CH715521A2 - Method of broadcasting an acoustic signal. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of broadcasting an acoustic signal to a wearer of a watch, the method comprising a step of identifying an event relating to a function of this watch (1) as well as a step of sending a configuration signal relating to said identified event to an audio interface (3) of the watch (1) comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements (4) mounted on at least one deformable support element (9), said plurality of piezoelectric elements (4) and said at least one deformable support element (9) being able together to produce a sound. The invention proposes to reduce the energy consumption for the emission of a variety of sounds.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a method of broadcasting an acoustic signal to a wearer of a watch.

The invention also relates to a watch implementing this method and a computer program.

Prior art

In the prior art, the reception of notification messages is conventionally signaled in watches by an alert consisting of the emission of an acoustic signal broadcast by a sound interface composed of a loudspeaker. However, such a sound interface consumes a large amount of energy in the course of its operation, which is then problematic for such watches whose energy capacity is limited.

It is understood that there is then a need to find an alternative solution, in particular which does not have the drawbacks of the prior art.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method of broadcasting an acoustic signal that consumes low energy, offering a substantial variety of different sounds capable of being emitted by a watch.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sound interface which is compact or not bulky compared to the sound interfaces of the prior art.

In this design, the invention relates to a method of broadcasting an acoustic signal to a wearer of a watch, the method comprising a step of identifying an event relating to a function of this watch as well as a step of sending a configuration signal relating to said identified event to a sound interface of the watch comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements mounted on at least one deformable support element, said plurality of piezoelectric elements and said at least a deformable support element being able together to produce a sound.

In other embodiments: <tb> • <SEP> the sending step comprises a sub-step for selecting a design criterion for the configuration signal relating to said identified event; <tb> • <SEP> the design criterion comprises operating data of the sound interface comprising at least one vibration frequency and at least one vibration amplitude defined for each piezoelectric element constituting said interface; <tb> • <SEP> the information data include the duration of the acoustic signal; <tb> • <SEP> the information data includes at least one instant / period of operation of each piezoelectric element with respect to the duration of diffusion, namely: <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> a single instant of operation during all or part of the duration of diffusion of the acoustic signal, or <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> a sequence of operating moments during the duration of the acoustic signal broadcast. <tb> • <SEP> the information data includes for each operating instant: <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> a vibration frequency and a vibration amplitude; <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> a vibration frequency and a sequence of vibration amplitudes; <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> a sequence of vibration frequencies and a sequence of vibration amplitudes, or <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> a sequence of vibration frequencies and an amplitude of vibration; <tb><SEP> <SEP> - <SEP> the configuration signal comprises separate control instructions for each piezoelectric element of the sound interface during the duration of broadcast of the message; <tb><SEP> <SEP> - <SEP> the configuration signal participates in the separate control of each piezoelectric element of the sound interface helping to produce: <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> the sound likely to be broadcast to the bearer, or <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> the sound and a tactile message likely to be broadcast to the wearer.

The invention also relates to a watch in particular connected, implementing this method, comprising a processing unit and a sound interface provided with a plurality of piezoelectric elements, said processing unit being connected to said sound interface.

Advantageously, the sound interface is defined in the watch case and / or in the strap of this watch.

The invention also relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method, when said computer program is executed by a processing unit of a watch.

Brief description of the figures

Other features and advantages will emerge clearly from the description which is given below, for information and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 represents a flow diagram relating to a method of broadcasting an acoustic signal to a wearer of a watch, according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 represents a watch implementing this method, according to the embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

In Figure 1 is illustrated a method of broadcasting an acoustic signal to a wearer of a watch 1. This method aims to notify / inform the wearer of watch 1 of the identification of an event relating to one or more functions of watch 1, this by means of a broadcast of an acoustic signal specific to the identified event. Such a method makes it possible to drive piezoelectric elements 4 arranged in watch 1 separately in order to participate in the production of this acoustic signal. For example, this acoustic signal can reproduce the sound of the “ticking” of a mechanical movement due to the movement of the second hand when it “jumps” every second under the effect of a regulation mechanism such as a pendulum. In this particularly interesting example for a watch 1 provided with an electronic movement, the identified event can be the activation of an operating mode of the watch for example by the choice of this operating mode in a contextual menu of the watch 1. Note that this acoustic signal can be associated with a tactile message relating to the detected event broadcast by a tactile rendering interface of watch 1 included in a sound interface of this watch 1. For example, following identification of an event, in addition to the broadcasting of a sound / noise by the watch, a tactile message specific to the identified event can also be broadcast to the wearer simultaneously or substantially simultaneously. Such a message can correspond in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner to: the realization of an outline of a graphic representation such as a motif / symbol, a letter, a number in a tactile way, that is to say as is achievable by moving the tip of a finger of an individual on the wearer's skin; the application of the graphic representation on the wearer's skin, for example the application of the shape of a letter or of a symbol / pattern; the generation of wave and / or vibration phenomenon aiming for example to create for the wearer a soft, pleasant, sensual or conversely unpleasant tactile perception.

In this context, this tactile message broadcast with sound / noise in particular via the audio interface 3 allows the wearer to perceive the message by tactile means in addition to the sound perceived by auditory means. In other words, the reception of this message by the wearer calls for a tactile sensory perception of the latter. In one example, the wearer can perceive on his skin, in addition to the sound / noise, a sensation of a caress if the identified event relates to a missed call from his girlfriend or alternatively, he can perceive on his skin making an outline in the shape of a heart.

Such a method is implemented by a watch 1 including a connected watch. Such a watch 1 visible in FIG. 2, includes in a non-exhaustive and non-limiting manner: a processing unit 2 comprising hardware and software resources, in particular at least one processor cooperating with memory elements; the sound interface 3 comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements 4, each element 4 being capable of converting an electrical signal into mechanical oscillations / pulsations; the tactile rendering interface included in the sound interface 3 and therefore also comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements 4; a hybrid display dial 5 provided with a first analog display component and a second digital and / or alphanumeric display component; a communication module 6; a mechanical or electronic movement, and environmental, behavioral and / or physiological sensors 8.

This processing unit 2 of the watch 1 is connected / connected inter alia to the sound interface 3, to the tactile rendering interface, to the piezoelectric elements 4, to the display dial 5, to the communication module 6 , to the movement 7 and to the environmental, behavioral and / or physiological sensors 8.

In this watch 1, the sound interface 3 is defined in a watch box 1 and / or in a strap of this watch. This sound interface 3 and therefore also the tactile rendering interface, comprises piezoelectric elements 4 and at least one deformable support element 9 associated with said piezoelectric elements 4. Each piezoelectric element 4 can for example be made of a piezoelectric ceramic or of a flexible piezopolymer material (polyvinylidene fluoride - PVDF), and can have, without limitation, a circular shape and / or be a film or a film. Such a piezoelectric element 4 can have characteristic dimensions of the order of a few square millimeters or even a few square micrometers with a thin thickness of about a few millimeters or even a few micrometers. This piezoelectric element 4 is capable of receiving control instructions from the processing unit 2 to deform by vibration said at least one support element 9. The deformable support element 9 also called acoustic support element 9 is for example a plate. It is understood that the term "plate" is used here to define a substantially two-dimensional element, the thickness of which is small with regard to its length and its width. The plate can be curved and have a given curve.

The vibration deformation of the support element 9 is carried out according to a vibration frequency range which makes it possible to produce a sound effect and therefore the generation of an acoustic signal, by generating a displacement of the air around the support element 9. The vibration frequency range is a direct function of the material of the support element 9. For example, if the support element 9 is made of PMMA, the corresponding frequency range ranges from 20Hz to 20kHz. One can envisage a determined sequence of deformations by vibration of the support element 9 at high frequency so that the succession of sound effects forms a music / melody. It should be noted that it is not here the movement of the piezoelectric element 4 which directly produces the sound by disturbing the air in the vicinity, but it is indeed the movement of the support element 9 on which the l 'piezoelectric element 4 which produces this disturbance and therefore the acoustic signal.

In a first embodiment, the piezoelectric elements 4 of this sound interface 3 can be arranged on all or part of the surface of a support element 9 forming the bottom of the watch case 1. In a second example , these piezoelectric elements 4 can be arranged in the bracelet, in particular on all or part of the surface of a support element 9 included in at least one strand of this bracelet. In a third example, these piezoelectric elements 4 can be arranged both in all or part of the surface of the support element 9 included in the bottom of the watch case and in at least one strand of the bracelet. In a fourth example, each piezoelectric element 4 of this sound interface 3 can be associated with a separate support element 9, in other words the sound interface 3 comprises as many piezoelectric elements 4 as it comprises support elements 9. Thus piezoelectric element 4 and support element 9 assemblies can be arranged in the watch case and / or in the bracelet. In a fifth example, the bottom of the watch case can be divided into several support elements 9 on each of which can be arranged at least one piezoelectric element 4.

Note that in this watch 1, each piezoelectric element 4 is connected / connected distinctly to the processing unit 2. In other words, the processing unit 2 is able to drive each piezoelectric element 4 individually and / or distinctly of this audio interface 3.

Note that the piezoelectric elements 4 and the deformable support element (s) 9 of the tactile rendering interface included in the sound interface 3, are arranged in the same way as those included in this sound interface 3 However, these elements 4, 9 of this tactile rendering interface are defined in all or just a portion of a part of watch 1, said part being intended to be in contact with the skin of the wearer, for example that defined at its handle. It will be noted that the tactile rendering interface can comprise a deformable support membrane in which the piezoelectric elements 4 and the deformable support element (s) 9 are arranged. In this example, this membrane can then be an attachment to the watch 1 by being fixed to the contact face with the skin of the wearer of the bottom of the watch case and / or to the contact face with the skin of the wearer of the bracelet. In a variant, this membrane may have come in one piece with the contact face of the bottom of the watch case 1 and / or of the contact face of the bracelet.

In this watch 1, the communication module 6 is configured to establish a connection with a system of cellular networks, in particular comprising a SIM card (acronym for "Subscriber Identity Module") or with a system of wireless local area networks WLAN , and is also able to implement communication technologies such as Bluetooth. Under these conditions, watch 1 is capable of exchanging data with a remote server, a computer or even a smartphone.

Furthermore, the environmental sensors 8 of watch 1, are specifically adapted to measure environmental parameters such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, etc. As regards behavioral sensors 8, they are able to measure all types of behavioral characteristics of the wearer of watch 1 such as, for example, the movements or gestures made by the latter. To do this, these behavioral sensors 8 can include one or more inertial sensors of the accelerometer, gyroscope or miniature multi-axis gyrometer type such as multi-axis sensors manufactured in MEMS technology, capable of detecting angular speeds and linear accelerations along several axes associating accelerometers and / or gyroscopes. Concerning the physiological sensors 8, they are able to measure the parameters relating to the functioning of an organism of the carrier such as, for example, the pulse, the oxygen saturation of the blood, the impedance of the skin, the blood pressure, the respiratory rate, respiratory arrhythmia, skin temperature, sweating rate, blood oxygen saturation or blood flow.

Such a method comprises a step 10 of identifying an event relating to a function of the watch 1. This watch 1 indeed comprises a set of functions. These functions relate in a non-exhaustive and non-limiting manner: the management of telephone calls, the management of short messages of the SMS or MMS type, the management of instant messages, the measurement of an atmospheric pressure, the measurement of a altitude, temperature measurement, provision of sports results, navigation / guidance assistance, movement gait control, heart rate measurement, number of steps measurement, diary, configuration 'an operating mode of the watch (for example, an operating mode can be the reproduction of a sound or noise of a mechanical movement such as the "ticking"), an alarm etc ...

In this context, it will be noted that the identification of an event by the processing unit 2, can result in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner: the determination of a threshold being exceeded by a measurement coming from one or more sensors 8 in particular in the case of monitoring by this processing unit 2 of a behavioral or physiological parameter of the wearer or of a parameter environmental, etc ...; receiving a missed telephone call received by the processing unit 2 from the communication module 6; the reception of a short or instant message or of an electronic mail and received by the processing unit 2 from remote servers via the communication module; activation of an operating mode of watch 1 (for example the mode relating to “ticking noise”); triggering of an alarm such as: an alarm for waking up, alarm for an appointment, alarm for taking a medication; etc ...

The method then comprises a step of sending 11 a configuration signal relating to said identified event to an audio interface 3 of the watch 1 comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements 4 mounted on at least one support element 9 capable together of producing a sound. It will be noted that this sound interface as we have mentioned, is also capable of generating a tactile message in addition to sound / noise from the assembly formed by the plurality of piezoelectric elements 4 and at least one l 'support element 9 included in the tactile rendering interface of this sound interface 3. This step 11 includes a selection sub-step 12 of a design criterion of the configuration signal relating to said identified event. In other words, this design criterion is defined according to the identified event. This design criterion is preferably previously configured by the wearer of the watch as other design criteria specific to other identifiable events archived in the memory elements of the processing unit 2. Such a design criterion comprises a operating scenario of the piezoelectric elements 4 constituting the sound interface 3. This design criterion then participates in the design of the configuration signal participating in the generation of the acoustic signal intended to be transmitted to the wearer of the watch 1. By way of example , if the identified event is "activation of a watch operating mode such as ticking noise" then the design signal design criterion includes an operating scenario which aims to design a signal configuration specifically defined for the generation of an acoustic signal reproducing the noise of the ticking sound of a mechanical movement. In a variant, the design criterion may participate in the design of the configuration signal contributing to the generation of the acoustic signal and of a tactile message intended to be transmitted to the wearer of the watch 1. For example, if the event identified is "the triggering of the alarm clock" then the design signal of the configuration signal includes an operating scenario which aims to design a configuration signal specifically defined for the generation of an acoustic signal and this tactile message reproducing soft music / melody of awakening accompanied by a feeling of caress perceived by the wearer.

The design criterion of the configuration signal comprises operating data of the sound interface 3. More precisely, these operating data of the sound interface 3 comprise at least one frequency and at least one amplitude defined for each element piezoelectric 4 constituting said interface 3. In particular, these operating data include: <tb> - <SEP> the duration of the acoustic signal diffusion; <tb> - <SEP> at least one instant / period of operation of each piezoelectric element 4 with respect to the duration of diffusion, namely: <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> a single instant of operation during all or part of the duration of diffusion of the acoustic signal, or <tb> <SEP> • <SEP> a sequence of instants of operation during the duration of diffusion of the acoustic signal, and <tb> - <SEP> for each instant of operation: <tb> - <SEP> a vibration frequency and a vibration amplitude, or <tb> - <SEP> a vibration frequency and a sequence of amplitudes, or <tb> - <SEP> a sequence of vibration frequencies and a sequence of vibration amplitudes or <tb> - <SEP> a sequence of vibration frequencies and an amplitude of vibration.

Note that the vibration frequency sequence may include similar or substantially similar frequencies, or that different or substantially different frequencies, or a combination of similar and different frequencies. Likewise, the sequence of amplitudes may comprise only similar or substantially similar amplitudes, or that different or substantially different amplitudes, or else a combination of similar and different amplitudes.

This step 11 then comprises a substep of generation 13 of the configuration signal from said design criterion. During this sub-step 13, the processing unit 2 designs on the basis of this design criterion, the configuration signal which makes it possible to control each piezoelectric element 4 of this sound interface 3 individually and / or distinctly. This configuration signal is then sent by the processing unit 2 to the sound interface 3. Such a signal comprises separate control instructions for each piezoelectric element 4 during the duration of diffusion of the acoustic signal associated or not with the diffusion of the tactile message.

Upon receipt of this configuration signal, the sound interface 3 emits / broadcasts to the carrier the acoustic signal associated or not with the broadcasting of the touch message. Thus, this acoustic signal can correspond in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner to: short and / or short sound / noise with at least one variable amplitude and / or at least one variable frequency; long sound / noise with at least one variable amplitude and / or at least one variable frequency; a succession of short and / or short sounds, and / or long sounds / noises with at least one variable amplitude and / or at least one variable frequency; music / melody, or a succession of music / melodies.

If the diffusion of the acoustic signal is accompanied by a diffusion of the tactile message, then the diffusion of this sound / noise is associated in a nonlimiting and nonexhaustive manner with: the realization of an outline of a graphic representation such as a motif / symbol, a letter, a number in a tactile way, that is to say as is achievable by moving the tip of a finger of an individual on the wearer's skin; the application of the graphic representation on the wearer's skin, for example the application of the shape of a letter or of a symbol / pattern; the generation of wave and / or vibration phenomenon aiming for example to create for the wearer a soft, pleasant, sensual or conversely unpleasant tactile perception.

The invention also relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of steps 10 to 13 of this method when said computer program is executed by the processing unit 2 of the watch 1.

Claims (11)

1. A method of broadcasting an acoustic signal to a wearer of a watch, the method comprising a step of identifying an event relating to a function of this watch (1) as well as a step of sending a configuration signal relating to said event identified at an audio interface (3) of the watch (1) comprising a plurality of piezoelectric elements (4) mounted on at least one deformable support element (9), said plurality of piezoelectric elements and said at least one deformable support element (9) being able together to produce a sound. 2. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sending step (11) comprises a selection sub-step (12) of a design criterion of the configuration signal relating to said identified event. 3. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the design criterion comprises operating data of the sound interface (3) comprising at least one vibration frequency and at least one vibration amplitude defined for each piezoelectric element (4 ) constituting said interface (3). 4. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the information data comprise the duration of diffusion of the acoustic signal. 5. Method according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the information data comprise at least one instant / period of operation of each piezoelectric element (4) with respect to the duration of diffusion either: • a single instant of operation during all or part of the duration of diffusion of the acoustic signal, or • a sequence of operating moments during the duration of the acoustic signal broadcast. 6. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the information data comprise for each operating instant: - a vibration frequency and a vibration amplitude; - a vibration frequency and a sequence of vibration amplitudes; - a sequence of vibration frequencies and a sequence of vibration amplitudes, or - a sequence of vibration frequencies and an amplitude of vibration. 7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the configuration signal comprises separate control instructions for each piezoelectric element (4) of the sound interface (3) during the duration of broadcast of the message. 8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the configuration signal participates in the separate control of each piezoelectric element (4) of the sound interface (3) helping to produce: • the sound likely to be broadcast to the bearer, or • the sound and a tactile message likely to be broadcast to the wearer. 9. Watch (1) in particular connected, implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a processing unit (2) and a sound interface (3) provided with a plurality of piezoelectric elements (4) , said processing unit (2) being connected to said sound interface (3). 10. Watch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sound interface (3) is defined in the watch case (1) and / or in the strap of this watch (1). 11. Computer program comprising program code instructions for the execution of steps (10 to 13) of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, when said computer program is executed by a processing unit (2) of a watch (1).