The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd

Asulab S.a.

Fanel Piccini

Jean-Luc Helfer

Pascal Winkler

Gianni Di Domenico

Dominique Lechot

Jerome Favre

Baptiste Hinaux

Patrick Ragot

Emil Zellweger

Pierre-Andr&eacute; Farine

Anne Monthéard

Thien Kim

Dominique LÉCHOT

The invention concerns a device for regulating the relative angular speed between a magnetic structure and a resonator magnetically coupled to each other and forming an oscillator which defines a magnetic escapement. The magnetic structure includes at least one annular magnetic path at least partially formed of a magnetic material of which one physical parameter is correlated to the magnetic potential energy of the oscillator, the magnetic material being arranged along the annular path so that the physical parameter varies angularly in a periodic manner. The annular path includes, in each angular period, an area of accumulation of magnetic potential energy in the oscillator, radially adjacent to an impulse area. The magnetic material, in each accumulation area, is arranged so that the physical parameter of said magnetic material gradually increases angularly or gradually decreases angularly.

Angular speed regulating device for a wheel set in a timepiece movement including a magnetic escapement mechanism

The invention concerns a device for regulating the relative angular speed between a magnetic structure and a resonator magnetically coupled to each other and forming an oscillator which defines a magnetic escapement. The magnetic structure includes at least one annular magnetic path at least partially formed of a magnetic material and the resonator includes at least one element for magnetic coupling to the annular magnetic path, this coupling element being formed of a magnetic material having a physical parameter correlated to the magnetic potential energy of the oscillator. The radial dimension of the annular magnetic path is smaller than a corresponding dimension of the coupling element, and the magnetic material is arranged so that the physical parameter of said magnetic material gradually increases angularly or gradually decreases angularly in order to obtain an angularly extended magnetic potential energy area in each angular period of the annular magnetic path.

The method of determining the position of a radio-frequency signal receiver consists first of all in dividing the Earth's surface into N geographical regions as a function of the N channels available in the correlation stage of the receiver. At least one satellite in projection onto the Earth's surface has to be located in each of the N defined regions. The N channels of the correlation stage are each configured and switched on to search for a visible satellite in one of the N respective regions. Radio-frequency signal reception and shaping means pick up said radio-frequency signals and frequency convert them to provide intermediate signals to the correlation stage. Once one of the channels has detected a visible satellite in one of the N regions, the operation of all the other channels is interrupted by a stop block located in each of the other channels. Subsequently, certain other channels are configured and switched on for searching and tracking visible satellites in proximity to the first detected visible satellite. This allows precise position and time calculations to be made in the microprocessor means of the receiver. An approximate position is calculated as soon as at least four satellites are tracked by a direct method, before calculating the precise position of the receiver by a conventional iterative method.

Method of determining the position of a radio-frequency signal receiver without knowledge of the initial approximate position, and receiver for implementing the same

There is described a method for controlling a navigation device, such as a satellite navigation device like a GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO or other receiver, and a navigation device allowing this control method to be implemented. According to the invention, the operation of the navigation device is adjusted as a function of a measurement of the velocity (v) of the navigation device for the purpose of saving energy. In particular, the operating frequency (f ) of the processing unit ( ) with which the navigation device is fitted is adjusted to a plurality of so-called reduced operating frequencies (f , f , f , f ) lower than the normal operating frequency (f ) as a function of the value of the velocity measurement (v). The invention is intended in particular to allow a navigation device to be integrated in a portable object of small volume powered by a battery or a rechargeable accumulator, such as a timepiece.

Method for controlling a navigation device and navigation device implementing the same

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Chambrelien, Switzerland

Fanel Piccini