EP1014232B1 - Radiotelephone timepiece with a SIM card - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a radio telephone watch intended to be worn on the wrist of a user. More precisely, the present invention relates to such a radio telephone watch intended to be used in a mobile communications system, such as, for example, the GSM network ( G lobal S ystem for M obile communications), this watch being capable of removably accommodating a SIM card ( S ubscriber I dentity M odule) for accessing said mobile communications system.

Communication devices, such as cell phones, for use in a mobile communications system such as, for example, the GSM network, commonly require the use of smart cards physically connected to the communications device. These smart cards are intended to ensure both the identification of users by an operator of the communications system, as well as the compatibility and interchangeability of the communication devices within this communications system.

These smart cards allow the user to access the mobile communications system through an appropriate provider or network operator. They thus contain data defining the terms of access to the mobile communications system and also allow the storage of additional data relating to the user, such as a personal identification number and / or possibly a directory of telephone numbers. .

These smart cards have dimensions and physical characteristics defined by international standards, including ISO / IEC 7810, 7816/1 and 7816/2. Such a smart card is thus in the form of a plastic card on which are arranged a printed circuit and an electronic chip. Essentially two standard formats of smart cards for mobile communications devices exist. The first format is similar to that of a credit card (85.60 x 53.98 x 0.80 mm). The second format has smaller dimensions of the order of 25.00 x 15.00 x 0.80 mm, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. figure 1 and on which we will come back later. These card formats are also commonly referred to as the SIM card. Such SIM cards are commonly used in mobile communications devices.

At the same time, recent technological developments in the field of telephony have made it possible to reduce the dimensions of communication devices to a large extent, thus enabling their integration into small portable devices, such as watches. Such devices, which will be described in the remainder of the present description by radio telephone watches, were developed, in the first place, to function as wireless phones or "micro-cellular", that is to say short range telephones requiring a base station and using communication protocols such as CT-1, CT-2 or DECT. As such, these wireless phones or "micro-cell phones" do not require a SIM card.

In order to make a cell phone radio watch, that is to say a radio phone watch capable of operating in a global system of mobile communications, it must necessarily include a SIM card.

This SIM card is an element that any user must be able to easily remove or replace. It is therefore crucial to have the latter in the mobile communications device so that the user can easily access it.

In mobile communications devices such as cell phones, these SIM cards are generally disposed within the housing, for example under a module having a rechargeable battery that the user can easily remove.

The document DE 29809862 U describes a radio phone watch which a SIM card is arranged in the watch case.

However, in the case of a radio phone watch, it is preferable not to have this SIM card inside the watch case. Typically, it is preferred to allow access to the interior of the watch case only to enable a specialist to perform limited maintenance or repair operations. It will also seek to facilitate the maximum access and interchangeability of the SIM card.

An object of the present invention is thus to propose a radio telephone watch intended to be used in a mobile communications system, and capable of accommodating a SIM card whose accessibility and interchangeability is facilitated so that a user can remove or replace it quickly and easily.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a radio telephone watch as defined in independent claim 1.

The solution recommended by the present invention thus avoids the incorporation of the SIM card inside the watch case whose access is generally complex because requiring operations that it is desirable that only a watch specialist performs . The removal and replacement of the SIM card is thus made easier and can be done quickly by a non-specialized user.

Consequently, the replacement or removal of the SIM card in a watch according to the present invention does not lead, by the disposition thereof at the wristband of the watch, to a deterioration of the characteristics of the case of the watch, in particular its tightness. The incorporation of the SIM card at the wristband of the watch can indeed contain any liquid infiltrations, harmful to the watch.

The rack of the radio telephone watch according to the present invention may advantageously be associated with the first strand of the bracelet so as to be in a substantially flat area of the wrist so that the user is not handicapped by the positioning of this rack.

The rack of the radio telephone watch according to the present invention can also be sealed if desired.

According to a variant of the present invention, the rack can also be favorably associated with a device ensuring the closure of the bracelet. This rack can also advantageously be associated with the device ensuring the closure of the bracelet so as to cooperate with it, in particular to prevent the inadvertent opening of the locker with the SIM card.

According to yet another variant of the present invention, a power source of the radio telephone watch can also be advantageously arranged in the rack that can accommodate the SIM card.

• la figure 1 est une représentation d'une carte SIM standard utilisée dans la montre radio téléphone selon la présente invention;
• les figures 2a et 2b sont respectivement des vues latérale et frontale d'une montre radio téléphone selon l'invention comportant notamment un boîtier, un bracelet, un casier susceptible d'accueillir une carte SIM, un module électronique disposé dans le boîtier et permettant d'accéder aux données stockées sur la carte SIM, et des moyens de connexion électrique entre la carte SIM et le module électronique;
• les figures 3a à 3c présentent des vues détaillées d'une première variante de la présente invention où les figures 3a et 3c sont des vues en plan de cette variante, et la figure 3b est une vue en coupe selon le trait de coupe IIIb;
• les figures 4a et 4b présentent des vues détaillées d'une autre variante de la présente invention où la figure 4a est une vue en plan de cette autre variante, et la figure 4b est une vue en coupe selon le trait de coupe IVb; et
• la figure 5 est une illustration d'une variante de la présente invention dans laquelle une source d'alimentation est en outre disposée dans le casier susceptible d'accueillir la carte SIM.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the description which follows, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, given solely by way of example, and in which:

• the figure 1 is a representation of a standard SIM card used in the radio telephone watch according to the present invention;
• the Figures 2a and 2b are respectively side and front views of a radio telephone watch according to the invention comprising in particular a housing, a bracelet, a locker capable of accommodating a SIM card, an electronic module disposed in the housing and allowing access to the stored data on the SIM card, and electrical connection means between the SIM card and the electronic module;
• the Figures 3a to 3c present detailed views of a first variant of the present invention where the figures 3a and 3c are plan views of this variant, and the figure 3b is a sectional view along line IIIb;
• the Figures 4a and 4b present detailed views of another variant of the present invention where the figure 4a is a plan view of this other variant, and the figure 4b is a sectional view along section line IVb; and
• the figure 5 is an illustration of a variant of the present invention in which a power source is further disposed in the rack capable of accommodating the SIM card.

Referring first to the figure 1 The main features of the SIM card used in the watch according to the present invention will be briefly presented.

This SIM card 10 is in the form of a substantially rectangular flat element having dimensions of the order of 15 mm x 25 mm. This SIM card 10 comprises in particular an oblique edge 12 for defining an orientation of the latter.

A plurality of terminals 14, six in number, are formed on a surface of the SIM card 10 and are internally connected to the electronic chip (not shown) containing in particular data defining the terms of access to the mobile communications system. In the illustration of figure 1 it will be seen that the SIM card 10 is oriented with its terminals 14 directed upwards.

The Figures 2a and 2b present respectively lateral and front views of a radio telephone watch according to the present invention capable of receiving a SIM card of the type described with reference to the figure 1 .

This watch 1 comprises firstly a casing 2 and a bracelet 3 comprising first and second strands 31 and 32 respectively attached to the ends of the casing 2 of the watch 1. According to the present invention, the watch comprises, on the other hand, associated with the bracelet 3, a locker 4 likely to accommodate the SIM card 10 (shown in phantom in the Figures 2a and 2b ).

The rack 4 is advantageously associated with the bracelet 3 so as to be located in a substantially flat area of the wrist. Preferably, as illustrated in the Figures 2a and 2b , this bin 4 is disposed at the end of the first strand 31 of the bracelet 3 and is thus arranged to be located on the rear face of the wrist of the user when the latter is wearing the watch 1, that is to say on the face opposite to the face on which the casing 2 of the watch 1 rests.

An electronic module 5 making it possible to access the data stored on the SIM card 10 is furthermore disposed inside the case 2 of the watch 1. This electronic module 5 makes it possible in particular to consult the data relating to the access to the data storage system. mobile communications and / or record or read additional data, such as telephone numbers or a personal identification number.

Furthermore, in order to electrically connect the SIM card 10 to the electronic module 5 disposed inside the casing 2, the watch 1 according to the present invention further comprises electrical connection means 6 integrated mainly in a strand of the bracelet 3, in the occurrence, the first strand of bracelet 31 in this example. These electrical connection means 6 are shown schematically in broken lines in the Figures 2a and 2b .

These electrical connection means 6 can advantageously be made in the form of conductive tracks deposited on a flexible dielectric substrate, for example by a photolithography process. Alternatively, these electrical connection means 6 can also be made in the form of a set of separate conductive wires.

In the present description, it will not be described in detail how these electrical connection means 6 are connected to the case of the watch. We mention that devices for electrical connection between a housing and conductors placed in a bracelet are known to those skilled in the art. An example of such a device is for example described in the European patent EP 0 186 804 . Those skilled in the art will thus make an electrical connection between the watch case and the electrical connection means 6 in the appropriate manner.

The radio telephone watch 1 further comprises a device 7 ensuring the closure of the bracelet 3 around the wrist of the user. In the Figures 2a and 2b , this device 7 is for example made, without limitation, in the form of a clasp comprising a pin buckle through which passes the second strand 32 of the bracelet 3.

It will be readily understood that other bracelet closure devices known to those skilled in the art can be used. The device 7 ensuring the closure of the bracelet may, for example, alternatively be made in the form of a loop allowing passage of the second strand of bracelet 32, the latter then being folded back on itself so that first and second adhesive portions of this strand 32 collaborate together to ensure the closure of the bracelet 3.

Advantageously, as will be seen below by means of variants of the present invention, the device 7 ensuring the closure of the bracelet 3 can be directly associated with the rack 4.

This closure device 7 can also advantageously be associated with the rack 4 so as to cooperate with the latter, in particular to ensure proper maintenance of the SIM card 10 in the rack 4.

By means of Figures 3a to 3c A variant of the present invention will now be described in more detail.

In these figures, the rack 4 comprises a body 41 in which the SIM card 10 can be housed, and a movable member 42 ensuring a closure of the rack 4. The body 41 and the movable member 42 work together to provide a maintains the SIM card 10 when it is inserted into the body 41.

In this example, the mobile element 42 is formed of a lid and is thus rotatably mounted by one of its ends by means of an axis 401 secured to the body 41. The closure of the movable member 42 on the body 41 is provided, without limitation, by a conventional latching system 4A. Other systems for closing the movable member 42 on the body 41 can easily be envisaged. So, this movable element 42 may, for example, alternatively be designed as a slide adapted to slide in a groove in the body 41.

The body 41 is connected to the first strand of bracelet 31 via a fastening system 4B of conventional type comprising in particular a fastening pin 402. At this fastener 4B, the body 41 preferably has a recess 431 whose shape substantially limits any rotation of the attached end of the first bracelet strand 31. This is desirable because of the presence of the electrical connection means 6 integrated in the first strand of bracelet 31 which penetrate into the body 41 at this level. fastener 4B. It is indeed desirable to limit the rotation of the first strand of bracelet 31 at the level of the fastener 4B in order to prevent shear failure of the electrical connection means 6.

The body 41 essentially comprises a first housing 411 intended to receive the SIM card 10 and has dimensions similar to the latter. This first housing 411 comprises in particular an oblique edge 412 intended to collaborate with the oblique edge 12 of the SIM card 10 so as to ensure that the orientation of the card in this first housing 411 is such that it, and in particular its terminals 14, face a second housing 414 formed in the body 41.

The body 41 further comprises a through hole 415, one end of which opens at the fastener 4B of the first strand of bracelet 31 and the other end of which opens into the second housing 414, so as to allow the passage of the connection means 6 electric integrated in the first strand of bracelet 31.

The electrical connection means 6 comprise, in this example, six conductive tracks 61 formed by the deposition of a conductive material on a flexible dielectric substrate 63. These conductive tracks 61 are connected, via a connector 45, to a printed circuit 43 disposed in the second housing 414 of the body 41. This printed circuit 43 carries contact blades 44, six in number, intended to collaborate with the terminals 14 of the SIM card 10.

It should be noted that this embodiment is in no way limiting. It is, in fact, alternately possible to form, also by photolithography, contact zones, respectively connected to the conductive tracks, directly on an extension of the dielectric substrate 63 disposed, in this case, at the bottom of the second housing 414, and of ensure electrical contact between these contact areas and the terminals 14 of the SIM card 10 by means of contact blades carried, for example, by an intermediate element disposed in the second housing 414 instead of the printed circuit 43.

In order to ensure preferably a seal of the compartment 4, a seal 46 is disposed between the body 41 and the mobile element 42. This seal 46 is disposed in a channel 47 surrounding the first housing 411 of the body 41.

Furthermore, the sealing of the compartment 4 at the through orifice 415 can be ensured directly by the contact existing between the end of the first strand of bracelet 31 and the recess 431 formed in the body 41, as illustrated in FIG. the example of Figures 3a to 3c . Alternatively, the seal can be ensured by a silicone bonding made in the through hole 415 after mounting of the connection means 6.

In the Figures 3a to 3c , the device ensuring the closure of the bracelet 3 is formed of a clasp 7 comprising a loop 71 and a barb 72 collaborating with orifices in the second strand of bracelet 32. In this example, the clasp 7 is further advantageously articulated to the body 41 of the rack 4 by means of an axis 403.

In this example, the clasp 7 is also advantageously associated with the rack 4 so that the loop 71 exerts pressure on the movable member 42 through the second strap strand 32 and thus ensure that the movable member 42 does not open unexpectedly. In this embodiment, the loop 71 of the clasp 7 thus ensures not only the closing of the bracelet 31 but also a proper maintenance of the SIM card 10 in its locker 4.

In order to introduce or withdraw the SIM card 10 from the rack 4, the loop 71 of the clasp 7 can, once the bracelet strand 32 has been withdrawn, easily pivot in a position (shown schematically in phantom in the diagram). figure 3b ) permitting movement of the movable member 42.

The Figures 4a and 4b show detailed views of another variation of the present invention. This variant comprises a rack 8 comprising a body 81 in which the SIM card 10 can be housed, and a movable element 82 closing the rack 8.

The movable element 82 is formed, in this example, a lid rotatably mounted on the body 81 by one of its ends by means of an axis 801. The closure of this movable element 82 is provided by a snap-in system 8A similar to the system used in the previous variant.

According to this other variant of the present invention, a device 9 ensuring the closure of the bracelet 3 is formed of a pin 92 articulated to the body 81 by means of an axis 803 and substantially covering the movable member 82 in its length. First and second loops 91 and 91 'made of material with the body 81 of the rack 8 are also preferably formed at each end of the rack 8 so as to allow the passage of the second bracelet strand 32.

It will be noted that, according to this variant, the barb 92 is arranged to directly exert pressure on the movable member 82 when the watch is worn on the wrist, so that any inadvertent opening of the movable member 82 is prevented.

According to this second variant, in order to introduce or withdraw the SIM card 10 from the rack 8, the barb 92 can, once the bracelet strand 32 has been removed, easily pivot in a position (shown schematically in phantom in the diagram). figure 4b ) for permitting movement of the movable member 82.

Finally, according to another variant of the present invention, it will be mentioned schematically in FIG. figure 5 , that a power supply source (battery, rechargeable accumulator, etc.) of the radio telephone watch can advantageously be arranged in the rack hosting the SIM card.

It will be noted that the SIM card comprises, as already mentioned, six terminals (terminals 14 on the figure 1 ) connected internally to an electronic chip, two of these terminals being commonly used to supply power to this chip. A power source of the radio telephone watch can thus advantageously be associated with the SIM card and the electrical connection means, and thus be integrated in the rack of the radio telephone watch according to the present invention.

In the figure 5 , it is thus illustrated, schematically, an alternative embodiment of a radio telephone watch according to the present invention comprising the housing 2, the bracelet 3, the electronic module 5, the electrical connection means 6 and a rack 104 capable of The rack 104 comprises, analogously to the variants previously described, a body 141 and a movable element 142 ensuring the closure of the rack 104. In this variant, the body 141 is furthermore arranged to accommodate a power source 120 of the radio telephone watch.

This power source 120 is thus disposed in a housing formed in the body 141. Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. figure 5 this power source 120 is associated with a printed circuit 143 providing an electrical connection between the terminals 14 of the SIM card 10 and the electrical connection means 6. According to this variant, this printed circuit 143 thus provides a parallel connection to the power source 120.

This variant can significantly reduce the size and dimensions of the case of the radio phone watch because the power source is typically a relatively bulky item. Moving to the level of the locker accommodating the SIM card also makes it possible to better balance the radio telephone watch around the wrist of the user.

Claims (11)

1. Radio telephone watch (1) intended to be used in a mobile communication system, said watch (1) including a case (2) and a wristband (3) allowing said watch (1) to be worn on the wrist, said watch further comprising an electronic module (5) arranged in said case (2) and allowing access to data stored in said SIM card (10);
   characterised in that the watch further includes:

   - a casing (4, 8, 104) associated with a first strand (31) of said wristband (3) and capable of receiving, in a removable manner, said SIM card (10) allowing access to said mobile communication system;

   - electric connection means (6) between said SIM card (10) and said electronic module (5) integrated in said first strand (31) of the wristband (3).
2. Radio telephone watch (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said casing (4, 8, 104) is further associated with said first strand (31) of the wristband (3) so as to be situated in a substantially plane zone of the wrist when the watch (1) is worn.
3. Radio telephone watch (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said casing (4, 8, 104) includes:

   - a body (41, 81, 141) in which said SIM card (10) is able to be housed,

   - a movable element (42, 82, 142) assuring closing of said casing (4, 8, 104),

   - a printed circuit (42, 143) housed in said body (41, 81, 141) and including contact strips (44) intended to come into contact with terminals (14) of the SIM card (10),

   - a connector (45) assuring a connection between said printed circuit (43, 143) and said electric connection means (6) penetrating said body (41, 81, 141).
4. Radio telephone watch according to claim 3, characterised in that said casing (4) further includes a sealing gasket (46) disposed in a channel (47) arranged in said body (41) so as to assure sealing of said casing (4).
5. Radio telephone watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a device (7, 9) assuring the fastening of said wristband (3) is further associated with said casing (4, 8).
6. Radio telephone watch (1) according to claim 5, characterised in that said device (7, 9) assuring the fastening of the wristband (3) also co-operates with said casing (4, 8, 104) in order to prevent said casing (4, 8, 104) from being opened inadvertently.
7. Radio telephone watch (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that said device (7) assuring the fastening of the wristband (3) includes a buckle (71) and a tongue (72) hinged to said casing (4) and arranged so that said buckle (71) exerts pressure on said casing (4) thereby holding said SIM card (10) in said casing (4) when it is inserted therein.
8. Radio telephone watch (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that said device (9) assuring the fastening of the wristband (3) includes first and second loops (91 and 91') arranged at each end of said casing (8) and a tongue (92) hinged to said casing (8), this tongue (92) being arranged so that it exerts pressure on said casing (8) thereby holding said SIM card (10) in said casing (8) when it is inserted therein.
9. Radio telephone watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said electric connection means (6) include conductive paths (61) formed by photolithography on a flexible dielectric substrate (63).
10. Radio telephone watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a power supply source (120) is disposed in said casing (104).
11. Radio telephone watch (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that a printed circuit (143) housed in said casing (104) and assuring an electric connection between terminals (14) of the SIM card (10) and said electric connection means (6) also assures a connection with said power supply source (120).

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