Timepiece including a GPS receiver, arranged in particular, for indicating the direction of a “target” location

• US 6,185,157 B1
• Filed: 03/31/1998
• Issued: 02/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Asulab SA (The Swatch Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Asulab SA (The Swatch Group AG)
• Inventors: Farine, Pierre-André
• Primary Examiner(s): MISKA, VIT W
• Application Number:
  US09/052,020
• Time in Patent Office: 1,043 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/11, 368/14, 368/46, 368/47, 368/76, 368/80, 332/71, 333/55, 342/357.06, 342/387, 342/419, 342/443
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/02 using radio waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/023 Monitoring or calibrating
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/046 Displays or indicators

Abstract

A timepiece (7) including hands (4, 5), direction determining means (10, 11, 14, 12) including data input means (14) arranged for inputting the geographical coordinates of a “target” location in data processing means (12). This timepiece is characterized in that said direction determining means are formed of an antenna (10) and a GPS type receiver (11) for determining the geographical coordinates of the location in which said timepiece (7) is situated, and in that the 6 o'"'"'clock-12 o'"'"'clock axis of said timepiece (7) is used as a reference axis, and in that at least said first hand (4, 5) is arranged so as to be able to indicate the direction of the “target” location with respect to said reference axis. Such a structure is improved in that it does not need to refer to magnetic north to determine the direction of the “target” location.

Claims

1. A multi-function timepiece including an internal clock, first and second time display hands, selection means for selecting functions, direction determining means including data processing means and data input means arranged for inputting the geographical coordinates of a “

target”

location to said data processing means,

wherein said direction determining means further include an assembly including an antenna and a GPS type receiver for determining the geographical coordinates of the location in which said timepiece is situated and for providing the determined geographical coordinates to said data processing means,

wherein said data processing means function to determine a direction of movement of said timepiece from geographical coordinates of the location in which said timepiece is currently situated and from geographical coordinates of the location in which said timepiece was previously situated,

wherein said data processing means further function to determine a “

target”

direction from said geographical coordinates of the inputted “

target”

location and from the geographical coordinates in which said timepiece is currently situated,

wherein the 6 o'"'"'clock-12 o'"'"'clock axis of said timepiece is used as a reference axis which is aligned with said direction of movement, wherein said first hand is arranged so as to be able to indicate said “

target”

direction with respect to said reference axis, and said second hand is arranged so as to be able to indicate the direction of geographical north.

2. A timepiece according to claim 1 further including means for compensating the temperature of said internal clock, so that said timepiece is made more reliable, such an arrangement increasing the accuracy of said timepiece.

3. A timepiece according to claim 1, wherein said data processing means are formed by a microprocessor.

4. The multi-function timepiece according to claim 1, wherein said timepiece is compass-free, and comprises a motor, responsive to said data processing means, for moving said first hand to a position in which said first hand points in said direction of the target location.