EP1807738A2

EP1807738A2 - Electronic timepiece of the type that is a multifunctional, navigational aid watch, which is particularly suitable for space missions

Info

Publication number: EP1807738A2
Application number: EP05797599A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-François CLERVOY
Original assignee: Agence Spatiale Europeenne
Current assignee: Agence Spatiale Europeenne
Priority date: 2004-09-08
Filing date: 2005-08-18
Publication date: 2007-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-18
Also published as: CN101040228B; EP1807738B1; US7688682B2; FR2875021A1; JP4871277B2; JP2008512648A; WO2006027517A2; US20080130418A1; FR2875021B1; ATE521921T1; RU2339987C1; WO2006027517A3; HK1108295A1; CN101040228A

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic watch, notably for a space mission. It enables the setting, at any point in time, of a first date, start of the mission (t0) with relation to a local time scale (T1) or the Universal Time (GMT), and the determination of a first corresponding time scale (MET). It enables the setting, at any point in time, of a second date, start (t′0) of one of the mission's phases with relation to the first time scale (MET) or to the Universal Time (GMT), and the determination of a second corresponding time scale (PET). It comprises means of setting, recording, calculating and analogue and digital viewing. The digital viewing means displays a negative time value (−) when the start date is located in the future and a positive time value (+) when this date has elapsed. It comprises five audio alarms, a chronometer and a “Timer”.

Description

ELECTRONIC WATCH-WATCH PIECE OF THE WATCH MULTIFUNCTION WATCHING TYPE, PARTICULARLY FOR A

SPACE MISSION

The invention relates to an electronic timepiece of the multifunction navigation watch type, specifically a watch with multiple displays and alarms.

To simplify the description, this timepiece will be called simply "watch" below.

In the context of the invention, the term "navigation" must be understood in its general sense: aerial flight, land or sea travel, speleological missions, etc.

It finds a particular, though not exhaustive, application in the field of long-duration space missions.

To fix the ideas, it will be placed in what follows in the case of the preferred application of the invention, namely a space mission whose duration is expressed in days or months.

In the context of the applications recalled above, and more particularly for the aforementioned space missions, it is well known that a certain number of needs are felt.

In the first place, the moment of departure must be precisely dated. It follows that the events characteristics of the mission require a reference to the time either "internal", that is to say relative to the beginning of the mission, or "external", as the "Universal Time" (time of the meridian of Greenwich, called "GMT" for "Greenwich Meridian Time"), also called "ZuIu Time" in some Anglo-Saxon publications.

A certain number of temporal information and / or timestamps must also be available, displayable and produce selective, audible and / or visual alarms. Several time scales must also be available to accommodate various situations, including variable mission durations and / or particular phases of these missions.

Naturally, in addition to the aforementioned "Universal Time", the watch must be able to display the time of the local time zone, one or more hours in other time zones. It must be equipped with common functions such as "stopwatch", date display (day, month, year), etc.

Also, it has been proposed in the known art multifunctional watches being "universal", especially in the context of the applications particularly targeted by the invention, that is to say, navigation aid.

By way of non-exhaustive example, mention may be made of US Pat. No. 6,144,619 (John P. Reisman), entitled "FLIGHT WATCH WITH MULTIPLE TIMERS AND ALARM INDICATING MEANS" (for "Flight watch with multiple displays and alarms" ).

This patent, as the title suggests, concerns an electronic watch with several functions assisting an airplane pilot in his flight plan. It makes it possible to meet the specific needs of this type of application, automatically and ergonomically, freeing the driver from repetitive tasks and allowing him to focus all his attention on the critical events specific to the flight without being distracted by ancillary tasks. The watch object of this patent allows to display the local time, the time "GMT" (or "ZuIu Time"), and forty two time zones. It has several time counters, with six different scales, a chronometer function, up / down counters. It includes analog and digital display devices and various alarms

(audio, visual and tactile types). These various functions can be preprogrammed using easily accessible control buttons. One might think that this watch or similar watches, because of the large number of functions with which they are equipped and their flexibility of use fully meet the needs that arise in the context of the applications covered by the invention. This, however, is not the case, in particular, but not exhaustively, in the case of space missions. Indeed, specific needs for these applications remain unresolved.

It must be possible to set a zero time of an account ahead or a countdown by a specific date. The watch must then be able to automatically calculate the elapsed time from or remaining to a specific event. The elapsed time (in days, hours, minutes, seconds) from an event whose date is known must not require the user of the watch to be alerted to watch the starting point at which to start his stopwatch.

Similarly, the time remaining until an event whose date is known must not require a mental calculation on the part of the operator to determine the duration he must adjust on his time counter, the time separating the moment where it will start the countdown and the time of occurrence of the scheduled event.

This point is very important in the case of a space mission whose activities are planned either according to the time elapsed since the moment of take-off, known under the abbreviation of "MET" (for "Mission Elapsed Time" or "Elapsed Mission Time"), or according to Universal Time ("GMT"). These abbreviations, "GMT" and "MET", will be used hereinafter for the purpose of simplifying the description. "MET" is therefore comparable to an elaborate "chronograph" function.The origin of the time is defined in the watch by the take-off date and not by a pressure on a predetermined button of the watch at the precise moment of take-off. It should be possible to enter this date, ie "entry" into the watch both before and after take-off, some of these space activities must be dated with a high accuracy in relation to the "MET" or relative to "GMT" and in turn require setting a countdown until a certain time interval has elapsed since an event characteristic of this activity. For example, the output in the space vacuum is a typical example. The communication constraints impose a precise moment of opening of the airlock door and autonomy constraints impose a maximum working time outside the vessel. The astronaut must therefore always know the time remaining to prepare until the effective opening of the door and the time elapsed since the start of its release.

Other events generating the same need are the ignition of the orbiting engines of a spacecraft, the docking with another spacecraft, the dropping of a satellite from the hold of this vessel, etc.

If the operator has missed the start of his stopwatch at the moment of occurrence of an interesting event but knows the date, he must be able to enter this date in his watch, which will compensate for the delay of the operator and will display the exact elapsed time.

Finally, it must be possible to determine an elapsed time interval, which will be arbitrarily referred to hereinafter as "positive time", or remaining until a specific event, which will be arbitrarily referred to hereinafter as "time negative", the the

event whose date of occurrence must be adjustable by the operator.

In the context of a preferred application of invention, this time interval corresponds to a phase of the space mission, which may comprise several. Also, this time interval will hereinafter be referred to as "PET" (for "Phase Elapsed Time" or "Phase Elapsed Time").

The time scale shall be adjustable by the operator in an appropriate time scale selected, relative to "(MT" or "MET".

The invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the devices of the prior art, to meet the needs that are felt in the field of targeted applications, some of which have just been recalled. The object of the invention is to provide a multifunction watch for navigation assistance, in particular for a space mission.

To do this, according to a first important characteristic, the watch according to the invention comprises first means for defining a time origin of a first predetermined event, by entering into the watch a date origin of this event , and means for determining, recording and displaying the time elapsed from this event with respect to predetermined time scales. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this date can be entered at any time, that is to say more precisely before or after the occurrence of the event, a function that has been called "MEV" above. ¹ .

According to a second important characteristic, the watch according to the invention comprises means for determining, recording and displaying a time interval remaining until a second predetermined event, that is to say the beginning of a phase of the mission ("PET"), a so-called "negative" time, or an interval of time elapsed since this event, which will be called "positive", a predetermined event whose date is the the the

adjustable by the operator in the selected time scale with respect to a predefined time origin, either with respect to "GMT" or with respect to "MET" above.

The watch according to the invention naturally includes means for entering, recording and displaying the "GMT" time.

In a preferred embodiment, it also comprises means for capturing, recording and displaying a plurality of hourly beams. In a still preferred embodiment, the watch according to the invention comprises several "countdown time counter" timers, advantageously five, so as to have several alarms. Advantageously, each of the alarms is associated with a separate audio signal, for example a ring tone or a predefined "beep" sequence.

In a still more preferred embodiment, the watch according to the invention comprises a dual display: a first display of analog type and a second display of digital type. The main purpose of the invention is therefore an electronic timepiece of the watch type for navigation assistance, in particular for a space mission, said navigation being associated with a time origin of a first predetermined event, comprising means inputting and inputting date and / or time data, storing means for storing said entered data, calculating means and clock signal generating means, at least one digital display means for displaying said entered data and / or data generated from these data under the control of said calculating and generating means of said clock signals, characterized in that said data input and input means and said data acquisition means storage are arranged for entry and storage of a first date origin linked to the so-called Universal Time determined by the meridian of Greenwich and the generation of a the

first time scale originating from said first date, in that said data entry and input means and said storage means are arranged for input and storage, at any time, of a second date origin corresponding to said first predetermined event, said mission start, and generating a second time scale, said second time scale being determined at least from said first time scale, and in that said means of digital displays display a so-called negative time value when said first origin date is to come and a so-called positive time value when this date is exceeded.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a timing diagram schematically illustrating the mode of operation of a watch according to the invention and the interdependence of the main time scales ; 2 schematically illustrates, in top view, the outer configuration of a watch according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the setting and display of the function called "GMT" (Universal Time);

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the setting and display of a time scale corresponding to a particular local time zone; FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the setting and display of a date corresponding to the origin instant of a space mission, called "MET", with respect to the local and universal time scales, respectively; FIG. 5C illustrates the display of "MET" before departure of the spacecraft; FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the setting and display of a date corresponding to the origin instant, so-called "PET", a phase of the space mission compared to the origin date of the space mission; FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate the setting and display of three alarms; FIG. 8 illustrates in more detail the display members of the watch of FIG. 1 and its push-button control members;

- Figure 9 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the main electronic circuits necessary for the proper functioning of the watch according to the invention.

In what follows, without limiting in any way the scope, it will be placed below in the context of the preferred application of the invention, unless otherwise specified, that is to say in the case of a space mission. FIG. 1 is a timing diagram schematically illustrating the mode of operation of a watch according to

1'invention.

In this diagram, and in what follows, the terms used correspond to the following definitions: - Time scale "Ti": Local time of a time zone arbitrarily designated "number 1".

- Time scale "T ₂ ": Local time of a time zone arbitrarily named "number 2".

- Time scale "GMT" (for "Greenwich Meridian Time", also called Universal Time): the days are counted in number since the first of January. This is the universal reference time scale used in all navigation missions where spacecraft may need to change their time zone regularly. "GMV is an old acronym that is currently often replaced by" UTC "(for" Coordinated Universal Time ").

- Time scale "MET" (for "Mission Elapsed Time"): Time interval elapsed since a predetermined moment, in this case the beginning of the space mission.It is defined in one of the time scales T ₁ , T ₂ or "GMT" In the case of theft said space, it is the precise moment of takeoff of the vessel.

- "Alarm"("AL") function: Emitting a sound signal at a date set by the watch operator in a preselected time scale, ie T ₁ , T ₂ , "GMT" or "MET".

- Function "PET" (for "Phase elapsed time"): It is the time interval remaining until a predetermined event, called "negative", or the interval of time elapsed since this event, said "positive" , event whose date is adjustable by the operator of the watch in a preselected time scale, either "GMT" or "MET". It should be remembered that during a space mission, "PET" is the time reference used for space exits, vessel rendezvous or separation phases, orbit corrections or atmospheric reentry. .

- "Timer" function ("TMR"): This is a countdown from a pre-defined amount of time, for relatively short durations. It is a function which is conventionally equipped with a watch. - "Chronograph" function ("CHR"): This is a forward count precisely measuring a time interval elapsed since the moment of engagement by the operator, for relatively short durations. It is a function which is conventionally equipped with a watch. However, again, it should be noted that for the current needs, resolutions "hours - minutes - seconds" or "minutes - seconds - 1/100 sec." are typically offered by chronographs, but not these two ranges.

The top three axes of the diagram of Figure 1 represent time scales, while the four lower axes represent functions.

More precisely, the two upper axes of the time diagram of FIG. 1 represent the time scales of the time zones, "Ti" and "T ₂ ", which have been called N ⁰ 1 and 2, respectively. the the the

An arbitrary moment t _x of the space mission, or present moment, is represented respectively at (12 H - 6) relative to the local time Ti and (12 H + 1) relative to the local time "T ₂ ". The present instant t _x corresponds to 12 H on the axis of Universal Time "GMT" (third time axis of Figure 1, under the axes "Ti" and "T ₂ ".

The two lower axes of FIG. 1 correspond to the "MET" and "PET" time scales, respectively. A space mission may have one or more distinct phases. We can therefore define a corresponding number of different "PET".

By cons, by definition, there is only one "MET" per mission, moment that defines the beginning of this mission, for example the precise moment of takeoff of the ship as recalled above.

In the diagram of FIG. 1, t _{0 is} the moment 0 or time scale origin "MET", which can be defined with respect to one or the other of the "Ti" time scales, ¹ T ₂ ", or" GMT ".

On the diagram of Figure 1, we called t ^r ₀ the moment

0 or origin of the time scale "PET", which can be defined with respect to one or the other of the time scales "MET"

(time scale "internal" at the mission) or "GMT" (time scale "external" at the mission).

According to an important feature of the invention, "PEV must be considered as a" timer "function (as defined above), but whose setting parameter is a date and not a time period. , times t ₀ and t ^r ₀ (defined by dates) can be entered into the watch at any time, knowing the precise start time of the mission, to be stored and displayed.

According to another characteristic of the invention, therefore, "negative" and "positive" times, denoted "+", are defined. and "-" respectively on the axes of time scales "MET ¹¹ and" PET ".

On the "CHR" and "TMR" axes, arbitrary instants tcm and tmR d ^f are also shown to act on these functions.

We will now describe, with reference to Figure 2, the configuration of a watch 1 according to a preferred embodiment, specifically the display units of this watch. Hereinafter, the formats and parameters of display and adjustment of the watch 1 are conventionally defined as follows:

Display format:

The display format may differ from the format used for the setting.

The following code is used to represent the display or setting:

Y = year;

M = month: 1 to 12 (1 or 2 digits) or: JAN to DEC (three letters)

J = day of the week (to fix the ideas, in French: LU, MA, ME, ME, VE, SA, and DI);

D = date in the month: 1 to 31 (1 or 2 digits); d = number of the day. 000 to 366 for GMT or -99 to 999 for "MET ¹ or" PET ¹ ; h = hour: 0 to 23 (1 or 2 digits) m = minute: 00 to 59 (2 digits) s = second: 00 to 59 (2 digits) s / 100 = hundredth of a second: 00 to 99 (2 digits) . Display settings:

The display parameters are indicated in the table: "TABLE: Display Parameters", appended to this description.

Setting parameters: "Ti" or "T ₂ ": + or - h compared to "GMT ¹ (with h expressed in hours)

"GMT": XYMDhms; relationship in which X is a letter that indicates a language chosen to present the days, and possibly months if the operator chooses to present them in letters. X precedes the two digits YY indicating the year during the setting. X can take the values "F" (French), "E" (English) and "S" (Spanish) "MET": "- - -", or setting in the time scale "Ti" or "T ₂ "or" GMT ":

- / + .MDhms for time setting "Ti" or "T ₂ " - / + dhms or MDhms for setting in time "GMT""TMR": hms

"CHR": 0.00.00 / 00 Alarm ("AL"): alarm number, "ON" or "OFF", with time scales MJDhm for alarm in the alarm scale. time "Ti" and "T ₂ " dhms for alarm in time scale "GMT" and "MET""PET":"- - -", or setting in time scale "MET ¹ or" GMT "

- / + dhms for setting in the time scale "MET '- / + dhms or MDhms for time setting" GMT ¹ The settings for "MET'or"PET' are to set the date of the zero time of "MEU ⁷¹ Or" PET ", respectively, expressed in another time scale When three dashes (" - - - ") are present in place of the reference time, it means that" MET "or" PET "are not If the year is not an available parameter for setting "MET" or "PET", the "-" or "+" signs are used to indicate whether the entered date is in the past or (by default) in the future.

In the example described in FIG. 2, the watch 1 advantageously comprises two types of display units: an analogue needle display member 2 and digital display members, 3 and 4, in a conventional manner per se. , liquid crystal. Preferably, the analog display using hands 2 is used essentially for displaying the local time of the time zones "Ti" or "T ₂ ".

Advantageously, the display 3 is subdivided into three zones, referenced 30 to 32, and the display 4 in two zones, 40 and 41. The functions of these zones will be explained below with reference to the description of FIGS. 3A to 7C. , it being understood that the zones 30 and 31 are used to specify the nature of the data or functions being displayed: "Ti", "! T ₂ ", "GMT", "MET", "PET", etc.

In what follows, since, in the embodiment described, the year is not an available parameter, during the settings of "MET" or "PET", the signs "-" or "+", respectively, can used to indicate if the date entered in the watch is in the past or (by default) in the future.

In these figures, to avoid overloading the drawing, the hands of the analog display 2 have not been shown. In addition, the identical elements from one figure to another and identical to those of Figure 2 bear the same references and will be re-described only as necessary.

Finally, the detailed settings and displays of the watch 1 will be described, hereinafter with reference to the tables "TABLE Ti" to "TABLE PEV appended to this description.

Figure 3A illustrates an example of setting "GMV ¹ for Tuesday, November 2, 2004, 10 hours 12 minutes 35 seconds.

The letters of the function "GMT" are entered in the zone 30 of the watch 1. "F04" ("F" for French language), "11", "2", and "10 12 35" are entered in the zones 31, 32, 40 and 41, respectively. FIG. 3B illustrates an example of display of the "GMT" function that has just been adjusted (FIG. 3A).

During the display, the watch 1 automatically calculates the day of the week (TUESDAY in the example described) corresponding to the date and language (French) entered by the operator. The "GMT" function is displayed in zone 30, "MA." is displayed in zone 31, "H" is displayed in zone 32, "2" is displayed in zone 40 and the time ("10 12 35") in zone 41. As a first alternative, no information is displayed in the zone 32 and the number "307 is displayed in the zone 40, the other zones remaining unchanged.

As a second alternative, the zone 32 displays "NOV" in place of the number "11", the other zones remaining unchanged.

Assuming that the time zone N ⁰ 1 (scale "Ti" of FIG. 1) represents the local time of HOUSTON (USA), FIG. 4A illustrates an example of setting of the "Ti" function, a time difference of -5 hours compared to "GMT" (previous setting of Figure 3A).

The letters of the function ¹ Ti "are entered into the zone 30 of the watch 1." GMT "," - 5 "," 2 "5 12 35" are entered into zones 31, 32, 40 and 41, respectively .

4B illustrates an exemplary local time display and set: function ¹ Ti "(zone 31), day (" MA ": zone 31), month (number: zone 32) calendar day (zone 40 ) and "hours, minutes, seconds" (zone 41), ie 5 H 12 min 35 s.

Figure 5A illustrates a first example of setting of

"MET" (zone 30), assuming that the zero moment of "MET" (Figure 1: to) is defined by the following date: "25" (zone 40) February

(number "- 2": zone 32) at 21 H 44 min 12 s ("21 44 12": zone 41), HOUSTON time, which is the local time of the time zone ¹ Ti ", as previously defined. is therefore performed with respect to this time scale ( ¹ Ti ": Figure 1). It could just as easily be done with respect to another local time scale, for example "T ₂ ".

Figure 5B illustrates a second example of adjustment

"MET", but compared to the time scale "GMT" (Figure 1), it for these same data. The zone 30 always specifies that it is the setting "MET", but the zone 31 specifies now the the

that it is "GMT" and no longer "Ti". zones 32, 40 and 41 are adjusted as in the case of FIG. 5A. zone 32 only displays the negative sign ("-").

FIG. 5C illustrates an example of display of the "MET" function, this one day and 13 H 45 min 55 s (zone 41) before the departure of the spaceship, that is to say the beginning of the mission. According to an important characteristic of the invention, "MET" can be set at any time, before or after the instant t ₀ . In the first case, it is a negative time: zone 40 displays "- 01" (for less than one day). Zones 31 and 32 do not display any data.

A "-" sign placed under "MET" indicates that the date of the zero moment of the "MET" used for the setting is in the future.This is the default value.A "+" sign means that the instant The "MET" start procedure is in the past, and this procedure avoids, as mentioned, having to mention the current year when entering the date of the zero time.

As a first alternative for setting, "- 2" and "26" are entered in zones 30 and 40, respectively.

As a second alternative for the setting, if "GMiT" is not defined, "- - -" is entered in the area 31, and the areas 40 and 41 display "000" and 0 00 00 ", respectively.

The setting and display of a "chronograph" function is done in a conventional manner and it is unnecessary to re-describe these operations in detail. Zone 30 indicates "CHR" and zones 31 and 41, "00" and "0 00 00", respectively, before the stopwatch starts. Zones 32 and 40 do not display any data.

After triggering, the zone 41 displays the time in hours, minutes, and seconds, for example the number "0 02 31" (0 hours 02 minutes 31 seconds) .and the zone 31 displays the hundredths of a second, for example the number " 89 ". We note the maintenance of hours, minutes and seconds at their usual location to avoid any confusion with hundredths of seconds. The setting and display of a function "Timer" or "TMR" is also performed in a conventional manner per se. The zone 31 indicates "TMR", the zone 41 the duration of time to be counted down, for example "2 45 32" (for 2 hours 45 minutes 32 seconds) and the zone 40 the sign "-" to specify that it is is a countdown. Once triggered, "TMR" is decremented per second.

FIG. 6A illustrates an example of setting a "PET" (function entered and displayed in zone 30) assuming that the zero time t ^r ₀ (FIG. 1) with respect to the "MET" (FIG. 1: t ₀ ) is 8 days 17 hours 8 minutes 0 seconds.

Area 31 displays the letters of the function "MET" Zone 32 does not display any data, "0 0 8" is entered in zone 40 and "17 08 00" in zone 41.

Alternatively, if "PET" is defined relative to "GMT", the letters of this function are entered and displayed in area 31. "- 3", "5" and "18 01 12" are entered in areas 32, 40 and 41, respectively.

In this same case, again as an alternative, the letters "GMT" are entered and displayed in zone 31. "-", "065" and "18 01 12" are entered in zones 32, 40 and 41, respectively

FIG. 6B illustrates an example of display of the function "PET ¹ (zone 30) at 3 mn and 10 s (zone 41:" 0 03 10 ") of the zero time Zone 40 displays" - 0 0 " , the sign "-"("negative" time) indicating that one is before the instant t'o The zones 31 and 32 do not display any data.

Alternatively, if "GMT" is not defined, zone 31 displays "- - -" and zones 40 and 41 display "000" and "0 00 00", respectively. sign "-" placed under "PET" during the time-based setting "GMT" indicates that the date of the zero time of the "PET" used for the setting is in the future, this is the default value. sign "+" means that the start time of the "MET" is in the past. the the

to avoid, as has been indicated, to have to mention the current year when entering the date of time zero.

It is worth remembering that "PET" works in a similar way to "MET ¹¹ but it concerns specific activities, whereas" PET ¹ is rather dedicated to the mission as a whole.

As indicated, the watch advantageously comprises five "timers" (or more) so as to be able to set and display an equal number of alarms independent of each other and referring to the different time scales

: "T ₂ ", "T ₂ ", "GMT ¹ ," MET ¹ , etc.

To fix ideas, we will now illustrate, with reference to Figures 7A to 7C, the setting and display of three of these possible alarms, arbitrarily designated "AL 1" to "AL 3", respectively.

The setting and display of the first alarm, "AL 1",

(indicated by zone 30) is illustrated in FIG. 7A. This alarm refers to the time scale "MET ¹ (Figure 1).

The scale "MET ¹ is indicated on zone 31 and the alarm is set on 3 days (zone 40) 21 H 5 min 17 s The alarm" AL 1 "is active (state says" ON "): this state is symbolized by the sign "<" displayed in zone 30 to the right of the symbol "AL 1." For example, the setting is made for 3 days 21 hours 05 minutes 17 seconds. "0 0 3" and " 21 05 17 "are entered and displayed in zones 40 and 41, respectively Zone 32 does not display any data.

As a first alternative for setting, "079" and

"2 10 00" are entered and displayed in areas 40 and 41, respectively. As a second alternative for setting, "19" and

"2 10 00" are entered and displayed in areas 40 and 41, respectively.

Similarly, the setting and display of the second alarm,

"AL 2" (indicated by zone 30) is illustrated in FIG. 7B. This alarm refers to the time scale "T ₂ " (Figure 1). The letters of the time scale "T ₂ " are entered and displayed in the zone 31, and the alarm "AL 2" is set to be triggered every Thursday (symbol "JE" displayed by the last two digits of the zone 41) of the month of August (number "8": zone 32) at 6 h 45 min (first part of zone 41: "6 45"). Alarm "AL 1" is inactive in the example described in FIG. 7B (state "OFF"): this state can be deduced from the fact that the sign "<" is not displayed in zone 30. The zone 40 poster

Finally, the setting and display of the third alarm "AL 3" (indicated by the zone 30) is illustrated by FIG. 7C. This alarm refers to the time scale "Ti" (Figure 1). The letters of the time scale "Ti" are entered and displayed in zone 31, and the alarm "AL 3" is set at 15 (zone 40) of each month at 18:30 (zone 41: 18 30 - -). Alarm "AL 3" is active (state "ON"): this state is symbolized by the sign "<" displayed in zone 30 to the right of the symbol "AL 3". Area 40 displays "".

When the alarms are triggered, the watch preferably emits an audio signal attracting the attention of the operator, for example a predetermined sequence of "beep" sound. To fix the ideas, for the alarm "AL 3", the repeated sequence of three "bip" can be adopted: "bip.bip.bip bip.bip.bip bip.bip.bip etc", until extinction of the alarm by the operator (the dashes representing a pause in the transmission.The same may be true for other alarms: for example, a repeated sequence of two "beeps" for the alarm "AL 2", etc. Preferably, the watch 1 has five alarms As indicated, the time and minutes of the time scales "Ti" or "T ₂ " can also be permanently displayed by the analog part of the watch: needles 2 (Figure 1).

In practice, a number of other conventions can be adopted for configuring different adjustments and displays, in particular to obtain good ergonomics, conventions within the reach of the skilled person and do not need to be described in detail.

With regard to the more specific features of the invention, however, it can be stated that:

- The setting of "MET" or "PET" to set the date of zero time expressed in another time scale

("T ₁ ", "GMT", ...), when three dashes ("") are displayed instead of the reference time, it means that "MET" or "PET" are not defined.

- The displays "MET", "PET" and "Timer" ("TMR") are associated with the sign "-" when they count down the time, that is to say when the date corresponding to the instant "zero "programmed is in the future. - At the crossing of the instant "zero", "MET", "PET" and the "Timer" mark this moment by an audio signal, for example a ring characteristic of the function considered and continue to count forward without stopping For example, to fix the ideas, the ringing of "MET" lasts only 5 seconds while those of "PET" and the "Timer" last longer (typically between 30 and 60 seconds). can stop the ringing without interrupting the counting of the time, which in all three cases continues forward without stopping.This continuous account has the advantage of informing the operator of the time elapsed since the crossing of the instant "zero ".

- "GMT" must be set before "Ti" and "T ₂ " which are set according to the time difference from "GMT".

- "T ₁ ", "T ₂ ", or "GMT" must be set before "MET", whose zero time can be set in one of these three time scales.

- "GMT" or "MET" must be set before "PET", whose zero time can only be defined in the time scale "GMT" or "MET".

in a preferred embodiment, when setting "MET" or "PET", the choice is given to the operator of the

select no reference time to indicate that there is no "mission" or "phase" in progress. "MET" or "PET", respectively, then have no place to be displayed.

We will now describe a practical embodiment of the watch according to the invention and control means for its adjustment, that is to say the entry and entry of data, and the display of these data, by reference to Figure 8.

In FIG. 8, elements identical to those of FIGS. 1 to 7C bear the same references and will only be described again if necessary.

In the preferred embodiment of the watch 1, four push buttons, 5, 6, 7 and 9, are sufficient for the control (settings and displays) of the time and functions of the watch. Push buttons are preferred to rotary knobs because they do not require the removal of the watch 1 from the wrist of the user for adjustments. The control buttons, 5, 6, 7 and 9, are advantageously arranged, on the one hand, symmetrically on each side of the watch 1, on the other hand, in the high parts (buttons 5 and 6) and low (buttons 7 and 9) on these sides, so as to avoid the presence of a button in the central area that could create a hard point of pressure on the wrist of the user's wrist when it is arched.

The digital display areas, 30 to 41 are subdivided into what will be referred to hereafter as fields:

Zone 30: fields 300, 301 and 302; Area 31: single field 31; Zone 32: single field 320; Zone 40: single field 410; - Area 41: fields 410, 411 and 412.

Briefly, the operating mode of these command control buttons is advantageously as follows:

The selection of time scales and functions is performed in order by short pressure on the button 7 or in reverse order by short press button 5.

The time or function setting mode is started from the normal display of this time or function by pressing the 5 button for more than 2 seconds. The setting fields are then cyclically selected. by pressing button 6 repeatedly. The subject field to be set is identified by flashing the current value. The first adjustable field (flashing) in the cycle is that of the first adjustable parameter of the current time or function. For example, for the setting of "Ti", it is the field 310 but, for the "TMR", the first flashing field is the field 400 indicating the sign of the counting direction (positive or negative).

The choice of the time scale "Ti" or "T ₂ " that it is desired to represent by the hands is obtained by a simultaneous prolonged pressure of the buttons 7 and 5 during the normal display of the desired time scale. The cycle of the adjustable fields of the time scale then chosen ("Ti" or "T ₂ ") makes it possible to adjust the hands independently of the digital display which, in practice, makes it possible to display a third scale of time as needed.

The last field (flashing) of the complete cycle of all the adjustable fields is that indicating the time or function being set; a simple press on the button 5 then ends the setting mode. After initiating the setting mode, if the only button operated during a full field change cycle is knob 6, pressing button 5 again will complete the setting mode without any changes being made to the time or function being displayed.

When the setting mode of "MET", "AL", or "PET" is started, the default reference time is the time scale that was used when these functions were last set. the

When setting, pressing and holding button 7 or 5 causes the characters in the flashing field to scroll rapidly to speed up the setting operation.

- When a ring is in progress because "MET ¹¹ or" PET ¹ or the ¹¹ TMR "have just crossed the time zero, a short press on the button 5 stops the ringing without any other action on the watch.

In order to fix ideas, tables, TABLE "Ti",

TABLE ¹¹ T ₂ ", TABLE ¹¹ GMT ¹ , TABLE" MET ¹ , TABLE "AL", TABLE ¹¹ CHR ", TABLE ¹¹ TMR", and TABLE ¹¹ PET ", placed at the end of the present description, illustrate in more detail the settings of a watch 1 according to the invention.

By convention, to make the description clearer, the reference numbers of the pushbuttons, 5, 6, 7 and 9, are placed between "()", the reference numbers of the fields are placed between "[]". In addition, the character "*" means "short (s) pressure (s) simple or repeated (s)" and the character "**" means "prolonged pressure typically greater than 2 seconds". FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic illustration, in the form of a block diagram, of the electronic circuits 8 necessary for the operation of watch 1 according to the invention.

The four control buttons, 5, 6, 7 and 9, serve as inputs for entering data in the watch 1. They are connected, on the one hand, to a voltage source, for example positive "Vf" , arbitrarily representing a logical "1" when the push button is actuated, on the other hand to logic circuits 80, which will be called "decoder".

This decoder comprises combinational logic circuits (based on conventional logic circuits "AND", "OR", "EXCLUSIVE OR", etc.) and sequential, as well as counters and down-timers. It receives several clock signals generated by time and clock circuits 83 under the general reference H _x . In a conventional manner, the circuits generating clock signals H _x are driven by a quartz 830. The clock signals H _x are appropriately distributed to the other blocks of the circuits 8, and serve in particular as a time base for the displays of the watch 1: digital displays, 3 and 4, and analog 2.

As has been indicated, with reference to the description of FIG. 8, the decoder circuits 80 detect either single control pulses caused by brief presses on one or the other of the control buttons, 5 to 7, a combination of these pulses, and / or a determined duration of time, that is to say a long press on one or more of these buttons 5 to 7.

The circuits 8 are articulated, conventionally around a bus 87 of bilateral data transmissions.

The output of the decoder 80 is connected to this bus 87 and the data entries, during the aforementioned adjustments are transmitted to a central unit 81, constituted by a microprocessor or a microcontroller, connected via this bus 87 to a read-only memory unit 82, type "ROM" (for "Read OnIy Memory") or any nonvolatile memory of similar type. This memory unit 82 stores microprograms or microinstructions managing, in a manner known per se, the operation of the circuits 8 under the control of the microprocessor 81. The circuits 8 also comprise a random access memory unit 84, for example of the type said "RAM" (for "Random Access Memory") and / or a plurality of memory registers.

This memory 84 must comprise memory locations for storing adjustment data input via the control buttons, 5 to 7, and in particular five memory locations, 840 to 844, dedicated to "GMT", "Ti", "T ₂ ", "MET" and "PET", as well as 84 _X locations for the different alarms. In fact, more memory locations are needed. They are attributed, so permanent or not, at values such as "time to time", etc. In addition, different values are calculated, under the control of the microprocessor 81 and the microprograms recorded in the memory 82, from the aforementioned data or combinations of these data, for example to generate and display "PET" from the scale of time "GMT" or "MET". These calculations generate intermediate values that are also necessary to store in RAM slots 84. The bus 87 is also connected to an output interface unit 85 distributing control signals to both display units: analog needles 2, more precisely to a drive motor 20 or any similar device, and digital, 3 and 4. Preferably the motor 20 is a stepper motor receiving advance control pulses.

This output interface unit 85 also generates electrical control signals transmitted to a sound alarm signal generation unit 86.

From the foregoing, it is easy to see that the invention achieves the goals it has set for itself.

It should be clear, however, that the invention is not limited to the only examples of embodiments explicitly described, particularly in relation to FIGS. 1 to 9.

For example, the audible alarms can be replaced and / or doubled by other types of alarms: visual, vibratory, etc.

Finally, the numerical examples have been provided only to better fix the ideas and can not constitute any limitation of the scope of the invention. They proceed from a technological choice within the reach of the Man of Profession.

In particular, the watch may include more than five alarms and more than two local time zones.

TABLE 'Ti'

It is assumed that "Ti" is chosen as the time scale of the hands 2 (the setting of the hands 2 is independent of the values of the digital display 3-4 and serves only to manually readjust the hands 2 on the digital display of ¹¹ Ti ", if a gap exists between the two).

The default value of "Ti" at the first setting is "GMT".

(7) * or (5) * up to [300] = "T ₁ ". (5) ** [310] flashes and indicates "GMT". (7) * or (5) * selects between flashing indication of "(MT" or "H - M" in field [310].

If [310] = "(MT", the time difference setting starts:

(6) * [320] flashes and indicates the current value of the time difference.

(7) * or (5) * up to [320] = the desired time difference. Fields [6] and [7] are modified accordingly. The small hand follows the time difference adjustment. (The minutes and seconds can only be corrected when setting "GMT"). (6) * [300] flashes. (5) * "Ti" resumes the normal display by integrating the change of the time difference.

If [310] = "H - M", the needle setting starts without any influence on the digital display:

(6) * "H" flashes in field [310].

(7) * or (5) * until the small hand indicates the desired time. The small needle is precisely positioned automatically between two graduations of hours according to the current position of the big needle. (6) * "M" flashes in field [310]. (7) * or (5) * until the large hand indicates the desired minutes. The large hand is precisely positioned between 2 graduations of minutes according to the current value of the seconds indicated in the field [412]. (6) * [300] flashes. (5) * The watch 1 leaves the adjustment mode of the hands 2 which follow precisely the chosen time scale ("Ti" in the example chosen).

TABLE ¹ T ₂ "

The setting of "T ₂ " is the same as for "Ti". If the hands 2 represent "Ti" and you want to adjust the hands during the setting of "T ₂ ", you must first, before setting, select "T ₂ " as the time scale of the hands 2 while pressing simultaneously on (7) and (5) for more than 2 seconds. The possible independent setting of the hands 2 in hours and minutes possibly makes it possible to adjust the analog time (hands 2) to the time zones which are not shifted from "GMT" by whole hours.

= = = = =

"GMT" TABLE

The default value of "GMT" at the first setting is "Monday January 1st Oh 00m 00s of the year 00"

(in French) .

(7) * or (5) * up to [300] = "GMT".

(5) ** the language chosen during the previous setting (for example "F" for French, "E" for English or "S" for Spanish) flashes in

[310] (7) * or (5) * until the desired language appears in field [310]. (6) * the 2 digits "YY" indicating the previously set year flash in [310]. (7) * or (5) * up to "YY" = the last two digits of the current year. (6) * [320] flashes and indicates the current value of the month. (7) * or (5) * until [320] = the desired month. 24 values are proposed: the 12 possible numerical values of months and the 12 names (truncated to 3 letters) of month in the language chosen in the first step of setting of "GMT" above. (6) * [400] flashes and indicates the current value of the date in the month. (7) * or (5) * until [400] = the desired date.

(6) * [410] flashes and indicates the current value of the time. (7) * or (5) * up to [410] = the desired time. The small needle increments or decrements the same amount of hours thus set.

(6) * [411] flashes and indicates the current minute value. (7) * or (5) * up to [411] = the desired minutes. The large needle increments or decrements by the same amount of minutes thus set.

(6) * [412] flashes and indicates the current value of the seconds. (7) * or (5) * up to [412] = the desired seconds. The big hand follows the adjustment of the seconds in progress.

(6) * [300] flashes. (7) * alternates between the display "M.D.h.m.s." and

"Ddd.h.m.s."

(5) * "GMT" starts the time count from the time value set by the operations above. The times "Ti" (digital and analog), "T ₂ " and "MET" are also corrected accordingly automatically.

It should be noted that the small and large needles only follow the number of pulses given on the buttons

(7) and (5) for the hours and minutes respectively independently of the numerical values obtained on the dial of the watch 1. Only the numerical value of seconds is actually used for the fine positioning of the large hand between two graduations minutes.

MET TABLE

At the first TEM setting, by default [310] = - - - and all the following fields are initialized to zero, meaning that no current "AJB-T" is defined.

(7) * or (5) * up to [300] = "MET". (5) ** [310] flashes and indicates the time scale used during the previous setting of "MET". (7) * or (5) * up to [310] = the desired time scale or ^Λ - - - ^Λ if you want to end the use of "MET".

Depending on the scale chosen, the adjustment steps differ as follows:

If "(MT" is chosen as the time reference for the setting of "MET": (default at the first setting, the time zero is "001 day Oh 00m 00s" which corresponds to the transition to the new year, because it does not there is no day 0 in the calendar)

(6) * [400] flashes and indicates the day in the year (between 001 and 366) used during the previous adjustment. (7) * or (5) * up to [400] = the day of the desired year of the zero time. (6) * [410] flashes and indicates the time of the zero time used during the previous adjustment.

(7) * or (5) * until [410] = the desired time of the zero instant. (6) * [411] flashes and indicates the minutes of zero time used during the previous adjustment.

(7) * or (5) * up to [411] = desired minutes of zero time. (6) * [412] flashes and indicates the seconds of zero time used in the previous setting.

(7) * or (5) * up to [412] = the desired seconds of the zero instant. (6) * [300] flashes.

(5) * MET counts and displays the time remaining until, or the time elapsed since, the new zero time value.

If the operator prefers ^Λ set "MET'en on a date expressed in" Month-Day "in the time scale" GMT "must first select this display mode for" GMT "as instructed The setting of "MET" according to "GMT" is then exactly like the setting of "MET" as a function of "Ti" or "T ₂ " described below.

If "Ti" or "T ₂ " is selected as the time reference for the setting of "MET": (default at the first setting, the zero time is "January 1st Oh 00m 00s")

(6) * [320] flashes and indicates the month used during the previous setting. (7) * or (5) * until [320] = the month of the desired zero instant. The proposed month values are of the same nature - numeric or textual - as the display mode of the months of the time scale chosen as a reference.

(6) * [400] flashes and indicates the value of the date in the month used during the previous setting.

(7) * or (5) * until [400] = the desired date of the zero time.

(6) * [410] flashes and indicates the time of the zero time used during the previous adjustment.

(7) * or (5) * until [410] = the desired time of the zero instant.

(6) * [411] flashes and indicates the minutes of zero time used during the previous adjustment.

(7) * or (5) * up to [411] = desired minutes of zero time.

(6) * [412] flashes and indicates the seconds of zero time used in the previous setting.

(7) * or (5) * up to [412] = the desired seconds of the zero instant.

(6) * [300] flashes.

(5) * "MET" counts and displays the time remaining until, or time elapsed since, the new zero time value.

i ^Λ - - - ^Λ is selected in field [310] at start age, all following fields indicate zero:

(6) * [300] flashes (5) * ends the setting by leaving "MET ¹¹ undefined.

TABLE "AL"

The value of the five default alarms at the first setting is in the "GMT" scale on "Monday, January 1, 00 00m 00s" and the ringer is deactivated.

(7) * or (5) * up to [300] = "AL", [301] indicates the last called alarm number which, by default at the first setting, is ^Λ the. (6) * to [301] = the desired alarm number for reading or setting.

(5) ** [300] and [302] will flash and [302] will default to the "<" sign indicating that the alarm tone is active. (7) * or (5) * to deselect or re-select the ringer. The choice thus made is indicated by the blinking presence or the total absence of the sign "<".

(5) ** (optional) ends the setting mode when the only change was selecting or deselecting the ring. (6) * [310] flashes and indicates the time scale used during the previous setting.

(7) * or (5) * up to [310] = the desired time scale.

The sequence (6) * followed by (7) * or (5) * is repeated until all the fields are set to the desired value. This setting is made as follows: when setting the alarm, if one of the parameters "M", "J" or "D" (case "Ti" or "T ₂ ") or "d" ( case "GMT" or "MET") is left "white", the alarm is recurrent for each value of the parameter, at the specified time and minutes.

(6) * until [300] and [301] flash. (5) * ends the setting mode.

TABLE "CHR"

At the first setting of "CHR", by default all adjustable fields [310], [410], [411] and [412] are initialized to zero.

(7) * or (5) * up to [300] = "CHR". The current or stopped time of the previous operation performed on the Chronograph "CHR" is displayed.

(5) ** [310], [410], [411] and [412] are reset. This operation is not necessary if the Chronograph "CHR" is already reset or if the operator wishes to start the

Chronograph from the time displayed during the previous stop.

Classic use of the Chronograph "CHR":

(6) * starts the Chronograph "CHR". (9) * (optional) stops and displays the split time. CHR flashes to indicate that the time displayed is not the current time of the "CHR" Chronograph.

(9) * (optional operation) cancels the split time and returns to the display of the current time of the "CHR" Chronograph which may or may not already be stopped by (6) *. (6) * stops the current time. (7) * or (5) * at any time allows you to select another time or function and exit the display of the "CHR" function without altering its current operation.

TABLE "2WR"

At the first setting of "TMR", by default all adjustable fields [410], [411] and [412] are initialized to zero.

(7) * or (5) * up to [300] = "TMR". The current or stopped time of the previous operation performed on the "TMR" is displayed.

(5) ** If the "3MR" has already been used from the last setting, all the adjustable fields [400], [410], [411] and [412] are reset to the value of the previous setting. The "TMR" is immediately usable. If the "TMR" has not been used since the last setting, this operation immediately calls the setting mode described in the next step.

(5) ** [400] flashes and indicates by default the minus sign ^Λ - ^Λ . The "3MR" enters setting mode. (7) * or (5) * change the sign in the [400] field if necessary. In addition, [410], [411] and [412] are reset to zero. If [400] indicates the sign ^Λ + ', time counts forward from the value indicated when the function "TMR" is started.

(6) * [410] flashes and indicates by default the value of the time at the previous setting if [400] has not been changed. Otherwise the default value is zero.

(7) * or (5) * up to [410] = the desired time. (6) * [411] flashes and indicates by default the minutes value at the previous setting if

[400] and [410] have not been changed. Otherwise the default value is zero.

(7) * or (5) * up to [411] = the desired minutes. (6) * [412] flashes and indicates by default the value of the seconds at the previous setting if

[400], [410] and [411] have not been changed.

Otherwise the default value is zero. (7) * or (5) * up to [412] = the desired seconds. (6) * [300] flashes. (5) * The "TMR" setting is complete. It is ready to be used as follows: (6) * alternately start and stop the it _TMR n _

(7) * or (5) * at any time allows you to select another time or function and exit the display of the "TMR" function without altering its current operation.

"PET" TABLE

At the first setting of "PET", by default [310] = - - - and all subsequent fields are initialized to zero, meaning that no current PET is defined.

(7) * or (5) * up to [300] = "PET".

(5) ** [310] flashes and indicates the time scale used in the previous setting of PET. (7) * or (5) * up to [310] = "MET", "GMT" or "- - -" if you want to end the use of "PEV ¹ .

If "MET ¹ or" GMT "are chosen as time scale to define" PEV: (default at first setting, zero time is "000 day Oh 00m 00s" for "MET" and "001 day Oh 00m 00s" for "GMT")

(6) * [400] flashes and indicates the day of "MET ¹ or" GMT "used during the previous setting

(between -99 and 999 for "MET", or between 001 and 366 for "GMT"). (7) * or (5) * up to [400] = the desired day of "MET ¹ " or "GMT" of the zero time. (6) * [410] flashes and indicates the time of the zero time used during the previous adjustment. (7) * or (5) * until [410] = the desired time of the zero instant. (6) * [411] flashes and indicates the minutes of zero time used during the previous adjustment. (7) * or (5) * up to [411] = desired minutes of zero time. (6) * [412] flashes and indicates the seconds of zero time used in the previous setting. (7) * or (5) * up to [412] = the desired seconds of the zero instant. (6) * [300] flashes.

(5) * "PET" counts and displays the time remaining until, or the time elapsed since, the new value of zero time expressed in the time scale "MET ¹ or" GMT ". i "- - -" is selected in field [310] at start age, all following fields indicate zero:

(6) * [300] flashes

(5) * ends the setting leaving "PET" undefined.

Claims

REVENDIC-VTIONS

An electronic timepiece of the watch type for navigational assistance, in particular for a space mission, said navigation being associated with a time origin of a first predetermined event, comprising means for inputting and inputting date and / or duration data, storage means for storing said entered data, calculation means and clock signal generating means, at least digital display means for displaying said entered data and / or data generated from these data under the control of said calculating and generating means of said clock signals, characterized in that said data input and input means (5-7, 9, 80) and said storage means (84) are arranged for entering and storing a first date of origin related to the so-called Universal Time determined by the Greenwich meridian and the generation of a first time scale (GM T) originating from said first date, in that said data entry and input means (5-7, 9, 80) and said storage means (84) are arranged for input and storage, at any time, a second origin date (t ₀ ) corresponding to said first predetermined event, called mission start, and the generation of a second time scale (MET), said second time scale (MET) being determined at least from said first time scale (GMT), and in that said digital display means (4) displays a so-called negative time value when said first date origin (t ₀ ) is to come and a value said positive time when this date (t ₀ ) is exceeded.

2. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that said input and data input means (5-7, 9, 80) and said storage means (84) are arranged for input and output. storing jet lag data to generate at least a third date origin corresponding to a first local time zone and the generation of a third time scale (Ti) originating from said third date, and in that said second time scale (TEM) is determined from one of said first time zone (GMT) or third (Ti) time scales, by selectively operating input and data input means (5-7).

3. Timepiece according to claim 2, characterized in that said input and data input means (5-7, 9, 80) and said storage means (84) are arranged for input and output. storing any time offset data to generate at least a fourth origin date corresponding to a second local time zone and generating a fourth time scale (T ₂ ) originating from said fourth date, and in that said generation of said second time scale (MET) is determined from one of said first, third or fourth time scales, by selectively actuating said data input and input means (5-7, 9).

4. Timepiece according to claim 3, characterized in that said mission being divided into one or more phases, said input and data input means (5-7, 9, 80) and said storage means (84) are arranged for entering and storing a fifth origin date (t'o) corresponding to a second predetermined event, corresponding to the beginning of one of said phases, and generating a fifth time scale ( PET), said fifth time scale (PET) being determined from one of said first (GMT) or second (MET) timescale, by selective actuation of said data entry and input means (5-7). , 9), and in that said digital display means (40) display a negative time value when said fifth origin date (t'o) is to come and a so-called positive time value when that date (t'o) ) is outdated.

5. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of alarm means (86), in that said input and data input means (5-7 , 9, 80) and said storage means (84) are arranged for entering and storing dates causing selective triggering of one of said alarm means (86) with respect to one of said time scales.

6. Timepiece according to claim 5, characterized in that said alarm means (86) generate a number of alarms (AL 1, AL 2, AL 3) equal to five.

7. Timepiece according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that said alarm means (86) emit sound signals, in that said audio signals are composed of sound "beep" sequences, and in that said sequences are distinct from one another and associated, each, selectively, with one of said alarms (AL 1, AL 2, AL 3).

8. Timepiece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said input and data input means comprise four push buttons (5-7, 9) and in that said data entries and entries are effected by brief pushes on one of said push buttons (5-7, 9), on predetermined combinations of these push buttons (5-7, 9), or by long pushes of determined durations.

9. Timepiece according to claim 5, characterized in that said memory means (84) comprises a plurality of memory positions (840- 8444, 84 _X ) for recording at least data characterizing said first to fifth dates origins and said alarm dates.

10. Timepiece according to claim 4, characterized in that it comprises display means analogous needles (2) for displaying one of said third (Ti) or fourth (T ₂ ) time scales.