Patents by Inventor Damien SCHMUTZ

Damien SCHMUTZ 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).

  • Patent number: 11480928
    Abstract: A device for controlling at least one electronic function of a portable object, in particular a timepiece, includes a control stem capable of moving axially between at least a first and a second stable position, or between at least a stable position and an unstable position. The control device also includes an actuation element made from an electrically insulating material rigidly connected to the control stem, as well as at least one flexible electrical switching element provided to be mechanically actuated by the actuation element when the control stem is moved axially, the at least one flexible electrical switching element being capable of moving between a closing position in which the at least one flexible electrical switching element closes an electrical circuit of the control device, and an opening position in which the at least one flexible electrical switching element opens the electrical circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Vittorio Zanesco, Raphaël Balmer, Damien Schmutz, Pascal Lagorgette
  • Patent number: 11385598
    Abstract: A portable object including a control stem, actuation of which in rotation can control at least one electronic or mechanical function of the portable object, a magnetized ring driven in rotation by the control stem, rotation of the magnetized ring and position of the magnetized ring being detected by two inductive sensors configured to be sensitive to a variation in magnetic induction in only two directions in space that are parallel to each other or that converge on a same point, with exception of a case in which these two directions are perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Vittorio Zanesco, Pascal Lagorgette, Pascal Meyer, Damien Schmutz, Raphael Balmer
  • Patent number: 10921754
    Abstract: A device for controlling at least two electronic and/or mechanical functions of a portable object of small dimensions includes a control stem that is axially movable between at least a first and a second position. The control stem is provided at a first end with an actuation member, and is provided towards a second end with a position indexing plate arranged to cooperate with an elastic member in order to match each of the first and second positions of the control stem with one of the mechanical or electronic functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Vittorio Zanesco, Pascal Lagorgette, Pascal Meyer, Damien Schmutz, Raphael Balmer
  • Publication number: 20200333748
    Abstract: A device for controlling at least one electronic function of a portable object, in particular a timepiece, includes a control stem capable of moving axially between at least a first and a second stable position, or between at least a stable position and an unstable position. The control device also includes an actuation element made from an electrically insulating material rigidly connected to the control stem, as well as at least one flexible electrical switching element provided to be mechanically actuated by the actuation element when the control stem is moved axially, said at least one flexible electrical switching element being capable of moving between a closing position in which said at least one flexible electrical switching element closes an electrical circuit of the control device, and an opening position in which said at least one flexible electrical switching element opens said electrical circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Vittorio ZANESCO, Raphaël BALMER, Damien SCHMUTZ, Pascal LAGORGETTE
  • Patent number: 10768577
    Abstract: A push-piece winding button control device is for a portable object of small dimensions. This device includes a pivoting control stem axially movable between at least a transitory first position and a stable second position. The device further includes a position indexing plate arranged to be integral in translation with the control stem, while keeping the same orientation relative to the frame. The device also includes a cam follower arranged to cooperate with a longitudinal cam path formed in the position indexing plate. The cam path includes a recess defining the stable position of the control stem, and a ramp-shaped profile portion which rises from the recess towards the transitory position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: ETA SA MANUFACTURING HORLOGERE SUISSE
    Inventors: Pascal Lagorgette, Damien Schmutz, Raphael Balmer, Vittorio Zanesco
  • Patent number: 10534320
    Abstract: A method of detecting a movement of a timepiece setting stem arranged to be moved axially along and/or rotated about its longitudinal axis. The method includes a light source illuminating a portion of the setting stem; a light detector receiving a reflected or diffracted light pattern from the setting stem; a processor forming a first pixel pattern representative of the reflected light pattern at a first time instant; the processor forming a second pixel pattern representative of the reflected light pattern at a second, later time instant; and determining that the setting stem has been moved, if the second pixel pattern is different or shifted with respect to the first pixel pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Yvan Ferri, Raphael Balmer, Damien Schmutz, Pascal Lagorgette
  • Publication number: 20190171166
    Abstract: A portable object including a control stem, actuation of which in rotation can control at least one electronic or mechanical function of the portable object, a magnetized ring driven in rotation by the control stem, rotation of the magnetized ring and position of the magnetized ring being detected by two inductive sensors configured to be sensitive to a variation in magnetic induction in only two directions in space that are parallel to each other or that converge on a same point, with exception of a case in which these two directions are perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Vittorio ZANESCO, Pascal LAGORGETTE, Pascal MEYER, Damien SCHMUTZ, Raphael BALMER
  • Patent number: 10261476
    Abstract: Portable object comprising a frame arranged to serve as a cradle for a control stem, the actuation in rotation of which makes it possible to control at least one electronic or mechanical function of the portable object, a magnetized ring being driven in rotation by the control stem, the rotation of the magnetized ring being detected by at least one inductive sensor disposed inside a housing of the frame inside which the inductive sensor is held by elastic means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Vittorio Zanesco, Pascal Lagorgette, Pascal Meyer, Damien Schmutz, Raphael Balmer
  • Publication number: 20180373204
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a push-piece winding button control device for a portable object of small dimensions. This device includes a pivoting control stem axially movable between at least a transitory first position and a stable second position, wherein said device further includes a position indexing plate arranged to be integral in translation with the control stem, while keeping the same orientation relative to the frame, and wherein the device further comprises a cam follower arranged to cooperate with a longitudinal cam path formed in the position indexing plate. The cam path includes a recess defining the stable position of the control stem, and a ramp-shaped profile portion which rises from the recess towards the transitory position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGERE SUISSE
    Inventors: Pascal Lagorgette, Damien Schmutz, Raphael Balmer, Vittorio Zanesco
  • Patent number: 10048651
    Abstract: Movable assembly for a timepiece display device, with a display member pivoting about an axis and having a first off-center center of inertia positioned in a direction of unbalance, and a mobile element pivoting about the axis integrally with the display member and having a second center of inertia in the direction of unbalance on the opposite side to that of the first center of inertia and including at least one cutout on the opposite side to that of the second center of inertia with respect to the axis, and/or at least one inertia block situated entirely on the side of the second center of inertia, and any bore or recess or cutout comprised in the mobile element, other than a bore around the axis, is situated entirely on the side opposite to that of the second center of inertia with respect to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Pascal Lagorgette, Damien Schmutz, Raphael Balmer, Joel Maridor
  • Patent number: 10041813
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor to determine instantaneous angular position of a rotatable element in a timepiece, such as a setting stem of a wristwatch. Static electrodes are configured to form, in conjunction with rotor electrodes of the rotatable element, a first differential capacitance pair and a second differential capacitance pair. A sensor calculation unit is configured to sense difference values from the differential capacitances pairs and to evaluate the angular position of the rotatable element from the difference values using predetermined information relating the differential capacitance values to angular position values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Yvan Ferri, Raphael Haenni, Damien Schmutz, Pascal Lagorgette, Raphael Balmer
  • Publication number: 20180157219
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for controlling at least two electronic and/or mechanical functions of a portable object of small dimensions, this device including a control stem (4) which is axially movable between at least a first and a second position, this control stem (4) being provided at a first end (6) with an actuation member (8), and being provided towards a second end (10) with a position indexing plate (58) arranged to cooperate with an elastic member (80) in order to match each of the first and second positions of the control stem (4) with one of the mechanical or electronic functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Vittorio ZANESCO, Pascal LAGORGETTE, Pascal MEYER, Damien SCHMUTZ, Raphael BALMER
  • Publication number: 20180157218
    Abstract: Portable object comprising a frame arranged to serve as a cradle for a control stem, the actuation in rotation of which makes it possible to control at least one electronic or mechanical function of the portable object, a magnetized ring being driven in rotation by the control stem, the rotation of the magnetized ring being detected by at least one inductive sensor disposed inside a housing of the frame inside which the inductive sensor is held by elastic means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Vittorio ZANESCO, Pascal LAGORGETTE, Pascal MEYER, Damien SCHMUTZ, Raphael BALMER
  • Publication number: 20170307414
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor to determine instantaneous angular position of a rotatable element in a timepiece, such as a setting stem of a wristwatch. Static electrodes are configured to form, in conjunction with rotor electrodes of the rotatable element, a first differential capacitance pair and a second differential capacitance pair. A sensor calculation unit is configured to sense difference values from the differential capacitances pairs and to evaluate the angular position of the rotatable element from the difference values using predetermined information relating the differential capacitance values to angular position values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Yvan FERRI, Raphael HAENNI, Damien SCHMUTZ, Pascal LAGORGETTE, Raphael BALMER
  • Patent number: 9664534
    Abstract: Electromechanical apparatus including a wheel set and an analogue indicator member which are integral in rotation, a stepping motor, and a capacitive device for detection of the angular position of the wheel set, including a rotor, a stator and an electronic measuring circuit, the stator including a first pair of electrodes having a first capacitance and a second pair of electrodes having a second capacitance, the rotor being adapted such that the values of the two capacitances depend on the angular position of the rotor, and an electronic measuring circuit being provided for generating an output signal representative of a difference between the respective values of the first and of the second capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Francois Klopfenstein, Pascal Lagorgette, Damien Schmutz, Raphael Haenni, Matthieu Tardivon
  • Publication number: 20170090423
    Abstract: Movable assembly for a timepiece display device, with a display member pivoting about an axis and having a first off-centre centre of inertia positioned in a direction of unbalance, and a mobile element pivoting about the axis integrally with the display member and having a second centre of inertia in the direction of unbalance on the opposite side to that of the first centre of inertia and including at least one cutout on the opposite side to that of the second centre of inertia with respect to the axis, and/or at least one inertia block situated entirely on the side of the second centre of inertia, and any bore or recess or cutout comprised in the mobile element, other than a bore around the axis, is situated entirely on the side opposite to that of the second centre of inertia with respect to the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Pascal LAGORGETTE, Damien SCHMUTZ, Raphael BALMER, Joel MARIDOR
  • Publication number: 20160178402
    Abstract: Electromechanical apparatus comprising a wheel set and an analogue indicator member (14) which are integral in rotation, a stepping motor, and a capacitive device for detection of the angular position of the wheel set, comprising a rotor (4: 10), a stator (18a, 18b, 20a, 20b, 22, 24, 26a, 26b, 26c) and an electronic measuring circuit (28), the stator comprising a first pair of electrodes (18a, 18b) having a first capacitance (C1) and a second pair of electrodes (20a, 20b) having a second capacitance (C2), the rotor being adapted such that the values of the two capacitances depend on the angular position of the rotor, and an electronic measuring circuit (28) being provided for generating an output signal representative of a difference between the respective values of the first (C1) and of the second (C2) capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Francois Klopfenstein, Pascal Lagorgette, Damien Schmutz, Raphael Haenni, Matthieu Tardivon
  • Publication number: 20160116306
    Abstract: A method of detecting a movement of a timepiece setting stem arranged to be moved axially along and/or rotated about its longitudinal axis. The method includes a light source illuminating a portion of the setting stem; a light detector receiving a reflected or diffracted light pattern from the setting stem; a processor forming a first pixel pattern representative of the reflected light pattern at a first time instant; the processor forming a second pixel pattern representative of the reflected light pattern at a second, later time instant; and determining that the setting stem has been moved, if the second pixel pattern is different or shifted with respect to the first pixel pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Yvan FERRI, Raphael Balmer, Damien Schmutz, Pascal Lagorgette
  • Publication number: 20150003217
    Abstract: Device for fastening a bracelet strand to a case of a watch. The device includes at least one fastening element allowing this bracelet strand to be detached from this case when this fastening element is subjected to a predetermined force or moment. Wristwatch including a case and at least one bracelet strand pivotally hinged about a shoulder of a pin forming such a device. This pin is a sacrificial pin which includes, on this shoulder, at least one area of mechanical resistance lower than the lowest mechanical resistance of this case and than the lowest mechanical resistance of this bracelet strand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventors: Stephane LEONI, Thierry ALTENHOVEN, Raphael BALMER, Martin JUFER, Damien SCHMUTZ