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EP3379346B1 - Method for adjusting a quartz watch - Google Patents

Method for adjusting a quartz watch Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3379346B1
EP3379346B1 EP17161866.3A EP17161866A EP3379346B1 EP 3379346 B1 EP3379346 B1 EP 3379346B1 EP 17161866 A EP17161866 A EP 17161866A EP 3379346 B1 EP3379346 B1 EP 3379346B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
watch
electronic appliance
pcd
microcontroller
optical sensor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP17161866.3A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3379346A1 (en
Inventor
Pascal Lagorgette
Raphaël Balmer
Jean-Bernard Peters
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Original Assignee
ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse filed Critical ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Priority to EP17161866.3A priority Critical patent/EP3379346B1/en
Priority to EP17202602.3A priority patent/EP3379347B1/en
Priority to KR1020197027499A priority patent/KR102277882B1/en
Priority to JP2019571778A priority patent/JP6858280B2/en
Priority to US15/919,549 priority patent/US11243499B2/en
Priority to PCT/EP2018/056302 priority patent/WO2018172147A1/en
Priority to US16/492,960 priority patent/US11874633B2/en
Priority to CN201880019442.7A priority patent/CN110462528B/en
Priority to JP2018049056A priority patent/JP6496858B2/en
Priority to CN201810225340.2A priority patent/CN108628143B/en
Publication of EP3379346A1 publication Critical patent/EP3379346A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3379346B1 publication Critical patent/EP3379346B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C9/00—Electrically-actuated devices for setting the time-indicating means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04R—RADIO-CONTROLLED TIME-PIECES
    • G04R20/00—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal
    • G04R20/26—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal the radio signal being a near-field communication signal
    • G04R20/28—Tuning or receiving; Circuits therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/24—Clocks or watches with date or week-day indicators, i.e. calendar clocks or watches; Clockwork calendars
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
    • G04B19/30—Illumination of dials or hands
    • G04B19/32—Illumination of dials or hands by luminescent substances
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04R—RADIO-CONTROLLED TIME-PIECES
    • G04R20/00—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal
    • G04R20/26—Setting the time according to the time information carried or implied by the radio signal the radio signal being a near-field communication signal
    • G04R20/30—Decoding time data; Circuits therefor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the technical field of electronic watches.
  • the invention relates more particularly to a method for adjusting an electronic watch.
  • So-called “connected” watches capable of communicating with an electronic device such as a smartphone, have established themselves in recent years in the watch industry.
  • the adjustment of such a watch can be carried out manually, in particular via the activation of push buttons, crowns and/or touch keys, which is relatively restrictive for the user or the after-sales service responsible for the adjustment.
  • the watch has a perpetual calendar mechanism
  • the adjustment of the position of the analog display elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism, and more generally the adjustment of the perpetual calendar mechanism can be carried out by pulling and /or turning a watch crown and/or by pressing one or more watch pushers.
  • a type of year is selected (for example, leap year) and the various display elements are correctly positioned, and more generally all the elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism.
  • the object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a method for adjusting a perpetual calendar mechanism of a quartz watch, which is simple and reliable and which does not require the incorporation of complex communication means into to implement and expensive.
  • the invention relates to a method for adjusting a quartz watch, according to claim 1.
  • Preferred embodiments are defined in claims 2-9.
  • Adjustment parameter is understood to mean any parameter making it possible to at least partially adjust the watch. It can be, for example, a information on a time zone, country code, alarm, geolocation, date, tide, sun or moon phase, UTC time, etc.
  • point light source is meant a light source whose size is negligible and which can be considered as a point.
  • a point light source is for example a light-emitting diode.
  • opposite it is meant that the point light source and the optical sensor are positioned relative to each other and at a distance such that the optical sensor can directly receive and capture the light signals emitted by the point light source.
  • portable electronic device an electronic device, also called a user terminal, capable of being worn and transported by a user, and of being functional during its transport. This is the case for example of a smartphone.
  • devices requiring mains power for example desktop computers, are excluded from this definition.
  • the electronic device is used to transmit the adjustment parameters to the watch.
  • the transmission is carried out by means of an optical modulation or coding, the modulation being created by the flashing of the point light source of the electronic device.
  • Said point light source has two states: on or off.
  • the optical sensor of the watch therefore receives a sequence of light pulses.
  • the watch's microcontroller is able to reconstitute the setting parameters. For example, a light pulse represents a bit with a value of '1' and an absence of a light pulse represents a bit with a value of '0'.
  • the adjustment parameters once reconstituted, then make it possible to correctly adjust the watch.
  • This method has the advantage of being able to be implemented mostly automatically, without the user having to perform any complex adjustment via crowns, push buttons or touch keys for example.
  • the method must be initiated, which can be done either manually by pressing a push button, or automatically, for example via a system on standby by default which wakes up on receipt of a certain light sequence.
  • This method also has the advantage of requiring very little equipment: a portable device of the smartphone type with an appropriate mobile application is sufficient to implement it.
  • the method does not require the use of dedicated hardware such as a sensor to be connected to a computer, nor bulky hardware. Any person (for example a watchmaker) having a smartphone having the appropriate application could implement the method.
  • this method has the advantage of not requiring the incorporation of communication antennas (expensive, cumbersome and sometimes incompatible with metal casings) on the watch or the electronic device, the optical communication system between the watch and the electronic device consisting only of a point light source of the light-emitting diode type and of an optical sensor of the phototransistor type.
  • the watch includes a perpetual calendar mechanism.
  • a perpetual calendar mechanism has as a regulating organ a quartz oscillator actuating one or more stepper motors rotating the time display hands and analog display elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism.
  • These display elements make it possible to indicate the calendar (date), the day, the month, and possibly the moon phase, automatically taking into account the different lengths of months and leap years.
  • a display element is for example a needle making it possible to point an indication of date, day, month or moon phase inscribed on the dial of the watch, or even a disc on which indications of date, day, month or moon phases are inscribed, one of these indications facing an aperture of the dial.
  • the method may aim to adjust said mechanism.
  • Adjustment parameters of the perpetual calendar mechanism means information relating to the current date, day, month and year (and possibly the current moon phase when the perpetual calendar mechanism includes a moon phase display element, this data then being for example a geolocation, a hemisphere, a country code, etc.), this information being sufficient to correctly adjust the perpetual calendar mechanism of the watch, in particular the position of the display elements of this mechanism.
  • the method according to the invention may comprise one or a technically possible combination of the following characteristics.
  • Time display hands means the hour, minute and second hands.
  • status datum is meant datum making it possible to represent an at least partial state of adjustment of the watch. It can be for example a time zone, a country code, an alarm, a geolocation, a date, a tide, a sun or moon phase, a UTC time, etc., set on the show.
  • the status datum may relate to the current date, day, month or year (or even to the current moon phase when the perpetual calendar mechanism comprises a moon phase display element, for example data relating to geolocation, hemisphere, country code, etc.), said state data representing a current setting state of the perpetual calendar mechanism, for example a position of a display element of said mechanism.
  • the optical sensor of the watch is a phototransistor.
  • the electronic device is a smartphone.
  • the MT watch comprises a BT case, a CD dial and a back to close said BT case on either side, and a BC strap mounted on the BT case.
  • the MT watch has an analog display, so it includes three time display AG hands to indicate the hour, minute and second.
  • the MT watch also includes a perpetual calendar mechanism.
  • the perpetual calendar mechanism comprises a set of elements, including EA date, day and month display elements (among the elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism, only the EA display elements are shown in the figures ).
  • the display elements EA are in this case two hands to indicate the day and the month, and a disc to indicate the date.
  • the perpetual calendar mechanism also comprises a moon phase display element, for example in the form of a representation of the moon able to move in a portion of the dial.
  • the BT case there is a microcontroller MP, a power supply unit PL such as a cell or a battery to power the microcontroller MP, and a quartz QX to provide a time base to the MP microcontroller.
  • the microcontroller MP is used to control positioning means DE of the elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism, in particular display elements EA.
  • the positioning means DE of the elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism advantageously comprise one or more stepper motors.
  • the microcontroller MP is also connected to control means which may be a crown CR, push-pieces PS or touchpads, actuated directly by the wearer of the watch MT.
  • the watch MT includes an optical sensor PR positioned on the movement of the watch MT on the back side and itself also connected to the microcontroller MP.
  • the PR optical sensor of the MT watch is capable of detecting a sequence of light pulses and transforming this sequence into an electrical signal.
  • the optical sensor PR is for example a phototransistor or a photodiode.
  • the portable electronic device TM is for example a smartphone or a touchscreen tablet.
  • the electronic device TM comprises a box in which an electronic circuit is arranged.
  • This electronic circuit comprises a microcontroller and a point light source EP, both powered by a battery.
  • the point light source EP of the electronic device TM is capable of emitting a sequence of light pulses from an electrical signal.
  • the point light source EP of the electronic device TM is for example a light-emitting diode used moreover as a camera flash.
  • the invention relates to a PCD method allowing the adjustment of the perpetual calendar mechanism of the watch MT, in particular the positioning of the display elements EA of said mechanism.
  • the PCD method firstly comprises an adjustment phase RGL itself of the elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism, then in one embodiment, a verification phase VRF (or validation) that the current adjustment of the perpetual calendar mechanism is correct .
  • the RGL adjustment phase includes a first step RGL_FD consisting of removing the back of the BT case of the MT watch so as to uncover the optical sensor PR of the MT watch.
  • the bottom of the case of a quartz watch is generally removable in order to be able to change the power supply unit PL of the watch MT.
  • This first step is however not compulsory: in fact in certain embodiments, the optical sensor PR of the watch MT is not located on the movement on the back side.
  • the optical sensor PR can be located under the dial CD, the latter having an opening or a transparent portion or being made of a partially transparent material.
  • the optical sensor PR can be arranged at the level of the edge of the case BT of the watch MT or even on a transparent portion of the back of the watch MT.
  • a second adjustment step RGL_PO then consists in placing the optical sensor PR of the watch MT opposite the point light source EP of the electronic device TM.
  • opposite it is meant that the point light source EP and the optical sensor PR are positioned relative to each other and at a distance such that the optical sensor PR can directly receive and capture the light signals emitted by the point light source EP.
  • a third adjustment step RGL_SG consists in sending an electronic control signal from the microcontroller to the point light source EP of the electronic device TM.
  • the control signal is such that it corresponds to a coding of adjustment parameters of the perpetual calendar mechanism, that is to say a coding of a set of data relating to the current date, day, month and year ( and also to the moon phase, if applicable).
  • These adjustment parameters are for example retrieved regularly or on request via an Internet network from the electronic device TM.
  • a fourth adjustment step RGL_CL consists in turning on and off the point light source EP of the electronic device TM according to a sequence of light pulses corresponding to the control signal received.
  • the control signal is binary, so that it can be interpreted by the point light source EP as a succession of instructions to turn on or off. For example, a low state or "0" corresponds to an instruction to turn off or leave off the point light source EP, and a high state or "1" corresponds to an instruction to turn on or leave the point light source EP on, or vice versa.
  • the optical sensor PR of the watch MT picks up the sequence of light pulses emitted by the source point light EP of the electronic device TM and converts it into a binary electrical signal.
  • a fifth adjustment step RGL_SE consists in transmitting this electrical signal to the microcontroller of the watch MT, which then decodes it to reconstitute the perpetual calendar in progress.
  • a sixth adjustment step RGL_DO consists, on command from the microcontroller of the watch MT, in actuating the positioning means DE of the elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism so as to place said elements in a position corresponding to the adjustment parameters obtained by the decoding.
  • the watch MT includes a point light source PE connected to the microcontroller MP of the watch MT, while the electronic device TM includes an optical sensor RP connected to the microcontroller of the electronic device TM.
  • the RP optical sensor of the TM electronic device is capable of detecting a sequence of light pulses and transforming said sequence into an electrical signal.
  • the optical sensor RP is for example a phototransistor or a photodiode.
  • the point light source PE of the watch MT is capable of emitting a sequence of light pulses from an electrical signal.
  • the point light source PE of the watch MT is for example a light-emitting diode.
  • a first verification step VRF_PO then consists in placing the point light source PE of the watch MT opposite the optical sensor RP of the electronic device TM.
  • opposite it is meant that the point light source PE and the optical sensor RP are positioned relative to each other and at a distance such that the optical sensor RP can directly receive and capture the light signals emitted by the point light source PE.
  • the point light source PE of the watch MT is positioned on the movement of the watch MT on the back side, but in other embodiments, the point light source PE of the watch MT is located at another place.
  • the point light source PE of the watch MT can be located under the dial CD, the latter having an opening or a transparent portion or being made of a partially transparent material.
  • the point light source PE of the watch MT can be arranged at the edge of the case BT of the watch MT.
  • a second verification step VRF_SG consists of sending an electronic control signal from the microcontroller to the point light source PE of the watch MT.
  • the control signal is such that it corresponds to a coding of state data characteristic of the current adjustment of the perpetual calendar mechanism.
  • the status data relate to the current date, day, month and year (and possibly the current moon phase when the perpetual calendar mechanism includes a moon phase display element , for example data relating to a geolocation, a hemisphere, a country code, etc.). These state data are sufficient to represent a current state of adjustment of the perpetual calendar mechanism, in particular the position of the display elements of said mechanism.
  • a third verification step VRF_CL consists of turning on and off the point light source PE of the watch MT according to a sequence corresponding to the control signal received.
  • the coding is binary, so that it can be interpreted by the point light source PE as a succession of instructions to turn on or off. For example, a low state or "0" corresponds to an instruction to turn off or leave off the point light source PE, and a high state or "1" corresponds to an instruction to turn on or leave the point light source PE on, or vice versa.
  • the optical sensor RP of the electronic device TM picks up the sequence of light pulses emitted by the point light source PE of the watch MT and converts it into a binary electrical signal.
  • a fourth verification step VRF_SE consists in transmitting this electric signal to the microcontroller of the electronic device TM, which then decodes it to reconstitute the status data.
  • a fifth verification step VRF_CM consists in comparing the status data with the adjustment parameters, in order to verify that the adjustment of the perpetual calendar mechanism is correct.
  • the watch MT may or may not include a point light source PE and the electronic device TM may or may not include an optical sensor RP.
  • the electronic device TM must comprise a camera CM, a screen EC and an otic recognition software.
  • a first verification step CRF_DA then consists, on command from the microcontroller of the watch MT, in actuating the means of rotation DA of the time display hands AG, so as to place said hands AG in a position characteristic of a status datum of the current adjustment of the perpetual calendar mechanism.
  • two hands indicate the type of status data
  • the third hand indicates the value of this data.
  • the "date" type is for example identified by the hour hand pointing to 1 and the minute hand pointing to 2, and the position of the second hand indicates the value of the date .
  • a second verification step VRF_PS consists in placing the dial CD of the watch MT and the camera CM of the electronic device TM opposite one another.
  • opposite it is meant that the dial CD and the camera CM are positioned relative to each other and at a distance such that the time display hands are in the field camera shot.
  • a third verification step VRF_DT consists, by means of the camera CM and the optical recognition software, in detecting the position of the time display hands AG.
  • This step consists of taking a photograph of the time display hands AG, this photograph then being analyzed by the optical recognition software.
  • the software compares the position of the time display hands AG with fixed marks on the dial CD (for example the indexes of the watch) to determine the time indicated.
  • a fourth verification step VRF_CV consists in decoding the detected position of the time display hands, in order to reconstitute the coded status datum.
  • Steps 1 to 4 are then repeated for a different state data, until all the state data necessary to determine whether the perpetual calendar mechanism is correctly adjusted, have been transmitted from the watch MT to the TM electronic device.
  • a fifth verification step VRF_SP consists in superimposing the dial displayed on the screen of the electronic device TM (the dial being filmed or photographed via the camera, for example), one or more virtual objects representative of the state data obtained by the decoding, according to the principle of augmented reality. For example, if the “date” status datum has been transmitted and decoded, a virtual object illustrating the date is superimposed on the dial.
  • VRF verification phase is optional. It should also be noted that the VRF verification phase can be carried out at any time: thus a user can at any time ask the watch MT to adjust the date, day and month and display this information on the electronic device TM (for example a smartphone). No communication system is necessary between the watch MT and the electronic device TM to provide this verification information. Finally, it is noted that the electronic device used in the verification phase VRF could very well be distinct from the electronic device TM used in the adjustment phase RGL.
  • steps 2 to 5 could not be carried out, the user himself translating the position of the time display hands into usable data.
  • this adjusted information is not necessarily displayed at the level of the watch in an analog manner (by hands or disks, in particular), but can be displayed in a digital manner on the dial: the adjustment step therefore does not include necessarily activation means for moving analog display elements.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUETECHNICAL AREA

La présente invention concerne le domaine technique des montres électroniques. L'invention concerne plus particulièrement un procédé de réglage d'une montre électronique.The present invention relates to the technical field of electronic watches. The invention relates more particularly to a method for adjusting an electronic watch.

ART ANTERIEURPRIOR ART

Les montres dites « connectées », aptes à communiquer avec un appareil électronique tel qu'un smartphone, se sont imposées ces dernières années dans le milieu horloger. Le réglage d'une telle montre peut s'effectuer manuellement, notamment via l'activation de boutons poussoirs, de couronnes et/ou de touches tactiles, ce qui est relativement contraignant pour l'utilisateur ou le service après-vente chargé du réglage. Par exemple, si la montre dispose d'un mécanisme à quantième perpétuel, le réglage de la position des éléments d'affichage analogiques du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel, et plus généralement le réglage du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel, peut s'effectuer en tirant et/ou tournant une couronne de la montre et/ou en pressant un ou des poussoirs de la montre. Ainsi, on sélectionne un type d'année (par exemple, bissextile) et on positionne correctement les différents éléments d'affichage, et plus généralement tous les éléments du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel. Non seulement ce procédé est fastidieux pour l'utilisateur, qui doit se rappeler et exécuter correctement toutes les opérations de réglage les unes après les autres, mais il induit en outre des risques d'erreurs et de décalages.So-called “connected” watches, capable of communicating with an electronic device such as a smartphone, have established themselves in recent years in the watch industry. The adjustment of such a watch can be carried out manually, in particular via the activation of push buttons, crowns and/or touch keys, which is relatively restrictive for the user or the after-sales service responsible for the adjustment. For example, if the watch has a perpetual calendar mechanism, the adjustment of the position of the analog display elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism, and more generally the adjustment of the perpetual calendar mechanism, can be carried out by pulling and /or turning a watch crown and/or by pressing one or more watch pushers. Thus, a type of year is selected (for example, leap year) and the various display elements are correctly positioned, and more generally all the elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism. Not only is this method tedious for the user, who must remember and perform all the adjustment operations correctly one after the other, but it also induces risks of errors and shifts.

Pour éviter ces inconvénients, il est maintenant possible de régler une montre électronique de façon automatique, en l'équipant de dispositifs supportant la technologie Bluetooth ou une technologie de communication en champ proche. Cependant, ces dispositifs sont assez complexes à mettre en place et demandent à incorporer des moyens de communication spécifiques tant sur l'appareil électronique que sur la montre, notamment des antennes. Ils doivent également être certifiés ce qui occasionne un surcoût supplémentaire. US 2016/266554 A1 , EP 3 079 025 A1 , US 4 211 065 A divulguent un procédé de réglage d'une montre à quartz, la montre comprenant un capteur optique et un micro-contrôleur configuré pour recevoir des signaux électriques générés par le capteur optique.To avoid these drawbacks, it is now possible to adjust an electronic watch automatically, by equipping it with devices supporting Bluetooth technology or near-field communication technology. However, these devices are quite complex to implement. place and ask to incorporate specific means of communication both on the electronic device and on the watch, in particular antennas. They must also be certified, which entails an additional cost. US 2016/266554 A1 , EP 3 079 025 A1 , US 4,211,065A disclose a method of adjusting a quartz watch, the watch comprising an optical sensor and a micro-controller configured to receive electrical signals generated by the optical sensor.

RESUME DE L'INVENTIONSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

La présente invention a pour but de pallier à ces inconvénients en proposant un procédé de réglage d'un mécanisme de quantième perpétuel d'une montre à quartz, qui soit simple et fiable et qui ne nécessite pas d'incorporer de moyens de communication complexes à mettre en œuvre et coûteux.The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a method for adjusting a perpetual calendar mechanism of a quartz watch, which is simple and reliable and which does not require the incorporation of complex communication means into to implement and expensive.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne un procédé de réglage d'une montre à quartz, selon la revendication 1. Des modes de réalisation préférés sont définis dans les revendications 2-9.To this end, the invention relates to a method for adjusting a quartz watch, according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in claims 2-9.

Par « paramètre de réglage », on entend tout paramètre permettant de régler au moins en partie la montre. Il peut s'agir par exemple d'une information sur un fuseau horaire, un code pays, une alarme, une géolocalisation, une date, une marée, une phase de soleil ou de lune, une heure UTC, etc.“Adjustment parameter” is understood to mean any parameter making it possible to at least partially adjust the watch. It can be, for example, a information on a time zone, country code, alarm, geolocation, date, tide, sun or moon phase, UTC time, etc.

Par « source lumineuse ponctuelle », on entend une source lumineuse dont la taille est négligeable et qui peut être considérée comme un point. Une telle source lumineuse ponctuelle est par exemple une diode électroluminescente.By "point light source" is meant a light source whose size is negligible and which can be considered as a point. Such a point light source is for example a light-emitting diode.

Par « en vis-à-vis », on entend que la source lumineuse ponctuelle et le capteur optique sont positionnés l'un par rapport à l'autre et à une distance telle que le capteur optique puisse recevoir directement et capter les signaux lumineux émis par la source lumineuse ponctuelle.By "opposite", it is meant that the point light source and the optical sensor are positioned relative to each other and at a distance such that the optical sensor can directly receive and capture the light signals emitted by the point light source.

Par « appareil électronique portable », on entend un appareil électronique, aussi appelé terminal utilisateur, capable d'être porté et transporté par un utilisateur, et d'être fonctionnel lors de son transport. C'est le cas par exemple d'un smartphone. Naturellement, les appareils nécessitant une alimentation secteur, par exemple les ordinateurs de bureau, sont exclus de cette définition. Les ensembles d'appareils, par exemple un ordinateur portable auquel est connecté par liaison sans fil ou filaire un capteur, sont également exclus de cette définition.By “portable electronic device”, is meant an electronic device, also called a user terminal, capable of being worn and transported by a user, and of being functional during its transport. This is the case for example of a smartphone. Naturally, devices requiring mains power, for example desktop computers, are excluded from this definition. Sets of devices, for example a laptop computer to which a sensor is connected by wireless or wired link, are also excluded from this definition.

L'appareil électronique est utilisé pour transmettre à la montre les paramètres de réglage. La transmission est réalisée au moyen d'une modulation ou codage optique, la modulation étant créée par le clignotement de la source lumineuse ponctuelle de l'appareil électronique. Ladite source lumineuse ponctuelle a deux états : allumée ou éteinte. Lors de la transmission, le capteur optique de la montre reçoit donc une séquence de pulses lumineux. Par une opération de décodage, le microcontrôleur de la montre est capable de reconstituer les paramètres de réglage. Par exemple, un pulse lumineux représente un bit de valeur '1' et une absence de pulse lumineux représente un bit de valeur '0'. Les paramètres de réglage, une fois reconstitués, permettent alors de régler correctement la montre.The electronic device is used to transmit the adjustment parameters to the watch. The transmission is carried out by means of an optical modulation or coding, the modulation being created by the flashing of the point light source of the electronic device. Said point light source has two states: on or off. During transmission, the optical sensor of the watch therefore receives a sequence of light pulses. Through a decoding operation, the watch's microcontroller is able to reconstitute the setting parameters. For example, a light pulse represents a bit with a value of '1' and an absence of a light pulse represents a bit with a value of '0'. The adjustment parameters, once reconstituted, then make it possible to correctly adjust the watch.

Ce procédé présente l'avantage de pouvoir être mis en œuvre de manière majoritairement automatique, sans que l'utilisateur n'ait à effectuer de réglage complexe via des couronnes, boutons poussoirs ou touches tactiles par exemple. Naturellement, le procédé doit être amorcé, ce qui peut être réalisé soit manuellement via appui sur un bouton poussoir, soit automatiquement, par exemple via un système en veille par défaut qui se réveille à réception d'une certaine séquence lumineuse.This method has the advantage of being able to be implemented mostly automatically, without the user having to perform any complex adjustment via crowns, push buttons or touch keys for example. Naturally, the method must be initiated, which can be done either manually by pressing a push button, or automatically, for example via a system on standby by default which wakes up on receipt of a certain light sequence.

Ce procédé présente également l'avantage de nécessiter très peu de matériel : un appareil portable de type smartphone avec une application mobile appropriée suffit à le mettre en œuvre. Le procédé ne requiert pas l'utilisation de matériel dédié tel qu'un capteur à brancher à un ordinateur, ni de matériel encombrant. N'importe quelle personne (par exemple un horloger) disposant d'un smartphone ayant l'application appropriée pourrait mettre en œuvre le procédé.This method also has the advantage of requiring very little equipment: a portable device of the smartphone type with an appropriate mobile application is sufficient to implement it. The method does not require the use of dedicated hardware such as a sensor to be connected to a computer, nor bulky hardware. Any person (for example a watchmaker) having a smartphone having the appropriate application could implement the method.

Enfin, ce procédé présente l'avantage de ne pas nécessiter d'incorporer d'antennes de communication (onéreuses, encombrantes et parfois incompatibles avec des habillages métalliques) sur la montre ou l'appareil électronique, le système de communication optique entre la montre et l'appareil électronique n'étant constitué que d'une source lumineuse ponctuelle de type diode électroluminescente et d'un capteur optique de type phototransistor.Finally, this method has the advantage of not requiring the incorporation of communication antennas (expensive, cumbersome and sometimes incompatible with metal casings) on the watch or the electronic device, the optical communication system between the watch and the electronic device consisting only of a point light source of the light-emitting diode type and of an optical sensor of the phototransistor type.

Dans un mode de réalisation, la montre comporte un mécanisme de quantième perpétuel. Une telle montre a pour organe régulateur un oscillateur à quartz actionnant un ou plusieurs moteur pas-à-pas faisant tourner des aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure et des éléments d'affichage analogiques du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel. Ces éléments d'affichage permettent d'indiquer le quantième (date), le jour, le mois, et éventuellement la phase de lune, en tenant compte automatiquement des différentes longueurs de mois et des années bissextiles. Un tel élément d'affichage est par exemple une aiguille permettant de pointer une indication de date, jour, mois ou phase de lune inscrite sur le cadran de la montre, ou encore un disque sur lequel des indications de date, jour, mois ou phases de lune sont inscrites, l'une de ces indications étant face à un guichet du cadran. Dans ce cas, le procédé peut viser à régler ledit mécanisme.In one embodiment, the watch includes a perpetual calendar mechanism. Such a watch has as a regulating organ a quartz oscillator actuating one or more stepper motors rotating the time display hands and analog display elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism. These display elements make it possible to indicate the calendar (date), the day, the month, and possibly the moon phase, automatically taking into account the different lengths of months and leap years. Such a display element is for example a needle making it possible to point an indication of date, day, month or moon phase inscribed on the dial of the watch, or even a disc on which indications of date, day, month or moon phases are inscribed, one of these indications facing an aperture of the dial. In this case, the method may aim to adjust said mechanism.

Par « paramètres de réglage du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel », on entend des informations relatives à la date, au jour, au mois et à l'année en cours (et éventuellement à la phase de lune en cours lorsque le mécanisme de quantième perpétuel comprend un élément d'affichage de la phase de lune, ces données étant alors par exemple une géolocalisation, un hémisphère, un code pays, etc.), ces informations étant suffisantes pour régler correctement le mécanisme de quantième perpétuel de la montre, notamment la position des éléments d'affichage de ce mécanisme."Adjustment parameters of the perpetual calendar mechanism" means information relating to the current date, day, month and year (and possibly the current moon phase when the perpetual calendar mechanism includes a moon phase display element, this data then being for example a geolocation, a hemisphere, a country code, etc.), this information being sufficient to correctly adjust the perpetual calendar mechanism of the watch, in particular the position of the display elements of this mechanism.

Le procédé selon l'invention peut comprendre l'une ou une combinaison techniquement possible des caractéristiques suivantes.The method according to the invention may comprise one or a technically possible combination of the following characteristics.

Dans un mode de réalisation , comme défini dans la revendication 2, le capteur optique de la montre est situé sur le mouvement de la montre côté fond, le procédé comprenant l'étape suivante, réalisée avant l'étape de positionnement du capteur optique de la montre en vis-à-vis de la source lumineuse ponctuelle de l'appareil électronique :

  • retirer le fond de la boîte de montre de façon à découvrir le capteur optique de la montre.
In one embodiment, as defined in claim 2, the optical sensor of the watch is located on the movement of the watch on the back side, the method comprising the following step, carried out before the step of positioning the optical sensor of the shows vis-à-vis the point light source of the electronic device:
  • remove the back of the watch case so as to expose the optical sensor of the watch.

Dans un mode de réalisation, comme défini dans la revendication 3, la montre comprend des aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure et des moyens de rotation desdites aiguilles, l'appareil électronique comprenant une caméra et un logiciel de reconnaissance optique commandés par le microcontrôleur de l'appareil électronique, le procédé comprenant les étapes suivantes, réalisées suite à l'étape de réglage :

  • sur commande du microcontrôleur de la montre, actionner les moyens de rotation des aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure, de façon à placer lesdites aiguilles dans une position de codage d'une donnée d'état caractéristique d'un réglage courant de la montre.
In one embodiment, as defined in claim 3, the watch comprises time display hands and means for rotating said hands, the electronic device comprising a camera and optical recognition software controlled by the microcontroller of the electronic device, the method comprising the following steps, carried out following the adjustment step:
  • on command from the microcontroller of the watch, actuating the means for rotating the time display hands, so as to place the said hands in a position for encoding a status datum characteristic of a current setting of the watch .

Par « aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure », on entend les aiguilles de l'heure, de la minute et de la seconde.“Time display hands” means the hour, minute and second hands.

Par « donnée d'état », on entend une donnée permettant de représenter un état au moins partiel de réglage de la montre. Il peut s'agir par exemple d'un fuseau horaire, un code pays, une alarme, une géolocalisation, une date, une marée, une phase de soleil ou de lune, une heure UTC, etc., réglé(e) sur la montre. Dans le cas où le procédé vise à régler ledit mécanisme de quantième perpétuel, la donnée d'état peut être relative à la date, au jour, au mois ou à l'année en cours (ou même à la phase de lune en cours lorsque le mécanisme de quantième perpétuel comprend un élément d'affichage de la phase de lune, par exemple une donnée relative à la géolocalisation, à l'hémisphère, au code pays, etc.), ladite donnée d'état représentant un état de réglage actuel du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel, par exemple une position d'un élément d'affichage dudit mécanisme.By “status datum”, is meant datum making it possible to represent an at least partial state of adjustment of the watch. It can be for example a time zone, a country code, an alarm, a geolocation, a date, a tide, a sun or moon phase, a UTC time, etc., set on the show. In the case where the method aims to adjust said perpetual calendar mechanism, the status datum may relate to the current date, day, month or year (or even to the current moon phase when the perpetual calendar mechanism comprises a moon phase display element, for example data relating to geolocation, hemisphere, country code, etc.), said state data representing a current setting state of the perpetual calendar mechanism, for example a position of a display element of said mechanism.

Dans un mode de réalisation, comme défini dans la revendication 4, le procédé comprend les étapes suivantes, réalisées suite à l'étape d'actionnement des moyens de rotation des aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure :

  • placer le cadran de la montre et la caméra de l'appareil électronique en vis-à-vis l'un de l'autre
  • au moyen de la caméra et du logiciel de reconnaissance otique de l'appareil électronique, détecter la position des aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure
  • convertir la position détectée des aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure, afin de reconstituer la donnée d'état.
In one embodiment, as defined in claim 4, the method comprises the following steps, carried out following the step of actuating the means for rotating the time display hands:
  • place the face of the watch and the camera of the electronic device opposite each other
  • using the camera and optical recognition software of the electronic device, detecting the position of the time display hands
  • converting the detected position of the time display hands, in order to reconstitute the status datum.

Dans un mode de réalisation, comme défini dans la revendication 5, l'appareil électronique comprend un écran permettant d'afficher les images capturées par la caméra de l'appareil électronique, le procédé comprenant l'étape suivante, réalisée suite à l'étape de conversion de la position détectée des aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure :

  • superposer au cadran affiché sur l'écran de l'appareil électronique, un objet virtuel illustrant la donnée d'état.
In one embodiment, as defined in claim 5, the electronic device comprises a screen making it possible to display the images captured by the camera of the electronic device, the method comprising the following step, carried out following the step conversion of the detected position of the time display hands:
  • superimpose on the dial displayed on the screen of the electronic device, a virtual object illustrating the status datum.

Dans un mode de réalisation, comme défini dans la revendication 6, le procédé comprend l'étape finale suivante :

  • comparer la donnée d'état avec un des paramètres de réglage. Dans un mode de réalisation, comme défini dans la revendication 7, la montre comporte un mécanisme de quantième perpétuel et des moyens de positionnement d'éléments dudit mécanisme, le microcontrôleur de la montre étant configuré pour commander lesdits moyens de positionnement, l'étape de réglage comprenant un actionnement des moyens de positionnement des éléments du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel de façon à positionner lesdits éléments dans une position correspondant aux paramètres de réglage.
In one embodiment, as defined in claim 6, the method comprises the following final step:
  • compare the status data with one of the adjustment parameters. In one embodiment, as defined in claim 7, the watch comprises a perpetual calendar mechanism and means for positioning elements of said mechanism, the microcontroller of the watch being configured to control said positioning means, the step of adjustment comprising actuation of the means for positioning the elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism so as to position said elements in a position corresponding to the adjustment parameters.

Dans un mode de réalisation, comme défini dans la revendication 8, le capteur optique de la montre est un phototransistor.In one embodiment, as defined in claim 8, the optical sensor of the watch is a phototransistor.

Dans un mode de réalisation, comme défini dans la revendication 9, l'appareil électronique est un smartphone.In one embodiment, as defined in claim 9, the electronic device is a smartphone.

BREVE DESCRIPTION DES FIGURESBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Les buts, avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention apparaîtront plus clairement dans la description détaillée suivante d'au moins une forme de réalisation de l'invention donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple non limitatif et illustrée par les dessins annexés sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 représente schématiquement une montre, vue côté cadran, permettant de mettre en œuvre, avec un appareil électronique portable, le procédé selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention
  • la figure 2 représente schématiquement des éléments électroniques de la montre de la figure 1 vue côté fond avec fond retiré, ainsi que leurs connexions
  • la figure 3 représente schématiquement une face avant de l'appareil électronique portable
  • la figure 4 représente schématiquement des étapes du procédé.
The objects, advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly in the following detailed description of at least one embodiment of the invention given solely by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 schematically represents a watch, side view dial, making it possible to implement, with a portable electronic device, the method according to one embodiment of the invention
  • the picture 2 schematically represents electronic elements of the watch of the figure 1 bottom side view with bottom removed, as well as their connections
  • the picture 3 schematically represents a front face of the portable electronic device
  • the figure 4 schematically represents steps of the process.

DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE D'UN MODE DE REALISATIONDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

Aux figures 1, 2 et 3, une montre MT ainsi qu'un appareil électronique portable TM permettant de mettre en œuvre le procédé PCD selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, sont représentés.To figures 1, 2 and 3 , a watch MT and a portable electronic device TM enabling the PCD method to be implemented according to one embodiment of the invention, are represented.

La montre MT comprend un boitier BT, un cadran CD et un fond pour fermer ledit boitier BT de part et d'autre, et un bracelet BC monté sur le boitier BT. La montre MT est à affichage analogique, elle comprend donc trois aiguilles AG d'affichage de l'heure pour indiquer l'heure, la minute et la seconde. La montre MT comprend également un mécanisme de quantième perpétuel. Le mécanisme de quantième perpétuel comprend un ensemble d'éléments, dont des éléments d'affichage EA de la date, du jour et du mois (parmi les éléments du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel, seuls les éléments d'affichage EA sont représentés sur les figures). Les éléments d'affichage EA sont dans le cas présent deux aiguilles pour indiquer le jour et le mois, et un disque pour indiquer la date. Dans un mode de réalisation, le mécanisme de quantième perpétuel comprend également un élément d'affichage de la phase de lune, par exemple sous forme d'une représentation de lune apte à se déplacer dans une portion de cadran.The MT watch comprises a BT case, a CD dial and a back to close said BT case on either side, and a BC strap mounted on the BT case. The MT watch has an analog display, so it includes three time display AG hands to indicate the hour, minute and second. The MT watch also includes a perpetual calendar mechanism. The perpetual calendar mechanism comprises a set of elements, including EA date, day and month display elements (among the elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism, only the EA display elements are shown in the figures ). The display elements EA are in this case two hands to indicate the day and the month, and a disc to indicate the date. In one embodiment, the perpetual calendar mechanism also comprises a moon phase display element, for example in the form of a representation of the moon able to move in a portion of the dial.

Dans le boîtier BT se trouve un microcontrôleur MP, une unité d'alimentation PL comme une pile ou une batterie permettant d'alimenter le microcontrôleur MP, et un quartz QX permettant de fournir une base de temps au microcontrôleur MP. Le microcontrôleur MP est utilisé pour commander des moyens de positionnement DE des éléments du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel, notamment des éléments d'affichage EA. Les moyens de positionnement DE des éléments du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel comprennent avantageusement un ou plusieurs moteur pas-à-pas. Le microcontrôleur MP est également connecté à des moyens de commande pouvant être une couronne CR, des poussoirs PS ou des plages tactiles, actionnables directement par le porteur de la montre MT. En outre, la montre MT comporte un capteur optique PR positionné sur le mouvement de la montre MT du côté fond et relié lui-aussi au microcontrôleur MP. Le capteur optique PR de la montre MT est capable de détecter une séquence de pulses lumineux et de transformer cette séquence en signal électrique. Le capteur optique PR est par exemple un phototransistor ou une photodiode.In the BT case there is a microcontroller MP, a power supply unit PL such as a cell or a battery to power the microcontroller MP, and a quartz QX to provide a time base to the MP microcontroller. The microcontroller MP is used to control positioning means DE of the elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism, in particular display elements EA. The positioning means DE of the elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism advantageously comprise one or more stepper motors. The microcontroller MP is also connected to control means which may be a crown CR, push-pieces PS or touchpads, actuated directly by the wearer of the watch MT. In addition, the watch MT includes an optical sensor PR positioned on the movement of the watch MT on the back side and itself also connected to the microcontroller MP. The PR optical sensor of the MT watch is capable of detecting a sequence of light pulses and transforming this sequence into an electrical signal. The optical sensor PR is for example a phototransistor or a photodiode.

L'appareil électronique portable TM est par exemple un smartphone ou une tablette tactile. L'appareil électronique TM comprend un boitier dans lequel un circuit électronique est agencé. Ce circuit électronique comporte un microcontrôleur et une source lumineuse ponctuelle EP, tous deux alimentés par une batterie. La source lumineuse ponctuelle EP de l'appareil électronique TM est capable d'émettre une séquence de pulses lumineux à partir d'un signal électrique. La source lumineuse ponctuelle EP de l'appareil électronique TM est par exemple une diode électroluminescente utilisée par ailleurs en tant que flash de caméra.The portable electronic device TM is for example a smartphone or a touchscreen tablet. The electronic device TM comprises a box in which an electronic circuit is arranged. This electronic circuit comprises a microcontroller and a point light source EP, both powered by a battery. The point light source EP of the electronic device TM is capable of emitting a sequence of light pulses from an electrical signal. The point light source EP of the electronic device TM is for example a light-emitting diode used moreover as a camera flash.

L'invention concerne un procédé PCD permettant le réglage du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel de la montre MT, notamment le positionnement des éléments d'affichage EA dudit mécanisme. Le procédé PCD comporte tout d'abord une phase de réglage RGL proprement dit des éléments du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel, puis dans un mode de réalisation, une phase de vérification VRF (ou validation) que le réglage courant du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel est correct.The invention relates to a PCD method allowing the adjustment of the perpetual calendar mechanism of the watch MT, in particular the positioning of the display elements EA of said mechanism. The PCD method firstly comprises an adjustment phase RGL itself of the elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism, then in one embodiment, a verification phase VRF (or validation) that the current adjustment of the perpetual calendar mechanism is correct .

La phase de réglage RGL comporte une première étape RGL_FD consistant à retirer le fond de la boîte BT de montre MT de façon à découvrir le capteur optique PR de la montre MT. En effet, le fond de la boite d'une montre à quartz est généralement amovible pour pouvoir changer l'unité d'alimentation PL de la montre MT. Cette première étape n'est toutefois pas obligatoire : en effet dans certains modes de réalisation, le capteur optique PR de la montre MT ne se trouve pas sur le mouvement côté fond. Par exemple, le capteur optique PR peut être situé sous le cadran CD, celui-ci présentant une ouverture ou une portion transparente ou étant réalisé dans un matériau partiellement transparent. Alternativement, le capteur optique PR peut être agencé au niveau de la tranche de la boîte BT de montre MT ou encore sur une portion transparente du fond de la montre MT.The RGL adjustment phase includes a first step RGL_FD consisting of removing the back of the BT case of the MT watch so as to uncover the optical sensor PR of the MT watch. Indeed, the bottom of the case of a quartz watch is generally removable in order to be able to change the power supply unit PL of the watch MT. This first step is however not compulsory: in fact in certain embodiments, the optical sensor PR of the watch MT is not located on the movement on the back side. For example, the optical sensor PR can be located under the dial CD, the latter having an opening or a transparent portion or being made of a partially transparent material. Alternatively, the optical sensor PR can be arranged at the level of the edge of the case BT of the watch MT or even on a transparent portion of the back of the watch MT.

Une deuxième étape RGL_PO de réglage consiste alors à placer le capteur optique PR de la montre MT en vis-à-vis de la source lumineuse ponctuelle EP de l'appareil électronique TM. Par « en vis-à-vis », on entend que la source lumineuse ponctuelle EP et le capteur optique PR sont positionnés l'un par rapport à l'autre et à une distance telle que le capteur optique PR puisse recevoir directement et capter les signaux lumineux émis par la source lumineuse ponctuelle EP.A second adjustment step RGL_PO then consists in placing the optical sensor PR of the watch MT opposite the point light source EP of the electronic device TM. By "opposite", it is meant that the point light source EP and the optical sensor PR are positioned relative to each other and at a distance such that the optical sensor PR can directly receive and capture the light signals emitted by the point light source EP.

Une troisième étape RGL_SG de réglage consiste à envoyer un signal de commande électronique depuis le microcontrôleur vers la source lumineuse ponctuelle EP de l'appareil électronique TM. Le signal de commande est tel qu'il correspond à un codage de paramètres de réglage du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel, c'est-à-dire un codage d'un ensemble de données relatives au quantième, jour, mois et année en cours (et également à la phase de lune, le cas échéant). Ces paramètres de réglage sont par exemple récupérés régulièrement ou sur demande via un réseau internet depuis l'appareil électronique TM. On note que pour réaliser le codage, il est avantageux d'utiliser une application dédiée installée sur l'appareil électronique TM. Si l'appareil électronique TM est un smartphone ou une tablette tactile, cette application est avantageusement capable de générer le codage à partir des quantième, jour, mois, année et données de géolocalisation donnés par l'appareil électronique TM.A third adjustment step RGL_SG consists in sending an electronic control signal from the microcontroller to the point light source EP of the electronic device TM. The control signal is such that it corresponds to a coding of adjustment parameters of the perpetual calendar mechanism, that is to say a coding of a set of data relating to the current date, day, month and year ( and also to the moon phase, if applicable). These adjustment parameters are for example retrieved regularly or on request via an Internet network from the electronic device TM. Note that to perform the coding, it is advantageous to use a dedicated application installed on the electronic device TM. If the electronic device TM is a smartphone or a touchscreen tablet, this application is advantageously capable of generating the coding from the date, day, month, year and geolocation data given by the electronic device TM.

Une quatrième étape RGL_CL de réglage consiste à faire s'allumer et s'éteindre la source lumineuse ponctuelle EP de l'appareil électronique TM selon une séquence de pulses lumineux correspondant au signal de commande reçu. Le signal de commande est binaire, de sorte qu'il puisse être interprété par la source lumineuse ponctuelle EP comme une succession d'instructions de s'allumer ou s'éteindre. Par exemple, un état bas ou « 0 » correspond à une instruction d'éteindre ou de laisser éteinte la source lumineuse ponctuelle EP, et un état haut ou « 1 » correspond à une instruction d'allumer ou de laisser la source lumineuse ponctuelle EP allumée, ou inversement. Etant donné que le capteur optique PR de la montre MT est positionné en vis-à-vis de la source lumineuse ponctuelle EP de l'appareil électronique TM, le capteur optique PR de la montre MT capte la séquence de pulses lumineux émise par la source lumineuse ponctuelle EP de l'appareil électronique TM et la convertit en signal électrique binaire.A fourth adjustment step RGL_CL consists in turning on and off the point light source EP of the electronic device TM according to a sequence of light pulses corresponding to the control signal received. The control signal is binary, so that it can be interpreted by the point light source EP as a succession of instructions to turn on or off. For example, a low state or "0" corresponds to an instruction to turn off or leave off the point light source EP, and a high state or "1" corresponds to an instruction to turn on or leave the point light source EP on, or vice versa. Given that the optical sensor PR of the watch MT is positioned opposite the point light source EP of the electronic device TM, the optical sensor PR of the watch MT picks up the sequence of light pulses emitted by the source point light EP of the electronic device TM and converts it into a binary electrical signal.

Une cinquième étape RGL_SE de réglage consiste à transmettre ce signal électrique au microcontrôleur de la montre MT, qui le décode alors pour reconstituer le quantième perpétuel en cours.A fifth adjustment step RGL_SE consists in transmitting this electrical signal to the microcontroller of the watch MT, which then decodes it to reconstitute the perpetual calendar in progress.

Une sixième étape RGL_DO de réglage consiste, sur commande du microcontrôleur de la montre MT, à actionner les moyens de positionnement DE des éléments du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel de façon à placer lesdits éléments dans une position correspondant aux paramètres de réglage obtenu par le décodage.A sixth adjustment step RGL_DO consists, on command from the microcontroller of the watch MT, in actuating the positioning means DE of the elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism so as to place said elements in a position corresponding to the adjustment parameters obtained by the decoding.

La phase de vérification VRF peut s'effectuer de plusieurs manières différentes. Selon une première manière de vérifier les réglages, la montre MT comporte une source lumineuse ponctuelle PE reliée au microcontrôleur MP de la montre MT, tandis que l'appareil électronique TM comporte un capteur optique RP relié au microcontrôleur de l'appareil électronique TM. Le capteur optique RP de l'appareil électronique TM est capable de détecter une séquence de pulses lumineux et de transformer ladite séquence en signal électrique. Le capteur optique RP est par exemple un phototransistor ou une photodiode. Au contraire, la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE de la montre MT est capable d'émettre une séquence de pulses lumineux à partir d'un signal électrique. La source lumineuse ponctuelle PE de la montre MT est par exemple une diode électroluminescente.The VRF verification phase can be done in several different ways. According to a first way of checking the settings, the watch MT includes a point light source PE connected to the microcontroller MP of the watch MT, while the electronic device TM includes an optical sensor RP connected to the microcontroller of the electronic device TM. The RP optical sensor of the TM electronic device is capable of detecting a sequence of light pulses and transforming said sequence into an electrical signal. The optical sensor RP is for example a phototransistor or a photodiode. On the contrary, the point light source PE of the watch MT is capable of emitting a sequence of light pulses from an electrical signal. The point light source PE of the watch MT is for example a light-emitting diode.

Une première étape VRF_PO de vérification consiste alors à placer la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE de la montre MT en vis-à-vis du capteur optique RP de l'appareil électronique TM. Par « en vis-à-vis », on entend que la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE et le capteur optique RP sont positionnés l'un par rapport à l'autre et à une distance telle que le capteur optique RP puisse recevoir directement et capter les signaux lumineux émis par la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE. Dans le mode de réalisation représenté, la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE de la montre MT est positionnée sur le mouvement de la montre MT du côté fond, mais dans d'autres modes de réalisation, la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE de la montre MT se trouve à un autre endroit. Par exemple, la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE de la montre MT peut être située sous le cadran CD, celui-ci présentant une ouverture ou une portion transparente ou étant réalisé dans un matériau partiellement transparent. Alternativement, la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE de la montre MT peut être agencée au niveau de la tranche de la boîte BT de montre MT.A first verification step VRF_PO then consists in placing the point light source PE of the watch MT opposite the optical sensor RP of the electronic device TM. By "opposite", it is meant that the point light source PE and the optical sensor RP are positioned relative to each other and at a distance such that the optical sensor RP can directly receive and capture the light signals emitted by the point light source PE. In the embodiment represented, the point light source PE of the watch MT is positioned on the movement of the watch MT on the back side, but in other embodiments, the point light source PE of the watch MT is located at another place. For example, the point light source PE of the watch MT can be located under the dial CD, the latter having an opening or a transparent portion or being made of a partially transparent material. Alternatively, the point light source PE of the watch MT can be arranged at the edge of the case BT of the watch MT.

Une deuxième étape VRF_SG de vérification consiste à envoyer un signal de commande électronique depuis le microcontrôleur vers la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE de la montre MT. Le signal de commande est tel qu'il correspond à un codage de données d'état caractéristiques du réglage courant du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel. Les données d'état sont relatives à la date, au jour, au mois et à l'année en cours (et éventuellement à la phase de lune en cours lorsque le mécanisme de quantième perpétuel comprend un élément d'affichage de la phase de lune, par exemple des données relatives à une géolocalisation, un hémisphère, un code pays, etc.). Ces données d'état sont suffisantes pour représenter un état de réglage courant du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel, notamment la position des éléments d'affichage dudit mécanisme.A second verification step VRF_SG consists of sending an electronic control signal from the microcontroller to the point light source PE of the watch MT. The control signal is such that it corresponds to a coding of state data characteristic of the current adjustment of the perpetual calendar mechanism. The status data relate to the current date, day, month and year (and possibly the current moon phase when the perpetual calendar mechanism includes a moon phase display element , for example data relating to a geolocation, a hemisphere, a country code, etc.). These state data are sufficient to represent a current state of adjustment of the perpetual calendar mechanism, in particular the position of the display elements of said mechanism.

Une troisième étape VRF_CL de vérification consiste à faire s'allumer et s'éteindre la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE de la montre MT selon une séquence correspondant au signal de commande reçu. Le codage est binaire, de sorte qu'il puisse être interprété par la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE comme une succession d'instructions de s'allumer ou s'éteindre. Par exemple, un état bas ou « 0 » correspond à une instruction d'éteindre ou de laisser éteinte la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE, et un état haut ou « 1 » correspond à une instruction d'allumer ou de laisser la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE allumée, ou inversement. Etant donné que le capteur optique RP de l'appareil électronique TM est positionné en vis-à-vis de la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE de la montre MT, le capteur optique RP de l'appareil électronique TM capte la séquence d'impulsions lumineuses émie par la source lumineuse ponctuelle PE de la montre MT et la convertit en signal électrique binaire.A third verification step VRF_CL consists of turning on and off the point light source PE of the watch MT according to a sequence corresponding to the control signal received. The coding is binary, so that it can be interpreted by the point light source PE as a succession of instructions to turn on or off. For example, a low state or "0" corresponds to an instruction to turn off or leave off the point light source PE, and a high state or "1" corresponds to an instruction to turn on or leave the point light source PE on, or vice versa. Given that the optical sensor RP of the electronic device TM is positioned opposite the point light source PE of the watch MT, the optical sensor RP of the electronic device TM picks up the sequence of light pulses emitted by the point light source PE of the watch MT and converts it into a binary electrical signal.

Une quatrième étape VRF_SE de vérification consiste à transmettre ce signal électrique au microcontrôleur de l'appareil électronique TM, qui le décode alors pour reconstituer les données d'état.A fourth verification step VRF_SE consists in transmitting this electric signal to the microcontroller of the electronic device TM, which then decodes it to reconstitute the status data.

Une cinquième étape VRF_CM de vérification consiste à comparer les données d'état avec les paramètres de réglage, ce afin de vérifier que le réglage du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel est correct.A fifth verification step VRF_CM consists in comparing the status data with the adjustment parameters, in order to verify that the adjustment of the perpetual calendar mechanism is correct.

Selon une deuxième manière de vérifier les réglages, la montre MT peut ou non comporter une source lumineuse ponctuelle PE et l'appareil électronique TM peut ou non comporter un capteur optique RP. En revanche, l'appareil électronique TM doit comporter une caméra CM, un écran EC et un logiciel de reconnaissance otique.According to a second way of checking the settings, the watch MT may or may not include a point light source PE and the electronic device TM may or may not include an optical sensor RP. On the other hand, the electronic device TM must comprise a camera CM, a screen EC and an otic recognition software.

Une première étape CRF_DA de vérification consiste alors, sur commande du microcontrôleur de la montre MT, à actionner les moyens de rotation DA des aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure AG, de façon à placer lesdites aiguilles AG dans une position caractéristique d'une donnée d'état du réglage courant du mécanisme de quantième perpétuel. Par exemple, deux aiguilles indiquent le type de donnée d'état, et la troisième aiguille indique la valeur de cette donnée. Dans ce cas, le type « date » est par exemple identifié par l'aiguille de l'heure pointant sur 1 et l'aiguille de la minute pointant sur 2, et la position de l'aiguille des secondes indique la valeur de la date.A first verification step CRF_DA then consists, on command from the microcontroller of the watch MT, in actuating the means of rotation DA of the time display hands AG, so as to place said hands AG in a position characteristic of a status datum of the current adjustment of the perpetual calendar mechanism. For example, two hands indicate the type of status data, and the third hand indicates the value of this data. In this case, the "date" type is for example identified by the hour hand pointing to 1 and the minute hand pointing to 2, and the position of the second hand indicates the value of the date .

Une deuxième étape VRF_PS de vérification consiste à placer le cadran CD de la montre MT et la caméra CM de l'appareil électronique TM en vis-à-vis l'un de l'autre. Par « en vis-à-vis », on entend que le cadran CD et la caméra CM sont positionnés l'un par rapport à l'autre et à une distance telle que les aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure soient dans le champ de prise de vue de la caméra.A second verification step VRF_PS consists in placing the dial CD of the watch MT and the camera CM of the electronic device TM opposite one another. By "opposite", it is meant that the dial CD and the camera CM are positioned relative to each other and at a distance such that the time display hands are in the field camera shot.

Une troisième étape VRF_DT de vérification consiste, au moyen de la caméra CM et du logiciel de reconnaissance optique, à détecter la position des aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure AG. Cette étape consiste à prendre une photographie des aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure AG, cette photographie étant ensuite analysée par le logiciel de reconnaissance optique. Avantageusement, le logiciel compare la position des aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure AG par rapport à des repères fixes du cadran CD (par exemple les index de la montre) pour déterminer l'heure indiquée.A third verification step VRF_DT consists, by means of the camera CM and the optical recognition software, in detecting the position of the time display hands AG. This step consists of taking a photograph of the time display hands AG, this photograph then being analyzed by the optical recognition software. Advantageously, the software compares the position of the time display hands AG with fixed marks on the dial CD (for example the indexes of the watch) to determine the time indicated.

Une quatrième étape VRF_CV de vérification consiste à décoder la position détectée des aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure, afin de reconstituer la donnée d'état codée.A fourth verification step VRF_CV consists in decoding the detected position of the time display hands, in order to reconstitute the coded status datum.

Les étapes 1 à 4 sont alors réitérées pour une donnée d'état différente, jusqu'à ce que toutes les données d'état nécessaires à déterminer si le mécanisme de quantième perpétuel est correctement réglé, aient été transmises de la montre MT à l'appareil électronique TM.Steps 1 to 4 are then repeated for a different state data, until all the state data necessary to determine whether the perpetual calendar mechanism is correctly adjusted, have been transmitted from the watch MT to the TM electronic device.

Une cinquième étape VRF_SP de vérification consiste à superposer au cadran affiché sur l'écran de l'appareil électronique TM (le cadran étant filmé ou photographié via la caméra, par exemple), un ou plusieurs objets virtuels représentatifs des données d'état obtenues par le décodage, selon le principe de la réalité augmentée. Par exemple, si la donnée d'état « date » a été transmise et décodée, un objet virtuel illustrant la date est superposé au cadran.A fifth verification step VRF_SP consists in superimposing the dial displayed on the screen of the electronic device TM (the dial being filmed or photographed via the camera, for example), one or more virtual objects representative of the state data obtained by the decoding, according to the principle of augmented reality. For example, if the “date” status datum has been transmitted and decoded, a virtual object illustrating the date is superimposed on the dial.

On note que la phase de vérification VRF est optionnelle. On note également que la phase de vérification VRF peut être effectuée à tout moment : ainsi un utilisateur peut à tout moment demander à la montre MT le réglage du quantième, du jour et du mois et afficher ces informations sur l'appareil électronique TM (par exemple un smartphone). Aucun système de communication n'est nécessaire entre la montre MT et l'appareil électronique TM pour fournir ces informations de vérification. On note enfin que l'appareil électronique utilisé dans la phase de vérification VRF pourrait très bien être distinct de l'appareil électronique TM utilisé dans la phase de réglage RGL.Note that the VRF verification phase is optional. It should also be noted that the VRF verification phase can be carried out at any time: thus a user can at any time ask the watch MT to adjust the date, day and month and display this information on the electronic device TM (for example a smartphone). No communication system is necessary between the watch MT and the electronic device TM to provide this verification information. Finally, it is noted that the electronic device used in the verification phase VRF could very well be distinct from the electronic device TM used in the adjustment phase RGL.

On comprendra que diverses modifications et/ou améliorations et/ou combinaisons évidentes pour l'homme du métier peuvent être apportées aux différents modes de réalisation de l'invention exposée ci-dessus sans sortir du cadre de l'invention définie par les revendications annexées. Par exemple, dans la deuxième manière de vérifier les réglages, les étapes 2 à 5 pourraient ne pas être effectuées, l'utilisateur traduisant lui-même la position des aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure en donnée exploitable.It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvements and/or combinations obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. For example, in the second way of checking the settings, steps 2 to 5 could not be carried out, the user himself translating the position of the time display hands into usable data.

De plus, même si la description détaille le réglage et la vérification du réglage d'un mécanisme de quantième perpétuel, d'autres réglages pourraient alternativement être effectués, par exemple le réglage d'un fuseau horaire, d'une heure, de marées, etc. Ces informations réglées ne sont d'ailleurs pas nécessairement affichées au niveau de la montre de manière analogique (par des aiguilles ou des disques, notamment), mais peuvent être affichées de manière numérique sur le cadran : l'étape de réglage ne comporte donc pas nécessairement d'activation de moyens de déplacement d'éléments d'affichage analogiques.Moreover, even if the description details the adjustment and verification of the adjustment of a perpetual calendar mechanism, other adjustments could alternatively be carried out, for example the adjustment of a time zone, a time, tides, etc Moreover, this adjusted information is not necessarily displayed at the level of the watch in an analog manner (by hands or disks, in particular), but can be displayed in a digital manner on the dial: the adjustment step therefore does not include necessarily activation means for moving analog display elements.

Claims (9)

  1. Method (PCD) for setting a quartz watch (MT), the watch (MT) comprising an optical sensor (PR) and a microcontroller (MP) configured to receive electrical signals generated by the optical sensor (PR), the watch (MT) also comprising a point light source (PE) controlled by the microcontroller (MP) of the watch (MT), the method (PCD) being performed by way of a portable electronic appliance (TM) comprising a point light source (EP) and a microcontroller configured to control said point light source (EP), the electronic appliance (TM) also comprising an optical sensor (RP) designed to supply electrical signals to the microcontroller of the electronic appliance (TM), the method (PCD) comprising the following steps:
    - placing (RGL_PO) the optical sensor (PR) of the watch (MT) facing the point light source (EP) of the electronic appliance (TM)
    - on the order of the microcontroller of the electronic appliance (TM), flashing (RGL_CL) the point light source (EP) of the electronic appliance (TM) so as to form a sequence of light pulses corresponding to a coding of setting parameters, the sequence then being received by the optical sensor (PR) of the watch (MT)
    - decoding (RGL_SE) the received light sequence, by way of the microcontroller (MP) of the watch (MT), in order to recover the setting parameters
    - on the order of the microcontroller (MP) of the watch (MT), setting (RGL_DE) the watch (MT) according to the setting parameters
    - placing (VRF_PO) the optical sensor (RP) of the electronic appliance (TM) facing the point light source (PE) of the watch (MT)
    - on the order of the microcontroller (MP) of the watch (MT), flashing (VRF_CL) the point light source (PE) of the watch (MT) so as to form a sequence of light pulses corresponding to a coding of state data characteristic of a current setting of the watch, the light sequence then being received by the optical sensor (RP) of the electronic appliance (TM)
    - decoding (VRF_SE) the received light sequence, by way of the microcontroller of the electronic appliance (TM), in order to recover the state data
    - comparing (VRF_CM) the state data with the setting parameters.
  2. Setting method (PCD) according to the preceding claim, the optical sensor (PR) of the watch (MT) being located on the movement of the watch (MT) on the bottom side, the method (PCD) comprising the following step, performed before the step (RGL_PO) of positioning the optical sensor (PR) of the watch (MT) facing the point light source (EP) of the electronic appliance (TM):
    - removing (RGL_FD) the bottom of the watch (MT) casing (BT) so as to expose the optical sensor (PR) of the watch (MT).
  3. Setting method (PCD) according to one of claims 1 or 2, the watch (MT) comprising time display hands (AG) and means (DA) for rotating said hands (AG), the electronic appliance (TM) comprising a camera (CM) and optical recognition software that are controlled by the microcontroller of the electronic appliance (TM), the method (PCD) comprising the following steps, performed following the setting step (RGL_DE):
    - on the order of the microcontroller (MP) of the watch (MT), actuating (VRF_DA) the means (DA) for rotating the time display hands (AG) so as to place said hands (AG) in a position for coding an item of state data characteristic of a current setting of the watch (MT).
  4. Setting method (PCD) according to the preceding claim, comprising the following steps, performed following the step (VRF_DA) of actuating the means (DA) for rotating the time display hands (AG):
    - placing (VRF_PS) the dial of the watch (MT) and the camera (CM) of the electronic appliance (TM) facing one another
    - detecting (VRF_DT) the position of the time display hands (AG) by way of the camera (CM) and the optical recognition software of the electronic appliance (TM)
    - converting (VRF_CV) the detected position of the time display hands in order to recover the item of state data.
  5. Setting method (PCD) according to the preceding claim, the electronic appliance (TM) comprising a screen (EC) that makes it possible to display the images captured by the camera (CM) of the electronic appliance (TM), the method (PCD) comprising the following step, performed following the step (VRF_CV) of converting the detected position of the time display hands (AG):
    - superimposing (VRF_SP) a virtual object illustrating the item of state data onto the dial (CD) displayed on the screen (EC) of the electronic appliance (TM).
  6. Setting method (PCD) according to one of claims 3 to 5, comprising the following final step:
    - comparing (VRF_CM) the item of state data with one of the setting parameters.
  7. Setting method (PCD) according to one of the preceding claims, the watch (MT) including a perpetual calendar mechanism and means (DE) for positioning elements of said mechanism, the microcontroller of the watch (MT) being configured to control said positioning means (DE), the setting step (RGL_DE) comprising actuation of the means (DE) for positioning the elements of the perpetual calendar mechanism so as to position said elements in a position corresponding to the setting parameters.
  8. Setting method (PCD) according to one of the preceding claims, the optical sensor (PR) of the watch (MT) being a phototransistor.
  9. Setting method (PCD) according to one of the preceding claims, the electronic appliance (TM) being a smartphone.
EP17161866.3A 2017-03-20 2017-03-20 Method for adjusting a quartz watch Active EP3379346B1 (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17161866.3A EP3379346B1 (en) 2017-03-20 2017-03-20 Method for adjusting a quartz watch
EP17202602.3A EP3379347B1 (en) 2017-03-20 2017-11-20 Method for adjusting the operation frequency of an electronic watch
JP2019571778A JP6858280B2 (en) 2017-03-20 2018-03-13 How to adjust the operating frequency of an electronic clock
US15/919,549 US11243499B2 (en) 2017-03-20 2018-03-13 Method for setting a quartz watch
PCT/EP2018/056302 WO2018172147A1 (en) 2017-03-20 2018-03-13 Method for setting the operating frequency of an electronic watch
US16/492,960 US11874633B2 (en) 2017-03-20 2018-03-13 Method for adjusting the operating frequency of an electronic watch
KR1020197027499A KR102277882B1 (en) 2017-03-20 2018-03-13 How to set the operating frequency of an electronic watch
CN201880019442.7A CN110462528B (en) 2017-03-20 2018-03-13 Method for adjusting the operating frequency of an electronic watch
JP2018049056A JP6496858B2 (en) 2017-03-20 2018-03-16 How to set the quartz clock
CN201810225340.2A CN108628143B (en) 2017-03-20 2018-03-19 Method for setting quartz watch

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17161866.3A EP3379346B1 (en) 2017-03-20 2017-03-20 Method for adjusting a quartz watch

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CN108628143A (en) 2018-10-09
JP6496858B2 (en) 2019-04-10
EP3379346A1 (en) 2018-09-26
JP2018155756A (en) 2018-10-04
US20180267478A1 (en) 2018-09-20
US11243499B2 (en) 2022-02-08

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