EP2875407A1

EP2875407A1 - Method of improved management of an electronic apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP2875407A1
Application number: EP13733312.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabien Balli; Stéphane Claude; Jean LACONTE
Original assignee: ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
Current assignee: ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
Priority date: 2012-07-18
Filing date: 2013-07-03
Publication date: 2015-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 2033-07-03
Also published as: JP2015525879A; TW201413438A; EP2687921A1; CN104813243B; US10222762B2; CN104813243A; JP6182606B2; HK1208919A1; US20150168923A1; WO2014012790A1; EP2875407B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus (100) comprising a box containing a microcontroller (1) electrically powered by electrical energy storage means (3) and connected to a time base (5), means for measuring the brightness (9), means for detecting the carriage (10) of said apparatus (100), said microcontroller also being connected to first display means (7a) and second display means (7b) arranged so as, in an active mode of operation, to be controlled by electronic command circuits so as to display at least one item of information at least provided by the time base.

Description

P ROC E D E D ES I ESTI ON AM ELI O R E OF U N PA PA R E I L

ELECTRON I Q U E

The invention relates to an electronic apparatus comprising a housing containing an electronic control circuit powered by electrical energy storage means and connected to a time base, means for measuring the brightness, measurement means the movement undergone by said apparatus, said electronic control circuit being also connected to first display means and second display means arranged for, in an active operating mode, to be controlled by an electronic control circuit for displaying information at least provided by the time base.

BACKGROUND TECHNOLOGY

It is known that electronic devices have the disadvantage of having a source of energy that discharges over time. As a result, energy management methods of the electronic device exist so that the autonomy of the energy source is as long as possible. For this purpose, various energy management methods have been invented and generally, these energy saving methods consist, after the activation of a triggering element, in stopping the most power-consuming functions such as the LCD display. or the movement of the needles. For example, there are known management methods in which the trigger element is the user himself. He himself controls the start of the energy saving mode. For this, he manipulates pushbuttons or other control means of the electronic apparatus for activating the energy saving mode.

A disadvantage of this method is that the user is not methodical. Indeed, the user will not always engage the energy saving mode when necessary. It will trigger it when it leaves for several days but it will not trigger it necessarily every night. The energy saving achieved is therefore not optimal.

There are also known methods in which the trigger element is based on the level of a physical quantity. For example, the triggering can occur when the ambient brightness falls below a certain threshold indicating that the electronic device is in the dark. The trigger can be done when the electronic device detects that it is no longer worn. This is done by the use of a motion sensitive accelerometer of the electronic device. A disadvantage of these methods is that the activation of the energy saving mode can be spontaneous without being necessary or desired. Indeed, if the electronic device spends an extended period of time under a tunnel or under a sleeve or if the user carrying the said device falls asleep so that the device detects a lack of movement, the energy saving mode can trigger without it being necessary. The functions are then deactivated and the user no longer has immediate access to this information and must reactivate the normal mode for this. This becomes a source of inconvenience to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing to provide an electronic device whose energy saving management process is reliable and offers a longer battery life. To this end, the invention relates to a method for managing an electronic apparatus comprising a housing containing a microcontroller fed with electrical energy by means of storing electrical energy and connected to a time base, means for measuring the electrical energy. brightness, means for detecting the port of said apparatus, said microcontroller also being connected to first display means comprising at least one needle actuated by an electric motor and second display means comprising at least one digital screen arranged for, in an active operating mode, be controlled by the microcontroller to display at least a first time information at least provided by the time base, the method comprises the steps of: a) displaying at least said first time information at least provided by the base time corresponding to a mode of operation said active; b) testing a first criterion related to a second time information provided by the time base, if the first test is completed, go to the next step if not redo said step a); c) testing a second criterion related to a movement information provided by the means for detecting the port of said apparatus, if the third test is filled, go to the next step if not redo said step a); characterized in that said method further comprises a step d) of testing a third criterion representative of a physical quantity so that, when the first, second and third criteria are satisfied, the transition from the active mode of operation to a mode of standby operation occurs and in that steps b), c) and d) are performed as long as the first, second and third criteria are not met and at regular intervals calculated so that the position of the electric motor rotor said at least one needle is identical in steps b), c) and d) to generate the least disturbances. The invention also relates to a method for managing an electronic apparatus comprising a housing containing a microcontroller supplied with electrical energy by means of storing electrical energy and connected to a time base, means for measuring the brightness, means for detecting the port of said apparatus, said microcontroller also being connected to first display means comprising at least one needle actuated by an electric motor and second display means comprising at least one digital screen arranged for, in a active operation, being controlled by the microcontroller to display at least a first time information at least provided by the time base, the method comprises the steps of: a) displaying at least said first time information at least provided by the corresponding time base an operating mode said active; b) testing a first criterion related to a second time information provided by the time base, if the first test is completed, go to the next step if not redo said step a); c) testing a second criterion related to a movement information provided by the means for detecting the port of said apparatus, if the third test is filled, go to the next step if not redo said step a); characterized in that said method further comprises a step d) of testing a third criterion representative of a time magnitude so that, when the first, second and third criteria are met, the transition from the active mode of operation to a mode Standby operation occurs.

This method has the advantage of being reliable because it uses a higher number of criteria which makes the errors more rare. Indeed, by cumulating a criterion related to time, a criterion related to the movement and a last criterion that can be related to time or ambient light, it minimizes the risk of errors and standby without it being necessary. In a first advantageous embodiment, the third criterion is linked to a brightness information provided by the brightness measuring means, this third criterion allowing the transition from the active operating mode to a short-time standby operating mode in which the first display means are stopped.

In a second advantageous embodiment, step d) consists in comparing a brightness value measured by said brightness measuring means with a first brightness threshold, the second criterion being validated if the measured brightness value is lower or equal to said first brightness threshold.

In a third advantageous embodiment, step b) consists in comparing a measurement of time by the time base with a first time interval, the first criterion being fulfilled if said measurement of time by the time base is included in said first time interval.

In another advantageous embodiment, the first criterion is tested first, the second and third criteria being tested simultaneously when the first criterion is fulfilled.

In another advantageous embodiment, the third criterion consists in testing the value of a counter with respect to a first counter value, this third criterion allowing the transition from the active operating mode to a long-time standby operation mode in wherein the first display means and the second display means are stopped. In another advantageous embodiment, step b) consists in comparing a time information delivered by the time base with a second time value, said fourth criterion being fulfilled when said time information delivered by the time base is identical to the second time value. In another advantageous embodiment, the first criterion is tested first, the second criterion being tested when the first criterion is fulfilled, and in that, when this second criterion is fulfilled, the value of the counter is incremented and the third criterion is tested. In another advantageous embodiment, step c) for testing a second criterion related to a motion information provided by the means for detecting the port of said apparatus comprises:

- Realizing, at a time Ti, a first measurement of the position of said apparatus made by the detection means of said apparatus; comparing this first measurement with a second measurement stored in a memory element and made at a time ti-1, the third criterion being validated if the first and second measurements are identical, otherwise replacing the value of the memory element by the first measurement performed at the instant Ti. In another advantageous embodiment, the method further comprises a step f) of switching from the short-time standby operation mode to the so-called normal operating mode, this step of testing a first event and switching from the short-time standby operation in the so-called normal operating mode if the test of the first event is positive.

In another advantageous embodiment, the method further comprises a step F) of switching from the long-standby mode of operation to the so-called normal operating mode, this step of testing a second event and changing from short-time standby operation in the so-called normal operating mode if the test of the second event is positive.

In another advantageous embodiment, the action aimed at testing a first event consists in detecting a change in the electrical state of the means of action. In another advantageous embodiment, the action aimed at testing a first event consists in comparing a measured physical quantity with respect to a reference value of said physical quantity, the first event being filled if said measured physical quantity is identical to said reference value of said physical quantity.

In another advantageous embodiment, the measured physical quantity is the brightness, the measured brightness value being compared with a second brightness threshold.

In another advantageous embodiment, said second brightness threshold is identical to the first brightness threshold.

In another advantageous embodiment, the measured physical quantity is time information, the measured time information being compared to a third time value.

In another advantageous embodiment, steps b), c) and d) are performed every eight minutes as long as the first, second and third criteria are not filled so as to generate the least disturbances.

The method also has the advantage of being flexible in the sense that the criteria can be chosen according to the desired standby mode of operation. In addition, the different thresholds allowing the criteria to be fulfilled or not can be determined by the user according to his rhythm of life.

The invention also relates to an electronic apparatus comprising a housing containing a microcontroller supplied with electrical energy by means of storing the electrical energy and connected to a time base, means for measuring the brightness, means for detecting the port said apparatus, said microcontroller also being connected to first display means and second display means arranged for, in an active operating mode, to be controlled by an electronic control circuit to display at least a first information time at least provided by the time base and a standby mode of operation, said microcontroller triggering the transition from the active operating mode to the standby operating mode according to a first criterion related to a second time information provided by the base of time and a second criterion related to a movement information provided by the means for detecting the port of said apparatus, characterized in that the transition from the active mode of operation to the standby mode of operation is furthermore carried out according to a third criterion representative of a physical or temporal quantity. In another advantageous embodiment, the third criterion is related to a brightness information provided by the brightness measuring means, this third criterion allowing the transition from the active operating mode to a short-time standby operating mode in which the first display means are stopped In another advantageous embodiment, the brightness information is obtained by comparing a brightness value measured by said brightness measuring means to a first brightness threshold.

In another advantageous embodiment, the first criterion consists in comparing a time measurement by the time base with a first time interval in order to know if said time measurement by the time base is included in said first time interval. time interval.

In another advantageous embodiment, the third criterion consists in testing the value of a counter with respect to a first counter value, this third criterion allowing the transition from the active operating mode to a long-time standby operation mode in wherein the first display means and the second display means are stopped. In another advantageous embodiment, the first criterion consists in comparing a time information delivered by the time base to a second time value, said first criterion being filled when said time information delivered by the time base. is identical to the second time value.

In another advantageous embodiment, the motion information provided by the means for detecting the port of said apparatus consists in producing, at a time Ti, a first measurement of the position of said apparatus and comparing this first measurement with a second measurement. stored in a memory element the third criterion being validated if the first and second measurements are identical.

In another advantageous embodiment, the means for detecting the port of said apparatus consist of a magnetic sensor.

In another advantageous embodiment, the magnetic sensor is substituted by an accelerometer which is arranged inside the housing and which comprises at least one measurement axis of the acceleration experienced by the watch.

In another advantageous embodiment, the means of detecting the port of said apparatus consist of a thermoelectric sensor, the motion information provided by the thermoelectric sensor consisting of the comparison of a measurements made by a thermoelectric sensor with a representative temperature threshold. body temperature.

In another advantageous embodiment, the first display means comprise at least one needle actuated by an electric motor and in that the second display means comprise at least one digital screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The objects, advantages and features of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention will become more clearly apparent in the description following detailed description of at least one embodiment of the invention given solely by way of nonlimiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 shows schematically the electronic device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 diagrammatically represents the diagram of the mode of operation in short standby mode according to the invention; and

FIG. 3 diagrammatically represents the diagram of the long-time standby mode of operation according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In Figure 1, there is shown an electronic apparatus 100 according to the present invention. This electronic device 100 comprises a microcontroller 1 powered by a power source 3. This power source 3 can be a battery or a super capacitor or accumulator recharged by a rotor or a solar cell or an external connection or any other means of recharge possible. The electrical apparatus 100 further comprises a time base 5, for example a quartz delivering a defined frequency signal. This defined frequency signal is used so that the microcontroller can provide time representative signals that are sent to the display means 7. These display means 7 may be analog and / or digital. We will take the example in which the electronic device 100 comprises analog display means 7a and digital display means 7b. For example, the analog display means 7a are needles or rotating discs, while the digital display means 7b are a digital screen such as LCD or OLED or the like.

These analog display means 7a and these digital display means 7b are also used to display other information. than temporal information. Indeed, the electronic apparatus 100 may further comprise means for detecting the port 10 of said apparatus 100 such as a magnetic sensor 1 1 with two or three axes for providing orientation information and acting as a compass. The electronic apparatus 100 may also include a light sensor 9 such as a photodiode or a solar cell. The photodiode may, for example, allow the lighting of a backlight if the ambient light drops too much while the solar cell can recharge the battery and serve as a light sensor for switching on a backlight, the magnetic sensor 1 1 and the light sensor 9 are connected to the microcontroller 1. The electronic apparatus 100 also comprises means of action 13 such as pushers or tactile or other areas allowing the user to act on said electronic device 100.

This electronic apparatus 100 may be a portable apparatus such as a watch or a portable navigation apparatus or a portable communication apparatus. In the following description, it will be taken as an example that the electronic apparatus 100 is a watch.

Advantageously, the magnetic sensor 1 1 and the light sensor 9 are used to determine the passage of the electronic device 100 in the different modes of operation.

Indeed, the electronic apparatus 100 operates in several modes of operation. A first so-called normal operating mode, called step a) or A), is a mode of operation in which the consumption of electrical energy is not limited and in which the information provided by the time base and / or the sensor magnetic 1 1 and / or the light sensor 9 are displayed via the analog display means 7a and the digital display means 7b. Preferably, the information provided by the time base 5 is displayed by the analog display means 7a and the information provided by the magnetic sensor 11 and / or the light sensor 9 are displayed by the digital display means 7b.

The electronic apparatus 100 is arranged to operate in different modes of standby operation. In order to activate the various modes of operation in standby, criteria must be fulfilled; in all cases, a certain number of criteria are common to the various modes of operation in standby.

A first criterion is a criterion related to a temporal information. Indeed, for the microcontroller 1 to establish that the watch 100 is in a state indicating that a standby is possible, a time criterion is necessary. This criterion can be precise hourly information, an interval of time, the fact that a criterion is repeated in time or others.

A second criterion is a criterion related to a movement information. Indeed, this is an important criterion because if the microcontroller detects that said watch 100 moves, that is to say it is worn. However, if it is worn, a standby is not possible.

Advantageously according to the invention, the electronic apparatus 100 is arranged so that the standby is activated by using a third criterion representative of a physical or temporal quantity so that if the three criteria are fulfilled, the standby mode of operation are activated.

The electronic apparatus is thus arranged to operate in two modes of standby operation, a short standby mode of operation and a long standby mode of operation.

In a first embodiment, the short standby mode of operation, a diagram of which is visible in FIG. 2, is arranged to switch on when the watch 100 is no longer worn for a period of a few hours. For example, this mode of operation in short standby snaps at night when the user no longer wears his watch 100. To activate the activation mode short standby mode, criteria must be met. These criteria are intended to allow the microcontroller to know that the watch 100 is in a state in which it can be put on standby.

For this mode of operation in short standby, activation by the microcontroller 1 is done when three criteria are met, are met. These three criteria make it possible to reliably define that the watch 100 must be placed in a short-time standby mode. In a step, called step b), a first criterion is tested. The first criterion is linked to a time information. This criterion consists in respecting a first time interval. It will be understood that watch 100 will consider that the first criterion is validated if, at a given moment, the measured time is included in said first interval. For example, a first interval chosen is the interval 22h at Oh. This means that each day, the microcontroller 1 compares the time information provided by the time base 3 to the first defined interval is the interval 22h to Oh. The time criterion will be validated when the current time will be in said first interval 22h - Oh. We choose such an interval example because we assume that the majority of users sleep during this interval. It is therefore a good time to get into a mode of operation that saves energy.

We therefore understand that each day, the microcontroller 1 tests the different criteria. If this first criterion is fulfilled, the following steps are performed otherwise this first criterion is tested again in step b).

A step, called step c), consists in testing the second criterion is linked to a movement or orientation information. For this, the magnetic sensor 1 1 with two or three axes is used. This magnetic sensor 11 is used to provide, at regular intervals, representative measurements of the orientation of the watch 100 and to compare them. If the microcontroller 1 detects that the orientation of the watch 100 at a time Ti is identical to the orientation of the watch 100 at a time Ti-1 stored in a memory element, it deduces that the watch 100 is not carried by the user. However, by associating this result with the results of the first and second criteria, the microcontroller 1 deduces that the watch 100 is at a late moment of the night: between 22h and Oh, in a dark environment and that it moves not. Therefore, the probability that the watch 100 is placed, for example on the bedside table of the user, is high.

On the other hand, if the orientation of the watch 100 at a time Ti is not identical to the orientation of the watch 100 at a time Ti-1, the orientation information of the watch 100 at time Ti is saved. in a memory element and becomes the instant Ti-1 for a subsequent measurement. Another step, called step d), consists in testing the third criterion which is linked to a brightness information. This criterion consists of a brightness information measured by the brightness sensor 9 and then compared to a first predetermined brightness threshold. Thus, when the brightness measured by the brightness sensor is less than or equal to the first predetermined brightness threshold, the microcontroller 1 considers that the watch 100 is in a dark environment. The brightness criterion is therefore fulfilled and the short standby mode of operation can be activated. When the first and second criteria are met, the microcontroller 1 deduces that the watch 100 is, between 22h and Oh, in a dark environment.

If the second and third criteria are not met, then the test of the first criterion is performed again.

It is understood that the first criterion, the second criterion and the third criterion can be tested one after the other. The order of the tests may be that the first criterion is tested first, the second criterion tested in second and third criterion tested last. But it is conceivable that the first criterion is tested first and that the second criterion and the third criterion are tested simultaneously when the first criterion is fulfilled. By cons, once the three criteria are met, the microcontroller 1 will go to step e) that is to say activate the change of operating mode of the watch 100 so that it changes from one mode said normal to a short standby mode of operation. This mode of operation in short standby is characterized by the deactivation of digital display means 7b. This deactivation limits the power consumption by not using the digital display means 7b which consumes a large amount of energy.

This combination of three criteria has the advantage of avoiding a tripping of the mode of operation in short standby when the user works at night in a dark environment or when the user makes exceptionally a night trip.

The various values for the first time interval of the first criterion, the first brightness threshold value of the third criterion and the time interval between two orientation measurements are imposed, configured by the user. For the brightness threshold, it is set by the manufacturer to 30 lux, this threshold can be adapted to environmental conditions. For the time interval of the first criterion, it is fixed by the manufacturer at 22h - Oh. The user can modify it according to the desires and habits. Indeed, a person with staggered hours will adjust the brightness threshold and the time interval to adapt to these times.

Regarding the measurement interval between two orientation measurements of the watch 100, it is variable and can be set to any possible value. Nevertheless, this time interval can be fixed so that the measures allowing the setting in mode of operation in standby of short duration consume the minimum of energy. Indeed, performing brightness measurements or orientation measurements consumes electrical energy so that the power source 3 discharges. It is therefore necessary that these measures are not too frequent not to empty the power source unnecessarily 3.

In this case, this time interval is set to eight minutes. This eight-minute interval is chosen because it offers a good compromise of measurement frequency and electrical energy consumption. Indeed, if in the time interval of 22h to Oh that is to say in a two-hour interval, measurements are applied with a frequency of eight minutes, it is found that the magnetic sensor 1 1 and the microcontroller 1 will have to measure and process fifteen measures.

In addition, this eight minute interval has the advantage of not disturbing the measurements. Indeed, the motors driving the hour and minute hands are composed of magnetic elements so that a magnetic influence on the magnetic sensor January 1 is present. Now, every eight minutes, the engine rotors of the hour and minute hands are in the same position. The influence of these rotors is therefore identical from one magnetic measurement to another. If the time interval had been shorter or longer than eight minutes, the motor rotors would have had a different influence which could have modified the magnetic measurements.

To exit from the short standby mode of operation and return to the so-called normal operating mode, there is provided a step f) in which a first event is tested and makes it possible to switch from the short-time standby mode to the of operation said normal. For this, the first event can be in the form of several solutions. First, one solution is to return to normal operating mode when the user acts on the means of action 13. In fact, a user action on a pusher informs the microcontroller 1 that the watch 100 is worn by the user or at least that it is used which requires the transition from a standby mode of operation to a normal operating mode. A support on the means of action 13 implies a change of electrical state which causes the detection of this support by the microcontroller 1. The latter, in response, will move the watch 100 into normal operation. The microcontroller 1 then triggers the reactivation of the digital display means 7b which display again a time information.

Secondly, one solution is to return to normal operation when an event occurs. It is understood that such an event can be the comparison of a measured physical quantity with respect to a reference value of said physical quantity. For example, this physical quantity is linked to a watch event such as triggering a time alarm. But said event can be linked to one of the functions of the watch 100. For example, the user can set his watch 100 for an audible alarm to sound at 7:00. This activation of the audible alarm then causes activation by the microcontroller 1 of the normal operating mode. It is then understood that the measured physical quantity, which is temporal information, is compared with a third time value.

Similarly, the physical quantity can be related to the sensors. Thus, the audible alarm can be coupled to one of the sensors such as the brightness sensor 9 so that if the brightness reaches a value above a certain threshold, the watch 100 returns to normal operating mode. The threshold used may be the brightness threshold used for the second criterion related to a brightness information. Nevertheless, the normal operating mode will only start if the brightness exceeds this threshold and not reverse. It will be understood that the measured physical quantity of brightness is compared with a second brightness threshold

It will be understood that the use of the magnetic sensor is conceivable. The microcontroller 1, when it receives a movement information from the magnetic sensor, considers that the normal operating mode must be activated and active.

Third, one solution is to return to normal operating mode at a fixed time, that is to say when the time reaches a third time information. This solution consists in programming, in the microcontroller 1, information representative of a moment composed of a time information, a minute information and a second information. The information provided by the time base 5 is compared to this representative information of a moment. Thus, as long as the information provided by the time base 5 does not correspond to the information representative of a moment, the watch 100 remains in a mode of operation in short standby. In the opposite case, the microcontroller 1 activates the transition from the short-time standby operation mode to the normal operating world by activating the digital display means 7b. In a second embodiment, there is also a mode of operation long standby, a diagram is visible in Figure 3, is arranged to be engaged when the watch 100 is no longer worn for a period of several days . For example, this mode of long-time standby operation is triggered when the user goes on vacation for a few weeks without taking his watch 100. To activate the long-time standby operation, criteria must be met. These criteria are intended to inform the microcontroller 1 that the watch 100 is in a situation in which it can be put on standby. For this mode of operation in long standby, the activation by the microcontroller 1 is done when different criteria are met. These two criteria make it possible to reliably define that the watch 100 must be placed in a long standby mode. These criteria are to ensure that the tests allowing the long-term operation is done at regular intervals. Indeed, the long standby mode of operation is set to activate when, during a predefined period, the conditions indicating that a long-time standby is possible, are fulfilled. In this second embodiment, the step, called step b), concerning the first criterion then consists of monitoring, checking the time information provided by the time base 5, for example the current time provided to the user. . When this time information is identical to a second time value predefined or entered by the user, said first criterion is considered as fulfilled. For example, the preset time information is 22:00. Thus, the first criterion will be fulfilled when the time base will indicate 22:00.

When this first criterion is fulfilled, the microcontroller 1 goes on to the next step. This step, called step c), consists of testing the second criterion related to a movement or orientation information. For this, the magnetic sensor 1 1 with two or three axes is used. This magnetic sensor 1 1 is used to provide, at regular intervals, measurements representative of the orientation of the watch 100 and to compare them. If the microcontroller 1 detects that the orientation of the watch 100 at a time Ti is identical to the orientation of the watch 100 at a time Ti-1 stored in a memory element, the microcontroller 1 deduces that the watch 100 does not is not worn by the user. The microcontroller 1 deduces that the watch 100 does not move. The probability that the watch 100 is placed, for example, on the bedside table of the user, is high. On the other hand, if the orientation of the watch 100 at a time Ti is not identical to the orientation of the watch 100 at a time Ti-1, the orientation information of the watch 100 at time Ti is saved in a memory element and becomes the time Ti-1 for a subsequent measurement.

When this second criterion is fulfilled, the step, called step d) is performed, in which a counter is incremented. The incrementation of this counter means that between two instants allowing the first criterion to be validated, the watch has not changed position. Using the example previously described, this means that between a day 1 at 22h and a day 2 at 22h, the watch has not changed position. Thus, if between a day 2 at 22h and a day 3 at 22h, the watch has not changed position, the meter will increment again. On the contrary, if the third criterion between a time Ti and a time Ti-1 is not verified then the counter is reset so that the entire sequence is redone. Indeed, the fact that the third criterion is not filled indicates that the watch has changed position and therefore the user uses it. Setting to standby mode of long standby is not useful.

The value of the counter is, at each incrementation, compared with a first counter value, which may be predefined or entered by the user. This criterion can be likened to a temporal criterion because the counter is incremented when between a time Ti and a time Ti-1, the microcontroller 1 finds that the position of the watch has not changed. This criterion is fulfilled when the absence of movement of the watch between a moment Ti and a moment Ti-1 is verified several times in succession. The microcontroller 1 therefore comprises that the watch is not used and that it can be put on standby for a long time, that is to say activate step E).

In this case, the activation of the long standby mode of operation is done if, for a predetermined period of time, the microcontroller 1 detects, via the magnetic sensor 1 1, that the watch 100 is not worn. For this, every night, at a fixed time, as example at 22h, the magnetic sensor 1 1 measures a motion information. If, for seven days, no significant difference in motion has been measured, then the long standby mode is activated. The consequence is that once the criteria are fulfilled, the microcontroller 1 will activate the change of operating mode of the watch 100 so that it changes from a so-called normal mode to a long standby mode of operation. duration. This mode of operation in long-time standby, called step E), is characterized in that the analog display means 7a and the digital display means are deactivated. The digital screen and the needle motors are no longer powered which saves energy.

The watch returns to normal operating mode when performing a second event of a step F). This second event is here checked when the user acts on the means of action 13. Indeed, an action of the user on a pusher informs the microcontroller 1 that the watch 100 is worn by the user or the unless it is used which requires the switch from a standby mode of operation to a normal operating mode. Of course, the moment at which the measurement of the information related to the movement is performed can be chosen by the manufacturer or the user. Similarly, the period during which the movement criterion must be positive may be different and adjustable by the user. For example, the watch 100 can enter a mode of long standby operation if, for three days at 13h, the magnetic sensor 1 1 does not measure any significant difference in the orientation of the watch 100.

Of course, it will be understood that the watch 100 can integrate the two operating modes in standby, the operating mode in standby of short duration and the mode of operation in standby of long duration but it can also have that one or the 'other. In a variant, to know if the watch 100 is worn by the user or not, it is possible to use another sensor. Indeed, it is conceivable that the watch 100 is equipped with a thermoelectric sensor 10. In fact, the human body has a specific body temperature that is possible to measure. Thus, the thermoelectric sensor 10 converts the measured temperature into a voltage value representative of the temperature. Human body temperature varies between 36 ° C and 38 ° C for a human body temperature of 37 ° C. This voltage representative of the measured temperature is therefore compared with two reference voltage values, each being representative of one of the limits of the range representative of the body temperature. The microcontroller 1 is therefore responsible for comparing the voltage value representative of the measured temperature with the two reference voltage values. If the voltage value representative of the measured temperature is between the two reference voltage values then the microcontroller 1 deduces that the watch is worn. On the contrary, if the voltage value representative of the measured temperature is not between the two reference voltage values then the microcontroller 1 deduces that the watch is not on the wrist of the user.

This criterion is also tested between a time Ti and a time Ti-1 so that the criterion is the most reliable possible. Indeed, if the thermoelectric sensor 10 measures, at time Ti-1, a temperature below 36 ° C and at time Ti, a temperature between 36 ° C and 38 ° C, the microcontroller deduces that the shows 100 is not worn and is close to a heat source. On the other hand, if the thermoelectric sensor 10 measures, at the instant Ti-1, a temperature of between 36 ° C. and 38 ° C. and, at the instant Ti, a temperature below 36 ° C., the microcontroller 1 deduces that watch 100 is not worn. It is possible that the sensor Thermoelectric 10 compares the measured temperature value with a temperature threshold representative of body temperature such as 37 ° C.

It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements and / or combinations obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention set out above without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

R EV IN DI CATI O NS

1. Method for managing an electronic device (100) comprising a housing containing a microcontroller (1) supplied with electrical energy by electrical energy storage means (3) and connected to a time base (5), means for measuring brightness (9), means for detecting the port (10) of said device (100), said microcontroller also being connected to first display means (7a) comprising at least one needle actuated by an electric motor and second display means (7b) comprising at least one digital screen arranged to, in an active operating mode, be controlled by the microcontroller (1) to display at least one first temporal information at least provided by the time base, the method comprises the steps: a) display at least said first temporal information at least provided by the time base corresponding to a so-called active operating mode; b) test a first criterion linked to a second temporal information provided by the time base, if the first test is fulfilled, go to the next step otherwise repeat said step a); c) test a second criterion linked to movement information provided by the means of detecting the port (10) of said device (100), if the third test is fulfilled, proceed to the next step otherwise repeat said step a);

characterized in that said method further comprises a step d) consisting of testing a third criterion representative of a physical quantity so that, when the first, second and third criteria are met, the transition from the active operating mode to a mode standby operation occurs and steps b), c) and d) are carried out as long as the first, second and third criteria are not met and at regular intervals calculated so that the position of the rotor of the electric motor of said at least one needle is identical during steps b), c) and d) to generate least disruption.

2. Method for managing an electronic device (100) comprising a housing containing a microcontroller (1) supplied with electrical energy by electrical energy storage means (3) and connected to a time base (5), means for measuring the brightness (9), means for detecting the port (10) of said device (100), said microcontroller also being connected to first display means (7a) comprising at least one needle actuated by a motor electrical and second display means (7b) comprising at least one digital screen arranged to, in an active operating mode, be controlled by the microcontroller (1) to display at least one first temporal information at least provided by the base of time, the method comprises the steps: a) displaying at least said first temporal information at least provided by the time base corresponding to a so-called active operating mode; b) test a first criterion linked to a second temporal information provided by the time base, if the first test is fulfilled, go to the next step otherwise repeat said step a); c) test a second criterion linked to movement information provided by the means of detecting the port (10) of said device (100), if the third test is fulfilled, proceed to the next step otherwise repeat said step a);

characterized in that said method further comprises a step d) consisting of testing a third criterion representative of a temporal quantity so that, when the first, second and third criteria are fulfilled, the transition from active operating mode to a standby operating mode occurs.

3. Method for managing an electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the third criterion is linked to brightness information provided by the brightness measuring means (9), this third criterion allowing the transition from mode from active operation to a short-term standby operating mode in which the first display means are stopped.

4 Method for managing an electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that step d) consists of comparing a brightness value measured by said brightness measuring means (9) to a first brightness threshold, the second criterion being validated if the measured brightness value is less than or equal to said first brightness threshold.

5. Method for managing an electronic device according to claims 3 or 4, characterized in that step b) consists of comparing a measurement of time by the time base (5) with a first time interval, the first criterion being fulfilled if said measurement of time by the time base (5) is included in said first time interval.

6 Method for managing an electronic device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the first criterion is tested first, the second and third criteria being tested simultaneously when the first criterion is met.

7. Method for managing an electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that the third criterion consists of testing the value of a counter in relation to a first counter value, this third criterion allowing the transition from the operating mode active in a long-term standby operating mode in which the first display means and the second display means are stopped.

8. Method for managing an electronic device according to claim 7, characterized in that step b) consists of comparing time information delivered by the time base (5) to a second time value, said second criterion being fulfilled when said time information delivered by the time base is identical to the second time value.

9. Method for managing an electronic device according to claims 7, characterized in that the first criterion is tested first, the second criterion being tested when the first criterion is met, and in that, when this second criterion is met , the counter value is incremented and the third criterion is tested.

10. Method for managing an electronic device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that step c) aimed at testing a second criterion linked to movement information provided by the port detection means (10) said device consists of:

- Carry out, at a time Ti, a first measurement of the position of said device made by the detection means (10) of said device;

- compare this first measurement to a second measurement stored in a memory element and carried out at a time ti - 1, the third criterion being validated if the first and second measurements are identical, otherwise replace the value of the memory element with the first measurement carried out at time Ti.

1 1 . Method for managing an electronic device according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises a step f) aimed at switching from short-term standby operating mode to so-called normal operating mode, this step consisting of testing a first event and to switch from short-term standby operating mode to so-called normal operating mode if the test of the first event is positive.

12. Method for managing an electronic device according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises a step F) aimed at switching from the long-term standby operating mode to the so-called normal operating mode, this step consisting of to test a second event and to switch from long-term standby operating mode to so-called normal operating mode if the test of the second event is positive.

13. Method for managing an electronic device according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the action aimed at testing a first event consists of detecting a change in electrical state of the action means (13).

14. Method for managing an electronic device according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the action aimed at testing a first event consists of comparing a measured physical quantity relative to a reference value of said physical quantity, the first event being fulfilled if said measured physical quantity is identical to said reference value of said physical quantity.

15. Method for managing an electronic device according to claim 14, characterized in that the measured physical quantity is the brightness, the measured brightness value being compared to a second brightness threshold.

16. Method for managing an electronic device according to claim 15, characterized in that said second brightness threshold is identical to the first brightness threshold.

17. Method for managing an electronic device according to claim 14, characterized in that the measured physical quantity is temporal information, the measured temporal information being compared to a third time value.

18. Method for managing an electronic device according to claim 12, characterized in that the action aimed at testing a second event consists of comparing measured time information to a fourth time value.

19. Method for managing an electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that steps b), c) and d) are carried out every eight minutes as long as the first, second and third criteria are not fulfilled so to generate the least disruption.

20. Electronic device (100) comprising a housing containing a microcontroller (1) supplied with electrical energy by electrical energy storage means (3) and connected to a time base (5), means for measuring the brightness (9), means for detecting the port of said device (10), said microcontroller also being connected to first display means (7a) and second display means (7b) arranged for, in an operating mode active, be controlled by an electronic control circuit to display at least a first temporal information at least provided by the time base and a standby operating mode, said microcontroller triggering the transition from the active operating mode to the standby operating mode in function of a first criterion linked to a second temporal information provided by the time base (5) and of a second criterion linked to movement information provided by the detection means of the port (10) of said device (100), characterized in that the transition from active operating mode to standby operating mode is carried out, in addition, as a function of a third criterion representative of a physical or temporal quantity.

21. Electronic device according to claim 20, characterized in that the third criterion is linked to brightness information provided by the brightness measuring means (9), this third criterion allowing the transition from the active operating mode to an operating mode in short-term standby in which the first display means are stopped

22. Electronic device according to claim 21, characterized in that the brightness information is obtained by comparison of a brightness value measured by said brightness measuring means (9) to a first brightness threshold.

23. Electronic device according to claims 20, characterized in that the first criterion consists of the comparison of a measurement of time by the time base (5) with a first time interval in order to know whether said measurement of time by the time base is included in said first time interval.

24. Electronic device according to claim 20, characterized in that the third criterion consists of testing the value of a counter in relation to a first counter value, this third criterion allowing the transition from the active operating mode to an operating mode in long-term standby in which the first display means and the second display means are stopped.

25. Electronic device according to claim 20, characterized in that the first criterion consists of the comparison of time information delivered by the time base (5) to a second time value, said first criterion being fulfilled when said information of time delivered by the time base is identical to the second time value.

26. Electronic device according to claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the movement information provided by the detection means (10) of the port of said device consists of carrying out, at a time Ti, a first measurement of the position of said device and to compare this first measurement to a second measurement stored in a memory element, the third criterion being validated if the first and second measurements are identical.

27. Electronic device according to claim 26, characterized in that the means for detecting the port (10) of said device (100) consist of a magnetic sensor (1 1).

28. Electronic device according to claim 27, characterized in that the magnetic sensor (1 1) is replaced by an accelerometer which is arranged inside the housing and which comprises at least one axis for measuring the acceleration undergone by the watch.

29. Electronic device according to one of claims 20 to 28, characterized in that the means for detecting the port (10) of said device (100) consist of a thermoelectric sensor (12), the movement information provided by the sensor thermoelectric consisting of the comparison of a measurement carried out by the thermoelectric sensor with a temperature threshold representative of body temperature.

30. Electronic device according to one of claims 20 to 29, characterized in that the first display means (7a) comprise at least one needle actuated by an electric motor and in that the second display means (7b) include at least one digital screen.