EP0660205B1 - Method for fixing the geographical position and timepiece for implementing this method - Google Patents

Method for fixing the geographical position and timepiece for implementing this method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0660205B1
EP0660205B1 EP94119297A EP94119297A EP0660205B1 EP 0660205 B1 EP0660205 B1 EP 0660205B1 EP 94119297 A EP94119297 A EP 94119297A EP 94119297 A EP94119297 A EP 94119297A EP 0660205 B1 EP0660205 B1 EP 0660205B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
time
earth
magnetic field
timepiece
local
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Expired - Lifetime
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EP94119297A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0660205A1 (en
Inventor
Etienne Bornand
Rudolf Dinger
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Asulab AG
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Asulab AG
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B45/00—Time pieces of which the indicating means or cases provoke special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G21/00—Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
    • G04G21/02—Detectors of external physical values, e.g. temperature
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0064—Visual time or date indication means in which functions not related to time can be displayed

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a time base, at least an hour and minute display to indicate local time, means for setting the time of said display, and further comprising means for display information that is a function of at least the position where it is on the surface of the earth, according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for determining at least approximately the latitude and longitude of where we are at the surface of the earth, which lends itself to an implementation fully automatic and does not require having use of satellites.
  • a second object of the present invention is to provide a method for determining at least approximately the latitude and longitude of the location where we are on the surface of the earth, which can be implemented in a small device like a timepiece.
  • a third object of the present invention is to provide a timepiece capable of displaying automatically information that depends on the latitude and longitude of where we are find.
  • the time difference can be determined simply, for example, by comparing information provided by two timepieces, and the inclination of the field magnetic earth can be determined from the relationship between its vertical component and its component horizontal, these can each be obtained at using magnetic sensors.
  • the longitude is taken into account during the conversion the tilt of the Earth's magnetic field in one latitude. Indeed, the tilt of the magnetic field terrestrial with respect to the horizontal not being function only latitude but also, in a certain measure of longitude, we get a more precise value of latitude.
  • computing means for determine, from said latitude and said measured longitude, the azimuth of a preselected location at the surface of the globe.
  • the timepiece which will now be described is intended to implement the method according to invention and to use the latitude value and the longitude value thus obtained to determine the direction of Mecca.
  • the timepiece in this example is shown as a block diagram.
  • This piece watchmaking series includes a quartz oscillator 2, a division 4 chain delivering a signal at 1/60 Hz (1 cycle / minute) and a hand position counter minutes 6. It also includes a divider by twelve 8, receiving the output signal from the division chain 4, and a 10 hour hand position counter whose input is connected to the output of the divider 8.
  • the counters 6 and 10 are counters by sixty which in normal mode define the position of the hands minutes and hours compared to the hour turn of the dial of the timepiece.
  • the timepiece is provided, in the mode of illustrated embodiment of three motors 18, 19 and 20 controlled respectively by power circuits 12, 14 and 16 to respectively drive the needle of minutes, the hour hand and a hand additional, called the steering needle, intended for indicate the direction of Mecca.
  • the first two power circuits 14, 16 receive, in normal mode, the pulses applied respectively to the inputs position meters for minute hands 6 and 10 hours.
  • the coin watchmaking still includes electronic means of management 22 to allow on the one hand the implementation of the process of the present invention and on the other hand of order the displacement of one or the other of the three needles when necessary.
  • These means management electronics 22 have MN and H inputs to read the content of the position counters of the 6 and 10 hour hands, and access by parallel COR for the control signals produced by displacements of a time-setting rod.
  • the signals supplied to the COR access means 22 management electronics are produced by a circuit 24 interpretation of the position and the displacement of the control rod. These time setting signals allow to order a display correction either minute per minute, either whole hours, either of these corrections can be made in one direction or the other. Operation of the control rod and circuit 24 will not be described in detail here since the person skilled in the art already knows devices for this guy.
  • Patent EP-0 175 961 in particular describes a control rod associated with an interpretation circuit can easily be adapted for use with the timepiece described here.
  • the counter 25 is a counter by twenty-four which is intended to count the time zone changes corresponding to operations of correction for whole hours carried out by the user using the control rod.
  • the electronic management means 22 also include three outputs Mmn Mh and Mdir for delivering pulses to the motors 18, 19 and 20 and an output C for managing the state of two switches 26, 28 arranged at the input of the first two circuits of power 12, 14 and arranged to transmit to them either the pulses applied to the inputs of the position meters of the minute hands 6 and hours 10 when the switches are in a position referenced a , or the pulses delivered by the electronic management means 22 when the switches are in a second position referenced b .
  • Electronic management means can be advantageously produced in the form of a circuit integrated with a programmed microcontroller.
  • the man of the trade will know, from the indications provided here, programming the microcontroller, so that make him perform the functions described.
  • the electronic management means are inactive, the switches 26 and 28 are in the position referenced a and the motors 18, 19 receive the pulses applied to the inputs of the hand position counters. minutes and hours 6, 10.
  • the elements which have just been described make it possible on the one hand to correct the time displayed by the hands and on the other hand to keep an account of the time difference with respect to a reference time zone to allow the subsequent determination of the longitude in accordance with the method of the present invention.
  • the user activates the time correction function by pulling the rod.
  • the outward movement of the rod causes the transmission by the interpretation circuit 24 of a signal to the access COR of the electronic management means 22.
  • the reception of this signal by the electronic management means 22 causes the passage of switches 26 and 28 in state b .
  • the electronic management means emit a signal on a standby line (designated by the indication reset in the figure) for the division chain 4 so that it no longer provides the signal for incrementing the 6 and 10 hour hand position counters.
  • the interpretation circuit 24 then sends pulses corresponding to the various manipulations of the rod by the user, to the input COR of the electronic management means 22 which, in turn, send control pulses to increment or decrement the counters position of the minutes 6 and hours 10 hands and to simultaneously control the motors 18 and 19 to move the hands either conventionally, minute by minute, or optionally by whole hours.
  • the interpretation circuit 24 supplies a deactivation signal to the electronic management means 22 which in turn supply a signal by their output C for switch switches 26 and 28 to state a . Simultaneously the signal on the standby line of the dividing chain returns to zero and the latter begins again to supply the signal for incrementing the position counters of the hands 6, 10.
  • the legal time of some countries is halfway between two time zones.
  • the time difference between these country and their neighbors is therefore half an hour.
  • the latter is planned to take into account these particularities of the political geography.
  • the skilled person will know how to replace the shift counter without problem timetable 25 by a modulo 48 counter and modify simultaneously the interpretation circuit 24 of movements of the control rod so that the display corrections when changing time zones hours are done in whole half hours instead of do by whole hours.
  • Programming the reference time zone is done by bringing the hour hand and the minutes in a position corresponding to the time of the time zone chosen to be the time zone of reference and then pressing the crown for ten seconds.
  • the pressure on the crown exerted by the user results in a signal supplied to the means management electronics 22.
  • the means management electronics When the means management electronics have detected this signal to their COR input for three seconds, they control the setting to zero the content of the time difference counter 25, this which has the effect of giving the corresponding time zone at the time displayed, the role of the reference time zone.
  • the content of the jet lag 25 corresponds to an indication approximate longitude of where the wearer of the timepiece is located. This content can therefore constitute the time difference data which are necessary to allow electronic means to management 22 to implement the method of this invention.
  • the timepiece still has a module (referenced 30) consisting essentially of three sensors unidirectional magnetic 32, 34 and 36 arranged perpendicular to each other and therefore designed to measure the intensity of a magnetic field exterior in three orthogonal directions.
  • a module consisting essentially of three sensors unidirectional magnetic 32, 34 and 36 arranged perpendicular to each other and therefore designed to measure the intensity of a magnetic field exterior in three orthogonal directions.
  • Two of the sensors are oriented relative to the timepiece so as to measure the intensity of the Earth's magnetic field along two axes parallel to the plane of the dial (not shown) of the coin of watchmaking.
  • One of these two sensors is oriented along an axis parallel to the diameter of the dial which goes through 6 and 12 o'clock, while the other of these sensor 32 is arranged parallel to the diameter of the passing dial by 3 and 9 o'clock.
  • the third sensor 36 of the timepiece is oriented perpendicular to the dial. In this way, when the timepiece is laid flat, i.e.
  • sensors 32 and 34 measure both horizontal components of the Earth's magnetic field Bx and By, and the third sensor 36 measures the component vertical Bz of the same field.
  • the three measured intensities Bx, By and Bz are transmitted conventionally by a bus with electronic management means 22.
  • the means 22 are programmed so as to calculate, from the measured values Bx, By and Bz of the three components of the Earth's magnetic field, the tilt I of this field with respect to the horizontal.
  • the tilt I of the Earth's magnetic field varies with where we are on the surface of the earth. For a given longitude, it is, in principle, a unequivocal function of latitude. Under these conditions, if we know the longitude of where we are as well as the tilt of the Earth’s magnetic field at this location, it is in principle possible to determine unequivocally the latitude of this place.
  • the electronic management means 22 include a non-volatile memory in which a program has been programmed double entry conversion table containing values of the tilt I of the earth's magnetic field in time zone and latitude.
  • the access to this conversion table allows electronic means management 22 determine the latitude value of where the watch user is located, time zone function as provided by the jet lag counter 25, and the tilt of the Earth's magnetic field determined using sensors 32, 34 and 36. So that this determination is possible, it is naturally necessary that the means management electronics 22 have a memory not volatile large enough to store a number sufficient values of the tilt of the magnetic field terrestrial to cover the surface of the earth with a sufficient density. A set of 2000 points distributed more or less uniformly on the surface of the earth is enough to get acceptable accuracy.
  • the timepiece described here is intended to indicate the direction of La Mecca.
  • the coordinates (latitude and longitude) of Mecca are previously programmed in a second non-volatile memory of the means management electronics 22. So once the latitude and longitude of where the room of clockwork is found on the surface of the earth were determined in accordance with what has just been described, the electronic management means 22 can calculate the azimuth corresponding to the direction of Mecca. This last calculation only involves relationships well known trigonometrics. In addition, devices planned to implement this last calculation have already have been described, for example in document DE-A-3412777.
  • the means management electronics 22 are still provided for determine the direction of magnetic north from Bx and By components of the Earth's magnetic field measured by the two horizontal sensors 32 and 34 already described above.
  • the By component of the magnetic field being the component parallel to the direction of the diameter 12: 00-6: 00 on the dial of the timepiece, the ratio of the two intensities Bx and of By provided by a simple trigonometric operation the angle north makes magnetic with the 12 o'clock-6 o'clock axis of the dial of the timepiece.
  • the electronic management means 22 carry out then the sum of the azimuth previously calculated for La Mecca and the angle between magnetic north and the 12 o'clock-6 o'clock diameter of the timepiece. This sum corresponds to the angle between the direction of Mecca and the axis between 12 p.m. and 6 a.m. timepiece.
  • the sum described above does actually correspond to the angle between the direction of Mecca and the axis between 12 p.m. and 6 a.m. shows that to the extent that we admit that the management magnetic north determined by sensors 32.34 east identical to the direction of true geographic north. This is, as is well known, generally not the case.
  • the declination of the magnetic field (angle between north magnetic and geographic north) that we have neglected can be a source of error in the determination of the direction of Mecca. It is possible to eliminate this source of error by providing in the non-volatile memory of the microprocessor a second double entry table containing the declination of Earth's magnetic field for a set of points at the surface of the earth identified by their time zone and their latitude.
  • the method for determining the azimuth of La Mecca can be simplified.
  • the memory not volatile timepiece has only one double entry table providing values directly calculated once and for all from the true azimuth of the Mecca, depending on time zone and incline of the Earth's magnetic field.
  • the timepiece comprises a third motor 20 controlled by a circuit of power 16 and intended to drive the needle direction to make him indicate the direction of La Mecca.
  • the coin also includes a position counter 38 of the steering needle.
  • This counter 38 is a counter by 360 which defines the position of the steering needle relative to the 360 degrees around the coin dial of watchmaking.
  • the electronic management means 22 To make the direction hand indicate the direction of Mecca, the electronic management means 22 first read the content of the position counter 38 of the direction hand, and subtract this quantity from the previously calculated value of the angle between the direction of Mecca and the 12 o'clock-6 o'clock axis of the timepiece. The result of this subtraction corresponds to the number of steps to be taken by the motor 20 to orient the direction needle towards Mecca.
  • the electronic management means 22 control the advance of the motor 20 by sending to the power circuit 16 a number of pulses corresponding to the number of steps to be made by the motor.
  • the pulses delivered by the electronic means 22 for advancing the motor 20 simultaneously increment the position counter of the steering needle 38. In this way, the content of the counter 38 always corresponds to the position of the steering needle on the dial.

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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
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Description

La présente invention concerne une pièce d'horlogerie comportant une base de temps, au moins un affichage des heures et des minutes destiné à indiquer l'heure locale, des moyens de mise à l'heure dudit affichage, et comprenant, en outre, des moyens pour afficher une information qui est fonction au moins de la position où elle se trouve à la surface de la terre, selon le préambule de la revendication 1.The present invention relates to a timepiece comprising a time base, at least an hour and minute display to indicate local time, means for setting the time of said display, and further comprising means for display information that is a function of at least the position where it is on the surface of the earth, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Les procédés les plus courants pour déterminer la latitude et la longitude de l'endroit où l'on se trouve à la surface de la terre font appel à une opération de visée astronomique ou même à une opération de décodage des signaux émis par des satellites (GPS). De tels procédés se prêtent mal à une mise en oeuvre entièrement automatique dans une pièce d'horlogerie, voir aussi EP-A- 0 042 360.The most common methods for determining the latitude and longitude of where we are at the surface of the earth use a sighting operation astronomical or even a decoding operation of signals from satellites (GPS). Such processes are do not lend themselves to fully automatic implementation in a timepiece, see also EP-A- 0 042 360.

Un but de la présente invention est donc de fournir un procédé pour déterminer au moins approximativement la latitude et la longitude de l'endroit où l'on se trouve à la surface de la terre, qui se prête à une mise en oeuvre entièrement automatique et qui ne nécessite pas d'avoir recours à des satellites.An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for determining at least approximately the latitude and longitude of where we are at the surface of the earth, which lends itself to an implementation fully automatic and does not require having use of satellites.

Un deuxième but de la présente invention est de fournir un procédé pour déterminer au moins approximativement la latitude et la longitude de l'endroit où l'on se trouve à la surface de la terre, qui puisse être mis en oeuvre dans un appareil de petites dimensions comme une pièce d'horlogerie.A second object of the present invention is to provide a method for determining at least approximately the latitude and longitude of the location where we are on the surface of the earth, which can be implemented in a small device like a timepiece.

Un troisième but de la présente invention est de fournir une pièce d'horlogerie capable d'afficher automatiquement des informations qui dépendent de la latitude et de la longitude de l'endroit où l'on se trouve.A third object of the present invention is to provide a timepiece capable of displaying automatically information that depends on the latitude and longitude of where we are find.

A cet effet, la présente invention a pour objet une pièce d'horlogerie comportant une base de temps, des moyens d'affichage indiquant l'heure locale, des moyens de mise à l'heure de ladite heure locale, des moyens pour déterminer la valeur du décalage horaire existant entre l'heure locale et l'heure d'un fuseau horaire de référence, les moyens d'affichage étant en outre prévus pour afficher une information géographique, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend :

  • des moyens pour convertir la valeur du décalage horaire en une valeur approximative de la longitude locale, longitude constituant une première partie de l'information géographique indiquée par les moyens d'affichage de ladite pièce d'horlogerie,
  • des moyens pour déterminer l'inclinaison du champ magnétique terrestre par rapport à l'horizontale, et
  • des moyens pour convertir l'inclinaison du champ magnétique terrestre en une valeur approximative de la latitude locale, latitude constituant une seconde partie de ladite information géographique, ces moyens tenant compte de la valeur approximative de la longitude locale.
To this end, the subject of the present invention is a timepiece comprising a time base, display means indicating the local time, means for setting the time of said local time, means for determining the value of the time difference existing between local time and the time of a reference time zone, the display means being further provided for displaying geographic information, characterized in that it comprises:
  • means for converting the value of the time difference into an approximate value of the local longitude, longitude constituting a first part of the geographic information indicated by the display means of said timepiece,
  • means for determining the inclination of the earth's magnetic field relative to the horizontal, and
  • means for converting the inclination of the earth's magnetic field into an approximate value of local latitude, latitude constituting a second part of said geographic information, these means taking into account the approximate value of local longitude.

La détermination du décalage horaire peut se faire simplement, par exemple, en comparant les informations fournies par deux garde-temps, et l'inclinaison du champ magnétique terrestre peut être déterminée à partir du rapport entre sa composante verticale et sa composante horizontale, celles-ci pouvant être chacune obtenue à l'aide de capteurs magnétiques.The time difference can be determined simply, for example, by comparing information provided by two timepieces, and the inclination of the field magnetic earth can be determined from the relationship between its vertical component and its component horizontal, these can each be obtained at using magnetic sensors.

On tient compte de la longitude lors de la conversion de l'inclinaison du champ magnétique terrestre en une latitude. En effet, l'inclinaison du champ magnétique terrestre par rapport à l'horizontale n'étant pas fonction uniquement de la latitude mais également, dans une certaine mesure, de la longitude, on obtient ainsi une valeur plus précise de la latitude. The longitude is taken into account during the conversion the tilt of the Earth's magnetic field in one latitude. Indeed, the tilt of the magnetic field terrestrial with respect to the horizontal not being function only latitude but also, in a certain measure of longitude, we get a more precise value of latitude.

Selon un mode particulier de réalisation de la présente invention, il est prévu des moyens de calcul pour déterminer, à partir de ladite latitude et de ladite longitude mesurées, l'azimut d'un lieu présélectionné à la surface du globe.According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, there is provided computing means for determine, from said latitude and said measured longitude, the azimuth of a preselected location at the surface of the globe.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaítront au cours de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple et faite en se référant à la figure annexée, qui est un schéma bloc décrivant le fonctionnement d'un mode de réalisation particulier de la pièce d'horlogerie de la présente invention.Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the description which follows, given only as an example and made in referring to the appended figure, which is a block diagram describing the operation of an embodiment particular of the timepiece of this invention.

La pièce d'horlogerie qui va maintenant être décrite est destinée à mettre en oeuvre le procédé selon l'invention et à utiliser la valeur de la latitude et la valeur de la longitude ainsi obtenues pour déterminer la direction de La Mecque.The timepiece which will now be described is intended to implement the method according to invention and to use the latitude value and the longitude value thus obtained to determine the direction of Mecca.

La pièce d'horlogerie du présent exemple est représentée sous forme de schéma bloc. Cette pièce d'horlogerie comprend en série un oscillateur à quartz 2, une chaíne de division 4 délivrant un signal à 1/60 Hz (1 cycle/minute) et un compteur de position de l'aiguille des minutes 6. Elle comprend encore un diviseur par douze 8, recevant le signal de sortie de la chaíne de division 4, et un compteur de position de l'aiguille des heures 10 dont l'entrée est reliée à la sortie du diviseur 8. Les compteurs 6 et 10 sont des compteurs par soixante qui définissent en mode normal la position des aiguilles des minutes et des heures par rapport au tour d'heure du cadran de la pièce d'horlogerie.The timepiece in this example is shown as a block diagram. This piece watchmaking series includes a quartz oscillator 2, a division 4 chain delivering a signal at 1/60 Hz (1 cycle / minute) and a hand position counter minutes 6. It also includes a divider by twelve 8, receiving the output signal from the division chain 4, and a 10 hour hand position counter whose input is connected to the output of the divider 8. The counters 6 and 10 are counters by sixty which in normal mode define the position of the hands minutes and hours compared to the hour turn of the dial of the timepiece.

La pièce d'horlogerie est pourvue, dans le mode de réalisation représenté, de trois moteurs 18, 19 et 20 commandés respectivement par des circuits de puissance 12, 14 et 16 pour entraíner respectivement l'aiguille des minutes, l'aiguille des heures et une aiguille supplémentaire, dite aiguille de direction, destinée à indiquer la direction de la Mecque. Les deux premiers circuits de puissance 14, 16 reçoivent, en mode normal, les impulsions appliquées respectivement sur les entrées des compteurs de position des aiguilles des minutes 6 et des heures 10.The timepiece is provided, in the mode of illustrated embodiment of three motors 18, 19 and 20 controlled respectively by power circuits 12, 14 and 16 to respectively drive the needle of minutes, the hour hand and a hand additional, called the steering needle, intended for indicate the direction of Mecca. The first two power circuits 14, 16 receive, in normal mode, the pulses applied respectively to the inputs position meters for minute hands 6 and 10 hours.

Les éléments du schéma bloc qui viennent d'être décrits expliquent le fonctionnement de cette pièce d'horlogerie pour ce qui est de l'affichage normal de l'heure. Toutefois, comme nous l'avons déjà dit, la pièce d'horlogerie décrite ici peut également indiquer la position de la Mecque. Les éléments de la figure qui vont être décrits ci-après permettent d'une part de déterminer et d'indiquer la direction de la Mecque et d'autre part de remettre à l'heure l'aiguille des heures et l'aiguille des minutes.The elements of the block diagram which have just been described explain how this part works clockmaking in terms of the normal display of time. However, as we said before, the coin also described here Mecca position. The elements of the figure that go be described below allow on the one hand to determine and indicate the direction of Mecca and on the other hand of resetting the hour hand and the hand minutes.

Comme on peut le voir sur la figure, la pièce d'horlogerie comprend encore des moyens électroniques de gestion 22 pour permettre d'une part la mise en oeuvre du procédé de la présente invention et d'autre part de commander le déplacement de l'une où l'autre des trois aiguilles quand cela s'avère nécessaire. Ces moyens électroniques de gestion 22 comportent des entrées MN et H pour lire le contenu des compteurs de position des aiguilles des minutes 6 et des heures 10, et un accès en parallèle COR pour les signaux de commande produits par les déplacements d'une tige de mise à l'heure.As can be seen in the figure, the coin watchmaking still includes electronic means of management 22 to allow on the one hand the implementation of the process of the present invention and on the other hand of order the displacement of one or the other of the three needles when necessary. These means management electronics 22 have MN and H inputs to read the content of the position counters of the 6 and 10 hour hands, and access by parallel COR for the control signals produced by displacements of a time-setting rod.

Les signaux fournis à l'accès COR des moyens électroniques de gestion 22 sont produits par un circuit 24 d'interprétation de la position et du déplacement de la tige de commande. Ces signaux de mise à l'heure permettent de commander une correction de l'affichage soit minute par minute, soit par heures entières, l'une ou l'autre de ces corrections pouvant se faire dans un sens ou dans l'autre. Le fonctionnement de la tige de commande et du circuit d'interprétation 24 ne seront pas décrits en détail ici puisque l'homme du métier connaít déjà des dispositifs de ce type. Le brevet EP-0 175 961 en particulier, décrit une tige de commande associée à un circuit d'interprétation pouvant aisément être adaptés pour être utilisés avec la pièce d'horlogerie décrite ici.The signals supplied to the COR access means 22 management electronics are produced by a circuit 24 interpretation of the position and the displacement of the control rod. These time setting signals allow to order a display correction either minute per minute, either whole hours, either of these corrections can be made in one direction or the other. Operation of the control rod and circuit 24 will not be described in detail here since the person skilled in the art already knows devices for this guy. Patent EP-0 175 961 in particular describes a control rod associated with an interpretation circuit can easily be adapted for use with the timepiece described here.

On voit encore sur le schéma, un compteur de décalage horaire 25 relié à un accès entrée/sortie DH des moyens électroniques de gestion 22. Le compteur 25 est un compteur par vingt-quatre qui est destiné à compter les changements de fuseau horaire correspondant aux opérations de correction par heures entières effectuées par l'utilisateur à l'aide de la tige de commande.We still see on the diagram, an offset counter schedule 25 linked to DH entry / exit access means management electronics 22. The counter 25 is a counter by twenty-four which is intended to count the time zone changes corresponding to operations of correction for whole hours carried out by the user using the control rod.

Les moyens électroniques de gestion 22 comportent également trois sorties Mmn Mh et Mdir pour délivrer des impulsions aux moteurs 18, 19 et 20 et une sortie C pour gérer l'état de deux commutateurs 26, 28 disposés à l'entrée des deux premiers circuits de puissance 12, 14 et agencés pour leur transmettre soit les impulsions appliquées sur les entrées des compteurs de position des aiguilles des minutes 6 et des heures 10 lorsque les commutateurs sont dans une position référencée a, soit les impulsions délivrées par les moyens électroniques de gestion 22 lorsque les commutateurs sont dans une deuxième position référencée b. The electronic management means 22 also include three outputs Mmn Mh and Mdir for delivering pulses to the motors 18, 19 and 20 and an output C for managing the state of two switches 26, 28 arranged at the input of the first two circuits of power 12, 14 and arranged to transmit to them either the pulses applied to the inputs of the position meters of the minute hands 6 and hours 10 when the switches are in a position referenced a , or the pulses delivered by the electronic management means 22 when the switches are in a second position referenced b .

Les moyens électroniques de gestion peuvent être avantageusement réalisés sous la forme d'un circuit intégré comportant un micro-contrôleur programmé. L'homme du métier saura, à partir des indications fournies ici, réaliser la programmation du micro-contrôleur, de façon à lui faire exécuter les fonctions décrites.Electronic management means can be advantageously produced in the form of a circuit integrated with a programmed microcontroller. The man of the trade will know, from the indications provided here, programming the microcontroller, so that make him perform the functions described.

En mode normal d'affichage de l'heure, les moyens électroniques de gestion sont inactifs, les commutateurs 26 et 28 sont dans la position référencée a et les moteurs 18, 19 reçoivent les impulsions appliquées sur les entrées des compteurs de position des aiguilles des minutes et des heures 6, 10.In normal time display mode, the electronic management means are inactive, the switches 26 and 28 are in the position referenced a and the motors 18, 19 receive the pulses applied to the inputs of the hand position counters. minutes and hours 6, 10.

Mise à l'heure. détermination du décalage horaire et de la longitudeSetting the time. determining the time difference and the longitude

Les éléments qui viennent d'être décrits permettent d'une part de corriger l'heure affichée par les aiguilles et d'autre part de garder un compte du décalage horaire par rapport à un fuseau horaire de référence pour permettre la détermination ultérieur de la longitude conformément au procédé de la présente invention. L'utilisateur active la fonction de correction de l'heure en tirant sur la tige. Le déplacement vers l'extérieur de la tige provoque l'émission par le circuit d'interprétation 24 d'un signal vers l'accès COR des moyens électroniques de gestion 22. La réception de ce signal par les moyens électroniques de gestion 22 entraíne le passage des commutateurs 26 et 28 dans l'état b. Simultanément, les moyens électroniques de gestion émettent un signal sur une ligne de mise en veilleuse (désignée par l'indication reset sur la figure) pour la chaíne de division 4 de façon à ce qu'elle ne fournisse plus le signal d'incrémentation des compteurs de position des aiguilles des minutes 6 et des heures 10.The elements which have just been described make it possible on the one hand to correct the time displayed by the hands and on the other hand to keep an account of the time difference with respect to a reference time zone to allow the subsequent determination of the longitude in accordance with the method of the present invention. The user activates the time correction function by pulling the rod. The outward movement of the rod causes the transmission by the interpretation circuit 24 of a signal to the access COR of the electronic management means 22. The reception of this signal by the electronic management means 22 causes the passage of switches 26 and 28 in state b . Simultaneously, the electronic management means emit a signal on a standby line (designated by the indication reset in the figure) for the division chain 4 so that it no longer provides the signal for incrementing the 6 and 10 hour hand position counters.

Le circuit d'interprétation 24 envoie ensuite des impulsions correspondant aux différentes manipulations de la tige par l'utilisateur, vers l'entrée COR des moyens électroniques de gestion 22 qui, à leur tour, émettent des impulsions de commande pour incrémenter ou décrémenter les compteurs de position des aiguilles des minutes 6 et des heures 10 et pour commander simultanément les moteurs 18 et 19 pour déplacer les aiguilles soit de façon classique, minute par minute, soit optionnellement par heures entières. Lorsqu'à la fin de l'opération de mise à l'heure on repousse la tige, le circuit d'interprétation 24 fournit un signal de désactivation aux moyens électroniques de gestion 22 qui vont à leur tour fournir un signal par leur sortie C pour faire passer les commutateurs 26 et 28 dans l'état a. Simultanément le signal sur la ligne de mise en veilleuse de la chaíne de division revient à zéro et cette dernière recommence à fournir le signal d'incrémentation des compteurs de position des aiguilles 6, 10.The interpretation circuit 24 then sends pulses corresponding to the various manipulations of the rod by the user, to the input COR of the electronic management means 22 which, in turn, send control pulses to increment or decrement the counters position of the minutes 6 and hours 10 hands and to simultaneously control the motors 18 and 19 to move the hands either conventionally, minute by minute, or optionally by whole hours. When at the end of the time setting operation the rod is pushed back, the interpretation circuit 24 supplies a deactivation signal to the electronic management means 22 which in turn supply a signal by their output C for switch switches 26 and 28 to state a . Simultaneously the signal on the standby line of the dividing chain returns to zero and the latter begins again to supply the signal for incrementing the position counters of the hands 6, 10.

L'utilisateur n'utilise l'option, mentionnée plus haut, de correction de l'affichage par heures entières que dans le cas où, au cours d'un voyage, il change de fuseau horaire. Dans ce dernier cas, lorsque conformément à ce qui a été décrit plus haut les moyens électroniques de gestion 22 émettent des impulsions de commande pour incrémenter ou décrémenter le compteur 10 de position de l'aiguille des heures, ils émettent également des impulsions de commande pour incrémenter ou décrémenter le compteur 25 de décalage horaire. Le compteur 25 de décalage horaire contient donc en permanence la valeur du décalage horaire entre l'endroit où se trouve l'utilisateur de la montre et un fuseau horaire de référence.The user no longer uses the option mentioned above top, correction of the whole hour display that in the event that, during a trip, he changes time zone schedule. In the latter case, when in accordance with this which was described above the electronic means of management 22 emit command pulses for increment or decrement the position counter 10 by the hour hand they also emit command pulses to increment or decrement the jet lag counter 25. The counter 25 of jet lag therefore permanently contains the value of time difference between where is the watch user and a time zone of reference.

L'heure légale de certains pays se situe à mi-chemin entre deux fuseaux horaires. Le décalage horaire entre ces pays et leurs voisins est donc d'une demi-heure. Selon une variante avantageuse de la présente invention, celle-ci est prévue pour prendre en compte ces particularités de la géographie politique. A cette fin, l'homme du métier saura, sans problème, remplacer le compteur de décalage horaire 25 par un compteur modulo 48 et modifier simultanément le circuit d'interprétation 24 des mouvements de la tige de commande de telle sorte que les corrections de l'affichage lors de changements de fuseau horaire se fassent par demi-heures entières au lieu de se faire par heures entières.The legal time of some countries is halfway between two time zones. The time difference between these country and their neighbors is therefore half an hour. According to one advantageous variant of the present invention, the latter is planned to take into account these particularities of the political geography. To this end, the skilled person will know how to replace the shift counter without problem timetable 25 by a modulo 48 counter and modify simultaneously the interpretation circuit 24 of movements of the control rod so that the display corrections when changing time zones hours are done in whole half hours instead of do by whole hours.

La programmation du fuseau horaire de référence s'effectue en amenant l'aiguille des heures et celle des minutes dans une position correspondant à l'heure du fuseau horaire choisi pour être le fuseau horaire de référence, puis en pressant sur la couronne pendant dix secondes. La pression sur la couronne exercée par l'utilisateur se traduit par un signal fourni aux moyens électroniques de gestion 22. Lorsque les moyens électroniques de gestion ont détecté ce signal à leur entrée COR pendant trois secondes, ils commandent la mise à zéro du contenu du compteur de décalage horaire 25, ce qui a pour effet de donner au fuseau horaire correspondant à l'heure affichée le rôle de fuseau horaire de référence.Programming the reference time zone is done by bringing the hour hand and the minutes in a position corresponding to the time of the time zone chosen to be the time zone of reference and then pressing the crown for ten seconds. The pressure on the crown exerted by the user results in a signal supplied to the means management electronics 22. When the means management electronics have detected this signal to their COR input for three seconds, they control the setting to zero the content of the time difference counter 25, this which has the effect of giving the corresponding time zone at the time displayed, the role of the reference time zone.

Les fuseaux horaires découpant la surface de la terre en vingt-quatre quartiers présentant chacun sensiblement une largeur angulaire de 15°, le contenu du compteur de décalage horaire 25 correspond à une indication approximative de la longitude de l'endroit où le porteur de la pièce d'horlogerie se trouve. Ce contenu peut donc constituer les données de décalage horaire qui sont nécessaires pour permettre aux moyens électroniques de gestion 22 de mettre en oeuvre le procédé de la présente invention.Time zones cutting across the earth's surface in twenty-four districts, each with a significant an angular width of 15 °, the content of the jet lag 25 corresponds to an indication approximate longitude of where the wearer of the timepiece is located. This content can therefore constitute the time difference data which are necessary to allow electronic means to management 22 to implement the method of this invention.

Détermination de l'orientation du champ magnétique terrestre et de la latitudeDetermination of the orientation of the magnetic field terrestrial and latitude

En se référant à nouveau au schéma bloc annexé, on voit que la pièce d'horlogerie comporte encore un module (référencé 30) formé essentiellement de trois capteurs magnétiques unidirectionnels 32, 34 et 36 disposés perpendiculairement les uns par rapport aux autres et donc prévus pour mesurer l'intensité d'un champ magnétique extérieur selon trois directions orthogonales. On connaít de nombreux types de capteurs magnétiques, et le type particulier de capteur utilisé pour l'invention n'a pas d'importance pour autant que les capteurs soient suffisamment sensibles pour mesurer le champ magnétique terrestre, qu'ils soient de suffisamment petites dimensions pour être installés dans une pièce d'horlogerie et finalement que leur consommation électrique ne soit pas excessive. Ces conditions sont remplies, par exemple, par des capteurs du type fluxgate.Referring again to the accompanying block diagram, we sees that the timepiece still has a module (referenced 30) consisting essentially of three sensors unidirectional magnetic 32, 34 and 36 arranged perpendicular to each other and therefore designed to measure the intensity of a magnetic field exterior in three orthogonal directions. We know many types of magnetic sensors, and the type particular sensor used for the invention did not of importance as long as the sensors are sensitive enough to measure the magnetic field terrestrial, that they are sufficiently small dimensions to be installed in a timepiece and finally that their electrical consumption is not excessive. These conditions are met, for example, by fluxgate type sensors.

Deux des capteurs (référencés 32 et 34) sont orientés par rapport à la pièce d'horlogerie de manière à mesurer l'intensité du champ magnétique terrestre selon deux axes parallèles au plan du cadran (non représenté) de la pièce d'horlogerie. L'un de ces deux capteurs (référencé 34) est orienté selon un axe parallèle au diamètre du cadran qui passe par 6 et 12 heures, alors que l'autre de ces capteur 32 est disposé parallèlement au diamètre du cadran passant par 3 et 9 heures. Finalement, le troisième capteur 36 de la pièce d'horlogerie est orienté perpendiculairement au cadran. De cette façon, lorsque la pièce d'horlogerie est posée à plat, c'est-à-dire avec le plan du cadran horizontal, les capteurs 32 et 34 mesurent les deux composantes horizontales du champ magnétique terrestre Bx et By, et le troisième capteur 36 mesure la composante verticale Bz du même champ. Les trois intensités mesurées Bx, By et Bz sont transmises de façon conventionnelle par un bus aux moyens électroniques de gestion 22. Les moyens 22 sont programmés de manière à calculer, à partir des valeurs mesurées Bx, By et Bz des trois composantes du champ magnétique terrestre, l'inclinaison I de ce champ par rapport à l'horizontale.Two of the sensors (referenced 32 and 34) are oriented relative to the timepiece so as to measure the intensity of the Earth's magnetic field along two axes parallel to the plane of the dial (not shown) of the coin of watchmaking. One of these two sensors (referenced 34) is oriented along an axis parallel to the diameter of the dial which goes through 6 and 12 o'clock, while the other of these sensor 32 is arranged parallel to the diameter of the passing dial by 3 and 9 o'clock. Finally, the third sensor 36 of the timepiece is oriented perpendicular to the dial. In this way, when the timepiece is laid flat, i.e. with the dial plane horizontal, sensors 32 and 34 measure both horizontal components of the Earth's magnetic field Bx and By, and the third sensor 36 measures the component vertical Bz of the same field. The three measured intensities Bx, By and Bz are transmitted conventionally by a bus with electronic management means 22. The means 22 are programmed so as to calculate, from the measured values Bx, By and Bz of the three components of the Earth's magnetic field, the tilt I of this field with respect to the horizontal.

L'inclinaison I du champ magnétique terrestre varie avec l'endroit où l'on se trouve à la surface de la terre. Pour une longitude donnée, elle est, en principe, une fonction univoque de la latitude. Dans ces conditions, si l'on connaít la longitude de l'endroit où l'on se trouve ainsi que l'inclinaison du champ magnétique terrestre à cet endroit, il est en principe possible de déterminer de façon univoque la latitude de cet endroit. A cet effet, les moyens électroniques de gestion 22 comportent une mémoire non volatile dans laquelle a été programmée une table de conversion à double entrée contenant des valeurs de l'inclinaison I du champ magnétique terrestre en fonction du fuseau horaire et de la latitude. L'accès à cette table de conversion permet aux moyens électroniques de gestion 22 de déterminer la valeur de la latitude de l'endroit où l'utilisateur de la montre se trouve, en fonction du fuseau horaire tel qu'il est fourni par le compteur de décalage horaire 25, et de l'inclinaison du champ magnétique terrestre déterminée à l'aide des capteurs 32, 34 et 36. Pour que cette détermination soit possible, il faut naturellement que les moyens électroniques de gestion 22 disposent d'une mémoire non volatile suffisamment grande pour stocker un nombre suffisant de valeurs de l'inclinaison du champ magnétique terrestre pour recouvrir la surface de la terre avec une densité suffisante. Un ensemble de 2000 points distribués plus ou moins uniformément à la surface de la terre suffit pour obtenir une précision acceptable.The tilt I of the Earth's magnetic field varies with where we are on the surface of the earth. For a given longitude, it is, in principle, a unequivocal function of latitude. Under these conditions, if we know the longitude of where we are as well as the tilt of the Earth’s magnetic field at this location, it is in principle possible to determine unequivocally the latitude of this place. To this end, the electronic management means 22 include a non-volatile memory in which a program has been programmed double entry conversion table containing values of the tilt I of the earth's magnetic field in time zone and latitude. the access to this conversion table allows electronic means management 22 determine the latitude value of where the watch user is located, time zone function as provided by the jet lag counter 25, and the tilt of the Earth's magnetic field determined using sensors 32, 34 and 36. So that this determination is possible, it is naturally necessary that the means management electronics 22 have a memory not volatile large enough to store a number sufficient values of the tilt of the magnetic field terrestrial to cover the surface of the earth with a sufficient density. A set of 2000 points distributed more or less uniformly on the surface of the earth is enough to get acceptable accuracy.

Il est également possible de limiter le nombre de points nécessaires pour la table de conversion en utilisant une distribution non uniforme des points, les points étant, par exemple, plus serrées dans les zones peuplées que sur les océans.It is also possible to limit the number of points required for the conversion table into using a non-uniform distribution of points, the points being, for example, tighter in areas populated only on the oceans.

Détermination de la direction du nord magnétique et de celle de La MecqueDetermination of the direction of magnetic north and that of Mecca

Comme nous l'avons déjà dit, la pièce d'horlogerie décrite ici est prévue pour indiquer la direction de La Mecque. A cet effet, les coordonnées (latitude et longitude) de La Mecque sont préalablement programmées dans une deuxième mémoire non volatile des moyens électroniques de gestion 22. Ainsi, une fois que la latitude et la longitude de l'endroit où la pièce d'horlogerie se trouve à la surface de la terre ont été déterminées conformément à ce qui vient d'être décrit, les moyens électroniques de gestion 22 peuvent calculer l'azimut correspondant à la direction de La Mecque. Ce dernier calcul ne met en jeu que des relations trigonométriques bien connues. De plus, des dispositifs prévus pour mettre en oeuvre ce dernier calcul ont déjà été décrits, par exemple dans le document DE-A-3412777.As we said before, the timepiece described here is intended to indicate the direction of La Mecca. For this purpose, the coordinates (latitude and longitude) of Mecca are previously programmed in a second non-volatile memory of the means management electronics 22. So once the latitude and longitude of where the room of clockwork is found on the surface of the earth were determined in accordance with what has just been described, the electronic management means 22 can calculate the azimuth corresponding to the direction of Mecca. This last calculation only involves relationships well known trigonometrics. In addition, devices planned to implement this last calculation have already have been described, for example in document DE-A-3412777.

Une fois l'azimut de la Mecque déterminé, il suffit de connaítre la direction du nord pour pouvoir indiquer la direction de la Mecque. A cet effet, les moyens électroniques de gestion 22 sont encore prévus pour déterminer la direction du nord magnétique à partir des composantes Bx et By du champ magnétique terrestre mesurées par les deux capteurs horizontaux 32 et 34 déjà décrits plus haut. La composante By du champ magnétique étant la composante parallèle à la direction du diamètre 12 heures-6 heures du cadran de la pièce d'horlogerie, le rapport des deux intensités Bx et de By fournit par une simple opération trigonométrique l'angle que fait le nord magnétique avec l'axe 12 heures-6 heures du cadran de la pièce d'horlogerie.Once the azimuth of Mecca is determined, it suffices to know the direction of the north to be able to indicate the direction of Mecca. To this end, the means management electronics 22 are still provided for determine the direction of magnetic north from Bx and By components of the Earth's magnetic field measured by the two horizontal sensors 32 and 34 already described above. The By component of the magnetic field being the component parallel to the direction of the diameter 12: 00-6: 00 on the dial of the timepiece, the ratio of the two intensities Bx and of By provided by a simple trigonometric operation the angle north makes magnetic with the 12 o'clock-6 o'clock axis of the dial of the timepiece.

Les moyens électroniques de gestion 22 effectuent ensuite la somme de l'azimut préalablement calculé pour La Mecque et de l'angle existant entre le nord magnétique et le diamètre 12 heures-6 heures de la pièce d'horlogerie. Cette somme correspond à l'angle existant entre la direction de La Mecque et l'axe 12 heures-6 heures de la pièce d'horlogerie.The electronic management means 22 carry out then the sum of the azimuth previously calculated for La Mecca and the angle between magnetic north and the 12 o'clock-6 o'clock diameter of the timepiece. This sum corresponds to the angle between the direction of Mecca and the axis between 12 p.m. and 6 a.m. timepiece.

Comme on l'aura remarqué, la somme décrite ci-dessus ne correspond réellement à l'angle existant entre la direction de La Mecque et l'axe 12 heures-6 heures de la montre que dans la mesure où l'on admet que la direction du nord magnétique déterminée par les capteurs 32,34 est identique à la direction du nord géographique vrai. Ceci n'est, comme on le sait bien, généralement pas le cas. La déclinaison du champ magnétique (angle entre le nord magnétique et le nord géographique) que nous avons négligée peut constituer une source d'erreur dans la détermination de la direction de la Mecque. Il est possible d'éliminer cette source d'erreur en prévoyant dans la mémoire non volatile du microprocesseur une deuxième table à double entrée contenant la déclinaison du champ magnétique terrestre pour un ensemble de points à la surface de la terre repérés par leurs fuseau horaire et leur latitude.As we will have noticed, the sum described above does actually correspond to the angle between the direction of Mecca and the axis between 12 p.m. and 6 a.m. shows that to the extent that we admit that the management magnetic north determined by sensors 32.34 east identical to the direction of true geographic north. This is, as is well known, generally not the case. The declination of the magnetic field (angle between north magnetic and geographic north) that we have neglected can be a source of error in the determination of the direction of Mecca. It is possible to eliminate this source of error by providing in the non-volatile memory of the microprocessor a second double entry table containing the declination of Earth's magnetic field for a set of points at the surface of the earth identified by their time zone and their latitude.

Selon une variante avantageuse de la présente invention, le procédé de détermination de l'azimut de La Mecque peut être simplifié. A cette fin, la mémoire non volatile de la pièce d'horlogerie ne comporte qu'une seule table à double entrée fournissant directement des valeurs calculées une fois pour toute de l'azimut vrai de la Mecque, en fonction du fuseau horaire et de l'inclinaison du champ magnétique terrestre.According to an advantageous variant of this invention, the method for determining the azimuth of La Mecca can be simplified. To this end, the memory not volatile timepiece has only one double entry table providing values directly calculated once and for all from the true azimuth of the Mecca, depending on time zone and incline of the Earth's magnetic field.

Indication de la direction de la MecqueIndication of the direction of Mecca

Comme nous l'avons déjà dit, la pièce d'horlogerie comporte un troisième moteur 20 commandé par un circuit de puissance 16 et destiné à entraíner l'aiguille de direction pour lui faire indiquer la direction de La Mecque. Comme on peut le voir sur la figure 1, la pièce d'horlogerie comporte de plus un compteur de position 38 de l'aiguille de direction. Ce compteur 38 est un compteur par 360 qui définit la position de l'aiguille de direction par rapport aux 360 degrés du tour du cadran de la pièce d'horlogerie.As we said before, the timepiece comprises a third motor 20 controlled by a circuit of power 16 and intended to drive the needle direction to make him indicate the direction of La Mecca. As can be seen in Figure 1, the coin also includes a position counter 38 of the steering needle. This counter 38 is a counter by 360 which defines the position of the steering needle relative to the 360 degrees around the coin dial of watchmaking.

Pour faire indiquer à l'aiguille de direction la direction de La Mecque, les moyens électroniques de gestion 22 lisent tout d'abord le contenu du compteur de position 38 de l'aiguille de direction, et retranchent cette grandeur de la valeur préalablement calculée de l'angle existant entre la direction de La Mecque et l'axe 12 heures-6 heures de la pièce d'horlogerie.
Le résultat de cette soustraction correspond au nombre de pas à faire effectuer par le moteur 20 pour orienter l'aiguille de direction vers La Mecque. Les moyens électroniques de gestion 22 commandent l'avance du moteur 20 en envoyant au circuit de puissance 16 un nombre d'impulsions correspondant au nombre de pas à faire effectuer par le moteur. Les impulsions délivrées par les moyens électroniques 22 pour faire avancer le moteur 20 incrémentent simultanément le compteur de position de l'aiguille de direction 38. De cette façon, le contenu du compteur 38 correspond toujours à la position de l'aiguille de direction sur le cadran.To make the direction hand indicate the direction of Mecca, the electronic management means 22 first read the content of the position counter 38 of the direction hand, and subtract this quantity from the previously calculated value of the angle between the direction of Mecca and the 12 o'clock-6 o'clock axis of the timepiece.
The result of this subtraction corresponds to the number of steps to be taken by the motor 20 to orient the direction needle towards Mecca. The electronic management means 22 control the advance of the motor 20 by sending to the power circuit 16 a number of pulses corresponding to the number of steps to be made by the motor. The pulses delivered by the electronic means 22 for advancing the motor 20 simultaneously increment the position counter of the steering needle 38. In this way, the content of the counter 38 always corresponds to the position of the steering needle on the dial.

Claims (5)

  1. Timepiece comprising a time base (2), display means indicating the local time, time setting means (24) for said local time, means (22, 24, 25) for determining the value of the time difference existing between the local time and the time of a reference time zone, display means also being intended to display a geographic information, characterised in that it comprises :
    means (22) for converting the time difference value into an approximate value of the local longitude, said longitude constituting a first part of the geographic information indicated by the display means of said timepiece,
    means (30) for determining the inclination of the earth's magnetic field in relation to the horizontal, and
    means (22) for converting the inclination of the earth's magnetic field into an approximate value of the local latitude, said latitude constituting a second part of the geographic information, said means (22) taking account of the approximate value of the local longitude.
  2. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterised in that said means for determining the value of the time difference include a time difference counter (25) which is provided to keep account all the changes in said time display produced with the aid of said time setting means (24) when there is a change of time zone, the contents of said counter (25) corresponding to said time difference value.
  3. Timepiece according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that it comprises a reference plane and in that means (30) for determining the inclination of the magnetic field comprise three unidirectional magnetic sensors (32, 34, 36) provided to measure orthogonal components of the earth's magnetic field two of which are situated in said reference plane, in such a way as to permit to determine said inclination of the earth's magnetic field in relation to the horizontal when said reference plane is maintained horizontal.
  4. Timepiece according to claim 3, characterised in that it further comprises calculating means (22) intended to calculate, as a function of said approximate values of the local longitude and of the local latitude, the azimuth of a preselected place on the earth's surface.
  5. Timepiece according to claim 4, characterised in that said display means comprise a pointer, in that it further comprises means for determining the direction of magnetic north associated to the two magnetic sensors measuring the two orthogonal components of the earth's magnetic field in said reference plane, and in that said calculating means are also intended to determine, as a function of said azimuth and said direction of the magnetic north, the direction of said preselected place, the latter being displayed with the aid of said pointer.
EP94119297A 1993-12-23 1994-12-07 Method for fixing the geographical position and timepiece for implementing this method Expired - Lifetime EP0660205B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH3860/93 1993-12-23
CH03860/93A CH686469B5 (en) 1993-12-23 1993-12-23 Timepiece to take stock.

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EP0660205A1 EP0660205A1 (en) 1995-06-28
EP0660205B1 true EP0660205B1 (en) 1999-03-17

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EP (1) EP0660205B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH07209012A (en)
KR (1) KR100347991B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1054927C (en)
CH (1) CH686469B5 (en)
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JP6631357B2 (en) * 2016-03-28 2020-01-15 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Electronic clock
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KR950019993A (en) 1995-07-24
CH686469B5 (en) 1996-10-15
EP0660205A1 (en) 1995-06-28
US5598381A (en) 1997-01-28
HK1012450A1 (en) 1999-07-30
DE69417186T2 (en) 1999-10-21
CH686469GA3 (en) 1996-04-15
DE69417186D1 (en) 1999-04-22
JPH07209012A (en) 1995-08-11
CN1113327A (en) 1995-12-13
CN1054927C (en) 2000-07-26
KR100347991B1 (en) 2002-11-29

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