Dial for watch and watch comprising same

Abstract

The utility model relates to a watch dial for a watch (1) and a watch (1) comprising the same, the watch dial comprises an independent wireless communication device (3), the watch dial comprises a visible surface (20a) and a hidden surface (20b), the watch dial is formed by laminating a plurality of material thin layers extending between the two surfaces, 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] This utility model relates to a watch whose dial is equipped with a wireless communication device, which is completely independent. Background Technology

[0002] In existing technology, electromechanical watches with hands are known, where the hour and minute hands, displaying the current time, are driven by a gear train within the watch movement. In such cases, it is possible for the operation of the watch movement to be disrupted due to shocks, electromagnetic fields, or other external interference. To limit or even avoid any damage to the mechanism, it is typically necessary to identify the potential sources of damage and the resulting malfunctions at an early stage.

[0003] In this context, it should be understood that a solution that does not have the drawbacks of existing technologies needs to be found. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome these shortcomings by providing a watch with a dial that includes an independent wireless communication device that helps alert the wearer to malfunctions detected in the watch.

[0005] One aspect of this utility model relates to a watch dial for a wristwatch, the watch dial including a separate wireless communication device, the watch dial including a visible surface and a hidden surface, the watch dial being formed by a stack of a plurality of thin material layers extending between the two surfaces, each of the plurality of thin material layers including one or more functional elements contained in the wireless communication device:

[0006] - Radio wave transceiver module;

[0007] -At least one light source;

[0008] -Independent power supply unit, and

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

[0010] In other embodiments:

[0011] -The transceiver module operates based on Bluetooth, WiFi and / or NFC technologies;

[0012] - The stack includes a first layer with the visible surface having 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 surface of the dial;

[0014] - The first layer is configured to be wholly or partially penetrated by light radiation, especially solar radiation;

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

[0016] - The stack includes a second layer, the second layer including photovoltaic modules constituting the independent power unit;

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

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

[0019] - The stack includes a third layer, the third layer including an energy storage device constituting the independent power unit;

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

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

[0022] - The stack includes a third layer, the third layer includes the hidden surface of the dial, and the third layer includes the control unit and the energy storage device constituting the independent power unit;

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

[0024] - The visible and hidden surfaces are flat or dome-shaped.

[0025] Another aspect of this utility model relates to a watch that includes such a dial.

[0026] Advantageously, the watch includes mechanical, electronic, or electromechanical watch movements. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The objectives, advantages, and features of this invention will become clearer in the following description based on at least one non-limiting embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

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

[0029] Figure 2An exploded view of a first variant of a dial formed by four stacked layers according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown, each of the layers including one or more components of a wireless communication device;

[0030] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the first variant of the dial equipped with a wireless communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0031] Figure 4 An exploded view of a second variant of a dial formed by three stacked layers according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown, each of the layers including one or more components of a wireless communication device;

[0032] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the second variant of the dial equipped with a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a watch 1 is shown, which includes a case 19, a set of components forming a watch movement, and dials 2a and 2b. The case 19 includes an intermediate component, a back cover attached to the intermediate component, and a crystal 22. The dials 2a and 2b are arranged between the watch movement and the crystal 22.

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

[0035] - The so-called visible surface 20a, which is visible from the outside of the watch 1, also known as the "visible portion" or "visible upper portion" of the dials 2a and 2b, and

[0036] - The so-called hidden surface 20b is arranged in the encapsulation space of the watch case 19 opposite to the watch movement. The hidden surface 20b is also called the "hidden part" or "hidden lower part" of the dials 2a and 2b.

[0037] The visible representation 20a may include at least one graphical representation in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, for example:

[0038] - Marking (or displaying) elements, such as numbers, scales, lines, or dots, used to display watch information / measurements or physical information / measurements measured by sensors or the like included in the movement, with or without the hands;

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

[0040] The visible surface 20a and the hidden surface 20b are substantially flat and / or parallel and / or opposite to each other. Note that in other variations, the dials 2a, 2b may include a dome-shaped visible surface 20a and a dome-shaped or flat hidden surface 20b. These surfaces are joined together by the peripheral walls of the dials 2a, 2b.

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

[0042] In embodiments of this invention, the watch movement is a mechanical movement. Alternatively, the movement may be an electromechanical movement or an electronic movement. In the following text, 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 electromechanical movement as an electromechanical watch.

[0043] refer to Figure 2 and 4 The dials 2a and 2b include an independent wireless communication device 3. This wireless communication device 3 includes its own power supply, as will be seen later. This wireless communication device 3 is referred to as independent, particularly relative to the movement of the watch 1, and especially relative to the energy source of that movement, for example, when that energy source is like a power source in an electromechanical movement. Under these conditions, it should be understood that the wireless communication device 3 does not use energy, thereby compromising the autonomy of the movement.

[0044] In this configuration, dials 2a and 2b can be detachably mounted within watch 1, regardless of the type of watch 1. The only requirement is that dials 2a and 2b include the wireless communication device 3, and therefore the wireless communication device 3 is independent of the movement of watch 1. Note that dials 2a and 2b are also referred to as "independent dials" because they are not connected to the movement of watch 1, particularly not electrically. Dials 2a and 2b can be considered as components attached to watch 1.

[0045] The wireless communication device 3 enables the watch 1 to exchange data with electronic devices. This data may include information related to the functions performed by the watch 1, such as timekeeping, or the monitoring of events related to the operation of the watch 1's movement, such as events related to water resistance defects in the watch 1's case 19. Other examples of the types of information that may be included in this data may include, but are not limited to, the following:

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

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

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

[0049] - When the dial is equipped with a pressure and / or humidity sensor, the internal pressure and / or humidity of the case 19 can indicate the loss of water resistance of the watch 1;

[0050] - When dials 2a and 2b are equipped with gyroscopes, the orientation of watch 1 and the duration of these orientations can be used to adjust the watch's settings, for example, based on the wearer's adjustments or to adjust the frequency of maintenance services required for the normal operation of watch 1, which can constitute part of predictive maintenance.

[0051] - When dials 2a and 2b are equipped with acoustic sensors, abnormal operating noises are detected, allowing for prediction or signaling of malfunctions / faults.

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

[0053] - Pointer positioning sensor;

[0054] -Accelerometer sensor;

[0055] - Pressure sensor;

[0056] - Humidity sensor;

[0057] - Angular position sensor;

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

[0059] - Acoustic sensor.

[0060] It should be noted that the aforementioned electronic device is preferably a mobile device, that is, a device that can be worn and carried by a user and can also function while being 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 and 2b of the watch 1.

[0061] The wireless communication device 3 contained in the dials 2a and 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 this wireless communication device 3, the at least one light source 4 is specifically used to display different operating parameters of the wireless communication device 3, for example:

[0063] - Establishment of connection with the electronic device;

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

[0065] - Network traffic when the watch establishes a connection with the electronic device;

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

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

[0068] -etc.

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

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

[0071] - Light-emitting diodes, such as LED (short for "light-emitting diode"), OLED (short for "organic light-emitting diode"), AMOLED (short for "active matrix organic light-emitting diode"), or QLED (short for "quantum dot light-emitting diode");

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

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

[0074] - Any combination of these electroluminescent elements.

[0075] It should be noted that in some embodiments of this invention, the light source 4 can be a light source capable of forming an extended light source. This allows for the extension light source to be given a predetermined shape, typically, but not limited to, a shape related to a graphic representation of the operating parameters of the wireless communication device 3, such as numbers, letters, logos, or text. It should also be noted that the light source 4 can produce light of any color and / or in any direction.

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

[0077] This transceiver module 23 can use wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Li-Fi, and WiMAX, as well as communication technologies related to mobile phone network standards and satellite network standards. Furthermore, this transceiver module 23 can implement a combination of at least two of the above technologies.

[0078] In this 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 via... Figure 3 and 5 Connecting elements labeled 17b and 18 are connected to the energy storage device 6. The photovoltaic module 5 may include one or more heterojunction or multijunction type cell units connected in parallel or series. Each photovoltaic cell in the photovoltaic module 5 may be made of semiconductor materials based on copper, indium, gallium, and selenium, semiconductor materials based on cadmium telluride, semiconductor materials based on monocrystalline gallium arsenide, or semiconductor materials based on monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon, or semiconductor materials having perovskite characteristics, 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 photovoltaic cell types suitable for this invention.

[0079] In this wireless communication device 3, the control unit 7 (also referred to as a microcontroller) includes electronic circuitry 8, which includes hardware resources, particularly at least one processor that works in conjunction 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 a separate power supply unit 21. This control unit 7 contains algorithms in its storage elements for managing the data exchanged between the watch 1 and the electronic device.

[0080] Furthermore, when the wireless communication device 3 includes multiple light sources 4, their operation can be managed / controlled simultaneously and / or sequentially by the control unit 7. Alternatively, each light source 4 can be managed / controlled individually by the control unit 7. In this case, the management of the operation of each light source 4 may 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; causing one or more light sources 4 to flash; limiting the flashing frequency of each light source 4; limiting the flashing duration of each light source 4; and limiting the on or off duration of each light source 4.

[0081] This control unit 7 may also include in its storage element algorithms for managing the energy storage device 6, particularly for managing the charging of the photovoltaic module 5 to it and for managing the power consumption of the light source 4 and / or the transceiver module 23 to it.

[0082] As described above, the independent wireless communication device 3 is therefore included in the dials 2a and 2b. In this configuration, the components of the wireless communication device 3, namely the light source 4, the energy storage device 6, the photovoltaic module 5, the transceiver module 23, and the control unit 7, are included in one or more layers forming the dials 2a and 2b.

[0083] refer to Figures 2 to 5 The dials 2a and 2b are composed of multiple thin-layered stacks 9a and 9b, which are bonded together by a bonding element such as an adhesive to form a single, integral stack 9a and 9b, thus creating a one-piece dial 2a and 2b. The bonding element can also be a clip or a screw. These layers are stacked within the stacks 9a and 9b, i.e., they are arranged vertically to each other in a defined order within the dials 2a and 2b. Note that these stacks 9a and 9b can also be referred to as layer assemblies. In these stacks 9a and 9b, the layers are substantially similar, having upper and lower surfaces with substantially the same area / surface area, thus contributing to the formation of peripheral walls on the dials 2a and 2b without raised areas.

[0084] It should be noted that these thin layers are each a few micrometers thick. In practice, 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 and 2b, it can be between 8 μm and 400 μm, preferably 6 μm, preferably 12 μm, preferably 100 μm, preferably 200 μm, or preferably 300 μm.

[0085] Therefore, these integrated dials 2a and 2b have the additional advantage that they can be detachably installed in the watch case 19 of the watch 1 and are easy to integrate into the watch case 19.

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

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

[0088] -Including the second layer 11 of photovoltaic module 5;

[0089] -Including the third layer 12 of the storage device 6, also known as the rechargeable battery, and

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

[0091] Compared to the preferred soft or flexible second layer 11, third layer 12, and fourth layer 13, the first layer 10 of the stack 9a is preferably rigid or semi-rigid. It should be understood that such a first layer 10 helps to structurally strengthen the stack 9a and thus the dial 2a.

[0092] In this 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 rigid or semi-rigid substrate that is transparent or translucent, or at least partially transparent or at least partially translucent. This substrate is made of a material whose transmittance to solar radiation (particularly to ultraviolet radiation, also known as UVT (“ultraviolet transmittance”)) is between 65% and 95%. This transmittance is preferably 85%. This material can be transparent or translucent. The material can be, but is not limited to, polymers, glass, or ceramics.

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

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

[0096] - Light from the environment of watch 1 can penetrate dials 2a and 2b along the direction of photovoltaic module 5 of 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 permeable by light that may be supplied to the photovoltaic module 5, so that the photovoltaic module 5 can convert the solar energy from the radiation into electrical energy.

[0098] The first layer 10 also includes at least one light source 4, which is disposed within the body of the substrate. This arrangement of the light source 4 within the substrate is configured to ensure illumination of all or part of the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a. For example, it may illuminate a graphic representation related to the operating parameters of the wireless communication device 3, such as marking (or display) elements like numbers, scales, lines, dots, or one or more hands, or illuminate all or part of the visible surface of the dial 2a. In a variation, the light source 4 may have a predetermined shape, such as the shape of numbers, letters, scales, lines, dots, logos, 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 illumination. More specifically, the cavity can be a blind hole formed in the lower surface of the substrate. In this configuration, when the bottom of the cavity includes a graphic 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 via the visible surface 20a, thereby enabling the viewing of at least one graphic representation in the dark. In particular, the light radiation escaping from the visible surface 20a outlines the shape of the graphic representation. In this case, the graphic representation contained on the upper or lower surface of the substrate forming the first layer 10 is preferably opaque, 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 illumination. The cavity can be a blind hole formed in the lower surface of the substrate, with no pattern on its bottom. In this configuration, the luminous 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 illumination, with both ends of the through-hole opening outward in the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate, respectively. In this configuration, all or part of the light source 4 can extend from the upper surface of the substrate, and thus from the visible surface 20a of the first layer 10 or the dial 2a, to form a graphic representation, such as scales, numbers, dots, lines, etc., particularly related to the operating parameters of the wireless communication device 3.

[0102] When the at least one light source 4 is coupled to at least one waveguide, this illumination can also be remote illumination. The waveguide, also called an optical guide, allows light to be transmitted from the point of entry into the waveguide all the way to the substrate or to a region of the substrate near its upper surface (e.g., a cavity, a via). This optical guide can be an optical fiber, which allows light to escape through the substrate by bypassing any obstacles that may be present in the substrate (e.g., between the electroluminescent element and a region of the substrate near its upper surface). Therefore, in this variation, light is transmitted via the waveguide from the electroluminescent element all the way to the area of ​​the substrate to be illuminated.

[0103] In this configuration, the first end of the waveguide is coupled to the light source 4, and the second end of the waveguide can be arranged as follows:

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

[0105] - In the through-hole, the through-hole extends through the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, and its two ends lead to the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate, respectively, and thus also to the upper and lower surfaces of the first layer 10. Therefore, the second end can extend 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 graphic representation, particularly related to the operating parameters of the wireless communication device 3, such as marking elements, like scales, numbers, dots, lines, etc.

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

[0107] - In each cavity, light radiation from the light source 4 is emitted, which escapes to the outside of the dial 2a via the visible surface 20a, thereby making at least one graphic representation visible in the dark. In this case, the graphic representation contained in the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a, on the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a, or on the upper surface of the substrate is preferably opaque, and / or

[0108] - In the through hole, the through hole may or may not protrude from the upper surface of the substrate in order 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 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 vapor deposition.

[0110] In the first layer 10, a transceiver module 23 is disposed in / on the substrate to pick up radio waves. The transceiver module 23 can be disposed on or below the upper surface of the substrate forming the first layer 10. When disposed in the substrate, the transceiver module 23 is located in a blind cavity formed in the upper surface. In a variation, it can be disposed in a blind cavity formed in the lower surface of the substrate, with the upper surface as its bottom. In this configuration, radio waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b and visible surface 20a can be picked up by the transceiver module 23. The substrate may also include a through-hole connecting the upper and lower surfaces, in which the transceiver module 23 can be disposed.

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

[0112] In this stack 9a, the second layer 11 includes a substrate containing the photovoltaic module 5. This substrate is preferably flexible or pliable. The substrate of the second layer 11 can be a thin film on which the photovoltaic module 5 is disposed. Finally, the substrate can be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0113] In this second layer 11, the photovoltaic module 5 preferably extends over the entire so-called effective area on the upper surface of the substrate. This effective area is a portion 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. All or part of the light passing through the first layer 10 originates from the external environment of the dial 2a, and therefore from the external environment of the watch 1, which in this case, when it comes from a natural source, is primarily solar radiation.

[0114] It should be noted that the photovoltaic module 5 is applied to the upper surface of the substrate using inkjet printing, screen printing, or thermal evaporation printing processes. We will refer here to the second layer 11, which includes 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 is applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive material can be deposited on all or part of the upper and / or lower surface of the substrate. Under these conditions, the second layer 11 can be a self-adhesive layer, which helps to facilitate its assembly with other layers, particularly 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 pliable substrate, comprising a battery 6 for an independent wireless communication device 3. This substrate of the third layer 12 may be a thin film thereon containing the battery 6. Such a substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0117] The energy storage device 6 can be a lithium battery or a semiconductor battery. This energy storage device 6 is applied to the upper surface of the substrate using processes known in the prior art, for example:

[0118] - Printing processes on flexible polymer substrates, such as lithium batteries, or

[0119] - Three-dimensional printing processes, for example, for semiconductor batteries, such as lithium metal semiconductor batteries.

[0120] In this article, we will refer to the third layer 12, which includes the printed battery 6. Specifically, the battery 6 is printed on the substrate of the third layer 12.

[0121] Therefore, such a process can produce a third layer 12 containing a soft and ultra-fine energy storage 6.

[0122] Furthermore, it should be noted that once the energy storage device 6 is applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive material can be deposited on all or part of the upper and / or lower surface of the substrate. Under these conditions, the third layer 12 can be a self-adhesive layer, which facilitates its assembly with other layers, particularly with the second layer 11 and / or the fourth layer 13 of the stack 9a.

[0123] Note that the energy 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 this stack 9a, the final fourth layer 13 forms the hidden surface of the dial 2a. This fourth layer 13 is formed from a preferably flexible or pliable substrate including the control unit 7. Such a substrate for the fourth layer 13 can be, for example, a flexible PCB on which the control unit 7 is disposed, 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 final fourth layer 13, a transceiver module 23 is disposed in / on the substrate to pick up radio waves. The transceiver module 23 can be disposed on or below the lower surface of the substrate forming the fourth layer 13. When disposed in the substrate, the transceiver module 23 is located in a blind cavity formed in the lower surface. In a variation, it can be disposed in a blind cavity formed in the upper surface of the substrate, with the lower surface as its bottom. In this configuration, radio waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b and the hidden surface 20b can be picked up by the transceiver module 23. The substrate may also include a through-hole connecting the upper and lower surfaces, in which the transceiver module 23 can be disposed.

[0126] In the 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 therefore comprises three layers instead of four layers as in the first variant. In this second variant, the battery 6 of the wireless communication device 3 is now included together with the control unit 7 in the final third layer 14 of the stack 9b.

[0127] The final third layer 14 of the stacked layer 9b constitutes the hidden surface of the dial 2b, which is made of a preferably flexible or pliable substrate on which the battery 6 and the electronic circuitry 8 constituting the control unit 7 are preferably constructed, preferably 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.

[0128] In the final third layer 14 of this second variation, a transceiver module 23 is disposed in / on the substrate to pick up radio waves. The transceiver module 23 can be disposed on or below the lower surface of the substrate forming the third layer 14. When disposed in the substrate, the transceiver module 23 is located in a blind cavity formed in the lower surface. In a variation, it can be disposed in a blind cavity formed in the upper surface of the substrate, with the lower surface as its bottom. In this configuration, radio waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b and the hidden surface 20b can be picked up by the transceiver module 23. The substrate may also include a through-hole connecting the upper and lower surfaces, in which the transceiver module 23 can be disposed.

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

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

[0131] -Including the second layer 11 of photovoltaic module 5, and

[0132] - A third layer 14 forming the hidden surface 20b of the dial 2b, which includes a transceiver module 23 and / or an energy storage device 6 and a control unit 7.

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

[0134] In addition, refer to Figure 3 and 5 The electronic circuit 8 of the control unit 7 includes a first connecting element 15a, which is connected to:

[0135] - The connection element 16 of the at least one light source 4 is used to manage the operation of the light source 4 to display different operating parameters of the wireless communication device 3, and

[0136] - The connecting element 16 of the transceiver module 23 is used to participate in managing the data exchange between the watch and the electronic device.

[0137] The electronic circuit 8 also includes a second connecting element 15b connected to the first connecting element 17a of the energy storage device 6.

[0138] In a third variation (not shown), the thin-layer stack forming the dial includes two interconnect layers. Note that this third variation differs from the second variation in that it includes two layers instead of three layers as in the second variation. In this third variation, the photovoltaic module 5 of the independent wireless communication device 3 is now included in the first layer, specifically 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 inkjet printing, screen printing, or thermal evaporation printing processes. Therefore, it should be noted that this first layer is similar to the first layer 11 of the first and second variations, except that in this third variation, the first layer also includes the photovoltaic module.

[0139] Furthermore, in the third variation, similar to the second variation, the battery 6 of the independent wireless communication device 3 is included together with the control unit 7 in the final second layer of the stack. This second layer forms the hidden surface of the dial and is made of a preferably flexible or pliable substrate on which the battery 6 and the electronic circuitry 8 constituting the control unit 7 are formed, preferably on the upper surface of the substrate. The battery 6 and the control unit 7 can be formed 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 final layer of different variations, transceiver modules 23 are applied / fixed to the lower or upper surface of the substrate of these layers, in cavities, or on the inner wall of the aforementioned through holes by printing or vapor deposition.

[0141] In summary, in this third variation, the stack includes:

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

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

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

[0145] It goes without saying that this utility model 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 this utility model as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dial for a watch (1), characterized in that, The dial includes a separate wireless communication device (3), the dial comprising a visible surface (20a) and a hidden surface (20b), the dial being formed by a stack of multiple thin material layers extending between the two surfaces, each of the multiple thin material layers including one or more functional elements contained in the wireless communication device (3): - Transceiver module using radio waves (23); -At least one light source (4); -Independent power supply unit (21), and - Control unit (7), which is used to manage 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 based on Bluetooth, WiFi and / or NFC technologies.

3. The dial according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stack includes a first layer (10) of the visible surface (20a) having the dial, the first layer (10) including at least one transceiver module (23) and the at least one light source (4).

4. The dial according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, At least one of the transceiver modules (23) is arranged in a cavity formed in the hidden surface of the dial.

5. The dial according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first layer (10) is configured to be wholly or partially traversed by light radiation.

6. The dial according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first layer (10) is either completely or partially transparent, or completely or partially translucent.

7. The dial according to claim 3, characterized in that, The stack includes a second layer (11), which includes a photovoltaic module (5) constituting the independent power supply unit (21).

8. The dial according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second layer (11) includes 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 the effective area of ​​the second layer (11), the effective area being configured to receive light radiation from the first layer (10) of the stack.

10. The dial according to claim 7, characterized in that, The stack includes a third layer, which includes an energy storage device (6) constituting the independent power supply unit (21).

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

12. The dial according to claim 10, characterized in that, The stack includes a fourth layer (13) that forms the hidden surface (20b) of the dial, and the fourth layer (13) includes the control unit (7).

13. The dial according to claim 7, characterized in that, The stack includes a third layer, which includes the hidden surface (20b) of the dial, and the third layer includes the control unit (7) and the energy storage device (6) constituting the independent power supply unit (21).

14. The dial according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The first layer (10) is rigid compared to the other soft layers contained in the stack.

15. The dial according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized 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) includes 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) includes a mechanical, electronic or electromechanical watch movement.

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