Patents Examined by Edwin A. León
  • Patent number: 11880166
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Nakatsuka, Takao Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11881372
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI ENERGY LTD
    Inventors: Carlo Camporeale, Francesco Medea
  • Patent number: 11874633
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Francois Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 11875952
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Kentaro Kosaka, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Noor Ashyikkin Binti Mohd Noor
  • Patent number: 11874632
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Blancpain SA
    Inventors: Pierpasquale Tortora, Cédric Blatter, Nicolas Debaud, Bernat Monferrer
  • Patent number: 11875953
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: SOUTHERN STATES LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Andreyo, Juan Camilo Gill-Gaviria
  • Patent number: 11868092
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Lionel Tombez
  • Patent number: 11868093
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Stefan Stark
  • Patent number: 11868089
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: Takeo Funakawa, Katsuo Takano
  • Patent number: 11868091
    Abstract: A watch includes a power reserve hand configured to be visually recognizable from a watch rear side, an oscillating weight including a weight, a transmission wheel configured to rotate a ratchet wheel, a pawl lever configured to engage with the transmission wheel, an eccentric wheel including an eccentric shaft member to which the pawl lever is attached and an eccentric toothed gear, a train wheel bridge provided between the pawl lever and the oscillating weight, and a seconds wheel and pinion including a seconds hand shaft. The eccentric shaft member and the seconds hand shaft are supported by the train wheel bridge. The power reserve hand is disposed in a position that does not overlap the weight in plan view, and is disposed in a position that overlaps the train wheel bridge in side view orthogonal to the seconds hand shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Eiichi Hiraya
  • Patent number: 11868096
    Abstract: A system for transforming a regular smartwatch into a luxury item, comprising, a smartwatch unit including at least the display unit of the smartwatch; and a box including a housing to accommodate said smartwatch, said box having a cover being openable and closeable to cover said display unit, wherein said cover has at least one hole so that a corresponding portion of said display unit is visible to a user when said cover is in closed position, wherein when said cover is in closed position, the smartwatch unit displays the output of the smartwatch in on said corresponding portion of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Yoram Ghassabian
  • Patent number: 11862367
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sheet resistor designed to operate in a high frequency environment. Unlike conventional sheet resistors, the equivalent series inductance (ESL) is minimized or even eliminated altogether when using the designed sheet resistor. As a result, better signal isolation can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jonghae Kim, Sang-June Park, Je-Hsiung Lan, Ranadeep Dutta
  • Patent number: 11860581
    Abstract: A wristwatch includes an outer case that comprises an opening portion, a windshield glass disposed in the opening portion, a crown arranged at a side surface of the outer case, a bezel arranged around the windshield glass, a protective member fixed to a side surface at which the crown of the outer case is disposed, wherein the protective member has a notch portion that covers at least a portion of a side surface of the outer case and at least a portion of a side surface of the bezel and exposes the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Genta Kawabe
  • Patent number: 11860576
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a direct escapement mechanism (1) having an escape wheel (2) provided with a series of peripheral teeth (3), and an anchor (4), having an entry-pallet (10) and an exit-pallet (11) each having a locking plane (10p, 11p) and also having a fork (43). It also comprises a pin (6) which can be rigidly connected to a regulating organ (5) to cooperate at each alternation of said regulating organ (5) with the fork (43) of the anchor in order to unlock at least partially said anchor from the escape wheel (2) as well as at least one impulse pallet (9) which can be rigidly connected to said regulating organ (5) to cooperate with a tooth (3) of the escape wheel to transmit a direct impulse to said regulating organ (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: François Besse
  • Patent number: 11860579
    Abstract: A device is for fastening a back on a middle of a watch. The back includes a cover arranged to form a bearing surface with the middle and a body arranged to rest in the middle. The device includes a ring disposed between the back and the middle, the ring being arranged to ensure the water resistance and indexing of the back. The ring includes an upper part ensuring the water resistance and a median part including positioning to ensure precise placement of the back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Joël Allimann, Jean-Claude Martin, Simon Garcin
  • Patent number: 11860588
    Abstract: A watch can include a watch body and a band for securing the watch to the user. The watch body can detect an identification of the band or combination of band portions, which can serve as an input to initiate actions performed by the watch body. 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 watch body. Identification of the band can be performed by components of the watch body that also serve other purposes. The watch body 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 watch body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Maegan K. Spencer, Ryan C. Perkins, Benjamin J. Kallman, Daniel J. Hiemstra, Colin M. Ely, William C. Lukens, Osamu Yabe, Jorge L. Rivera Espinoza, David D. Dashevsky, Eugene C. Cheung, Prashanth S. Holenarsipur, Tyler S. Bushnell, Zaki Moustafa
  • Patent number: 11860575
    Abstract: A direct impulse free escapement mechanism for a timepiece includes: an escapement wheel with peripheral teeth; a locking device including a locking pallet engaging an escapement wheel tooth in a locking position of the locking device; and a control pallet actuated by a pivoting regulating organ to engage a complementary unlocking organ of the locking device to release the locking device from the escapement wheel in an unlocking position at each alternation of the regulating organ. Also included are impulse pallets attachable to the regulating organ, cooperating on an impulse plane with a tooth of the escapement wheel to transmit a direct impulse to the regulating organ. The locking device is drawn by the escapement wheel in each locking position. The teeth of the escapement wheel and the impulse pallets are configured so the impulses occur outside the plane of the escapement wheel. A corresponding timepiece is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: François Besse
  • Patent number: 11860585
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a smartwatch including a housing that at least partially defines an internal volume, and a touch-sensitive display positioned at least partially within the internal volume. A front cover can be positioned over the touch-sensitive display and can define a front exterior surface. A seal can be positioned between the housing and the front cover and configured to transition between an uncompressed state and a compressed state in response to an increase from a first external pressure on the front cover to a second external pressure. In the uncompressed state, the seal has a first density and is air-permeable allowing an internal pressure of the internal volume to equalize with external air at the first pressure. In the compressed state, the seal has a second density, greater than the first density, and is configured to inhibit ingress of water at the second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Crowley, Eric T. Chiang, Ross L Jackson
  • Patent number: 11860582
    Abstract: A winding device includes a motor for driving a watch holder carrying at least one automatic watch with a mobile oscillating mass, and a multimeter for measuring a variation in a resistive torque opposed to the motor by the watch holder equipped with watches, depending on a degree of winding of the watches. The multimeter includes a speed meter to determine a speed and/or a variation in the speed of the motor, a torque meter to determine a value of a torque and/or a variation in the torque at the watch holder, and/or a current meter to determine a value of a current and/or a variation in the current of an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Michel Willemin, Jérôme Favre, Nicolas Livat
  • Patent number: 11860583
    Abstract: An “all or nothing” actuating mechanism for a timepiece movement is described, which includes: an actuating lever that is able to move between an inactive position and an active position; a movable control lever for moving the actuating lever between its inactive and active positions; a return member for returning the control lever to its initial position; and a control member capable of pivoting between a first state in which it locks the actuating lever in its inactive position, and a second state, in which it releases the actuating lever to allow it to move to its active position. The control lever is arranged to be able to act on the control member, and move it from its first state to its second state, the actuating mechanism including a jumper tending to return the control member to its first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: MANUFACTURE D'HORLOGERIE AUDEMARS PIGUET SA
    Inventor: Julien Martel