Patents by Inventor Joachim Grupp
Joachim Grupp 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: 9207644Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a timepiece plate. This method is characterized in that it includes the following steps: a) taking (A1, A2) the material forming the plate including at least one metallic element; b) forming (B1, B2) the plate; c) cooling (C) everything so as to obtain the timepiece plate in an at least partially amorphous state; and d) retrieving (D) the plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2009Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Jean-Luc Bazin, Stewes Bourban, Yves Winkler, Joachim Grupp, Nathalie Brebner-Grupp
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Patent number: 8640547Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensor (6). This pressure sensor (6) comprises a flexible membrane (11) cooperating with a transmission device (10) that enables a value representing the pressure to be supplied on the basis of the deformation of the membrane (11). The membrane (11) is made from an at least partially amorphous material in order to optimise the dimensions of the sensor (6).Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Yves Winkler, Frédéric Meylan, Joachim Grupp
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Patent number: 8259035Abstract: The display device includes a display cell including liquid crystals and a matrix of electrodes arranged in lines and columns in a closed cavity. The lines and columns define display cell pixels. The display device includes a control circuit for lines and columns for display of data on the display cell. In complete display mode, all lines and columns are addressed at several voltage levels by successive line-by-line multiplexing. In low power partial display mode, two groups of adjacent lines are joined so they are each controlled by a respective line control signal from the control circuit. The N lines and groups of lines are simultaneously addressed in active manner at two voltage levels. N line control signals include a series of N-bit binary line words that change every determined period of time, T, so 2N combinations of binary line words are present in each successive cycle of length 2N·T.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development, Ltd.Inventors: Anne Montheard, Joachim Grupp, Jean-Claude Martin
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Publication number: 20120024432Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a timepiece plate. This method is characterized in that it includes the following steps: a) taking (A1, A2) the material forming the plate including at least one metallic element; b) forming (B1, B2) the plate; c) cooling (C) everything so as to obtain the timepiece plate in an at least partially amorphous state; and d) retrieving (D) the plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2009Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LTDInventors: Jean-Luc Bazin, Stewes Bourban, Yves Winkler, Joachim Grupp, Nathalie Brebner-Grupp
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Publication number: 20110056301Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensor (6). This pressure sensor (6) comprises a flexible membrane (11) cooperating with a transmission device (10) that enables a value representing the pressure to be supplied on the basis of the deformation of the membrane (11). The membrane (11) is made from an at least partially amorphous material in order to optimise the dimensions of the sensor (6).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LTD.Inventors: Yves Winkler, Frédéric Meylan, Joachim Grupp
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Publication number: 20100308277Abstract: Nanocomposites of conductive, nanoparticulate polymer and electronically active material, in particular PEDOT and LiFePO4, were found to be significantly better compared to bare and carbon coated LiFePO4 in carbon black and graphite filled non conducting binder. The conductive polymer containing composite outperformed the other two samples. The performance of PEDOT composite was especially better in the high current regime with capacity retention of 82% after 200 cycles. Further improvement can be obtained if the porosity of the nanocomposites is enhanced. Hence an electrode produced from a composite made of conductive, nanoparticulate polymer, electronically active material, and sacrificial polymer, wherein the sacrificial polymer has been removed leaving pores has improved electrolyte and ion diffusion properties allowing the production of thicker electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LTDInventors: Joachim Grupp, Nathalie Brebner-Grupp
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Patent number: 7843061Abstract: The electrodes (7) and the contact zones (15) are structured in a film of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO), deposited on a transparent support (1) possibly coated with an intermediate film (3), while being separated by dielectric spaces (9) formed by nano fissures (11) obtained by UV radiation and passing through the TCO film. A protective film (13) can coat the electrodes (7) and the dielectric spaces (9).Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Asulab S.A.Inventors: Gian-Carlo Poli, Joachim Grupp, Pierre-Yves Baroni
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Patent number: 7826023Abstract: An electro-optical display cell including: a transparent front substrate whose top surface forms the front face of the cell; a back substrate whose lower surface forms the back face of the cell; a sealing frame joining the front and back substrates and defining a volume for retaining an electro-optically or photo-electrically active medium; the front and back substrates including on faces opposite to each other at least one electrode, each connected by conductive paths to an electrical power or control circuit and defining lateral electric contact zones, wherein the conductive paths are each formed of a first part in contact with the electrodes at the level of the lateral electric contact zones, and a second part extending over the back surface, contact means arranged over the edge and/or the back of the cell forming the electrical junction between the first and second parts of the conductive paths.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Asulab S.A.Inventors: Joachim Grupp, Rolf Klappert
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Patent number: 7753581Abstract: The balance spring is made from a photostructurable glass plate by UV irradiation, thermal treatment and etching, said glass having a Young's modulus thermal coefficient CTE0. The value CTE0 of selected zones of the balance spring are altered to a value CTEi by UV irradiation through one or several masks, possibly completed by a thermal treatment.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2006Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Thierry Hessler, Joachim Grupp
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Patent number: 7745297Abstract: The substrate with electrodes is formed of a transparent material onto which is deposited a film (1) of a transparent conductive material of thickness e1 and of refractive index n1, said film being structured to form a set of electrodes (1a) whose contours (8) delimit insulating spaces (3), wherein the insulating spaces (3) are filled with a transparent dielectric material of thickness e2 and of refractive index n2 so that the respective thicknesses of the conductive material and the dielectric material are inversely proportional to the values of the refractive indices of said materials and said dielectric material forms neither depressions nor beads at the contour (8) of the electrodes. A hardcoating layer (7) may be disposed between the substrate (5) and the electrodes and a protective film (9) added. The substrate with electrodes is obtained by UV irradiation through a single mask.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2008Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Asulab S.A.Inventors: Joachim Grupp, Gian-Carlo Poli, Pierre-Yves Baroni, Estelle Wagner, Patrik Hoffmann
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Publication number: 20100024930Abstract: The invention concerns an electroformed gold alloy part, characterized in that the gold alloy is made up of 88 to 94% by weight of gold, x % by weight of copper and/or silver, and 2x % by weight of zinc, x being comprised between 2 and 4.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2007Publication date: February 4, 2010Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.Inventor: Joachim Grupp
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Publication number: 20090237335Abstract: The display device includes a display cell including liquid crystals and a matrix of electrodes arranged in lines and columns in a closed cavity. The lines and columns define display cell pixels. The display device includes a control circuit for lines and columns for display of data on the display cell. In complete display mode, all lines and columns are addressed at several voltage levels by successive line-by-line multiplexing. In low power partial display mode, two groups of adjacent lines are joined so they are each controlled by a respective line control signal from the control circuit. The N lines and groups of lines are simultaneously addressed in active manner at two voltage levels. N line control signals include a series of N-bit binary line words that change every determined period of time, T, so 2N combinations of binary line words are present in each successive cycle of length 2N·T.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2009Publication date: September 24, 2009Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LTDInventors: Anne Montheard, Joachim Grupp, Jean-Claude Martin
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Patent number: 7550930Abstract: The present invention is a lighting device for an electronic or electromechanical apparatus such as a timepiece of the wristwatch type. The invention includes a device displaying time-related or other information, this lighting device including a light source for lighting the display device. The lighting device is characterized in that the light source is also able to measure the intensity of the ambient light. The invention also concerns a method for controlling the lighting of an apparatus of the aforementioned type.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2006Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Asulab S.A.Inventors: Romano Cristoni, Gian-Carlo Poli, Joachim Grupp
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Patent number: 7494834Abstract: Method of manufacturing a transparent element including transparent electrodes, said method including the steps of: depositing over at least one part of the surface of a transparent substrate (1) a layer (2) of a conductive oxide that is also transparent, and structuring in said conductive oxide layer (2) at least one electrode (4) connected to a contact pad (8) by a conductive path (6) by removing said oxide along the contour of the desired electrode (4, 6, 8) so as to create a trimming line (10) which will insulate the part (12) of the conductive oxide layer (2), which forms the electrode (4, 6, 8) and which is to be brought to an electric potential, from the rest (14) of the conductive oxide layer (2) which will be floating, this method being wherein at least a second trimming line (10?) is made around the first (10).Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2006Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Asulab S.A.Inventors: Gian Carlo Poli, Joachim Grupp
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Publication number: 20090016173Abstract: The balance spring is made from a photostructurable glass plate by UV irradiation, thermal treatment and etching, said glass having a Young's modulus thermal coefficient CTE0. The value CTE0 of selected zones of the balance spring are altered to a value CTEi by UV irradiation through one or several masks, possibly completed by a thermal treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2006Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LTDInventors: Thierry Hessler, Joachim Grupp
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Patent number: 7448552Abstract: The invention relates to a portable electronic object including a “voice” user interface containing sound signal-reception and a management unit which manages the received sound signals. The invention includes an ambient noise sensor which can be used to measure the level of ambient noise (Bm). The sensor is connected to the aformementioned control unit. The control unit also compares the measured ambient noise level with a pre-defined noise level (Bo), and includes controls that deactivate the sound signal-processing when the ambient noise level exceeds the pre-defined noise level (Bm>Bo).Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2003Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Asulab S.A.Inventor: Joachim Grupp
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Patent number: 7449732Abstract: The substrate with electrodes is formed of a transparent material onto which is deposited a film (1) of a transparent conductive material of thickness e1 and of refractive index n1, said film being structured to form a set of electrodes (1a) whose contours (8) delimit insulating spaces (3), wherein the insulating spaces (3) are filled with a transparent dielectric material of thickness e2 and of refractive index n2 so that the respective thicknesses of the conductive material and the dielectric material are inversely proportional to the values of the refractive indices of said materials and said dielectric material forms neither depressions nor beads at the contour (8) of the electrodes. A hardcoating layer (7) may be disposed between the substrate (5) and the electrodes and a protective film (9) added. The substrate with electrodes is obtained by UV irradiation through a single mask.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2004Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Asulab S.A.Inventors: Joachim Grupp, Gian-Carlo Poli, Pierre-Yves Baroni, Estelle Wagner, Patrik Hoffmann
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Publication number: 20080145959Abstract: The substrate with electrodes is formed of a transparent material onto which is deposited a film (1) of a transparent conductive material of thickness e1 and of refractive index n1, said film being structured to form a set of electrodes (1a) whose contours (8) delimit insulating spaces (3), wherein the insulating spaces (3) are filled with a transparent dielectric material of thickness e2 and of refractive index n2 so that the respective thicknesses of the conductive material and the dielectric material are inversely proportional to the values of the refractive indices of said materials and said dielectric material forms neither depressions nor beads at the contour (8) of the electrodes. A hardcoating layer (7) may be disposed between the substrate (5) and the electrodes and a protective film (9) added. The substrate with electrodes is obtained by UV irradiation through a single mask.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2008Publication date: June 19, 2008Applicant: ASULAB S.A.Inventors: Joachim Grupp, Gian-Carlo Poli, Pierre-Yves Baroni, Estelle Wagner, Patrik Hoffmann
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Patent number: 7349018Abstract: There is disclosed a CMOS technology image sensor and a method for operating such an image sensor. This sensor includes a plurality of pixels (50) each including a photo-sensor element (PD) producing charge carriers in proportion to its illumination and storage means (C1) capable of being coupled and uncoupled from the photo-sensor element at a determined instant in order to store, on a memory node (B) of the pixel, a measuring signal representative of the charge carriers produced by said photo-sensor element during an exposure phase. Each pixel includes at least one MOS transistor (M1; M3) connected in series via its drain or source terminals to the photo-sensor element, and the transistor is configured such that it operates at least partially in weak inversion so that, during the exposure phase, the pixel has a logarithmic response for illumination levels higher than a determined illumination level. This at least partially logarithmic response enables the pixel dynamic range to be increased.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Asulab S.A.Inventors: Eiko Doering, Joachim Grupp
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Patent number: 7247568Abstract: A conductive pattern, made of a transparent conductive oxide, such as ITO including electrodes (2) and conductive paths (4) is formed on one face of a transparent substrate (3) made of sapphire or toughened glass, then coated with a first layer (5) of a transparent dielectric with a low refractive index, such as MgF2 or LiF2, and then a second layer (7) of another transparent dielectric having a higher refractive index than the first, such as Al2O3, Ta2O5 or DLC.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 24, 2007Assignee: Asulab S.A.Inventors: Joachim Grupp, Gian-Carlo Poli