EP0869576A1 - Portable device, in particular a watch comprising an antenna and an associated removable electronic circuit and such an electronic circuit - Google Patents

Abstract

The electronic module (50) comprises at least two terminals or electrical contact areas (56,57). The antenna (34) has two ends respectively connected to two electrical contact devices (58,59) fitted at least partially in the periphery of the location in order to provide an electrical connection with the two terminals or electrical contact areas of the electronic module when the latter is fitted in the location and maintained in it by closure devices (52). The antenna and the module when electrically connected from together a receiver and/or transmitter of electromagnetic signals. The closure devices can be activated from outside the case, and are formed by a cover with a bayonet closure device. Cavities extra to the cover are provided in the case (32) to enable the location to be closed.

Description

The present invention relates to a device portable, in particular a timepiece, comprising a housing inside which is arranged a antenna, this antenna being intended to be coupled to a electronic module to form a receiver together and / or transmitter or responder. The present invention also relates to an electronic module comprising a electronic unit inside which are memorized certain data and intended to equip a portable device according to the invention.

Conventionally, receivers and / or transmitters or responders in various devices portable, for example for procedures identification at access doors to enclosed areas. There are many watches with an antenna to receive electromagnetic and means signals data storage which may possibly have a confidential.

By way of example, in relation to FIG. 1, the Swiss patent application No 686 696 describes a watch 1 comprising a case 2 formed by a middle part 3 and a bezel 5 jointly defining an interior recess 4. Watch 1 also comprises reception means and / or transmission of radio signals consisting of a coil antenna 6, mounted on an annular support 7 and arranged in the interior recess 4, and by an interface communication including demodulation means and / or modulation. The antenna is connected to a module electronic 9 permanently arranged in the housing 2 by electrical contact means 10.

A problem with a watch such as described in the aforementioned document lies in the fact that the electronic module 9 is permanently arranged in the shows, which can be particularly annoying if the electronic unit of this module stores data or confidential information, for example door opening codes or information banking. In fact, portable devices are not usually only temporarily worn and people often have a plurality of devices portable carrying out the same function, in particular a plurality of watches. In addition, some devices portable have a limited lifespan and / or are no longer used after a certain period. So data personal information may be confidential to be introduced into various portable devices and stay in these devices even when they are not or no longer used. Note also that some data or information may change over time, including bank details, and that it may be preferable that this data is always updated each time new transaction. Therefore, the use of several portable devices each with its own electronic data storage and / or management unit is not recommended.

The purpose of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned problems and disadvantages while retaining the possibility of disposing personally of a plurality of portable devices having a receiver and / or signal transmitter function electromagnetic.

To this end, the present invention relates to a portable device including a case inside of which is arranged an antenna, characterized in that said housing comprising a housing in which can be removably arranged an electronic module comprising at least two electrical contact zones, the antenna having two ends or electrical terminals respectively connected to two means of electrical contact arranged at least partially on the periphery of said housing so as to ensure an electrical connection respectively with said two contact zones of said module when the latter is inserted in the housing and maintained therein by means , antenna and electronic module electrically connected together forming a receiver and / or transmitter of electromagnetic signals.

Thanks to the features of the invention above, it is possible to separate the module portable device electronics including a antenna. An antenna, serving as means of communication with one or more external units provided with means of electromagnetic communication, is provided in each portable device according to the invention. However, the electronic module used for data management or information, in particular the storage of this data or information in a memory part of the unit electronic forming said electronic module, can be separate from a particular portable device. So the electronic module and the data it contains are not not inseparably associated with a device portable particular. In addition, when the module electronics and the housing for which it is intended are produced according to a given standard, it is possible to provide for the integration of a particular electronic module in several different portable devices, including watches, cards or other portable objects, such as key chains or jewelry. Note that it is also possible to plan integration so removable from such an electronic module in a computer or in any medium that also allows process the data contained in the module and / or read simply this data.

It is therefore clear from the characteristics of the present invention that the electronic module can be associated with a natural or even legal person and remain in possession of this person while being integrated into the course of time in several portable devices of this person according to the temporary use of these several portable devices. So, for example, a person can own multiple watches while having one single personal electronic module integrated in turn in these several watches when they are respectively worn in turn by this person.

• la figure 1 déjà citée représente schématiquement une vue en coupe d'une montre réceptrice de messages radio;
• la figure 2 représente schématiquement une montre et un module électronique illustrant le concept général de la présente invention;
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique de dessous d'une montre selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention;
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique en coupe selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3;
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique partielle en coupe d'une première variante du premier mode de réalisation;
• la figure 6 est une vue schématique partielle en coupe d'une deuxième variante du premier mode de réalisation;
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une troisième variante du premier mode de réalisation, seul le module électronique et le couvercle qui lui est associé ayant été représentés ici;
• la figure 8 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une quatrième variante du premier mode de réalisation;
• la figure 9 est une vue schématique partielle en coupe d'un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention; et
• les figures 10 et 11 sont respectivement deux schémas électriques de deux variantes de réalisation d'un module électronique selon l'invention agencé de manière à pouvoir être associé suivant les besoins à deux antennes différentes.

Other particular characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be described in more detail with the aid of the following description, given with reference to the attached drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

• Figure 1 already cited schematically shows a sectional view of a watch receiving radio messages;
• FIG. 2 schematically represents a watch and an electronic module illustrating the general concept of the present invention;
• Figure 3 is a schematic bottom view of a watch according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 4 is a schematic sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a partial schematic sectional view of a first variant of the first embodiment;
• Figure 6 is a partial schematic sectional view of a second variant of the first embodiment;
• Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a third variant of the first embodiment, only the electronic module and the cover associated therewith having been shown here;
• Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth variant of the first embodiment;
• Figure 9 is a partial schematic sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention; and
• Figures 10 and 11 are respectively two electrical diagrams of two alternative embodiments of an electronic module according to the invention arranged so that it can be associated as necessary with two different antennas.

With the rise of electronic chips for management personal data and responders, data are introduced in several devices different, which can affect confidentiality and to the secure management of this personal data. For respond to this situation, as mentioned above, the present invention provides, as is shown generally in Figure 2, to arrange a electronic module 18, containing an electronic unit for storage and possibly data management, removably in a housing 20 of a housing shows 22. In the bottom of the housing 20 are arranged two electrical contact areas 24 and 25 against which come to rest respectively on the contact pads 26 and 27 of the electronic module 18 when this the latter is introduced into the housing 20 and maintained in this housing by the cover 28 provided for this purpose. So, module 18 which contains an electronic unit of storage and possibly data management can be arranged in the watch to allow access to the unit module 18 electronics by means of an antenna communication provided inside the housing 22 (not shown), this antenna can be arranged at the interior of the housing 22 in various ways known to the skilled person.

Note that the present invention is not limited at specific frequency ranges for the antenna built into the case and is also not limited to a particular application. In addition, although the following description relates to timepieces, in particular of wristwatches, the present invention is not limited to such parts but can easily apply to any other portable device in which an antenna is arranged allowing reception and / or emission of electromagnetic signals or allowing to act as an answering machine.

Using FIGS. 3 and 4, a description will be given below. first embodiment of the invention. Watch 30 includes a housing 32 inside which is arranged an antenna 34 on a support 7 similarly to the shows the prior art shown in Figure 1. The two ends of the coil antenna 34 are connected electrically with two electrical contact pads 36A and 36B respectively arranged on the support 7. The watch 30 also includes a movement 38 arranged in a casing circle 40. The watch 30 also includes a dial 42 and a set of hands 44, as well as a LCD display 46. According to the invention, it is provided in the housing 32 a housing 48 for an electronic module 50 intended to be electrically connected to the coil antenna 34 and removably arranged. To do this, housing 48 is closed by a cover 52 which maintains the electronic module 50 in housing 48 and also a sealed closure of the housing 48 by means of a disc 54. The module 50 is provided with two studs electrical contact 56 and 57 which are held in abutment against two corresponding electrical contact pads 58 and 59 when the module 50 is arranged in the housing 48 and that the cover 52 is put in the position of closing the housing 48.

The two electrical contact pads 58 and 59 are respectively connected to the two ends of the coil antenna 34 to the electrical connection means 60 and 61 which lead respectively to two connection pads electric 62 and 63 which are respectively connected electrically at ranges 36A and 36B by means of a metallization 64 provided on the upper face of the circle 40. In this embodiment, the ranges of electrical contact 58 and 59, as well as the ranges of electrical connection 62 and 63 are arranged in the movement 38. However, in other variants of realization, these ranges can be arranged on another support and electrical connection to the coil-antenna 34 can be carried out by other means known to man of career. In particular, it is possible to predict that the two ends of the coil antenna 34 are directly connected to the electrical contact pads 58 and 59 arranged on the periphery of the housing 48.

It will be noted that the cover 52 can be actuated from outside the housing 32 by a user any. So it is possible for a user remove the cover 52 to remove the module electronic 50 removably arranged in the slot 48. When module 50 is connected electrically at the coil antenna 34, they form together an electromagnetic signal receiver and / or transmitter.

In module 50 an electronic unit is provided (not shown here explicitly) including at least a memory section. This electronic unit can be more or less complex and include in particular a microprocessor. Any arrangement known to man of the loom for electronic module 50 can be used in the context of the present invention. Likewise, everything arrangement known to those skilled in the art of an antenna in a portable device, in particular in a watch, can intervene without departing from the scope of the present invention.

With the aid of FIGS. 5 to 8, the following will be described various variants of the first embodiment described above, these variants being in no way limiting. The references already described above are not again described in detail in the description of the various variant embodiments.

In the variant shown in Figure 5, the module electronic 68 includes a metal casing defining two electric poles 69 and 70. These two electrical poles are connected to an electronic unit 72 and are separated from each other by electrical insulation 71 of circular shape. On the outskirts of housing 48 are arranged two electrical contact blades 74 and 75, these blades being respectively in electrical contact with the poles 69 and 70 of module 68 when the latter is introduced into housing 48 and maintained in it at means of the cover 52. The latter ensures the closing of the housing 48 sealingly by a bayonet system known to a person skilled in the art, complementary recesses with the lateral projections of the cover being arranged in the case 32. The arrangement of metal blades 74 and 75 is similar to an arrangement intended in particular for a power battery of an electronic watch movement.

In the variant of Figure 6, the module electronics 78 is similar to module 68 of FIG. 5, but stands out in that it forms with the cover 80, used to close housing 48, one and the same room. The cover 80 includes a thread 81 and is fixed to the box 32 by screwing, the tightness of the closure being provided by a gasket 82. This variant has a advantage and disadvantage. The advantage comes from the fact that the module 78 secured to the cover 80 allows a better grip and therefore better handling of the module 78. However, when module 78 is removed from the housing 48, it is not possible to replace the cover 80 to close this housing again. In one in this case, an additional cover can be provided allowing to close the case tightly by the absence of an electronic module if deemed necessary keep the housing 48 closed.

The variant partially shown in Figure 7, only the cover 52 and the electronic module 68 being shown, the variant shown in Figure 6 only in that the cover 52 has a bayonet lock and is electrically isolated from electrical poles 69 and 70 of module 68. This configuration can be advantageous because, in the variant in Figure 6, the electrical pole 70 is connected to ground since it is electrically connected to the housing 32 or to the body of the wearer by means of the cover 80 which forms with the electric pole 70 one and the same metal envelope, which can be limiting. It is why, in the variant of FIG. 7, the cover 52 is separated from module 68 by an intermediate zone 84 electrically insulating.

FIG. 8 shows a variant of embodiment in which the electronic module 50, similar to the module shown in Figure 4, is arranged not in the bottom of the case 32 but in a housing 48 provided in a side part of this housing. So, for ability to remove module 50 from housing 48, it is not required a user to remove the watch from their wrist. In this variant, the cover 88 is formed of a plastic or rubber material having a sufficient elasticity to be forced into the upper part of the housing 48 so as to close this housing and maintaining the electronic module 50 in position of electrical contact with the antenna (not shown) arranged in the watch, i.e. maintain the electrical contact pads 56 and 57 respectively pressing against the contact pads electric 58 and 59. A recess 90 is provided in the housing 32 at the periphery of the housing 48 to allow the user to remove the cover 88 using a finger, especially using a fingernail. Use a cover made of non-metallic material may constitute an advantage.

Using FIG. 9, a second mode will be described embodiment of the invention which is characterized by the the fact that the electronic module 68 is inserted into a housing 94 arranged to contain a supply battery 96 and module 68. In the variant shown in Figure 9, the battery 96 is electrically connected to two electric contact blades 97 and 98 arranged so conventional on the outskirts of housing 94. Module 68 has an external appearance similar to that of the battery 96 and defines in particular two electric poles 69 and 70. The electric pole 70 is electrically connected to a antenna (not shown) provided in the housing of the shows the embodiment described here by means of a electrical contact blade 100 arranged on the periphery of the housing 94, more particularly at the level of the wall side of this housing 94. The pole 70 of the module 68 is electrically isolated from battery 96 by means of a disc 102 formed of an electrically insulating material. Of preferably, the disc 102 is fixed to the module 68. However, this disc 102 can also be fixed on the stack 96 or form a separate element of this stack 96 and the module 68. The electrical pole 69 is electrically connected at a contact pad 104 by means of the cover metallic 106 whose surface 106A presses against the pole 69 when this cover is closed.

This second embodiment thus presents the advantage of requiring a single housing 94 and a single cover 106 for arrangement of a battery and module 68 in the portable device, especially in a electronic watch according to the invention. The skilled person will obviously be able to design other realizations of this second embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, it is possible to design the electronic module 68 with two poles each partially occupying the surface side of this module 68. In this case, the two contacts provided for the electrical connection to the antenna provided in the portable device can be realized by means of two electrical contact blades similar to the blade 100 and both arranged at the lateral surface of the housing 94. Thus, the cover does not does not serve as means of electrical connection, which can be advantageous depending on the intended application.

It is possible to provide other forms for the electronic module and for the battery, in particular a form cylindrical or rectangular with the two poles electrical at both ends of the module or at one end according to the chosen variant.

With the aid of FIGS. 10 and 11, a description will be given of schematic two variants of a third mode of realization of the invention. As in the first and second embodiment, it is planned to arrange a electronic module 108 in a housing provided in a device comprising a communication antenna. However, in this third embodiment, it is planned to arrange module 108 so that it the latter can be coupled to two different antennas 110 and 112 respectively arranged in two devices different. To do this, in the variant of the figure 10, the electronic module includes four terminals of electrical contact 114, 115, 116 and 117. When the module 108 is arranged in a housing provided in a device including antenna 110, the two ends of this antenna 110 are electrically connected to terminals 115 and 116. On the other hand, when the electronic module 108 is arranged in another device comprising the antenna 112, the two ends of this antenna are connected electrically at the two terminals 114 and 117. Thus, the module 108 can be arranged with different antennas allowing different applications, especially in this which concerns the communication distance where the range of frequency of exchange of information between the unit formed by module 108 and the antenna 110 or 112 associated with it and a unit of external communication provided for this purpose.

As already mentioned, this invention has a major advantage in that it allows to dissociate the electronic unit including in particular confidential or personal data of the device portable comprising the means of communication with a external unit provided for this purpose. In addition, another important advantage of the invention is to allow the arrangement of a single electronic module in several portable devices provided for this purpose. So, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to arrange the same electronic module in devices portable having antennas operating in beaches of various frequencies and various transmitting powers or operating with reception sensitivities different.

FIG. 11 shows a variant in which the electronic module 108 only comprises three electrical contact terminals 114, 115 and 116, the track 116 being connected with one end of the antenna 110 or antenna 112 depending on whether module 108 is arranged in a first device comprising the antenna 110 or in a second device comprising the antenna 112.

Claims (14)

Portable device (30) comprising a housing (32) inside which an antenna (34) is arranged, characterized in that said housing comprises a housing (48; 94) in which can be removably arranged an electronic module (50; 68; 78; 108) comprising at least at least two terminals or electrical contact pads (56, 57; 69, 70; 114, 115, 116, 117), the antenna having two ends respectively connected to two contact means electric (58, 59; 74, 75; 100, 106A) arranged at least partially on the periphery of said housing so as to ensure electrical connection respectively with said two terminals or electrical contact pads of said electronic module when the latter is introduced into said housing and maintained therein by means of closure (52; 80; 88; 106), said antenna and said electrically connected module together forming a receiver and / or transmitter of electromagnetic signals. Portable device according to claim 1, characterized in that said closing means can be operated from outside of said housing. Portable device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said closing means (52; 106) are formed by a cover provided with a device for bayonet closure, complementary slots in the cover being arranged in said housing (32) for allow the closure of said housing (48; 94). Portable device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said closing means are formed by a cover (80) having a thread lateral (81) to allow the housing (48) to be closed by screwing. Portable device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said electronic module (68; 78) and said means for closure (52; 80) together form one and the same room. Portable device according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that it forms a watch (30). Portable device according to claim 6, characterized in that said housing (48; 94) is arranged in the bottom of said case (32) of the watch (30). Portable device according to claim 6, characterized in that said housing (48) is arranged in said housing (32) in a region other than the bottom of this housing. Portable device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said closing means (80; 106) are electrically connected to an electrical pole (70; 69) defining one of said electrical contact pads of said electronic module (78; 68), said closure means being formed at less partially by a material electrically driver. Portable device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said housing (94) is arranged to additionally receive a battery power supply (96) such that this battery and said electronic module (68) are arranged in this one and the same housing (94). Portable device according to claim 10, characterized in that isolation means are provided electric (102) between the battery (96) and the module electronic (68). Portable device according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that said electronic module (108) comprises at least three pads or electrical contact pads (114, 115, 116, 117), this electronic module being arranged to be associated at least two different antennas (110, 112). Electronic module (18, 50, 68, 78, 108) comprising at least two terminals or contact pads electric (56, 57; 69, 70; 114, 115, 116, 117) in which is arranged an electronic unit (72) comprising at least one memory part, this electronic module being intended to be electrically connected at two ends an antenna arranged in a portable device (30) comprising a housing (48; 94) in which this module can be removably arranged, said portable device comprising two electrical contact means (58, 59; 74, 75; 100, 106A) arranged at least partially in periphery of said housing so as to allow electrical connection respectively with said two terminals or electrical contact pads of said module electronic when the latter is introduced into said housing and maintained therein by means of closure (28; 52; 80, 88; 106) operable from outside said housing, said antenna and said electrically connected module together forming a receiver and / or transmitter of electromagnetic signals. Electronic module according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises at least three terminals or electrical contact areas allowing this module electronics to be associated with first and second different antennas arranged respectively in two different portable devices, at least one of said electrical contact terminals or pads (115) being intended to be associated with said first antenna (110) and at least one other of said limits or ranges of electrical contact (114) being intended to be associated with said second antenna (112).

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