EP1519452B1 - Portable electronic equipment having at least an adapted actuator for transmitting electrical signals - Google Patents

Portable electronic equipment having at least an adapted actuator for transmitting electrical signals Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1519452B1
EP1519452B1 EP03021443A EP03021443A EP1519452B1 EP 1519452 B1 EP1519452 B1 EP 1519452B1 EP 03021443 A EP03021443 A EP 03021443A EP 03021443 A EP03021443 A EP 03021443A EP 1519452 B1 EP1519452 B1 EP 1519452B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
control member
stem
electronic instrument
portable electronic
pushed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP03021443A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1519452A1 (en
Inventor
Yvan Ferri
Rudolf Dinger
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Asulab AG
Original Assignee
Asulab AG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Asulab AG filed Critical Asulab AG
Priority to DE60306381T priority Critical patent/DE60306381T2/en
Priority to EP03021443A priority patent/EP1519452B1/en
Priority to AT03021443T priority patent/ATE331323T1/en
Priority to SG200405586A priority patent/SG110179A1/en
Priority to US10/945,134 priority patent/US7034237B2/en
Priority to TW093128440A priority patent/TWI392980B/en
Priority to KR1020040076296A priority patent/KR101176643B1/en
Priority to CNB2004100798499A priority patent/CN100480903C/en
Priority to JP2004276756A priority patent/JP4624751B2/en
Publication of EP1519452A1 publication Critical patent/EP1519452A1/en
Priority to HK05107485.2A priority patent/HK1075302A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1519452B1 publication Critical patent/EP1519452B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/6485—Electrostatic discharge protection

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to a portable electronic instrument, in particular a timepiece, comprising a housing and a user interface for the selection of functions of the portable electronic instrument, this user interface comprising at least a first mounted control member.
  • this control member movable in a mounting hole formed in the housing so as to have a translation travel along an axis of actuation, this control member being operable by pressure to be brought from a so-called unpressed position to a so-called depressed position and produce in response a control signal
  • the control member comprising an electrically conductive rod which passes through the mounting hole and which has first and second ends respectively opening inside and outside the housing, this rod being adapted to enable the transmission of electrical signals from and / or to the electrical instrument portable electronics when the control member is brought into its depressed position.
  • Documents EP 1 109 084 A1 and EP 1 134 630 A1 for example describe such electronic instruments.
  • the document EP 1 109 084 A1 describes in particular such a solution where a control member of the aforementioned type at least is used to perform the charging of an electric accumulator housed in the instrument while the document EP 1 134 630 A1 describes a solution where at least one controller is used to transmit and / or receive data from the electronic instrument.
  • control members typically of the push-button type
  • an external unit for example. example a personal computer.
  • no specific contact element is needed to establish a connection electrical connection between the electronic instrument and the external unit, this electrical connection being established as soon as the or control members configured to present the aforementioned dual function are brought into the depressed position.
  • a peculiarity of the two previous solutions above lies in the use of the retaining element of the control member (similar to a retaining key) as a contact element making it possible to fulfill the conventional function of the control member. , namely the control of the functions of the electronic instrument.
  • Another particularity of these prior solutions lies in the fact that the rod of the control member, in the not depressed position, is floating from the electrical point of view. In the not depressed position, electrical charges are likely to accumulate on the rod of the control member. During the actuation of the control member, this accumulation of electrical charges can then be carried over to the terminals in contact with which the control member is brought and cause damage, in particular to the electronics of the instrument. This is a critical problem for solutions of the aforementioned type since the controller performs two functions and establishes a direct connection with sensitive components of the instrument electronics, in particular its processor unit and the associated memories.
  • a solution to this problem may be to protect the terminals with which the control member is brought by means of electrical protection components to establish a path for discharging the accumulated electrical charges.
  • electrical protection components It is well known protective components, called ESD components ( “e lectro- s tatic d ischarge").
  • ESD components "e lectro- s tatic d ischarge”
  • the present invention thus relates to an electronic instrument whose characteristics are set forth in claim 1 and a control device whose characteristics are set forth in claim 12.
  • the proposed solution consists in providing means for bringing the stem of the control member to a determined electrical potential when the control member is in the un-depressed position and for interrupting the connection of the rod of the control member to the electric potential. determined when that body of control occupies the depressed position and thus allow the transmission of electrical signals from and / or to the electronic instrument.
  • the aforementioned means consist of an axial retaining element of the control member made of an electrically conductive material.
  • This holding element is brought, in an unpressed position, into contact with an electrically conductive reference element (which may advantageously be a part of the housing of the electronic instrument) which is brought to a determined electrical potential, the contact of the retaining element with this reference element being interrupted when the control member is brought into the depressed position.
  • This retaining element can be configured as a traditional retaining key.
  • control member cooperates with a first electrical contact actuated by the first end of the rod to produce the conventional control signal, this first end of the rod being electrically insulated by an insulating sheath to avoid any contact. Direct electric with the first electrical contact.
  • control member further cooperates with an electrical contact blade distinct from the first electrical contact, this electrical contact blade being electrically insulated from the rod in an unpressed position and electrically connected to the rod in a depressed position to allow the transmission of electrical signals from and / or to the electronic instrument.
  • the invention proceeds, as already mentioned, from the general idea of connecting a portable electronic instrument (for example a wristwatch) to an external electrical or electronic device via at least one control device. the user interface of which the portable electronic instrument is equipped.
  • transmission of electrical signals it will be understood in particular the application of electrical signals for the purposes of recharging an accumulator with electrical energy as well as the communication of data to and / or from the portable electronic instrument.
  • the external device can thus be an electric charging device for an accumulator or an electronic communication device, for example a personal computer.
  • control device or controllers serve two functions, namely their first control function for the selection of functions of the portable electronic instrument (selection of operating modes or of information, update of data or parameters of the portable electronic instrument, eg time and / or date, etc.) and the additional function of means for transmitting electrical signals.
  • the transmission of electrical signals can be established as soon as the one or more control elements configured for this purpose are brought into the depressed position.
  • the connection of the portable electronic instrument to the external electrical or electronic device will therefore be established by means of an adapter arranged to bring the relevant control members into the depressed position.
  • This adapter will not be discussed here because it does not not directly related to the subject of the present invention. In the remainder of the description, it will suffice to understand that this adapter is preferably designed to serve as a recharging device for an electric energy accumulator and a communication interface with an external processing unit, such as a personal computer. For the implementation of the present invention, it is however not necessary that the control members are configured to perform these two functions.
  • the present invention will be described with reference to a timepiece advantageously in the form of a wristwatch.
  • the invention nonetheless applies identically to any portable electronic instrument whether or not it fulfills a horological function.
  • Figure 1 shows an overall plan view of a wristwatch, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, constituting an example of implementation of the invention. It comprises in particular a housing 2 delimited in this example by a lower portion 3 forming middle and bottom, and an upper part 4 forming a bezel which also carries a glass 5.
  • the bezel 4 is adjusted in a conventional manner on the middle part 3, a seal being interposed between these elements to seal the housing 2.
  • the middle part 3 is traversed by five pushbutton-type control elements designated respectively by the numerical references 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
  • the instrument comprises at least one control device configured as will be described hereinafter.
  • the five control members 11 to 15 together form a user interface with which the wearer can interact to select the various functions of the wristwatch 1.
  • control members 11 to 15 are placed here laterally on the middle part 3 at typical locations for a wristwatch, namely substantially at 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 8 h and 10 h respectively. It goes without saying that the control members 11 to 15 could be arranged in other places. At least one of the control members could thus be placed on the front face of the watch, for example at 6 o'clock.
  • control members 12, 13, 14 and 15 have a similar configuration. More particularly, the two control members 11 and 13 form input / output terminals for establishing a communication with at least one electronic unit housed inside the housing 2, while the control members 14 and 13 15 are used to recharge an accumulator in electrical energy of the portable electronic instrument.
  • the controller 12 is used only as a reserve and could be configured as a conventional controller to fulfill only its control role. This control member 12 could also be configured as a conventional crown rod for setting the time of the watch.
  • FIG. 2a shows a partial sectional view of FIG. 1 taken at the level of the control member 11 according to its actuation axis designated X-X.
  • the control members 12, 13, 14 and 15 have a similar configuration.
  • the control member 11 is movably mounted in a mounting hole 3a formed in the middle part 3 so as to have a translation travel along the axis of operation X-X.
  • the control member 11 is operable by pressure, like a conventional pusher, to be brought from a so-called not depressed position, as shown in Figure 2a, to a so-called depressed position, illustrated in Figure 2b.
  • the control member 11 consists mainly of a rod 100, of elongate shape, made of an electrically conductive material, preferably metal.
  • This rod 100 preferably has, but not exclusively, a cylindrical shape and passes through the middle part 3 from one side to the other. A first end of the rod 100 thus opens into the cavity formed by the middle part 3 while the second end of the rod 100 opens out of the middle part 3 so as to be actuated by a user. Sealing is conventionally provided by one or more O-rings 9 housed in one or more grooves 110 formed on the rod 100.
  • the rod 100 can be made in one piece. This rod could, however, be made in two parts, one of ordinary conductive material (for example an ordinary stainless steel, eg 4C27A steel) and the other, integral with the first, made of a material resistant to corrosion. (eg a high-performance stainless steel type 316L steel). It would indeed be advantageous to make the exposed portion of the rod 100 in the latter material to prevent any corrosion under the effect of sweat or friction, the rest of the rod can be made of an ordinary conductive material.
  • ordinary conductive material for example an ordinary stainless steel, eg 4C27A steel
  • a material resistant to corrosion eg a high-performance stainless steel type 316L steel.
  • the rod 100 On its second end, the rod 100 is terminated by a head 120 of larger diameter.
  • the rod 100 and the head 120 of the control member are made in one piece.
  • Overmoulding or mounting of a plastic head on the rod should be such that the outer end of the rod can be electrically contacted from the outside.
  • the caseband 3 is preferably also made of an electrically conductive material, the rod 100 being consequently insulated from this caseband 3 by an insulating sleeve 30.
  • this caseband 3 is also worn, in operation, at a potential electrical determined, here the mass potential of the portable instrument as schematized in the figures.
  • the utility of this electrical connection will appear more clearly in the following description.
  • the middle part 3 could alternatively be made of a non-conductive material in which case the sleeve 30 is no longer necessary (an additional conductive element brought to the determined electrical potential is then required as will be seen below).
  • the insulating sleeve 30 has a generally tubular shape with a shoulder 31 arranged to bear, from outside the middle part 3, on a corresponding shoulder 3b formed in the mounting hole 3a.
  • This insulating sleeve 30 is thus introduced into the mounting hole 3a from the outside and is preferably secured to the middle part 3, for example by driving, screwing or gluing.
  • This sleeve 30 may advantageously be made of anodised aluminum, plastic, ceramic material, or any other material insofar as at least the contact surface between the sleeve 30 and the surrounding conductive parts is electrically insulated.
  • the control member further comprises a retaining element 40 adapted to axially retain the rod 100 of the control member.
  • the retaining element 40 is made integral with the rod 100 and is placed on the inside of the middle part 3 in order to counteract the action of the return means 6 which tends to extract the control member from its housing.
  • the retaining element 40 is advantageously configured as a traditional retaining key which is introduced into a groove 140 formed on the rod 100. This retaining element 40 is also made of an electrically conductive material.
  • FIG. 2a it can be seen that, in the non-depressed position, the retaining element 40 bears on the middle part 3, at the periphery of the mounting orifice 3a.
  • an electrical connection is provided, in an unpressed position, between the rod 100 of the control member and the middle part 3.
  • the rod 100 of the control member is thus brought to the same electrical potential as the middle part 3.
  • this electrical connection is interrupted because of the axial displacement of the retaining element 40 which accompanies the movement of the rod 100.
  • the caseband 3 could be made of a non-conductive material, for example plastic, the insulating sleeve 30 is no longer necessary.
  • a conductive reference element carried at said determined electric potential and to provide that the rod 100 is brought into contact with this reference element in the non-depressed position.
  • FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which the middle part 3 is not made of an electrically conductive material, making the use of the insulating sleeve 30 unnecessary, and where such a reference element 35, for example a metal ring fixed to the Inside the middle part 3, is interposed between the retaining element 40 and the caseband 3.
  • This reference element 35 could for example be an integral part of the bezel 4, the latter then being made of an electrically conductive material.
  • the determined electrical potential of the rod 100 is advantageously and preferably provided by the retaining element 40.
  • a contact blade for setting the electrical potential determined could for example be arranged to cooperate with the rod 100 so that an electrical contact with the rod 100 is established in the non-depressed position and interrupted in the depressed position (by analogy with the contact blade with reference numeral 60 in Figures 2a and 2b and whose utility is explained below).
  • the structure of the control member is such that, in the non-depressed position, the rod 100 of the control member is brought to a determined electrical potential, thus making it impossible to accumulation of electric charges on the same rod. In the depressed position, however, this electrical connection is interrupted, making it possible to transmit electrical signals via the rod 100.
  • FIG. 3 shows a basic view of the configuration and operation of the control device envisaged to enable the control member to fulfill, in addition to its traditional control function, an additional function allowing the transmission of electrical signals from and / or to the electronic instrument.
  • the control member is shown diagrammatically in this figure and bears the reference C.
  • This control member C conventionally cooperates with a first electrical contact SW1 to fulfill its control function.
  • a control signal SEL is thus produced in response to the activation of the electrical contact SW1, namely in response to a pressure on the control member C.
  • a second electrical contact SW2, distinct from the first contact SW1 provides the connection with a I / O input / output line connected for example to a processing unit housed inside the portable electronic instrument.
  • This second electrical contact SW2 performs an additional function making it possible to establish an electrical connection between the I / O input / output and the control member C, or more exactly the rod of this control member C.
  • This possibility is schematized in FIG. Figure 3 by the connection of the control member C and the input / output I / O through the electrical contact SW2. This connection is established only when the control member C is brought into the depressed position to close the electrical contact SW2. In the non-depressed position, the electrical contact SW2 connects, as shown schematically, the control member C to a determined electrical potential V REF represented here as an electric potential forming a mass.
  • V REF an electric potential forming a mass.
  • the peculiarity of the proposed control device lies essentially in the fact that, in the non-depressed position, the electrically conductive part of the control member C, which serves as an electrical connection means with the input / output I / O (namely the rod of the control member), is not left in the floating state but is brought to a specific electrical potential, thus avoiding any accumulation of electrical charges on this part of the control member.
  • the middle part 3 defines an interior cavity in which, in a conventional manner, an electronic module 7 (represented partially in FIG. FIG. 2a) comprising in particular a printed circuit board, or PCB, 70 carrying various electrical and electronic components (not shown) including a data processing unit (for example a microcontroller or a microprocessor), storage means (by EEPROM, FLASH or similar) and other components for implementing the functions of the wristwatch 1.
  • a data processing unit for example a microcontroller or a microprocessor
  • storage means by EEPROM, FLASH or similar
  • Watchmaking components time base, frequency divider, analogue and / or digital display means, etc. .
  • the reference 75 indicates an optional element forming spacer disposed on the upper face of the PCB 70 and which supports in particular the display means of the electronic instrument.
  • a source of electrical energy 8 has also been partially represented, in particular to power the aforementioned electronic module 7. It may be a traditional battery or a rechargeable battery (and whose recharge can for example be operated via at least one of the control organs, as already mentioned).
  • the first electrical contact SW1 of FIG. 3 is conventionally embodied in the form of an electric contact blade 50 comprising a base integral with the electronic module 7 (this base is here held between the PCB 70 and the spacer 75) and a flexible extension which cooperates with the end of the rod 100, this end being electrically insulated from the contact blade 50 by an insulating sheath 150 which can be made of a material similar to that of the insulating sleeve 30.
  • Flexible extension of the contact blade 50 is arranged to be conventionally brought into contact with the other part of the first electrical contact (not shown in Figures 2a and 2b). In the case in point, it is a metallization 52 formed on the edge of the PCB 70 as illustrated in the partial plan view of FIG. 2c.
  • FIG. 2d shows a plan view similar to that of FIG. 2c, in the depressed position of the control member 11, where the flexible extension of the contact blade 50 can be seen to come into contact with the metallization 52.
  • the function of the second electrical contact SW2 of FIG. 3 is carried out thanks to the retaining element 40 integral with the rod 100 and to a second electric contact blade 60 arranged tangentially to the rod 100 in the vicinity of its end covered by the sheath. 150.
  • This electrical contact blade 60 is also held by its base between the PCB 70 and the spacer 75. In this way, in the non-depressed position (FIGS. 2a and 2c), the electrical contact blade 60 is contact with the insulating sheath 150 and, in the depressed position (FIGS. 2b and 2d), the electric contact blade 60 is in contact with the rod 100.
  • the insulating sheath 150 fulfills two functions, namely the electrical insulation between the rod 100 and the first electrical contact (whatever the position of the control member) as well as the electrical insulation between the rod 100 and the electric contact blade 60 (in the unpressed position only).
  • the electrical contact blade 60 could obviously cooperate with an insulating sheath separate from the insulating sheath 150.
  • the insulating gain 150 is completed here by a portion of larger diameter. This feature is not necessary but avoids any electrical contact between the blades 50 and 60, the larger diameter portion being interposed between these two blades.
  • the electrical contact blade 60 could be replaced by a contact blade cooperating not directly with the rod 100 but with the retaining element 40. It would be appropriate, for example, to arranging such a contact blade facing the retaining element so that an electrical connection with the rod 100 is established, via the retaining element 40, when the control member is brought into its depressed position.
  • FIGS. 5a and 5b Such a variant is illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b, where it can be seen that the previously used contact blade 60 is replaced by another contact blade 65 arranged facing the retaining element 40.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
  • Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
  • Switches With Compound Operations (AREA)
  • Measuring Pulse, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure Or Blood Flow (AREA)
  • Details Of Measuring Devices (AREA)

Abstract

The instrument has a retaining unit (40) integrated to a rod (100) of a control unit (11) and placed at internal side of a case body. The retaining unit enables the rod to contact a reference unit provided at determined electrical potential, when the control unit is in non pushed position. The retaining unit interrupts the rod from contacting the reference unit when the control unit is in pushed position.

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUETECHNICAL AREA

La présente invention concerne de manière générale un instrument électronique portable, notamment une pièce d'horlogerie, comprenant un boîtier et une interface utilisateur pour la sélection de fonctions de l'instrument électronique portable, cette interface utilisateur comprenant au moins un premier organe de commande monté mobile dans un orifice de montage ménagé dans le boîtier de façon à avoir une course de translation selon un axe d'actionnement, cet organe de commande étant actionnable par pression pour être amené d'une position dite non enfoncée à une position dite enfoncée et produire en réponse un signal de commande, l'organe de commande comprenant une tige électriquement conductrice qui traverse l'orifice de montage et qui comporte des première et seconde extrémités débouchant respectivement à l'intérieur et à l'extérieur du boîtier, cette tige étant adaptée pour permettre la transmission de signaux électriques de et/ou vers l'instrument électronique portable lorsque l'organe de commande est amené dans sa position enfoncée.The present invention generally relates to a portable electronic instrument, in particular a timepiece, comprising a housing and a user interface for the selection of functions of the portable electronic instrument, this user interface comprising at least a first mounted control member. movable in a mounting hole formed in the housing so as to have a translation travel along an axis of actuation, this control member being operable by pressure to be brought from a so-called unpressed position to a so-called depressed position and produce in response a control signal, the control member comprising an electrically conductive rod which passes through the mounting hole and which has first and second ends respectively opening inside and outside the housing, this rod being adapted to enable the transmission of electrical signals from and / or to the electrical instrument portable electronics when the control member is brought into its depressed position.

ARRIÈRE-PLAN TECHNOLOGIQUETECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

Des instruments électroniques répondant à la définition générale mentionnée ci-dessus sont déjà connus. Les documents EP 1 109 084 A1 et EP 1 134 630 A1 décrivent par exemple de tels instruments électroniques. Le document EP 1 109 084 A1 décrit en particulier une telle solution où un organe de commande du type susmentionné au moins est exploité pour effectuer la recharge d'un accumulateur électrique logé dans l'instrument alors que le document EP 1 134 630 A1 décrit une solution où un organe de commande au moins est exploité pour transmettre et/ou recevoir des données de l'instrument électronique.Electronic instruments that meet the general definition mentioned above are already known. Documents EP 1 109 084 A1 and EP 1 134 630 A1 for example describe such electronic instruments. The document EP 1 109 084 A1 describes in particular such a solution where a control member of the aforementioned type at least is used to perform the charging of an electric accumulator housed in the instrument while the document EP 1 134 630 A1 describes a solution where at least one controller is used to transmit and / or receive data from the electronic instrument.

L'intérêt de ces solutions antérieures (qui vaut aussi pour la présente invention) réside dans l'utilisation d'un ou plusieurs organes de commande (classiquement du type bouton-poussoir) pour relier électriquement l'instrument électronique à une unité externe, par exemple un ordinateur personnel. De la sorte, aucun élément de contact spécifique n'est nécessaire pour établir une liaison électrique entre l'instrument électronique et l'unité externe, cette liaison électrique étant établie dès lors que le ou les organes de commande configurés pour présenter la double fonction susmentionnée sont amenés en position enfoncée.The advantage of these prior solutions (which also applies to the present invention) lies in the use of one or more control members (typically of the push-button type) for electrically connecting the electronic instrument to an external unit, for example. example a personal computer. In this way, no specific contact element is needed to establish a connection electrical connection between the electronic instrument and the external unit, this electrical connection being established as soon as the or control members configured to present the aforementioned dual function are brought into the depressed position.

Une particularité des deux solutions antérieures ci-dessus réside dans l'utilisation de l'élément de retenue de l'organe de commande (similaire à une clavette de retenue) comme élément de contact permettant de remplir la fonction classique de l'organe de commande, à savoir la commande des fonctions de l'instrument électronique. Une autre particularité de ces solutions antérieures réside dans le fait que la tige de l'organe de commande, en position non enfoncée, est flottante du point de vue électrique. En position non enfoncée, des charges électriques sont donc susceptibles de s'accumuler sur la tige de l'organe de commande. Lors de l'actionnement de l'organe de commande, cette accumulation de charges électriques peut alors être reportée sur les terminaux au contact desquels est amené l'organe de commande et occasionner des dommages, en particulier à l'électronique de l'instrument. Ceci constitue un problème critique pour des solutions du type susmentionné étant donné que l'organe de commande remplit deux fonctions et établit une liaison directe avec des composants sensibles de l'électronique de l'instrument, en particulier son unité processeur et les mémoires associées.A peculiarity of the two previous solutions above lies in the use of the retaining element of the control member (similar to a retaining key) as a contact element making it possible to fulfill the conventional function of the control member. , namely the control of the functions of the electronic instrument. Another particularity of these prior solutions lies in the fact that the rod of the control member, in the not depressed position, is floating from the electrical point of view. In the not depressed position, electrical charges are likely to accumulate on the rod of the control member. During the actuation of the control member, this accumulation of electrical charges can then be carried over to the terminals in contact with which the control member is brought and cause damage, in particular to the electronics of the instrument. This is a critical problem for solutions of the aforementioned type since the controller performs two functions and establishes a direct connection with sensitive components of the instrument electronics, in particular its processor unit and the associated memories.

Une solution pour remédier à ce problème peut consister à protéger les terminaux au contact desquels est amené l'organe de commande au moyen de composants électriques de protection permettant d'établir un chemin pour la décharge des charges électriques accumulées. Il s'agit de composants de protection bien connus, dits composants ESD ("electro-static discharge"). Il est toutefois souhaitable de trouver une solution qui permette d'assurer que des charges électriques ne puissent en premier lieu s'accumuler sur la tige de l'organe de commande lorsque celui-ci est en position non enfoncée.A solution to this problem may be to protect the terminals with which the control member is brought by means of electrical protection components to establish a path for discharging the accumulated electrical charges. It is well known protective components, called ESD components ( "e lectro- s tatic d ischarge"). However, it is desirable to find a solution that ensures that electrical charges can not first accumulate on the rod of the control member when it is in the not depressed position.

RÉSUMÉ DE L'INVENTIONSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

La présente invention a ainsi pour objet un instrument électronique dont les caractéristiques sont énoncées dans la revendication 1 et un dispositif de commande dont les caractéristiques sont énoncées dans la revendication 12.The present invention thus relates to an electronic instrument whose characteristics are set forth in claim 1 and a control device whose characteristics are set forth in claim 12.

Des modes de réalisation avantageux de la présente invention font l'objet des revendications dépendantes.Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

La solution proposée consiste à prévoir des moyens pour amener la tige de l'organe de commande à un potentiel électrique déterminé lorsque cet organe de commande occupe la position non enfoncée et pour interrompre la connexion de la tige de l'organe de commande au potentiel électrique déterminé lorsque cet organe de commande occupe la position enfoncée et permettre ainsi la transmission des signaux électriques de et/ou vers l'instrument électronique.The proposed solution consists in providing means for bringing the stem of the control member to a determined electrical potential when the control member is in the un-depressed position and for interrupting the connection of the rod of the control member to the electric potential. determined when that body of control occupies the depressed position and thus allow the transmission of electrical signals from and / or to the electronic instrument.

Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, les moyens susmentionnés sont constitués par un élément de retenue axiale de l'organe de commande réalisé en un matériau électriquement conducteur. Cet élément de retenue est amené, en position non enfoncée, au contact d'un élément de référence électriquement conducteur (qui peut avantageusement être une partie du boîtier de l'instrument électronique) qui est porté à un potentiel électrique déterminé, le contact de l'élément de retenue avec cet élément de référence étant interrompu lorsque l'organe de commande est amené en position enfoncée. Cet élément de retenue peut être configuré comme une clavette de retenue traditionnelle.According to a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned means consist of an axial retaining element of the control member made of an electrically conductive material. This holding element is brought, in an unpressed position, into contact with an electrically conductive reference element (which may advantageously be a part of the housing of the electronic instrument) which is brought to a determined electrical potential, the contact of the retaining element with this reference element being interrupted when the control member is brought into the depressed position. This retaining element can be configured as a traditional retaining key.

Selon un autre aspect préféré, l'organe de commande coopère avec un premier contact électrique actionné par la première extrémité de la tige pour produire le signal classique de commande, cette première extrémité de la tige étant isolée électriquement par une gaine isolante pour éviter tout contact électrique direct avec le premier contact électrique. Selon cet aspect préféré, l'organe de commande coopère en outre avec une lame de contact électrique distincte du premier contact électrique, cette lame de contact électrique étant isolée électriquement de la tige en position non enfoncée et connectée électriquement à la tige en position enfoncée pour permettre la transmission de signaux électriques de et/ou vers l'instrument électronique.According to another preferred aspect, the control member cooperates with a first electrical contact actuated by the first end of the rod to produce the conventional control signal, this first end of the rod being electrically insulated by an insulating sheath to avoid any contact. Direct electric with the first electrical contact. According to this preferred aspect, the control member further cooperates with an electrical contact blade distinct from the first electrical contact, this electrical contact blade being electrically insulated from the rod in an unpressed position and electrically connected to the rod in a depressed position to allow the transmission of electrical signals from and / or to the electronic instrument.

BRÈVE DESCRIPTION DES DESSINSBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description détaillée qui suit de divers modes de réalisation de l'invention donnés uniquement à titre d'exemples non limitatifs et illustrés par les dessins annexés où :

  • la figure 1 montre une vue en plan générale d'un instrument électronique selon l'invention se présentant ici avantageusement sous la forme d'une montre-bracelet comprenant une pluralité d'organes de commande de type bouton-poussoir ;
  • la figure 2a est une vue en coupe de l'un des organes de commande de l'instrument de la figure 1 selon un premier mode de réalisation, cet organe de commande étant illustré dans sa position non enfoncée ;
  • la figure 2b est une vue en coupe similaire à celle de la figure 2a où l'organe de commande est illustré en position enfoncée ;
  • la figure 2c est une vue en plan partielle de l'organe de commande de la figure 2a dans sa position non enfoncée ;
  • la figure 2d est une vue en plan similaire à celle de la figure 2c où l'organe de commande est illustré en position enfoncée ;
  • la figure 3 est une vue de principe de la configuration et du fonctionnement de l'organe de commande des figures 2a à 2d où cet organe de commande remplit, outre sa fonction traditionnelle de commande, une fonction additionnelle permettant la transmission de signaux électriques de et/ou vers l'instrument électronique ;
  • la figure 4 est une vue en coupe similaire à celle de la figure 3a présentant une variante de réalisation ; et
  • les figures 5a et 5b sont des vue en coupes similaires à celles des figures 2a et 2b, respectivement, présentant encore une autre variante de réalisation.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly on reading the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention given solely by way of nonlimiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings in which:
  • Figure 1 shows a general plan view of an electronic instrument according to the invention is here advantageously in the form of a wristwatch comprising a plurality of push button type control members;
  • Figure 2a is a sectional view of one of the control members of the instrument of Figure 1 according to a first embodiment, the control member being shown in its not sunken position;
  • Figure 2b is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 2a where the controller is illustrated in the depressed position;
  • Figure 2c is a partial plan view of the control member of Figure 2a in its non-recessed position;
  • Figure 2d is a plan view similar to that of Figure 2c where the control member is illustrated in the depressed position;
  • FIG. 3 is a basic view of the configuration and operation of the control member of FIGS. 2a to 2d, in which this control member performs, in addition to its traditional control function, an additional function allowing the transmission of electrical signals from and / or to the electronic instrument;
  • Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 3a showing an alternative embodiment; and
  • Figures 5a and 5b are sectional views similar to those of Figures 2a and 2b, respectively, showing yet another alternative embodiment.

DESCRIPTION DES MODES DE RÉALISATION PRÉFÉRÉSDESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

L'invention procède, comme déjà mentionné, de l'idée générale qui consiste à relier un instrument électronique portable (par exemple une montre-bracelet) à un dispositif électrique ou électronique externe par l'intermédiaire d'au moins un organe de commande de l'interface utilisateur dont est équipée l'instrument électronique portable. Par "transmission de signaux électriques", on englobera notamment l'application de signaux électriques dans l'optique d'effectuer la recharge d'un accumulateur en énergie électrique ainsi que la communication de données à destination et/ou depuis l'instrument électronique portable. Le dispositif externe peut ainsi être un dispositif électrique de charge pour accumulateur ou un dispositif électronique de communication, par exemple un ordinateur personnel.The invention proceeds, as already mentioned, from the general idea of connecting a portable electronic instrument (for example a wristwatch) to an external electrical or electronic device via at least one control device. the user interface of which the portable electronic instrument is equipped. By "transmission of electrical signals", it will be understood in particular the application of electrical signals for the purposes of recharging an accumulator with electrical energy as well as the communication of data to and / or from the portable electronic instrument. . The external device can thus be an electric charging device for an accumulator or an electronic communication device, for example a personal computer.

Dans le cadre de la présente invention, on comprendra que le ou les organes de commande ainsi configurés remplissent deux fonctions, à savoir leur fonction première de commande pour la sélection de fonctions de l'instrument électronique portable (sélection de modes de fonctionnement ou d'informations, mise à jour de données ou de paramètres de l'instrument électronique portable, par ex. l'heure et/ou la date, etc.) et la fonction additionnelle de moyen de transmission de signaux électriques.In the context of the present invention, it will be understood that the control device or controllers thus configured serve two functions, namely their first control function for the selection of functions of the portable electronic instrument (selection of operating modes or of information, update of data or parameters of the portable electronic instrument, eg time and / or date, etc.) and the additional function of means for transmitting electrical signals.

On comprendra encore que la transmission de signaux électriques (par exemple pour la recharge d'un accumulateur et/ou la communication de données) peut être établie dès lors que le ou les organes de commande configurés à cet effet sont amenés en position enfoncée. La connexion de l'instrument électronique portable au dispositif électrique ou électronique externe sera donc établie grâce à un adaptateur agencé pour amener les organes de commande concernés en position enfoncée. La description de cet adaptateur ne sera pas abordée ici car elle ne concerne pas directement l'objet de la présente invention. Dans la suite de la description, il suffira de comprendre que cet adaptateur est préférablement agencé pour servir de dispositif de recharge pour accumulateur en énergie électrique et d'interface de communication avec une unité de traitement externe, tel un ordinateur personnel. Pour la mise en oeuvre de la présente invention, il n'est toutefois pas nécessaire que les organes de commande soient configurés pour remplir ces deux fonctions.It will further be understood that the transmission of electrical signals (for example for recharging an accumulator and / or data communication) can be established as soon as the one or more control elements configured for this purpose are brought into the depressed position. The connection of the portable electronic instrument to the external electrical or electronic device will therefore be established by means of an adapter arranged to bring the relevant control members into the depressed position. The description of this adapter will not be discussed here because it does not not directly related to the subject of the present invention. In the remainder of the description, it will suffice to understand that this adapter is preferably designed to serve as a recharging device for an electric energy accumulator and a communication interface with an external processing unit, such as a personal computer. For the implementation of the present invention, it is however not necessary that the control members are configured to perform these two functions.

La présente invention sera décrite en référence à une pièce d'horlogerie se présentant avantageusement sous la forme d'une montre-bracelet. L'invention s'applique néanmoins de manière identique à tout instrument électronique portable qu'il remplisse ou non une fonction horlogère.The present invention will be described with reference to a timepiece advantageously in the form of a wristwatch. The invention nonetheless applies identically to any portable electronic instrument whether or not it fulfills a horological function.

La figure 1 montre une vue en plan d'ensemble d'une montre-bracelet, désignée globalement par la référence numérique 1, constituant un exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention. Elle comprend notamment un boîtier 2 délimité dans cet exemple par une partie inférieure 3 formant carrure et fond, et une partie supérieure 4 formant lunette qui porte par ailleurs une glace 5. La lunette 4 est ajustée de manière classique sur la carrure 3, un joint étant interposé entre ces éléments pour assurer l'étanchéité du boîtier 2.Figure 1 shows an overall plan view of a wristwatch, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, constituting an example of implementation of the invention. It comprises in particular a housing 2 delimited in this example by a lower portion 3 forming middle and bottom, and an upper part 4 forming a bezel which also carries a glass 5. The bezel 4 is adjusted in a conventional manner on the middle part 3, a seal being interposed between these elements to seal the housing 2.

La carrure 3 est traversée dans cet exemple par cinq organes de commande de type bouton-poussoir désignés respectivement par les références numériques 11, 12, 13, 14 et 15. Il va de soi que cet exemple est donné à titre purement illustratif seulement et qu'il suffit, pour mettre en oeuvre la présente invention, que l'instrument comporte au moins un organe de commande configuré comme cela sera décrit ci-après. Les cinq organes de commande 11 à 15 forment ensemble une interface utilisateur avec laquelle le porteur peut interagir pour sélectionner les diverses fonctions de la montre-bracelet 1.In this example, the middle part 3 is traversed by five pushbutton-type control elements designated respectively by the numerical references 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. It goes without saying that this example is given for purely illustrative purposes only and that it is sufficient, in order to implement the present invention, that the instrument comprises at least one control device configured as will be described hereinafter. The five control members 11 to 15 together form a user interface with which the wearer can interact to select the various functions of the wristwatch 1.

Les organes de commande 11 à 15 sont placés ici latéralement sur la carrure 3 en des endroits typiques pour une montre-bracelet, à savoir sensiblement à 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 8 h et 10 h respectivement. Il va de soi que les organes de commande 11 à 15 pourraient être disposés en d'autres endroits. L'un des organes de commande au moins pourrait ainsi être placé sur la face avant de la montre, par exemple à 6 h.The control members 11 to 15 are placed here laterally on the middle part 3 at typical locations for a wristwatch, namely substantially at 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 8 h and 10 h respectively. It goes without saying that the control members 11 to 15 could be arranged in other places. At least one of the control members could thus be placed on the front face of the watch, for example at 6 o'clock.

Dans tout ce qui suit, on s'intéressera uniquement à la structure de l'organe de commande 11. Dans cet exemple, les organes de commande 12, 13, 14 et 15 présentent une configuration similaire. Plus particulièrement, les deux organes de commandes 11 et 13 forment des terminaux d'entrée/sortie pour l'établissement d'une communication avec au moins une unité électronique logée à l'intérieur du boîtier 2, alors que les organes de commande 14 et 15 sont exploités pour assurer la recharge d'un accumulateur en énergie électrique de l'instrument électronique portable. L'organe de commande 12 n'est utilisé que comme réserve et pourrait être configuré comme un organe de commande classique pour remplir uniquement son rôle de commande. Cet organe de commande 12 pourrait d'ailleurs être configuré comme une tige-couronne classique pour la mise à l'heure de la montre.In what follows, we will focus only on the structure of the control member 11. In this example, the control members 12, 13, 14 and 15 have a similar configuration. More particularly, the two control members 11 and 13 form input / output terminals for establishing a communication with at least one electronic unit housed inside the housing 2, while the control members 14 and 13 15 are used to recharge an accumulator in electrical energy of the portable electronic instrument. The controller 12 is used only as a reserve and could be configured as a conventional controller to fulfill only its control role. This control member 12 could also be configured as a conventional crown rod for setting the time of the watch.

La figure 2a montre une vue en coupe partielle de la figure 1 prise au niveau de l'organe de commande 11 selon son axe d'actionnement désigné X-X. Comme déjà mentionné, les organes de commande 12, 13, 14 et 15 présentent une configuration similaire. L'organe de commande 11 est monté mobile dans un orifice de montage 3a ménagé dans la carrure 3 de façon à avoir une course de translation selon l'axe d'actionnement X-X. L'organe de commande 11 est actionnable par pression, comme un poussoir classique, pour être amené d'une position dite non enfoncée, comme illustré dans la figure 2a, à une position dite enfoncée, illustrée dans la figure 2b.FIG. 2a shows a partial sectional view of FIG. 1 taken at the level of the control member 11 according to its actuation axis designated X-X. As already mentioned, the control members 12, 13, 14 and 15 have a similar configuration. The control member 11 is movably mounted in a mounting hole 3a formed in the middle part 3 so as to have a translation travel along the axis of operation X-X. The control member 11 is operable by pressure, like a conventional pusher, to be brought from a so-called not depressed position, as shown in Figure 2a, to a so-called depressed position, illustrated in Figure 2b.

L'organe de commande 11 se compose principalement d'une tige 100, de forme allongée, réalisée en un matériau électriquement conducteur, avantageusement en métal. Cette tige 100 présente de préférence, mais pas exclusivement, une forme cylindrique et traverse la carrure 3 de part en part. Une première extrémité de la tige 100 débouche ainsi à l'intérieur de la cavité formée par la carrure 3 alors que la seconde extrémité de la tige 100 débouche à l'extérieur de la carrure 3 de manière à pouvoir être actionnée par un utilisateur. L'étanchéité est assurée de manière classique par un ou plusieurs joints toriques 9 logés dans une ou plusieurs gorges 110 ménagées sur la tige 100.The control member 11 consists mainly of a rod 100, of elongate shape, made of an electrically conductive material, preferably metal. This rod 100 preferably has, but not exclusively, a cylindrical shape and passes through the middle part 3 from one side to the other. A first end of the rod 100 thus opens into the cavity formed by the middle part 3 while the second end of the rod 100 opens out of the middle part 3 so as to be actuated by a user. Sealing is conventionally provided by one or more O-rings 9 housed in one or more grooves 110 formed on the rod 100.

La tige 100 peut être réalisée d'une seule pièce. Cette tige pourrait toutefois être réalisée en deux parties, l'une en matériau conducteur ordinaire (par exemple un acier inox ordinaire, par ex. l'acier 4C27A) et l'autre, solidaire de la première, en un matériau résistant à la corrosion (par exemple un acier inox performant du type de l'acier 316L). Il serait en effet avantageux de réaliser la partie exposée de la tige 100 dans ce dernier matériau pour éviter toute corrosion sous l'effet de la sueur ou des frottements, le reste de la tige pouvant être réalisé dans un matériau conducteur ordinaire.The rod 100 can be made in one piece. This rod could, however, be made in two parts, one of ordinary conductive material (for example an ordinary stainless steel, eg 4C27A steel) and the other, integral with the first, made of a material resistant to corrosion. (eg a high-performance stainless steel type 316L steel). It would indeed be advantageous to make the exposed portion of the rod 100 in the latter material to prevent any corrosion under the effect of sweat or friction, the rest of the rod can be made of an ordinary conductive material.

Sur sa seconde extrémité, la tige 100 est terminée par une tête 120 de plus grand diamètre. Dans cet exemple, la tige 100 et la tête 120 de l'organe de commande sont réalisées d'une pièce. Au titre d'alternative, il est parfaitement envisageable de réaliser ces deux éléments séparément et de les rendre ensuite solidaires l'un de l'autre ou encore de surmouler une tête en matière plastique sur la tige 100 conductrice. Pour remplir la fonction désirée de transmission de signaux électriques, on comprendra qu'il convient en tous les cas d'assurer un accès électrique à la tige 100 depuis l'extérieur. Le surmoulage ou le montage d'une tête plastique sur la tige devra donc être tel que l'extrémité externe de la tige puisse être contactée électriquement depuis l'extérieur.On its second end, the rod 100 is terminated by a head 120 of larger diameter. In this example, the rod 100 and the head 120 of the control member are made in one piece. As an alternative, it is perfectly conceivable to make these two elements separately and then make them integral with one another or overmould a plastic head on the rod 100 conductor. To fulfill the desired function of signal transmission In all cases, it will be understood that electrical access to the rod 100 from the outside should be ensured. Overmoulding or mounting of a plastic head on the rod should be such that the outer end of the rod can be electrically contacted from the outside.

La carrure 3 est de préférence également réalisée en une matière électriquement conductrice, la tige 100 étant en conséquence isolée de cette carrure 3 par un manchon isolant 30. Dans cet exemple préféré, cette carrure 3 est par ailleurs portée, en fonctionnement, à un potentiel électrique déterminé, ici le potentiel de masse de l'instrument portable comme schématisé dans les figures. L'utilité de cette connexion électrique apparaîtra plus clairement dans la suite de la présente description. La carrure 3 pourrait alternativement être réalisée en un matériau non conducteur auquel cas le manchon 30 n'est plus nécessaire (un élément conducteur supplémentaire porté au potentiel électrique déterminé étant alors requis comme on le verra ci-après).The caseband 3 is preferably also made of an electrically conductive material, the rod 100 being consequently insulated from this caseband 3 by an insulating sleeve 30. In this preferred example, this caseband 3 is also worn, in operation, at a potential electrical determined, here the mass potential of the portable instrument as schematized in the figures. The utility of this electrical connection will appear more clearly in the following description. The middle part 3 could alternatively be made of a non-conductive material in which case the sleeve 30 is no longer necessary (an additional conductive element brought to the determined electrical potential is then required as will be seen below).

Le manchon isolant 30 présente une forme générale tubulaire avec un épaulement 31 agencé pour venir en appui, depuis l'extérieur de la carrure 3, sur un épaulement correspondant 3b ménagé dans l'orifice de montage 3a. Ce manchon isolant 30 est donc introduit dans l'orifice de montage 3a depuis l'extérieur et est préférablement rendu solidaire de la carrure 3, par exemple par chassage, vissage ou collage. Ce manchon 30 peut avantageusement être réalisé en aluminium éloxé, en matière plastique, en matière céramique, ou toute autre matière dans la mesure où au moins la surface de contact entre le manchon 30 et les parties conductrices avoisinantes est isolée électriquement.The insulating sleeve 30 has a generally tubular shape with a shoulder 31 arranged to bear, from outside the middle part 3, on a corresponding shoulder 3b formed in the mounting hole 3a. This insulating sleeve 30 is thus introduced into the mounting hole 3a from the outside and is preferably secured to the middle part 3, for example by driving, screwing or gluing. This sleeve 30 may advantageously be made of anodised aluminum, plastic, ceramic material, or any other material insofar as at least the contact surface between the sleeve 30 and the surrounding conductive parts is electrically insulated.

Un moyen de rappel élastique 6, formé dans cet exemple d'un ressort hélicoïdal, est placé entre l'épaulement 31 du manchon isolant 30 et la tête 120 de l'organe de commande. Lors d'une pression sur l'organe de commande, ce moyen de rappel 6 est donc comprimé entre l'épaulement 31 et la tête 120 comme illustré dans la figure 2b, exerçant de la sorte une force de rappel tendant à ramener l'organe de commande de sa position enfoncée à sa position non enfoncée. On notera que l'épaulement 31 du manchon isolant assure également que la tête 120 de l'organe de commande, ici conductrice, ne rentre pas en contact avec la carrure 3.An elastic return means 6, formed in this example of a helical spring, is placed between the shoulder 31 of the insulating sleeve 30 and the head 120 of the control member. During a pressure on the control member, this return means 6 is compressed between the shoulder 31 and the head 120 as shown in Figure 2b, thereby exerting a restoring force tending to bring the organ control from its depressed position to its non-depressed position. Note that the shoulder 31 of the insulating sleeve also ensures that the head 120 of the control member, here conductive, does not come into contact with the middle part 3.

L'organe de commande comporte encore un élément de retenue 40 adapté pour retenir axialement la tige 100 de l'organe de commande. A cet effet, l'élément de retenue 40 est rendu solidaire de la tige 100 et est placé du côté intérieur de la carrure 3 afin de contrecarrer l'action du moyen de rappel 6 qui tend à extraire l'organe de commande de son logement. L'élément de retenue 40 est avantageusement configuré comme une clavette de retenue traditionnelle qui est introduite dans une gorge 140 ménagée sur la tige 100. Cet élément de retenue 40 est par ailleurs réalisé en un matériau électriquement conducteur.The control member further comprises a retaining element 40 adapted to axially retain the rod 100 of the control member. For this purpose, the retaining element 40 is made integral with the rod 100 and is placed on the inside of the middle part 3 in order to counteract the action of the return means 6 which tends to extract the control member from its housing. . The retaining element 40 is advantageously configured as a traditional retaining key which is introduced into a groove 140 formed on the rod 100. This retaining element 40 is also made of an electrically conductive material.

Dans la figure 2a, on peut voir que, en position non enfoncée, l'élément de retenue 40 vient en appui sur la carrure 3, en périphérie de l'orifice de montage 3a. De la sorte une liaison électrique est assurée, en position non enfoncée, entre la tige 100 de l'organe de commande et la carrure 3. La tige 100 de l'organe de commande est ainsi amenée au même potentiel électrique que la carrure 3. En position enfoncée, par contre, cette liaison électrique est interrompue en raison du déplacement axial de l'élément de retenue 40 qui accompagne le mouvement de la tige 100.In FIG. 2a, it can be seen that, in the non-depressed position, the retaining element 40 bears on the middle part 3, at the periphery of the mounting orifice 3a. In this way, an electrical connection is provided, in an unpressed position, between the rod 100 of the control member and the middle part 3. The rod 100 of the control member is thus brought to the same electrical potential as the middle part 3. In the depressed position, however, this electrical connection is interrupted because of the axial displacement of the retaining element 40 which accompanies the movement of the rod 100.

Comme mentionné plus haut, la carrure 3 pourrait être réalisée en un matériau non conducteur, par exemple en plastique, le manchon isolant 30 n'étant plus nécessaire. Afin d'amener la tige 100 de l'organe de commande à un potentiel électrique déterminé, il conviendra alors de disposer, au voisinage de la tige 100, un élément de référence conducteur porté au dit potentiel électrique déterminé et de prévoir que la tige 100 soit amenée au contact de cet élément de référence en position non enfoncée. La figure 4 montre une variante de réalisation où la carrure 3 n'est pas réalisée en un matériau électriquement conducteur, rendant l'utilisation du manchon isolant 30 inutile, et où un tel élément de référence 35, par exemple un anneau métallique fixé à l'intérieur de la carrure 3, est interposé entre l'élément de retenue 40 et la carrure 3. Cet élément de référence 35 pourrait par exemple faire partie intégrante de la lunette 4, cette dernière étant alors réalisée en un matériau électriquement conducteur.As mentioned above, the caseband 3 could be made of a non-conductive material, for example plastic, the insulating sleeve 30 is no longer necessary. In order to bring the rod 100 of the control member to a determined electrical potential, it will then be necessary to have, in the vicinity of the rod 100, a conductive reference element carried at said determined electric potential and to provide that the rod 100 is brought into contact with this reference element in the non-depressed position. FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which the middle part 3 is not made of an electrically conductive material, making the use of the insulating sleeve 30 unnecessary, and where such a reference element 35, for example a metal ring fixed to the Inside the middle part 3, is interposed between the retaining element 40 and the caseband 3. This reference element 35 could for example be an integral part of the bezel 4, the latter then being made of an electrically conductive material.

Dans les modes de réalisation susmentionnés, la mise au potentiel électrique déterminé de la tige 100 est avantageusement et préférablement assurée par l'élément de retenue 40. Pour la mise en oeuvre de l'invention, il est toutefois envisageable d'assurer cette liaison électrique par d'autres moyens. Une lame de contact pour la mise au potentiel électrique déterminé pourrait par exemple être ménagée pour coopérer avec la tige 100 de sorte qu'un contact électrique avec la tige 100 soit établi en position non-enfoncée et interrompu en position enfoncée (par analogie à la lame de contact portant la référence numérique 60 dans les figures 2a et 2b et dont l'utilité est expliquée plus loin).In the aforementioned embodiments, the determined electrical potential of the rod 100 is advantageously and preferably provided by the retaining element 40. For the implementation of the invention, it is however possible to provide this electrical connection. by other means. A contact blade for setting the electrical potential determined could for example be arranged to cooperate with the rod 100 so that an electrical contact with the rod 100 is established in the non-depressed position and interrupted in the depressed position (by analogy with the contact blade with reference numeral 60 in Figures 2a and 2b and whose utility is explained below).

D'une manière générale, on aura ainsi compris que la structure de l'organe de commande est telle que, en position non enfoncée, la tige 100 de l'organe de commande est amenée à un potentiel électrique déterminé, rendant ainsi impossible l'accumulation de charges électriques sur cette même tige. En position enfoncée, par contre, cette liaison électrique est interrompue, rendant possible la transmission de signaux électriques par l'intermédiaire de la tige 100.In general, it will thus have been understood that the structure of the control member is such that, in the non-depressed position, the rod 100 of the control member is brought to a determined electrical potential, thus making it impossible to accumulation of electric charges on the same rod. In the depressed position, however, this electrical connection is interrupted, making it possible to transmit electrical signals via the rod 100.

On va maintenant s'intéresser plus particulièrement à la configuration du dispositif de commande et à la structure des contacts électriques proposée pour assurer, d'une part, la fonction première de l'organe de commande et, d'autre part, la fonction additionnelle de moyen de transmission de signaux électriques.We will now focus more particularly on the configuration of the control device and the structure of the electrical contacts proposed to ensure, on the one hand, the primary function of the control member and, on the other hand, the additional function means for transmitting electrical signals.

La figure 3 montre une vue de principe de la configuration et du fonctionnement du dispositif de commande envisagé pour permettre à l'organe de commande de remplir, outre sa fonction traditionnelle de commande, une fonction additionnelle permettant la transmission de signaux électriques de et/ou vers l'instrument électronique. L'organe de commande est représenté schématiquement dans cette figure et porte la référence C. Cet organe de commande C coopère classiquement avec un premier contact électrique SW1 pour remplir sa fonction de commande. Un signal de commande SEL est ainsi produit en réponse à l'activation du contact électrique SW1, à savoir en réponse à une pression sur l'organe de commande C. Un second contact électrique SW2, distinct du premier contact SW1 assure la liaison avec une ligne d'entrée/sortie I/O reliée par exemple à une unité de traitement logée à l'intérieur de l'instrument électronique portable. Ce second contact électrique SW2 remplit une fonction additionnelle permettant d'établir une liaison électrique entre l'entrée/sortie I/O et l'organe de commande C, ou plus exactement la tige de cet organe de commande C. Cette possibilité est schématisée dans la figure 3 par la connexion de l'organe de commande C et de l'entrée/sortie I/O au travers du contact électrique SW2. Cette liaison n'est établie que lorsque l'organe de commande C est amené en position enfoncée pour fermer le contact électrique SW2. En position non enfoncée, le contact électrique SW2 relie, comme schématisé, l'organe de commande C à un potentiel électrique déterminé VREF représenté ici comme un potentiel électrique formant masse. On aura compris que les premier et second contacts électriques SW1 et SW2 sont indépendants mais sont néanmoins actionnés simultanément en réponse à une pression sur l'organe de commande C.FIG. 3 shows a basic view of the configuration and operation of the control device envisaged to enable the control member to fulfill, in addition to its traditional control function, an additional function allowing the transmission of electrical signals from and / or to the electronic instrument. The control member is shown diagrammatically in this figure and bears the reference C. This control member C conventionally cooperates with a first electrical contact SW1 to fulfill its control function. A control signal SEL is thus produced in response to the activation of the electrical contact SW1, namely in response to a pressure on the control member C. A second electrical contact SW2, distinct from the first contact SW1 provides the connection with a I / O input / output line connected for example to a processing unit housed inside the portable electronic instrument. This second electrical contact SW2 performs an additional function making it possible to establish an electrical connection between the I / O input / output and the control member C, or more exactly the rod of this control member C. This possibility is schematized in FIG. Figure 3 by the connection of the control member C and the input / output I / O through the electrical contact SW2. This connection is established only when the control member C is brought into the depressed position to close the electrical contact SW2. In the non-depressed position, the electrical contact SW2 connects, as shown schematically, the control member C to a determined electrical potential V REF represented here as an electric potential forming a mass. It will be understood that the first and second electrical contacts SW1 and SW2 are independent but are nevertheless actuated simultaneously in response to a pressure on the control member C.

La particularité du dispositif de commande proposé réside essentiellement dans le fait que, en position non enfoncée, la partie électriquement conductrice de l'organe de commande C, qui sert de moyen de liaison électrique avec l'entrée/sortie I/O (à savoir la tige de l'organe de commande), n'est pas laissée à l'état flottant mais est portée à un potentiel électrique déterminé, évitant de la sorte toute accumulation de charges électriques sur cette partie de l'organe de commande.The peculiarity of the proposed control device lies essentially in the fact that, in the non-depressed position, the electrically conductive part of the control member C, which serves as an electrical connection means with the input / output I / O (namely the rod of the control member), is not left in the floating state but is brought to a specific electrical potential, thus avoiding any accumulation of electrical charges on this part of the control member.

En référence à nouveau aux figures 2a et 2b, on va maintenant décrire un mode de réalisation préféré des contacts électriques susmentionnés. Dans ces figures, on peut voir que la carrure 3 définit une cavité intérieure dans laquelle prend place, de manière classique, un module électronique 7 (représenté partiellement dans la figure 2a) comprenant notamment une plaquette de circuit imprimé, ou PCB, 70 portant divers composants électriques et électroniques (non représentés) dont une unité de traitement de données (par ex. un microcontrôleur ou un microprocesseur), des moyens de mémorisation (par ex. EEPROM, FLASH ou similaire) et d'autres composants pour la mise en oeuvre des fonctions de la montre-bracelet 1. Des composants horlogers (base de temps, diviseur de fréquence, moyens d'affichage analogique et/ou digital, etc.) sont en particulier classiquement prévus dans cet exemple pour remplir diverses fonctions horlogères incluant notamment l'affichage de l'heure. La référence 75 indique un élément optionnel formant entretoise disposé sur la face supérieure du PCB 70 et qui supporte notamment les moyens d'affichage de l'instrument électronique.Referring again to FIGS. 2a and 2b, a preferred embodiment of the aforementioned electrical contacts will now be described. In these figures, it can be seen that the middle part 3 defines an interior cavity in which, in a conventional manner, an electronic module 7 (represented partially in FIG. FIG. 2a) comprising in particular a printed circuit board, or PCB, 70 carrying various electrical and electronic components (not shown) including a data processing unit (for example a microcontroller or a microprocessor), storage means (by EEPROM, FLASH or similar) and other components for implementing the functions of the wristwatch 1. Watchmaking components (time base, frequency divider, analogue and / or digital display means, etc. .) are in particular conventionally provided in this example to fulfill various horological functions including including the display of time. The reference 75 indicates an optional element forming spacer disposed on the upper face of the PCB 70 and which supports in particular the display means of the electronic instrument.

Dans les figures 2a et 2b, on a encore représenté partiellement une source d'énergie électrique 8 pour alimenter notamment le module électronique 7 susmentionné. Il peut s'agir d'une pile traditionnelle ou d'un accumulateur rechargeable (et dont la recharge peut par exemple être opérée par l'intermédiaire d'au moins l'un des organes de commande, comme déjà mentionné).In FIGS. 2a and 2b, a source of electrical energy 8 has also been partially represented, in particular to power the aforementioned electronic module 7. It may be a traditional battery or a rechargeable battery (and whose recharge can for example be operated via at least one of the control organs, as already mentioned).

Dans ce mode de réalisation, le premier contact électrique SW1 de la figure 3 est réalisé classiquement sous la forme d'une lame de contact électrique 50 comprenant une base solidaire du module électronique 7 (cette base est ici maintenue entre le PCB 70 et l'entretoise 75) et une extension flexible qui coopère avec l'extrémité de la tige 100, cette extrémité étant isolée électriquement de la lame de contact 50 par une gaine isolante 150 pouvant être réalisée dans un matériau similaire à celui du manchon isolant 30. L'extension flexible de la lame de contact 50 est agencée pour être amenée classiquement au contact de l'autre partie du premier contact électrique (non représentée dans les figures 2a et 2b). Dans le cas d'espèce, il s'agit d'une métallisation 52 formée sur la tranche du PCB 70 comme illustré dans la vue en plan partielle de la figure 2c. Dans cette figure 2c, l'entretoise 75 n'a pas été représentée afin de découvrir l'ensemble du dispositif de commande. La figure 2d montre une vue en plan analogue à celle de la figure 2c, organe de commande 11 en position enfoncée, où l'on peut voir l'extension flexible de la lame de contact 50 venir au contact de la métallisation 52.In this embodiment, the first electrical contact SW1 of FIG. 3 is conventionally embodied in the form of an electric contact blade 50 comprising a base integral with the electronic module 7 (this base is here held between the PCB 70 and the spacer 75) and a flexible extension which cooperates with the end of the rod 100, this end being electrically insulated from the contact blade 50 by an insulating sheath 150 which can be made of a material similar to that of the insulating sleeve 30. Flexible extension of the contact blade 50 is arranged to be conventionally brought into contact with the other part of the first electrical contact (not shown in Figures 2a and 2b). In the case in point, it is a metallization 52 formed on the edge of the PCB 70 as illustrated in the partial plan view of FIG. 2c. In this Figure 2c, the spacer 75 has not been shown to discover the entire control device. FIG. 2d shows a plan view similar to that of FIG. 2c, in the depressed position of the control member 11, where the flexible extension of the contact blade 50 can be seen to come into contact with the metallization 52.

La fonction du second contact électrique SW2 de la figure 3 est réalisée grâce à l'élément de retenue 40 solidaire de la tige 100 et à une seconde lame de contact électrique 60 disposée tangentiellement à la tige 100 au voisinage de son extrémité recouverte par la gaine isolante 150. Cette lame de contact électrique 60 est elle aussi maintenue par sa base entre le PCB 70 et l'entretoise 75. De la sorte, en position non enfoncée (figures 2a et 2c), la lame de contact électrique 60 est en contact avec la gaine isolante 150 et, en position enfoncée (figures 2b et 2d), la lame de contact électrique 60 est en contact avec la tige 100.The function of the second electrical contact SW2 of FIG. 3 is carried out thanks to the retaining element 40 integral with the rod 100 and to a second electric contact blade 60 arranged tangentially to the rod 100 in the vicinity of its end covered by the sheath. 150. This electrical contact blade 60 is also held by its base between the PCB 70 and the spacer 75. In this way, in the non-depressed position (FIGS. 2a and 2c), the electrical contact blade 60 is contact with the insulating sheath 150 and, in the depressed position (FIGS. 2b and 2d), the electric contact blade 60 is in contact with the rod 100.

Dans les figures 2a à 2d, on peut constater que la gaine isolante 150 remplit deux fonctions, à savoir l'isolation électrique entre la tige 100 et le premier contact électrique (quelque soit la position de l'organe de commande) ainsi que l'isolation électrique entre la tige 100 et la lame de contact électrique 60 (en position non enfoncée uniquement). La lame de contact électrique 60 pourrait bien évidemment coopérer avec une gaine isolante distincte de la gaine isolante 150.In FIGS. 2a to 2d, it can be seen that the insulating sheath 150 fulfills two functions, namely the electrical insulation between the rod 100 and the first electrical contact (whatever the position of the control member) as well as the electrical insulation between the rod 100 and the electric contact blade 60 (in the unpressed position only). The electrical contact blade 60 could obviously cooperate with an insulating sheath separate from the insulating sheath 150.

On notera par ailleurs que la gain isolante 150 est terminée ici par une portion de plus grand diamètre. Cette caractéristique n'est pas nécessaire mais permet d'éviter tout contact électrique éventuel entre les lames 50 et 60, la portion de plus grand diamètre étant interposée entre ces deux lames.Note also that the insulating gain 150 is completed here by a portion of larger diameter. This feature is not necessary but avoids any electrical contact between the blades 50 and 60, the larger diameter portion being interposed between these two blades.

Au titre d'alternative à la solution des figures 2a à 2d, la lame de contact électrique 60 pourrait être remplacée par une lame de contact coopérant non pas directement avec la tige 100 mais avec l'élément de retenue 40. Il conviendrait par exemple de disposer une telle lame de contact en regard de l'élément de retenue de sorte qu'une connexion électrique avec la tige 100 soit établie, par l'intermédiaire de l'élément de retenue 40, lorsque l'organe de commande est amené dans sa position enfoncée. Une telle variante est illustrée dans les figures 5a et 5b où l'on peut voir que la lame de contact 60 précédemment utilisée est remplacée par une autre lame de contact 65 disposée en regard de l'élément de retenue 40.As an alternative to the solution of FIGS. 2a to 2d, the electrical contact blade 60 could be replaced by a contact blade cooperating not directly with the rod 100 but with the retaining element 40. It would be appropriate, for example, to arranging such a contact blade facing the retaining element so that an electrical connection with the rod 100 is established, via the retaining element 40, when the control member is brought into its depressed position. Such a variant is illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b, where it can be seen that the previously used contact blade 60 is replaced by another contact blade 65 arranged facing the retaining element 40.

On comprendra que diverses modifications et/ou améliorations évidentes pour l'homme du métier peuvent être apportées aux modes de réalisation décrits dans la présente description sans sortir du cadre de l'invention défini par les revendications annexées. En particulier, la présente invention n'est pas limitée uniquement à une utilisation dans une montre-bracelet mais s'applique à toute autre application dans un instrument électronique portable.It will be understood that various modifications and / or improvements obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the embodiments described in the present description without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. In particular, the present invention is not limited solely to use in a wristwatch but applies to any other application in a portable electronic instrument.

Claims (12)

  1. Portable electronic instrument (1) including a case (2) and a user interface (11 to 15) for selecting functions of said portable electronic instrument, said user interface including at least a first control member (11) mounted to be mobile in an assembly orifice (3a) arranged in said case so as to have a translation travel along an axis of actuation (X-X), said control member (11) being able to be actuated by pressure to be brought from a position called the non pushed-in position to a position called the pushed-in position and to generate in response a control signal (SEL),
    said control member (11) including an electrically conductive stem (100) which passes through said assembly orifice and which includes first and second ends opening out respectively inside and outside said case (2), said stem (100) being adapted to allow transmission of electric signals from and/or to the portable electronic instrument, when said control member (11) is brought into said pushed-in position,
    said electronic instrument being characterized in that it further includes means (3, 30, 40; 35, 40) for bringing the stem (100) of the control member (11) to a determined electric potential when said control member (11) occupies said non pushed-in position and for interrupting the connection of the stem (100) of the control member (11) to said determined electric potential when said control member (11) occupies said pushed-in position and for thus allowing transmission of said electric signals from and/or to the portable electronic instrument.
  2. Portable electronic instrument according to claim 1, characterized in that said control member (11) is retained axially in said case (2) by a retaining element (40) secured to said stem (100) and made of an electrically conductive material, said retaining element (40) being brought, when said control member (11) occupies said non pushed-in position, into contact with an electrically conductive reference element (3; 35) which is brought to said determined electric potential, the contact of said retaining element (40) with said reference element (3; 35) being interrupted when said control member (11) is brought to the pushed-in position.
  3. Portable electronic instrument according to claim 2, characterized in that said case (2) includes at least one part (3) made of an electrically conductive material and in which said control member (11) is mounted, said part (3) forming said reference element brought to said determined electric potential, the stem (100) of said control member being electrically insulated from said electrically conductive part (3) of the case (2) by an insulating sleeve (30) introduced into said assembly orifice (3a) of the control member.
  4. Portable electronic instrument according to claim 3, characterized in that said retaining element (40) is arranged on said stem (100) inside said case (2), in that said insulating sleeve (30) includes a shoulder (31) abutting a corresponding shoulder (3b) arranged on said assembly orifice (3a) outside said case (2), and in that said control member (11) further includes a head (120) secured to the second end of the stem (100) and having a larger diameter than the diameter of the stem (100), elastic return means (6) being arranged between said shoulder (31) of the insulating sleeve (30) and said head (120) of the control member (11) in order to return said control member (11) from its pushed-in position to its non pushed-in position after actuation.
  5. Portable electronic instrument according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said insulating sleeve (30) is made of eloxated aluminium, plastic material, ceramic material, or any other material including an electrically insulating external surface.
  6. Portable electronic instrument according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that said retaining element (40) is configured like a push-button retaining key.
  7. Portable electronic instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control member (11) cooperates with a first electric contact (SW1, 50, 52) actuated by the first end of the stem (100) to generate said control signal (SEL); said first end of the stem (100) being electrically insulated by an insulating sheath (150) to prevent any direct electric contact with said first electric contact (SW1, 50, 52),
    and in that said control member (11) further cooperates with an electric contact strip (60; 65) distinct from said first electric contact (SW1, 50, 52), said electric contact strip (60, 65) being electrically insulated from said stem (100) in the non pushed-in position and electrically connected to said stem (100) in the pushed-in position to allow said transmission of electric signals from and/or to the electronic instrument (1).
  8. Portable electronic instrument according to claim 7, characterized in that said electric contact strip (60) is arranged tangentially to said stem (100) in proximity to said first end of the stem (100) such that, in the non pushed-in position, the electric contact strip (60) is in contact with said insulating sheath (150) and such that, in the pushed-in position, the electric contact strip (60) is in contact with said stem (100).
  9. Portable electronic instrument according to claim 7, when it depends on claims 2 to 6, characterized in that said electric contact strip (65) is not arranged in direct contact with the stem (100) of said control member, said electric contact strip (65) being arranged facing said retaining element (40) such that an electric connection is established with the stem (100), via said retaining element (40), when said control member (11) is brought into said pushed-in position.
  10. Portable electronic instrument according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it said insulating sheath (150) is made of eloxated aluminium, plastic material, ceramic material or any other material including an electrically insulating external surface.
  11. Portable electronic instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said interface further includes second (13), third (14) and fourth (15) control members configured in a similar manner to said first control member (11), said first and second control members (11, 13) being exploited to exchange data with said electronic instrument, said third and fourth control members (14, 15) being exploited to recharge an accumulator (8) of said electronic instrument.
  12. Control device for a portable electronic instrument, including at least one control member (11) mounted to be mobile in a support (3) so as to have a translation travel along an axis of actuation (X-X), said control member (11) being able to be actuated by pressure to be brought from a position called the non pushed-in position to a position called the pushed-in position,
    said control member (11) including an electrically conductive stem (100) arranged for allowing transmission of electric signals from and/or to the portable electronic instrument when said control member (11) is brought into said pushed-in position,
    said control device including a first electric contact (SW1), electrically insulated from said stem (100), and capable of being actuated by the control member (11) to generate a control signal (SEL) in response,
    said control device further including a second electric contact (SW2) capable of being actuated by the control member (11) to establish, in the pushed-in position, an electric contact between said stem (100) and an input/output line (I/O) of the portable electronic instrument forming a transmission line of said electric signals,
    said control device being characterized in that, in the non pushed-in position, said second electric contact (SW2) establishes an electric connection between said stem (100) and a determined electric potential thus preventing accumulation of electric charges on said stem (100).
EP03021443A 2003-09-23 2003-09-23 Portable electronic equipment having at least an adapted actuator for transmitting electrical signals Expired - Lifetime EP1519452B1 (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE60306381T DE60306381T2 (en) 2003-09-23 2003-09-23 A portable electronic device having at least one adapted actuator for transmitting electrical signals
EP03021443A EP1519452B1 (en) 2003-09-23 2003-09-23 Portable electronic equipment having at least an adapted actuator for transmitting electrical signals
AT03021443T ATE331323T1 (en) 2003-09-23 2003-09-23 PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING AT LEAST ONE ADAPTED ACTUATING ELEMENT FOR TRANSMITTING ELECTRICAL SIGNALS
US10/945,134 US7034237B2 (en) 2003-09-23 2004-09-20 Portable electronic instrument including at least one control member arranged for also transmitting electric signals
TW093128440A TWI392980B (en) 2003-09-23 2004-09-20 Portable electronic instrument including at least one control member arranged for also transmitting electric signals
SG200405586A SG110179A1 (en) 2003-09-23 2004-09-20 Portable electronic instrument including at least one control member arranged for also transmitting electric signals
KR1020040076296A KR101176643B1 (en) 2003-09-23 2004-09-23 Portable electronic instrument including at least one control member arranged for also transmitting electic signals
CNB2004100798499A CN100480903C (en) 2003-09-23 2004-09-23 Portable electronic instrument including control member arranged for transmitting electric signals
JP2004276756A JP4624751B2 (en) 2003-09-23 2004-09-24 Portable electronic instrument comprising at least one control member arranged to transmit an electrical signal
HK05107485.2A HK1075302A1 (en) 2003-09-23 2005-08-25 Portable electronic instrument including control member arranged for transmitting electric signals

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP03021443A EP1519452B1 (en) 2003-09-23 2003-09-23 Portable electronic equipment having at least an adapted actuator for transmitting electrical signals

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1519452A1 EP1519452A1 (en) 2005-03-30
EP1519452B1 true EP1519452B1 (en) 2006-06-21

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EP03021443A Expired - Lifetime EP1519452B1 (en) 2003-09-23 2003-09-23 Portable electronic equipment having at least an adapted actuator for transmitting electrical signals

Country Status (10)

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US (1) US7034237B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1519452B1 (en)
JP (1) JP4624751B2 (en)
KR (1) KR101176643B1 (en)
CN (1) CN100480903C (en)
AT (1) ATE331323T1 (en)
DE (1) DE60306381T2 (en)
HK (1) HK1075302A1 (en)
SG (1) SG110179A1 (en)
TW (1) TWI392980B (en)

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JP2005099023A (en) 2005-04-14
KR101176643B1 (en) 2012-08-28
CN100480903C (en) 2009-04-22
ATE331323T1 (en) 2006-07-15
SG110179A1 (en) 2005-04-28
KR20050030143A (en) 2005-03-29
EP1519452A1 (en) 2005-03-30
JP4624751B2 (en) 2011-02-02
US7034237B2 (en) 2006-04-25
TWI392980B (en) 2013-04-11
HK1075302A1 (en) 2005-12-09
US20050061646A1 (en) 2005-03-24
TW200519555A (en) 2005-06-16
DE60306381D1 (en) 2006-08-03
DE60306381T2 (en) 2007-06-14

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