Timepiece including optical guide which performs the function of a crystal
US7839726B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 11, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 23, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 27, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG04G9/0041
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A timepiece (40) includes optical means for forming a decorative pattern, in the form of a figurative image, in response to user action. The optical means forming a figurative image include an optical guide (1, 51) having two large faces (10, 11) and at least one lateral face (12). Optical extractors (19), each having at least one light reflective surface (20), are arranged in at least one of the large faces (11). A light source (8, 8a, 8b, 8c) is arranged so as to emit light in the direction of the reflective surfaces (20), via the lateral face (12) of the optical guide. Thus, each of the reflective surfaces causes a reflected light beam to form in a well defined direction, and the set of light beams forms a figurative image in that direction, which can typically be selected as the normal with respect to the mid-plane of the watch.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.