Watch comprising wireless communication device

Abstract

The invention relates to a dial for a watch (1) and to a watch (1) comprising such a dial, the dial comprising a separate wireless communication device (3), the dial comprising a visible face (20a) and a hidden face (20b), said dial being formed by a stack of a plurality of thin layers of material extending between the two faces, each of the plurality of thin layers of material comprises one or more functional elements contained in the wireless communication device (3): a transceiver module (23), at least one light source (4), a separate power supply unit (21) and a control unit (7) for managing the operation of the at least one light source (4) and the operation of the transceiver module (23).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a watch, the dial of which is equipped with a wireless communication device, and the wireless communication device is completely independent. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, electromechanical watches with hands are known, in which the hour hand and the minute hand showing the current time are driven by a train of wheels of the watch movement mechanism. In this case, it may happen that, due to the watch being subjected to shocks, the presence of an electromagnetic field or other external interferences, the operation of the watch movement mechanism is disrupted. In order to limit or even avoid any damage to the mechanism, it is generally necessary to identify, at an early stage, the interferences that may cause damage and the malfunctions of the mechanism resulting from these interferences.

[0003] In this case, it should be understood that a solution is needed that does not have the disadvantages of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages by providing a watch provided with a dial that includes an independent wireless communication device that helps to warn the wearer of the watch of a malfunction detected in the watch.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention relates to a dial for a watch, the dial including an independent wireless communication device, the dial including a visible face and a hidden face, the dial being formed by a stack of a plurality of thin layers of material extending between the two faces, each of the plurality of thin layers of material including one or more functional elements included in the wireless communication device:

[0006] - a radio wave transceiver module;

[0007] - at least one light source;

[0008] - an independent power supply unit, and

[0009] - a control unit for managing the operation of the at least one light source and the transceiver module.

[0010] In other embodiments:

[0011] - the transceiver module operates according to Bluetooth, WiFi and / or NFC technologies;

[0012] - the stack includes a first layer provided with the visible face of the dial, the first layer including at least one of the transceiver modules and the at least one light source;

[0013] - at least one of the transceiver modules is arranged in a cavity formed in the hidden face of the dial;

[0014] - The first layer is configured to be traversed, in whole or in part, by light radiation, in particular solar radiation;

[0015] - The first layer is completely or partially transparent or completely or partially translucent;

[0016] - The stack includes a second layer that includes a photovoltaic module that forms the independent power supply unit;

[0017] - The second layer includes a substrate on which the photovoltaic module is printed;

[0018] - The photovoltaic module is arranged on the active area of the second layer, and the active area is configured to receive light radiation from the first layer of the stack;

[0019] - The stack includes a third layer that includes an accumulator that forms the independent power supply unit;

[0020] - The third layer includes a substrate on which the accumulator is printed;

[0021] - The stack includes a fourth layer that forms the hidden face of the dial, and the fourth layer includes the control unit;

[0022] - The stack includes a third layer that includes the hidden face of the dial, and the third layer includes the control unit and an accumulator that forms the independent power supply unit;

[0023] - The first layer is rigid compared to other soft layers included in the stack;

[0024] - The visible face and the hidden face are flat or domed.

[0025] Another aspect of the invention relates to a watch including such a dial.

[0026] Advantageously, the watch includes a mechanical, electronic or electro-mechanical watch movement. Description of the Drawings

[0027] The objects, advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent in the following description based on at least one non-limiting embodiment shown in the drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 A perspective view of a watch according to an embodiment of the invention is shown, the watch including a dial provided with an independent wireless communication device;

[0029] Figure 2Shows an exploded view of a first variant of a dial formed from four stacked layers, each of which includes one or more constituent elements of a wireless communication device, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 Shows a schematic view of this first variant of a dial provided with a wireless communication device, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 Shows an exploded view of a second variant of a dial formed from three stacked layers, each of which includes one or more constituent elements of a wireless communication device, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 Shows a schematic view of this second variant of a dial provided with a wireless communication device, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description

[0033] Figure 1 Shows a schematic view of a watch 1, which includes a watch case 19, a set of components forming a clock movement, and dials 2a, 2b. The watch case 19 includes an intermediate member, a back cover, and a watch glass 22 attached to the intermediate member. The dials 2a, 2b are arranged between the clock movement and the watch glass 22.

[0034] In a manner known to those skilled in the art, the clock movement drives a train of wheels including an hour hand, a minute hand, and possibly a second hand. For this purpose, the dials 2a, 2b include through holes for receiving the pointer shafts. The dials 2a, 2b also include two surfaces, including:

[0035] - A so-called visible surface 20a that is visible from the outside of the watch 1, also referred to as the "visible part" or "visible upper part" of the dials 2a, 2b, and

[0036] - A so-called hidden surface 20b that is arranged opposite the clock movement in the enclosed space of the watch case 19 of the watch 1. The hidden surface 20b is also referred to as the "hidden part" or "hidden lower part" of the dials 2a, 2b.

[0037] The visible surface 20a can include, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, at least one graphical representation, such as:

[0038] - Marking (or display) elements, such as numbers, scales, lines, or points, for displaying clock information / measurements or physical information / measurements measured by sensors or the like included in the movement, either together with the pointers or without the pointers;

[0039] - Inscriptions, patterns, letters, logos, etc.

[0040] The visible face 20a and the hidden face 20b are substantially flat and / or parallel and / or opposite to each other. Note that in other variants, the dials 2a, 2b may include a domed visible face 20a and a domed or flat hidden face 20b. These faces are joined together by the peripheral wall of the dials 2a, 2b.

[0041] In addition, it should be noted that in Figures 1 to 5 the embodiment shown, the dials 2a, 2b preferably have a circular shape. It should be understood that the present invention can also be applied to dials 2a, 2b having other shapes (such as triangular or quadrilateral-like).

[0042] In an embodiment of the present invention, the watch movement is a mechanical movement. Alternatively, the movement can be an electro-mechanical movement or an electronic movement. Hereinafter, we will refer to a watch with a mechanical movement as a mechanical watch, a watch containing an electronic movement as an electronic watch, and a watch containing an electro-mechanical movement as an electro-mechanical watch.

[0043] Reference Figure 2 and 4 , such dials 2a, 2b include an independent wireless communication device 3. The wireless communication device 3 includes its own power supply device, as will be seen later. Such a wireless communication device 3 is said to be independent, particularly with respect to the movement of the watch 1, and particularly with respect to the energy source of the movement, for example when the energy source is like the power supply in an electro-mechanical movement. Under these conditions, it should be understood that the wireless communication device 3 does not use energy so as to compromise the autonomy of the movement.

[0044] In this case, the dials 2a, 2b can be detachably 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 include the wireless communication device 3, so that the wireless communication device 3 is independent with respect to the movement of the watch 1. Note that the dials 2a, 2b are also referred to as "independent dials" because they are not connected to the movement of the watch 1, particularly electrically. The dials 2a, 2b can be regarded as components attached to the watch 1.

[0045] The wireless communication device 3 enables the watch 1 to exchange data with an electronic device. These data can include information related to the functions performed by the watch 1, such as the time function, or functions that perform monitoring of events related to the operation of the movement of the watch 1, such as events related to the waterproofing defect of the watch case 19 of the watch 1. Other examples of the types of information that can be included in these data can include, but are not limited to, the following:

[0046] - If the watch 1 is equipped with this function, counting the number of times at least one hand has passed, for example, allowing determination of the actual running time of the watch 1, for example, between two repair or maintenance operations;

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

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

[0049] - When the watch face is provided with pressure and / or humidity sensors, the internal pressure and / or humidity of the watch case 19, which can indicate the loss of the waterproof performance of the watch 1;

[0050] - When the watch faces 2a, 2b are equipped with gyroscopes, the orientation of the watch 1 and the duration of these orientations, so as to, for example, improve the adjustment of the watch according to the wearer, or adjust the frequency of the maintenance service required for the normal operation of the watch 1, which can form part of predictive maintenance;

[0051] - When the watch faces 2a, 2b are equipped with acoustic sensors, detect abnormal operating noises, thereby allowing prediction or signaling of faults / dysfunctions.

[0052] Therefore, it should be understood that, in this case, the wireless communication device 3 can include the following event sensors in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner:

[0053] - Pointer position sensor;

[0054] - Accelerometer sensor;

[0055] - Pressure sensor;

[0056] - Humidity sensor;

[0057] - Angular position sensor;

[0058] - Gyroscopes and / or inertial sensors, which are in the form of electronic components of the gyroscope and / or inertial electromechanical microsystem circuit type;

[0059] - Acoustic sensor.

[0060] It should be noted that the above electronic device is preferably a mobile device, that is, a device that can be worn and carried by the user and can also work when carried. For example, it can be a smartphone or a tablet computer. Alternatively, the electronic device can be a computer, especially a laptop computer. In this case, the electronic device includes a communication unit compatible with the transceiver module 23 of the wireless communication device 3 of the watch faces 2a, 2b of the watch 1.

[0061] The wireless communication device 3 included in the watch faces 2a, 2b includes at least one light source 4, an independent power supply unit 21, a transceiver module 23, and a control unit 7.

[0062] In the wireless communication device 3, the at least one light source 4 is particularly used to display different operating parameters of the wireless communication device 3, for example:

[0063] - establishment of a connection with said electronic device;

[0064] -Connection type: Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.;

[0065] - Network traffic when establishing a connection between your watch and electronic devices;

[0066] - The bandwidth of the connection established between the watch and the electronic device;

[0067] - Start or end of data transfer / download between the watch and the electronic device;

[0068] -etc.

[0069] In the wireless communication device 3, each light source 4 may correspond to any electroluminescent element selected from a non-exhaustive and non-limiting list comprising:

[0070] - Electroluminescent capacitor, abbreviated as LEC, which stands for "light emitting capacitor";

[0071] - 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 dot light-emitting diode”);

[0072] - Any electroluminescent material activated by a local electric field;

[0073] - Any electroluminescent material activated by electric current;

[0074] - Any combination of these electroluminescent elements.

[0075] It should be noted that in some embodiments of the present invention, the light source 4 may be a light source capable of forming an extended light source. This allows the extended light source to be given a predetermined shape, which is usually, but not limited to, related to a graphical representation related to an operating parameter of the wireless communication device 3, such as a number, letter, logo or text. It should also be noted that the light source 4 may generate light of any color and / or any direction.

[0076] In the wireless communication device 3, the transceiver module 23 is configured to enable two-way communication between the watch and the electronic device in the radio space. This communication can be half-duplex, in which case both the watch and the electronic device can receive and send data, and the transmission can be carried out sequentially between the two communication parties. This communication can also be full-duplex, in which case the watch 1 and the electronic device can send and receive messages simultaneously.

[0077] Such a transceiver module 23 can use wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Li-Fi (abbreviation for Light Fidelity), WiMAX, communication technologies related to mobile phone network standards, and communication technologies related to satellite network standards. In addition, the transceiver module 23 is capable of implementing a combination of at least two of the above technologies.

[0078] In the wireless communication device 3, the independent power supply unit 21 includes a storage battery 6 and a photovoltaic module 5. The photovoltaic module 5 includes at least one photovoltaic cell, also known as a solar cell. The photovoltaic module 5 is connected to the storage battery 6 via Figure 3 and 5 the connection elements marked 17b and 18 in. The photovoltaic module 5 can include one or more unit cells of the heterojunction or multi-junction type, and these unit cells are connected in parallel or in series. Each photovoltaic cell of the photovoltaic module 5 can be made of a semiconductor material based on copper, indium, gallium, and selenium, a semiconductor material based on cadmium telluride, a semiconductor material based on single-crystal gallium arsenide, or a semiconductor material based on single-crystal or polycrystalline silicon, or a semiconductor material with 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 a type of photovoltaic cell suitable for the present invention.

[0079] In the wireless communication device 3, the control unit 7 (also known as a microcontroller) includes an electronic circuit 8, and the electronic circuit includes hardware resources, especially 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 transceiver module 23, and the independent power supply unit 21. Such a control unit 7 contains, in its storage element, an algorithm for managing the data exchanged between the watch 1 and the electronic device.

[0080] In addition, in the case where the wireless communication device 3 includes a plurality of light sources 4, their operations can be managed / controlled simultaneously and / or sequentially by the control unit 7. Additionally, each light source 4 is individually managed / controlled by the control unit 7. In this case, the management of the operations of each light source 4 can include, but is not limited to, the following operations: sequentially turning on or off two or more light sources 4, simultaneously turning on or off two or more light sources 4, making one or more light sources 4 blink, defining the blinking frequency of each light source 4, defining the blinking duration of each light source 4, defining the on or off duration of each light source 4, etc.

[0081] Such a control unit 7 can also include, in its storage element, algorithms for managing the electrical storage device 6, in particular algorithms for managing the charging of the photovoltaic module 5 thereto and for managing the power consumption thereof by the light sources 4 and / or the transceiver module 23.

[0082] As described above, the stand-alone wireless communication device 3 is thus incorporated in the dials 2a, 2b. In this configuration, the constituent elements of the wireless communication device 3, namely the light sources 4, the electrical storage device 6, the photovoltaic module 5, the transceiver module 23, and the control unit 7, are incorporated in one or more layers forming the dials 2a, 2b.

[0083] Reference Figures 2 to 5 , the dials 2a, 2b are composed of a stack 9a, 9b of a plurality of thin layers, which are joined together by a joining element such as an adhesive to make them integral, thereby obtaining an integral stack 9a, 9b, and thus forming an integral dial 2a, 2b. The joining element can also be a clip or a screw. These layers are stacked in the stack 9a, 9b, that is, they are arranged one above the other in a defined order in the dials 2a, 2b. Note that such a stack 9a, 9b can also be referred to as a layer assembly. In the stack 9a, 9b, the 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 dials 2a, 2b without protrusions.

[0084] It should be noted that these thin layers are layers each having a micron thickness. In fact, the thickness of each layer can be between 1 μm and 100 μm, preferably 2 μm, or preferably 3 μm. Regarding the thickness of the dials 2a, 2b, it can be between 8 μm and 400 μm, preferably 6 μm or preferably 12 μm or preferably 100 μm or preferably 200 μm or preferably 300 μm.

[0085] Therefore, such an integral dial 2a, 2b has the additional advantage that it can be detachably mounted in the watch case 19 of the watch 1 and facilitates its integration into the watch case 19.

[0086] In Figure 3In a first variant of the stack 9a shown, the stack consists of the following four consecutive thin layers:

[0087] - A first layer 10 forming / constituting the visible face 20a of the dial 2a, which includes the transceiver module 23 and / or said at least one light source 4;

[0088] - A second layer 11 including the photovoltaic module 5;

[0089] - A third layer 12 including the electrical storage device 6, which is also referred to as a rechargeable battery, and

[0090] - A fourth layer 13 forming the hidden face 20b of the dial 2a, which includes the transceiver module 23 and / or the control unit 7.

[0091] Compared with the second layer 11, the third layer 12, and the fourth layer 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 here that such a first layer 10 helps to structurally reinforce the stack 9a and thus the dial 2a.

[0092] In the stack 9a, each of the first layer 10, the second layer 11, the third layer 12, and the fourth layer 13 includes an upper surface and a lower surface.

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

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

[0095] - The light generated by said 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 from the environment of the watch 1 can penetrate the dials 2a, 2b in the direction of the photovoltaic module 5 of the wireless communication device 3. When the light comes from a natural source, it includes solar radiation.

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

[0098] The first layer 10 further 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 all or part of the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a. For example, illuminating a graphical representation related to the operating parameters of the wireless communication device 3, such as marking (or display) elements, such as numbers, scales, lines, points, or illuminating one or more hands, or illuminating all or part of the surface of the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a. In a variant, the light source 4 may have a predetermined shape, such as the shape of a number, letter, scale, line, point, logo or text.

[0099] When the light source 4 is arranged in a cavity defined in the substrate, the illumination can be backlighting or semi-direct lighting. More specifically, the cavity may be a blind hole formed in the lower surface of the substrate. In this configuration, when the bottom of the cavity includes a graphical representation related to the operating parameters of the wireless communication device 3, the light radiation or light generated by the light source 4 can escape to the outside of the dial 2a through the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a, so that at least one graphical representation can be viewed in the dark. In particular, the light radiation escaping from the visible surface 20a outlines the graphical representation. In this case, the graphical representation included on the upper surface or the lower surface of the substrate forming the first layer 10 is preferably opaque or non-translucent or non-transparent.

[0100] When the light source 4 is arranged in a cavity defined in the substrate, the illumination can be direct lighting. The cavity may be a blind hole formed in the lower surface of the substrate, and its bottom does not have any graphical representation. In this configuration, the light radiation or light generated by the light source 4 can escape to the outside of the dial 2a through the bottom of the cavity, thereby passing through the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a.

[0101] When the light source 4 is arranged in a through-hole extending through the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, the illumination can also be direct lighting, and both ends of the through-hole open outwardly in the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate respectively. In this configuration, all or part of the light source 4 can protrude from the upper surface of the substrate, and thus can protrude from the first layer 10 or the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a to form, in particular, a graphical representation related to the operating parameters of the wireless communication device 3, such as scales, numbers, points, lines, etc.

[0102] When the at least one light source 4 is coupled to at least one waveguide, such illumination can also be remote illumination. This waveguide, also known as an optical waveguide, allows light to be transmitted from the point where it enters the waveguide all the way to the substrate or all the way to an area of the substrate close to the upper surface of the substrate (such as a cavity, through-hole). Such an optical waveguide can be an optical fiber, which allows bypassing any obstacles that may occur in the substrate (for example, between the electroluminescent element and the area of the substrate close to the upper surface of the substrate), and the light will escape through the substrate. Thus, in this variant, the light is transmitted from the electroluminescent element to the area of the substrate to be illuminated via the waveguide.

[0103] 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 at:

[0104] - in a cavity, which can be a blind hole formed in the lower surface of the substrate of the first layer 10, or

[0105] - in a through-hole, which extends through the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, and both ends thereof lead to the upper surface and the lower surface of the substrate respectively, and thus also lead to the upper surface and the lower surface of the first layer 10. Therefore, the second end can protrude from the substrate or the upper surface of the first layer 10 or from the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a, so as to form, for example, a graphical representation related to the operating parameters of the wireless communication device 3 in particular, such as marking elements, such as scales, numbers, dots, lines, etc.

[0106] In this case, the indirect illumination can be achieved by a single light source 4, which is included on the lower surface of the substrate of the first layer 10 and is coupled to a plurality of waveguides, and the second ends of the waveguides are arranged at:

[0107] - in cavities, each of which emits light radiation from the light source 4, and the radiation escapes to the outside of the dial 2a via the visible surface 20a, so that at least one graphical representation can be seen in the dark. In this case, the graphical representation included in the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a or on the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a or on the upper surface of the substrate is preferably opaque, and / or

[0108] - in through-holes, the through-holes protruding or not protruding from the upper surface of the substrate, so as to form marking elements, such as scales, lines or dots, and each marking element emits light radiation from the light source 4.

[0109] In the first layer 10, the light source 4 or the transceiver module 23 is applied / fixed to the lower surface of the substrate of the first layer 10, in the cavity or on the inner wall of the previously mentioned through-hole by printing or evaporation.

[0110] In this first layer 10, the transceiver module 23 is arranged in and / or on the substrate so as to be able to pick up radio waves. The transceiver module 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 transceiver module 23 is located in a blind cavity formed in the upper surface. In a variant, it may be arranged in a blind cavity formed in the lower surface of the substrate, the blind cavity having the upper surface as its bottom. In such a configuration, radio waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b and the visible face 20a can be picked up by the said transceiver module 23. The substrate may also include through-holes connecting the upper and lower surfaces, and the transceiver module 23 may be arranged in the through-holes.

[0111] Furthermore, it should be noted that the lower surface of the first layer 10 may be self-adhesive to facilitate its assembly with the second layer 11.

[0112] In the stack 9a, the second layer 11 includes a substrate incorporating the photovoltaic module 5. Such a substrate is preferably flexible or soft. The substrate of the second layer 11 may be a thin film on which the photovoltaic module 5 is arranged. Finally, the substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0113] 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. 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 the watch 1. In this case, when it comes from a natural source, it mainly comes from solar radiation.

[0114] 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 here to the second layer 11 incorporating the printed photovoltaic module 5. Specifically, the photovoltaic module 5 is printed on the substrate of the second layer 11.

[0115] 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 the whole 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.

[0116] In the stack 9a, the third layer 12 also includes a preferably flexible or soft substrate incorporating the accumulator 6 of the independent wireless communication device 3. The substrate of the third layer 12 may be a thin film on which the accumulator 6 is included. Such a substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0117] The electrical storage device 6 can be a lithium battery or a semiconductor battery. Such an electrical storage device 6 is applied to the upper surface of the substrate using processes known in the prior art, such as:

[0118] - A printing process on a flexible polymer substrate, such as a lithium battery, or

[0119] - A three-dimensional printing process, such as for a semiconductor battery, like a lithium metal semiconductor battery.

[0120] In this text, we will refer to the third layer 12 including the printed electrical storage device 6. Specifically, the electrical storage device 6 is printed on the substrate of the third layer 12.

[0121] Thus, such a process can obtain the third layer 12 including a soft and ultra-fine electrical storage device 6.

[0122] In addition, it should be noted that once the electrical storage device 6 is applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive substance can be deposited on the entire or part of the upper surface and / or 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, especially with the second layer 11 and / or the fourth layer 13 of the stack 9a.

[0123] Note that the electrical storage device 6 is used to store the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic module 5 and release it when needed to power the wireless communication device 3, the at least one light source 4, and the transceiver module 23.

[0124] In the stack 9a, this last fourth layer 13 forms the hidden face of the dial 2a. The fourth layer 13 is formed by a preferably flexible or soft substrate including the control unit 7. Such a substrate for the fourth layer 13 can be, for example, a flexible PCB, and the control unit 7 is arranged on the flexible PCB, specifically on the upper surface of the PCB, and thus on the upper surface of the substrate. In this case, the construction of the control unit 7 and the transceiver module (if applicable) on the upper surface of the substrate can be performed using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process.

[0125] In this last fourth layer 13, the transceiver module 23 is arranged in / on the substrate so as to be able to pick up radio waves. The transceiver module 23 can be arranged on the lower surface or below the substrate forming the fourth layer 13. When arranged in the substrate, the transceiver module 23 is located in a blind cavity formed in the lower surface. In a variant, it can be arranged in a blind cavity formed in the upper surface of the substrate, with the lower surface as its bottom. In this configuration, the radio waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b, and the hidden face 20b can be picked up by the transceiver module 23. The substrate can also include through holes connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, and the transceiver module 23 can be arranged in the through holes.

[0126] In a second variant, the stack 9b forming the dial 2b comprises three thin layers joined together. Note that this second variant differs from the first variant in that it thus comprises three layers instead of four as in the first variant. In this second variant, the accumulator 6 of the wireless communication device 3 is now included, together with the control unit 7, in the last third layer 14 of the stack 9b.

[0127] This last third layer 14 of the stack 9b forms the hidden face of the dial 2b and is made of a preferably flexible or soft substrate on which, preferably on the upper surface of the substrate, the battery 6 and the electronic circuit 8 forming the control unit 7 are constructed. The battery 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.

[0128] In this last third layer 14 of the second variant, the transceiver module 23 is arranged in / on the substrate so as to be able to pick up radio waves. The transceiver module 23 can be arranged on the lower surface of or below the substrate forming the third layer 14. When arranged in the substrate, the transceiver module 23 is located in a blind cavity formed in the lower surface. In one variant, it can be arranged in a blind cavity formed in the upper surface of the substrate, with the lower surface as the bottom of the blind cavity. In such a configuration, radio waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b and the hidden face 20b can be picked up by the transceiver module 23. The substrate can also include through-holes connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, and the transceiver module 23 can be arranged in the through-holes.

[0129] In summary, in this second variant, the stack 9b comprises:

[0130] - a first layer 10 forming the visible face 20a of the dial 2b, which includes the transceiver module 23 and / or said at least one light source 4;

[0131] - a second layer 11 including the photovoltaic module 5, and

[0132] - a third layer 14 forming the hidden face 20b of the dial 2b, which includes the transceiver module 23 and / or the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7.

[0133] Note that in this second variant, the first layer 10 and the second layer 11 are similar to the layers of the first variant of the stack 9a.

[0134] Furthermore, with reference Figure 3 and 5 , the electronic circuit 8 of the control unit 7 includes a first connection element 15a which is connected to:

[0135] - A connection element 16 of the at least one light source 4 for managing the operation of the light source 4 to display different operating parameters of the wireless communication device 3, and

[0136] - A connection element 16 of the transceiver module 23 for participating in managing data exchange between the watch and the electronic device.

[0137] The electronic circuit 8 further includes a second connection element 15b connected to a first connection element 17a of the electrical storage device 6.

[0138] In a third variant (not shown), the thin laminate forming the dial includes two interconnected layers. Note that this third variant differs from the second variant in that it includes two layers instead of three layers as in the second variant. In this third variant, the photovoltaic module 5 of the independent wireless communication device 3 is now contained in the first layer, 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. Therefore, it should be noted that the first layer then resembles the first layer 11 of the first and second variants, except that in this third variant, the first layer further includes a photovoltaic module.

[0139] Furthermore, in the third variant, similar to the second variant, the electrical storage device 6 of the independent wireless communication device 3 and the control unit 7 are contained together in the last second layer of the laminate. This second layer forms the hidden face of the dial and is composed of a preferably flexible or soft substrate on which the battery 6 and the electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7 are preferably constructed on the upper surface of the substrate. The battery 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.

[0140] In the last layer of the different variants, the transceiver module 23 is applied / fixed 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 above-mentioned through-hole.

[0141] In summary, in this third variant, the laminate includes:

[0142] - A first layer forming the visible face 20a of the dial, which includes the transceiver module 23 and / or the at least one light source 4 and the photovoltaic module 5, and

[0143] - A second layer forming the hidden face 20b of the dial, which includes the transceiver module 23 and / or the electrical storage device 6 and the control unit 7.

[0144] In addition, it should be noted that the above-mentioned event sensor of the wireless communication device 3 is preferably arranged in the first layer 10 and / or the last layer of the laminates 9a, 9b and is connected to the control unit 7 of the wireless communication device 3.

[0145] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments just described, and those skilled in the art can consider various simple modifications and variations without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dial for a watch (1), comprising an independent wireless communication device (3), the dial comprising a visible surface (20a) and a hidden surface (20b), the dial being formed by a stack of a plurality of material layers extending between the two surfaces, each of the plurality of material layers comprising one or more functional elements included in the wireless communication device (3): - a transceiver module (23) using radio waves; - at least one light source (4); - an independent power supply unit (21), and - a control unit (7) for managing the operation of the at least one light source (4) and the operation of the transceiver module (23).

2. The dial according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transceiver module (23) operates according to Bluetooth, WiFi and / or NFC technology.

3. A dial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The stack comprises a first layer (10) provided with the visible face (20a) of the dial, the first layer (10) comprising at least one of the transceiver modules (23) and the at least one light source (4).

4. A dial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that At least one of the transceiver modules (23) is arranged in a cavity formed in the hidden face of the dial.

5. A dial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The first layer (10) is configured to be fully or partially penetrated by light radiation, in particular solar radiation.

6. A dial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The first layer (10) is fully or partially transparent, or fully or partially translucent.

7. A dial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The stack comprises a second layer (11) comprising photovoltaic modules (5) constituting the independent power supply unit (21).

8. A dial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The second layer (11) comprises a substrate on which the photovoltaic module (5) is printed.

9. The dial according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The photovoltaic module (5) is arranged on an active area of ​​the second layer (11), the active area being configured to receive light radiation from the first layer (10) of the stack.

10. A dial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The stack includes a third layer, which includes an accumulator (6) constituting the independent power supply unit (21).

11. The dial according to claim 10, characterized in that The third layer comprises a substrate on which the storage device (6) is printed.

12. A dial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The stack comprises a fourth layer (13), the fourth layer (13) forming the hidden face (20b) of the dial, and the fourth layer (13) comprising the control unit (7).

13. A dial according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The stack comprises a third layer, which comprises the hidden face (20b) of the dial and which comprises the control unit (7) and the accumulator (6) constituting the independent power supply unit (21).

14. A dial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The first layer (10) is rigid compared to the other layers comprised in the laminate which are flexible.

15. A dial according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that The visible surface (20a) and the hidden surface (20b) are flat or dome-shaped.

16. A watch (1), characterized in that: The watch (1) comprises a dial according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. The watch (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that The watch (1) comprises a mechanical, electronic or electromechanical watch movement.

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