Abstract: There is described a time base comprising a resonator (4) and an integrated electronic circuit (3) for driving the resonator into oscillation and for producing, in response to this oscillation, a signal having a determined frequency. The resonator is an integrated micromechanical tuning fork resonator (4) supported above a substrate (2) and adapted to oscillate in a plane substantially parallel to the substrate. The tuning fork resonator comprises a base member (5) extending substantially perpendicularly from the substrate, a free-standing oscillating structure (6) connected to the base member and including at least a first pair of substantially parallel fork tines (7, 8) and an electrode structure (9) disposed adjacent to the fork tines and connected to the integrated electronic circuit.

Abstract: For tuning an LC resonator (2) which particularly comprises a miniaturized antenna coil (LA), a variable capacitance (CT) is connected in parallel to the LC resonator (2). At manufacturing time, a maximum resonance frequency of the LC resonator (2) is measured when the variable capacitance (CT) is set to its minimum value, a minimum resonance frequency of the LC resonator (2) is measured when the variable capacitance (CT) is set to its maximum value, and coded values of the measured maximum and minimum resonance frequencies are stored in non-volatile memories (Fmin, Fmax). At operations time, a binary tuning code (B) is computed as a linear interpolation between the stored values of the minimum and maximum resonance frequencies for a target resonance frequency (ft). The LC resonator (2) is tuned to the target resonance frequency (ft) by selectively connecting separate binary weighted capacitors (Cn−1, . . .

Abstract: A display assembly is disclosed including an electro-optical cell (28), for example a liquid crystal cell, and a photovoltaic cell (61) acting as a back reflector. In order to improve the aesthetic appearance of the display, the photovoltaic cell (61) reflects predetermined wavelengths and thus exhibits a desired color in the transparent zones (90) of the electro-optical cell. In particular, the reflected light can be colored by reflection onto a multi-layered reflective filter including a transparent electrode (69) of the photovoltaic cell. This cell may form part of the dial of a watch.

Abstract: There is described a time base comprising a resonator (4) and an integrated electronic circuit (3) for driving the resonator into oscillation and for producing, in response to the oscillation, a signal having a determined frequency. The resonator is an integrated micromechanical ring resonator supported above a substrate (2) and adapted to oscillate, according to a first oscillation mode, around an axis of rotation (O) substantially perpendicular to the substrate, the ring resonator comprising a central post (5) extending from the substrate along the axis of rotation, a free-standing oscillating structure (6) connected to the central post and including an outer ring (60) coaxial with the axis of rotation and connected to the central post by means of a plurality of spring elements (62), and electrode structures (9; 9*) disposed around the outer ring and connected to the integrated electronic circuit.

Abstract: A time base having a resonator (4) and an integrated electronic circuit (3) for driving the resonator into oscillation and for producing, in response to this oscillation, a signal having a determined frequency. The resonator is an integrated micromechanical ring resonator (4) supported above a substrate (2) and adapted to oscillate around an axis of rotation (O) substantially perpendicular to the substrate. The ring resonator has a central post (5) extending from the substrate along the axis of rotation, and a free-standing oscillating structure (6) including an outer ring (60) coaxial with the axis of rotation, and a plurality of spring elements (62) disposed symmetrically around the central post and connecting the outer ring to the central post.

Abstract: There is described a time base comprising a resonator (4) and an integrated electronic circuit (3) for driving the resonator into oscillation and for producing, in response to the oscillation, a signal having a determined frequency. The resonator is an integrated micromechanical ring resonator supported above a substrate (2) and adapted to oscillate around an axis of rotation (O) substantially perpendicular to the substrate, the ring resonator comprising a central post (5) extending from the substrate along the axis of rotation, a free-standing oscillating structure (6) connected to the central post and including an outer ring (60) coaxial with the axis of rotation and connected to the central post by means of a plurality of spring elements (62), and electrode structures (9; 9*) disposed around the outer ring and connected to the integrated electronic circuit.

Abstract: A display assembly is disclosed including an electro-optical cell (28), for example a liquid crystal cell, and a photovoltaic cell (61) acting as a back reflector for the latter. In order to improve the aesthetic appearance of the display, the photovoltaic cell (61) reflects predetermined wavelengths and thus exhibits a desired color in the transparent zones (90) of the electro-optical cell. In particular, the reflected light can be colored by reflection onto a multi-layered reflective filter including a transparent electrode (69) of the photovoltaic cell. This cell may form part of the dial of a watch.