Patents Examined by Daniel Wicklund
-
Patent number: 9703262Abstract: In an annual or perpetual calendar mechanism, a day-of-the-month wheel includes a notch. At each actuation of a lever, a first pawl finger effects an actuation of one step, on one of the teeth of the day-of-the-month wheel. Upon actuation of the lever at the end of a month of fewer than 31 days, a second pawl finger effects, in the notch, an actuation of the day-of-the-month wheel by a whole number of steps. The notch is positioned between two consecutive teeth among the teeth of the day-of-the-month wheel. The day-of-the-month wheel has a peripheral edge which forms the profiles of its teeth as well as the notch.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Société anonyme de la Manufacture d'horlogerie Audemars Piguet & CieInventor: Giulio Papi
-
Patent number: 9703269Abstract: A method and an apparatus for easily setting a snooze interval in a mobile device are provided. In the method, the mobile device receives an event for setting a snooze function, outputs, when receiving the event, a plurality of display regions respectively corresponding to a plurality of snooze intervals, and selects one display region of the plurality display regions. Then the mobile device sets the snooze function with a specific snooze interval corresponding to the selected one display region.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chulhyung Yang, Sungjun Kim, Gyucheol Choi, Eunyeung Lee
-
Patent number: 9696689Abstract: An electronic timepiece including: a clocking unit which counts current date and time; a daylight saving time application unit which applies daylight saving time information corresponding to positional information to the date and time counted by the clocking unit; a radio wave reception unit which receives radio waves including daylight saving time implementation information of a predetermined area; a daylight saving time information acquisition unit which acquires the daylight saving time implementation information from the received radio waves; a storage unit in which a daylight saving time implementation rule of each area in the world is stored in advance; and an information selection unit which selects, as the daylight saving time information, one of the daylight saving time implementation information and the daylight saving time implementation rule corresponding to a current position on the basis of the current position and the daylight saving time implementation information.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Inventor: Kosuke Hasegawa
-
Patent number: 9690257Abstract: In an annual or perpetual calendar mechanism, a lever bears a maneuvering device of a day-of-the-month wheel. A month wheel defines course beginning stops, each associated with a month and operational for controlling a course beginning position of the lever when the month wheel is in the angular position associated with this month. These course beginning stops are bottoms of slots alternating with the teeth of the month wheel. The month wheel has a peripheral edge which forms the profile of its teeth as well as the course beginning stops.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Société anonyme de la Manufacture d'horlogerie Audemars Piguet & CieInventor: Giulio Papi
-
Patent number: 9684283Abstract: A pivot for a timepiece mechanism, including a first rotational guide member for radially holding an arbor in a plate, and a second front guide member for axially limiting an end of the arbor, and including at least one resilient shock absorber acting on at least the first rotational guide member and/or the second front guide member. The resilient shock absorber is made in a one-piece manner in a micromachinable material or in silicon or quartz or diamond with a structural element other than the first rotational guide member and the second front guide member.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2014Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Nivarox-FAR S.A.Inventors: Marc Stranczl, Thierry Hessler, Jean-Luc Helfer
-
Patent number: 9664534Abstract: Electromechanical apparatus including a wheel set and an analogue indicator member which are integral in rotation, a stepping motor, and a capacitive device for detection of the angular position of the wheel set, including a rotor, a stator and an electronic measuring circuit, the stator including a first pair of electrodes having a first capacitance and a second pair of electrodes having a second capacitance, the rotor being adapted such that the values of the two capacitances depend on the angular position of the rotor, and an electronic measuring circuit being provided for generating an output signal representative of a difference between the respective values of the first and of the second capacitance.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Francois Klopfenstein, Pascal Lagorgette, Damien Schmutz, Raphael Haenni, Matthieu Tardivon
-
Patent number: 9639064Abstract: A wearable electronic device having an analog display and a digital display. The device may include a receiver for receiving, from a remote source, current time information data representative of a current time; a controller, operatively coupled to the receiver, wherein the controller processes the current time information data received from the remote source and provides for the current time information data to be displayed by the at least one digital indicator on the digital display as the current time; and a an analog time indicator rotating arrangement for causing the rotation of the at least one analog time indicator until the at least one analog time indicator is aligned with the at least one digital indicator; whereby the alignment of the at least one analog time indicator with the at least one digital indicator indicates that the at least one analog time indicator is synchronized with the correct time information.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Timex Group USA, Inc.Inventor: Stephanie Schneider
-
Patent number: 9609922Abstract: The present invention provides a band for encircling another object with latch attachment. The band includes a plurality of layers, combined together in a stacked arrangement, where the front side facing of the first layer will form a front side facing of the band, and the back side facing of the last layer will form a back side facing of the band. A latch attachment including a latch connection point, where the latch attachment is located between two adjacent layers of the plurality of layers at an internal position along a length of the band proximate to one end of the band, but still a distance away from an edge of said one end of the band. Each layer between the location of the latch attachment within the stack of the plurality of layers and the back side facing of the band has a corresponding aligned opening in the layer for exposing the latch connection point through the back side facing of the band.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLCInventor: Toshihiro Fujimura
-
Patent number: 9612579Abstract: Provided is an electronic clock which is capable of finely controlling a driving force of a normal driving pulse and suppresses variation in current consumption without an increase in circuit size. The electronic clock is configured so that while a chopped driving pulse is output and in an interval in which coil terminals have heretofore been short-circuited, a pulse is output (hereinafter referred to as adjustment pulse) for control from a terminal that is different from a terminal of a motor driver from which the normal driving pulse has been output. The output pattern of the adjustment pulse is changed with reference to a driving rank selecting circuit to increase or decrease a motor driving current and hence change the driving force.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.Inventors: Yu Takyo, Masaaki Namekawa
-
Patent number: 9606510Abstract: The motor driver of an horological motor consumes an important part of the electrical energy of the electronic circuit due to the fact that configuration data has to be transferred to configuration registers before each turn/step. In order to reduce the power consumption a circuitry is proposed, which detects a change in at least one of the configuration registers. This detection is used to trigger a refresh of the configuration registers only when actually a change in at least one of these configuration registers occurs.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SAInventor: Ovidiu Sima
-
Patent number: 9581968Abstract: The present invention improves the weathering performance of a stopper structure preventing inadvertent rotation or a rotated body accommodated in a case. An operation member having a head portion rotated outside the case and a shaft portion inserted into a pipe so as to be movable between a first position and a second position that is outer than the first position. A stopper structure is provided inside the case to prevent rotation of the head portion when the operation member is positioned at the second position, whereas the stopper structure allows rotation of the head portion when the operation member is positioned at the first position.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Masahiro Ishida
-
Patent number: 9563176Abstract: A time measurement device includes: a higher-digit indication hand that is configured to indicate a higher digit of a measured time; a lower-digit indication hand that is configured to reciprocate and indicate a lower digit of the measured time on a forward route and on a return route; a first drive unit that is configured to drive the higher-digit indication hand; a second drive unit that is configured to drive the lower-digit indication hand; a time counter that is configured to measure a time; a first drive controller that is configured to control the first drive unit to drive the higher-digit indication hand based on the measured time measured by the time counter; and a second drive controller that is configured to control the second drive unit to drive the lower-digit indication hand based on the measured time measured by the time counter, the second drive controller reciprocating the lower-digit indication hand at a predetermined period, and the first drive controller moving the higher-digit indicationType: GrantFiled: April 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Takashi Kawaguchi, Katsuaki Karasawa, Hideyuki Arai
-
Patent number: 9557713Abstract: A timepiece sub-assembly includes, irreversibly fixed to a main plate and each irreversibly pre-adjusted by the irreversible securing of adjustment and/or assembly components, after the particular timepiece function thereof has been adjusted and function checked on the test bench, functional modules including a gear train module, a display module, and a time-setting module. Other mechanical sub-assemblies, each irreversibly fixed to the preceding lower order mechanical sub-assembly, include various modules including motor module, frame-mounted self-winding device module, escapement holder regulating module, motion work train, date module, and self-winding module. A mechanical movement including at least one mechanical sub-assembly of this type and a watch including a mechanical movement of this type are also disclosed. A method of assembling mechanical sub-assemblies of this type by the irreversible securing of mechanical sub-assemblies and irreversibly pre-adjusted modules is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventors: Jean-Bernard Peters, Laurent Kaelin, Ivan Villar, Raphael Balmer
-
Patent number: 9551976Abstract: An intermittent blocking mechanism for at least one escape wheel, that intermittent blocking mechanism cooperating with at least one regulating member or a balance which is actuated with an alternate motion under action of an elastic return mechanism, the intermittent blocking mechanism being pivoted in at least one bottom plate, and forming an inseparable single-piece component with the bottom plate. The intermittent blocking mechanism includes at least one pallet lever in a single-piece with the plate to which it is connected by the elastic return mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Nivarox-FAR S.A.Inventors: Marc Stranczl, Thierry Hessler, Jean-Luc Helfer
-
Patent number: 9547281Abstract: An electronic interval timer in a dodecahedron case is described. The timer is set by turning uppermost one of 11 faces; and reset by turning uppermost the 12th face. In one embodiment, the timer is free of buttons, knobs, springs, time displays, electronic visual indicators and openings in the case. Time interval completion is announced via audible tones or speech. An aggregate time interval may be set equal to the sum of legends on more than one face. The timer detects carrying such that a running time interval is not modified. The timer may be programmed via a sequence of uppermost sides. Modes may be selected via shaking or tapping. Time remaining may be announced, an interval cleared, or an interval restarted responsive to detected motion. Other polyhedral shapes may be used. Claims include a method of setting a time interval; and specific ordering of face legends.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2015Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Inventors: Kim Rubin, William J. Sell, Ken C. Holt
-
Patent number: 9547280Abstract: A device for detecting and synchronizing a position of at least one first wheel of a timepiece mechanism for an electronic analog wristwatch, includes this first wheel extending in a plane. The detection and synchronization device includes at least one light source emitting a light beam and at least one light detection system. A first light-reflecting element projects from one of an upper or lower surfaces of the first wheel of the timepiece mechanism. The light source and the light detection system are arranged so that in a determined position of the first wheel of the timepiece mechanism, the light beam emitted by the light source is reflected by the first light-reflecting element in the direction of the light detection system. The detection and synchronization device is housed within a case of the wristwatch.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2014Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Pierpasquale Tortora, Nicolas Cedric, Pascal Lagorgette
-
Patent number: 9547277Abstract: A timepiece pallet fork for a mechanical oscillator including an arbor allowing the timepiece pallet fork to oscillate about a pivot axis, first and second pallets configured to alternatively engage with an escapement wheel when the timepiece pallet fork oscillates, the first pallet being displaceable with respect to the arbor by absorption of energy, the first pallet being displaceable from a first upstream waiting position to a first downstream stopping end position which is offset compared to the first upstream waiting position, and a first arm having an intermediate section including an elastic bend, one end of the arm being fixed with respect to the arbor to form a first fixed end, the intermediate section of the first arm being located between the first fixed end and the first pallet and returning the first pallet towards the first upstream waiting position by the intermediate section being elastically deformable from a first configuration into a second configuration.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2015Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Société anonyme de la Manufacture d'horlogerie Audemars Piguet & CieInventors: Lucas Raggi, Jean-Daniel Lüthi, Sébastien Lopez, Jérôme Kirchhof
-
Patent number: 9541902Abstract: A device for elastic guidance in rotation for a timepiece mechanism allows rotation of one element relative to another element about an axis of rotation Z defining an axial direction. The device includes construction blades that each includes an assembly fixing part having a body and a functional part extending from the body as far as one end. The assembly fixing part and the functional part are separated by at least one slot in at least two extensions which are elastically connected and extend in a radial direction transverse to the axial direction. The device also includes anchorage zones which are disposed at opposite axial ends of the flexible guidance device, and configured to be fixed to the elements.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2015Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Nivarox-FAR S.A.Inventor: Marc Stranczl
-
Patent number: 9535403Abstract: A watch is delimited by a case formed of a back cover and of a middle part. A timepiece movement is disposed in a casing ring housed inside the watch case. The watch also includes a dial disposed on top of the casing ring and held by a fixing ring. The fixing ring has an S-shaped cross-section. An upper branch of the fixing ring is supported on the dial and a lower branch of the fixing ring is supported on the casing ring. The lower branch of the fixing ring is clamped between the middle part and the casing ring, so as to grip the dial between the upper branch of the fixing ring and the casing ring.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AGInventor: Philipp Tschumi
-
Patent number: 9535404Abstract: A method for adapting a timepiece movement includes measuring a loss of energy for each free oscillation of the balance at atmospheric pressure; measuring the loss of energy for each free oscillation at a given low pressure corresponding to a working pressure intended for a modified movement; using i) the measured loss of energy at atmospheric pressure and ii) the measured loss of energy at the given low pressure, determining a percentage of energy gain of the balance between respective i) measurements of the measured loss of energy at atmospheric pressure and ii) measurements of the measured loss of energy at the given low pressure; and reducing a torque delivered to the escapement by a value corresponding to the determined percentage of energy gain.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: CARTIER INTERNATIONAL AGInventors: Kewin Bas, Cyrille Chatel