CH709919B1 - Portable tactile object having a simplified extinction of the tactile keys. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable object (100) comprising a box (103) composed of a frame (105) closed by a glass forming an enclosure in which an electronic module; is placed, said electronic module cooperating with control means comprising at least a plurality of touchpads (115) to interact with the electronic module, each touchpad being located on an interior/exterior surface of the box, said electronic module being programmed to operating in a first mode of operation in which at least the touch pads are activated and for operating in a second mode of operation in which at least the touch pads are deactivated.

Description

The present invention relates to a portable object comprising a case closed by a glass forming an enclosure in which an electronic module cooperating with control means is arranged. These control means comprise at least a plurality of touch keys.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Portable objects such as electronic watches 1 are known. These electronic watches visible in FIG. display 9 are arranged.

These electronic watches include an electronic module cooperating with control means. These control means comprise at least a plurality of touch keys 11.

[0004] In general, on these watches with tactile keys, it is desired to be able to turn off the tactile system in order to save energy or to prevent a simple touch on one of the keys from causing a disruption of the watch such as a modification of the display or even a deprogramming. Indeed, the tactile keys, for example of the capacitive type, are permanently scanned at a frequency comprised between 2Hz and 100Hz to allow the detection of a contact. This permanent scanning therefore consumes energy.

[0005] As such, the engagement of the touch keys is effected by means of a button 13 which may be the crown.

[0006] For the triggering of the touch keys, there may be provided, for example, a specific deactivation sequence as shown in FIG. 2, a duration, that is to say that if during a predetermined period of time no key is activated , triggering takes place, or a deactivation button.

[0007] However, a disadvantage of the specific deactivation manipulation is that the user must remember it.

[0008] In addition, a disadvantage of the waiting period (also called Timeout) is precisely its duration which leaves an unused system still switched on for several seconds and therefore liable to be activated involuntarily.

[0009] A drawback of the button solution is that it becomes necessary to have a specific button so as to have identical manipulation from any place in the program. However, a dedicated button requires a more complex design of the case of the portable object.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing to provide a portable object whose touch interface can be deactivated very simply.

[0011] To this end, the present invention consists of a portable object comprising a case composed of a middle part closed by a crystal and a bottom, forming an enclosure in which an electronic module is placed, said electronic module cooperating with means of control comprising at least a plurality of contact pads for interacting with the electronic module, each contact pad being located on a surface of the case, said electronic module being programmed to operate in a first mode of operation in which at least the contact pads are activated and to operate in a second operating mode in which at least the contact pads are deactivated, characterized in that the passage from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation takes place following the detection by the said electronic module of the simultaneous activation of at least a predetermined number of touch pads.

[0012] The advantage of the present invention is that it does not require any additional specific button or waiting period to operate the passage from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.

In a first advantageous embodiment, the predetermined number of contact pads activated to allow passage from the first operating mode to the second operating mode is equal to at least 50% of the number of contact pads present.

In a second advantageous embodiment, the predetermined number of contact pads activated to allow passage from the first operating mode to the second operating mode is equal to the total number of contact pads present.

In a third advantageous embodiment, the simultaneous activation of the touch pads is done by contact with a body allowing a disturbance of the electric field seen by the touch pad.

In a fifth advantageous embodiment, the body allowing disturbance of the electric field is a volume of water.

[0017] In a sixth advantageous embodiment, the activation of the tactile pads is done by pressure with a body allowing, by resistive effect, the appearance of a voltage at the level of the tactile pad.

In a seventh advantageous embodiment, the activation of the tactile pads is done by pressure with a body allowing, by piezoelectric effect, the appearance of a voltage at the level of the tactile pad.

In another advantageous embodiment, the activation of the tactile pads is done by pressure with a body allowing optical disturbance of the tactile pad.

The invention also relates to a portable object comprising a box composed of a frame closed by a screen forming an enclosure in which an electronic module is placed, said screen comprising a lens associated with an electric detection grid forming means of control, or contacts, cooperating with the electronic module to interact with it, said electronic module being programmed to operate in a first mode of operation in which at least the screen is activated and to operate in a second mode of operation in which at least the screen is disabled, characterized in that the passage from the first operating mode to the second operating mode takes place following the detection by the said electronic module of at least a predetermined number of activated zones.

In a first advantageous embodiment, the predetermined number of activated zones is equal to at least three.

In a second advantageous embodiment, the predetermined number of activated zones is equal to at least the number of fingers of one hand.

In a third advantageous embodiment, the screen is of the capacitive type, the activation being carried out with a body allowing a disturbance of the electric field.

In a fourth advantageous embodiment, the screen is of the resistive type.

In a fifth advantageous embodiment, the screen is of the optical type.

In another advantageous embodiment, the screen is of the piezoelectric type.

In another advantageous embodiment, the body allowing disturbance of the electric field is a volume of water.

In another advantageous embodiment, the first operating mode is a normal operating mode in which the electronic module is active, the second operating mode being a standby operating mode in which the electronic module is inactive.

In another advantageous embodiment, the first operating mode is a normal operating mode in which said portable object is active, the second operating mode being an operating mode in which the portable object is powered off. .

In another advantageous embodiment, the first operating mode is a normal operating mode in which a chronograph function of the electronic module is inactive, the second operating mode being an operating mode in which said chronograph function is active .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The objects, advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly in the following detailed description of at least one embodiment of the invention given solely by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings in which : Figures 1 and 2 show a portable object according to the prior art; Figures 3 to 6 show a first embodiment of the portable object and its manipulations according to the invention; FIGS. 7 to 10 represent a second embodiment of the portable object and its manipulations according to the invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention proceeds from the general idea of providing a simple manipulation to turn off / deactivate at least the touch keys of a portable object such as a watch.

In a first embodiment visible in Figures 3 and 4, a portable object 100 according to the invention is shown. This portable object 100, here a watch, comprises a case 103. This case 103 is made up of a frame 105 closed by a crystal 107, the frame possibly being made up of two parts like a middle part to which is fixed a bottom for the example of a watch. The frame 105 closed by the glass forms an enclosure 104 in which an electronic module 106 is placed. This electronic module comprises for example a microcontroller powered by a battery and communicating with display means 109 or even sensors.

The electronic module also cooperates with control means 111, these control means being tactile.

[0035] Of course, the control means may also comprise at least one pusher 113.

According to the invention, the electronic module is programmed to operate according to a first mode of operation in which the touch control means 111 are active and a second mode of operation in which the touch control means 111 are inactive.

These control means 111 comprise a plurality of touch keys used to interact with the electronic module 106. These touch keys are arranged at the level of the case, that is to say at the level of the chassis or the glass, for example at the inner surface. If the tactile keys are arranged at the level of the frame 105, the latter must be made of an appropriate material according to the technology used. For example, in the case of capacitive touch keys, the material which supports the electrodes must be electrically insulating. In the case of a watch, the touch keys can be located at the level of the part acting as middle part, bezel or at the level of the crystal.

[0038] The tactile keys using capacitive technology are arranged in the form of electrically conductive electrodes, transparent or not, for example under/on the crystal, the bezel or the caseband. These tactile keys are in the form of conductive tactile pads 115 so that when the user places his finger on an area where a pad is arranged, a variation of the electric field occurs. This variation of the electric field leads to a variation of the capacitance. The electronic module 106 will detect this capacitance variation indicating the presence of the finger and interpret it.

Advantageously according to the invention, the passage from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation is done by simultaneously activating a predetermined number of tracks 115. The activation of these tracks 115 can be a touch, a press or any manipulation of the user allowing the activation of these ranges 115.

The predetermined number of ranges 115 activated simultaneously to pass from the first operating mode to the second operating mode is chosen to be clearly dissociated from the existing manipulations at the level of the portable object.

As such, it will be considered that the transition from the first operating mode to the second operating mode takes place when at least half of the contact pads 115 are activated simultaneously.

[0042] For example, for a Tissot T-Touch<®> watch comprising 7 tactile keys, 6 contact pads on the periphery of the crystal and a central contact pad, the passage from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation can be done when at least 3 ranges are activated simultaneously. This manipulation is completely distinct from the basic manipulations because the programming of this watch provides for a range for each function and therefore the pressing of several ranges simultaneously is not planned. These 3 keys to be activated simultaneously can be activated using the thumb or two fingers D as shown in FIG. 5 where it can be seen that at least four ranges T1, T2, T3, T4 are activated.

Preferably, the transition from the first operating mode to the second operating mode takes place when all the ranges 115 are activated simultaneously by the user. Typically, for a Tissot T-Touch ® watch comprising 7 contact pads, the activation of all of the pads 115 is done by placing the hand M on the crystal as shown in figure 6.

[0044] The advantage of such manipulation, that is to say placing the hand M on the crystal 107 to trigger the passage from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation, is that it is simple and that it does not require no particular aim on the part of the user. Indeed, the user places his hand M and the detection of the activation of all of the ranges is done, causing the passage from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.

Of course, it is possible that technologies, resistive, piezoelectric or optical are used for the touch keys.

Thus, for resistive technology, one of the surfaces of the portable object can locally comprise a conductive layer and a plastic film whose underside is conductive (resistive: ITO). The surface of the portable object and the plastic film are held apart from each other by microscopic spacers. An electric current is induced in one of the two conductive faces during the operation. When the user touches the screen with the tip of a stylus (or a finger), the pressure exerted initiates contact between the two electrified faces.

[0047] In the case of piezoelectric technology, the detection grid is designed to transform a user's support, that is to say a stress, into an electrical signal. Pressing the touch key generates a stress transformed into an electrical signal which, once detected, allows the location of the position.

In the case of optical technology, the detection grid uses optical technology, that is to say an optical network. Pressing the user on the touch key causes the local deformation thereof. This deformation leads to a modification of the optical network. This modification is detected and located to recover position information.

In a second embodiment visible in Figures 7 and 8, a portable object 200 according to the invention is shown. This portable object 200, here a mobile telephone or a tablet, comprises a box 203. This box 203 is made up of a frame 205 closed by a glass 207. The frame 205 closed by the glass forms an enclosure 204 in which an electronic module 206 is placed. This electronic module 206 comprises for example a microprocessor powered by a battery and communicating with display means 209, or even sensors.

The electronic module also cooperates with control means 211, these control means being tactile.

[0051] Of course, the control means may also comprise at least one pusher 213.

The control means 211 are a touch screen 215 used to interact with the electronic module. A touch screen 215 is generally made up of a glass or polymer plate 217 with which an electric detection grid 219 is associated. Such a touch screen can use capacitive or resistive technology. Other technologies, such as optics or piezoelectricity can also be used, depending on the applications.

A resistive screen consists of a glass plate whose surface is conductive (resistive: ITO). This is covered by a plastic film whose underside is conductive (resistive: ITO). These two layers are held apart from each other by microscopic spacers. An additional layer can be added on the surface to avoid scratches (for example, by stylus tips). An electric current is induced in one of the two conductive faces during the operation. When the user touches the screen with the tip of a stylus (or a finger), the pressure exerted initiates contact between the two electrified faces. Measuring the voltage across the terminals of the electrodes of the other conductive face makes it possible to determine the position of the finger or of the stylus. Once the coordinates have been determined, the software processing by the system is established and determines which zones have been activated.

In a capacitive screen, a conductive layer, for example based on indium, is placed on a glass plate, or any other electrically insulating material, then structured into a network of tactile pads. The presence of the user's finger modifies the distribution of the electric field lines in space, which corresponds to a variation in the capacitance of the various tactile pads. The variation in the capacitance of the touch pads is measured at regular intervals and is interpreted by the electronic module which will deduce the position of the user's finger therefrom.

[0055] In the case of piezoelectric technology, the detection grid is designed to transform a user's support, that is to say a stress, into an electrical signal. Pressing the flexible side of the screen generates a stress transformed into an electrical signal.

In the case of optical technology, the detection grid uses optical technology, that is to say an optical network. Pressing the user on the screen causes the local deformation of the latter. This deformation leads to a modification of the optical network. This modification is detected and located to recover position information.

Advantageously according to the invention, the passage from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation is done by detecting a predetermined number of activation of zones Zi on the touch screen 215. The activation of these zones Zi on the The screen 215 can be a touch, a press or any manipulation by the user allowing the activation of the touch screen 215.

The predetermined number of zones Zi simultaneously activated to pass from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation is chosen to be clearly dissociated from the manipulations existing at the level of the portable object 200.

In this regard, it will be considered that the transition from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation takes place when at least three zones Z1, Z2, Z3 are detected simultaneously as visible in FIG. 9. Indeed, for the current smartphones, the most common multi-touch function consists of using two fingers simultaneously to manipulate an image or an object, such as enlarging or rotating it. Preferably, it will be considered that the transition from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation takes place when five zones (Zi) are detected simultaneously (not shown). This therefore means that the user places the fingers of one hand on the screen to switch from one mode to another.

Even more preferably, it will be considered that the passage from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation takes place when more than five zones Zi are activated simultaneously, that is to say when the entire hand M of the user is placed on said screen as shown in Figure 10.

[0061] The advantage of such manipulation, that is to say placing the hand on the screen to trigger the passage from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation, is that it is simple since it does not require particular aim on the part of the user. In the case of a latest generation mobile telephone having a large screen of about four to five inches (8 to 13cm) diagonally, the activation of half of the touch keys is done by placing the hand on the screen. that is to say a very simple manipulation.

In a first mode of execution, the first mode of operation is a so-called normal mode of operation in which the touch keys allow the user to use functions or to set the watch. The second operating mode is then a so-called economical operating mode in which the touch keys are inactive, thus making it possible to save energy and to avoid undesired manipulations.

In a second mode of execution, the first operating mode is an operating mode in which a specific function is inactive while the second operating mode is an operating mode in which the specific function becomes active. Indeed, for certain simple functions such as the countdown or chronograph functions, a quick start is necessary so as not to waste time when activating the function.

[0064] In a variant of the first and second embodiments, it is conceivable that the passage from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation takes place automatically under certain conditions. In fact, under certain conditions, an activation of the touch keys or a multitude of presses can be detected without the user having acted on the crystal or the screen. For example, the capacitive technology of touch screens with capacitive keys or capacitive touch screens is sensitive to water. This means that when the portable object provided with a touch screen with capacitive keys or a capacitive touch screen is immersed in water, the touch keys of the screen or of the touch screen will activate more or less . The electronic module will then consider that the user places his hand on the crystal or the screen, and will therefore initiate the passage from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.

This variant advantageously allows a solution in which a chronograph function engages when the swimmer enters the water, this activating the capacitive keys of the tactile glass. This allows easy triggering of the chronograph function.

This variant allows another solution in which an extinction function of the portable object takes place in the case where said portable object is in water. This makes it possible to try to save the portable object in the event of a fall in the water.

It will be understood that various modifications and/or improvements and/or combinations obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the various embodiments of the invention described above without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

[0068] Thus, it is possible for the portable object to be provided with a specific button for deactivating the tactile control means or for a deactivation manipulation to be programmed. Additionally, a countdown or timeout may be possible.

Claims (19)

1. Portable object (100) comprising a housing (103) composed of a frame (105) closed by a glass (107) forming an enclosure in which an electronic module (106) is placed, said electronic module cooperating with means of control (111) comprising at least a plurality of touchpads (115) for interacting with the electronic module, each touchpad being located at the level of a surface of the case, said electronic module being programmed to operate in a first mode of operation in which at least the touchpads are activated and for operating in a second mode of operation in which at least the touchpads are deactivated, characterized in that the passage from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation takes place following detection by said electronic module for the simultaneous activation of at least a predetermined number of touch pads. 2. Portable object according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined number of touch pads (115) activated to allow passage from the first operating mode to the second operating mode is equal to at least 50% of the number of touch pads present . 3. Portable object according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined number of touch pads (115) activated to allow passage from the first operating mode to the second operating mode is equal to the total number of touch pads present. 4. Portable object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the simultaneous activation of the touch pads (115) takes place by contact with a body allowing disturbance of the electric field seen by the touch pad. 5. Portable object according to claim 4, characterized in that the body allowing a disturbance of the electric field is a volume of water. 6. Portable object according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the activation of the tactile pads (115) is done by pressure with a body allowing, by resistive effect, the appearance of a voltage at the level of the touch range. 7. Portable object according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the activation of the tactile pads (115) is done by pressure with a body allowing, by piezoelectric effect, the appearance of a voltage at the level of the touch pad. 8. Portable object according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the activation of the touch pads (115) is done by pressure with a body allowing optical disturbance of the touch pad. 9. Portable object (200) comprising a box (203) composed of a frame (205) closed by a screen (215) forming an enclosure (204) in which an electronic module (206) is placed, said screen comprising a glass (217) associated with an electric detection grid (219) forming control means (211) cooperating with the electronic module to interact with it, the electric detection grid (219) defining zones (Zi, Zi'), said electronic module being programmed to operate in a first mode of operation in which at least the screen is activated and to operate in a second mode of operation in which at least the screen is deactivated, characterized in that the passage from the first mode of operation in the second mode of operation takes place following the detection by said electronic module of at least a predetermined number of zones (Zi, Zi') activated. 10. Portable object according to claim 9, characterized in that the predetermined number of zones (Zi) activated is equal to at least three. 11. Portable object according to claim 9, characterized in that the predetermined number of zones (Zi) activated is equal to at least the number of fingers of one hand. 12. Portable object according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the screen is of the capacitive type, the activation being carried out with a body allowing a disturbance of the electric field. 13. Portable object according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the screen (215) is of the resistive type. 14. Portable object according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the screen (215) is of the optical type. 15. Portable object according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the screen (215) is of the piezoelectric type. 16. Portable object according to claim 12, characterized in that the body allowing a disturbance of the electric field is a volume of water. 17. Portable object according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first operating mode is a normal operating mode in which the electronic module (206) is active, the second operating mode being a standby operating mode wherein the electronic module (206) is inactive. 18. Portable object according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the first operating mode is a normal operating mode in which said portable object is active, the second operating mode being an operating mode in which said portable object is turned off. 19. Portable object according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the first operating mode is a normal operating mode in which a chronograph function of the electronic module is inactive, the second operating mode being an operating mode wherein said chronograph function is active.