CH719273A2 - Electronic watch comprising a case provided with a middle part and a bezel forming in whole or in part a tactile interface. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic watch (1) comprising a case (3) provided with a middle part and a bezel forming all or part of a tactile interface, said case comprising an electronic device (4) comprising an electronic circuit provided with a substrate (5) of which a peripheral zone of its upper surface forms with said bezel mounted on the middle an enclosure in which are included an antenna circuit (10) of a communication module (6) and a control circuit (13) of a tactile control member (8) of the electronic device (14), said tactile control circuit (8) comprising at least one curved element made of conductive material forming an electrode, one end of which is connected to a connection of said tactile control member (8) which is included on the peripheral zone of the upper surface of the substrate (5).

Description

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to an electronic watch comprising a bezel forming with a substrate of an electronic circuit, an enclosure comprising a touch control circuit and 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 disadvantages 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 an electronic watch whose aesthetics, energy consumption and manufacturing costs are not impacted or only slightly impacted by the integration of a touch interface in a bezel. this particular shows an antenna circuit.

Another object of the invention is to obtain an electronic 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 bezel of this watch.

[0010] For this purpose, the invention relates to an electronic watch comprising a case provided with a middle part and a bezel forming in whole or in part a tactile interface, said case comprising an electronic device comprising an electronic circuit provided with a substrate of which a peripheral zone of its upper surface forms with said bezel mounted on the caseband an enclosure in which are included an antenna circuit of a communication module and a touch control circuit of a touch control member of the electronic device , said touch control circuit comprising at least one curved element (25) of conductive material forming an electrode, one end of which is connected to a connection terminal of said touch control member which is included on the peripheral zone of the upper surface of the substrate.

[0011] In other embodiments: - said curved element comprises another end which is free; - said curved element comprises first and second rectilinear or substantially rectilinear parts which are interconnected by a third curved part of this element; – said curved element comprises a second part provided with a free end which is arranged in whole or in part close to or even in contact with a portion of an internal face of a body of the bezel arranged below at least one zone tactile of the bezel defined on an external face of this body; - the antenna circuit comprises 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 together at their distal ends as well as 'at their proximal ends; – the antenna circuit is included in whole or in part on the upper face of the peripheral zone of the substrate or on an internal face of a body of the bezel; - the communication module comprises a microcircuit connected to a connection portion of the antenna circuit via a connection terminal included on the upper face of the substrate; - the control circuit comprises a microcontroller connected to said at least one electrode via the connection terminal included on the upper face of the substrate; – the bezel is made of at least one dielectric and/or electrically non-conductive material; – the watch is a connected watch comprising the bezel, which is a bezel forming all or part of a touch interface. – 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 curved element is included in part on the upper surface of the substrate, in particular the end of this curved element which is the only part of said element which is included on this upper surface while being connected to a connection terminal.

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 2A is a representation of a part of a case of the watch comprising a substrate of an electronic circuit of the watch comprising a touch control circuit, according to the embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2B is a larger scale view of part E of Figure 2A, according to the embodiment of the invention; - Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the watch comprising a communication module and a touch control member, the antenna circuit and the touch control circuit of which respectively are arranged in an enclosure formed by the bezel with a peripheral zone of the substrate , according to the embodiment of the invention, and - Figure 4 shows the bezel of the electronic watch revealing 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 in whole or in part a tactile interface of said electronic watch 1 by means of which a wearer of this watch 1 can interact with the latter. with a view to controlling, for example, horological 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 example in a composite material comprising a polymer matrix loaded with fibers, typically carbon) or ceramic or even at least one dielectric and/or electrically non-conductive material. The case 3 also comprises a back and a crystal which help to form, with the middle part, a closed space in this case 3.

In such a space, are arranged in particular a display device 7 and an electronic device 4 of said electronic watch 1. The display device 7 comprises display elements which can be analog like needles and/or digital such as an LCD, LED or OLED screen. Such a display device 7 is located between the crystal and the electronic device 4, a spacer or flange being able to be arranged between the crystal and this display device 7.

As regards the electronic device 4, it comprises an electronic watch movement. It is configured to provide at least one piece of information to be displayed on this display device 7. This electronic device 4 comprises, in a non-exhaustive and non-limiting manner, a communication module 6, an electronic watch control module, an 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, vital and /or behavior of the wearer of the electronic watch 1.

[0016] 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. More specifically , this device 4 comprises a printed circuit 14 comprising the microcontroller 12 of the control member 8 and a microcircuit 11 of the communication module 6. This printed circuit 14 comprises a substrate 5 of which a peripheral zone 9 of its upper surface 17 forms with said bezel 2 mounted on the middle, an enclosure in which are included the antenna circuit 10 and the tactile control circuit 13.

[0018] Such a bezel 2 is preferably fixed/mounted on the middle part of the case 3 and encloses the glass. It can be a rotating bezel or a fixed bezel. This bezel 2 can be a part removably attached to the middle part or even a part made in one piece with this middle part. It may be a one-piece part or, conversely, a part formed from several parts connected together in a reversible and/or leaktight manner, for example of two parts connected together in a reversible and/or leaktight manner. The bezel 2 comprises a body provided with an internal face and an external face 17. The external 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 may 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, this bezel 2 is made of at least one dielectric and/or electrically non-conductive material. 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 entire body of this bezel 2 is not made of this type of material but that only portions of this body: opposite which are situated/located the antenna circuit 10 and the control 13, are made of this material, and/or comprising the first and second tactile zones 18a, 18b of the external face 17 of the body of this bezel 2 are made of this material.

[0020] The body of the bezel 2 may include arrangements aimed at giving access to the printed circuit 14 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 constitute a passage in this body of the bezel 2 in order to connect the control circuit 13, in particular the electrodes 22, and the antenna circuit 10 respectively to the microcontroller 12 of the control member 8 and to the microcircuit 11 of the communications 6.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the control unit 8 comprises the microcontroller 12 which is connected to the touch control circuit 13. Such a touch control circuit 13 comprises at least one curved element 25 of conductive material forming a electrode 22, one end 26a of which is connected to a connection terminal 23a of the tactile control member 8 included on the upper surface 16 of the peripheral zone 9 of the substrate 5.

This curved element 25 comprises first and second parts 27a, 27b rectilinear or substantially rectilinear which are interconnected by a third curved part 27c of this element 25. As we have mentioned, this curved element 25 therefore comprises the first end 26a which is connected to the connection terminal 23a as well as a second end 26b which is said to be free. In this configuration, the first part 27a comprises the first end 26a and the second part is provided with the free end 26b. This second part 27b is wholly or partly located close to or even in contact with a portion of the internal face of the body of the bezel 2 arranged below at least one touch zone 18a, 18b of the bezel 2 defined on an external face 17 of this body.

The curved element 25 forming the electrode 22 of the tactile control circuit 13, is included in part on the peripheral zone 9 of the upper surface 16 of the substrate 5. In other words, only the first end 26a of this curved element 25 which is connected to the connection terminal 23a, is included on this upper surface 16. Thus it is understood that with the exception of the first end 26a, the rest of the body of the first part 27a as well as the second and third parts 27b, 27c of this curved element 25 are not included on the upper surface 16 of the substrate 5. In this configuration, the rest of the body of the first part 27a as well as the second and third parts 27b, 27c of this curved element 25 are then located between this upper surface 16 and the internal face of the bezel 2, the second part 27b being able in whole or in part to be in contact with this internal face.

As we have mentioned previously, the substrate 5 comprises the connection terminal 23a to which is connected the first end 26a of the curved element 25 forming the electrode 22. This connection terminal 23a thus makes it possible to connect/connect this electrode 22 to the microcontroller 12 of the control unit 8. In this configuration, the control unit 8 comprises an electrical track 21 capable of making the connection between each connection terminal 23a and the microcontroller 12. way, each electrode 22 is thus connected to the microcontroller 12 from an electrical track 20. Finally, it will be noted that the tactile control circuit 13 preferably comprises as many electrical tracks 21 as the control circuit 12 comprises electrodes 22.

In these figures 3 and 4, the tactile control member 8 comprises six electrodes 22 distributed in the enclosure formed by the body of the bezel 2 and the peripheral zone 9 of the upper surface 16 of the substrate 5. More precisely , the curved elements 25 forming these electrodes 22 are arranged in this enclosure so as to define/form the two distinct tactile zones 18a, 18b defined on the external face 17 of this bezel 2, these two tactile zones 18a, 18b thus forming the electronic watch touch interface 1.

In this configuration, this enclosure 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 external 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 external face 17 of the bezel 2. In this configuration, the first tactile zone 18a allows the wearer of the watch 1 to interact with the latter by carrying out a movement, in particular a "vertical movement" (referenced Dv on FIG. 4) of an accessory such as a stylus or else of an end of one of its limbs such as 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. 4) of such an accessory or even from the end of one of its members on this zone 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 also included in the enclosure formed by the body of the bezel 2 and the peripheral zone 9 of the upper surface 16 of the substrate 5. This circuit antenna 10 comprises a connection portion 15 and 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 by their distal ends as well as at their proximal ends. In this configuration, the antenna circuit 10 essentially extends along an arcuate trajectory comprising two strands 19a, 19b arranged in parallel in this enclosure which follows this trajectory.

This antenna circuit 10 comprises a connection portion 15 which is connected to a connection terminal 23b of the communication module 6. This connection terminal 23b is included in the peripheral zone 9 of the upper surface 16 of the substrate 5 In this antenna circuit 10, such a connection portion 15 is located at the junction of the proximal ends or the distal ends of its first and second strands 19a, 19b.

It is understood that such a connection terminal 23b thus makes it possible to link/connect the antenna circuit 10 to the microcircuit 11 of the communication module 6 at the level of the connection portion 15. In this configuration, the communication module 6 comprises an electrical track 20 capable of making the connection between the connection terminal 23b and the microcircuit 11.

This antenna circuit 10 is included in part on the upper surface 16 of the peripheral zone 9 of the substrate 5. In other words, only the connection portion 15 of the antenna circuit 10 which is connected to the connection terminal 23b, is included on this upper surface 16. Thus it is understood that with the exception of this connection portion 15, the rest of the body of the antenna circuit 10 is not included on the upper surface 16 of the substrate 5. In this configuration, the rest of the body of this antenna circuit 10 is located in the enclosure between this upper surface 16 and the internal face of bezel 2.

In a variant, the antenna circuit 10 can be comprised entirely on the upper surface 16 of the peripheral zone 9 of the substrate 5 or on the internal face of the body of the bezel 2. In this context, this antenna circuit 11 and in particular the first and second strands 19a, 19b which constitute it, are made from a deposit on the internal face or the upper surface 16 of at least one 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. A screen printing technology using silver on a polyester substrate 5 or using copper on a polyimide substrate 5 can also be envisaged.

In this watch 1, the antenna circuit 10 and the tactile control circuit 13 are located in said enclosure formed by the bezel and the upper surface 16 of the substrate 5, on either side of a 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 into two parts/portions and forms an angle α with the 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 located in the distinct parts/portions of the bezel 2 by being located in distinct zones of the enclosure formed by the bezel 2 and the upper surface 17 of substrate 5.

These two distinct zones or two parts/portions of the bezel 2 are separated by the axis of symmetry B. More specifically, the outer surface 17 of the bezel 2 therefore comprises two portions. The first portion comprises the first and second strands 19a, 19b of this antenna circuit 10 and the second portion the electrodes 22.

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 (12)

1. Electronic watch (1) comprising a case (3) provided with a middle part and a bezel forming in whole or in part a tactile interface, said case (3) comprising an electronic device (4) comprising an electronic circuit (14 ) provided with a substrate (5) of which a peripheral zone (9) of its upper surface (16) forms with said bezel (2) mounted on the case middle an enclosure in which are included an antenna circuit (10) of a communication module (6) and a touch control circuit (13) of a touch control member (8) of the electronic device (14), said touch control circuit comprising at least one curved element (25) made of conductive material forming an electrode (22) one end (26a) of which is connected to a connection terminal (23a) of said tactile control member (8) which is included on the peripheral zone (9) of the upper surface (16) of the substrate ( 5). 2. Electronic watch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said curved element (25) comprises another end (26b) which is free. 3. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said curved element (25) comprises first and second parts (27a, 27b) rectilinear or substantially rectilinear which are interconnected by a third part (27c) curved of this element (25). 4. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said curved element (25) comprises a second part (27b) provided with a free end (26b) which is arranged in whole or in part to proximity or even in contact with a portion of an internal face of a body of the bezel (2) arranged below at least one touch zone (18a, 18b) of the bezel (2) defined on an external face (17 ) of this body. 5. Electronic watch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the antenna circuit (10) comprises 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 to each other at their distal ends as well as at their proximal ends. 6. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna circuit (10) is included in whole or in part on the upper face (16) of the peripheral zone (9) of the substrate (5) or on an internal face of a body of the bezel (2). 7. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the claims, characterized in that the communication module (6) comprises a microcircuit (11) connected to a connection portion (15) of the antenna circuit (10) by via a connection terminal (23b) included on the upper face (16) of the substrate (5). 8. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the claims, characterized in that the control circuit (13) comprises a microcontroller (12) connected to said at least one electrode (22) via the terminal of connection (23a) included on the upper face (16) of the substrate (5). 9. 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. 10. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a watch, in particular a connected watch, comprising the bezel (2) which is a bezel (2) forming in whole or in part a tactile interface . 11. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna circuit (10) and the tactile control circuit (13) are located in the bezel (2) on both sides. other of an axis of symmetry (B) passing through the center (O) of the bezel (2). 12. Electronic watch (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the curved element (25) is included in part on the upper surface (16) of the substrate (5) in particular the end (26a) of this curved element (25) which is the only part of said element (25) which is comprised on this upper surface (16) being connected to a connection terminal (23a).