Abstract: The radio-frequency signal frequency conversion device generates intermediate complex signals (IF) for a correlation stage of a low power RF receiver. In order to do this, the device includes a first selective pass-band filter for filtering radio-frequency signals picked up by an antenna. A frequency synthesizer generates first and second high frequency signals, wherein the frequency of the first signals is higher than the frequency of the second signals. This synthesizer receives reference signals from an oscillator unit. A first mixer unit mixes the radio-frequency signals with the first signals in order to generate frequency-converted signals. A second pass-band filter filters the signals from the first mixer unit, and provides signals to a second mixer unit to mix them with the second high frequency signals. Finally, shaping means for the signals provided by the second mixer unit generate the intermediate signals.

Abstract: There is disclosed a wristwatch having a case containing a mechanical watch movement (10) driven by a spring barrel (14) and provided with a mechanical regulator with a balance and balance-spring, which is associated, via electromagnetic coupling, with an electronic regulator driven by a quartz resonator. The rim of the balance (13) is provided with a pair of permanent magnets (38, 39). The electronic regulator includes a fixed coil (12) arranged for cooperating with said magnets via electromagnetic coupling, a rectifier (58) provided with at least one capacitor, and a circuit (60) for enslaving the frequency of the mechanical regulator to the frequency of the oscillator by braking obtained by briefly short-circuiting the coil. In order to enable a common type of mechanical movement to be used, only the balance of which is altered, the electronic regulator is formed by a structural module (11) that is entirely separate from the mechanical watch movement (10).

Abstract: The method is one of wireless transmission of information between two units consisting primarily of a portable object, such as a personalized watch (1), and a computer station (20). Each unit includes signal transmitting and/or receiving means (2, 24, 26) switched alternately to a transmitting mode and into a receiving mode. Information is transmitted by transmitting a plurality of information frames alternately between the two units. Each information frame comprises a synchronization field, which includes a particular number of synchronization bytes, an information packet and filler bytes. On receiving a frame, the receiving unit counts the synchronization bytes. The receiving unit transmits, in a heading of the information packet, a synchronization indication which is a function of the number of synchronization bytes received. The synchronization indication is used to correct the size of the synchronization field of the next frame received by the receiving unit.

Abstract: The method relates to the input of a security code by means of a touch screen of an electronic device such as a watch for access to a specific function, an apparatus or a given location. This touch screen comprises control keys, which can be activated by a manual action of a user using a finger or a stylus. Each key is linked to a microprocessor unit of the electronic device.

Abstract: In order to display alternately various parameters in the same aperture (46) of a dial or possibly in distinct apertures, the watch is provided with a rotating display disc (51) which includes a series (60) of numbers, representing the dates (1-31) on one part of its circumference and, on the rest of the circumference, at least one image of a celestial body, for example the moon (62) and/or the sun, and optionally other symbols (64). Over time, this image is set in different positions in the aperture, to represent the phases of the moon or the rising and setting of the sun. In an electronic watch, the display disc is preferably driven by an electric motor (54) via a large reduction gear (56).

Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece including a mechanical power source (1) coupled, on the one hand, to first means (5) displaying time related information and, on the other hand, to a generator (2), a regulator circuit (6) for enslaving the generator frequency to a reference frequency, said regulator circuit including switching means (7) arranged for electrically braking the generator when the generator frequency is higher than the reference frequency, and second power-reserve display means (12a) controlled by means for measuring the power-reserve (12b), said timepiece being characterized in that it further includes means (11) for accumulating the electrical energy dissipated during the generator braking periods and means (13) for actuating said second display means to display the power-reserve by means of the electrical energy accumulated.

Abstract: In order to check the hermeticity of a closed cavity of at least one micrometric component, said component includes a structure made over or in one portion of a substrate, a cap fixed to one zone of the substrate to protect the structure, and an indicator element whose optical or electrical properties change in the presence of a reactive fluid. The indicator element may be a copper layer for an optical check or a palladium resistor for an electrical check. The micrometric component is placed in a container which is then hermetically closed. This container is filled with a reactive fluid under pressure, which is oxygen for the optical check and hydrogen for the electrical check. The component in the container is subjected to a reactive fluid pressure higher than 10 bars for a determined time period, and to thermal (T>100° C.) or optical (?<500 nm) activation. After this time period, an optical or electrical check of the indicator element determines the hermeticity of said cavity.

Abstract: A conductive pattern, made of a transparent conductive oxide, such as ITO including electrodes (2) and conductive paths (4) is formed on one face of a transparent substrate (3) made of sapphire or toughened glass, then coated with a first layer (5) of a transparent dielectric with a low refractive index, such as MgF2 or LiF2, and then a second layer (7) of another transparent dielectric having a higher refractive index than the first, such as Al2O3, Ta2O5 or DLC.

Abstract: The method of synchronizing the analogue display (41) of a timepiece (40), including an electronic time base (64), is achieved using proximity sensors (60, 62) respectively associated with wheels (46, 48) each having an aperture (54, 56) for defining the angular position of the latter. Determination of the angular position of a wheel requires an angular distance of around 60° to 90° to be travelled with this type of proximity sensor. Dependency of the measurement results upon the temperature generates a problem of precision in determining the angular position of the wheels, in particular a wheel secured to the hour indicator, given that an angle of 60° to 90° corresponds to a time interval of 2 to 3 hours.

Abstract: In order to display images true to the real appearance of the moon during a lunation, particularly in a watch, there is provided a rotating indicator disc (8) arranged behind a circular aperture of a dial and comprising an annular region (20) subdivided into alternatively light (21–25) and dark (26–30) fields by lines of separation (31–40) having different shapes, which can appear in succession in the aperture. The drive means impart primary movements on the indicator disc (8), each of which is large enough to replace one of the lines of separation by another in the aperture, and smaller secondary movements, to produce small movements of the line of separation inside the aperture. This allows a new image of the moon to be given every day, true to reality, with a restricted number of light and dark fields on the indicator disc and a particularly large aperture in relation to the size of the dial. A version with electric driving is disclosed and a version driven by a mechanical watch movement.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electro-optical cell, in particular a liquid crystal display cell (2), or an electrochemical photovoltaic cell, including in particular a first transparent front substrate (4) and a second back substrate (6) which may or may not be transparent, said substrates (4, 6) being joined by a sealing frame that defines a volume (8) for retaining a sensitive material whose physical properties, particularly optical, or electrical properties are capable of changing, said substrates (4, 6) including on their faces opposite each other at least one electrode (14, 16), these electrodes (14, 16) being intended to be connected to an electrical power or control circuit, said cell (2) being characterised in that the sealing frame includes at least one wall (12) structured on one of the two substrates (4, 6) and which defines via its inner lateral face the volume (8) for retaining the sensitive material, the substrates (4, 6) being joined by a sealing frame (30), which occupies at least part of

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus having a display zone, such as a liquid crystal screen (4), and including an optical device for forming a decorative pattern in the form of a figurative image. The optical device for forming a figurative image includes an optical guide (1), at least partially superposed onto the display zone (4) and having two large faces (10, 11) and one lateral face (12). Optical extractors (20) each having at least one surface (21) for reflecting light are arranged in a first group in at least one of the large faces (11). A light source (8, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d) is arranged so as to emit light in the direction of the reflective surfaces (21) via the lateral face (12) of the optical guide. Thus, each of the reflective surfaces causes a reflected light beam to be formed in a well defined direction, the set of the light beams forming a figurative image in that direction, which can typically be chosen to be the normal in relation to the mid-plane of the optical guide.

Abstract: The telephone watch includes a crystal (1) including a keyboard (2) formed in particular of a plurality of capacitive sensors (3) disposed under the crystal. This crystal includes a thick zone (4) at its center and a thinned zone (5) at its periphery. The keyboard (2) is deposited under the thinned zone (5).

Abstract: The system includes an assortment (10) of sensors (10a, 10b, 10c), the working electrode (14a) of each sensor being covered with a specific reagent of a given proteolytic enzyme, including a substrate capable of releasing leaving groups (LG) via the action of said enzyme, a measuring apparatus (20) having an electronic circuit imposing a current, whose intensity or voltage may or may not be variable, between the electrodes, and for receiving in return a signal representative of the release of the LG, and an electronic apparatus (30) for processing the transmitted signal and displaying, on a display screen (32), an indication representative of the release of the LG as a function of time. Application to determination, in a plasma or whole blood sample, of the factors responsible for a coagulation anomaly.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electronic astronomical watch, in particular of the wristwatch type, said watch (1) being capable of indicating the position of celestial bodies in the heavens, said watch (1) including: a time base (48) for producing a standard frequency signal; means (50) for determining the current time and date from the standard signal means (28, 30) for selecting a celestial body; analogue time display means using two hands (10, 12); means (32) for determining the position of the selected celestial body in the heavens and indicating this position via the display means (10, 12), the watch (1) being wherein it includes a rotating dial (14) on which there is shown the map (16) of the heavens and in that the shape of the hands (10, 12) is such that their intersection or point of conjunction enables any point of the map of the heavens (16) to be designated on the dial (14).

Abstract: The apparatus includes at least one information storing unit, a unit for processing said information, a management and control unit receiving control signals from the processing unit and a supply unit controlled by said management unit and controlling the movement of said two stepping motors above a dial bearing markings Ri representative of said information. The apparatus is characterized in that said processing unit is provided with an algorithm or correspondence table between a marking Ri and angles ?i?i formed respectively by each hand from a measurement reference and in that the shape of said hands is such that when they have the angular orientations ?i ?i, their elongated parts can intersect above said marking Ri, or their tips can be aligned opposite said marking Ri. The apparatus may be a wristwatch.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing a transparent element including transparent electrodes, said method including the steps of: depositing over at least one part of the surface of a transparent substrate (1) a layer (2) of a conductive oxide that is also transparent, and structuring in said conductive oxide layer (2) at least one electrode (4) connected to a contact pad (8) by a conductive path (6) by removing said oxide along the contour of the desired electrode (4, 6, 8) so as to create a trimming line (10) which will insulate the part (12) of the conductive oxide layer (2), which forms the electrode (4, 6, 8) and which is to be brought to an electric potential, from the rest (14) of the conductive oxide layer (2) which will be floating, this method being wherein at least a second trimming line (10?) is made around the first (10).

Abstract: There is disclosed a wristwatch (21) including a middle part (22) defining a middle plane (Y), conductive means (35, 36) for attaching the wristband (32) to the middle part, a radio-frequency module (27) arranged inside the middle part and connected, on the one hand, to a ground plane and, on the other hand, to a radiating element, insulated from each other and forming an antenna. The ground plane includes at least one conductive surface portion (37) of the wristband connected to the wristband attaching means and the middle part which is conductive, the latter being connected from the inside to the radio-frequency module. The radiating element includes a first conductive surface element (25) arranged in a substantially parallel plane to the middle plane defined by the middle part.

Abstract: The crystal (10), in the inner surface of which contact zones (17) are structured, includes close to its edge a hollow (14) machined in one of its faces (11, 12) or a groove (25) machined in its thickness and provided with an enamel deposition (20) for concealing said contact zones (17) after bonding.

Abstract: In an electronic watch containing an electric battery assembly of large size, particularly a battery assembly including several batteries or accumulators (41, 42), the diameter of a removable cover (20) closing a large bottom opening of the back cover (14) of the watchcase is limited by the fact that the cover is provided with a bayonet fitting device having locking members (56) radially directed towards the interior. These locking members catch on a fixed support (22) having one or more housings for the battery assembly. They are arranged at the top of a substantially cylindrical annular portion (50) of the cover. A sealing gasket (52) is placed around this annular portion and compressed radially against a cylindrical surface (16) of the periphery of the opening in the back cover, which ensures water-resistance even if the bayonet fitting is not screwed all the way in. According to a variant, the cover can form the entire back cover of the case.