Signalling Means Patents (Class 368/243)
  • Patent number: 11754976
    Abstract: Timepiece striking mechanism, including a fixed structure supporting at least one gong or radiant element and a mobile hammer in a plane under the action of an activation mobile component controlling the pallet of the hammer (3) and the release thereof for the percussion of the gong, and including, for the suspension of the hammer, at least one planar flexible guide between the structure and the hammer (3) to allow movements of the hammer solely on the plane, forming the sole mechanical link between the structure and the hammer, and, more particularly, for the execution of a striking mechanism, the striking mechanism (drives the activation mobile component, and has same carry out a winding cycle during which it supplies constant quantity of energy to the flexible guide while driving the hammer before releasing same for the execution of the striking mechanism by percussion of the gong during letting down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Marc Stranczl
  • Patent number: 11415942
    Abstract: A timepiece transmission mechanism, with a differential mechanism with inputs or outputs including a first wheel set cooperating with a first train and a second wheel set cooperating with a second train, this differential mechanism kinematically connecting the first wheel set and second wheel set in the coupling position, and separating them in the uncoupling position, the first wheel set carrying a planet wheel set which meshes with a toothing of an arbor integral in rotation with the second wheel set, and with a crown-wheel forming another input or output of the differential mechanism, which includes control means arranged to lock or release the crown-wheel to perform the coupling or the uncoupling function, depending on the position given to the control means by a selector arranged to cooperate with an actuator of a timepiece movement, or to be operated by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Zaugg
  • 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: 10067474
    Abstract: A striking mechanism is provided, including a hammer including an elastic stop that is needle-shaped, and an eccentric supporting the stop in a rest position of the hammer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Glashütter Uhrenbetrieb GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Schmiedchen, Silko Goldmann
  • Patent number: 9753641
    Abstract: This display input device (1) includes: a display panel (21) for displaying multiple symbol keys (K1) and an input display field (B1) in a software keyboard screen (S1); a touch panel part (22) for detecting a position touched; and a control unit (5) which recognizes an operated symbol key (K1a), causes the input display field (B1) to produce a normal display of a symbol when the touch position is within an inner region (F1) of the operated symbol key (K1a), and causes the display panel (21) to produce an alert display of a questionable symbol (y1) in a different manner than the normal display when the touch position is inside a peripheral region (F2) outside of the inner region (F1), the questionable symbol (y1) being the symbol corresponding to the operated symbol key (K1a) that is operated in the peripheral region (F2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Yoshio Morita
  • Patent number: 9592033
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus according to the present invention causes an alarm output means to output an alarm at a preset time, causes the alarm output means to stop outputting the alarm when a stop instruction is input by a user while the alarm is being output, and makes a transition to a standby state in which biological information wirelessly transmitted from a measurement instrument can be received in response to the stop of the alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Rakuten, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoko Toriumi, Fumie Suzuki, Reina Otsuka, Mutsumi Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9519271
    Abstract: There is provided an acoustic radiating membrane arrangement for a striking or musical watch. The arrangement includes a first membrane arranged superposed on a second membrane. Peripheral edge portions of the two membranes are intended to hold the membranes inside a watch case. The first acoustic radiating membrane is configured to radiate efficiently the frequencies in a first frequency band. The second acoustic radiating membrane is configured to radiate efficiently the frequencies in a second frequency band that is different from the first frequency band. A spacer ring is also disposed between the peripheral edge portions of the first membrane and of the second membrane to define an acoustic cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Montres Breguet SA
    Inventors: Polychronis Nakis Karapatis, Davide Sarchi, Younes Kadmiri
  • Patent number: 9445726
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an alarm unit, a reception unit, and a control unit. The alarm unit is capable of outputting an alarm. The reception unit receives an alarm stop signal from a thermometer. The control unit causes the alarm unit to output the alarm at a set time and stop the alarm on the basis of the alarm stop signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Rakuten, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoko Toriumi, Fumie Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8908478
    Abstract: A tap sensitive alarm clock has a housing (20), a vibration sensor (22) mechanically coupled to the housing for receiving a shock due to a user tapping the housing, and a control circuit (24) coupled to the vibration sensor for controlling a function of the alarm clock. An audio unit (26) is coupled to an audio circuit (25) for generating sound, e.g. a loudspeaker in an alarm clock or a wake up light. To avoid interference of the sound and the vibration sensor, the alarm clock is provided with a filter (23) coupled to the vibration sensor and the control circuit. The filter has a filter curve matched to block frequencies occurring in the sound. Advantageously it is avoided that the sound frequencies trigger the function, while the sensor is sensitive to other frequencies up to the frequency range of the sound for reliably detecting the tapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Schelte Heeringa, Roelof Jan Wind, Frans Wiebe Rozeboom, Jacob Hendrik Botma, Hielke Simon Van Oostrum, Michiel Allan Aurelius Schallig, Robert Godlieb
  • Publication number: 20140355398
    Abstract: The striking mechanism (1) particularly for a watch, includes at least one gong (3) fixed to a gong-carrier (2), at least one hammer for striking the gong at predetermined times, and a means of selecting at least one mode of vibration of the gong. The selection means includes at least one selector element (4) arranged in contact on a part of the gong and held on a vibration node of a mode of vibration of the gong to be selected so as to block other modes of vibration. The selector element can be moved on the gong by a mechanical or magnetic means of movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Polychronis Nakis KARAPATIS, Jerome Favre, Davide Sarchi, Younes Kadmiri, Fabio Sciascia
  • Patent number: 8842502
    Abstract: This watch movement part comprises a frame (1) bearing a striking work mechanism which comprises: a motor member (10) kinematically linked with a striking work wheel (20), a striking work hammer (40), an anchor (30) with two pallets (31, 32) engaged alternately with said striking work wheel (20) and cooperating with said striking work hammer (40) to make it oscillate between a first position striking a resonant member (50) and a second position, and a limiting spring (60) defining said second position, and wherein the anchor (30) and the striking work hammer (40) form a single striking work member mounted to pivot on the frame (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Montres Tudor S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Chatelain, Grégory Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8787122
    Abstract: A tool for reporting a particular time using vibration is disclosed. The tool assigns a distinct vibration to separate hour regions and minute regions. The tool uses a short series of vibration pulses, one of which is the distinct vibration assigned to the hour region associated with the hour of the particular time, to indicate the hour. The tool produces the distinct vibration assigned to the minute region associated with the minute of the particular time, to indicate the minute to the nearest quarter hour. The total sequence of pulses consists of no more than five separate vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeremy Paul Bongio, Christopher J. Buccella, Michael Steven Chase-Salerno, Sean Michael Swehla
  • Publication number: 20140177403
    Abstract: A watch capable of playing sound includes a main body and a sound playing body. The main body includes an interface unit, a signal amplification unit, a control unit, and a first electromagnetic coil unit. The control unit transmits audio signal to the signal amplification unit via the interface unit. The first electromagnetic coil unit generates inducted electromagnetic filed in response to the audio signal amplified by the signal amplification unit. The sound playing body includes a second electromagnetic coil unit and a loudspeaker. The second electromagnetic coil unit generates electric signal in response to the induced electromagnetic filed. The loudspeaker plays the audio signal in response to the electric signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: KUANG-YAO LIAO, SHIANG-HUA LIN
  • Publication number: 20140104994
    Abstract: A gong for a striking-work device of a timepiece. The gong includes a spring blade forming a main body of the gong and is adapted to act as a vibrating member so as to produce a sound following an actuation. The spring blade includes at least one opening formed in its main body. The invention also includes a timepiece, such as a mechanical watch, comprising such a gong.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Lucas RAGGI, Jean-Daniel Lüthi
  • Patent number: 8588034
    Abstract: A timepiece wheel governor for regulating the pivoting speed (?) of a wheel set, about a pivot axis, including a pivoting inertia-block. It includes a spring to return this block towards this axis, and, when the wheel set pivots at a lower speed than a reference speed (?c), this block remains confined within a first volume of revolution, and, when the wheel set pivots at a higher speed than the reference speed (?c), this block is engaged, in one peripheral portion thereof, in a second volume contiguous with and external to the first one, this peripheral portion cooperating in this second volume with a regulator arranged to brake the wheel set and return the pivoting speed (?) thereof to the reference speed (?c), and to dissipate the surplus energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Jan Pittet, Jean-Jacques Born, Thierry Conus, Eric Goeller, Patrick Ragot, Sylvain Marechal, Davide Sarchi, Jérôme Favre
  • Patent number: 8582398
    Abstract: The striking mechanism (1) of a watch includes at least one gong (3, 4, 5) fixed at one end to a gong-carrier (2) integral with a bottom plate, at least one hammer mounted on the plate for striking the gong, and a gong noise insulator arrangement (6, 7). At least one insulator part (6) of the insulator arrangement is configured to be moved in rotation by drive means (9, 11, 12) so that one U-shaped portion (16) of the insulator part comes into contact with the gong in an idle mode or is at a distance from the gong in striking mode. A rotatably mounted, opposite insulator counterpart (7) with a rod (17) is provided so that the insulator part (6) and the opposite counterpart form a clamp for imprisoning the gong in an idle mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Breguet SA
    Inventor: Eric Goeller
  • Patent number: 8565046
    Abstract: The hammer (2) forms part of a striking mechanism (1) of a mechanical watch, which includes at least one gong (11) that can be struck by said hammer. The hammer includes two metal parts (2?, 2?), which are secured to each other by welding or soldering. A first part is made of hard metal to form an impact part (2?) of the hammer against a gong (11) of the striking mechanism. A second part is a metal heel (2?), particularly made of steel, via which the hammer can be mounted on a plate of the striking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Jéröme Favre, Patrice Golay
  • Patent number: 8547803
    Abstract: The watch striking mechanism (1) includes a gong, which is fixed via one end thereof to a gong-carrier integral with a plate, a hammer rotatably mounted on the plate to strike the gong at determined times, a damper counter-spring (5) for keeping the hammer away from the gong in an idle mode, and a drive spring (3) for the hammer. The drive spring includes an end (3b) fixed to the plate and an end (3a) that is free to move. The spring can be wound so that the free end (3a) of the spring drives the hammer (2) against the gong (21) in a strike mode to produce an acoustic sound. The striking mechanism includes means (10) for actuating the damper counter-spring (5) in a strike mode with a time lag after the hammer (2) strikes the gong, so that after the hammer strikes the gong, the counter-spring pushes said hammer towards an idle position. The actuating means includes a stop member mounted on the damper counter-spring to be actuated via the drive spring when in action just after the hammer strikes the gong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-François Pesenti, Sylvain Maréchal, Nakis Karapatis, Jérôme Favre
  • Publication number: 20130250735
    Abstract: The present invention provides an information notifying device including an hour plate with a display opening, a vibrating motor which is placed on a lower side of the hour plate and causes vibration with eccentric rotation of an eccentric rotation section for information notification, and a rotary plate which rotates with the eccentric rotation of the eccentric rotation section of the vibrating motor and exposes a function display section from the display opening for information notification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideo TAKENAWA
  • Patent number: 8537642
    Abstract: The watch striking mechanism (1) includes at least one gong (11) fixed to a gong-carrier (12) and at least one hammer (2) for activating the vibration of the gong. The striking mechanism includes a first magnetic element (20) in the form of a moving micro-magnet, which is arranged on a striking portion of the hammer, and a second magnetic element (21) in the form of a fixed micro-magnet, which is arranged in one part of the gong. The second magnetic element is at least partly opposite the first magnetic element and is capable of generating a magnetic field of opposite polarity to the magnetic field of the first magnetic element. In a striking mode, said hammer may be driven in the direction of the gong to activate the vibration of said gong via a magnetic impulse due to the repulsion force of the two magnetic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Breuguet SA
    Inventors: Nakis Karapatis, Davide Sarchi
  • Patent number: 8514670
    Abstract: The striking mechanism for a watch includes a gong, which is connected to a gong-carrier, a hammer for striking the gong at pre-determined times, a damper counterspring for keeping the hammer at a distance from the gong in an idle mode, and a hammer drive spring, which includes a fixed end and an end that is free to move. The striking mechanism includes a locking device, which is provided with at least one rotating bolt. This bolt includes a first arm provided with a hook for hooking onto a notch of the hammer to lock the hammer in an idle mode. The locking device is arranged to lock the hammer following a single strike of the hammer against the gong in a strike mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Breguet SA
    Inventor: Eric Goeller
  • Patent number: 8514669
    Abstract: The strike mechanism of a watch includes a gong secured by one end thereof to a gong-carrier integral with a plate, a hammer rotatably mounted on the plate for striking the gong at predetermined times, a damping counterspring for keeping the hammer at a distance from the gong in an idle mode, and a drive spring for driving the hammer. The drive spring includes one end secured to the plate and one end that is free to move. The spring is windable so that the free end of the drive spring drives the hammer against the gong in a strike mode to generate an acoustic sound. The strike mechanism further includes a stop member on the path of the hammer drive spring in the direction of the gong for increasing the rotational strike speed following contact of an intermediate part of the drive spring acting against the stop member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Breguet SA
    Inventors: Sylvain Marechal, Jean-François Pesenti, Jérôme Favre, Nakis Karapatis
  • Patent number: 8498181
    Abstract: An alarm clock application for a device having a touch screen, in which time entry consists of progressively entering data into each of three singularly functional groups of keys, comprises: a) a 4 digit time display portion; and, b) a keypad portion consisting of three separated, functional groups of keys: i) a first functional group of keys which provides only a choice between a clock time set function key and an alarm time set function key; ii) a second functional group of keys for time entry, which provides only a ten numeric key group numbered 0-9 for entering numbers; and, iii) a third group of keys which provides only a choice of AM-PM function keys, to finalize any time setting sequence. After time entry consisting of progressively using each of the three singularly functional groups of keys, all entries can, at any time, be reviewed with a glance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Inventor: Eugene R. Bath
  • Patent number: 8456288
    Abstract: A communication device locks input of the communication device and executes an alarm if a current time reaches a set alarm time. When the alarm is executed, an unlock input set is generated for unlocking the input and an alarm disable button set is generated for disabling the alarm. If an unlock input set is the same as the generated unlock keypad set, the locked input is unlocking. If the alarm disable button set input by the user is the same as the generated alarm disable button set, the communication device disables the alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yao-Yu Yang
  • Publication number: 20130077452
    Abstract: Watch movement of a mechanical or automatic watch comprising an indicator device for the power reserve which is configured to enable the power reserve to be indicated on demand. The device includes means to produce an acoustic signal that indicates the amplitude of the power reserve when said means are actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: MILUS INTERNATIONAL S.A.
    Inventor: Cyril Dubois
  • Patent number: 8406817
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, an input device carried by the portable housing, a display carried by the portable housing, and a processor carried by the portable housing and coupled to the wireless transceiver, the input device, and the display. The processor may perform a time alarm function having a time alarm value settable via the input device, and generate an alarm indication upon reaching the time alarm value. The processor also may generate a first time alarm function GUI on the display including a first selectable menu list for the time alarm function, and generate a second time alarm function GUI including a second selectable menu list on the display different from the first selectable menu list when a current time is within a threshold time of the time alarm value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Ltd
    Inventors: Adrian Michael Logan, Rohit Rocky Jain, Steve Kin Ping Chung
  • Patent number: 8369188
    Abstract: The striking watch (1) includes a watch case, which is formed of a middle part (4) and a back cover (5) removably secured to the middle part, and a crystal (2) that closes the case in a sealed manner. A watch movement (20) is held inside the watch case on a plate (14). The watch movement is provided with a striking mechanism able to be actuated at determined times to produce a sound. At least one acoustic membrane (10) is arranged between the back cover (5) which includes at least one lateral aperture (6) and the plate (14) of the watch movement. This acoustic membrane is made of amorphous metal or metallic glass to radiate the sound produced by the striking mechanism towards the exterior of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Montres Breguet SA
    Inventors: Nakis Karapatis, Jérôme Favre, Lucien Germond
  • Publication number: 20120307603
    Abstract: A tool for reporting a particular time using vibration is disclosed. The tool assigns a distinct vibration to separate hour regions and minute regions. The tool uses a short series of vibration pulses, one of which is the distinct vibration assigned to the hour region associated with the hour of the particular time, to indicate the hour. The tool produces the distinct vibration assigned to the minute region associated with the minute of the particular time, to indicate the minute to the nearest quarter hour. The total sequence of pulses consists of no more than five separate vibrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeremy Paul Bongio, Christopher J. Buccella, Michael Steven Chase-Salerno, Sean Michael Swehla
  • Patent number: 8289817
    Abstract: A touch lock guarantees reliable alarm activation comprises: a) an upright front display screen; b) a keypad, haying three separated groups of keys: a choice of alarm-time set function keys; a ten numeric key group positioned centrally on the keypad; and a AM-PM/Set function key. The clock can be fully operated by a single finger, using a maximum of six touches, providing assurance of entry of each touch, without the need to hold or grasp the clock, and without the need for a user to reorient himself from a position facing the clock, or to reorient the clock from its operable, optimally viewed orientation. After a user has easily and quickly set an alarm time by utilizing each of the three groups of keys, he then can at any time review his entries with a glance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Eugene R. Bath
  • Publication number: 20120207001
    Abstract: Timepiece wheel governor (1) for regulating the pivoting speed (?) of a wheel set (3), about a pivot axis (D1), including a pivoting inertia-block (4). It includes a means (7) of returning said block (4) towards said axis (D1), and, when said wheel set (3) pivots at a lower speed than a reference speed (?c), said block (4) remains confined within a first volume of revolution (VI), and, when said wheel set (3) pivots at a higher speed than said reference speed (?c), said block (4) is engaged, in one peripheral portion (30) thereof, in a second volume (VE) contiguous with and external to said first one (VI), said peripheral portion (30) cooperating in said second volume (VE) with a regulating means arranged to brake said wheel set (3) and return the pivoting speed (?) thereof to said reference speed (?c), and to dissipate the surplus energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Montres Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Jan PITTET, Jean-Jacques Born, Thierry Conus, Eric Goeller, Patrick Ragot, Sylvain Marechal, Davide Sarchi, Jerome Favre
  • Publication number: 20120201105
    Abstract: This watch movement part comprises a frame (1) bearing a striking work mechanism which comprises: a motor member (10) kinematically linked with a striking work wheel (20), a striking work hammer (40), an anchor (30) with two pallets (31, 32) engaged alternately with said striking work wheel (20) and cooperating with said striking work hammer (40) to make it oscillate between a first position striking a resonant member (50) and a second position, and a limiting spring (60) defining said second position, and wherein the anchor (30) and the striking work hammer (40) form a single striking work member mounted to pivot on the frame (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: MONTRES TUDOR S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Chatelain, Grégory Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20120195174
    Abstract: The striking mechanism for a watch includes a gong, which is connected to a gong-carrier, a hammer for striking the gong at pre-determined times, a damper counterspring for keeping the hammer at a distance from the gong in an idle mode, and a hammer drive spring, which includes a fixed end and an end that is free to move. The striking mechanism includes a locking device, which is provided with at least one rotating bolt. This bolt includes a first arm provided with a hook for hooking onto a notch of the hammer to lock the hammer in an idle mode. The locking device is arranged to lock the hammer following a single strike of the hammer against the gong in a strike mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Montres Breguet SA
    Inventor: Eric GOELLER
  • Publication number: 20120155227
    Abstract: The watch striking mechanism (1) includes at least one gong (11) fixed to a gong-carrier (12) and at least one hammer (2) for activating the vibration of the gong. The striking mechanism includes a first magnetic element (20) in the form of a moving micro-magnet, which is arranged on a striking portion of the hammer, and a second magnetic element (21) in the form of a fixed micro-magnet, which is arranged in one part of the gong. The second magnetic element is at least partly opposite the first magnetic element and is capable of generating a magnetic field of opposite polarity to the magnetic field of the first magnetic element. In a striking mode, said hammer may be driven in the direction of the gong to activate the vibration of said gong via a magnetic impulse due to the repulsion force of the two magnetic elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: MONTRES BREGUET SA
    Inventors: Nakis KARAPATIS, Davide SARCHI
  • Publication number: 20120063275
    Abstract: The striking watch (1) includes at least one gong (3) fixed to a gong-carrier (2) and at least one hammer (4) for striking the gong. The watch further includes a magnetic gong insulator arrangement (20) for preventing any inadvertent contact between the gong and a neighbouring part (5, 6) of the watch. This magnetic insulator arrangement (20) includes at least one moving permanent magnet (21) arranged on one part of the gong (3) at a distance from the gong-carrier (2) and at least one fixed permanent magnet (22, 23) arranged on a watch part (5, 6) close to the gong. This fixed permanent magnet is capable of generating a magnetic field of opposite polarity to the magnetic field of the moving permanent magnet facing the fixed permanent magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: Montres Breguet SA
    Inventors: Jérôme FAVRE, Nakis KARAPATIS
  • Publication number: 20110310712
    Abstract: A timepiece, including: a power source; a control member (32) movable between a first and second position defined by a power reserve mechanism; an additional mechanism; a triggering nose (16), the movement of which triggers the additional mechanism; and a triggering member (10) to be actuated for interaction with the triggering nose (6) for triggering the additional mechanism. The triggering member is capable of assuming a first position in which it engages with the triggering nose (16), and a second position in which it cannot engage with the triggering nose (16). The control member (32) is arranged so as to engage with the triggering member (10) and to move into the first or second position depending on whether the control member (32) is in the first or second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicants: SOWIND S.A., VAUCHER MANUFACTURE FLEURIER S.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Papi, Pedro Nunes Marques
  • Patent number: 8059494
    Abstract: The invention concerns a water resistant portable object such as a diving watch including a sound generator device (12) and a microprocessor (1), characterized in that it emits acoustic signals at two different frequencies (f1) and (f2) as a function of the medium, air or water, in which the wearer of the watch is situated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse
    Inventors: Jean-Bernard Veuthey, Stéphane Claude
  • Publication number: 20110228645
    Abstract: A timepiece is equipped with a movement (module), a solar cell panel, a ring member, and a dial (timepiece display plate). The panel is fixed to the module. The ring member is fixed to the peripheral portion of the movement. The ring member has, at a plurality of positions thereof, recesses, and a pair of engagement protrusions protruding upwardly from the bottom of each recess. The recesses are respectively open in an upper surface and the outer peripheral surface of the ring member. The pair of engagement protrusions form a gap G between them, and are capable of elastic deformation. A proximal portion of each engagement protrusion is situated below the upper surface of the ring member. The dial has cutouts at a plurality of positions of its peripheral portion. Each of these cutouts is engaged with each pair of engagement protrusions to cover the panel, and the dial is mounted to the ring member such that the peripheral portions of the cutouts cover the recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Haruki Hiranuma, Kazutaka Imai
  • Publication number: 20110211426
    Abstract: The hammer (2) forms part of a striking mechanism (1) of a mechanical watch, which includes at least one gong (11) that can be struck by said hammer. The hammer includes two metal parts (2?, 2?), which are secured to each other by welding or soldering. A first part is made of hard metal to form an impact part (2?) of the hammer against a gong (11) of the striking mechanism. A second part is a metal heel (2?), particularly made of steel, via which the hammer can be mounted on a plate of the striking mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: MONTRES BREGUET S.A.
    Inventors: Jérôme Favre, Patrice Golay
  • Publication number: 20110211427
    Abstract: The watch striking mechanism (1) includes a gong, which is fixed via one end thereof to a gong-carrier integral with a plate, a hammer rotatably mounted on the plate to strike the gong at determined times, a damper counter-spring (5) for keeping the hammer away from the gong in an idle mode, and a drive spring (3) for the hammer. The drive spring includes an end (3b) fixed to the plate and an end (3a) that is free to move. The spring can be wound so that the free end (3a) of the spring drives the hammer (2) against the gong (21) in a strike mode to produce an acoustic sound. The striking mechanism includes means (10) for actuating the damper counter-spring (5) in a strike mode with a time lag after the hammer (2) strikes the gong, so that after the hammer strikes the gong, the counter-spring pushes said hammer towards an idle position. The actuating means includes a stop member mounted on the damper counter-spring to be actuated via the drive spring when in action just after the hammer strikes the gong.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: Montes Breguet S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Pesenti, Sylvain Marechal, Nakis Karapatis, Jérôme Favre
  • Publication number: 20110158058
    Abstract: The strike mechanism (1) of a watch includes a gong (21), which is secured by one end thereof to a gong-carrier (22) integral with a plate, a hammer (2) rotatably mounted on the plate for striking the gong (21) at predetermined times, a damping counterspring (5) for keeping the hammer at a distance from the gong (21) in an idle mode, and a spring (3) for driving the hammer. The drive spring includes one end (3b) secured to the plate and one end (3a) that is free to move. The spring is capable of being wound so that the free end (3a) of the spring drives the hammer (2) against the gong (21) in a strike mode to generate an acoustic sound. The strike mechanism further includes a stop member (10) on the path of the hammer drive spring in the direction of the gong for increasing the strike speed following contact of an intermediate part of the drive spring (3) in action against the stop member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: MONTRES BREGUET SA
    Inventors: Sylvain Marechal, Jean-François Pesenti, Jérôme Favre, Nakis Karapatis
  • Patent number: 7965584
    Abstract: A ringing mechanism includes: a power source (12), a speed regulator (14), a ringing device, and a gear (10) connecting the power source (12) to the regulator (14) on the one hand and to the device on the other hand. The mechanism further includes a speed adjustor (16) and control element interacting with the speed adjustor (16) in order to change the driving speed of the ringing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier S.A., Sowind S.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Papi, Pedro Nunes Marques, Frederic Challet
  • Publication number: 20110110200
    Abstract: The striking mechanism (1) of a watch includes at least one gong (3, 4, 5) fixed at one end to a gong-carrier (2) integral with a bottom plate, at least one hammer mounted on the plate for striking the gong, and a gong noise insulator arrangement (6, 7). At least one insulator part (6) of the insulator arrangement is configured to be moved in rotation by drive means (9, 11, 12) so that one U-shaped portion (16) of the insulator part comes into contact with the gong in an idle mode or is at a distance from the gong in striking mode. A rotatably mounted, opposite insulator counterpart (7) with a rod (17) is provided so that the insulator part (6) and the opposite counterpart form a clamp for imprisoning the gong in an idle mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: MONTRES BREGUET SA
    Inventor: Eric Goeller
  • Patent number: 7864059
    Abstract: A portable tracking alarm apparatus in a wrist watch configuration includes a main body and a strap. The main body includes a locator transmitter module, a micro-switch, and a trigger assembly. The strap is used for the user to wear, and has a hook that extends into the main body to hook the trigger assembly, such that the trigger assembly will not contact the micro-switch. When the strap is destroyed to cause the hook parting from the trigger assembly, the trigger assembly will touch and press the micro-switch to make the locator transmitter module emit a warning message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Micro-Star Internationa'l Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hui-Chu Lee
  • Publication number: 20100322040
    Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer program products for time and time management instruction are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a time instruction module; an indicia of time controlled by the time instruction module; and an input/output mechanism configured to provide a display related to time or time management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Go Learn LLC
    Inventor: Jesus Cedeno
  • Patent number: 7746732
    Abstract: A gong for a striking mechanism in a horological movement comprises a first end mounted to a heel and a second end that is free. The first end and the second end define a longitudinal axis along the length of the gong, wherein the gong has a cross-section size that is variable along all or part of its longitudinal axis including an end section of the gong that comprises the free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Richemont International S.A.
    Inventors: Vincent Chritin, Eric Van Lancker
  • Publication number: 20100046330
    Abstract: A ringing mechanism includes: a power source (12), a speed regulator (14), a ringing device, and a gear (10) connecting the power source (12) to the regulator (14) on the one hand and to the device on the other hand. The mechanism further includes a speed adjustor (16) and control element interacting with the speed adjustor (16) in order to change the driving speed of the ringing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicants: VAUCHER MANUFACTURE FLEURIER S.A., GIRARD-PERREGAUX S.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Papi, Pedro Nunes Marques, Frederic Challet
  • Patent number: 7545706
    Abstract: The device for mounting and fastening at least one gong of a striking mechanism of a watch movement in which each gong (1, 14) is solidly attached to a heel (2, 15) and includes means for the positioning and temporary fastening (5, 6, 8, 9, 20) of the heel or heels and their gongs to a bottom plate (7) of the watch movement. It includes at least one crystal support (21) fastened underneath the crystal (22) of a case holding the watch movement, and means for guiding and positioning (5, 6, 11) that allow the gongs (1, 14) and their heels (2, 15) to be moved into their working position where each heel is in touch with the crystal support (21) or with another heel. It further includes means for fastening (13) gongs and their heels to the crystal support (21) in such a way that these gongs and their heels are tied to the crystal (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Richemont International SA
    Inventor: David Candaux
  • Publication number: 20090091431
    Abstract: A gong for a striking mechanism in a horological movement comprises a first end mounted to a heel and a second end that is free. The first end and the second end define a longitudinal axis along the length of the gong, wherein the gong has a cross-section size that is variable along all or part of its longitudinal axis including an end section of the gong that comprises the free end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: RICHEMONT INTERNATIONAL S.A.
    Inventors: Vincent CHRITIN, Eric Van Lancker
  • Patent number: 7400229
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing an intelligent event notification system. The method includes selecting a type of event notification for an event. Determining the type of event notification is based in part on information elements associated with the event. The method also includes determining at least one optimal alert system to receive an event notification corresponding to the type of event notification selected. The determination is based in part on information elements associated with the event. The method further includes associating an alert trigger with the event notification and transmitting the event notification to the at least one optimal alert system upon activation of the alert trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, Rick A. Hamilton, II, Nicholas R. Trio, Timothy M. Waters
  • Publication number: 20080165630
    Abstract: The device for mounting and fastening at least one gong of a striking mechanism of a watch movement in which each gong (1, 14) is solidly attached to a heel (2, 15) and includes means for the positioning and temporary fastening (5, 6, 8, 9, 20) of the heel or heels and their gongs to a bottom plate (7) of the watch movement. It includes at least one crystal support (21) fastened underneath the crystal (22) of a case holding the watch movement, and means for guiding and positioning (5, 6, 11) that allow the gongs (1, 14) and their heels (2, 15) to be moved into their working position where each heel is in touch with the crystal support (21) or with another heel. It further includes means for fastening (13) gongs and their heels to the crystal support (21) in such a way that these gongs and their heels are tied to the crystal (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: RICHEMONT INTERNATIONAL SA
    Inventor: David Candaux