Patents Assigned to The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20240411275
    Abstract: A display device (100) for a watch (1000) including at least one light source (200) and including, between a dial (300) carrying at least one reference scale on a top side (301) and a crystal (400) on the side facing the user a set of hands (10) coaxial about an axis of rotation (D) including at least a first luminous indicator (1) including a first light guide (11) arranged to diffuse some of the light emitted by said at least one light source (200), wherein the first light guide (11) includes first coupling microstructures (110) which are arranged to allow light to enter the first light guide (11) and/or to allow light to exit the first light guide (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Cyrille GERNEZ
  • Publication number: 20240410828
    Abstract: A device for measuring the humidity in the internal volume of a case of a watch, which device includes a watch including a case housing an optical system, the optical system including a transmitter transmitting a light beam, a multi-pass cell through which the light beam is intended to pass, and a receiver intended to receive the light beam once it has passed through the multi-pass cell; a management module external to the case, including a processing unit configured to communicate with the optical system and to process data transmitted thereby in order to determine the humidity present in the internal volume of the case on the basis of the absorption of the light beam by the water vapour that may be present in the internal volume of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Hicham FARAH, Pierpasquale TORTORA
  • Patent number: 12161202
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a composite component of a timepiece or of a jewelry part, the composite component comprising a porous ceramic part and a metallic material filling the pores of said ceramic part, said method comprising the steps of: providing a porous ceramic preform of the component, providing a metallic material, heating the metallic material to a temperature higher than the melting point of the metallic material, filling the pores of the ceramic preform with the molten metallic material, cooling the metallic material and the ceramic preform to obtain a solidified metallic material in the pores of the ceramic preform, and applying finishing treatments to obtain the composite component, wherein said porous ceramic preform consists essentially of a material selected from the group consisting of Si3N4, SiO2 and mixtures thereof, and said metallic material is selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, palladium metals and alloys of these metals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Alban Dubach, Pablo Rodriguez, Robert Pompe
  • Patent number: 12163217
    Abstract: A substrate includes a final silver-plated surface protected against silver tarnishing by a protective coat having a thickness between 1 nm and 200 nm, the protective coat includes a first coat of Al2O3 deposited on said final silver-plated surface and having a thickness between 0.5 nm and 100 nm, and on the first coat of Al2O3, a second coat of TiO2 having a thickness between 0.5 nm and 100 nm, the substrate including a coat of a silver and copper alloy comprising between 0.1% and 10% by weight of copper with respect to the total weight of the alloy, forming said final silver-plated surface, said coat of a silver and copper alloy having a thickness between 1000 nm and 3000 nm. Embodiments also relate to a method for manufacturing such a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Christian Manasterski, Vladislav Spassov, Cédric Faure
  • Patent number: 12147199
    Abstract: A watch (10) including a case provided with a back, with a crystal (12), with a set of components forming a horological movement (13), and with a dial (14) disposed between the movement and the crystal (12), the dial (14) including a photovoltaic cell module (16) connected to an electric accumulator (17) intended to provide an electrical energy source to the watch (10), the dial (14) further including a shutter device (18) arranged between the photovoltaic cell module (16) and the crystal (12) of the watch (10), and configured to occupy a shutter state wherein it masks the entire photovoltaic cell module (16) and an exposure state wherein it exposes all or part of the photovoltaic cell module (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Matthias Imboden
  • Patent number: 12147198
    Abstract: A timepiece and method for mounting a generator in the timepiece, this generator being formed of a rotor with permanent magnets and two coils. A supporting structure is preassembled with the rotor and an electronic module including the two coils is preformed. The method includes the following successive steps for laterally mounting the electronic module in the supporting structure so as to form the generator; assembly of an electronic module support with the supporting structure to form an articulation; rotation of the electronic module thanks to the articulation to bring the two coils closer to the axis of rotation of the rotor, so that these two coils are finally each located in a functional position at the same distance from the axis of rotation of the rotor; fastening of the electronic module to block the articulation after said rotation and thus maintain this electronic module in a functional angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Olivier Matthey, Jean-Jacques Born
  • Publication number: 20240375848
    Abstract: A device for packaging a lubricant, the device including a hollow capillary tube intended to contain the lubricant, the tube including, on the one hand, a first opening closed by a piston arranged to cooperate with a rod movable longitudinally in the capillary tube, and on the other hand, a second free opening through which the lubricant flows when pressure is exerted on the piston with the movable rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jean-Bosco Thanh Khai DINH, Yoann MOSTEIRO VAZQUEZ, Romain DESPLAND
  • Patent number: 12141642
    Abstract: A pair of transponders including a first transponder equipped with a first electronic system for managing the sending and the receiving of data and with a first antenna, the first electronic system being connected to the first antenna, the pair of transponders including a second transponder equipped with a second electronic system for managing the sending and the receiving of data and with a second antenna, the second electronic system being connected to the second antenna, wherein the second antenna is configured and disposed so that the second transponder forms a resonator circuit of the first antenna. A timepiece can include such a pair of transponders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Zoran Randjelovic, Jérôme Maspoli
  • Patent number: 12140829
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device, the display device including: two facing transparent substrates designated respectively front substrate and rear substrate, the front substrate being same disposed on the observer side, the front and rear substrates being provided on the inner faces thereof with transparent structured electrodes whereof the superposition defines shape pixels switchable between two optical states, the electrodes being connected to a voltage source via a control circuit, forming a cell closed by a sealing frame for receiving in the spaced delimited by the substrates and the sealing frame a liquid crystal composition; and a decorative pattern in direct contact with the front substrate or the rear substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Michel Sagardoyburu, Loïc Curchod
  • Publication number: 20240365936
    Abstract: A bracelet (10) for a portable object (1) including a first strand (11) and a second strand (12), each of the strands (11, 12) including a first end able to be attached to a case (2) of the portable object (1), wherein the first strand (11) includes a first optical device (21) having a first diameter (L1); the second strand (12) includes a second optical device (22) having a second diameter (L2), smaller than the first diameter (L1) of the first optical device (21), the first optical device (21) and the second optical device (22) being configured so that the superposition of the first optical device (21) and of the second optical device (22), by the superposition of the first strand (11) and of the second strand (12), forms a microscope having an eyepiece constituted by the first optical device (21) and an objective constituted by the second optical device (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Michel WILLEMIN, Nicolas FRANCOIS, Pierpasquale TORTORA, Marek DOVCIK, Sophie NAPOLI, Cedric NICOLAS, Stewes BOURBAN
  • Publication number: 20240358127
    Abstract: A watch or jewellery external part, in which the external part includes a substrate on a surface of which extends a coating including a tantalum Ta based nitride or oxynitride having a thickness comprised between 300 nm and 10 ?m and an intrinsic and saturated colour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Marta FORNABAIO, Lucie TABARD, Vladislav SPASSOV, Loïc CURCHOD
  • Publication number: 20240360048
    Abstract: An external part including a substrate made of ceramic material on a surface of which extends a transparent inorganic protective coating, the protective coating being configured so as to have a refractive index substantially equal to that of the substrate in the visible range of the light spectrum, so that the external part has a colour substantially identical to the intrinsic colour of the substrate, the coating extending over a thickness chosen between 300 nm and 5 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Loïc CURCHOD, Vladislav SPASSOV, Lucie TABARD, Marta FORNABAIO
  • Patent number: 12129355
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a luminescent horological component for a portable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Sophie Napoli, Nicolas François
  • Patent number: 12132510
    Abstract: A method for detecting an RF signal detected by a super-regenerative receiver (1). The receiver includes a reference oscillator (4) for generating an oscillation in the oscillator, a bias current generator (7) for supplying a bias current, an oscillation detector (6) connected between an output (coilp) of the oscillator and the bias current generator for controlling when an RF signal is received by the receiver, and an impedance matching unit (3) disposed between the input of the receiver and the reference oscillator (4). Following activation of a start control signal, detection of the oscillation of the reference oscillator is performed, and once the reference oscillator oscillates above a critical increasing bias current value, the oscillation detector orders the bias current generator to cut off the bias current and thus stop the oscillation of the reference oscillator to reduce the overall electricity consumption during an RF signal detection phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Arnaud Casagrande, Jean-Luc Arend
  • Patent number: 12124222
    Abstract: An annular fluidic device includes a closed annular tube, wherein the tube includes at least one portion of transparent wall and contains a rigid torus bathed in a fluid filling the internal volume of the tube, in that the torus is arranged to be movable in the tube, and wherein at least one permanently polarised magnetic element integral with the torus allows it to undergo a moment of force causing it to be aligned in the direction of the external magnetic vector. A watch case can include this device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: François Gueissaz, Michel Willemin, Matthias Imboden
  • Patent number: 12124218
    Abstract: A timepiece resonator mechanism (100), including a structure (1) carrying, by a flexible suspension (300), an anchoring block (30) from which is suspended an inertial element (2) oscillating about a pivot axis (D) extending in a first direction Z, according to a first rotational degree of freedom RZ, under the action of return forces of a flexible pivot (200) including elastic longitudinal strips (3) each fixed to said inertial element (2) and to said anchoring block (30), the resonator mechanism including a viscous substance (10) arranged at least partly around the flexible suspension (300), the viscous substance (10) being configured to at least partly dissipate the energy due to a shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jérôme Favre, Dominique Lechot, Baptiste Hinaux, Gianni Di Domenico, Pascal Winkler
  • Patent number: 12124220
    Abstract: A watch case includes a middle having a first opening receiving a crystal, opposite a second opening receiving a back. The back is held such that it bears against an annular bearing surface of the middle by a threaded ring cooperating, by screwing, with the middle. The back includes a first indexing element to cooperate with a second indexing element with which the middle is provided so as to immobilise the back in a single angular position such that it cannot rotate relative to the middle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Philipp Tschumi, Philippe Scherrer
  • Patent number: 12117777
    Abstract: An assembly (1) for measuring a relative humidity level inside a watch (2), comprising the watch (2) and a device (4) for determining the humidity level present in the enclosure (9) of a case (3) of this watch (2), the determination device (4) comprising a free space optical system and a control unit (7). The system includes: an emitter module (5) for emitting at least one light beam (8); and a receiver module (6) for receiving the at least one light beam (8); the control unit (7) being connected to the modules (5, 6) and the at least one light beam (8) emitted by the emitter module (5) defining an optical path partly comprised in the case (3) and extending as far as the receiver module (6) and the control unit (7) being configured to evaluate the absorption of the light beam (8) by the water vapour capable of being present inside the enclosure (9) of the case (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Dominique Dubugnon, Cedric Blatter, Michel Willemin
  • Patent number: 12120957
    Abstract: A recharging device for an electronic or electromechanical watch equipped, on the one hand, with a device for the storage of electrical energy for powering electronic components of the watch and, on the other hand, with an auxiliary source of electrical energy adapted to power the device for the storage of electrical energy for recharging thereof. The device includes a casket provided with a support for receiving the watch. The device further includes at least one source of energy configured to supply energy to the auxiliary source of electrical energy, when the watch is placed on the receiving support, so that the auxiliary source of electrical energy converts the received energy into electrical energy and delivers a charge for maintaining a predetermined level of power supply voltage to the device for the storage of electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Alexandre Haemmerli, Lionel Tombez
  • Patent number: 12117773
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary resonator mechanism (1) comprising an oscillating mass (2), a flexible guide comprising at least two flexible blades (4) connecting a stationary support (3) to the oscillating mass (2), the resonator mechanism (1) extending substantially in the same plane to allow the oscillating mass to perform a rotary movement around a virtual pivot, the flexible guide (1) extending along a main axis of symmetry (14), characterised in that the mechanism (1) comprises a translation table (5) arranged between the flexible guide and the oscillating mass (2), the translation table (5) being joined to the flexible blades (4) and/or to the oscillating mass (2). The invention also relates to a horological movement comprising such a resonator (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Mohammad Hussein Kahrobaiyan