Patents Examined by Edwin A. Léon
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Patent number: 11899408Abstract: A pointer controller includes at least one processor; and a display that includes a pointer. The at least one processor is configured to control the display so as to display an elapsed time, switching between (i) a first display mode for display of the elapsed time cumulatively by causing, upon resumption of display, movement of the pointer that inherits a previous display time and (ii) a second display mode for display of the elapsed time non-cumulatively by causing, upon resumption of display, movement of the pointer that does not inherit the previous display time. The movement of the pointer controlled by the at least one processor is such that the first display mode and the second display mode differ from each other in a way of movement that indicates how the pointer moves.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomoki Ishikawa, Shuto Oikawa, Hitoshi Tanaka, Chiharu Shiratori
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Patent number: 11901660Abstract: A broadside coupled connector assembly has two sets of conductors, each separate planes. By providing the same path lengths, there is no skew between the conductors of the differential pair and the impedance of those conductors is identical. The conductor sets are formed by embedding the first set of conductors in an insulated housing having a top surface with channels. The second set of conductors is placed within the channels so that no air gaps form between the two sets of conductors. A second insulated housing is filled over the second set of conductors and into the channels to form a completed wafer. The ends of the conductors are received in a blade housing. Differential and ground pairs of blades have one end that extends through the bottom of the housing having a small footprint. An opposite end of the pairs of blades diverge to connect with the wafers.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Amphenol CorporationInventors: Thomas S. Cohen, Huilin Ren, Marc B. Cartier, Jr., Trent K. Do, Mark W. Gailus
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Patent number: 11899403Abstract: A method (P1) for coding a solar time, called the initial solar time (Hs1), associated with a geographical location (Loc) and with a day (J1) of the year, wherein the method includes selecting SEL(Href, Nb1) a reference time (Href) and an initial number of bits (Nb1) as a function of the type of initial solar time (Hs), computing CALC(Nm1) a number of minutes (Nm1) separating the initial solar time (Hs1) and the reference time (Href), coding COD(Hs1) the number of minutes (Nm1) in the initial number of bits (Nb1).Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2019Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Thierry Bonnet, Jiri Husak
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Patent number: 11899405Abstract: An electronic watch includes a driver controlled to be in an ON state in which a drive current is supplied to a coil of a motor and an OFF state in which the drive current is not supplied to the coil, a target current value setter configured to set a target current value in accordance with a drive voltage for driving the motor, and a driver controller configured to compare a detected current value of a current flowing to the coil with the target current value, control the driver to be in the ON state or the OFF state in accordance with a result of the comparison, and switch polarity of the drive current when detecting that an ON time, which is a duration of the ON state of the driver, meets a predetermined condition or an OFF time, which is a duration of the OFF state of the driver, meets a predetermined condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2020Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Inventor: Tomoki Okuhata
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Patent number: 11894204Abstract: A switch assembly includes a switch and a servo drive system. The drive system includes: a drive shaft connecting the drive system to the switch; a motor driving the switch; a power section supplying power to the motor; a feedback system; and a programmable safety controller. The feedback system determines at least two values for an absolute position of the drive shaft; and generates a feedback signal on the basis of the values. The controller controls the power section depending on at least one desired value; influences an operation of the motor depending on the feedback signal; and identifies the presence of at least one safety-relevant event, and based thereon, transmits a control signal to the power section. The power section is initiates/carries-out at a safety measure depending on the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: MASCHINENFABRIK REINHAUSEN GMBHInventors: Sebastian Schmid, Benjamin Dittmann, Eugen Nagel
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Patent number: 11892807Abstract: A method for measuring the medium frequency of a digital signal derived from a reference periodic signal generated by an electronic oscillator (quartz oscillator) forming a timepiece (2) which includes an analogue time display device and a continuous rotation electromechanical transducer (generator or continuous rotation motor) which is kinematically linked to this display device and wherein the medium rotational speed is regulated by a regulation device. The medium frequency of the digital signal is determined by a measurement device (70) without galvanic contact with the movement of the timepiece. The measurement method makes it possible to determine the rate of the timepiece and the precision of the electronic oscillator based on regulation impulses detected by a magnetic sensor (72) and over a measurement period limited to the duration of an inhibition cycle of periods of the reference periodic signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2020Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Jacques Born, Laurent Nagy
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Patent number: 11886149Abstract: An electronic watch may include a tactile switch and/or one or more sensors for detecting rotational and translational inputs. The watch may include a display configured to produce graphical outputs that may change in response to rotational inputs, translational inputs, and/or touch inputs received at the display. The watch include a crown positioned along an exterior of the watch enclosure and a shaft coupled to the crown and extending into the enclosure. The tactile switch and/or the one or more sensors may be used to detect rotational and/or translational inputs provided at the crown.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Colin M. Ely, John B. Morrell, Duncan Kerr, Camille Moussette
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Patent number: 11886146Abstract: A horological movement includes an escapement with a magnetic system to generate magnetic force impulses, so as to sustain the oscillation of the mechanical resonator associated with the escapement. In order to make possible an effective self-starting of the assembly formed of the mechanical resonator and of the escapement during a winding of the barrel, after a stop of the horological movement due to the unwound barrel spring, the escape wheel includes teeth and the pallet assembly includes two mechanical pallet-stones arranged to receive, upon starting, at least one mechanical force impulse of the escape wheel via one of the teeth thereof, the mechanical force impulse generating a starting force torque on the pallet assembly that is transmitted to the balance of the mechanical resonator to begin an oscillation of the latter so that the assembly can operate normally after a starting phase.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Gianni Di Domenico, Dominique Lechot, Marc Stranczl, Benoît Légeret
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Patent number: 11886150Abstract: A push button system for activating an actuation member, the system including a button head, a pusher actuator integral with the button head, a first hollow guide member, the pusher actuator being mounted to slide inside the first hollow guide member, the first hollow guide member being intended to be secured to a fixed element relative to the button head and to the pusher actuator, a second hollow guide member arranged in the button head, and a pin mounted to slide inside the second hollow member, and intended to be secured to the fixed element. The pusher actuator has an upper portion provided on the periphery thereof with a collar intended to cooperate with an internal face of the first hollow guide member to guide the pusher inside the member.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Meco SAInventors: Herve Avril, Samuel Geiser
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Patent number: 11886151Abstract: A rotary wheel set system of a horological movement with a rotary wheel set, a first and a second bearing, for a first and a second pivot of the arbor of the rotary wheel set, the wheel set including a mass center in a position of its arbor, the first bearing including an endstone including a main body equipped with a pyramidal cavity configured to receive the first pivot of the arbor of the rotary wheel set, the cavity having at least three faces giving its pyramidal shape, the first pivot being capable of cooperating with the cavity of the endstone to rotate in the cavity, at least one contact zone between the first pivot and a face being generated, the normal at the contact zone or zones forming a contact angle (?h) relating to the plane perpendicular to the arbor of the pivot, wherein the contact angle (?h) is less than 45°.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventors: Jean-Luc Helfer, Dominique Lechot
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Patent number: 11880168Abstract: A timepiece according to an embodiment enables a crown to be rotated even when it is locked, using a structure that does not cause constraints of design. The timepiece includes an outer case having a movement therein, the outer case having a crown hole through a portion thereof, an engagement member connected to the outer case, and a crown. The crown includes a shaft part inserted into the crown hole and connected to the movement, an operation part holding the shaft part movably along an axial direction of the shaft part and enabling the shaft part to rotate in a circumferential direction, and an engagement part disposed between the engagement member and the operation part and restricting movement of the operation part in the axial direction when engaged with the engagement member, the engagement part rotatably holding the operation part whether or not engaged with the engagement member.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: CITIZEN WATCH CO., LTD.Inventor: Yuji Yahara
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Patent number: 11880166Abstract: A case including a case main body, a first exterior case which is arranged around an outer circumferential portion of the case main body, and a second exterior case which includes an impact receiving portion that is opposed to an inner circumferential portion of at least one of an upper part and a lower part of the first exterior case, and is attached to at least one of the upper part and the lower part of the first exterior case.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.Inventors: Yoshiki Nakatsuka, Takao Matsuda
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Patent number: 11881372Abstract: A transformer includes a transformer housing, a stationary contact, a load break rotary switch—and a magnetically sensitive indicator component. The load break rotary switch comprises a shaft, comprising a shaft portion which is disposed in an inner housing area and a shaft contact attached to the shaft portion. The load break rotary switch comprises a lever connected to the shaft portion with respect to a rotary axis in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the lever comprises a lever portion having a radial distance from the rotary axis. The lever portion comprises a lever magnet. A magnetically sensitive indicator component is switched from its first state into its second state by the lever magnet when the shaft is rotated from the first position to the second position or vice versa. Thus, an operator can ensure that the shaft contact is disconnected from the stationary contact before performing a maintenance work.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2021Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: HITACHI ENERGY LTDInventors: Carlo Camporeale, Francesco Medea
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Patent number: 11874633Abstract: A method for adjusting the operating frequency of an electronic watch via a computer application installed in a portable electronic device, the adjustment method including the following steps, performed by the computer application: generating a pulsed reference signal in the portable electronic device, converting the pulsed reference signal into a modulated optical signal consisting of light pulses, transmitting the modulated optical signal to the electronic watch via the light source or via a modulation of the light emitted by the screen of the portable electronic device, and the following steps, performed by the electronic watch: reconstituting the pulsed reference signal from the modulated optical signal received by the optical sensor, correcting an inhibition value stored in the memory of an adjustment circuit of the electronic watch as a function of the pulsed reference signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2018Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventor: Francois Klopfenstein
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Patent number: 11875952Abstract: An operating device is provided for a human-powered vehicle. The operating device basically includes a base, first and second electric switches, and first and second operating members. The first operating member is movable with respect to the base to activate the first electric switch as the first operating member moves from a non-operated position to an intermediate operating position, and then activate the activate an electric switch different from the first electric switch as the first operating member moves from the intermediate operating position to an additional operating position. The second operating member is movable with respect to the base to activate the second electric switch as the second operating member moves from a non-operated position to an intermediate operating position, and then activate the electric switch as the second operating member moves from the intermediate operating position of the second operating member to an additional operating position.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2023Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Kentaro Kosaka, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Noor Ashyikkin Binti Mohd Noor
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Patent number: 11874632Abstract: An optical device including a transparent support provided with an upper face and a lower face which extends at a distance from the upper face, the transparent support forming a lens of plano-concave shape delimited on a first side by a planar surface, and delimited on a second side, opposite the first side, by a concave surface, the optical device also including a shutter which is disposed under the concave surface of the transparent support, at a distance therefrom, the optical device finally including a substrate disposed after the shutter.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2020Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Blancpain SAInventors: Pierpasquale Tortora, Cédric Blatter, Nicolas Debaud, Bernat Monferrer
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Patent number: 11875953Abstract: A calibration joint for a three-phase electric disconnect switch includes a linkage pipe extending through a lock ring, which includes an axial guide shaft, a threaded shaft, and a self-piercing set screw securing the lock ring to the linkage pipe. The linkage pipe also extends through a clevis housing, which includes an axial joiner shaft and a clevis bracket securing the clevis housing to an operating lever of the disconnect switch. An adjustment rod extending through the axial guide shaft of the lock ring, through the axial joiner shaft of the clevis housing, and engaging with lock nuts allows axial adjustment of the clevis housing with respect to the lock ring, and thus with respect to the linkage pipe. This, in turn, allows fine adjustment of the blade and jaws of an associated phase switch with respect to the switch actuator independent of the other phase switches.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: SOUTHERN STATES LLCInventors: Joseph Andreyo, Juan Camilo Gill-Gaviria
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Patent number: 11868092Abstract: A timepiece includes a mechanical movement with a mechanical oscillator and an electronic device for regulating the medium frequency of this mechanical oscillator. It includes an electromagnetic transducer and an electric converter which includes a power supply capacitor for powering the regulation circuit. The electromagnetic transducer is arranged to supply a voltage signal exhibiting first voltage lobes in first half-alternations and second voltage lobes in second half-alternations of the oscillations of the mechanical oscillator. The regulating device includes a load pump arranged to store momentarily electric loads which are extracted selectively in different time zones according to a time drift detected in the functioning of the mechanical oscillator relative to an auxiliary oscillator, particularly quartz-based. The electric loads extracted are rendered after a certain delay to the power supply capacitor also according to the time drift detected.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2018Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventor: Lionel Tombez
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Patent number: 11868093Abstract: A method that is for manufacturing a timepiece provided with a personalized decoration, visible in particular when the timepiece is worn, includes constructing the timepiece and producing the personalized decoration on all or part of a body of the timepiece. Producing the personalized decoration includes selecting from a human-machine interface of an electronic device a single portion of a reference digital graphical representation, in particular of an ephemeral reference digital graphic representation, and applying a coating of decorative material on all or part of the body of the timepiece as a function of the descriptive characteristics of the selected single portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2019Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventor: Stefan Stark
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Patent number: 11868089Abstract: An escape wheel serving as a watch component that constitutes a drive mechanism of a watch includes a tooth portion, and a base mainly composed of silicon. A contact surface where the tooth portion makes contact with another component includes a recess.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2020Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Inventors: Takeo Funakawa, Katsuo Takano