Abstract: A multiple focal distance light collecting optical device, is characterised in that it consists of a monoblock structure formed of at least a first and a second transparent material (8, 10) formed into lenses (12, 14, 16,) which are applied against and attached to each other the refractive indices and radii of curvature of the faces of such lenses being determined to focus the light rays so as to create an image in accordance with at least two different focal distances (A, B).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for controlling the charge of an accumulator (4), as a function of the time during which said accumulator (4) has been on a charger (2), said accumulator (4) being intended to power an horological function and one or more auxiliary functions (14), this method being characterized in that it includes the steps of: incrementing a step counting signal during the charge time during which the accumulator (4) is on the charger (2); causing the accumulator (4) charge to stop when the counting signal has reached a previously defined maximum value corresponding to the nominal charge of said accumulator (4); and decrementing the step counting signal during the discharge time during which the accumulator (4) is not on the charger (2), the counting signal being decremented by a first step when only the horological function is being used, and by a second step which differs from the first and which depends on the auxiliary function or functions (14) used.

Abstract: The invention concerns a dial, in particular for a timepiece, formed of a solar cell including a substrate, at least one plurality of superposed layers defining at least one n-i-p or p-i-n element and a conductive layer forming a first electrode arranged to be exposed to luminous radiation, characterised in that said electrode is formed of a partially reflective metal layer.

Abstract: A device includes a case (2) in which an acoustic transducer (11) is mounted so as to communicate in a water tight manner with the exterior of the case (2) via acoustic energy. The transducer (11) is mounted in front of a membrane (18) able to be deformed separating it in a water tight manner from an inlet cavity (14, 15) which is arranged in the case (2) of the device and is in communication with the exterior. Between the membrane (18) and the transducer (11) an intermediate chamber (19) is arranged allowing deformation of the membrane by the action of external static pressure and delimited on the side of the transducer by a support element (12a) fixedly mounted in the case and capable of limiting the deformation of the membrane in the event of application of the external pressure.

Abstract: The invention concerns a manufacturing method for an orange/red zirconia article characterised in that it includes the following steps: forming a mixture including a zirconia powder, 3 to 20% in weight of a stabilising agent, 0.1% to 5% in weight of powders for forming a vitreous phase, including SiO2, Al2O3 and Y2O3, 0.01% to 10% in weight of a copper oxide powder (CuO); forming a second mixture including said first mixture and a binding agent; forming a green body of the article from said second mixture; sintering for at least thirty minutes at a temperature comprised between 1,350 and 1,500° C. in ambiant atmosphere, and annealing the desired article at a temperature comprised between 700° C. and 1,350° C. for a period of time comprised between 30 minutes and 20 hours in an inert or reducing atmosphere having an oxygen partial pressure comprised between 10−10 and 1 atmosphere, and polishing said sintered article.

Abstract: A watch including a watch case (1), a wristband (2), a first and a second electric module (5, 6), respectively arranged inside and outside the watch case (1), a and electric connecting means (3) assuring an electric connection between said first and second electric modules (5, 6). According to the present invention, this watch includes introduction means (4; 44, 8; 9) allowing said electric connecting means (3) to be introduced inside the watch case (1) in a water resistant manner.

Abstract: The microstructure includes an electronic circuit formed by a plurality of transistors (6) and a flat coil formed by a conductive wire or a conductive path (14). The coil (10) is arranged on an upper face (8) of the semiconductor substrate (4). The coil (10) generates a magnetic field (B) in this substrate (4) in the vicinity of the transistors (6) which are situated in superposition with said coil (10). The source (20) and the collector (22) of the sensitive transistors (6) are aligned along a direction perpendicular to the wire or path (14) in the portion of the coil situated in proximity to each of said transistors (6). Thus, the electric current (I) flowing in the transistors (6) is substantially parallel to the magnetic field (B).

Abstract: Device arranged to identify a manual action on a surface performed by a finger (32), comprising a set of sensors (41) each actuable by the finger so as to create a variation of an electrical quantity, these sensors being respectively arranged within a corresponding set of determined zones of the surface. The device further comprises first detection means (42) for detecting, amongst a subset of said sensors (41) which are activated simultaneously, that actuated sensor representing the greatest variation of the electrical quantity.

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: Electrochemical sensor, in the shape of a strip of small dimensions including a thin plastic substrate (1) carrying, over all or part of its length, at least two current collectors (4, 5) separated by an electrically insulating space (3), said substrate (1) and said collectors (4, 5) being covered with a plastic coating (2), in which two windows (8, 9) are cut allowing collector portions (4, 5) to appear to form a connection window (8) at one end and a measuring window (9) close to the other end, leaving a distal portion (10) of the strip free beyond the measuring window, wherein said distal portion (10) includes, on the side of the strip where the windows (8, 9) are arranged, at least one button (12) obtained by hot or cold deformation (11) of the external face of the substrate (1), said button allowing said sensor to be slid to the edge of a flat surface to be grasped.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for selecting at least one item of data from a set of data regrouped in accordance with a predetermined order. This method is able to be implemented in an electronic device including means for displaying the selected item of data, input means for supplying, via the action of a user of the device, a direction and successive pulses, means for controlling the display means in a non-instantaneous manner, and a processing unit for the set of data. This method is characterised in that it includes a first step which consists in counting the number of pulses provided, via the action of the user, during the period of time in which said display means is being activated to reach said selected item of data, in order to determine the acceleration provided by said user to said input means during this period of time.

Abstract: A slot antenna (21) is arranged to be connected to an asymmetrical output (29) of an antenna circuit (25). The antenna comprises a dielectric substrate (23), and a printed circuit conducting element (22; 22') attached to the substrate and defining a radiating slot (24; 24') of the antenna and having parallel edges. The antenna is characterized in that it further comprises a printed central line (27; 27') arranged in the slot (24; 2440 ) and allowing the direct connection of the output (29) in such a manner that this central line (27; 27') realizes the transition between the output and the antenna.

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: The invention concerns a collective manufacturing method for a plurality of individual electro-optical cells each formed of two outer substrates and one intermediate substrate inserted between the outer substrates. The substrates are connected to each other by a sealing frame to form two cavities receiving liquid crystals. This method includes a step consisting in making a zone of least mechanical resistance along the contour of each individual double cell in the intermediate plate in order to facilitate the division of the batch into individual cells during the step of dividing the batch by scribing and breaking the outer substrates.

Abstract: The invention concerns a nickel free stainless steel alloy having a ferritic and magnetic structure, characterised in that it contains at least 0.4% in weight of nitrogen, and at most 0.5% in weight of nickel, the remainder being formed of iron and the inevitable impurities. The invention also concerns an external part for a watch made of such a steel alloy.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plurality of electro-optic cells is disclosed, in particular for manufacturing liquid crystal display cells (2) or photovoltaic cells, each cell including a cavity (5) filled with a liquid and defined by sealed partitions (8, 9) between two plates (3, 4), in particular made of glass, provided with electrodes within the cavity. In a first step, a batch of cells (2) is manufactured, whose cavities are filled with the desired liquid and sealed. In a second step, the external contour (20) of each cell is cut, and if necessary a hole (10) passing through the cell, by means of a very high pressure water jet (30), the water either being loaded or not with an abrasive agent. Thus, the external layers (25, 26) such as a polarizer and a reflector may be applied onto the batch prior to the cutting step.

Abstract: A dial, in particular for a timepiece, formed of at least one regenerating photoelectrochemical type solar cell including a first substrate intended to be exposed to the light and a second substrate carrying on their opposite faces electrodes between which is arranged a physico-chemical system capable of absorbing light and generating an electric voltage across the terminals of said electrodes, characterised in that said first substrate is formed of a translucent material.

Abstract: Watch with visual and touch horometric functions, including:a case (1) sealed by a crystal (4) arranged above an analogue dial (5) surrounded by a fixed bezel (8)a time-keeping circuit (10), a stepping motor (11);a non-acoustic vibration generating device (20);a power source (24) supplying the circuit (10), the motor (11) and the vibration generating device (20);twelve sensors (C.sub.1 to C.sub.12) facing the twelve time positions and a control element (9);an electronic coding circuit (25) associated with the circuit (10), the sensors (C.sub.1 to C.sub.12) and the control device (9) to control the vibration generating device (20);wherein the bezel (8) has twelve projections (R.sub.1 to R.sub.12) being arranged between the twelve sensors (C.sub.1 to C.sub.12) which extend radially beyond the bezel (8) and the case (1), said projections (R.sub.1 to R.sub.12) to guide a user's finger towards a determined sensor.

Abstract: Magnetic microswitch able to be actuated by a magnetic field, including two strips (1, 2) each including a distal portion (5, 5') whose overlap forms an air gap of distance e, at least one of said strips (1) made of magnetic material having one end (3) attached to the substrate via a foot (9), a median portion (4) and a distal portion (5) of length L.sub.o, said strip being flexible with respect to the second strip (2). The median portion (4) of the flexible strip (1) is formed with a total cross-section less than that of the distal portion (5) so as to have a lesser bending resistance allowing the strip to have both deflection of an amplitude at least equal to e to make contact under the influence of a magnetic field and sufficient return force towards the open position in the absence of a magnetic field.

Abstract: The hands of the timepiece are connected to a barrel spring which also drives the rotor of a generator at a speed greater than a desired speed Vc. The electric energy supplied by the generator energizes a slaving circuit that includes a transistor which short-circuits the coil of the generator and thus brakes the rotor down to a speed less than the desired speed Vc when a comparator indicates that this rotor is ahead with respect to its theoretical angular position. A limiting circuit limits the duration of the braking action of the rotor to a fraction of the period of the a.c. voltage supplied by the generator. This arrangement ensures that the slaving circuit is adequately energized even if the rotor is substantially ahead.