Abstract:
An external element of a timepiece or a piece of jewelry includes a body made of an insulating ceramic material, the body including a housing, a wireless communication system disposed in the housing, and at least one part of a surface of the external element includes a layer of metallic visual appearance, the layer being obtained by carburization, nitridation, or a combination of carburization, nitridation.
Abstract:
A watch includes a pedometer mechanism for estimating a physical activity level The watch includes at least one moving or pivoting weight arranged to drive a ratchet, an elastic or friction holder for holding the ratchet in position between two movements of the moving or pivoting weight, the ratchet driving a gear train displaying, on a display, a value corresponding, to within a multiplicative factor, to the number of pivoting motions of the ratchet, and/or to the value of the cumulative angular rotation of the ratchet, and the pedometer mechanism includes a limiter only allowing the pivoting of the ratchet from a minimum threshold corresponding to a minimum travel of the weight if the weight is movable or to a minimum angular rotation value of the weight if the weight pivots.
Abstract:
Sealed pushbutton for a wristwatch comprising a pushbutton head that is movable between a resting position and an active position, a first fixed conductive element and a second movable conductive element. It comprises an elastically deformable capsule that hermetically covers the first fixed conductor, wherein an upper surface of the capsule is in physical contact with a lower surface of the pushbutton head. The capsule can be located in a non-deformed position when the pushbutton head is in its resting position and in a deformed position when the pushbutton head is in its active position, and the first and second conductive elements form a capacitive or resistive switch device, wherein the switch is in open state when the pushbutton head is in its resting position and in closed state when the pushbutton head is in its active position.
Abstract:
A piezoelectric resonator, in particular for a rotary piezoelectric motor, the resonator including a stationary base and an oscillating mass extending around a longitudinal axis, the oscillating mass being provided with at least one flyweight, preferably two opposing flyweights, wherein the resonator includes a flexible guide connecting the oscillating mass to the base, so as to be able to cause the oscillating mass to oscillate about a centre of rotation in a pendulum movement, the flexible guide comprising at least a first flexible blade connecting the base to the oscillating mass, the first flexible blade comprising at least in part an electrically actuatable piezoelectric material for deforming the first flexible blade and causing the oscillating mass to oscillate.
Abstract:
A watch includes a control member capable of managing a primary function of the watch, such as a rotating crown or a push-piece, as well as a magnetic ball that can be manually pivoted by the user about the centre thereof. A 3D magnetic sensor is arranged in the watch to detect the orientation of the magnetic field emitted by the magnetic ball, in addition to a processor for converting an electric signal generated by the magnetic sensor into an instruction for managing one or more other electronic functions of the watch. The magnetic ball is partially arranged inside the control member such that it is accessible to a user. The watch can further comprise a proximity sensor for detecting the axial position of the control member relative to the middle of the watch.
Abstract:
A watch includes a control member, for example a crown or a head of a push-piece, which is mounted in a resilient manner on the outer end of an elongated element projecting outside the middle, such that a user can tilt in a self-reverting manner the control member in two dimensions orthogonal and perpendicular to the central axis of the elongated element. At least one proximity sensor is incorporated into the middle of the watch, in a location allowing this proximity sensor to produce an electric signal that represents the tilting of the control member about an axis that is perpendicular to the central axis. A processor generates at least one instruction on the basis of the electric signal provided by at least one proximity sensor, for example to allow the user to browse a menu or a calendar displayed on a digital screen.
Abstract:
Timepiece movement fitted with an electromagnetic transducer comprising at least one coil and a rotor formed of a central shaft, of two magnetic plates that are mounted on the central shaft and of a plurality of bipolar magnets which are axially polarized and mounted on at least one of the two magnetic plates, said at least one coil penetrating at least partially into a circular space which is defined by the rotor between its two magnetic plates and left free by this rotor. The central shaft comprises a pinion which engages with a wheel of the timepiece movement, this pinion being arranged between the two magnetic plates and said wheel being partially arranged between the two magnetic plates, in an angular sector of the circular space that is left free by the electromagnetic transducer, so as to engage with the pinion. Advantageously, said wheel has a roller that is almost or entirely non-conductive and a non-magnetic staff.
Abstract:
A capacitive sensor to determine instantaneous angular position of a rotatable element in a timepiece, such as a setting stem of a wristwatch. Static electrodes are configured to form, in conjunction with rotor electrodes of the rotatable element, a first differential capacitance pair and a second differential capacitance pair. A sensor calculation unit is configured to sense difference values from the differential capacitances pairs and to evaluate the angular position of the rotatable element from the difference values using predetermined information relating the differential capacitance values to angular position values.
Abstract:
Sealed device for calibrating an altitude measurement device comprising an atmospheric pressure sensor whose movements of deformation are converted, via a transmission system, into a pivoting motion of an activation system that drives the pivoting of an indicator hand, wherein a sensing element bearing on the atmospheric pressure sensor is rigidly fixed to a transmission shaft movable along its longitudinal axis of symmetry, wherein the calibration device includes an air intake that can adjust the pressure inside the calibration device as required, and also includes a first button via which the axial position of the transmission shaft can be adjusted, and a second button via which it is possible to move the atmospheric pressure sensor up or down.The invention also concerns a method for calibrating the altitude measurement device using the sealed calibration device.