Abstract: A generator (50) able to be fitted to a clockwork system including a crystal (51a) used as a time base, includes a first oscillator (51) able to supply a first frequency (f1), a second oscillator (56) able to supply a second frequency (f2), a divider (60) able to supply a third frequency (f3) from the second frequency, a comparator (52) able to compare the third and first frequencies, and a control loop including a filter (54) connected to the comparator and able to control the second oscillator. The generator is characterised in that it includes a component (58) able to provide an indicator (LCK) containing the state of the loop, and in that the filter (54) can receive the indicator (LCK) and, in response, have a narrow (or respectively wide) band, when the loop is (or respectively is not) locked.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a watertight apparatus capable of being immersed in a liquid, for example a watertight watch, including a case (1) with an inner chamber (10) communicating with the exterior, the chamber being separated from the exterior by a membrane (17) which can be deformed, defining, on one side, a non-watertight outer zone and, on the other side, a watertight inner zone, in which is housed, in association with the membrane, an acoustic transducer (22), the membrane being fixed by its peripheral edge (17A) in the chamber (10) and applied via elastic memeber (20) towards its periphery, but at a distance from the edge, against a support surface (12) arranged in the inner chamber (10).

Abstract: The invention concerns a batch manufacturing method for a plurality of individual photovoltaic cells (22), including the following steps: (a) providing at least one strip (1) of conductive material, (b) cutting in succession in said strip (1) substrates (2) having the shape and the dimensions of the desired cells (22), (c) replacing the cut substrates (2) in the strip (1) (d) depositing semi-conductor materials (16) forming at least one n-i-p or p-i-n junction on one of the faces (4a) of the strip (2), (e) depositing a transparent layer of conductive material on top of said semi-conductor materials (16), (f) removing from the strip (1) the cut substrates (2) coated with said semi-conductor materials (16) and the upper electrode (18) to form individual photovoltaic cells (22) which are ready for use.

Abstract: A device of small dimensions includes a two coaxial wheels (4, 6) respectively including two plates (44, 46) parallel to each other. A sensor (10) including a detection element (14).formed by a magnetic or capacitive element, in particular a flat spiral coil, is provided for detecting the angular position of both of the two wheels. In order to do this, the sensor (10) detects the presence or absence of an active material above the detection element (14). For this purpose, each of plates (44) and (46) has at least one inactive region for the sensor and is formed at least partially of active material for the sensor. The sensor is arranged relative to the wheel the closest to the detection element in such a way that the latter is at least in part above or below said at least one inactive region in at least one determined angular position of said wheel so as to allow the sensor to detect the angular position of the wheel whose plate (44) is furthest from the detection element (14).

Abstract: The invention concerns astronomic watches capable of indicating the position of heavenly bodies of the solar system with respect to the Earth and to the zodiac. The watch according to the invention is an electronic watch including: a time base (1) for generating a standard frequency signal, a circuit (2) for determining the current time and date from said standard frequency signal, this current date including the day of the month, the month and the year, a manual control system (7; 21, 22, 23) allowing each of said heavenly bodies to be selected, a display system (6; 14, 15, 16, 20), and means (3, 4, 5) for determining the position of a selected heavenly body with respect to the Earth and to the signs of the zodiac and for causing this position to be indicated by the display system. Preferably the watch according to the invention is designed to allow the position of a heavenly body to be indicated at a date other than the current date which can be a past or future date.

Abstract: A zirconia based article having a core of ZrO2 and/or partially reduced ZrO2, characterized in that it includes, over at least part of its surface, a superficial layer integral with the article, the thickness of the superficial layer including a plurality of regions of which one external region is formed of zirconium nitride having a gold metallic appearance.

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: 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 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: 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: An autonomous low power consumption electrical apparatus that has a supply device (8) comprising a single photo-voltaic cell, an electrical accumulator (7), and a voltage booster (10, 11, TR1, TR3) connected between the power source (9) and the accumulator for charging the accumulator. The voltage booster is controlled by a pulse signal having a predetermined frequency. To allow the apparatus to start when the accumulator is completely discharged, the pulse signal can be generated, at least temporarily, by an oscillator that can operate at a very low voltage, that is, the voltage of the single photo-voltaic cell. When the apparatus is a timepiece, the oscillator (2) can be replaced by the oscillator of the time-keeping circuit (1) of the timepiece as soon as the accumulator (9) is sufficiently charged.

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.