Abstract: A wireless proximity detector arrangement includes at least one antenna, an impedance sensing circuit coupled to the antenna and operable to quantitatively measure variations of an antenna impedance over time, and a controller connected to the impedance sensing circuit and operable to at least one of selectively deactivating and selectively activating the impedance sensing circuit for a predefined time interval.

Abstract: A device (10) for locking a clasp (20), including: a push-piece (100) which can move translatably in a support structure (110) between a rest position in which it is intended to prevent the clasp (20) from opening and an active position in which it is intended to no longer prevent the opening of the clasp (20); and a blocking member (120) for blocking the push-piece (100), which member is configured to occupy a locking state in which it immobilises the push-piece (100) in the rest position, and an unlocking state in which it releases the push-piece (100) translatably.

Abstract: A paramagnetic stainless steel part including a core surrounded by a surface including at least a first zone and at least a second zone, the core and the second zone having a hardness HV1 of between 500 and 900, and a microstructure formed by a sigma phase at a mass percentage of between 40 and 80% and an austenitic phase at a mass percentage of between 20 and 60%, the part wherein the first zone is enriched in Ni relative to the core and the second zone, in that the first zone forms a layer entirely made up of an austenitic phase, the layer being referred to as the austenitic layer, and wherein the austenitic layer has a hardness of less than 400 HV1. Another aspect of the disclosure relates to the method for manufacturing this part.

Abstract: A timepiece assembly includes a watch having a mechanical movement and an analogue time display, the running of which is set by a mechanical resonator, and a support for the watch. To correct a time displayed by the analogue display, the timepiece assembly includes a correction system which is formed by a mechanical device incorporated into the watch and by an electrical device incorporated into the support. The mechanical device includes a magnet supported by an elastic blade and is arranged in the watch to brake the oscillating mechanical resonator, for example by applying periodic braking, or to momentarily stop its oscillation by exerting a magnetic force on the magnet with a magnetic field produced by a coil of the electrical device and passing through the case of the watch, to carry out essentially a set correction of the time displayed.

Abstract: A balance spring for a watch resonator mechanism, the balance spring (100) including a flexible strip (2) wound on itself in a plurality of coils, the strip (2) having a predefined stiffness, the balance spring (100) including means for adjusting its stiffness, including a flexible element (5) arranged in series with the strip (2), the flexible element (5) connecting one end (4) of the strip (2) to a fixed mount (38), so as to add additional stiffness to the continuation of the strip (2), the flexible element (5) preferably having a stiffness greater than that of the strip (2), the flexible element (5) including two flexible parts (15, 16) each connecting the strip (2) to the fixed mount (38), the two flexible parts (15, 16) being arranged relative to each other with axial symmetry along an axis (A) preferably passing substantially through the centre (0) of the balance spring.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a decorative item (5) having a sparkling appearance, comprising the steps of: providing or producing a model (1) having a face (1a) of polycrystalline structure which is intended to be replicated; producing a replica (2) of the face (1a) using a polymer material; producing an object (4) on at least a portion of the replicated face (2a) of the replica (2); and at least one of locally modifying the polycrystalline structure of the model (1) before producing the replica (2); modifying the shape of the replica (2); and selectively producing the object (4) on certain portions of the replicated face (2a) of the negative replica (2), the decorative item (5) being either the replica (2), or the object (4) if the optional step is carried out.

Abstract: A horological movement includes an analogue time display, a gear train, a barrel driving the analogue display via the gear train, and an oscillator formed of a resonator, including a balance and a piezoelectric spring, and a mechanical escapement coupling the balance to the gear train. This horological movement further includes an electric energy source which is associated with the electronic control circuit, which is arranged to be able to control the application of an electrical supply voltage to the piezoelectric spring to excite the oscillator to obtain a functional oscillation of the resonator and then to maintain this functional oscillation. The mechanical escapement is an escapement for counting the alternations of the functional oscillation, to pace the running of the horological movement, without the resonator being able to receive from the barrel via this mechanical escapement enough mechanical energy to maintain the functional oscillation.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a horological assembly (2000) including a watch (1000) and an adjustment tool (200) for driving, without direct contact, a first mobile (1) internal to the watch (1000) throughout its case, for adjustment and/or recharging, the adjustment tool (200) including first magnetic areas (210) cooperating in attraction or repulsion with the first mobile (1) which is pivotably and axially movable about a first axis (D1) against an elastic return means (5) fastened to the case (10), between an active position in which the adjustment tool (200) draws the first mobile (1) towards an end-of-travel surface (6) in an engaged position with a second mobile (7) inside the case (10), and an inactive position in the absence of the adjustment tool (200) and in which the elastic return means (5) keeps the first mobile (1) disengaged from the second mobile (7).

Abstract: A method for location of a beacon includes: executing R sequences, wherein R is a whole number equal to or greater than 2, each including reception by a first antenna network and a second antenna network of a signal originating from the beacon, wherein the signals of the R sequences are of different wavelengths; calculating a first estimation function for angles of arrival of the signal on the first antenna network and of a second estimation function for angles of arrival of the signal on the second antenna network; and executing a mutual correlation of the R first estimation functions and the R second estimation functions, for the respective determination of a first angle between the beacon and the first network, and of a second angle between the beacon and the second network.

Abstract: An horological movement includes an analogue time display, a geartrain, a barrel and an electromechanical oscillator, which is formed of a resonator, including a balance and a piezoelectric balance-spring, and a mechanical escapement, and further includes an electronic control circuit connected to an electrical energy source and arranged to be able to control the application of an electrical voltage on at least one electrode of the piezoelectric balance-spring so as to generate driving electrical pulses for the oscillator. The horological movement is configured such that the barrel is capable, in a first main state, of maintaining alone a functional oscillation of the oscillator with a first amplitude, while in a second main state, the electronic control circuit powers the piezoelectric balance-spring to maintain, partially or fully, the oscillation of the resonator with a second amplitude greater than the first amplitude for any spatial orientation, the second amplitude being preferably constant.

Abstract: A method for machining ribs or grooves on a workpiece such as a shaft or an air or gas axial bearing intended to be rotated about a longitudinal axis of a centrifugal compressor. All of the ribs or grooves are obtained at once by the machining tool on a workpiece portion driven such that it rotates, by moving the workpiece or the tool holder in a longitudinal machining direction, the machining tool moving back and forth with a machining position in contact with the workpiece and a position wherein it is not in contact with the workpiece from the start to the end of the workpiece portion. The back-and-forth movements of the machining tool are synchronised with the sinusoidal program set up in the machining unit, as well as with the desired, programmed arrangement of the ribs or grooves to be produced on the workpiece portion.

Abstract: Provided is a watch case (10) that includes a middle (11) to which are attached a crystal (12) and a back (13) delimiting an internal volume in which is arranged a horological movement (14) intended to drive indicating members. The case (10) also includes a mechanism for actuating an indicator (16) capable of moving in rotation and housed inside the internal volume of the case (10), the actuation mechanism including a bezel (15) capable of moving in rotation and intended to be handled by a user, and a transmission pinion (17) arranged such that it meshes with the bezel (15) and the indicator (16), the respective axes of rotation of the bezel (15), the transmission pinion (17) and the indicator (16) being parallel to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cell (10) comprising a substrate (100) made of a transparent material and intended to be exposed to light radiation, a first electrode (110) formed on the substrate (100), and a unit solar cell (130) arranged between this first electrode (110) and a second electrode (120), the first and second electrodes (110, 120) being made of an electrically conductive and transparent material, the unit solar cell (130) being adapted to absorb light radiation and to generate an electric current therefrom at the terminals of said first and second electrodes (110, 120), the second electrode (120) and the unit solar cell (130) being perforated so as to allow light radiation to pass through said solar cell (10).

Abstract: A solvent-free electrode (2, 3) for a lithium-ion type battery (1), which electrode includes: an active material which is a source of lithium ions, capable of receiving lithium ions and/or of releasing lithium ions into its structure; and a carbon-based material to increase the electrical conductivity of the electrode; wherein the electrode further includes a polymer with at least a maleimide group, an acrylate group or a methacrylate group, said polymer acting as a binder between the active material and the carbon-based material.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a watch component (2) having a coloured enamelled plating (10), including the following steps: providing a substrate (20) chosen among materials capable of withstanding an enamel firing temperature; preparing (22) a coloured enamel composition constituting the coloured enamel plating of the watch component (2), the step (22) involving the encapsulation (24) of colour pigments in transparent protective shells made of inorganic material and the mixing (25) of the encapsulated colour pigments with an enamel preparation; applying (27) at least one layer of prepared coloured enamel composition to a receiving zone (8) on the substrate; and firing (28) the layer of coloured enamel composition comprised in the receiving zone (8).

Abstract: A watch case (10) including a back (30) driven into a middle (20) by a joint (40), and including a body (31) from which radially extends a lip (32), the body (31) including an axial annular shoulder (310) and the lip (32) including a radial annular shoulder (320). The middle (20) has an axial opening (21), an axial annular shoulder (200), and a radial annular shoulder (201) resting against the radial annular shoulder of the lip, the joint being interposed between the axial annular shoulders. The axial annular shoulders have peripheral profiles of complementary shapes, substantially circular, including one and the other, a first circular-arc-shaped portion having a first radius (R1, R2), and a second circular-arc-shaped portion to which is connected the first portion, having a second radius (r1, r2) the value of which is lower than that of the first radius (R1, R2).

Abstract: A horological resonator mechanism, including a structure carrying, via a flexible suspension, an anchor unit from which is suspended an inertial element oscillating about a pivot axis extending in a first direction Z, in a first degree of rotational freedom RZ, under the effect of the return forces of a flexure pivot including longitudinal elastic strips, each fixed to the inertial element and to the anchor unit, the flexible suspension allowing the anchor unit to move in five degrees of freedom, this resonator is a composite assembly made of at least two different materials, on the one hand for the flexure pivot, and on the other hand for the flexible suspension.

Abstract: A musical or striking mechanism (1) for a timepiece or musical box, includes an energy source (6) delivering a mechanical torque and device for transmitting mechanical torque from the energy source to a wheel set for generating music or a striking wheel set (4). The mechanism also includes a wheel set governor (2) configured to regulate, around a reference speed value, the pivoting speed of the wheel set about a pivot axis, and including a break for braking the wheel set configured to return the pivoting speed thereof to the reference speed. The wheel set governor includes a system having an electric generator (16) whereof a rotor is mechanically connected to the energy source delivering the mechanical torque, and an electronic circuit for regulating the rotation speed of the generator.

Abstract: A method for assembling an insert with a recess of a structure, using a propulsion tool guiding a striker slide pushing a striker, and including a distributor device for controlling the forwards or backwards motion of the striker slide, and a tube guiding the striker and including a head with an internal profile adapted to the insert to be produced, a bar of material is inserted into the tube and heated to a predetermined temperature, a propulsion fluid is injected and a distributor slide is operated to move the striker slide at a predefined speed and to drive the striker to strike the preheated bar, force it into the recess and deform it so that it occupies the volume of the internal profile of the head.

Abstract: A watch dial having an organic light-emitting diode display. The display includes an anode, a structured layer of coloured resin, which is preferably photosensitive, in contact with the anode. The display further includes an organic layer stack in contact with the anode and with the structured coloured resin layer. At least one of the organic layers is a light-emitting layer. The display also includes a cathode in contact with the organic layer stack. Also, a watch including the dial and a method for manufacturing the dial.