EP2021880A1 - Method for changing a time zone, and timepiece therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for switching the time zone indicated by a timepiece (1) in order to switch from an initial time zone to a modified time zone, having the following steps: the user enters a time switch command (268) by means of the crown, the hours' and minutes' hands indicate the time of the modified time zone (274), whilst the seconds' hand indicates a city corresponding to the selected time zone, the timepiece automatically returns (280) to the initial time zone and indicates the time of the initial time zone (202), or the time of the modified time zone is retained by means of a command from the user.

Description

 Time zone change method, and adapted timepiece

Technical area

The present invention relates to the field of watches for displaying multiple time zones, and a method of changing time zone.

Bat of the technique

Watches allowing the display of several time zones are known per se. Some known watches have several indicators, for example several needles, to simultaneously display the time of several streams. Other watches have means for moving faster from one time zone to another on the same display, without requiring a new time setting. The number of time zones used in different countries or regions of the globe is however too important to allow simultaneous display of all the zones on a wristwatch. It is therefore necessary to allow the user to comfortably change the time zone indicated by the display, or by one of the displays, of the watch.

Various solutions have therefore been devised to easily introduce time zone change commands, which make it possible, for example, to advance or retreat the time displayed by whole steps and without having to make a precise time-setting in the new time zone. Changing the time zone, however, usually involves a lot of attention on the part of the user. Many watch owners with multiple time zones exploit this function relatively rarely, for example during important journeys, and are reluctant to perform these manipulations which they are unaccustomed to for fear of losing the time of the watch and having to adjust it. In addition, it is sometimes useful to check the time of another city or time zone without adjusting your watch. Typically, before telephoning in a distant country, one often wants to make sure of the time of one's interlocutor. The addition or subtraction of a time difference - as long as its value is known - is, however, inconvenient. While there are electronic diaries that display the time of different places among predefined lists, these calendars are often complicated to use and less available than a wristwatch.

An object of the present invention is therefore to propose a wristwatch, or another timepiece, which makes it possible to solve these problems of the prior art. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of changing the time zone, as well as a timepiece that allows to quickly check the time of another time zone.

Brief summary of the invention

According to the invention, these aims are achieved in particular by means of a timepiece allowing the temporary display of another time zone and the automatic return to the initial time zone, for example after a predetermined time or following a time action. the user.

These goals are also achieved by a method of changing the time zone indicated by a timepiece from an initial time zone to a modified time zone, wherein the user first enters a change order. time zone to indicate the time of the modified time zone, the timepiece then automatically returning to the original time zone to indicate the time of the initial time zone.

The timepiece with these features allows you to quickly check the time of a different time zone, instinctively and automatically returning to the time zone initial after a predetermined time or following a new manipulation of the user, without requiring a new time setting.

In a preferred embodiment, the user can maintain the time of the modified time zone by introducing a command for that purpose for a period of predetermined duration after the change of mode.

Short description of the drawings

The invention will be better understood on reading an exemplary embodiment illustrated by the figures which show:

Figure 1 a front view of a watch according to the invention.

Figure 2 (split on two sheets in Figures 2a and 2b) is a flowchart of the time zone changing method of the invention.

Example of Implementation of the Invention

In the remainder of the description and the claims, the term "timepiece" designates, for example, a wristwatch, a wristwatch movement, or another timepiece for a portable watch on the body. The description refers in particular to a wristwatch

The watch 1 illustrated front in Figure 1 comprises a box 10 housing a movement not shown, preferably an electronic quartz movement, possibly a mechanical movement. The dial is provided with two wickets 230, 231 for a large date display 23. The hour is displayed in a conventional manner by means of an hour hand 20, a minute hand 21 and a second hand 22. The three hour handpieces are arranged in the center and operated by a stepper motor, or preferably by several independent and preferably bidirectional stepper motors At least the second hand can preferably be moved independently of the other two hour and minute hands, preferably bi-directionally , so that it can be assigned to another function when changing the time zone, as will be seen later. The disks or rings bearing in particular the date indications displayed in the counters 230, 231 can be driven through a transmission chain by the stepping motor actuating the hour hand. In a preferred variant, these disks are driven independently of each other by means of additional independent and preferably bidirectional stepper motors. The different motors driving the needles and other indicators are controlled by a microcontroller not shown.

Other means of indicating time, including alphanumeric displays or displays for simultaneously indicating multiple time zones may be employed within the scope of the invention.

The watch also has a time setting crown and a mode change key 102. The ring 102 can occupy three distinct axial positions, for example a stable intermediate position C = O (rest position), a depressed position unstable C = -1 to enter alarm mode or time zone mode, and a position drawn C = +1 for setting the date and time. The crown preferably returns from itself from the depressed position -1 to the intermediate position 0 when it is released. Other positional changes require action by the wearer of the watch. Two pushers A and B are further provided, which can be pressed by the user to move from a rest position O to a depressed position -1. The pushers return themselves to the 0 position when they are released

The dial, a telescope or a fixed flange 11 carries 24 indications 110 of time zones, each time zone being indicated by a name of the city with the exception of the Greenwich time zone marked GMT. The city names are arranged on one or possibly two concentric circular arcs The names of the cities above the 9 o'clock-3 o'clock axis are written with the top of the letters pointing towards the inside of the watch, while the vi Islands above this axis are written with the top of the letters facing outward. The bottom of the letters is thus always oriented, at 90 °, around 6 hours, which allows the wearer a reading facilitated.

Figure 2 illustrates the operation of the watch. At setting 200, the microcontroller is reset, the date and time are set to arbitrary values (for example 01.01.2001, at 00:00 GMT), the alarm time is set to, for example, 07: 00: 00 and the alarm is disabled. The watch then switches to the normal time display mode 202 and the indicators 20-23 begin to turn. Since this mode, if the alarm has been activated, an alarm tone is emitted at the scheduled time (step 204) which can be stopped by pressing on the crown or on any pushbutton (step 206) to interrupt the alarm (208) and return to the time display mode. In the absence of intervention by the user, the alarm is also automatically interrupted after a predetermined duration, for example 60 seconds.

Differentactions on the crown or the pushbuttons make it possible to leave the normal display mode of the time 202. By simultaneously pressing the two pushbuttons A and B for more than two seconds (step 210), the movement switches to the indexing mode of the hands. The hands return at noon and the user can enter different commands to move them step-by-step or to center the indicators 230, 231 in the boxes (step 212). The watch then returns to the time display mode by pressing the crown during step 214.

By pulling in step 216 the crown to the position C = + 1, the watch switches to time setting mode 218 and date. Rotations of the ring 102 and / or actions on the pushbuttons A and B allow the hands and date indicators to be moved, preferably in both directions, to set the watch to the time and date. correct date. Displacements in full steps, for example movements in steps of a minute, an hour or a day can be provided. The watch returns to the time display mode by pushing the crown back to the intermediate position 0.

Prolonged pressure on the ring 102 during the step

222 allows to consult the time set for the alarm. For this purpose, the hour, minute and second hands 20 through 22 move during step 224 to indicate the alarm time, while one of the indicators 230 and / or 231 can move to display an icon of alarm ON or OFF, for example in the form of a symbol O crossed out or not. The alarm can be triggered respectively triggered by pressing one of the pushbuttons A or B (step 228), which changes during step 240 the state of the alarm and preferably the corresponding indication displayed in the wicket 23. The alarm time can be set in step 242 by actions on the pushbuttons A and B and / or by rotations of the crown; the user departing from state 224 arrives in this alarm setting mode 242 by pulling crown 102 at position G = + 1 in step 227.

From the state 224 for viewing the alarm time, the user returns to the normal time display mode 202 by briefly pressing the crown or simply waiting for a predetermined time, for example five seconds (step 226).

The user can still enter consultation mode and time zone change by briefly pressing the ring 102 during step 268. Other commands can be provided for this purpose, including actions on the pushbuttons or a rotation of glasses for example. An internal variable [time zone in progress] of a program executed by the motion microcontroller then takes during step 272 the value of the time zone currently displayed by the watch. This information is displayed in step 274 by means of the seconds hand 22 which is automatically moved under the control of the microprocessor, in the direction of rotation allowing the shortest path, to point to the representative city of the timezone. ∞urs. Other hour and minute hands show the time of the current time zone. Although the seconds are no longer displayed in this step 274, the watch's internal time counter continues to count the elapsed time during this step and subsequent steps, so that the exact time can be resumed at the second when the seconds hand resumes its function and the watch returns to normal time display mode.

From the time zone lookup mode 274, the user can increment the time zone by brief presses on the pushbutton A, or decrement this time zone by briefly pressing the pushbutton B. The hour hand 20 is immediately moved during each action on one of these buttons, while the second hand is indexed in the direction corresponding to the selected pusher so as to point to the city representing the previous or next time zone. The value of the current time zone is incremented respectively decremented in steps 284 and 286 respectively. It is thus possible to consult very quickly the time of any time zone, by a pressure on the ring 102 and a corresponding number of pressure. the time zone offset selected on one of the pushers A or B. Other ways of changing the time zone from the mode 274 can be imagined, for example by turning the ring 102 or a rotating bezel in one direction or the other.

If no action on the elements A, B, 102 is entered from step 274 for a predetermined time, for example 5 seconds, the watch automatically returns to step 280 to the time display mode 202. In a variant not shown, the watch returns to the display of the time of the initial time zone following an explicit command from the user. In both cases, the current time zone possibly modified during steps 284 or 286 respectively is not maintained, and the initial time zone of the watch continues to be displayed. As indicated, the seconds hand 22 resumes its function and indicate the time while keeping the duration of the consultation and steps 268 to 280.

In order to record the time of the time zone possibly modified in the steps 284 or 286, the user presses the 102one 102 (step 282) from step 274. The modified time zone is then validated in step 288, so that the time zone of the watch takes the value of the variable [time zone in Windows]. The watch then returns to the normal time display mode 202, the second hand returns to its normal second display function, and the guides 23 return to the date display mode as appropriate.

In one variant, the mode of consultation and of time zone change may be indicated by a particular icon or symbol displayed in one of the counters23 during steps 272 to 288. Preferably, an indication in one of these two windows or in an additional window, indicates to the user whether the time in the current time zone displayed in step 274, and / or the current time displayed in step 202, corresponds to the morning or the afternoon. This indication may be made by means of alphanumeric indications, for example AM / PM, in one of the boxes 230, 231, with the aid of an indication provided in an additional counter not shown, or preferably by means of a color , a typographic choice or a symbol displayed in the window in combination with the date indication.

In a variant not illustrated, the watch could memorize several time zones, for example the last two time zones selected or temporarily displayed, and allow a passage from one to the other by means of a simplified command on one of the control organs.

The method described also applies to the transition from daylight saving time to winter time. In a variant, a change from summer time to winter time is introduced in the same way as a change of time zone. hourly; the user then considers that he lives at the time of the previous or next time zone. This variant has the disadvantage of forcing the user to select a distant city, corresponding to another time zone, as the time zone displayed during a large part of the year. In another variant, the time of each time zone takes into account each day of time zone changes. This variant, however, requires a larger memory to take into account the date of change of time of each time zone; moreover, different countries in the same time zone often provide different rules for switching to summer time. In a third variant, the user himself introduces a changeover to summer time or winter time, his original time zone or another consulted time zone, by means of an appropriate command. organs A, B and / or 102.

As mentioned, the movements of the hour hands 20, seconds 22, and disks or ring displayed in the wickets can be carried out independently of each other, and bidirectionally. Whenchanging timezones or changes in the allocation of these indicators, theindicators concerned move in the direction of rotation which minimizes the rotation time or power consumption for this rotation.

The watch described above therefore uses the seconds hand 22 to designate the time zone when changing the time zone. This feature can also be used with watches that would not allow the temporary display of a time zone nor the automatic return to the original time zone. Conversely, the time zone selected during the change of time zone, or during the temporary consultation, may be indicated by other indicators within the scope of the invention, for example by a needle or an additional disk assigned to this function. Reference numbers

1 Watch

10 Box

1 1 Raising

1 10 Marking cities on the flange

A push 1

B Push 2

102 Crown

20 Hour hand

21 minutes needle

22 seconds hand

23 Big date display

230 1 st wicket

231 2nd window

Claims

claims

A method of changing the time zone indicated by a timepiece (1) to change from an initial time zone to a modified time zone, comprising the steps of: introducing a change-over command by the user time zone (268, 276, 278), indication of the time of the modified time zone (274), automatic return (280) of the timepiece to the initial time zone and indication of the time of the initial time zone (202 ).

The method of claim 1, wherein said timepiece automatically returns to said initial time zone after a predetermined period.

The method of claim 2, wherein the modified time indication is maintained when the user enters a modified timekeeping command (282) during said period.

4. The method of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the displayed time (202) at the end of the time zone change takes into account the time elapsed during the time zone change process.

The method of one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said selected time zone is indicated by means of a pointer (22) pointing to a city indication (110).

The method of claim 5, wherein said selected time zone is indicated by means of a pointer (22) temporarily pointing to a city indication (110) during time zone selection, said pointer being assigned to a time zone. other function when displaying the time.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the steps of: introducing by the user a time shift mode control (268), moving the second hand ( 22) to indicate the current time zone (274), introducing by the user one or more time zone change commands (276, 278), the second hand (22) being moved (284, 286) indicating a another time zone following each command, after a predetermined duration (280), or following the introduction of a command (282) for maintaining the modified time, reassigning the second hand to the seconds display (202).

The method of claim 7, wherein the hour (20) and minute (21) hands continue to move during said predetermined period (280), and wherein the second hand (22), following said reassignment (202) is repositioned in a position taking into account the elapsed time during the timezone selection and during said predetermined period.

9. The method of one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, following the introduction by the user of one or more commands (276, 278) for changing the time zone, the hour hand (20). is moved to indicate the time of the selected time zone.

The method of one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said time zone change control (268) is introduced by means of a ring (102) or pusher (A, B) of said piece. watchmaking.

11. Timepiece allowing the temporary display of another time zone and the automatic return (280) to the initial time zone.

12. The part of claim 11, comprising a counter for effecting said automatic return to the initial time zone after a predetermined duration.

13. The part of one of claims 11 or 12, comprising means for effecting said return following an action by the user and before the end of said duration.

The timepiece of one of claims 11 to 13, comprising means (282, 288) for maintaining the display of said other time zone by introducing a user command during said predetermined time.

15. The timepiece of one of claims 11 to 14, constituted by an electronic wristwatch (1) comprising a microcontroller and electromechanical elements (A, B, 102) for introducing time zone change controls.

The timepiece of one of claims 11 to 15, comprising: hour hands (20) and minutes (21) driven by at least a first electric motor, a second hand (22) driven in a manner independent of said hour and minute hands by a second electric motor, a microcontroller arranged to affect said second hand (22) to the seconds display in the time display mode, and to affect said seconds hand to the time zone indication time in change mode or time zone consultation.

The timepiece of claim 16, wherein said second electric motor is a bi-directional stepper motor rotatable in a first direction when the time zone is moved in a first direction by means of a control. increment (276), and to rotate in a second opposite direction to the first direction when the time zone is moved in a second direction by means of a decrementation key (278).

18. The timepiece of one of claims 16 or 17, wherein said microcontroller is arranged to move said hour hand (20) when viewing another time zone.

19. The timepiece of one of claims 11 to 18, comprising a window for displaying a morning or evening indication of the momentarily displayed time zone.

20. The timepiece of claim 19, said indication morning or evening being indicated by a choice of color and / or typography of the date displayed in said window, and / or by a graphic element displayed simultaneously with the date in the same wicket.

21. The timepiece of one of claims 11 to 20, comprising a ring gear (102) comprising at least one fixed axial position (C = O) and an unstable depressed position (C = -1) to introduce commands. said crown returning of itself from said unstable position to said stable position when released.

22. The timepiece of one of claims 11 to 21, for consulting the time of another time zone by means of a single action (268) on an organ (102) and a number pressing another member (A, B) corresponding to the time difference between the initial time zone and the consulted time zone.