EP3654112A1 - System for analogue display of information for a watch - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an analog information display system (1) for a watch (100) provided with a mechanical movement, said system (1) comprising: - a display dial (3) comprising a plurality of counters (11); - a moving part (4) for displaying graphic representations support arranged in such a way that the graphic representations which it carries appear in the plurality of counters (11) in order to generate said information, and - a member indicator (5) configured to designate information generated in a window (11) to be reported to the wearer of said watch (100).

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to an analog information display system for a watch as well as to a method for displaying at least one information item on a watch display dial.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising such a system as well as a computer program.

Prior art

Analog information display systems existing on mechanical watches, in particular wristwatches, all use, for reasons of space available on mobile display parts, very little window, one or even two generally, in order to present information to the wearer of the watch. Due to the space constraint available on the moving parts, the display capacity of information by the watch is then greatly limited and unsuited to the diversity of information that it should be able to display, in particular with the advent of connected watches.

We understand that there is then a need to find an alternative solution, in particular which does not have the drawbacks of the prior art.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is therefore to propose an analog information display system offering the possibility of displaying a variety of information, preferably different from the date, the hour or even phases of the moon, clearly and this, while being of a simple implementation.

Another object of the invention is to propose an analog information display system which makes it possible to display a passive notification / alert which consumes little or no energy.

• un cadran d'affichage comprenant une pluralité de guichets ;
• une pièce mobile d'affichage de support de représentations graphiques disposée de telle manière que les représentations graphiques qu'elle porte apparaissent dans la pluralité de guichets afin de générer lesdites informations, et
• un organe indicateur configuré pour désigner une information générée dans un guichet à signaler au porteur de ladite montre.

To this end, the invention relates to an analog information display system for a watch provided with a mechanical movement, said system comprising:

• a display dial comprising a plurality of counters;
• a moving display support piece for graphic representations arranged in such a way that the graphic representations which it carries appear in the plurality of counters in order to generate said information, and
• an indicator member configured to designate information generated in a window to be reported to the wearer of said watch.

• au moins un guichet comprend un élément de formation d'une information agencé au-dessus de la représentation graphique apparaissant dans le guichet correspondant ;
• ledit élément de formation d'une information est une pièce plate comprenant un réseau d'une pluralité d'ouvertures tels que des micro-orifices, des stries, des fentes ou une combinaison d'au moins deux de ces types ouvertures ;
• l'élément de formation d'une information est une pièce rapportée ;
• l'élément de formation d'une information est venu de matière avec une face supérieure ou inférieure du cadran dans une zone de ce cadran comprenant le guichet ou encore avec une paroi d'une ouverture traversante formée par ce guichet ;
• le système comprend au moins un élément d'entrainement de la pièce mobile d'affichage de support de représentations graphiques ;
• la pièce mobile d'affichage de support d'information est une pièce plate de forme circulaire telle qu'un disque ou un anneau ;
• la pièce mobile d'affichage de support de représentations graphiques et le cadran d'affichage sont coaxiaux, et
• le système comprend un élément de calibration configuré pour identifier une position relative entre la pièce mobile et le cadran.

In other embodiments:

• at least one window comprises an information formation element arranged above the graphic representation appearing in the corresponding window;
• said information forming element is a flat part comprising a network of a plurality of openings such as micro-orifices, ridges, slots or a combination of at least two of these types of openings;
• the element of information formation is an added piece;
• the information-forming element came integrally with an upper or lower face of the dial in an area of this dial comprising the window or also with a wall of a through opening formed by this window;
• the system comprises at least one drive element for the movable display part for supporting graphic representations;
• the movable information carrier display part is a flat part of circular shape such as a disc or a ring;
• the graphic display support moving part and the display dial are coaxial, and
• the system includes a calibration element configured to identify a relative position between the moving part and the dial.

The invention also relates to a watch comprising such a system.

Advantageously, the watch is a connected mechanical watch.

The invention also relates to a method of displaying at least one item of information on a watch display dial implemented by the system, the method comprising a step of presenting information in a window of the dial comprising a sub-step of positioning both an indicator member in the direction of the window and a graphic representation or part of a graphic representation in front of a through opening of this window.

The invention further relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of the method according to the preceding claim when said computer program is executed by a processing unit of a watch.

Brief description of the figures

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'une montre comprenant un système d'affichage analogique d'informations, selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une représentation du cadran de la montre, selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 3 est une vue à plus grande échelle d'un guichet comprenant un élément de formation d'une information, selon le mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe d'un ensemble d'éléments superposés comprenant un cadran d'affichage, une pièce mobile d'affichage de support de représentations graphiques et un élément de calibration, selon le mode de réalisation de l'invention, et
• la figure 5 représente un logigramme portant sur un procédé de visualisation d'au moins une information sur un cadran d'affichage, selon le mode de réalisation de l'invention.

Other particularities and advantages will emerge clearly from the description given below, by way of indication and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended figures, in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic representation of a watch comprising an analog information display system, according to an embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 2 is a representation of the watch face, according to an embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 3 is a view on a larger scale of a window comprising an element for forming information, according to the embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 4 is a sectional view of a set of superimposed elements comprising a display dial, a movable display part for supporting graphic representations and a calibration element, according to the embodiment of the invention, and
• the figure 5 represents a flowchart relating to a method of displaying at least one item of information on a display dial, according to the embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

• une unité de traitement 2 comportant des ressources matérielles et logicielles en particulier au moins un processeur coopérant avec des éléments de mémoire ;
• un cadran d'affichage 3 hybride pourvu d'une première composante d'affichage 10a analogique et d'une deuxième composante d'affichage 10b numérique et/ou alphanumérique ;
• une pièce mobile d'affichage 4 de support de représentations graphiques ;
• un organe indicateur 5 tel qu'une aiguille, configuré pour désigner une information présentée dans un guichet 11 du cadran 3 à signaler au porteur de ladite montre 100 ;
• une interface sonore 7 telle qu'un haut-parleur ;
• un élément de calibration 9 tel qu'un capteur de lumière ;
• une commande d'activation 10 de l'affichage d'au moins une notification telle qu'un bouton poussoir, une couronne rotative ou encore une glace tactile ;
• un module de communication 6, et
• au moins un élément d'entrainement 8 de la pièce mobile 4 et de l'organe indicateur 5.

On the figure 1 a watch 100 is shown comprising an analog display system 1 of at least one notification. Such a system 1 is included in watch 100 which is preferably a connected mechanical watch 100 comprising a mechanical movement. This system 1 comprises more precisely in a non-limiting and / or non-exhaustive manner:

• a processing unit 2 comprising hardware and software resources, in particular at least one processor cooperating with memory elements;
• a hybrid display dial 3 provided with a first analog display component 10a and a second digital and / or alphanumeric display component 10b;
• a movable display part 4 for supporting graphic representations;
• an indicator member 5 such as a needle, configured to designate information presented in a window 11 of the dial 3 to be reported to the wearer of said watch 100;
• a sound interface 7 such as a speaker;
• a calibration element 9 such as a light sensor;
• a command for activating the display of at least one notification such as a push button, a rotary crown or even a touch screen;
• a communication module 6, and
• at least one drive element 8 of the movable part 4 and of the indicator member 5.

The processing unit 2 of this system 1 is connected inter alia to the sound interface 7, to the communication module 6, to the calibration element 9, to the activation command 10 and to the training 8.

In this system 1, the communication module 6 is able to establish a connection with a cellular network system by including in particular a SIM card (acronym for "Subscriber Identity Module") or with a wireless local area network WLAN, and is also suitable for implementing communication technologies such as Bluetooth. Under these conditions, the system 1 and therefore the watch 100 is capable of exchanging data with a remote server, a computer or even a computer.

• ne messagerie électronique dans ce cas l'information présentée dans le guichet 11 peut correspondre à un nombre de message reçu par exemple sur la figure 2 dix message ont reçus ;
• un traqueur d'activité dans ce cas l'information peut correspondre à une fréquence de pulsation cardiaque, à un nombre de pas effectué, etc...
  un nombre d'appels téléphoniques manqués lorsque la montre 100 est connectée à un ordiphone ;
• indice d'UV (acronyme d'ultraviolet) ;
• etc...

In this system 1, the display dial 3 visible on the figures 2 and 4 , comprises upper 12a and lower 12b faces, the upper face 12a being the visible face of the dial 3 when it is arranged in the watch 100 and the lower face 12b being that which is arranged opposite the moving part 4. The dial 3 also includes in the first display component 10a a plurality of counters 11 through which information may be presented. Such windows 11 each have a cross section which may have a circular shape or even essentially that of a quadrilateral. These counters 11 are distributed in this dial 3 so as to be able to cooperate distinctly with the indicating member 5 to indicate / signify information to the wearer of the watch 100. This information can be a notification for the attention of this carrier. This notification can be an alert message relating to a function performed by the watch 100, for example a notification relating to:

• do electronic messaging in this case the information presented in the counter 11 may correspond to a number of messages received, for example on the figure 2 ten messages received;
• an activity tracker in this case the information can correspond to a heartbeat frequency, a number of steps taken, etc.
  a number of missed telephone calls when the watch 100 is connected to a smartphone;
• UV index (acronym for ultraviolet);
• etc ...

The dial 3 is mounted superimposed on the movable support part 4 which has a face 13 comprising graphic representations. More precisely, such a moving part 4 is arranged in such a way that the graphic representations which it carries appear in the plurality of apertures 11 of the dial 3 in order to generate information. This movable part 4 which is coaxial with the dial 3, is a part of circular and flat shape such as a disc or a ring.

Note that each window 11 includes a through opening extending longitudinally in this window 11 so as to connect the upper and lower faces 12a, 12b of the dial 3 therebetween.

• une section carrée dont la longueur de chaque côté est comprise entre 200 et 900 µ, de préférence 265 µ, ou
• une section circulaire dont le diamètre est compris entre 200 et 1000 µ, de préférence 374 µ.

In the dial 3, at least one window 11 includes a training element 14 of information. This training element 14 is arranged above the graphic representation appearing in the corresponding window 11. More specifically, such a forming element 14 may have come integrally with the upper face 12a or the lower face 12b of the dial 3 in an area of this dial 3 comprising the aperture 11 or also with the wall of the through opening formed by this window 11. Alternatively, this forming element 14 can be an insert which is arranged on a zone of the upper face 12a or of the face lower 12b comprising the aperture 11 or also in the through opening formed by this aperture 11. This information forming element 14 is a flat part comprising a network / grid of a plurality of openings forming a symbol or a pattern . With reference to the figure 3 , these openings can be for example micro-orifices, ridges, slots or a combination of at least two of these types of openings. By way of example, when this training element 14 comprises a network of micro-orifices each micro-orifice can have:

• a square section whose length on each side is between 200 and 900 µ, preferably 265 µ, or
• a circular section whose diameter is between 200 and 1000 µ, preferably 374 µ.

Such a training element 14 makes it possible, from a graphic representation included on the moving part 4, to generate information. This information as we saw previously is preferably a notification. In the case of a window 11 provided with such a training element 14, the information may relate to a rate / percentage, to a state, to an interval of values, of a parameter of a function of the shows 100 or its functioning, or a measurement of a bodily characteristic of the wearer of watch 100 as a physiological characteristic (pulse, blood oxygen saturation, skin impedance, blood pressure, respiratory rate, respiratory arrhythmia, skin temperature, sweating rate, blood oxygen saturation or blood flow).

By way of example, this training element 14 may include a plurality of openings visible on the figure 3 , together forming a pattern such as a stack. This plurality of openings can cooperate with a graphic representation such as a color gradient to generate information relating to the energy charge level of the watch 100. Indeed, as this charge state decreases the pattern in shape of battery then changes color according to the color gradient relating to the representation graphic. This change in color is carried out from low rotations of the moving part 4.

It is understood here that in order to generate such information relating to the energy load of the watch 100 in a window 11 devoid of such a training element 14, it is necessary for the moving part 4 to include several graphic representations of a battery each illustrating a different state of charge. In this context, such a configuration of the window without a training element 14 then consumes / requires a lot of space on the face 13 of the moving part 4 and greater rotations of the moving part, which then limits the variety of information which can then be presented in the counters 11.

In another example, the forming element 14 may include a plurality of openings together forming a pattern such as a heart. This plurality of openings can cooperate with a graphic representation such as a color gradient to generate information relating to an interval of heartbeat frequency. Indeed, depending on the interval in which the measurement of the frequency of a heartbeat of the wearer is understood, the color varies according to the color gradient relating to the graphic representation. This change in color is carried out from low rotations of the moving part 4.

It will be noted that the graphic representations intended to be presented in a window 11 devoid of a training element 14, are defined in a portion of the face 13 of the moving part 4; said portion having a surface which is less than that of a cross section of this window 11. Conversely, the graphic representations intended to be presented in a window 11 comprising a forming element 14, are defined in a portion of the face 13 of the moving part 4 which has a surface which is greater than that of a cross section of this window 11.

In this system 1, the movable part 4 and the indicator member 5 are set in motion under the action of at least one drive element 8 such as an engine. The drive element 8 is controlled by the processing unit 2 as a function of the information to be presented in one or more of the counters 11 of the dial 3.

This processing unit 2, being connected to at least one drive element 8 and to a calibration element 9, is also capable of positioning the disk relative to the dial 3 in order to ensure correct display of the graphic representations in the counters 11. With reference to the figure 4 , in this system 1, when the calibration element 9 is a light sensor, the moving part 4 and the dial 3 both comprise openings 15a, 15b which can be aligned with the calibration element 9 so that this the latter receives a luminous radiation. In particular, the opening 15b extends in an area of the movable part 4 arranged opposite the calibration element 9 when this part 4 is in rotation. This opening 15b is defined throughout this zone with the exception of reduced portions of different lengths of this zone intended to obscure the calibration element 9. These portions make it possible, in particular from their differences, to detect a known position of the moving part 4 relative to the dial 3.

In addition, with reference to the figure 4 , the dial 3, the moving part 4 and the calibration element 9 are mounted superimposed in the watch case 100. It will be noted that the calibration element 9 when it is a light sensor can make it possible to measure a UV index which can be information presented in a window 11 of the dial 3, when the calibration element 9 and the openings 15a, 15b are aligned.

Such a system 1 of the watch 100 is capable of implementing a method of displaying at least one item of information on the display dial 3 of the watch 100 visible on the figure 5 .

This method comprises an actuation step 20 of the activation command 10. This command is defined to participate in the presentation of one or more pieces of information. During this step 20, the actuation of the command generates a signal which is transmitted to the processing unit 2.

• l'identification de l'information dont l'affichage est désiré à partir du traitement du signal provenant de la commande d'activation 10, par exemple cette information peut être l'état de la charge énergétique de la montre 100 ;
• la réalisation d'une mesure (par exemple pour mesurer l'état de la charge énergétique de la montre 100) ou la récupération de données provenant d'un serveur distant, d'un ordinateur ou d'un ordiphone (par exemple une récupération de l'ordiphone d'un nombre d'appels manqués) relative à l'information identifié,
• sélection du guichet 11 adapté pour la présentation de l'information et ce, en fonction de l'information identifié,
• définition des instructions de commande à appliquer à l'élément d'entrainement 8 en vue de piloter le déplacement de l'organe indicateur 5 et de la pièce mobile 4.

The method then provides for a step 21 of presenting information in the window 11 of the dial 3. This step 21 comprises a substep 22 for positioning both an indicator member 5 in the direction of the window 11 and a graphical representation or part of a graphical representation opposite the through opening of this aperture 11. To do this, as soon as the processing unit 2 receives the signal from the activation command 10, it generates an instruction control aiming to position the indicator member 5 on / in / towards the window 11 which must present the information by controlling the drive element 8. Simultaneously or almost simultaneously, it also positions the corresponding graphic representation or the part of the graphic representation in front of the through opening of the window 11 while also driving the drive element 8 to generate the rotation of the moving part 4. This control instruction le is generated by processing unit 2 on the basis of:

• identifying the information whose display is desired from the processing of the signal from the activation command 10, for example this information may be the state of the energy charge of the watch 100;
• performing a measurement (for example to measure the state of the energy charge of watch 100) or recovering data from a remote server, a computer or a smartphone (for example recovering the computer of a number of missed calls) relating to the identified information,
• selection of the window 11 adapted for the presentation of the information and this, as a function of the information identified,
• definition of the control instructions to be applied to the drive element 8 in order to control the movement of the indicator member 5 and of the moving part 4.

In addition, this method includes a step 23 for calibrating the position of the moving part 4 relative to the dial 3. Such a step 23 ensures optimal positioning of the graphic representations or of parts of these graphic representations in the counters 11 during the implementation of this process. During this step 23, the openings 15a, 15b of the dial 3 and of the moving part 4 are aligned with the calibration element 9 here a light sensor. In this configuration, this light sensor receives light radiation and generates a signal which is then transmitted to the processing unit 2. On receipt of this signal, the processing unit 2 can thus identify the position of the moving part 4 relative to the dial 3 and update, if necessary, configuration data archived in its memory elements comprising this relative position between the moving part 4 and the dial 3 for the operation of the method and of the display system 1. We therefore understand that the alignment of these openings 15a, 15b with the light sensor 9 constitutes a benchmark or an index making it possible to identify the relative position between the moving part 4 and the dial 3.

The invention also relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of steps 20 to 23 of this method when said computer program is executed by a processing unit of watch 100.

Claims (13)

Analog information display system (1) for a watch (100) provided with a mechanical movement, said system (1) comprising: - a display dial (3) comprising a plurality of counters (11); a movable part (4) for displaying a graphic representation support arranged in such a way that the graphic representations which it carries appear in the plurality of counters (11) in order to generate said information, and - an indicator member (5) configured to designate information generated in a window (11) to be reported to the wearer of said watch (100). System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one window (11) comprises an information element (14) arranged above the graphical representation appearing in the corresponding window (11). System (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said information forming element (14) is a flat part comprising a network of a plurality of openings such as micro-orifices, ridges, slots or a combination of at least two of these types of openings. System (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the information forming element (14) is an insert. System (1) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the information forming element (14) came integrally with an upper (12a) or lower (12b) face of the dial ( 3) in an area of this dial (3) comprising the window (11) or with a wall of a through opening formed by this window (11). System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one drive element (8) of the movable part (4) for displaying the support of graphic representations. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable piece (4) of information carrier display is a flat piece of circular shape such as a disc or a ring. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable display part (4) for supporting graphic representations and the display dial (3) are coaxial. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a calibration element (9) configured to identify a relative position between the moving part (4) and the dial (3). Watch (100) comprising a system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. Watch (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is a connected mechanical watch (100). Method for displaying at least one item of information on a display dial (3) of the watch (100) implemented by the system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising a step of presentation (21) of information in a window (11) of the dial (3) comprising a positioning sub-step (22) both of an indicator member (5) in the direction of the window (11) and of a graphical representation or part of a graphical representation opposite a through opening of this window (11) Computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of steps (20 to 23) of the method according to the preceding claim when said computer program is executed by a processing unit of a watch (100).

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