TW584794B - Electronic instrument intended to be worn on the wrist and including, in particular, an antenna for receiving and/or transmitting radio-frequency signals - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed an electronic instrument intended to be worn on a user's wrist, such as a wristwatch (1), including a case (2) and a wristband (2a) secured to the case. The case encloses an electronic module (6), a display device (5) and an electric power source (10) powering the electronic module and the display device. This instrument further includes an antenna (20) arranged in an off-centre position with respect to the centre (O) of the instrument. The instrument is configured to be worn on the wrist in a first, so-called normal position, and in a second, so-called opposite position, rotated through 180 DEG with respect to the first position about an axis (alpha) substantially perpendicular to the general plane (II) of the electronic instrument. The instrument further includes control means for switching the display device into a first so-called normal display mode, when the instrument is worn in the first position, and into a second so-called reverse display mode, when the instrument is worn in the second position, the data displayed by the display device being shifted through 180 DEG from one display mode to the other.

Description

584794 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (J) Background of the invention (please read the notes on the back before filling out this page) The present invention is generally related to an electronic device for wearing on a wrist and includes (in particular) an application An antenna for receiving and / or transmitting radio frequency signals. The invention more particularly relates to an electronic instrument of this type, which includes an antenna for receiving satellite navigation and satellite signals or GPS signals. Patent No. EP0 982 639 discloses an electronic device for wearing on a user's wrist, the device being equipped with a patch-type antenna which allows (in particular) GPS signals to be received. Various variations have been proposed in this patent, where the patchwork antenna is placed (in each of these variations) off-center near one of the display devices. The configuration of the antenna (especially the configuration of the antenna used to receive signals transmitted by satellites, such as GPS signals) constitutes a key element when designing this small-sized portable electronic instrument. Indeed, taking into account the high directivity of the satellite's transmitted signals, it is important to optimize the configuration of the antennas in its instruments as much as possible so that it is guided substantially perpendicular to the land plane (during the satellite acquisition and tracking phase) To allow the best extraction of positioning and navigation data. Printed by the Consumer Cooperatives of the Intellectual Property Office of the Ministry of Economic Affairs This restriction becomes even more critical when someone wishes to make this type of electronic device to be worn on the user's wrist, for example in the form of a watch. Indeed, given the small size of this instrument and the constraints imposed by its structure, the antenna can only be configured with a fairly limited number of structures. In addition, as a function of the position and orientation that can be obtained by the user's wrist (wrist that is surrounded by the instrument), the antenna is usually not continuously guided in the proper direction. This paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X 297 mm) -4- 584794 A7 ______B7___ 5. Description of the invention (2) For example, if an antenna architecture is used so that its optimal receiving position corresponds to a wearing The natural reading position of the instrument on the wrist (the thumb of the hand is generally pointing downward), then the same architecture is no longer optimal, and if the person wearing the instrument is (for example) a runner or a rider For these people, the natural position of the forearm for these people is on their thumb. This structure is therefore inappropriate for these activities, especially if f is used to store the coordinates of various points of the path it has traveled. The same problem will occur in a person who is accustomed to wearing the device on the inside of the wrist. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to propose a simple solution to optimize the orientation of an antenna in an electronic device (as described above) as much as possible, assuming restrictions imposed by the structure of the device, and assuming that it wears the Activity of the user on the wrist or the manner in which the device is worn on the wrist. Another object of the present invention is to propose such an electronic device which has improved comfort for the user and improved ergonomics with respect to solutions of the known technology. The present invention therefore relates to a portable electronic article for wearing on a wrist (such as a watch), the features of which are included in item 1 of the independent patent application. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention constitute the subject matter of the patent claims of the subsidiary claims. According to the present invention, the antenna for receiving satellite signals is arranged at an off-center position relative to the center of the instrument, especially in a paper size that is substantially in accordance with the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 × 297 mm) (Please read the notes on the back before filling this page)

Printed by 8T Consumer Cooperative, Intellectual Property Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs, 1T -5- 584794 A7 B7 __ V. Description of the Invention (3) Location on the periphery of the device. The instrument is preferably arranged in the longitudinal direction of the strap of the instrument, advantageously at the 12 o'clock or 6 o'clock position relative to the center of the electronic instrument. According to the invention, the instrument can be worn in one or other ways, i.e. in a first (so-called natural or normal) position and in a second (so-called opposite) position relative to nature Position rotated 180 degrees (on an axis perpendicular to the plane of the instrument). In order to use this instrument (especially to read display data) without being affected by the location selected by the user who wears the instrument, the instrument according to the present invention includes a control mechanism for switching the display to another mode in which the data is displayed It is 180 degrees relative to the normal reading mode (ie, the display mode corresponding to the natural position of the instrument on the user's wrist). Depending on the type of activity or the manner in which the user wishes to wear the instrument on his wrist, the user may therefore choose to wear the instrument in one way or another such that its antenna is substantially guided perpendicularly to the land plane. The user then controls the display to switch it to one or the other mode so that the data he displays is properly presented. The invention also advantageously provides a change in the function of certain control components so that its users can still control the electronic instrument in the same way. Specifically, the electronic instrument is preferably constructed so that its control members are arranged substantially symmetrically to the center of the electronic instrument so that (when the instrument is rotated 180 degrees) the control members are arranged at substantially the same position . It should be noted from European Patent No. 0 476 425 that an analog display timer can be worn in different ways. This timer includes an adjustment mechanism. The paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X 297 mm) ~ -6- (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page)

Printed by the Consumer Cooperative of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, 1T 584794 A7 ___ B7 V. Description of the Invention (4) ’Used to modify the position of the dial (d i a 1) related to time reference. So, for example, by setting the time reference to the 6 o'clock position, the watch to be worn on the left wrist is converted into a watch to be worn on the right wrist. It should be noted that this document does not mention a portable electronic device containing an antenna for receiving and / or transmitting radio frequency signals. This document also does not answer questions about the solution proposed by the present invention. A brief description of other features and advantages of the present invention will become clearer after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, which is illustrated by a non-limiting example and illustrated by the following drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a wristwatch forming a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the watch taken along the cross-section line AA 'in Fig. 1. Figs. 3a to 3c are views.丨 and 2 of the three plan views of the watch, which illustrate the first (so-called natural or normal) position of the instrument on the wrist, its antenna is oriented at 12 o'clock, and the second (so-called Opposite) position (rotated 180 degrees with an axis substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the watch), its antenna is oriented at 6 o'clock; and Figure 4 shows the switching operation of the watch display device and the watch schematically The mechanism by which the function of the control component is changed. This paper size applies Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (2 丨 〇 > < 297 mm) (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page)

Order printed by the Consumer Cooperative of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs 584794 A7 B7 Printed by the Consumer Cooperative of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs 5. Description of the invention Body 4 a Bottom 4b Side wall 5 Display device 6 Electronic module 7 Bezel element 7c Slot 8 Element 9 Protective cover 10 Power supply 11 External component 1 la Slot 12-16 Control member 20 Antenna 2 1 Radiating element 2 2 Dielectric 23 Ground Flat 2 5 Feeding conductor 26 Grounding conductor (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page)

The size of the paper is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210 X 297 mm) -8- 584794 A7 ____ B7 V. Description of the invention (6) 30 type 0 rsi pull-pull joint 5 0 column electrode and row electrode 5 1 column signal generating mechanism 60 printed circuit board 65 microcontroller 66 first-. Manual □ CI early Yuan 67 second manual unit detailed description of preferred embodiment printed by employee consumer cooperative of Intellectual Property Bureau of Ministry of Economic Affairs FIG. 1 shows according to the present invention A plan view of one of the portable electronic instruments is consistently labeled with the reference number i and advantageously takes the form of a watch. This watch 1 is equipped with an antenna 20 which is electrically connected to an electronic module (6 in Fig. 2) arranged inside the watch. In this example, the antenna 20 allows it to receive radio frequency signals transmitted by one or more remote transmission sources. More specifically, this antenna allows the reception of satellite positioning and navigation signals, such as GPS signals from the US system NAVSTAR (Global Positioning System) or other similar satellite positioning signals (such as the Soviet system GLONAS or the future European satellite positioning system GALILEO) . The wristwatch 1 has a general appearance similar to a traditional wristwatch, and includes (except for the antenna 20) a case, which is uniformly labeled with the reference number 2, and a watch band 2a, which is mounted to the case 2 through each end A surface glass 3 'is provided with a display device 5 installed in the housing 2 and control members 12 to 16 which are called five buttons, one of which (1 6) is placed at 6 At the o'clock direction and the other four (12 to 15) are located around the casing 2. This paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X 297 mm) (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page )

1T -9- 584794 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (7). The control members 12 to 15 are advantageously arranged in a substantially symmetrical manner with respect to the center of the watch i (designated 0). Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the wristwatch 1 shown in the figure, which is taken along a cross-section line A-A 'parallel to the 6 o'clock-12 o'clock axis and passes through the center 0 of the watch. You can see the housing 2, the surface glass 3, the display device 5, the antenna 20, and the buttons 16 at 6 o'clock. The wristwatch 1 further includes (inside the housing 2) an electronic module 6 including (explicitly) a printed circuit board 60 on which various electronic and electrical components of the instrument are mounted, and a power source 10 for supplying power To (explicitly) the electronic module 6 and the display device 5. In this example, the power source 10 is formed by a rechargeable battery placed in a back cover of the casing 2. However, the power source 10 can also be formed by a conventional battery (in which case the battery compartment should preferably be provided in the back cover of the case to allow it to be replaced) or by any source that can provide an appropriate power supply form. The housing 2 preferably includes an outer body 4 having a bottom or back cover 4a and a side wall 4b, and a bezel (b e z e 1) element 7 mounted on the side wall 4b of the outer body 4. The bottom 4 a and the side wall 4 b are preferably made as a single part, although it is also conceivable to provide two separate parts that are assembled with each other to form together (in this example) a back cover-generally attached with a watch Middle part of watch 1 with 2a. The bezel element is mounted on the outer body 4 'in an impermeable manner (a 0-ring joint 30 is placed on a shoulder (which is arranged on the periphery of the element 7) and a similar shoulder (which It is arranged between the side walls 4b of the outer body 4), and supports the surface glass 3 ', the latter is preferably welded or the paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) (Please read first Note on the back, please fill in this page again.) Clothing, 11 Printed by the 8th Industrial Cooperative Cooperative of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs -10- ^ 4794 A7 _ B7__ V. Description of the Invention (8) ^ S element 7. Advantageously, the bezel element 7 is made of a plastic material and the surface glass 3 is, for example, welded by a known ultrasonic method. ~ An additional element 8 (which forms a case ring) is also disposed in the case 2 between the bezel element 7 and the bottom 4a of the outer body 4. This element 8 is fixed to the bottom 4a by a fixing mechanism (not shown). Elements 7 and 8 form an upper and lower part of a container, and a display device 5 and an electronic module 6 are installed therein. The power source 10 is arranged between the casing element 8 and the bottom portion 4a of the outer body 4. It should be easily understood that the storage battery M is additionally installed between the element 7 and the element 8 having the display device 5 and the electronic module 6. In the example shown, the antenna is advantageously arranged at the 12 o'clock position and inclined with respect to one of the planes, designated as Π, in which the display device 5 is placed. Therefore, the antenna is advantageously oriented substantially upward to optimize the reception of the GPS signal in the natural position of the watch when the user reads the data on the display device 5. More specifically, the antenna 20 is mechanically supported by the bezel element 7 and is disposed on an outer surface (labeled 7 a) of the element. In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the antenna 20 is a patchwork antenna, that is, the shape of a parallelepiped, which includes a radiating element 2 separated from a larger-scale ground plane 23 by a dielectric 22 such as a ceramic element. 1. The radiating element 21 is excited with an excitation or feeding conductor 25, which is isolated from the ground plane 23 and connected to the electronic module 6 through the dielectric 22. The element 7 is provided with an aperture 7c to allow the feeding conductor 25 Applicable to China National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X 297 mm) through this paper size (Please read the precautions on the back before filling this page)

Order printed by the Consumer Cooperatives of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs -11-584794 A7 B7 V. Description of Invention (9). The ground plane 2 3 is electrically connected to the electronic module through a separate ground ^ ^ ~~ 2, and this ground conductor 26 is also pierced / c through a gap. Patch antennas are often used (please read the precautions on the back before filling out this page). They have the advantages of simple structure and low manufacturing cost. The outer body 4 is preferably made of a metal material, and the surface member 7 and the element 8 forming the casing ring are preferably made of a plastic material. As shown in Figures 丨 and 2, the watch further includes (in this example) an external component, which is mounted on the bezel element 7 in a substantially ring shape (here, it is mounted by snap-fitting), To cover it. The ring-shaped external component is preferably made of a metal material similar to that used to make the outer body 4 and has a slot Ua (shown in FIG. 1), in which the antenna 20 is inserted. A protective cover 9 made of a dielectric material is also added to the bezel element 7 to protect the antenna 20 from the outside environment. On the other hand, it will be easily understood that the ring-shaped external element and the protective cover 9 π ″ are made as a single part and made of a material that does not interfere with the operation of the antenna. Printed by the Consumer Cooperative of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. We will not go into details of the specific structure of the instrument shown in Figures 1 and 2. 'This structure forms the subject of a peer-to-peer application filed by the applicant of this case. . The important point here is that the antenna 20 is arranged off-center, and in this example is attached to the periphery of the watch. Figures 3a to 3c show three plan views of the wristwatches of Figures 1 and 2, illustrating the first (so-called natural or normal) position of the instrument on the wrist, the antenna of which is oriented at 12 o'clock, and The second (so-called opposite) position relative to the normal position is rotated i 80 degrees with an axis α (refer to FIG. 2) substantially perpendicular to the general plane Π of the watch, and its antenna is oriented in the 6 o'clock direction. This paper size applies the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) -12-584794 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (10) More specifically, Figure a shows the normal position of the watch on the wrist, with the antenna at 1 2 At the o'clock position, the display is not equipped with 5 display data (such as latitude and longitude data and time obtained from the g PS signal) in a so-called normal display mode, which corresponds to the normal position of the watch on the wrist. Figures 3b and 3c show that the same watch is in the opposite position, and its display is the normal display mode and the reverse display mode of Figure 3a, in which the data is displayed 180 degrees relative to the normal display mode. According to the present invention, a user who wishes to perform an activity that requires the antenna 20 to be oriented in the 6 o'clock direction to receive the necessary electromagnetic signals (such as GPS signals) under the best conditions first locates it according to the display of FIG. 3b. Watch. The user then switches the display device 5 to a so-called reverse display mode, through appropriate operation of one or more of the control members 12 to 16. By way of a non-limiting example, this switch can be activated by an extended action on the button 16 on the front part of the watch 1. Advantageously, in addition to switching the display device 5 back and forth from the normal mode, the functions of some control members can also be inverted. Specifically, the watch presented in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is constructed such that its four buttons 12 to 15 are symmetrically arranged on the periphery with respect to the center 0 of the watch. Therefore, the control members 12 and 13 individually occupy the positions of the control members 14 and 15 (and vice versa), in the normal and opposite positions shown in Figs. 3a to 3c. It is therefore advantageous to invert the functions of the control members 12 and 14 on the one hand and the functions of 13 and 15 on the other hand during the passage from the normal position to the opposite position (and vice versa). Although the illustrated embodiment illustrates a button-type control member, the Chinese paper standard (CNS> A4 specification (210X 297 mm)) should be applied to this paper size (please read the precautions on the back before filling this page). Printed by the Employees ’Cooperative of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs-13- 584794 A7 B7 Printed by the Consumers’ Cooperative of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Trackball, touch keys or any other suitable type of control components. These control components can implement motors, magnetic, induction, piezoelectric, light detection mechanisms or any other type that can convert the user's actions into electronic signals Transformer. Therefore, it is necessary to use a joystick, trackball, or any pivot or rotation that can undergo axial movement in at least two opposite directions (north-south, east-west movement, clockwise and counterclockwise rotation). In the case of other types of control components, the switching of the display device may be accompanied by the inversion of the function of the control component, that is, the inversion of the activation direction of the control component. 4 shows the mechanism implemented to achieve the foregoing operation, that is, the switching of the display device from one display mode to another display mode first, and the inversion of the functions of the secondary control members 12 to 15. FIG. 4 Thus, the buttons 12 to 16 of the watch are explicitly displayed, the display device 5, a microcontroller or microprocessor 65 (which is responsible for handling the manipulation of the buttons and controlling the information that needs to be displayed on the display device 5 and Information), and two manual units 66 and 67 for inverting the functions of the button pairs 12-14 and 13-15. The display device 5 used in the present invention is preferably a matrix type liquid crystal display, which includes an interlaced Configuration (column electrode and row electrode marked as 50). This type of display is a common type, so it will not be described in detail here. It will only be noted that the matrix display device of this type generally includes a column signal generating mechanism ( Marked with reference numeral 5 1) and line signal generating mechanism (marked with reference numeral 5 2), these generating mechanisms are controlled as a data function for display and transmission by the microcontroller 65. (Please read first Back (Please fill out this page)

Order

The size of this paper is applicable to the Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) -14- 584794 A7 B7 Printed by the Consumer Cooperatives of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economy The shift of 80 degrees in the pattern can be easily achieved by controlling the display column in the opposite direction, that is, 'by indicating the column signal generating mechanism 5' so that the column signal is from first to last (or from last to first ) Are supplied to the corresponding column electrodes, depending on the selected display mode is normal or reverse mode. It is important to note that it is better to use a matrix-type liquid crystal display ', but it is not restrictive. Indeed, one can envisage using A display that does not have a regular electrode configuration, such as a segment-type display. It is best to pay attention to the display device (especially the electrode) or at least a part of the display so that the display of the allowable data can be read by the watch Two positions: normal and reverse. It should be noted that its display device may (if necessary) include an additional analog display device for displaying time. If this is the case, a mechanism should be provided to adjust the time reference position of the hand (the position at noon). To perform this action, those skilled in the art may, for example, refer to the aforementioned European Patent Application No. 0 476 425. Place The function of the control member is inverted, and this operation can be easily achieved by the aforementioned two manual units 66, 67. The button pairs 12- 丨 4 and Π-15 are thus individually connected to the first manual unit 66 and the second Manual unit 67. Each manual unit 66, 67 is controlled by the output of the microcontroller 65 in response to the switching action performed by the user, for example, via the front button 16.0. Each manual unit 66, 67 has a redirection The function of causing the signal from the corresponding button pair on the corresponding input of the microcontroller 65 to be caused (please read the precautions on the back before filling this page).

This paper size applies to Chinese National Standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X29 * 7 public holiday) -15- 584794 A7 B7 V. Description of the invention (j The functions performed by the user. As can be seen in Figure 4 Each manual unit includes first and second switches C i and C2 for re-guiding the bow. Individually output 6 6 c, 6 6 d, or 6 6 d, 6 6 c. Z input 6 6 a, 6 6 b (individually 6 7 a, 6 7 b) (individually 6 7 c, 6 7 d or 6 7 d, 6 7 c) and become one of the functions of the selected mode. It is generally understood that this description Various modifications and / or improvements of the embodiments can be easily performed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the scope of the attached patent application. Clearly, the present invention is not limited to a patchwork type Antenna watch or portable instrument. This patchwork antenna constitutes an example of an antenna that is extremely suitable for receiving satellite positioning signals. This structure is simple and not expensive. The specific configuration of the antenna shown in the figure will be understood By no means restrictive. It is therefore possible to envisage placing the antenna in other locations, such as _ 3 o'clock Clock or 9 o'clock position. Finally, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to an electric t instrument for receiving satellite navigation and positioning, and the problem of directional antennas and / or the ergonomics of the instrument can also be obtained. Appears in a similar way in other applications. (Please read the notes on the back before filling out this page).

Printed by the Consumers' Cooperative of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Claims (1)

584794 A8 B8 C8 ____ D8 6. Scope of patent application 1 1 · An electronic device, such as a watch, to be worn on the user's wrist, which includes a case and a strap attached to the case, (please first Read the notes on the back and fill in this page again.) The case is filled with an electronic module, a display device and a power supply to power the electronic module and the display device. The electronic instrument further includes an antenna, which is configured Off-center relative to the center of the portable electronic device, where the electronic device is configured to be worn on the wrist in a first (so-called normal) position, and in a second (so-called opposite) ) Position, which is rotated by 180 degrees with an axis substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the electronic instrument relative to the first position, and wherein the electronic instrument further includes a control mechanism for switching the display device to the first position. A (so-called normal) display mode when the electronic instrument is worn in the first position; and switching to a second (so-called reverse) display mode when the electronic instrument is When worn in the second position, the information displayed by the display device is shifted 180 degrees from one display mode to another display mode. Printed by the Consumer Cooperative of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. 2. If the electronic device of the first scope of the patent application, the display device is a matrix liquid crystal display device, which includes the arrangement of column and row electrodes, and Control is reversed from one display mode to another display mode. 3. If the electronic instrument under the scope of application for item i or 2 further includes one or more control components, and the control mechanism also inverts the functions of the one or more control components. 4. For the electronic instrument in the third scope of the patent application, the paper size of the control component is applicable to the Chinese national standard (CNS) A4 specification (210X297 mm) -17- 584794 A8 B8 C8 D8 Six, the scope of the patent application 2 is symmetrically The configuration is relative to the center of the electronic instrument. 5. As for the electronic instrument of the scope of patent application, the antenna is arranged at an off-center position in the longitudinal direction of the watch band, at a position of 2 o'clock or 6 o'clock relative to the center of the electronic instrument. 6. The electronic instrument according to item 5 of the patent application scope, wherein the antenna is further arranged at an inclined position relative to a general plane of the electronic instrument. 7. The electronic instrument as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna is arranged on a bezel portion of the housing. 8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antenna is a patchwork antenna, which includes a radiating element separated from a ground plane by a dielectric. Pack 11 (Please read the notes on the back before filling this page) Order Printed by the Consumer Cooperatives of the Intellectual Property Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs This paper size applies to China National Standard (CNS) Α4 size (210 X 297 mm) -18-