Patents Examined by Edwin A. León
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Patent number: 11687041Abstract: A mechanical oscillator, formed of a mechanical resonator and a device for maintaining oscillation, and an auxiliary oscillator forming a reference time base including a synchronisation device arranged to slave the medium frequency of the mechanical oscillator on that of the auxiliary oscillator. The synchronisation device includes an electromagnetic braking device which is formed of a coil and at least one permanent magnet and arranged such that an induced voltage is generated between the terminals of the coil in each alternation of the oscillation of the mechanical resonator. The synchronisation device is arranged to be able to reduce momentarily the impedance between the terminals of the coil during distinct time intervals, any two successive time intervals exhibiting between the respective starts thereof a time distance substantially equal to a positive whole number multiplied by half of a set-point period for the mechanical oscillator.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2019Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventor: Lionel Tombez
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Patent number: 11687034Abstract: A display mechanism (100) allowing display change with a single display mobile (150) so as to indicate a first piece of information with a first counter (110) and second piece of information with a second counter (120). This change is performed by the permutation of a clutch organ (130) displacing between a first position (131) and a second position (132) when the clutch organ (130) is controlled by a control organ (140).Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: BLANCPAIN S.A.Inventor: Mehdi Denden
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Patent number: 11681881Abstract: A key entry device including a housing, a keypad array disposed within the housing and including a plurality of keys, a key contact array disposed within the housing below the keypad array and including a plurality of contact pairs, a dome array underlying the keypad array and the key contact array and including a plurality of domes, and a protrusion array underlying the dome array and including a plurality of protrusions, whereby depression of one of the plurality of keys of the keypad array causes a corresponding one of the domes of the dome array to be displaced downwardly and to be deformed by pushing engagement with a corresponding one of the protrusions of the protrusion array into contact with at least one of the contact pairs of the key contact array.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: VeriFone, Inc.Inventors: Igal Yanko, Mehran Mirkazemi-Moud, Donald James Jones
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Patent number: 11682532Abstract: A waterproof button structure includes a housing, a cover plate, and a waterproof partition. The housing includes a button switch. The cover plate covers the button switch. The cover plate includes a pressable button. The button switch is in one-to-one correspondence with the button. The waterproof partition is located between the housing and the cover plate. A waterproof film of the waterproof partition is adjacent to the cover plate. A waterproof foam of the waterproof partition is adjacent to the housing. When the button is pressed, the button is abutted by the waterproof film, and the button switch is activated.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2019Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignees: HONGFUJIN PRECISION ELECTRONICS (ZHENGZHOU) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventors: Bo-Duo Yuan, Fu-Pin Hsieh, Hong Liu, Hai-Tao Wang, Zhen-Hai Mei
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Patent number: 11681258Abstract: A time display apparatus for indicating time in a plurality of time zones simultaneously, the apparatus includes a case having a compartment enclosed by a cover, the case having a dial member indicating a 12-hour time clock and a 24-hour time clock, a first wheel completing one revolution in 12 hours and coupled to an hour hand, a second wheel completing one revolution in 1 hour and coupled to a multi-zone minute hand having at least two different vertices, and a third wheel completing one revolution in 24 hours and coupled to a multi-zone hour indicator hand having at least two different indicators, wherein each vertex of the multi-zone minute hand indicates a different minute marking on the 12 hour time clock and each indicator of the multi-zone hour indicator hand indicates a different hour marking on the 24 hour time clock corresponding to different time zones.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2020Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Inventor: Navaneeth Krishnan Subramanian
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Patent number: 11681259Abstract: A resonant member for a striking mechanism of a watch or of a music box includes at least one resonant part, such as one or more gongs, arranged to vibrate and resonate once activated, and an attachment part. The resonant part and/or the attachment part is made from an alloy of tungsten or tantalum or rhodium or hafnium with more than 51% of tungsten or tantalum or rhodium or hafnium in the alloy.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Blancpain SAInventors: Laurane Chevallier, Julien Peter
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Patent number: 11676782Abstract: A dome-actuator structure for use in a dome switch is disclosed. The dome-actuator structure comprises a lower substantially horizontal lower dome, an upper actuator portion attached to the lower dome and that is positioned vertically over the lower dome such that depressing of the actuator portion operates to depress the lower dome, and a lateral arm that couples the actuator portion to the lower dome. The lateral arm and the lower dome are formed from a common piece of material. The actuator portion comprises an actuation block, made of plastic or synthetic material or made of natural or synthetic elastomer, fixed to the lateral arm.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: C&K COMPONENTS S.A.S.Inventors: Philippe Gauthier, Fabrice Valcher
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Patent number: 11675313Abstract: A timepiece mechanism includes a first energy source with a regulating member, a second independent energy source, a control member driven by the second energy source, and a blocking device controlled by the first energy source to block the second energy source and release it to allow the control member to be displaced by jumps powered by the second energy source. The blocking device includes first and second mobile parts kinematically interconnected, the first mobile part including a drive device, the second mobile part including a stopping device; a rotating drive member connected to the first energy source and cooperating with the drive device to displace the mobile parts, alternately in opposite directions; and a rotating blocking member connected to the second energy source and cooperating with the stopping device to be blocked by the second mobile part and released at the determined times by second mobile part movement.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2018Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: PATEK PHILIPPE SA GENEVEInventors: James Hide, Stéphane Oes, Frédéric Maier
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Patent number: 11673801Abstract: A method for fabrication of a micromechanical part made of a one-piece synthetic carbon allotrope based material, the method including: forming a substrate with a negative cavity of the micromechanical part to be fabricated; coating the negative cavity of the substrate with a layer of the synthetic carbon allotrope based material in a smaller thickness than the depth of the negative cavity; and removing the substrate to release the one-piece micromechanical part formed in the negative cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: NIVAROX-FAR S.A.Inventors: Philippe Dubois, Sebastiano Merzaghi, Christian Charbon
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Patent number: 11676776Abstract: The present disclosure relates to finger-safe requirements for breaker modules from electrical panel boards and envisages a finger safe cover 100a for a terminal of an electrical switching device 50. The finger safe cover comprises a cover body 110a with an expandable aperture section 120a. The aperture section 120a has an annulus 122a having a primary aperture 124a and a coupling section 126a surrounding the annulus 122a. The primary aperture 124a allows a thinner conducting cable 52 to pass therethrough. The coupling section 126a couples the annulus 122a with the cover body 110a. The aperture section 120a defines a secondary aperture 128a when the annulus 122a is detached from the cover body 110a by breaking the coupling section 126a, to allow to pass therethrough a thicker conducting cable 54. The cover 100a passes the IPXXB test, eliminates the need of safety accessories and is easy to install.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Appleton Grp LLCInventors: Swapnil S. Nalawade, Andrey Shashin
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Patent number: 11669047Abstract: A universal device is for preparation of a watch with a gain/loss correction crown and an oscillating resonator. The device includes winding and a gain/loss corrector with a robotic manipulator for manoeuvring the crown. It also includes an adjustment device with a gain/loss correction device including a gain/loss-corrector oscillator generating an oscillation to subject the watch to an oscillation at a correction frequency NC and/or to a modulated movement. The gain/loss correction device includes a gain/loss controller that controls the oscillation of the gain/loss-corrector oscillator, interfaced with a device to measure the gain/loss of the watch. The gain/loss correction device also includes an automatic winder with a watch-holder stand subjected to the oscillations or movements generated by the gain/loss-corrector oscillator.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2019Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jerome Favre, Jean-Jacques Born, Cedric Nicolas, Baptiste Hinaux
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Patent number: 11669050Abstract: A watch self-winding device with rotary motion, including a base carrying a motor driving in rotation a support carrying a watch and includes an upper watch holder with a surface in direct contact with a watch, this support includes a microphone for listening to a watch and an embedded electronic circuit processing the signal from the microphone, the device includes, in order to supply power to the embedded electronic circuit, a first coil fixed to the base and powered by a power source carried or relayed by the base, and a second coil embedded in the support, coaxial to the first coil and arranged to transmit power to the embedded electronic circuit, which is arranged to exchange information with a static electronic circuit in the base.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jérôme Favre, Cedric Nicolas, Jean-Jacques Born
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Patent number: 11666124Abstract: A stretchable watch band can include braided strands that provide a comfortable fit around the wrist of the user. The watch band can stretch and conform to the user based on the elasticity within each strand and based on the ability of the strands to move relative to each other. End sections of the watch band can include attachment elements that securely connect the watch band to a housing of the watch. The end sections can be configured to releasable connect to the housing in a manner that is reliable and easy for a user. Additionally, the watch band can provide a smooth transition from the size and/or shape of the housing to a size and/or shape of a continuous section of the watch band. Additionally, the watch band can conceal portions thereof other than the braided strands when connected to the housing of the watch.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Timothy S. Lui, Osamu Yabe, Zebinah P. Masse, Clayton J. McCoy, Benjamin A. Stevenson, Hsiang Hung Chen
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Patent number: 11669052Abstract: A timepiece reduces power consumption while maintaining required precision. The timepiece has a frequency divider that frequency divides an oscillation signal and outputs a reference signal; nonvolatile memory that stores information related to a temperature characteristic of the oscillation frequency of the crystal oscillator; multiple registers; a temperature measuring circuit; an evaluation circuit; and a temperature compensation circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Inventor: Masaya Ninomiya
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Patent number: 11670440Abstract: A novel heater is disclosed for a temperature sensitive actuator. The heater is a polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PPTC) device consisting of conductive filler and semi-crystalline polymer. The PPTC heater is strategically designed to have a predetermined self-regulation temperature suited to whatever application utilizes the heater. Physical characteristics of the PPTC heater, such as gap width and thickness, enable the current flow through the heater to be strategically controlled.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2022Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventors: Jianhua Chen, Rimantas Radzys
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Patent number: 11669053Abstract: An electronic device comprises a body and a band being able to attach the body to a part of a human body. The body comprises first and second detectors and at least one processor. The first detector detects illuminance on an upper surface of the body. The second detector is located in a position distant from a position of the first detector in a short-side direction of the band and detects the illuminance on the upper surface of the body. The at least one processor executes predetermined processing if the at least one processor determines that at least one of first illuminance detected by the first detector and second illuminance detected by the second detector changes.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATIONInventors: Hidetoshi Hachiya, Tomomi Nagao
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Patent number: 11664176Abstract: A peripheral device for a computing system comprises an electrical switch and a user depressible button. An electrostatic brake is attached to the user depressible button and controls a force profile of the keystroke of the user depressible button. The button is coupled to and is configured to actuate the electrical switch at the end of the keystroke. A movable electrode is coupled to the depressible button and a stationary electrode is positioned parallel to and proximate the movable electrode. A dielectric material is positioned between the movable electrode and the stationary electrode forming an electrostatic brake. An electrical circuit is coupled to the first and the second electrodes and is configured to apply a voltage potential between the first and the second electrodes to apply a resistive force to the depressible button.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Victor Faraut, Jan Stoeckli
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Patent number: 11662692Abstract: Systems may include a watch band, a watch body including at least one image sensor configured to capture a wide-angle image, a coupling mechanism configured to detachably couple the watch body to the watch band, and at least one biometric sensor on at least one of the watch band or the watch body. Various other related methods and systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLCInventors: Pranav Vasavada, Derek William Wright, Timothy Lowe, Joseph Moak, Peter Wesley Bristol, Nishant Srinivasan, Chunli Chen
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Patent number: 11662691Abstract: A wearable device can include an electronic device and a band for securing the electronic device to the user. The electronic device can detect an identification of the band, which can serve as an input to initiate actions performed by the electronic device. For example, a type, model, color, size, or other characteristic of a band can be determined and used to select a corresponding action performed by the electronic device. Identification of the band can be performed by components of the electronic device that also serve other purposes. Existing sensors, communication elements, and/or detectors can be used to detect and identity a band provided to the electronic device. The electronic device can respond to the identification of a particular band by performing particular functions, such as changing an aspect of a user interface or altering settings of the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Timothy M. Johnson
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Patent number: 11662690Abstract: A method for manufacturing at least two mechanical parts to be arranged in a timepiece mechanism including magnetised functional areas having antagonistic polarities, the parts being arranged in a timepiece mechanism to cooperate with each other in relative displacement, the method including a step of constructing a blank of each of the two parts including at least one functional area from which the parts are able to cooperate with each other and a step of obtaining each of the parts including a sub-step of transforming said at least one functional area of the blank of each of these parts into a magnetised functional area from which emanates a magnetic field, at least one feature of which is configured so that this magnetic field participates in achieving a separation of the magnetised functional areas of the two parts when they are in a stop position in the mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSEInventor: Sylvain Huot-Marchand