KR19980081011A - Portable devices and, in particular, watches comprising a removable electronic module and an antenna associated with the electronic module. - Google Patents

Abstract

The antenna coil 34 is included in the case 32 of the watch, while the housing 48 can store an electronic module 50 which is intended to be associated with the antenna coil 34. The two ends of the 34 are connected to two electrical contact pads 58 and 59 respectively disposed on the outer surface of the housing 48, so that the antenna coil 34 and the electronic module 50 can provide some kind of information or data. The watch 30 is characterized by forming an electromagnetic signal receiver and a transmitter for carrying. An electrical contact is placed in the housing 48, and the electrical contact is in opposing contact with the two pads 58, 59, respectively, when the module is encased therein by a cover 52. The electronic module 50 consists of terminals 56 and 57. According to the invention, the lid 52 can be operated to open the housing 48, the lid 52 permits the detachment of the electronic module 50, and the module is detachably disposed in the housing. do.

Description

Portable devices and, in particular, watches comprising a removable electronic module and an antenna associated with the electronic module.

The present invention relates in particular to a portable device, such as a watch, in which an antenna is placed in a watchcase and the antenna is connected to an electronic module, wherein the antenna and the electronic module are connected to a receiver ( A portable device capable of forming a receiver, a transmitter, and a transponder. In addition, the present invention relates to an electronic module including an electronic unit, which stores some data in the electronic device, which is indispensable for a portable device according to the present invention. .

Receivers, transmitters, and transponders are generally used in a variety of portable devices in a recognized manner, for example, in portable devices for the identification process at the door entering a closed area. There are a number of clocks provided to an antenna for receiving electromagnetic signals or to an institution for storing confidential data.

As an example, the Swiss Patent Application No. 686 696 shows a watch 1, which consists of a middle part 3 forming the inner housing 4 and a bezel 5 of the watch. It is a watch 1 including 2). Watch the engine for receiving and transmitting radio signals formed by an antenna coil 6 arranged on an inner housing 4 and equipped with an annular support 7 and by a communication interface including a modulation and demodulation engine. (1) further includes.

One problem encountered with such watches, as manifested in the patent document, is that the electronic module 9 is permanently assembled to the watch. The clock is particularly inconvenient if the electronic device of such an electronic module stores confidential information or data, such as an opening password or bank-related information. In general, portable devices are only carried temporarily. And, as with watches, in particular, people often have multiple portable devices for the same function. In addition, some portable devices have a finite lifetime and are no longer used after some period of time. Therefore, there is a risk of putting confidential personal data on various portable devices and remaining on such portable devices when such data is never used or is no longer used. It should also be noted that some data or information, especially information related to banks, changes over time, and rather that such data is updated with each new process. As a result, the use of some portable devices with unique electronic data storage and control devices is not recommended.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above problems and disadvantages while maintaining the personal availability of many portable devices having the function of receiving and transmitting electromagnetic signals.

Therefore, the present invention relates to a portable device in which an antenna is disposed in a scab of a watch, wherein the electronic module in the housing included in the scab is detachably assembled, wherein the electronic module includes at least two electrical contact strips. and contact zones on the outer surface of the housing to ensure each electrical connection to the electrical contact strip of the electronic module when the antenna enters the housing and is encased therein by closing means. And an antenna having an electrical terminal or end connected to at least two partially assembled electrical contact organs, wherein the electrically connected antenna and the electronic device form an electronic signal receiver and a transmission device. Relates to a device.

As a result of this feature of the invention, it is possible to detach the electronic module from a portable device comprising an antenna. An antenna for acting as a communication engine having one or more external devices with an electromagnetic engine is provided in a portable device according to the present invention. Conversely, in order to store such data or information in the memory portion of the electronic device made of the above-described electronic module, an electronic unit used for managing data or information can be separated from a special portable device. Therefore, the electronic module and the data therein in an inseparable manner are independent of the particular portable device. In addition, when making electronic modules and housings for them according to a given standard, it is possible to integrate special electronic modules in several other portable devices, especially in other portable devices such as watches or cards or key chains or jewelry. It should be noted that it is possible to integrate such an electronic module detachably from a computer or any medium which makes it possible to process or simply read the data contained in the module.

Therefore, when using a portable device for a short time, the electronic module is integrated over time in several portable devices belonging to a person, so that the electronic module is related to a personal entity, even a legal entity, and the electronic module is owned by such a person. The fact that it remains is evident in the features of the present invention. Thus, for example, when several watches are alternately written and worn by a person, the person may possess several watches, while alternately integrating only one electronic module in such a watch.

The particular features and advantages of the present invention are described by way of example and not by way of the added drawings in which:

1 shows a cross-sectional view of a watch that can graphically obtain a radio message.

Figure 2 shows a watch and electronic module diagrammatically illustrating the general concept of the invention.

3 is a schematic bottom view of a watch according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a schematic cross-sectional view along line IV-IV of FIG. 3.

5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the first variant in the first embodiment.

6 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically of the second variant of the first embodiment.

7 is a schematic perspective view of a third variant of the first embodiment, showing only an electronic module, a cover associated with the module, and the like.

8 is a schematic perspective view of a fourth variant of the first embodiment.

9 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

10 and 11 are two circuit diagrams of each of the two variants of an electronic module embodiment according to the present invention assembled to mate with two different antennas as needed.

* Sign Description

30 ... watch 32 ... watch case

7 ... support 34 ... antenna, antenna coil

38 ... clock movement

40 ... casing ring

42 ... clock dial

46 ... LCD display 48 ... housing

50 ... electronic module

52 ... cover 54 ... sealing disc

36A, 36B ... electrical contact pads

56, 57 ... electrical contact pins

58, 59 ... electrical contact pads

60, 61 ... electrical connection

62, 63 ... electrical conection pads

64: metallization

Depending on the development of electronic chips for the management of personal data and transponders, such personal data is put on some other device that may be harmful to personal data, which may be harmful to confidential nature. In response to this condition, as already mentioned above, as generally seen in FIG. 2, a removable device in the housing 20 of the watch case 22 includes an electronic unit for storing data and possibly managing the data. The present invention proposes to arrange the electronic module 18. At the bottom of the housing 20, two electrical contact pads 24, 26 are placed, and when the electronic module enters the housing 20 and the module is contained therein by a cover 28, the electronic module 18. Electrical contact pins 26 and 27 of the pads 24 and 26 respectively contact. Therefore, an electronic module including an electronic device for storing data and possibly managing data on the watch so that the electronic device of the electronic module 18 can be accessed by a transmission antenna (not shown) provided in the watch case 22 ( 18). Antennas may be placed within the ticket 22 in various ways known to those skilled in the art.

Particular attention should be paid to the fact that the invention is not limited to a particular frequency range for the antenna integrated in the scab, nor to the particular application. In addition, although the following technique relates to a watch, in particular a wristwatch, the present invention is not limited to such a watch and can be easily applied to other portable devices. With an antenna placed in such a portable device, the device is capable of receiving and transmitting electromagnetic signals and the device also ensures the function of the transponder.

3 and 4, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the same manner as the watch of the prior art shown in FIG. 1, it is a watch 30 which arranges the antenna 34 on the support 7 in the watch case 32. Two ends of the antenna coil 34 are electrically connected to two electrical contact pads 36A and 36B respectively disposed on the support 7. The watch 30 also includes a watchmaker's mechanism 38 disposed on a casing ring 40. The clock 30 also includes a clock dial 42, a clock hand group 44 and a liquid crystal display 46. In accordance with the present invention, a housing 48 is provided in the watch case 32 for an electronic module 50 that is electrically connected to the antenna coil 34 and is detachably disposed. To do this, a cover 52 is provided which allows the electronic module to be contained within the housing 32, and closes the housing in such a way as to be sealed by a sealing disc (sealing disc 54). ). When placing the module 50 in the housing 48, and when the lid 52 is in a position where the housing 48 is closed, against and against the electrical contact pads 58, 59. Place electronic module 50 with electrical contact pins 56, 57.

In the electrically connected pads 62 and 63, which are respectively connected to the pads 36A and 36B by metal deposition 64 provided on the upper surface of the casing ring 40, to the ends of the electrically connected parts 60 and 61, respectively. By this, the electrical contact pads 58 and 59 are connected to two ends of the antenna coil 34 respectively. In this embodiment, electrical contact pads 58, 59 and electrical connection pads 62, 63 are disposed on the clockwork mechanism 38. However, in the variant of the embodiment such a pad is placed on another support, and electrical connection to the antenna coil 34 is achieved by methods known to those skilled in the art. In particular, it is possible to directly connect the two ends of the antenna coil 34 to the electrical contact pads 58, 59 arranged on the outer surface of the housing 48.

Particular attention is paid to the fact that the cover 52 can be operated by the user outside of the watch case 32. Therefore, it is possible for the user to remove the lid 52 in order to remove the electronic module 50 detachably disposed in the housing 48. When the module 50 is electrically connected to the antenna coil 34, the module and the antenna coil together form an electromagnetic receiver and a transmitter.

The module 50 has an electronic device (not shown here) that includes at least one memory portion. This electronic device can be somewhat complex and in particular includes a microprocessor. The arrangement of electronic modules 50 known to the person skilled in the art is used within the scope of the present invention. Likewise, antenna arrangements of portable devices, in particular watches, known to those skilled in the art, are used without departing from the invention.

5 to 8, several variants of the first embodiment described above are discussed below. There is no limit to this variant. The references already described are not described again in detail in the description of the various variants.

In the variant shown in FIG. 5, the electronic module 68 includes a metal envelope defining two electrical electrodes 69, 70. These two electrodes are connected to the electronic device 72. And, these two electric poles, each separated by a circular electrical insulator (71). On the outer surface of the housing 48, two electrical contact strips 74, 75 are arranged. When the electronic module 68 is inserted into the housing and the housing is encased by the lid 52, these strips are in electrical contact with the electrodes 69, 70 of the module 68, respectively. The lid 52 ensures the closing of the housing 48 in a hermetic manner through a veneer system known to those skilled in the art. On the scab 32, a vortex is placed against the cover. The arrangement of the metal strips 74, 75 is in particular the arrangement provided for the battery power supplied to the electronic clock implement.

In the variant shown in FIG. 6, the electronic module 78 is the same as the module 68 of FIG. 5. However, the electronic module is formed in only one shape together with the cover 80 used to close the housing 48. The cover 80 includes a threaded cord 81, and the cover 80 returns to the scab 32, which is securely sealed by the sealing gasket 82. This variant has advantages and disadvantages. The module 78 attached to the cover 80 is tighter, and therefore benefits from the fact that the module 78 can be manipulated more delicately. Conversely, when removing or removing the module 78 from the housing 48, it is not possible to put the cover 80 in place to close the housing again. In this case, if it is necessary to hold the housing 48, another cover is provided, which allows the cover to be closed in a closed manner when there is no electronic module.

The variant shown in part in FIG. 7-only the cover 52 and the electronic module are visible-with the variant shown in FIG. 6, the cover 52 closes the baynonet. The cover 52 is different in that the cover 52 is electrically insulated from the electrodes 69 and 70. In the variant of FIG. 6, the configuration of FIG. 7 is advantageous because the electrode 70 is connected to ground. The electrode 70 is electrically connected to the scab 32 or the body of the person wearing the watch by a cover 80 which together with the electrode 70 forms only one such limited metal wrap. In the variant of FIG. 7, it is advantageous for FIG. 7 that the cover 52 is separated from the module 68 by an electrically insulated intermediate zone 84.

8 shows the variant of the embodiment. An electronic module 50, such as the module shown in FIG. 4, is placed in the housing 48 provided in the side portion of the scab rather than in the bottom of the scab 32. Therefore, in order to pull the module 50 out of the housing 48, the user does not have to take the watch off the wrist. In this variant, the cover 88 is made of a plastic material or rubber with sufficient elastic force to apply a force to the upper portion of the housing to close the housing. Then, to contain (connect) the electrical contact pins 56, 57 which are anti-reflected to the electrical contact pads 58, 59, respectively, at a position in electrical contact with an antenna (not shown) disposed in the field of view. The cover 88 includes the electronic module 50. A cuff is provided to the scab 32 on the outer surface of the housing 48 so that the user can pull out the lid 88 with his fingers, especially with his fingernails. The use of covers made of non-metallic materials can constitute an advantage.

9, a second embodiment of the present invention is described. The embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the module 68 is inserted into the housing 94 disposed to include the supply battery 96 and the electronic module 68. In the variant shown in FIG. 9, the battery 96 is electrically connected to two electrical contact strips 97, 98 arranged in a generally accepted manner on the outer surface of the housing 94. The exterior view of module 68 is the same as that of cell 96. In addition, the module 68 defines in particular two electric electrodes 69, 70. On the outer surface of the housing 94, the battery contact strip 100 disposed in more detail near the side wall of such a housing 94, the antenna (not shown) provided in the watch case of the embodiment described herein, 70 is electrically connected. The electrode 70 of the module 68 is insulated from the battery 96 by a plain disk 102 made of an electrically insulating material. The disk 102 is rather fixed to the module 68. However, this disk 102 is also fixed on the battery 96. In addition, the disk 102 forms parts separated from the battery 96 and the module 68. When the cover is closed, by means of such a metal cover 106 when the surface 106A of the cover is attached to the electrode 69, the electrode 69 is electrically connected to the electrical contact pad 104. .

This second embodiment, therefore, in a portable device, in particular in an electronic watch according to the invention, has only one housing 94 and only one cover for placing the battery and the module 68. 106) has the advantage of requiring. For those skilled in the art, other variants of this second embodiment can be designed explicitly without departing from the invention. For example, it is possible to design an electronic module 68 having two electric poles each partially occupying a side surface of the module 68. In this case, two electrical contacts supplied to the electrical connection of the antenna provided in the portable device by two strips, such as the battery contact strip 100, by two strips arranged near the side wall of the housing 94. Make Therefore, the cover is not used as an electrical contact organ, and depending on the particular application, the contact organ may be advantageous.

Depending on the variant selected, it is possible to provide different shapes for electronic modules and batteries, in particular cylinder shapes and square shapes with two electric poles at the two ends or just one end of the module.

10 and 11, two variants are described schematically in the third embodiment of the present invention. As in the first and second embodiments, the electronic module 108 is placed in a housing provided in a device including a communication antenna. However, in the third embodiment here, the module 108 is arranged to be able to connect the electronic module 108 to two different antennas arranged in two different devices, respectively. To do so, in the FIG. 10 variant, the module includes four electrical contact terminals 114, 115, 116, 117. When the module 108 is placed in a housing provided in a device comprising an antenna 110, the two ends of the antenna 110 are electrically connected to two terminals 115, 116. Conversely, when the electronic module 108 is placed in another device that includes the antenna 112, the two ends of the antenna are electrically connected to two terminals 114, 117. In the exchange of data between the device consisting of the module 108 and the antennas 110 and 112 associated with the module and external communication devices provided for that purpose, other applications are allowed, particularly with regard to communication distances and frequency ranges. The module 108 is provided to another antenna.

As already mentioned, the present invention includes the main advantage of being able to detach or detach an electronic device, particularly personal and confidential data, from a portable device, including a communication authority having an external device provided for that purpose. In addition, another major advantage is that only one and the same electronic module can be placed in several handheld devices provided for that purpose. Therefore, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to place the same electronic module in a portable device having an antenna operating in various frequency ranges and at various transmission powers, or at different reception sensitivity.

Depending on whether the electronics module 108 is placed in the first device comprising the antenna 110 or in the second device comprising the antenna 112, only three electrical contact terminals 114, 115, 116-where 11 shows a variant, characterized in that the electronic module 108 includes a pad 116 connected to one end of the antenna 110 or antenna 112.

Claims (14)

In a portable device 30 having an antenna disposed in a case 32 of a watch and including such a case 32, the electronic module is contained in the housings 48 and 94 included in the case. The electronic module includes at least two electrical contact terminals or pads 56, 57; 69, 70; 114, 115, 116, 117, wherein 50, 68, 78, 108 are removable. Characterized in that when the electronic module enters the housing and the module is contained therein by the closing organs 52; 80; 88; 106 therein, it is electrically connected to two electrical contact terminals or pads of the module, respectively. In order to be able to be connected, the antenna has two ends connected to electrical contact organs 58, 59; 74, 75; 100, 106A at least partially disposed on an outer surface of the housing, the electromagnetic signal Electrically connected receiver and transmitter A portable device, characterized in that formed by the antenna and the electronic module. 2. A portable device according to claim 1, wherein the closing organ is operated outside of the scab. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the closing organ (52; 106) is formed by a cover with a bayonet closing device and the housing (48; 94) is allowed to close. A portable device, characterized in that a vortex is disposed on a scab 32 against a cover. 3. A portable device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closing organ is formed by a cover (80) having side threads (81) which allow the housing (48) to be turned and closed. ). A portable device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic module (68; 78) and the closing organ (52; 80) together form only one and the same part. . Portable device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the portable device forms a watch (30). 7. Portable device according to claim 6, characterized in that the housing (48; 94) is arranged at the bottom of the scab (32) of the watch (30). 7. Portable device according to claim 6, characterized in that the housing (48) is arranged in one portion of the scab except for the bottom of the watch swatch (32). The closing organ (80; 106) is electrically connected to an electrode (70; 69) which defines one of the electrical contact pads of the electronic module (78; 68). A portable device, characterized in that the closing organ is formed at least in part by an electrically conductive material. In the above claim, the housing 94 is arranged for disposing the battery and the electronic module 68 in only one same housing 94 and for equipping the electricity supply battery 96. And a portable device. 11. A portable device according to claim 10, characterized by providing an electrically insulating organ (102) between the battery (96) and the electronic module (68). In the above claim, the electronic module 108 comprises at least three electrical contact pins or pads 114, 115, 116, 117 and can be associated with at least two other antennas 110, 112. A portable device, characterized in that for disposing the electronic module. An electronic module 18 that includes at least two electrical contact terminals or pads 56, 57; 69, 70; 114, 115, 116, 117, and which places an electronic device 72 including at least one memory portion. , 50, 68, 78, 108, to electrically connect the electronic device with the two ends of the antenna disposed in the portable device 30 including the housing 48; 94, in which the module is removable. The two electrical contact terminals or pads of the electronic module when the electronic module is encased in the housing by a closing organ 28, 52; 80, 88; 106 that can enter the housing and operate outside of the scab. The portable device includes at least two electrical contact organs 58, 59; 74, 75; 100, 106A disposed at least partially on an outer surface of the housing to respectively allow electrical contact with the electrically connected antenna. Module is the same An electronic module, which forms this electromagnetic signal receiver and a transmitter. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one at said electrical contact terminal and pad engages said first antenna and at least one at said electrical contact terminal and pad engages said second antenna. An electronic module comprising at least three electrical contact terminals or pads, which are capable of associating an electronic module with a first or second antenna disposed in the electronic module.