Patents by Inventor Yvan Ferri

Yvan Ferri has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230198429
    Abstract: A rotary piezoelectric motor (1), in particular for a timepiece, including a rotor (3) configured to rotate and actuate a mechanical device, and a stator (2) configured to rotate the rotor (3), the stator (2) including a piezoelectric actuator provided with a resonator (29) arranged to perform an oscillatory motion, and a fixed element (4). The resonator in a movable element (5) arranged at a distance from the fixed element (4) and connected to the fixed element (4), the piezoelectric actuator being configured to move the movable element (5) against the rotor (3) to make it rotate, the movement of the movable element (5) making the rotor (3) rotate in a first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques BORN, Yvan Ferri, Alexandre Didier, Lionel Paratte, Léonard Testori
  • Patent number: 11599066
    Abstract: A watch includes a control member capable of managing a primary function of the watch, such as a rotating crown or a push-piece, as well as a magnetic ball that can be manually pivoted by the user about the centre thereof. A 3D magnetic sensor is arranged in the watch to detect the orientation of the magnetic field emitted by the magnetic ball, in addition to a processor for converting an electric signal generated by the magnetic sensor into an instruction for managing one or more other electronic functions of the watch. The magnetic ball is partially arranged inside the control member such that it is accessible to a user. The watch can further comprise a proximity sensor for detecting the axial position of the control member relative to the middle of the watch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Pierry Vuille, Simon Bourquin, Yvan Ferri
  • Patent number: 11573534
    Abstract: A thermoelectric watch including a thermoelectric module including a hot plate and a cold plate connected by semiconductor pillars, wherein the hot plate is thermally connected to the back cover of the watch, the cold plate is thermally connected to the case middle of the watch via a support element with at least two branches, at least two branches have a common end on which is held the cold plate of the thermoelectric module, and at least two branches are flexible to absorb shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Alain Jornod, Francois Gueissaz, Yvan Ferri
  • Patent number: 11537082
    Abstract: A watch includes a control member, for example a crown or a head of a push-piece, which is mounted in a resilient manner on the outer end of an elongated element projecting outside the middle, such that a user can tilt in a self-reverting manner the control member in two dimensions orthogonal and perpendicular to the central axis of the elongated element. At least one proximity sensor is incorporated into the middle of the watch, in a location allowing this proximity sensor to produce an electric signal that represents the tilting of the control member about an axis that is perpendicular to the central axis. A processor generates at least one instruction on the basis of the electric signal provided by at least one proximity sensor, for example to allow the user to browse a menu or a calendar displayed on a digital screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Yvan Ferri, François Gueissaz, Simon Bourquin, Pierry Vuille
  • Patent number: 11493886
    Abstract: A watch including a control member that is able to manage at least one first function of the watch and at the same time to control one or more additional electronic functions. The control member, for example a crown or a push-piece head, is mounted on the elongate element defining a central axis and passing through a wall of the watch middle. At least one strain gauge is mounted around the elongate element and arranged so as to produce an electrical signal representing a radial force exerted by the elongate element on the strain gauge when a user laterally exerts a force on the control member. A processor generates at least one command on the basis of the electrical signal, for example to enable the user to navigate in a menu or a calendar displayed on a digital screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: François Gueissaz, Yvan Ferri, Simon Bourquin
  • Patent number: 11314208
    Abstract: A watch includes a control member which makes it possible to manage one or more electronic functions. The control member includes an optical guide, which extends between a proximal face and a distal face with respect to the middle. A light source is arranged such that it can illuminate the distal face through the optical guide, and an imaging device, including a photodetector, is arranged to capture an image of a portion of the finger of a user of the watch, when they touch the distal face. A processor generates commands based on signals generated by the photodetector, in the way of an optical mouse, for example, to make it possible for the user to browse in a menu displayed on a digital screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Yvan Ferri, Pierpasquale Tortora
  • Patent number: 11300931
    Abstract: An external element of a timepiece or a piece of jewelry includes a body made of an insulating ceramic material, the body including a housing, a wireless communication system disposed in the housing, and at least one part of a surface of the external element includes a layer of metallic visual appearance, the layer being obtained by carburization, nitridation, or a combination of carburization, nitridation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Yvan Ferri, Loic Curchod
  • Patent number: 11048213
    Abstract: An external assembly element of a timepiece made from a first material, including a groove in which a communication circuit is arranged, wherein the communication circuit is over-molded with a polymer material filling the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Omega S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier Silvant, Gregory Kissling, Yvan Ferri
  • Publication number: 20210173347
    Abstract: A watch including a control member that is able to manage at least one first function of the watch and at the same time to control one or more additional electronic functions. The control member, for example a crown or a push-piece head, is mounted on the elongate element defining a central axis and passing through a wall of the watch middle. At least one strain gauge is mounted around the elongate element and arranged so as to produce an electrical signal representing a radial force exerted by the elongate element on the strain gauge when a user laterally exerts a force on the control member. A processor generates at least one command on the basis of the electrical signal, for example to enable the user to navigate in a menu or a calendar displayed on a digital screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: François Gueissaz, Yvan Ferri, Simon Bourquin
  • Publication number: 20210173351
    Abstract: A watch includes a control member capable of managing a primary function of the watch, such as a rotating crown or a push-piece, as well as a magnetic ball that can be manually pivoted by the user about the centre thereof. A 3D magnetic sensor is arranged in the watch to detect the orientation of the magnetic field emitted by the magnetic ball, in addition to a processor for converting an electric signal generated by the magnetic sensor into an instruction for managing one or more other electronic functions of the watch. The magnetic ball is partially arranged inside the control member such that it is accessible to a user. The watch can further comprise a proximity sensor for detecting the axial position of the control member relative to the middle of the watch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Pierry VUILLE, Simon BOURQUIN, Yvan FERRI
  • Publication number: 20210173353
    Abstract: A watch includes a control member which makes it possible to manage one or more electronic functions. The control member includes an optical guide, which extends between a proximal face and a distal face with respect to the middle. A light source is arranged such that it can illuminate the distal face through the optical guide, and an imaging device, including a photodetector, is arranged to capture an image of a portion of the finger of a user of the watch, when they touch the distal face. A processor generates commands based on signals generated by the photodetector, in the way of an optical mouse, for example, to make it possible for the user to browse in a menu displayed on a digital screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Yvan FERRI, Pierpasquale TORTORA
  • Publication number: 20210173348
    Abstract: A watch includes a control member, for example a crown or a head of a push-piece, which is mounted in a resilient manner on the outer end of an elongated element projecting outside the middle, such that a user can tilt in a self-reverting manner the control member in two dimensions orthogonal and perpendicular to the central axis of the elongated element. At least one proximity sensor is incorporated into the middle of the watch, in a location allowing this proximity sensor to produce an electric signal that represents the tilting of the control member about an axis that is perpendicular to the central axis. A processor generates at least one instruction on the basis of the electric signal provided by at least one proximity sensor, for example to allow the user to browse a menu or a calendar displayed on a digital screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Yvan FERRI, François GUEISSAZ, Simon BOURQUIN, Pierry VUILLE
  • Patent number: 10948881
    Abstract: Timepiece movement fitted with an electromagnetic transducer comprising at least one coil and a rotor formed of a central shaft, of two magnetic plates that are mounted on the central shaft and of a plurality of bipolar magnets which are axially polarized and mounted on at least one of the two magnetic plates, said at least one coil penetrating at least partially into a circular space which is defined by the rotor between its two magnetic plates and left free by this rotor. The central shaft comprises a pinion which engages with a wheel of the timepiece movement, this pinion being arranged between the two magnetic plates and said wheel being partially arranged between the two magnetic plates, in an angular sector of the circular space that is left free by the electromagnetic transducer, so as to engage with the pinion. Advantageously, said wheel has a roller that is almost or entirely non-conductive and a non-magnetic staff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Yvan Ferri
  • Patent number: 10869527
    Abstract: Watch band comprising lower and upper half band portions connected at a fold portion to surround a watch lug at the fold portion, each comprising a drilled hole for the passage of a double rivet comprising lower and upper bodies, either inserted one inside the other or each inserted into a common tube, the band including, at each double rivet, a snap means for ensuring a reversible axial stop for the lower body with respect to the upper body, comprising either a holding plate aligning lower and upper grooves of the lower and upper bodies, or two lower and upper clip lips of the common tube each clip fitted onto a complementary lower or upper lip of the lower or upper body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Pierry Vuille, Cedric Nicolas, Yvan Ferri
  • Patent number: 10751568
    Abstract: A method of detecting and calculating height of a jump performed by an individual including detection of a reception subsequent to the jump is described. The detection includes a sub-step of detecting a pressure spike of amplitude greater than a first threshold amplitude, within pressure measurements provided by a pressure sensor embedded aboard a watch worn on the wrist of the individual. Also described is calculation of a height of the jump by differencing a starting altitude corresponding to a last stable pressure measured before the pressure spike and a finishing altitude corresponding to a first stable pressure measured after the pressure spike via the pressure sensor, a stable pressure being defined as a pressure whose variations do not exceed 0.1 hectopascals for at least 2 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Christophe Germiquet, Yvan Ferri, Michel Willemin
  • Patent number: 10575603
    Abstract: Watch band comprising lower and upper half band portions connected at a fold portion to surround a watch lug at the fold portion, each comprising a drilled hole for the passage of a double rivet comprising lower and upper bodies, either inserted one inside the other or each inserted into a common tube, the band including, at each double rivet, a snap means for ensuring a reversible axial stop for the lower body with respect to the upper body, comprising either a holding plate aligning lower and upper grooves of the lower and upper bodies, or two lower and upper clip lips of the common tube each clip fitted onto a complementary lower or upper lip of the lower or upper body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Pierry Vuille, Cedric Nicolas, Yvan Ferri
  • Publication number: 20200046087
    Abstract: Watch band comprising lower and upper half band portions connected at a fold portion to surround a watch lug at the fold portion, each comprising a drilled hole for the passage of a double rivet comprising lower and upper bodies, either inserted one inside the other or each inserted into a common tube, the band including, at each double rivet, a snap means for ensuring a reversible axial stop for the lower body with respect to the upper body, comprising either a holding plate aligning lower and upper grooves of the lower and upper bodies, or two lower and upper clip lips of the common tube each clip fitted onto a complementary lower or upper lip of the lower or upper body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Pierry VUILLE, Cedric Nicolas, Yvan Ferri
  • Patent number: 10534320
    Abstract: A method of detecting a movement of a timepiece setting stem arranged to be moved axially along and/or rotated about its longitudinal axis. The method includes a light source illuminating a portion of the setting stem; a light detector receiving a reflected or diffracted light pattern from the setting stem; a processor forming a first pixel pattern representative of the reflected light pattern at a first time instant; the processor forming a second pixel pattern representative of the reflected light pattern at a second, later time instant; and determining that the setting stem has been moved, if the second pixel pattern is different or shifted with respect to the first pixel pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Yvan Ferri, Raphael Balmer, Damien Schmutz, Pascal Lagorgette
  • Publication number: 20190369565
    Abstract: A thermoelectric watch including a thermoelectric module including a hot plate and a cold plate connected by semiconductor pillars, wherein the hot plate is thermally connected to the back cover of the watch, the cold plate is thermally connected to the case middle of the watch via a support element with at least two branches, at least two branches have a common end on which is held the cold plate of the thermoelectric module, and at least two branches are flexible to absorb shocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Alain JORNOD, Francois GUEISSAZ, Yvan FERRI
  • Publication number: 20190271954
    Abstract: An external assembly element of a timepiece made from a first material, including a groove in which a communication circuit is arranged, wherein the communication circuit is over-molded with a polymer material filling the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Applicant: OMEGA SA
    Inventors: Olivier SILVANT, Gregory KISSLING, Yvan FERRI