Abstract: A capsule including two shells secured to each other so to be joined by a common closed surface and together defining, on both sides of the surface, a closed space delimited by the shells. At least one of the two shells is a flexible membrane configured to deform under effect of a physical magnitude. At least the membrane is made of at least partially amorphous metal alloy to optimize dimensions of the capsule.

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.

Abstract: The angular and axial position sensor arrangement includes several sensors arranged adjacently, and aligned parallel to the axis of an encoded member that is angularly and axially displaceable relative to the sensors. The encoded member includes N?1 axial detection encoded rings with value A along their entire circumference and includes an Nth axial detection encoded ring that is axially adjacent with value B, different from value A, along its entire circumference. The values of axial detection encoded rings are distinguishable by the sensors overlapping some axial detection encoded rings. The encoded member includes several angular detection encoded rings axially adjacent to the Nth axial detection encoded ring. The angular detection encoded rings include a coding pattern composed of A and B values along their circumference to determine angular position by some sensors overlapping them.

Abstract: A sealed pushbutton for a wristwatch includes a pushbutton head that is movable between a resting position and an active position, a first fixed conductive element, a second movable conductive element, and an elastically deformable capsule. The elastically deformable capsule hermetically covers the first fixed conductor, and an upper surface of the capsule is in physical contact with a lower surface of the pushbutton head and the capsule is locatable in a non-deformed position when the pushbutton head is in its resting position and in a deformed position when the pushbutton head is in its active position. The first and second conductive elements form a capacitive or resistive switch device, and the switch is in open state when the pushbutton head is in its resting position and in closed state when the pushbutton head is in its active position.

Abstract: A structure for a timepiece includes a middle part and a back cover that confines an electronic or electrical module. The module includes a plate, at least one circuit with at least one electrical contact area, and a connecting contactor. The plate includes a compartment that is arranged to receive an electrical energy accumulator. The connecting contactor provides an electrical connection between the accumulator and the at least one contact area. The contactor is rigid and includes an elastic return that tends to return the contactor to a rest geometry. The contactor includes at least a first arm and at least a second arm that together form a clamp that presses the circuit and the accumulator towards each other.

Abstract: The angular and axial position sensor arrangement comprises several sensors arranged adjacently, and aligned parallel to the axis of an encoded member that is angularly and axially displaceable relative to the sensors. The encoded member comprises N?1 axial detection encoded rings with value A along their entire circumference and comprises an Nth axial detection encoded ring that is axially adjacent with value B, different from value A, along its entire circumference. The values of axial detection encoded rings are distinguishable by the sensors overlapping some axial detection encoded rings. The encoded member comprises several angular detection encoded rings axially adjacent to the Nth axial detection encoded ring. The angular detection encoded rings comprise a coding pattern composed of A and B values along their circumference to determine angular position by some sensors overlapping them.

Abstract: An assembly including a watch dial and a bottom plate, the bottom plate being delimited by an upper peripheral rim which is extended downwards by an external peripheral surface, the watch dial being secured to the upper peripheral rim of the bottom plate via at least first and second securing mechanisms, wherein the first securing mechanisms includes a boss provided on the external peripheral surface of the bottom plate, the dial having a peripheral edge via which the dial is held between the head of a nail or a screw and the upper peripheral rim of the bottom plate, the head of the nail or screw being extended by a shank which is housed in the boss of the bottom plate.

Abstract: Assembly comprising a watch dial (1) and a bottom plate (2), the bottom plate (2) being delimited by an upper peripheral rim (4) which is extended downwards by an external peripheral surface (6), the watch dial (1) being secured to the upper peripheral rim (4) of the bottom plate (2) via at least first and second securing means, said assembly being characterized in that the first securing means comprises a boss (18) provided on the external peripheral surface (6) of the bottom plate (2), the dial (1) having a peripheral edge (10) via which the dial is held between the head (14; 24) of a nail or a screw (12; 22) and the upper peripheral rim (4) of the bottom plate (2), the head (14; 24) of the nail or screw (12; 22) being extended by a shank (16; 26) which is housed in the boss (18) of the bottom plate (2).

Abstract: A capsule including two shells secured to each other so to be joined by a common closed surface and together defining, on both sides of the surface, a closed space delimited by the shells. At least one of the two shells is a flexible membrane configured to deform under effect of a physical magnitude. At least the membrane is made of at least partially amorphous metal alloy to optimize dimensions of the capsule.

Abstract: Structure (1) for a timepiece (100) comprising at least a middle part (2) and a back cover (3) for confining an electronic or electrical module (10), which in turn comprises a plate (4), a compartment (41) of which is arranged to receive an electrical energy accumulator (5), said module (10) further including at least one circuit (6) with at least one electrical contact area (7), and a connecting contactor (8) for providing an electrical connection between a said accumulator (5) and said at least one contact area (7), said contactor (8) being rigid and comprising an elastic return means tending to return said contactor to a rest geometry. Said contactor (8) includes at least a first arm (82) and at least a second arm (86) together forming a clamp for pressing said circuit (6) and said accumulator (5) towards each other.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic instrument worn on the wrist including a case (2) at least a part (4) of which is electrically conductive and in which are housed an electronic module (6) including a printed circuit board (60) and an electric power source (10) for powering the electronic module. The printed circuit board (60) has, at its periphery, a mechanical contact zone with the electrically conductive part (4) of the case (2), and includes a conductive path (65) extending at the periphery of the printed circuit board, over the mechanical contact zone, and establishing an electric contact with the electrically conductive part (4) of the case (2).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a water-resistant portable apparatus including a case in which there is mounted an electroacoustic transducer separated from an inlet cavity in a water-resistant manner by a deformable membrane. This inlet cavity is arranged in said case in direct communication with the exterior. The electroacoustic transducer and the inlet cavity are arranged collaterally such that at least one part of said transducer, respectively of the cavity, of a determined thickness is arranged in the same slice of the case and in that an acoustic channel connects the transducer to the membrane to transmit acoustic vibrations.

Abstract: The device consists in compensating for the distortion of the characters marked on the dial caused by a lens, by writing the characters with a reverse pin cushion or barrel distortion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable electronic instrument (1) including a case (2), at least one electronic unit (72, 74) housed inside the case, and at least a first input and/or output terminal (A; B) accessible from the exterior of the case and including an electrically conductive element (100) which is mounted so as to be mobile with respect to the case. The input and/or output terminal is adapted to be electrically connected to an input and/or output terminal (72A, 74A; 72B, 74B) of said electronic unit via a transmission line (I/OA; I/OB) and for allowing transmission of electric signals on the transmission line through the connecting element. The connecting element can occupy a first or second position in which the input and/or output terminal is respectively uncoupled from or coupled to the input and/or output terminal of the electronic unit.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic instrument worn on the wrist including a case (2) at least a part (4) of which is electrically conductive and in which are housed an electronic module (6) including a printed circuit board (60) and an electric power source (10) for powering the electronic module. The printed circuit board (60) has, at its periphery, a mechanical contact zone with the electrically conductive part (4) of the case (2), and includes a conductive path (65) extending at the periphery of the printed circuit board, over the mechanical contact zone, and establishing an electric contact with the electrically conductive part (4) of the case (2).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a water-resistant portable apparatus including a case in which there is mounted an electroacoustic transducer separated from an inlet cavity in a water-resistant manner by a deformable membrane. This inlet cavity is arranged in said case in direct communication with the exterior. The electroacoustic transducer and the inlet cavity are arranged collaterally such that at least one part of said transducer, respectively of the cavity, of a determined thickness is arranged in the same slice of the case and in that an acoustic channel connects the transducer to the membrane to transmit acoustic vibrations.

Abstract: There is provided a type of luminous hand including a part made of moulded transparent material that forms a circular head (28, 35) and a body (28, 34) of a hand. In order to direct a portion of a light beam parallel to the axis (15) of the hand towards the interior of the body, the head includes a plurality of reflectors (40, 41) distributed around the axis and formed by dihedron shaped hollows. This improves the intensity and uniformity of the light in the hand body. Inclined light-diffusing surfaces, covered with a light coloured paint, are arranged on the bottom face of the hand. In a display device with several coaxial hands (11,12) such as that of a watch, the reflectors of the superposed heads (29, 35) of the hands are located at respective distances from the axis which are different from one hand to another, such that they never completely cover each other. The light source preferably includes three light-emitting diodes (23) located under the dial (10).

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable electronic instrument (1) including a case (2) and a user interface (11 to 15) for selecting the functions of said portable electronic instrument, this user interface including at least a first control member (11) mounted to be mobile in an assembly orifice (3a) arranged in the case so as to have a translation travel along an axis of actuation (X—X), said control member being able to be actuated by pressure to be brought from a position called the non pushed-in position to a position called the pushed-in position and to generate in response a control signal (SEL). The control member includes an electrically conductive stem (100) which passes through the assembly orifice and which includes first and second ends opening out respectively inside and outside the case, said stem being adapted to allow transmission of electric signals from and/or to the portable electronic instrument, when the control member is brought into said pushed-in position.

Abstract: The device consists in compensating for the distortion of the characters marked on the dial caused by a lens, by writing the characters with a reverse pin cushion or barrel distortion.

Abstract: The invention concerns an adaptor (100) adapted to establish an electric connection with a portable electronic instrument (200) and to allow transmission of electric signals. The portable instrument is controlled via at least one control member (210) having first electric contact means (213) accessible from the exterior of the instrument. The control member is capable of occupying a first non pushed-in position and a second pushed-in position. The adaptor includes a support (101) having a pattern cavity (102) dimensioned to receive the instrument. The pattern cavity includes at least one housing (110) in which are arranged second electric contact means (119). The housing is dimensioned to receive the control member, such that, on the one hand, the control member is brought into the pushed-in position and, on the other hand, the first and second electric contacts are brought into contact, when the instrument is placed in the pattern cavity.