GB2465850A

GB2465850A - RFID Tags Mounted in Wristwatch Straps and Keepers

Info

Publication number: GB2465850A
Application number: GB0822331A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Quinn
Original assignee: ROTARY WATCHES Ltd
Current assignee: ROTARY WATCHES Ltd
Priority date: 2008-12-08
Filing date: 2008-12-08
Publication date: 2010-06-09
Also published as: GB0822331D0

Abstract

A wristwatch, comprising: a timepiece (2), a strap assembly(4), and an RFID tag (16), wherein the RFID tag is located in the strap assembly, for example in the strap or a keeper (10 or 12) of the strap assembly. The RFID may be held between two material layers, for example sewn together, or may be insert-moulded, or may be held by a flap portion (24 in fig, 3). When the RFID tag is located in a keeper, the keeper may be adapted to be readily interchangeable between different wristwatches. The RFID tag may be for transportation payment.

Description

WRISTWATCH STRAPS AND KEEPERS

DESCRI PTION

The present invention relates to wristwatch straps, wristwatch keepers, wristwatches comprising straps, and wristwatches comprising keepers. The present invention related in particular to, but not exclusively to, such items when worn by users of transportation systems.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are known. RFID tags are also referred to as REID chips, RFID cards or contactiess smart cards. RFID tags comprise circuits that can be read (and sometimes also written on) by REID reader (and writer) units communicating with the tags at radio frequencies (RF).

In many countries REID tags have recently been implemented as REID tags for transportation payment, i.e. as tags or cards on which credit can be stored by pre-paying and then later debited when used for payment in transportation. Eor example, the Oyster card (trade mark) is used on London's public transport system. The user swipes and/or touches the Oyster card at an REID reader and writer device located at an automatic barrier when starting or ending a journey.

RFID tags for transportation payment have been incorporated in wristwatches by incorporating an REID tag into the timepiece mechanism of relatively cheap watches. The user can then swipe andlor touch the REID tag at the REID reader/writer by swiping his or her wrist on which the wristwatch is S.....

* being worn, and more particularly the timepiece of the watch, at/on the REID reader/writer.

Wristwatches usually comprise a timepiece, a strap (sometimes in two parts), and one or more keepers. The only known use for the strap is holding the timepiece in place on the user's wrist. The only known use for a keeper is retaining excess strap.

The present inventors have realised a number of disadvantages arise with the swiping of REID tags arranged in the known manner in wristwatches. The present inventors have further realised that some of these advantages are exacerbated when the RFID tag is being swiped in a transportation system.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a wristwatch, comprising: a timepiece; a strap assembly; and an RFID tag; wherein the REID tag is located in the strap assembly.

The REID tag may be located in a strap of the strap assembly.

The REID tag may be located in the strap by being held between two material layers comprised by the strap.

The REID tag may be held between the two material layers by being sewn in.

The REID tag may be located in the strap by being held by a flap portion of the strap.

The REID tag may be located in the strap by being insert-moulded in the strap.

The REID tag may be located in a keeper of the strap assembly.

The RFID tag may be located in the keeper by being held between two material layers comprised by the keeper.

The RFID tag may be held between the two material layers by being sewn in.

The RFID tag may be located in the keeper by being insert-moulded in the keeper.

The keeper may be adapted to be readily swappable between different wristwatches.

The REID tag may be for transportation payment.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a wristwatch strap assembly, comprising an RFID tag.

The REID tag may be for transportation payment.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a strap part of a two-part strap for a wristwatch, the strap part comprising an REID tag.

The RFID tag may be located in the strap part by being held between two material layers comprised by the strap part.

The REID tag may be held between the two material layers by being sewn in.

The REID tag may be located in the strap part by being held by a flap portion of the strap part.

The REID tag may be located in the strap part by being insert-moulded in the strap part.

The REID tag may be for transportation payment.

* ,20 In a further aspect, the present invention provides a strap for a wristwatch, the strap comprising an REID tag.

The REID tag may be located in the strap by being held between two *. material layers comprised by the strap.

The RFID tag may be held between the two material layers by being sewn in. 0**s

The REID tag may be located in the strap by being held by a flap portion of :: the strap.

The REID tag may be located in the strap by being insert-moulded in the strap.

The REID tag may be for transportation payment.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a keeper for a wristwatch, the keeper comprising an REID tag.

The REID tag may be held between the two material layers by being sewn in.

The REID tag may be located in the keeper by being insert-moulded in the keeper.

The REID tag may be for transportation payment.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of a wristwatch according to a first embodiment; * *. 20 Figure 2 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) showing a strap and an REID tag of the wristwatch of Figure 1 in a first cross-section direction; Figure 3 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) showing the strap and REID tag of Figure 1 in a second cross section direction; Figure 4 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of a wristwatch according to a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) showing a movable keeper and an REID tag of the wristwatch of Figure 4 in a first cross-section direction; and Figure 6 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of an embodiment of a swappable movable keeper comprising an REID tag.

Figure us a schematic illustration (not to scale) of a wristwatch I according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The wristwatch I comprises a timepiece 2, and a strap 4 attached to the timepiece for holding the timepiece on the user's wrist. In this example the strap 4 is in two parts, namely a clip part 4a of the strap 4, and a tongue part 4b of the strap 4. The clip part 4a of the strap 4 has one end attached to the timepiece 2, and the other end has a buckle comprising a clip 6 and a pin 8 attached thereto.

The clip part 4a of the strap 4 further has a fixed keeper 10 attached to the strap 4 near the clip 6, and a movable keeper 12 located around the strap 4 and movable along the strap 4 in the region of the strap 4 between the fixed keeper and the timepiece 2. The tongue part 4b of the strap 4 is connected at one of its ends to the timepiece 2. The other end of the tongue part 4b of the strap is free. The tongue part 4b of the strap 4 has holes in it. In use the strap is secured around the user's wrist by passing the tongue part 4b of the strap 4 through the clip 6 and fixing the pin 8 through one of the holes 14. Excess strap can then be retained by passing excess length of the tongue part 4b of the strap 4 through the fixed keeper 10 and the movable keeper 12. The strap 4, the clip 6, the pin 8, the *... fixed keeper 10 and the movable keeper 12 may be considered as together providing or constituting a strap assembly, especially in the sense of the strap assembly being distinguished from the timepiece 2. The above described parts of the wristwatch I correspond to a conventional wristwatch.

S.....

* In this embodiment, the wristwatch 1 further comprises an RFID tag 16 (which may also be known as an RFID chip, an RFID card or a contactless smart card) held within the strap 4 (hence the RFID tag 16 is located in the strap assembly). In this example the RFID tag 16 is located in the tongue part 4b of the strap 4, however in other examples the RFID tag 16 may be located in the clip part 4a of the strap 4.

The RFID tag 16 is a device that can be read by an RFID reader and written by an RFID writer communicating with the tag at RF frequencies. The REID tag 16 comprises an integrated circuit or chip for storing and providing information, and for modulating and demodulating RF signals. The REID tag 16 further comprises an antenna for sending and receiving the RF signals.

In this example the REID tag 16 is an REID tag for transportation payment, i.e. a tag on which credit can be stored by pre-paying and then later debited when used for payment in transportation. The user swipes and/or touches the strap 4 which includes the RFID tag 16 at an REID reader and writer device located at e.g. an automatic barrier when starting or ending a journey.

There are many different ways in which the REID tag 16 can be fitted within the strap 4. The manner in which this fitting of the RFID tag 16 in the strap 4 is done in this example will now be described with reference to Eigure 2.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) showing the strap 4 and REID tag 16 in cross-section along the direction X-X (see Figure 1). For ease of understanding, various elements items have been shown with discrete gaps between them even if in practise the items abut at least to some extent. In this example the strap 4 is formed from two layers of strap material (in this example made of leather), namely a first layer 18 of strap material and a second layer 20 of strap material. The two layers 18, 20 are held together toward their edges in *e..

the direction perpendicular to X-X by stitching 22. The above described layers 18, 20 and stitching 22 correspond to a conventional strap. In this embodiment the S REID tag 16 is positioned between the first layer 18 of the strap 4 and the second * layer 20 of the strap 4. In this example the REID tag 16 is positioned between the *". two layers 18, 20 before the stitching 22 is applied. The REID tag 16 is retained SIS.

*....: in its position by the fit provided between the two layers 18, 20 as held together by the stitching 22. The strap 4 thereby tends to provide protective cushioning for the RFID tag 16.

In further embodiments the RFID tag 16 can be located in the strap 4 in any number of different ways. One such further embodiment in which the RFID tag 16 is positioned under and retained by a flap portion of the strap 4 will now be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) showing the strap 4 and RFID tag 16 in cross section along the direction Y-Y (see Figure 1) in the arrangement of this further embodiment. For ease of understanding, various elements items have been shown with discrete gaps between them even if in practise the items abut at least to some extent. Where applicable the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as used in Figures 1 and 2.

The strap 4 is formed from two layers of strap material, namely a first layer 18 of strap material and a second layer 20 of strap material. The two layers 18, 20 are held together toward their edges in the direction perpendicular to X-X by stitching (not shown). A flap portion 24 of the strap extends at the timepiece end of the strap 4 and is attached to the timepiece 2 by being folded around on itself around a pin 26 that is removably attached to the timepiece 2. Usually the pin 26 will form part of the timepiece 2 rather than part of the strap 4, i.e. when supplied separately, and as an embodiment in itself of the present invention, the strap 4 will typically not include the pin 26 as such. An end portion 28 of the flap portion 24 of the strap 4 is attached by adhesive to the strap 4 (another possibility is the flap portion 24 may be stitched to the strap 4).

In this example the flap portion 24 of the strap 4 comprises an extended *25 length of the first layer 18 of the strap 4. However, in other examples, the flap portion may comprise both layers 18, 20 of the strap, or indeed may comprise * any suitable form of flap, for example a separate piece of material attached to the strap in any appropriate manner. The above described layers 18, 20, stitching, flap portion 24, pin 26 and end portion 28 correspond to a conventional strap. In this embodiment the RFID tag 16 is positioned between the flap portion 24 of the strap 4 and the strap 4 itself. In this example the RFID tag 16 is positioned between the flap portion 24 of the strap 4 and the strap 4 itself before the end portion 28 of the flap portion 24 is adhesively fixed to the strap 4 (or e.g. stitched), The REID tag 16 is retained in its position by the fit provided between the flap portion 24 of the strap 4 and the strap 4 itself as held together by the adhesive (or e.g. stitching). In other examples, the flap portion 24 and the strap 4 may be further adhesively fixed (or e.g. stitched) together at the position (schematically shown in approximate form as "Z" in Figure 3) between the RFID tag 16 and the pin 26 (i.e. between the RFID tag 16 and the cavity provided for the pin 26 by the folding back of the flap portion 24). These examples in which the REID tag is held by the flap portion 24 of the strap 4 provide a particularly convenient form of manufacture.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of a wristwatch 41 according to a further embodiment of the invention. Except where stated otherwise below, the wristwatch 41 of this embodiment is the same, and is made of the same materials (and indicated by the same reference numerals) as the wristwatch 1 described above with reference to Fsgure 1.

In this embodiment the REID tag 16 is located in the movable keeper rather than in the strap 4. The movable keeper is indicated by reference numeral 42 in Figure 4 and is modified compared to the conventional movable keeper of Figure 1 by having the RFID tag 16 in it. As was the case with the example shown in Figure 1, in this example the strap 4, the clip 6, the pin 8, the fixed keeper 10 and the movable keeper 42 may be considered as together providing or constituting a strap assembly, especiaUy in the sense of the strap assembly * being distinguished from the timepiece 2 (hence the REID tag 16 is located in the ****** * strap assembly).

s." In this example the RFID tag 16 is an RFID tag for transportation payment, i.e. a tag on which credit can be stored by pre-paying and then later debited when used for payment in transportation. The user swipes and/or touches the trap assembly including the movable keeper 42 which includes the REID tag 16 at an REID reader and writer device located at e.g. an automatic barrier when starting or ending a journey.

There are many different ways in which the REID tag 16 can be fitted within the movable keeper 42. The manner in which this fitting of the REID tag 16 in the movable keeper 42 is done in this example will now be described with reference to Eigure 5.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) showing the movable keeper 42 and RFID tag 16 in cross-section along the direction X-X (see Figure 1). For ease of understanding, various elements items have been shown with discrete gaps between them even if in practise the items abut at least to some extent. In this example the movable keeper 42 is formed from two layers of keeper material (in this example made of leather), namely an inner layer 44 of keeper material and an outer layer 46 of keeper material. The inner layer 44 is arranged to provide a strap-surrounding cavity 48 such that the movable keeper 42 can fit snugly around the strap 4 for restraining excess strap. The outer layer 46 is concentrically arranged around the inner layer 44. The two layers 44, 46 are held together in any appropriate manner by stitching (not shown). The above described layers 44, 46 and stitching correspond to a conventional keeper. In this embodiment the REID tag 16 is positioned between the inner layer 44 of the movable keeper 42 and the outer layer 46 of the movable keeper 42. In this example the RFID tag 16 is positioned between the two layers 44, 46 before the stitching is applied. The RFID tag 16 is retained in its position by the fit provided between the two layers 44, 46 as held together by the stitching. The movable keeper 42 thereby tends to provide protective cushioning for the RFID tag 16.

* In further embodiments the RFID tag 16 can be located in the movable * keeper 42 in any number of different suitable ways.

S * * -lo-

in further embodiments, the movable keeper 42 is made so as to be easily and repeatedly attachable and removable from the strap by the user (i.e. including when the user is a layman and not a skilled watch technician), so that, for example, the user can readily swap the same movable keeper containing the RFID tag 16 between different watches owned by the user. This allows the user to have his or her RFID tag available for use each day even though he or she maybe wears different watches on different days or on different occasions.

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration (not to scale) of one such embodiment of a swappable movable keeper 62. For ease of understanding, various elements items have been shown with discrete gaps between them even if in practise the items abut at least to some extent. The inner and outer layers 44, 46 of keeper material are cut or otherwise provided in a free-ended form, at a position not containing the REID tag 16 therebetween. Parts either side of the cut are provided with respective "Velcro" (trademark) fasteners such that the parts can be readily affixed and unfixed using the Velcro (trademark) fastening (in other examples other fastening means may be used instead, for example a press-stud arrangement).

Another possibility for providing a swappable movable keeper that avoids the use of a cut or other form of free ends is for part or all of the movable keeper to be made of elasticated material such that the movable keeper can be positioned around the strap in a manner corresponding to the way an elastic band is used.

In the above embodiments where the RFID tag is in the strap, the strap is a two-part strap, comprising e.g. a clip part of the strap and a tongue part of the *25 strap. In other embodiments, arrangements other than a clip or buckle may be S used, for example a deployment clasp or any other suitable means may be used.

* S....

* The REID tag may located in either part of a two-part strap. Also, in other embodiments, the REID tag may be located in a single-part strap. S...

S **

In the above embodiments, the strap is made of leather. However, in other embodiments, the strap may be made of other materials, for example plastic, vinyl, mock leather, metal, and so on. For example the strap may be a metal strap of the bracelet type, for example comprising metal links.

In the above embodiments where the RFID tag is in a keeper, the RFID tag is located in a movable keeper. However, in other embodiments, the RFID tag may be located in a fixed keeper. Also, although in the above embodiments the wristwatch has one fixed keeper and one moveable keeper, this need not be the case. In other embodiments other total numbers of keepers may be used, e.g. one or three, and either only fixed keepers, or only moveable keepers, or any combination of fixed and moveable keepers, may be employed.

In the above embodiments the RFID tag is sewn into the gap between two layers of material, or in the case of one embodiment is located under a flap portion of the strap. However, in other embodiments the RFID tag may be held in position in a strap or keeper in any appropriate manner. For example, the RFID tag can be located between two layers of material, but with the two layers of material fixed together in some manner other than being sewn -for example by being glued together. Another possibility for the case of straps or keepers made from moulding materials such as plastic is for the RFID tag to be included in the strap or keeper in the form of an insert in an insert-moulding process.

In the above embodiments the RFID tag is for transportation payment.

* However, this need not be the case, and in other embodiments the REID tag may be for other purposes.

It will be appreciated that as well as the embodiments of wristwatches *:*.? described above, individual component parts of the wristwatches described * above are embodiments in themselves. For example, a strap part of a two-part **.*.S * strap, where the strap part includes an REID tag, provides an embodiment of the *:::* invention; a strap with an REID tag included therein provides an embodiment of the invention; a keeper with an REID tag included therein provides an -12-embodiment of the invention; and a strap assembly with an RFID tag included therein provides an embodiment of the invention.

One or more of the following advantages tend to be achieved by the above described embodiments.

Damage to or weakening of the timepiece is alleviated or avoided since the REID tag is not positioned in the timepiece. Firstly, this advantage may occur at manufacture because the REID tag does not need to be installed within the timepiece during manufacture. This can be a very significant advantage for expensive timepieces with expensive and complicated mechanisms. Secondly, this advantage may occur during use of the wristwatch, since there is no longer a need or perceived need by the user to impact or scrape the face of the timepiece on the REID reader. Thus damage to the glass surface of the timepiece, or damage to the mechanism of the timepiece can be avoided. This is significant given a user may find it necessary, or may be instructed by e.g. a member of staff of a transport system, to give a firm touch with their RFID tag carrying device to the RFID reader. Instead, the less delicate, and more resilient, strap or keeper will tend suffer any such impact or scraping.

Furthermore, in various applications, particularly in transportation systems the RFID readers are typically positioned (this is the case for the London public transport system) such that embodiments of the invention will provide a more natural angle for the user to present their wristwatch to the RFID reader compared to if the RFID tag was in the timepiece, since there will be no need to rotate the wrist to be upside down to present the REID tag part of the wristwatch

S

to a horizontal detecting surface of an REID reader located at approximately *25 waist height.

It is further noted that in embodiments where the REID tag is for *..SS.

* 5 transportation payment the advantages described in the two preceding paragraphs tend to be particularly heightened since the user is often attempting **** to move quickly through e.g. an automatic barrier and there may be a large -13-number of people doing this at the same time, hence inadvertent damage to the timepiece is more likely to occur and the use of a more natural wrist presentation to the RFID reader may be particularly helpful in such crowded and rushed circumstances.

Any electromagnetic interference problems between the RFID tag and the mechanism of the timepiece, whether affecting the operation of the REID tag or the operation of the timepiece or both, will tend to be reduced since the REID tag is not positioned in the timepiece.

Usually the timepiece is the thickest part of the wristwatch. By avoiding locating the RFID tag in the timepiece, in the above embodiments it tends to be the case that the REID tag is only adding thickness to a thinner part of the wristwatch, thereby tending to overcome the disadvantage of the known approach of including the RFID tag in the timepiece thereby thickening the already thickest part.

The above embodiments tend to provide a general advantage of allowing relatively easy changing or swapping of the REID tag between different watches that the user may wear on different days or on different occasions. This is the case for when the RFID tag is in the strap -even if replacing the strap may be a little awkward for the non-skilled user, it is still potentially advantageous compared to the REID tag being in the timepiece. Moreover, this advantage of being able to swap the REID tag-carrying part between different watches is particularly strong in those embodiments where the RFID tag is located in a keeper that has been provided so as to be readily swapped between watches, by for example being fixed in a complete loop by Velcro (trademark) or press-stud or other fastening means, or by being partly or fully elasticated, and so on.

S..... * 4 4.0. * 4 *.

S -14-

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wristwatch, comprising: a timepiece (2); a strap assembly; and an REID tag (16); wherein the REID tag (16) is located in the strap assembly.
2. A wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein the REID tag (16) is located in a strap (4) of the strap assembly.
3. A wristwatch according to claim 2, wherein the REID tag (16) is located in the strap (4) by being held between two material layers (18, 20) comprised by the strap (4).
4. A wristwatch according to claim 3, wherein the RFID tag (16) is held between the two material layers (18, 20) by being sewn in.
5. A wristwatch according to claim 2, wherein the REID tag (16) is located in the strap (4) by being held by a flap portion (24) of the strap (4).
6. A wristwatch according to claim 2, wherein the REID tag (16) is located in *:*::* the strap (4) by being insert-moulded in the strap (4). * * ****
7. A wristwatch according to claim 1, wherein the RFID tag (16) is located in a keeper (42) of the strap assembly. * 0 * . ****

*00000 0 0 -15-
8. A wristwatch according to claim 7, wherein the RFID tag (16) is located in the keeper (42) by being held between two material layers (44, 46) comprised by the keeper (42).
9. A wristwatch according to claim 8, wherein the RFID tag (16) is held between the two material layers (44, 46) by being sewn in.
10. A wristwatch according to claim 7, wherein the RFID tag (16) is located in the keeper (42) by being insert-moulded in the keeper (42).
11. A wristwatch according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the keeper (42) is adapted to be readily swappable between different wristwatches.
12. A wristwatch according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the RFID tag (16) is for transportation payment.
13. A wristwatch strap assembly, comprising an RFID tag (16).
14. A strap part of a two-part strap for a wristwatch, the strap part comprising anRFlDtag(16).
15. A strap for a wristwatch, the strap comprising an REID tag (16). S...
16. A keeper for a wristwatch, the keeper comprising an RFID tag (16). *25
17. A wristwatch substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the S.....* accompanying drawings. * 0 *5*S *. * . -16-
18. A wristwatch strap assembly as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
19. A strap part of a two-part strap for a wristwatch as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
20. A strap for a wristwatch as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
21. A keeper for a wristwatch as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. * S. * S * *. * . *.* * * * S* * .*S**5*5* * 0 S... * 0 S...SS