Patents by Inventor Cedric Nicolas
Cedric Nicolas 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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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: 11651882Abstract: A magnetic microactuator (100) including a coil (6; 61; 62) controlling the axial movement of a sliding block (30) including at least one permanent magnet (2) joined or aligned with a ferromagnetic or magnetised rear arbor (42) and guiding the field lines of the magnetic field of revolution in the axial direction (D) through the coil (6; 61; 62) wherein circulates the sliding block (30), up to a rear end (43) of said rear arbor (42) that tends to cooperate by magnetic attraction with at least one first ferromagnetic restoration element (8), located in the vicinity of a rear face (25) of the structure (20) of the microactuator (100), in order to bring said sliding block (30) back into a rear end-of-travel position when no coil (6; 61; 62) is powered.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Matthias Imboden, Cédric Nicolas, Nicolas Livat
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Publication number: 20230132978Abstract: A timepiece assembly includes a watch having a mechanical movement and an analogue time display, the running of which is set by a mechanical resonator, and a support for the watch. To correct a time displayed by the analogue display, the timepiece assembly includes a correction system which is formed by a mechanical device incorporated into the watch and by an electrical device incorporated into the support. The mechanical device includes a magnet supported by an elastic blade and is arranged in the watch to brake the oscillating mechanical resonator, for example by applying periodic braking, or to momentarily stop its oscillation by exerting a magnetic force on the magnet with a magnetic field produced by a coil of the electrical device and passing through the case of the watch, to carry out essentially a set correction of the time displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jérôme FAVRE, Jean-Jacques BORN, Matthias IMBODEN, Cédric NICOLAS
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Patent number: 11625005Abstract: A display mechanism of a watch including at least one indicator member and a drive member assembly. The indicator member is mounted to rotate about a first axis of rotation and is configured to indicate a time. The indicator member also has a second axis of rotation extending along the indicator member and a rotary element mounted to rotate about the second axis of rotation. The drive assembly includes a first drive member and a second drive member such that the first drive member drives the rotary element when it is moving about the first axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2020Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Cedric Nicolas, Simon Springer, Ahmad Odeh, Michel Willemin
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Publication number: 20230062527Abstract: A mechanism (1) including a magnetic gear (2) including a first wheel (6B) and a second wheel (6C) provided with a first magnetic toothing (10) and a second magnetic toothing (12) respectively. The first and second magnetic toothings are respectively formed by first and second teeth made of a soft ferromagnetic material; and the magnetic gear (2) further includes a third wheel (6A) arranged between the first and second wheels (6B, 6C) and provided with a third magnetic toothing (8) formed by permanent magnetic poles, in particular by bipolar magnets. In general, the first wheel is a drive wheel, whereas the second wheel is driven into order to carry out a function or transmit a torque. The third intermediate wheel is preferably mounted such that it can rotate freely.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Matthias IMBODEN, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT, Milan CALIC, Cédric NICOLAS, Jean-Jacques BORN
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Publication number: 20230060562Abstract: A mechanism including a magnetic gear including a first wheel, a second wheel and a third wheel. The first wheel is provided with permanent magnetic poles which are arranged so as to form the magnetised teeth of a first magnetic toothing. The second wheel and the third wheel are provided with teeth made of a soft ferromagnetic material respectively defining a second magnetic toothing and a third magnetic toothing, each with a number of teeth that is greater than that of the first magnetic toothing and having a magnetic coupling with this first magnetic toothing. The second magnetic toothing is directly coupled with the first magnetic toothing and with the third magnetic toothing thanks to the magnetic fluxes provided by the magnetised teeth of the first toothing and the teeth of the second magnetic toothing are magnetically separated from one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Matthias IMBODEN, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT, Milan CALIC, Cédric NICOLAS, Jean-Jacques BORN
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Patent number: 11540748Abstract: A method of detecting gaits of an individual with a sensor worn by the individual. The sensor includes an accelerometer and a processing unit. The method includes obtaining an signal representing one or more sensor acceleration values; sampling the signal to obtain a sampled signal; segmenting the sampled signal into windows to obtain a segmented acceleration signal; extracting a feature set from the segmented acceleration signal; determining a probability value, for a respective window, n, where n is a positive integer greater than zero, the probability value giving an estimated probability value of gait occurrence for the individual during the respective window; modifying the estimated probability value by using a histogram of previously detected gait durations to obtain a modified probability value; and determining, based on the modified probability value, and by using a determination threshold whether or not the respective window represents gait occurrence.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Cedric Nicolas, Abolfazl Soltani, Hooman Dejnabadi, Martin Savary, Kamiar Aminian
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Publication number: 20220390901Abstract: A horological movement includes an analogue time display, a gear train, a barrel driving the analogue display via the gear train, and an oscillator formed of a resonator, including a balance and a piezoelectric spring, and a mechanical escapement coupling the balance to the gear train. This horological movement further includes an electric energy source which is associated with the electronic control circuit, which is arranged to be able to control the application of an electrical supply voltage to the piezoelectric spring so as to excite the oscillator to obtain a functional oscillation of the resonator and then to maintain this functional oscillation. The mechanical escapement is configured so as to be an escapement for counting the alternations of the functional oscillation, so as to pace the running of the horological movement, without the resonator being able to receive from the barrel via this mechanical escapement enough mechanical energy to maintain the functional oscillation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Matthias IMBODEN, Alexandre HAEMMERLI, Alexandre DIDIER, Cédric NICOLAS
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Publication number: 20220382221Abstract: A device is disclosed for verifying the state of a watch and resetting it to the correct time. In a case of the device, a watch can be disposed on a watch support, which can be moved from a position without measurement to a measurement position in a vision system, or vice versa. In a position without measurement, the watch on its support can be observed from the outside of the case of the device through at least one electronic shutter activated or an optical valve activated to be in a transparent state, whereas in the measurement position, the electronic shutter or the optical valve is deactivated to be made opaque.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2021Publication date: December 1, 2022Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Cédric NICOLAS, Jérôme FAVRE, Jean-Jacques BORN, Hicham FARAH
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Patent number: 11410514Abstract: A transponder for securing a product displayed in a shop. The transponder includes two blocks each including a contact surface, the contact surfaces being positioned face to face, the blocks being connected to each other by an adjustable connection, that allows to manually adjust the moving closer together or farther apart of the blocks with respect to one another, thus allowing the transponder to be attached to a suitable element of the product, by gripping the element between the contact surfaces of the blocks, one of the blocks including wireless detection and transmission equipment, which allows the remote management of the presence of the transponder on the suitable element.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2020Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Alexandre Lamontagne, Jonathan Bregnard, Cedric Nicolas, Cedric Kaltenrieder, Paulo Bravo
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Publication number: 20220206440Abstract: An embedded winding mechanism for a watch or an automatic watch. The watch or the automatic watch including a mainspring wheel configured to wind a mainspring, at least one electric motor and at least one oscillating weight. The embedded winding mechanism including at least one primary ratchet gear configured to mesh the mainspring wheel of the watch or an automatic watch when the at least one oscillating weight meshes the at least one primary ratchet gear, and at least one secondary ratchet gear configured to actuate the mainspring wheel of the watch or an automatic watch when the at least one electric motor actuates the at least one secondary ratchet gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2021Publication date: June 30, 2022Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Matthias IMBODEN, Alexandre HAEMMERLI, Cédric NICOLAS, Damien PRONGUE, Thierry HESSLER
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Patent number: 11312047Abstract: A method for making a bracelet provided with an electronic component insert, the method includes fabricating a basic, flexible support for an insert in the form of a band, making conductive paths on the flexible support or in the flexible support, disposing on the flexible support various electronic components connected to the conductive paths, and coating the electronic components disposed on the flexible support with a transparent or opaque protective layer to finish the insert of the bracelet.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2017Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Nicolas Francois, Claire Rannoux, Cedric Nicolas
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Publication number: 20220115170Abstract: A magnetic microactuator (100) including a coil (6; 61; 62) controlling the axial movement of a sliding block (30) including at least one permanent magnet (2) joined or aligned with a ferromagnetic or magnetised rear arbor (42) and guiding the field lines of the magnetic field of revolution in the axial direction (D) through the coil (6; 61; 62) wherein circulates the sliding block (30), up to a rear end (43) of said rear arbor (42) that tends to cooperate by magnetic attraction with at least one first ferromagnetic restoration element (8), located in the vicinity of a rear face (25) of the structure (20) of the microactuator (100), in order to bring said sliding block (30) back into a rear end-of-travel position when no coil (6; 61; 62) is powered.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Matthias IMBODEN, Cédric NICOLAS, Nicolas LIVAT
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Publication number: 20220113681Abstract: A device for illuminating luminescent watch displays containing luminophore material, including a case arranged to receive at least one receptacle for receiving at least one watch, the device including a illuminating device arranged to light up the displays of each said watch. The illuminating device include a control device and a time base, and at least one light source capable of exciting said luminophore material for a pre-determined charge time, or corresponding to a wearing duration chosen by the user via a control device included in the device, and watch self-winding device, including at least one such illumination device, and universal device for winding and setting the hands of a watch, including such a watch self-winding device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jérôme FAVRE, Cedric NICOLAS
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Publication number: 20220050418Abstract: A timepiece mechanism including a magnetic gear formed of a first wheel and a second wheel, the first wheel being provided with first alternating magnetic poles forming a magnetic toothing and the second wheel being provided with a toothing made of ferromagnetic material which has a magnetic coupling with the magnetic toothing, such that, when one of the first or second wheels is driven in rotation, this wheel rolls, via the magnetic coupling, over a geometric circle centred on the other wheel and linked to this other wheel. The magnetic gear further includes a ferromagnetic element arranged relative to the first wheel so as to offset at least most of a magnetic disturbance torque to which the first wheel is subjected, resulting from the magnetic coupling, this magnetic disturbance torque having a periodic variation in intensity according to the angular position of the first wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2021Publication date: February 17, 2022Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Jacques BORN, Jean-Pierre MIGNOT, Matthias IMBODEN, Cédric NICOLAS
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Patent number: 11154146Abstract: A display stand (1) for a watch, the display stand including an open or closed support loop (2), and configured to support a wristwatch when the strap is closed around the loop (2). The loop includes at least one electrical switch that can be actuated in one or other of two states, and wherein the state of the switch is determined according to the presence or absence of the watch around the loop (2), making it possible to manage the presence of the watch on the display stand.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2020Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Alexandre Lamontagne, Jonathan Bregnard, Cedric Nicolas
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Patent number: 11144013Abstract: A presentation case is arranged for receiving an electromechanical watch provided with a stepping motor for driving the watch hands. The presentation case includes a box with a support for receiving the watch, a system for detecting the position of the hands, and a device for resetting the watch connected to the hand position detection system. The resetting device resets the watch based on information received from the hand position detection system and a time reference when the watch is placed on the receiving support. The resetting device includes a driver for the stepping motor of the electromechanical watch, which is arranged inside the presentation case facing the stepping motor, when the watch is placed on the receiving support, and causes a rotation of the stepping motor by inductive coupling.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2018Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Harry Winston SAInventors: Johnny Buehler, Jean-Jacques Born, Cedric Nicolas
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Patent number: 11107335Abstract: An anti-theft system that can be applied in a commercial environment such as a watch store. The products on display in-store are secured by an electronic tag (4) attached to the product. The tag is provided with a chip (16) which emits a first signal which can only be received within a defined perimeter around the chip. An electronic transmitting device (5) is located within this perimeter, which sends the data transmitted within the first signal in the form of a second signal which further contains a value relative to the distance between the tag and the transmitting device. The second signal is managed by one or more computers, preferably of the portable type (6), which are equipped with a digital application configured to analyse the second signal to check for the presence of the tags (4) within a defined security zone (10) around the transmitting device (5).Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2020Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Alexandre Lamontagne, Jonathan Bregnard, Cédric Nicolas
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Patent number: 11058191Abstract: A bracelet including two strands provided with a fastening system which includes at least one longitudinal groove on one of the two strands and at least one longitudinal protuberance on the other strand. The material and the shape of the groove and of the protuberance are configured such that these two elements interlock under pressure exerted by the bracelet user, over two overlapping portions of the bracelet strands. The connection between the strands can easily be separated, preferably by peeling the upper strand away from the lower strand. The bracelet is continuously adjustable in length, without requiring heavy or complex elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Claude Martin, Cedric Nicolas
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Publication number: 20210181687Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2020Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jérôme FAVRE, Cedric NICOLAS, Jean-Jacques BORN