EP3092532B1 - Portable object for managing an auxiliary activity - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a watch comprising an electronic movement driving display means for the analog display on a dial of at least one ancillary function in addition to the normal display of the current time, said at least one function comprising at least two operating phases in each of which the duration of said phase is calculated.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Timepieces such as watches endowed with a function specific to an application such as a sport are known in the prior art.

An example of a known application is the application related to football. This specific function linked to football is thus used by the referees to measure the time of the various phases of the game such as half-time or extra time.

However, in this example of football, only time is taken into account. In fact, there are sports in which, in addition to the time measured, events such as penalty points due to the athlete's faults or related to time are recorded.

A known application is equestrian sport and more particularly show jumping. Show jumping takes place on terrain on which obstacles are placed. The bars that compose them are mobile and fall when touched. For the horse and the rider, the goal is to cross the various obstacles in a particular order without knocking them down or stealing them, the time taken to overcome the various obstacles is timed.

However, there are different scoring scales or mode of operation to classify participants.

A first scale or operating mode called A consists in predefining a reference time for clearing the various obstacles. When the rider exceeds this time, penalty points are awarded according to the additional time. Penalty points are also added when an obstacle is hit and one of these bars falls. This scale A also includes a time limit beyond which the rider is eliminated, this time being equal to twice the reference time.

A second scale or operating mode called C consists of predefining a time limit for clearing the various obstacles. When the rider exceeds this time, he is eliminated. Penalty points are also added when an obstacle is hit and one of these bars falls, these points correspond to additional time which will be added to the time achieved by the rider.

FR 2 641 396 A3 describes an apparatus capable of managing the management of a show jumping competition by timing not only the time to clear the obstacles but also by taking into account the penalties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a portable object which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by providing a portable object capable of perform a time measurement while manually and / or automatically taking into account random events such as penalties.

To this end, the invention relates to a watch as defined in independent claim 1.

The present invention also relates to a method of managing a function for a watch according to independent claim 5.

Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• la figure 1 représente de manière schématique la montre selon la présente invention,
• les figures 2A à 12 représentent schématiquement les différentes phases de la montre lors du fonctionnement de la fonction hippique selon l'invention.

The aims, advantages and characteristics of the portable object according to the present invention will appear more clearly in the following detailed description of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings on which :

• the figure 1 schematically represents the watch according to the present invention,
• the figures 2A to 12 schematically represent the different phases of the watch during the operation of the equestrian function according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figure 1 shows the dial of a watch 1 according to the present invention. This watch 1 comprises a case 2 comprising a caseband 2a closed by a caseback 2c and a crystal 2b. A 2d telescope can be also present, this bezel 2d surrounding the crystal 2b being rotating or fixed. The box 2 is intended to receive an electronic watch movement 6. The box is also intended to receive a dial 3. The watch movement comprises display means 4 making it possible to indicate information on the dial 3. The means of display 4 can allow an analog display, that is to say which gives the indication of the time by relative displacement of a mark and a scale or they can allow a digital display giving the indication of the time in digital form.

The electronic watch movement or electronic module 6 supplies at least one time item of information so as to be able to display the current time including the hour, minutes, seconds and date. In a non-limiting example, the display means 4 comprise a plurality of display members. These display devices for displaying the current time are in the form of a central hour hand 4a, a central minute hand 4b, a counter with hand 4c at 6 o'clock and a 4d window for the date.

The display members may also be in the form of discs or in the form of electronic displays using LED or LCD technology. These poster bodies allow an analog or digital display. For example, it is possible that electronic displays allow the virtual representation of a needle moving on a time scale.

The watch also comprises control means 5 in order to control the various functions of the watch 1. These control means comprise control members comprising a crown C surrounded on either side by a first pusher P1 located at 2 o'clock and a second pusher P2 located at 4 o'clock. Crown C can be pulled out and take three positions T1, T2 or T3.

The watch is configured to allow management of an ancillary function. This additional function is linked to a preferably sporting activity and allows the user to monitor and manage this activity. In the present description, this activity is a horse show jumping activity. This ancillary function is capable of having several operating modes.

For this, the display means 4 of the portable object further comprise a central hand 4th for a time indication associated with a graduation of 60 seconds, a first counter 4f located at 9 o'clock used for penalties and a second counter 4g located at 3 o'clock for a time indication and indication of the scale or operating mode used. This second counter 4g comprises a needle and is divided into several sections 4g ', the number of section being equal to the number of possible scale. In the case where there are two scales: A and C, the counter 4g includes two sections 4g ': a first section 4g' linked to scale A and a second section 4g 'linked to scale C. Each section 4g' includes a graduation that the counter needle 4g points to indicate time information. Each section 4g 'also bears the name of the scale to which it is associated. The graduation of each section 4g 'is divided into thirty second intervals. The total time displayable by each section 4g 'is the maximum time for a show jumping competition, ie two hundred and ten seconds. Of course, the present invention is not limited only to scale A and C and a greater number of scales can be taken into account.

The watch control means 5 further include a third pusher P4 located at 10 o'clock used for the operation of this additional function. The operations which will be described in the rest of the description are only indicative and can be modified.

In a phase of rest visible at the figure 1 in which only the current time is displayed, the central hand 4th is set to zero, the hand of the first counter 4f is set to zero and the hand of the second counter 4g is in a neutral position located between the different sections 4g '.

In a first phase, also called the preliminary phase or the adjustment phase, the user is invited to adjust the various parameters. To enter this preliminary phase, a long press on push-button P4 is performed. Once you have entered this adjustment phase, several stages follow one another.

In a step A, the type of scale or operating mode is selected. To switch from one scale to another, press button P1 or P2. When changing the scale, the needle of the counter 4g moves to point to the letter A or C inscribed on the graduation of the section 4g 'selected. Pressing button P4 validates the selection of the scale. To the figure 2A , we see that the scale A is selected while at the figure 2B , scale C is selected.

In a variant of this step called A ', pressing the push-button P1 selects the scale C while pressing the push-button P2 selects the scale A.

Pressing push-button P4 to validate the selection also activates a step B. In this step B, the time settings for the race are made.

If Schedule A is selected, the user must define the reference time for the competition. To do this, it uses push-buttons P1 and P2 to, respectively, increase or decrease the time, a long press making it possible to increase or decrease more quickly. The display means 4 are arranged so that the central hand 4th starts to rotate to indicate the seconds. Every sixty seconds elapsed, the hand of the second counter 4g moves along the graduation of the first section 4g '. To the figure 3A , we see that the time of one hundred and fifty-eight seconds is 2mn 38 sec is indicated.

If scale C is selected, the user must define the time limit for the competition. To do this, it uses push-buttons P1 and P2 to increment or decrement the time, a long press making it possible to increment or decrement more quickly. The display means 4 are arranged so that the central hand 4th turns to indicate the seconds. At each sixty seconds elapsed, the hand of the second counter 4g moves along the graduation, the latter being graduated in thirty second intervals. To the figure 3B , we see that the time of one hundred and fifty-eight seconds is 2min 38 sec is indicated.

In a variant of this step called B ', it is also possible that, for scale C, time limits are preprogrammed. Pushbuttons P1 and P2 are used to switch from one time to another. In this case, only the needle of the second counter 4g moves. For example, preprogrammed time limits can be two or three minutes.

Once the time has been set for scale A or C, pressing button P4 validates and goes to the next step.

In a step C, the penalty settings are made, these penalties are random events that the electronic watch movement or electronic module 6 manages. For this, the type of scale is queried and, more particularly, one queries whether scale A is selected.

If so, the user is given the option of choosing between the different types of penalties or possible random events. Indeed, in scale A, a penalty due to a fall of an obstacle costs four points and the penalties due to exceeding the reference time are time dependent. For an additional period that has elapsed, a penalty point is counted. For example, a penalty point is counted for each second exceeded or for four seconds exceeded. It is this type of penalty that is set by the user, the latter using pushbuttons P1 and P2 to change the configuration to 1pts / sec or 1 pts / 4 sec.

To indicate the time, the hand of the first counter 4f moves on its graduation which corresponds to 1 or 4, position 1 signifying 1 pts / sec while position 4 signifying 1 pts / 4sec. In the figure 4A , the hand of the first counter 4f moves to position 4 and indicates 1 pts / 4 sec.

If the answer to the query is no, ie scale C is selected, the user is offered the possibility of adjusting the cost of a penalty. Indeed, in scale C, the penalties are only counted for a fall of an obstacle and are worth additional time added to the time of the rider. This additional time is configurable and can be two or three or four seconds. Push buttons P1 and P2 are then used to, respectively, increase or decrease the time of the penalty.

To indicate the time, the hand of the first counter 4f moves on its graduation which correspond to 2, 3 or 4, meaning respectively 2 seconds, 3 seconds or 4 seconds more by penalty. In the figure 4B , the hand of the first counter 4f moves to go to position 3 and indicate three more seconds by penalty.

Once this adjustment of penalties for scale A or scale C has been made, pressing button P4 validates this setting and returns to the scale setting. A long press on push-button P4 exits the adjustment phase and enters the rest phase.

Of course, this first phase is optional. Indeed, it is conceivable that the electronic watch movement 6 could include a wireless communication circuit of the WiFi or Bluetooth or RFID type for receive race information directly and be sure not to make a mistake.

Long press on push-button P4 exits the rest phase to enter directly into a second phase also called the running phase or operating phase. In this second phase, the user can manage a rider's competition by timing him and following his penalties to take them into account. In this second phase, the central hand 4th is in zero position, the hand of the first counter 4f is in zero position while the hand of the second counter 4g points to the zero position of section 4g 'linked to the scale selected as visible to the figure 5 .

By pressing the push-button P4, the electronic clock module 6 enters a countdown step D. This countdown is used during a preparatory phase in which the rider and his horse prepare to cross the course. A second press on push-button P4 starts the countdown, this being forty-five seconds. Pressing the push-button P1 stops the countdown and resumes it, while pressing the push-button P2 enables the said countdown to be reset to zero. When the countdown reaches zero or the user presses push-button P4, the countdown ends and step E begins.

In a variant of this step called D ', the countdown is configured so that, after pressing the push-button P4 to start said countdown, the needle instantly moves by one rotation (1) from its rest position 0 towards position 15 of said graduation to then begin to move the countdown with a movement (2) as visible at the figure 6 . In this figure 6 , the 4th needle is located at position 38, that is to say that twenty-three seconds have elapsed.

This step E consists in managing the crossing of the course by the rider. The end of the countdown automatically starts the stopwatch. The 4th central hand then immediately moves to position 0 and then rotates at the rate of one step per second.

In the case of scale A, when the central 4th hand makes one revolution, the hand of the second counter 4g moves to go to the sixty second graduation. On the figure 7 , we see that the hand of the second counter 4g is placed at the level of the sixty second graduation and that the central hand 4th is placed at the level of the position 38 indicating that the elapsed time is 98 seconds that is to say say 1min 38s.

In the event of a fault by the rider resulting in the fall of an obstacle, a penalty is counted by a first counting means. This penalty is added by pressing push-button P2. The display of the penalties counted by the first counting means is carried out by the first counter 4f. The hand of this first counter 4f moves on the graduation at the rate of 4 points per penalty, as visible at figure 8 .

When the reference time is exceeded, the 4th central hand continues to move but penalty points are added. Depending on the setting made in step C, a penalty point at the first counter 4f when four seconds elapse in addition to the predefined time, ie 2min38s. On the figure 9 , we see that the elapsed time is 2 min 46s, that is to say eight seconds more than the predefined time. With a scale of one point for four seconds elapsing over the preset time, we therefore have two penalty points added. A time limit may also be provided beyond which the jumper is eliminated, this time being equal to twice the reference time.

Once the rider has crossed the finish line, pressing button P4 stops the time measurement phase.

In the case of scale C, when the central 4th hand makes one revolution, the hand of the second counter 4g moves to the sixty second graduation of section 4g 'linked to scale C.

In the event of a fault by the rider resulting in the fall of an obstacle, a penalty is counted by the first counting means. This penalty is added by pressing push-button P2. This penalty counted by the first counting means is visualized by an advance of the central needle 4th. Indeed, in table C, each fault of the rider results in additional time. This additional time is added to the time measured during said step E. The 4th central hand advances instantly and automatically by two, three or four seconds. To the figure 10 , the case where an additional time of 3 seconds per penalty has been validated in step C is shown. In this figure 10 , the penalty occurs when the measured time is thirty-eight seconds, pressing P4 then causes three additional seconds, the 4th central hand moving instantly to point to position 41.

When the time limit is exceeded, the 4th central hand stops indicating the elimination of the jumper. If the time limit is not reached, once the rider has crossed the finish line, pressing button P4 stops the time measurement phase.

This press on push-button P4 stops the time measurement and goes to a step F.

This step F is a step in which the information of the journey of the rider is displayed to the user.

In the case of scale A, the information displayed is the time information of the central hand 4th, of the hand of the second counter 4g and the penalty information of the first counter 4f.

In the case of scale C, the choice is given to the user to choose the type of information to be displayed. Indeed, the user is given the possibility of displaying the total time, ie including the penalties due to his faults or of dissociating the time necessary for the rider to complete the course and the penalties.

For this, the electronic clock module 6 is able to store the number of penalties by the first counting means. Now, since the time value of a penalty is set by the user, the electronic watchmaking module 6 is capable of subtracting from the total time, the time which is added following the penalties. The course time is then displayed by the 4th central hand while the number of penalties is displayed on the first counter 4f. This ability to dissociate the time of the course and the number of penalties allows the rider to know his raw time of course, that is to say without the penalties. In an example visible to figures 11 and 12 , the total user time is 1min 38s, 5 penalties of three seconds each having been added.

In the case, visible at the figure 11 , where only the time is displayed, the hand of the second counter 4g therefore indicates the 60 seconds position of section 4g 'linked to scale C, the central hand 4th indicating position 38. The hand of the first counter 4f is placed to zero.

In the case, visible at the figure 12 , where only the time and the penalties are dissociated, the hand of the first counter 4f is placed at 5 which is the number of penalties and the time displayed by the hand of the second counter 4g and the central hand 4th is amputated by 15 seconds or the additional time added by said penalties. The hand of the second counter 4g therefore indicates the 60-second position of section 4g 'linked to scale C while the central hand 4e indicates position 23.

Pressing push-button P4 then makes it possible to quit this step F and reset said counters to zero so that a new measurement of the time and penalties of a rider can be carried out.

In an alternative, the control means 5 are in a different form from the push buttons.

First, the control means can comprise, in addition to the ring C, tactile means. These tactile means can be located at the level of the crystal 2b and / or at the level of the box 2. When the tactile means are arranged on the box 2, they can be situated at the level of the middle part 2a or of the bezel 2d.

Second, the control means 5 can use the bezel 2d as a rotating selection bezel. In an exemplary embodiment, the bezel 2d comprises a cam cooperating with control members of the pusher type placed in the middle part 2a. When the bezel is rotated, the cam transforms this rotational movement into translational movement applied to the control members. For example, a clockwise rotation makes it possible to act on a first control member while an anti-clockwise rotation makes it possible to act on a second control member. The bezel 2d further comprises elastic means fixed to said bezel and to the middle part 2a to effect an elastic return when the user releases said bezel 2d.

In a variant of step E called E ', it is possible to integrate a rule specific to show jumping. In fact, the electronic module 6 is able to manage a stroke interruption which may occur and which necessitates being able to stop the time measurement so as not to penalize the rider. Two types of interruptions are envisaged: a first type of interruptions is external and may be the result of an untimely entry into the route. A second type of interruption is internal and may be, for example, a refusal by the horse to jump the obstacle. However, depending on the type of interruption, the consequence is different.

Indeed, an external interruption is considered not to be due to the rider and is not sanctioned. Consequently, during such an interruption, pressing the push-button P1 stops the time measurement. Pressing button P1 again allows time to be taken from where it left off.

On the contrary, an internal interruption is considered to be the responsibility of the rider and is sanctioned. Consequently, during such an interruption, pressing the push-button P1 stops the time measurement. A long press on push-button P1 allows you to resume the time measurement where it left off by adding a time penalty. This time penalty is defined as being equal to six seconds.

In a variant, the display means 4 comprise a second central hand 4th ′. This central second hand 4th 'is used for the display of the hundredths of a second so that when the time measurement is stopped, this hand moves on a graduation to indicate the hundredth of the measured time.

It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to a person skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention.

Thus, it is conceivable that the watch or portable object 1 is also capable of operating a conventional chronograph function. For this, the display means 4 comprise at least one central chronograph hand. To enter this chronograph mode, the user presses push-button P4 for a duration greater than that used to enter the first phase or the second phase. This central chronograph hand is used to perform timing over sixty seconds, ie one revolution of the dial.

Likewise, it will be understood that the watch movement can be purely mechanical.

It will also be understood that the portable object according to the present invention is not limited to equestrian activity and can be used for an activity such as biathlon or kayaking.

Finally, it will be understood that the watch according to the invention is capable of displaying only the penalty points.

Claims (14)

1. Watch (1) including a case (2) having under a dial (3) an electronic watch movement, as an electronic module (6) driving display means (4) for the display of at least one additional function in addition to the normal current time display, said additional function allowing the management of time and penalties relating to an equestrian show jumping activity, said additional function being controlled by control means (5) and comprising at least one operating phase using a scale selected from a first scale and a second scale in each of which the duration of said phase is arranged to be measured and compared to a reference value, the electronic module further allowing, for the first and second scales, at least the manual counting and the display of one type of random occurrences, occurring during said phase, the first scale being such that the measured duration of said phase is arranged to be compared with a first reference value, the random occurrences comprising a first type of occurrences recorded automatically in the form of penalty points when the measured duration of said phase is arranged to exceed the first reference value, the penalty points being added depending on the exceeding of the first reference value, and a second type of occurrences manually recorded, in the form of penalty points, by the user by means of the control means (5), a second type of occurrence being an obstacle fall, the second scale being such that the measured duration of said phase is arranged to be compared to a second reference value, the random occurrences comprising a third type of occurrences recorded automatically when the measured duration of said phase is arranged to exceed the second reference value so as to stop said phase and a fourth type of occurrences recorded manually, in the form of time additions to the duration measured for said phase, by the user by means of the control means (5), a fourth type of occurrence being an obstacle fall.
2. Watch according to claim 1, characterised in that in the first scale, the first type of occurrence and the second type of occurrence cause a first counting means to be incremented.
3. Watch according to claim 1, characterised in that the fourth type of occurrence causes a first counting means to be incremented.
4. Watch according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the display means (4) comprise a first counter (4f) for the display of at least one item of information relating to the management and recording of random occurrences and a central hand (4e) associated with a second counter (4g) for the display of at least the measurement of the duration of said phase.
5. Function control method for a watch (1), which includes a case (2) having under a dial (3) an electronic watch movement, as an electronic module driving display means (4) for the display of at least said additional function in addition to the normal current time display, said additional function allowing the management of time and penalties relating to an equestrian show jumping activity, said additional function being controlled by watch control means (5) and comprising at least one operating phase using a scale selected from a first scale and a second scale in each of which the duration of said phase is measured and compared to a reference value, the additional function is capable of changing from a rest phase, in which time is not measured, to an operating phase, in which time is measured, said operating phase comprising the following steps:

   - D: counting down until the control means are activated by the user or until said countdown has finished;

   - E: measuring time elapsing from the end of step D, and managing and taking account of random occurrences occurring during said phase for said scale;

   - F: displaying the results of step E.
   and in step E according to the first scale, the measured duration of said operating phase is compared to a first reference value and in that the random occurrences comprise a first type of occurrences automatically recorded in the form of penalty points when the measured duration of said phase exceeds the first reference value, the penalty points being assigned depending on the exceeding of the first reference value, and a second type of occurrences recorded manually, in the form of penalty points, by the user by means of the control means (5), an occurrence of the second type being an obstacle fall, and in that, in step E according to the second scale, the measured duration of said phase is compared to a second reference value and in that the random occurrences comprise a third type of occurrence automatically recorded when the measured duration of said phase exceeds the second reference value so as to stop said phase and a fourth type of occurrences recorded manually, in the form of time additions to the duration measured for said phase, by the user by means of the control means (5), an occurrence of the fourth type being an obstacle fall.
6. Method according to claim 5, characterised in that the selection of the first or the second scale for the operating phase is made in a setting phase.
7. Method according to claim 6, characterised in that the setting phase includes the following steps:

   - A: selecting, via the control means, the first scale or the second scale then validating the selection;

   - B: setting an item of time information according to the first scale or the second scale;

   - C: setting an item of random occurrence information according to the first scale or the second scale.
8. Method according to claim 7, characterised in that, for the first scale, said time information set during step B is said first reference value, said random occurrence information set during step C relating to the second type of occurrences.
9. Method according to claim 7, characterised in that, for the second scale, said time information set during step B is said second reference value, said random occurrence information set during step C relating to the fourth type of occurrences.
10. Method according to claim 6, characterised in that the setting phase is automatic, the electronic module (6) comprising a communication circuit for directly receiving the setting information.
11. Method according to claims 5 to 10, characterised in that said first type of occurrence, automatically recorded when the measured duration of said phase exceeds the first reference value, is a settable duration and entails incrementing a penalty counter.
12. Method according to claim 11, characterised in that said second type of occurrence, recorded manually, is a rider fault and entails incrementing a penalty counter.
13. Method according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterised in that said third type of occurrence, automatically recorded when the measured duration of said phase exceeds the second reference value, is the elimination of the rider.
14. Method according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterised in that said fourth type of occurrence, recorded manually, is a rider fault and entails incrementing the measured duration.

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