CH718100A2 - Watch case comprising a device for controlling a near-field communication device. - Google Patents

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a case (2) for a watch (1) comprising a hollow pivoting bezel (3) formed from first and second trim elements comprising a near-field communication device (4) provided with at least a microcircuit (5a) connected to an antenna (5b), said box (2) comprising a remote control device (30) of said communication device (4) configured to activate or deactivate said communication device (4).

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a watch case comprising a device for controlling a near-field communication device, as well as a watch equipped with such a case.

Technology background

[0002] It is known to produce watches incorporating near-field communication devices. These devices consist of an electronic chip, or integrated circuit, electrically connected to an antenna. Most of the time, these devices do not need an autonomous power supply and are intended to communicate automatically with a reader as soon as they approach it. The electromagnetic field of the reader generates an induced current in the antenna which powers the chip and allows it to in turn emit a signal via the antenna.

[0003] However, these communication devices integrated into these watches have great vulnerability vis-à-vis malicious third parties who could, by approaching a transceiver, recover confidential information without the knowledge of their owner. Moreover, such near-field communication devices remain vulnerable between the time they are activated and the time when communication is established with the reader. Furthermore, it will be noted that the various known security methods are unsuitable for certain watches, are impractical and do not make it possible to completely eliminate the risks of hacking.

[0004] Thus, the state of the art does not offer a solution making it possible to overcome such drawbacks, there is consequently a need to propose an alternative to the existing solutions.

Summary of the invention

[0005] One of the aims of the present invention is to propose a means for securing a near-field communication device integrated in a watch which is easy to use and safer than the solutions of the prior art.

[0006] Another of these aims is to provide a watch which can be easily and quickly dismantled to ensure the maintenance of the near-field communication device and/or of a control device for this communication device, both arranged in this watch.

[0007] The invention relates to a watch case comprising a hollow pivoting bezel formed of first and second casing elements comprising a near-field communication device provided with at least one microcircuit connected to an antenna, said case comprising a device remotely controlling said communication device configured to activate or deactivate said communication device.

In other embodiments: the control device comprises a loop-type electrically conductive element whose two free ends each comprise an electrical contact terminal; the control device comprises a switch element making it possible to electrically close or open said conductive element; the control device comprises a mobile control member capable of being moved between two predefined positions, namely an active position in which the communication device is activated and an inactive position in which the communication device is deactivated; the switch element comprises two end portions each of which is capable of being in contact with one of the two terminals of the conductive element when the latter is electrically closed by the switch element; the switch element and the conductive element are arranged to move in the watch case relative to one another so that the switch element electrically opens or closes said conductive element; the switch element is arranged in a control member in particular in the bezel, and the conductive element in the middle part; the switch element is arranged in the middle part and the conductive element in a control member, in particular in the bezel; the bezel is formed by an assembly of two trim elements capable of defining a housing in which said near-field communication device is arranged, said first and second bezel trim elements being assembled one with the another from a reversible fixation device; the reversible fastening device comprises a clamping element, in particular a compressible seal; the first trim element comprises a reversible attachment zone comprising a groove defined on an outer peripheral wall of the first trim element; said groove is configured to receive said clamping element; said second trim element comprises a reversible connection zone which is capable of cooperating by friction with a clamping element arranged in a groove included in the first trim element; the bezel comprises a removable support element of the near-field communication device; the support element comprises on its upper face a reception area, in particular in an inclined plane, capable of receiving said antenna; the support element comprises a recess in which said at least one microcircuit may be arranged in whole or in part; the support element comprises on its underside at least two feet capable of resting on an internal face of the second trim element of the bezel when this second trim element is assembled to the first trim element; the reception zone of the support element comprises or is formed of a magnetic protection screen such as ferrite; the first and second covering elements, the removable support element and the clamping element are made of at least one dielectric and/or electrically non-conductive material; said bezel is fixed to the middle part using at least one removable fixing element, in particular of the clipping type; the field communication device comprises a coating of waterproof material capable of rendering said device impermeable to water and/or humidity; the near field communication device is a contactless electronic payment device;

Another aspect of the invention relates to a watch comprising a box comprising a near-field communication device.

[0010] Advantageously, the watch is waterproof.

Brief description of figures

[0011] The purposes, advantages and characteristics... FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a watch provided with a case comprising a bezel in which a near-field communication device is arranged, and a control device for said communication device, according to one embodiment of the invention ; FIGS. 2 and 3 represent sectional views of the watch of FIG. 1, respectively in inactive and active positions, namely an active position in which the communication device is activated and an inactive position in which the communication device is deactivated, according to the embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a top view of a perspective representation of the bezel, according to the embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a bottom view of a perspective representation of the bezel, according to the embodiment of the invention, and Figure 6 is an exploded view of a perspective representation of the bezel, according to the embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a watch 1 comprising a case 2 comprising a middle part 6 and a hollow bezel 3 provided with a near-field communication device 4 of the NFC type (acronym for "Near Field Communication") ). Such a near-field communication device 4 can participate in the production of a contactless electronic payment. In this context, such a device 4 is then a contactless electronic payment device.

This near-field communication device 4 comprises at least one microcircuit 5a which may be an integrated circuit and an antenna 5b, preferably of circular shape, which may be wound in an electrically conductive material, for example copper or aluminum or even made on a printed circuit (or PCB English Printed Circuit Board) and which is connected to said microcircuit 5a.

[0014] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, the watch 1 according to the invention comprises a bezel 3 which can be easily disassembled / disassembled in particular to change the communication device 4 in the near field which would be defective and this, without damaging this bezel. 3 and by extension the box 2 of watch 1. In addition, this bezel 3 also contributes to allowing such a device 4 to be integrated into this watch 1 in a simpler and more economical manner. It will be noted that such a pivoting bezel 3 can be unidirectional or bidirectional.

[0015] With a view to improving the security of this watch 1, the latter comprises a remote control device 30 of the communication device 4 which helps to prevent a malicious third party recovering without the knowledge of the user of the watch 1, sensitive information which is archived therein by using for this purpose, for example, a suitable transceiver. In this configuration, it is understood that the communication device 4 is deactivated by default and that its activation can only be carried out from this control device 30. Such a control device 30 which is described in more detail below is configured to enable or disable this communication device. It will be noted that this control device 30 is said to be remote or remote because it is distinct from the communication device 4. In other words, this control device 30 is not connected by a physical link to the communication device 4.

This watch 1 can be an electronic watch or a mechanical watch or even a connected watch. This watch 1 can be waterproof and in this configuration it can be a sports watch such as a diving watch.

[0017] In this watch 1, the case 2 firstly comprises a middle part 6. The middle part 6 can be made of metal (for example steel, preferably stainless steel), in a synthetic material (for example in a composite material comprising a polymer matrix loaded with fibers, typically carbon) or in ceramics or even in a dielectric and/or electrically non-conductive material. As can be seen in FIG. 1, caseband 6 has a circular outline. The caseband 6 defines an interior space configured to accommodate a clock movement. This middle part 6 comprises horns on which a bracelet is intended to hang for wearing the watch 1 on the wrist. If the horns are disregarded, the caseband 6 has a general symmetry of revolution around a central axis X.

[0018] This box 2 of watch 1 comprises secondly, the bezel 3 which is removably mounted on the middle part 6. This bezel 3 is in fact mounted on this middle part 6 from at least one removable fixing element in particular of the clipping or interlocking type. Such a fixing element makes it possible to assemble and disassemble the bezel 3 from the middle part 6 easily, quickly and simply without damaging them in order to ensure, for example, the maintenance of the communication device 4 in the near field.

In Figures 1 to 4, this bezel 3 has an essentially annular shape. It comprises two covering elements 7a, 7b, a reversible fixing device 8 and a removable support element 11 of the communication device 4 in the near field. More specifically, this bezel 3 is formed by assembling the first trim element 7a with the second trim element 7b so as to define a housing in which the near-field communication device 4 is arranged. In particular, it will be noted that in this configuration the support element 11 is sandwiched between these two covering elements 7a, 7b. In this bezel 3, the reversible fixing device 8 comprises a fixing zone 9b and a connecting zone 9c as well as a tightening element 9a which we will describe later. Recall that such a device 8 participates in the assembly of the first and second covering elements 7a, 7b by fitting together by clamping.

The first covering element 7a comprises an outer face 15 on which is affixed or formed a graduation 16. In the example illustrated, the graduation comprises indexes, some of which are figurative and are in the form of numbers (preferably Arabs). One of the indexes, called zero index 17, is in the form of a triangle pointing inwardly of this first trim element 7a, to form an origin mark from which the user measures, in minutes, the time elapsed from a predetermined initial instant corresponding to a precise angular position of the bezel 3 with respect to the middle part 6. This first covering element 7a also comprises an internal face 18, an internal peripheral wall 19 and an outer peripheral wall.

This first trim element 7a comprises an arrangement zone 29 of said at least one microcircuit 5a of the communication device 4 which is provided both in a part of the internal peripheral wall 19 and a part of the internal face 18. This layout area 29 is preferably located behind the zero index 17.

The first trim element 7a also comprises the reversible attachment zone 9b comprising a groove 10 defined on its outer peripheral wall. Such a groove 10 is specifically configured to receive the clamping element 9a.

This clamping element 9a can be a compressible seal which is smaller than the periphery (circumference) of the groove 10. Such a clamping element 9a is therefore arranged in the groove 10 by being stretched. Despite its smaller circumference, the clamping element 9a finds its place in this groove 10 thanks to its elastic properties, which allow it to be relaxed and which, once placed in the groove 10, will shrink to press against the peripheral wall. external in groove 10.

[0024] This reversible attachment zone 9b is able to cooperate with the reversible connection zone 9c defined on an internal peripheral wall 21 of the second trim element 7b of the bezel 3. This connection zone 9c is able to cooperate with a external surface 20 of the clamping element 9a mounted in the groove 10 of the fixing zone 9b in order to reversibly connect the first covering element 7a with the second covering element 7b. It will be noted that the connecting zone 9c is capable of cooperating by friction with the outer surface 20 of the clamping element 9a arranged in the groove 10.

In this configuration, the diameter connecting two points of the outer surface 20 of the clamping element 9a mounted on the first covering element 7a is substantially greater or strictly greater than the diameter connecting two points of the connecting zone 9c of the second trim element 7b. It will be noted that the diameter connecting two points of the groove 10 of the first covering element 7a is substantially less or strictly less than the diameter connecting two points of the connecting zone 9c of the second covering element 7b. Furthermore, it is understood that the diameter of the first covering element 7a without the clamping element 9a is substantially less or strictly less than that of the second covering element 7b.

[0026] The second covering element 7b comprises an internal face which is contiguous with its internal peripheral wall 21. This internal face is in particular configured to be a support face for the support element 11 of the bezel 3 when the first and second trim elements 7a, 7b are assembled. This second covering element 7b comprises an external face 22 opposite the internal face and which extends facing an upper face 28 of the middle part 6, and more precisely opposite a part of the middle part 6 provided for the removable fixing of the bezel 3. This external face 22 comprises a toothed crown 23 of this bezel 3 which serves for the angular indexing of the bezel 3 with respect to the middle part 6. This toothed crown 23 comprises a peripheral series of teeth whose each tooth is asymmetrical and includes an inclined ramp and a vertical stopping surface, possibly connected by a horizontal plateau.

[0027] This second trim element 7b is also provided with an outer peripheral wall on which is defined a gripping zone 24 of the bezel 3.

As we have mentioned, the bezel 3 comprises the removable support element 11 of the communication device 4 in the near field. More specifically, this support element 11 is provided with an upper face 13a comprising a zone 12b for receiving the antenna 5b of said communication device 4. This reception zone 12b on which said antenna 5b is arranged is in particular comprised in a inclined plane. This support element 11 also comprises a recess 12a, or a through opening, in which said at least one microcircuit 5a may be arranged in whole or in part.

[0029] In a variant, the reception zone 12b can comprise/form a magnetic protective screen such as ferrite by being covered with a layer of material based on ferrite. In this context, the part of the internal peripheral wall and the internal face of the second covering element 7b located close to said at least one microcircuit 5a, can also comprise such a layer of material in order to form a magnetic screen with this element of stand 11.

[0030] In addition, this support element 11 comprises a lower face 13b comprising a plurality of feet 14 capable of resting on the internal face of the second covering element 7b of this bezel 3 when this second covering element 7b is assembled. to the first trim element 7a.

In this bezel 3, the first and second covering elements 7a, 7b, the clamping element 9a and the support element 11 are adapted to the operation of the communication device 4 in the near field by being manufactured in dielectric and electrically non-conductive materials, such as for example a polymer, titanium or a ceramic, or any other synthetic material.

[0032] Furthermore, the communication device 4 comprises a coating of waterproof material which makes it impermeable to water and humidity. This coating of material is also able to make it resistant to high pressures that may be encountered during dives carried out by the wearer of watch 1. This coating of material may comprise organic or inorganic layers or a combination of these two types of layers .

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, in this case 2 of watch 1, the remote control device 30 of the communication device 4 comprises an electrically conductive element 33, a switch element 34 and a movable control member 3, 27. This electrically conductive element 33 is of the loop type, in particular a loop which is open and the two free ends of which each form a terminal 35a, 35b of electrical contact. This conductive element 33 has an essentially annular shape. The switch element 34 is itself a metal part 37 mounted on a fixing support 38. Such a switch element 34 makes it possible to electrically close or open the conductive element 33. This switch element 34 is provided with two end portions 36a, 36b each of which is capable of being in contact with one of the two terminals 35a, 35b of the conductive element 33 when the latter is electrically closed by the switch element 34.

In case 2 of watch 1, switch element 34 and conductive element 33 are arranged to move relative to one another so that switch element 34 electrically opens or closes said conductive element. 33, i.e. so that: each terminal 35a, 35b is in contact with each end portion 36a, 36b to electrically close said conductive element 33, or each terminal 35a, 35b is not in contact with each end portion 36a, 36b to electrically open said conductive element 33.

More specifically and as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the switch element 34 can be arranged in the movable control member 3, 27 which can be moved in rotation or in translation such as the pivoting bezel 3 or even a crown 27 of the case 2 of watch 1, and the conductive element 33 in the middle part 6. In this configuration, the switch element 34 is located in a portion of the external face 22 of the second covering element 7b of the bezel 3. The conductive element 33 is for its part arranged in a portion of this middle part 6 which is made of at least one dielectric and/or electrically non-conductive material. It will be noted that the upper face 28 of the middle part 6 can also be made of at least one dielectric and/or electrically non-conductive material since the end portions 36a, 36b of the switch element 34 bear against this upper face 28 when the the conductive element 33 is open and the near field communication device 4 is deactivated.

In a variant, the conductive element 33 can be arranged in the movable control member 3, 27 and the switch element 34 in the middle part 6. In this configuration, the conductive element 33 is arranged in a portion of the outer face 22 of the second trim element 7b of the bezel 3. The switch element 34 is for its part arranged in a portion of the middle part 6 which is made of at least one dielectric and/or electrically non-conductive material

[0037] Referring to Figure 2, when the control member 3, 27, here the pivoting bezel 3, is in a first predefined position, called the active position, the end portions 36a, 36b of the conductive element 33 are resting against the non-conductive material of the upper face 28 of the middle part 6 so that the conductive element 33 is electrically open and the near-field communication device 4 is activated.

When the control member 3, 27 is in a second predefined position, called inactive position, shown in Figure 3, these end portions 36a, 36b bear against the conductive material of the terminals 35a, 35b of the conductive element 33 so that this element 33 is electrically closed and the communicating device 4 is then deactivated. More precisely in this configuration, when the communication device 4 is placed in the presence of a reader of the payment terminal type and the chip 5a of this device 4 initiates the transmission of a signal via the antenna 5b, the field magnetic corresponding to this signal and emitted by this antenna 5b comprises field lines which collide with the conductive element 33 and generate therein induced currents, generally called eddy currents. Thus, the conductive element 33 absorbs this magnetic field of the device 4 which therefore fails to communicate with the reader and is therefore in fact in a deactivated configuration. In other words, the conductive element 33 neutralizes/inhibits the transmission capacity of a signal from the communication device 4 to the reader.

Thus by rotating the bezel, it is possible to activate and deactivate at will the communication device 4 in the near field which allows, by deactivating the device 4, to guard against the risk of fraudulent communication. The assembly composed of the bezel 3 and the end portions 36a, 36b on one side and by the terminals 35a, 35b and the case on the other, constitutes a mechanical switch.

[0040] In addition, the box 2 of the watch 1 can include a visual and/or sound device indicating the activated or deactivated state of the communication device 4. In this context, a sound interface of this device 4 can include a loudspeaker. speaker, a buzzer and/or a vibrator. Being a visual interface of this device 4, it can include: a screen arranged in the dial 26 of this watch 1 and/or at least one hand 25a, 25b capable of moving and cooperating with indexes/appliques included on a dial 26, and/or at least one hand 25a, 25b capable of moving and cooperating with indexes or numbers included on a flange of the watch and/or at least one hand 25a, 25b capable of moving and cooperating with the indexes and/or numbers included on the pivoting bezel 3 of the watch 1, and/or at least one window arranged in dial 26 in which a graphic representation such as a drawing or even a number can be displayed, and/or at least one light-emitting diode.

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 different embodiments of the invention set out above without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. .

Claims (22)

1. Case (2) of a watch (1) comprising a hollow pivoting bezel (3) formed of first and second covering elements (7a, 7b) comprising a near-field communication device (4) provided with at least one microcircuit (5a) connected to an antenna (5b), said box (2) comprising a remote control device (30) of said communication device (4) configured to activate or deactivate said communication device (4). 2. Box (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the control device (30) comprises: - a loop-type electrically conductive element (33) whose two free ends each comprise an electrical contact terminal (35a, 35b); – a switch element (34) making it possible to electrically close or open said conductive element (33), and – a mobile control member (3, 27) capable of being moved between two predefined positions, namely an active position in which the communication device (4) is activated and an inactive position in which the communication device (4) is disabled. 3. Box (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the switch element (34) comprises two end portions (36a, 36b) each of which is capable of being in contact with one of the two terminals (35a, 35b) of the conductive element (33) when the latter is electrically closed by the switch element (34). 4. Box (2) according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the switch element (34) and the conductive element (33) are arranged movably in the case (2) of the watch (1) relative to each other so that the switch element (34) electrically opens or closes said conductive element (33). 5. Box (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the switch element (34) is arranged in a control member (3, 27) in particular in the bezel (3), and the conductive element (33) in the caseband (6). 6. Box (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the switch element (34) is arranged in the middle part (6) and the conductive element (33) in a control member ( 3, 27) in particular in the bezel (3). 7. Box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bezel is formed by an assembly of two covering elements (7a, 7b) capable of defining a housing in which said device is arranged. communication (4) in the near field, said first and second covering elements (7a, 7b) of the bezel (3) being assembled with one another from a reversible fixing device (8). 8. Box (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reversible fastening device (8) comprises a clamping element (9a) in particular a compressible seal. 9. Box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first covering element (7a) comprises a reversible fixing zone (9b) comprising a groove (10) defined on an outer peripheral wall of the first trim element (7a). 10. Box (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said groove (10) is configured to receive said clamping element (9a). 11. Box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second covering element (7b) comprises a reversible connecting zone (9c) which is capable of cooperating by friction with a clamping element ( 9a) arranged in a groove (10) included in the first covering element (7a). 12. Box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bezel (3) comprises a removable support element (11) of the near-field communication device (4). 13. Box (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support element (11) comprises on its upper face (13a) a reception zone (12b) in particular in an inclined plane capable of receiving said antenna (5b) . 14. Box (2) according to any one of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that the support element (11) comprises a recess (12a) in which is capable of being arranged in whole or in part said at least a microcircuit (5a). 15. Box (2) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the support element (11) comprises on its underside (13b) at least two feet (14) capable of resting on a inner face (15) of the second trim element (7b) of the bezel (3) when this second trim element (7b) is assembled to the first trim element (7a). 16. Box (2) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the receiving zone of the support element (11) comprises or is formed of a magnetic protective screen such as ferrite. 17. Box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second covering elements (7a, 7b), the removable support element (11) and the clamping element (9a ) are made of at least one dielectric and/or electrically non-conductive material. 18. Case (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bezel (3) is fixed to the caseband (6) from at least one removable fixing element, in particular of the clipping type. 19. Box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication device (4) in the field comprises a coating of waterproof material capable of rendering said device (4) waterproof and/ or humidity. 20. Box (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the near-field communication device (4) is a contactless electronic payment device. 21. Watch (1) comprising a case (2) comprising a near-field communication device (4), according to claims 1 to 20. 22. Watch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is waterproof.