Patents by Inventor Andre Zanetta
Andre Zanetta has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230390625Abstract: A base plate is to be fixed to the ground at the edge of a swimming pool. A starting block can be fixed on the base plate. The base plate includes in an inner cavity, measurement electronics with at least one force or motion sensor or at least one strain gauge, to provide a measurement signal to a processor processing unit of an electronic circuit to determine one or more race parameters to be stored in a memory of the electronic circuit and/or to transmit wirelessly or wired to the base station or a timing station.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2022Publication date: December 7, 2023Applicant: Swiss Timing LtdInventors: Frederic CHOFFAT, Christophe GRASSO, André ZANETTA, Lukas HOLZER
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Patent number: 10854020Abstract: A transponder module of a system for measurement of a race time includes a time base in a microcontroller, which is activated upon receipt of a low-frequency electromagnetic field signal from a transmission antenna of a measuring system which is disposed at the level of a line of passage. The microcontroller, once woken up, is capable of measuring several successive intensities of the captured electromagnetic field in order to reconstruct a curve of the electromagnetic field and to determine a crossing time on the line of passage of the transponder module with the activated time base thereof in order to transmit, to a decoder unit of the measuring system, a signal of the result of the time of crossing determined by the microcontroller.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2017Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Swiss Timing LtdInventors: Reto Galli, Frederic Choffat, Andre Zanetta, Nikias Klohr
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Patent number: 10537782Abstract: The method makes it possible to perform the measurement of at least one crossing time of a moving object on a line of passage via a personalized transponder placed on the object. The method includes the steps of: generating a low frequency electromagnetic field signal, activating the transponder module on reception of the modulated synchronization command in the electromagnetic field signal, measuring the intensity of the electromagnetic field signal without modulation captured by the activated transponder module at regular time intervals, transmitting directly in a measurement signal via the transponder module each intensity measurement or a packet of intensity measurements to the decoder unit for determination of a crossing time of the line of passage.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2016Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Swiss Timing LtdInventors: Andre Zanetta, Gael Coron, Reto Galli
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Patent number: 10481560Abstract: The invention concerns a method of measuring at least one time or an elapsed period of a competitor in a sports competition via a transponder module which is personal to the competitor and accompanies the competitor throughout the competition in a measuring system. The personalized transponder module is activated at the start of the competition or in intermediate positions or at the finish line of the competition (6). Detection of at least one variation in motion or vibration level is effected by a motion sensor (11) integrated in the transponder module. The transponder module transmits data related to the detection effected by the motion sensor on the competition route or in intermediate positions or at the finish line of the competition, to a decoder unit (4) of the measuring system to check a time or elapsed period related to the detection of the competitor's motion sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2013Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: SWISS TIMING LTDInventors: Martin Bisig, Andre Zanetta
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Publication number: 20180122159Abstract: A transponder module of a system for measurement of a race time includes a time base in a microcontroller, which is activated upon receipt of a low-frequency electromagnetic field signal from a transmission antenna of a measuring system which is disposed at the level of a line of passage. The microcontroller, once woken up, is capable of measuring several successive intensities of the captured electromagnetic field in order to reconstruct a curve of the electromagnetic field and to determine a crossing time on the line of passage of the transponder module with the activated time base thereof in order to transmit, to a decoder unit of the measuring system, a signal of the result of the time of crossing determined by the microcontroller.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: Swiss Timing LtdInventors: Reto GALLI, Frederic CHOFFAT, Andre ZANETTA
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Publication number: 20160279500Abstract: The method makes it possible to perform the measurement of at least one crossing time of a moving object on a line of passage via a personalized transponder placed on the object. The method includes the steps of: generating a low frequency electromagnetic field signal, activating the transponder module on reception of the modulated synchronization command in the electromagnetic field signal, measuring the intensity of the electromagnetic field signal without modulation captured by the activated transponder module at regular time intervals, transmitting directly in a measurement signal via the transponder module each intensity measurement or a packet of intensity measurements to the decoder unit for determination of a crossing time of the line of passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2016Publication date: September 29, 2016Applicant: Swiss Timing LtdInventors: Andre ZANETTA, Gael Coron, Reto Galli
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Patent number: 9019801Abstract: Electromechanical timepiece fitted with a gear train including an hour hand and a minute hand for the current time display on the dial side of the timepiece. The timepiece is arranged to provide at least one additional piece of information relating to a magnitude of time, or to a non-time related piece of information. The timepiece further includes an additional indicator hand arranged to display the additional information, the additional indicator hand being mounted on the back cover side of the timepiece on an arbour of the gear train of the timepiece, so that the additional indicator hand and the hour hand and/or minute hand rotate at the same time and at the same angle, the hour hand and/or the minute hand being driven either to display the current time, or to enable the additional indicator hand to indicate the additional information.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventors: Emmanuel Fleury, Andre Zanetta, Martin Bisig
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Patent number: 8992386Abstract: The competitor starting device in a sports competition is a starting block device. It includes one rear base for holding the device on a competition surface, a force detection sensor connected to a processing circuit, and two starting blocks for competitor's feet. Each block is adjustably mounted on a longitudinal bar, which is connected to the base and activates the sensor to determine a response time at the competition start. The longitudinal bar is connected to an H-shaped structure having two strips, spaced apart. The strip ends are rigidly connected to an immobile portion of the rear base, while a central bar connecting the strips is secured to the rear end of the longitudinal bar. When a force is applied to the block(s), the central bar is pushed in one direction via the bending of the strips to activate the sensor to determine a response time at the competition start.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Swiss TimingInventors: André Zanetta, Cédric Grimm, Reto Galli
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Publication number: 20140169140Abstract: The invention concerns a method of measuring at least one time or an elapsed period of a competitor in a sports competition via a transponder module which is personal to the competitor and accompanies the competitor throughout the competition in a measuring system. The personalised transponder module is activated at the start of the competition or in intermediate positions or at the finish line of the competition (6). Detection of at least one variation in motion or vibration level is effected by a motion sensor (11) integrated in the transponder module. The transponder module transmits data related to the detection effected by the motion sensor on the competition route or in intermediate positions or at the finish line of the competition, to a decoder unit (4) of the measuring system to check a time or elapsed period related to the detection of the competitor's motion sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: SWISS TIMING LTD,Inventors: Martin BISIG, Andre ZANETTA
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Patent number: 8477565Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece (10) including a display device (26) including a first and second display member (38, 40) displaying first and second pieces of information, the value of the second piece of information being linked to the value of the first piece of information by a reduction ratio, wherein the first (38) and the second (40) display members are rotatably mounted in relation to a plate (42) and are driven by a drive device (44) with planetary gears, characterized in that the second display member (40) pivots on the axis of rotation (A2) of a planet pinion (54). The invention also proposes a timepiece (10) fitted with this display device (26) and a method for manufacturing this display device (26).Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2006Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventors: Fabien Blondeau, Emmanuel Fleury, Pierre-André Meister, André Zanetta
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Publication number: 20130077450Abstract: Electromechanical timepiece fitted with a gear train including an hour hand and a minute hand for the current time display on the dial side of the timepiece. The timepiece is arranged to provide at least one additional piece of information relating to a magnitude of time, or to a non-time related piece of information. The timepiece further includes an additional indicator hand arranged to display the additional information, the additional indicator hand being mounted on the back cover side of the timepiece on an arbour of the gear train of the timepiece, so that the additional indicator hand and the hour hand and/or minute hand rotate at the same time and at the same angle, the hour hand and/or the minute hand being driven either to display the current time, or to enable the additional indicator hand to indicate the additional information.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere SuisseInventors: Emmanuel Fleury, André Zanetta, Martin Bisig
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Publication number: 20120316036Abstract: The competitor starting device in a sports competition is a starting block device. It includes one rear base for holding the device on a competition surface, a force detection sensor connected to a processing circuit, and two starting blocks for competitor's feet. Each block is adjustably mounted on a longitudinal bar, which is connected to the base and activates the sensor to determine a response time at the competition start. The longitudinal bar is connected to an H-shaped structure having two strips, spaced apart. The strip ends are rigidly connected to an immobile portion of the rear base, while a central bar connecting the strips is secured to the rear end of the longitudinal bar. When a force is applied to the block(s), the central bar is pushed in one direction via the bending of the strips to activate the sensor to determine a response time at the competition start.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2012Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: SWISS TIMING LTDInventors: André ZANETTA, Cédric GRIMM, Reto GALLI
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Patent number: 8169858Abstract: The invention relates to a timepiece (1) fitted with a glass (3) having an inside face and an outside face to the timepiece and a lighting device (4) comprising at least one ultraviolet or infrared light-emitting diode (4a) to illuminate at least one zone (9) integrating fluorescent and/or phosphorescent pigments of an indicator element (7) visible through the glass, characterized in that the light-emitting diode is arranged on the periphery of the glass forming a waveguide capable of diffusing the ultraviolet or infrared light, and that means for diffusing ultraviolet or infrared light (12; 13; 15; 19; 20) from the glass towards the interior of the timepiece are arranged in the path of the ultraviolet or infrared light.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventors: François Klopfenstein, André Zanetta, Emmanuel Fleury
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Patent number: 8149651Abstract: The invention concerns an electronic watch comprising an electric motor (5) for driving analogue display means (6), and a time base (1, 2) comprising an oscillator circuit (2) and a resonator (1), both mounted in the same case (9), characterized in that said case further comprises a control circuit (4) for said electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2007Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventors: Thomas Meier, Fabien Blondeau, André Zanetta, Emmanuel Fleury, Silvio Dalla Piazza, Pierre-André Meister
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Publication number: 20110051562Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece (10) including a display device (26) including a first and second display member (38, 40) displaying first and second pieces of information, the value of the second piece of information being linked to the value of the first piece of information by a reduction ratio, wherein the first (38) and the second (40) display members are rotatably mounted in relation to a plate (42) and are driven by a drive device (44) with planetary gears, characterized in that the second display member (40) pivots on the axis of rotation (A2) of a planet pinion (54). The invention also proposes a timepiece (10) fitted with this display device (26) and a method for manufacturing this display device (26).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2006Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSEInventors: Fabien Blondeau, Emmanuel Fleury, Pierre-André Meister, André Zanetta
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Publication number: 20100246340Abstract: The invention concerns an electronic watch comprising an electric motor (5) for driving analogue display means (6), and a time base (1, 2) comprising an oscillator circuit (2) and a resonator (1), both mounted in the same case (9), characterized in that said case further comprises a control circuit (4) for said electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2007Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSEInventors: Thomas Meier, Fabien Blondeau, André Zanetta, Emmanuel Fleury, Silvio Dalla Piazza, Pierre-André Meister
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Publication number: 20100202255Abstract: The invention relates to a timepiece (1) fitted with a glass (3) having an inside face and an outside face to the timepiece and a lighting device (4) comprising at least one ultraviolet or infrared light-emitting diode (4a) to illuminate at least one zone (9) integrating fluorescent and/or phosphorescent pigments of an indicator element (7) visible through the glass, characterized in that the light-emitting diode is arranged on the periphery of the glass forming a waveguide capable of diffusing the ultraviolet or infrared light, and that means for diffusing ultraviolet or infrared light (12; 13; 15; 19; 20) from the glass towards the interior of the timepiece are arranged in the path of the ultraviolet or infrared light.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSEInventors: François Klopfenstein, André Zanetta, Emmanuel Fleury
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Patent number: 7738323Abstract: The invention proposes an arrangement for the mechanical interfacing of a micromotor of the MEMS type with a toothed wheel in which the micromotor is produced in the upper layer of a plate made of crystalline or amorphous material and comprises at least one actuator which drives a rotor in rotation, characterised in that a pinion, coaxial with the rotor and arranged above the rotor, is connected in rotation to the rotor by means of at least one pin which is received in an associated housing and in that the pinion meshes with the toothed wheel.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventors: Lionel Paratte, Jean-Philippe Rebeaud, André Zanetta, Fabien Blondeau, Martin Bisig, Pierre-André Meister, Nicolas Golay
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Patent number: 7663979Abstract: An electronic timepiece (10) includes a case (12) which is fitted with a dial (28) and which contains an electronic control circuit (22) driving a display device (24), of the type wherein the dial (28) includes a main body (48) in the form of a plate which is made of semiconductor material, and of the type wherein the control circuit (22) includes at least one control unit (36) and a time base circuit (34), characterized in that the control circuit (22) includes at least one integrated circuit element (34, 36) which is etched in the main body (48) of the dial (28). The invention also proposes a dial (28) to be fitted to the timepiece (10).Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventors: Pierre-André Meister, André Zanetta, Emmanuel Fleury, Fabien Blondeau
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Patent number: 7618183Abstract: The invention proposes an analogue display member (10) fitted to a timepiece, of the type including a main body in which an arbor hole is arranged, characterized in that the main body is made of silicon based crystalline material. The invention also proposes a timepiece provided with such a display member (10). The invention also proposes a method of fabricating analogue display members (10) to be fitted to timepieces, each analogue display member (10) including a main body, characterized in that it includes at least one step of micro-machining a wafer of silicon based crystalline material to form at least one main body in said material.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventors: Pierre-André Meister, André Zanetta, Emmanuel Fleury, Fabien Blondeau