Abstract: A timepiece striking mechanism including a mechanism for controlling at least one hammer including a first striking area arranged to strike, in a first direction of travel, a first resonant component on a first striking surface when this at least one hammer moves from a recoiled position to a first impact position, this hammer including, opposite to the first striking area, a second striking area arranged to strike, in a second direction of travel opposite to the first direction of travel, when the hammer recoils from the first impact position to the recoiled position, a second striking surface comprised either in the first resonant component or a second resonant component distinct from the first resonant component.

Abstract: A magnetic device for centring a shaft on a predetermined axis in a clockwork movement includes at least one first magnetic bearing provided with a magnet to exert an attractive force on a first ferromagnetic end pivot of the shaft. The first magnetic bearing includes a central part made of soft ferromagnetic material mounted between the magnet and the first end pivot of the shaft. The central part is positioned centrally in a washer made of non-magnetic material so as to centre the magnetic field flux generated by the permanent magnet through the central part in order to magnetically attract the first end pivot of the shaft on the predetermined axis. The diameter of the central part can be identical to, or 0 to 20% less than, or 0 to 20% greater than, the diameter of the first end pivot.

Abstract: A timepiece oscillator includes a sprung balance assembly including a balance with a rim, which is returned by a balance spring and pivoted with respect to a structure, on a first side by a torsion wire, fixed by an anchoring element to the structure, and on a second side, opposite to the first side, by a contactless magnetic pivot. The balance includes a first pole embedded with the balance and the torsion wire, this first pole having a symmetry with respect to the axis of the sprung balance assembly, and cooperating with a second pole included in the structure, for the magnetic suspension of the first pole, and to exert on the distal end of the torsion wire, opposite to this anchoring element, a magnetic force for tensioning the torsion wire.

Abstract: Mechanism for regulating energy to achieve the function of a timepiece mechanism including a functional mobile component, controlling a dissipation of energy through eddy currents in the event of racing by this mobile component, including a magnetically permeable or magnetized rotor kinematically connected to this mobile component, and a magnetized or respectively magnetically permeable stator, facing this rotor in an annular area where these eddy currents develop, this rotor and this stator are external to each other, this rotor and/or this stator including an alternation of raised areas where it can move into superposition with the other in an interaction generating eddy currents, and hollow areas in which it cannot move into superposition with the other. Escapement mechanism including such a regulating mechanism, limiting the effect of accelerations on an escape wheel.

Abstract: The timepiece movement comprises a pivoting element, a bearing for a pivot of this pivoting element and an anti-shock device associated with this bearing and including a resilient member arranged to exert a restoring force on at least one endstone. The anti-shock device further includes a magnetic system comprising two magnets having opposite polarities and a highly magnetically permeable element arranged between these two magnets and secured to one of them, the two magnets being respectively fixed to a support of the anti-shock device and to the resilient member and arranged to produce between them, in association with the highly magnetically permeable element, an overall force of magnetic attraction on a first section of a possible distance of displacement for the endstone in the event of a shock and an overall force of magnetic repulsion on a second section of this distance of displacement corresponding to greater distances of separation than those of the first section.

Abstract: The mechanical timepiece movement includes an escapement having a pallet-lever arranged to move alternately into abutment with two banking elements in locking periods. The pallet-lever carries at least a first permanent magnet and the timepiece movement further includes a first element and a second element of high magnetic permeability and a second magnet and a third magnet respectively integral with first and second elements of high magnetic permeability and each arranged on an opposite side to a first magnet relative to the respective elements of high magnetic permeability. This magnetic system generates, in a first part of a first half vibration of any vibration of the pallet-lever, an overall force of magnetic attraction, defining a magnetic draw additional to the mechanical draw generated by the escape wheel, and, in a second part of this first half vibration, an overall force of magnetic repulsion.

Abstract: Watch with a timepiece movement, a resonator mechanism, including a magnetic escapement mechanism including an escape wheel set including a magnetized track, with a succession of areas according to a scrolling period in which its magnetic features are repeated, each area including an increasing magnetic field ramp followed by a magnetic field barrier with an increasing field and of higher field gradient that that of the ramp, the track includes a continuous, closed magnetic layer over the entire periphery of the escape wheel set, of constant thickness and variable width, whose geometry defines these magnetic field ramps and barriers, this escape wheel set cooperating with a sprung balance via a pivoting magnetic stop member comprising a pole piece arranged to cooperate alternately with an internal track and an external track of the magnetic layer.

Abstract: The vertical coupling/uncoupling device includes a switching member and a control member, the latter being arranged to pivot about an axis of rotation to be able to be driven in rotation step-by-step successively into a plurality of distinct angular positions. The control member and the switching member respectively include a first magnetic structure and a second magnetic structure arranged to exhibit a magnet interaction therebetween. These first and second magnetic structures are arranged such that, depending on the angular position of the control member, a first magnetic force or a second magnetic force is produced, these first and second magnetic forces being oriented along said axis of rotation but in opposite directions. The switching member is subjected to an alternate movement between its first and second stable axial positions when the second magnetic structure is driven in rotation step-by-step in said given direction of rotation.

Abstract: The timepiece movement is provided with a movable element (22A) capable of being momentarily immobilised in any one of N discrete stable positions, and with a device (44) for positioning said movable element comprising a lever (26A) and a magnetic system (28) formed of a first magnet (30) integral with the lever, with N second magnets (32) integral with the movable element and arranged along an axis of displacement, and with a highly magnetically permeable element (34) arranged facing one polar end of the first magnet located on the side of the movable element. The polarity of the first magnet is reversed with respect to that of the second magnets. A first magnetic torque exerted on the lever carrying the first magnet has a first direction over a first section and a second direction, opposite to the first direction, over a second section of the distance between two successive stable positions, the first direction defining a return torque towards the movable element for a contact portion (46) of the lever.

Abstract: The timepiece movement includes a date ring having a plurality of display positions, and a device for positioning said ring in any one of the display positions. The positioning device comprises a lever and a magnetic system formed of a first fixed magnet, a second magnet integral with the lever and a magnetic structure integral with the ring and moving between the two magnets, this magnetic structure being formed of a highly magnetically permeable material and having a radial dimension that varies periodically to define a plurality of periods which correspond to the distances between the display positions. The magnetic axes of the two magnets are substantially aligned and their respective polarities are opposite. During the driving of the ring, the magnetic torque that is applied to the lever varies, so that it is pressed against the ring in the display positions but tends to move away from the ring on one part of the angular movement between these display positions.

Abstract: The timepiece comprises a timekeeping mechanism and a switching device arranged to switch this timekeeping mechanism between two states. The switching device comprises a movable switching organ and a rotary control organ arranged to be stepwise driven in order to successively occupy a plurality of distinct angular positions about its axis of rotation. The movable switching organ and the rotary control organ respectively support a first magnetic structure and a second magnetic structure arranged so that, in a first angular position of the rotary control organ, a first magnetic force acts on the switching organ in a given direction, and so that, in a second angular position of the rotary control organ, a second magnetic force acts on the switching organ in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The timepiece includes a chronograph mechanism with a coupling device including an operating member and a switching member which can be switched alternately between two stable positions coupled state and uncoupled state. This timepiece includes a magnetic system formed of a first bipolar magnet fixed to the switching member, a second bipolar magnet fixed to the support of the switching device in order to continually offer a magnetic interaction with the first bipolar magnet, and at least one highly magnetically permeable element forming the operating member and able to undergo a reciprocating motion between two operating positions. The switching device is arranged so that, when the highly magnetically permeable element is in its first operating position, the two magnets generate between them a force of magnetic repulsion and so that, when the highly magnetically permeable element is in its second operating position, the two magnets generate between them a force of magnetic attraction.

Abstract: Sub-assembly for watches, including an arbor including a magnetized or electrically charged surface pivoting inside a housing, and a pole piece subjecting this surface to a magnetic or electrostatic field about an axis, one pole piece cooperating axially with this surface to absorb a shock and then return the arbor to an operating position, and creating, in proximity to this surface, a magnetic or electrostatic field, which radially attracts the arbor towards a wall of the housing.

Abstract: Timepiece movement comprising a mechanism and a spring barrel provided in order to drive the mechanism. The spring barrel comprises a drum and a motor spring in order to exert a driving torque which is variable as a function of the degree of winding-up of the motor spring. The timepiece movement comprises furthermore an equalisation device which is connected kinematically to the spring barrel in order to be able to be driven by it and to be able to exert an auxiliary torque which varies as a function of the degree of winding-up of the motor spring so as to counter variations in the motor torque.

Abstract: The timepiece mechanism comprises a rotating wheel set, a support element, a pivoting member mounted on the support element and magnetic return means for returning one portion of the pivoting member against a surface of the rotating wheel set. The return means comprise a first magnet carried by the pivoting member and a second magnet carried by the support element. The first and second magnets are arranged such that, in normal operation, the interaction of their respective magnetic fields generates a magnetic force oriented to return said pivoting member portion towards said rotating wheel surface. At least one of the first and second magnets is arranged to permit reversal of its polarity, preferably with the aid of a tool, and thereby of the direction of the magnetic force acting on the pivoting member, said magnetic force then tending to move said pivoting member portion away from said rotating wheel set surface, which makes it easy to handle the various elements of the timepiece mechanism.

Abstract: Timepiece oscillator, comprising a sprung balance assembly including a balance with a rim, which is returned by a balance spring and pivoted with respect to a structure, on a first side by a torsion wire, fixed by an anchoring element to the structure, and on a second side, opposite to the first side, by a contactless magnetic pivot, the balance comprising a first pole embedded with the balance and the torsion wire, this first pole having a symmetry with respect to the axis of the sprung balance assembly, and cooperating with a second pole comprised in the structure, for the magnetic suspension of the first pole, and to exert on the distal end of the torsion wire, opposite to this anchoring element, a magnetic force for tensioning the torsion wire.

Abstract: The timepiece comprises a timekeeping mechanism and a switching device arranged to switch this timekeeping mechanism between two states. The switching device comprises a movable switching organ and a rotary control organ arranged to be stepwise driven in order to successively occupy a plurality of distinct angular positions about its axis of rotation. The movable switching organ and the rotary control organ respectively support a first magnetic structure and a second magnetic structure arranged so that, in a first angular position of the rotary control organ, a first magnetic force acts on the switching organ in a given direction, and so that, in a second angular position of the rotary control organ, a second magnetic force acts on the switching organ in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The vertical coupling/uncoupling device includes a switching member and a control member, the latter being arranged to pivot about an axis of rotation to be able to be driven in rotation step-by-step successively into a plurality of distinct angular positions. The control member and the switching member respectively include a first magnetic structure and a second magnetic structure arranged to exhibit a magnet interaction therebetween. These first and second magnetic structures are arranged such that, depending on the angular position of the control member, a first magnetic force or a second magnetic force is produced, these first and second magnetic forces being oriented along said axis of rotation but in opposite directions. The switching member is subjected to an alternate movement between its first and second stable axial positions when the second magnetic structure is driven in rotation step-by-step in said given direction of rotation.

Abstract: An electrical or electromechanical installation includes a central processor for controlling operation of the electrical or electromechanical installation, a computer communicatively coupled to the central processor to output a control signal to the central processor, and a first video camera communicatively coupled to the computer to output an image signal to the computer. The computer has a memory storing computer instructions to determine facial characteristics from a person's face data comprised in the image signal, to categorizing the facial characteristics into at least one of predefined emotion categories, and to generate a control signal corresponding to the at least one of predefined emotion categories. The central controller operates the electrical or electromechanical installation in accordance with one of several operational modes, wherein the one of several operational modes is selected as a function of the control signal.

Abstract: The timepiece movement comprises a pivoting element, a bearing for a pivot of this pivoting element and an anti-shock device associated with this bearing and including a resilient member arranged to exert a restoring force on at least one endstone. The anti-shock device further includes a magnetic system comprising two magnets having opposite polarities and a highly magnetically permeable element arranged between these two magnets and secured to one of them, the two magnets being respectively fixed to a support of the anti-shock device and to the resilient member and arranged to produce between them, in association with the highly magnetically permeable element, an overall force of magnetic attraction on a first section of a possible distance of displacement for the endstone in the event of a shock and an overall force of magnetic repulsion on a second section of this distance of displacement corresponding to greater distances of separation than those of the first section.