Case 2:23-cv-00083-RWS-RSP Document 71-4 Filed 06/21/24 Page 1 of 12 PageID #: 648
`Case 2:23-cv-00083-RWS-RSP Document 71-4 Filed 06/21/24 Page 1 of 12 PagelD #: 648
`
`EXHIBIT C
`EXHIBIT C
`
`

`

`USOO8588033B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Pozzo Di Borgo et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,588,033 B2
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`(54) WRISTWATCH WITH ELECTRONIC
`DISPLAY
`
`(71) Applicant: Comme Le Temps SA, Saint-Prex (CH)
`(72) Inventors: Pascal Pozzo Di Borgo, Montreux (CH):
`Jorg Hysek, Monaco (MC)
`(73) Assignee: Comme le Temps SA, St-Prex (CH)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/631,116
`(22) Filed:
`Sep. 28, 2012
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2013/O142O16A1
`Jun. 6, 2013
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,097.390 A * 8/2000 Marks ........................... 71.5/772
`6,308,061 B1 * 10/2001 Criss et al. ..
`... 455,418
`6,601,988 B2 * 8/2003 Molander ...
`... 368,187
`3/2004 Biggs .............................. 368,82
`6,714.486 B2*
`7,274,375 B1* 9/2007 David ...
`... 345,619
`7,751,285 B1* 7/2010 Cain ............................... 368,82
`7,859,947 B2 * 12/2010 Kawai ............................. 368, 10
`2001/0055244 A1* 12/2001 Kim ................................ 368,73
`2003/0214885 A1 11/2003 Powell et al.
`2005/0278757 A1 12/2005 Grossman et al.
`2008/O186808 A1* 8, 2008 Lee ................................. 368, 10
`2012/0092383 A1* 4/2012 Hysek et al. .................. 345,684
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`24.25370 A 10, 2006
`GB
`WO WO-2006 111481 A2 10, 2006
`WO WO-2011 (0.00893 A1
`1, 2011
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation
`of
`application
`PCT/EP2011/054873, filed on Mar. 30, 2011.
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(30)
`
`Mechanical Software 3D Screensaver, CNET, Apr. 28, 2011, 2 pages
`URL:http://download.cnet.com/Mechanical-Clock-3D
`Screensaver/3000-2257 4-10575385.html.
`
`No.
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner — Amy Cohen Johnson
`Assistant Examiner — Matthew Powell
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Blank Rome LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Method for displaying the time in a wristwatch furnished with
`an electronic display (4) allowing the display of a simulated
`mechanical watch movement and of time indicators (20) So as
`to simulate a mechanical watch. The time displayed is advan
`tageously calculated on the basis of the simulation of the
`movement and depends on the acceleration measured by an
`accelerometer.
`
`19 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`Mar. 30, 2010 (CH) ......................................... 463/10
`(51) Int. Cl.
`G04G 9/00
`G04G 9/02
`G04G 2L/08
`G04G 3/00
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ............... 368/82; 368/223; 368/239; 368/69;
`345/173; 715/863
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2010.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ...................................... 368/82, 239, 223, 69
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`
`
`Case 2:23-cv-00083-RWS-RSP Document 71-4 Filed 06/21/24 Page 2 of 12 PageID #: 649
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 8,588,033 B2
`
`
`
`Case 2:23-cv-00083-RWS-RSP Document 71-4 Filed 06/21/24 Page 3 of 12 PageID #: 650
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 8,588,033 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Case 2:23-cv-00083-RWS-RSP Document 71-4 Filed 06/21/24 Page 4 of 12 PageID #: 651
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 8,588,033 B2
`
`
`
`Case 2:23-cv-00083-RWS-RSP Document 71-4 Filed 06/21/24 Page 5 of 12 PageID #: 652
`
`Fig. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 19, 2013
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 8,588,033 B2
`
`f
`
`t
`
`
`
`HA D
`
`S.
`
`S.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Case 2:23-cv-00083-RWS-RSP Document 71-4 Filed 06/21/24 Page 6 of 12 PageID #: 653
`
`

`

`1.
`WRSTWATCH WITH ELECTRONIC
`DISPLAY
`
`US 8,588,033 B2
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`The present invention is a continuation of International
`Application PCT/EP2011/054873, filed on Mar. 30, 2011, the
`contents of which is herewith enclosed by reference. It claims
`priority from Swiss Patent Application CH2010/0463, filed
`on Mar. 30, 2010, the contents of which is herewith enclosed
`by reference.
`
`10
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention pertains to a wristwatch, in particular
`an electronic wristwatch having a high-resolution display
`SCC.
`
`15
`
`STATE OF THE ART
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`Wristwatches can be classified into two main families
`depending on the type of movement used. Electronic watches,
`most often regulated by a quartz crystal, have the advantage of
`great accuracy and moderate cost thanks to industrial manu
`facturing technology. The time calculated by electronic
`25
`watches is most often displayed in digital fashion on a liquid
`crystal segment display or sometimes by means of hands
`driven by a stepping motor whose running is regulated by the
`quartz. Liquid crystal segment displays have the disadvantage
`of a limited contrast making it uncomfortable to read the
`digital symbols formed by the segments, notably in low ambi
`ent light. Stepping motors generally cause a jerky displace
`ment of the hands, considered unquiet and not representative
`of the continuous passing of time.
`Mechanical movements make it possible to display the
`time by means of hands or other indicators moving in near
`continuous manner whilst making the reading comfortable,
`even when the ambient light is low. Furthermore, the extraor
`dinary ingenuity of some mechanical movements and the
`possibility of showcasing their components is considered
`fascinating by many users, notably in the case of skeleton
`watches that enable parts of the movement to be admired
`through the watch crystal and the dial. Mechanical watches
`thus generate considerable interest and there is an established
`commercial need for mechanical watches with a dial ani
`mated by the elements of the movement in motion.
`The manufacture of mechanical movements, however, is
`complex, so that mechanical movements are generally more
`expensive than electronic movements. This is in particular the
`case of mechanical movements with grand complications or
`when the movement needs to be decorated or machined so as
`to be permanently visible behind the watch crystal. Mechani
`cal watches displaying their complications are thus almost
`exclusively reserved to the upper segment of the luxury watch
`market. Furthermore, only a small proportion of the poten
`tially interested customers can avail of the mechanical watch
`collection that is required in order to appreciate the multitude
`of different complications proposed by the watchmakers.
`Furthermore, the accuracy of mechanical movements is
`generally lower than that of electronic movements of compa
`rable price. This will result in a number of customers, who
`expect a luxury watch to have a high precision, being disap
`pointed.
`GB2425370 describes a grandfather clock having a video
`screen for displaying a film shown in a loop with perfor
`mances by human Subjects. This solution is not adapted to a
`wristwatch. US20050278757 describes a system for down
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Case 2:23-cv-00083-RWS-RSP Document 71-4 Filed 06/21/24 Page 7 of 12 PageID #: 654
`
`2
`loading watch faces displayed on a device. US20030214885
`describes a watch whose dial is replaced by a screen enabling
`the time to be represented in different ways. None of these
`prior art solutions makes it possible to display the watch
`movement. These solutions do not provide the fascination of
`fine mechanical watches and are intended for devotees of
`electronic watches.
`There has thus for a long time been a need for a watch that
`allows these problems in the prior art to be solved and that
`satisfies the partly contradictory expectations of the market.
`In particular, there is a need for a watch enabling its user to
`admire the operation of the mechanical movement whilst
`providing the accuracy and price comparable to those of a
`quartz watch.
`There is also a need for a complication watch that is more
`economical than ordinary mechanical watches.
`There is furthermore also a need for a watch enabling the
`visualized movement to be easily replaced in order to admire
`for example different types of mechanical complications.
`There is also a need for a wristwatch enabling a large
`number of different indications to be displayed, yet without
`cluttering up the display.
`There is also a need for a wristwatch enabling the type of
`displayed information, as well as the manner in which this
`information is presented, to be customized.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`One aim of the present invention is to propose a wristwatch
`combining the advantages of watches with mechanical move
`ments with those of electronic watches.
`According to the invention, these aims are achieved and
`these needs fulfilled notably by means of a wristwatch com
`prising a watchcase, a microcontroller, an electronic display
`in the watchcase, a simulated mechanical watch movement
`displayed on said electronic display and visible within the
`watchcase, arranged in order to indicate the time.
`This watch thus makes it possible to display a simulated
`mechanical movement that is as complex as desired whilst
`avoiding the manufacturing costs of a real, physical and tan
`gible mechanical movement. Furthermore, the precision of
`this watch can be as high as that of an electronic watch whilst
`providing the animations of a high-end mechanical watch.
`The invention is based notably on the observation that
`modern electronic displays demonstrate sufficient realism for
`displaying a credible simulation of a complex mechanical
`movement; the required resolution would have been impos
`sible to achieve Some years ago or would have required a
`power-consumption incompatible with integration into a
`wristwatch.
`The invention is also based on the observation that the
`computational power of the current watch microcontrollers
`(i.e. of microcontrollers of a size and with a power consump
`tion compatible with a watchmaking application) enables a
`realistic simulation of a complex mechanical movement to be
`calculated and displayed in real time.
`The simulated mechanical movement is advantageously
`displayed over the entire surface of the electronic display,
`which is assembled end-to-end against the inner Surface of the
`flange or of the bezel. In this manner, the simulated mechani
`cal movement occupies the position and the dimensions of a
`real mechanical movement. Indicator elements, for example
`hands, discs, cylinders etc., can be shown on the display.
`Control means enable the display to be modified and a
`mechanical movement to be selected from among several
`
`

`

`US 8,588,033 B2
`
`3
`available movements. It is also possible to display a simulated
`dial or a real dial covering totally or partly the simulated
`mechanical movement.
`In a preferred embodiment, the display is a display associ
`ated with a touch sensor, for example a display associated
`with a multi-touch or single-touch touch-sensor. This enables
`the realism of the representation to be increased; the user can
`for example influence the position or the displacement of a
`component of the movement by pressing or moving the rep
`resentation of that component. For example, it is possible to
`make a simulated virtual movement in which the user can turn
`or stop the hands or certain gears or other elements by press
`ing on their representation or by moving this representation
`with a trajectory of the finger on the screen.
`In one embodiment, the watch comprises a crown on the
`outside of the watchcase and a representation of the virtual
`and simulated crown stem displayed on the screen opposite
`this crown. The position of the crown stem is modified by the
`watch's microcontroller when this microcontroller detects
`that the crown has been actuated, so as to simulate a direct
`action by the crown on the simulated crown stem. This crown
`can also be used for setting the time or winding up the simu
`lated mechanical movement; this movement can for example
`stop after a certain time if it is not rewound by the physical
`COW.
`In a similar manner, the action of the physical push-buttons
`on the movement can be simulated by displaying a simulated
`element opposite the push-button, whose position is modified
`in case the push-button is actuated, so as to simulate a direct
`action by said push-button on said simulated element.
`30
`In a preferred embodiment, the wristwatch further com
`prises an accelerometer used for example to increase the
`realism of the representation by making it dependent on the
`accelerations to which the watch is subjected. For example,
`the position of at least one element of the movement depends
`on an output signal from the accelerometer. It is thus possible
`to simulate the displacement of an oscillating mass for wind
`ing up the simulated movement depending on the watch, to
`visualize the deformations of the spiral or the displacements
`of a tourbillon or of the balance depending on gravity, or to
`show the oscillations of the gear-train or of other components
`when the watch is shaken.
`In order to make the effect of these accelerations realistic,
`at least some elements of the movement have a virtual mass
`used for the simulation. The microcontroller thus calculates
`the forces and the displacement to which these elements are
`Subjected according to the measured acceleration, for
`example gravity or a shock, and displays these displacements
`or deformations. At least Some elements, for example the
`springs or the spiral, can also have a virtual rigidity and can
`deform according to the measured accelerations or to the
`displacements of other components of the simulated move
`ment. The acceleration can for example be measured along 3
`axes. It is also possible to measure rotations along one or
`several axes by means of a gyroscope.
`In one embodiment, the running of the movement depends
`on the measured accelerations. For example, it is possible to
`take into account the effect of gravity and of shocks on the
`regulating organ to affect the running of this regulating organ
`or the position of a tourbillon. A simulated barrel can unwind
`if the accelerometer detects no acceleration to displace the
`oscillating mass and the mechanical movement can slow
`down and then stop when unwound.
`The time displayed by the displayed movement thus pref
`erably depends on the results of the simulation, taking into
`account the rigidity of the parts or the accelerations measured.
`In one advantageous embodiment, the time of the simulated
`
`4
`movement can be synchronized with the time determined by
`the quartz movement, in order to reset the simulated mechani
`cal movement. This synchronization can be performed auto
`matically, for example periodically, or in case of variations
`exceeding a predetermined threshold, and/or at the user's
`request through an appropriate command.
`One advantage of the present Solution is that it enables
`mechanical movements to be simulated and displayed that
`would be impossible or very expensive to manufacture in
`practice. For example, it is possible to display virtual
`mechanical movements simulated with a regulating organ
`oscillating at a frequency considerably higher than in a classic
`movement and with elements that turn much faster, producing
`a more interesting animation. It is also possible to simulate
`oscillating masses or balances with a very high density, and
`other moving parts with a density that is on the contrary much
`lower than that afforded by ordinary materials. Furthermore,
`it is possible to simulate parts with very low or even zero
`friction coefficients and with very great or even infinite rigid
`ity and solidity. Finally, it is possible to simulate barrel or
`spiral springs with return constraints considerably greater
`than in the prior art. In one advantageous embodiment, the
`simulation is however always a “realistic' simulation, calcu
`lated taking into account correct physical laws even if it is
`based on the properties of non-existing materials.
`In one advantageous embodiment, the display does not
`reproduce a simple animated image or a previously recorded
`Video displayed in a loop, but a calculated simulation of the
`position of the displayed elements taking into account for
`example the simulated shape and mass of these elements and
`of the environment (for example of the buttons, of the accel
`eration etc.). Each Successive image is thus calculated in real
`time by the microcontroller and generated dynamically tak
`ing into account external parameters. This allows the realism
`to be increased.
`The display is preferably a display associated with a two
`dimensional touch sensor enabling the displacements of at
`least one finger along at least two different directions to be
`detected, with the watch comprising a processing circuit spe
`cifically arranged for interpreting signals from the touchsen
`Sor, for selecting one screen from among several available
`screens depending on these signals, and for displaying this
`screen on the entirety of said display. The processing circuit is
`specifically arranged so as to cause Screens to scroll by in
`order to replace durably the card displayed initially by
`another screen, with the orientation and the direction of
`scrolling depending on the orientation and direction of said
`displacement. Each displayed screen can be associated to an
`application determining the displayed animated image.
`The wristwatch also has the advantage of Switching from
`one screen to an other very simply, through simply horizontal
`or vertical displacements of the finger on the watch crystal,
`taking into account the orientation and direction of the finger
`moving on the screen.
`The Switching from one screen to another can for example
`correspond to a change of mode of the watch. For example,
`the replacement of a simulated mechanical display is effected
`by the scrolling of screens and by replacing the entire image
`displayed on the watch by the image of another screen.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
`
`Examples of embodiments of the invention are indicated in
`the description illustrated by the attached figures in which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating schematically differ
`ent electrical and mechanical components of the watch.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Case 2:23-cv-00083-RWS-RSP Document 71-4 Filed 06/21/24 Page 8 of 12 PageID #: 655
`
`

`

`US 8,588,033 B2
`
`5
`FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a watch with a first
`example of display on the dial.
`FIG.3 illustrates a watch with a second example of display
`on the dial.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a watch with a third example of display on
`the dial.
`FIG. 5 illustrates a watch with a fourth example of display
`on the dial.
`FIG. 6 illustrates schematically the virtual arrangement of
`different screens in the watch's menu.
`
`EXAMPLE(S) OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`6
`of a screen is achieved only by horizontal or vertical displace
`ments, in the same plane, without ever Switching to another
`plane. This avoids losing the user in the navigation between
`several planes of Superimposed icons or cards.
`The execution of the programs executed by the microcon
`troller 10 can also be modified by actuating mono-stable
`push-buttons 41 and/or on the axial and/orangular position of
`a crown 42 (as an option). Reference number 43 designates
`additional light indicators, for example light diodes, on the
`outer surface of the watchcase 5 or of the bracelet. The user
`interface can also comprise a loudspeaker (not represented)
`for reproducing Sounds generated or stored by the microcon
`troller, a wireless interface (not represented) of the ZigBee or
`Bluetooth type for example, a microphone, etc.
`The watch can also include a loudspeaker that can be used
`for reproducing Sounds. In one embodiment, the Sounds gen
`erated and reproduced depend on the displayed simulation,
`for example in order to reproduce a “tic tock” synchronized
`with the oscillations of the simulated regulating organ.
`The electric Supply of the watch is advantageously
`achieved by means of an accumulator rechargeable through a
`micro or nano USB connector, of a specific or proprietary
`connector or, in one embodiment, through a radio-frequency
`interface.
`The inventive wristwatch further advantageously com
`prises an accelerometer 12 capable of measuring the accel
`eration to which the watch is Subjected and of Supplying to the
`microcontroller 10 a signal according to this acceleration.
`The accelerometer is preferably a 3D accelerometer capable
`of measuring the acceleration in three dimensions and of
`determining the vertical direction during periods of motion
`lessness. This acceleration is for example useful for control
`ling and turning the display depending on the orientation of
`the watch and for simulating the effect of the acceleration on
`the parts represented on the screen, notably the deformation
`of the spiral, as will be seen further below. It is also possible
`to use an accelerometer combined with a gyroscope for mea
`Suring the angular acceleration along one or several axes and
`for simulating the effect of rotations on the displayed repre
`sentation.
`FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate different examples of displays on a
`wristwatch 1 according to the invention. The illustrated watch
`comprises notably a bracelet 2 and a watchcase 5 provided
`with a watch crystal 3 covering a digital matrix display 4. It
`integrates for example the circuit of FIG. 1.
`The watchcase 5 can comprise control elements, for
`example push-buttons 41, a crown 42 etc. that are however not
`indispensable for operation; in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the watch is
`crownless and has only push-buttons 41 for Switching the
`screen on or off, for adjusting its brightness or for controlling
`applications. It is also possible in one option to make a watch
`without push-button and/or wherein the screen is switched on
`or off through the touch screen, for example by a long pres
`Sure on a predetermined Zone of the touchscreen. Optionally,
`a brightness sensor, not represented, enables the intensity of
`the screen to be adapted automatically to the ambient lumi
`nosity. This sensor can also be used for adapting the intensity
`and direction of the shadows that are simulated and drawn on
`the display depending on the intensity and direction of ambi
`ent light.
`The watch crystal 3 closes off the upper surface of the
`watchcase and covers the digital matrix display 4. It is pref
`erably made of sapphire or of another scratchproof material
`and is coated with an anti-glare treatment. In a preferred
`embodiment, the crystal is cylindrical domed or possibly
`spherical domed.
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates schematically different components of a
`simulated mechanical watch 1 according to the invention. It
`comprises in this example a watchcase 5 housing a microcon
`troller 10 displaying indications on a high-resolution digital
`display 4 that occupies the near entirety of the Surface under
`the watch crystal and thus serves both as watch dial and as
`time indicator. In a preferred embodiment, the display is
`constituted by a color liquid crystal matrix display LCD or
`TFT) with at least 150x150 pixels. Other types of displays,
`including displays based on OLED technology for example,
`can be used. Furthermore, the watch could also comprise
`several displays, for example several digital displays, or a
`digital matrix display combined with hands or other mechani
`cal indicators.
`The microcontroller enables different applications to be
`executed, on the one hand in order to determine the current
`time and other chronological indications depending on the
`output signals of a quartz oscillator 11 in the watchcase or on
`another time reference signal. On the other hand, the micro
`controller executes computer applications stored in a keep
`alive memory in order to control the indications displayed on
`the display 4 according to the time indications and the user's
`commands or to different sensors. The applications executed
`by the microcontroller can be updated for example through a
`wireless interface (not represented) or a micro USB type
`connector for example, in order to load other code portions for
`displaying other indications or the same indications in
`another manner.
`The watch can also comprise several microcontrollers, for
`example a microcontroller for controller the matrix display,
`another microcontroller for controlling the touch interface
`and a general microcontroller for determining the indications
`to be displayed at each instant, according to the selected card.
`These different microcontrollers can also be grouped together
`differently.
`The display 4 is preferably a display associated with a
`touch sensor, for example a display associated with a simple
`touch or multi-touch touch-sensor. A multi-touch surface is
`understood in the present application to refer to a touch sensor
`capable of detecting several simultaneous contact points, for
`example simultaneous movements of several fingers on the
`haptic Surface. It is surprising to use a multi-touch screen on
`the reduced surface of a wristwatch, yet against all expecta
`tions this technology proves efficient for entering complex
`commands more quickly than with a single-touchscreen. The
`electrodes of these devices are preferably associated to a
`circuit or a Software that interprets these simultaneous con
`tacts and converts them into commands executed by the
`microcontroller 10.
`Independently of the single-touch or multi-touch aspect,
`the watch is characterized by the display of a single icon or
`card at a time, with each card filling the whole screen. The
`different cards are arranged in a single plane and the selection
`
`Case 2:23-cv-00083-RWS-RSP Document 71-4 Filed 06/21/24 Page 9 of 12 PageID #: 656
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`

`

`7
`Transparent electrodes (not represented) are placed in or
`under the crystal 3 in order to detect the presence of a finger
`or of a stylus. Detection technology preferably uses methods
`known in the state of the art, for example a capacitive detec
`tion.
`The microcontroller 10 makes it possible to interpret the
`signals coming from the electrodes and to display on the
`matrix display 4 indications depending on these signals.
`The user can Switch from one display mode to another and
`for example replace the display of FIG. 2 by that of one of the
`FIG. 3, 4 or 5, or by another display, by simply scrolling the
`displays on the screen by moving the finger on the screen in
`the desired scrolling direction.
`FIG. 2 illustrates a display mode in which the time is
`displayed by means of a virtual mechanical movement simu
`lated and displayed on the screen 4. In this example, the hours,
`respectively the minutes, are displayed by means of simulated
`jumping cylinders 15, 16 indexed in near-instantaneous man
`ner at each hour or minute change. The seconds are displayed
`by means of a simulated linear and retrograde seconds hand
`17 moving at 6 o'clock at the bottom of the screen. The
`movement illustrated here is of the skeleton type and shows
`part of the wheelwork and other movement components. In
`this example, most of the wheels and pinions are arranged
`around horizontal axes (parallel to the dial).
`The wristwatch thus displays the simulated movement and
`the indicators 15, 16, 17 over the entire surface of the elec
`tronic display, so that it occupies the position and the dimen
`sions of a real mechanical movement in a skeleton watch for
`example. The user thus has the feeling of wearing a real
`mechanical watch. In order to reinforce the realism and the
`impression of three-dimensional depth, the microcontroller
`10 can display shadows on the elements of the simulated
`movement; the intensity and the direction of the shadows can
`also depend on the measurements of the ambient light taken
`by one or several light sensors.
`The user can replace one displayed simulated movement
`by another available movement. FIG. 3 illustrates the display
`of a movement enabling the date, respectively the day of the
`week, to be displayed by means of jumping cylinders 18 and
`of a retrograde linear hand 19 respectively. These elements
`can be represented on the same display 4 instead of the indi
`cations in FIG. 2, with the user being able to switch freely
`from one representation to the other and to replace the display
`of the first movement by that of the second movement.
`45
`FIG. 4 illustrates another time display mode by means of
`hours and minutes hands 20 displayed on the screen 4. In
`this representation, the hands 20 turn in front of a simulated
`skeleton movement comprising notably wheelworks 30 and
`other elements, not represented, for example a regulating
`50
`organ, a barrel, an oscillating mass or other simulated com
`plications.
`The physical crown 42 on the outside of the watch can be
`actuated to rewind or reset this simulated movement. In one
`advantageous embodiment, a simulated crown stem 420 is
`displayed on the screen 4 opposite the crown 42; this stem is
`controlled by the microprocessor so as to follow the opera
`tions of the physical crown 42, giving the user the feeling of
`really operating this crown stem 420 and the organs con
`nected thereto.
`In the same manner, actuating the push-buttons 41 outside
`the watchcase 5 will advantageously be reflected on the cor
`responding elements 410 displayed on the screen 4, giving the
`user the feeling of actuating these elements.
`The user can also interact on the elements of the simulated
`movement through the touch surface 40. For example, in one
`embodiment, he can move or block the hands 20 or other
`
`30
`
`Case 2:23-cv-00083-RWS-RSP Document 71-4 Filed 06/21/24 Page 10 of 12 PageID #: 657
`
`35
`
`40
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US 8,588,033 B2
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`8
`components by simply moving or pressing the finger on the
`displayed representation of these components. Advanta
`geously, this displacement causes a change in the running of
`the movement. For example, if the user moves a hand with the
`finger, the displayed time is durably modified and the hand
`starts from the place where the user has left it. In a similar
`manner, if a user prevents a wheel or a pinion from turning,
`the simulated movement is stopped for the duration of the
`blocking operation and the watch is thus delayed. In one
`embodiment, the user can also temporarily withdraw compo
`nents of the movement, for example wheelworks, bridges
`etc., by means of a finger; this makes it possible for example
`to observe parts in the background that are hidden by others.
`In one embodiment, the watch comprises an accelerometer
`12 generating an output signal that influences the running of
`the simulated movement that is displayed. For example, jolts
`measured by the accelerometer can affect the gear-train that
`can be represented vibrating in their simulated bearings. If the
`movement comprises a simulated oscillating mass (not rep
`resented), the watch's oscillations can cause an oscillation of
`this displayed oscillating mass, which can be used for reload
`ing a virtual simulated barrel and rewinding the watch. In the
`same way, the influence of gravity and other accelerations on
`the shape of the virtual spiral and on the oscillations of the
`virtual balance can be simulated and displayed, as well as the
`displacements of a simulated tourbillon for example.
`In one advantageous embodiment, the movement repre
`sented is a real simulation of a mechanical movement. The
`represented simulated components thus have a virtual mass,
`and the simulated torques or forces are transmitted from one
`component to another, for example by means of the gear
`train. In the same manner, Some components, such as the
`springs, have a virtual rigidity. The microcontroller thus cal
`culates and displays at any time a simulation of the position of
`each component according to the interactions with the other
`components, to the acceleration and to interactions of the user
`on the crown 42, the push-buttons or the crystal for example.
`The time displayed at any time thus results form this simu
`lation and can for example be disturbed by accelerations of
`the simulated regulating organ or by imperfections of the
`movement. This time can thus differ from the generally more
`precise time calculated by the microcontroller 10 on the basis
`of the indications of the quartz oscillator 11. In one embodi
`ment, the time displayed by the simulated and displayed
`mechanical movement is thus sy