeitmeßgerät nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Glasreif (48) drehbar ist.
  9. Zeitmeßgerät nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein Hinweiszeiger (50) vorgesehen ist, der dazu dient, eine gegebene Azimutrichtung, insbesondere die magnetische oder geographische Nordrichtung, anzugeben.
  10. Zeitmeßgerät nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine elektronische Krone (20) und digitale Anzeigemittel (22) vorgesehen sind, die so beschaffen sind, daß sie einem Benutzer ermöglichen, eine beliebige Azimutrichtung einzugeben.
EP19970108070 1997-05-17 1997-05-17 Uhr verbunden mit einem Kompass und einem Sucher Expired - Lifetime EP0878751B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE1997610705 DE69710705T2 (de) 1997-05-17 1997-05-17 Uhr verbunden mit einem Kompass und einem Sucher
EP19970108070 EP0878751B1 (de) 1997-05-17 1997-05-17 Uhr verbunden mit einem Kompass und einem Sucher

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19970108070 EP0878751B1 (de) 1997-05-17 1997-05-17 Uhr verbunden mit einem Kompass und einem Sucher

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0878751A1 EP0878751A1 (de) 1998-11-18
EP0878751B1 true EP0878751B1 (de) 2002-02-27

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EP19970108070 Expired - Lifetime EP0878751B1 (de) 1997-05-17 1997-05-17 Uhr verbunden mit einem Kompass und einem Sucher

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DE (1) DE69710705T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102014109172A1 (de) 2014-07-01 2016-01-07 Sportident Gmbh Kompassanordnung mit RFID-Transponder

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH324565A (fr) * 1956-01-19 1957-09-30 Uebelhardt Roger Montre-bracelet
JPS60171413A (ja) * 1984-02-17 1985-09-04 Kazuo Uema 盲人用磁気コンパス
SU1219080A1 (ru) * 1984-10-23 1986-03-23 Ленинградское Производственное Объединение "Контакт" Компас дл лиц с пониженным зрением
JPH0493609A (ja) * 1990-08-02 1992-03-26 Masaki Nakasuga 水中電子式方位指示装置
CH688460B5 (fr) * 1995-05-17 1998-04-15 Asulab Sa Dispositif servant à indiquer la direction d'un lieu géographique déterminé.

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Publication number Publication date
EP0878751A1 (de) 1998-11-18
DE69710705D1 (de) 2002-04-04
DE69710705T2 (de) 2002-11-21

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