CH719272A2 - Electronic watch comprising a flange provided with a tactile control circuit. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic watch comprising a case provided with a bezel (2) forming in whole or in part a tactile interface of said watch, said bezel (2) comprising an antenna circuit of a communication module of the watch and a flange provided with a tactile control circuit for a tactile control member of this watch.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a watch comprising a flange provided with a tactile control circuit, said watch comprising an antenna circuit of a communication module of said watch.

Technology background

[0002] Many portable electronic objects are known in the state of the art capable of being connected to communication networks such as electronic watches which are provided with touch interfaces conventionally arranged in the crystals of the latter. Such tactile interfaces are generally used to improve the interactivity of watches and to simplify handling thereof, in particular when the latter offer a substantial number of menus and functions.

[0003] In order to be able to connect to communication networks such as networks of the Bluetooth type or else in connection with geolocation, such electronic watches include communication means conventionally incorporating an antenna. It is known that the optimum size of such an antenna depends directly on the wavelength of the transmitted/received signal. Indeed, an antenna of optimal length makes it possible to send/receive a signal in full and at full power.

[0004] In these watches, the available space being limited, an antenna must have a suitable design to be integrated into the case of the watch. And if the watch incorporates a means of radio communication that operates on radio frequencies (such as 2.4 GHz or 1.5 GHz), the size of the product becomes critical in relation to the wavelength (120 mm and 200 mm).

[0005] Furthermore, other constraints must also be taken into account due to the fact that these watches have many metal parts and that an antenna must be insulated from them.

[0006] In this context, it is understood that there is a need to find a solution, in particular which does not have the drawbacks of the prior art.

Summary of the invention

[0007] One of the aims of the invention is to have a watch comprising a touch interface and integrating an antenna circuit having an optimal length to send/receive a signal in full and at full power and coming to be integrated into the case of this watch whose reception volume is limited.

Another object of the invention is to obtain a watch whose aesthetics, energy consumption and manufacturing costs are not impacted or only slightly impacted by the integration of a touch interface in a flange of this shows in particular an antenna circuit.

Another object of the invention is to obtain a watch whose aesthetics, energy consumption and manufacturing costs are not impacted or only slightly impacted by the integration of a tactile control circuit and an antenna circuit in a flange of this watch.

[0010] For this purpose, the invention relates to an electronic watch comprising a case provided with a bezel forming in whole or in part a touch interface of said watch, said bezel comprising an antenna circuit of a communication module of the watch and a flange provided with a tactile control circuit for a tactile control member of this watch.

[0011] In other embodiments: - the antenna circuit and the tactile control circuit are located in the bezel on either side of an axis of symmetry passing through the center of the bezel; – the bezel comprises first and second parts capable of being assembled with each other; – the bezel comprises a first part which is capable of circumscribing a crystal of the watch; – the bezel comprises a second part which is able to circumscribe a dial of the watch; – the first part of the bezel comprises a body comprising an outer face of the bezel provided with at least one touch zone; – the second part of the bezel comprises a support element provided with an upper surface comprising at least one relief whose top is covered with a conductive material forming an electrode, said top being located opposite a portion of a inner face of the body of the first part of the bezel arranged below a first or a second tactile zone of an outer face of this first part constituting an outer face of the bezel; – the antenna circuit is produced on an upper surface of a support element or on an internal face of the body of the first part of the bezel; – the antenna circuit comprises first and second strands made on a first portion of the upper surface of a support element of a second part of the bezel, said first and second strands each having a proximal end and a distal end , and extending in parallel between their proximal and distal ends, the first and second strands being connected at their distal ends as well as at their proximal ends; – the tactile control circuit comprising at least one electrode is produced on a second portion of the upper surface of a support element of a second part of the bezel; – the antenna circuit comprises a microcircuit connected to the first and second strands via a connection track made on the upper surface of a support element of a second part of the bezel; - the control circuit comprises a microcontroller connected to said at least one electrode via at least one connection track; – the bezel is made of at least one dielectric and/or electrically non-conductive material; – the watch is a connected watch comprising a bezel which is a bezel forming in whole or in part a touch interface.

Brief description of figures

[0012] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description which follows, made in conjunction with the appended figures listed below: - Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an electronic watch comprising a bezel forming in whole or in part a tactile interface of said watch, according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 is a representation of the bezel comprising a second part of which a support element comprises on its upper surface a tactile control circuit provided in particular with electrodes, according to the embodiment of the invention; - Figure 3 is a larger scale view of a part E of Figure 2, according to the embodiment of the invention; - Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the arrangement of the electrodes of the tactile control circuit and of the antenna circuit of said watch on the upper surface of the support element of the second part of the bezel participating in forming a flange of this bezel, according to the embodiment of the invention; - Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the watch comprising a communication module and a touch control member of which respectively the antenna circuit and the touch control circuit are arranged on the upper surface of the support element, according to the embodiment of the invention, and - Figure 6 shows the bezel of the electronic watch showing by transparency the antenna circuit and the touch control circuit, according to the embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0013] Referring to Figure 1, the invention relates to an electronic watch 1 such as a connected watch.

In this context, such an electronic watch 1 is provided with a case 3 comprising a bezel 2 forming all or part of a touch interface of said electronic watch 1 through which a wearer of this watch 1 can interact with the latter with a view to controlling, for example, watchmaking functions of this watch 1. This case 3 also comprises a middle part which can be made of metal (for example steel, preferably stainless steel), of a synthetic material (for in a composite material comprising a polymer matrix loaded with fibers, typically carbon) or in ceramic or else in at least one dielectric and/or electrically non-conductive material. The case 3 also comprises a back and a crystal 29 which help to form, with the middle part, an enclosure of this case 3.

In such an enclosure, are arranged in particular a dial 7 comprising a display device, and an electronic device 4 of said electronic watch 1. The display device comprises display elements which can be analog like hands and /or digital such as an LCD, LED or OLED screen. The display device and the dial 7 are located between the crystal 29 and the electronic device 4.

In this configuration, bezel 2 comprises first and second parts 9a, 9b capable of being assembled with each other. In this bezel 2 the first part 9a encloses the crystal 29. In other words, this first part 9a is able to circumscribe the crystal 29 of the watch 1 by being in contact or even covering an edge of this crystal. With regard to the second part 9b, it is for its part able to circumscribe the dial 7 of this watch 1 by being there also likely to be in contact or even to cover the edge of this dial 7. This bezel 2 also comprises a spacer or flange which is arranged between the crystal 29 and this dial 7. Indeed, this flange is formed by the portion of the bezel 2 which, starting from the notch of the crystal 29, covers the edge of the dial. Such a flange is both included in the first and second parts 9a, 9b of this bezel 2.

In this watch 1, the electronic device 4 includes an electronic watch movement. It is configured to provide at least one item of information to be displayed by the display device of the dial 7. This electronic device 4 comprises, in a non-exhaustive and non-limiting manner, a communication module 6, an electronic watch control module, a accumulator of electrical energy, in particular a battery, as well as various sensors such as, for example, sensors participating in the determination of a geolocation, an altitude or a temperature of a place or even in the determination of physiological, biometric parameters, vital and/or behavioral signs of the wearer of the electronic watch 1.

[0018] It will be noted that in this configuration, the control module allows the wearer of such an electronic watch 1 to be able to interact with the latter, in particular by being able to activate/deactivate/select different functions - for example watch functions - capable of be implemented by this electronic watch 1. This control module comprises a tactile control member 8 and in alternatives other control members such as pushers or buttons arranged on the caseband.

In the electronic device 4, the communication module 6 includes an antenna circuit 10 connected to a microcircuit 11, and the touch control unit 8 includes a microcontroller 12 connected to a touch control circuit 13. as we will see later, the antenna circuit 10 and the control circuit 13 are arranged on the bezel flange 2, the latter forming in whole or in part a touch interface of the electronic watch 1.

[0020] Such a bezel 2 is preferably arranged on the middle part of the case 3. It may be a rotating bezel or a fixed bezel. As we have previously mentioned, this bezel 2 is formed by assembling its first and second parts 9a, 9b together. These two parts 9a 9b are interconnected in a reversible and/or sealed manner.

The first part 9a of the bezel 2 comprises a body 5 provided with an inner face and an outer face 17 which forms an outer face 17 of the bezel 2. The outer face 17 is a visible face of this bezel 2 by the wearer which can be manipulated in particular at the level of first and second tactile zones 18a, 18b defined on this face 17. The bezel 2 can comprise on its outer face 17 a graduation. In the example illustrated, the graduation comprises figurative indexes 24 which are in the form of numbers (preferably Arabic).

In order for the antenna circuit 10 and the control circuit 13 to operate efficiently and/or optimally, the body 5 of the first part 9a of this bezel 2 is made of at least one dielectric material and/or electrically non-conductive. Said at least one material makes it possible to contribute to the achievement of the capacitive effect of the tactile control member 8. This material also participates in not damaging the radiation of the antenna circuit 10, in increasing its electrical length and in improve its performance in relation to its physical size. Such a material may for example be a polymer, titanium or a ceramic, or any other synthetic material. It will be noted that it is possible that the body 5 of this first part 9a is not made entirely of this type of material but that only portions of this body 5 comprising first and second tactile zones 18a, 18b of the external face 17 of bezel 2 are made of this material.

The second part 9b the bezel 2 comprises a support element 25 provided with an upper surface 26 comprising at least one relief 27 whose top 28 is covered / coated with a layer of a conductive material forming an electrode 22 Such a vertex 28 is located opposite or even in contact with a portion of the internal face of the first part 9a of the bezel 2 arranged below the first or the second tactile zone 18a, 18b of the external face 17 of this first part 9a constituting the outer face 17 of the bezel 2.

In this configuration, the support element 25 is a thermoplastic part. More precisely, this support element 25 is a part molded by injection using a so-called MID technology, acronym for "Molded Inth connection Devices", comprising on its upper surface 26 at least one electrode 22. It will be noted that such an element The support material 25 differs from conventional substrate materials by having better mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical and environmental properties.

Alternatively, this support element 25 may be a substrate comprising an upper surface 26 provided with at least one relief 27 whose top 28 is covered / coated with the layer of a conductive material and this, from a technology of physical vapor deposition of a conductive material or a technology of selective printing on a micrometric scale of this conductive material. Screen printing technologies using silver on a polyester substrate or using copper on a polyimide substrate can also be envisaged.

[0026] The support element 25 of this second part 9b of this bezel 2 may include arrangements aimed at giving access to a printed circuit 14 of the electronic device 4 comprising the microcontroller 12 of the control member 8 and the microcircuit 11 of the communication module 6. Such arrangements thus offer the possibility of forming a passage or of defining a location in this support element 25 in order to facilitate the connection of the control circuit 13, in particular of the electrodes 22, and of the circuit of antenna 10 respectively to the microcontroller 12 of the control unit 8 and to the microcircuit 11 of the communication module 6.

[0027] Referring to Figures 2 to 5, the control unit 8 comprises the microcontroller 12 which is connected to the touch control circuit 13. As we have mentioned, such a touch control circuit 13 comprises at least one layer of conductive material included on the top 28 of a relief 27 forming an electrode 22, the relief 27 being located under one of the first and second tactile zones 18a, 18b of the external face 17 of the body 5 of the first part 9a of the bezel 2. In other words, each electrode 22 is formed by the layer of conductive material or is in the form of such a layer. Such an electrode 22 has a circular or parallelepiped or even triangular shape.

This electrode 22 is connected to a connection terminal 23a defined on the printed circuit 14 of the electronic device 4, this terminal 23a being connected/connected to the microcontroller 12 of the control member 8. In this configuration, the circuit of control 13 comprises an electrical connection element 20 capable of making the connection between each electrode 22 and the microcontroller 12. This connection element 20 is capable of cooperating with at least one electrical track 15b of the printed circuit 14 of the electronic device 4 comprising the microcontroller 12. In this way, each electrode 22 is thus connected to the microcontroller 12 from this connecting element 20 and from said at least one electrical track 15b. Finally, it will be noted that the tactile control circuit 13 preferably comprises as many connecting elements 20 as the support element 25 comprises electrodes 22.

[0029] Referring to Figures 2 and 4 to 6, the touch control member 8 comprises six electrodes 22 distributed over the upper surface 26 of the support element 25. More specifically, these electrodes 22 are included on this surface 26 so as to define/form the two distinct touch zones 18a, 18b on the outer face 17 of this bezel 2, these two touch zones 18a, 18b thus forming the touch interface of the electronic watch 1. In this configuration, the upper surface 26 of the support element 25 comprises several electrodes 22 per touch zone 18a, 18b. The first touch zone 18a comprises three electrodes 22 arranged respectively under the indexes 24 two, three and four defined on the outer face 17 of the bezel 2. The second touch zone 18b also comprises three electrodes 22 arranged respectively under the indexes 24 five, six and seven defined on this outer face 17 of bezel 2.

[0030] In this configuration, the first tactile zone 18a allows the wearer of the watch 1 to interact with the latter by performing a movement, in particular a “vertical movement” (referenced Dv in FIG. 6) of an accessory such as a stylus or even an end of one of its members like a finger on this first zone 18a. With regard to the second tactile zone 18b, it allows the wearer of the watch 1 to interact with the latter by performing a movement, in particular a “horizontal movement” (referenced Dh in FIG. 6) of such an accessory or even from the end of one of its members on this area 18b. The vertical displacement describes a trajectory which is substantially parallel or parallel to an axis of symmetry A of the bezel 2 passing through the center O of this bezel 2 and this trajectory also being substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to an axis of revolution R of this bezel 2 With regard to the horizontal displacement, it describes a trajectory which is for its part substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to this axis A (or to the trajectory described by the vertical displacement) and also to the axis of revolution R of this bezel 2. Such an axis A separates the bezel 2 into two equal parts/portions by connecting the indexes 24 twelve and six present on the external face 17 of this bezel 2.

In the electronic device 4, the communication module 6 is able to allow the connection of the electronic watch 1 to a Bluetooth type communication network. In other words, the communication module 6 is configured to communicate according to a Bluetooth type protocol. Alternatively, this communication module 6 may be able to allow the connection of the watch 1 to a GNSS (Geolocation and Navigation Satellite System) satellite location network, such as for example the GPS (Global Positioning System), Glonass or Galileo. This communication module 6 includes the antenna circuit 10 connected to the microcircuit 11.

In the present embodiment, such an antenna circuit 10 is included on the upper surface 26 of the support element 25 of the bezel 2. This antenna circuit 10 comprises first and second strands 19a, 19b each having a proximal end and a distal end, and extending in parallel between their proximal and distal ends. In this antenna circuit 10, the architecture with two strands in parallel makes it possible to widen the frequency band (100 MHz), necessary for example to communicate on a communication network of the Bluetooth type (2.4 GHz). In this antenna circuit 10, the first and second strands 19a, 19b are connected at their distal ends as well as at their proximal ends.

In this configuration, the antenna circuit 10 extends essentially along an arcuate trajectory comprising two strands 19a, 19b arranged in parallel on the upper surface 26 which follows this trajectory. This antenna circuit 10 also comprises an electrical connection element 21 connected to a connection terminal 23b defined on the printed circuit 14 of the electronic device 4, this terminal 23b being connected to the proximal or distal ends of the strands 19a, 19b. This electrical connection element 21 is able to cooperate with at least one electrical track 15a of the printed circuit 14 of the electronic device 4 comprising the microcircuit 11 of the communication module 6. In this way, the antenna circuit 10 is connected to this microcircuit 11 from said electrical connecting element 21 and said at least one electrical track 15a.

In this watch 1, the antenna circuit 10 and the tactile control circuit 13 are located in the bezel 2 on either side of an axis of symmetry B passing through the center O of the bezel 2 and which is substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to the axis of revolution R of this bezel 2. This axis referenced B separates the bezel 2 or its first and second parts 9a, 9b, or the upper surface 26 into two parts/portions and forms an angle α with axis A which is between 30 and 40 degrees and which is preferably 36 degrees. Thus the antenna circuit 10 and the tactile control circuit 13 are wholly or partly produced on separate portions of the surface 26 of the support element 25 or of the bezel 2 or of the first and second parts 9a, 9b.

These two portions are separated by the axis of symmetry B. More specifically, the upper surface 26 of the support element 25 of the second part 9a of the bezel 2 therefore comprises two portions. The first portion comprises a relief whose top comprises the first and second strands 19a, 19b of this antenna circuit 10. The second portion comprises the reliefs 27 forming the electrodes 22.

It will also be noted that the support element 25 comprising both the control circuit 13 and the antenna circuit 10 can be made using the so-called MID technology already mentioned. When the support element 25 is a substrate provided with reliefs, the antenna circuit and the tactile control circuit can be produced using the physical vapor deposition technology of a conductive material or the technology of selective printing on a micrometric scale of this conductive material. Screen printing technologies using silver on an upper surface 26 made of polyester or using copper on an upper surface 26 made of polyimide can also be envisaged.

In addition, it will be noted that in a variant, the tactile control circuit 13 is included on the support element 25 of the second part 9b of the bezel 2 and the antenna circuit on the internal face of the bezel 2. The realization of this antenna circuit 10 on this internal face can be carried out using physical vapor deposition technology of a conductive material or selective printing technology on a micrometric scale of this conductive material comprising a conductive ink, mentioned above.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described and that various modifications and simple variants can be envisaged by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. Electronic watch (1) comprising a case provided with a bezel (2) forming in whole or in part a tactile interface of said watch (1), said bezel (2) comprising an antenna circuit (10) of a communication module (6) of the watch (1) and a flange provided with a tactile control circuit (13) of a tactile control member (8) of this watch (1). 2. Electronic watch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the antenna circuit (10) and the tactile control circuit (13) are located in the bezel (2) on either side of a axis of symmetry (B) passing through the center (O) of the bezel (2). 3. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bezel (2) comprises first and second parts (9a, 9b) capable of being assembled with each other. 4. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bezel (2) comprises a first part (9a) which is able to circumscribe a crystal (29) of the watch (1). 5. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bezel (2) comprises a second part (9b) which is adapted to circumscribe a dial of the watch (1). 6. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the first part (9a) of the bezel (2) comprises a body (5) comprising an outer face (17) of the bezel (2) provided with at least one touch zone (18a, 18b). 7. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the second part (9b) of the bezel (2) comprises a support element (25) provided with an upper surface (26 ) comprising at least one relief (27) whose top (28) is covered with a conductive material forming an electrode (22), said top (28) being located opposite a portion of an internal face of the body ( 5) of the first part (9a) of the bezel (2) arranged below a first or a second tactile zone (18a, 18b) of an external face (17) of this first part (9a) constituting an outer face of the bezel (2). 8. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna circuit (10) is produced on an upper surface (26) of a support element (25) or on a face inside the body (5) of the first part (9a) of the bezel (2). 9. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna circuit (10) comprises first and second strands (19a, 19b) made on a first portion of the upper surface (26 ) of a support element (25) of a second part (9a) of the bezel (2), said first and second strands (19a, 19b) each having a proximal end and a distal end, and extending parallel between their proximal and distal ends, the first and second strands (19a, 19b) being connected at their distal ends as well as at their proximal ends. 10. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tactile control circuit (13) comprising at least one electrode (22) is produced on a second portion of the upper surface (26) of 'a support element (25) of a second part (9a) of the bezel (2). 11. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna circuit (10) comprises a microcircuit (11) connected to the first and second strands (19a, 19b) via 'a connection track (21) made on the upper surface (26) of a support element (25) of a second part (9a) of the bezel (2). 12. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control circuit (13) comprises a microcontroller (12) connected to said at least one electrode (22) via at least one least one connecting track (20). 13. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bezel (2) is made of at least one dielectric and/or electrically non-conductive material. 14. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a watch (1) in particular a connected watch comprising a bezel (2) which is a bezel forming in whole or in part a tactile interface .