Dial comprising autonomous device for determining acoustic event and watch comprising such dial

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a watch including a dial that incorporates a device for determining acoustic events, the device being fully autonomous. Background Technology

[0002] Existing technical literature describes electromechanical watches with pointers, where the hour and minute hands, displaying the current time, are driven by a gear train within the watch movement. In this case, the operation of the mechanism can be disrupted by shocks to the watch. Therefore, while the internal clock provides an accurate indication of the current time, the hour and minute hands provide a distorted indication due to the effects of external disturbances. Consequently, it may be necessary to resynchronize the positions of the hour and minute hands.

[0003] In this context, it should be understood that a solution is needed to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome these shortcomings by proposing a watch with a dial that includes a device for determining acoustic events, the device being autonomous and whose efficiency remains constant over time.

[0005] One aspect of this invention relates to a dial of a watch comprising an autonomous device for determining acoustic events, the dial comprising a visible surface and a hidden surface, the dial being formed by a stack of thin layers of material extending between the two surfaces, each layer comprising one or more functional elements contained within the device:

[0006] - At least one receiver element for receiving at least one acoustic wave originating from the table;

[0007] - A module for reporting acoustic events;

[0008] - Independent power supply unit; and

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

[0010] In other embodiments:

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

[0012] - The module used for reporting acoustic events includes at least one element capable of generating optical signals;

[0013] - The module for reporting acoustic events includes at least one element capable of generating vibration signals;

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

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

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

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

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

[0019] - The stack of thin material layers includes a second layer, which comprises photovoltaic modules that constitute independent power supply units;

[0020] - The second layer includes a substrate on which photovoltaic modules are printed;

[0021] - The photovoltaic module is arranged on the effective area of ​​the second layer, the area being configured to receive light radiation from the stacked first layer of thin material layers;

[0022] - The stack includes a third layer, which includes an energy storage unit that constitutes an independent power supply unit;

[0023] - The third layer includes a substrate on which an energy storage device is printed;

[0024] - The stack includes a fourth layer, which forms the hidden surface of the dial including the control unit;

[0025] - The stack includes a third layer, which includes a hidden surface of the dial, comprising a control unit and an energy storage unit that constitutes an independent power supply unit;

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

[0027] - The visible and hidden surfaces are flat or dome-shaped.

[0028] Another aspect of this utility model relates to a watch including such a dial.

[0029] Advantageously, the watches include mechanical, electronic, or electromechanical watch movements. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The purpose, advantages, and features of the table according to this utility model will become more apparent in the following description, which is based on at least one non-limiting embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0031] - Figure 1 A perspective view of a table according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, the table including a dial provided with a means for determining acoustic events, the means being autonomous and included in the table;

[0032] - Figure 2 An exploded view of a first alternative embodiment of a dial formed by stacking four superimposed layers according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown, each layer including one or more components of a means for determining acoustic events;

[0033] - Figure 3 A first alternative embodiment of a dial provided with an autonomous device for determining acoustic events, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, is schematically shown;

[0034] - Figure 4 An exploded view of a second alternative embodiment of a dial formed by stacking three layers according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown, each layer including one or more components of a means for determining acoustic events; and

[0035] - Figure 5 A second alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically, showing a dial provided with an autonomous device for determining acoustic events according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

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

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

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

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

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

[0041] - Reference (or display) elements, such as, for example, numbers, indexes, lines or even dots, which help to display a watch information / watch measurement or a physical information / physical measurement obtained by sensors contained in the movement, with or without the use of pointers;

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

[0043] The visible surface 20a and the hidden surface 20b are substantially flat and / or parallel and / or opposite to each other. It should be noted that in other alternative embodiments, the dials 2a, 2b may include dome-shaped visible and hidden surfaces, the hidden surfaces being either dome-shaped or flat. These surfaces 20a, 20b are also connected to each other via the peripheral walls of the dials 2a, 2b.

[0044] It should also 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 implemented for dials 2a and 2b with other shapes, such as, for example, triangular or quadrilateral-like shapes.

[0045] In embodiments of this invention, the watch movement is a mechanical movement. Alternatively, such a movement may be an electromechanical movement. In the following description, when its movement is mechanical, it will be referred to as a mechanical watch, and when its movement is both electromechanical and electronic, it will be referred to as an electromechanical and electronic watch.

[0046] refer to Figure 2 and 4 The dials 2a and 2b include an autonomous device 3 for determining acoustic events. This determining device 3 includes its own electrical power supply, as described below. This device 3 for determining acoustic events is considered autonomous, particularly relative to the movement of Table 1, and particularly relative to the power source of that movement, for example, when that power source is an electrical power supply such as that in an electromechanical movement. In these cases, it should be understood that the power supplied by the device 3 for determining acoustic events does not compromise the autonomy of the movement.

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

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

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

[0050] - At least one element 4 capable of generating light signals, such as a light source 4, which allows the device 3 to broadcast visual messages related to the determined acoustic events;

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

[0052] - At least one element capable of generating sound signals, such as a loudspeaker, which allows device 3 to broadcast auditory messages associated with the determined acoustic event.

[0053] As described above, the at least one light source 4 is specifically configured to aid in displaying visual messages associated with the identified acoustic event. Each light source 4 may correspond to any light-emitting element selected from a non-exhaustive and non-limiting list, which includes:

[0054] - Light-emitting capacitor or LEC;

[0055] - LED (Light Emitting Diode), OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode), AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode), or QLED (Quantum Light Emitting Diode) type light-emitting diodes;

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

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

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

[0059] It should be noted that in some embodiments of this invention, the light source 4 may be a light source 4 capable of forming a surface light source. This makes it possible to give the surface light source a predetermined shape, typically a shape associated with a graphic representation of numbers, letters, signs, or text, but this is not exhaustive or limiting. It should also be noted that the light source 4 can produce light of any color and / or in any direction.

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

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

[0062] - External timepiece components, such as the case, center, dial, or case back;

[0063] - Components of a watch movement, such as the oscillating weight, rotor, mainspring barrel, gear train, or movement plate.

[0064] In such a table, the timing mechanism is involved in measuring time, function, or complex functions. For example, it can be a lever escapement mechanism.

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

[0066] Alternatively, the receiver element 23 may include at least one optical microphone. Such a microphone, described in more detail in European Patent Document EP2338287B1, is a device capable of converting sound waves into electrical signals using interferometry-based techniques. This microphone specifically includes an electromagnetic radiation source, a reflective element such as a mirror, at least one detector for detecting the electromagnetic radiation, and an interferometer such as a Fabry-Perot interferometer or a Gilles-Turno etalon.

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

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

[0069] In the device 3 for determining acoustic events, the control unit 7 (also referred to as a microcontroller) includes electronic circuitry 8 containing hardware resources, particularly at least one processor cooperating with storage elements and address, data, and control buses. The control unit 7 is connected to a reporting module 4, the at least one receiver element for receiving at least one sound wave 23, and an independent power supply unit 21. The storage elements of this control unit 7 include algorithms for determining acoustic events.

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

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

[0072] - A sensor used to detect ambient light levels;

[0073] - Motion sensors, such as gyroscopes and / or inertial sensors, used to sense movements made by a part of the user's body, including those listed in Table 1, which are in the form of electronic components of the type of gyroscope and / or inertial electromechanical microsystem circuits; and / or

[0074] - Photographic optical sensor.

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

[0076] The storage element of this control unit 7 may further include algorithms for managing the energy storage device 6, particularly for managing its recharging through the photovoltaic module 5 and for managing the power consumption of the reporting module 4 and the receiver element 23.

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

[0078] Reference Figures 2 to 5 The dials 2a and 2b are formed or constituted by stacks 9a and 9b of multiple thin layers 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14, which are connected together by connecting elements such as adhesives to bind them together, thereby obtaining a monolithic stack of thin layers 9a and 9b, thus forming a single-piece dial 2a and 2b. The connecting elements can also be clips or screws. These layers 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 are stacked within the stacks 9a and 9b, that is, they are arranged in a defined order on top of each other within the dials 2a and 2b. It should be noted that these stacks 9a and 9b can also be referred to as components of layers. In these stacks 9a and 9b, the layers are substantially similar, having upper and lower surfaces of substantially the same area, thus helping to form the outer walls of the dials 2a and 2b without relief.

[0079] It should be noted that these thin layers are each a micrometer thick. More specifically, each layer may have a thickness between 1 and 100 μm, preferably 2 μm, or more preferably 3 μm. The thickness relative to the dials 2a and 2b may be between 8 and 400 μm, preferably 6 μm, more preferably 12 μm, more preferably 100 μm, more preferably 200 μm, or more preferably 300 μm.

[0080] In addition to facilitating their integration into the case 19, these one-piece dials 2a and 2b have the added advantage of being removably mounted in the case 19 of the watch 1.

[0081] exist Figure 3 In a first alternative embodiment of the layer stack 9a shown, it consists of four successive thin layers 10, 11, 12, and 13:

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

[0083] - Second layer 11 containing photovoltaic module 5;

[0084] - The third layer 12 contains the energy storage unit 6, also known as a rechargeable battery; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0091] - Light from the environment in Table 1 can penetrate dials 2a and 2b into the photovoltaic module 5 of the device 3 used to determine acoustic events. When the light is from a natural source, it includes solar radiation.

[0092] In other words, the transparent or semi-transparent substrate is configured to allow light (especially solar radiation) that can supply the photovoltaic module 5 to pass through it, so that the photovoltaic module 5 can convert the solar energy from the radiation into electrical energy.

[0093] The first layer 10 includes a reporting module 4 disposed within the base body. In this configuration, the arrangement of the light source of the module 4 within the base is configured to ensure illumination of all or part of the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a, such as illumination of a graphic representation of a reference element (or display), such as digits, indexes, lines, dots, or illumination of one or more hands, or even illumination of all or part of the visible surface of the dial 2a. In an alternative embodiment, the light source 4 may have a predetermined shape, such as the shape of digits, letters, indexes, lines, dots, marks, or even text.

[0094] When the light source 4 is arranged in a cavity defined in the substrate, this illumination can be backlighting or semi-direct illumination. More specifically, the cavity can be a blind opening formed in the lower surface of the substrate. In this configuration, when the bottom of the cavity contains a graphic representation, the luminous radiation or light generated by the light source 4 can escape through the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a to the outside of the dial 2a, thereby allowing at least one graphic representation to be seen 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 in or on the upper or lower surface of the substrate forming the first layer 10 is preferably opaque, semi-transparent, or opaque.

[0095] When the light source 4 is arranged in a cavity defined in the substrate, this illumination can be direct illumination. The cavity can be a blind opening formed in the lower surface of the substrate, with no graphic representation of its bottom. In this configuration, the luminous radiation or light generated by the light source 4 can escape through the bottom of the cavity toward the outside of the dial 2a, and thus through the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a.

[0096] When the light source 4 is arranged in a through opening extending through the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, the illumination can also be direct illumination, with the through opening leading to the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate at its two ends, respectively. In this configuration, all or part of the light source 4 can protrude from the upper surface of the substrate, and thus from the first layer 10 or from the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a, to form graphic representations such as indexing elements, numbers, dots, or lines.

[0097] When the at least one light source 4 is coupled to at least one waveguide, this illumination can also be remote illumination. This waveguide (also called an optical guide) is used to transmit light from a point in which it is injected to a substrate or a region of the substrate near its upper surface (e.g., a cavity, a through-hole). This optical guide can be an optical fiber, which allows light to bypass any obstacles that may exist in the substrate, such as a barrier between the electroluminescent element and a region of the substrate near its upper surface through which the light would escape. Therefore, in this alternative embodiment, it is precisely the light that is brought from the electroluminescent element to the region of the substrate to be illuminated via the waveguide.

[0098] 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 in one of the following:

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

[0100] - A through opening extending through the thickness of the base layer 10, and openings at its two ends leading to the base and thus to the upper and lower surfaces of the first layer 10, respectively. Therefore, the second end can protrude from the base or the upper surface of the first layer 10 or from the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a to, for example, form a graphic representation of the dial 2a, such as, for example, reference elements, such as indexing elements, numerals, dots, or lines.

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

[0102] - Cavities, each emitting light radiation from the light source 4, which escapes through the visible surface 20a to the outside of the dial 2a, thereby allowing at least one graphic representation to be seen in the dark. In this case, the graphic representation contained in or on the upper surface of the visible surface 20a or the substrate of the dial 2a is preferably opaque; and / or

[0103] - A through opening protrudes or does not protrude from the upper surface of the substrate to form a reference element (such as an indexing element, line, or even a point), and each of these openings emits light radiation from the light source 4.

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

[0105] In the first layer 10, a receiver element 23 is disposed in / on the substrate to receive sound waves present in the outer casing of the watch case of Table 1. The receiver element 23 may be disposed on or below the upper surface of the substrate forming the first layer 10. When disposed in the substrate, the receiver element 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in the upper surface. In an alternative embodiment, it may be disposed in a blind cavity formed in the lower surface of the substrate, which has the upper surface as its bottom. In this configuration, sound waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b and visible surface 20a can be measured by the receiver element 23. The substrate may also include a through-hole connecting the upper and lower surfaces, and the receiver element 23 may be disposed in the through-hole.

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

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

[0108] In this second layer 11, the photovoltaic module preferably extends over the entire so-called 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 Table 1, which, in this case, is primarily from solar radiation when it is a natural source.

[0109] It should be noted that the photovoltaic module 5 is applied to the upper surface of the substrate using inkjet or screen printing processes or thermal evaporation printing processes. Reference will also be made herein to a second layer 11 comprising the printed photovoltaic module 5, and particularly to the photovoltaic module 5 printed on the substrate of the second layer 11.

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

[0111] In stack 9a, the third layer 12 also includes a preferably flexible or easily pliable substrate containing an energy storage device 6 with an autonomous determining device 3. This substrate of the third layer 12 can be a membrane on which the energy storage device 6 is arranged. Such a substrate can be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0112] The energy storage device 6 can be a lithium battery or a semiconductor battery. This battery 6 is applied to the upper surface of the substrate using processes known in the prior art, such as:

[0113] - Printing processes on flexible polymer substrates, such as when this involves lithium batteries; or

[0114] - 3D printing processes, for example, when this involves semiconductor batteries (such as lithium metal semiconductor batteries).

[0115] Reference will also be made here to the third layer 12, which includes the printed energy storage device 6, and in particular the energy storage device 6 printed on the substrate of the third layer 12.

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

[0117] Furthermore, it should be noted that once the accumulator 6 has been applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive material may be deposited on all or part of the upper and / or lower surface of the substrate. In these cases, the third layer 12 may 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.

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

[0119] In this stack 9a, the fourth and final layer 13 forms the hidden surface of the dial 2a. This fourth layer 13 is formed from a preferably flexible or resilient substrate, which contains the control unit 7. Such a substrate for the fourth layer 13 can be, for example, a flexible PCB, on which the control unit 7 is disposed, particularly on the upper surface of the PCB, and thus on the upper surface of the substrate. In this case, the control unit 7 can be constructed on the upper surface of the substrate using a 3D printing process or a polymer printing process.

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

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

[0122] The third and final layer 14 of the stack 9b forms the hidden surface of the dial 2b, and is composed of a preferably flexible or resilient substrate on which, preferably on the upper surface, the battery 6 and electronic circuitry 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed. The energy storage unit 6 and the control unit 7 can be constructed on the upper surface of the substrate using 3D printing or polymer printing processes. It should be noted that this substrate can be, for example, a flexible PCB.

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

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

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

[0126] - The second layer 11, containing photovoltaic module 5; and

[0127] - A third layer 14 forming the hidden surface 20b of the dial 2b, containing the at least one receiver element 23 and / or the energy storage device 6 and the control unit 7.

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

[0129] 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 a connecting element 16, and the connecting element 16 is connected to:

[0130] - Reporting module 4, used to manage the operation of this module, particularly for broadcasting messages related to identified acoustic events; and

[0131] - The at least one receiver element 23 is used to help determine acoustic events.

[0132] The electronic circuit 8 also includes a second connecting element 15b connected to the first connecting element 17a of the energy storage 6.

[0133] Furthermore, it should be noted that the event sensor of the aforementioned determining device 3 is preferably arranged in the first layer 10 and / or the last layer 13, 14 of the layer stack 9a, 9b, and is connected to the control unit 7 of the device 3.

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

[0135] In a third alternative embodiment, and similar to the second alternative embodiment, the energy storage device 6 of the autonomous determination device 3 is included in the second, and final, layer of the stack having the control unit 7. This second layer, forming the hidden surface of the dial, consists of a preferably flexible or resilient substrate on which, preferably on the upper surface of the substrate, the battery 6 and the electronic circuitry 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed. The energy storage device 6 and the control unit 7 can be constructed on the upper surface of the substrate using a 3D printing process or a polymer printing process. It should be noted that such a substrate can be, for example, a flexible PCB.

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

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

[0138] - A second layer forming the hidden surface 20b of the dial, containing the at least one receiver element 23 and / or the energy storage device 6 and the control unit 7.

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

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

[0141] Identifying acoustic events allows dials 2a and 2b to perform various functions of the watch. For example, the watch's function could correspond to detecting impacts on timekeeping components such as the case, the center of the watch 1, the crystal, or the crown, which could cause a loss of timing accuracy. More specifically, the operation of the mechanism could be disrupted by an impact. Therefore, while the internal clock provides an accurate indication of the current time, the hour and minute hands provide a distorted indication because the gears have skipped several steps due to the impact. It is therefore necessary to resynchronize the positions of the hour and minute hands. Thus, as part of this function, control unit 7 can generate visual, vibration, and / or audio messages based on the event, signaling the loss of accuracy via control / drive reporting module 4.

[0142] Other functions for determining acoustic events using the table can be included in a non-restrictive and non-exhaustive manner:

[0143] - The passing (or non-passing) of the date indicator can be detected by receiver element 23. Then, a light source can be used to emit a signal indicating a causal event;

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

[0145] - Receiver element 23 can detect a predefined shock sequence, for example, to turn the light source 4 on or off or to change its color.

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

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

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

Claims

1. A dial of a watch (1) comprising an autonomous device (3) for determining acoustic events, characterized in that, This dial includes a visible surface (20a) and a hidden surface (20b), the dial being formed by a stack (9a, 9b) of thin layers of material extending between the visible surface (20a) and the hidden surface (20b), each of the layers including one or more functional elements contained in the autonomous device (3): - At least one receiver element (23) for receiving at least one acoustic wave originating from the table (1); - Reporting module for reporting acoustic events (4); - Independent power supply unit (21); and - Control unit (7) for managing the operation of the reporting module (4) and the at least one receiver element (23) for receiving at least one sound wave.

2. The dial according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one receiver element (23) includes a pressure microphone or a pressure gradient microphone.

3. The dial according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reporting module for reporting acoustic events includes: - At least one element capable of generating optical signals; - At least one element capable of generating a vibration signal; and / or - At least one element capable of generating sound signals.

4. The dial according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stack of material layers (9a, 9b) includes a first layer (10) on which the dial is disposed of visible (20a), and the first layer (10) includes the at least one receiver element (23) and the reporting module (4).

5. The dial according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one receiver element (23) is arranged in a cavity formed in the hidden surface of the dial.

6. The dial according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first layer (10) is configured such that light radiation can pass through it, either wholly or partially.

7. The dial according to claim 6, characterized in that, The light radiation mentioned is solar radiation.

8. The dial according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first layer (10) is completely or partially transparent or semi-transparent.

9. The dial according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stack of the material thin layers (9a, 9b) includes a second layer (11) which includes a photovoltaic module (5) constituting an independent power supply unit (21).

10. The dial according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second layer (11) includes a substrate on which the photovoltaic module (5) is printed.

11. The dial according to claim 9, characterized in that, The photovoltaic module (5) is arranged on the effective area of ​​the second layer (11), which is configured to receive light radiation from the first layer (10) of the stack of material thin layers (9a, 9b).

12. The dial according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stack (9a) includes a third layer (12) which includes an energy storage device (6) that constitutes the independent power supply unit (21).

13. The dial according to claim 12, characterized in that, The third layer (12) includes a substrate on which the energy storage device (6) is printed.

14. The dial according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stack (9a) includes a fourth layer (13) that forms a hidden surface (20b) of the dial including the control unit (7).

15. The dial according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stack (9b) includes a third layer (14) which includes a hidden surface (20b) of the dial, including a control unit (7) and an energy storage device (6) that constitutes an independent power supply unit (21).

16. The dial according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first layer (10) is rigid compared to the other flexible layers in the stack of thin material layers (9a, 9b).

17. The dial according to any one of claims 1-16, characterized in that, The visible surface (20a) and the hidden surface (20b) are flat or dome-shaped.

18. A table (1), characterized in that, Includes the dial according to any one of claims 1-17.

19. The table (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that, These include mechanical, electronic, or electromechanical watch movements.

Images