Device for determining the position of a horological display

A method for determining an instantaneous position of a display hand of a timepiece, the method comprising:

• controlling a camera to identify the display hand, and monitor movement of the display hand so as to code the instantaneous position of the display hand in relation to a fixed guide-mark, and controlling entries of the instantaneous position at distinct instants to determine mobility of the display hand in relation to the fixed guide-mark, wherein the controlling further comprises:
• controlling a position of the camera in relation to the fixed guide-mark,
• controlling a focus of the camera in relation to the display hand,
• illuminating the display hand so as to project a shadow on a fixed surface in relation to which an illumination source has a variable incidence and/or a variable position,
• wherein the method further comprises:
• capturing, with the camera, a first image of the shadow with the illumination source at a first illumination position,
• determining a first position of the shadow with respect to the fixed guide-mark using the captured first image,
• capturing, with the camera, a second image of the shadow with the illumination source at a second illumination position different from the first illumination position,
• determining a second position of the shadow with respect to the fixed guide-mark using the captured second image, and
• determining the instantaneous position of the display hand based on the first position of the shadow, the second position of the shadow, the first illumination position, and the second illumination position.

A method for determining an instantaneous position of a display hand of a timepiece, the method comprising:

• controlling a first camera and a second camera to identify the display hand, and monitor movement of the display hand so as to code the instantaneous position of the display hand in relation to a fixed guide-mark, and controlling entries of the instantaneous position at distinct instants to determine mobility of the display hand in relation to the fixed guide-mark, wherein the controlling further comprises:
• controlling a position of the first camera and a position of the second camera, in relation to the fixed guide-mark,
• controlling a focus of the first camera and a focus of the second camera, in relation to the display band,
• determining a depth position of a plane of the display hand in relation to a plane of the fixed guide-mark, by performing an oblique or transverse image entry in relation to the plane of the display hand, wherein the display hand is moveable, to determine the depth position of the plane of the display hand in relation to the plane of the fixed guide-mark with which the plane of the display hand is parallel, the depth position being perpendicular to the plane of the fixed guide-mark, so as to confirm a correct identification of the display hand and to improve each entry of the position of the display hand, and
• monitoring, by the first camera and the second camera, the display hand and determining the instantaneous position of the display hand in space from signals obtained from the first and second cameras.