Abstract: A power reserve indicator mechanism is for displaying the power reserve of an energy storage of a timepiece movement, powered in a winding phase by an input wheel actuated by a winding-stem or an automatic winding mechanism of the movement, or by an external winder, and arranged to restore energy in the unwinding phase via an output wheel. The power reserve indicator mechanism includes at least one display wheel set indirectly driven by the input wheel or by the output wheel, via a differential mechanism of which the input wheel and the output wheel constitute two inputs, and, at a single output, an output wheel set directly or indirectly driving the display wheel set.

Abstract: An energy harvester (100) includes: an inner band (110); an outer band (120) arranged to surround the inner band (110), wherein the inner band (110) is coupled to the outer band (120) at a fixed end (20) and the inner band (110) is spaced from the outer band (120) at a free end (30); and an energy generator (150) arranged to generate electric energy through relative movement between the inner band (110) and the outer band (120) at the free end (30). Also disclosed is a wearable device (10) including: a wearable strap formed by the inner band (110) and the outer band (120) of the energy harvester (100), and a mass (130) arranged to receive at least a portion of the wearable device (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for providing metabolically-generated electrical power to an electronic device such as, for example, a mobile phone, tablet or other device comprising a thermoelectric generator in electrical communication with a generating induction coil for wirelessly inductively providing power to the electronic device. In embodiments, the apparatus may be housed within an enclosure adapted to receive the electronic device. In an embodiment, the battery may be a mobile phone case. In an embodiment, the apparatus may further comprise a rotary lens selection feature for presenting optical lenses of varying powers to a camera of a mobile phone or tablet. In embodiments, the thermo-electronic device may be a Peltier module. A cell phone case of the invention may be adapted to receive a cell phone and may comprise a Peltier module and a generating induction coil that either powers the cell phone directly, or charges the cell phone's battery.

Abstract: A battery pack includes: an upper case having an upper-case side flange and a lower case having a lower-case side flange opposing the upper case-side flange, wherein the battery pack is provided with an upper case-side depending wall that depends from an outer edge of the upper case-side flange beyond the lower case-side flange, with the upper case-side depending wall being spaced from an outer edge of the lower case-side flange, and a lower case-side depending wall that depends from the outer edge of the lower case-side flange.

Abstract: An antivibration suspension system of an aircraft, the antivibration suspension system comprising a lever and an oscillating mass. The antivibration suspension system comprises a mechanical motion amplifier device interposed between the lever and the oscillating mass, the motion amplifier device being provided both with a mechanical inlet constrained to move in rotation with the lever about a control axis and with a mechanical outlet driving rotary movement of the oscillating mass.

Abstract: An electric timepiece with a solar cell in which an aesthetic aspect is satisfied at low costs without decorating a dial trim ring and the power generation amount sufficient for driving a timepiece is obtained is provided. An electric timepiece with a solar cell includes a dial, a light permeable dial trim ring disposed to surround a center portion of the dial, and a solar cell disposed outside an outside surface of the dial trim ring to face the outside surface. An inclination surface is formed at least in a part of the outside surface of the dial trim ring, which faces the solar cell, the inclination surface inclines toward the center portion of the dial as going from the dial in a height direction of the dial trim ring, and a different color member having a color different from that of a light-receiving surface of the solar cell is provided to face a lower surface of the dial trim ring.

Abstract: A protection case for protecting a wearable electronic device includes: a protection case body that comprises first and second cases; and one or more coupling parts that are provided in the protection case body. The coupling parts couple the first and second cases to each other and couple the wearable electronic device while enclosing the wearable electronic device when the coupling parts are coupled to each other, and separate the first and second cases from each other and separate the wearable electronic device when the coupling parts are separated from each other.

Abstract: A multifunctional crown is provided on a wearable device or smart watch for various types of connections with external devices through stereo audio ports, audio/video ports, or data ports such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports for transfer of audio, video or data signals.

Abstract: A portable thermal power generation device generates power using heat produced by a living body. A thermal power generation member generates power on the basis of a temperature difference between a temperature at a heat source-side position and a temperature at a heat release destination-side position between the living body that is a heat source and a heat release destination of heat released from the portable thermal power generation device. A movable member is configured to change a thermal resistance of at least part of a heat transfer path between the living body and the heat release destination.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radio-controlled timepiece. The radio-controlled timepiece includes an oscillating unit, a display unit, a display driving unit, an error storage unit, a radio wave receiving unit, and a frequency setting unit. The display driving unit drives the display unit with a driving signal of a predetermined driving waveform frequency generated by the clock signal output by the oscillating unit. The error storage unit stores error data of an oscillating frequency. The radio wave receiving unit tunes to a receiving frequency of a radio wave including time information, and receives the radio wave. The frequency setting unit sets the driving waveform frequency based on the error data so that the receiving frequency does not overlap with a higher order harmonic wave of the driving waveform frequency during a period that the radio wave is received.

Abstract: A horological instrument intended to indicate the power reserve, includes a barrel (1) provided with a drum (2) arranged to turn in one direction during operation of the horological instrument, the drum (2) including around the periphery thereof at least one power reserve scale (4). At least one hand (13) is arranged to turn with the drum (2) and cooperates with a corresponding power reserve scale (4). Furthermore, a mechanism for displacing the hand or hands (13) is arranged to displace the hand or hands by one step with respect to the corresponding scale of the drum (2) with each revolution or with each fraction of revolution of the drum (2) and the hand (13) in order to progressively indicate the power reserve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a barrel. According to the invention, the barrel further includes a device for increasing the torque of said at least one spring including additional elastic energy accumulating means provided in addition to the spiral shape of said at least one spring, said elastic means being added to said at least one spring so that the barrel torque is personalized according to the winding tension of said at least one spring.

Abstract: Timepiece barrel with a drum coaxial to a barrel arbour in a direction arranged to confine a barrel spring hooked to the drum and to a core coaxial to the barrel arbour and guided thereon. The core pivots in a bore of the drum, and includes a first stopping surface limiting the axial travel of the core, in the direction, relative to an inner face of the drum, and a second stopping surface opposite the first and limiting the axial travel of the core, relative to an outer face of the drum, which is arranged, on the one hand, imprisoned between the first stopping surface and the second stopping surface, and on the other hand to pivot freely about the core.

Abstract: The watch movement comprises a motor barrel (102), a fusee (104) having a main surface that has a spiral groove (148), means (192) for winding the movement arranged to drive the fusee, a going train (200) arranged to be driven by the fusee, and a wire (106) extended between the fusee and the barrel. The watch movement additionally comprises a fixed guide (155; 255) and a winding roller (157; 257) mounted to slide on the fixed guide, wherein the winding roller is arranged to guide the wire when the fusee turns and to simultaneously assure the insertion of the wire into the groove (148) and its removal therefrom.

Abstract: Portable electronic device capable of processing information, said portable electronic device including a body arranged to be capable of being secured to the user, and at least one electronic assembly for processing information, the body of the portable electronic device being formed by a layer of plastic material which gives the portable electronic device a shape and thickness, characterized in that the portable electronic device includes a first impermeable plastic film which serves as a coating for the layer of plastic material, and a second impermeable plastic film secured to the periphery of the first impermeable plastic film, and in that the electronic assembly for processing information is arranged between the first and second impermeable plastic films. The invention also concerns a method of manufacturing a portable electronic device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mechanical device (100) for the sequential control of at least two levers for a timepiece mechanism, controlling a first lever (1) and a second (2) lever cooperating with a contact surface (10) in accordance with a sequence wherein each changes from a first torque consumption level (11; 21) to a second, higher level (12; 22) during an increasing phase (14; 24) in which it stores torque, then from said second level (12; 22) to said first level (11; 21) during a decreasing phase (15; 25) in which it transmits energy. The device is wherein it includes delaying means (4) creating, during the decreasing phase (15) of said first lever (1), a stabilizing stage at a third, intermediate level (13) between said first (11) and second (12) levels. The invention also concerns a timepiece incorporating a device (100) of this type.

Abstract: A waterproof adhesive decal containing an embedded digital clock and thermometer is disclosed.

Abstract: A lockable timing apparatus for multiple electronic devices includes an enclosure having a bottom, two side walls, an end wall, and a lid, with a door member opposing the end wall and hingedly attached to a side wall, the bottom, or the lid. At least one notch is in an exposed edge of at least one of the door member and the lid. Inside the enclosure are at least one electrical timer with a power supply cord, and at least two electrical outlets electrically connected to the at least one electrical timer. A locking means is disposed at least in part on the door member for denying unauthorized persons access to the electrical timer and the at least two electrical outlets.

Abstract: A driving member for a timepiece movement includes a shaft, and a drum and a rotating member both mounted on the shaft. The drum and the rotating member are able to rotate with respect to each other and include teeth on their periphery. First and second superposed spiral springs have outer ends fixed to the drum and to the rotating member respectively and inner ends connected to each other to connect the springs in series. The drum and the rotating member fit together at least in the area of the peripheral wall of the drum so as to together form a closed housing containing the springs.

Abstract: A driving member for a timepiece movement comprises two superimposed coaxial barrels (1, 11) coupled in series, each barrel including a spring provided in a cylindrical housing rotatingly mounted on a common shaft (20). The respective housings (2, 12) of the barrels are positioned opposite each other and do not include a lid, and the springs (7, 17) are separated only by a separation washer (26) or a gap. This arrangement can be used for increasing the height (H) of the springs, and thereby the amount of energy and the power reserve of the watch for an identical global volume of the driving member, or for reducing the total height of the driving member. Such a driving member is particularly intended for watches with a high power reserve.

Abstract: Mainspring for a mechanism driven by a motor spring, especially for a timepiece, formed from a ribbon of metallic glass material. This ribbon is monolithic and has a thickness of greater than 50 ?m.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dynamometric device (100) indicating the remaining barrel torque in a timepiece including a barrel ratchet (2) cooperating with a ratchet click (3) to keep accumulated, in a mainspring, the energy transmitted by a winding crown, said click (3) which pivots about a pin (10) between a meshed position where a tooth (31) of the ratchet click (3) cooperates with said ratchet (2), and a disengaged position where each tooth (31) of said click (3) withdraws when the ratchet (2) rotates as said barrel is being wound, said click (3) being returned to said ratchet (2) under the action of a spring (4). The invention is characterized in that it includes a strip spring (1) with a resilient arm (8) fixed to the plate, and in that said pin (10) is mounted on a support (12) of said arm (8), at one end of which it has a hand (6) displaying the barrel torque reserve, in cooperation with a torque reserve indicator (5).

Abstract: The oscillating weight (2) is for automatically winding a timepiece movement; it pivots off-center relative to the center of the movement and is made of a single heavy material. The weight (2) is carried by a shock absorber (1) that takes the form of a plate (4), one end of which is secured to the weight and the other end of which is secured to a tube (5) arranged to rotate about an arbour (6) forming the axis of rotation of the weight.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-winding watch including an oscillating mass (8), the movements of which are transmitted to a spring barrel of the watch, this watch likewise including a device for indicating the power reserve comprising means (2) for displaying the power reserve, characterised in that the means (2) for displaying the power reserve are mounted on the oscillating mass (8).

Abstract: A thermoelectric generator (TEG) and a method of fabricating the TEG are described. The TEG is designed so that parasitic thermal resistance of air and height of legs of thermocouples forming a thermopile can be varied and optimized independently. The TEG includes a micromachined thermopile sandwiched in between a hot and a cold plate and at least one spacer in between the thermopile and the hot and/or cold plate. The TEG fabrication includes fabricating the thermopiles, a rim, and the cold plate.

Abstract: A battery electrode terminal member has a spring plate structure comprised of a base body part configured to be mounted to and supported by a casing of a timepiece main body in substantial perpendicular relation to a main face of the timepiece main body. A battery electrode contact terminal part of the spring plate structure extends from one end of the base body part for elastical pressure contact with a peripheral face part of an electrode of a battery.

Abstract: Structures are disclosed that can improve the visibility of instrument displays. With some implementations, an instrument is provided with an illumination system having a light source and a light diffusion device proximal to the light source. The light diffusion device has at least one surface parallel to a primary plane of the display of the instrument. When the light source is activated, light propagates through the light diffusion device toward the display of the instrument.

Abstract: The oscillating weight includes a primary oscillating weight (10) secured to a drive arbor (6) and at least one secondary oscillating weight (20), which is mobile relative to the primary weight to cause the initial impulse. The secondary weight (20) is formed by a part assembled to the primary weight (10) from the exterior, while being able to have a travel between two stop members (12a, 12b) of a guide means (14, 18) located on the periphery of the primary weight (10).

Abstract: A display device is provided for a watch movement provided with a final gear train intended to drive, at least in a mediated way, means of displaying the time and an energy source driving the final gear train. In one implementation, the display device comprises a display disk for an additional function, and a display gearing of which one moving part carries the display disk. The display device also comprises a second energy source connected mechanically to the display gearing and operating means for the display gearing, designed so as to cause the gearing to be driven by the second energy source when the information for display has to be changed.

Abstract: A watch movement with a mechanical source of energy is provided. In one implementation, the watch movement comprises a frame intended to support moving parts and defining upper and lower faces. The distance between the upper and lower faces may define a movement thickness. Further, springs may be provided for storing the energy, each being housed in a barrel. At least three barrels may be provided, the first and the second of which are superposed and the third of which is placed laterally to the other two and within their thickness.

Abstract: A radio-controlled clock (RCC) for receiving and decoding a transmitted time signal to display a precise time in accordance with a time standard. A light emitting diode (LED) display emits sufficient light for easy readability under all lighting conditions, including the time numerals. A signal reception indicator remains lit if the RCC has successfully decoded a time signal. If the time signal is currently being received and decoded, the signal reception indicator flashes. If the decoding is unsuccessful, the signal reception indicator will be unlit until the next decoding attempt. A power transformer to supply current to electronic circuitry contained within in the housing of the RCC is located in the power line cord, as at the plug end, to minimize electromagnetic interference with the decoding of the time signals. A signal strength indicator may have multiple segments to indicate if the received signal is strong, medium, weak or too weak for decoding.

Abstract: To effectively prevent positional deviation of a battery. A hook-shaped member of a spring electrode terminal, and hook-shaped members of a spring electrode terminal are arranged in respective apices of a regular triangle to restrict movements of a battery in a direction along a cross section against the bias of a spring electrode terminal, which abuts against a negative surface of the battery. Battery abutments are arranged in respective apices of a substantially regular triangle to permit the bias of the respective spring electrode terminals to bias the battery toward the battery abutment, thus restricting positional deviation of the battery in a horizontal plane. When the battery is to be removed, a battery removal tool arranged near the hook-shaped member is inserted into a tool insertion portion to remove the battery.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for indicating the state of watch batteries. Said device comprises, in combination: a circuit for determining (34) at least a physical characteristic of the cell (10) which varies when it is nearly discharged, a circuit for metering (36) the power consumed by the watch, a circuit for assessing (40) the capacity rating of the battery, connected to the determining (34) and metering (36) circuits and designed to process data and select the most relevant information derived either from the determining circuit (34), or from the metering circuit (36), means for displaying the state of the battery (38,40,42), and a circuit controlling (39) the display means.

Abstract: An electronically controlled timepiece includes an analog circuit (160) driven by a power source (22), a logic circuit (170) driven by a constant voltage regulator circuit (161) forming part of the analog circuit, an oscillator circuit (51) driven by the constant voltage regulator, a power source switch (162) for cutting off the supply of power to the analog circuit other than the constant voltage regulator circuit from the power source during a time correction operation, and a clock cutoff gate (171) for cutting off a clock input from the oscillator circuit to the logic circuit. During the time correction operation, power consumption is reduced because only the oscillator circuit and the constant voltage regulator circuit are operative. The oscillator circuit is not suspended, and an error in time display is eliminated.

Abstract: The electronic watch includes analogue display means (1) formed of at least one hand (2) driven by at least one motor (3), a time base (4) for controlling means (8) for driving said motor, a rechargeable power source (9), means (14) for stopping the motor (3) acting particularly on said drive means, and time counting means (18) in synchronism with said analogue display means (1) for a sufficient supply voltage. When the stopping means detect a power shortage, the display means are stopped and the corresponding value of the counting means is stored in storage means and the counting means continue to operate. As soon as the power supply is sufficient again, time difference calculating means (20) send time difference signals (21) between the stored value and the value of the counting means to the drive means in order to reset said analogue display means to the right time.

Abstract: An electronic timepiece without system failure at the time of transfer from the power-saving mode to the display mode is provided. A power-saving control circuit 400 controls drive of a date dial displaying a date when updating a date display, which has been stopped in a power-saving mode, to a current date at the time of transfer from the power-saving mode to the display mode. The power-saving control circuit 400 outputs a date dial drive inhibiting signal, which prohibits drive of the date dial 75, to a date-updating control circuit 300, if a voltage VDD of a power source unit B is less than or equal to a low threshold voltage V1. It outputs a date dial deceleration driving signal, which drives a date dial 75 with a predetermined speed slower than a normal update speed when transferring to the display mode, to a date-updating control circuit 300, if a source voltage VDD is equal to or less than a high threshold voltage V2.

Abstract: An electrical timepiece comprises external input units for receiving an external input signal, a motor unit for driving an analog hand unit for displaying time, a battery unit capable of charging, a voltage detect circuit for measuring the voltage of the stored electricity in the battery and comparing the voltage with a reference voltage, and a stored electricity unit discharge control circuit for starting discharge from the battery when an external input signal is received by one of the external input unit, and for stopping discharge from the battery when the comparison result by the voltage detect circuit satisfies a prescribed condition.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a timepiece including a barrel, a spring housed in the barrel, time display members mechanically coupled to said barrel, an electric energy generator also coupled to said barrel, and a regulator circuit for enslaving the frequency of said generator to a reference frequency. The regulator circuit includes for this purpose switching means arranged for electrically braking said generator during braking periods, when said regulator circuit detects that the frequency of said generator is higher than the reference frequency. The generator controls actuating means of an analogue power reserve member, via an electric quantity transmitted by electric coupling between the actuating means and the generator, during said braking periods.

Abstract: When an external switch means (1) is operated, a setting means (4) receives an output signal G1 therefrom and outputs setting signals S for varying the internal resistance of an adjusting means (5). When the internal resistance of the adjusting means (5) is varied, the potential (voltage value) at point A of the input value to a sensing means (6) is varied because it is the product of the generation quantity (current) of a power generating means (11) and the internal resistance. When the potential at point A exceeds a threshold value (H), the sensing means (6) outputs a sensing signal K of L level. When the sensing signal K of L level is outputted, the operation of the electronic timepiece changes to a power save mode where the drive of the second hand is stopped, for example. Thus the operation of the electronic timepiece changes to a power save mode when the power generation level of the power generating means (11) is equal to or lower than a specified level.

Abstract: To provide an electronic unit which can prevent brake control from stopping a generator. An electronically controlled mechanical timepiece, which is an electronic unit, includes a generator 2 driven by a coil spring 1 to generate electric power, and a rotation control unit 50 driven by electric energy of the generator to control the rotation period of the generator 2. The rotation control unit 50 is provided with a brake control unit 55 for comparing a reference signal fs with a rotation-detection signal FG1 corresponding to the rotation period of the generator 2 to apply brake control to the generator 2, and a generator-stop preventing unit 56 for setting the amount of brake to be applied to the generator 2 to a first brake setting value to prevent the generator 2 from being stopped, when the rotation period of the generator 2 is equal to or longer than a first setting period which is longer than a reference period.

Abstract: When a frequency measurement unit measures the frequency of a temperature-sensing oscillation test signal and the frequency of a driving-pulse signal transmitted from an electronic apparatus via an coil electromagnetically coupled with a motor coil, a temperature-compensation data generation unit creates temperature-compensation data based on the frequency of the temperature-sensing oscillation test signal and the frequency of the driving-pulse signal. This temperature-compensation data is transmitted to an analog electronic timepiece via the coil. That is, a state of the analog electronic timepiece is measured in a non-contact manner and the temperature-compensation data obtained based on the measurement result is transmitted, whereby the analog electronic timepiece is adjusted in a state of being incorporated in an external casing.

Abstract: An electronically controlled timepiece includes an analog circuit (160) driven by a power source (22), a logic circuit (170) driven by a constant voltage regulator circuit (161) forming part of the analog circuit, an oscillator circuit (51) driven by the constant voltage regulator, a power source switch (162) for cutting off the supply of power to the analog circuit other than the constant voltage regulator circuit from the power source during a time correction operation, and a clock cutoff gate (171) for cutting off a clock input from the oscillator circuit to the logic circuit. During the time correction operation, power consumption is reduced because only the oscillator circuit and the constant voltage regulator circuit are operative. The oscillator circuit is not suspended, and an error in time display is eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a timepiece including a barrel, a spring housed in the barrel, time display members mechanically coupled to said barrel, an electric energy generator also coupled to said barrel, and a regulator circuit for enslaving the frequency of said generator to a reference frequency. The regulator circuit includes for this purpose switching means arranged for electrically braking said generator during braking periods, when said regulator circuit detects that the frequency of said generator is higher than the reference frequency. The generator controls actuating means of an analogue power reserve member, via an electric quantity transmitted by electric coupling between the actuating means and the generator, during said braking periods.

Abstract: An electronic module for regulation of a watch movement with mechanical winding includes a generator (1) permitting converting the mechanical energy supplied by the mechanical watch movement into a measuring signal (G+;G−) and an electronic circuit (11) supplied by the generator. The electronic circuit includes an energy dissipation circuit (9) permitting applying at least two separate braking couples more than zero to the generator (1). The electronic circuit (11) also includes a counter to control the braking circuit. The braking couple selected by the control circuit depends on the advance of the generator and is reduced, without being suppressed, when the measuring signal (G+;G−) passes through an extreme.

Abstract: A first control unit 110 and second control unit 120 are disposed to a portable data terminal 100 having a heavy load group 140 and light load group 150. The first control unit 110 detects the output voltage of a secondary battery 105 and controls power supply to the heavy load group 140 by switching a first switch S1. When the first control unit 110 stops power supply to the heavy load group 140, it outputs a low level control signal CC to the second control unit 120. The load of driving the second control unit 120 is designed to be smaller than the load of driving the first control unit 110. When the control signal CC is received, the second control unit 120 starts detecting the output voltage of the secondary battery 105, and stops power supply to the switch light load group 150 and first control unit 110 if the output voltage is detected to drop to a preset threshold voltage.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for adjusting the time of analog watch in a terminal having the analog watch, which comprises an analog watch unit and a control unit. The analog watch unit includes an oscillation circuit for generating a standard signal with a predetermined frequency; a division circuit for dividing the standard signal by a predetermined division ratio according to a control signal and generating a divided signal; a driving circuit for generating a driving signal according to the divided signal; and a step motor driven by the driving signal, for moving the elements of the analog watch. The control unit provides the control signal to the division circuit of the analog watch when a predetermined time adjustment manipulation is inputted. The hands of the analog watch move faster than a general time indication according to an input state of a time adjustment key.

Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece component comprising a watch movement provided with a main barrel acting as power source for a timekeeping device of the watch movement and an auxiliary barrel designed to supply mechanical power to an additional device, and mechanical control means capable of being manually actuated to trigger said additional device, characterised in that said control means are arranged to simultaneously trigger the additional device and wind the auxiliary barrel.

Abstract: Watch movement in which the rotor of a generator (10, 11, 13) is driven by a spring over a plurality of wheels (51, 61, 71) and pinions (50, 60, 70), the operation of the generator being regulated by an electronic regulating circuit (81). Said wheels and pinions are all electrically grounded to avoid spark discharges which can be produced by the charging of voltages through frictional electricity.

Abstract: An electronic device in which a braking torque can be increased while reduction in power generation is suppressed, and in which a rotor is prevented from stopping or rotating at an excessive speed. Such an electronic device includes a generator which is driven by an mechanical energy source and a rotation controller which controls the rotational period of the generator.

Abstract: When an electronic timepiece is in a power-saving mode in which the current time display is suspended, it is determined whether or not the charge voltage supplied from a high-capacity capacitor is higher than a predetermined reference voltage, and if higher, enough electrical energy is stored in the high-capacity capacitor to return from the power-saving mode to the display mode, so that a current time restoration process is performed upon detecting power generation. On the other hand, if the charge voltage is less than or equal to the predetermined reference voltage, the supply of the power supply voltage to the control circuits is stopped to prevent the electrical energy stored in the high-capacity capacitor from being consumed needlessly. As a result, the electronic timepiece can be reactivated quickly when the power generating device begins to generate power.