EP3379348A1 - Universal moon phase display - Google Patents

Abstract

A universal moon phase display device (10) for a watch (1000), comprising first means (1) for calculating or receiving the date, second means (2) for receiving a geolocation signal, and third means (3) for calculating or receiving a lunar calendar (4) with the correlation between the date and the moon phase, position calculation means (5) arranged to transform the moon phase of the day into a first angular position value of a first display (6) which comprises said device (10) and which comprises a normal moon representation (11), and further arranged to determine the northern or southern hemisphere in which the device is located ( 10), for controlling the direction of rotation of first drive means (7) that comprises the device (10) for driving the first display (6), in opposite directions in the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a universal moon phase display device for a watch, comprising first calculation means or reception of the current date and second means of receiving a geolocation and / or indication signal. of the terrestrial hemisphere of the place.

The invention relates to a watch comprising at least one such device.

The invention relates to a portable assembly comprising such a watch and a mobile telephone device arranged to provide a signal or information geolocation and / or indication of the terrestrial hemisphere of the place, and / or date to such a device that includes said watch.

The invention relates to the field of moon phase displays for watches.

Background of the invention

The display of moon phases on a watch is a complication which, although old and very popular, often provides a very rough display, generally designed for European users or regions close to the 45 ° parallel north. Executions for users in the southern hemisphere, where the appearance of the moon is reversed, are specific and therefore more expensive, and versatile displays for both hemispheres are prohibitively expensive.

Moon phases appear differently in the northern, southern or near the equator hemisphere.

Most moonlit watches offer a display suitable for temperate regions, but this display is no longer compatible with the appearance of the moon seen from tropical or equatorial regions.

Summary of the invention

The invention proposes to provide the user with a moon phase display coherent with the place where it is located.

To this end, the invention relates to a universal moon phase display device for a watch, according to claim 1.

The invention relates to a watch comprising at least one such device.

The invention relates to a portable assembly comprising such a watch and a mobile telephone device arranged to provide a signal or information geolocation and / or indication of the terrestrial hemisphere of the place, and / or date to such a device that includes said watch.

Brief description of the drawings

• la figure 1 représente, sous forme d'un schéma-blocs, un ensemble portatif comportant une montre et un appareil de téléphonie mobile agencé pour fournir un signal ou une information de géolocalisation et/ou d'indication de l'hémisphère terrestre du lieu, et/ou de date à un dispositif selon l'invention, que comporte la montre;
• la figure 2 représente, de façon similaire à la figure 1, ce dispositif et ses principaux éléments constituants ;
• lees figures 3N et 3S illustrent respectivement le sens de défilement de la lune dans l'hémisphère nord et dans l'hémisphère sud, la représentation de la lune étant apposée sur un premier afficheur qui est un disque ici mobile par rapport à un deuxième afficheur qui est ici un cache fixe ;
• les figures 4N et 4S illustrent de la même façon les représentations distinctes de la lune, au même instant, dans ces deux hémisphères ;
• la figure 5 représente, de façon schématisée et en vue de face, un premier afficheur avec une représentation unique de la lune ;
• la figure 6 représente ce même premier afficheur derrière un deuxième afficheur figurant un horizon excentré, tel que visible à certaines latitudes;
• la figure 7 représente, de façon similaire, un premier afficheur avec deux représentations de la lune, une lune normale et une lune rousse;
• la figure 8 représente le premier afficheur de la figure 5, mû par un moteur à sens de rotation unique mais à vitesse variable, derrière un deuxième afficheur utilisable pour les deux hémisphères nord et sud ;
• la figure 9 illustre les différents aspects d'une même phase de lune, au même instant, à différentes latitudes ;
• la figure 10 illustre la succession des phases de lune, et leur sens, dans les deux hémisphères nord et sur ;
• la figure 11 est un algorithme de commande de l'affichage des phases de lune ;
• la figure 12 est un autre exemple d'algorithme de commande ;
• la figure 13 est un algorithme de gestion de lune rousse ;
• la figure 14 est un algorithme de translation du second afficheur par rapport au premier afficheur ;
• la figure 15 est un algorithme de gestion de vitesse pour un afficheur à mouvement accéléré ;
• les figures 16 et 17 illustrent la succession des phases de lune, avec des deuxièmes afficheurs particuliers, convenant bien à la représentation dans les zones tropicales ;
• la figure 18 illustre un exemple de masque combiné sur un deuxième afficheur conçu pour être manoeuvré en translation pour s'adapter au mieux à une plage de latitudes prédéfinies ; la figure 19 illustre un autre exemple de tel masque combiné.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 represents, in the form of a block diagram, a portable assembly comprising a watch and a mobile telephone device arranged to provide a signal or information of geolocation and / or indication of the terrestrial hemisphere of the place, and / or date to a device according to the invention, that includes the watch;
• the figure 2 represents, similarly to the figure 1 this device and its main constituent elements;
• lees Figures 3N and 3S illustrate respectively the direction of movement of the moon in the northern hemisphere and in the southern hemisphere, the representation of the moon being affixed on a first display which is a disk here mobile with respect to a second display which is here a fixed cache ;
• the Figures 4N and 4S similarly illustrate the distinct representations of the moon, at the same moment, in these two hemispheres;
• the figure 5 represents, schematically and in front view, a first display with a unique representation of the moon;
• the figure 6 represents the same first display behind a second display showing an eccentric horizon, as visible at certain latitudes;
• the figure 7 represents, in a similar way, a first display with two representations of the moon, a normal moon and a red moon;
• the figure 8 represents the first display of the figure 5 powered by a single but variable speed motor, behind a second display that can be used for both north and south hemispheres;
• the figure 9 illustrates the different aspects of the same moon phase, at the same time, at different latitudes;
• the figure 10 illustrates the succession of moon phases, and their meaning, in the two northern hemispheres and on;
• the figure 11 is an algorithm for controlling the display of moon phases;
• the figure 12 is another example of a control algorithm;
• the figure 13 is a red moon management algorithm;
• the figure 14 is a translation algorithm of the second display relative to the first display;
• the figure 15 is a speed management algorithm for an accelerated motion display;
• the figures 16 and 17 illustrate the succession of moon phases, with second special displays, well suited to representation in the tropics;
• the figure 18 illustrates an example of a combined mask on a second display designed to be manipulated in translation to best adapt to a range of predefined latitudes; the figure 19 illustrates another example of such a combined mask.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The invention thus relates to a universal moon phase display device 10 for a watch 1000.

This device 10 comprises first means 1 for calculating or receiving the current date, and second means 2 for receiving a geolocation signal.

The device 10 conventionally comprises at least a first display 6, which comprises at least one normal moon representation 11. The device 10 comprises first drive means 7 for driving this first display 6.

According to the invention, this device 10 comprises third means 3 for calculating or receiving a lunar calendar 4, which comprises at least the correlation between the date and the moon phase.

This device 10 also comprises position calculation means 5, which are arranged to transform the moon phase of the day into a first value of angular position aL of the first display 6, which is including but not limited to a moon disk.

These position calculation means 5 are further arranged to determine the northern or southern hemisphere in which the device 10 is located, to control the direction of rotation of the first drive means 7 to drive the first display 6, in a first sense in the northern hemisphere or in a second opposite direction in the southern hemisphere.

The Figures 3N and 3S illustrate respectively the moon's direction of movement in the northern hemisphere and in the southern hemisphere.

The Figures 4N and 4S similarly illustrate the distinct representations of the moon, at the same time, in these two hemispheres.

More particularly, the first drive means 7 comprise at least a first electric motor, which is arranged to rotate in both directions of rotation, so as to drive the first display 6 in a first direction between a start of lunation position and an end of lunation position so as to perform a complete race in a lunar month, with a limited angular stroke and strictly less than 360 °, and so as to drive the first display 6, at the end of a lunation, in a second opposite direction in the first direction between the end of lunation position and the start of lunation position in a substantially instantaneous fast retrograde motion.

The figure 5 illustrates a first display 6 which has a unique moon representation which is the normal moon representation 11.

This particular arrangement, with a first electric motor arranged to rotate in both directions of rotation, also makes it possible to use the same first display 6 which comprises several representations of the moon, such as that of the figure 7 , which has a normal moon representation 11 and a red moon representation 12, which are diametrically opposed in the particular example of this figure 7 . To sink to display the element in opposition to the appropriate representation of the moon, the first display 6 to go back and forth, which allow the two directions of rotation of the first electric motor.

In a particular variant, the lunar calendar 4 includes the dates of total lunar eclipses and red moon days, and the first display 6 then comprises, according to distinct angular positions, at least one normal moon representation 11 which is displayed by default and at least one 12. The position calculating means 5 are arranged to control an appropriate rotation of the first driving means 7 to substitute a red moon representation 12 for a normal moon representation 11, when the current date corresponds to a red moon date. For example, the normal moon representation 11 is diametrically opposed to the red moon representation 12 on the same moon disk, and the position calculation means 5 control a rotation offset by 180 ° in the case of a red moon, compared to calculated for a normal moon. The red moon is predictable, after total lunar eclipses and after the full April moon, and the lunar calendar 4 can easily handle the dates. As eclipses and red moons are predictable events in the long run, it does not. It is not essential to calculate the position of the day in the lunar month, if it was done beforehand once and for all. To determine them one can resort, or to an external resource, or to an internal memory.

In a particular variant, the device 10 comprises a second display 8, which comprises at least one horizon representation with respect to which is movable the first display 6. More particularly, this second display 8 constitutes a cache overlay of a part of the first display 6. This second display 8 may constitute a conventional static mask. More particularly, this second display 8 is movable at least in a concentric rotation with the first display 6, to allow a realistic rendering of the moon phase. More particularly still, this second display 8 is mobile at least in a translation, in particular but not limitatively radial, with respect to the first display 6.

The Figures 3 and 4 show classic profiles of the second display 8, in use on the usual moon phases for temperate regions. The figure 6 illustrates another variant of representation. Indeed, the tropical, equatorial and polar regions require caches of different shapes to better materialize the real appearance of the moon in these regions, during its different phases, as shown in particular by the figures 16 and 17 designed for the tropics. The figure 18 illustrates an example of a mask on a second display 8 designed to be maneuvered in translation to best adapt to a range of predefined latitudes, and successively comprises the mask of figures 3 and4, and those of figures 16 and 17 . The figure 19 illustrates another example of a combined mask which successively comprises the mask of Figures 6 and 3 .

The position calculating means 5 can advantageously use the second means 2 for receiving a geolocation signal to determine the latitude of the place. Using this setting may allow a display with a much more realistic rendering of the moon's appearance. This realistic display can be obtained with the use, for certain latitudes, of a second particular display 8, as visible on the figures 16 or 17 where this second display 8 is stationary after its introduction in superposition with the first display 6 which alone is mobile, especially in rotation.

In a particular variant, the second display 8 is movable relative to the first display 6, in rotation or / and in translation. More particularly, the second display 8 is mobile at least in a radial translation with respect to the first display 6.

Thus, in an advantageous variant, the position calculating means 5 are designed to calculate the latitude of the place where the device 10 is located, and to control second drive means 9 that the device 10 comprises for driving the second display 8 compared to the first display 6.

The figure 16 , numbered in sequence from 16.1 to 16.12, and 17, numbered in sequence from 17.1 to 17.12, illustrate two nonlimiting examples of particular configurations of the second display 8.

Preferably, the device 10 thus comprises an electromechanical mechanism for moving the horizon. In a particularly simple embodiment, a rack is driven using a pinion coupled to the motor. One can also use another principle with only pivoting (without translation), with a simple pivoting of the horizon, or with a pantograph type system.

The taking into account of the latitude for a realistic display, with a mobile horizon at least in rotation with respect to the moon disk, but also in a particular variant in radial translation with respect to the axis of the moon disk, makes it possible to offer a feature that is generally not well handled in moon phase displays.

In a particular variant, the first drive means 7 comprise at least a first electric motor which is arranged to rotate in a single direction of rotation. And the position calculation means 5 are then arranged for controlling the speed of the first driving means 7, so as to drive the first display 6 at a first speed, in a first race where the at least one normal moon representation 11 is visible, between a starting position of lunation and an end of lunation position so as to perform a complete race in a lunar month, with a limited angular stroke and strictly less than 360 °, and so as to drive the first display 6, at the end of a lunation, at a second speed at least thirty times greater than the first speed, in a second race where the at least one normal moon representation 11 is not visible, between the end position of the lunation and the starting position of a lunation in a movement of shorter duration or equal to one day.

The figure 8 illustrates such a configuration, with a first display 6 having a single normal moon representation 11, and which always turns in the same direction. In the northern hemisphere, as shown, the normal moon representation 11 passes from the cover A to the cover B of the second display 8, remains hidden under the part B at the end of the lunation, then goes back directly under the cover A to start a new one period. In the southern hemisphere, it is the opposite: the normal moon 11 representation goes from the cover B to the cover A of the second display 8, remains hidden under the part A at the end of the lunation, then goes back directly under the cover B to start a new period.

In a variant, the first calculation means 1 or the reception of the current date are means for receiving a signal transmitted by a satellite or by a mobile telephone device 100 arranged to be worn by the user of the shows 1000.

In a variant, the second means 2 for receiving a geolocation and / or indication signal from the terrestrial terrestrial hemisphere are means for receiving a signal transmitted by a satellite or by a mobile telephone device 100 arranged to be worn by the user of the watch 100.

In a variant, the third means 3 for computing or receiving a lunar calendar 4 are means for receiving a signal transmitted by a satellite or by a mobile telephone device 100 arranged to be worn by the user of the shows 1000.

Such a mobile telephone apparatus 100 may consist of a "smartphone" or the like, with which the watch 1000 may exchange information, without necessarily involving user action.

More particularly, a method "WOP watch optical programming" transmission between a mobile phone device 100 and a watch 1000 makes it possible to transmit the location of the user to the watch, and the modification of the display of moon phases , or other displays, such as sunrise and sunset, or tides. Other protocols such as "Bluetooth Low Energy" or "NFC" can be used to send this information to the watch.

• « GPS » qui donne la longitude et latitude ;
• présence dans un pays qui est déterminé à la fois par le « GPS » et le réseau cellulaire auquel le téléphone est connecté.

The location of the user is known to the mobile telephone apparatus 100 by different techniques:

• "GPS" which gives longitude and latitude;
• presence in a country that is determined by both the "GPS" and the cellular network to which the phone is connected.

• latitude: positive dans l'hémisphère Nord - négative dans l'hémisphère Sud ;
• quelques bits codant (2 bits): hémisphère Nord - Sud - Equateur - Pôle
• code du pays utilisé pour déterminer si la correction d'heure d'été (DST ou Daylignt Saving Time) doit être faite.

The mobile telephone apparatus 100 can transmit this information in various formats:

• latitude: positive in the northern hemisphere - negative in the southern hemisphere;
• some bits coding (2 bits): hemisphere North - South - Ecuador - Pole
• the country code used to determine if DST or Daylignt Saving Time is to be done.

For the calculation of moon phases, the "WOP" protocol transmits the date, so that the moon disk can indicate the correct moon phase. The moon period is 29.53 days, it is customary to describe the appearance of the moon in lunar days numbered from 1 to 29, the lunar cycle is usually divided into 8 phases, each lasting about 88 hours.

These phases are, in the northern hemisphere and in this order, visible on the figure 10 : new moon 10.1, evening croissant 10.2, first quarter 10.3, increasing gibbous moon 10.4, full moon 10.5, waning gibbous moon 10.6, last quarter 10.7, morning crescent 10.8.

While in the southern hemisphere, on the same figure 10 In this order we have: Evening Crescent 10.8, First Ward 10.7, Increasing Gibbous Moon 10.6, Full Moon 10.5, Waxing Gibbous Moon 10.4, Last Ward 10.3, Morning Crescent 10.2, New Moon 10.1.

To calculate the moon day at a certain date, it is necessary to know the moon day on a given date, to calculate the number of days until the date considered, and to perform a division modulo 29,53, of which the result represents the moon agenda.

The invention also relates to a watch 1000 comprising at least one such device 10.

The invention also relates to a portable assembly 2000, including such a watch 1000, and a mobile telephone apparatus 100 arranged to provide a signal or information geolocation and / or indication of the terrestrial hemisphere of the place, and / or of date to a device 10 that includes the watch 1000.

The figure 11 illustrates a non-limiting example of a control algorithm for the display of moon phases. At the level of the watch 1000, the function 110 is the management of the time of the watch, in 111 occurs the test performed at midnight. The calculation of the lunar day is done in 112 according to the elements received from the mobile telephone apparatus 100: 116 "GPS" location or the like; 117 recourse to a memory or a server for the determination of total lunar eclipses and red moons; 118 transfer to the watch. Step 113 is that of the calculation of the moon phase, taking into account the date and the location, and in particular the hemisphere, supplemented if necessary by the occurrence at 114 of eclipse or moon red, for display in 115 of the moon phase, with the appropriate moon type (normal moon or red moon).

The figure 12 illustrates another nonlimiting example of an algorithm: 120 search for the hemisphere; 121 use of geolocation and / or indication of the terrestrial hemisphere of the place; 123 determination of the hemisphere; 124 direction of rotation of the motor of the first display; 124 taking into account the latitude for the orientation of the moon at 125; searching for the date in 126 with internal direct calculation or external recourse in 1260, to determine the date in 127; search of the lunar calendar in 128; internal, or external recourse in 1280, to determine in 129 the angle of rotation aL imposed on the motor 7.

The figure 13 illustrates a red-moon management algorithm, with in 130 looking for a red moon, internally or externally in 1300, to determine at 131 the appearance of the moon, and choose, at 132, to maintain the angular control of the motor in 133 in case of a white moon, or to print an angular phase shift in 134.

The figure 14 illustrates a translation algorithm of the second display 8 with respect to the first display 6, after the determination of the orientation and the latitude, in 140 calculation of the offset, 141 rotational coupling, and relative translation.

The figure 15 illustrates a speed management algorithm for an accelerated display: in 150 end of lunation test, in 151 acceleration of the engine in 152 resumption of normal speed.

In sum, an algorithm can accurately predict the appearance of the phase of the moon according to the date. Geolocation and / or indication of the terrestrial hemisphere of the place makes it possible to modify the appearance and direction of rotation of the first display 6, in particular a moon disk.

The connection between a mobile phone device 100 and a watch 1000 allows automatic adjustment, without user intervention.

• l'affichage de la phase de lune est juste par rapport à la date du jour et à l'hémisphère du lieu où se situe la monter ;
• le réglage est simplifié ;
• il suffit d'un disque avec une seule lune, dans la variante simple où on ne gère pas l'affichage de la lune rousse ;
• la variante où on gère l'affichage de la lune rousse ne nécessite que l'adaptation du disque de lune avec le rajout d'une représentation de la lune rousse ;
• l'utilisation de la latitude du lieu transmise par géolocalisation permet d'affiner les affichages de phases de lune dans les régions équatoriale, tropicales, et polaires, ce qui n'était possible jusque-là qu'avec de rares pièces de haute horlogerie de cout très élevé,
• l'affichage des marées peut avantageusement couplé à celui des lunes. Le lien avec une ressource externe est particulièrement intéressant puisqu'il permet de prendre en compte les spécificités des côtes. Il est possible, ou bien de transférer les heures pré-calculées de marées hautes, basses, et du marnage, ou bien de transmettre les valeurs pour le jour courant, et de recalculer les valeurs futures à l'aide d'un polynôme dont on envoie les coefficients à la montre;
• la prise en compte d'une correction d'heure d'été peut être faite par la liaison entre un appareil de téléphonie mobile et la montre, et est nécessaire dans le cas de gestion d'horaire des marées.

The invention offers different advantages:

• the display of the moon phase is just in relation to the date of the day and the hemisphere of the place where it is mounted;
• the setting is simplified;
• it is enough for a disc with a single moon, in the simple variant where one does not manage the display of the red moon;
• the variant where we manage the display of the red moon only requires the adaptation of the moon disk with the addition of a representation of the red moon;
• the use of location latitude transmitted by geolocation makes it possible to refine the moon phase displays in the equatorial, tropical and polar regions, which was possible until now only with rare Haute Horlogerie watches. very high cost,
• the display of the tides can advantageously coupled with that of the moons. The link with an external resource is particularly interesting since it allows to take into account the specificities of the coasts. It is possible either to transfer the pre-calculated hours of high, low, and tidal tides, or to transmit the values for the current day, and to recalculate the future values using a polynomial of which one sends the coefficients to the watch;
• the taking into account of a summer time correction can be made by the connection between a mobile phone device and the watch, and is necessary in the case of management of tide schedule.

Claims (13)

A universal moon phase display device (10) for a watch (1000), comprising first means (1) for calculating or receiving the current date and second means (2) for receiving a signal of geolocation and / or indication of the terrestrial hemisphere of the place, characterized in that said device (10) comprises third means (3) for calculating or receiving a lunar calendar (4) which comprises at least the correlation between the date and the moon phase, position calculation means (5) arranged to transform the moon phase of the day into a first angular position value (aL) of a first display (6) that comprises said device ( 10) and which comprises at least one normal moon representation (11), and in that said position calculating means (5) are further arranged to determine the northern or southern hemisphere in which said device (10) is located, for controlling the direction of rotation of first driving means said device (10) for driving said first display (6), in a first direction in the northern hemisphere or in a second opposite direction in the southern hemisphere. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first drive means (7) comprise at least a first electric motor arranged to rotate in both directions of rotation, so as to drive said first display (6) in a first direction between a start of lunation position and an end of lunation position so as to perform a complete race in a lunar month, with a limited angular travel and strictly less than 360 °, and so as to drive said first display ( 6), at the end of a lunation, in a second direction opposite to said first direction between said end of lunation position and said lunar start position in a substantially instantaneous fast retrograde motion. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said first display (6) comprises a single moon representation which is said normal moon representation (11). Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said lunar calendar (4) comprises the dates of total lunar eclipses and red moon days, in that said first display (6) comprises, according to positions angular, at least one said normal moon representation (11) which is displayed by default and at least one red moon representation (12), and in that said position calculating means (5) are arranged to control an appropriate rotation of said first driving means (7) to substitute a red moon representation (12) for a normal moon representation (11) when the current date corresponds on a red moon date. Device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said device (10) comprises a second display (8) comprising at least one horizon representation with respect to which is movable said first display (6) . Device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that said second display (8) is movable at least in a concentric rotation with said first display (6). Device (10) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said second display (8) is movable at least in radial translation relative to said first display (6). Device (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said position calculating means (5) are arranged to calculate the latitude of the place where said device (10) is located, and to control second drive means (9) comprises said device (10) for driving said second display (8) relative to said first display (6). Device (10) according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that said first drive means (7) comprise at least a first electric motor arranged to rotate in a single direction of rotation, and in that said means position calculator (5) are arranged to control the speed of said first drive means (7) so as to drive said first display (6) at a first speed, in a first race where said at least one normal moon representation (11) is visible, between a starting position of a lunation and a position of end of a lunation so as to perform a complete race in a lunar month, with a limited angular travel and strictly less than 360 °, and so as to cause said first display (6), at the end of a lunation, at a second speed at least thirty times greater than said first speed, in a second race where said at least one moon representation no rmale (11) is not visible, between said end of lunation position and said starting position of lunation in a movement of duration less than or equal to one day. Device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said first means (2) for calculating or receiving the current date are means for receiving a signal transmitted by a satellite or by a mobile telephone apparatus (100) arranged to be worn by the user of said watch (1000). Device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said second means (2) for receiving a geolocation signal and / or indicating the terrestrial hemisphere of the place are means of reception a signal transmitted by a satellite or by a mobile telephone apparatus (100) arranged to be worn by the user of said watch (1000). Watch (1000) comprising at least one device (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 11. A portable assembly (2000) comprising a watch (1000) according to claim 12 and a mobile telephone apparatus (100) arranged to provide a signal or information of geolocation and / or indication of the terrestrial hemisphere of the place, and / or date to a said device (10) that includes said watch (1000).

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