Patent Grant
9727027
The present invention concerns a watch including an electronic movement driving display means for the analogue display on a dial of at least one additional function in addition to the normal current time display, said at least one function including at least two phases of operation, in each of which the duration of said phase is calculated.
There are known in the prior art timepieces, such as watches, provided with an application specific function, such as for a sport.
A known example of application is a football related application. This football specific function is thus used by referees for measuring the time of different phases of play, such as the halves of the match or periods of extra time.
However, in the example of football, it is only time that is recorded. In fact, there are sports in which occurrences, such as penalty points due to athlete errors or time-related faults, are recorded as well as the measured time.
A known application is to equestrian sport and more specifically show jumping. Show jumping takes place in an arena in which obstacles are placed. The poles that form the obstacles are movable and fall down when they are touched. For the horse and the rider, the object is to jump the various obstacles in a particular order without knocking them down, refusing or avoiding them, and the time taken to jump the various obstacles is measured.
However, there are various point scoring tables or operating modes for classifying the participants.
A first scoring table or operating mode called Table A consists in predefining a set time for jumping the various obstacles. When the rider exceeds this time, penalty points are incurred according to the extra time taken. Penalty points are also added when an obstacle is touched and one of the poles is knocked down. Table A also includes a time limit beyond which the rider is eliminated, such time being equal to twice the set time.
A second scoring system or operating mode called Table C consists in predefining a time limit for jumping the various obstacles. When the rider exceeds this time, he is eliminated. Penalty points are also added when an obstacle is touched and one of the poles is knocked down, these points are converted to additional time which is added to the rider's time.
Thus, a device capable of effectively managing a show jumping competition does not currently exist and known devices can only measure the time taken to jump the various obstacles, and cannot take account of penalties.
The invention concerns a portable object which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a portable object able to perform time measurements, while manually and/or automatically taking account of random occurrences such as penalties.
To this end, the invention concerns a watch comprising an electronic module driving display means for the display of at least one additional function in addition to the normal current time display, said at least one function being controlled by control means and comprising at least one phase using at least one operating mode in which the duration of said phase is measured and compared to a reference value, characterized in that the electronic module also allows at least the manual counting and the display of one type of random occurrences, occurring during said phase, for said at least one operating mode.
In a first advantageous embodiment, said operating mode is a first operating mode in which said measured phase duration is compared to a first reference value and the random occurrences comprise a first type of occurrence, automatically taken into account when said measured phase duration exceeds the first reference value, and a second type of occurrence manually taken into account by the user by means of the control means.
In a second advantageous embodiment, said operating mode is a second operating mode in which said measured phase duration is compared to a second reference value and the random occurrences comprise a third type of occurrence, automatically recorded when said measured phase duration exceeds the second reference value, and a fourth type of occurrence manually recorded by the user by means of the control means.
In a third advantageous embodiment, said additional function phase comprises at least a first operating mode and a second operating mode, the first or second operating mode being selected.
In a fourth advantageous embodiment, in the first operating mode, the first type of occurrence and the second type of occurrence cause a first counting means to be incremented.
In another advantageous embodiment, in the second operating mode, the third type of occurrence causes said phase to stop, and the fourth type of occurrence causes a first counting means to be incremented.
In another advantageous embodiment, the display means comprise a first counter for the display of at least one item of information relating to the management and recording of random occurrences and a central hand associated with a second counter for displaying at least the measurement of said phase duration.
The present invention also concerns a function control method for a portable object, said portable object comprising an electronic module driving display means for the display of at least said additional function in addition to the normal current time display, said at least one function being controlled by control means of the portable object and comprising at least one phase using at least one operating mode, characterized in that the additional function is capable of changing from a rest phase, in which time is not measured, to an operating phase, in which time is measured, said operating phase comprising the following steps:
In a first advantageous embodiment, said operating mode is a first operating mode, in step E in this first operating mode, said measured phase duration is compared to a first reference value and the random occurrences comprise a first type of occurrence, automatically recorded when said measured phase duration exceeds the first reference value, and a second type of occurrence, recorded manually by the user by means of the control means.
In a second advantageous embodiment, said operating mode is a second operating mode, in step E in this second operating mode, said measured phase duration is compared to a second reference value and the random occurrences comprise a third type of occurrence, automatically recorded when said measured phase duration exceeds the second reference value, and a fourth type of occurrence, recorded manually by the user by means of the control means.
In a third advantageous embodiment, the first occurrence and the second occurrence are counted as points.
In a fourth advantageous embodiment, the fourth occurrence is counted as extra time.
In a fifth advantageous embodiment, said additional function phase comprises at least a first operating mode and a second operating mode, the first or second operating mode being selected.
In another advantageous embodiment, the selection of the first or second operating modes for the operating phase is made in a setting phase.
In another advantageous embodiment, the setting phase includes the following steps:
In another advantageous embodiment, for the first operating mode, said time information set during step B is said first reference value, and said random occurrence information set during step C relates to the second type of occurrence.
In another advantageous embodiment, for the second operating mode, said time information set during step B is said second reference value, and said random occurrence information set during step C relates to the fourth type of occurrence.
In another advantageous embodiment, the setting phase is automatic, as the electronic module comprises a communication circuit for directly receiving the setting data.
In another advantageous embodiment, the additional function relates to horse show jumping.
In another advantageous embodiment, said first type of occurrence, automatically recorded when said measured phase duration exceeds the first reference value, is a settable duration and entails incrementing a penalty counter.
In another advantageous embodiment, said second type of occurrence, recorded manually, is a rider fault and entails incrementing a penalty counter.
In another advantageous embodiment, said third type of occurrence, automatically recorded when said measured phase duration exceeds the second reference value, is the elimination of the rider.
In another advantageous embodiment, said second type of occurrence, recorded manually, is a rider fault and entails incrementing the measured duration.
The objects, advantages and features of the portable object according to the present invention will appear more clearly in the following detailed description of at least one embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the annexed drawings, in which:
The electronic timepiece movement or electronic module 6 provides at least one item of time information in order to display the current time comprising the hour, the minutes, the seconds and the date. In a non-limiting example, display means 4 comprise a plurality of display members. These display members for the current time display take the form of a central hour hand 4a, a central minute hand 4b, a counter with a hand 4c at 6 o'clock and an aperture 4d for the date.
The display members could also take the form of discs or the form of electronic display members using LED or LCD technology. These display members make possible an analogue or digital display. For example, it is possible for the electronic display members to permit the virtual representation of a hand moving on a time scale.
The timepiece also includes control means 5 for controlling the various functions of said timepiece 1. These control means comprise control members comprising a crown C, surrounded on either side by a first push-button P1 located at 2 o'clock and a second push-button P2 located at 4 o'clock. Crown C can be pulled out to take 3 positions T1, T2 or T3.
Advantageously, the portable object is configured to permit control of an additional function. This additional function is related to a preferably sporting activity and allows the user to follow and control this activity. In the example of the present description, this activity is an equestrian activity and, more particularly, a show jumping activity. This additional function is able to have several operating modes.
To achieve this, the portable object display means 4 also comprise a central hand 4e for a time indication associated with a scale of 60 seconds, a first counter 4f located at 9 o'clock used for penalties, and a second counter 4g located at 3 o'clock used for a time indication and the indication of the scoring system or operating mode used. The second counter 4g comprises a hand and is divided into several sections 4g′, the section number being equal to the possible number of scoring systems. In the case where there are two scoring systems: Table A and Table C, counter 4g comprises two sections 4g′: a first section 4g′ relating to Table A and a second section 4g′ relating to Table C. Each section 4g′ comprises a scale to which the hand of counter 4g points to indicate time information. Each section 4g′ also carries the name of the Table with which it is associated. The scale of each section 4g′ is divided into 30-second intervals. The total time displayable by each section 4g′ is the maximum time for a show jumping competition, namely two hundred and ten seconds. Of course, the present invention is not limited simply to Table A and Table C and a higher number of scoring systems may be taken into account.
The portable object control means 5 further comprise a third push-button P4 at 10 o'clock used for operation of this additional function. The operations that will be described in the following description are merely illustrative and may be changed.
In a rest phase seen in
In a first phase, also called the preliminary phase or setting phase, the user is invited to set the various parameters. To enter this preliminary phase, a long press is made on push-button P4. Once this setting phase is entered, there are several successive steps.
In a step A, the type of scoring system or operating mode is selected. To change from one scoring system to another, push-button P1 or P2 is pressed. When there is a change of scoring system, the hand of counter 4g moves to point to the letter A or C marked on the scale of the selected section 4g′. Push-button P4 is pressed to validate the scoring system selection. In
In a variant of this step, called A′, a press on push-button P1 selects Table C, whereas a press on push-button P2 selects Table A.
The press on push-button P4 to validate the selection also enables step B to be activated. In step B, the time settings for the course are effected.
If Table A is selected, the user must define the set time for the competition. To do so, he uses push-buttons P1 and P2 to respectively increment or decrement the time, a long press making it possible to increment or decrement more rapidly. Display means 4 are arranged such that central hand 4e starts to rotate to indicate the seconds. For every sixty seconds of elapsed time, the hand of second counter 4g moves along the scale of the first section 4g′. In
If Table C is selected, the user must define the time limit for the competition. To do so, he uses push buttons P1 and P2 to increment or decrement the time, a long press making it possible to increment or decrement more rapidly. Display means 4 are arranged such that central hand 4e starts to rotate to indicate the seconds. For every sixty seconds of elapsed time, the hand of second counter 4g moves along the scale, which is graduated in intervals of thirty seconds. In
In a variant of this step called B′, it is also possible to envisage pre-programmed time limits for Table C. Push-buttons P1 and P2 make it possible to change from one time to another. In such case, only the hand of second counter 4g moves. For example, pre-programmed time limits may be of two or three minutes.
Once the time is set for Table A or Table C, push-button P4 is pressed to validate the setting and to change to the next step.
In a step C, the penalty settings are made, these penalties are random occurrences managed by the electronic timepiece movement or electronic module 6. To achieve this, a query is made as to the type of scoring table and more specifically, a query is made as to whether Table A is selected.
If affirmative, the user is offered the possibility of choosing between the different possible types of penalties or random occurrences. In fact, in Table A, the penalty for knocking down an obstacle is four points and penalties for exceeding the set time depend on the time taken. One penalty point is incurred per duration of time over the set time. For example, one penalty point is incurred for every second or for every four seconds over the set time. This is the type of penalty that is set by the user, who utilises push-buttons P1 and P2 to change the configuration of 1 pt/sec or 1 pt/4 sec.
To indicate the time, the hand of first counter 4f moves on the scale which corresponds to 1 or 4, position 1 meaning 1 pt/sec whereas position 4 means 1 pt/4 sec. In
If the response to the query is negative, i.e. Table C is selected, the user is offered the possibility of setting the penalty value. In fact, under Table C, penalties are only incurred for knocking down an obstacle and are converted to additional time added to the rider's time. This additional time is configurable and may have a value of two or three or four seconds. Push-buttons P1 and P2 are then used respectively to increment or decrement the penalty time.
To indicate the time, the hand of first counter 4f moves on its scale which corresponds to two, three or four, respectively meaning an additional 2 seconds, 3 seconds or 4 seconds per penalty. In
Once the penalties have been set for Table A or Table C, push-button P4 is pressed to validate the setting and to return to the setting of the scoring table. A long press is made on push-button P4 to exit the setting phase and to enter the rest phase.
Of course, this first phase is optional. Indeed, electronic timepiece movement 6 could include a wireless communication circuit of the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth or RFID type to directly receive information about the competition and to ensure mistakes are not made.
The long press is made on push-button P4 to exit the rest phase and enter straight into a second phase also called the competition phase or operating phase. In this second phase, the user can manage a rider's competition by timing him and tracking and recording his penalties. In this second phase, central hand 4e is in the zero position, the hand of first counter 4f is in the zero position, whereas the hand of second counter 4g points to the zero position in the section 4g′ relating to the selected scoring system as seen in
A press on push-button P4 causes electronic timepiece module 6 to enter a countdown step D. This countdown is used in a preparatory phase in which the rider and his horse are preparing to jump the course. A second press on push-button P4 starts the countdown, which is 45 seconds. A press on push-button P1 can stop and resume the countdown, whereas a press on push-button P1 returns the countdown to zero. When the countdown reaches zero or the user presses on push-button P4, the countdown ends and step E starts.
In a variant of this step called D′, the countdown is configured such that, following the press on push-button P4 to start said countdown, the hand is instantaneously moved in a rotation (1) from its rest position 0 to position 15 on said scale and then starts a countdown as seen in
Step E consists in managing the jumping of the course by the rider. The end of the countdown automatically causes the chronometer to start. Central hand 4e is then instantaneously placed in position 0 and then starts to rotate at a rate of one step per second.
In the case of Table A, when central hand 4e makes one revolution, the hand of second counter 4g moves and goes to the 60-second scale graduation. In
When a fault of the rider causes an obstacle to fall, a penalty is recorded by a first counting means. This penalty is added by one press on push-button P2. The penalties counted by the first counting means are displayed by first counter 4f. The hand of this first counter 4f moves on the scale at a rate of 4 points per penalty, as seen in
When the set time is exceeded, central hand 4e continues to move but penalty points are added. According to the setting made in step C, one penalty point is added on first counter 4f for 4 seconds over the predefined time of 2 minutes 38 seconds. In
Once the rider has crossed the finish line, a press on push-button P4 stops the time measuring phase.
In the case of Table C, when central hand 4e makes one revolution, the hand of second counter 4g moves and goes to the 60-second scale graduation of section 4g′ relating to Table C.
When a fault of the rider causes an obstacle to fall, a penalty is counted by the first counting means. This penalty is added by one press on push-button P2. This penalty counted by the first counting means is displayed by an advance of central hand 4e. Indeed, under Table C, each fault of the rider results in additional time. This additional time is added to the time measured in said step E. Central hand 4e advances instantaneously and automatically by two, three or four seconds.
When the time limit is exceeded, central hand 4e stops, meaning that the rider is eliminated. If the time limit is not reached, once the rider has crossed the finish line, a press on push-button P4 stops the time measuring phase.
This press on push-button P4 makes it possible to stop the time measurement and change to a step F.
Step F is a step in which the information about the rider's round is displayed to the user.
In the case of Table A, the information displayed is time information from central hand 4e, from the hand of second counter 4g and penalty information from first counter 4f.
In the case of Table C, the user is given the choice of the type of information to be displayed. In fact, the user is given the possibility of displaying the total time, i.e. including penalties due to faults, or of separating the time taken by the rider to complete the round and the penalties.
To achieve this, electronic timepiece module 6 is able to store the number of penalties via the first counting means. Since the time value of a penalty is set by the user, electronic module 6 is capable of subtracting the added penalty time from the total time. The round time is then displayed by central hand 4e, while the number of penalties is displayed on first counter 4f. This ability to separate the round time and the number of penalties allows the rider to know his net round time, i.e. without the penalties. In an example seen in
In the case, seen in
In the case, seen in
A press on push-button P4 exits step F and returns said counters to zero so that the time and penalties of another rider can be measured.
In an alternative, control means 5 take a form other than push-buttons.
Firstly, the control means may comprise touch means in addition to crown C. These touch means may be located on crystal 2b and/or on case 2. When the touch means are arranged on case 2, they may be located on the case middle 2a or on bezel 2d.
Secondly, control means 5 may use bezel 2d as a rotating bezel for selection. In an embodiment example, bezel 2d comprises a cam cooperating with push-button type control means placed inside case middle 2a. When the bezel is made to rotate, the cam transforms this rotational motion into a translational motion applied to the control members. For example, a clockwise rotation allows a first control member to be acted on, whereas an anti-clockwise rotation allows a second control member to be acted on. Bezel 2d also comprises resilient means attached to said bezel and to case middle 2a to achieve an elastic return when the user releases said bezel 2d.
In a variant of step E called E′, it is possible to incorporate a rule specific to show jumping. Indeed, electronic module 6 is able to manage any interruption that may occur and which requires the time measurement to be stopped to avoid penalising the rider. Two types of interruption are envisaged: a first type of interruption is external and may consist of an unauthorised entry onto the course. A second type of interruption is internal and may be, for example, the refusal of a horse to jump the obstacle. The consequence differs depending on the type of interruption.
Indeed, an external interruption is not considered to be due to the rider and is not sanctioned. Consequently, in the event of such an interruption, a press on push-button P1 stops the time measurement. Another press on push-button P1 causes the time measurement to resume from where it stopped.
Conversely, an internal interruption is considered to be the responsibility of the rider and is sanctioned. Consequently, in the event of such an interruption, a press on push-button P1 stops the time measurement. A long press on push-button P1 allows the time measurement to resume from where it stopped while adding a time penalty. This time penalty is defined as being equal to six seconds.
In a variant, display means 4 comprise a second central hand 4e′. This second central hand 4e′ is used for the display of the hundredths of a second so that when the time measurement is stopped, this hand moves on a scale graduation to indicate the hundredths of measured time.
It will be clear that various alterations and/or improvements evident to those skilled in the art may be made to the various embodiments of the invention described in this description without departing from the scope of the invention.
Thus, it is possible to envisage the watch or portable object 1 also being able to perform a conventional chronograph function. To achieve this, display means 4 comprise at least one central chronograph hand. To enter the chronograph mode, the user presses on push-button P4 for a longer duration than that required to enter the first phase or the second phase. This central chronograph hand is used for 60-second timing, i.e. one revolution of the dial.
Likewise, it will be understood that the timepiece movement may be purely mechanical.
It will also be understood that the portable object according to the present invention is not limited to an equestrian activity and may be used for an activity such as a biathlon or kayaking.
Finally, it will be understood that the portable object according to the invention is capable of simply displaying penalty points.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14150840 | Jan 2014 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2014/077408 | 12/11/2014 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2015/104129 | 7/16/2015 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20160327914 A1 | Nov 2016 | US |
