EP1021790B1 - Apparatus and device for managing watches - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the management of a set of watches. She is relates, in particular, to a device for managing a set watches, each fitted with an identification unit.

The device according to the invention must make it possible to identify a watch fitted with a identification body and to control at least some of its qualities. he also makes it easier to manage the retailer's relationships with its partners.

Devices have already been proposed for identifying watches on the by means of transponders mounted on the box or movement, for example in patent applications CH-682031 and EP-0263064. Transponders have a memory, containing identification information, readable at distance by means of a transceiver working in frequencies radio. The devices as described allow rapid identification of counterfeits. However, they do not participate in the management of watches controlled.

It is also known, from US-5325313, to control the correct operation of watches by means of a computer. The device described can be used both in a company and in an after-sales service sale. However, it does not identify the controlled watch. Such device does not therefore in any case manage a set of watches.

Patent US-5099437 relates to the control of the emission of hydrocarbons and more particularly to a device intended for the management of seals likely to flee. This device includes a bar code placed on the joint to control, barcode reader and hydrocarbon detector, both connected to a portable information collector. So periodic, the collector is connected to a computer which records the information saved and processed.

Today, the management of watches, in particular prestige watches, poses problems right out of the company that made them. They are generally distributed to wholesalers who distribute them to dealer retailers. From the moment these watches were sent to the wholesaler, it is extremely difficult to know their history. he is particularly difficult to know how long they stay in stock at a retailer. However, the duration of storage has a significant influence on the quality of the product sold.

For example, when an electronic watch is sold after two or three years spent in stock, his battery is found to have a capacity substantially decreased. If this is not changed, it is to be feared that the client will return few months after the purchase of his watch, to express his dissatisfaction.

In the case of a mechanical watch, aging of the oils can significantly affect its accuracy. Parts sold in such conditions affect the brand image. They are therefore seriously detrimental to the customer and the company that manufactured them.

Unfortunately, manufacturers today have little ways to avoid such a situation. They can address wholesalers and retailers of guidelines for storing and servicing parts in stock; they can offer services and management means allowing to prevent such situations from occurring. Verification of compliance with these instructions remain difficult, if not impossible.

There is certainly tracking of parts under warranty. Unfortunately, we finds that many retailers take certain liberties with regard to warranty card.

The means of product control are expensive and sometimes incomplete at retailers. This is the case in particular with the means of controlling walking Watches. Consequently, the verification of a part before its sale does not cannot always be done in good conditions.

An object of the present invention is to allow more rigorous management watches each fitted with an identification unit, thanks to a monitoring of the history and characteristics of each piece, until it is sold to the customer. This management is ensured by a device comprising a sensor provided with a device for interaction with the identification unit. This goal is achieved thanks to fact that the apparatus further comprises connecting means for connecting it to a telecommunications network and thus form a terminal, and that the sensor further includes a device for receiving signals relating to the of the watch and to transmit them across the network, to a measuring device.

To facilitate communication, the device also has a keyboard allowing manual entry of information relating to the watch bearing the identification bodies. It may also include means display with an electro-optical cell capable of making it accessible to watch user information related to the watch addressed through the network, or a printer likely print the information transmitted and received by the device.

Advantageously, the identification members are of the type comprising an electronic chip and an antenna, and the interaction device comprises an activation device and a reading device for respectively activating organs and read the information they contain.

In order to ensure particularly efficient management of mechanical watches, the device intended to receive signals relating to the running of the watch has at least one microphone capable of picking up sound signals issued by the watch.

To control the operation of electromechanical watches, the device intended to receive signals relating to the progress of watches comprises at least one electro-magnetic sensor capable of picking up the signals emitted by the watch motor.

The counterfeiting of prestige watches is important today. She wears prejudice both to holders of counterfeit brands and to buyers. II There are in particular counterfeiters who make watches, identification is practically impossible for an uninformed customer. This genre counterfeit products are manufactured by competent professionals, but who despoil brand owners by taking advantage of their reputation and promotional efforts. In addition, they of course have no service charges after sale. Some retailers are being taken in by such counterfeiters. The identification of these counterfeits is difficult with the means conventional.

It sometimes happens that a retailer does not have the product desired by a customer. Currently, the retailer must order according to the procedure usual. This can result in long delays that could upset the customer.

Prestige watches today enjoy a long-term guarantee. This can be more than five years. Under these conditions, it happens frequently the owner of such an item has lost the warranty card. The retailer can then be in an embarrassing situation.

Any modification made to the piece, for example an exchange of a bracelet, changing a battery or even repairing can only be difficult be controlled by the company.

The organization of a control and management system is complex and expensive. If each company had to organize its network, with specific means of control, this would result in high costs and a multiplication of terminals at retailers. Operating costs this would be considerably increased.

Another object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks. In this Indeed, the present invention also relates to a management device provided of a device as defined above. In this device, the device is connected to a plurality of businesses across the telecommunications network, each of the companies having at least one processing center for process information relating to the watches they market, identifiable by a code contained in the identification bodies.

• La figure 1 illustre le schéma d'un dispositif de gestion de produits selon l'invention, permettant d'assurer la qualité et le suivi de ces produits jusque chez le détaillant;
• La figure 2 représente un terminal selon l'invention, utilisé chez le détaillant;
• La figure 3 montre, vu de dessus, un organe d'identification tel qu'utilisé avec le terminal selon l'invention
• Les figures 4 et 5 sont des coupes, selon les lignes IV-IV et V-V de la figure 3, d'un organe d'identification muni sur la figure 4 de moyens d'assemblage par collage et sur la figure 5 d'une enveloppe protectrice, et
• La figure 6 représente schématiquement le mode d'interaction entre un organe d'identification et un terminal selon l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given by way of nonlimiting example and made with reference to the drawing, in which:

• Figure 1 illustrates the diagram of a product management device according to the invention, to ensure the quality and monitoring of these products to the retailer;
• FIG. 2 represents a terminal according to the invention, used at the retailer;
• FIG. 3 shows, seen from above, an identification member as used with the terminal according to the invention
• Figures 4 and 5 are sections along the lines IV-IV and VV of Figure 3, of an identification member provided in Figure 4 with means of assembly by gluing and in Figure 5 of an envelope protective, and
• FIG. 6 schematically represents the mode of interaction between an identification member and a terminal according to the invention.

The quality management device according to the invention is based on the principle a computer network, connecting retailers and businesses through of a telephone network. This network is shown in Figure 1. On this figure, retailers are identified by the letter D, the telephone network by the letter T and companies with the letter E.

Each of the retailers D _i (i between 1 and 6 in the figure) has a terminal which will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2 and 5. This is connected to the telephone network. The latter establishes the link between the retailer D _i and one of the control centers E _j (j between 1 and 4 in the figure) specific to each partner company.

To establish communication with one or other of the companies E _j , the retailer D _i dials the number of the control center. More advantageously, the communication can be established automatically, as will be explained below.

The sole function of the telephone network is to direct the retailer to the control center of the firm that manufactured an identified product. All strategic information relating to products is managed and stored by the company's control center E _j . It is thus possible to guarantee the confidentiality of the information processed.

It is obvious that the control centers E _j each have a computer to manage and store the information processed. The assembly comprising the terminals, the telephone network and the control centers defines a computer network, which advantageously uses the public telephone network.

Transactions that can be carried out over the network can be different orders.

The retailer D _i can thus place his orders directly, by entering on his terminal the number of the parts which he wishes to put on sale.

When he receives the documents, he gives a receipt to the control center.

When a retailer does not have a part desired by a customer, it is possible, via the network, to make a request to the control center (E _j ) of the company concerned so that it identifies the retailer. nearest with the required part. The information thus obtained then makes it possible to organize the transfer of the part from one to the other retailer. The result is greater efficiency in inventory management and reduced delivery times.

Warranty service no longer has to rely on a bulletin, too often lost by the customer. This is particularly the case for long-term guarantees. The recording of the sale by the management therefore makes it possible to identify the part at any retailer accredited and also know its history.

Certain retailers are authorized to modify certain parts, by changing one or the other component. It is thus possible to offer the customer the part with the characteristics that interest him. These modifications are recorded in the control center E _j . We can thus follow the interest of the customers by recording these modifications by means of the management device. We can also ensure the replacement of exchanged parts.

Finally, the control center E _j can provide maintenance services to retailers and wholesalers. To this end, it informs its customers of the parts which must undergo a check, be subject to a battery change or cleaning. This service can go beyond sales. The control center E _j can thus offer the retailer customer service, informing of a desirable cleaning or an imminent battery change.

As soon as the public is informed of the existence of an identification body on the products sold, the customer can be guaranteed that the part he getting ready to buy is not a counterfeit.

To ensure a service offering these advantages, the means to be implemented at the retailer's are simple, space-saving and inexpensive. Figure 2 schematically represents an equipment ensuring such a service. We can see a terminal with a support 1, a keyboard 2, a display 3, a circuit control 4 as well as a case 5.

The support 1 is intended to receive the object to be tracked, for example a watch, schematically represented in dashed lines and bearing the reference 6. It bears a sensor 7 capable of decoding an identification element 8 associated with the watch, but also to interpret the signals emitted by the watch, under sound or electromagnetic form for example. This sensor will be described more in detail with reference to Figure 6.

The equipment installed at the retailer can advantageously be completed by a printer 9. It is connected to the computer network by means of a line telephone 10.

The keyboard 2 as shown has a limited number of keys. It makes it possible to transmit coded information from the retailer to one or the other control center E _j . It allows in particular to choose the control center, to define the type of transaction or to transmit a part number to order for example. Such a keyboard makes it possible to carry out all of the transactions defined above. This function could also be performed using a computer keyboard in case the retailer had one.

The display 3 is of the liquid crystal or light-emitting diode type, with a structure allowing the display of alphanumeric information. he is thus possible for the retailer to know that the code he is using fits well with the action he plans to take. The display allows also the transmission of information from a control center to the retailer. A computer screen could also perform this function.

The control circuit 4 provides the interface between the various components of the equipment and the telephone network T. It makes it possible to establish the telephone link, to code and format the signals generated by the keyboard 2 or the sensor 7 for , on the one hand display the decoded information, on the other hand send the message to a control center E _j . It ensures the control of the sensor 7 and the processing of the signals perceived by the latter, coming from the identification element 8 as well as from the watch 6. It also transmits to the printer 9 the information to be recorded in written form . As described above, it could be the printing of a warranty card, an order confirmation or messages relating to maintenance.

The housing 5 is intended to protect the equipment and more particularly the sensor 7 and the control circuit 4. It is made so conventional for those skilled in the art, for example molded plastic. he will not be described in more detail.

The sensor 7 comprises an electromagnetic signal transmitter 70 working at high frequency as well as a receiver 71 processing the signal from the identification body.

FIG. 3 represents an identification member 8 which can be used in the device according to the invention. Figures 4 and 5 show in section the organ of the Figure 3, along lines IV-IV and V-V with, in addition, a layer of glue on FIG. 4, a coating on FIG. 5. The identification member 8 comprises a support 80 of insulating material, as used for example in printed circuits. It carries on one of its faces a spiral in material conductor 81 having antenna function, with two rectangular areas 82 and 83 defining the ends of the spiral. Support 80 is drilled through from two holes 84 and 85 (fig. 5), each opening on the face of one rectangular areas 82 and 83. An integrated circuit 86 is fixed on the second face of the support 80. Connection wires 87 and 88 connect the circuit at ranges 82 and 83, respectively through holes 84 and 85. The face carrying the circuit 86 is entirely covered with an insulating layer 89 in lieu of protection. The other side, carrying the antenna 81, is covered a layer of adhesive 90 allowing the element 8 to be fixed on a support any. Before use, this layer can advantageously be covered protective film.

Such a member 8 plays the role of electronic key. Integrated circuit memory 86 is programmed to give a unique response to a signal of identification request. In addition, the answer given may include a so much information that no two organs will ever give the same. This provides very high operating security.

More precisely, and as can be seen in FIG. 6, the sensor 7 transmits a signal on demand at a given frequency, for example 13.56 Mhz for devices as marketed by the company Gemplus (France). This signal is picked up by the antenna 81 of the identification member 8.

The information received is applied to integrated circuit 86 and compared with the code in memory. When the signal is recognized by the body identification, it is amortized. The receiver 71 of the sensor 7 then receives a signal differ for each identification device 8. The control circuit 4 then interprets the signal received from the receiver 71 of the sensor 7, and thus identifies organ 8.

It is possible to automatically ensure the telephone link between the terminal and control center, based on code numbers. It is enough why these numbers are distributed so that part of the code allows to identify the control center and to associate in the memory of the circuit 4 this code with the call number.

The member 8 as described therefore does not include a battery. He works only on the energy it receives from the transmitter 70 of the sensor 7. More precisely, it modulates by absorption the transmitted signal. The receiver 71 receives thus a signal modified according to the characteristics of the organ Identification.

The object carrying the identification member 8, for example a watch schematically represented in 6, is placed on the support 1. This watch 6 has a back 60 made of insulating material, for example sapphire. On the face 6, the member 8 is fixed to the bottom 60 of the watch 6. The use of a material insulator avoids disturbance of the read and generated read signal by sensor 7.

Thanks to the fact that the identification element is directly integrated into the watch, it is possible at any time to identify the latter and follow it throughout throughout her life, through the services she is likely to undergo.

The sensor 7 further comprises a microphone and a sensor electromagnetic schematically shown in 72.

The microphone picks up the sound signals emitted by the exhaust of each mechanical watch.

The electromagnetic sensor is activated by the signals emitted by the motors electronic watches with needle display.

These signals are formed by the circuit 4 and sent by the computer network to the company E _j concerned. It can thus know the running of the watch as well as other characteristics that can be defined by the interpretation of these signals. If it deems it necessary, it can also send the retailer additional information relating to the product and any directives concerning its maintenance.

As a variant, it is possible to use a device for identification that can not only be read, but on which it is also possible to describe. In this case, the sensor 7 will additionally include a device allowing send a signal to write information in the device 8. Such a solution would allow at least one part to be stored in the identification unit information relating to the object with which it is associated. Among these, would be possible to store the name of the owner in order to allow identify a stolen product, for example.

Claims (8)

1. Device for controlling a set of watches (6) each provided with an identification part (8), said device comprising a sensor (7) fitted with a system for interaction (70, 71) with the identification part (8), characterised in that said device also comprises means of connection to connect it to a telecommunications network, thus forming a terminal, and in that said sensor (7) comprises a system (72, 4, 10) designed to sense signals relating to operation of the watches (6) and transmit them via said network (T), towards a measuring system (E_j).
2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that it also comprises a keyboard (2) enabling manual entry of information relating to the watch bearing the identification part (8).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterised in that it also comprises means of display (3) fitted with an electro-optical display cell capable of providing the user of the device with access to information concerning the watch (6), which is sent to it via the network (T).
4. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that said means of display (3) also comprise a printer (9) capable of printing the information transmitted and received by said device.
5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said identification parts (8) are of a type comprising an electronic chip (86) and an antenna (81) and in that the interaction system (70, 71) comprises an activation system (70) and a reading system (71) to activate said parts and read the information they contain, respectively.
6. Device according to any of the preceding claims, designed to control mechanical watches (5), characterised in that the system designed to sense said signals comprises at least one microphone (72) capable of sensing the audible signals emitted by said watch.
7. Device according to any of the preceding claims, designed to control electromechanical watches (6), characterised in that the device designed to sense said signals comprises at least one electromagnetic sensor (72) capable of sensing the signals emitted by a motor contained in said watch (6).
8. Control system, designed to control watches each provided with an identification part (8), by means of a device (D_l) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said device (D_|) is connected to a number of firms via said telecommunications network (T), each of these firms having at least one processing centre (E_j), to process the information relating to the watches (6) sold by it, identifiable by a code contained in the identification parts (8).

Images