Abstract: The portable electronic device, preferably a wristwatch, includes a radiofrequency signal receiver for receiving, in particular, GPS signals via an antenna, a magnetic compass, a microprocessor data processing unit for processing data provided by the receiver and the compass, and storage means in which almanac and ephemeredes data relating to satellites is stored. The compass is arranged for provide an orientation signal to the data processing device. In this manner, the unit can control means for indicating a direction to indicate a preferred orientation for searching for satellites visible to the user in a reading position of the watch. These indicating means can be formed by the time indicating hands moved above a watch dial. The preferred orientation is calculated by the processing unit on the basis of the almanac and ephemeredes data, time data and the orientation signal.

Abstract: The wireless data communication device (1) is mounted in a portable object, such as a wristwatch. The device includes an oscillator circuit (6), which produces high frequency signals (SH), and a signal processing unit (7), connected to the oscillator circuit. The connection structure of one part of the oscillator circuit (14, 15), which produces the high frequency signals, is arranged to act as antenna for the transmission of data by means of stray signals (SP) transmitted by the connection structure. The processing unit provides a control signal (CC) to the oscillator circuit depending upon the data to be transmitted by means of the stray signals by the connection structure. An amplitude modulation or a frequency modulation can be used for the transmission of data by means of the stray signals.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a chemical etch assisted spark machining head, characterized in that it includes a body through which an electrode extends and which defines a counter-electrode extending radially around the electrode, said body including means for feeding an electrolytic liquid into the space delimited by the electrode and the counter-electrode.

Abstract: A dual-modulus prescaler circuit for a frequency synthesizer comprises a plurality of asynchronous dividers-by-two connected in series, a phase selector unit (11) between two dividers-by-two (10, 12) and a control unit (13) for supplying control signals (S0, S1, S2) to the selector unit as a function of a selected mode. Said selector unit receives four signals phase shifted by 90° in relation to each other from a master-slave first divider and supplies a selected one of the four phase shifted signals. The control signals (S0, S1, S2) are supplied to the selector unit for selecting one of the four phase shifted signals (F2) at the output in a particular division period. As a function of the control signals supplied by the control unit (13) in one selected of the modes, the selector unit effects phase switching in each division period between two phase shifted signals selected by each branch. The second phase shifted signal i in phase lead of 90° in relation to the first phase shifted signal.

Abstract: The present invention is a lighting device for an electronic or electromechanical apparatus such as a timepiece of the wristwatch type. The invention includes a device displaying time-related or other information, this lighting device including a light source for lighting the display device. The lighting device is characterized in that the light source is also able to measure the intensity of the ambient light. The invention also concerns a method for controlling the lighting of an apparatus of the aforementioned type.

Abstract: The receiver (1) for radio-frequency signals (SV1, SV2, SV3, SV4), modulated by specific codes of transmitting sources, such as satellites (S1, S2, S3, 54), includes receiving and shaping means with frequency conversion for the radio-frequency signals for generating intermediate signals, a correlation stage formed of several correlation channels for receiving the intermediate signals and microprocessor means connected to the correlation stage in order to process the extracted data after correlation. Each channel includes a correlator in which the intermediate signals are correlated with at least two early and late replicas of the specific code of a visible transmitting source to be searched and tracked. The correlator further includes integrator counters for the correlated signals to provide a first amplitude value of the auto-correlation function of the early signals and a second amplitude value for the late signals.

Abstract: The method of determining the position of a radio-frequency signal receiver consists first of all in dividing the Earth's surface into N geographical regions as a function of the N channels available in the correlation stage of the receiver. At least one satellite in projection onto the Earth's surface has to be located in each of the N defined regions. The N channels of the correlation stage are each configured and switched on to search for a visible satellite in one of the N respective regions. Radio-frequency signal reception and shaping means pick up said radio-frequency signals and frequency convert them to provide intermediate signals to the correlation stage. Once one of the channels has detected a visible satellite in one of the N regions, the operation of all the other channels is interrupted by a stop block located in each of the other channels.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a telephone-watch including at least one control member and a case in which there is mounted an electroacoustic transmitter transducer (103) in communication with an acoustic output cavity arranged in the case and in direct communication with the exterior via at least one output channel. The watch is characterized in that the output channel opens out on the same side of the case as the control member with respect to a 6-12 o'clock axis of the watch.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a portable electronic timepiece including analogue display means. Preferably, the analogue display means include hour (9), minute (10) and second (11) hands and two concentric date display rings (15, 16) visible through a large aperture (14), said different display members being driven independently of each other. The electronic circuits (20) of the timepiece are arranged for keeping a golf score in a particular operating mode, called the golf mode. The use of current time display means for displaying information relating to golf play means that the timepiece is easy to read in golf mode. The electronic circuits are also arranged to allow the wearer of the timepiece to display, particularly, the scores of any hole already played at any time during the game, owing to intuitive manipulations of a single control member (8).

Abstract: The device for managing memory in an electronic watch of the diary type includes a non-volatile memory (15) connected to a microprocessor unit (14). The unit is programmed to manage data and/or parameter storage and/or deletion operations in the memory. Activation of at least one key of the watch (C1) allows an instruction to be provided to the unit for managing data and/or parameter storage and/or deletion operations. The memory (15) includes a first static zone (100) for storing data and/or parameters in fixed memory locations and a second dynamic zone (101) for storing data records of different types. The memory location of each type of record is managed by the microprocessor unit (14) as a function of the modification or deletion of certain records and as a function of the storage of new records. Each record starts with a heading in which two pointers are placed to establish a link with a following record and a preceding record of the same type.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an electronic device for recognizing characters traced manually on an input zone (10) comprising a plurality of sensors (15) each capable of being activated by a finger or a tracing instrument (13). The method consists in comparing the manual trace of a character (100) produced on the input zone with a group of characters of a predetermined set of characters. The invention is characterised in that each character of the set of characters is represented by at least one predetermined model representative of a way in which the character can be traced, and in that a model representative of the way in which the manual trace of the character (100) has been performed on the input zone is elaborated.

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: A light source (15) is housed in a housing (6) of a case, underneath the dial (10) opposite a guide (17) directing the light onto a reflector (20), formed in a hollow in the internal or external face of a crystal (1) the thickness of which decreases regularly from the center to the periphery thereof for reorienting the light by total internal reflection into the crystal (1) until it emerges towards the dial (10) when the maximum refractive index is exceeded.

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: There is disclosed an electronic multi-function wristwatch one of whose operating modes is a memory game which uses the time display means of the watch. In the preferred version comprising an analogue time display, the watch randomly generates a sequence of visual indications such as time values and displays it by means of the hands (3, 4). Then, the player attempts to repeat these indications by entering a sequence of answers by means of control keys (14–19) arranged facing the hour symbols (7) of the dial. These keys preferably comprise electrodes affixed under the watch glass. The watch displays successive sequences each comprising one or more indications more than the preceding sequence. It can also emit corresponding sequences of sounds. The watch/user interface can further comprise push-buttons (11–13) and an alphanumerical LCD display (9).

Abstract: The timepiece, which is preferably a wristwatch, includes for each time position a capacitive sensor (C1 to C12), on a fixed bezel, including only four markings (R3, R6, R9, R12) at 3 o'clock, 6 o'clock, 9 o'clock and 12 o'clock, and a single crown-push-button (9). The case contains, in particular, a non-acoustic vibration generator (20) and an electronic interpretation and coding circuit (15), associated with a time-keeper circuit (10), with the sensors and with the crown to control the vibration device, said circuit (15) being designed to identify the manipulations on the crown (brief, long application of pressure or pull) and on the sensors (positioning or movement).

Abstract: The correlation and demodulation circuit (6) in particular for a pseudo-random code radio-frequency signal receiver (1) includes a correlation stage (7) connected to a microprocessor (12) in particular for configuring the correlation stage in normal operating mode or in test mode. In normal operation the stage receives intermediate signals (IF) corresponding to the radio-frequency signals shaped in means (3) for receiving the modulated signals from the receiver. The intermediate signals are correlated in a correlator control loop (8) of said correlation stage (7) with a replica of the first code supplied by a code generator (25). The code generator (25) is adapted via a microprocessor (12) to generate a replica of a pseudo-random code of shorter repetition length than the pseudo-random code of the radio-frequency signals.

Abstract: The dial with an enamel coating (2) includes a base plate (1) made of ceramic material with portions in relief (4, 8) obtained by partial or through shaping or machining, formed by an insert (10) also having an enamel coating (12) and whose thickness defines a recess (4) or an embossment (8).

Abstract: There is disclosed a timepiece having a mechanical clockwork-movement (10) driven by a barrel spring (14) and provided with a mechanical regulator, with a balance and a balance spring, which is associated, via electromagnetic coupling, with an electronic regulator driven by a quartz resonator. The rim of the balance (13) balance is provided with at least one 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 for enslaving the frequency of the mechanical regulator to the oscillator frequency by braking obtained by briefly short-circuiting the coil. In order to use a mechanical movement of a common type, in which only the balance is altered, the coil (12) is located on the side of the balance-cock (23) with respect to the balance rim.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for data entry into a portable object, in particular a watch, with display screen comprising a control button (1) consisting of an elastic mass (2) wherein is housed a permanent magnet (3) and a positioning analogue magnetic sensor (4) with Hall effect for example, arranged inside the object opposite to and spaced apart from said control button (1), said sensor being adapted to measure the movements of the magnet (3) in at least one direction for data entry. The control button (1) is arranged in a blind housing (7) of a non-magnetic wall (5) of the object structure, to be mechanically uncoupled from the sensor, said wall not in contact with said sensor acting as sealing protection for the sensor.