EP1708054B1 - Analogue display timepiece capable of converting dates of a calendar into another calendar - Google Patents

Analogue display timepiece capable of converting dates of a calendar into another calendar Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1708054B1
EP1708054B1 EP05006853A EP05006853A EP1708054B1 EP 1708054 B1 EP1708054 B1 EP 1708054B1 EP 05006853 A EP05006853 A EP 05006853A EP 05006853 A EP05006853 A EP 05006853A EP 1708054 B1 EP1708054 B1 EP 1708054B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
calendar
year
date
mode
display
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.)
Active
Application number
EP05006853A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1708054A1 (en
Inventor
Alain Vuilleumier
Jean-Jacques Born
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Asulab AG
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Asulab AG
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Publication date
Application filed by Asulab AG filed Critical Asulab AG
Priority to DE602005014736T priority Critical patent/DE602005014736D1/en
Priority to AT05006853T priority patent/ATE433141T1/en
Priority to EP05006853A priority patent/EP1708054B1/en
Priority to SG200601704A priority patent/SG126078A1/en
Priority to TW095109017A priority patent/TWI407273B/en
Priority to US11/277,630 priority patent/US7433269B2/en
Priority to KR1020060028882A priority patent/KR20060105572A/en
Priority to JP2006093873A priority patent/JP2006284579A/en
Priority to CNB2006100669711A priority patent/CN100527020C/en
Publication of EP1708054A1 publication Critical patent/EP1708054A1/en
Priority to HK06112399.6A priority patent/HK1091909A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1708054B1 publication Critical patent/EP1708054B1/en
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0076—Visual time or date indication means in which the time in another time-zone or in another city can be displayed at will
    • 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
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/26—Clocks or watches with indicators for tides, for the phases of the moon, or the like
    • 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
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/26—Clocks or watches with indicators for tides, for the phases of the moon, or the like
    • G04B19/268—Clocks or watches with indicators for tides, for the phases of the moon, or the like with indicators for the phases of the moon
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C17/00—Indicating the time optically by electric means
    • G04C17/005—Indicating the time optically by electric means by discs
    • G04C17/0058—Indicating the time optically by electric means by discs with date indication
    • G04C17/0066—Indicating the time optically by electric means by discs with date indication electromagnetically driven, e.g. intermittently

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electronic timepiece of the type indicated in the preamble of claim 1.
  • An astronomical wristwatch having these features is described in the patent application EP 949 549 and can display, using the hour and minute hands, different astronomical indications in different modes selected by the user. Outside the time mode, the main function of each of the other modes is to indicate by a needle the direction of a star of the solar system relative to the zodiac, which is shown on the dial.
  • the watch may also display dates, including by means of a digital display, and provide the aforementioned astronomical indications for past or future dates.
  • the invention relates to a timepiece as defined in claim 1.
  • This may include converting and displaying in Gregorian calendar the Chinese New Year date of the current year or a past or future year.
  • the watch 20 has a box constituted as that of the watch described in the patent application EP 949 549 , with a rotating bezel 21 surrounding the lens and the dial 22, and an outer ring 23 connected to a rotary control rod which has several axial positions, one of which is a pushed position which closes an electrical contact, the rod and the ring being then returned to a neutral position by a spring.
  • the rotating bezel 21 and the ring 23 constitute the manual control means of the watch.
  • the dial 22 is associated with an analog clock display, including a conventional clock tower and hour hands 26, minutes 27 and seconds 28 having a common axis of rotation 29 at the center of the dial.
  • the watch also has a calendar display comprising a date disc 32, a small portion of which is visible in a window 33 of the dial, and a month indicator disc 34 which has an index 35 next to a scale of months 36
  • the two calendar indicators 32 and 34 rotate around needle axis 29, but a different arrangement is obviously possible.
  • the five indicators formed by the needles 26 to 28 and the disks 32 and 34 are driven individually, with appropriate reduction gears, by five electric stepper motors which are driven by the electronic circuits of the watch.
  • the date indicator disk 32 which is represented more particularly in FIG. figure 2 , is designed to be able to indicate in the window 33 not only the date, but also the phases of the moon. This is why the series of dates (bearing the reference 37) from 1 to 31 occupies only part of a circumference of the disc, while the rest of this circumference is occupied by a dark field 38 in the middle of which finds a circular image 39 of the moon, light in color.
  • the aperture 33 has an elongated shape whose two ends 40 and 41 are convex on the inside of the window, in order to impinge successively on the image 39 of the moon to represent its appearance in the sky on the present date.
  • the disk 32 is driven by its electric motor with a very high gear ratio, for example of the order of 1: 1000, which allows it to display a large number of different positions of the image 39 of the moon in the wicket 33, including a different position each day.
  • the dial 22 is divided into twelve equal sectors in which the Latin names of the constellations 44 of the western zodiac and the English names of the constellations 45 of the Chinese zodiac are respectively written, which are also the earthly twigs used to name the luni-solar Chinese calendar years: rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse horse), goat (goat), monkey (monkey), rooster (rooster), dog (dog) and pig (pig).
  • the rotating bezel 21 serves as a selector of the different modes of operation of the watch 20. It has astronomical functions already described in the patent application. EP 949 549 mentioned above, to which the reader may refer for further details with regard to the astronomical functions described below and the construction of the watch in connection with these functions. It will be noted here that the different positions of the telescope, to select the operating modes, can be detected and indicated to the electronic circuits of the watch by any known device, for example that of the watch described in the patent application EP 738 944 , which consists of magnets included in the bezel and Reed contacts placed inside the watch.
  • the dial also bears a set of four symbols 46 mutually offset by 90 ° and respectively representing the winter solstice, the spring equinox, the summer solstice and the autumn equinox.
  • the watch 20 has a normal operating mode and twelve particular operating modes, for which twelve corresponding symbols are distributed at equal intervals on the telescope 21. These symbols are that of the sun 50, the symbols 51 to 59 of the nine planets of the solar system , the symbol 60 of the moon and a symbol 61 of the Chinese New Year.
  • the telescope 21 may be in any position because the watch automatically returns to this normal mode after a predetermined time (for example 10 seconds) passed in another mode.
  • a predetermined time for example 10 seconds
  • the hands 26 to 28 then indicate the current time
  • the disc 32 indicates either the current date or the moon phase if the last mode selected was the Moon mode
  • the disc 34 indicates by its index 35 the month, or more precisely the date along the 36 month scale.
  • the display When one of the symbols 50 to 61 is brought in front of the index 62 placed at 12 o'clock on the dial, the display remains in normal mode. Only when a brief pressure is applied on the crown 23 does the mode corresponding to the symbol engage, for the aforementioned duration, then the watch returns to normal mode.
  • the figure 3 represents the type of display obtained in the Chinese New Year (party mode) mode, which is selected by placing the corresponding symbol 61 in front of the index finger 62 of the dial and which is triggered by a brief pressure (shown by the arrow P) on the crown 23.
  • the display then indicates the Gregorian date of the Chinese New Year of the current year in the following manner: the discs 32 and 34 respectively indicate the date 37 and the month in the Gregorian calendar, while the last two digits of the Gregorian year are indicated by the needles 26 and 27 in front of the numbers of the 25 hour turn, the needle 26 indicating the digit of the tens (in this case 0) and the needle 28 indicating the number of units (in this case 5).
  • the seconds hand 28 is positioned in relation to the sectors representing the terrestrial branches of the Chinese years, indicating the earthly twigs of the year following the New Year or, as shown by the figure 3 , by standing at the edge of the two sectors whose terrestrial branches correspond to the previous year and the following year.
  • the display represents a Chinese New Year on February 9, 2005, marking the entry into the Year of the Rooster.
  • a rotation of the ring 23 in its neutral position has the effect of incrementing the year if the crown is rotated in the direction of the arrow R, or to decrement it in the event of rotation in the opposite direction .
  • the user can thus display the Gregorian date of the Chinese New Year in a range of one hundred years, extending here from 1951 to 2050.
  • Indicator elements 26, 27, 28, 32 and 35 show that in 1985 the Chinese New Year fell on February 20th and represented the passage from the year of the Rat to the Year of the Beef.
  • the user can then choose another year, by turning the ring 23, or return to the current year by a new pressure P on the crown. If one does not act on the control members 21 and 23 for the predetermined duration mentioned above, the display returns to the normal mode.
  • the electronic circuits of the watch control the five display engines from five corresponding variables which are stored as a table in non-volatile memory. .
  • the row-by-line navigation in this table can be controlled simply by means of two switches actuated by rotation of the rod associated with the ring gear 23.
  • the mode of operation just described is not limited to the display of one or more dates of the Chinese New Year, since it can be used in the same way to display the Gregorian date of any event in the year, since the successive dates of this event can be stored beforehand or calculated by an algorithm in the electronic circuits of the watch.
  • the astronomical modes represented by the symbols 50 of the sun and 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 67, 58 and 59 of the planets other than the earth have the following effect: the seconds hand 28 moves to a position where it indicates on the dial the current position of the body selected in the zodiac.
  • the display is then as shown in figure 5 , the needles 26 to 28 continuing to indicate the current time.
  • the needle 28 could also indicate the position of the planet concerned at a past or future date, selected by rotation of the ring 30, as described in the application EP 949 549 .
  • the display In the terrestrial mode corresponding to the symbol 53, the display remains in normal mode with indication of the date in the aperture 33, that is to say that if the moon phase is displayed, as in the case of the figure 1 it is replaced by the indication of the current date.
  • the user can choose to permanently display either the date by selecting the Earth mode or the moon phase by selecting the Moon mode and letting the watch return to normal mode.
  • the display takes the configuration shown in FIG. figure 6 , where the seconds hand 28 indicates the direction of the moon with respect to the zodiac 44, while the date disc 32 indicates not the date, but the age of the moon, in other words the date in the lunar month. This indication is replaced by that of the moon phase when the watch automatically returns to normal mode.
  • the dial and the display members may be arranged to display, in the normal mode, the dates according to the Chinese calendar or another calendar, for example Hebrew or Muslim, at place of the Gregorian calendar.
  • an electronic watch 70 whose mechanical construction is similar to that of the watch 20 described above, except that the two display disks 32 and 34 of the latter are replaced by two adjacent concentric disks. 72 and 74 for displaying the dates and other two-digit numbers in a window 73, each of these disks having at least a series of numbers from 0 to 9.
  • the rotating bezel 21 has here than eight positions, corresponding to eight modes of operation that will be defined below.
  • the watch 70 is arranged to convert and display dates of the Gregorian calendar into Chinese luni-solar calendar dates and vice versa.
  • the manual control members 21 and 23 are arranged to allow the user to select the values comprising a date of a first of these calendars, then to display the values of the corresponding date in the other calendar.
  • the display members are obviously arranged to be able to display said values, in this case in a sequential manner as will be described below.
  • the rotating bezel 21 functioning as a mode selector comprises, for the selection or display of a Gregorian date, three positions represented by the symbols 75 to 77 entitled DAY (day), MONTH (month) and YEAR (year).
  • the telescope carries four symbols 78 to 81 characterized by a different graphic from the previous ones and entitled DAY, MONTH, YEAR and CYCLE.
  • the eighth position of the telescope 21. marked with a symbol 82 may correspond to any mode, for example an initialization mode of the watch, which need not be described here.
  • the display members comprise, in addition to the aforementioned discs 72 and 74, the hour hands 26, minutes 27 and seconds 28 as in the previous example.
  • the dial 22 carries two concentric circular scales to indicate the Chinese denomination of the years in each traditional sixty-year cycle of the Chinese calendar.
  • a first scale 84 is divided into ten equal sectors in which are inscribed the names of the ten celestial trunks, while the second scale 85 is divided into twelve equal sectors bearing the names of the twelve terrestrial branches.
  • the inner region of the dial still carries a symbol 86 representing the additional lunar month or month a (LEAP MONTH) of the Chinese calendar, and two symbols 87 and 88 representing the 20 th century and 21 th century the Gregorian calendar.
  • the watch 70 operates in the following manner.
  • the current date is March 10, 2005.
  • the display is in the normal mode represented at figure 7 , the watch automatically returning to this mode from any other mode if no manipulation of the control members 21 and 23 is made for a preprogrammed time, for example ten seconds.
  • the hands 26 to 28 indicate the current time in the usual way on the 25 hour turn, while the disks 72 and 74 indicate the current date 10 in the counter 73.
  • the user ensures that the corresponding symbol 75 is in front of the main index 62, then it briefly presses the crown 23.
  • the needles 26 to 28 are then superimposed opposite the index 62 and the symbol 75 to indicate the entry into the Gregorian date mode, the latter remaining displayed in the window 73. If the user wanted to choose another Gregorian date, for example that of Christmas, he would have to turn the crown 23 in one direction or the other to increment or decrement the date until 25 appears in the box 73
  • the Gregorian month is then selected by placing the corresponding symbol 76 in front of the index finger 62 and the crown 23 is pressed. The number of the present month, that is, 03, is then displayed in the window. 73, while the needles remain superimposed in front of the index 62.
  • the Gregorian date thus selected is stored in the watch and can be converted to the date of the Chinese calendar immediately or later, even if the watch has returned to normal mode in the meantime.
  • the bezel 21 is rotated to place the symbol 78 of the Chinese lunar calendar in front of the index finger 62 and the crown 23 is pressed.
  • the lunar date, counted from the day of the new moon which marks the beginning of the lunar month, is indicated in the aperture 73 by the disks 72 and 74, while the needles 26 to 28 remain superimposed in front of the index 62 and the symbol 78.
  • the symbol 79 of the lunar month is then placed in the number of the lunar month in the Chinese year is then displayed in the box 73.
  • the needle seconds 28 indicates this by placing itself on the corresponding symbol 86.
  • the bezel 21 is then rotated to bring the symbol 80 of the Chinese year in front of the index finger 62 and the crown 23 is pressed.
  • the display is presented then as shown in figure 9 .
  • the disks 72 and 74 indicate that this is the 22 th year of the current cycle of sixty years in the Chinese calendar, the hour 26 and minutes 27 point on the scales 84 and 85 the respective names of the celestial trunk and the terrestrial branch which compose the name of the concerned year. Meanwhile, the second hand 28 remains pointed in the direction of the index 62 and the symbol 80 of the year mode.
  • the user can display in the box 73 the number of the cycle of sixty years in the Chinese calendar, while the three needles remain superimposed opposite the index 62.
  • the watch 70 can similarly convert a selected date of the Chinese calendar to a Gregorian date, since the electronic circuits of the watch contain a table or an algorithm of correspondence between these dates over a large number of years, extending from the year 1900 to the year 2099 in the present example.
  • the Chinese date concerned is selected by placing the symbols 78, 79, 80 and 81 (if necessary) in front of the index 62 successively and actuating the ring 23 each time as described above.
  • the values of the corresponding Gregorian date are then displayed by successively bringing the symbols 75, 76 and 77 in front of the index 62.
  • the display of each value of the date in the Chinese calendar and in the Gregorian calendar is presented as described above.
  • a watch such as the watch 70 described above may be designed to convert dates between other calendars, for example between the Gregorian calendar and the Jewish luni-solar calendar, between the Muslim lunar calendar and the luni calendar. -solar Chinese, etc.
  • a watch By providing a greater number of positions of the rotating bezel 21 or a set of control members performing the same function, for example pushbuttons, it is conceivable to design a watch making conversions between more than two calendars, in the extent to which the electronic circuits contain appropriate correspondence tables or algorithms.

Abstract

The wristwatch has a rotating bezel (21) functioning like a mode selector, and an external crown (23) selecting different modes. The bezel has three symbols representing a day (75), a month (76) and a year (77) of a Gregorian calendar, and four symbols, different from the former symbols, representing a day (78), a month (79), a year (80) and a cycle (81) of a date of a Chinese lunisolar calendar. An analog display has hour, minute and seconds hands (26-28) indicating the current time, and two adjacent concentric discs (72, 74) displaying, in an aperture (73), the date.

Description

La présente invention concerne une pièce d'horlogerie électronique du genre indiqué en préambule de la revendication 1.The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece of the type indicated in the preamble of claim 1.

Une montre-bracelet astronomique présentant ces caractéristiques est décrite dans la demande de brevet EP 949 549 et peut afficher, au moyen des aiguilles des heures et des minutes, différentes indications astronomiques dans différents modes sélectionnés par l'utilisateur. En dehors du mode horaire, la fonction principale de chacun des autres modes est d'indiquer par une aiguille la direction d'un astre du système solaire par rapport au zodiaque, lequel est figuré sur le cadran. La montre peut aussi afficher des dates, notamment au moyen d'un affichage numérique, et fournir les indications astronomiques susmentionnées pour des dates passées ou futures.An astronomical wristwatch having these features is described in the patent application EP 949 549 and can display, using the hour and minute hands, different astronomical indications in different modes selected by the user. Outside the time mode, the main function of each of the other modes is to indicate by a needle the direction of a star of the solar system relative to the zodiac, which is shown on the dial. The watch may also display dates, including by means of a digital display, and provide the aforementioned astronomical indications for past or future dates.

D'autre part, on connaît des pièces d'horlogerie électroniques à affichage numérique à cellules électro-optiques qui sont capables d'afficher une grande variété de grandeurs astronomiques, ainsi que des dates. On trouve des descriptions de telles pièces dans les publications de brevets US 5 457 663 , US 6 580 663 et JP 56-074683 , par exemple. Toutefois, ces affichages sont nécessairement complexes et difficiles à lire, de sorte que la compréhension n'est pas toujours sûre.On the other hand, there are known electronic timepieces with digital display electro-optical cells that are able to display a wide variety of astronomical magnitudes, as well as dates. Descriptions of such parts can be found in patent publications US 5,457,663 , US 6,580,663 and JP 56-074683 , for example. However, these displays are necessarily complex and difficult to read, so that understanding is not always safe.

On connait également le document US 5764597 qui décrit une montre comprenant un convertisseur calendrier gregorien-calendrier chinois. L'affichage, dans ce cas, est numérique.We also know the document US 5764597 which describes a watch including a calendar converter Gregorian-Chinese calendar. The display, in this case, is digital.

Résumé de l'inventionSummary of the invention

L'invention concerne une pièce d'horlogerie comme défini dans la revendication 1.The invention relates to a timepiece as defined in claim 1.

Il peut s'agir par exemple de convertir et afficher en calendrier grégorien la date du Nouvel An chinois de l'année courante ou d'une année passée ou future.This may include converting and displaying in Gregorian calendar the Chinese New Year date of the current year or a past or future year.

Description sommaire des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront de la description suivante, qui présente deux formes de réalisation avantageuses à titre d'exemples non limitatifs en se référant aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en plan schématique d'une première forme de réalisation d'une montre-bracelet selon l'invention, dans un mode d'affichage horaire,
  • la figure 2 représente un disque de quantième et de lune de la montre,
  • la figure 3 représente la montre de la figure 1, affichant la date du Nouvel An chinois de l'année en cours,
  • la figure 4 représente la montre de la figure 1, affichant la date du Nouvel An chinois d'une année antérieure,
  • la figure 5 représente la montre de la figure 1 dans un mode d'affichage astronomique,
  • 1a figure 6 représente la montre de la figure 1 dans un mode d'affichage de lune,
  • la figure 7 est une vue en plan schématique d'une montre qui ne fait pas partie de la présente invention,
  • la figure 8 représente la montre de la figure 7, dans un mode d'affichage de l'année grégorienne, et
  • la figure 9 représente la montre de la figure 7, dans un mode d'affichage de l'année chinoise.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description, which presents two advantageous embodiments as non-limiting examples with reference to the appended drawings, in which:
  • the figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of a wristwatch according to the invention, in a time display mode,
  • the figure 2 represents a date and moon disc of the watch,
  • the figure 3 represents the watch of the figure 1 , displaying the Chinese New Year date of the current year,
  • the figure 4 represents the watch of the figure 1 , displaying the Chinese New Year date from a previous year,
  • the figure 5 represents the watch of the figure 1 in an astronomical display mode,
  • 1a figure 6 represents the watch of the figure 1 in a moon display mode,
  • the figure 7 is a schematic plan view of a watch that is not part of the present invention,
  • the figure 8 represents the watch of the figure 7 , in a display mode of the Gregorian year, and
  • the figure 9 represents the watch of the figure 7 , in a display mode of the Chinese year.

Description détaillée de deux formes de réalisation de l'inventionDetailed description of two embodiments of the invention

Dans la forme de réalisation illustrée par les figures 1 à 6, la montre 20 a une boîte constituée comme celle de la montre décrite dans la demande de brevet EP 949 549 , avec une lunette tournante 21 qui entoure la glace et le cadran 22, et une couronne extérieure 23 liée à une tige rotative de commande qui possède plusieurs positions axiales, dont l'une est une position poussée qui ferme un contact électrique, la tige et la couronne étant ensuite ramenées à une position neutre par un ressort. La lunette tournante 21 et la couronne 23 constituent les moyens manuels de commande de la montre.In the embodiment illustrated by the Figures 1 to 6 the watch 20 has a box constituted as that of the watch described in the patent application EP 949 549 , with a rotating bezel 21 surrounding the lens and the dial 22, and an outer ring 23 connected to a rotary control rod which has several axial positions, one of which is a pushed position which closes an electrical contact, the rod and the ring being then returned to a neutral position by a spring. The rotating bezel 21 and the ring 23 constitute the manual control means of the watch.

Le cadran 22 est associé à un affichage analogique de l'heure, comprenant un tour d'heures classique 25 et des aiguilles d'heures 26, de minutes 27 et de secondes 28 ayant un axe de rotation commun 29 au centre du cadran. La montre a un outre un affichage de calendrier comprenant un disque de quantième 32, dont une petite portion est visible dans un guichet 33 du cadran, et un disque indicateur de mois 34 qui présente un index 35 en regard d'une échelle des mois 36. Dans cet exemple, les deux indicateurs de calendrier 32 et 34 tournent autour de axe 29 des aiguilles, mais une disposition différente est évidemment possible. Les cinq indicateurs formés par les aiguilles 26 à 28 et les disques 32 et 34 sont entraînés individuellement, avec des engrenages démultiplicateurs appropriés, par cinq moteurs électriques pas à pas qui sont pilotés par les circuits électroniques de la montre.The dial 22 is associated with an analog clock display, including a conventional clock tower and hour hands 26, minutes 27 and seconds 28 having a common axis of rotation 29 at the center of the dial. The watch also has a calendar display comprising a date disc 32, a small portion of which is visible in a window 33 of the dial, and a month indicator disc 34 which has an index 35 next to a scale of months 36 In this example, the two calendar indicators 32 and 34 rotate around needle axis 29, but a different arrangement is obviously possible. The five indicators formed by the needles 26 to 28 and the disks 32 and 34 are driven individually, with appropriate reduction gears, by five electric stepper motors which are driven by the electronic circuits of the watch.

Le disque indicateur de quantième 32, qui est représenté plus particulièrement à la figure 2, est conçu de façon à pouvoir indiquer dans le guichet 33 non seulement le quantième, mais également les phases de la lune. C'est pourquoi la série des quantièmes (portant la référence 37) de 1 à 31 n'occupe qu'une partie d'une circonférence du disque, tandis que le reste de cette circonférence est occupé par un champ sombre 38 au milieu duquel se trouve une image circulaire 39 de la lune, de couleur claire. De manière connue dans ce type d'affichage des phases de la lune, le guichet 33 a une forme allongée dont les deux extrémités 40 et 41 sont convexes du côté de l'intérieur du guichet, afin d'empiéter successivement sur l'image 39 de la lune pour représenter son aspect dans le ciel à la date présente. Le disque 32 est entraîné par son moteur électrique avec un rapport de démultiplication très élevé, par exemple de l'ordre de 1:1000, ce qui lui permet d'afficher un nombre élevé de positions différentes de l'image 39 de la lune dans le guichet 33, notamment une position différente chaque jour.The date indicator disk 32, which is represented more particularly in FIG. figure 2 , is designed to be able to indicate in the window 33 not only the date, but also the phases of the moon. This is why the series of dates (bearing the reference 37) from 1 to 31 occupies only part of a circumference of the disc, while the rest of this circumference is occupied by a dark field 38 in the middle of which finds a circular image 39 of the moon, light in color. In a manner known in this type of display of the phases of the moon, the aperture 33 has an elongated shape whose two ends 40 and 41 are convex on the inside of the window, in order to impinge successively on the image 39 of the moon to represent its appearance in the sky on the present date. The disk 32 is driven by its electric motor with a very high gear ratio, for example of the order of 1: 1000, which allows it to display a large number of different positions of the image 39 of the moon in the wicket 33, including a different position each day.

A l'intérieur du tour d'heures 25, le cadran 22 est divisé en douze secteurs égaux dans lesquels sont inscrits respectivement les noms latins des constellations 44 du zodiaque occidental et les noms anglais des constellations 45 du zodiaque chinois, qui sont aussi les rameaux terrestres utilisés pour nommer les années du calendrier luni-solaire chinois : rat (rat), ox (boeuf), tiger (tigre), hare (lièvre), dragon (dragon), snake (serpent), horse (cheval), goat (chèvre), monkey (singe), rooster (coq), dog (chien) et pig (cochon).Inside the 25 hour turn, the dial 22 is divided into twelve equal sectors in which the Latin names of the constellations 44 of the western zodiac and the English names of the constellations 45 of the Chinese zodiac are respectively written, which are also the earthly twigs used to name the luni-solar Chinese calendar years: rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse horse), goat (goat), monkey (monkey), rooster (rooster), dog (dog) and pig (pig).

La lunette tournante 21 sert de sélecteur des différents modes de fonctionnement de la montre 20. Celle-ci est dotée de fonctions astronomiques déjà décrites dans la demande de brevet EP 949 549 mentionnée plus haut, à laquelle le lecteur pourra se référer pour plus de détails en ce qui concerne les fonctions astronomiques décrites ci-dessous et la construction de la montre en rapport avec ces fonctions. On se bomera ici à mentionner que les différentes positions de la lunette, pour sélectionner les modes de fonctionnement, peuvent d'être détectées et indiquées aux circuits électroniques de la montre par n'importe quel dispositif connu, par exemple celui de la montre décrite dans la demande de brevet EP 738 944 , qui est constitué par des aimants inclus dans la lunette et des contacts Reed placés à l'intérieur de la montre.The rotating bezel 21 serves as a selector of the different modes of operation of the watch 20. It has astronomical functions already described in the patent application. EP 949 549 mentioned above, to which the reader may refer for further details with regard to the astronomical functions described below and the construction of the watch in connection with these functions. It will be noted here that the different positions of the telescope, to select the operating modes, can be detected and indicated to the electronic circuits of the watch by any known device, for example that of the watch described in the patent application EP 738 944 , which consists of magnets included in the bezel and Reed contacts placed inside the watch.

Le cadran porte en outre un jeu de quatre symboles 46 décalés mutuellement de 90° et représentant respectivement le solstice d'hiver, l'équinoxe de printemps, le solstice d'été et l'équinoxe d'automne.The dial also bears a set of four symbols 46 mutually offset by 90 ° and respectively representing the winter solstice, the spring equinox, the summer solstice and the autumn equinox.

La montre 20 a un mode de fonctionnement normal et douze modes de fonctionnement particuliers, pour lesquels douze symboles correspondants sont répartis à intervalles égaux sur la lunette 21. Ces symboles sont celui du soleil 50, les symboles 51 à 59 des neuf planètes du système solaire, le symbole 60 de la lune et un symbole 61 du Nouvel An chinois.The watch 20 has a normal operating mode and twelve particular operating modes, for which twelve corresponding symbols are distributed at equal intervals on the telescope 21. These symbols are that of the sun 50, the symbols 51 to 59 of the nine planets of the solar system , the symbol 60 of the moon and a symbol 61 of the Chinese New Year.

Dans le mode normal, la lunette 21 peut être dans une position quelconque, car la montre se remet automatiquement dans ce mode normal après une durée prédéterminée (par exemple 10 secondes) passée dans un autre mode. Comme le montre la figure 1, les aiguilles 26 à 28 indiquent alors l'heure courante, le disque 32 indique soit le quantième actuel, soit la phase de lune si le dernier mode sélectionné était le mode Lune, et le disque 34 indique par son index 35 le mois, ou plus précisément la date le long de l'échelle des mois 36.In the normal mode, the telescope 21 may be in any position because the watch automatically returns to this normal mode after a predetermined time (for example 10 seconds) passed in another mode. As shown in figure 1 , the hands 26 to 28 then indicate the current time, the disc 32 indicates either the current date or the moon phase if the last mode selected was the Moon mode, and the disc 34 indicates by its index 35 the month, or more precisely the date along the 36 month scale.

Lorsqu'on amène l'un des symboles 50 à 61 en face de l'index 62 placé à 12 h sur le cadran, l'affichage reste en mode normal. C'est seulement lorsqu'on effectue une brève pression sur la couronne 23 que le mode correspondant au symbole s'enclenche, pour la durée susmentionnée, puis la montre revient au mode normal.When one of the symbols 50 to 61 is brought in front of the index 62 placed at 12 o'clock on the dial, the display remains in normal mode. Only when a brief pressure is applied on the crown 23 does the mode corresponding to the symbol engage, for the aforementioned duration, then the watch returns to normal mode.

La figure 3 représente le type d'affichage obtenu dans le mode de Nouvel An chinois (mode de fête), qui est sélectionné en plaçant le symbole correspondant 61 en face de l'index 62 du cadran et qui est enclenché par une brève pression (représentée par la flèche P) sur la couronne 23. L'affichage indique alors la date grégorienne du Nouvel An chinois de l'année courante de la manière suivante : les disques 32 et 34 indiquent respectivement le quantième 37 et le mois dans le calendrier grégorien, tandis que les deux derniers chiffres de l'année grégorienne sont indiqués par les aiguilles 26 et 27 en face des chiffres du tour d'heures 25, l'aiguille 26 indiquant le chiffre des dizaines (en l'occurrence 0) et l'aiguille 28 indiquant le chiffre des unités (en l'occurrence 5). Pour sa part, l'aiguille des secondes 28 se positionne par rapport aux secteurs représentant les rameaux terrestres des années chinoises, en indiquant le rameaux terrestre de l'année qui suit le Nouvel An ou, comme le montre la figure 3, en se plaçant à la limite des deux secteurs dont les rameaux terrestres correspondent à l'année précédente et l'année suivante. Dans le cas représenté à la figure 3, l'affichage représente un Nouvel An chinois à la date du 9 février 2005, marquant l'entrée dans l'année du Coq.The figure 3 represents the type of display obtained in the Chinese New Year (party mode) mode, which is selected by placing the corresponding symbol 61 in front of the index finger 62 of the dial and which is triggered by a brief pressure (shown by the arrow P) on the crown 23. The display then indicates the Gregorian date of the Chinese New Year of the current year in the following manner: the discs 32 and 34 respectively indicate the date 37 and the month in the Gregorian calendar, while the last two digits of the Gregorian year are indicated by the needles 26 and 27 in front of the numbers of the 25 hour turn, the needle 26 indicating the digit of the tens (in this case 0) and the needle 28 indicating the number of units (in this case 5). For its part, the seconds hand 28 is positioned in relation to the sectors representing the terrestrial branches of the Chinese years, indicating the earthly twigs of the year following the New Year or, as shown by the figure 3 , by standing at the edge of the two sectors whose terrestrial branches correspond to the previous year and the following year. In the case shown in figure 3 , the display represents a Chinese New Year on February 9, 2005, marking the entry into the Year of the Rooster.

Dans ce mode, une rotation de la couronne 23 dans sa position neutre a pour effet d'incrémenter l'année si l'on tourne la couronne dans le sens de la flèche R, ou de la décrémenter en cas de rotation dans le sens inverse. L'utilisateur peut ainsi faire afficher la date grégorienne du Nouvel An chinois dans une gamme de cent ans, s'étendant ici de 1951 à 2050. Par exemple dans la figure 4, les éléments indicateurs 26, 27, 28, 32 et 35 montrent qu'en 1985 le Nouvel An chinois tombait le 20 février et constituait le passage de l'année du Rat à l'année du Boeuf.In this mode, a rotation of the ring 23 in its neutral position has the effect of incrementing the year if the crown is rotated in the direction of the arrow R, or to decrement it in the event of rotation in the opposite direction . The user can thus display the Gregorian date of the Chinese New Year in a range of one hundred years, extending here from 1951 to 2050. For example in the figure 4 Indicator elements 26, 27, 28, 32 and 35 show that in 1985 the Chinese New Year fell on February 20th and represented the passage from the year of the Rat to the Year of the Beef.

L'utilisateur peut ensuite choisir une autre année, en faisant tourner la couronne 23, ou revenir à l'année courante par une nouvelle pression P sur la couronne. Si on n'agit pas sur les organes de commande 21 et 23 pendant la durée prédéterminée mentionnée plus haut, l'affichage revient au mode normal.The user can then choose another year, by turning the ring 23, or return to the current year by a new pressure P on the crown. If one does not act on the control members 21 and 23 for the predetermined duration mentioned above, the display returns to the normal mode.

Pour afficher la date du Nouvel An chinois comme on vient de le décrire, les circuits électroniques de la montre pilotent les cinq moteurs de l'affichage à partir de cinq variables correspondantes qui sont enregistrées sous la forme d'une table dans une mémoire non volatile. La navigation ligne par ligne dans cette table peut être commandée simplement à l'aide de deux interrupteurs actionnés par rotation de la tige associée à la couronne 23. Il s'agit de techniques bien connues des gens du métier et qui n'ont donc pas besoin d'être décrites en détail ici.To display the Chinese New Year date as just described, the electronic circuits of the watch control the five display engines from five corresponding variables which are stored as a table in non-volatile memory. . The row-by-line navigation in this table can be controlled simply by means of two switches actuated by rotation of the rod associated with the ring gear 23. These are techniques well known to those skilled in the art and therefore not need to be described in detail here.

On comprendra aisément que le mode de fonctionnement qui vient d'être décrit n'est pas limité à l'affichage d'une ou plusieurs dates du Nouvel An chinois, puisqu'il peut être utilisé de la même manière pour afficher la date grégorienne de n'importe quel événement dans l'année, dans la mesure où les dates successives de cet évènement peuvent être mémorisées au préalable ou calculées par un algorithme dans les circuits électroniques de la montre. On peut aussi prévoir qu'une même montre puisse afficher les dates de différents évènements mobiles, représentés par différents symboles sur la lunette 21 pour représenter différents modes correspondants à ces événements, le mot « évènement» pouvant signifier une fête ou toute date caractéristique d'un calendrier non grégorien, par exemple l'entrée dans un mois particulier tel que le mois de Ramadan.It will be readily understood that the mode of operation just described is not limited to the display of one or more dates of the Chinese New Year, since it can be used in the same way to display the Gregorian date of any event in the year, since the successive dates of this event can be stored beforehand or calculated by an algorithm in the electronic circuits of the watch. One can also predict that one and the same shows can display the dates of different mobile events, represented by different symbols on the telescope 21 to represent different modes corresponding to these events, the word "event" may mean a holiday or any date characteristic of a non-Gregorian calendar, for example the entry into a particular month such as the month of Ramadan.

Les modes astronomiques représentés par les symboles 50 du soleil et 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 67, 58 et 59 des planètes autres que la terre ont l'effet suivant : l'aiguille des secondes 28 se déplace jusqu'à une position où elle indique sur le cadran la position actuelle de l'astre sélectionné dans le zodiaque. L'affichage se présente alors comme le montre la figure 5, les aiguilles 26 à 28 continuant à indiquer l'heure courante. Dans une variante non prévue ici, l'aiguille 28 pourrait aussi indiquer la position de la planète concernée à une date passée ou future, sélectionnée par rotation de la couronne 30, comme cela est décrit dans la demande EP 949 549 .The astronomical modes represented by the symbols 50 of the sun and 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 67, 58 and 59 of the planets other than the earth have the following effect: the seconds hand 28 moves to a position where it indicates on the dial the current position of the body selected in the zodiac. The display is then as shown in figure 5 , the needles 26 to 28 continuing to indicate the current time. In a variant not provided here, the needle 28 could also indicate the position of the planet concerned at a past or future date, selected by rotation of the ring 30, as described in the application EP 949 549 .

Dans le mode Terre correspondant au symbole 53, l'affichage reste en mode normal avec indication du quantième dans le guichet 33, c'est-à-dire que si la phase de lune est affichée, comme dans le cas de la figure 1, elle est remplacée par l'indication du quantième actuel. Ainsi, l'utilisateur peut choisir d'afficher en permanence soit le quantième en sélectionnant le mode Terre, soit la phase de lune en sélectionnant le mode Lune et en laissant la montre revenir au mode normal.In the terrestrial mode corresponding to the symbol 53, the display remains in normal mode with indication of the date in the aperture 33, that is to say that if the moon phase is displayed, as in the case of the figure 1 it is replaced by the indication of the current date. Thus, the user can choose to permanently display either the date by selecting the Earth mode or the moon phase by selecting the Moon mode and letting the watch return to normal mode.

Dans le mode Lune représenté par le symbole 60, l'affichage prend la configuration représentée à la figure 6, où l'aiguille des secondes 28 indique la direction de la lune par rapport au zodiaque 44, tandis que le disque de quantième 32 indique non pas la date, mais l'âge de la lune, autrement dit le quantième dans le mois lunaire. Cette indication est remplacée par celle de la phase de lune lorsque la montre revient automatiquement au mode normal.In the Moon mode represented by the symbol 60, the display takes the configuration shown in FIG. figure 6 , where the seconds hand 28 indicates the direction of the moon with respect to the zodiac 44, while the date disc 32 indicates not the date, but the age of the moon, in other words the date in the lunar month. This indication is replaced by that of the moon phase when the watch automatically returns to normal mode.

Dans une variante de la forme de réalisation décrite ci-dessus, le cadran et les organes d'affichage peuvent être agencés pour afficher, dans le mode normal, les dates selon le calendrier chinois ou un autre calendrier, par exemple hébraïque ou musulman, au lieu du calendrier grégorien.In a variant of the embodiment described above, the dial and the display members may be arranged to display, in the normal mode, the dates according to the Chinese calendar or another calendar, for example Hebrew or Muslim, at place of the Gregorian calendar.

Dans un exemple ne faisant pas partie de l'invention et illustré par les figures 7 à 9, il s'agit d'une montre électronique 70, dont la construction mécanique est similaire à celle de la montre 20 décrite ci-dessus, sauf que les deux disques d'affichage 32 et 34 de cette dernière sont remplacés par deux disques concentriques adjacents 72 et 74 destinés à afficher les quantièmes et d'autres nombres à deux chiffres dans un guichet 73, chacun de ces disques portant au moins une série de chiffres de 0 à 9. Une autre différence est que la lunette tournante 21 n'a ici que huit positions, correspondant à huit modes de fonctionnement qu'on définira ci-dessous.In an example not forming part of the invention and illustrated by the Figures 7 to 9 it is an electronic watch 70, whose mechanical construction is similar to that of the watch 20 described above, except that the two display disks 32 and 34 of the latter are replaced by two adjacent concentric disks. 72 and 74 for displaying the dates and other two-digit numbers in a window 73, each of these disks having at least a series of numbers from 0 to 9. Another difference is that the rotating bezel 21 has here than eight positions, corresponding to eight modes of operation that will be defined below.

La montre 70 est agencée pour convertir et afficher des dates du calendrier grégorien en dates du calendrier luni-solaire chinois et vice versa. En conséquence les organes manuels de commande 21 et 23 sont agencés pour permettre à l'utilisateur de sélectionner les valeurs composant une date d'un premier de ces calendriers, puis de faire afficher les valeurs de la date correspondante dans l'autre calendrier. De leur côté, les organes d'affichage sont évidemment agencés pour pouvoir afficher lesdites valeurs, en l'occurrence d'une manière séquentielle comme on le décrira ci-dessous.The watch 70 is arranged to convert and display dates of the Gregorian calendar into Chinese luni-solar calendar dates and vice versa. As a result, the manual control members 21 and 23 are arranged to allow the user to select the values comprising a date of a first of these calendars, then to display the values of the corresponding date in the other calendar. On their side, the display members are obviously arranged to be able to display said values, in this case in a sequential manner as will be described below.

La lunette tournante 21 fonctionnant comme sélecteur de mode comporte, pour la sélection ou l'affichage d'une date grégorienne, trois positions représentées par les symboles 75 à 77 intitulés DAY (jour), MONTH (mois) et YEAR (année). De même, pour sélectionner ou afficher une date du calendrier chinois, la lunette porte quatre symboles 78 à 81 caractérisés par un graphisme différent des précédents et intitulé DAY, MONTH, YEAR et CYCLE. La huitième position de la lunette 21. marquée par un symbole 82, peut correspondre à un mode quelconque, par exemple un mode d'initialisation de la montre, qui n'a pas besoin d'être décrit ici.The rotating bezel 21 functioning as a mode selector comprises, for the selection or display of a Gregorian date, three positions represented by the symbols 75 to 77 entitled DAY (day), MONTH (month) and YEAR (year). Similarly, to select or display a date in the Chinese calendar, the telescope carries four symbols 78 to 81 characterized by a different graphic from the previous ones and entitled DAY, MONTH, YEAR and CYCLE. The eighth position of the telescope 21. marked with a symbol 82, may correspond to any mode, for example an initialization mode of the watch, which need not be described here.

Les organes d'affichage comprennent, outre les disques susmentionnés 72 et 74, les aiguilles des heures 26, des minutes 27 et des secondes 28 comme dans l'exemple précédent. A l'intérieur du tour d'heures 25, le cadran 22 porte deux échelles circulaires concentriques servant à indiquer la dénomination chinoise des années dans chaque cycle traditionnel de soixante ans du calendrier chinois. Une première échelle 84 est divisée en dix secteurs égaux dans lesquels sont inscrits les noms des dix troncs célestes, tandis que la seconde échelle 85 est divisée en douze secteurs égaux portant les noms des douze rameaux terrestres. La région intérieure du cadran porte encore un symbole 86 représentant le mois lunaire supplémentaire ou mois bis (LEAP MONTH) du calendrier chinois, et deux symboles 87 et 88 représentant le 20ème siècle et le 21ème siècle du calendrier grégorien.The display members comprise, in addition to the aforementioned discs 72 and 74, the hour hands 26, minutes 27 and seconds 28 as in the previous example. Inside the 25-hour turn, the dial 22 carries two concentric circular scales to indicate the Chinese denomination of the years in each traditional sixty-year cycle of the Chinese calendar. A first scale 84 is divided into ten equal sectors in which are inscribed the names of the ten celestial trunks, while the second scale 85 is divided into twelve equal sectors bearing the names of the twelve terrestrial branches. The inner region of the dial still carries a symbol 86 representing the additional lunar month or month a (LEAP MONTH) of the Chinese calendar, and two symbols 87 and 88 representing the 20 th century and 21 th century the Gregorian calendar.

Pour convertir une date grégorienne en date correspondante du calendrier luni-solaire chinois, la montre 70 opère de la manière suivante. Supposons que la date présente soit le 10 mars 2005. Initialement, l'affichage se trouve dans le mode normal représenté à la figure 7, la montre revenant automatiquement à ce mode à partir de n'importe quel autre mode si aucune manipulation des organes de commande 21 et 23 n'est faite pendant une durée préprogrammée, par exemple dix secondes. Les aiguilles 26 à 28 indiquent l'heure courante de la manière habituelle sur le tour d'heures 25, tandis que les disques 72 et 74 indiquent le quantième actuel 10 dans guichet 73. Pour sélectionner le quantième grégorien, l'utilisateur s'assure que le symbole correspondant 75 se trouve bien en face de l'index principal 62, puis il presse brièvement la couronne 23. Les aiguilles 26 à 28 se superposent alors en face de l'index 62 et du symbole 75 pour indiquer l'entrée dans le mode de quantième grégorien, ce dernier restant affiché dans le guichet 73. Si l'utilisateur voulait choisir une autre date grégorienne, par exemple celle de Noël, il devrait faire, tourner la couronne 23 dans un sens ou dans l'autre pour incrémenter ou décrémenter le quantième jusqu'à ce que 25 apparaisse dans le guichet 73. On sélectionne ensuite le mois grégorien en plaçant le symbole correspondant 76 en face de l'index 62 et l'on presse la couronne 23. Le numéro du mois présent, c'est-à-dire 03, est alors affiché dans le guichet 73, tandis que les aiguilles restent superposées en face de l'index 62. Si l'on voulait sélectionner la date de Noël, il suffirait de faire tourner la couronne 23 jusqu'à ce que le nombre 12 correspondant à décembre apparaisse dans le guichet 73. Enfin, pour sélectionner l'année grégorienne, on place le symbole correspondant 77 en face de l'index 62 et l'on presse à nouveau la couronne 23. L'affichage se présente alors comme le montre la figure 8 : les disques 72 et 74 affichent 05 dans le guichet 73, c'est-à-dire les chiffres des dizaines et des unités du numéro de l'année, tandis que l'aiguille des secondes 28 se place sur le symbole 88 pour indiquer le siècle. Là aussi, on pourrait choisir une autre année en faisant tourner la couronne 23.To convert a Gregorian date to a corresponding date in the Chinese luni-solar calendar, the watch 70 operates in the following manner. Suppose the current date is March 10, 2005. Initially, the display is in the normal mode represented at figure 7 , the watch automatically returning to this mode from any other mode if no manipulation of the control members 21 and 23 is made for a preprogrammed time, for example ten seconds. The hands 26 to 28 indicate the current time in the usual way on the 25 hour turn, while the disks 72 and 74 indicate the current date 10 in the counter 73. To select the Gregorian date, the user ensures that the corresponding symbol 75 is in front of the main index 62, then it briefly presses the crown 23. The needles 26 to 28 are then superimposed opposite the index 62 and the symbol 75 to indicate the entry into the Gregorian date mode, the latter remaining displayed in the window 73. If the user wanted to choose another Gregorian date, for example that of Christmas, he would have to turn the crown 23 in one direction or the other to increment or decrement the date until 25 appears in the box 73 The Gregorian month is then selected by placing the corresponding symbol 76 in front of the index finger 62 and the crown 23 is pressed. The number of the present month, that is, 03, is then displayed in the window. 73, while the needles remain superimposed in front of the index 62. If one wanted to select the date of Christmas, it would be sufficient to turn the crown 23 until the number 12 corresponding to December appears in the box office 73. Finally, to select the In the Gregorian period, the corresponding symbol 77 is placed in front of the index finger 62 and the crown 23 is pressed again. The display then appears as shown in FIG. figure 8 : the discs 72 and 74 display 05 in the counter 73, that is to say the digits of the tens and units of the number of the year, while the seconds hand 28 is placed on the symbol 88 to indicate the century. Again, we could choose another year by turning the crown 23.

La date grégorienne ainsi sélectionnée est mémorisée dans la montre et pourra être convertie en date du calendrier chinois immédiatement ou plus tard, même si la montre est revenue au mode normal entre-temps. A cet effet, on fait tourner la lunette 21 pour placer le symbole 78 du quantième lunaire chinois en face de l'index 62 et l'on presse la couronne 23. Le quantième lunaire, compté à partir du jour de la nouvelle lune qui marque le début du mois lunaire, est indiqué dans le guichet 73 par les disques 72 et 74, tandis que les aiguilles 26 à 28 restent superposées en face de l'index 62 et du symbole 78. On place ensuite le symbole 79 du mois lunaire en face de l'index 62 et l'on presse à nouveau la couronne 23. Le numéro du mois lunaire dans l'année chinoise est alors affiché dans le guichet 73. S'il s'agit d'un mois normal, les trois aiguilles 26 à 28 restent en face de l'index 62. Par contre, s'il s'agit d'un mois supplémentaire (mois bis), dont on rappelle qu'il porte le même numéro que le mois lunaire précédent, l'aiguille des secondes 28 l'indique en se plaçant sur le symbole correspondant 86.The Gregorian date thus selected is stored in the watch and can be converted to the date of the Chinese calendar immediately or later, even if the watch has returned to normal mode in the meantime. For this purpose, the bezel 21 is rotated to place the symbol 78 of the Chinese lunar calendar in front of the index finger 62 and the crown 23 is pressed. The lunar date, counted from the day of the new moon which marks the beginning of the lunar month, is indicated in the aperture 73 by the disks 72 and 74, while the needles 26 to 28 remain superimposed in front of the index 62 and the symbol 78. The symbol 79 of the lunar month is then placed in the number of the lunar month in the Chinese year is then displayed in the box 73. If it is a normal month, the three needles 26 to 28 remain in front of the index 62. On the other hand, if it is an additional month (month bis), which is recalled that it bears the same number as the previous lunar month, the needle seconds 28 indicates this by placing itself on the corresponding symbol 86.

On fait ensuite tourner la lunette 21 pour amener le symbole 80 de l'année chinoise en face de l'index 62 et l'on presse la couronne 23. Pour la date grégorienne du 10 mars 2005, par exemple, l'affichage se présente alors comme le montre la figure 9. Dans le guichet 73, les disques 72 et 74 indiquent qu'il s'agit de la 22ème année du cycle actuel de soixante ans du calendrier chinois, les aiguilles des heures 26 et des minutes 27 pointent sur les échelles 84 et 85 les noms respectifs du tronc céleste et du rameau terrestre qui composent le nom de l'année concernée. Pendant ce temps, l'aiguille des secondes 28 reste pointée en direction de l'index 62 et du symbole 80 du mode année. Si l'utilisateur le désire, en faisant tourner la lunette 21 pour amener le symbole de cycle 81 en face de l'index 62 et en pressant la couronne 23, il peut faire afficher dans le guichet 73 le numéro du cycle de soixante ans dans le calendrier chinois, tandis que les trois aiguilles restent superposées en face de l'index 62.The bezel 21 is then rotated to bring the symbol 80 of the Chinese year in front of the index finger 62 and the crown 23 is pressed. For the Gregorian date of March 10, 2005, for example, the display is presented then as shown in figure 9 . In the window 73, the disks 72 and 74 indicate that this is the 22 th year of the current cycle of sixty years in the Chinese calendar, the hour 26 and minutes 27 point on the scales 84 and 85 the respective names of the celestial trunk and the terrestrial branch which compose the name of the concerned year. Meanwhile, the second hand 28 remains pointed in the direction of the index 62 and the symbol 80 of the year mode. If the user wishes, by turning the telescope 21 to bring the cycle symbol 81 in front of the index 62 and pressing the crown 23, it can display in the box 73 the number of the cycle of sixty years in the Chinese calendar, while the three needles remain superimposed opposite the index 62.

Inversement, la montre 70 peut convertir de la même façon une date sélectionnée du calendrier chinois en une date grégorienne, étant donné que les circuits électroniques de la montre contiennent une table ou un algorithme de correspondance entre ces dates sur un grand nombre d'années, s'étendant de l'année 1900 à l'année 2099 dans le présent exemple. On sélectionne la date chinoise concernée en plaçant en face de l'index 62 successivement les symboles 78, 79, 80 et 81 (s'il le faut) et en actionnant la couronne 23 à chaque fois comme on l'a décrit plus haut. On affiche ensuite les valeurs de la date grégorienne correspondante en amenant successivement les symboles 75, 76 et 77 en face de l'index 62. L'affichage de chaque valeur de la date dans le calendrier chinois et dans le calendrier grégorien se présente comme on l'a décrit plus haut.Conversely, the watch 70 can similarly convert a selected date of the Chinese calendar to a Gregorian date, since the electronic circuits of the watch contain a table or an algorithm of correspondence between these dates over a large number of years, extending from the year 1900 to the year 2099 in the present example. The Chinese date concerned is selected by placing the symbols 78, 79, 80 and 81 (if necessary) in front of the index 62 successively and actuating the ring 23 each time as described above. The values of the corresponding Gregorian date are then displayed by successively bringing the symbols 75, 76 and 77 in front of the index 62. The display of each value of the date in the Chinese calendar and in the Gregorian calendar is presented as described above.

Bien entendu, une montre telle que la montre 70 décrite ci-dessus peut être conçue pour convertir des dates entre d'autres calendriers, par exemple entre le calendrier grégorien et le calendrier luni-solaire juif, entre le calendrier lunaire musulman et le calendrier luni-solaire chinois, etc. En prévoyant un plus grand nombre de positions de la lunette tournante 21 ou d'un ensemble d'organes de commande remplissant la même fonction, par exemple des boutons-poussoirs, on peut concevoir une montre effectuant des conversions entre plus de deux calendriers, dans la mesure où les circuits électroniques contiennent des tables de correspondance ou algorithmes appropriés.Of course, a watch such as the watch 70 described above may be designed to convert dates between other calendars, for example between the Gregorian calendar and the Jewish luni-solar calendar, between the Muslim lunar calendar and the luni calendar. -solar Chinese, etc. By providing a greater number of positions of the rotating bezel 21 or a set of control members performing the same function, for example pushbuttons, it is conceivable to design a watch making conversions between more than two calendars, in the extent to which the electronic circuits contain appropriate correspondence tables or algorithms.

Un homme du métier comprendra aisément que la présente invention peut être mise en oeuvre dans des pièces d'horlogerie électroniques différentes de celles décrites ci-dessus, notamment dans des horloges, des pendulettes ou des montres de poche. D'autre part, il pourra imaginer des variantes ayant des organes d'affichage différents de ceux que montrent les dessins, par exemple un affichage numérique de certains éléments des dates, comme représenté dans la figure 3 de la demande de brevet EP 949 549 . Les organes de commande pourront aussi se présenter sous d'autres formes. En particulier, la sélection des différents modes pourra se faire au moyen de boutons-poussoirs sur la boîte ou de touches capacitives transparentes sur la glace.Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the present invention can be implemented in electronic timepieces different from those described above, especially in clocks, clocks or pocket watches. On the other hand, it will be able to imagine variants having display elements different from those shown in the drawings, for example a digital display of certain elements of the dates, as represented in FIG. figure 3 of the patent application EP 949 549 . The control organs may also be in other forms. In particular, the selection of the different modes can be done at means of pushbuttons on the box or transparent capacitive keys on the ice.

Claims (9)

  1. Electronic timepiece comprising manual control means (21, 23) for the selection of different operating modes and an analog display provided with indicators (26, 27, 28, 32, 34) moved separately by electric motors to indicate the time on a dial (22) in a time operating mode and other information in one or more other operating modes, said indicators comprising at least an hour hand (26) and a minute hand (27), characterised
    in that said indicators (26, 27, 28, 32, 34) comprise a day indicator (32) and a month indicator (34), and in that at least one of the modes to be selected is a festival mode, in which a preset date, corresponding to a festival of a first calendar different from the Gregorian calendar, is converted into a corresponding date of the Gregorian calendar, said corresponding date being delivered by electronic circuits of the timepiece and being displayed at least by the day indicator (32) and month indicator (34), said timepiece also having means for the display of the number of the Gregorian year.
  2. Timepiece according to Claim 1, characterised in that the electronic circuits comprise a non-volatile memory, in which at least one table of Gregorian dates of said festival is recorded for a series of years.
  3. Timepiece according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that, in the festival mode, the hour (26) and minute (27) hands respectively indicate the tens and units digits of the number of the Gregorian year.
  4. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the manual control means have a mode selector (21) and a year selector (23) arranged to increment or decrement the number of the year in the festival mode.
  5. Timepiece according to Claim 4, characterised in that the year selector is formed by an external crown (23) of a rotary pin with several axial positions, one of which allowing to increment or to decrement said number, according to the direction of rotation of the crown.
  6. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said first calendar is a lunar or lunisolar calendar.
  7. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said festival is the new year of the Chinese lunisolar calendar.
  8. Timepiece according to Claim 6, characterised in that said indicators comprise a second hand (28) and a representation (44) of the Chinese zodiac on the dial, and in that in the festival mode, the second hand indicates the sign of the Chinese zodiac corresponding to the selected year.
  9. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the dial (22) comprises a day window (33), of which two opposite edges (40, 41) are convex towards the interior of the window, and that the day indicator comprises a rotary disc (32) provided with a series of numbers (37) distributed around a section of a circumference to appear individually in said window (33), another part of said circumference being provided with an image of the moon (39), which can occupy various positions in said window to display the phases of the moon in at least one of the modes.
EP05006853A 2005-03-30 2005-03-30 Analogue display timepiece capable of converting dates of a calendar into another calendar Active EP1708054B1 (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE602005014736T DE602005014736D1 (en) 2005-03-30 2005-03-30 Analog display clock capable of converting a date from one calendar to another calendar
AT05006853T ATE433141T1 (en) 2005-03-30 2005-03-30 ANALOG DISPLAY CLOCK CAPABILITY OF CONVERTING A DATE FROM ONE CALENDAR TO ANOTHER CALENDAR
EP05006853A EP1708054B1 (en) 2005-03-30 2005-03-30 Analogue display timepiece capable of converting dates of a calendar into another calendar
SG200601704A SG126078A1 (en) 2005-03-30 2006-03-15 Timepiece with analog display capable of indicating a date of one calendar in another calendar
TW095109017A TWI407273B (en) 2005-03-30 2006-03-16 Electronic timepiece
US11/277,630 US7433269B2 (en) 2005-03-30 2006-03-28 Timepiece with analog display capable of indicating a date of one calendar in another calendar
KR1020060028882A KR20060105572A (en) 2005-03-30 2006-03-30 Timepiece with analog display capable of indicating a date of one calendar in another calendar
JP2006093873A JP2006284579A (en) 2005-03-30 2006-03-30 Clock with analog display for indicating date of one calendar on another calendar
CNB2006100669711A CN100527020C (en) 2005-03-30 2006-03-30 Timepiece with analog display capable of indicating a date of one calendar in another calendar
HK06112399.6A HK1091909A1 (en) 2005-03-30 2006-11-10 Timepiece with analog display capable of indicating a date of one calendar in another calendar

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05006853A EP1708054B1 (en) 2005-03-30 2005-03-30 Analogue display timepiece capable of converting dates of a calendar into another calendar

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1708054A1 EP1708054A1 (en) 2006-10-04
EP1708054B1 true EP1708054B1 (en) 2009-06-03

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EP05006853A Active EP1708054B1 (en) 2005-03-30 2005-03-30 Analogue display timepiece capable of converting dates of a calendar into another calendar

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US (1) US7433269B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1708054B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2006284579A (en)
KR (1) KR20060105572A (en)
CN (1) CN100527020C (en)
AT (1) ATE433141T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602005014736D1 (en)
HK (1) HK1091909A1 (en)
SG (1) SG126078A1 (en)
TW (1) TWI407273B (en)

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KR20060105572A (en) 2006-10-11
ATE433141T1 (en) 2009-06-15
CN100527020C (en) 2009-08-12
EP1708054A1 (en) 2006-10-04
HK1091909A1 (en) 2007-01-26
SG126078A1 (en) 2006-10-30
US7433269B2 (en) 2008-10-07
TW200700943A (en) 2007-01-01
US20060221772A1 (en) 2006-10-05
DE602005014736D1 (en) 2009-07-16
CN1841243A (en) 2006-10-04
TWI407273B (en) 2013-09-01
JP2006284579A (en) 2006-10-19

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