System for adjusting lighting function of watch

Abstract

One aspect of the utility model relates to a system for adjusting the lighting function of a watch, the watch comprises at least one timing external element provided with an autonomous lighting device, the system comprises a portable electronic device, the portable electronic device is provided with a communication unit and a controller configured to control the communication unit, the lighting device is formed by a plurality of stacked components, a plurality of timepiece outer elements connected together via a stacked layer and each comprising one or more of the following functional elements:-at least one light source capable of generating light in a visible face of the body of said at least one timepiece outer element; -an autonomous power supply unit; a communication module; and-a control unit configured to control the on or off of the at least one light source and to control the communication module, the timepiece external element and the device to be configured to be interconnected to adjust the illumination of the at least one timepiece external element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a system for controlling / regulating the lighting function of a watch, wherein the watch comprises at least one timepiece exterior element provided with an autonomous lighting device. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, systems for controlling a light source intended to provide an illumination function for a watch are known. Such systems typically include a button associated with the light source. When the button is pressed, the light source is turned on or off as required.

[0003] A major drawback of such systems lies in the fact that such a push-button dedicated to this function is usually located at a given point on the periphery of the watch case, which generally makes it difficult to access and therefore requires the wearer of the watch to perform complex operations by groping in the dark to locate and operate it.

[0004] Furthermore, integrating such a push-button into a watch requires making a dedicated hole in the centerpiece of the watch case, which may pose a risk to the water resistance of this case.

[0005] Another disadvantage is the fact that such a button generally has only two operating modes for turning the light source on and off as required. Such modes do not allow the light intensity of this source to be adjusted according to the brightness of the environment in which the watch is located.

[0006] Under these circumstances, it will be appreciated that there is a need to find a solution that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. Utility Model Content

[0007] The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by providing a system for controlling / regulating the lighting functions of a watch which is simple to use, robust and reliable.

[0008] To this end, the present invention relates to a system for regulating the lighting function of a watch, the watch comprising at least one timepiece external element provided with an autonomous lighting device, the system comprising a portable electronic device provided with a communication unit and a controller configured to control this communication unit, the lighting device being formed by a plurality of stacked layer components (9a, 9b) connected together and each comprising one or more of the following functional elements:

[0009] at least one light source capable of generating light in a visible face of the body of said at least one timepiece external element;

[0010] -Self-contained (autonomous) power supply unit;

[0011] - a communication module; and

[0012] - a control unit configured to control the at least one light source to be turned on or off and to control the communication module,

[0013] The timepiece exterior element and the device are configured to be connected to each other to adjust the illumination of the at least one timepiece exterior element.

[0014] In other embodiments:

[0015] - said device being configured to generate and transmit to said timepiece external element at least one instruction for controlling illumination from said at least one light source;

[0016] - said means are configured to generate and transmit to said timepiece external element at least one instruction for configuring a lighting rule of said at least one light source;

[0017] - the control unit is configured to control the illumination of the at least one timepiece external element according to the at least one instruction received by the timepiece external element for controlling the illumination from the at least one light source;

[0018] - the control unit is configured to control the illumination of the at least one timepiece external element according to the at least one instruction received by the timepiece external element for configuring the illumination rule of the at least one light source;

[0019] - said controller comprises a plurality of modes for the illumination of said at least one external element of the timepiece, said plurality of modes being capable of constituting instructions for controlling the illumination of said at least one light source from this external element;

[0020] - said controller comprises a plurality of scenes for the illumination of said at least one timepiece external element, said plurality of scenes being capable of constituting instructions for configuring the illumination rules of said at least one light source of said timepiece external element;

[0021] - the communication unit and the communication module are configured to be connected to each other by establishing wireless communication, in particular near field communication;

[0022] - The components include:

[0023] a first layer forming a visible surface (20a) of the timepiece exterior element, the visible surface comprising the at least one light source of the timepiece exterior element;

[0024] a second layer comprising photovoltaic modules of the autonomous power supply unit;

[0025] a third layer comprising the electrical accumulator of the autonomous power supply unit; and

[0026] a fourth layer, the fourth layer forming a hidden surface for the external elements of the timepiece, the hidden surface including the control unit and the communication module;

[0027] - The components include:

[0028] a first layer forming a visible surface of said timepiece exterior element, said visible surface comprising said at least one light source of said timepiece exterior element;

[0029] a second layer comprising photovoltaic modules of the autonomous power supply unit; and

[0030] a third layer forming a hidden face of the external elements of the timepiece, said hidden face including the electrical accumulator of the autonomous power supply unit, the control unit and the communication module;

[0031] - The first layer of the assembly comprises at least one event sensor connected to the control unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The objects, advantages and features of the table according to the present invention will become more apparent from the following description based on at least one non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] - Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a system for controlling / regulating the lighting function of a watch comprising at least one timepiece external element provided with autonomous lighting means according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] - Figure 2 An exploded view showing a first alternative embodiment of an assembly of four stacked layers forming an exterior element of a timepiece such as a dial provided with an autonomous lighting device according to an embodiment of the invention, said layers each comprising one or more constituent elements of the lighting device;

[0035] - Figure 3 A diagrammatic view showing the assembly of layers forming a watch dial provided with autonomous lighting means according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0036] - Figure 4 shows an exploded view of a second alternative embodiment of the assembly comprising three stacked layers forming the dial provided with autonomous lighting means according to an embodiment of the invention, said layers each comprising one or more functional elements of the lighting means; and

[0037] - Figure 5 A diagrammatic view is shown of this second alternative embodiment of the assembly of layers forming a dial provided with autonomous lighting means according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Figure 1 Illustrated is a system 100 for controlling / regulating the illumination / illumination function of a watch including at least one timepiece exterior element provided with an autonomous illumination device. This illumination function of the watch can be configured, in particular, by a mobile or portable electronic device 110 of this system 100. More specifically, this electronic device 110 allows this function to be adjusted by transmitting relevant instructions, as will be seen below, to a control unit of the autonomous illumination device disposed in the at least one timepiece exterior element of the watch. It will be appreciated that adjusting this function thus allows the characteristics of the illumination of the timepiece exterior element of the watch to be varied according to the wishes / desires of the watch user, thereby creating a surprising functional, aesthetic, and / or entertainment effect compared to the unilluminated portion of the timepiece exterior element. It should be noted that this illumination of the timepiece exterior element can have a more or less diffuse, discreet, soft, and pleasing appearance, and that these characteristics can be varied virtually endlessly depending on the desired aesthetic outcome, thereby enhancing the ultimate aesthetic quality of the watch.

[0039] Such a system 100 therefore comprises, in addition to the watch, a portable electronic device, both being able to perform data exchanges with each other by, for example, implementing near field communication technology.

[0040] In this context, the watch may be, for example, an electronic, electromechanical and / or mechanical watch, and in particular a sports watch or a so-called "luxury" watch. In such a watch 1, the timepiece exterior elements 2a, 2b correspond to all the components of the watch surrounding the movement that contribute in particular to its external presentation, protection, fastening and control. These timepiece exterior elements further give this watch its aesthetic appearance and style, and allow all its functions to be indicated. More specifically, and with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 By way of non-exhaustive enumeration and non-limiting manner, the components considered here include: bottom cover, centerpiece 31, dial 2a, 2b, bezel 32, push-buttons, winding knob and / or winding knob cap, etc.

[0041] In the description hereinafter, all parts of the table which are well known to a person skilled in the art will be explained only in a simplified manner.

[0042] exist Figure 1The watch thus comprises a centerpiece 31 which, together with the case back and the dials 2a, 2b, delimits the interior volume of the watch case 30 of this watch. The watch case 30 is closed at the top by a crystal. For the purposes of this description, it will be assumed that the watch is a mechanical watch and that its movement is housed in the centerpiece 31 of the watch case 30. In this configuration, at least one of the timepiece exterior elements 2a, 2b of this watch 1 comprises an autonomous lighting device 3 provided with at least one light source 4. The light generated by the at least one light source 4 illuminates all or part of the timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b to be illuminated, Figures 1 to 5 In the particular embodiment shown in FIG, namely dials 2a, 2b.

[0043] It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described, the watch movement is a mechanical movement. In an alternative embodiment, this movement may be an electronic movement or an electromechanical movement. When the movement is mechanical, the watch may be referred to herein as mechanical, and when it includes an electromechanical or electronic movement, the watch may be referred to as electromechanical or electronic, respectively.

[0044] In this configuration, the timepiece movement drives the displays, comprising the hour hand, the minute hand and optionally the seconds hand, in a manner known to those skilled in the art.For this purpose, dials 2a, 2b comprise through holes that receive the stems of the hands.

[0045] exist Figure 1 In the particular embodiment shown in FIG, the timepiece's external element (in this case, the dial) thus includes an autonomous lighting device. This lighting device 3 has its own power supply, as will be seen below. This lighting device 3 is said to be autonomous, in particular with respect to the movement of watch 1 and, in particular, with respect to the energy source that drives this movement. This energy source is typically, for example, a power supply such as that found in an electromechanical or electronic movement. Under these conditions, it should be understood that the power used by this lighting device 3 does not impair the autonomy of this movement.

[0046] Such a lighting device 3 comprises several functional elements, such as: the at least one light source 4 , an autonomous power supply unit 21 , a communication module 22 and a control unit 7 .

[0047] In this lighting device 3, the power supply unit 21 comprises an electrical accumulator 6 and a photovoltaic module 5, which comprises at least one photovoltaic cell, also called a solar cell. Figure 3 and Figure 5The connecting elements designated by reference numerals 17b and 18 are connected to the electrical accumulator 6. This photovoltaic module 5 may include one or more heterojunction or multijunction cells connected in parallel or in series. Each photovoltaic cell of the module may be made of a semiconductor material containing copper, indium, gallium, and selenium, containing cadmium telluride, containing single-crystal gallium arsenide, or containing single-crystal or multicrystalline silicon or perovskite, in a manner known to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that these examples are not limiting, and those skilled in the art will be able to find suitable types of photovoltaic cells for the present invention.

[0048] In this lighting device 3, a control unit 7 (also referred to as a microcontroller) comprises an electronic circuit 8 comprising hardware resources, in particular at least one processor cooperating with memory elements and address, data, and control buses. This control unit 7 includes in its memory elements an algorithm for managing the lighting of the at least one light source 4. This algorithm, executed by the processor of this control unit 7, takes into account lighting instructions received from the portable electronic device and / or data from event sensors included in the lighting device 3 and / or the electronic device 110, in order to manage the operation of the at least one light source 4.

[0049] It should be noted that such data may, for example, provide information relating to events detected by these sensors, said events being likely to contribute to the switching on / off of the at least one light source 4. By way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive enumeration, these events may include: the detection of a specific brightness level in the environment of the watch, the detection of a specific sound element or a specific sound level, the detection of a specific visual object, the detection of a movement caused by a part of the body of the user on whom the watch and / or the electronic device is worn, the detection of the user of the watch and therefore the geographical location of the watch, the detection of a notification relating to a function of the electronic device, the detection of a notification relating to an application executed by the electronic device, the detection of the reception of a message by the electronic device, etc.

[0050] In this context, in particular and by way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive enumeration, the event sensors of this autonomous lighting device 3 include:

[0051] - Brightness sensor for detecting ambient brightness level;

[0052] - motion sensors, such as gyroscopes and / or inertial sensors in the form of electronic components of the gyroscope and / or inertial micro-electromechanical system circuit type;

[0053] - a microphone-type sound sensor, and / or

[0054] -Camera sensor type optical sensor.

[0055] It should be further noted that this control unit 7 is capable of managing / controlling the operation of the light sources 4 simultaneously and / or sequentially. Furthermore, each light source 4 is managed / controlled individually by this control unit. In this context, by way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive enumeration, managing the operation of each light source 4 may include turning this source 4 on and off.

[0056] Such a control unit 7 may further comprise, in its memory elements, algorithms for managing the electrical accumulator 6 , in particular for managing its recharging by the photovoltaic module 5 , and for managing the power consumption of said light source 4 .

[0057] In this lighting device 3, the communication module 22 is preferably wireless and can be a near field communication (NFC) module, which thus implements, for example, short-range high-frequency wireless communication technology. This communication module 22 can, for example, operate in the high-frequency HF band (e.g., at 13.56 MHz). Alternatively, this wireless communication module 22 can be a Bluetooth-type communication module.

[0058] This communication module 22, when of NFC type, thus allows data to be exchanged over short distances between the watch 1, and in particular the at least one timepiece external element 2a, 2b, and the electronic device 110. This distance can be between approximately 0 and 10 cm, and preferably between 0 and 5 cm. The communication module 22 can be of passive type, powered by radio frequencies transmitted by the communication means of the electronic device 110. Alternatively, the communication module 7 of the watch 1 can be of active type, receiving power from the power supply unit 21 of the lighting device.

[0059] More specifically, and with reference to Figure 3 The communication module 22 comprises an electronic chip, at least one antenna, and a connector 23 for connecting the module 22 to the control unit 7. The chip connected to the at least one antenna comprises hardware and software elements. In this context, the hardware and / or software elements of the chip include at least one microprocessor cooperating with a memory element.

[0060] In this system 100, a portable electronic device 110 (also referred to as a user terminal) is a device that can be worn and carried by a user. This is the case, for example, for a smartphone, tablet phone, or tablet computer. It goes without saying that devices that require mains power (e.g., desktop computers) are excluded from this definition. Devices 110 to which sensors are connected wirelessly or by wire (such as laptop computers) are further excluded from this definition. This electronic device 110 includes a housing 27 in which an electronic circuit 26 is arranged. This electronic circuit 26 includes a controller 24 and a communication unit 25, in particular a near-field communication (NFC) unit 25, both of which are powered by a battery. This controller 24 is capable of executing instructions to implement a computer program that is, for example, configured to process requests / instructions / data from / to the watch 1, in particular from / to its control unit 7. The electronic device 110 may further include a camera and an input interface such as a touch screen or buttons.

[0061] As mentioned above, this device 110 further includes event sensors such as:

[0062] - Brightness sensor for detecting ambient brightness level;

[0063] -Microphone type sound sensor;

[0064] - Camera sensor type optical sensor;

[0065] - Position determination sensors;

[0066] - A module for generating alarms or warnings associated with events such as:

[0067] ● Device 110 receives a message, such as an instant message, SMS (Short Message Service) message, iMessage TM , electronic messages or MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) messages;

[0068] ●Notifications related to applications (also referred to as “apps”) executed by device 110, clock functions (alarm function, countdown function, timing function, etc.), or activity and / or health functions (pedometer function, heart rate monitor function, body temperature function, etc.).

[0069] Furthermore, such a controller 24 is in particular capable of executing instructions for implementing a computer program configured to process, for example, requests / instructions / data received from / sent to the control unit 7 of the lighting device 3 .

[0070] Furthermore, this controller 24 is also capable of executing a computer program, also referred to as an "application" or "app." More specifically, in this context, this application is a "watch lighting management application." When executed by the controller 24, this application is thus capable of generating at least one instruction intended to ensure immediate or automatic management of the lighting of the watch 1 and, in particular, of the at least one timepiece external element 2a, 2b. To this end, the memory element of this controller 24 comprises:

[0071] - a plurality of modes for the illumination of said at least one timepiece external element 2a, 2b, said plurality of modes being capable of constituting instructions for controlling the illumination of said at least one light source 4 from said timepiece external element 2a, 2b, and / or

[0072] a plurality of scenes for the illumination of said at least one timepiece external element 2a, 2b, said plurality of scenes being capable of constituting instructions for configuring the illumination rules of said at least one light source 4 of this timepiece external element 2a, 2b.

[0073] It should be noted that when this application is executed by the electronic device 110, the interface generated by the execution of this application is displayed on the screen of this device 110, thereby allowing the user to configure the lighting mode and / or scene by interacting with this interface.

[0074] In this configuration, the user can select a lighting mode of the timepiece external element 2a, 2b in order to immediately control the at least one light source 4 according to the lighting management configuration defined in this mode. More specifically, each mode includes a lighting management configuration that differs from another mode. By way of non-limiting and non-exhaustive enumeration, one or more of the differences are:

[0075] - configuration of the operating parameters of each light source 4 , ie its brightness, color, etc.;

[0076] - Selection of the light source 4 to be operated or used;

[0077] - selection of the light source 4 to be operated or used; and / or

[0078] - an operating range of one or more light sources 4, i.e., turning on or off two or more light sources 4 sequentially or simultaneously, flashing one or more light sources 4, or limiting the flashing frequency of each light source 4, the flashing duration of each light source 4, or the on or off duration of each light source 4;

[0079] -etc.

[0080] Furthermore, the user can further select a lighting scene for the timepiece external elements 2a, 2b in order to automatically control the lighting from the at least one light source 4 according to the management configuration for this lighting defined in this scene. This scene defines the automatic management of the lighting from the at least one light source 4 based on event data from one or more event sensors included in the timepiece external elements 2a, 2b. Alternatively or in addition, this data can also come from the electronic device 110, which transmits this data to the control unit 7 as soon as at least one event sensor in the device 110 detects the event. It should be noted that each scene includes a lighting management configuration that is different from another scene. In a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, one or more differences are:

[0081] - selection of one or more event sensors to be used in the lighting device 3 and / or the device 110;

[0082] - configuration of the operating parameters of each light source 4 , ie its brightness, color, etc.;

[0083] - Selection of the light source 4 to be operated or used;

[0084] - selection of the light source 4 to be operated or used; and / or

[0085] - an operating range of one or more light sources 4, i.e., turning on or off two or more light sources 4 sequentially or simultaneously, flashing one or more light sources 4, or limiting the flashing frequency of each light source 4, the flashing duration of each light source 4, or the on or off duration of each light source 4;

[0086] -etc.

[0087] refer to Figures 2 to 5 As previously mentioned, the autonomous lighting device 3 is thus included in the timepiece exterior elements 2a, 2b. In this configuration, the functional elements of this lighting device 3 (i.e., the light source 4, the electrical accumulator 6, the photovoltaic module 5, the communication module 22, and the control unit 7) are included in one or more layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 forming the timepiece exterior elements 2a, 2b. In other words, the body of the timepiece exterior elements 2a, 2b is formed by a plurality of stacked layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, connected together and each including one or more functional elements of the lighting device 3.

[0088] In these assemblies 9a, 9b, layers 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are joined together by a joining element, such as an adhesive, thereby forming a single-piece assembly 9a, 9b, thereby forming a one-piece timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b. This joining element can also be a clip or a screw. These layers 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are stacked in the assemblies 9a, 9b and arranged one above the other in a defined order.

[0089] Thus, such a one-piece timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b (eg dial, bezel), besides facilitating its integration into or onto the case of timepiece 1, has the additional advantage of being removably mountable in such a case.

[0090] More specifically, in the first and second alternative embodiments, this assembly 9a, 9b comprises a first layer 10 forming / constituting the visible face 20a of the timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b. This first layer 10 is formed by a transparent or translucent or at least partially transparent or at least partially translucent substrate, which is rigid or semi-rigid. This substrate is made of a material having a transmittance of between 65% and 95% for solar radiation, in particular for ultraviolet radiation, also called UVT ("ultraviolet transmittance"). This transmittance is preferably 85%. This material may be transparent or translucent. In a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, this material may be a polymer, glass or ceramic.

[0091] In this context, it is understood that the substrate is configured such that:

[0092] - the light generated by said at least one light source can escape to the exterior of the timepiece exterior elements 2a, 2b, and therefore of the watch 1, and

[0093] Light from the environment of watch 1 can penetrate timepiece exterior elements 2 a , 2 b in the direction of photovoltaic module 5 of lighting device 3 , this light including solar radiation when it is of natural origin.

[0094] In other words, this transparent or semi-transparent substrate is configured such that light radiation, such as solar radiation, can pass through it and power the photovoltaic module 5 , such that the photovoltaic module 5 can convert solar energy from this radiation into electrical energy.

[0095] This first layer 10 thus comprises the at least one light source 4 of the lighting means 3 of the timepiece external element 2 a , 2 b .

[0096] In this device 3 any type of light source 4 can be used, such as a light emitting element, for example:

[0097] - Light Emitting Capacitor (LEC)

[0098] - light-emitting diodes of the LED, OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode), AMOLED (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) or QLED (Quantum Light-Emitting Diode) type;

[0099] - Any luminescent material activated by a local electric field;

[0100] - Any luminescent material activated by electric current;

[0101] - Any combination of these light-emitting elements.

[0102] The at least one light source 4 is arranged in a specific manner on or in the substrate forming the first layer 10. This arrangement of light sources 4 is configured to illuminate all or part of the visible surface 20a of the timepiece external element 2a, 2b. For example, when the timepiece external element 2a, 2b is a dial, all or part of the visible surface 20a, 2b of the dial 2a can be illuminated, or at least one graphical representation present in or on the lower surface of the visible surface 20a can be illuminated, such as:

[0103] - reference (or display) elements such as, for example, numbers, indices, lines or even dots, with or without hands, which facilitate the display of horological information / parameters or physical information / parameters measured by sensors or the like included in the movement;

[0104] - Inscriptions, patterns, texts, logos, etc.

[0105] When the light source 4 is arranged in a cavity defined in the substrate, the illumination can be backlighting or semi-direct illumination. More specifically, the cavity can be a blind opening made in the lower surface of the substrate. In this configuration, when the bottom of the cavity includes a graphical representation, the light radiation or light generated by the light source 4 can escape through the visible surface 20a of the elements 2a, 2b to the outside of the timepiece external elements 2a, 2b, thus allowing at least one graphical representation to be viewed in the dark. In particular, the light radiation escaping from the visible surface 20a draws the outline of the graphical representation. In this context, the graphical representation included in the upper surface of the substrate forming the first layer 10 or on the upper or lower surface is preferably opaque or non-semi-transparent or non-transparent.

[0106] When light source 4 is arranged in a cavity defined in the substrate, the illumination can be direct. This cavity can be a blind opening formed in the lower surface of the substrate, without any graphical representation at its bottom. In this configuration, the optical radiation or light generated by light source 4 can escape through the bottom of the cavity toward the exterior of dial 2a, and thus through visible surface 20a of dial 2a.

[0107] This illumination can also be direct when the light source 4 is arranged in a through-opening formed in the substrate. In this context, the opening extends through the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, opening at its ends to the upper and lower surfaces 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 therefore from the visible surface 20a of the timepiece's external elements 2a, 2a.

[0108] This illumination can also be indirect when the at least one light source 4 is coupled to at least one waveguide. This waveguide (also called a light guide) allows light to be transmitted from the point at which it is injected into the guide to the substrate or a region of the substrate close to the upper surface of the substrate (e.g., a cavity, a through-opening). This light guide can be an optical fiber, which allows light to escape through any obstacles that may be present in the substrate (e.g., between the light-emitting element and the region of the substrate close to the upper surface of the substrate) to be bypassed. In this alternative embodiment, the light is thus transmitted from the light-emitting element to the region of the substrate to be illuminated via the waveguide.

[0109] In this configuration, the first end of the waveguide is coupled to the light source 4 and the second end of this waveguide may be arranged in the following section:

[0110] - a cavity, which may be a blind opening made in the lower surface of the substrate of this first layer 10, or

[0111] a through-opening extending through the thickness of the substrate of layer 10 and opening at its two ends respectively onto the upper and lower surfaces of this substrate and therefore of first layer 10. This second end can thus project from the upper surface of the substrate and therefore from the visible face 20a of the timepiece exterior element 2a, 2b.

[0112] In an exemplary configuration, indirect lighting may be achieved by a single light source 4 included on the lower surface of the substrate of this first layer 10 and coupled to several waveguides, the second ends of which are arranged in the following sections:

[0113] - cavities, each emitting light radiation coming from this light source 4, this radiation escaping to the outside of the timepiece external elements 2a, 2b via the visible face 20a of the timepiece external elements 2a, 2b, thus allowing, for example, viewing, in particular in the dark, of at least one graphical representation present in the bottom of this cavity, and / or

[0114] through-openings which may or may not project from the upper surface of the layer in order to form graphical representations such as indexing-like reference elements and which each emit light radiation from the light source 4 .

[0115] In the substrate of this first layer 10 , the light sources 4 are applied / attached by printing or evaporation to the lower surface of this substrate, in the cavity or on the inner wall of the above-mentioned through-opening.

[0116] It should further be noted that the lower surface of this first layer 10 may be self-adhesive, so that it may facilitate its joining to the second layer 11 .

[0117] In the assembly 9a, 9b forming the timepiece external elements 2a, 2b, the second layer 11 comprises a substrate comprising the photovoltaic module 5. This substrate is preferably flexible or pliable. This substrate may be a film on which this photovoltaic module 5 is arranged, for example, this substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family. This photovoltaic module 5 preferably extends over the entire so-called active area of ​​the upper surface of this substrate of the second layer 11. This active area is the portion of this upper surface of the substrate that is capable of receiving light from the lower surface of the first layer 10 of the timepiece external elements 2a, 2b. This light that has passed through all or part of the first layer 10 comes from the timepiece external elements 2a, 2b and therefore from the external environment of watch 1, in this case, when it is a natural source, mainly from solar radiation. It should be noted that the first layer 10 can be configured to appear visually opaque, in particular to the human eye, while still allowing this solar radiation to pass through it.

[0118] It should be noted that the photovoltaic modules 5 are applied to the upper surface of this substrate using an inkjet or screen printing process or using a thermal evaporation printing process. Reference will be made here to the second layer 11 comprising the printed photovoltaic modules, in particular printed on its substrate.

[0119] Furthermore, it should be noted that once the photovoltaic module 5 has been applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive material can be placed on all or part of the upper and / or lower surface of this substrate. Under these conditions, the second layer 11 can be a self-adhesive layer, which helps facilitate its assembly / mounting / adhesion with the other layers 10, 12, in particular with the first layer 10 and / or the third layer 12 of this assembly 9a, 9b.

[0120] In this first alternative embodiment, the assembly 9a comprises this third layer 12 which further comprises a preferably flexible or pliable substrate comprising the electrical accumulator 6 of the autonomous lighting device 3. This substrate may be a film on which is placed this accumulator 6. Such a substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0121] It should be noted that this accumulator 6 can be a lithium battery or a semiconductor battery. This accumulator 6 is applied to the upper surface of this substrate using processes known in the art, such as:

[0122] - printing processes on flexible polymer substrates (e.g. lithium ion batteries), or

[0123] - For example, 3D printing processes for semiconductor batteries such as lithium-metal semiconductor batteries.

[0124] Reference will be made here to the third layer 12 comprising the printed electrical accumulator 6 , in particular the electrical accumulator 6 printed on its substrate.

[0125] This process is used to obtain a third layer 12 comprising this accumulator 6 , which is flexible and ultra-thin.

[0126] Furthermore, it should be noted that once the reservoir 5 has been applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive substance can be placed on all or part of the upper and / or lower surface of this substrate. Under these conditions, the third layer 12 can be a self-adhesive layer, which helps facilitate its assembly / installation / adhesion with the other layers 11, 13, in particular with the second layer 11 and / or the fourth layer 13 of this assembly 9a.

[0127] It should be noted that this accumulator 6 is used to store the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic module 5 and to release this electrical energy as needed to power the at least one light source 4 .

[0128] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the first alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG, the assembly 9a includes a fourth layer 13 forming a hidden face of the timepiece exterior element 2a. This fourth layer 13 is formed from a preferably flexible or pliable substrate that includes the control unit 7 and the communication module 22. This substrate can, for example, be a flexible PCB, on which the control unit 7 and the communication module 22 are arranged, in particular on the upper surface of the PCB and, therefore, the substrate. In this context, the communication module 22 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.

[0129] In a second alternative embodiment, the assembly 9b forming the timepiece exterior element 2b comprises three interconnected layers 10, 11, 14. It should be noted that this second alternative embodiment differs from the first in that it comprises three layers 10, 11, 14, rather than four, as in the first alternative embodiment. In this second alternative embodiment, the electrical accumulator 6 of the autonomous lighting device 3 is now included in the third and final layer 14 of this assembly 9b, along with the control unit 7 and the communication module 22.

[0130] This third layer 14, which forms the hidden side of the timepiece exterior element 2b, is composed of a preferably flexible or pliable substrate, on which the accumulator 6, the communication module 22, and the electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed, preferably on the upper surface of this substrate. The accumulator 6, the communication module 22, and the control unit 7 can be constructed on this upper surface of the substrate using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process. It should be noted that this substrate can be, for example, a flexible PCB.

[0131] In summary, in this second alternative embodiment, the assembly 9b thus comprises:

[0132] a first layer 10 forming a visible face 20 a of the timepiece exterior element 2 b , comprising said at least one light source 4 of the lighting device 3 ;

[0133] - a second layer 11 comprising photovoltaic modules 5, and

[0134] A third layer 14 forming a hidden face 20 b of the timepiece exterior element 2 b , this hidden face comprising the accumulator 6 , the communication module 22 and the control unit 7 .

[0135] It should be noted that in this second alternative embodiment, the first and second layers 10, 11 are similar to those of the first alternative embodiment of assembly 9a.

[0136] In addition, reference Figure 3 and Figure 5 The electronic circuit 8 of the control unit 7 comprises a first connection element 15a, which is connected to a connection element 16 of the at least one light source 4 and is used to manage the operation of this light source 4. This electronic circuit 8 further comprises a second connection element 15b, which is connected to a first connection element 17a of the accumulator 6. This accumulator 6 further comprises a second connection element 17b, which is connected to a connection element 18 of the photovoltaic module 5. The electronic circuit 8 of the control unit 7 further comprises a third connection element 15c, which is connected to a connection element 23 of the communication module 22.

[0137] It should further be noted that the above-mentioned event sensors of the lighting device 3 are preferably arranged in the first layer 10 and / or the last layer 13 , 14 of the components 9 a , 9 b and are connected to the control unit 7 of this device 3 .

[0138] In a third alternative embodiment, not shown, the assembly forming the external element of the timepiece comprises two interconnected layers. It should be noted that this third alternative embodiment differs from the second alternative embodiment in that it comprises two layers, rather than three layers 10, 11, 14 as in this second alternative embodiment. In this third alternative embodiment, the photovoltaic module 5 of the autonomous lighting device 3 is now included in the first layer, and in particular on the lower surface of the substrate forming this first layer. This photovoltaic module 5 can be applied to this lower surface of the substrate of this first layer using an inkjet or screen printing process or using a thermal evaporation printing process. It should therefore be noted that this first layer is therefore similar to the first layer 11 of the first and second alternative embodiments, except that in this third alternative embodiment, it also includes a photovoltaic module.

[0139] Furthermore, in a third alternative embodiment, similar to the second alternative embodiment, the electrical accumulator 6 of the autonomous lighting device 3 is included in the second and final layer of this assembly, along with the control unit 7. This second layer, which forms the hidden face of the timepiece's exterior elements, is composed of a preferably flexible or pliable substrate, on which the accumulator 6 and the electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed, preferably on the upper surface of this substrate. This accumulator 6 and 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 this substrate can, for example, be a flexible PCB.

[0140] In summary, in this third alternative embodiment, the assembly thus comprises:

[0141] a first layer forming the visible face 20a of the external element of the timepiece, comprising said at least one light source 4 and photovoltaic module 5 of the lighting device 3, and

[0142] A second layer forming a hidden face 20 b of the external elements of the timepiece, comprising the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 .

[0143] In this system 100, the electronic device 110 and the watch 1, more specifically the lighting device 3, are configured to establish a wireless connection, preferably a near-field connection, between them. This connection can be automatic, as long as the watch is located at a distance relative to the electronic device 110 that allows such a connection to be established. Once this connection has been established, the device 110 and the lighting device 3 can exchange data, particularly by transmission, via the following means:

[0144] - transmitting, via the device 110 , at least one instruction received by the lighting device 3 for controlling the lighting from said at least one light source 4 , and / or

[0145] - transmitting, via the means 110 , at least one instruction received by the lighting device 3 for configuring a lighting rule of said at least one light source 4 , and / or

[0146] - Transmitting, via the table, a request to verify the detection status of at least one event by at least one event sensor of the device 110 for the execution by the control unit 7 of said at least one instruction for configuring a lighting rule.

[0147] It should be noted that these data exchanges are realized in particular when the application is executed by the controller 24 of the electronic device 110 as soon as a connection is established between this device 110 and the watch 1 .

[0148] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and that a person skilled in the art may envisage various simple modifications and alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system (100) for regulating the lighting function of a watch (1), characterized in that The watch comprises at least one timepiece external element (2a, 2b) provided with an autonomous lighting device (3), the system (100) comprising a portable electronic device (110) provided with a communication unit (25) and a controller (24), the controller being configured to control the communication unit (25), the lighting device (3) being formed by a plurality of stacked layer components (9a, 9b) connected together and each comprising one or more of the following functional elements: at least one light source (4) capable of generating light in a visible face (20a) of the body of at least one timepiece external element (2a, 2b); - autonomous power supply unit (21); - a communication module (22); and - a control unit (7) configured to control the switching on or off of the at least one light source (4) and to control the communication module (22), The timepiece exterior element (2a, 2b) and the device (110) are configured to be connected to each other for adjusting the illumination of the at least one timepiece exterior element (2a, 2b), It is characterized by: The component (9a) comprises: a first layer (10) forming a visible surface (20a) of said timepiece external element (2a, 2b), said visible surface comprising said at least one light source (4) of said timepiece external element (2a, 2b); - a second layer (11) comprising photovoltaic modules (5) of the autonomous power supply unit (21); - a third layer (12) comprising the electrical accumulator (6) of said autonomous power supply unit (21); and - a fourth layer (13) forming a hidden face (20b) of the timepiece external element (2a), said hidden face comprising the control unit (7) and the communication module (22), or - a third layer forming a hidden face (20b) of the timepiece external element (2b), said hidden face comprising the electrical accumulator (6) of the autonomous power supply unit (21), the control unit (7) and the communication module (22).

2. The system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that The device (110) is configured to generate and transmit to the timepiece external element (2a, 2b) at least one instruction for controlling illumination from the at least one light source (4).

3. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The control unit (7) is configured to control the illumination of the at least one timepiece external element (2a, 2b) according to the at least one instruction received by the timepiece external element (2a, 2b) for controlling the illumination from the at least one light source (4).

4. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The controller (24) comprises: - a plurality of modes for the illumination of said at least one timepiece external element (2a, 2b), said plurality of modes being capable of constituting instructions for controlling the illumination of said at least one light source (4) of said timepiece external element (2a, 2b).

5. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The communication unit (25) and the communication module (22) are configured to be connected to each other by establishing wireless communication.

6. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The communication unit (25) and the communication module (22) are configured to be connected to each other by establishing near field communication.

7. The system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first layer (10) of the assembly (9a, 9b) comprises at least one event sensor connected to the control unit (7).

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