Device for determining acoustic event of dial of watch

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a dial (2a, 2b) of a watch (1) comprising an autonomous device (3) for determining an acoustic event, such dial (2a, 2b) comprising a visible face (20a) and a hidden face (20b), said dial (2a, 2b) being formed by a stack (9a, 9b) of thin layers of material (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) extending between the two faces (20a, 20b), each of the layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) comprises one or more of the following functional elements contained in the device (3):-at least one receiver element (23) for receiving at least one sound wave originating from the watch (1); -means (4) for reporting acoustic events; -an independent power supply unit (21); and-a control unit (7) for managing the operation of said reporting module (4) and said at least one receiver element (23) for receiving at least one sound wave.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch including a dial, the dial comprising means for determining acoustic events, which means are fully autonomous. Background Art

[0002] Prior art documents describe electromechanical watches with hands, where the hour hand and the minute hand indicating the current time are driven by a gear train of the mechanism of the watch movement. In this case, the operation of the mechanism is disrupted by shocks to the watch. Thus, while the internal clock of the watch provides an accurate indication of the current time, due to the effects of external disturbances on the watch, the hour hand and the minute hand provide a distorted indication of the current time. Therefore, it may be necessary to resynchronize the positions of the hour hand and the minute hand.

[0003] In this case, it should be understood that a solution is needed to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a watch provided with a dial, the dial including means for determining acoustic events, which means are autonomous and whose efficiency remains constant over time.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention relates to a dial of a watch including autonomous means for determining acoustic events, such a dial including a visible face and a hidden face, the dial being formed by a stack of thin layers of material extending between these two faces, each said layer including one or more functional elements included in the means:

[0006] - at least one receiver element for receiving at least one sound wave originating from the watch;

[0007] - a module for reporting acoustic events;

[0008] - an independent power supply unit; and

[0009] a control unit for managing the operation of the reporting module and of the at least one receiver element for receiving at least one sound wave.

[0010] In other embodiments:

[0011] - the at least one receiver element includes a pressure microphone or a pressure gradient microphone;

[0012] - the module for reporting acoustic events includes at least one element capable of generating an optical signal;

[0013] - the module for reporting acoustic events includes at least one element capable of generating a vibration signal;

[0014] - The module for reporting acoustic events includes at least one element capable of generating a sound signal;

[0015] - The stack of thin layers of material includes a first layer provided with the visible face of the dial and including said at least one receiver element and said at least one light source;

[0016] - Said at least one receiver element is arranged in a cavity formed in the hidden face of the dial;

[0017] - The first layer is configured such that light radiation, in particular solar radiation, can pass through it completely or partially;

[0018] - The first layer is completely or partially transparent or translucent;

[0019] - The stack of thin layers of material contains a second layer including a photovoltaic module constituting an independent power supply unit;

[0020] - The second layer includes a substrate on which the photovoltaic module is printed;

[0021] - The photovoltaic module is arranged on the active area of the second layer, which area is configured to receive light radiation from the first layer of the stack of thin layers of material;

[0022] - The stack contains a third layer including an electrical energy accumulator constituting an independent power supply unit;

[0023] - The third layer includes a substrate on which the electrical energy accumulator is printed;

[0024] - The stack includes a fourth layer forming the hidden face of the dial including a control unit;

[0025] - The stack includes a third layer including the hidden face of the dial, which includes a control unit and an electrical energy accumulator constituting an independent power supply unit;

[0026] - Compared with the other layers in the stack of thin layers of material, the first layer is rigid and the other layers are flexible;

[0027] - The visible face and the hidden face are flat or domed.

[0028] Another aspect of the invention relates to a watch including such a dial.

[0029] Advantageously, the watch includes a mechanical, electronic or electromechanical watch movement. Description of the Drawings

[0030] The object, advantages and features of the watch according to the invention will emerge more clearly in the following description, which is given based on at least one non - restrictive embodiment shown in the drawings, in which:

[0031] - Figure 1 Shows a perspective view of a watch according to an embodiment of the present invention, the watch including a dial provided with means for determining an acoustic event, the means being autonomous and incorporated in the watch;

[0032] - Figure 2 Shows an exploded view of a first alternative embodiment of a dial formed by a stack of four superimposed layers, each of the layers including one or more constituent elements of means for determining an acoustic event;

[0033] - Figure 3 Schematically shows a first alternative embodiment of a dial provided with autonomous means for determining an acoustic event according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] - Figure 4 Shows an exploded view of a second alternative embodiment of a dial formed by a stack of three superimposed layers, each of the layers including one or more constituent elements of means for determining an acoustic event; and

[0035] - Figure 5 Schematically shows a second alternative embodiment of a dial provided with autonomous means for determining an acoustic event according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description

[0036] Figure 1 Schematically shows Table 1, which includes a watch case 19 with a center, a set of components forming a watch movement, and dials 2a, 2b arranged between the watch movement and the watch glass 22, and a back cover and the watch glass 22 are attached to the center.

[0037] In a manner known to those skilled in the art, the watch movement drives a set of hands, including an hour hand, a minute hand, and optionally a second hand. For this purpose, the dials 2a, 2b include through holes for receiving the shafts of the hands. The dials 2a, 2b also include two faces 20a, 20b:

[0038] - The so-called visible face 20a visible from the outside of Table 1, also referred to as the "visible part" or "visible upper part" of the dials 2a, 2b; and

[0039] - The so-called hidden face 20b, which is arranged to face the watch movement in the housing of the watch case 19 of Table 1, and this face 20b is additionally referred to as the "hidden part" or "hidden lower part" of the dials 2a, 2b.

[0040] Such a visible face 20a may include, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, at least one graphical representation, such as:

[0041] - Reference (or display) elements, such as, for example, numbers, graduations, lines or even points, which contribute to displaying a timepiece information / timepiece measurement or a physical information / a physical measurement obtained by a sensor etc. included in the movement, with or without a pointer;

[0042] - Engravings, patterns, texts or logos etc.

[0043] The visible face 20a and the hidden face 20b are substantially flat and / or parallel to each other and / or opposite. It should be noted that, in other alternative embodiments, the dials 2a, 2b may include a domed visible face and a hidden face, and the hidden face may be domed or flat. These faces 20a, 20b are also connected to each other by the peripheral wall of the dials 2a, 2b.

[0044] It should also be noted that Figures 1 to 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the dials 2a, 2b preferably have a circular shape. It is to be understood that the present invention can also be implemented for dials 2a, 2b having other shapes, such as, for example, triangular or quadrilateral-like shapes.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, the timepiece movement is a mechanical movement. Alternatively, such a movement can be an electromechanical movement. In the following description, when its movement is mechanical, it will be called a mechanical watch, and when its movement is electromechanical and electronic respectively, it will be called an electromechanical and an electronic watch.

[0046] Reference Figure 2 and 4 , such dials 2a, 2b include an autonomous device 3 for determining an acoustic event. The determining device 3 includes its own electric power supply device, as will be described below. Such a device 3 for determining an acoustic event is considered autonomous, especially with respect to the movement of the watch 1, and especially with respect to the power source of the movement, for example when the power source is an electric power supply in an electromechanical movement. In these cases, it is to be understood that the power of the device 3 for determining an acoustic event will not impair the autonomy of the movement.

[0047] In this case, the dials 2a, 2b can be removably mounted in the watch 1, regardless of the type of the watch 1. The only condition to be met is that the dials 2a, 2b contain the device 3 for determining an acoustic event, and thus the device 3 is autonomous with respect to the movement of the watch 1. The dials 2a, 2b are also called "autonomous dials" because they are not electrically connected to the movement of the watch 1.

[0048] The determining device 3 included in the dials 2a, 2b includes a module 4 for reporting an acoustic event, an independent power supply unit 21, at least one receiver element 23 for receiving at least one sound wave, and a control unit 7.

[0049] In this device 3, the reporting module 4 includes:

[0050] - At least one element 4 capable of generating an optical signal, such as a light source 4, which allows the device 3 to broadcast a visual message related to the determined acoustic event;

[0051] - At least one element capable of generating a vibration signal, such as a piezoelectric vibrator, a vibrator including an ERM motor (eccentric rotating mass vibration motor) or an LRA motor (linear resonance actuator vibration motor), which allows the device 3 to broadcast a message related to the determined acoustic event in the form of vibration; and / or

[0052] - At least one element capable of generating a sound signal, such as a speaker, which allows the device 3 to broadcast an auditory message related to the determined acoustic event.

[0053] As mentioned above, the at least one light source 4 is specifically implemented to help display a visual message related to the determined acoustic event. Each light source 4 can correspond to any light-emitting element selected from a non-exhaustive and non-limiting list that includes:

[0054] - A light-emitting capacitor or LEC;

[0055] - Light-emitting diodes of the LED (light-emitting diode) type, OLED (organic light-emitting diode) type, AMOLED (active matrix organic light-emitting diode) type or QLED (quantum light-emitting diode) type;

[0056] - Any light-emitting material activated by a local electric field;

[0057] - Any light-emitting material activated by an electric current;

[0058] - Any combination of these light-emitting elements.

[0059] It should be noted that in certain embodiments of the present invention, the light source 4 can be a light source 4 capable of forming an area light source. This makes it possible to give the area light source a predetermined shape, usually a shape related to the graphical representation of numbers, letters, logos or text, but this is not exhaustive or restrictive. It should also be noted that the light source 4 can generate light of any color and / or in any direction.

[0060] In this device 3 for determining an acoustic event, the at least one acoustic wave receiver element 23 is configured to identify such waves generated by the table, and in particular such waves generated by the timepiece components and / or timepiece mechanism of the movement of this table 1.

[0061] In a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, the timepiece components can be:

[0062] - External timepiece components, such as the watch case, center, dial or back cover, etc.

[0063] Components of a watch movement, such as a balance weight, rotor, barrel, gear train, or movement plate.

[0064] In such a watch, the timekeeping mechanism is involved in measuring time, functions, or complications. For example, it can be a lever escapement.

[0065] The receiver element 23 includes at least one electroacoustic transducer capable of converting acoustic waves into electrical signals. The receiver element 23 can include at least one pressure microphone or pressure gradient microphone, which is typically provided with a diaphragm or piezoelectric element that can deform and / or move under the influence of at least one acoustic signal.

[0066] Alternatively, the receiver element 23 can include at least one optical microphone. Such a microphone, described in more detail in European patent document EP2338287B1, is a device capable of converting acoustic waves into electrical signals using an interferometry-based technique. Such a microphone particularly includes an electromagnetic radiation source, a reflecting element such as a mirror, at least one detector for detecting the electromagnetic radiation, and an interferometer such as a Fabry - Perot interferometer or a Gires - Tournois etalon.

[0067] It should be noted that in another alternative embodiment, the receiver element 23 can include any combination of the following microphones: at least one pressure microphone, at least one pressure gradient microphone, and at least one optical microphone.

[0068] In the determination device 3, the independent power supply unit 21 includes an electrical energy accumulator 6 and a photovoltaic module 5, and the photovoltaic module 5 includes at least one photovoltaic cell unit, also known as a solar cell unit. The photovoltaic module 5 is connected to the electrical energy accumulator 6 via connection elements denoted by reference numerals 17b and 18 in Figure 3 and 5 . The photovoltaic module 5 can include one or more unit cells of the heterojunction or multijunction type connected in parallel or in series. Each photovoltaic cell unit of the module 5 can be made of copper - based, indium - based, gallium - based, and selenium - based semiconductor materials, cadmium telluride - based semiconductor materials, single - crystal gallium arsenide - based semiconductor materials, single - crystal or polycrystalline silicon - based semiconductor materials, or perovskite semiconductor materials in a manner known to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that these examples are not restrictive, and those skilled in the art will be able to find a type of photovoltaic cell unit suitable for the present invention.

[0069] In the device 3 for determining an acoustic event, the control unit 7 (also referred to as a microcontroller) includes an electronic circuit 8 that contains hardware resources, in particular at least one processor that cooperates with storage elements and address, data, and control buses. The control unit 7 is connected to a reporting module 4, the at least one receiver element for receiving at least one sound wave 23, and an independent power supply unit 21. The storage element of such a control unit 7 includes an algorithm for determining an acoustic event.

[0070] Such an algorithm can be automatically trained, also known as machine learning, preferably supervised. More particularly, this is a learning algorithm for determining an acoustic event based on acoustic identification / feature characteristics derived from the processing of a sound signal and executed by the control unit 7. Such an algorithm can include or implement at least one neural network and / or analysis function and / or polynomial regression principle. For this purpose, the control unit 7 involved in implementing such training contains training data related to sound wave measurements and training data related to the determined / identified acoustic events experienced by the table. The purpose of such training is to improve the algorithm and, in particular, the resulting model, so as to minimize the error between "estimation and reality" when evaluating a given acoustic event based on sound wave measurements related to that event.

[0071] It should be noted that such an algorithm executed by the processor of the control unit 7 can also consider other types of events in order to improve the determination of an acoustic event based on data from event sensors included in the determination device 3. These events can include, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner: detection of a specific brightness level in the environment of Table 1, detection of a specific visual object, or detection of a movement made by a part of the user's body on which Table 1 is located, and so on. In this case, the event sensors of the determination device 3 particularly and in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner include:

[0072] - a sensor for detecting the ambient brightness level;

[0073] - a motion sensor for sensing a movement made by a part of the user's body including Table 1, such as a gyroscope and / or an inertial sensor, in the form of an electronic component of the gyroscope and / or inertial electromechanical microsystem circuit type; and / or

[0074] - a photographic type optical sensor.

[0075] In addition, when the reporting module 4 includes multiple light sources 4, their operations can be managed / controlled by the control unit 7 simultaneously and / or sequentially. Further, each light source 4 is managed / controlled individually by the control unit 7. In this case, the management of the operations of each light source 4 can include, in a non - limiting and non - exhaustive manner, performing the following operations: turning on or off sequentially, turning on or off two or more light sources 4 simultaneously, making one or more light sources 4 flash, defining the flash frequency of each light source 4, the flash duration of each light source 4, or the on or off duration of each light source 4, etc.

[0076] The storage element of such a control unit 7 can further include algorithms for managing the electrical energy accumulator 6, in particular for managing its recharge via the photovoltaic module 5 and for managing the power consumption of the reporting module 4 and the receiver element 23.

[0077] As described above, the autonomous device 3 for determining acoustic events is thus included in the dials 2a, 2b. In this configuration, the constituent elements of the determining device 3 (i.e., the reporting module 4, the electrical energy accumulator 6, the receiver element 23, the photovoltaic module 5, and the control unit 7) are included in one or more of the layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 forming the dials 2a, 2b.

[0078] Referring Figures 2 to 5 , the dials 2a, 2b are formed or constituted by a stack 9a, 9b of multiple thin layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 which are joined together by joining elements such as adhesive substances in order to bind them together, thereby obtaining a stack 9a, 9b of integral thin layers and thus forming a one - piece dial 2a, 2b. The joining element can also be a clip or a screw. Such layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are stacked in the stack 9a, 9b of layers, i.e., they are arranged in a defined order one on top of the other in the dials 2a, 2b. It should be noted that such a stack 9a, 9b of layers can also be referred to as a layer assembly. In this stack 9a, 9b, the layers are substantially similar, having upper and lower surfaces of substantially the same area, thus helping to form the peripheral wall of the dials 2a, 2b without relief.

[0079] It should be noted that these thin layers are layers each having a micron thickness. More specifically, each layer can have a thickness between 1 and 100 μm, preferably 2 μm, or more preferably 3 μm. Relative to the thickness of the dials 2a, 2b, it can be between 8 and 400 μm, preferably 6 μm, more preferably 12 μm, more preferably 100 μm, more preferably 200 μm or more preferably 300 μm.

[0080] In addition to facilitating its integration in the watch case 19, this single-piece dial 2a, 2b also has the additional advantage of being removably mountable in the watch case 19 of the watch 1.

[0081] In Figure 3 In a first alternative embodiment of the stack 9a of the layers shown, it is constituted by the following four successive thin layers 10, 11, 12, 13:

[0082] - A first layer 10 forming / constituting the visible face 20a of the dial 2a, containing said at least one receiver element 23 and / or reporting module 4;

[0083] - A second layer 11 containing the photovoltaic module 5;

[0084] - A third layer 12 containing an electrical energy accumulator 6, also known as a rechargeable battery; and

[0085] - A fourth layer 13 forming the hidden face 20b of the dial 2a, containing said at least one receiver element 23 and / or control unit 7.

[0086] Compared to the second, third, and fourth thin layers 11, 12, 13, the first layer 10 of this stack 9a is preferably rigid or semi-rigid, and the second, third, and fourth thin layers 11, 12, 13 are preferably flexible or pliable. It should be understood that this first layer 10 contributes to the structural rigidity of the stack 9a of thin layers and thus to the structural rigidity of the dial 2a.

[0087] In this stack 9a, each of the first, second, third, and fourth layers 10, 11, 12, and 13 includes an upper surface and a lower surface.

[0088] The first layer 10 is formed from a transparent, translucent, at least partially transparent, or at least partially translucent rigid or semi-rigid substrate. This substrate is made of a material with a transmittance of between 65% and 95% for solar radiation, particularly ultraviolet radiation (also known as UVT (ultraviolet transmittance)). This transmittance is preferably 85%. This material can be transparent or translucent. By way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive example, this material can be a polymer, glass, or ceramic.

[0089] In this case, it should be understood that the substrate is configured such that:

[0090] - The light generated by said at least one light source of the reporting module 4 can escape to the outside of the dials 2a, 2b and thus to the outside of the watch 1; and

[0091] - Light from the environment of the watch 1 can penetrate the dials 2a, 2b towards the photovoltaic module 5 of the means 3 for determining acoustic events, and when this light is of natural origin, this light includes solar radiation.

[0092] In other words, the transparent or translucent substrate is configured to allow light (in particular solar radiation) capable of supplying the photovoltaic module 5 to pass through it, such that the photovoltaic module 5 can convert solar energy from this radiation into electrical energy.

[0093] The first layer 10 includes a reporting module 4 disposed in the substrate body. In this configuration, the arrangement of the light source of the module 4 in the substrate is configured to ensure illumination of all or part of the visible face 20a of the dial 2a, for example, such as illumination of a graphical representation of a reference element (or display), such as a number, a graduation, a line, a point, or illumination of one or more hands, or even illumination of all or part of the surface of the visible face of the dial 2a. In an alternative embodiment, the light source 4 may have a predetermined shape, such as the shape of a number, a letter, a graduation, a line, a point, a logo, or even text.

[0094] When the light source 4 is disposed in a cavity defined in the substrate, such illumination may be backlighting or semi-direct lighting. More specifically, the cavity may be a blind opening formed in the lower surface of the substrate. In this configuration, when the bottom of the cavity contains a graphical representation, the luminous radiation or light generated by the light source 4 can escape to the outside of the dial 2a via the visible face 20a of the dial 2a, thus allowing at least one graphical representation to be seen in the dark. In particular, the light radiation escaping from the visible face 20a outlines the graphical representation. In this case, the graphical representation contained in or on the upper or lower surface of the substrate forming the first layer 10 is preferably opaque, not translucent, or opaque.

[0095] When the light source 4 is disposed in a cavity defined in the substrate, such illumination may be direct lighting. The cavity may be a blind opening formed in the lower surface of the substrate, the bottom of which has no graphical representation. In this configuration, the luminous radiation or light generated by the light source 4 can escape towards the outside of the dial 2a through the bottom of the cavity and thus through the visible face 20a of the dial 2a.

[0096] When the light source 4 is disposed in a through-opening extending through the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, such illumination may also be direct lighting, the through-opening leading to the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate at its two ends respectively. In this configuration, all or part of the light source 4 may protrude from the upper surface of the substrate and thus from the first layer 10 or from the visible face 20a of the dial 2a to form graphical representations, such as graduations, numbers, points, or lines, etc.

[0097] When the at least one light source 4 is coupled to at least one waveguide, such illumination can also be remote illumination. Such waveguides (also known as light guides) are used to convey light from the point where it is injected into the light guide to the substrate or an area of the substrate close to the upper surface of the substrate (such as a cavity, a through-opening). Such a light guide can be an optical fiber, which allows bypassing any obstacles that may occur in the substrate, such as the obstacle between the electroluminescent element and the area of the substrate close to the upper surface of the substrate through which the light would escape. Thus, in this alternative embodiment, it is the light that is brought from the electroluminescent element to the area to be illuminated of the substrate via the waveguide.

[0098] In such a configuration, the first end of the waveguide is coupled to the light source 4, and the second end of the waveguide can be arranged in any of the following:

[0099] - a cavity, which can be a blind opening formed in the lower surface of the substrate of the first layer 10; or

[0100] - a through-opening extending through the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, and openings leading to the substrate and thus to the upper and lower surfaces of the first layer 10 at its two ends respectively. Thus, the second end can protrude from the substrate or the upper surface of the first layer 10 or from the visible face 20a of the dial 2a, so as to form, for example, a graphical representation of the dial 2a, such as a reference element, such as a graduation piece, a number, a dot or a line, etc.

[0101] In this case, the indirect illumination can be achieved by a single light source 4 included on the lower surface of the substrate of the first layer 10 by coupling to a plurality of waveguides, the second ends of which are arranged in any of the following:

[0102] - a cavity, each cavity emitting light radiation from the light source 4, and the radiation escaping to the outside of the dial 2a via the visible face 20a, thereby allowing at least one graphical representation to be seen in the dark. In this case, the graphical representation included in or on the visible face 20a of the dial 2a or the upper surface of the substrate is preferably opaque; and / or

[0103] - a through-opening that protrudes or does not protrude from the upper surface of the substrate to form a reference element (such as a graduation piece, a line or even a dot), and each emits light radiation from the light source 4.

[0104] In the first layer 10, the reporting module 4 is applied / fastened to the lower surface of the substrate of the first layer 10, in the cavity or on the inner wall of the aforementioned through-opening by printing or evaporation. In other words, the light source of the module 4 is applied / fastened to the lower surface of the substrate of the first layer 10, in the cavity or on the inner wall of the aforementioned through-opening by printing or evaporation.

[0105] In this first layer 10, the receiver element 23 is arranged in or on the substrate so as to be able to receive sound waves present in the housing of the watch case of Table 1. The receiver element 23 may be arranged on the upper surface of the substrate forming the first layer 10 or below it. When arranged in the substrate, the receiver element 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in the upper surface. In an alternative embodiment, it may be arranged in a blind cavity formed in the lower surface of the substrate, the substrate having as its bottom the upper surface. In this configuration, the sound waves propagating in the dial 2a, 2b and visible face 20a can be measured by the said receiver element 23. The substrate may also include through holes connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, and the receiver element 23 may be arranged in the through holes.

[0106] It should also be noted that the lower surface of the first layer 10 may be self - adhesive so that it can be assembled with the second layer 11.

[0107] In this stack 9a, the second layer 11 includes a substrate containing the photovoltaic module 5. Such a substrate is preferably flexible or pliable. The substrate of the second layer 11 may be a film on which the photovoltaic module 5 is arranged, or it may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0108] In this second layer 11, the photovoltaic module preferably extends over the entire so - called active area of the upper surface of the substrate. The active area is a part of the upper surface of the substrate that is capable of receiving light from the lower surface of the first layer 10 of the dial 2a. The light passing through all or part of the first layer 10 comes from the external environment of the dial 2a and thus from the external environment of Table 1, and in this case, when it is a natural source, mainly from solar radiation.

[0109] It should be noted that the photovoltaic module 5 is applied to the upper surface of the substrate using an inkjet or screen - printing process or using a thermal evaporation printing process. Reference will also be made here to the second layer 11 including the printed photovoltaic module 5, in particular the photovoltaic module 5 printed on the substrate of the second layer 11.

[0110] It should be noted that once the photovoltaic module 5 has been applied to the substrate, a layer of self - adhesive substance may be deposited on all or part of the upper surface and / or lower surface of the substrate. In these cases, the second layer 11 may be a self - adhesive layer, which facilitates its assembly with other layers, in particular with the first layer 10 and / or the third layer 12 of the stack 9a.

[0111] In the stack 9a, the third layer 12 also includes a preferably flexible or pliable substrate containing the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the self - determination device 3. This substrate of the third layer 12 may be a film on which the accumulator 6 is arranged. Such a substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0112] The accumulator 6 can be a lithium battery or a semiconductor battery. Such a battery 6 is applied to the upper surface of the substrate using a process known in the prior art, such as:

[0113] - a printing process on a flexible polymer substrate, for example when this concerns a lithium battery; or

[0114] - a three-dimensional printing process, for example when this concerns a semiconductor battery (such as a lithium metal semiconductor battery).

[0115] Reference will also be made here to the third layer 12, which includes a printed electrical energy accumulator 6, in particular an electrical energy accumulator 6 printed on the substrate of the third layer 12.

[0116] Such a process makes it possible to obtain a third layer 12 including the accumulator 6, which is flexible and ultra-thin.

[0117] Furthermore, it should be noted that once the accumulator 6 has been applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive substance can be deposited on all or part of the upper and / or lower surfaces of the substrate. In these cases, the third layer 12 can be a self-adhesive layer, which helps its assembly with other layers, in particular with the second layer 11 and / or the fourth layer 13 of the stack 9a.

[0118] It should be noted that the accumulator 6 is used to store electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic module 5 and to release this electrical energy when needed to power a defined device 3, in particular the reporting module 4 and the at least one receiver element 23.

[0119] In the stack 9a, the fourth and last layer 13 forms the hidden face of the dial 2a. Such a fourth layer 13 is formed by a preferably flexible or pliable substrate, which contains the control unit 7. Such a substrate for the fourth layer 13 can be, for example, a flexible PCB, on which the control unit 7 is arranged, in particular on the upper surface of the PCB and thus on the upper surface of the substrate. In this case, the control unit 7 can be constructed on the upper surface of the substrate using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process.

[0120] In this fourth and final layer 13, the receiver element 23 is arranged in or on the substrate so as to be able to receive sound waves present in the housing of the watch case of Table 1. The receiver element 23 may be arranged on the lower surface of the substrate forming the fourth layer 13 or below it. When arranged in the substrate, the receiver element 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in the lower surface. In an alternative embodiment, it may be arranged in a blind cavity formed in the upper surface of the substrate, which has a lower surface as its bottom. In this configuration, the sound waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b and the hidden face 20b can be measured by the said receiver element 23. The substrate may also include through holes connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, and the receiver element 23 may be arranged in the through holes.

[0121] In a second alternative embodiment, the stack 9b forming the dial 2b comprises three thin layers 10, 11, 14 joined together. It should be noted that this second alternative embodiment differs from the first alternative embodiment in that it comprises three layers 10, 11, 14 instead of four layers 10, 11, 12, 13 as in the first alternative embodiment. In this second alternative embodiment, the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the determining means 3 is now included in the third and final layer 14 of the stack 9b having the control unit 7.

[0122] This third and final layer 14 of the stack 9b forms the hidden face of the dial 2b and consists of a preferably flexible or pliable substrate on which, preferably on the upper surface of the substrate, the battery 6 and the electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed. The accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 can be constructed on the upper surface of the substrate using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process. It should be noted that such a substrate can be, for example, a flexible PCB.

[0123] In this third and final layer 14 of the second alternative embodiment, the receiver element 23 is arranged in or on the substrate so as to be able to receive sound waves present in the housing of the watch case of Table 1. The receiver element 23 may be arranged on the lower surface of the substrate forming the third layer 14 or below it. When arranged in the substrate, the receiver element 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in the lower surface. In an alternative embodiment, it may be arranged in a blind cavity formed in the upper surface of the substrate, which has a lower surface as its bottom. In this configuration, the sound waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b and the hidden face 20b can be measured by the said receiver element 23. The substrate may also include through holes connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, and the receiver element 23 may be arranged in the through holes.

[0124] In summary, in this second alternative embodiment, the stack 9b comprises:

[0125] - The first layer 10, which forms the visible face 20a of the dial 2b and contains the at least one receiver element 23 and / or the reporting module 4;

[0126] - The second layer 11 that contains the photovoltaic module 5; and

[0127] - The third layer 14 that forms the hidden face 20b of the dial 2b and contains the at least one receiver element 23 and / or the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7.

[0128] It should be noted that in this second alternative embodiment, the first and second layers 10, 11 are similar to the first and second layers of the first alternative embodiment of the stack 9a.

[0129] In addition, with reference to Figure 3 and 5 , the electronic circuit 8 of the control unit 7 includes a first connection element 15a that is connected to the connection element 16, and the connection element 16 is connected to:

[0130] - The reporting module 4, which is used to manage the operation of the module 4, particularly for broadcasting messages related to the determined acoustic events; and

[0131] - The at least one receiver element 23 to assist in determining acoustic events.

[0132] The electronic circuit 8 also includes a second connection element 15b that is connected to the first connection element 17a of the accumulator 6.

[0133] In addition, it should be noted that the event sensor of the above-mentioned determination device 3 is preferably arranged in the first layer 10 and / or the last layer 13, 14 of the stack 9a, 9b of the layers and is connected to the control unit 7 of the device 3.

[0134] In a third alternative embodiment (not shown), the thin-layer stack forming the dial includes two interconnected layers. It should be noted that this third alternative embodiment differs from the second alternative embodiment in that it includes two layers instead of three layers 10, 11, 14 as in the second alternative embodiment. In this third alternative embodiment, the photovoltaic module 5 of the autonomous determination device 3 is now included in the first layer and particularly on the lower surface of the substrate forming the first layer. The photovoltaic module 5 can be applied to the lower surface of the substrate of the first layer using an inkjet or screen printing process or using a thermal evaporation printing process. Therefore, it should be noted that this first layer is thus similar to the first layer 11 of the first and second alternative embodiments, except that in this third alternative embodiment, the first layer additionally includes a photovoltaic module.

[0135] In a third alternative embodiment, and similar to the second alternative embodiment, the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the autonomous determination device 3 is included in the second and last layer of this stack having a control unit 7. This second layer forming the hidden face of the dial is composed of a preferably flexible or pliable substrate on which, preferably on the upper surface of the substrate, the battery 6 and the electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed. The accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 can be constructed on the upper surface of the substrate using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process. It should be noted that such a substrate can be, for example, a flexible PCB.

[0136] In summary, in this third alternative embodiment, the stack of layers thus includes:

[0137] - a first layer forming the visible face 20a of the dial, containing said at least one receiver element 23 and / or reporting module 4 and photovoltaic module 5; and

[0138] - a second layer forming the hidden face 20b of the dial, containing said at least one receiver element 23 and / or accumulator 6 and control unit 7.

[0139] In the last layers 13, 14 of the various alternative embodiments, the transmitter-receiver module 23 is applied / fastened by printing or evaporation to the lower surface or upper surface of the substrate of these layers, in a cavity or on the inner wall of the aforementioned through-opening.

[0140] Thus, in this dial 2a, 2b, the determination device 3 includes a receiver element 23 which converts the received sound wave into an electrical signal that is transmitted to the control unit 7. Thus, when at least one sound wave is generated by the timepiece component or timepiece mechanism, an electrical signal including data related to the received one or more sound waves is then transmitted by the receiver element 23 to the control unit 7. The control unit 7 then processes these data based on an algorithm for determining an acoustic event. This processing allows the identification of an acoustic event based on the characteristics of at least one sound wave picked up in particular by the receiver element 23, these characteristics being: the period, frequency, wavelength, sound power, sound intensity, sound pressure and / or duration of said at least one sound wave.

[0141] Determining an acoustic event can allow the dials 2a, 2b to implement various functions of the watch. For example, the functions of the watch can correspond to detecting an impact received by a timepiece component such as a watch case component, such as the center of the watch 1, the watch glass or the crown, which impact can cause a loss of timekeeping accuracy. More specifically, the operation of the mechanism may be disrupted due to an impact on the watch. Thus, although the internal clock of the watch can provide an accurate indication of the current time, the hour and minute hands provide a distorted indication of the current time because the gears have skipped several steps due to the impact on the watch. Therefore, it is necessary to resynchronize the positions of the hour and minute hands. Thus, as part of this function, the control unit 7 can generate visual, vibration and / or audio messages depending on the event, signaling the loss of accuracy by controlling / driving the reporting module 4.

[0142] Other functions of the watch using the determination of acoustic events can be included in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner:

[0143] - The passing (or not passing) of the date indicator can be detected by the receiver element 23. Then, a light source can be used to signal the causal event;

[0144] - The receiver element 23 can detect a stop in the mechanism stop notch, such as a stop in the pointer setting mechanism of the watch 1. Then, at least one light source can be used to indicate the position in which the mechanism is located, such as the time correction position or the date indicator correction position;

[0145] - The receiver element 23 can detect a predefined sequence of impacts, for example in order to turn on or off the light source 4 or to change its light color;

[0146] - A series of taps on the watch glass 1 can be used to illuminate the dials 2a, 2b or backlight the hands so that the time can be seen at night, and another series of taps can be used to change the light color of the at least one active light source;

[0147] - The frequency deviation monitored by the receiver element 23 can be signaled by using at least one light source. Such a frequency change can indicate a current or future fault.

[0148] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various simple alternatives and modifications can be considered by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dial (2a, 2b) of a watch (1) comprising an autonomous device (3) for determining acoustic events, such dial (2a, 2b) comprising a visible face (20a) and a hidden face (20b), said dial (2a, 2b) being formed by a stack (9a, 9b) of thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of material extending between these two faces (20a, 20b), each of said layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) comprising one or more functional elements contained in said device (3): - at least one receiver element (23) for receiving at least one sound wave originating from said watch (1); - a module for reporting acoustic events (4); - an independent power supply unit (21); and - a control unit (7) for managing the operation of said reporting module (4) and said at least one receiver element (23) for receiving at least one sound wave.

2. A dial (2a, 2b) according to the preceding claim, wherein: The at least one receiver element (23) comprises a pressure microphone or a pressure gradient microphone.

3. A dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: Modules for reporting acoustic events include: - at least one element (4) capable of generating an optical signal; - at least one element capable of generating a vibration signal; and / or - At least one element capable of generating an acoustic signal.

4. A dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The stack (9a, 9b) of thin layers of material (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) comprises a first layer (10) on which the visible surface (20a) of the dial (2a, 2b) is arranged, and the first layer (10) comprises the at least one receiver element (23) and the reporting module (4).

5. A dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one receiver element (23) is arranged in a cavity formed in a hidden face of the dial (2a, 2b).

6. A dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first layer (10) is configured such that light radiation, in particular solar radiation, can fully or partially pass through it.

7. A dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first layer (10) is fully or partially transparent or translucent.

8. A dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The stack (9a, 9b) of thin layers of material (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) comprises a second layer (11) comprising a photovoltaic module (5) constituting an independent power supply unit (21).

9. A dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The second layer (11) comprises a substrate on which the photovoltaic module (5) is printed.

10. A dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of claims 7 and 8, wherein: The photovoltaic module (5) is arranged on an active area of ​​the second layer (11), the area being configured to receive light originating from the first layer (10) of the stack (9a, 9b) of thin layers of material (10, 11, 12, 13, 14).

11. A dial (2a) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The stack (9a) comprises a third layer (12) which comprises an electrical energy accumulator (6) forming the independent power supply unit (21).

12. A dial (2a) according to the preceding claim, wherein: The third layer (12) comprises a substrate on which the electrical energy accumulator (6) is printed.

13. A dial (2a) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The stack (9a) comprises a fourth layer (13) forming a hidden face (20b) of a dial (2a) comprising a control unit (7).

14. The dial (2b) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The stack (9b) comprises a third layer (14) comprising a hidden face (20b) of the dial (2a) comprising a control unit (7) and an electrical energy accumulator (6) constituting an independent power supply unit (21).

15. A dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The first layer (10) is rigid compared to the other layers (11, 12, 13, 14) in the stack (9a, 9b) of thin layers of material (10, 11, 12, 13, 14), which are flexible.

16. A dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The visible and hidden surfaces (20a, 20b) are flat or dome-shaped.

17. A watch (1) comprising a dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims.

18. Table (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein This includes mechanical, electronic or electromechanical watch movements.

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