EP1752841A1 - Electronic watch which is brought to a stand-by condition according to a signal by an accelerometer - Google Patents

Electronic watch which is brought to a stand-by condition according to a signal by an accelerometer Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1752841A1
EP1752841A1 EP05107278A EP05107278A EP1752841A1 EP 1752841 A1 EP1752841 A1 EP 1752841A1 EP 05107278 A EP05107278 A EP 05107278A EP 05107278 A EP05107278 A EP 05107278A EP 1752841 A1 EP1752841 A1 EP 1752841A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
watch
accelerometer
mode
display means
electronic circuit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05107278A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Pierre-André Meister
André Zanetta
Emmanuel Fleury
Fabien Blondeau
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
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ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA filed Critical ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
Priority to EP05107278A priority Critical patent/EP1752841A1/en
Publication of EP1752841A1 publication Critical patent/EP1752841A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C10/00—Arrangements of electric power supplies in time pieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G19/00—Electric power supply circuits specially adapted for use in electronic time-pieces
    • G04G19/12—Arrangements for reducing power consumption during storage

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electronic watch having a sleep mode.
  • the electronic watch according to the present invention is of the type comprising a housing containing an electronic control circuit and display means supplied with electrical energy by an accumulator or a battery, the watch comprising an active mode of operation, in which the electronic circuit controls the display of the current time by the display means, and a standby operating mode, in which the electronic circuit controls the stopping of the display means, the electronic circuit triggering the passage of a mode of operation to another depending on the signal produced by a sensor.
  • a watch of this type is described for example in the document EP 0 657 793 A a radio-controlled electronic watch having means for receiving a radio signal, a photoelectric sensor, and a liquid crystal display screen.
  • a standby mode for minimizing the consumption of electrical energy and consisting in stopping the receiving means and turning off the display screen .
  • the watch changes from standby mode to active mode when a watch pushbutton is pressed or when the sensor detects light.
  • the watch changes from active mode to standby mode when no pusher pressure has been detected for ten days or when no light has been detected by the sensor for ten days.
  • the system for triggering the standby mode and the active mode according to this document is not completely satisfactory because it mainly takes into account the lighting environment surrounding the watch. However, the watch can be placed in a place exposed to light without being used so far. This is why this watch must take into account, in addition to the signal provided by the sensor, an additional parameter constituted by the pressure on a pusher.
  • the trigger system according to this document is therefore mainly adapted to a long-term storage of the watch.
  • the present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing a watch with a simpler and more effective trigger system.
  • the invention proposes a watch of the type described above, characterized in that the sensor is constituted by an accelerometer which is arranged inside the housing and which comprises at least one axis of measurement of the acceleration experienced by the watch, so that the electronic circuit can determine if the watch is worn, to switch to active mode.
  • the electronic circuit according to the invention has the advantage of actually taking into account the fact that the watch is worn by the user or not to trigger the transition from one mode of operation to another, which allows him to maximize savings. of electrical energy.
  • the electronic circuit according to the invention is particularly responsive which allows it to go into standby mode as soon as the watch is no longer worn.
  • the electronic circuit according to the invention requires a single detection means to trigger the transition from one mode of operation to another.
  • the accelerometer makes it possible to detect the use of the watch before the user presses a pusher, by measuring the acceleration applied to the watch by the user when he grasps it.
  • the accelerometer comprises several axes for measuring the acceleration so as to detect any acceleration experienced by the watch, including when this acceleration does not have a component along one of the axes.
  • the accelerometer is constituted by a microstructure produced by micromachining in a plate of crystalline material, which facilitates its integration into the electronic circuit.
  • the electronic control circuit comprises an integrated circuit board
  • the accelerometer can be mounted directly on the wafer, along with the other components.
  • the cost of this type of accelerometer is particularly interesting.
  • an electronic watch 10 made according to the teachings of the invention. It comprises a housing 12 containing an electronic control circuit 14 and display means 16 supplied with electrical energy by an accumulator or a battery 18.
  • the display means 16 are of the analog type and consist of at least two needles 20, 22 driven in rotation by an electric motor 24.
  • the display means 16 may be of the digital type and include a liquid crystal screen.
  • the electronic circuit 14 is here arranged on an integrated circuit board 25 fixed in the housing 12 and it comprises a microcontroller 26 which controls the display means 16 so as to display the current time according to a given time base. by a time division circuit 28 comprising a resonator.
  • the watch 10 comprises an active operating mode, in which the electronic circuit 14 controls the display of the current time by the display means 16, and a standby operating mode, in which the electronic circuit 14 controls the stop display means 16.
  • the electronic circuit 14 triggers the passage from one operating mode to another depending on the signal produced by a sensor 30.
  • the senor 30 is constituted by an accelerometer 30 which is arranged inside the housing 12 and which comprises at least one measurement axis of the acceleration experienced by the watch 10, so that the electronic circuit 14 can determine if the watch 10 is worn, to go into active mode.
  • the accelerometer 30 produces analog electrical signals representative of the instantaneous acceleration experienced by the watch 10. These signals pass through an analog-digital converter 32 before being input to the microcontroller 26, in the form of a digital signal .
  • the accelerometer 30 may comprise several axes for measuring the acceleration, for example along two orthogonal axes, so as to detect any acceleration experienced by the watch 10, including when this acceleration does not have a component along one of the axes.
  • the accelerometer 30 is constituted by a microstructure produced by micromachining in a plate of crystalline material such as silicon.
  • the accelerometer 30 is therefore in the form of a microcircuit which is mounted directly on the wafer 25 with integrated circuits.
  • the accelerometer 30 is of conventional type and the skilled person will not encounter any particular difficulty to choose one that is suitable for the implementation of the present invention.
  • the watch 10 comprises a control member 34 such as a push button that can manually trigger the switch from one operating mode to another.
  • This control member 34 may be constituted by a button used for setting the time of the watch 10 or by a button used to access the various functions of the watch 10.
  • the microcontroller 26 can control the watch 10 in active mode.
  • the operation of the watch 10 according to the invention is as follows.
  • the watch 10 When the watch 10 is worn by a user, for example on the wrist in the case of a wristwatch, it undergoes accelerations of varying intensities due to natural movements made by the user. These accelerations are measured by the accelerometer 30 and transmitted to the microcontroller 26 which deduces that the watch 10 is worn. The watch 10 is then kept in its active mode and the hands 20, 22 are rotated to display the time.
  • the watch 10 When the user leaves the watch 10, and the pose for example on a table, the watch 10 is stationary so that no acceleration can be measured by the accelerometer 30.
  • the microcontroller 26 deduces while the watch 10 n is more worn and it triggers the transition to standby mode so as to minimize the consumption of the watch 10 in electrical energy.
  • the autonomy of the watch 10 according to the invention is greater with equal battery capacity 18.
  • the electronic circuit 14 controls the watch 10 in standby mode when the accelerometer 30 has not measured any acceleration for a determined duration, and / or when the measured acceleration values are below a threshold value, which allows to avoid a switch to untimely standby mode, for example when the wearer of the watch 10 is motionless for a few moments.
  • the microcontroller 26 cuts off the power supply of the display means 16 with electrical energy, which causes the rotation of the hands to stop. 20, 22. However, the time continues to be counted down to allow the watch 10 to keep in memory the current time.
  • the electronic circuit 14 comprises means 36 for storing the angular position occupied by the needles 20, 22 at the time of their stop.
  • the microcontroller 26 is able to control the rotation of the needles 20, 22 from their stop position to their angular position corresponding to the current time.
  • the microcontroller 26 deduces that the watch 10 is used again so that it triggers the transition to active mode.

Abstract

The watch has a case (12) with an electronic control circuit (14) and analog/digital display units (16). The circuit, in an active operation mode of the watch, controls the display of the current hour. The circuit, in a standby operation mode of the watch, controls the stop of the units (16). The circuit triggers the passage from one mode to another based on a signal produced by an accelerometer (30) placed in the case. The accelerometer has pins for measuring the acceleration undergone by the watch, so that the circuit can determine if the watch is carried, in order to pass into active mode. The analog/digital display units (16) are supplied with electric power by an accumulator/battery (18). The accelerometer (30) has a microstructure formed by micromachining in a plate made of crystalline material.

Description

La présente invention concerne une montre électronique comportant un mode veille.The present invention relates to an electronic watch having a sleep mode.

Plus particulièrement, la montre électronique selon la présente invention est du type comportant un boîtier contenant un circuit électronique de commande et des moyens d'affichage alimentés en énergie électrique par un accumulateur ou une pile, la montre comportant un mode de fonctionnement actif, dans lequel le circuit électronique commande l'affichage de l'heure courante par les moyens d'affichage, et un mode de fonctionnement veille, dans lequel le circuit électronique commande l'arrêt des moyens d'affichage, le circuit électronique déclenchant le passage d'un mode de fonctionnement à l'autre en fonction du signal produit par un capteur.More particularly, the electronic watch according to the present invention is of the type comprising a housing containing an electronic control circuit and display means supplied with electrical energy by an accumulator or a battery, the watch comprising an active mode of operation, in which the electronic circuit controls the display of the current time by the display means, and a standby operating mode, in which the electronic circuit controls the stopping of the display means, the electronic circuit triggering the passage of a mode of operation to another depending on the signal produced by a sensor.

Une montre de ce type est décrite par exemple dans le document EP 0 657 793 A qui concerne une montre électronique radio-corrigée comportant des moyens de réception d'un signal radio, un capteur photoélectrique, et un écran d'affichage à cristaux liquides. Selon ce document, compte tenu de la consommation d'énergie importante des moyens de réception radio, il est prévu un mode veille visant à minimiser la consommation d'énergie électrique et consistant à arrêter les moyens de réception et éteindre l'écran d'affichage. La montre passe du mode veille à un mode actif lorsqu'un poussoir de la montre est pressé ou lorsque le capteur détecte de la lumière. La montre passe du mode actif au mode veille lorsque aucune pression sur un poussoir n'a été détectée pendant dix jours ou lorsque aucun rayon lumineux n'a été détecté par le capteur pendant dix jours.A watch of this type is described for example in the document EP 0 657 793 A a radio-controlled electronic watch having means for receiving a radio signal, a photoelectric sensor, and a liquid crystal display screen. According to this document, in view of the high energy consumption of the radio reception means, there is provided a standby mode for minimizing the consumption of electrical energy and consisting in stopping the receiving means and turning off the display screen . The watch changes from standby mode to active mode when a watch pushbutton is pressed or when the sensor detects light. The watch changes from active mode to standby mode when no pusher pressure has been detected for ten days or when no light has been detected by the sensor for ten days.

Le système de déclenchement du mode veille et du mode actif selon ce document n'est pas complètement satisfaisant car il tient compte principalement de l'ambiance lumineuse entourant la montre. Or, la montre peut être placée dans un lieu exposé à la lumière sans être utilisée pour autant. C'est pourquoi cette montre doit tenir compte, en plus du signal fourni par le capteur, d'un paramètre supplémentaire constitué par la pression sur un poussoir. Le système de déclenchement selon ce document est donc adapté principalement à un stockage de longue durée de la montre.The system for triggering the standby mode and the active mode according to this document is not completely satisfactory because it mainly takes into account the lighting environment surrounding the watch. However, the watch can be placed in a place exposed to light without being used so far. This is why this watch must take into account, in addition to the signal provided by the sensor, an additional parameter constituted by the pressure on a pusher. The trigger system according to this document is therefore mainly adapted to a long-term storage of the watch.

On note que l'utilisation d'un capteur photoélectrique est pénalisante pour l'aspect extérieur de la montre et pour la compacité de celle-ci.Note that the use of a photoelectric sensor is detrimental to the appearance of the watch and the compactness thereof.

La présente invention vise à remédier à ces inconvénients en proposant une montre comportant un système de déclenchement plus simple et plus efficace.The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages by providing a watch with a simpler and more effective trigger system.

Dans ce but, l'invention propose une montre du type décrit précédemment, caractérisée en ce que le capteur est constitué par un accéléromètre qui est agencé à l'intérieur du boîtier et qui comporte au moins un axe de mesure de l'accélération subie par la montre, de manière que le circuit électronique puisse déterminer si la montre est portée, en vue de passer en mode actif.For this purpose, the invention proposes a watch of the type described above, characterized in that the sensor is constituted by an accelerometer which is arranged inside the housing and which comprises at least one axis of measurement of the acceleration experienced by the watch, so that the electronic circuit can determine if the watch is worn, to switch to active mode.

Le circuit électronique selon l'invention présente l'avantage de tenir compte réellement du fait que la montre est portée ou non par son utilisateur pour déclencher le passage d'un mode de fonctionnement à l'autre, ce qui lui permet de maximiser les économies d'énergie électrique. En particulier, le circuit électronique selon l'invention est particulièrement réactif ce qui lui permet de passer en mode veille dès que la montre n'est plus portée.The electronic circuit according to the invention has the advantage of actually taking into account the fact that the watch is worn by the user or not to trigger the transition from one mode of operation to another, which allows him to maximize savings. of electrical energy. In particular, the electronic circuit according to the invention is particularly responsive which allows it to go into standby mode as soon as the watch is no longer worn.

De plus, le circuit électronique selon l'invention nécessite un seul moyen de détection pour déclencher le passage d'un mode de fonctionnement à l'autre. Par exemple, l'accéléromètre permet de détecter l'utilisation de la montre avant que l'utilisateur ne presse un poussoir, en mesurant l'accélération appliquée à la montre par l'utilisateur lorsqu'il s'en saisit.In addition, the electronic circuit according to the invention requires a single detection means to trigger the transition from one mode of operation to another. For example, the accelerometer makes it possible to detect the use of the watch before the user presses a pusher, by measuring the acceleration applied to the watch by the user when he grasps it.

Selon une caractéristique avantageuse, l'accéléromètre comporte plusieurs axes de mesure de l'accélération de manière à détecter toute accélération subie par la montre, y compris lorsque cette accélération ne possède pas de composante suivant l'un des axes.According to an advantageous characteristic, the accelerometer comprises several axes for measuring the acceleration so as to detect any acceleration experienced by the watch, including when this acceleration does not have a component along one of the axes.

Selon une autre caractéristique avantageuse, l'accéléromètre est constitué par une microstructure réalisée par micro-usinage dans une plaque en matériau cristallin, ce qui facilite son intégration dans le circuit électronique. En particulier, lorsque le circuit électronique de commande comporte une plaquette à circuits intégrés, l'accéléromètre peut être monté directement sur la plaquette, en même temps que les autres composants. De plus, le coût de ce type d'accéléromètre est particulièrement intéressant.According to another advantageous characteristic, the accelerometer is constituted by a microstructure produced by micromachining in a plate of crystalline material, which facilitates its integration into the electronic circuit. In particular, when the electronic control circuit comprises an integrated circuit board, the accelerometer can be mounted directly on the wafer, along with the other components. In addition, the cost of this type of accelerometer is particularly interesting.

Selon d'autres caractéristiques de l'invention :

  • la montre comporte un organe de commande qui permet de déclencher manuellement le passage d'un mode de fonctionnement à l'autre ;
  • le circuit électronique commande la montre en mode veille lorsque aucune accélération n'a été mesurée pendant une durée déterminée ;
  • les moyens d'affichage sont du type analogique ;
  • le circuit électronique comporte des moyens pour mémoriser la position occupée par les moyens d'affichage analogiques au moment de leur arrêt ;
  • les moyens d'affichage sont du type digital.
According to other features of the invention:
  • the watch comprises a control member which makes it possible to manually trigger the transition from one mode of operation to another;
  • the electronic circuit controls the watch in standby mode when no acceleration has been measured for a given period;
  • the display means are of the analog type;
  • the electronic circuit comprises means for storing the position occupied by the analog display means at the time of their stop;
  • the display means are of the digital type.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description détaillée qui suit, faite en référence aux dessins annexés donnés à titre d'exemple non limitatifs et dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en coupe axiale qui représente schématiquement une montre électronique conforme aux enseignements de l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 est un diagramme qui représente schématiquement le circuit électronique équipant la montre de la figure 1.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the detailed description which follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting example and in which:
  • Figure 1 is an axial sectional view which schematically shows an electronic watch according to the teachings of the invention;
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram which schematically represents the electronic circuit equipping the watch of FIG. 1.

Sur la figure 1, on a représenté une montre 10 électronique réalisée conformément aux enseignements de l'invention. Elle comporte un boîtier 12 contenant un circuit électronique 14 de commande et des moyens d'affichage 16 alimentés en énergie électrique par un accumulateur ou une pile 18.In Figure 1, there is shown an electronic watch 10 made according to the teachings of the invention. It comprises a housing 12 containing an electronic control circuit 14 and display means 16 supplied with electrical energy by an accumulator or a battery 18.

Selon le mode de réalisation représenté, les moyens d'affichage 16 sont du type analogique et sont constitués d'au moins deux aiguilles 20, 22 entraînées en rotation par un moteur électrique 24.According to the embodiment shown, the display means 16 are of the analog type and consist of at least two needles 20, 22 driven in rotation by an electric motor 24.

Bien entendu, selon une variante de réalisation (non représentée), les moyens d'affichage 16 peuvent être du type digital et comporter un écran à cristaux liquides.Of course, according to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the display means 16 may be of the digital type and include a liquid crystal screen.

Le circuit électronique 14 est ici agencé sur une plaquette 25 à circuits intégrés fixée dans le boîtier 12 et il comporte un microcontrôleur 26 qui commande les moyens d'affichage 16 de manière à afficher l'heure courante en fonction d'une base de temps fournie par un circuit de division du temps 28 comprenant un résonateur.The electronic circuit 14 is here arranged on an integrated circuit board 25 fixed in the housing 12 and it comprises a microcontroller 26 which controls the display means 16 so as to display the current time according to a given time base. by a time division circuit 28 comprising a resonator.

La montre 10 comporte un mode de fonctionnement actif, dans lequel le circuit électronique 14 commande l'affichage de l'heure courante par les moyens d'affichage 16, et un mode de fonctionnement veille, dans lequel le circuit électronique 14 commande l'arrêt des moyens d'affichage 16. Le circuit électronique 14 déclenche le passage d'un mode de fonctionnement à l'autre en fonction du signal produit par un capteur 30.The watch 10 comprises an active operating mode, in which the electronic circuit 14 controls the display of the current time by the display means 16, and a standby operating mode, in which the electronic circuit 14 controls the stop display means 16. The electronic circuit 14 triggers the passage from one operating mode to another depending on the signal produced by a sensor 30.

Conformément aux enseignements de l'invention, le capteur 30 est constitué par un accéléromètre 30 qui est agencé à l'intérieur du boîtier 12 et qui comporte au moins un axe de mesure de l'accélération subie par la montre 10, de manière que le circuit électronique 14 puisse déterminer si la montre 10 est portée, pour passer en mode actif.According to the teachings of the invention, the sensor 30 is constituted by an accelerometer 30 which is arranged inside the housing 12 and which comprises at least one measurement axis of the acceleration experienced by the watch 10, so that the electronic circuit 14 can determine if the watch 10 is worn, to go into active mode.

L'accéléromètre 30 produit des signaux électriques analogiques représentatifs de l'accélération instantanée subie par la montre 10. Ces signaux transitent par un convertisseur analogique-numérique 32 avant d'être fournis en entrée au microcontrôleur 26, sous la forme d'un signal digital.The accelerometer 30 produces analog electrical signals representative of the instantaneous acceleration experienced by the watch 10. These signals pass through an analog-digital converter 32 before being input to the microcontroller 26, in the form of a digital signal .

On note que l'accéléromètre 30 peut comporter plusieurs axes de mesure de l'accélération, par exemple selon deux axes orthogonaux, de manière à détecter toute accélération subie par la montre 10, y compris lorsque cette accélération ne possède pas de composante suivant l'un des axes.Note that the accelerometer 30 may comprise several axes for measuring the acceleration, for example along two orthogonal axes, so as to detect any acceleration experienced by the watch 10, including when this acceleration does not have a component along one of the axes.

Avantageusement, l'accéléromètre 30 est constitué par une microstructure réalisée par micro-usinage dans une plaque en matériau cristallin tel que du silicium. L'accéléromètre 30 se présente donc sous la forme d'un microcircuit qui est monté directement sur la plaquette 25 à circuits intégrés.Advantageously, the accelerometer 30 is constituted by a microstructure produced by micromachining in a plate of crystalline material such as silicon. The accelerometer 30 is therefore in the form of a microcircuit which is mounted directly on the wafer 25 with integrated circuits.

L'accéléromètre 30 est de type conventionnel et l'homme du métier ne rencontrera pas de difficulté particulière pour en choisir un qui soit adapté à la mise en oeuvre de la présente invention.The accelerometer 30 is of conventional type and the skilled person will not encounter any particular difficulty to choose one that is suitable for the implementation of the present invention.

Selon un mode de réalisation avantageux, la montre 10 comporte un organe de commande 34 tel qu'un bouton poussoir qui permet de déclencher manuellement le passage d'un mode de fonctionnement à l'autre. Cet organe de commande 34 peut être constitué par un bouton utilisé pour la mise à l'heure de la montre 10 ou par un bouton utilisé pour accéder aux différentes fonctions de la montre 10. Ainsi, dès que l'organe de commande 34 est actionné, le microcontrôleur 26 peut commander la montre 10 en mode actif.According to an advantageous embodiment, the watch 10 comprises a control member 34 such as a push button that can manually trigger the switch from one operating mode to another. This control member 34 may be constituted by a button used for setting the time of the watch 10 or by a button used to access the various functions of the watch 10. Thus, as soon as the control member 34 is actuated the microcontroller 26 can control the watch 10 in active mode.

Le fonctionnement de la montre 10 selon l'invention est le suivant.The operation of the watch 10 according to the invention is as follows.

Lorsque la montre 10 est portée par un utilisateur, par exemple au poignet dans le cas d'une montre bracelet, elle subit des accélérations d'intensités variables dues aux mouvements naturels effectués par l'utilisateur. Ces accélérations sont mesurées par l'accéléromètre 30 et transmises au microcontrôleur 26 qui en déduit que la montre 10 est portée. La montre 10 est alors maintenue dans son mode actif et les aiguilles 20, 22 sont entraînées en rotation pour afficher l'heure.When the watch 10 is worn by a user, for example on the wrist in the case of a wristwatch, it undergoes accelerations of varying intensities due to natural movements made by the user. These accelerations are measured by the accelerometer 30 and transmitted to the microcontroller 26 which deduces that the watch 10 is worn. The watch 10 is then kept in its active mode and the hands 20, 22 are rotated to display the time.

Lorsque l'utilisateur quitte la montre 10, et la pose par exemple sur une table, la montre 10 est immobile de sorte qu'aucune accélération ne peut être mesurée par l'accéléromètre 30. Le microcontrôleur 26 en déduit alors que la montre 10 n'est plus portée et il déclenche le passage en mode veille de manière à minimiser la consommation de la montre 10 en énergie électrique.When the user leaves the watch 10, and the pose for example on a table, the watch 10 is stationary so that no acceleration can be measured by the accelerometer 30. The microcontroller 26 deduces while the watch 10 n is more worn and it triggers the transition to standby mode so as to minimize the consumption of the watch 10 in electrical energy.

Ainsi, l'autonomie de la montre 10 selon l'invention est plus importante à capacité de pile 18 égale.Thus, the autonomy of the watch 10 according to the invention is greater with equal battery capacity 18.

De préférence, le circuit électronique 14 commande la montre 10 en mode veille lorsque l'accéléromètre 30 n'a mesuré aucune accélération pendant une durée déterminée, et/ou lorsque les valeurs d'accélération mesurées sont inférieures à une valeur seuil, ce qui permet d'éviter un passage en mode veille intempestif, par exemple lorsque le porteur de la montre 10 est immobile quelques instants.Preferably, the electronic circuit 14 controls the watch 10 in standby mode when the accelerometer 30 has not measured any acceleration for a determined duration, and / or when the measured acceleration values are below a threshold value, which allows to avoid a switch to untimely standby mode, for example when the wearer of the watch 10 is motionless for a few moments.

En mode veille, le microcontrôleur 26 coupe l'alimentation des moyens d'affichage 16 en énergie électrique ce qui provoque l'arrêt de la rotation des aiguilles 20, 22. Toutefois, le temps continue d'être décompté pour permettre à la montre 10 de garder en mémoire l'heure courante.In standby mode, the microcontroller 26 cuts off the power supply of the display means 16 with electrical energy, which causes the rotation of the hands to stop. 20, 22. However, the time continues to be counted down to allow the watch 10 to keep in memory the current time.

A cet effet, le circuit électronique 14 comporte des moyens 36 pour mémoriser la position angulaire occupée par les aiguilles 20, 22 au moment de leur arrêt. Ainsi, lorsque la montre 10 passe de nouveau en mode actif, le microcontrôleur 26 est capable de commander la rotation des aiguilles 20, 22 depuis leur position d'arrêt jusqu'à leur position angulaire correspondant à l'heure courante.For this purpose, the electronic circuit 14 comprises means 36 for storing the angular position occupied by the needles 20, 22 at the time of their stop. Thus, when the watch 10 goes back to active mode, the microcontroller 26 is able to control the rotation of the needles 20, 22 from their stop position to their angular position corresponding to the current time.

Dès que l'accéléromètre 30 mesure une accélération, le microcontrôleur 26 en déduit que la montre 10 est de nouveau utilisée de sorte qu'il déclenche le passage en mode actif.As soon as the accelerometer 30 measures an acceleration, the microcontroller 26 deduces that the watch 10 is used again so that it triggers the transition to active mode.

Claims (9)

Montre (10) électronique comportant un boîtier (12) contenant un circuit électronique (14) de commande et des moyens d'affichage (16) alimentés en énergie électrique par un accumulateur ou une pile (18), la montre (10) comportant un mode de fonctionnement actif, dans lequel le circuit électronique (14) commande l'affichage de l'heure courante par les moyens d'affichage (16), et un mode de fonctionnement veille, dans lequel le circuit électronique (14) commande l'arrêt des moyens d'affichage (16), le circuit électronique (14) déclenchant le passage d'un mode de fonctionnement à l'autre en fonction du signal produit par un capteur (30), caractérisée en ce que le capteur (30) est constitué par un accéléromètre (30) qui est agencé à l'intérieur du boîtier (12) et qui comporte au moins un axe de mesure de l'accélération subie par la montre (10), de manière que le circuit électronique (14) puisse déterminer si la montre (10) est portée, en vue de passer en mode actif.Electronic watch (10) comprising a housing (12) containing an electronic control circuit (14) and display means (16) supplied with electrical energy by an accumulator or a battery (18), the watch (10) comprising a active mode of operation, wherein the electronic circuit (14) controls the display of the current time by the display means (16), and a standby mode of operation, wherein the electronic circuit (14) controls the stopping the display means (16), the electronic circuit (14) triggering the transition from one operating mode to another depending on the signal produced by a sensor (30), characterized in that the sensor (30) consists of an accelerometer (30) which is arranged inside the housing (12) and which has at least one measurement axis of the acceleration experienced by the watch (10), so that the electronic circuit (14) can determine if the watch (10) is worn, in order to switch to ac mode tif. Montre (10) selon la revendication précédente, caractérisée en ce que l'accéléromètre (30) comporte plusieurs axes de mesure de l'accélération de manière à détecter toute accélération subie par la montre (10), y compris lorsque cette accélération ne possède pas de composante suivant l'un des axes.Watch (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the accelerometer (30) has several axes for measuring the acceleration so as to detect any acceleration experienced by the watch (10), including when this acceleration does not have of component along one of the axes. Montre (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que l'accéléromètre (30) est constitué par une microstructure réalisée par micro-usinage dans une plaque en matériau cristallin.Watch (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the accelerometer (30) is constituted by a microstructure made by micromachining in a plate of crystalline material. Montre (10) selon la revendication précédente, du type dans lequel le circuit électronique (14) de commande comporte une plaquette (25) à circuits intégrés, caractérisée en ce que l'accéléromètre (30) est monté directement sur la plaquette (25).Watch (10) according to the preceding claim, of the type in which the electronic control circuit (14) comprises a wafer (25) with integrated circuits, characterized in that the accelerometer (30) is mounted directly on the wafer (25) . Montre (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le circuit électronique (14) commande la montre (10) en mode veille lorsque aucune accélération n'a été mesurée pendant une durée déterminée.Watch (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic circuit (14) controls the watch (10) in standby mode when no acceleration has been measured for a predetermined period. Montre (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte un organe de commande (34) qui permet de déclencher manuellement le passage d'un mode de fonctionnement à l'autre.Watch (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a control member (34) which makes it possible to manually trigger the transition from one mode of operation to another. Montre (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les moyens d'affichage (16) sont du type analogique.Watch (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the display means (16) are of the analog type. Montre (10) selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que le circuit électronique (14) comporte des moyens (36) pour mémoriser la position occupée par les moyens d'affichage (16) analogiques au moment de leur arrêt.Watch (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the electronic circuit (14) comprises means (36) for storing the position occupied by the display means (16) analog at the time of their stop. Montre (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisée en ce que les moyens d'affichage (16) sont du type digital.Watch (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the display means (16) are of the digital type.
EP05107278A 2005-08-08 2005-08-08 Electronic watch which is brought to a stand-by condition according to a signal by an accelerometer Withdrawn EP1752841A1 (en)

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EP05107278A EP1752841A1 (en) 2005-08-08 2005-08-08 Electronic watch which is brought to a stand-by condition according to a signal by an accelerometer

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EP2180384A1 (en) * 2008-10-22 2010-04-28 Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO Watch provided with locking means
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WO2014120832A1 (en) * 2013-01-31 2014-08-07 Salutron, Inc. Ultra-low power actigraphy based on dynamic threshold
JP2015175764A (en) * 2014-03-17 2015-10-05 シチズンホールディングス株式会社 Electronic clock

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010027262A1 (en) * 2008-09-03 2010-03-11 Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek Tno Watch provided with locking mechanism
EP2180384A1 (en) * 2008-10-22 2010-04-28 Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO Watch provided with locking means
FR2978567A1 (en) * 2011-07-29 2013-02-01 Time2Ego METHOD FOR MANAGING A SLEEP OUTPUT OPERATION OF A DIGITAL DISPLAY WATCH
WO2013017384A1 (en) * 2011-07-29 2013-02-07 Time2Ego Method for managing an operation for a watch having a digital display to exit standby mode
US9423776B2 (en) 2011-07-29 2016-08-23 Time2Ego Method for managing an operation for a watch having a digital display to exit standby mode
EP2687921A1 (en) * 2012-07-18 2014-01-22 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Method for enhanced management of an electronic apparatus
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JP2015175764A (en) * 2014-03-17 2015-10-05 シチズンホールディングス株式会社 Electronic clock

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