Apparatus for transmitting table message

Abstract

One aspect of the invention relates to a dial (2a, 2b) of a watch (1) comprising separate means for sending information (3) to an electronic device, 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 functional elements contained in the device (3):-at least one messaging activation sensor (23); -at least one light source (4); -a separate electric power supply unit (21); and a control unit (7) for managing the operation of the at least one light source (4) and the at least one activation sensor (23).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch comprising a dial which includes means for sending information, and the means are completely independent. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, electromechanical watches with hands are known, in which the hour hand and the minute hand indicating the current time are driven by the train of wheels of the watch movement mechanism. In this case, it may happen that, due to shocks imparted to the watch, the presence of electromagnetic fields or other external interferences, the operation of the mechanism may be disturbed. In order to limit and even avoid any damage to the mechanism, it is often necessary to identify, at an early stage, the interferences that may be the cause thereof, as well as the faults caused by these interferences in the mechanism.

[0003] In this case, it should be understood that there is a need to find a solution that does not have the drawbacks of the prior art Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by providing a watch with a dial which includes message sending means that are independent and have a validity that remains constant over time.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention relates to a dial of a watch, which includes independent means for sending a message to an electronic device. Such a dial includes a substantially flat visible face and a hidden face, which face each other and are connected to each other by a peripheral wall. The dial is formed by a stack of thin layers of material extending between these two faces, and each of the layers includes one or more functional elements incorporated in the means:

[0006] - at least one message sending activation sensor;

[0007] - at least one light source;

[0008] - an independent electric power supply unit; and

[0009] a control unit (7) for managing the operation of the at least one light source (4) and the at least one activation sensor.

[0010] In other embodiments:

[0011] - the at least one activation sensor is configured to generate at least one electrical signal towards the control unit so as to trigger the sending of a message to the electronic device;

[0012] - the at least one light source is a point light source;

[0013] - the control unit is configured to control the at least one light source by controlling the flashing of the at least one light source according to the information contained in the message;

[0014] - The stack of thin layers of material includes a first layer, which is provided with the visible face of the dial and includes said at least one activation sensor and said at least one light source;

[0015] - Said at least one activation sensor is arranged in a cavity formed in the hidden face of the dial;

[0016] - The first layer is configured to be completely or partially traversed by light radiation, in particular solar radiation;

[0017] - The first layer is completely or partially transparent or translucent;

[0018] - The stack of thin layers of material comprises a second layer, which includes a photovoltaic module constituting an independent electric power supply unit;

[0019] - The second layer includes a substrate on which the photovoltaic module is printed;

[0020] - Said 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;

[0021] - The stack comprises a third layer, which includes an electric energy accumulator constituting an independent electric power supply unit;

[0022] - The third layer includes a substrate on which the electric energy accumulator is printed;

[0023] - The stack comprises a fourth layer forming the hidden face of the dial including a control unit;

[0024] - The stack comprises a third layer, which includes the hidden face of the dial, which includes a control unit and an electric energy accumulator constituting an independent electric power supply unit;

[0025] - Compared with the other layers in the stack of thin layers of material, the first layer is rigid and the other layers are flexible.

[0026] Another aspect of the invention relates to a watch including such a dial.

[0027] Advantageously, the watch includes a mechanical, electronic or electromechanical watch movement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The object, advantages and features of the watch according to the invention will become more apparent in the following description based on at least one non-limiting embodiment shown in the drawings, in which:

[0029] - Figure 1 A perspective view of a watch according to some embodiments of the invention is shown, which watch includes a dial provided with a device for sending information, which device is independent;

[0030] - Figure 2 Shows an exploded view of a first variant of a dial formed by a stack of four superimposed layers, each of said layers containing one or more constituent elements of the transmitting device;

[0031] - Figure 3 Shows a schematic view of a first variant of a dial provided with a transmitting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] - Figure 4 Shows an exploded view of a second variant of a dial formed by a stack of three superimposed layers, each of said layers containing one or more constituent elements of the transmitting device; and

[0033] - Figure 5 Shows a schematic view of a second variant of a dial provided with a transmitting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed description

[0034] Figure 1 Shows a schematic illustration of Table 1, which includes a watch case 19 provided 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, the back cover and the watch glass 22 being fastened to the center.

[0035] In a manner known to those skilled in the art, the watch movement drives a set of hands, including the hour hand, the minute hand, and possibly the second hand. To this end, the dials 2a, 2b contain through holes for receiving the hand shafts. The dials 2a, 2b also include two faces 20a, 20b, which include:

[0036] - 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

[0037] - The so-called hidden face 20b, which is arranged in the housing of the watch case 19 of Table 1 opposite the watch movement, and which is additionally the so-called "hidden part" or "hidden lower part" of the dials 2a, 2b.

[0038] Such a visible face 20a may include, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, at least one graphical representation, such as:

[0039] - Marking (or display) elements, such as numbers, graduations, lines or dots, which, with or without hands, contribute to the display of watch information / measurement values or physical information / measurement values measured by sensors, etc. contained in the movement;

[0040] - Engravings, patterns, texts, logos, etc.

[0041] These visible faces 20a and hidden faces 20b are substantially flat and / or parallel and / or opposite to each other. In other variants, note that the dials 2a, 2b can include domed visible faces and hidden faces, and the hidden faces can be domed or flat. These faces 20a, 20b are also joined together by the peripheral walls of the dials 2a, 2b.

[0042] In addition, it should be noted that in Figures 1 to 5 the illustrated embodiment, the dials 2a, 2b preferably have a circular shape. It should be understood that the present invention can also be implemented for dials 2a, 2b having other shapes, such as a triangular shape or a shape like a quadrilateral.

[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the watch movement is a mechanical movement. Alternatively, the movement can be an electromechanical or electronic movement. Next, when its movement is mechanical, we will call it a mechanical watch, when it includes an electromechanical movement, we will call it an electromechanical watch, and when it includes an electronic movement, we will call it an electronic watch.

[0044] Referring to Figure 2 and 4 , such dials 2a, 2b include an independent message sending device 3. This sending device 3 includes its own electric power supply device, which will be seen later. This message sending device 3 is considered independent, especially with respect to the movement of the watch 1, and especially with respect to the energy source of the movement, for example when the energy source is an electric power supply similar to that in an electromechanical or electronic movement. Under these conditions, it should be understood that the energy used by the sending device 3 will not be used to compromise the autonomy of the movement.

[0045] This sending device 3 enables the watch 1 to send messages to an electronic device. The message can include information related to the functions implemented by the watch 1, such as the time function, or a function implementing the monitoring of events related to the operation of the movement of the watch, such as an event related to a leak in the case 19 of the watch 1. Other examples of the types of information that may be included in the message can include but are not limited to:

[0046] - The counting of the number of revolutions of at least one pointer, if the watch 1 is so equipped, allowing for example to determine the actual operating time of the watch 1, such as between two repair or maintenance operations;

[0047] - When the dials 2a, 2b are provided with an accelerometer, the number and nature (weak, strong) of the impacts received by the case 19;

[0048] - When the dials 2a, 2b are provided with a magnetic sensor, the number and intensity of the times the watch 1 is exposed to a magnetic field;

[0049] - When the dial is provided with a pressure and / or humidity sensor, the internal pressure and / or humidity of the watch case 19, which can indicate a leak in the watch 1;

[0050] - When the dials 2a, 2b are equipped with a gyroscope, the orientation of the watch 1 and the duration of these orientations, in order to improve, for example, the adjustment of the watch according to its wearer, or to adapt the frequency of maintenance services necessary for the correct operation of the watch 1, which can form part of predictive maintenance;

[0051] - When the dials 2a, 2b are equipped with an acoustic sensor, abnormal operating noises are detected, thus allowing the prediction or signaling of a fault or malfunction.

[0052] Thus, it should be understood that, in this case, the sending device 3 can include the following event sensors in a non - restrictive and non - exhaustive manner:

[0053] - A position sensor for the watch hands;

[0054] - An accelerometer sensor;

[0055] - A pressure sensor;

[0056] - A humidity sensor;

[0057] - An angular position sensor;

[0058] - A gyroscope and / or inertial sensor, in the form of an electronic component of the gyroscope and / or inertial electromechanical microsystem circuit type;

[0059] - A sound sensor.

[0060] In this case, such an electronic device is preferably a mobile device. Such a device is also called a user terminal, capable of being carried and transported by the user and functioning while being transported. For example, this is the case with a smartphone or a tablet. The electronic device preferably includes a microcontroller, an optical sensor such as a camera sensor, a point light source, and elements for broadcasting the received messages, such as a screen and / or a speaker. In this configuration, the electronic device is used to receive, decode, and broadcast the messages sent by the sending device of the watch 1.

[0061] In the watch case 19 of the watch 1, the dials 2a, 2b can be removably mounted, and thus, regardless of the type of the watch 1. The only condition to be met is that the dials 2a, 2b include the sending device 3, so that the sending device 3 is independent of the movement of the watch 1. The dials 2a, 2b are also called "independent dials" because they are not connected to the movement of the watch 1, in particular not electrically connected to the movement. The dials 2a, 2b can be considered as part of the watch 1 to which they are attached.

[0062] The transmitting device 3 included in the dials 2a, 2b includes at least one light source 4 (also referred to as a light source), an independent electric power supply unit 21, at least one message transmission activation sensor 23, and a control unit 7.

[0063] In the device 3, the at least one light source 4 is preferably a point light source, which is implemented to contribute to the transmission of a message. Thus, the light generated by the at least one point light source 4 illuminates a point-like or quasi-point-like area of the dials 2a, 2b. For this purpose, the light originating from each light source 4 can be collimated or focused, for example, by any known collimating or focusing device, towards the considered point-like or quasi-point-like area. This "point-like or quasi-point-like area" includes any area located on / in the visible surface 20a of the dials 2a, 2b and has dimensions such that it is perceived by the human eye as being different from adjacent areas.

[0064] Each point light source 4 can correspond to any electroluminescent element selected from a non-exhaustive and non-limiting list that includes:

[0065] - A light-emitting capacitor, which is known by the abbreviation LEC representing "light-emitting capacitor";

[0066] - Light-emitting diodes, such as LED (abbreviation for "light-emitting diode"), OLED (abbreviation for "organic light-emitting diode"), AMOLED (abbreviation for "active matrix organic light-emitting diode"), or QLED (abbreviation for "quantum light-emitting diode");

[0067] - Any electroluminescent material activated by a local electric field;

[0068] - Any electroluminescent material activated by a current;

[0069] - Any combination of these electroluminescent elements.

[0070] Alternatively, not shown in the figure, the point light source 4 can be a quantum box or a quantum dot.

[0071] In the transmitting device 3, the independent electric 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 referred to as a solar cell unit. The photovoltaic module 5 is via Figure 3 and 5The connecting elements labeled 17b and 18 are connected to the electrical energy accumulator 6. The photovoltaic module 5 may include one or more elementary cell units of the heterojunction or multijunction type connected in parallel or in series. Each photovoltaic cell unit of the module 5 may be made of a semiconductor material based on copper, indium, gallium, and selenium, based on cadmium telluride, based on single-crystalline gallium arsenide, or based on single-crystalline or polycrystalline silicon, or made of perovskite, 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 the type of photovoltaic cell suitable for the present invention.

[0072] In the transmitting device 3, the control unit 7 (also referred to as a microcontroller) includes an electronic circuit 8, and the electronic circuit 8 includes 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 the at least one light source 4, the at least one activation sensor 23, and an independent electric power supply unit 21.

[0073] Such a control unit 7 includes a message transmission algorithm in its storage element. This algorithm is capable of implementing message transmission by defining a sequence of light pulses for broadcasting light radiation by the at least one light source 4 and thus by means of light modulation or coding applied to this radiation. This modulation or coding provides control of the blinking of the light source 4 by alternating the light source 4 between two states (on or off). In this case, the sequence of light pulses, also referred to as the "transmission sequence" or "transmission light pulse sequence", depends on the content of the message, in other words, on the information contained in the message. Therefore, by executing this algorithm, the control unit 7 is capable of driving / controlling the blinking of the point light source 4 according to the defined transmission sequence.

[0074] In the transmitting device 3, the message transmission activation sensor 23 (which may also be specifically referred to as the activation sensor 23 of the transmitting device 3) may include:

[0075] - At least one optical sensor that is capable of receiving a sequence of light pulses, also referred to as the "start sequence" or "start light pulse sequence", from the point light source of the electronic device to trigger the activation of message transmission;

[0076] - At least one acoustic sensor that is capable of detecting, for example, a tap on a decorative element of the watch (such as the watch glass) to trigger the activation of message transmission;

[0077] - At least one sensor of the accelerometer type for detecting vibrations, imparting a shake to the watch to trigger the activation of message transmission;

[0078] - At least one sensor of the gyroscope type for detecting vibrations, imparting a shake to the watch to trigger the activation of message transmission;

[0079] - At least one sensor of the accelerometer type and at least one sensor of the gyroscope type, for jointly detecting vibrations, imparting a shake on the watch to trigger the activation of message sending.

[0080] The activation sensor 23 is configured to generate at least one electrical signal to the control unit 7 to trigger or cause the sending of the said message.

[0081] Furthermore, it should be noted that the control unit 7 may also include in its storage element algorithms for managing the electrical energy accumulator 6, in particular the management of the recharge of the electrical energy accumulator 6 by the photovoltaic module 5 and the management of the power consumption of the said light source 4 and the power consumption of the activation sensor 23.

[0082] Thus, as already mentioned, the independent sending device 3 is thus included in the watch faces 2a, 2b. In this configuration, the constituent elements of the sending device 3 (i.e., the light source 4, the electrical energy accumulator 6, the photovoltaic module 5, the activation sensor 23, and the control unit 7) are included in one or more layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 forming the watch faces 2a, 2b.

[0083] Refer to Figures 2 to 5 , the watch faces 2a, 2b are formed or composed of a stack 9a, 9b of a plurality of thin / fine layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, which are joined together by a connecting element such as an adhesive substance in order to bind them together, thereby obtaining a stack 9a, 9b of integral thin layers, thereby forming a one-piece watch face 2a, 2b. The connecting element may 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 one on top of the other in the watch faces 2a, 2b according to a defined order. Note that such a stack 9a, 9b of layers may also be referred to as a layer assembly. In this stack 9a, 9b, these layers are substantially similar, having upper and lower surfaces with substantially the same area / surface, thus contributing to the formation of the peripheral wall of the watch faces 2a, 2b without relief.

[0084] It should be noted that these thin or fine layers are layers each having a micron thickness. In fact, each layer may have a thickness included between 1 and 100 μm, preferably 2 μm, or preferably 3 μm. As for the thickness of the watch faces 2a, 2b, it may be between 8 and 400 μm, preferably 6 μm, or preferably 12 μm, or preferably 100 μm, or preferably 200 μm, or preferably 300 μm.

[0085] Thus, in addition to facilitating integration in the watch case 19, this one-piece watch face 2a, 2b also has the additional advantage of being removably mountable in the watch case 19 of the watch 1.

[0086] In Figure 3 a first variant of the stack 9a shown, the stack 9a consists of the following four successive thin / fine layers 10, 11, 12, 13:

[0087] - a first layer 10, which forms / constitutes the visible face 20a of the dial 2a and contains the at least one light source 4 and the at least one activation sensor 23 of the transmission device 3;

[0088] - a second layer 11, which contains the photovoltaic module 5;

[0089] - a third layer 12, which contains an electrical energy accumulator 6, also known as a rechargeable battery; and

[0090] - a fourth layer 13, which forms the hidden face 20b of the dial 2a and contains the control unit 7.

[0091] Compared with the second, third and fourth thin / fine layers 11, 12, 13, which are preferably soft or flexible, the first layer 10 of the stack 9a is preferably rigid or semi-rigid. It should be understood herein that this first layer 10 helps to structurally reinforce the stack 9a of thin layers and thus the dial 2a.

[0092] 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.

[0093] Regarding the first layer 10, it is formed by a rigid or semi-rigid substrate that is transparent or semi-transparent or at least partially transparent or at least partially semi-transparent. This substrate is made of a material with a transmittance of between 65% and 95% for solar radiation, especially ultraviolet radiation (also known as UVT (representing "ultraviolet transmittance")). This transmittance is preferably 85%. This material can be transparent or semi-transparent. This material can be, but is not limited to, polymers, glass or ceramics.

[0094] In this case, it should be understood that the substrate is configured such that:

[0095] - the light generated by the at least one light source can escape to the outside of the dials 2a, 2b and thus to the outside of the watch 1; and

[0096] - the light originating from the environment of the watch 1 can penetrate the dials 2a, 2b in the direction of the photovoltaic module 5 of the transmission device 3, and when this light is of natural origin, this light includes solar radiation.

[0097] In other words, the transparent or semi-transparent substrate is configured to be penetrated by the light that can supply the photovoltaic module 5 so that the latter can convert the solar energy originating from this radiation into electrical energy.

[0098] The first layer 10 also includes at least one light source 4, which is arranged in the body of the substrate. This arrangement of the light source 4 in the substrate is configured to ensure illumination of a dot-shaped area of the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a.

[0099] When the light source 4 is arranged in a cavity defined in the substrate, such illumination can be direct illumination. The cavity can be a blind opening formed in the lower surface of the substrate, and its bottom forms or includes a dot-shaped area. In this configuration, the light radiation or light generated by the light source 4 can escape through the dot-shaped area of the cavity towards the outside of the dial 2a, and thus escape through the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a.

[0100] When the light source 4 is arranged in a through-opening that extends through the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10 and is open at its two ends in the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate respectively, such illumination can also be direct illumination. In this configuration, all or part of the light source 4 can protrude from the upper surface of the substrate, and thus protrude from the first layer 10 or from the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a to form a dot-shaped area.

[0101] When the at least one light source 4 is coupled to at least one waveguide, such illumination can also be remote illumination. Such a waveguide (also called an optical waveguide) allows light to be transmitted from the point where it is injected into the waveguide to a dot-shaped area of the substrate defined on the upper surface of the substrate. Such an optical waveguide can be an optical fiber, which allows avoiding any obstacles that may stand in the substrate, such as obstacles between the electroluminescent element and the dot-shaped area through which the light will escape. Thus, in this variant, the light is transmitted from the electroluminescent element via the waveguide until the dot-shaped area to be illuminated.

[0102] 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 one of the following:

[0103] - a cavity, which can be a blind opening formed in the lower surface of the substrate of the first layer 10, and the bottom of the cavity constitutes a dot-shaped area; or

[0104] - a through-opening, which extends in the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10 and is open at its two ends to the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate respectively and thus open to the upper surface and the lower surface of the first layer 10. Thus, the second end can protrude from the upper surface of the substrate or from the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a to form a dot-shaped area.

[0105] In the first layer 10, the light source 4 and the activation sensor 23 are applied / fastened to the lower surface or the upper surface of the substrate of the first layer 10, in the cavity or on the inner wall of the through-opening, by printing or evaporation.

[0106] In this first layer 10, the activation sensor 23 is arranged in and / or on the substrate so as to be able to receive light radiation modulated according to an activation sequence from an electronic device. The activation sensor 23 may be arranged above or below the upper surface of the substrate forming the first layer 10. When arranged in the substrate, the activation sensor 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in the upper surface. In one variant, it may be arranged in a blind cavity formed in the lower surface of the substrate, the substrate having the upper surface as its bottom. In another variant, the activation sensor 23 may be arranged in a through-opening formed in the substrate, the through-opening connecting the upper surface and the lower surface together.

[0107] Furthermore, it should be noted that the lower surface of the first layer 10 may be self-adhesive so as to facilitate its assembly with the second layer 11.

[0108] In the stack 9a, the second layer 11 includes a substrate containing the photovoltaic module 5. Such a substrate is preferably flexible or soft. The substrate of the second layer 11 may be a film, and the photovoltaic module 5 is arranged on the film. Finally, the substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0109] In the second layer 11, the photovoltaic module 5 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. Such a light source that has passed through all or part of the first layer 10 comes from the external environment of the dial 2a and thus also from the external environment of the watch 1. In this case, when it is a natural source, it mainly comes from solar radiation.

[0110] It should be noted that the photovoltaic module 5 is applied to the upper surface of the substrate using an inkjet printing or screen printing process or using a thermal evaporation printing process. We will refer herein 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.

[0111] One can note 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 the lower surface of the substrate. Under these conditions, the second layer 11 may be a self-adhesive layer that helps to facilitate its assembly with other layers, in particular with the first layer 10 and / or the third layer 12 of the stack 9a.

[0112] In the stack 9a, the third layer 12 also includes a preferably flexible or soft substrate, an electrical energy accumulator 6 containing the independent transmission device 3. The substrate of the third layer 12 may be a film, and the accumulator 6 is contained on the film. Such a substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0113] The accumulator 6 can be a lithium battery or a semiconductor battery. This accumulator 6 is applied to the upper surface of the substrate using processes known in the prior art, such as:

[0114] - A printing process on a flexible polymer substrate, for example for a lithium battery; or

[0115] - A three-dimensional printing process, for example for a semiconductor battery, such as a lithium metal semiconductor battery.

[0116] We will refer in this text to the third layer 12 including the printed electrical energy accumulator 6. In particular, the electrical energy accumulator 6 printed on the substrate of the third layer 12.

[0117] Thus, such a process allows obtaining a third layer 12 including the accumulator 6, which is flexible and ultra-fine.

[0118] Furthermore, one can note 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 surface and / or the lower surface of the substrate. Under these conditions, the third layer 12 can be a self-adhesive layer, which helps to facilitate its assembly with other layers, in particular with the second layer 11 and / or the fourth layer 13 of the stack 9a.

[0119] Note that the accumulator 6 is used to store the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic module 5 and to release this electrical energy when needed to power the transmitting device 3, the at least one light source 4 and the at least one activation sensor 23.

[0120] In the stack 9a, the fourth layer, i.e. the last layer 13, forms the hidden face of the dial 2a. This fourth layer 13 is formed by a preferably flexible or soft substrate containing the control unit 7. Such a substrate of 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 also on the upper surface of the substrate. In this case, a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process can be used to construct the control unit 7 on this upper surface of the substrate.

[0121] In a second variant, the stack 9b forming the dial 2b includes three thin / fine layers 10, 11, 14 linked together. It can be noted that this second variant differs from the first variant in that it thus includes three layers 10, 11, 14 instead of four layers 10, 11, 12, 13 as in the first variant. In this second variant, the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the transmitting device 3 is now included in the third layer, i.e. the last layer 14, of the stack 9b having the control unit 7.

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

[0123] In summary, in this second variant, the stack 9b includes:

[0124] - A first layer 10 that forms the visible face 20a of the dial 2b and contains the at least one light source 4 and the at least one activation sensor 23 of the transmission device 3;

[0125] - A second layer 11 that contains the photovoltaic module 5; and

[0126] - A third layer 14 that forms the hidden face 20b of the dial 2b containing the energy accumulator 6 and the control unit 7.

[0127] Note that in this second variant, the first and second layers 10, 11 are similar to those of the first variant of the stack 9a.

[0128] Furthermore, 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 elements 16 of the following:

[0129] - The at least one light source 4, for managing the operation of the light source 4, particularly the sending of messages; and

[0130] - The at least one activation sensor 23 to assist in triggering the sending of messages.

[0131] The electronic circuit 8 further includes a second connection element 15b that is connected to the first connection element 17a of the energy accumulator 6.

[0132] In a third variant, not shown, the stack forming the thin / fine layer of the dial includes two interconnected layers. One can note that this third variant differs from the second variant in that it thus includes two layers instead of three layers 10, 11, 14 as in the second variant. In this third variant, the photovoltaic module 5 of the independent transmission 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 printing or screen printing process or using a thermal evaporation printing process. Thus, it should be noted that the first layer then resembles the first layer 11 of the first and second variants, except that in the third variant, the first layer additionally includes the photovoltaic module.

[0133] Furthermore, in the third variant, and similar to the second variant, the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the independent transmitting 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 soft substrate, on which, preferably on the upper surface of the substrate, the accumulator 6 and the electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed. A three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process can be used to perform this construction of the battery 6 and the control unit 7 on the upper surface of the substrate. It should be noted that, for example, such a substrate can be a flexible PCB.

[0134] In summary, in this third variant, the stack of layers comprises:

[0135] - a first layer forming the visible face 20a of the dial, which contains the at least one light source 4 and the photovoltaic module 5, as well as the at least one activation sensor 23 of the transmitting device 3; and

[0136] - a second layer forming the hidden face 20b of the dial, which contains the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7.

[0137] Thus, in the example of message transmission, the electronic device and in particular its point light source are arranged opposite the optical sensor of the activation sensor 23 of the transmitting device 3 forming the dials 2a, 2b. Then, the point light source emits a light radiation that flashes according to a starting light pulse sequence, which starting light pulse is defined to trigger the transmission of the said message to / from the electronic device by the dials 2a, 2b. More specifically, upon receiving the starting sequence, the control unit 7 generates a transmission light pulse sequence related to the message to be conveyed to the device. Next, the control unit 7 triggers the emission of a light beam by the at least one light source 4 of the device 3 by controlling / driving its flashing according to the transmission sequence. Once the light pulse sequence has been received by the optical sensor in the electronic device, the light pulse sequence is decoded by the microcontroller of the device to reconstruct the transmitted message, which can then be broadcast.

[0138] Furthermore, it should be noted that the aforementioned event sensors of the transmitting device 3 are preferably arranged in the first layer 10 and / or the last layer 13, 14 of the stack of layers 9a, 9b and are connected to the control unit 7 of the device 3.

[0139] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments just described, and various simple modifications and variations can be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dial (2a, 2b) for a watch (1) comprising an independent device for sending information (3) to an electronic device, the dial (2a, 2b) comprising a visible face (20a) and a hidden face (20b), the dial (2a, 2b) being formed by a stack (9a, 9b) of thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of material extending between the two faces (20a, 20b), each of the layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) comprising one or more functional elements contained in the device (3): - at least one message sending activation sensor (23); - at least one light source (4); - an independent electrical power supply unit (21); and - a control unit (7) for managing the operation of said at least one light source (4) and said at least one activation sensor (23).

2. A dial (2a, 2b) according to the preceding claim, wherein: The at least one activation sensor (23) is configured to generate at least one electrical signal towards the control unit (7) thereby triggering the sending of a message to the electronic device.

3. A dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one light source (4) is a point light source.

4. A dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The control unit (7) is configured to control the at least one light source (4) by controlling the flashing of the at least one light source (4) according to the information contained in the message.

5. 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) provided with a visible surface (20a) of a dial (2a, 2b) and comprising the activation sensor (23) and the at least one light source (4).

6. A dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The activation sensor (23) is arranged in a cavity formed in the hidden face of the dial (2a, 2b).

7. A dial (2a, 2b) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first layer (10) is configured to be fully or partially penetrated by optical radiation, in particular solar radiation.

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

9. 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 electrical power supply unit (21).

10. 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.

11. 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 radiation originating from the first layer (10) of the stack (9a, 9b) of thin layers of material (10, 11, 12, 13, 14).

12. 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) which forms an independent electrical power supply unit (21).

13. 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.

14. 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).

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

16. 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) comprised in the stack (9a, 9b) of thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of material, which are soft.

17. 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.

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

19. Watch (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that This includes mechanical, electronic or electromechanical watch movements.

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