Patents by Inventor François Klopfenstein

François Klopfenstein 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).

  • Publication number: 20240111252
    Abstract: A method for permutation of a time display mode of an electronic watch with an analogue display, including, after manipulation of a control member of the watch, a permutation of the position of main time indicating means of the watch, such that the device changes from indicating a first time to indicating a second time, the position of secondary time indicating device of the watch, such that the device changes from indicating the second time to indicating the first time, the position of an analogue time display mode indicator of the watch, such that the indicator changes from a first position characteristic of the first mode to a second position characteristic of the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Francois KLOPFENSTEIN
  • Patent number: 11906938
    Abstract: A method for permutation of a time display mode of an electronic watch with an analogue display, including, after manipulation of a control member of the watch, a permutation of the position of main time indicating means of the watch, such that the device changes from indicating a first time to indicating a second time, the position of secondary time indicating device of the watch, such that the device changes from indicating the second time to indicating the first time, the position of an analogue time display mode indicator of the watch, such that the indicator changes from a first position characteristic of the first mode to a second position characteristic of the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Francois Klopfenstein
  • 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: 11537087
    Abstract: A method and device for determining a constant parameter of an inhibition value for adjusting the device operating frequency of a watch equipped with a quartz oscillator. The following steps are performed by a self-calibration circuit of the electronic watch device: from a first external pulse and a second external pulse received from a system external to the watch and separated by a measurement time, corresponding to a reference number of reference periods for a periodic calibration signal derived from the time-measurement signal and having a calibration frequency derived from the natural frequency of the quartz oscillator, determining a calibration parameter representative of a ratio between a calibration period and a reference period for the periodic calibration signal, and determining a constant inhibition parameter as a function of the calibration parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Francois Klopfenstein, Xavier Stehlin
  • Publication number: 20200096951
    Abstract: A method and device for determining a constant parameter of an inhibition value for adjusting the device operating frequency of a watch equipped with a quartz oscillator. The following steps are performed by a self-calibration circuit of the electronic watch device: from a first external pulse and a second external pulse received from a system external to the watch and separated by a measurement time, corresponding to a reference number of reference periods for a periodic calibration signal derived from the time-measurement signal and having a calibration frequency derived from the natural frequency of the quartz oscillator, determining a calibration parameter representative of a ratio between a calibration period and a reference period for the periodic calibration signal, and determining a constant inhibition parameter as a function of the calibration parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Francois KLOPFENSTEIN, Xavier STEHLIN
  • Publication number: 20200033814
    Abstract: A method for permutation of a time display mode of an electronic watch with an analogue display, including, after manipulation of a control member of the watch, a permutation of the position of main time indicating means of the watch, such that the device changes from indicating a first time to indicating a second time, the position of secondary time indicating device of the watch, such that the device changes from indicating the second time to indicating the first time, the position of an analogue time display mode indicator of the watch, such that the indicator changes from a first position characteristic of the first mode to a second position characteristic of the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Francois KLOPFENSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20200019127
    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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventor: Francois KLOPFENSTEIN
  • Patent number: 10295962
    Abstract: The method for test the rate of an electronic watch with a time base device (1) comprises three main steps for the test on test equipment. The time base device comprises at least one watch module (2) with a resonator (3) connected to an oscillator of an electronic circuit (4), which is followed by a divider circuit, which is controlled by an inhibition circuit, and which provides a divided timing signal for a motor. In a first step, a measurement is made of the frequency of the oscillator reference signal in at least one measurement period without inhibition. A second step is provided for acquiring the current inhibition value to inhibit a certain number of clock pulses in a subsequently inhibition period and to determine the inhibition value. Finally, a third step is provided for calculating the corresponding rate frequency of the watch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Francois Klopfenstein, Yves Godat, Nicolas Jeannet
  • Patent number: 10274899
    Abstract: An electronic module including at least one electric motor for driving an analog display, a clock module including a time base delivering a clock signal connected to a divider circuit, the divider circuit delivering a reference signal sent to a control circuit arranged to control the electric motor, the clock module further including a measuring and correction circuit arranged between the time base and the divider circuit and delivering an intermediate compensated signal. The time base, the compensation module, the divider circuit, and the control circuit are arranged in a same case to form the clock module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Thierry Bonnet, Silvio Dalla Piazza, Laurent Christe, Francois Klopfenstein, Emmanuel Fleury, Yves Godat, Nicolas Jeannet
  • Patent number: 10141873
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an electronic device comprising a calculation unit capable of generating a signal representative of a physical magnitude, for a motor driving a display device, said motor comprising a rotor in a magnetic circuit, two terminals, one positive and one negative, via which the calculation unit controls the motor, the electronic device further comprising at least one shock detector circuit connected between the calculation unit and a motor terminal for the detection of an external shock applied to the motor, said motor having a first position of stable equilibrium placed at a reference angular position and a second position of stable equilibrium placed at 180° from the first stable angular position, for each direction of rotation, a maximum angular position from which it is no longer possible to return the motor rotor into a prior angular position, the calculation unit using an algorithm which, following a shock, can detect the direction of rotation of the rotor by analyzing an induc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Francois Klopfenstein, Joerg Berthoud, Nicolas Jeannet, Yves Godat, Thierry Bonnet
  • Patent number: 10095192
    Abstract: A portable electronic object including a case including at least a first part made of insulating materials, at least one electronic module providing at least one piece of information to a display, and a controller allowing a user to act on the at least one electronic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Montres Rado S.A.
    Inventors: Gerald Matthey, Francois Klopfenstein, Sergio Rota
  • Patent number: 9897977
    Abstract: Arrangement of electrodes for a juxtaposed two digit display including a left digit and a right digit is disclosed. The right digit includes an upper electrode, a median electrode and a lower electrode. The right digit includes a lateral upper left electrode, a lateral lower left electrode, a lateral upper right electrode and a lateral lower right electrode. The left digit includes an upper electrode, a median electrode and a lower electrode. The left digit includes a lateral upper left electrode, a lateral lower left electrode, a lateral upper right electrode and a lateral lower right electrode. In the left digit, the upper electrode, the median electrode and the lower electrode are each formed of a first and second point-shaped electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSE
    Inventors: Francois Klopfenstein, Daniel Gruenig, Pascal Lagorgette
  • Patent number: 9864343
    Abstract: A three dimensional support element for a timepiece sensor, made in 3D-MID and including integrated electrical connection paths, a flexible connection interface formed of bent wire springs or flexible finger-pieces, and a rigid connection interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Raphael Balmer, Francois Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 9836027
    Abstract: A device for winding automatic watches, including an electrical energy source and a receptacle support including a surface configured to receive in abutment a back cover of a watch, the device configured to generate a magnetic and/or electrostatic field or eddy currents, in a fixed position underneath the bearing surface and generate, on a substantially annular angular sector, a magnetic and or electrostatic field that varies as a function of time and whose direction is orthogonal to the bearing surface, or generating eddy currents that vary as a function of time. The device can be provided for a watch including an automatic winding mechanism with an oscillating weight including a first ferromagnetic inner part and a second heavy metal peripheral part, and possibly with a paramagnetic conductive disc coaxial to the oscillating weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Michel Willemin, Jean-Jacques Born, Francois Klopfenstein, Patrick Ragot
  • Patent number: 9671759
    Abstract: The time base includes an oscillator generating a periodic signal, a frequency divider circuit formed by a division chain defining several division stages and a circuit for adjusting the divided frequency by inhibiting, in each inhibition period of a plurality of successive inhibition periods, an integer number of clocking pulses at the input of a given stage of the division chain. The time base is arranged to produce, in each inhibition period, a first real number corresponding to the real number of clocking pulses that must be removed to be precise and the adjustment circuit is arranged to calculate, in each inhibition period, a second real number equal to the addition of the first real number and the fractional part of the second real number obtained in the preceding inhibition period, the integer part of this second real number defining the number of clocking pulses to be inhibited in each inhibition period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Yves Godat, Nicolas Jeannet, François Klopfenstein
  • 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: 20170141710
    Abstract: The present invention concerns an electronic device comprising a calculation unit capable of generating a signal representative of a physical magnitude, for a motor driving a display device, said motor comprising a rotor in a magnetic circuit, two terminals, one positive and one negative, via which the calculation unit controls the motor, the electronic device further comprising at least one shock detector circuit connected between the calculation unit and a motor terminal for the detection of an external shock applied to the motor, said motor having a first position of stable equilibrium placed at a reference angular position and a second position of stable equilibrium placed at 180° from the first stable angular position, for each direction of rotation, a maximum angular position from which it is no longer possible to return the motor rotor into a prior angular position, the calculation unit using an algorithm which, following a shock, can detect the direction of rotation of the rotor by analysing an induc
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Francois KLOPFENSTEIN, Joerg BERTHOUD, Nicolas JEANNET, Yves GODAT, Thierry BONNET
  • Publication number: 20170139377
    Abstract: The method for test the rate of an electronic watch with a time base device (1) comprises three main steps for the test on test equipment. The time base device comprises at least one watch module (2) with a resonator (3) connected to an oscillator of an electronic circuit (4), which is followed by a divider circuit, which is controlled by an inhibition circuit, and which provides a divided timing signal for a motor. In a first step, a measurement is made of the frequency of the oscillator reference signal in at least one measurement period without inhibition. A second step is provided for acquiring the current inhibition value to inhibit a certain number of clock pulses in a subsequently inhibition period and to determine the inhibition value. Finally, a third step is provided for calculating the corresponding rate frequency of the watch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Francois KLOPFENSTEIN, Yves Godat, Nicolas Jeannet
  • Patent number: 9429915
    Abstract: The electronic module (1) includes a quartz or MEMS resonator (3), which is confined within a resonator case (5), which is provided with electrical contact pads (15) over at least one external surface for the electrical connection of the resonator. A printed circuit board (6) is also provided for carrying the resonator case (5) and it includes electrical connection terminals (18) for connection to the electrical connection pads (15) of the resonator case. The resonator case (5) is fixedly held inside a case structure (6, 9) of the electronic module (1), via at least one mechanical shock damping element (7). The damping element 7) may be an elastomer element, which includes metal wires (17) for the electrical connection of the resonator case (5) across the printed circuit board (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventor: Francois Klopfenstein
  • 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