Abstract: The present invention concerns a wristwatch type of watch. More specifically, the watch comprises a display (11), an electronic circuit (12) controlling the display, a time set stem (13), and at least two electrical contact elements (14, 14″). The time set stem (13) can be placed in different axial positions and the stem comprises a crown (16) accessible from outside the watch and a helicoidal zone (19) which may have three helicoidal elements (20, 20′, 20″). When the time set stem is placed in a position such that the contact elements (14, 14″) are facing the helicoidal zone (19), rotating the time set stem causes an electrical connection on the electronic circuit (12) to alternately open and close. This generates at least two electrical impulse signals which are transmitted to the electronic control circuit. These signals are used to regulate different watch functions, such as time correction or controlling the time belt or the date.

Abstract: The device for implementing the method for the automatic initialisation of the date display of a perpetual calendar electronic watch comprising a face fitted with a window and a date disk permits, every time the watch stops, at the moment the electronic circuit is reconnected, the automatic identification of the date appearing in the window, by optically analysing a code attributed to this date and by memorizing this data by means of the electronic circuit. This optical device (10) comprises a source (11) emitting a beam of light (12), reflective surfaces (13) fixed onto the date disk (15) and a receiver (14). The beam (16) reflected by a surface (13) is intercepted by the receiver (14) which supplies a signal to the electronic circuit (17) which controls an electronic motor (18) driving the disk (15) by a system of reduction gears (19, 20).

Abstract: A wristwatch with analogue time display comprises a dial with a hatch (19), and a rotatable disc or hoop (10) bearing non-time indications. The disc is arranged in such a way that the indications provided thereon appear in the hatch via an opening provided in said disc and having a size which is equal to the size of each indication. Said opening reveals additional indications provided by an electro-optical display device (30) when said opening (21) coincides with said hatch (19).

Abstract: The device for performing the method for detecting the zero position of a hand of a quartz watch with analogue display enables a beam of light to be generated and directed onto a reflective surface integral with a moving part bearing the hand, the reflected beam to be received on a detector and the position for which the output signal of the detector is maximal to be determined to make it correspond to the zero position of the hand when assembling the watch. This device comprises a source (1) emitting a beam of light (2) and a receiver (3) which intercepts the reflected beam (4) returned by a very reflective area (5). This area is integral with a surface of a moving part (6), for example the wheel bearing the second hand and, depending on the position of this wheel, the reflective surface may occupy a position (5) or an adjacent position (5') staggered by less than one step.

Abstract: An electronic watch having an electronic circuit arranged to control at least one function of the watch other than the usual functions of time indication, in which the manipulation of a time-setting rod and/or the position of movable elements of the watch at a given moment define the parameters which, alone or in combination, correspond to access codes which are recognized by the electronic circuit for accessing the advanced features. The present invention proposes to control the advanced features of the watch by means of a single time-setting rod. The time-setting rod of the preferred embodiment detects four parameters for determining an entered access code. These parameters are: (1) the position of the time-setting rod; (2) the rotation of the time-setting rod; (3) the direction of rotation of the time-setting rod; and (4) the rotation velocity of the time-setting rod.

Abstract: A method is described of measuring the state of discharge of a battery, i.e. the ratio between the supplied capacity and the nominal capacity.The method consists in measuring a first internal impedance of the battery at a first frequency and a second internal impedance of the battery at a second frequency, then in determining the argument of the difference between the internal impedances, the resulting argument being representative of the state of discharge of the battery.The method can be used to advantage to check in a rapid, accurate and non-destructive way whether batteries to be used in portable appliances, e.g. electronic watches, are in good working order before being fitted into the appliances.

Abstract: An analog electronic watch comprising electronic circuitry is described, a first motor for driving hours and minutes hands, a second motor for driving a seconds hand, and a photoelectric sensor connected to the circuitry is described. The sensor reacts to strong ambient light by producing a first signal. In response to this signal the circuitry issues control signals to the two motors to activate them. If the light fades, the sensor produces a second signal and the circuitry then only issues control signals to the first motor. Stopping the second motor, when the light becomes too dim to read the time, saves energy. A memory circuit enables the seconds hand to be synchronized with the minutes hand whenever the ambient light becomes sufficiently strong to warrant activation of the second motor.

Abstract: A pager is described for use in an electronic watch. The pager comprises a frame (1) for picking up a magnetic signal and a piezoelectric transducer (11) having a static capacitance on its terminals, for producing a sound. 11To improve sensitivity of reception, a switching circuit (15) connects the transducer (11) in parallel with the frame (1) to tune it by means of the static capacitance to the frequency of the magnetic signal carrier wave. To increase the performance of the transducer (11 ) when it operates as a sound transmitter, the switching circuit (15) connects the frame (1) in series with the transducer (11).

Abstract: This transponder includes a dielectric support, an antenna and a covering layer. The central portion of the antenna forms a self induction loop which, together with the junction capacity of a non-linear component serving to close the loop, provides a circuit resonating at the frequency at which the transponder receives its energy. The antenna radiates energy at double this frequency which energy may be detected by a receiver.

Abstract: The timepiece comprises an oscillator (1), a frequency divider (2), a control circuit (3), a stepping motor (4), a seconds hand (5), a circuit (7) for detecting steps missed by the motor, an up-down counter (15) having a capacity N, and a flip-flop (16). At each missed step the detecting circuit (7) generates a tally pulse (S.sub.7) which increments the counter (15). The latter is also decremented by periodic pulses appearing on the B output of the frequency divider (2).When a cell supplying the timepiece is nearly exhausted, the number of steps missed per unit of time is high and the counter (15) is, on balance, incremented. When passing from state N-1 to state N the counter issues on its Q.sub.h output a pulse that causes the Q output of the flip-flop (16) to go high. The control circuit (3) produces, in response to this high state of the flip-flop, a signal warning of the imminent end of the cell's life in the form of an irregular motion of the seconds hand (5).

Abstract: To compensate for frequency variation in the quartz oscillator 4, 6 due to temperature variation, a second quartz oscillator 12, 14 forming a thermal sensor is employed. The beat frequency fB (circuit 16) which is counted in the counter 26 for a period of time T.sub.1 gives a measurement corresponding to temperature. The number which is thus counted is raised to its square and by means of the comparator 30 taken away from the pulses counted by the divider 8 with a periodicity T.sub.T. The system may be used to provide temperature compensation for a time keeping quartz time base.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for a controllable frequency oscillator using integrated variable-capacitance capacitors.The circuit is a MOS type. Each of the variable capacitance capacitors comprises a n.sup.+ -p junction at the interface of a first region of n.sup.+ conductivity type and a second region of p conductivity type, which are formed in a semiconductor substrate of n type. The first and second regions emerge at the surface of the semiconductor wafer. A decoupling capacitor is associated with the variable-capacitance capacitor by the formation of a stack arrangement comprising the portion of insulating oxide layer covering the surface portion of the wafer at which said first region emerges and an electrically conducting layer covering said insulating layer portion.

Abstract: A quartz thermometer which emits a signal, the frequency of which is a substantially linear function of temperature. The thermometer comprises a quartz resonator provided with electrodes disposed on the margins of the upper and lower main surfaces, parallel to the length direction. The electrodes are supplied with electric current so as to cause the resonator to vibrate torsionally. The length of the resonator is substantially parallel to the X axis of the quartz crystal. An electronic circuit is responsive to the signal emitted by the resonator for producing an output representative of temperature.