EP1723477B1 - Portable electronic device provided with an analog displayed variometer function - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a portable electronic device (1), such as a watch bracelet, comprising at least one first (8) and one second (9) anaolog display element, means (23, 31) for carrying out measurements of a physical variable relating to the altitude value and a memory area (26) for storing the values of the physical variable thus measured. The electronic circuits (20) of the device can control the analog display elements in a variometric operational mode such that a first display element (9) indicates the instantaneous speed of the altitude variation and such that the second display element (8) indicates the value of the average speed of the altitude variation with regard to the adapted graduations (10) of the device. The main application of the invention is aerial sports.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a portable electronic device comprising a housing containing a dial, motor means controlling at least two analog display members disposed above the dial. The device according to the present invention comprises in particular means for determining the value of a physical quantity related to the altitude at a given instant in a particular mode of operation, electronic circuits including in particular a time base, means of processing the value and storage means of one or more determined or processed values of the physical quantity.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Such devices are known from the prior art. In particular, portable electronic devices having an altimeter function are generally known, generally intended to be used for hiking.

A device according to the prior art is described, for example, in the document EP-A-0 500 386 .

However, for the practice of certain activities, an indication of the altitude is not sufficient for the wearer of the device. In particular, in the practice of aerial sports involving the piloting of aircraft without an engine, for example, it is important for the pilot to have information relating to his vertical speed of progression. The existing instruments on the transport aircraft have a large number of features that are not all available to pilots on light aircraft of the glider type, U.L.M. (Ultra Light Motorized), paragliding or hang gliding.

In addition, in the practice of certain other sports such as parachute jumping, hiking or the V.T.T., the fact that the athlete has information on its altitude is useful or essential in terms of freefall. However, it may be interesting for people practicing this type of activity to access additional information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by providing a portable electronic device providing the wearer with information relating to his vertical speed of movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a portable electronic device whose display is intuitive and allows the user to access information representative of his situation at a given time quickly and readable.

For this purpose, the invention provides in particular a portable electronic device according to claim 1.

In the remainder of the present discussion, by "instantaneous" speed, it will be understood that the time separating two successive measurements on the basis of which said speed is calculated is relatively short, in particular with respect to the duration separating two measurements used to calculate the speed average. By way of nonlimiting examples, it is possible to predict that the instantaneous speed is calculated over one or two seconds if the average speed is calculated over one minute and that the instantaneous speed is calculated over 15 or 30 seconds if the average speed is calculated on a half hour.

Thanks to the arrangement according to the present invention, it takes very little time for the wearer of the device when he consults the display to know what is its instantaneous vertical speed, the position of a first analog display member relative to that of the second analog display member further providing a qualitative indication of its situation in terms of acceleration or deceleration.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device, the means for determining the value of the physical quantity related to the altitude comprise a pressure sensor whose measurements are transmitted to the processing means which are arranged to deduce from these measurements the value of the vertical speed of progression of the wearer of the device, at a given moment.

It can also be provided that the determination of the speed comprises a step of determining the value of the altitude. As a result, the device according to the present invention can be arranged in such a way that the value of the altitude at a given moment can be displayed, either in a different operating mode by the same display members, or simultaneously at the same time. using an additional digital display area, for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 représente une vue de face d'un dispositif électronique portable selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention, et
• la figure 2 représente un diagramme schématique général du circuit électronique du dispositif indicateur représenté sur la figure 1.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples and in which:

• FIG. 1 represents a front view of a portable electronic device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and
• FIG. 2 represents a general schematic diagram of the electronic circuit of the indicator device represented in FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 represents a first preferred embodiment of the portable electronic device according to the present invention, in the form of a watch particularly suitable for the use of aircraft without a motor, very simple both from the structural point of view and the point of view of its operation. The watch 1 is in appearance as a watch of conventional type. This comprises, in fact, a housing 2 which may, for example, be of the molded bottom-middle type of plastic, comprising horns 3 provided for the attachment of a bracelet (not shown) and containing in particular a watch movement (Not shown), a dial 4, the housing 2 being closed on its upper face by an ice 5 surmounted by a fixed bezel 6 on its periphery. The watch 1 further comprises a single control member 7, namely a crown rod, which can be used in particular as a pusher in addition to its conventional use in rotation.

The telescope 6 carries indexes indicating the hours, numbers being recorded to more clearly identify the positions 3, 6, 9 and 12 hours.

The watch 1 also comprises two hands, respectively, for indicating the hours 8 and minutes 9.

The dial 4 carries circular graduations 10, the unit being the meter per second, serving to indicate values of a vertical speed of displacement or, in other words, a speed of variation of the altitude in the frame of a particular operating mode called variometer mode. The position corresponding to a zero vertical speed is arranged at 3 o'clock, while the graduations extend symmetrically, on the one hand between the 3 o'clock position and the 10 o'clock position to indicate the value of a climbing speed. and, on the other hand, between position 3 hours and the 8 o'clock position to indicate the value of a descent speed. In particular, it is provided for illustrative purposes that the values of the graduations are substantially between -5 and +5 meters per second.

The dial 4 carries an additional indication, given here by way of example, namely the expression "speed (m / s)" 11 arranged at the twelve o'clock position inside the graduations. This additional indication 11 is therefore almost the only apparent clue of the watch according to the invention likely to suggest to an observer that the latter has additional features compared to a conventional watch.

Indeed, the watch 1 comprises special technical means, which will be described briefly later in connection with Figure 2, allowing it to provide specific guidance relating to the practice of air sports. These technical means comprise, in particular, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pressure sensor for measuring at each instant the pressure of the environment outside the watch and to transmit the value to the electronic circuits of the device. These techniques have been described in many documents of the prior art and will not be discussed in more detail later.

Means of the electronic circuits described below are further arranged to derive the value of a speed of variation of the altitude based on the measurements made by the pressure sensor.

Thus, by a suitable programming of the electronic circuit of the watch according to the present invention, there is provided a first mode of operation, or time mode, wherein the conventional functions are provided by the hour and minute hands. In addition, the crown rod 7 has two stable positions and an unstable position, a first stable position being the rest position in which the stem-crown performs no function. In a conventional manner, the second stable position is a position pulled relative to the rest position, in which the crown rod makes it possible to adjust, by rotation, the indication of the time provided by the two needles 8, 9. unstable position is reached by a pressure on the ring towards the housing 2 of the watch, a spring (not shown) being provided to push back to the rest position when the pressure ceases, in the manner of a push button. Each press performed on the crown rod 7 makes it possible to control the watch to cause the modification of the current display and to display information whose nature may possibly depend on parameters outside the watch.

Preferably, the variometer mode is activated manually by the user of the watch 1, by an action on the crown rod 7, detected by the electronic circuits of the device.

Once the variometer mode has been activated, the functions respectively associated with the hands of minutes 9 and 8 are the display of the speed of variation of the substantially instantaneous altitude and the display of a speed of variation of the altitude averaged over a predefined period.

It can be noted the excellent readability of the electronic device 1 according to the present invention, because the display is sober and only takes over a proven structure for several centuries, namely an analog display system, preferably by needle, although the The use of rotating discs carrying indexes remains possible. Thus, it takes very little time for the wearer when consulting his watch to know what is its instantaneous vertical speed, the position of the minute hand 9 compared to that of the hour hand 8 providing him with in addition to a qualitative indication of its situation in terms of acceleration or deceleration. By way of illustration, the situation represented in FIG. 1 corresponds to an "instantaneous" speed of decrease in altitude of the order of 2.5 m / s while the average speed of decrease of altitude on the last minute is of the order of 1 m / s. Thus, the wearer of the watch is warned, at a quick glance, that it undergoes or has just undergone a relatively large acceleration compared to its average speed of the last minute elapsed.

Additional functionalities are also implemented on the watch 1 and can be accessed via the crown rod 7. Additional functions relating to the indication of altitude-related quantities may optionally be provided. The nature of the available functions and how to access them are provided as non-limiting examples.

According to the embodiment described here, means are provided for controlling the hands of hours 8 and minutes 9 in response to a pressure on the crown rod 7 from the variometer mode, so that they are superimposed on each other. display the value of the altitude next to additional graduations 12 of the dial or the telescope. It is then expected an automatic return to the display mode of the altitude variation rates after a time interval of a few seconds. It is also possible, alternatively or additionally, that the return to variometer mode is obtained by a new pressure on the crown rod 7.

It can similarly be provided that these means also make it possible to control the hands of hours 8 and minutes 9 in response to a pressure on the stem-crown 7 from the time mode, so that they are superimposed to display the value of the corresponding altitude.

The implementation of the functions described above is explained with reference to FIG. 2 which represents a schematic diagram of the general structure of the electronic circuit of the portable electronic device according to the present invention.

In general, the electronic circuit of the watch includes an integrated circuit 20 including a controller circuit 21 capable of managing the conventional time functions of the watch 1 comprising, for this purpose, a time division circuit, the controller circuit 21 being connected in particular to a resonator 22 serving as a time base. From this time base, time information is produced by the controller circuit 21, in particular to provide the functions of the time mode and the functions relating to the variometer mode.

In addition, the controller circuit 21 receives as input signals generated by a pressure sensor 23 generating analog electrical signals representative of the surrounding pressure. These signals pass through an analog-digital converter 24 before being supplied to the input of the controller circuit 21, in the form of a digital signal.

The pressure sensor 23 is of conventional type and the skilled person will not encounter any particular difficulty to choose one that is suitable for the implementation of the present invention. The pressure sensor is powered to perform periodic measurements during operation of the variometer mode.

The integrated circuit 20 also comprises memory zones, in particular a first memory zone 25, preferably of the non-volatile type, containing a program enabling the controller circuit 21 to perform calculations relating to the variometer mode, such as, for example, the conversion of the measurements. pressure in altitude values, then the calculation of the differential between two successive values of the altitude to calculate the speed of variation. The choice of a non-volatile reprogrammable memory (Flash or EPROM, for example) possibly makes it possible to update the calculation program later.

The integrated circuit 20 preferably comprises at least a second memory zone 26, which may optionally be of volatile type, in which the results of the calculations performed by the control circuit 21 are stored periodically. This second memory area 26 is in particular designed to store the altitude values relative to a predefined time window.

As an illustration, the device according to the present invention can be programmed in such a way that the pressure sensor 23 is controlled to perform a measurement. the surrounding pressure per second. It is also expected that the average rate of change of altitude is calculated over a one-minute time window. Thus, the memory area 26 is arranged to store at least 60 successive values calculated by the controller circuit 21, based on the measurements made by the pressure sensor. At each measurement of the ambient pressure transmitted by the analog-digital converter 24 to the controller circuit 21, the latter calculates an altitude value corresponding to the measured pressure, by a conventional type of programming.

The controller circuit 21 also calculates the difference that the last calculated altitude value has with respect to the penultimate value calculated, read from the memory area 26, to determine the value of the quasi-instantaneous variation speed. altitude. The controller circuit further calculates the value of the average rate of change of the altitude based on the last measured value of the altitude and the value of the altitude calculated 60 seconds earlier. This last value is then replaced in the memory area 26 by the last calculated altitude value. Thus, each altitude value stored in the memory area 26 is updated once every 60 seconds.

At the same time, the controller circuit 21 sends signals adapted to a control circuit 27 of bi-directional motor means, such that the minute hand 9 displays the "instantaneous" speed of variation of the altitude opposite graduations of the dial. Similarly, the controller circuit 21 produces signals suitable for the control circuit 27 of the motor means, for example two bi-directional motors, so that the hour hand 8 displays the value of the average speed of variation of the motor. altitude, opposite the same graduations.

Preferably, the controller circuit 21 is arranged such that, as long as the number of measurements made since the switch to variometer mode is less than 60, the average speed of variation of the altitude is calculated on the basis of the last measured measurement and the first measurement stored in the memory zone 26, taking into account the time separating these two measurements.

Furthermore, the electronic circuit of the watch comprises conventional means (not shown) for detecting pressures made by the user on the crown rod 7. The latter is in position A at rest and has two extreme positions B and C The unstable position B, obtained by user pressure activates a function of the controller circuit 21 modifying the operating mode of the watch, as described above. When the crown rod 7 is depressed in position B from the time mode, the controller circuit 21 generates signals to the control circuit 27 of the motors, so that the hours 8 and 9 hands are superimposed to display the value of the corresponding altitude. Similarly, when the crown rod 7 is pressed into position B from the variometer mode, the controller circuit 21 generates signals to the control circuit 27 of the motors, so that the hour and minute hands 8 9 are superimposed to display the value of the corresponding altitude.

For example, it is expected that the display of the altitude is held for a period of about 3 seconds before returning to the display corresponding to the variometer mode. In this case, of course, the altitude value indicated by the hour and minute hands is preferably updated once a second, taking into account the new measurements made by the pressure sensor.

Of course, those skilled in the art are able to program as desired the integrated circuit 20 of the watch according to the present invention, to provide responses respectively adapted to different possible actions on the crown rod 7.

In addition, conventional means well known to those skilled in the art are implemented to allow a correction of the current time indicated by the needles 8 and 9, in time mode, when the stem-crown 7 is pulled in the position stable C.

An additional advantage of the portable electronic device according to the invention appears because of its aesthetics. Indeed, due to the discretion of its presentation, which is not generally the case for conventional devices offering features related to the practice of air sports or altitude, this watch can be worn in all circumstances and therefore permanently. Thus, its user is not obliged to anticipate future opportunities to practice a sport of this type to wear the watch to the extent that it can wear it permanently without making any concessions of aesthetic order.

Of course, a number of variants can be provided in the embodiment just described without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In particular, it may be advantageous to provide the arrangement of a digital display area, such as for example a liquid crystal display (LCD) (reference 30 in FIG. 2), making it possible to display indications complementary to those Thus, for illustrative purposes, such a digital display area can be used to display the current time during operation of the variometer mode. In addition, the circuits electronic device can be programmed so that in response to an action adapted on the stem-crown 7 at a given time the digital display area indicates the value of the corresponding altitude, alternatively or complementary to the use of the graduations 12.

On the other hand, the means used to determine the values of the rates of variation of the altitude can for example be implemented in the form of a GPS receiver ("Global Positioning System") (reference 31 in FIG. 2) which directly provides an altitude value to the controller circuit 21 in place of a pressure value, as described above. Those skilled in the art will not encounter any particular difficulty in adapting the programming of the electronic circuits of the electronic device according to the means for determining the speed of variation of the altitude used.

Similarly, one skilled in the art can provide variants, as regards the calculation method described above for determining the altitude variation rates, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As an illustration, when the means used for the determination of the altitude value comprise a pressure sensor, the electronic circuits of the device can be programmed so as to directly store pressure values rather than altitude values. In this case, the controller circuit is preferably programmed to calculate a rate of variation of the pressure and convert the result thus obtained into a speed variation value of the altitude before displaying the latter.

Moreover, the examples of numerical values provided with regard to the ranges of speed of variation of the altitude to be displayed as well as the measurement or calculation frequencies are nonlimiting. The manufacturer of such portable electronic devices can indeed provide several different models each of which would be adapted to a predefined sports category, each category grouping sports ranges of altitude variation of the same order of magnitude. By way of example, in addition to the model which has just been described, which is particularly suitable for the practice of gliding, it is possible to provide a first additional model intended for use during the practice of free-fall, for which the speed average is calculated for a duration of the order of 30 seconds to a minute and the range extends between -100 and +100 m / s and, a second additional model for hiking and mountain biking, for which the average speed is calculated over a period of about half an hour with a beach extending between -5000 and +5000 meters per hour.

Alternatively, it is possible to use a logarithmic or semi-logarithmic scale to cover a wider range of values while maintaining good readability on the low values, or to use several scales adapted to different ranges of values. speed. On the other hand, the invention is not limited to a device indicating the direction of variation of the altitude as is the case of the watch represented by way of example. Indeed, it is possible to provide a simple scale indicating the absolute value of the speed of variation of the altitude insofar as, in most situations, the wearer of the device is normally able to determine the direction himself. of his displacement. Such an alternative embodiment has the advantage of an indication scale of the values of greater speed than that shown in FIG. 1, which makes it possible to display speed values contained in a larger range of values.

On the other hand, it is possible to provide a model comprising speed graduations in feet per minute, more particularly intended for users in Anglo-Saxon countries.

Similarly, the skilled person may modify or delete the graduations 12 relating to the indication of the value of an altitude without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is also possible to provide alternative embodiments of the electronic device according to the present invention in which the latter further comprises alarm means (reference 32, Figure 2). In this case, these alarm means are preferably controlled by the electronic circuits 20 in response to the detection of the crossing of a predefined value of altitude variation speed to improve the safety of the wearer. The alarm means 32 can be implemented in the form of a visual or luminous signal at the dial of the device, in the form of an audible alarm or in the form of a vibrator, all of conventional type .

Claims (5)

1. Portable electronic device (1) comprising a case (2) containing a dial (4), motor means (27) controlling at least two analog display members (8, 9) disposed above the dial (4), means (23, 31) for determining the value of a physical magnitude related to the altitude at a given instant, electronic circuits (20) comprising in particular a time base (22), means (21) for processing said value and means (26) for storing one or several of the determined or processed values of said physical magnitude, said electronic circuits further comprising a timepiece movement, the electronic device (1) having a time mode of operation in which said electronic circuits (20) are arranged to produce first electrical signals for said motor means (27) to control a first (9) and a second (8) analog display members (8,9) in such a manner that they display the current time, said electronic device being characterized in that said processing means (21) are arranged to produce first control signals for said motor means (27) based on the determined values of said physical magnitude, for effecting, in a rate of climb mode, a display representing on the one hand an instantaneous rate of change of altitude by a first (9) of said analog display members and on the other hand a mean rate of change of altitude over a predetermined interval of time by the second (8) of said analog display members, the position of the first analog display member relative to the second analog display member providing a qualitative indication in terms of acceleration or deceleration.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for determining the value of said magnitude related to the altitude comprise a pressure sensor (23).
3. Device according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said electronic circuits (20) are further arranged to determine the value of the altitude at a given instant on the basis of the value determined by said means for determining (23, 31).
4. Device according to any of claims 1 or 2, said device further comprising a digital display area (30), characterized in that said electronic circuits (20) are further arranged to determine the value of the altitude at a given instant on the basis of the value determined by said means for determining (23, 31) and to produce third electrical signals for a control circuit for said digital display area to display said determined value of altitude.
5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said processing circuits (21) are arranged to produce supplementary electrical signals for alarm means (32) in response to detection of overstepping a predetermined value by one of said determined values of said physical magnitude.

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