EP0884663B1 - Watch with tactile reading and setting of horometric functions - Google Patents

Watch with tactile reading and setting of horometric functions

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Publication number
EP0884663B1
EP0884663B1 EP19970109578 EP97109578A EP0884663B1 EP 0884663 B1 EP0884663 B1 EP 0884663B1 EP 19970109578 EP19970109578 EP 19970109578 EP 97109578 A EP97109578 A EP 97109578A EP 0884663 B1 EP0884663 B1 EP 0884663B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
time
sensors
watch
watch according
finger
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19970109578
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0884663A1 (en
Inventor
Erik Jan Frenkel
Pascal Derivaz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Asulab AG
Original Assignee
Asulab AG
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Publication date
Application filed by Asulab AG filed Critical Asulab AG
Priority to EP19970109578 priority Critical patent/EP0884663B1/en
Priority to DE1997612192 priority patent/DE69712192T2/en
Publication of EP0884663A1 publication Critical patent/EP0884663A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0884663B1 publication Critical patent/EP0884663B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G21/00—Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
    • G04G21/08—Touch switches specially adapted for time-pieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/001—Electromechanical switches for setting or display

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a watch allowing reading the time in the usual way and including in addition to an arrangement intended to facilitate reading and adjustment of time functions by touch by means of coded non-sound vibrations, such a wristwatch being more particularly intended for a user visually impaired, or to a sighted user placed in circumstances where he cannot, or does not wish check his watch.
  • the invention relates more particularly to a wristwatch with analog display whose appearance aesthetic does not differentiate it from usual watches and whose technical characteristics, for example at level of tightness are higher than those of watches currently used by people visually impaired.
  • the invention also relates to such a wristwatch. whose arrangement at the bezel allows a more efficient location of a specific tactile area, whose number of manipulations for reading and setting of a time function is reduced, and the coding of sound vibrations is simplified.
  • the wristwatch described in the document US 5,559,761 still requires from the user a significant learning, both in terms of correct positioning of a finger on a tactile marker determined, that when it comes to learning the manipulation of control elements and proposed code to deliver information by non-audible vibrations.
  • the present invention therefore aims to make the use of a wrist watch of the aforementioned type plus reliable regarding the information it provides and easier to use because it is closer to reflexes already acquired with a usual watch.
  • the reliefs arranged on the bezel have for example the shape of bars a little longer than the width of the bezel. An average attention observer can consider that said bars have only one purpose decorative, so that it is not possible, by the simple observation of the watch, to know if whoever door is visually impaired or not.
  • the sensors used are of the capacitive type and are arranged under the glass, above each time position, although it it is possible to use other types of sensors according to other arrangements, for example piezoelectric sensors arranged on the bezel. It is further possible to allow the user to have a confirmation the correct positioning of his finger on a sensor in treating a small portion of the outer surface of the ice above each time marker to give it a noticeable low roughness so tactile, but not detectable visually. He is by possible example of forming small pellets by laser treatment.
  • the primary function of the controller outside is to allow the passage in reading mode when touching briefly. information horometric is then selected by positioning the finger on the sensor located at 12 o'clock for the current time, and at 6 a.m. for the alarm time.
  • the second function of the control unit is the current time setting and setting or changing the alarm time on the contrary, when pulling, handling quite common with most watches.
  • the sensors located at 12 p.m., 6 a.m., 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. perform two functions easily storable.
  • the watch shown consists of a box 1 formed by a base 2 and a middle part 3, and closed by a crystal 4 arranged above a circular dial 5 of a display analog by needles 6 and 7. Glass 5 is maintained in place by a fixed bezel 8 secured to the box 1.
  • a push button 9, on which it is possible to exercise either a pressure or a traction is positioned on the middle 3 to 3 h.
  • the assembly means are not shown, as being well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the interior space delimited by the dial 5 and the bottom 2 is occupied by a horometric movement, schematically represented by a timepiece circuit 10 and a stepping motor 11, and by a vibrating device 20 powered by a source of energy 24 according to instructions received from a electronic coding circuit 25 subject to the circuit timepiece 10.
  • a horometric movement schematically represented by a timepiece circuit 10 and a stepping motor 11, and by a vibrating device 20 powered by a source of energy 24 according to instructions received from a electronic coding circuit 25 subject to the circuit timepiece 10.
  • the vibrating device 20 is for example that described in US Pat. No. 5,365,497. It basically consists of an electromagnetic type motor 21 capable of transmitting an oscillatory movement to a mass 23 via an elastic connection 22. The vibration, or the train of vibrations, thus created can be perceived by the user at the wrist, but also anywhere in the box.
  • the watch according to the invention allows both a usual reading of the time visually by means of hands 6 and 7 and a tactile reading. This tactile reading is carried out by means of twelve capacitive sensors C 1 to C 12 arranged under the glass above each hour mark on the dial, the section in FIG. 3 showing the sensor C 9 .
  • each sensor is identified by reliefs R 1 to R 12 arranged on the bezel between each time marker, and projecting from the periphery of the box 1.
  • the reliefs R 1 to R 12 have the form bars slightly enveloping the bezel as it appears for the relief R 5 in Figure 3. These bars can be added elements, for example by welding or gluing, or come in one piece with the bezel.
  • the watch structure which has just been described allows simple tactile reading and adjustment by use of vibration coding easily memorable, as will be understood with reference to the description below of the different functions horometrical.
  • the user then perceives a rapid vibration confirming that he is in "time reading" mode. He then moves his finger on the surface of the ice near the telescope until he perceives a continuous vibration indicating that he is above the hour hand.
  • the number of minutes exceeding a multiple five-minute integer is coded by trains formed of one to four countable vibrations.
  • each vibration has a duration of 250 ms, the vibrations forming a train being separated by a silence of 500 ms and each train being separated by a 1'250 ms silence.
  • the hands indicate 9:18.
  • the user will first perceive a continuous vibration when his finger is positioned on the sensor C 9 , then a train of three vibrations when his finger is positioned on sensor C 3 .
  • These codifications are schematically represented in FIG. 4.
  • the user will therefore have the knowledge of the hour to the minute, which is sometimes difficult to obtain visually, particularly with watches in which an aesthetic research leads to remove practically all the time marks.
  • the procedure is exactly the same as that described above, but by activating sensor C 6 at the start instead of sensor C 12 .
  • the rapid vibration is coded to also indicate the state of the alarm.
  • the user After briefly pressing the crown 9, the user positions his finger on the sensor C 6 as before , but leaving it for more than two seconds. The user then perceives a train of vibrations formed by the succession of a rapid vibration and two rapid vibrations. To establish the alarm state that suits him, he withdraws his finger when he perceives either one vibration (OFF) or two vibrations (ON).
  • the user marks the chosen hour position between two bars R 1 to R 12 and slides his finger over the corresponding sensor. He then perceives a continuous vibration confirming to him that the hour hand has come to occupy the position corresponding to the time difference he has chosen.
  • the user simply wishes to make a change time zone, or change from summer time to winter time, it does not perform any other manipulation and the watch will automatically return to "reading" mode after a certain time. If, on the contrary, he wishes also adjust the minute hand it marks at the bars the hour position corresponding to the integer multiple of five minutes equal or immediately less than the number of minutes chosen, then it does slide his finger on the corresponding sensor.
  • the circuit management electronics then sends signals to the vibratory device for producing a vibration train coding the values 0 to 4, respectively by a vibration continues then 1, 2, 3 and 4 countable vibrations separated by rests, this sequence, represented at Figure 4 for values 0 to 3, reproducing so many the user keeps his finger on the sensor. The number of minutes will correspond to the last group of vibrations perceived. After removing his finger, the needle of the 7 minutes will occupy the chosen position.
  • the user exerts on the crown a long press (more than five seconds) then a pull. He then positions his finger on the sensor C 9 until perception of a continuous vibration confirming that the hour hand occupies the 12 o'clock position. In the same way, he moves the minute hand by positioning his finger on the sensor C 3 .

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

Description

La présente invention concerne une montre permettant la lecture de l'heure de façon habituelle et comportant en outre un agencement destiné à faciliter la lecture et le réglage des fonctions horométriques de façon tactile au moyen de vibrations non sonores codées, une telle montre-bracelet étant plus particulièrement destinée à un usager malvoyant, ou à un usager voyant placé dans des circonstances où il ne peut pas, ou ne souhaite pas consulter sa montre.The present invention relates to a watch allowing reading the time in the usual way and including in addition to an arrangement intended to facilitate reading and adjustment of time functions by touch by means of coded non-sound vibrations, such a wristwatch being more particularly intended for a user visually impaired, or to a sighted user placed in circumstances where he cannot, or does not wish check his watch.

L'invention concerne plus particulièrement une montre-bracelet à affichage analogique dont l'aspect esthétique ne la différencie en rien des montres usuelles et dont les caractéristiques techniques, par exemple au niveau de l'étanchéité sont supérieures à celles des montres actuellement utilisées par les personnes malvoyantes.The invention relates more particularly to a wristwatch with analog display whose appearance aesthetic does not differentiate it from usual watches and whose technical characteristics, for example at level of tightness are higher than those of watches currently used by people visually impaired.

L'invention concerne également une telle montre-bracelet dont l'agencement au niveau de la lunette permet un repérage plus efficace d'une zone tactile déterminée, dont le nombre de manipulations pour la lecture et le réglage d'une fonction horométrique est réduit, et dont le codage des vibrations sonores est simplifié.The invention also relates to such a wristwatch. whose arrangement at the bezel allows a more efficient location of a specific tactile area, whose number of manipulations for reading and setting of a time function is reduced, and the coding of sound vibrations is simplified.

Dans le document US 5,559,761, la demanderesse a déjà décrit divers modes de réalisation d'une montre-bracelet dont l'aspect extérieur ne permet pas de savoir si la personne qui la porte a un handicap visuel et qui délivre des informations horométriques au moyen de vibrations non sonores codées. A cet effet, il est nécessaire d'effectuer un nombre plus ou moins complexe de manipulations au niveau de la couronne, de boutons-poussoirs et de repères tactiles, disposés à la surface de la lunette, en regard de capteurs incorporés dans la lunette ou dans la glace. Dans les divers modes de réalisation, les repères tactiles sont formés en creux dans la lunette, ou sont séparés par des bossages sur celle-ci, et ils ne correspondent qu'à une seule fonction pouvant être un mode de fonctionnement ou une indication horaire. Bien que le but esthétique soit atteint, la montre-bracelet décrite dans le document US 5,559,761 nécessite encore de la part de l'usager un apprentissage non négligeable, tant en ce qui concerne le bon positionnement d'un doigt sur un repère tactile déterminé, qu'en ce qui concerne l'apprentissage de la manipulation des organes de commande et du code proposé pour délivrer une information par vibrations non sonores.In document US 5,559,761, the applicant has already describes various embodiments of a wristwatch whose external appearance does not make it possible to know if the person who wears it has a visual handicap and who delivers time information by means of vibrations not encoded sound. For this purpose, it is necessary to perform a more or less complex number of manipulations crown level, push buttons and markers tactile, arranged on the surface of the telescope, facing sensors incorporated in the telescope or in the glass. In the various embodiments, the tactile marks are hollowed out in the bezel, or are separated by bosses on it, and they only match a single function which can be an operating mode or a time indication. Although the aesthetic purpose is reached, the wristwatch described in the document US 5,559,761 still requires from the user a significant learning, both in terms of correct positioning of a finger on a tactile marker determined, that when it comes to learning the manipulation of control elements and proposed code to deliver information by non-audible vibrations.

La présente invention a donc pour but de rendre l'utilisation d'une montre-bracelet du type précité plus fiable quant aux informations qu'elle délivre et d'une utilisation plus facile, car plus proche des réflexes déjà acquis avec une montre usuelle.The present invention therefore aims to make the use of a wrist watch of the aforementioned type plus reliable regarding the information it provides and easier to use because it is closer to reflexes already acquired with a usual watch.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne une montre permettant la lecture de l'heure à la fois de façon visuelle et tactile et dont le réglage de l'ensemble des fonctions horométriques est effectué de façon tactile, à l'exception de l'initialisation qui peut demander l'intervention d'une personne voyante. Une telle montre selon l'invention comprend :

  • une boíte obturée par une glace disposée au-dessus d'un cadran d'affichage analogique au moyen d'aiguilles, ladite glace étant entourée d'une lunette fixe;
  • un circuit garde-temps et au moins un moteur pas-à-pas d'entraínement des aiguilles;
  • un dispositif générateur de vibrations non sonores;
  • au moins une source d'énergie alimentant le circuit garde-temps, le moteur pas-à-pas et le dispositif générateur de vibrations;
  • un ensemble de douze capteurs disposés en regard des douze positions horaires et au moins un organe de commande extérieur;
  • un circuit électronique de codage associé au circuit garde-temps, aux capteurs et à l'organe de commande extérieur pour piloter le dispositif générateur de vibrations;
caractérisée en ce que la lunette est pourvue de douze reliefs s'étendant radialement au-delà de la lunette et de la boíte, lesdits reliefs étant disposés entre les douze capteurs pour guider le doigt d'un usager vers un capteur déterminé.To this end, the invention relates to a watch enabling the time to be read both visually and by touch, and the adjustment of all of the timekeeping functions being carried out by touch, with the exception of initialization. who can request the intervention of a sighted person. Such a watch according to the invention comprises:
  • a box closed by a crystal arranged above an analog display dial by means of needles, said crystal being surrounded by a fixed bezel;
  • a timepiece circuit and at least one stepping motor for driving the hands;
  • a device for generating non-sound vibrations;
  • at least one energy source supplying the timepiece circuit, the stepping motor and the vibration generating device;
  • a set of twelve sensors arranged opposite the twelve time positions and at least one external control member;
  • an electronic coding circuit associated with the timepiece circuit, the sensors and the external control member for controlling the vibration generating device;
characterized in that the telescope is provided with twelve reliefs extending radially beyond the telescope and the box, said reliefs being arranged between the twelve sensors to guide the finger of a user towards a determined sensor.

On a en effet observé qu'une personne malvoyante suivait plus volontiers avec son doigt le pourtour d'un objet qu'une surface. Dans le cas de la montre, suivre le pourtour de la boíte ou de la carrure offre en outre l'avantage, grâce à la position du bracelet et de la couronne qui peut être l'unique organe de commande extérieur, d'avoir un repérage plus sûr des positions 12 h, 6 h, 3 h et 9 h qui sont des positions privilégiées, comme cela sera expliqué par la suite.It has been observed that a visually impaired person followed more readily with his finger the circumference of a object that a surface. In the case of the watch, follow the circumference of the case or the middle part also offers the advantage, thanks to the position of the bracelet and the crown which can be the only control element exterior, to have a more secure location of positions 12 p.m., 6 a.m., 3 a.m. and 9 a.m., which are privileged positions, as will be explained later.

Les reliefs disposés sur la lunette ont par exemple la forme de barrettes un peu plus longues que la largeur de la lunette. Un observateur d'attention moyenne peut considérer que lesdites barrettes n'ont qu'un but décoratif, de sorte qu'il n'est pas possible, par la simple observation de la montre, de savoir si celui qui la porte est malvoyant ou non.The reliefs arranged on the bezel have for example the shape of bars a little longer than the width of the bezel. An average attention observer can consider that said bars have only one purpose decorative, so that it is not possible, by the simple observation of the watch, to know if whoever door is visually impaired or not.

Selon le mode de réalisation préféré, les capteurs utilisés sont de type capacitif et sont disposés sous la glace, au-dessus de chaque position horaire, bien qu'il soit possible d'utiliser d'autres types de capteurs selon d'autres agencements, par exemple des capteurs piézo-électriques disposés sur la lunette. Il est en outre possible de permettre à l'usager d'avoir une confirmation du bon positionnement de son doigt sur un capteur en traitant une petite portion de la surface extérieure de la glace se situant au-dessus de chaque repère horaire pour lui conférer une faible rugosité perceptible de façon tactile, mais non décelable de façon visuelle. Il est par exemple possible de former des petites pastilles par traitement laser.According to the preferred embodiment, the sensors used are of the capacitive type and are arranged under the glass, above each time position, although it it is possible to use other types of sensors according to other arrangements, for example piezoelectric sensors arranged on the bezel. It is further possible to allow the user to have a confirmation the correct positioning of his finger on a sensor in treating a small portion of the outer surface of the ice above each time marker to give it a noticeable low roughness so tactile, but not detectable visually. He is by possible example of forming small pellets by laser treatment.

Afin d'éviter toute manipulation accidentelle des capteurs, la première fonction de l'organe de commande extérieur est de permettre le passage en mode de lecture tactile lorsqu'on exerce une brève pression. L'information horométrique est ensuite sélectionnée en positionnant le doigt sur le capteur situé à 12 h pour l'heure courante, et à 6 h pour l'heure d'alarme. La deuxième fonction de l'organe de commande est le réglage de l'heure courante et l'instauration ou le changement de l'heure d'alarme lorsqu'on exerce au contraire une traction, manipulation tout à fait usuelle avec la plupart des montres.In order to avoid accidental handling of the sensors, the primary function of the controller outside is to allow the passage in reading mode when touching briefly. information horometric is then selected by positioning the finger on the sensor located at 12 o'clock for the current time, and at 6 a.m. for the alarm time. The second function of the control unit is the current time setting and setting or changing the alarm time on the contrary, when pulling, handling quite common with most watches.

En mode "lecture", il suffira alors à l'usager de parcourir le champ des capteurs avec un doigt jusqu'au capteur qui déclenche une vibration codée et dont il repère facilement la position par le guidage de son doigt entre les reliefs jusqu'au niveau du pourtour de la boíte. En mode "réglage", l'usager effectue l'opération contraire pour sélectionner un capteur déterminé. Le codage qui est le même dans les deux modes est également extrêmement simple, comme cela sera expliqué par la suite. Les capteurs situés à 3 h et à 9 h permettent d'effectuer l'initialisation de la montre, comme cela est expliqué par la suite.In "reading" mode, the user will then have to scan the sensor field with a finger until sensor which triggers a coded vibration and which it easily locate the position by guiding his finger between the reliefs up to the level of the periphery of the box. In "setting" mode, the user performs the opposite operation to select a specific sensor. Coding which is the same in both modes is also extremely simple, as will be explained later. The sensors at 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. initializing the watch, as explained by the following.

Comme on le voit, les capteurs situés à 12 h, 6 h, 3 h et 9 h remplissent deux fonctions facilement mémorisables.As we can see, the sensors located at 12 p.m., 6 a.m., 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. perform two functions easily storable.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaítront à la lecture de la description suivante d'une forme de réalisation présentée à titre d'exemple, en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'une montre tactile selon l'invention;
  • la figure 2 est une vue en perspective de la montre représentée à la figure 1,
  • la figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne III-III de la figure 1, et
  • la figure 4 représente des exemples de codage des vibrations non sonores.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the following description of an embodiment presented by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 is a top view of a touch watch according to the invention;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the watch shown in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of FIG. 1, and
  • FIG. 4 represents examples of coding of non-sound vibrations.

Le montre représentée se compose d'une boíte 1 formée par un fond 2 et une carrure 3, et obturée par une glace 4 disposée au-dessus d'un cadran circulaire 5 d'un affichage analogique par aiguilles 6 et 7. La glace 5 est maintenue en place par une lunette fixe 8 solidaire de la boíte 1. Un bouton-poussoir 9, sur lequel il est possible d'exercer soit une pression, soit une traction est positionné sur la carrure 3 à 3 h. Dans la coupe schématique de la figure 3, les moyens d'assemblage ne sont pas représentés, comme étant bien connus de l'homme du métier. L'espace intérieur délimité par le cadran 5 et le fond 2 est occupé par un mouvement horométrique, schématiquement représenté par un circuit garde-temps 10 et un moteur pas-à-pas 11, et par un dispositif vibratoire 20 alimenté par une source d'énergie 24 en fonction d'instructions reçues d'un circuit électronique de codage 25 assujetti au circuit garde-temps 10.The watch shown consists of a box 1 formed by a base 2 and a middle part 3, and closed by a crystal 4 arranged above a circular dial 5 of a display analog by needles 6 and 7. Glass 5 is maintained in place by a fixed bezel 8 secured to the box 1. A push button 9, on which it is possible to exercise either a pressure or a traction is positioned on the middle 3 to 3 h. In the schematic section of Figure 3, the assembly means are not shown, as being well known to those skilled in the art. The interior space delimited by the dial 5 and the bottom 2 is occupied by a horometric movement, schematically represented by a timepiece circuit 10 and a stepping motor 11, and by a vibrating device 20 powered by a source of energy 24 according to instructions received from a electronic coding circuit 25 subject to the circuit timepiece 10.

Le dispositif vibratoire 20 est par exemple celui décrit dans le brevet US 5,365,497. Il se compose fondamentalement d'un moteur 21 de type électromagnétique susceptible de transmettre un mouvement oscillatoire à une masse 23 par l'intermédiaire d'une liaison élastique 22. La vibration, ou le train de vibrations, ainsi créé peut être perçu par l'usager au niveau du poignet, mais aussi en un endroit quelconque de la boíte. La montre selon l'invention permet à la fois une lecture habituelle de l'heure de façon visuelle au moyen des aiguilles 6 et 7 et une lecture tactile. Cette lecture tactile s'effectue au moyen de douze capteurs capacitifs C1 à C12 disposés sous la glace au-dessus de chaque repère horaire du cadran, la coupe de la figure 3 montrant le capteur C9. La position de chaque capteur est repérée grâce à des reliefs R1 à R12 disposés sur la lunette entre chaque repère horaire, et débordant du pourtour de la boíte 1. Dans l'exemple représenté, les reliefs R1 à R12 ont la forme de barrettes enveloppant légèrement la lunette comme cela apparaít pour le relief R5 à la figure 3. Ces barrettes peuvent être des éléments rapportés, par exemple par soudage ou collage, ou bien venir de matière avec la lunette.The vibrating device 20 is for example that described in US Pat. No. 5,365,497. It basically consists of an electromagnetic type motor 21 capable of transmitting an oscillatory movement to a mass 23 via an elastic connection 22. The vibration, or the train of vibrations, thus created can be perceived by the user at the wrist, but also anywhere in the box. The watch according to the invention allows both a usual reading of the time visually by means of hands 6 and 7 and a tactile reading. This tactile reading is carried out by means of twelve capacitive sensors C 1 to C 12 arranged under the glass above each hour mark on the dial, the section in FIG. 3 showing the sensor C 9 . The position of each sensor is identified by reliefs R 1 to R 12 arranged on the bezel between each time marker, and projecting from the periphery of the box 1. In the example shown, the reliefs R 1 to R 12 have the form bars slightly enveloping the bezel as it appears for the relief R 5 in Figure 3. These bars can be added elements, for example by welding or gluing, or come in one piece with the bezel.

La structure de montre qui vient d'être décrite permet une lecture et un réglage tactiles simples par utilisation d'une codification des vibrations facilement mémorisable, comme on le comprendra en référence à la description ci-après des différentes fonctions horométriques.The watch structure which has just been described allows simple tactile reading and adjustment by use of vibration coding easily memorable, as will be understood with reference to the description below of the different functions horometrical.

Lecture de l'heure couranteReading the current time

L'usager exerce une pression brève sur le bouton-poussoir 9 pour passer en mode tactile, positionne ensuite son doigt entre les barrettes R12 et R1, puis le fait glisser un court instant (moins de deux secondes) sur la glace au-dessus du capteur C12. On observera qu'en séparant physiquement la position de repérage sur la lunette 8 de celle du capteur situé sous la glace 5 on évite les erreurs, ce qui est encore plus important pour les opérations du réglage comme cela sera expliqué plus loin. L'usager perçoit alors une vibration rapide confirmant qu'il est en mode "lecture de l'heure". Il déplace ensuite son doigt à la surface de la glace à proximité de la lunette jusqu'au moment où il perçoit une vibration continue lui indiquant qu'il se trouve au-dessus de l'aiguille des heures. Il repère alors cette position en faisant glisser son doigt sur la lunette entre deux barrettes qu'il peut facilement identifier par rapport à la position relative des attaches de bracelet et du bouton-poussoir. Pour connaítre la position de l'aiguille des minutes il agira de même, les vibrations émises par un capteur actif étant codées comme suit.The user exerts a short press on the push button 9 to switch to touch mode, then positions his finger between the bars R 12 and R 1 , then slides it for a short time (less than two seconds) on the ice. above the sensor C 12 . It will be observed that by physically separating the locating position on the telescope 8 from that of the sensor located under the glass 5, errors are avoided, which is even more important for the adjustment operations as will be explained below. The user then perceives a rapid vibration confirming that he is in "time reading" mode. He then moves his finger on the surface of the ice near the telescope until he perceives a continuous vibration indicating that he is above the hour hand. He then identifies this position by sliding his finger on the bezel between two bars that he can easily identify with respect to the relative position of the strap attachments and the push button. To know the position of the minute hand it will do the same, the vibrations emitted by an active sensor being coded as follows.

Les multiples entiers de cinq minutes sont codés par une vibration continue formée d'impulsions non dénombrables; Multiples of five minutes are coded with a continuous vibration formed of pulses not countable;

Le nombre de minutes en dépassement d'un multiple entier de cinq minutes est codé par des trains formés de une à quatre vibrations dénombrables.The number of minutes exceeding a multiple five-minute integer is coded by trains formed of one to four countable vibrations.

A titre d'exemple, chaque vibration a une durée de 250 ms, les vibrations formant un train étant séparées par un silence de 500 ms et chaque train étant séparé par un silence de 1'250 ms.For example, each vibration has a duration of 250 ms, the vibrations forming a train being separated by a silence of 500 ms and each train being separated by a 1'250 ms silence.

Dans l'exemple représenté aux figures 1 et 2, les aiguilles indiquent 9 h 18. L'usager percevra d'abord une vibration continue lorsque son doigt se positionnera sur le capteur C9, puis un train de trois vibrations lorsque son doigt se positionnera sur le capteur C3. Ces codifications sont schématiquement représentées à la figure 4. L'usager aura donc la connaissance de l'heure à la minute près, ce qu'il est parfois difficile d'obtenir de façon visuelle, particulièrement avec les montres dans lesquelles une recherche esthétique conduit à supprimer pratiquement tous les repères horaires.In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the hands indicate 9:18. The user will first perceive a continuous vibration when his finger is positioned on the sensor C 9 , then a train of three vibrations when his finger is positioned on sensor C 3 . These codifications are schematically represented in FIG. 4. The user will therefore have the knowledge of the hour to the minute, which is sometimes difficult to obtain visually, particularly with watches in which an aesthetic research leads to remove practically all the time marks.

Lecture de l'heure et de l'état de l'alarmeReading of time and alarm status

Le déroulement est exactement le même que celui précédemment décrit, mais en activant au début le capteur C6 au lieu du capteur C12. Lorsque l'usager a son doigt sur le capteur C6, la vibration rapide est codée pour lui indiquer également l'état de l'alarme.The procedure is exactly the same as that described above, but by activating sensor C 6 at the start instead of sensor C 12 . When the user has his finger on the sensor C 6 , the rapid vibration is coded to also indicate the state of the alarm.

Lorsque l'alarme est inactive (OFF), le train est formé d'une vibration rapide.When the alarm is inactive (OFF), the train is formed of a rapid vibration.

Lorsque l'alarme est active (ON), le train est formé de deux vibrations rapides.When the alarm is active (ON), the train is formed of two rapid vibrations.

Changement de l'état de l'alarmeChange of alarm status

Après avoir appuyé brièvement sur la couronne 9, l'usager positionne comme précédemment son doigt sur le capteur C6, mais en le laissant plus de deux secondes. L'usager perçoit alors un train de vibrations formé par la succession d'une vibration rapide et de deux vibrations rapides. Pour instaurer l'état d'alarme qui lui convient il retire son doigt lorsqu'il perçoit, soit une vibration (OFF), soit deux vibrations (ON).After briefly pressing the crown 9, the user positions his finger on the sensor C 6 as before , but leaving it for more than two seconds. The user then perceives a train of vibrations formed by the succession of a rapid vibration and two rapid vibrations. To establish the alarm state that suits him, he withdraws his finger when he perceives either one vibration (OFF) or two vibrations (ON).

Changement de l'heure courante ou de l'heure d'alarmeChanging the current time or the alarm time

Après avoir appuyé brièvement sur la couronne 9 et sélectionné l'heure courante (positionnement du doigt sur le capteur C12), ou l'heure d'alarme (positionnement du doigt sur le capteur C6) l'usager exerce une traction sur la couronne. L'usager va ensuite provoquer successivement le déplacement de l'aiguille 6 de l'heure et de l'aiguille 7 des minutes en agissant sur les capteurs C1 à C12.After briefly pressing the crown 9 and selecting the current time (positioning of the finger on the sensor C 12 ), or the alarm time (positioning of the finger on the sensor C 6 ) the user pulls the crowned. The user will then successively move the hand 6 of the hour and the hand 7 of the minutes by acting on the sensors C 1 to C 12 .

Pour ajuster l'aiguille des heures, l'usager repère entre deux barrettes R1 à R12 la position horaire choisie et fait glisser son doigt sur le capteur correspondant. Il perçoit alors une vibration continue lui confirmant que l'aiguille des heures est venue occuper la position correspondant au décalage horaire qu'il a choisi.To adjust the hour hand, the user marks the chosen hour position between two bars R 1 to R 12 and slides his finger over the corresponding sensor. He then perceives a continuous vibration confirming to him that the hour hand has come to occupy the position corresponding to the time difference he has chosen.

Si l'usager souhaite simplement effectuer un changement de fuseau horaire, ou passer de l'heure d'été à l'heure d'hiver, il n'effectue aucune autre manipulation et la montre reviendra automatiquement en mode "lecture" au bout d'un certain temps. S'il souhaite au contraire ajuster également l'aiguille des minutes il repère au moyen des barrettes la position horaire correspondant au multiple entier de cinq minutes égal ou immédiatement inférieur au nombre de minutes choisi, puis il fait glisser son doigt sur le capteur correspondant. Le circuit électronique de gestion émet alors des signaux vers le dispositif vibratoire pour produire un train de vibrations codant les valeurs 0 à 4, respectivement par une vibration continue puis 1, 2, 3 et 4 vibrations dénombrables séparées par des silences, cet enchaínement, représenté à la figure 4 pour les valeurs 0 à 3, se reproduisant tant que l'usager maintient son doigt sur le capteur. Le nombre de minutes correspondra au dernier groupe de vibrations perçues. Après avoir retiré son doigt, l'aiguille des minutes 7 viendra occuper la position choisie. If the user simply wishes to make a change time zone, or change from summer time to winter time, it does not perform any other manipulation and the watch will automatically return to "reading" mode after a certain time. If, on the contrary, he wishes also adjust the minute hand it marks at the bars the hour position corresponding to the integer multiple of five minutes equal or immediately less than the number of minutes chosen, then it does slide his finger on the corresponding sensor. The circuit management electronics then sends signals to the vibratory device for producing a vibration train coding the values 0 to 4, respectively by a vibration continues then 1, 2, 3 and 4 countable vibrations separated by rests, this sequence, represented at Figure 4 for values 0 to 3, reproducing so many the user keeps his finger on the sensor. The number of minutes will correspond to the last group of vibrations perceived. After removing his finger, the needle of the 7 minutes will occupy the chosen position.

Initialisationinitialization

Dans les montres électroniques à affichage analogique dont les aiguilles sont entraínées par des moteurs pas-à-pas indépendants, il est parfois nécessaire de corriger le référentiel zéro des aiguilles. Pour cela on amène généralement Tune après l'autre les aiguilles en position superposée sur 12 h. A défaut d'autres dispositifs, le contrôle de cette superposition est le seul devant être effectué de façon visuelle.In electronic watches with analog display whose needles are driven by stepper motors independent, it is sometimes necessary to correct the zero reference of needles. For that we bring usually one after the other, the needles in position superimposed on 12 o'clock. In the absence of other devices, the control of this overlay is the only one to be done visually.

A cet effet, l'usager exerce sur la couronne une pression longue (plus de cinq secondes) puis une traction. Il positionne ensuite son doigt sur le capteur C9 jusqu'à perception d'une vibration continue lui confirmant que l'aiguille des heures occupe la position 12 h. De la même façon, il déplace l'aiguille des minutes en positionnant son doigt sur le capteur C3.To this end, the user exerts on the crown a long press (more than five seconds) then a pull. He then positions his finger on the sensor C 9 until perception of a continuous vibration confirming that the hour hand occupies the 12 o'clock position. In the same way, he moves the minute hand by positioning his finger on the sensor C 3 .

Bien entendu, l'invention n'est pas limitée au mode de réalisation qui vient d'être décrit. Sans sortir du cadre de l'invention, l'homme de métier peut adapter le mode de repérage des capteurs à d'autres produits horlogers.Of course, the invention is not limited to the mode of realization which has just been described. Without leaving the within the scope of the invention, the skilled person can adapt the method of locating sensors to other products watchmakers.

Claims (8)

  1. Watch with visual and touch horometric functions, including:
    a case (1) sealed by a crystal (4) arranged above an analogue display dial (5) and hand display means (6, 7), said crystal being surrounded by a fixed bezel (8)
    a time-keeping circuit (10) and at least one stepping motor (11) for driving the hands (6, 7);
    a non-acoustic vibration generating device (20);
    at least one power source (24) supplying the time-keeping circuit (10), the stepping motor (11) and the vibration generating device (20);
    a set of twelve sensors (C1 to C12) arranged facing the twelve time positions and at least one external control element (9);
    an electronic coding circuit (25) associated with the time-keeping circuit (10), the sensors (C1 to C12) and the external control device (9) to control the vibration generating device (20);
    characterised in that the bezel (8) is provided with twelve projections (R1 to R12) extending radially beyond the bezel (8) and the case (1), said projections (R1 to R12) being arranged between the twelve sensors (C1 to C12) to guide a user's finger towards a determined sensor.
  2. Watch according to claim 1, characterised in that the sensors (C1 to C12) are of the capacitive type and are situated under the crystal (4) above each time positions.
  3. Watch according to claim 2, characterised in that small external portions of the crystal facing each time position are treated so as to have slight roughness perceptible by touch, but not discernible visually.
  4. Watch according to claim 1, characterised in that the external control element (9) is a push-button (9) arranged for setting the watch in touch reading mode when said push-button (9) is pressed briefly.
  5. Watch according to claim 1, characterised in that the sensors (C3, C6, C9 and C12) are arranged so that the first activation thereof by positioning a finger selects a determined piece of horometric information.
  6. Watch according to claim 5, characterised in that the sensors (C12 and C6) allow respectively the current time and the alarm time to be selected, for reading and setting, once passage into touch reading mode has been effected.
  7. Watch according to claim 6, characterised in that the push-button (9) is arranged so that a pull exerted thereon allows setting of the current time or the alarm time to be effected.
  8. Watch according to claim 5, characterised in that the sensors (C9 and C3) are arranged so that successively activating them, having previously pressed for a long time and pulled the push-button (9), allows initialisation of the watch, via visual monitoring of the superposition of the hands at 12 o'clock.
EP19970109578 1997-06-12 1997-06-12 Watch with tactile reading and setting of horometric functions Expired - Lifetime EP0884663B1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19970109578 EP0884663B1 (en) 1997-06-12 1997-06-12 Watch with tactile reading and setting of horometric functions
DE1997612192 DE69712192T2 (en) 1997-06-12 1997-06-12 Clock with tactile reading and control of the horometric functions

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19970109578 EP0884663B1 (en) 1997-06-12 1997-06-12 Watch with tactile reading and setting of horometric functions

Publications (2)

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EP0884663A1 EP0884663A1 (en) 1998-12-16
EP0884663B1 true EP0884663B1 (en) 2002-04-24

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104731333B (en) * 2015-03-25 2018-11-09 联想(北京)有限公司 A kind of wearable electronic equipment

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE7214106U (en) * 1972-04-14 1972-08-10 Sel Ag COMMAND SIGNAL ENCLOSURE FOR REMOTE CONTROL DEVICES
US4257115A (en) * 1977-02-12 1981-03-17 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Switch structure for electronic timepiece
JPS56155882A (en) * 1980-05-02 1981-12-02 Seiko Instr & Electronics Ltd Analog alarm watch for blind person
GR1000807B (en) * 1991-08-05 1993-01-25 Panagiotis Anagnostopoulos Methods and apparatus for the touch communimation
CH688498B5 (en) * 1994-11-03 1998-04-30 Asulab Sa Timepiece with horometric information by not sound vibrations.
CH688600B5 (en) * 1994-12-01 1998-06-15 Asulab Sa Piece analogue display timepiece comprising means for selecting a digital information.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0884663A1 (en) 1998-12-16
DE69712192D1 (en) 2002-05-29
DE69712192T2 (en) 2002-12-12

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