A timepiece includes a mechanical oscillator, formed of a mechanical resonator, and a device for regulating the frequency of the mechanical oscillator. This regulation device includes an auxiliary oscillator, an electromechanical device for stopping the mechanical resonator, a sensor arranged to detect the passage of the mechanical resonator via the neutral position thereof, and a measuring device arranged to measure a time drift of the mechanical oscillator. The regulation device is arranged to stop, during a given alternation, the natural oscillation movement of the mechanical resonator selectively either momentarily during a first half-alternation occurring before the passage of the mechanical resonator via the neutral position thereof when the time drift measured corresponds to at least a certain gain, or prematurely during a second half-alternation occurring after the passage of the mechanical resonator via the neutral position thereof when the time drift measured corresponds to at least a certain loss.

Provided is a radio-controlled timepiece that can reduce overall power consumption. The radio-controlled timepiece 1 has a receiver circuit 12 that executes during a specific time limit a reception process to acquire multiple time data from the standard time signals at different times; storage 22 that stores multiple time data; a timekeeper 23 that keeps an internal time; a time setting adjuster 24 that corrects the internal time based on coherent time data when the number of coherent time data, which is time data that is mutually coherent, in the multiple time data reaches a threshold; and a reception controller 21 that extends the time limit when the number of coherent time data is less than the threshold when a specific time that is shorter than the time limit has past since the reception process started.

The disclosure relates to a method for determining a master clock in a communication network having a plurality of stations that are communicatively connected to each other and each have a clock, wherein the master clock is used for time synchronization of the clocks of the stations, comprising the steps: determining by means of a model of the communication network, a synchronization path measure for each station to every other station of the stations, which specifies a synchronization accuracy between two stations; determining for each station on the basis of the synchronization path measure in each case a synchronization metric, which specifies a synchronization accuracy for this station; and determining on the basis of the synchronization metrics of all the stations the station whose clock is meant to be used as the master clock.

A sympathique watch (10) including a horological movement including a going train (20), a display train (30) connected to at least one display of a time value, a sympathique hand-setting mechanism and a crown (13) operated hand-setting mechanism. The sympathique hand-setting mechanism includes a coupling device (40) interposed between the going (20) and display (30) trains, the coupling device (40) being configured to adopt an uncoupled state in which it disengages the going train (20) from the display train (30) so as to allow the hands to be set on the display by means of the sympathique hand-setting mechanism, and a coupled state in which it establishes a kinematic link between the gear trains, the link allowing for sliding enabling the hands to be set on the display by means of the crown (13) operated hand-setting mechanism.

A wireless parking meter with an improved antenna location is described. The antenna may be located within a covering protruding from the top of the parking meter, allowing radio frequency (RF) signals to be transmitted through a portion of the parking meter with high permittivity to the RF signals. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna may be located within the parking meter housing above a lower parking meter mechanism housing so that RF signals can be transmitted through the dome covering of the parking meter, which may have a high permittivity to the RF signals.

A system for waking a user up by a stimulus, wherein the stimulus is adapted to vary according to an intensity curve. A user interface is adapted to receive user preferences, such as a desired wake-up time and a preference indicator. The preference indicator indicates whether the user prefers to be more alert after waking up or to have a longer sleep. An alarm is used for providing a stimulus to the user and a processor is used for determining a stimulus intensity curve for the alarm. Determining the stimulus intensity curve is based on at least the user preferences.

A wireless parking meter with an improved antenna location is described. The antenna may be located within a covering protruding from the top of the parking meter, allowing radio frequency (RF) signals to be transmitted through a portion of the parking meter with high permittivity to the RF signals. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna may be located within the parking meter housing above a lower parking meter mechanism housing so that RF signals can be transmitted through the dome covering of the parking meter, which may have a high permittivity to the RF signals.

Method for adjusting the rate of a basic oscillator of a watch arranged to oscillate at a nominal frequency N0, with a master oscillator generating an excitation frequency NE approximately equal to an integer multiple of this nominal frequency N0, the master oscillator subjecting the watch to excitation or a modulated motion during a transition phase after which the basic oscillator is stabilised at the excitation frequency NE, and a state of display correction method with a winder for mechanical or automatic watches, moving a support carrying the watch and comprising a state of display correction oscillator, having a lower variation of rate value than the initial variation of rate value DI of this basic oscillator, and oscillating at a correction frequency NC to impose oscillation or a motion on the watch, during a state of display correction phase whose duration is adjusted to exactly correct a state of display error measured at the initial moment of actuation.

This application relates to time-encoding modulators (TEMs). A TEM receives an input signal (S.sub.IN) and outputs a time-encoded output signal (S.sub.OUT). A filter arrangement receives the input signal and also a feedback signal (S.sub.FB) from the TEM output, and generates a filtered signal (S.sub.FIL) based, at least in part, on the feedback signal. A comparator receives the filtered signal and outputs a time-encoded signal (S.sub.PWM) based at least in part on the filtered signal. The time encoding modulator is operable in a first mode with the filter arrangement configured as an active filter and in a second mode with the filter arrangement configured as a passive filter. The filter arrangement may include an op-amp, capacitance and switch network. In the first mode the op-amp is enabled, and coupled with the capacitance to provide the active filter. In the second mode the op-amp is disabled and the capacitance is coupled to a signal path for the feedback signal to provide a passive filter.

The invention relates to a method for step-by-step time setting of a sympathetic watch (200) by a sympathetic clock (100), forming together a sympathetic assembly, where a predetermined time-setting step and a reference position of the displays (3; 4; 5) of the watch (200) are determined, and where the clock (100) performs the time setting of the watch (200) by positioning a transmission line in a position corresponding to the time setting, and by actuating, in successive steps, each of the value of the predetermined step, a transmission line capable of imparting to a time-setting mechanism internal to the watch (200) any movement necessary to precisely achieve the display of the current time.