Centre Electronique Horloger S. a.

Cardiola Ltd.

Societe Suisse Pour L'industrie Horlogere Management Services S.a.

Eta Sa Fabriques D'ebauches

Ebauches S.a.

Jean-Felix Perotto

Christian Piguet

Larry Lapanashvili

Armin Eggli

Christian Stuerzinger

Thomas Zimmermann

Jean Fellrath

Ali Schneiter

Maurice Grimm

Christian Lamothe

An apparatus for the cardio-synchronized stimulation of skeletal or smooth muscle, but excluding the heart muscles, in a counterpulsation mode of a patient. The apparatus comprises an active and a passive electrode for attachment to said patient, a signal processor having a configuration input for varying a time delay associated with counterpulsation mode stimulation, and a sensing system for sensing information relating to the performance of the patient's heart and for transmission of information signals to said signal processor, said signal processor producing control signal information relating to stimulation signals to be applied to said active electrode in a counterpulsation mode, a stimulation signal generator associated with said active electrode for generating stimulation signals, wireless transmission means for transmitting said control signal information from said signal processor to said stimulation signal generator whereby said stimulation signal generator applies stimulation signals to said active electrode in accordance with said signal information.

Wireless cardioresonance stimulation

An apparatus for the cardio-synchronized stimulation of skeletal or smooth muscle, but excluding the heart muscles, in a counterpulsation mode of a patient. The apparatus comprises an active and a passive electrode for attachment to said patient, a signal processor having a configuration input for varying a time delay associated with counterpulsation mode stimulation, and a sensing system for sensing information relating to the performance of the patient's heart and for transmission of information signals to said signal processor, said signal processor producing control signal information relating to stimulation signals to be applied to said active electrode in a counterpulsation mode, a stimulation signal generator Associated with said active electrode for generating stimulation signals, wireless transmission means for transmitting said control signal information from said signal processor to said stimulation signal generator whereby said stimulation signal generator applies stimulation signals to said active electrode in accordance with said signal information.

Apparatus and method for the cardio-synchronized stimulation of skeletal or smooth muscles

A timepiece includes a rotating member (,) and a contactless electric capacitive detection device for detecting positions and/or movements of the member. In order to avoid the problems posed by conventional systems with electric switches, the detection device includes at least one capacitive sensor (,), having one or more fixed electrodes (,) and a toothed rotor (,) driven by the member, and an electronic detection apparatus (,) sensitive to variations in the sensor capacitance. The device may include two capacitive sensors whose output signals are in quadrature, in order to be able to indicate the direction of rotation of the member. The rotating member may be a time-setting control stem or another component such as the shaft of a watch hand.

Timepiece comprising a capacitive sensing device

Multi-tasking low-power controller having multiple program counters

For an electronic timepiece arranged and adapted to give reminders there is rovided a method for comparing a timekeeping state (1) with the contents of a register (2), a circuit (3) for applying the method and a utilization of such circuit. A programmable register (2) releases a signal whenever the contents of at least one counter (1) coincide with the contents of a portion of the register (2). In another portion of the register (2) is programmed the code of a state (-) which corresponding counters (1) will never attain under normal operations and the comparison (3) between the state of these counters (1) and that of said other portion of the register (2) is validated whatever may be the state. The comparison circuit (3) may be obtained from the arithmetic and logic units of a microprocessor as employed in a reminder giving timepiece.

Method and circuit for comparing the timekeeping state and contents of a

A device is provided for the rapid and easy introduction of data into an apparatus, e.g., for setting a digital watch. A binary decision device continuously tests the state of a plurality of finger responsive sensors A, B, C and D and produces control signals for a operational unit. The operational unit comprises an up-down counter which can be incremented or decremented by signal F1 to F8 at different frequencies. An inertia effect is produced by maintaining counting of the up-down counter between two successive actuations of the sensors. Touching sensor B or C stops the counter. Sweeping A, B, C, D speeds the incrementing rate (up to a top rate) or slows the decrementing rate while sweeping D, C, B, A acts conversely. Touching A and D alone, respectively, single-steps the counter down and up. The amount by which the rate is speeded or slowed can be made to depend on the speed of sweeping the sensors as well as the number of times they are swept. Other embodiments use three buttons A (speed up), B (slow down) and C (stop). Pushing A+C single-steps the counter up while pushing B+C single-steps the counter down. The amount by which the rate is speeded or slowed can depend on the number of operations of A or B or also on the length of time A or B is held depressed.

Data input device

The invention concerns an interface device for the entry of data into an trument of small volume such as a timepiece and comprises a static touch responsive sensor formed by a plurality of juxtaposed electrodes. An electronic logic circuit on the one hand receives signals emitted by the sensor representing the position of a finger on the sensor and on the other hand provides output clock pulses to a first and a second counter. Switching means in the electronic logic circuit enable the switching of the clock pulses to the first counter if the finger is moved over the sensor at a speed v.sub.1 less than a threshold speed v.sub.2 or to the second counter if the finger is moved over the sensor at a speed v.sub.3 greater than the threshold speed v.sub.2. The invention may be employed in small timepieces for time setting for example.

Interface device for the entry of data into an instrument of small

The device according to the invention comprises a sensor formed by a plurality of capacitive or resistive electrodes. The user searches the symbol to be selected by displacing his finger on the sensor while looking at a control display unit. Any position of the finger on the sensor causes the display of to at least one symbol within an alphanumeric group, these symbols appearing sequentially on the control display. The device does not require any instruction for use nor any indicator marked on the instrument because its working principle is based on permanent visual feedback. The device is compatible with the dimensional requirements of portable instruments of small dimensions, e.g. timepieces.

Interactive device for data input into an instrument of small dimensions

Electronic timepiece having an electro-optic passive display cell comprising an oscillator used as a time base and an electronic control circuit of its several functions. The electronic circuit is operable by means of a stationary key or switch, having a capacitive action, carried by the glass or crystal of the timepiece. The stationary key is fed by the oscillator through a fixed or non-variable condenser. A conductive element is interposed between the stationary key and the display cell, the conductive element constituting one of the electrodes of the fixed condenser. The purpose of this arrangement is to eliminate the influence of a parasitic condenser constituted by the electrodes of the display cell and the electrode of the stationary key.

Electronic timepiece

An electronic watch control device for manual actuation is disclosed. It comprises a capacitive sensor including a conductive layer on the inner surface of the watch-glass, which is actuated by placing a finger-tip on the outer side of the watch-glass. The sensor is part of a capacitive voltage divider to which a high frequency voltage is applied. Synchroneous detection means are arranged for detecting the high-frequency voltage drop across the sensor in synchronism with the high-frequency. Comparison means are provided for comparing the value of the said voltage drop to a reference voltage and producing a control signal depending on the condition of the sensor.

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Neuchatel, Switzerland

Jean-Felix Perotto