Abstract: The invention concerns a method of measuring at least one time or an elapsed period of a competitor in a sports competition via a transponder module which is personal to the competitor and accompanies the competitor throughout the competition in a measuring system. The personalized transponder module is activated at the start of the competition or in intermediate positions or at the finish line of the competition (6). Detection of at least one variation in motion or vibration level is effected by a motion sensor (11) integrated in the transponder module. The transponder module transmits data related to the detection effected by the motion sensor on the competition route or in intermediate positions or at the finish line of the competition, to a decoder unit (4) of the measuring system to check a time or elapsed period related to the detection of the competitor's motion sensor.

Abstract: Electromechanical timepiece fitted with a gear train including an hour hand and a minute hand for the current time display on the dial side of the timepiece. The timepiece is arranged to provide at least one additional piece of information relating to a magnitude of time, or to a non-time related piece of information. The timepiece further includes an additional indicator hand arranged to display the additional information, the additional indicator hand being mounted on the back cover side of the timepiece on an arbour of the gear train of the timepiece, so that the additional indicator hand and the hour hand and/or minute hand rotate at the same time and at the same angle, the hour hand and/or the minute hand being driven either to display the current time, or to enable the additional indicator hand to indicate the additional information.

Abstract: The data and/or command signal transmission device includes a first signal generator connected to a first antenna arrangement, a second signal generator connected to a second antenna arrangement, a third signal generator connected to a third antenna arrangement, and a synchronization circuit. The synchronization circuit performs data amplitude modulation by combining the signals transmitted by the antenna arrangements. The signals transmitted by the first and third antenna arrangements are in-phase in a first stable modulation state and 180° out of phase in a second stable modulation state. In a modulation state transition phase, the first and third signals delivered by the first and third generators are at a different frequency from the carrier frequency of the signals delivered by the second generator. The resonance frequency of the first and third antenna arrangements is also adapted in the transition phase.

Abstract: A wristwatch includes a bezel, a series connected photovoltaic cell, a rechargeable battery, and an electronic device. The bezel defines an internal volume, which houses the photovoltaic cell, the rechargeable battery, and the electronic device.

Abstract: A wristwatch includes a bezel, a series connected photovoltaic cell, a rechargeable battery, and an electronic device. The bezel defines an internal volume, which houses the photovoltaic cell, the rechargeable battery, and the electronic device.

Abstract: A wrist-wearable device including an outer housing with a back cover, a front cover being parallel to the back cover, and a circumferential wall therebetween, the wall being perpendicular to the back cover and to the front cover. The device further includes at least one slot antenna configured to send and to receive electromagnetic signals, the slot antenna including a case made at least partly of an electrically conducting material and being fitted in the housing of the device. The case is limited on one side by an outer face lying substantially in a common plane with the wall of the housing. A slot extending substantially in a direction perpendicular to the back cover and the front cover is formed in the outer face of the case, the inside of the case thereby forming a cavity of the slot antenna.

Abstract: An external element for a wristwatch, containing an electronic device and a power source for powering the electronic device with electric energy, wherein the electronic device and power source are integrated in the exterior element, to form an autonomous electronic module, which is completely independent of the wristwatch movement.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of measuring at least one time or an elapsed period of a competitor in a sports competition via a transponder module which is personal to the competitor and accompanies the competitor throughout the competition in a measuring system. The personalised transponder module is activated at the start of the competition or in intermediate positions or at the finish line of the competition (6). Detection of at least one variation in motion or vibration level is effected by a motion sensor (11) integrated in the transponder module. The transponder module transmits data related to the detection effected by the motion sensor on the competition route or in intermediate positions or at the finish line of the competition, to a decoder unit (4) of the measuring system to check a time or elapsed period related to the detection of the competitor's motion sensor.

Abstract: The data and/or command signal transmission device includes a first signal generator connected to a first antenna arrangement, a second signal generator connected to a second antenna arrangement, a third signal generator connected to a third antenna arrangement, and a synchronisation circuit. The synchronisation circuit performs data amplitude modulation by combining the signals transmitted by the antenna arrangements. The signals transmitted by the first and third antenna arrangements are in-phase in a first stable modulation state and 180° out of phase in a second stable modulation state. In a modulation state transition phase, the first and third signals delivered by the first and third generators are at a different frequency from the carrier frequency of the signals delivered by the second generator. The resonance frequency of the first and third antenna arrangements is also adapted in the transition phase.

Abstract: The electrostatic motor includes an electrostatic actuator (10) and a pulse generator (7, 8) for actuating said actuator with sufficient energy to drive the motor, the pulse generator is adapted to determine a pulse voltage level (UD) and a shortened pulse duration that is a function of the determined voltage level (UD) and the electric energy necessary for driving the motor and a function of parasitic capacitances (CP) and the maximum capacitance (Cact—m) of the actuator in order to reduce electrostatic losses in the actuator.

Abstract: Electromechanical timepiece fitted with a gear train including an hour hand and a minute hand for the current time display on the dial side of the timepiece. The timepiece is arranged to provide at least one additional piece of information relating to a magnitude of time, or to a non-time related piece of information. The timepiece further includes an additional indicator hand arranged to display the additional information, the additional indicator hand being mounted on the back cover side of the timepiece on an arbour of the gear train of the timepiece, so that the additional indicator hand and the hour hand and/or minute hand rotate at the same time and at the same angle, the hour hand and/or the minute hand being driven either to display the current time, or to enable the additional indicator hand to indicate the additional information.

Abstract: A device for the locking and unitary incrementation of a drive module (1) for a timepiece gear train is provided. The module (1) includes an actuator (2) fitted with an active click (5) cooperating with a toothed wheel (7), and the device includes a first (8) and a second (9) finger cooperating with the toothed wheel (7). The device is characterized in that the first finger (8) entirely locks the rotation of the toothed wheel (7) when it is engaged in one of the teeth of the toothed wheel (7); and in that the second finger (9) is arranged between a first (10) and a second (11) stop member, wherein the space between the stop members (10, 11) limits the angular travel of the toothed wheel (7) when the second finger (9) is engaged in one of the teeth of the toothed wheel (7).

Abstract: An external element for a wristwatch, containing an electronic device and a power source for powering the electronic device with electric energy, wherein the electronic device and power source are integrated in the exterior element, to form an autonomous electronic module, which is completely independent of the wristwatch movement.

Abstract: A wrist-wearable device including an outer housing with a back cover, a front cover being parallel to the back cover, and a circumferential wall therebetween, the wall being perpendicular to the back cover and to the front cover. The device further includes at least one slot antenna configured to send and to receive electromagnetic signals, the slot antenna including a case made at least partly of an electrically conducting material and being fitted in the housing of the device. The case is limited on one side by an outer face lying substantially in a common plane with the wall of the housing. A slot extending substantially in a direction perpendicular to the back cover and the front cover is formed in the outer face of the case, the inside of the case thereby forming a cavity of the slot antenna.

Abstract: The invention proposes an arrangement for the mechanical interfacing of a micromotor of the MEMS type with a toothed wheel in which the micromotor is produced in the upper layer of a plate made of crystalline or amorphous material and comprises at least one actuator which drives a rotor in rotation, characterised in that a pinion, coaxial with the rotor and arranged above the rotor, is connected in rotation to the rotor by means of at least one pin which is received in an associated housing and in that the pinion meshes with the toothed wheel.

Abstract: Device for the locking and unitary incrementation of a drive module (1) for a timepiece gear train. The module (1) includes an actuator (2) fitted with an active click (5) cooperating with a toothed wheel (7), and the device includes a first (8) and a second (9) finger cooperating with said toothed wheel (7). The device is characterized in that the first finger (8) entirely locks the rotation of the toothed wheel (7) when it is engaged in one of the teeth of the toothed wheel (7); and in that the second finger (9) is arranged between a first (10) and a second (11) stop member, the space between the stop members (10, 11) limiting the angular travel of the toothed wheel (7) when said second finger (9) is engaged in one of the teeth of the toothed wheel (7).

Abstract: The electrostatic motor includes an electrostatic actuator (10) and a pulse generator (7, 8) for actuating said actuator with sufficient energy to drive the motor, the pulse generator is adapted to determine a pulse voltage level (UD) and a shortened pulse duration that is a function of the determined voltage level (UD) and the electric energy necessary for driving the motor and a function of parasitic capacitances (CP) and the maximum capacitance (Cact—m) of the actuator in order to reduce electrostatic losses in the actuator.

Abstract: The invention proposes an arrangement for the mechanical interfacing of a micromotor of the MEMS type with a toothed wheel in which the micromotor is produced in the upper layer of a plate made of crystalline or amorphous material and comprises at least one actuator which drives a rotor in rotation, characterised in that a pinion, coaxial with the rotor and arranged above the rotor, is connected in rotation to the rotor by means of at least one pin which is received in an associated housing and in that the pinion meshes with the toothed wheel.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a portable object such as a timepiece (18) capable of being worn on a user's wrist by means of a wristband, this portable object being supplied with electric power by at least one rechargeable accumulator able to be recharged by induction charging means, these inductive charging means including a primary winding (56) and a secondary winding (2), said portable object being characterised in that the secondary winding (2) is housed in a strand (16, 26) of the wristband.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wireless instrument (1) includes a wristband (2) having a first (2a) and a second (2b) band portions connected to opposite edges of a casing (3), each of the first and second band portions having upper and lower surfaces. A first (4a) and a second (4b) loop antennas are embedded respectively in the first and second band portions and extend between the corresponding upper and lower surfaces, both loop antennas being connected through the opposite edges of the casing to a first (5a) and a second (5b) tuning circuits. the first and second tuning circuits are connected to an antenna receiver (6) arranged in said casing and together in a hybrid manner via an interconnection circuit (7), both tuning circuits being connected partially in parallel and partially in series.