EP0644469B1 - Analogical timepiece with at least an universal time display - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a timepiece having at least one universal display mode of time, that is to say to provide the user a time information relating to the 24 time zones defined on the globe.

A document of this type is known from the document EP 0 364 602 which describes a timepiece comprising, in addition to the hour display hands respectively and minutes, a third analog organ also having the shape of a needle and can be pointed in direction of one of the 24 chosen zones, coincidentally with a drawing representing the earth seen from the north pole.

This structure is not the most rational because it requires the provision of a third organ analog, with of course a specific arrangement matching guide guns in the movement horometric of this room.

• La première de ces solutions consiste à amener l'une des aiguilles à une position indiquant le chiffre des dizaines du numéro du fuseau horaire que l'on veut sélectionner et l'autre aiguille à une position indiquant le chiffre des unités de ce numéro.
• La deuxième solution consiste à superposer les deux aiguilles et à les amener d'abord à la position indiquant le chiffre des dizaines du numéro du fuseau horaire, puis à la position indiquant le chiffre des unités de ce numéro. Une variante de cette deuxième solution consiste à n'utiliser qu'une seule aiguille.

Document DE-A-40 15 685 describes a watch comprising two hands and a dial on which twelve distinct positions are indicated, as in conventional watches. This watch allows, in particular by means of a manipulation and a reading procedure on a table, to display the time of any of the time zones that exist in the world. The number of these time zones, that is to say twenty-four or even more than twenty-four if one takes into account the partial zones which exist in certain countries, being greater than the number of positions which are indicated on the dial of the watch, there is described an arrangement in which each time zone is assigned a number; the table which includes all the time zones in correspondence with their respective number being arranged at the rear of the watch case. In addition, this document offers two solutions for selecting the number of the zone whose time you want to know:

• The first of these solutions consists in bringing one of the hands to a position indicating the digit of the tens of the number of the time zone that we want to select and the other hand to a position indicating the digit of the units of this number.
• The second solution consists in superimposing the two hands and bringing them first to the position indicating the tens digit of the time zone number, then to the position indicating the units digit of this number. A variant of this second solution consists in using only one needle.

These two solutions are complicated to implement work by the user of the watch, because in each solutions, you have to combine two numbers to be able to indirectly select one of the time zones and it must read the correspondence table.

WO-88 08557 relates to a method for display information on a watch face memorized and a watch for the implementation of this process. Among other things, this watch has a single motor step by step connected to the needles and a control circuit to bring the needle faster, so the needle seconds, at accelerated speed, in a position indicating stored information, which may be the time of a time zone schedule.

He describes how the electronic circuit causes the change of position of the hands according to the information stored, but it does not describe, how the user can choose a time zone from a plurality of time zones.

Document FR-A-2 404 250 describes a part timepiece comprising a stepping motor driving needles at different positions, among others also to correct the time, for example due to the change of time zones.

But the watch does not contain the information schedules of different time zones.

In addition, the handling is complex, because it must operate not only with the rod, but also with two additional manual control buttons.

Document FR-A-2 442 433 relates to a device analog display of the value of a function represented by information composed of a sequence of logical states.

This device is not intended to select, nor display the time in a time zone.

The three documents CH-A-515 540, DE-U-1 795 193 and CH-A-662 234 describe universal watches analog with a disc of the geographic areas, an hour disc and hour hands and minutes.

In all these documents the hours record is driven by movement and rotates once in 24 hours, according to CH-A-515 540 and DE-U-1 795 193 clockwise, according to CH-A-662 234 counterclockwise.

For all these watches it is essential to provide an additional drive mechanism for the hour disc in addition to the needle drive hours and minutes which can be a wheel satellite, as presented in document CH-A-515 540.

In addition it is necessary to complete this mechanism by decoupling means located between the disc of hours and movement, so that the hour hand can be moved relative to this disc. For this purpose, CH-A-515 540 provides a ratchet and a friction spring, while DE-U-1 795 193 provides for a clutch.

In addition, the noon index is constantly moving, which which complicates the reading of the time.

Thus, the object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by providing a piece timepieces with analog display having a mode universal time display, construction as simple as possible, and whose display means offer no confusion in reading the dial which is responsible for a lot of information, timetables and geographic.

To this end, the present invention relates to a universal timepiece with analog display according to claim 1.

• la figure 1 représente sous forme de schéma bloc une montre à affichage universel de l'heure, conforme à la présente invention;
• la figure 2 est un schéma de fonctionnement d'un compteur de position, du type de ceux incorporés dans le schéma de la figure 1;
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus agrandie d'un cadran de la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention, représentant le globe terrestre vu depuis le pôle nord avec sur celui-ci les 24 fuseaux horaires; et
• la figure 4 est un tableau ou organigramme des différentes fonctions d'affichage remplies par la pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention qui comporte un cadran tel que celui représenté à la figure 3.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings which are given here only by way of example and in which:

• FIG. 1 shows in the form of a block diagram a watch with universal time display, in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 2 is a diagram of the operation of a position counter, of the type of those incorporated in the diagram of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is an enlarged top view of a dial of the timepiece according to the invention, representing the terrestrial globe seen from the north pole with on it the 24 time zones; and
• FIG. 4 is a table or flowchart of the various display functions fulfilled by the timepiece according to the invention which comprises a dial such as that shown in FIG. 3.

There is shown in Figure 1, in the form of a diagram block, a timepiece, for example a watch, having a universal time display mode, and constituting an embodiment of this invention.

This timepiece includes, as standard, a crystal oscillator 2, a division 4 chain delivering a signal at 1 Hz, a needle position counter seconds, referenced 6, and a position counter of the minute hand, referenced 8.

It also includes a divider by twelve referenced 10, receiving the signal from the position counter of the second hand 6, and a position counter of the hour hand referenced 12 whose entry is connected to the output of the divider 10. The counters 6, 8 and 12 are counters by sixty whose mode of functioning is represented schematically by the figure 2.

As seen in Figure 2, pulses to count are provided to the counters (arrow to the far left on the drawing). These successive pulses are counted by a binary register of at least six bits, which they increment. The status of this register can be read at any time moment (down arrow on the drawing). Every increment, the registry is tested to see if the number it contains is equal to sixty. If it is the case, a pulse is emitted by the test circuit and this pulse causes the reset of the register. The test circuit therefore constitutes a divider by sixty whose signal can be sent to another counter (right arrow on the drawing), which is the case of counters 6, 8. Counter 12 can optionally provide this signal if other counters, day or months are associated with it.

Counters 8 and 12 (Figure 1) define, in normal operation, i.e. in the supply of time, position, defined according to sixty steps, minute and hour hands relative on the dial of the timepiece. The watch described here not having a second hand, the second hand position counter serves only to generate a signal whose frequency allows increment the other counters 8 appropriately and 12.

The timepiece is furthermore provided with two motors 18 and 20 can be controlled so independent respectively by power circuits 14 and 16 to respectively drive the needle of minutes and the hour hand. Circuits 14 and 16 receive, in normal time mode, the pulses applied respectively to the inputs of the counters of position of the 8 and 12 hour hands.

The arrangement of the motors and gears of the this timepiece will not be described here. In indeed, we already know clock movements comprising several motors for actuating individually the needles. EP-0 393 606 in particular describes a watch movement including two motors capable of driving independently the minute hand and the hour hand.

The elements of the watch, represented by the diagram block of FIG. 1, which have just been described, explain how this timepiece works essentially analog in terms of display normal time. However, in accordance with this invention, the analog watch described here can also display time information in 24 time zones as well as direction information for geographic location and distinction of 24 time zones.

The elements of Figure 1 which will now be described, allow, on the one hand, to realize the display 24 time zones to locate them geographically, and on the other hand, to correct the time displayed by the needles for each of these time zones, when this turns out necessary.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the timepiece includes electronic control means 22 to enable it to fulfill various functions for displaying the time and a function for locating time zones. These electronic control means 22 comprise inputs MN and H for receiving the contents of the position counters of the minute hands 8 and hours 12, two activation inputs AN, EN and two inputs D ⁺ , D ^- for the data of displacement of the needles respectively forwards and backwards.

The signals applied to the inputs AN, EN, D ⁺ and D ^- are supplied by a circuit 24 for interpreting the position and movement of the control rod. The operation of the control rod and the interpretation circuit 24 will not be described in detail here since the person skilled in the art already knows devices of this type. Patent EP-0 175 961 in particular describes a control rod associated with an interpretation circuit which can easily be adapted to be used with the timepiece presently described.

The electronic control means 22 also include two outputs Mmn and Mh for delivering pulses to the motors 18 and 20, and a control output C for managing the state of two switches 26, 28 arranged at the input of the power circuits 14 , 16 and arranged to transmit to them, either the pulses applied to the inputs of the position counters of the minute hand 8 and the hour hand 12 when the switches are in a first position referenced a , or the pulses delivered by the electronic control means 22, when the switches are in a second position referenced b .

The electronic control means 22 can be advantageously produced in the form of a circuit integrated with a programmed microcontroller. The man of the trade will know, from the indications provided here, programming the microcontroller, so that make it perform the functions described.

In normal time display mode, the means control electronics are inactive and the motors 18 and 20 receive the pulses applied to the inputs needle position counters respectively minutes and hours 8, 12.

The table or flowchart in Figure 4 has 6 drawings or steps (referenced from A to F) representing each one of the different display functions that can be filled by the watch hands according to the invention. The arrows that connect the different stages A to F and the few indications which help to understand how we operate the control rod to select one of the different display functions, in different described operating modes.

Setting the time

The elements which have just been described allow correct the time displayed by the hands (which corresponds to step B on the table in Figure 4).

When the watch is in the normal time display mode which is actually the time of the time zone in which the user is located (illustrated by step A), the time correction function is activated. by pulling on the rod. The displacement towards the outside of the rod causes the emission by the interpretation circuit 24 (FIG. 1) of a signal towards the input EN of the electronic control means 22. The reception of this signal by the electronic means of control 22 causes switches 26 and 28 to pass into state b . Simultaneously, the electronic control means 22 emit a high signal on the reset line of the second position counter 6 to keep it at zero so that it no longer provides the signal for incrementing the hand position counters 8 minutes and 12 hours respectively.

The interpretation circuit 24 then sends pulses corresponding to the different rotational movements printed on the rod, by the user, to the inputs D ⁺ , D ^- electronic control means 22 which, in turn, emit pulses of command to increment or decrement the position counters of the minute hands 8 and hours 12 and to simultaneously control the motors 18, 20 in order to move the hands. When at the end of the time setting operation, the rod is pushed back, the interpretation circuit 24 supplies a deactivation signal to the electronic control means 22 which in turn supply a signal by their output C to put the switches 26, 28 in state a . At the same time, the signal on the reset line returns to zero and the second hand position counter 6 starts again.

Time zone display mode

As mentioned above, the coin timepiece described here is intended to provide time information relating respectively to multiple time zones.

To this end, this timepiece has two counters 27 and 29 (figure 1) to store respectively several pairs of numerical values HFmn1 to HFmn24, and HFh1 to HFh24 included here between 1 and 60, and corresponding respectively to the position of the minute hand and the hour hand when they have to display the time of the different time zones. Counters 27 and 29 are normally incremented by the hourly seconds signal, via the means of control 22.

In Figure 1 and in the following text, we will reference to 24 numerical values HFmn and HFh but it is of course a different number of values can be stored in each counter or register 27 if one wish to bring, in time zone display mode, the hour and minute hands in their position corresponding to other different time zones schedules, cut in another way.

The timepiece according to the invention comprises in in addition to two counters or registers 31 and 33 allowing respectively to memorize two sets of values digital PFmn1 to PFmn24, and PFh1 to PFh24 also included between 1 and 60 and corresponding respectively to different positions of the two hour hands and minutes in their time zone tracking function particular registered on the dial.

Again a different number of tracking positions can be stored.

Referring to Figure 3, we see that the dial (not referenced) of the timepiece according to the invention has an image which is the view of the earth, seen from the North Pole, with inscriptions on it, the 24 time zones.

We will now describe the operating principles a timepiece comprising display means of the time and of said time zones, according to the invention.

The user, when he wishes to consult or adjust the different times of the different time zones, must perform a number of manipulation of the control rod, these manipulations being shown at Figure 4, which will now be referred to.

Entering the universal time display mode

When the watch is in the normal time display mode and the interpretation circuit 24 (FIG. 1) transmits, in the direction of the input AN of the electronic control means 22, an activation signal corresponding to a pressure exerted on the rod, the electronic control means 22 emit a signal on their output C to place the switches 26 and 28 in state b (FIG. 1), that is to say to block the pulses coming counters 8 and 12. Simultaneously, the electronic control means 22 read the contents of counters 8 and 12 to know the position of the minute and hour hands. They then emit the number of pulses required on the outputs Mmn and Mh to cause the hands to overlap in a chosen position on the workpiece to allow the display of the time zone corresponding to the current time. This step, referenced C in FIG. 4, does not affect the operation of the counters 6, 8 and 12.

We understand that before bringing the needles to place in this configuration superimposed above one of the 24 time zones, the means of control electronic 22 read the values beforehand PFmni and PFhi digital counters 31 and 33 of positions of time zones, corresponding values at the position of the ith zone previously memorized in means of control as the last time zone selected over time by the user.

So in step C, for example, if the needles are brought into their superposed positrons of identification of time zones close to 8 o'clock as this is the case in FIG. 4, the electronic means of control bring the hour and minute hands to superimpose in the vicinity of the 8 o'clock index by emitting a number of pulses equal to the number of pulses which would be required to render the contents of counters 8 and 12 both equal to about 38, this value 38 being read by the counters in the registers 31 and 33.

Then, in step D, the user can pull the rod and by a slow rotation in one direction or in one other, it can move the hour and minutes in their superimposed positions next to one other time zones on the dial. At this moment, the electronic control means 22 read from counters 31 and 33 depending on the new numeric value corresponding to the new position angle of the two needles on the workpiece, what is the corresponding time zone among the 24 existing and, after identification of the time zone these electronic means of command 22 will read from counters or registers 27 and 29 with multiple data, what is the position of hour and minute hands that will display the time of this time zone, and so what are the values corresponding HFmn and HFh. Then after the user has returned the rod to the normal position and that he has applied a new pressure on it or a few seconds, the timepiece according to the invention (step E) displays the time of the selected time zone, and this by providing motors 18 and 20 with the number of pulses necessary to move the needles hours and minutes in their new position time display compared to their old overlapping position corresponding to the location geographic of the selected time zone.

In this position (step F), the user can pull the rod and change the time in the time zone considered, i.e. modify the numerical value HFmn, HFh of counters or registers 27 and 29 corresponding to the position of the minute and hour hands for the hour of the ith time zone considered or to switch from winter time in summer time.

After the user has pushed the rod back, the timepiece returns to classic time mode for displaying the time in the time zone where the time is located the user. To this end, the electronic means of command 22 read registers 8 and 12 and provide the number of pulses required by motors 18 and 20 to move the needles to their new position display.

We therefore understand from what has just been described that supplied a timepiece with analog display having a universal time display, and in which the analog body that allows the identification of time zones timetable consists of the two hour hands and minutes brought under means control control electronics 22 in a superimposed position, one in relation to the other.

It will be specified here that the analog locating member time zones can be made up of one of two time display hands, for example the hour hand leaving the other hand, especially the stationary minute hand during identification of the corresponding time zone. So in this another example electronic control means would only use one of the position counters 31 or 33.

We also understand that we have provided means control electronics which include means for management of the angular position of the needle (s) in the geographic location function of time zones, in relation to information from time allocated to these different time zones and managed by position counters 27 and 29 respectively. In addition, this timepiece includes means for memorization of the angular position of the hands, namely counters 31 and 33, depending of geographical indications carried by the piece, that is to say depending on the view of the Earth from the north pole inscribed on the dial.

In addition, these storage means are controlled by the rod and / or by other external control devices which can be operated by the user to bring the time hand (s), here the two hands, in their superimposed positrons, in their locating function with regard to said geographical indications carried by the room.

Claims (5)

1. Universal analogue display timepiece including an hour display organ, a minute display organ, a time zone selection organ and control means (4-33) for said organs responding to a manual control signal to drive said selection organ so as to select a time zone, said control means (4-33) further responding to a time base signal (2) and to a signal representative of said selected time zone to drive said display organs so that they display time data relating to said selected time zone,
   characterized in that

   said control means (4-33) further respond to said manual control signal to superpose said display organs,

   said selection organ is formed by said superposed display organs and

   said control means (4-33) respond to said manual control signal to drive said superposed display organs to an angular position selected from a plurality of twenty-four distinct angular positions each corresponding to a different time zone and

   the timepiece includes a dial carrying a representation seen from the side of the north pole, including said twenty-four time zones.
2. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the timepiece includes a stem able to be actuated by a user to generate said manual control signal.
3. Timepiece according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control means (4-33) include a motor (20) for driving the hour display organ and a motor (18) for driving the minute display organ.
4. Timepiece according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means (4-33) include means for storing said selected angular position generating said signal representing the selected time zone.
5. Timepiece according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means (4-33) include means for storing the time data for each time zone.

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