Patents by Inventor Jerome Favre

Jerome Favre 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: 11507023
    Abstract: An arrangement for the holding and vibration transmission of an acoustic radiating membrane (10) in a striking or musical watch (1) case (2). The case includes at least one crystal (3) mounted on a middle (4) and a back (5) mounted on a side opposite the middle. The acoustic radiating membrane is held in a portion of the watch case, such as the middle by at least one connection part (12) disposed between a peripheral rim of the membrane or an edge element (11) of the membrane and the middle by acting for the holding of the membrane in a direction parallel to the plane of the watch. The connection part may be a screw screwed into a threaded opening (14) of the middle and coming into contact with the edge element of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jérôme Favre, Nicolas Livat
  • Patent number: 11454932
    Abstract: A method for making a flexure bearing for an oscillator with an inertial element oscillating in a plane supported by flexible strips fixed to a stationary support returning it to a rest position includes: forming the bearing with basic strips in superposed levels, each having an aspect ratio of less than 10; breaking down the number of basic levels into a plurality of sub-units, each including one or two strips joining a basic support and a basic inertial element, which are made by etching substrates; assembling the sub-units by joining their basic inertial elements; and fixing the basic supports to the support, directly or via translational tables along one or two in-plane translational degrees of freedom, of lower translational stiffness than that of the sub-unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Gianni Di Domenico, Pierre Cusin, Jean-Luc Helfer, Alex Gandelhman, Pascal Winkler, Baptiste Hinaux, Dominique Lechot, Olivier Matthey, Laurent Klinger, Jerome Favre
  • Patent number: 11402804
    Abstract: A timepiece movement, including a mechanism including an inertial element arranged to oscillate or pivot about a first axis of pivoting relative to a structure of the movement, and arranged to cooperate directly or indirectly with an energy distribution wheel set that pivots relative to the structure about a second axis of pivoting parallel to or coincident with the first axis of pivoting and subjected to a torque exerted by an energy source, wherein the energy distribution wheel set meshes directly or indirectly with at least one inertia wheel set that pivots about a third axis of pivoting relative to the structure, each inertia wheel set is arranged to pivot in the opposite direction to the energy distribution wheel set, and the total inertia of the inertia wheel sets is between 60% and 140% of the inertia of the energy distribution wheel set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jerome Favre, Olivier Matthey, Gianni Di Domenico, Baptiste Hinaux, Dominique Lechot, Jean-Jacques Born
  • Publication number: 20220187769
    Abstract: A timepiece resonator mechanism (100), including a structure (1) carrying, by a flexible suspension (300), an anchoring block (30) from which is suspended an inertial element (2) oscillating about a pivot axis (D) extending in a first direction Z, according to a first rotational degree of freedom RZ, under the action of return forces of a flexible pivot (200) including elastic longitudinal strips (3) each fixed to said inertial element (2) and to said anchoring block (30), the resonator mechanism including a viscous substance (10) arranged at least partly around the flexible suspension (300), the viscous substance (10) being configured to at least partly dissipate the energy due to a shock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jérôme FAVRE, Dominique LECHOT, Baptiste HINAUX, Gianni DI DOMENICO, Pascal WINKLER
  • Patent number: 11360434
    Abstract: The striking or musical watch includes a watch case having a case middle and a back attached to the case middle in a sealed manner and in a detachable manner, a glass closing the case in a sealed manner, a watch movement or a watch electronic module retained in the interior of the watch case and equipped with a sonic vibration generator to be activated during specific periods in order to produce a sound or music. The watch includes at least one acoustic radiation membrane made at least in part of wood or a wood composite material and attached to a part of the case in order to radiate the sound produced by the sonic vibration generator towards the exterior of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jerome Favre, Maude Spaetti, Gilles Duvoisin, Agnes Marlot Doerr
  • Patent number: 11334026
    Abstract: Method for adjusting the rate of a basic oscillator of a watch arranged to oscillate at a nominal frequency N0, with a master oscillator generating an excitation frequency NE approximately equal to an integer multiple of this nominal frequency N0, the master oscillator subjecting the watch to excitation or a modulated motion during a transition phase after which the basic oscillator is stabilised at the excitation frequency NE, and a state of display correction method with a winder for mechanical or automatic watches, moving a support carrying the watch and comprising a state of display correction oscillator, having a lower variation of rate value than the initial variation of rate value DI of this basic oscillator, and oscillating at a correction frequency NC to impose oscillation or a motion on the watch, during a state of display correction phase whose duration is adjusted to exactly correct a state of display error measured at the initial moment of actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jerome Favre, Michel Willemin, Jean-Jacques Born, Dominique Lechot, Gianni Di Domenico
  • Publication number: 20220146983
    Abstract: Winding device (1000) including motorisation means (2) driving a watch holder (1) carrying at least one automatic watch (100) with a movable oscillating mass, and measuring means (3) measuring the amplitude of the resonator of each watch (100), and watch (100) identification means (300), providing the identification of a particular watch (100) to control means (200) including an internal database (400) with the history of the amplitude measurements of the resonator of this particular watch (100) and/or the value of its nominal amplitude, and/or communication means (500) communicating with an external database (600) for extracting these values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jérôme FAVRE, Matthias IMBODEN, Romano CRISTONI, Stefan KALBERMATTER
  • Publication number: 20220137559
    Abstract: Method for adjusting the rate of a basic oscillator of a watch arranged to oscillate at a nominal frequency N0, with a master oscillator generating an excitation frequency NE approximately equal to an integer multiple of this nominal frequency N0, the master oscillator subjecting the watch to excitation or a modulated motion during a transition phase after which the basic oscillator is stabilised at the excitation frequency NE, and a state of display correction method with a winder for mechanical or automatic watches, moving a support carrying the watch and comprising a state of display correction oscillator, having a lower variation of rate value than the initial variation of rate value DI of this basic oscillator, and oscillating at a correction frequency NC to impose oscillation or a motion on the watch, during a state of display correction phase whose duration is adjusted to exactly correct a state of display error measured at the initial moment of actuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jerome FAVRE, Michel WILLEMIN, Jean-Jacques BORN, Dominique LECHOT, Gianni DI DOMENICO
  • Publication number: 20220113682
    Abstract: The winding device includes a motorization device for driving a watch holder carrying at least one automatic watch with a mobile oscillating mass, and a measuring device for measuring the variation in the resistive torque opposed to the motorization device by the watch holder equipped with watches, depending on the degree of winding of the watches. The measuring device includes a speed measuring device to determine the speed and/or the variation in the speed of the motorization device, and/or include a torque measuring device to determine the value of the torque and/or the variation in the torque at the watch holder, and/or include a current measuring device to determine the value of the current and/or the variation in the current of an electric motor of the motorization device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Michel WILLEMIN, Jérôme FAVRE, Nicolas LIVAT
  • Publication number: 20220113681
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jérôme FAVRE, Cedric NICOLAS
  • Publication number: 20220113676
    Abstract: A device for determining the position of a horological display, including a control device coordinating a time base and shape recognition device and optical acquisition device identifying this display and monitoring its travel in order to code its instantaneous position in relation to a fixed guide-mark, and controlling entries of its position at distinct instants in order to determine its mobility in relation to the fixed guide-mark, and including a device for determining the depth position of the display in relation to the fixed guide-mark, including a device for controlling the position of the optical acquisition device and/or device for controlling the focus of the optical acquisition device, and/or at least additional optical acquisition device coupled with the optical acquisition device to interferentially monitor the same display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jérôme FAVRE, Stefan KALBERMATTER, Hicham FARAH
  • Publication number: 20220107607
    Abstract: A coiling limitation device for a timepiece barrel includes at least one non-return notch arranged to cooperate with a sliding flange of the spring of the barrel, which is integrated in a watch including a resonator cooperating with an escapement mechanism. This device includes an acoustic device for the acoustic monitoring of the coiling of the barrel of a watch positioned on a receptacle included by the device, which acoustic devices are arranged to identify a click noise during each start of cooperation between the sliding flange and a notch. The device includes piloting devices arranged to stop the coiling of the barrel at the instant of the perception of the click noise or the repetition of the click noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jérôme FAVRE, Jean-Jacques BORN, Nakis P. KARAPATIS, Michel WILLEMIN, Jean-Claude MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20220091562
    Abstract: A horological resonator mechanism, including a structure and an anchoring unit from which is suspended at least one inertial element arranged to oscillate along a first degree of freedom in rotation RZ about a pivoting axis extending along a first direction Z, the inertial element being subjected to return forces exerted by a virtual pivot including a plurality of substantially longitudinal elastic strips, each fastened, at a first end to the anchoring unit, and at a second end to the inertial element. Each elastic strip is deformable essentially in a plane XY perpendicular to the first direction Z. The anchoring unit is suspended from the structure by a flexible suspension arranged to allow the mobility of the anchoring unit along a plurality of degrees of freedom including at least two in the plane XY, along a direction X and along a direction Y orthogonal to the direction X.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Pascal WINKLER, Raphaël COURVOISIER, Jean-Luc HELFER, Jérôme FAVRE, Dominique LECHOT
  • Publication number: 20220075326
    Abstract: A clockwork column selector mechanism, including a mobile with columns protruding above a base surface separated by clearances, forming slots along a profile, arranged to, in certain positions of the mobile, enable the insertion of a feeler-spindle into a clearance in a transverse direction substantially normal to the profile and parallel to the reference surface, and to, in other positions of the mobile, stop a feeler-spindle on a transverse surface of a column, at least one column including an intermediate transverse stopping surface constituting a stop bearing surface of a feeler-spindle and enable a partial insertion of a feeler-spindle in the thickness of one the slot, and which is located, in a transverse direction, between the geometric envelopes of two end transverse surfaces transversely delimiting this column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Omega SA
    Inventor: Jérôme FAVRE-BULLE
  • Publication number: 20210311437
    Abstract: A watch includes a striking mechanism, including an attached gong (4) and a hammer (15), as well as a battery (6) and an integrated circuit (7) powered by the battery and configured to produce current pulses, and an electrodynamic actuator (17) which is connected to the integrated circuit and configured to receive said pulses, the actuator being integral with the hammer or connected to the hammer to generate in response to the pulses a movement of the hammer from a rest position thereof, the movement being able to actuate an impact of the hammer on the gong. The mechanism also includes a spring (27) connected to the hammer so as to return the hammer to its rest position after the impact. Depending on particular embodiments, the hammer undergoes one or more pre-oscillations before reaching the impact. The hammer and the gong may be provided with attracting magnets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jérôme Favre, Lionel Paratte, Laurent Nagy, Jean-Jacques Born
  • Publication number: 20210191337
    Abstract: A musical or striking mechanism (1) for a timepiece or musical box, includes an energy source (6) delivering a mechanical torque and device for transmitting mechanical torque from the energy source to a wheel set for generating music or a striking wheel set (4). The mechanism also includes a wheel set governor (2) configured to regulate, around a reference speed value, the pivoting speed of the wheel set about a pivot axis, and including a break for braking the wheel set configured to return the pivoting speed thereof to the reference speed. The wheel set governor includes a system having an electric generator (16) whereof a rotor is mechanically connected to the energy source delivering the mechanical torque, and an electronic circuit for regulating the rotation speed of the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jérôme FAVRE, Jean-Jacques Born
  • Publication number: 20210181687
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jérôme FAVRE, Cedric NICOLAS, Jean-Jacques BORN
  • Publication number: 20210181684
    Abstract: An arrangement for the holding and vibration transmission of an acoustic radiating membrane (10) in a striking or musical watch (1) case (2). The case includes at least one crystal (3) mounted on a middle (4) and a back (5) mounted on a side opposite the middle. The acoustic radiating membrane is held in a portion of the watch case, such as the middle by at least one connection part (12) disposed between a peripheral rim of the membrane or an edge element (11) of the membrane and the middle by acting for the holding of the membrane in a direction parallel to the plane of the watch. The connection part may be a screw screwed into a threaded opening (14) of the middle and coming into contact with the edge element of the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Jérôme FAVRE, Nicolas LIVAT
  • Publication number: 20210173346
    Abstract: An assembly includes a plurality of gongs, which are connected to at least one gong carrier for a striking mechanism of a watch. Some gongs each connected to a respective gong carrier and a group of gongs connected to one and the same gong carrier are produced with materials different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: Blancpain SA
    Inventors: Laurane Chevallier, Jérôme Favre, Mehdi Denden
  • Patent number: 11022942
    Abstract: Isochronous pivot for a resonator including two flexible strips joining attachment points of a first and a second element, defining two strip directions, and a pivot axis, at the intersection of their projections or at their intersection, each strip having a free length between its attachment points, and an axial distance between the pivot axis and the attachment point thereof farthest from the axis, the attachment point ratio X=D/L being greater than one for each strip, the strip directions defining with the axis a first apex angle whose value in degrees is comprised between f1(X)=108+67/(10X?6), and f2(X)=113+67/(10X?6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Gianni Di Domenico, Dominique Lechot, Jerome Favre, Baptiste Hinaux, Jean-Jacques Born, Jean-Luc Helfer, Pascal Winkler