Abstract: The watch is provided with a circular row of capacitive keys defined by transparent electrodes (21 to 32) arranged on the inner face of the crystal (5) of the watch and connected to a detection device via a multiplexer. These keys are activated by the person wearing the watch placing a finger (38) on the crystal facing one of the electrodes. The watch further includes means for detecting the position of at least one of the hands (8, 9) by means of the same detection device, using the electrodes (21 to 32) of the capacitive keys and/or other fixed electrodes (51).

Abstract: The low power RF receiver (1) includes an antenna (2), a reception and shaping stage (3) for the radio-frequency signals provided by the antenna, a 12 channel correlation stage (7) receiving intermediate signals (IF) shaped by the reception stage (3), a microprocessor (12) connected to the correlation stage for calculating X, Y and Z position, velocity and time data as a function of data provided by the radio-frequency signals, such as GPS signals, transmitted by the satellites. Each channel includes a correlator (8) associated with a controller (9), which also includes a digital signal processing algorithm to allow all the synchronisation tasks for acquiring and tracking a satellite to be performed autonomously when the channel (7′) is set in operation, and to lock onto the satellite. Buffer registers (11) are placed at the interface between the correlation stage (7) and the microprocessor (12) for the mutual transfer of data.

Abstract: There is described a method for controlling a navigation device, such as a satellite navigation device like a GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO or other receiver, and a navigation device allowing this control method to be implemented.

Abstract: The portable object with a wristband, such as a wristwatch (1) includes a keyboard whose control keys (4) are distributed over the length of the wristband (3), a processing unit (19) for data introduced via the keyboard, at least one display device (6) for displaying time functions and/or data provided by the processing unit, and a power source for the electric power supply of the electronic components of said object. In order to allow the use of its keyboard, the portable object (1) is placed on a work surface, the length of the wristband (3) facing a user. The display of the alphanumerical characters (7a) occurs in the direction of the length of the object, i.e. rotated by 90° with respect to the usual time display (7b). At least one integrated encoding circuit (9) acts as a communication interface between the keys (4) of the keyboard and the processing unit (19) integrated in a case of the object.

Abstract: Timepiece including a clockwork movement (2) provided with an analogue display (14). The wheel (4) includes a plate (8) with a toothing (6) defined by its external edge and a shaft (10). A device for detecting the angular position of the wheel (4) includes a magnetic or capacitive sensor (20) whose detection element, in particular a flat spiral coil (24), is used for detecting a variation in presence of the material, in particular a non magnetic conductive metal, forming the plate (8). The plate has at least one opening (16) situated in the intermediate region thereof between a central hole (18), and the tooth (6). The opening (16) defines a reference geometric semi-axis of the wheel (4) whose angular position is determined by the detection device provided.

Abstract: A device of small dimensions includes a two coaxial wheels (4, 6) respectively including two plates (44, 46) parallel to each other. A sensor (10) including a detection element (14).formed by a magnetic or capacitive element, in particular a flat spiral coil, is provided for detecting the angular position of both of the two wheels. In order to do this, the sensor (10) detects the presence or absence of an active material above the detection element (14). For this purpose, each of plates (44) and (46) has at least one inactive region for the sensor and is formed at least partially of active material for the sensor. The sensor is arranged relative to the wheel the closest to the detection element in such a way that the latter is at least in part above or below said at least one inactive region in at least one determined angular position of said wheel so as to allow the sensor to detect the angular position of the wheel whose plate (44) is furthest from the detection element (14).

Abstract: A timepiece (7) including hands (4, 5), direction determining means (10, 11, 14, 12) including data input means (14) arranged for inputting the geographical coordinates of a “target” location in data processing means (12). This timepiece is characterized in that said direction determining means are formed of an antenna (10) and a GPS type receiver (11) for determining the geographical coordinates of the location in which said timepiece (7) is situated, and in that the 6 o'clock-12 o'clock axis of said timepiece (7) is used as a reference axis, and in that at least said first hand (4, 5) is arranged so as to be able to indicate the direction of the “target” location with respect to said reference axis. Such a structure is improved in that it does not need to refer to magnetic north to determine the direction of the “target” location.

Abstract: An autonomous low power consumption electrical apparatus that has a supply device (8) comprising a single photo-voltaic cell, an electrical accumulator (7), and a voltage booster (10, 11, TR1, TR3) connected between the power source (9) and the accumulator for charging the accumulator. The voltage booster is controlled by a pulse signal having a predetermined frequency. To allow the apparatus to start when the accumulator is completely discharged, the pulse signal can be generated, at least temporarily, by an oscillator that can operate at a very low voltage, that is, the voltage of the single photo-voltaic cell. When the apparatus is a timepiece, the oscillator (2) can be replaced by the oscillator of the time-keeping circuit (1) of the timepiece as soon as the accumulator (9) is sufficiently charged.

Abstract: The timepiece (1) includes a mainspring (2) driving the rotor (3a) of an electromechanical converter (3) and time display hands (6). A circuit (7) for enslaving the real angular position of the rotor (3a) to its desired angular position is supplied with electrical energy by the converter (3). In order to increase the autonomy of the timepiece (1), the enslaving circuit (7) includes means (28) which store a portion of the electrical energy generated by the converter (3) and means (21, 23 to 27) which use this stored electrical energy to apply driving pulses (IM) to the converter (3) when the rotor (3a) has a greater retardation than a determined retardation, with respect to its desired angular position.

Abstract: A timepiece comprising a generator (1) for generating a supply voltage of a first predetermined value U.sub.1, a barrel with a spring (5, 6), a winding mechanism (5') and a set of hands (7 to 9). The electronic circuit (11, 12) of the timepiece requires a minimum limited supply voltage having a second predetermined value U.sub.2. This circuit comprises a timebase (12) and a regulating circuit (11) for regulating the rotational speed of the generator. According to the invention, a voltage regulator (25) is connected between the generator and said electronic circuit for adjusting its output voltage to said limited second value U.sub.2. The ratio between the absolute value U.sub.1 of the predetermined first value U.sub.1 and the second predetermined value satisfies the relationship U.sub.1 =k.multidot.U.sub.2, k being a factor corresponding at least to the maximum expected variation rate of the absolute value U.sub.1 when the timepiece is worn.

Abstract: In this booster, the voltage across the terminals of the photovoltaic power source (1) is regulated as a function of a reference voltage (V.sub.ref) which is chosen to be substantially equal to the voltage corresponding to the maximum value of the voltage-power curve of this source. The reference voltage generated in the reference generator (9) is compared to the voltage (V.sub.sc) of the source (1), the result is sampled and influences the duty cycle of a control signal (F.sub.c) applied to the switching transistor (7). The latter is responsible for chopping the current flowing from the source to the load (accumulator 6) through an inductor coil (4) and a diode (5).

Abstract: Data transmission system comprising a data transmitter (1) including:swept frame display means (2), anda generator of composite video signals (20, 22) to control the operation of said swept frame display means (2); anda portable information detection device (7) for receiving said transmitted data by said data transmitter (1).The data transmitter (1) further comprises means (23) for modulating at least one of the elementary signals constituting said composite video signals with the data to be transmitted, and said information detection device (7) further comprises any inductive antenna (44, 45) for detecting said modulated elementary signal.

Abstract: A device for charging a battery (11), comprising a photovoltaic cell power source (8) of which the output voltage (USC) is lower than the voltage (VDD) across the terminals of the battery. Said output voltage is raised by a voltage multiplier (26) controlled by a static unit (27) depending on the two respective voltage levels. The source may advantageously comprise a single cell (8). In a timepiece provided with said charging device, the static control unit (27) can also cut off the power supply to display means (13, 23) and time-keeping circuits (21, 22) when the voltage of the battery (11) is too low. The voltage multiplier may use the motor coil (13) of the display means or any other coil used in the timepiece.

Abstract: An oscillator, such as a ring oscillator, uses CMOS transistors. At least some of the transistors have forward biased, current limited source-tub junctions for lowering the threshold voltages of these transistors. This enables the oscillator to operate at very low supply voltages, and it may be used in an electronic timepiece powered by a single photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: This invention provides protection against power supply failure, in particular of electronic circuits of timepieces powered by photovoltaic batteries. The invention comprises a continuous electric power supply comprising: an electrical continuous source (G) coupled to a power output (VDD, GND); energy storing means (6); and a reversible dc/dc electric converter (5) coupled both to the power output (VDD, GND) and to the energy storing means (6). The converter (5) comprises switching means (T1, T2, T3, T4) for modifying its configuration. The power supply storing means (6) comprise essentially a capacitor (C). Preferably, the reversible converter (5) is a dc/dc converter, the converter being a voltage multiplier in a first configuration and being a voltage divider in a second configuration.

Abstract: Timepiece including:a spring (1a) housed in said barrel (1),an electric power generator (2) coupled to said barrel (1),a rectifier circuit (4) connected to said generator, anda regulator circuit (6) supplied by the direct voltage (Ua) from the rectifier circuit and intended to control the rotational speed of the generator (2).

Abstract: The integrated circuit (11) of this timepiece comprises means (16, 17, 18) for comparing the frequency of a time base (12, 13) to the frequency of the generator (1). The error signal thereby generated is examined by a wired logic (20) allowing verification of whether this signal passes distinct threshold values.Passing of two of these values allows an electric brake (22) of the generator to be controlled so that from a certain degree of depletion of the power reserve of the barrel (5), the second hand moves periodically right away over an angle of several seconds inviting the wearer of the timepiece to rewind the spring (6) of the barrel (5).

Abstract: Delay locked loop intended to be used in a receiver of signals emitted by a GPS satellite, comprising a pseudo-random code generator (35), a local oscillator (34), a modulator (14) for modulating said pseudo-random code with the output signal of said local oscillator (34), a plurality of signal channels (C1, C2, C3) connected to the output of said modulator (14) and each comprising a pass-band filter (48 to 50). A data processing unit (11) is adapted to control the central frequency of the output signal of said local oscillator as a function of the output signal of said signal detection circuit and to control the central frequencies and the bandwidth of said pass-band filters (48 to 50) in several steps during said acquisition phase, so that said pass-band filters divide up, at each step, one of the pass-bands of the preceding step into non-overlapping pass-bands.

Abstract: The angular speed measuring device comprises:a transducer (1) intended to rotate at said angular speed;means (9) for generating a mechanical vibration of said transducer (1) in response to an excitation signal (OSC), this mechanical vibration comprising a parasite component and at least one useful component having an amplitude which is representative of said angular speed, andmeans for producing an electric detection signal (DET) representative of said mechanical vibration and also comprising a parasite component and at least one useful component having an amplitude which is representative of said angular speed.The device is characterized in that it further comprises processing means (23) for obtaining from said electric detection signal (DET), an analog measurement signal (S") the amplitude of which only depends on said useful component of the electric detection signal (DET), the parasite component of the electric detection signal being eliminated.

Abstract: A highly stable frequency generator (G) comprises an oscillator (10) for generating a first frequency (F1), andfurther comprises a time base (BT) providing a time stable frequency signal which is independent of the temperature, and a feedback circuit arranged to provide a first number of pulses (n.sub.T) coming from the oscillator (10) to a comparing circuit (13), a circuit (14) for providing a reference number of pulses (N.sub.T) to said comparing circuit (13), and a circuit (13,15,16) providing a correction signal (Sc) as a function of the difference (.DELTA.) between the first number (n.sub.T) and the reference number (N.sub.T), the generator (G) further comprising a correction circuit (17) of the oscillation frequency (F1) of said first oscillator (10), this correction circuit being controlled by said control signal (Sc).