EP2021880B1 - Method for changing a time zone, and timepiece therefor - Google Patents

Method for changing a time zone, and timepiece therefor Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2021880B1
EP2021880B1 EP06763339A EP06763339A EP2021880B1 EP 2021880 B1 EP2021880 B1 EP 2021880B1 EP 06763339 A EP06763339 A EP 06763339A EP 06763339 A EP06763339 A EP 06763339A EP 2021880 B1 EP2021880 B1 EP 2021880B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
time zone
time
timepiece
hand
seconds
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EP06763339A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2021880A1 (en
Inventor
Christoph Behling
Grégoire RENOUX
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LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA
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LVMH Swiss Manufactures SA
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Publication of EP2021880A1 publication Critical patent/EP2021880A1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G9/00—Visual time or date indication means
    • G04G9/0076—Visual time or date indication means in which the time in another time-zone or in another city can be displayed at will

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of watches for displaying multiple time zones, and a method of changing the time zone.
  • Watches allowing the display of several time zones are known per se. Some known watches have several indicators, for example several sets of hands, to simultaneously display the time of several spindles. Other watches have means for moving faster from one time zone to another on the same display, without requiring a new time setting. The number of time zones used in different countries or regions of the globe is however too important to allow simultaneous display of all the time zones on a wristwatch. It is therefore necessary to allow the user to comfortably change the time zone indicated by the display, or by one of the displays, of the watch.
  • DE-A1-4015685 describes a watch to temporarily display the time of another time zone, then automatically return to the original time zone.
  • the selected time zone is designated by the hour and minute hands.
  • an additional command must be entered. It is then necessary to wait another 10 seconds before displaying the time of the selected time zone. This process is not very user-friendly, and requires a long time before reaching the time of the selected time zone.
  • EP644469 describes a watch to change the time zone.
  • the selected spindle is designated by means of the hour and minute hands superimposed; the time of the selected spindle is therefore only visible at the end of the selection process.
  • US4274151 describes a digital watch to change time zone. The method described uses a large number of alphanumeric indications and is therefore only suitable for digital watches.
  • An object of the present invention is therefore to propose a wristwatch, or another timepiece, which makes it possible to solve these problems of the prior art.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of changing the time zone, and a timepiece that allows you to quickly check the time of another time zone.
  • the selected time zone is indicated by the seconds hand and the time of this time zone is immediately displayed using the hour and minute hands.
  • the timepiece with these features allows you to quickly check the time of a different time zone, instinctively and automatically returning to the time zone initial after a predetermined time or following a new manipulation of the user, without requiring a new time setting.
  • the user can maintain the time of the modified time zone by introducing a command for this purpose for a period of predetermined duration after the change of mode.
  • timepiece designates, for example, a wristwatch, a wristwatch movement, or another timepiece for a portable watch on the body.
  • the description refers in particular to a wristwatch.
  • the watch 1 illustrated front on the figure 1 comprises a box 10 housing a movement not shown, preferably an electronic quartz movement, possibly a mechanical movement.
  • the dial has two windows 230, 231 for a large date display 23.
  • the hour is displayed conventionally by means of an hour hand 20, a minute hand 21 and a second hand 22
  • the three needles are arranged centrally and actuated by a stepper motor, or preferably by several independent stepper motors and preferably bidirectional.
  • At least the second hand can preferably be moved independently of the other two hour and minute hands, preferably bidirectionally, so that it can be assigned to another function when the time zone changes, as will be seen more far.
  • the disks or rings bearing in particular the date indications displayed in the counters 230, 231 can be driven through a transmission chain by the stepping motor actuating the hour hand.
  • these disks are driven independently of each other by means of additional independent and preferably bidirectional stepper motors.
  • the various motors driving the needles and other indicators are controlled by a microcontroller not shown.
  • the watch also has a time-setting crown and a change of mode 102.
  • the crown preferably returns from itself from the depressed position -1 to the intermediate position 0 when it is released.
  • Other positional changes require action by the wearer of the watch.
  • Two pushers A and B are further provided, which can be pressed by the user to go from a rest position 0 to a depressed position -1. The pushers return to their 0 position when they are released.
  • the dial, a telescope or a fixed flange 11 carries 24 indications 110 of time zones, each time zone being indicated by a name of the city with the exception of the Greenwich time zone marked GMT.
  • the city names are arranged on one or possibly two concentric arcs.
  • the names of the cities above the 9 o'clock - 3 o'clock axis are written with the top of the letters pointing towards the inside of the watch, while the cities above this axis are written with the top of the letters directed towards the outside.
  • the bottom of the letters is thus always oriented, at 90 °, towards 6 o'clock, which allows the wearer a reading facilitated.
  • the figure 2 illustrates the operation of the watch.
  • the microcontroller is reset, the date and time are set to arbitrary values (for example 01.01.2001, at 00: 00: 00 GMT), the alarm time is set by example at 07: 00: 00 and the alarm is disabled.
  • the watch then switches to the normal time display mode 202 and the indicators 20-23 begin to turn. Since this mode, if the alarm has been activated, an alarm tone is emitted at the scheduled time (step 204) which can be stopped by pressing on the crown or on any pushbutton (step 206) for interrupt the alarm (208) and return to the time display mode. In the absence of intervention by the user, the alarm is also automatically interrupted after a predetermined duration, for example 60 seconds.
  • Different actions on the crown or the pushbuttons make it possible to leave the normal display mode of time 202.
  • the movement switches to the indexing of the needles.
  • the hands return at noon and the user can enter different commands to move them step-by-step or to center the indicators 230, 231 in the windows (step 212).
  • the watch then returns to the time display mode by pressing the crown in step 214.
  • the watch returns to the time display mode by pushing the crown back to the intermediate position 0 during step 220.
  • a prolonged pressure on the ring 102 during the step 222 makes it possible to consult the time set for the alarm.
  • the hour, minute and second hands 20 to 22 move during step 224 to indicate the alarm time, while one of the indicators 230 and / or 231 can move to display a alarm icon ON or OFF, for example in the form of a symbol crossed out or not.
  • the alarm can be triggered respectively triggered by pressing one of the pushbuttons A or B (step 228), which modifies during step 240 the state of the alarm and preferably the corresponding indication displayed in the window 23.
  • the user From the state 224 for viewing the alarm time, the user returns to the normal time display mode 202 by briefly pressing the crown or simply waiting for a predetermined time, for example five seconds (step 226).
  • the user can still enter consultation mode and time zone change by briefly pressing the crown 102 in step 268.
  • Other commands may be provided for this purpose, including actions on the pushbuttons or a rotation of glasses, for example.
  • An internal variable [time zone in progress] of a program executed by the microcontroller of the movement then takes during step 272 the value of the time zone currently displayed by the watch.
  • This information is displayed in step 274 by means of the second hand 22 which is automatically moved under the control of the microprocessor, in the direction of rotation allowing the shortest path, to point to the representative city of the spindle hourly Classes.
  • the other hour and minute hands continue to display the time of the current time zone.
  • the watch's internal time counter continues to count the elapsed time during this step and the following steps, so as to resume the display of the exact time to the nearest second when the second hand returns to normal and the watch returns to normal time display mode.
  • the user can increment the time zone by brief presses on the pushbutton A, or decrement the time zone by briefly pressing the pushbutton B (steps 276, 278).
  • the hour hand 20 is immediately moved during each action on one of these buttons, while the second hand is indexed in the direction corresponding to the selected pusher so as to point to the city representing the previous time zone or next.
  • the value of the current time zone is incremented respectively decremented during the steps 284 and 286 respectively. It is thus possible to consult very quickly the time of any time zone, by a pressure on the crown 102 and a number of times. pressure corresponding to the time difference of the selected time zone on one of push-buttons A or B.
  • Other ways of changing the time zone from the mode 274 can be imagined, for example by turning the ring 102 or a rotating bezel in one direction or the other.
  • the watch automatically returns during step 280 to the display mode of the time 202.
  • the watch returns to the display of the time of the initial time zone following an explicit command from the user.
  • the current time zone possibly modified during steps 284 or 286 respectively is not maintained, and the initial time zone of the watch continues to be displayed.
  • the seconds hand 22 resumes its function and indicates the current time, taking into account the duration of the consultation and steps 268 to 280.
  • step 282 the user presses crown 102 (step 282) starting from step 274.
  • the modified time zone is then validated during step 288, so that the time zone of the watch takes the value of the variable [time zone in progress].
  • the watch then returns to the normal time display mode 202, the second hand returns to its normal second display function, and the counters 23 return, if necessary, to the date display mode.
  • the time zone look up and change mode may be indicated by a particular icon or symbol displayed in one of the windows 23 in steps 272-288.
  • an indication in one of the of these two windows, or in an additional window indicates to the user whether the time of the current time zone displayed in step 274, and / or the current time displayed in step 202 , corresponds to morning or afternoon.
  • This indication can be made by means of alphanumeric indications, for example AM / PM, in one of the counters 230, 231, by means of an indication provided in an additional counter not shown, or preferably by means of a color, typographic choice or symbol displayed in the box in combination with the date indication.
  • the watch could memorize several time zones, for example the last two time zones selected or temporarily displayed, and allow a passage from one to the other by means of a simplified command on one of the control organs.
  • the method described also applies to the transition from daylight saving time to winter time.
  • a change from summer time to winter time is introduced in the same way as a change of time zone. hourly; the user then considers that he lives at the time of the previous or next time zone.
  • This variant has the disadvantage of forcing the user to select a distant city, corresponding to another time zone, as the time zone displayed during a large part of the year.
  • the time in each time zone takes into account time zone changes each day.
  • This variant however requires a larger memory to take into account the time change dates of each time zone; moreover, different countries in the same time zone often provide different rules for switching to summer time.
  • the user himself introduces a changeover to summer time or winter time, his original time zone or another consulted time zone, by means of an appropriate command. organs A, B and / or 102.
  • the movements of the hour hands 20, seconds 22, and disks or ring displayed in the windows can be carried out independently of each other, and bidirectionally.
  • the indicators concerned move in the direction of rotation that minimizes the rotation time or power consumption for this rotation.
  • the watch described above therefore uses the seconds hand 22 to designate the time zone during the time zone change.
  • This feature can also be used with watches that would not allow the temporary display of a time zone nor the automatic return to the original time zone.
  • the time zone selected during the change of time zone, or during the temporary consultation may be indicated by other indicators within the scope of the invention, for example by a needle or an additional disk assigned to this function.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Oscillators With Electromechanical Resonators (AREA)

Abstract

Method for switching the time zone indicated by a timepiece (1) in order to switch from an initial time zone to a modified time zone, having the following steps: the user enters a time switch command (268) by means of the crown, the hours' and minutes' hands indicate the time of the modified time zone (274), whilst the seconds' hand indicates a city corresponding to the selected time zone, the timepiece automatically returns (280) to the initial time zone and indicates the time of the initial time zone (202), or the time of the modified time zone is retained by means of a command from the user.

Description

Domaine techniqueTechnical area

La présente invention concerne le domaine des montres permettant d'afficher plusieurs fuseaux horaires, et un procédé de changement de fuseau horaire.The present invention relates to the field of watches for displaying multiple time zones, and a method of changing the time zone.

Etat de la techniqueState of the art

Des montres permettant l'affichage de plusieurs fuseaux horaires sont connues en soi. Certaines montres connues comportent plusieurs indicateurs, par exemple plusieurs jeux d'aiguilles, pour afficher simultanément l'heure de plusieurs fuseaux. D'autres montres comportent des moyens pour passer plus rapidement d'un fuseau horaire à l'autre sur le même affichage, sans nécessiter de nouveau réglage de l'heure. Le nombre de fuseaux horaires employés dans différents pays ou régions du globe est cependant trop important pour permettre un affichage simultané de tous les fuseaux sur une montre-bracelet. Il est donc nécessaire de permettre à l'utilisateur de modifier confortablement le fuseau horaire indiqué par l'affichage, ou par l'un des affichages, de la montre.Watches allowing the display of several time zones are known per se. Some known watches have several indicators, for example several sets of hands, to simultaneously display the time of several spindles. Other watches have means for moving faster from one time zone to another on the same display, without requiring a new time setting. The number of time zones used in different countries or regions of the globe is however too important to allow simultaneous display of all the time zones on a wristwatch. It is therefore necessary to allow the user to comfortably change the time zone indicated by the display, or by one of the displays, of the watch.

Différentes solutions ont donc été imaginées pour introduire facilement des commandes de changement de fuseau horaire, qui permettent par exemple d'avancer ou de reculer l'heure affichée par pas entiers et sans devoir faire une mise à l'heure précise dans le nouveau fuseau. Le changement de fuseau horaire implique cependant généralement une attention soutenue de la part de l'utilisateur. Beaucoup de possesseurs de montres à multiples fuseaux horaires exploitent cette fonction relativement rarement, par exemple lors de voyages importants, et rechignent à effectuer ces manipulations auxquels ils sont peu habitués par peur de perdre l'heure de la montre et de devoir la régler.Various solutions have therefore been devised to easily introduce time zone change commands, which make it possible, for example, to advance or to retreat the time displayed by whole steps and without having to make a precise time-setting in the new time zone. Changing the time zone, however, usually involves a lot of attention on the part of the user. Many owners of multiple time zone watches exploit this function relatively rarely, for example during important trips, and are reluctant to perform these manipulations which they are unaccustomed for fear of losing the time of the watch and having to adjust it.

Par ailleurs, il est parfois utile de vérifier l'heure d'une autre ville ou d'un autre fuseau horaire sans régler sa montre. Typiquement, avant de téléphoner dans un pays lointain, on souhaite souvent s'assurer de l'heure de son interlocuteur. L'addition ou la soustraction d'un décalage horaire - pour autant que sa valeur soit connue - est cependant peu commode. Il existe certes des agendas électroniques permettant d'afficher l'heure de différents endroits parmi des listes prédéfinies, mais ces agendas sont souvent compliqués à utiliser et moins disponibles qu'une montre bracelet.In addition, it is sometimes useful to check the time of another city or time zone without adjusting your watch. Typically, before telephoning in a distant country, one often wants to make sure of the time of one's interlocutor. The addition or subtraction of a time difference - as long as its value is known - is, however, inconvenient. While there are electronic calendars that display the time of different locations from predefined lists, these calendars are often complicated to use and less available than a wristwatch.

DE-A1-4015685 décrit une montre permettant d'afficher temporairement l'heure d'un autre fuseau horaire, puis de revenir automatiquement au fuseau horaire initial. Le fuseau horaire sélectionné est désigné au moyen des aiguilles des heures et des minutes superposées. Lorsque les aiguilles superposées pointent vers un chiffre correspondant au fuseau sélectionné, une commande supplémentaire doit être introduite. Il est ensuite nécessaire d'attendre 10 secondes supplémentaires avant d'afficher l'heure du fuseau choisi. Ce procédé est peu convivial, et nécessite un temps important avant de parvenir à l'affichage de l'heure du fuseau choisi. DE-A1-4015685 describes a watch to temporarily display the time of another time zone, then automatically return to the original time zone. The selected time zone is designated by the hour and minute hands. When the superimposed hands point to a number corresponding to the selected time zone, an additional command must be entered. It is then necessary to wait another 10 seconds before displaying the time of the selected time zone. This process is not very user-friendly, and requires a long time before reaching the time of the selected time zone.

EP644469 décrit une montre permettant de changer le fuseau horaire. Ici également, le fuseau choisi est désigné au moyen des aiguilles des heures et des minutes superposées ; l'heure du fuseau sélectionné est donc uniquement visible à la fin du processus de sélection. EP644469 describes a watch to change the time zone. Here also, the selected spindle is designated by means of the hour and minute hands superimposed; the time of the selected spindle is therefore only visible at the end of the selection process.

US4274151 décrit une montre à affichage numérique permettant de changer de fuseau horaire. Le procédé décrit utilise un grand nombre d'indications alphanumériques et est donc uniquement adapté à des montres numériques. US4274151 describes a digital watch to change time zone. The method described uses a large number of alphanumeric indications and is therefore only suitable for digital watches.

Un but de la présente invention est donc de proposer une montre bracelet, ou une autre pièce d'horlogerie, qui permette de résoudre ces problèmes de l'art antérieur. En particulier, un but de la présente invention est de proposer un procédé de changement de fuseau horaire amélioré, ainsi qu'une pièce d'horlogerie qui permette de consulter rapidement l'heure d'un autre fuseau horaire.An object of the present invention is therefore to propose a wristwatch, or another timepiece, which makes it possible to solve these problems of the prior art. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of changing the time zone, and a timepiece that allows you to quickly check the time of another time zone.

Bref résumé de l'inventionBrief summary of the invention

Selon l'invention, ces buts sont atteints notamment au moyen d'une pièce d'horlogerie permettant de changer un fuseau horaire indiqué, d'afficher temporairement l'heure d'un autre fuseau horaire au moyen des aiguilles des heures et des minutes, et de retourner automatiquement au fuseau horaire initial, ladite pièce d'horlogerie comprenant :

  • des aiguilles des heures et des minutes entraînée par au moins un premier moteur électrique,
  • une aiguille des secondes entraînée de manière indépendante desdites aiguilles des heures et des minutes par un deuxième moteur électrique,
  • des moyens d'introduction par l'utilisateur d'une commande de changement de fuseau horaire, de façon à déplacer l'aiguille des secondes afin d'indiquer un fuseau horaire suivant - respectivement précédent ;
  • un microcontrôleur étant agencé pour affecter ladite aiguille des secondes à l'affichage des secondes lors de l'affichage de l'heure du fuseau horaire initial, et pour affecter ladite aiguille des secondes à l'indication dudit autre fuseau horaire sélectionné lors de l'affichage de l'heure dudit autre fuseau horaire, ladite aiguille des secondes pointant alors sur une indication dudit autre fuseau horaire;
  • le microcontrôleur étant en outre agencé pour retourner automatiquement la pièce d'horlogerie au fuseau horaire initial afin d'indiquer au moyen des aiguilles des heures et des minutes l'heure du fuseau horaire initial après la consultation dudit autre fuseau horaire.
According to the invention, these objects are achieved in particular by means of a timepiece making it possible to change an indicated time zone, to temporarily display the time of another time zone by means of the hour and minute hands, and automatically returning to the original time zone, said timepiece comprising:
  • hour and minute hands driven by at least a first electric motor,
  • a second hand driven independently of said hour and minute hands by a second electric motor,
  • means for user input of a time zone change control, so as to move the second hand to indicate a next - respectively preceding time zone;
  • a microcontroller being arranged to affect said second hand at the display of seconds when displaying the time of the initial time zone, and to affect said second hand at the indication of said other time zone selected at the time of the initial time zone; displaying the time of said other time zone, said second hand then pointing to an indication of said other time zone;
  • the microcontroller is further arranged to automatically return the timepiece to the original time zone to indicate by means of hour and minute hands the time of the original time zone after consulting said other time zone.

Ces buts sont aussi atteints au moyen d'un procédé pour changer un fuseau horaire indiqué par une pièce d'horlogerie afin de passer d'un fuseau horaire initial à un fuseau horaire modifié, dans lequel l'utilisateur introduit tout d'abord une commande de changement de fuseau horaire afin d'indiquer l'heure du fuseau horaire modifié, la pièce d'horlogerie retournant ensuite automatiquement au fuseau horaire initial pour indiquer l'heure du fuseau horaire initial. Le fuseau horaire sélectionné est indiqué au moyen de l'aiguille des secondes et l'heure de ce fuseau est immédiatement affichée au moyen des aiguilles des heures et des minutes.These goals are also achieved by a method of changing a time zone indicated by a timepiece from an initial time zone to a modified time zone in which the user first enters a command. time zone to indicate the time of the modified time zone, the timepiece then automatically returning to the original time zone for indicate the time of the initial time zone. The selected time zone is indicated by the seconds hand and the time of this time zone is immediately displayed using the hour and minute hands.

La pièce d'horlogerie comprenant ces caractéristiques permet ainsi de vérifier rapidement l'heure d'un fuseau horaire différent, de manière instinctive et en revenant automatiquement au fuseau horaire initial après une durée prédéterminée ou suite à une nouvelle manipulation de l'utilisateur, sans nécessiter de nouveau réglage de l'heure.The timepiece with these features allows you to quickly check the time of a different time zone, instinctively and automatically returning to the time zone initial after a predetermined time or following a new manipulation of the user, without requiring a new time setting.

Dans une variante préférentielle, l'utilisateur peut maintenir l'heure du fuseau horaire modifié en introduisant une commande à cet effet durant une période de durée prédéterminé après le changement de mode.In a preferred embodiment, the user can maintain the time of the modified time zone by introducing a command for this purpose for a period of predetermined duration after the change of mode.

Brève description des dessinsBrief description of the drawings

L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture d'un exemple de mode de réalisation illustré par les figures qui montrent:

  • La figure 1 une vue de face d'une montre selon l'invention.
  • La figure 2 (partagée sur deux feuilles en figures 2a et 2b) un organigramme du procédé de changement de fuseau horaire de l'invention.
The invention will be better understood on reading an exemplary embodiment illustrated by the figures which show:
  • The figure 1 a front view of a watch according to the invention.
  • The figure 2 (shared on two sheets in Figures 2a and 2b ) a flowchart of the time zone changing method of the invention.

Exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'inventionExample of implementation of the invention

Dans la suite de la description et des revendications, l'expression « pièce d'horlogerie » désigne par exemple une montre-bracelet, un mouvement pour montre-bracelet, ou un autre élément d'horlogerie pour une montre portable sur le corps. La description se réfère en particulier à une montre bracelet.In the remainder of the description and the claims, the term "timepiece" designates, for example, a wristwatch, a wristwatch movement, or another timepiece for a portable watch on the body. The description refers in particular to a wristwatch.

La montre 1 illustrée de face sur la figure 1 comporte une boîte 10 abritant un mouvement non représenté, de préférence un mouvement électronique à quartz, éventuellement un mouvement mécanique. Le cadran est muni de deux guichets 230, 231 pour un affichage grande date 23. L'heure est affichée de manière conventionnelle au moyen d'une aiguille des heures 20, d'une aiguille des minutes 21 et d'une aiguille des secondes 22. Les trois aiguilles sont disposées au centre et actionnées par un moteur pas-à-pas, ou de préférence par plusieurs moteurs pas-à-pas indépendants et de préférence bidirectionnels. Au moins l'aiguille des secondes peut de préférence être déplacée indépendamment des deux autres aiguilles des heures et des minutes, de préférence de manière bidirectionnelle, afin de pouvoir être affectée à une autre fonction lors du changement de fuseau horaire, comme on le verra plus loin. Les disques ou anneaux portant notamment les indications de quantième affichées dans les guichets 230, 231 peuvent être entraînées au travers d'une chaîne de transmission par le moteur pas-à-pas actionnant l'aiguille des heures. Dans une variante préférentielle, ces disques sont entraînés, indépendamment l'un de l'autre, au moyen de moteurs pas-à-pas supplémentaires indépendants et de préférence bidirectionnels. Les différents moteurs entraînant les aiguilles et les autres indicateurs sont commandés par un microcontrôleur non représenté.The watch 1 illustrated front on the figure 1 comprises a box 10 housing a movement not shown, preferably an electronic quartz movement, possibly a mechanical movement. The dial has two windows 230, 231 for a large date display 23. The hour is displayed conventionally by means of an hour hand 20, a minute hand 21 and a second hand 22 The three needles are arranged centrally and actuated by a stepper motor, or preferably by several independent stepper motors and preferably bidirectional. At least the second hand can preferably be moved independently of the other two hour and minute hands, preferably bidirectionally, so that it can be assigned to another function when the time zone changes, as will be seen more far. The disks or rings bearing in particular the date indications displayed in the counters 230, 231 can be driven through a transmission chain by the stepping motor actuating the hour hand. In a preferred embodiment, these disks are driven independently of each other by means of additional independent and preferably bidirectional stepper motors. The various motors driving the needles and other indicators are controlled by a microcontroller not shown.

D'autres moyens d'indication de l'heure, y compris des affichages alphanumériques ou des affichages permettant d'indiquer simultanément plusieurs fuseaux horaires peuvent être employés dans le cadre de l'invention.Other means for indicating the time, including alphanumeric displays or displays for simultaneously indicating multiple time zones may be employed within the scope of the invention.

La montre dispose en outre d'une couronne de mise à l'heure et de changement de mode 102. La couronne 102 peut occuper trois positions axiales distinctes, par exemple une position intermédiaire stable C=0 (position de repos), une position enfoncée instable C= -1 pour entrer en mode alarme ou en mode fuseau horaire, et une position tirée C= +1 pour le réglage de la date et de l'heure. La couronne revient de préférence d'elle-même de la position enfoncée -1 à la position intermédiaire 0 lorsqu'elle est relâchée. Les autres changements de position nécessitent une action du porteur de la montre. Deux poussoirs A et B sont en outre prévus, qui peuvent être pressés par l'utilisateur pour passer d'une position de repos 0 à une position enfoncée -1. Les poussoirs reviennent d'eux-mêmes à la position 0 lorsqu'ils sont relâchés.The watch also has a time-setting crown and a change of mode 102. The ring 102 can occupy three distinct axial positions, for example a stable intermediate position C = 0 (rest position), a depressed position unstable C = -1 to enter alarm mode or time zone mode, and a position drawn C = +1 for setting the date and time. The crown preferably returns from itself from the depressed position -1 to the intermediate position 0 when it is released. Other positional changes require action by the wearer of the watch. Two pushers A and B are further provided, which can be pressed by the user to go from a rest position 0 to a depressed position -1. The pushers return to their 0 position when they are released.

Le cadran, une lunette ou un réhaut fixe 11 porte 24 indications 110 de fuseaux horaires, chaque fuseau horaire étant signalé par un nom de ville à l'exception du fuseau horaire de Greenwich marqué GMT. Les noms de ville sont disposés sur un ou éventuellement deux arcs de cercle concentriques. Les noms des villes au dessus de l'axe 9 heures - 3 heures sont écrits avec le haut des lettres pointant vers l'intérieur de la montre, tandis que les villes au-dessus de cet axe sont écrites avec le haut des lettres dirigé vers l'extérieur. Le bas des lettres est ainsi toujours orienté, à 90° près, vers 6 heures, ce qui permet au porteur une lecture facilitée.The dial, a telescope or a fixed flange 11 carries 24 indications 110 of time zones, each time zone being indicated by a name of the city with the exception of the Greenwich time zone marked GMT. The city names are arranged on one or possibly two concentric arcs. The names of the cities above the 9 o'clock - 3 o'clock axis are written with the top of the letters pointing towards the inside of the watch, while the cities above this axis are written with the top of the letters directed towards the outside. The bottom of the letters is thus always oriented, at 90 °, towards 6 o'clock, which allows the wearer a reading facilitated.

La figure 2 illustre le fonctionnement de la montre. A la mise sous fonction 200, le microcontrôleur est réinitialisé, la date et l'heure sont fixées à des valeurs arbitraires (par exemple le 01.01.2001, à 00 :00 :00 GMT), l'heure d'alarme est réglée par exemple à 07 :00 :00 et l'alarme est désactivée. La montre passe ensuite en mode d'affichage normal de l'heure 202 et les indicateurs 20-23 commencent à tourner. Depuis ce mode, si l'alarme a été activée, un signal sonore d'alarme est émis à l'heure prévue (étape 204) qui peut être arrêté en pressant sur la couronne ou sur n'importe quel poussoir (étape 206) pour interrompre l'alarme (208) et retourner en mode d'affichage de l'heure. En l'absence d'intervention de l'utilisateur, l'alarme est aussi automatiquement interrompue après une durée prédéterminée, par exemple 60 secondes.The figure 2 illustrates the operation of the watch. At power-up 200, the microcontroller is reset, the date and time are set to arbitrary values (for example 01.01.2001, at 00: 00: 00 GMT), the alarm time is set by example at 07: 00: 00 and the alarm is disabled. The watch then switches to the normal time display mode 202 and the indicators 20-23 begin to turn. Since this mode, if the alarm has been activated, an alarm tone is emitted at the scheduled time (step 204) which can be stopped by pressing on the crown or on any pushbutton (step 206) for interrupt the alarm (208) and return to the time display mode. In the absence of intervention by the user, the alarm is also automatically interrupted after a predetermined duration, for example 60 seconds.

Différentes actions sur la couronne ou les poussoirs permettent de quitter le mode d'affichage normal de l'heure 202. En appuyant simultanément sur les deux poussoirs A et B pendant plus de deux secondes (étape 210), le mouvement passe en mode d'indexation des aiguilles. Les aiguilles retournent à midi et l'utilisateur peut entrer différentes commandes pour les déplacer pas-à-pas ou pour centrer les indicateurs 230, 231 dans les guichets (étape 212). La montre retourne ensuite en mode d'affichage de l'heure par une pression sur la couronne lors de l'étape 214.Different actions on the crown or the pushbuttons make it possible to leave the normal display mode of time 202. By simultaneously pressing both push-buttons A and B for more than two seconds (step 210), the movement switches to the indexing of the needles. The hands return at noon and the user can enter different commands to move them step-by-step or to center the indicators 230, 231 in the windows (step 212). The watch then returns to the time display mode by pressing the crown in step 214.

En tirant lors de l'étape 216 la couronne vers la position C=+1, la montre passe en mode 218 de réglage de l'heure et de la date. Des rotations de la couronne 102 et/ou des actions sur les poussoirs A et B permettent de déplacer les aiguilles et les indicateurs de date, de préférence dans les deux directions, pour mettre la montre à l'heure et à la date correcte. Des déplacements par pas entiers, par exemple des déplacements par pas d'une minute, d'une heure ou d'un jour peuvent être prévus. La montre retourne en mode d'affichage de l'heure en repoussant la couronne en position intermédiaire 0 lors de l'étape 220.By pulling in step 216 the crown to the position C = + 1, the watch switches to time setting mode 218 and date. Rotations of the crown 102 and / or actions on the pushers A and B make it possible to move the hands and the date indicators, preferably in both directions, to put the watch on time and on the correct date. Movements in full steps, for example movements in steps of a minute, an hour or a day can be provided. The watch returns to the time display mode by pushing the crown back to the intermediate position 0 during step 220.

Une pression prolongée sur la couronne 102 au cours de l'étape 222 permet de consulter l'heure réglée pour l'alarme. A cet effet, les aiguilles des heures, minutes et seconde 20 à 22 se déplacent au cours de l'étape 224 pour indiquer l'heure d'alarme, tandis qu'un des indicateurs 230 et/ou 231 peut se déplacer pour afficher une icône d'alarme ON ou OFF, par exemple sous la forme d'un symbole

Figure imgb0001
barré ou non. L'alarme peut être enclenchée respectivement déclenchée en appuyant sur l'un des poussoirs A ou B (étape 228), ce qui modifie au cours de l'étape 240 l'état de l'alarme et de préférence l'indication correspondante affichée dans le guichet 23. L'heure d'alarme peut être réglée au cours de l'étape 242 par des actions sur les poussoirs A et B et/ou par des rotations de la couronne ; l'utilisateur partant de l'état 224 parvient dans ce mode 242 de réglage d'alarme en tirant la couronne 102 en position C=+1 au cours de l'étape 227.A prolonged pressure on the ring 102 during the step 222 makes it possible to consult the time set for the alarm. For this purpose, the hour, minute and second hands 20 to 22 move during step 224 to indicate the alarm time, while one of the indicators 230 and / or 231 can move to display a alarm icon ON or OFF, for example in the form of a symbol
Figure imgb0001
crossed out or not. The alarm can be triggered respectively triggered by pressing one of the pushbuttons A or B (step 228), which modifies during step 240 the state of the alarm and preferably the corresponding indication displayed in the window 23. The alarm time can be set in step 242 by actions on the pushers A and B and / or by rotations of the crown; the user departing from state 224 arrives in this alarm setting mode 242 by pulling crown 102 at position C = + 1 in step 227.

A partir de l'état 224 de consultation de l'heure d'alarme, l'utilisateur retourne en mode d'affichage normal de l'heure 202 en appuyant brièvement sur la couronne ou simplement en attendant une durée prédéterminée, par exemple cinq secondes (étape 226).From the state 224 for viewing the alarm time, the user returns to the normal time display mode 202 by briefly pressing the crown or simply waiting for a predetermined time, for example five seconds (step 226).

L'utilisateur peut encore passer en mode de consultation et de changement de fuseau horaire en appuyant brièvement sur la couronne 102 au cours de l'étape 268. D'autres commandes peuvent être prévues à cet effet, y compris des actions sur les poussoirs ou une rotation de lunette par exemple. Une variable interne [fuseau horaire en cours] d'un programme exécuté par le microcontrôleur du mouvement prend alors au cours de l'étape 272 la valeur du fuseau horaire couramment affiché par la montre. Cette information est affichée au cours de l'étape 274 au moyen de l'aiguille des secondes 22 qui est déplacée automatiquement sous le contrôle du microprocesseur, dans le sens de rotation permettant le trajet le plus court, pour pointer vers la ville représentative du fuseau horaire en cours. Les autres aiguilles des heures et des minutes continuent d'afficher l'heure du fuseau horaire en cours. Bien que les secondes ne soient plus affichées au cours de cette étape 274, le compteur de temps interne de la montre continue de compter le temps écoulé au cours de cette étape et des étapes suivantes, de manière à pouvoir reprendre l'affichage de l'heure exacte à la seconde près lorsque l'aiguille des secondes reprendra sa fonction et que la montre retournera en mode d'affichage normal de l'heure.The user can still enter consultation mode and time zone change by briefly pressing the crown 102 in step 268. Other commands may be provided for this purpose, including actions on the pushbuttons or a rotation of glasses, for example. An internal variable [time zone in progress] of a program executed by the microcontroller of the movement then takes during step 272 the value of the time zone currently displayed by the watch. This information is displayed in step 274 by means of the second hand 22 which is automatically moved under the control of the microprocessor, in the direction of rotation allowing the shortest path, to point to the representative city of the spindle hourly Classes. The other hour and minute hands continue to display the time of the current time zone. Although the seconds are no longer displayed during this step 274, the watch's internal time counter continues to count the elapsed time during this step and the following steps, so as to resume the display of the exact time to the nearest second when the second hand returns to normal and the watch returns to normal time display mode.

Depuis le mode de consultation de fuseau horaire 274, l'utilisateur peut incrémenter le fuseau horaire par des appuis brefs sur le poussoir A, ou décrémenter ce fuseau en appuyant brièvement sur le poussoir B (étapes 276, 278). L'aiguille des heures 20 est immédiatement déplacée lors de chaque action sur l'un de ces poussoirs, tandis que l'aiguille des secondes est indexée dans le sens correspondant au poussoir sélectionné de manière à pointer vers la ville représentant le fuseau horaire précédent ou suivant. La valeur du fuseau horaire en cours est incrémentée respectivement décrémentée au cours des étapes 284, respectivement 286. Il est ainsi possible de consulter très rapidement l'heure de n'importe quel fuseau horaire, par une pression sur la couronne 102 et un nombre de pression correspondant au décalage horaire du fuseau horaire sélectionné sur l'un des poussoirs A ou B. D'autres moyens de changement de fuseau horaire depuis le mode 274 peuvent être imaginés, par exemple en tournant la couronne 102 ou une lunette tournante dans un sens ou l'autre.From the time zone lookup mode 274, the user can increment the time zone by brief presses on the pushbutton A, or decrement the time zone by briefly pressing the pushbutton B (steps 276, 278). The hour hand 20 is immediately moved during each action on one of these buttons, while the second hand is indexed in the direction corresponding to the selected pusher so as to point to the city representing the previous time zone or next. The value of the current time zone is incremented respectively decremented during the steps 284 and 286 respectively. It is thus possible to consult very quickly the time of any time zone, by a pressure on the crown 102 and a number of times. pressure corresponding to the time difference of the selected time zone on one of push-buttons A or B. Other ways of changing the time zone from the mode 274 can be imagined, for example by turning the ring 102 or a rotating bezel in one direction or the other.

Si aucune action sur les organes A, B, 102 n'est introduite depuis l'étape 274 pendant une durée prédéterminée, par exemple 5 secondes, la montre retourne automatiquement au cours de l'étape 280 vers le mode d'affichage de l'heure 202. Dans une variante non représentée, la montre retourne à l'affichage de l'heure du fuseau horaire initial suite à une commande explicite de l'utilisateur. Dans les deux cas, le fuseau horaire en cours éventuellement modifié au cours des étapes 284 respectivement 286 n'est pas maintenu, et le fuseau horaire initial de la montre continue d'être affiché. Comme indiqué, l'aiguille des secondes 22 reprend sa fonction et indique le temps en cours en tenant compte de la durée de la consultation et des étapes 268 à 280.If no action on the members A, B, 102 is introduced from step 274 for a predetermined duration, for example 5 seconds, the watch automatically returns during step 280 to the display mode of the time 202. In a variant not shown, the watch returns to the display of the time of the initial time zone following an explicit command from the user. In both cases, the current time zone possibly modified during steps 284 or 286 respectively is not maintained, and the initial time zone of the watch continues to be displayed. As indicated, the seconds hand 22 resumes its function and indicates the current time, taking into account the duration of the consultation and steps 268 to 280.

Afin de conserver l'heure du fuseau horaire en cours éventuellement modifiée lors des étapes 284 ou 286, l'utilisateur appuie sur la couronne 102 (étape 282) à partir de l'étape 274. Le fuseau horaire modifié est alors validé au cours de l'étape 288, en sorte que le fuseau horaire de la montre prend la valeur de la variable [fuseau horaire en cours]. La montre retourne ensuite en mode d'affichage normal de l'heure 202, l'aiguille des secondes reprend sa fonction normale d'affichage des secondes, et les guichets 23 retournent le cas échéant en mode d'affichage de la date.In order to keep the time of the current time zone possibly modified during steps 284 or 286, the user presses crown 102 (step 282) starting from step 274. The modified time zone is then validated during step 288, so that the time zone of the watch takes the value of the variable [time zone in progress]. The watch then returns to the normal time display mode 202, the second hand returns to its normal second display function, and the counters 23 return, if necessary, to the date display mode.

Dans une variante, le mode de consultation et de changement de fuseau horaire peut être indiqué par une icône ou un symbole particulier affiché dans l'un des guichets 23 au cours des étapes 272 à 288. De manière préférentielle, une indication dans l'un de ces deux guichets, ou dans un guichet supplémentaire, indique à l'utilisateur si l'heure du fuseau horaire en cours affichée au cours de l'étape 274, et/ou l'heure en cours affichée au cours de l'étape 202, correspond au matin ou à l'après-midi. Cette indication peut être apportée au moyen d'indications alphanumériques, par exemple AM/PM, dans l'un des guichets 230, 231, à l'aide d'indication apportée dans un guichet supplémentaire non représenté, ou de préférence au moyen d'une couleur, d'un choix typographique ou d'un symbole affiché dans le guichet en combinaison avec l'indication de date.Alternatively, the time zone look up and change mode may be indicated by a particular icon or symbol displayed in one of the windows 23 in steps 272-288. Preferably, an indication in one of the of these two windows, or in an additional window, indicates to the user whether the time of the current time zone displayed in step 274, and / or the current time displayed in step 202 , corresponds to morning or afternoon. This indication can be made by means of alphanumeric indications, for example AM / PM, in one of the counters 230, 231, by means of an indication provided in an additional counter not shown, or preferably by means of a color, typographic choice or symbol displayed in the box in combination with the date indication.

Dans une variante non illustrée, la montre pourrait mémoriser plusieurs fuseaux horaires, par exemple les deux derniers fuseaux horaires sélectionnés ou affichés temporairement, et permettre un passage de l'un à l'autre au moyen d'une commande simplifiée sur l'un des organes de commande.In a variant not illustrated, the watch could memorize several time zones, for example the last two time zones selected or temporarily displayed, and allow a passage from one to the other by means of a simplified command on one of the control organs.

Le procédé décrit s'applique aussi au passage de l'heure d'été à l'heure d'hiver. Dans une variante, un passage de l'heure d'été à l'heure d'hiver est introduit de la même manière qu'un changement de fuseau horaire ; l'utilisateur considère alors qu'il vit à l'heure du fuseau horaire précédent ou suivant. Cette variante a l'inconvénient de forcer l'utilisateur à sélectionner une ville éloignée, correspondant à un autre fuseau horaire, comme fuseau horaire affiché durant une grande partie de l'année. Dans une autre variante, l'heure de chaque fuseau horaire tient compte chaque jour des changements de fuseau horaire. Cette variante nécessite cependant une mémoire plus importante pour tenir compte des dates de changement d'heure de chaque fuseau horaire ; par ailleurs, différents pays dans un même fuseau horaire prévoient souvent des règles différentes pour le passage à l'heure estivale. Dans une troisième variante, l'utilisateur introduit lui-même un passage à l'heure d'été ou à l'heure d'hiver, de son fuseau horaire initial ou d'un autre fuseau consulté, au moyen d'une commande appropriée des organes A, B et/ou 102.The method described also applies to the transition from daylight saving time to winter time. In a variant, a change from summer time to winter time is introduced in the same way as a change of time zone. hourly; the user then considers that he lives at the time of the previous or next time zone. This variant has the disadvantage of forcing the user to select a distant city, corresponding to another time zone, as the time zone displayed during a large part of the year. In another variant, the time in each time zone takes into account time zone changes each day. This variant however requires a larger memory to take into account the time change dates of each time zone; moreover, different countries in the same time zone often provide different rules for switching to summer time. In a third variant, the user himself introduces a changeover to summer time or winter time, his original time zone or another consulted time zone, by means of an appropriate command. organs A, B and / or 102.

Comme évoqué, les déplacements des aiguilles des heures 20, des secondes 22, et des disques ou anneau affichés dans les guichets peuvent être effectués indépendamment les uns des autres, et de manière bidirectionnelle. Lors des changements de fuseau horaire ou des changements d'affectation de ces indicateurs, les indicateurs concernés se déplacent donc dans le sens de rotation qui minimise la durée de rotation ou la consommation électrique pour cette rotation.As mentioned, the movements of the hour hands 20, seconds 22, and disks or ring displayed in the windows can be carried out independently of each other, and bidirectionally. During changes in time zone or changes in the assignment of these indicators, the indicators concerned move in the direction of rotation that minimizes the rotation time or power consumption for this rotation.

La montre décrite ci-dessus emploie donc l'aiguille des secondes 22 pour désigner le fuseau horaire lors du changement de fuseau horaire. Cette caractéristique peut aussi être employée avec des montres qui ne permettraient pas l'affichage temporaire d'un fuseau horaire ni le retour automatique au fuseau horaire initial. Inversement, le fuseau horaire sélectionné lors du changement de fuseau horaire, ou lors de la consultation temporaire, peut être indiqué par d'autres indicateurs dans le cadre de l'invention, par exemple par une aiguille ou un disque additionnel affecté à cette fonction.The watch described above therefore uses the seconds hand 22 to designate the time zone during the time zone change. This feature can also be used with watches that would not allow the temporary display of a time zone nor the automatic return to the original time zone. Conversely, the time zone selected during the change of time zone, or during the temporary consultation, may be indicated by other indicators within the scope of the invention, for example by a needle or an additional disk assigned to this function.

Numéros de référenceReference numbers

11
Montrewatch
1010
BoîteBox
1111
Réhautflange
110110
Marquage des villes sur le réhautMarking cities on the flange
AAT
Poussoir 1Push 1
BB
Poussoir 2Push 2
102102
CouronneCrowned
2020
Aiguille des heuresHour hand
2121
Aiguille des minutesNeedle minutes
2222
Aiguille des secondesNeedle of seconds
2323
Affichage grande dateBig date display
230230
1 er guichet1 st wicket
231231
2ème guichet2nd window

Claims (15)

  1. Method for switching a time zone indicated by a timepiece (1) in order to switch from an initial time zone to a modified time zone, having the following steps:
    the user enters a time switch command (268, 276, 278) so as to select a following resp. preceding time zone,
    the hours' hand (20) moves immediately towards the following resp. preceding time zone in order to indicate the time of the selected time zone (274),
    the seconds' hand (22) moves to indicate said selected time zone by pointing on a city indication (110),
    the timepiece automatically returns (280) to the initial time zone and indicates the time of the initial time zone (202).
  2. The method of claim 1, wherein said timepiece automatically returns to said initial time zone after a predetermined period.
  3. The method of one of the claims 1 to 2, wherein the time displayed (202) at the end of the time zone switch takes into account the time lapsed during the time zone switching process.
  4. The method of one of the claims 1 to 3, having the following steps:
    the user enters a command to switch to time change mode (268),
    the seconds' hand (22) moves to indicate the current time zone (274),
    the user enters one or several commands (276, 278) for switching time zones, the seconds' hand (22) being moved (284, 286) to indicate another time zone following each command,
    after a predetermined duration (280) or after a command to retain the modified time is entered (282), the seconds' hand is reassigned the function of displaying the seconds (202).
  5. The method of claim 4, wherein the hours' (20) and minutes' (21) hands continue to move during said predetermined period (280) and wherein the seconds' hand (22), following said reassignment (202), is repositioned in a position taking into account the time lapsed during the time zone selection and during said predetermined period.
  6. Timepiece for switching a time zone indicated, displaying temporarily another time zone with the means of hours' and minutes' hands and automatically reverting (280) to the initial time zone, having:
    hours' (20) and minutes' (21) hands driven by at least a first electric motor,
    a seconds' hand (22) driven independently of said hours' and minutes' hands by a second electric motor,
    means for entering by the user a time switch command (268, 276, 278) so as to moving the seconds' hand (22) to indicate a following resp. preceding time zone,
    a microcontroller arranged so as to assign to said seconds' hand (22) the displaying of the seconds during the displaying of the hours of the initial time zone and to assign to said seconds' hand the indication of said other time zone selected during the display of said other time zone, thus said seconds' hand pointing to an indication of said other time zone (110);
    the microcontroller is arranged to automatically return (280) the time piece to the initial time zone by means of the hours' and minutes' hand of the initial time zone (202) after consultation of said other time zone.
  7. The timepiece of claim 6, having a counter to effect said automatic return to the initial time zone after a predetermined duration.
  8. The timepiece of one of the claims 6 or 7, having means for effecting said return following an action from the user and before the end of said duration.
  9. The timepiece of one of the claims 6 to 8, having means (282, 288) for retaining the display of said other time zone by entering a command from the user during said predetermined duration.
  10. The timepiece of claim 6, wherein said second electric motor is a bidirectional stepping motor capable of turning in a first direction when the time zone is moved in a first direction by means of an incrementing command (276) and of turning in a second direction, opposed to the first direction, when the time zone is moved in a second direction by means of a decrementing command (278).
  11. The timepiece of claim 6, wherein said microcontroller is arranged to move said hours' hand (20) when another time zone is looked up.
  12. The timepiece of one of the claims 6 to 9, having a window for displaying a morning or evening indication of the time zone currently displayed.
  13. The timepiece of claim 12, said morning or evening indication being made by a choice of color and/or of typography of the date displayed in said window, and/or by a graphic element displayed simultaneously with the date in the same window.
  14. The timepiece of one of the claims 6 to 13, having a crown (102) with at least one fixed axial position (C=0) and one instable pressed-in position (C=-1) to entering commands, said crown reverting of itself from said instable position to said stable position when it is released.
  15. The timepiece of one of the claims 6 to 14, for looking up the time of another time zone by means of a single action (268) on an element (102) and a number of presses on another element (A, B) corresponding to the time shift between the initial time zone and the looked-up time zone.
EP06763339A 2006-05-29 2006-05-29 Method for changing a time zone, and timepiece therefor Active EP2021880B1 (en)

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3599520A1 (en) 2018-07-26 2020-01-29 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Method of permutation of the time display mode of an electronic watch with analogue display, and associated watch
CN110780574A (en) * 2018-07-26 2020-02-11 Eta瑞士钟表制造股份有限公司 Method for rearranging the time display mode of an electronic watch with an analog display and related watch
CN110780574B (en) * 2018-07-26 2021-04-27 Eta瑞士钟表制造股份有限公司 Method for rearranging the time display mode of an electronic watch with an analog display and related watch
US11906938B2 (en) 2018-07-26 2024-02-20 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse Method for permutation of the time display mode of an electronic watch with an analogue display, and the associated watch

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TW200809443A (en) 2008-02-16
US7742361B2 (en) 2010-06-22
WO2007137620A1 (en) 2007-12-06
EP2021880A1 (en) 2009-02-11
JP2009539073A (en) 2009-11-12
US20090052284A1 (en) 2009-02-26
CN101449217A (en) 2009-06-03
DE602006017598D1 (en) 2010-11-25
ATE484775T1 (en) 2010-10-15

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