EP2199877B1 - Watch comprising a microphone built into the watch case - Google Patents

Watch comprising a microphone built into the watch case Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2199877B1
EP2199877B1 EP08168370A EP08168370A EP2199877B1 EP 2199877 B1 EP2199877 B1 EP 2199877B1 EP 08168370 A EP08168370 A EP 08168370A EP 08168370 A EP08168370 A EP 08168370A EP 2199877 B1 EP2199877 B1 EP 2199877B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
watch
lateral wall
sound wave
case
microphone
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.)
Active
Application number
EP08168370A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2199877A1 (en
Inventor
Paul Dinnissen
Pascal Heck
Frédéric Meylan
Jean-Pierre Mignot
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.)
Swatch Group Research and Development SA
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Swatch Group Research and Development SA
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.)
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Publication date
Application filed by Swatch Group Research and Development SA filed Critical Swatch Group Research and Development SA
Priority to EP08168370A priority Critical patent/EP2199877B1/en
Priority to SG200906770-3A priority patent/SG161163A1/en
Priority to TW98135601A priority patent/TWI474137B/en
Priority to US12/606,707 priority patent/US8477981B2/en
Priority to KR1020090103574A priority patent/KR101270411B1/en
Priority to CN2009102122110A priority patent/CN101738928B/en
Priority to JP2009253988A priority patent/JP5180941B2/en
Publication of EP2199877A1 publication Critical patent/EP2199877A1/en
Priority to HK10111688.2A priority patent/HK1145268A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2199877B1 publication Critical patent/EP2199877B1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B47/00—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G21/00—Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
    • G04G21/06—Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces using voice
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B43/00—Protecting clockworks by shields or other means against external influences, e.g. magnetic fields

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a watch comprising a microphone integrated in the case of the watch.
  • the watch also includes a bracelet having two end portions respectively attached to two opposite sides of the housing and at least one through opening in a side wall of the housing to define a first sound wave guide channel. This through opening opens into the housing towards said microphone, for the reception of sound waves by the microphone.
  • a circuit unit for processing sound waves is arranged in the housing and connected to the microphone, for example used for speech recognition.
  • a microphone placed inside the case of a watch can be used to perform in particular the speech recognition of the wearer of the watch.
  • This microphone must thus allow the recording of speech in a reproducible manner and independent of the position of the watch worn on the wrist of a user.
  • the recording of the speech by the microphone must also be independent of the distance between the worn watch and the user's skin in the case of a tight or loose bracelet.
  • the possible influence of obstacles in the environment of the wearer of the watch that is to say the furniture, walls or other objects, should be minimized as much as possible.
  • the acquisition of a sound signal (audio) by a watch can be influenced on the one hand by reflective surfaces generating echoes. These reflecting surfaces may be for example a table, walls, the wearer of the watch itself or even prominent parts of the middle part of the case of the watch. On the other hand, it can be influenced by cavities generating resonances for example between the watch case and the arm or between the horns of the case and the bracelet.
  • the invention therefore aims to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above by providing a watch comprising a microphone integrated in the housing to allow in particular an optimal speech recognition while minimizing the best external influences.
  • the invention relates to a watch comprising a microphone integrated in the case, which comprises the characteristics defined in the independent claim 1.
  • An advantage of the watch according to the invention lies in the fact that the second sound wave guide channel, made in a sound guide member, is used to guide the sound waves towards the first channel in the through opening without being influenced by cavities, edges or parasitic surfaces of reflection of sound signals.
  • the sound guide member comes into direct contact on a region extending on either side of the opening with the outer surface of the side wall of the housing. This allows for example a circuit with sonic wave processing unit connected to the microphone and integrated into the housing to operate a good speech recognition.
  • the guide member may advantageously be an end portion of the bracelet connected to the housing.
  • This end part of the bracelet can be made of rubbery material to be maintained with stress against the outer surface of the side wall between two horns of the side wall of the housing.
  • the watch 1 according to the invention is represented in Figures 1 to 3 , which represents a partial view from above, a partial side view and a partial view in diametral section in the 6h-12h direction of the watch of the wristwatch type.
  • the watch 1 is of the wristwatch type with a bracelet 3, which comprises two end portions respectively attached to two opposite sides of the case, in particular between horns 11 of a side wall 12 of the case 2.
  • the watch essentially comprises at least a microphone 16, which is connected to a sound wave processing unit circuit 19.
  • the microphone 16 and the processing unit circuit 19, which is placed on a printed circuit board 14, are arranged inside the housing 2.
  • the microphone is positioned in a portion of the middle of the housing 2, that is to say in a side wall 12 of the housing.
  • the watch 1 may conventionally comprise one or more control buttons 8 on one side of the side wall 12 of the casing 2, a touch-sensitive glass 10 provided with various transparent electrodes, needles 15 for indicating the time on a dial 5, which are driven by motorization means 18, an LCD liquid crystal display device 4 for displaying various information, a battery or accumulator 17 in the bottom of the housing.
  • the printed circuit board 14 may comprise several other electronic components that are not described to perform various traditional functions of the watch, including a time-based circuit, in particular for driving the motorization means.
  • One or more through openings 7 are formed in the side wall 12 of the housing.
  • the grouped opening (s) 7 define a first sound wave guiding channel, and open into the casing 2 towards said microphone 16, for the reception of sound waves by the microphone.
  • the one or more through openings 7 of circular shape are formed in a cover-shaped plate 9 of the side wall 12, which is sealingly fixed in a cavity of the side wall.
  • the number of through apertures may be for example equal to 4.
  • a sealing membrane 20 may be placed between the microphone and the through openings 7 of the plate 9 to protect it from environmental constraints.
  • the watch 1 mainly comprises a sound guide member, which can be integral with the side wall 12 of the case or be preferably one of the end portions of the band 3.
  • This sound guide member is provided with a second open channel 6.
  • Said guide member comes into direct contact with a region 13 extending on either side of the through opening (s) 7 with the outer surface of the side wall 12 of the housing for guiding the sound waves. sound waves to said first channel. In this way, it eliminates or to attenuate any cavities, flanges or parasitic reflection surfaces in said region 13 adjacent to the opening or openings.
  • the processing unit circuit 19 can be directly connected to a memory unit, which contains personal data or stored commands.
  • a memory unit which contains personal data or stored commands.
  • voice commands uttered by the wearer of the watch and recognized by the processing unit circuit may allow various operations or functions to be performed in the watch. More specific features of such a unit circuit in combination with a microprocessor unit are defined in the patent. CH 644 246 which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • At least the end portions of the watch band 3 are made of a rubbery material. This allows to mount on two opposite sides of the side wall 12, each end portion of the bracelet between two respective horns 11 of the side wall. Each end portion of the bracelet is held in a fixed position without rotation between the two horns 11 and against the outer surface of the side wall 12 with a certain constraint.
  • One of the end portions of the bracelet 3 can be used as a sound guide member thus coming into direct contact with a region 13 extending on either side of the through opening or openings 7. This region 13 extends also on the inner portions of the horns 11.
  • the end part of the bracelet used as a sound guide member, comprises a second open channel for guiding the sound waves 6.
  • This second open channel comprises a conically shaped portion, the axis of which is preferably arranged in the direction of a central receiving area of the microphone 16.
  • the contact line of the second sound wave guiding channel with the outer surface of the side wall 12 is U-shaped, the base of which defines a circular arc centered with respect to a through opening for receiving sound waves or with respect to a group of through-openings 7 made in the side wall.
  • the second sound wave guiding channel having a portion of conical shape and made in the end portion of the bracelet, is open on the side of a watch glass, that is to say on the side of the bracelet. visible to the wearer of the watch.
  • This second guide channel is thus arranged in an indication position 6h of an analog time display.
  • the upper surface of the sound guide member on each side of the opening of the second guide channel is in the extension of the upper surface of the two horns 11. This also makes it possible to avoid any influence of cavities or parasitic edges for a good reception of sound waves through the first guide channel of sound waves.
  • This sound guide member comprises the second acoustic horn-shaped channel to mask any influence of the wearer's arm and other possible sources.
  • the second sound wave guiding channel thus formed in the sound guide member may favor a conical space C between the microphone 16 of the watch and the mouth of the wearer. However, we must be aware that this does not allow to barrier all sounds in the vicinity in this area of acoustics, but avoids any influence of reflective obstacles adjacent to the openings or openings 7.
  • the base is made with the least possible obstacles on the main acoustic path between the microphone 16 of the watch and the mouth of the user.
  • the watch 1 may comprise, in addition to the microphone 16 and the acoustic wave processing unit circuit 19 for speech recognition, a touch screen 10, the transparent electrodes of which are connected to another circuit for processing the signals of the electrodes not shown.
  • operations or functions of the watch may be performed by a command provided vocally or by a command activated by a finger placed on at least one electrode of the touch screen. More specific features on the combination of the two control means are described in the patent application. WO 2004/054213 which is incorporated herein by reference.
  • the microphone watch disposed within the housing can be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims. It can be provided several microphones, for example two microphones arranged in the middle in positions diametrically opposed to 6h and 12h. With two microphones, there can be provided two sound guide members each made in one of the respective end portions of the bracelet. The end portions of the bracelet may be made of plastic or other metallic or insulating material for example.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Details Of Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)

Description

L'invention concerne une montre comprenant un microphone intégré dans le boîtier de la montre. La montre comprend également un bracelet ayant deux parties d'extrémité rattachées respectivement sur deux côtés opposés du boîtier et au moins une ouverture traversante pratiquée dans une paroi latérale du boîtier pour définir un premier canal de guidage d'ondes sonores. Cette ouverture traversante débouche dans le boîtier en direction dudit microphone, pour la réception d'ondes sonores par le microphone. Un circuit à unité de traitement des ondes sonores est disposé dans le boîtier et relié au microphone par exemple utilisé pour la reconnaissance de la parole.The invention relates to a watch comprising a microphone integrated in the case of the watch. The watch also includes a bracelet having two end portions respectively attached to two opposite sides of the housing and at least one through opening in a side wall of the housing to define a first sound wave guide channel. This through opening opens into the housing towards said microphone, for the reception of sound waves by the microphone. A circuit unit for processing sound waves is arranged in the housing and connected to the microphone, for example used for speech recognition.

Un microphone placé à l'intérieur du boîtier d'une montre peut être utilisé pour effectuer notamment la reconnaissance de la parole du porteur de la montre. Ce microphone doit ainsi permettre l'enregistrement de la parole de manière reproductible et indépendante de la position de la montre portée au poignet d'un utilisateur. L'enregistrement de la parole par le microphone doit également être indépendante de la distance entre la montre portée et la peau de l'utilisateur dans le cas d'un bracelet serré ou lâche. De plus, l'influence possible des obstacles dans l'environnement du porteur de la montre, c'est-à-dire les meubles, murs ou autres objets, doit être minimisée autant que possible.A microphone placed inside the case of a watch can be used to perform in particular the speech recognition of the wearer of the watch. This microphone must thus allow the recording of speech in a reproducible manner and independent of the position of the watch worn on the wrist of a user. The recording of the speech by the microphone must also be independent of the distance between the worn watch and the user's skin in the case of a tight or loose bracelet. In addition, the possible influence of obstacles in the environment of the wearer of the watch, that is to say the furniture, walls or other objects, should be minimized as much as possible.

L'acquisition d'un signal sonore (audio) par une montre peut être influencée d'une part par des surfaces réfléchissantes générant des échos. Ces surfaces réfléchissantes peuvent être par exemple une table, des murs, le porteur de la montre lui-même ou encore des parties proéminentes de la carrure du boîtier de la montre. D'autre part, elle peut être influencée par des cavités générant des résonances par exemple entre le boîtier de la montre et le bras ou entre les cornes du boîtier et le bracelet.The acquisition of a sound signal (audio) by a watch can be influenced on the one hand by reflective surfaces generating echoes. These reflecting surfaces may be for example a table, walls, the wearer of the watch itself or even prominent parts of the middle part of the case of the watch. On the other hand, it can be influenced by cavities generating resonances for example between the watch case and the arm or between the horns of the case and the bracelet.

Une autre situation particulière est lorsqu'on effectue un entraînement de la reconnaissance de la parole avec la montre sur un socle rattaché à un ordinateur. D'importantes réflexions peuvent se produire sur la table et modifier les caractéristiques du signal sonore (audio) enregistré comme référence pour des reconnaissances futures avec la montre portée au poignet. Ceci conduit à un taux de reconnaissance très mauvais, ce qui constitue un inconvénient.Another particular situation is when performing speech recognition training with the watch on a base attached to a computer. Significant reflections can occur on the table and change the characteristics of the audio signal recorded as a reference for future recognitions with the wristwatch. This leads to a very bad recognition rate, which is a disadvantage.

L'invention a donc pour but de pallier aux inconvénients cités ci-devant en fournissant une montre comprenant un microphone intégré dans le boîtier pour permettre notamment une reconnaissance de la parole optimale tout en minimisant au mieux les influences extérieures.The invention therefore aims to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above by providing a watch comprising a microphone integrated in the housing to allow in particular an optimal speech recognition while minimizing the best external influences.

A cet effet, l'invention concerne une montre comprenant un microphone intégré dans le boîtier, qui comprend les caractéristiques définies dans la revendication indépendante 1.To this end, the invention relates to a watch comprising a microphone integrated in the case, which comprises the characteristics defined in the independent claim 1.

Des formes d'exécution particulières de la montre sont définies dans les revendications dépendantes 2 à 10.Particular embodiments of the watch are defined in dependent claims 2 to 10.

Un avantage de la montre selon l'invention réside dans le fait que le second canal de guidage d'ondes sonores, réalisé dans un organe de guidage sonore, permet de guider les ondes sonores en direction du premier canal dans l'ouverture traversante sans être influencé par des cavités, des rebords ou surfaces parasites de réflexion des signaux sonores. Pour ce faire, l'organe de guidage sonore vient en contact direct sur une région s'étendant de part et d'autre de l'ouverture avec la surface extérieure de la paroi latérale du boîtier. Ceci permet par exemple à un circuit à unité de traitement des ondes sonores relié au microphone et intégré dans le boîtier d'opérer une bonne reconnaissance de la parole.An advantage of the watch according to the invention lies in the fact that the second sound wave guide channel, made in a sound guide member, is used to guide the sound waves towards the first channel in the through opening without being influenced by cavities, edges or parasitic surfaces of reflection of sound signals. To do this, the sound guide member comes into direct contact on a region extending on either side of the opening with the outer surface of the side wall of the housing. This allows for example a circuit with sonic wave processing unit connected to the microphone and integrated into the housing to operate a good speech recognition.

L'organe de guidage peut être avantageusement une partie d'extrémité du bracelet connectée au boîtier. Cette partie d'extrémité du bracelet peut être réalisée en matière caoutchouteuse pour être maintenue avec contrainte contre la surface extérieure de la paroi latérale entre deux cornes de la paroi latérale du boîtier.The guide member may advantageously be an end portion of the bracelet connected to the housing. This end part of the bracelet can be made of rubbery material to be maintained with stress against the outer surface of the side wall between two horns of the side wall of the housing.

Les buts, avantages et caractéristiques de la montre, qui comprend un microphone à l'intérieur du boîtier, apparaîtront mieux dans la description suivante sur la base d'au moins une forme d'exécution non limitative illustrée par les dessins sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 représente une vue partielle de dessus d'une montre selon l'invention,
  • la figure 2 représente une vue partielle de côté d'une montre selon l'invention montrant l'ouverture d'accès au microphone, et
  • la figure 3 représente une coupe diamétrale dans la direction longitudinale d'une montre selon l'invention.
The purposes, advantages and characteristics of the watch, which includes a microphone inside the casing, will appear better in the following description on the basis of at least one non-limiting embodiment illustrated by the drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 represents a partial view from above of a watch according to the invention,
  • the figure 2 represents a partial side view of a watch according to the invention showing the access opening to the microphone, and
  • the figure 3 represents a diametral section in the longitudinal direction of a watch according to the invention.

Dans la description suivante, tous les éléments qui composent traditionnellement une montre du type montre-bracelet, qui sont bien connus de l'homme du métier dans ce domaine technique ne seront relatés que de manière simplifiée.In the following description, all the elements that traditionally make up a watch of the wristwatch type, which are well known to those skilled in this technical field, will be described only in a simplified manner.

La montre 1 selon l'invention est représentée aux figures 1 à 3, qui représente une vue partielle de dessus, une vue partielle de côté et une vue partielle en coupe diamétrale dans la direction 6h-12h de la montre du type montre-bracelet.The watch 1 according to the invention is represented in Figures 1 to 3 , which represents a partial view from above, a partial side view and a partial view in diametral section in the 6h-12h direction of the watch of the wristwatch type.

La montre 1 est du type montre-bracelet avec un bracelet 3, qui comprend deux parties d'extrémité rattachées respectivement sur deux côtés opposés du boîtier notamment entre des cornes 11 d'une paroi latérale 12 du boîtier 2. La montre comprend essentiellement au moins un microphone 16, qui est relié à un circuit à unité de traitement des ondes sonores 19. Le microphone 16 et le circuit à unité de traitement 19, qui est placé sur une plaque à circuit imprimé 14, sont disposés à l'intérieur du boîtier 2. De préférence, le microphone est positionné dans une partie de la carrure du boîtier 2, c'est-à-dire dans une paroi latérale 12 du boîtier.The watch 1 is of the wristwatch type with a bracelet 3, which comprises two end portions respectively attached to two opposite sides of the case, in particular between horns 11 of a side wall 12 of the case 2. The watch essentially comprises at least a microphone 16, which is connected to a sound wave processing unit circuit 19. The microphone 16 and the processing unit circuit 19, which is placed on a printed circuit board 14, are arranged inside the housing 2. Preferably, the microphone is positioned in a portion of the middle of the housing 2, that is to say in a side wall 12 of the housing.

La montre 1 peut comprendre de manière traditionnelle, un ou plusieurs boutons de commande 8 sur un côté de la paroi latérale 12 du boîtier 2, une glace tactile 10 munie de diverses électrodes transparentes, d'aiguilles 15 d'indication de l'heure sur un cadran 5, qui sont entraînées par des moyens de motorisation 18, un dispositif d'affichage à cristaux liquides LCD 4 pour l'affichage de diverses informations, une pile ou un accumulateur 17 dans le fond du boîtier. La plaque à circuit imprimé 14 peut comprendre plusieurs autres composants électroniques non décrits pour exécuter diverses fonctions traditionnelles de la montre, dont un circuit à base de temps notamment pour l'entraînement des moyens de motorisation.The watch 1 may conventionally comprise one or more control buttons 8 on one side of the side wall 12 of the casing 2, a touch-sensitive glass 10 provided with various transparent electrodes, needles 15 for indicating the time on a dial 5, which are driven by motorization means 18, an LCD liquid crystal display device 4 for displaying various information, a battery or accumulator 17 in the bottom of the housing. The printed circuit board 14 may comprise several other electronic components that are not described to perform various traditional functions of the watch, including a time-based circuit, in particular for driving the motorization means.

Une ou plusieurs ouvertures traversantes 7 sont pratiquées dans la paroi latérale 12 du boîtier. La ou les ouvertures groupées 7 définissent un premier canal de guidage d'ondes sonores, et débouchent dans le boîtier 2 en direction dudit microphone 16, pour la réception d'ondes sonores par le microphone. De préférence, la ou les ouvertures traversantes 7 de forme circulaire sont pratiquées dans une plaque en forme de couvercle 9 de la paroi latérale 12, qui est fixée de manière étanche dans une cavité de la paroi latérale. Le nombre d'ouvertures traversantes peut être par exemple égal à 4. Une membrane 20 d'étanchéité peut être placée entre le microphone et les ouvertures traversantes 7 de la plaque 9 pour le protéger des contraintes de l'environnement.One or more through openings 7 are formed in the side wall 12 of the housing. The grouped opening (s) 7 define a first sound wave guiding channel, and open into the casing 2 towards said microphone 16, for the reception of sound waves by the microphone. Preferably, the one or more through openings 7 of circular shape are formed in a cover-shaped plate 9 of the side wall 12, which is sealingly fixed in a cavity of the side wall. The number of through apertures may be for example equal to 4. A sealing membrane 20 may be placed between the microphone and the through openings 7 of the plate 9 to protect it from environmental constraints.

La montre 1 comprend principalement un organe de guidage sonore, qui peut venir de matière avec la paroi latérale 12 du boîtier ou être de préférence une des parties d'extrémité du bracelet 3. Cet organe de guidage sonore est muni d'un second canal ouvert de guidage d'ondes sonores 6. Ledit organe de guidage vient en contact direct sur une région 13 s'étendant de part et d'autre de la ou des ouvertures traversantes 7 avec la surface extérieure de la paroi latérale 12 du boîtier pour guider les ondes sonores vers ledit premier canal. De cette façon, cela permet d'éliminer ou d'atténuer toutes cavités, rebords ou surfaces parasites de réflexion dans ladite région 13 voisine de la ou des ouvertures.The watch 1 mainly comprises a sound guide member, which can be integral with the side wall 12 of the case or be preferably one of the end portions of the band 3. This sound guide member is provided with a second open channel 6. Said guide member comes into direct contact with a region 13 extending on either side of the through opening (s) 7 with the outer surface of the side wall 12 of the housing for guiding the sound waves. sound waves to said first channel. In this way, it eliminates or to attenuate any cavities, flanges or parasitic reflection surfaces in said region 13 adjacent to the opening or openings.

Dans la mesure où les ondes sonores sont des ondes vocales, une meilleure reconnaissance de la parole peut être effectuée par le circuit à unité de traitement 19 relié au microphone 16. Le circuit à unité de traitement peut être directement relié à une unité mémoire, qui contient des données personnelles ou commandes mémorisées. Une ou plusieurs commandes vocales prononcées par le porteur de la montre et reconnues par le circuit à unité de traitement peut permettre d'effectuer diverses opérations ou fonctions dans la montre. Des caractéristiques plus spécifiques d'un tel circuit à unité de traitement en combinaison d'une unité à microprocesseur sont définies dans le brevet CH 644 246 , qui est incorporé ici par référence.Since the sound waves are speech waves, a better speech recognition can be performed by the processing unit circuit 19 connected to the microphone 16. The processing unit circuit can be directly connected to a memory unit, which contains personal data or stored commands. One or more voice commands uttered by the wearer of the watch and recognized by the processing unit circuit may allow various operations or functions to be performed in the watch. More specific features of such a unit circuit in combination with a microprocessor unit are defined in the patent. CH 644 246 which is incorporated herein by reference.

Au moins les parties d'extrémité du bracelet 3 de montre 1 sont réalisées dans une matière caoutchouteuse. Ceci permet de monter sur deux côtés opposés de la paroi latérale 12, chaque partie d'extrémité du bracelet entre deux cornes 11 respectives de la paroi latérale. Chaque partie d'extrémité du bracelet est maintenue dans une position fixe sans rotation entre les deux cornes 11 et contre la surface extérieure de la paroi latérale 12 avec une certaine contrainte. Une des parties d'extrémité du bracelet 3 peut être utilisée comme organe de guidage sonore en venant ainsi en contact direct sur une région 13 s'étendant de part et d'autre de la ou des ouvertures traversantes 7. Cette région 13 s'étend également sur les portions intérieures des cornes 11.At least the end portions of the watch band 3 are made of a rubbery material. This allows to mount on two opposite sides of the side wall 12, each end portion of the bracelet between two respective horns 11 of the side wall. Each end portion of the bracelet is held in a fixed position without rotation between the two horns 11 and against the outer surface of the side wall 12 with a certain constraint. One of the end portions of the bracelet 3 can be used as a sound guide member thus coming into direct contact with a region 13 extending on either side of the through opening or openings 7. This region 13 extends also on the inner portions of the horns 11.

La partie d'extrémité du bracelet, utilisée comme organe de guidage sonore, comprend un second canal ouvert de guidage des ondes sonores 6. Ce second canal ouvert comprend une portion de forme conique, dont l'axe est de préférence disposé dans la direction d'une zone centrale de réception du microphone 16. La ligne de contact du second canal de guidage d'ondes sonores avec la surface extérieure de la paroi latérale 12 est en forme de U, dont la base définit un arc de cercle centré par rapport à une ouverture traversante pour la réception des ondes sonores ou par rapport à un groupe d'ouvertures traversantes 7 pratiquées dans la paroi latérale.The end part of the bracelet, used as a sound guide member, comprises a second open channel for guiding the sound waves 6. This second open channel comprises a conically shaped portion, the axis of which is preferably arranged in the direction of a central receiving area of the microphone 16. The contact line of the second sound wave guiding channel with the outer surface of the side wall 12 is U-shaped, the base of which defines a circular arc centered with respect to a through opening for receiving sound waves or with respect to a group of through-openings 7 made in the side wall.

Le second canal de guidage d'ondes sonores, ayant une portion de forme conique et réalisé dans la partie d'extrémité du bracelet, est ouvert du côté d'une glace 10 de montre, c'est-à-dire du côté du bracelet visible au porteur de la montre. Ce second canal de guidage est ainsi disposé dans une position d'indication 6h d'un affichage analogique de l'heure. La surface supérieure de l'organe de guidage sonore de chaque côté de l'ouverture du second canal de guidage est dans le prolongement de la surface supérieure des deux cornes 11. Ceci permet également d'éviter toute influence de cavités ou rebords parasites pour une bonne réception des ondes sonores à travers le premier canal de guidage des ondes sonores.The second sound wave guiding channel, having a portion of conical shape and made in the end portion of the bracelet, is open on the side of a watch glass, that is to say on the side of the bracelet. visible to the wearer of the watch. This second guide channel is thus arranged in an indication position 6h of an analog time display. The upper surface of the sound guide member on each side of the opening of the second guide channel is in the extension of the upper surface of the two horns 11. This also makes it possible to avoid any influence of cavities or parasitic edges for a good reception of sound waves through the first guide channel of sound waves.

Pour garantir une influence minimale de l'environnement immédiat du microphone 16, celui-ci est placé comme indiqué ci-devant en direction de l'utilisateur de préférence à 6 heures. Le microphone est protégé par le bracelet, dont une partie d'extrémité forme l'organe de guidage sonore. Cet organe de guidage sonore comprend le second canal en forme de cornet acoustique pour masquer toute influence du bras du porteur et des autres sources possibles. Le second canal de guidage d'ondes sonores ainsi formé dans l'organe de guidage sonore peut privilégier un espace conique C entre le microphone 16 de la montre et la bouche du porteur. Toutefois, il faut être conscient que cela ne permet de faire barrière à tous les sons aux alentours dans ce domaine de l'acoustique, mais permet d'éviter toute influence des obstacles réfléchissants voisins de la ou des ouvertures traversantes 7.To ensure a minimum influence of the immediate environment of the microphone 16, it is placed as indicated above in the direction of the user preferably at 6 o'clock. The microphone is protected by the bracelet, an end portion of which forms the sound guide member. This sound guide member comprises the second acoustic horn-shaped channel to mask any influence of the wearer's arm and other possible sources. The second sound wave guiding channel thus formed in the sound guide member may favor a conical space C between the microphone 16 of the watch and the mouth of the wearer. However, we must be aware that this does not allow to barrier all sounds in the vicinity in this area of acoustics, but avoids any influence of reflective obstacles adjacent to the openings or openings 7.

De plus pour favoriser le positionnement de la montre dans l'axe de la voix par le porteur, des informations sont affichées sur le dispositif d'affichage LCD 4 de la montre 1. Ceci permet d'amener le porteur à aligner la montre dans la direction du microphone 16 par la lecture du texte sur le dispositif d'affichage 4.In addition to favoring the positioning of the watch in the axis of the voice by the wearer, information is displayed on the LCD display device 4 of the watch 1. This makes it possible to bring the wearer to align the watch in the direction of the microphone 16 by reading the text on the display device 4.

Dans le cas d'une montre 1 posée sur un socle non représenté et reposant sur une table, il est favorable de surélever le socle pour offrir une distance plus importante avec la table et réduire ainsi les échos. De plus, le socle est réalisé avec le moins d'obstacles possibles sur le chemin acoustique principal entre le microphone 16 de la montre et la bouche de l'utilisateur.In the case of a watch 1 placed on a base not shown and resting on a table, it is favorable to raise the base to provide a greater distance with the table and reduce the echoes. In addition, the base is made with the least possible obstacles on the main acoustic path between the microphone 16 of the watch and the mouth of the user.

La montre 1 peut comporter, en plus du microphone 16 et du circuit à unité de traitement des ondes sonores 19 pour la reconnaissance de la parole, une glace tactile 10, dont les électrodes transparentes sont reliées à un autre circuit de traitement des signaux des électrodes non représenté. Dans ce cas, des opérations ou fonctions de la montre peuvent être exécutées par une commande fournie vocalement ou par une commande activée par un doigt placé sur au moins une électrode de la glace tactile. Des caractéristiques plus spécifiques sur la combinaison des deux moyens de commande sont décrits dans la demande de brevet WO 2004/054213 , qui est incorporée ici par référence.The watch 1 may comprise, in addition to the microphone 16 and the acoustic wave processing unit circuit 19 for speech recognition, a touch screen 10, the transparent electrodes of which are connected to another circuit for processing the signals of the electrodes not shown. In this case, operations or functions of the watch may be performed by a command provided vocally or by a command activated by a finger placed on at least one electrode of the touch screen. More specific features on the combination of the two control means are described in the patent application. WO 2004/054213 which is incorporated herein by reference.

A partir de la description qui vient d'être faite, plusieurs variantes de la montre à microphone disposé à l'intérieur du boîtier peuvent être conçues par l'homme du métier sans sortir du cadre de l'invention définie par les revendications. Il peut être prévu plusieurs microphones, par exemple deux microphones disposés dans la carrure dans des positions diamétralement opposées à 6h et 12h. Avec deux microphones, il peut être prévu deux organes de guidage sonore réalisés chacun dans une des parties d'extrémité respective du bracelet. Les parties d'extrémité du bracelet peuvent être réalisées en plastique ou dans un autre matériau métallique ou isolant par exemple.From the description that has just been made, several variants of the microphone watch disposed within the housing can be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims. It can be provided several microphones, for example two microphones arranged in the middle in positions diametrically opposed to 6h and 12h. With two microphones, there can be provided two sound guide members each made in one of the respective end portions of the bracelet. The end portions of the bracelet may be made of plastic or other metallic or insulating material for example.

Claims (10)

  1. Watch (1) including at least one microphone (16) connected to a sound wave processing unit circuit (19), placed inside a watchcase (2), a bracelet (3) having two end parts, respectively attached to two opposite sides of the case and at least one through aperture (7), which is made in a lateral wall (12) of the case, to define a first sound wave guide channel, and which opens into the case in the direction of said microphone, for the reception of sound waves by the microphone, characterized in that the watch further includes an audio guide member fitted with a second open sound wave guide channel (6), said audio guide member being made in one of the end parts of the bracelet (3), and coming into direct contact with the external surface of the lateral wall of the case, across an area (13) that extends on either side of the aperture, to guide the sound waves towards said first channel, so as to remove or attenuate any interference from reflecting cavities, edges or surfaces in said area close to the aperture.
  2. Watch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the audio guide member with the second sound wave guide channel (6) is made in one of the end parts of the bracelet (3), which is held in a fixed position in direct contact with the external surface of the lateral wall of the case that includes the through aperture (7), the second guide channel guiding the sound waves towards said first channel to remove or attenuate any interference from reflecting cavities, edges or surfaces in said area close to the aperture.
  3. Watch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the audio guide member is integral with the lateral wall (12) of the case.
  4. Watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second open sound wave guide channel (6) has a cone-shaped portion, the axis of which is arranged in the direction of a central reception area of the microphone.
  5. Watch (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact line of the second sound wave guide channel with the external surface of the lateral wall (12) is U-shaped, the base of the U defining an arc of a circle that is centred relative to the through aperture (7) for receiving sound waves, or relative to a group of through apertures made in the lateral wall.
  6. Watch (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the second sound wave guide channel includes a rone-shaped portion, open on the side of a watch glass and arranged in one of the end parts of the bracelet in the 6 o'clock indication position of an analogue time display.
  7. Watch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral wall (12) of the case has several through apertures (7), which are grouped together in a reception area for sound waves guided into the second guide channel(6).
  8. Watch (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the end parts of the bracelet (3) made of rubbery material, which includes the second sound wave guide channel (6), is compressed against the external surface of the lateral wall (12) in a fixed position between two horns (11) of the lateral wall of the case.
  9. Watch (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sound wave processing unit circuit (19) performs voice recognition with personalised data or commands stored in a memory unit, and in that one or several through apertures (7) forming the first sound wave guide channel are made in a plate (9) in the form of a cover for the lateral wall (12) secured in a water-resistant manner in a cavity of the lateral wall.
  10. Watch (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that a sealing membrane (20) is placed between the microphone (16) and the through aperture(s) (7) of the plate (9).
EP08168370A 2008-11-05 2008-11-05 Watch comprising a microphone built into the watch case Active EP2199877B1 (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08168370A EP2199877B1 (en) 2008-11-05 2008-11-05 Watch comprising a microphone built into the watch case
SG200906770-3A SG161163A1 (en) 2008-11-05 2009-10-09 Watch including a built-in microphone in the watchcase
TW98135601A TWI474137B (en) 2008-11-05 2009-10-21 Watch including a built-in microphone in the watchcase
US12/606,707 US8477981B2 (en) 2008-11-05 2009-10-27 Watch including a built-in microphone in the watchcase
KR1020090103574A KR101270411B1 (en) 2008-11-05 2009-10-29 Watch including a built-in microphone in the watchcase
CN2009102122110A CN101738928B (en) 2008-11-05 2009-11-05 Watch including a built-in microphone in the watchcase
JP2009253988A JP5180941B2 (en) 2008-11-05 2009-11-05 A watch with a built-in microphone inside the watch case
HK10111688.2A HK1145268A1 (en) 2008-11-05 2010-12-15 Watch including a built-in microphone in the watchcase

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08168370A EP2199877B1 (en) 2008-11-05 2008-11-05 Watch comprising a microphone built into the watch case

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2199877A1 EP2199877A1 (en) 2010-06-23
EP2199877B1 true EP2199877B1 (en) 2011-07-27

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08168370A Active EP2199877B1 (en) 2008-11-05 2008-11-05 Watch comprising a microphone built into the watch case

Country Status (8)

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US (1) US8477981B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2199877B1 (en)
JP (1) JP5180941B2 (en)
KR (1) KR101270411B1 (en)
CN (1) CN101738928B (en)
HK (1) HK1145268A1 (en)
SG (1) SG161163A1 (en)
TW (1) TWI474137B (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TWI474137B (en) 2015-02-21
US20100111333A1 (en) 2010-05-06
KR101270411B1 (en) 2013-06-07
TW201020701A (en) 2010-06-01
HK1145268A1 (en) 2011-04-08
EP2199877A1 (en) 2010-06-23
CN101738928B (en) 2012-08-22
KR20100050406A (en) 2010-05-13
US8477981B2 (en) 2013-07-02
JP5180941B2 (en) 2013-04-10
CN101738928A (en) 2010-06-16
SG161163A1 (en) 2010-05-27
JP2010112951A (en) 2010-05-20

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