EP0744675A1 - Time measuring instrument particularly electric wrist watch of the analogue type - Google Patents

Time measuring instrument particularly electric wrist watch of the analogue type Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0744675A1
EP0744675A1 EP96810326A EP96810326A EP0744675A1 EP 0744675 A1 EP0744675 A1 EP 0744675A1 EP 96810326 A EP96810326 A EP 96810326A EP 96810326 A EP96810326 A EP 96810326A EP 0744675 A1 EP0744675 A1 EP 0744675A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
offset
display
indicator
battery
instrument according
Prior art date
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Granted
Application number
EP96810326A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0744675B1 (en
Inventor
René Besson
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Rolex SA
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Montres Rolex SA
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C17/00—Indicating the time optically by electric means
    • G04C17/005—Indicating the time optically by electric means by discs
    • G04C17/0058—Indicating the time optically by electric means by discs with date indication
    • G04C17/0066—Indicating the time optically by electric means by discs with date indication electromagnetically driven, e.g. intermittently
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C10/00—Arrangements of electric power supplies in time pieces
    • G04C10/04—Arrangements of electric power supplies in time pieces with means for indicating the condition of the power supply

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a time instrument, in particular a wristwatch, of the analog type supplied by an electrical energy source and comprising at least one recursive cycle indicator driven by a dedicated motor and an electronic circuit arranged to control all of the functions of the time instrument and in particular the movement of said recursive cycle indicator, this circuit comprising at least one internal voltage or resistance reference and a comparator designed to detect at least one predetermined charge level defined by the internal voltage or resistance from said source of electrical energy.
  • the display includes a symbol that becomes apparent as soon as the critical level is detected by measuring the voltage or the internal resistance of the battery. We know that when the battery approaches its end of life, its voltage drops and its internal resistance increases and the measurement of detection of the passage of their value below or beyond predetermined thresholds makes it possible to detect the approach the end of battery life.
  • Swiss patent n ° 616,046 in the name of Ebauches SA proposes to display the end of battery life by a disc placed below a window of the dial specially provided for this function, this disc being moved integrally with the chain kinematics of the analog display, the polarity of the quiescent state of the motor having to be modified during the display of end of life of the battery.
  • Some provide a sometimes complex complementary mechanism to display a signal indicating the end of battery life.
  • the application is limited because the display is directly linked to the main kinematic chain of the watch.
  • Certain systems are dependent on mechanical parameters which are difficult to modify and which do not allow adaptation of the operating time before a battery change, i.e. they cannot integrate technical progress in terms of increase the average longevity of the batteries and a general reduction in the consumption of movements.
  • the invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art and to propose a watch comprising means for indicating the imminent end of the life of the battery without additional device and easy to implement in the usual constructions of watch movements .
  • This object is achieved for a time instrument as defined in the preamble and characterized in that said electronic circuit is arranged to control a movement of the recursive cycle indicator such that the apparent indication provided by this indicator in normal mode occupies a first constant position and that the apparent indication provided by the indicator in the event of detection of a charge level lower than said predetermined charge level, occupies a second position offset with respect to said first constant position.
  • the offset of said second position relative to said first position remains constant.
  • the apparent indication when it occupies said second position, may be accompanied by the complementary display of a symbol.
  • the offset of said second position relative to said first position is progressive and increases with the decrease in the voltage or the increase in the internal resistance of the source of electrical energy.
  • the offset from the second position is carried out in stages, each stage corresponding to a predetermined threshold of voltage or internal resistance of the source of electrical energy.
  • the shifting of the second position is carried out in stages, each stage corresponding to a separate indication which is automatically displayed within a predetermined time after detection of said predetermined charge level.
  • each offset level corresponds to the complementary display of a different symbol and said symbol is associated with the indication carried by the recursive cycle indicator, placed on this indicator in a manner offset from the 'indication, in the direction of movement of the indicator.
  • the electronic circuit is arranged to control the displacement of the recursive cycle indicator in a reversible manner, the display of the indication being shifted in the event of detection of a charge level lower than said level. predetermined charge and returning to normal if a return to a charge level higher than this predetermined charge level is detected.
  • the watch shown diagrammatically comprises an electrical power source 10 constituted by a battery which supplies an electronic circuit and, through this circuit, two electric motors 11 and 12 which actuate the hour hands 13, respectively minutes 14 and seconds 15 for the motor 11 and a date disc 16 for the motor 12.
  • the date disc has the numbers 1 to 31 arranged for example on a circle centered on the axis of the hands and every number corresponding to a day of the month, appears successively in a window 17 formed in the dial 18 of the watch.
  • the electronic circuit mainly comprises a quartz oscillator 21 associated with a microprocessor 22 of the watchmaker type which directly controls the two motors 11 and 12, as well as a circuit 23 for controlling the battery voltage.
  • This control circuit essentially comprises a comparator 24, a special circuit 25, known per se, for example by Swiss patent application no. 651,999, British publication 2,111,223 or Swiss patent no. 672,391 designed to store, for example a reference voltage threshold, or an internal resistance threshold and two resistors 26 and 27 respectively called resistance of the divider bridge and resistance of the bridge. These two resistors 26 and 27 are connected by one of their common terminals 28 to a positive input 29 of the comparator 24. The other terminal of the resistor 27 is connected to ground T.
  • the other terminal of the resistor 26 is connected to the positive terminal of the battery.
  • the negative input 30 of the comparator 24 is connected to the special circuit 25 which is also connected to the ground T by its other terminal.
  • the output 31 of the comparator 24 is connected to the microprocessor 22.
  • the recursive parameter is the date. It could be replaced by any other recursive parameter such as for example the day, the week, month or year.
  • the disk bearing the indication of this recursive parameter is driven by an independent motor by its own kinematic chain.
  • the displacement of information to the contiguous information is generated by the engine which is supplied by a number of + N or -N not. This number is preferably between 10 and 300.
  • the control circuit 23 is arranged to detect the voltage U of the battery or its internal resistance Ri and to compare it with a predetermined threshold value. When the effective value of the internal voltage or resistance reaches these respective threshold values, the circuit 23 transmits appropriate information to the microprocessor 22 which controls the motor 12 by a number of pulses + M or -M distinct from the number + N or -N corresponding to normal mode. In practice, if N is for example equal to 100 pulses, M will be equal to Nn where n is advantageously equal to 10 pulses.
  • the offset may, where appropriate, be accompanied by a particular symbol or sign which has the function of drawing the wearer's attention even more to the information already implicitly contained in the offset of the display.
  • Figure 2 shows in an enlarged way the appearance of the display of a date 40, in this case the 15th day, in the window 17, when the watch operates in normal mode.
  • Figure 3 shows this display when the battery reaches the end of its life.
  • the date 40 is shifted upwards, and on the other hand, under the 15th day of the month, a line 41 appears which is hidden in normal mode.
  • the displacement of the date disc corresponds to N - n steps, the number n of missing steps being responsible for the offset observed.
  • the display or signaling of the end of life of the battery is transmitted to the user of the watch by two signs which complement each other: one is the date shift which is considered to be the main sign, l 'the other is the line 41 which could also be replaced by any other sign or ideogram at the choice of the manufacturer.
  • FIG. 4 represents the evolution of the voltage U p of the battery of a watch and of its internal resistance R i as a function of time t.
  • the curve 50 which corresponds to the voltage varies over time. This voltage is substantially constant and has a value U 0 during a time interval which can be several years. It decreases more and more quickly when the battery approaches its end of life, that is to say when it reaches the end of charge.
  • On this curve are for example identified two thresholds U A and U B which are reached respectively at time t A and at time t B separated by a time interval ⁇ t1.
  • One of these approaches may consist in detecting the first threshold U A and in carrying out a display as described with reference to FIG. 3.
  • Another approach consists in detecting the first threshold U A and in proceeding as above, then detecting the threshold U B to reinforce this display, for example by increasing the date shift.
  • a third approach may consist in detecting other thresholds U C , U D , etc. and to increase the offset each time and possibly to complete each offset by displaying a sign or an ideogram.
  • a fourth approach may consist in detecting only a single threshold U A and in displaying a first offset, whether or not accompanied by a sign at time t A corresponding to this detection, then in displaying one or more progressive offsets also whether or not accompanied by signs after time intervals At1, At'1, At "1 etc. these time intervals may be equal or preferably decreasing.
  • the same observations apply to the internal resistance R i which is substantially constant and equal to R i0 as long as the battery is charged as shown in curve 51 of FIG. 4 and which increases when the battery approaches its end of life.
  • a threshold R iA of this internal resistance can be increased when a second threshold R iB is detected .
  • the detection of the two thresholds is separated by a time interval ⁇ t2 which could also serve as a basic reference for determining when the offset of the date display must be increased.
  • the number of detected thresholds is not limited to two and the offset as well as the display of signs can be progressive.
  • FIG. 5 displays the day inside a window 52. It can be seen that the day displayed, in this case LUNDI is not centered laterally inside the window and that it is also accompanied by a point 53. In this embodiment, we find both the offset and the complementary sign.
  • FIG. 6 represents the offset display of the day, in this case the fifteenth day of the month offset in the window 17. It is accompanied by a point 53 similar to that of FIG. 5.
  • FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D illustrate a progressive shift in the display of the date and a progressive variation in the display of complementary signs.
  • FIG. 7A shows the window 17 in which the date "29" appears perfectly centered. The battery is charged, the watch operates in normal mode.
  • FIG. 7B represents the window 17 in which the date "30" appears offset and accompanied by a sign 60 having the shape of a first rectangle. This offset display corresponds to the detection of a threshold U A or R iA of the voltage or of the internal resistance of the battery.
  • FIG. 7C represents the window 17 in which the date "13" appears offset, the offset being amplified with respect to that of the date 30 of FIG. 7B, and accompanied by a second rectangle 61 adjacent to the rectangle 60 and larger than this latest.
  • This display can correspond to the detection of a second voltage threshold U B or of a second internal resistance threshold R iB . However, it can also appear at the end of a time interval ⁇ t1 or ⁇ t2 equal for example to 14 or 15 days which separate calendar "30" from calendar "13" of the following month.
  • FIG. 7D represents the window 17 in which the date "20" appears even more offset and accompanied by a third rectangle 62 attached to the previous ones and larger than the two rectangles 60 and 61.
  • This display may be the result of the detection a third internal voltage or resistance threshold or appear automatically after a predetermined time interval after the previous offset display.
  • this display appears seven days after the display represented by FIG. 7C.
  • the electronic circuit is designed so that the offset pulses are compensated. For example, if the display offset was generated by a number n of missing pulses, the total number of pulses supplying the corresponding motor 11 being Nn, it would be necessary to supply this motor with N + n pulses so that the next step takes place with the required offset compensation.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)

Abstract

Two electric motors (11,12) are driven by a battery (10) through an electronic circuit which includes a quartz oscillator (21), a microprocessor (22) and a battery control circuit (23). One motor (11) drives the hours , minutes and seconds hands (13,14,15) and the other (12) drives a recursive disc showing the day of the month. The battery control circuit (23) includes a comparator (24) which enables it to detect departures in battery voltage and battery internal resistance from preset thresholds and to cause the microprocessor (22) to vary the number of impulses sent to the recursive scale (16,17) slightly changing the position of the indicated day.

Description

La présente invention concerne un instrument horaire, notamment une montre-bracelet, du type analogique alimenté par une source d'énergie électrique et comportant au moins un indicateur de cycle récursif entraîné par un moteur dédicacé et un circuit électronique agencé pour commander l'ensemble des fonctions de l'instrument horaire et notamment le déplacement dudit indicateur de cycle récursif, ce circuit comportant au moins une référence de tension ou de résistance interne et un comparateur conçu pour détecter au moins un niveau de charge prédéterminé défini par la tension ou la résistance interne de ladite source d'énergie électrique.The present invention relates to a time instrument, in particular a wristwatch, of the analog type supplied by an electrical energy source and comprising at least one recursive cycle indicator driven by a dedicated motor and an electronic circuit arranged to control all of the functions of the time instrument and in particular the movement of said recursive cycle indicator, this circuit comprising at least one internal voltage or resistance reference and a comparator designed to detect at least one predetermined charge level defined by the internal voltage or resistance from said source of electrical energy.

On connaît de nombreuses montres à affichage analogique ou à affichage numérique, principalement du type à cristaux liquides, qui sont pourvues de moyens de détection de la fin de vie de la pile.Numerous watches with analog or digital display, mainly of the liquid crystal type, are known which are provided with means for detecting the end of the battery life.

Pour les montres à affichage numérique, l'afficheur comprend un symbole devenant apparent dès que le niveau critique est détecté par la mesure de la tension ou de la résistance interne de la pile. On sait en effet que lorsque la pile s'approche de sa fin de vie, sa tension baisse et sa résistance interne croît et la mesure de détection du passage de leur valeur en deçà ou au-delà de seuils prédéterminés permet de détecter l'approche de la fin de vie de la pile.For watches with digital display, the display includes a symbol that becomes apparent as soon as the critical level is detected by measuring the voltage or the internal resistance of the battery. We know that when the battery approaches its end of life, its voltage drops and its internal resistance increases and the measurement of detection of the passage of their value below or beyond predetermined thresholds makes it possible to detect the approach the end of battery life.

Pour les montres à affichage analogique, il existe d'autres moyens pour rendre leur propriétaire attentif à l'approche de la fin de vie de la pile. Un de ces moyens est décrit dans le brevet suisse n° 616 046 au nom de CITIZEN WATCH CO Ltd, et comprend un circuit électronique qui provoque un "boitement" ou oscillation irrégulière de l'aiguille des secondes qui avance de quatre secondes toutes les quatre secondes. Dans ce même brevet est décrit un mécanisme électromécanique compliqué comprenant un symbole fixé au bout d'une aiguille et qui devient apparent à travers un guichet ménagé dans le cadran appelé guichet de quantième et qui est amené au-dessus du disque de quantième lorsque la pile approche de sa fin de vie.For watches with analog display, there are other ways to make their owner aware of the approach of the end of battery life. One of these means is described in the Swiss patent n ° 616 046 in the name of CITIZEN WATCH CO Ltd, and includes an electronic circuit which causes a "limping" or irregular oscillation of the seconds hand which advances four seconds every four seconds. In this same patent is described a complicated electromechanical mechanism comprising a symbol fixed at the end of a needle and which becomes apparent through a window formed in the dial called date window and which is brought above the date disc when the battery nearing end of life.

Le brevet suisse n° 616 046 au nom d'Ebauches S.A. propose d'afficher la fin de vie de pile par un disque placé au-dessous d'un guichet du cadran spécialement ménagé pour cette fonction, ce disque étant déplacé solidairement avec la chaîne cinématique de l'affichage analogique, la polarité de l'état quiescent du moteur devant être modifié lors de l'affichage de fin de vie de la pile.Swiss patent n ° 616,046 in the name of Ebauches SA proposes to display the end of battery life by a disc placed below a window of the dial specially provided for this function, this disc being moved integrally with the chain kinematics of the analog display, the polarity of the quiescent state of the motor having to be modified during the display of end of life of the battery.

Un autre mode de réalisation est décrit dans la demande de brevet européen publiée sous le n° 0621 519 de ISA FRANCE S.A. L'affichage d'une position excédentaire d'un affichage récursif est généré par un moteur indépendant. Dans ce mode de réalisation, il est nécessaire d'assurer que, avant la fin de la vie de la pile, cette position excédentaire ne soit pas apparente, ce qui revient à sauter cet état, alors qu'à la fin de vie de la pile, il est nécessaire d'assurer l'affichage de cette position excédentaire à l'exclusion des positions normales.Another embodiment is described in the European patent application published under the number 0621 519 of ISA FRANCE S.A. The display of an excess position of a recursive display is generated by an independent motor. In this embodiment, it is necessary to ensure that, before the end of the life of the battery, this excess position is not apparent, which amounts to skipping this state, whereas at the end of the life of the stack, it is necessary to ensure the display of this excess position excluding the normal positions.

D'autres réalisations bien connues sont décrites notamment dans les brevets suisses n° 616 296, 616 046, 684 623. Elles présentent toutes au moins un ou l'autre des défauts décrits ci-dessous.Other well-known embodiments are described in particular in Swiss patents No. 616,296, 616,046, 684,623. They all have at least one or the other of the defects described below.

Certaines prévoient un mécanisme complémentaire parfois complexe pour afficher un signal indicateur de la fin de vie de la pile.Some provide a sometimes complex complementary mechanism to display a signal indicating the end of battery life.

Certaines imposent la création d'un guichet supplémentaire dans le cadran, ce qui modifie, voire dégrade, l'esthétique traditionnelle de la montre.Some require the creation of an additional window in the dial, which modifies, even degrades, the traditional aesthetics of the watch.

Dans certains cas, l'application est limitée parce que l'affichage est directement lié à la chaîne cinématique principale de la montre.In some cases, the application is limited because the display is directly linked to the main kinematic chain of the watch.

Dans d'autres cas, un espace supplémentaire entre le cadran et le disque d'affichage est requis ce qui augmente l'encombrement en épaisseur du calibre.In other cases, additional space between the dial and the display disc is required, which increases the thickness of the gauge.

Certains systèmes ne sont pas réversibles. L'affichage de fin de vie de pile ne peut pas disparaître après son apparition, et une pile exposée au froid peut momentanément atteindre les seuils de détection, mais à une température ambiante elle retrouve ses propriétés de pile chargée. Il faut alors faire disparaître l'affichage de fin de vie de pile qui n'est apparu que momentanément.Some systems are not reversible. The battery end-of-life display cannot disappear after its appearance, and a battery exposed to cold may momentarily reach the detection thresholds, but at room temperature it regains its properties of charged battery. It is then necessary to make disappear the display of end of life of battery which appeared only momentarily.

Certains systèmes sont dépendants de paramètres de construction mécanique difficilement modifiables qui ne permettent pas une adaptation de la durée de fonctionnement avant un changement de pile, c'est-à-dire qu'ils ne peuvent pas intégrer les progrès techniques en matière d'augmentation de la longévité moyenne des piles et d'abaissement généralisé de la consommation des mouvements.Certain systems are dependent on mechanical parameters which are difficult to modify and which do not allow adaptation of the operating time before a battery change, i.e. they cannot integrate technical progress in terms of increase the average longevity of the batteries and a general reduction in the consumption of movements.

D'autres systèmes utilisent une position excédentaire d'un mobile au détriment de l'information normalement véhiculée par ce mobile. A titre d'exemple, l'affichage du quantième est escamoté au profit de celui d'une indication de fin de vie de la pile.Other systems use an excess position of a mobile to the detriment of the information normally conveyed by this mobile. For example, the date display is retracted in favor of that of an indication of end of life of the battery.

En outre, certains systèmes sont conçus de telle manière que l'affichage de l'approche de la fin de vie de la pile nécessite la mise en oeuvre de moyens consommateurs d'énergie, ce qui a pour effet négatif d'accélérer cette approche.In addition, certain systems are designed in such a way that the display of the approach of the end of life of the battery requires the use of energy-consuming means, which has the negative effect of accelerating this approach.

Enfin, les systèmes qui utilisent l'aiguille des secondes ne sont bien entendu applicables que sur des calibres prévoyant une telle aiguille, ce qui n'est généralement pas le cas des calibres pour montres de dames.Finally, the systems which use the second hand are of course only applicable to calibers providing such a hand, which is generally not the case for calibers for ladies' watches.

L'invention a pour but de remédier aux inconvénients de l'art antérieur et de proposer une montre comprenant des moyens pour indiquer la fin prochaine de la vie de la pile sans dispositif supplémentaire et faciles à implémenter dans les constructions usuelles des mouvements d'horlogerie.The invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art and to propose a watch comprising means for indicating the imminent end of the life of the battery without additional device and easy to implement in the usual constructions of watch movements .

Ce but est atteint pour un instrument horaire tel que défini en préambule et caractérisé en ce que ledit circuit électronique est agencé pour commander un déplacement de l'indicateur de cycle récursif tel que l'indication apparente fournie par cet indicateur en mode normal occupe une première position constante et que l'indication apparente fournie par l'indicateur en cas de détection d'un niveau de charge inférieur audit niveau de charge prédéterminé, occupe une seconde position décalée par rapport à ladite première position constante.This object is achieved for a time instrument as defined in the preamble and characterized in that said electronic circuit is arranged to control a movement of the recursive cycle indicator such that the apparent indication provided by this indicator in normal mode occupies a first constant position and that the apparent indication provided by the indicator in the event of detection of a charge level lower than said predetermined charge level, occupies a second position offset with respect to said first constant position.

Selon un premier mode de réalisation principal, le décalage de ladite seconde position par rapport à ladite première position reste constant.According to a first main embodiment, the offset of said second position relative to said first position remains constant.

Selon une variante, l'indication apparente, lorsqu'elle occupe ladite seconde position, peut être accompagnée de l'affichage complémentaire d'un symbole.According to a variant, the apparent indication, when it occupies said second position, may be accompanied by the complementary display of a symbol.

Selon un second mode de réalisation principal, le décalage de ladite seconde position par rapport à ladite première position est progressif et croît avec la diminution de la tension ou l'augmentation de la résistance interne de la source d'énergie électrique.According to a second main embodiment, the offset of said second position relative to said first position is progressive and increases with the decrease in the voltage or the increase in the internal resistance of the source of electrical energy.

Selon une première forme de réalisation particulièrement avantageuse, le décalage de la seconde position s'effectue par paliers, chaque palier correspondant à un seuil prédéterminé de tension ou de résistance interne de la source d'énergie électrique.According to a first particularly advantageous embodiment, the offset from the second position is carried out in stages, each stage corresponding to a predetermined threshold of voltage or internal resistance of the source of electrical energy.

Selon une seconde forme de réalisation particulièrement avantageuse, le décalage de la seconde position s'effectue par paliers, chaque palier correspondant à une indication distincte qui s'affiche automatiquement dans un délai prédéterminé après la détection dudit niveau de charge prédéterminé.According to a second particularly advantageous embodiment, the shifting of the second position is carried out in stages, each stage corresponding to a separate indication which is automatically displayed within a predetermined time after detection of said predetermined charge level.

Dans ces formes de réalisation, à chaque palier de décalage correspond l'affichage complémentaire d'un symbole différent et ledit symbole est associé à l'indication portée par l'indicateur de cycle récursif, disposée sur cet indicateur de manière décalée par rapport à l'indication, dans le sens du déplacement de l'indicateur.In these embodiments, each offset level corresponds to the complementary display of a different symbol and said symbol is associated with the indication carried by the recursive cycle indicator, placed on this indicator in a manner offset from the 'indication, in the direction of movement of the indicator.

Selon une forme de réalisation préférée, le circuit électronique est agencé pour commander le déplacement de l'indicateur de cycle récursif de manière réversible, l'affichage de l'indication étant décalé en cas de détection d'un niveau de charge inférieur audit niveau de charge prédéterminé et redevenant normal en cas de détection d'un retour à un niveau de charge supérieur à ce niveau de charge prédéterminé.According to a preferred embodiment, the electronic circuit is arranged to control the displacement of the recursive cycle indicator in a reversible manner, the display of the indication being shifted in the event of detection of a charge level lower than said level. predetermined charge and returning to normal if a return to a charge level higher than this predetermined charge level is detected.

L'invention sera mieux comprise en référence à la description d'un mode de réalisation préféré donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif et aux dessins annexés dans lesquels:

  • la figure 1 représente une vue schématique illustrant une forme de réalisation préférée d'un instrument horaire selon l'invention,
  • la figure 2 illustre l'affichage du quantième de la montre de la figure 1 lorsqu'elle marche en mode normal,
  • la figure 3 illustre l'affichage du quantième lorsqu'elle marche en mode "fin de vie de pile",
  • la figure 4 représente un graphe qui illustre l'évolution de la tension et de la résistance interne d'une pile au cours de sa vie,
  • la figure 5 illustre une autre forme de réalisation où l'affichage du jour est décalé et accompagné d'un symbole pour signaler l'approche de la fin de vie de la pile,
  • la figure 6 illustre une forme de réalisation où l'affichage du quantième est accompagné d'un symbole pour signaler l'approche de la fin de vie de la pile, et
  • les figures 7A, 7B, 7C et 7D illustrent une variante dans laquelle on affiche par des moyens différents une approche progressive de la fin de vie de la pile.
The invention will be better understood with reference to the description of a preferred embodiment given by way of nonlimiting example and to the appended drawings in which:
  • FIG. 1 represents a schematic view illustrating a preferred embodiment of a time instrument according to the invention,
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the display of the date of the watch in FIG. 1 when it is operating in normal mode,
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the display of the date when it operates in "end of battery life" mode,
  • FIG. 4 represents a graph which illustrates the evolution of the voltage and of the internal resistance of a battery during its life,
  • FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment where the day display is shifted and accompanied by a symbol to signal the approach of the end of life of the battery,
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment in which the date display is accompanied by a symbol to signal the approach of the end of life of the battery, and
  • FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D illustrate a variant in which a progressive approach to the end of battery life is displayed by different means.

En référence à la figure 1 la montre représentée schématiquement comporte une source d'alimentation électrique 10 constituée par une pile qui alimente un circuit électronique et, à travers ce circuit, deux moteurs électriques 11 et 12 qui actionnent respectivement les aiguilles des heures 13, des minutes 14 et des secondes 15 pour ce qui est du moteur 11 et un disque des quantièmes 16 pour ce qui est du moteur 12. Le disque des quantièmes porte les nombres 1 à 31 disposés par exemple sur un cercle centré sur l'axe des aiguilles et chaque nombre correspondant à un jour du mois, apparaît successivement dans un guichet 17 ménagé dans le cadran 18 de la montre.With reference to FIG. 1, the watch shown diagrammatically comprises an electrical power source 10 constituted by a battery which supplies an electronic circuit and, through this circuit, two electric motors 11 and 12 which actuate the hour hands 13, respectively minutes 14 and seconds 15 for the motor 11 and a date disc 16 for the motor 12. The date disc has the numbers 1 to 31 arranged for example on a circle centered on the axis of the hands and every number corresponding to a day of the month, appears successively in a window 17 formed in the dial 18 of the watch.

La liaison de commande entre le moteur 11 et les aiguilles 13, 14 et 15 ainsi que celle entre le moteur 12 et le disque des quantièmes 16 sont respectivement représentées par les lignes 19 et 20 en traits mixtes.The control link between the motor 11 and the hands 13, 14 and 15 as well as that between the motor 12 and the date disc 16 are respectively represented by the lines 19 and 20 in phantom.

On notera que le quantième "15", qui apparaît dans le guichet 17, est parfaitement centré, ce qui signifie, comme cela sera expliqué par la suite, que la pile est chargée et que la montre fonctionne en mode normal.It will be noted that the date "15", which appears in the window 17, is perfectly centered, which means, as will be explained below, that the battery is charged and that the watch is operating in normal mode.

Le circuit électronique comporte principalement un oscillateur à quartz 21 associé à un microprocesseur 22 du type horloger qui commande directement les deux moteurs 11 et 12, ainsi qu'un circuit de contrôle 23 de la tension de la pile. Ce circuit de contrôle comporte essentiellement un comparateur 24, un circuit spécial 25, connu en soi, par exemple par la demande de brevet suisse n° 651 999, la publication britannique 2.111 223 ou le brevet suisse n° 672 391 agencé pour mémoriser par exemple un seuil de tension de référence, ou un seuil de résistance interne et deux résistances 26 et 27 appelées respectivement résistance du pont diviseur et résistance du pont. Ces deux résistances 26 et 27 sont connectées par une de leurs bornes commune 28 à une entrée positive 29 du comparateur 24. L'autre borne de la résistance 27 est raccordée à la masse T. L'autre borne de la résistance 26 est raccordée à la borne positive de la pile. L'entrée négative 30 du comparateur 24 est reliée au circuit spécial 25 qui est par ailleurs relié à la masse T par son autre borne. La sortie 31 du comparateur 24 est connectée au microprocesseur 22.The electronic circuit mainly comprises a quartz oscillator 21 associated with a microprocessor 22 of the watchmaker type which directly controls the two motors 11 and 12, as well as a circuit 23 for controlling the battery voltage. This control circuit essentially comprises a comparator 24, a special circuit 25, known per se, for example by Swiss patent application no. 651,999, British publication 2,111,223 or Swiss patent no. 672,391 designed to store, for example a reference voltage threshold, or an internal resistance threshold and two resistors 26 and 27 respectively called resistance of the divider bridge and resistance of the bridge. These two resistors 26 and 27 are connected by one of their common terminals 28 to a positive input 29 of the comparator 24. The other terminal of the resistor 27 is connected to ground T. The other terminal of the resistor 26 is connected to the positive terminal of the battery. The negative input 30 of the comparator 24 is connected to the special circuit 25 which is also connected to the ground T by its other terminal. The output 31 of the comparator 24 is connected to the microprocessor 22.

Dans cette réalisation, le paramètre récursif est le quantième. Il pourrait être remplacé par tout autre paramètre récursif tel que par exemple le jour, la semaine, le mois ou l'année. Le disque qui porte l'indication de ce paramètre récursif est entraîné par un moteur indépendant par une chaîne cinématique qui lui est propre. Le déplacement d'une information à l'information contiguë est généré par le moteur qui est alimenté par un nombre de +N ou -N pas. Ce nombre est de préférence compris entre 10 et 300.In this embodiment, the recursive parameter is the date. It could be replaced by any other recursive parameter such as for example the day, the week, month or year. The disk bearing the indication of this recursive parameter is driven by an independent motor by its own kinematic chain. The displacement of information to the contiguous information is generated by the engine which is supplied by a number of + N or -N not. This number is preferably between 10 and 300.

Le circuit de contrôle 23 est agencé pour détecter la tension U de la pile ou sa résistance interne Ri et pour la comparer à une valeur seuil prédéterminée. Lorsque la valeur effective de la tension ou de la résistance interne atteint ces valeurs seuil respectives, le circuit 23 transmet une information appropriée au microprocesseur 22 qui commande le moteur 12 par un nombre d'impulsions +M ou -M distinct du nombre +N ou -N correspondant au mode normal. Dans la pratique, si N est par exemple égal à 100 impulsions, M sera égal à N-n où n est avantageusement égal à 10 impulsions. Ceci a pour effet de provoquer un décalage de l'affichage récursif, d'une manière telle que l'information affichée, en l'occurrence le quantième, reste parfaitement visible dans le guichet 17, mais est déplacée par rapport à sa position normale pour apporter au porteur de la montre une information complémentaire qu'il interprétera comme l'indication de fin de vie de la pile.The control circuit 23 is arranged to detect the voltage U of the battery or its internal resistance Ri and to compare it with a predetermined threshold value. When the effective value of the internal voltage or resistance reaches these respective threshold values, the circuit 23 transmits appropriate information to the microprocessor 22 which controls the motor 12 by a number of pulses + M or -M distinct from the number + N or -N corresponding to normal mode. In practice, if N is for example equal to 100 pulses, M will be equal to Nn where n is advantageously equal to 10 pulses. This has the effect of causing an offset of the recursive display, in such a way that the information displayed, in this case the date, remains perfectly visible in the window 17, but is moved relative to its normal position for provide the wearer of the watch with additional information which he will interpret as an indication of the end of battery life.

Le décalage peut, le cas échéant, être accompagné d'un symbole ou signe particulier qui a pour fonction d'attirer encore davantage l'attention du porteur sur l'information déjà implicitement contenue dans le décalage de l'affichage.The offset may, where appropriate, be accompanied by a particular symbol or sign which has the function of drawing the wearer's attention even more to the information already implicitly contained in the offset of the display.

En admettant que le déplacement du disque 16 des quantièmes, de jour, de mois ou d'année constituant ledit paramètre récursif, est proportionnel au nombre de pas parcourus par le moteur 12 ou d'impulsions d'alimentation fournies par le microprocesseur 22, la surface apparente affichée correspond à la proportion n/N de la surface totale du guichet. Si N = 100 et n = 10, la surface apparente utile pour afficher la fin de vie de la pile au moyen d'un symbole complétant le décalage est de 10% alors que la surface utile pour afficher le paramètre récursif reste de 90%, ce qui est largement suffisant pour que cette information reste bien lisible.Assuming that the movement of the disc 16 of the date, day, month or year constituting said recursive parameter, is proportional to the number of steps traveled by the motor 12 or of supply pulses supplied by the microprocessor 22, the apparent area displayed corresponds to the n / N proportion of the total area of the window. If N = 100 and n = 10, the apparent surface useful for displaying the end of life of the battery by means of a symbol completing the offset is 10% while the useful surface for displaying the recursive parameter remains 90%, which is more than sufficient for this information to remain easily readable .

La figure 2 montre de façon agrandie l'aspect de l'affichage d'un quantième 40, en l'occurrence le 15ème jour, dans le guichet 17, lorsque la montre fonctionne en mode normal.Figure 2 shows in an enlarged way the appearance of the display of a date 40, in this case the 15th day, in the window 17, when the watch operates in normal mode.

La figure 3 montre cet affichage lorsque la pile arrive en fin de vie. D'une part le quantième 40 est décalé vers le haut, et d'autre part, sous le 15ème jour du mois apparaît un trait 41 qui est masqué en mode normal. Dans ce cas, le déplacement du disque de quantième correspond à N - n pas, le nombre n de pas manquants étant responsable du décalage observé.Figure 3 shows this display when the battery reaches the end of its life. On the one hand, the date 40 is shifted upwards, and on the other hand, under the 15th day of the month, a line 41 appears which is hidden in normal mode. In this case, the displacement of the date disc corresponds to N - n steps, the number n of missing steps being responsible for the offset observed.

Dans cette réalisation, la visualisation ou le signalement de la fin de vie de la pile est transmis à l'utilisateur de la montre par deux signes qui se complètent: l'un est le décalage du quantième qui est considéré comme le signe principal, l'autre est le trait 41 qui pourrait d'ailleurs être remplacé par tout autre signe ou idéogramme au choix du constructeur.In this embodiment, the display or signaling of the end of life of the battery is transmitted to the user of the watch by two signs which complement each other: one is the date shift which is considered to be the main sign, l 'the other is the line 41 which could also be replaced by any other sign or ideogram at the choice of the manufacturer.

La figure 4 représente l'évolution de la tension Up de la pile d'une montre et de sa résistance interne Ri en fonction du temps t. La courbe 50 qui correspond à la tension varie dans le temps. Cette tension est sensiblement constante et a une valeur U0 pendant un intervalle de temps qui peut être de plusieurs années. Elle décroît de plus en plus rapidement lorsque la pile s'approche de sa fin de vie, c'est-à-dire lorsqu'elle arrive en fin de charge. Sur cette courbe sont par exemple repérés deux seuils UA et UB qui sont atteints respectivement à l'instant tA et à l'instant tB séparés par un intervalle de temps Δt1. Il existe en fait plusieurs approche conduisant à l'affichage de la fin de vie de la pile. L'une de ces approches peut consister à détecter le premier seuil UA et à procéder à un affichage tel que décrit en référence à la figure 3. Une autre approche consiste à détecter le premier seuil UA et à procéder comme ci-dessus, puis à détecter le seuil UB pour renforcer cet affichage par exemple en augmentant le décalage du quantième. Une troisième approche peut consister à détecter d'autres seuils UC, UD, etc. et à augmenter à chaque fois le décalage et éventuellement à compléter chaque décalage par l'affichage d'un signe ou d'un idéogramme.FIG. 4 represents the evolution of the voltage U p of the battery of a watch and of its internal resistance R i as a function of time t. The curve 50 which corresponds to the voltage varies over time. This voltage is substantially constant and has a value U 0 during a time interval which can be several years. It decreases more and more quickly when the battery approaches its end of life, that is to say when it reaches the end of charge. On this curve are for example identified two thresholds U A and U B which are reached respectively at time t A and at time t B separated by a time interval Δt1. There are actually several approach leading to the display of the end of battery life. One of these approaches may consist in detecting the first threshold U A and in carrying out a display as described with reference to FIG. 3. Another approach consists in detecting the first threshold U A and in proceeding as above, then detecting the threshold U B to reinforce this display, for example by increasing the date shift. A third approach may consist in detecting other thresholds U C , U D , etc. and to increase the offset each time and possibly to complete each offset by displaying a sign or an ideogram.

Enfin, une quatrième approche peut consister à ne détecter qu'un seul seuil UA et à afficher un premier décalage accompagné ou non d'un signe à l'instant tA correspondant à cette détection, puis à afficher un ou plusieurs décalages progressifs également accompagnés ou non de signes après des intervalles de temps At1, At'1, At"1 etc. ces intervalles de temps pouvant être égaux ou de préférence décroissants.Finally, a fourth approach may consist in detecting only a single threshold U A and in displaying a first offset, whether or not accompanied by a sign at time t A corresponding to this detection, then in displaying one or more progressive offsets also whether or not accompanied by signs after time intervals At1, At'1, At "1 etc. these time intervals may be equal or preferably decreasing.

Les mêmes observations s'appliquent à la résistance interne Ri qui est sensiblement constante et égale à Ri0 tant que la pile est chargée comme le montre la courbe 51 de la figure 4 et qui croît lorsque la pile s'approche de sa fin de vie. Pour détecter cette fin de vie, on peut détecter un seuil RiA de cette résistance interne et procéder à l'affichage du quantième décalé. Comme précédemment le décalage peut être augmenté lorsque l'on détecte un deuxième seuil RiB. La détection des deux seuils est séparée par un intervalle de temps Δt2 qui pourrait également servir de référence de base pour déterminer à quel moment le décalage de l'affichage du quantième doit être augmenté. Comme précédemment, le nombre de seuils détectés n'est pas limité à deux et le décalage ainsi que l'affichage de signes peuvent être progressifs.The same observations apply to the internal resistance R i which is substantially constant and equal to R i0 as long as the battery is charged as shown in curve 51 of FIG. 4 and which increases when the battery approaches its end of life. To detect this end of life, it is possible to detect a threshold R iA of this internal resistance and proceed to display the offset date. As before, the offset can be increased when a second threshold R iB is detected . The detection of the two thresholds is separated by a time interval Δt2 which could also serve as a basic reference for determining when the offset of the date display must be increased. As before, the number of detected thresholds is not limited to two and the offset as well as the display of signs can be progressive.

Divers modes de réalisation de l'affichage de signes indiquant la fin de vie de la pile sont illustrés par les figures suivantes.Various embodiments of the display of signs indicating the end of the battery life are illustrated by the following figures.

La figure 5 affiche le jour à l'intérieur d'un guichet 52. On constate que le jour affiché, en l'occurrence LUNDI n'est pas centré latéralement à l'intérieur du guichet et qu'il est en outre accompagné d'un point 53. On retrouve dans cette réalisation à la fois le décalage et le signe complémentaire.FIG. 5 displays the day inside a window 52. It can be seen that the day displayed, in this case LUNDI is not centered laterally inside the window and that it is also accompanied by a point 53. In this embodiment, we find both the offset and the complementary sign.

La figure 6 représente l'affichage décalé du jour, en l'occurrence le quinzième jour du mois décalé dans le guichet 17. Il est accompagné d'un point 53 similaire à celui de la figure 5.FIG. 6 represents the offset display of the day, in this case the fifteenth day of the month offset in the window 17. It is accompanied by a point 53 similar to that of FIG. 5.

On notera dans ces deux exemples, comme d'ailleurs dans celui de la figure 3, que le décalage s'effectue toujours dans le sens du déplacement du support, c'est-à-dire du disque des quantièmes et du disque des jours. Le signe complémentaire est associé à l'indication, mais n'apparaît que lorsque cette indication est décalée. En marche normale le signe est masqué par le cadran et n'apparaît pas dans le guichet.It will be noted in these two examples, as elsewhere in that of FIG. 3, that the offset is always effected in the direction of movement of the support, that is to say of the date disc and the day disc. The complementary sign is associated with the indication, but only appears when this indication is offset. In normal operation the sign is hidden by the dial and does not appear in the window.

Les figures 7A, 7B, 7C, et 7D illustrent un décalage progressif de l'affichage du quantième et une variation progressive de l'affichage de signes complémentaires. La figure 7A représente le guichet 17 dans lequel apparaît le quantième "29" parfaitement centré. La pile est chargée, la montre fonctionne en mode normal. La figure 7B représente le guichet 17 dans lequel le quantième "30" apparaît décalé et accompagné d'un signe 60 ayant la forme d'un premier rectangle. Cet affichage décalé correspond à la détection d'un seuil UA ou RiA de la tension ou de la résistance interne de la pile.FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D illustrate a progressive shift in the display of the date and a progressive variation in the display of complementary signs. FIG. 7A shows the window 17 in which the date "29" appears perfectly centered. The battery is charged, the watch operates in normal mode. FIG. 7B represents the window 17 in which the date "30" appears offset and accompanied by a sign 60 having the shape of a first rectangle. This offset display corresponds to the detection of a threshold U A or R iA of the voltage or of the internal resistance of the battery.

La figure 7C représente le guichet 17 dans lequel le quantième "13" apparaît décalé, le décalage étant amplifié par rapport à celui du quantième 30 de la figure 7B, et accompagné d'un deuxième rectangle 61 adjacent au rectangle 60 et plus grand que ce dernier. Cet affichage peut correspondre à la détection d'un deuxième seuil de tension UB ou d'un deuxième seuil de résistance interne RiB. Toutefois, il peut aussi apparaître au bout d'un intervalle de temps Δt1 ou Δt2 égal par exemple à 14 ou 15 jours qui séparent le quantième "30" du quantième "13" du mois suivant.FIG. 7C represents the window 17 in which the date "13" appears offset, the offset being amplified with respect to that of the date 30 of FIG. 7B, and accompanied by a second rectangle 61 adjacent to the rectangle 60 and larger than this latest. This display can correspond to the detection of a second voltage threshold U B or of a second internal resistance threshold R iB . However, it can also appear at the end of a time interval Δt1 or Δt2 equal for example to 14 or 15 days which separate calendar "30" from calendar "13" of the following month.

La figure 7D représente le guichet 17 dans lequel apparaît le quantième "20" encore plus fortement décalé et accompagné d'un troisième rectangle 62 accolé aux précédents et plus grand que les deux rectangles 60 et 61. Cet affichage peut être le résultat de la détection d'un troisième seuil de tension ou de résistance interne ou apparaître automatiquement après un intervalle de temps prédéterminé après le précédent affichage décalé.FIG. 7D represents the window 17 in which the date "20" appears even more offset and accompanied by a third rectangle 62 attached to the previous ones and larger than the two rectangles 60 and 61. This display may be the result of the detection a third internal voltage or resistance threshold or appear automatically after a predetermined time interval after the previous offset display.

Dans le présent cas, cet affichage apparaît sept jours après l'affichage représenté par la figure 7C.In the present case, this display appears seven days after the display represented by FIG. 7C.

Diverses variantes sont possibles tant au niveau mode d'affichage qu'à celui du mode de détection. Chaque réalisation est une combinaison particulière de ces différents modes.Various variants are possible both in terms of display mode and in terms of detection mode. Each creation is a particular combination of these different modes.

Un des avantages de ce système par rapport à de nombreuses solutions de l'art antérieur, est qu'il est réversible, en d'autres termes que le "défaut de centrage" de l'indication du cycle récursif apparaît dès que le niveau de charge devient insuffisant et disparaît dès qu'il redevient suffisant. Cette qualité est notamment intéressante dans la zone de charge proche du niveau de charge prédéterminé en-deça duquel le décalage se produit. En effet, certains paramètres extérieurs, tels que notamment la température, peuvent avoir une influence sur l'état de charge. Une baisse de température importante provoque généralement une chute de tension et une augmentation de la résistance interne de la pile. Donc lorsque la montre est portée dans un lieu où la température est basse et lorsque la pile est proche de son niveau de charge "critique", le seuil de tension ou de résistance interne est détecté prématurément et provoque le décalage de l'affichage.One of the advantages of this system compared to many solutions of the prior art, is that it is reversible, in other words that the "lack of centering" of the indication of the recursive cycle appears as soon as the level of charge becomes insufficient and disappears as soon as it becomes sufficient. This quality is particularly advantageous in the charge zone close to the predetermined charge level below which the offset occurs. Indeed, some external parameters, such as in particular the temperature, can have an influence on the state of charge. A significant drop in temperature generally causes a drop in voltage and an increase in the internal resistance of the battery. So when the watch is worn in a place where the temperature is low and when the battery is close to its "critical" charge level, the internal voltage or resistance threshold is detected prematurely and causes the display to shift.

Si la montre est portée ultérieurement dans un lieu où la température est plus élevée, la tension remonte et la résistance interne baisse et dépasse à nouveau les valeurs de seuils. Le circuit électronique est conçu pour que les impulsions de décalage soient compensées. A titre d'exemple, si le décalage de l'affichage était généré par un nombre n d'impulsions manquantes, le nombre total des impulsions alimentant le moteur 11 correspondant étant N-n, il faudrait alimenter ce moteur par N+n impulsions pour que le pas suivant s'effectue avec la compensation requise du décalage.If the watch is later worn in a place where the temperature is higher, the voltage rises and the internal resistance drops and again exceeds the threshold values. The electronic circuit is designed so that the offset pulses are compensated. For example, if the display offset was generated by a number n of missing pulses, the total number of pulses supplying the corresponding motor 11 being Nn, it would be necessary to supply this motor with N + n pulses so that the next step takes place with the required offset compensation.

Claims (9)

Instrument horaire, notamment une montre-bracelet du type analogique, alimenté par une source d'énergie électrique et comportant au moins un indicateur de cycle récursif entraîné par un moteur dédicacé et un circuit électronique agencé pour commander l'ensemble des fonctions de l'instrument horaire et notamment le déplacement dudit indicateur de cycle récursif, ce circuit comportant au moins une référence de tension ou de résistance interne et un comparateur conçu pour détecter au moins un niveau de charge prédéterminé défini par la tension ou la résistance interne de ladite source d'énergie électrique, caractérisé en ce que ledit circuit électronique est agencé pour commander un déplacement de l'indicateur de cycle récursif tel que l'indication apparente fournie par cet indicateur en mode normal occupe une première position constante et que l'indication apparente fournie par l'indicateur en cas de détection d'un niveau de charge inférieur audit niveau de charge prédéterminé, occupe une seconde position décalée par rapport à ladite première position constante.Time instrument, in particular a wristwatch of the analog type, powered by an electrical energy source and comprising at least one recursive cycle indicator driven by a dedicated motor and an electronic circuit arranged to control all of the instrument's functions hourly and in particular the displacement of said recursive cycle indicator, this circuit comprising at least one voltage or internal resistance reference and a comparator designed to detect at least one predetermined charge level defined by the voltage or internal resistance of said source of electrical energy, characterized in that said electronic circuit is arranged to control a movement of the recursive cycle indicator such that the apparent indication provided by this indicator in normal mode occupies a first constant position and that the apparent indication provided by l indicator in the event of detection of a charge level lower than said level of predetermined load, occupies a second position offset from said first constant position. Instrument horaire selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le décalage de ladite seconde position par rapport à ladite première position reste constant.Time instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the offset of said second position relative to said first position remains constant. Instrument horaire selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'indication apparente, lorsqu'elle occupe ladite seconde position, est accompagnée de l'affichage complémentaire d'un symbole.Time instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the apparent indication, when it occupies said second position, is accompanied by the complementary display of a symbol. Instrument horaire selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le décalage de ladite seconde position par rapport à ladite première position est progressif et croît avec la diminution de la tension ou l'augmentation de la résistance interne de la source d'énergie électrique.Timing instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the offset of said second position relative to said first position is progressive and increases with the decrease in voltage or the increase in internal resistance of the source of electrical energy. Instrument horaire selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que le décalage de la seconde position s'effectue par paliers, chaque palier correspondant à un seuil prédéterminé de tension ou de résistance interne de la source d'énergie électrique.Time instrument according to claim 4, characterized in that the shifting of the second position is carried out in stages, each stage corresponding to a predetermined threshold of voltage or internal resistance of the source of electrical energy. Instrument horaire selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que le décalage de la seconde position s'effectue par paliers, chaque palier correspondant à une indication distincte qui s'affiche automatiquement dans un délai prédéterminé après la détection dudit niveau de charge prédéterminé.Time instrument according to claim 4, characterized in that the shifting of the second position is carried out in stages, each stage corresponding to a separate indication which is automatically displayed within a predetermined time after detection of said predetermined charge level. Instrument horaire selon les revendications 5 et 6, caractérisé en ce qu'à chaque palier de décalage correspond l'affichage complémentaire d'un symbole différent.Time instrument according to Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that each offset stage corresponds to the additional display of a different symbol. Instrument horaire selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que ledit symbole est associé à l'indication portée par l'indicateur de cycle récursif, disposée sur cet indicateur de manière décalée par rapport à l'indication, dans le sens du déplacement de l'indicateur.Time instrument according to claim 7, characterized in that said symbol is associated with the indication carried by the recursive cycle indicator, arranged on this indicator in a manner offset from the indication, in the direction of movement of the indicator. Instrument horaire selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le circuit électronique est agencé pour commander le déplacement de l'indicateur de cycle récursif de manière réversible, l'affichage de l'indication étant décalée en cas de détection d'un niveau de charge inférieur audit niveau de charge prédéterminé et redevenant normal en cas de détection d'un retour à un niveau de charge supérieur à ce niveau de charge prédéterminé.Time instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic circuit is arranged to control the movement of the recursive cycle indicator in a reversible manner, the display of the indication being shifted in the event of detection of a charge level lower than said predetermined charge level and becoming normal again when a return to a charge level higher than this predetermined charge level is detected.
EP96810326A 1995-05-24 1996-05-22 Time measuring instrument particularly electric wrist watch of the analogue type Expired - Lifetime EP0744675B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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CH01538/95A CH687727B5 (en) 1995-05-24 1995-05-24 timepiece including an electric wristwatch of the analog type.
CH1538/95 1995-05-24

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EP0744675A1 true EP0744675A1 (en) 1996-11-27
EP0744675B1 EP0744675B1 (en) 1998-12-02

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EP (1) EP0744675B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH09105787A (en)
CH (1) CH687727B5 (en)
DE (1) DE69601048T2 (en)
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RU2525465C1 (en) * 2013-06-14 2014-08-20 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Константин Чайкин" Positional indication apparatus for clock and clock having positional indication apparatus

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EP0874294A4 (en) * 1996-10-31 2000-01-26 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Electronic timepiece
JP4481497B2 (en) * 1998-08-31 2010-06-16 シチズンホールディングス株式会社 Electronic watch with power generation function
JP2002257955A (en) 2000-12-25 2002-09-11 Seiko Epson Corp Wristwatch device with communication function, method of displaying information, control program and recording medium
US7027362B2 (en) * 2003-12-11 2006-04-11 Timex Group B.V. Multifunctional rotating ring in a timepiece
DE102004028580A1 (en) * 2004-06-15 2006-01-12 Junghans Uhren Gmbh Method and device for setting a date display in a clock, in particular a radio clock, after a battery change
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WO2007031347A1 (en) 2005-09-13 2007-03-22 Tag Heuer Sa Watch component for displaying indicia in a window
WO2007031477A1 (en) 2005-09-13 2007-03-22 Tag Heuer Sa Watch with multipurpose display
US7889602B2 (en) 2005-09-13 2011-02-15 Lvmh Swiss Manufactures Sa Watch with a multifunctional display
CN101263436B (en) * 2005-09-13 2011-04-13 Lvmh瑞士制造业股份公司 Watch with multipurpose display
CN101263435B (en) * 2005-09-13 2012-09-05 Lvmh瑞士制造业股份公司 Watch component for displaying indicia in a window
RU2525465C1 (en) * 2013-06-14 2014-08-20 Общество с ограниченной ответственностью "Константин Чайкин" Positional indication apparatus for clock and clock having positional indication apparatus

Also Published As

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DE69601048T2 (en) 1999-06-24
ES2124622T3 (en) 1999-02-01
EP0744675B1 (en) 1998-12-02
CH687727B5 (en) 1997-08-15
CH687727GA3 (en) 1997-02-14
US5790478A (en) 1998-08-04
DE69601048D1 (en) 1999-01-14
JPH09105787A (en) 1997-04-22

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