Localizable networked clock

Abstract

A connected watch including: • a strap (1) for attaching the watch to a user’s wrist, • a screen (3) for displaying time information, • a case (2) attached to the bracelet (1) and containing: ◯ a storage medium for electrical energy (4), ◯ an electronic circuit (5) which is supplied with energy by the electrical energy storage means (4), characterized in that the electronic circuit (5) comprises an antenna and is configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch, and that at least a portion of the housing (2) covering the antenna is permeable to the electromagnetic signal.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a networked watch. State of the art

[0002] Connected watches are devices known for telling users the time. Connected watches can also offer a range of features that allow users to make phone calls, check emails, or browse the internet. Connected watches are also known as "smartwatches." Such a watch generally has a screen for displaying information to a user.

[0003] There is a need for a means to easily locate a connected watch if it is lost. Brief description of the invention

[0004] One scope of the present invention is to provide means by which a networked watch can be easily located if it is lost.

[0005] For this purpose, the invention proposes a networked watch comprising: • a strap for attaching the watch to a user’s wrist, • a screen for displaying time information, • a case attached to the bracelet and containing: o a storage medium for electrical energy, o an electronic circuit to which energy is supplied by the electrical energy storage means.

[0006] The watch's electronic circuitry includes an antenna and is configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal representing the watch's identification information. At least a portion of the case covering the antenna is transparent to the electromagnetic signal.

[0007] Thanks to the electronic circuit and the antenna, as well as the section of the case that is permeable to the electromagnetic signal, the watch can emit a signal that allows its presence to be detected and therefore located.

[0008] The watch according to the invention comprises a screen, such as a liquid crystal display or an AMOLED display, for displaying data to a user. The display displays at least one time information item, such as the time in digital format by displaying digits on the display, or in analog format by displaying hands on the display. The display forms part of the outer surface of the watch, as does the case.

[0009] The watch includes a strap for attaching to the wrist of an adult or child. It is therefore a wristwatch.

[0010] The electrical energy storage means comprises at least one battery or one electrical cell, such as a button cell. The electrical energy storage means is preferably a rechargeable battery. The electrical energy storage means is configured to supply electrical energy to the electronic circuitry comprising the antenna. The energy stored in the electrical energy storage means is used to supply the energy required by the electronic circuitry and the antenna to transmit the electromagnetic signal, which includes generating and transmitting the electromagnetic signal.

[0011] Preferably, the electrical energy storage means is further configured to supply electrical energy to the display and / or any other internal electronic circuitry (preferably all such circuitry) of the watch, for example, a microcomputer within the watch. Thus, advantageously, the electronic circuitry comprising the antenna is directly connected to the primary power source of the watch, making it possible to provide an efficient and compact watch without requiring additional volume for this electronic circuitry and to obtain a clean power source. For example, the watch has a surface area of ​​37 mm or less by 42 mm or less and a height of 11 mm or less, which defines limited dimensions for a connected watch integrating so many technologies.

[0012] The portion of the housing that covers the antenna may be made of one or more materials that are transparent to the electromagnetic signal.

[0013] For example, the portion of the watch case is made of one or more materials that are permeable to electromagnetic decimeter waves (ultra-high frequency - UHF frequency range). Alternatively, or simultaneously, the portion of the case is made of one or more materials that are permeable to ultra-short waves (very-high frequency - VHF frequency range) and / or centimeter waves (super-high frequency - SHF frequency range).

[0014] Preferably, the entire watch case is permeable to electromagnetic decimeter waves (ultra-high frequency range). Alternatively, or simultaneously, the entire case is permeable to ultra-short waves (very-high frequency range) and / or centimeter waves (super-high frequency range).

[0015] The housing contains the electronic circuitry and the antenna. The housing is preferably hermetic, for example, waterproof and airtight.

[0016] In this document, reference is made to electromagnetic waves according to the international standardization carried out by the International Telecommunication Union. Ultrashort waves have a frequency between 30 MHz and 300 MHz. Decimeter waves have a frequency between 300 MHz and 3 GHz. Centimeter waves have a frequency between 3 GHz and 30 GHz.

[0017] The housing may include the watch screen. In this case, the screen is part of the housing. For example, the section of the housing described above includes part of the screen or is included in the screen. For example, the housing is closed by the watch screen.

[0018] The electronic circuit and the antenna of the watch are configured to generate and emit the electromagnetic signal such that the electromagnetic signal is detectable by a first device separate from the watch. Preferably, the electromagnetic circuit and the antenna are configured to emit the electromagnetic signal such that the electromagnetic signal is detectable by the first device at an air distance of at least 10 m, preferably at least 25 m. This means that the electromagnetic signal is detectable by the first device when the watch is positioned within a radius of 10 m, preferably 25 m, from the first device and no obstacle other than air separates the first device from the watch. Since the first device is configured to receive the electromagnetic signal, it can detect the presence of the watch. For example, the first device is a smartphone.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic circuit comprising the watch antenna is configured to emit the electromagnetic signal in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range, preferably at a frequency between 2400 and 2483.5 MHz. This enables communication using the Bluetooth standard. Bluetooth technology has the advantage of enabling energy-efficient short-range communication between the watch and the first device.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, which may be combined with that of the previous paragraph, the electronic circuit is configured to transmit the electromagnetic signal via ultra-wideband (UWB), preferably at frequencies between 3100 and 10600 MHz, preferably between 6000 and 8500 MHz. The use of ultra-wideband signals means that the watch can be very accurately located by the first device when a short distance separates the watch from the first device.

[0021] Preferably, at least one side of the antenna is directed toward the portion of the housing that covers the antenna and is not separated from the housing by an electromagnetic shield capable of attenuating the electromagnetic signal. This prevents attenuation of the electromagnetic signal by the housing and thus improves the energy efficiency of the watch when transmitting a signal with a fixed power.

[0022] Preferably, at least one side of the antenna faces directly toward the housing. This means that at least one side of the antenna is oriented toward the portion of the housing. For example, at least one side of the antenna faces directly toward the portion of the housing that covers the antenna and is permeable to the electromagnetic signal. Preferably, there is nothing separating the antenna side from the portion of the housing. This improves the efficiency of the electromagnetic signal emitted by the antenna.

[0023] Preferably, the watch case includes an on / off button so that the electronic circuit can start or stop the transmission of the electromagnetic signal through the electronic circuit. This saves energy by turning off the electronic circuit when the watch is not in use or is not at risk of being lost.

[0024] For the purposes of this document, the transmission of an electromagnetic signal includes the generation and transmission of the electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal is generated by the electronic circuit and transmitted by the antenna.

[0025] The button is configured to be pressed by a user. In response to a user pressing the button sequentially, the electronic circuit is configured to transmit the electromagnetic signal sequentially or to stop transmission.

[0026] Preferably, the watch case is made of a polymer that is permeable to the electromagnetic wave, such as plastic. In one example, the watch case is completely permeable to the electromagnetic wave and / or made entirely of polymer.

[0027] Preferably, the housing is made of an electrically insulating material.

[0028] The antenna can be planar, meaning flat. In other words, it is contained within a single plane or flattened.

[0029] Preferably, the watch according to the invention also comprises a microcomputer configured to display information on the watch screen. This information includes, for example, the weather, telephone contact details, the number to call in an emergency, the battery charge status, the calendar, and the music played on the watch. Preferably, the watch is configured to allow interaction between the user and the watch, so that the user can, for example, navigate menus or play games on the watch.

[0030] Preferably, the watch according to the invention is also provided with means for communicating via a mobile phone network and / or WLAN. This enables, in particular, the downloading of data from the Internet to the watch. Preferably, the watch's microcomputer is configured to receive this data.

[0031] The watch according to the invention enables the implementation of methods for its localization, which are described below. These methods are preferably computer-implemented.

[0032] In a first embodiment of such a method, the method comprises: • wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch by an electronic circuit located in the watch and including an antenna, • Receiving the electromagnetic signal by a first device separate from the watch, • in response to the first device receiving the electromagnetic signal, and by means of the first device: determining a relative position of the watch with respect to the first device and displaying the relative position of the watch on a screen of the first device.

[0033] For example, the first device is a smartphone.

[0034] Preferably, the electromagnetic signal emitted by the antenna is ultra-wideband (UWB) and preferably at frequencies between 3100 and 10600 MHz, preferably between 6000 and 8500 MHz, and more preferably between 6500 and 8000 MHz. This allows the watch to be precisely located.

[0035] In the methods, determining the position of the watch by the first device and displaying the position of the watch determined by the first device are performed in response to the first device receiving the electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal received by the first device includes the wristwatch's identification information.

[0036] In a second embodiment of such a method, the method comprises: • wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch by an electronic circuit located in the watch and including an antenna, • Receiving the electromagnetic signal by a first device separate from the watch, • in response to the first device receiving the electromagnetic signal, and by means of the first device: determining a position of the first device and transmitting a second signal representing the identification information of the watch and the position of the first device to a second device, • Receiving the second signal by the second device and displaying the position of the first device on a screen of the second device.

[0037] The second device is separate from the watch and the at least one first device. For example, the second device is a smartphone. For example, the second device belongs to an owner of the watch.

[0038] For example, the position of the first device is determined by means of a geolocation circuit for the first device.

[0039] The second signal may be transmitted from the first device to the second device via a wireless communication network and possibly via a server.

[0040] The second signal is preferably electromagnetic.

[0041] This method has the advantage that it works even when the first device cannot accurately determine the position of the watch, which can happen if the watch is too far from the first device. This is the case, for example, if the watch is located at a distance from the first device that is greater than the maximum transmission range of the ultra-wideband electromagnetic signal. In this case, the watch can be configured to transmit the electromagnetic signal to the first device using the Bluetooth standard. The result is a less precise location of the watch, but this can be achieved if the first device is located at a greater distance from the watch.

[0042] The first device then detects the presence of the clock within a certain radius of the first device, but is unable to determine its exact position relative to the first device. The first device then sends its own location to a second device, which provides the second device with an approximation of the clock's position.

[0043] Preferably, the electromagnetic signal is received simultaneously or at different times by several first devices separate from the watch. This makes it possible to use a large number of first devices to locate the watch, even if it is moving. For example, the first devices are smartphones carried by users who are different from the users of the watch and the second device, and which are networked to the second device, for example, via a telecommunications network and a server.

[0044] The second device is configured to receive the second signal representing the watch's identification information and the position of the first device. The second signal is preferably wireless. Based on the second signal, the second device is configured to indicate the position of the first device, which is an approximate position of the watch.

[0045] This allows a user of the second device to exploit the proximity between the first devices and the watch to locate the watch, for example, where the first devices are worn by different people. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user of the second device to be near the watch to detect it or to contact users of the first devices to locate the watch.

[0046] For example, the first device is a smartphone. Preferably, the electromagnetic signal is received by multiple first devices. In this case, the position of the watch can be determined, for example, by triangulation, which is more accurate.

[0047] Preferably, the second signal is transmitted to the second device via a server comprising a database that compares the identification information of the watch and the identification information of the second device. In this case, the method comprises: • in response to the server receiving the second signal, and by means of the server: determining the second device based on the identification information of the watch and the database, • Transmitting, by the server, the identification information of the watch and the position of the first device to the second device determined by the server.

[0048] The signal transmitted by the server may be the second, possibly modified, signal or another signal representing the identification information of the watch and the position of the first device.

[0049] The electromagnetic signal emitted by the antenna is preferably in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range, preferably at a frequency between 2400 and 2483.5 MHz.

[0050] In a third embodiment of such a method, the method comprises: • wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch through an antenna located in a casing of the watch, • Receiving the electromagnetic signal by a first device separate from the watch, • in response to the first device receiving the electromagnetic signal, and by means of the first device: determining a position of the watch and transmitting a second signal representing the identification information of the watch and the determined position of the watch to a second device, • Receiving the second signal by the second device and displaying the position of the clock on a screen of the second device.

[0051] Determining a position of the watch by the first device may comprise determining a relative position of the watch with respect to the first device combined with determining a position of the first device.

[0052] The second device is separate from the watch and the at least one first device. For example, the second device is a smartphone. For example, the second device belongs to an owner of the watch.

[0053] In one example, the second device is configured to allow the second device to display the position of the watch, while the first device is configured to prevent the first device from displaying the position of the watch. This prevents the position of the watch from being provided to users of the first devices if they are not the owners of the watch or are not authorized to access the position of the watch.

[0054] For example, the position of the first device is determined by means of a geolocation circuit for the first device.

[0055] The second signal may be transmitted wirelessly to the second device, for example, via a wireless communications network, which may include a server. Optionally, the server is configured to determine the position of the clock based on the relative position of the clock with respect to the first device and the position of the first device.

[0056] Preferably, the method is performed using a plurality of first devices. Optionally, the server is configured to determine the position of the clock based on the relative positions of the clock with respect to the first devices and the position of the first devices. By using a plurality of first devices, the position of the clock can be determined more accurately.

[0057] The advantage of this method is that it enables a precise location of the watch. In the method, the watch can be configured to transmit the electromagnetic ultra-wideband signal to the first device. Preferably, the electromagnetic signal emitted by the electronic circuit is transmitted via ultra-wideband (UWB) and preferably at frequencies between 3100 and 10600 MHz, preferably between 6000 and 8500 MHz.

[0058] The first device determines the relative position of the clock with respect to the first device. The first device also determines the position of the first device, for example, through geolocation. Based on the position of the first device and the relative position of the clock determined in this way, it is possible to determine the position of the clock. Determining the position of the clock based on the position of the first device and the relative position of the clock can be performed by the first device, by the second device, or by a separate server.

[0059] Based on the position of the first device and the relative position of the clock determined in this way, the first device generates the second signal and transmits it to the second device.

[0060] The second signal is preferably electromagnetic.

[0061] The second device then displays the location of the watch, allowing a user of the second device to locate the watch.

[0062] Preferably, the electromagnetic signal is received simultaneously or at different times by multiple first devices separate from the watch. This makes it possible to use a large number of first devices to locate the watch, even if it is moving. For example, the devices are smartphones, which may be carried by users separate from the users of the watch and the second device, and are networked with the second device.

[0063] The second device is configured to receive the second signal transmitted by the at least one first device. The second signal therefore includes the identification information of the watch and the position of the watch. Based on the second signal, the second device is configured to display the position of the watch.

[0064] This allows a user of the second device to exploit the proximity between the first devices and the watch to locate the watch, for example, where the first devices are worn by different people. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user of the second device to be near the watch to detect it or to contact users of the first devices to locate the watch.

[0065] For example, the first device is a smartphone. Preferably, the electromagnetic signal is received by a plurality of first devices, each of which, in response to receiving the electromagnetic signal, determines a position of the watch and each transmits a corresponding second signal representing the watch's identification information and the watch's position. In this case, the transmission is preferably carried out via a server that receives all the second signals, determines the watch's position based on the second signals, and transmits the watch's position and identification information to the second device.

[0066] Preferably, the second signal is transmitted to the second device via a server comprising a database that compares the identification information of the watch and the identification information of the second device. In this case, the method comprises: • in response to the server receiving the second signal, and by means of the server: determining the second device based on the identification information of the watch and the database, • Transmitting, by the server, the identification information of the watch and the position of the watch to the second device determined by the server.

[0067] The signal transmitted by the server may be the second, possibly modified, signal or another signal representing the clock's identification information and position.

[0068] In this document, the terms “localize” and “location” are used interchangeably with the terms “determine a position” and “position”.

[0069] In the context of this document, position information of a device, such as the watch or the first device, may include, for example, geographical coordinates of the device.

[0070] The use of the verb "umfassen" and its variants and conjugations in this document cannot in any way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use of the indefinite article "ein," "eine," or the definite article "der," "die," or "das" to introduce an element in this document does not exclude the presence of multiple such elements.

[0071] All preferred embodiments, all properties and all advantages of the embodiments of the method are transferred accordingly to the other embodiments of the method and vice versa.

[0072] All preferred embodiments, properties and advantages of the watch according to the invention apply accordingly to the methods and vice versa. Short description of the characters

[0073] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference is made to the attached Fig. 1, which illustrates a schematic exploded view of the components of a watch according to the invention.

[0074] The drawings in the figures are not necessarily to scale. Similar elements are generally identified by similar reference numerals throughout the figures. Within the scope of this specification, the same or similar elements may have the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the presence of reference numbers or letters in the drawings should not be considered limiting, even if these numbers or letters are indicated in the claims. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0075] This section provides a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention. The latter is described with specific embodiments and references to figures, but the invention is not limited by them. In particular, the drawings or figures described below are merely schematic and non-restrictive.

[0076] The terms “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. are used in this document solely to distinguish between different elements, without implying any order between them.

[0077] Fig.Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the components of a watch according to the invention. The watch comprises two parts of a strap 1, each part being attached to the case and including means for closing the strap around a user's wrist. The case 2 of the watch is closed by a display screen 3. The watch is configured to display the time on the screen, as well as other information such as weather forecasts, game information, and telephone contact information.

[0078] The watch includes an on / off button 6 for the electronic circuit 5, so that a user can activate or deactivate an electromagnetic signal emitted by the antenna of the electronic circuit by successively pressing the button.

[0079] The housing 2 is made of a non-conductive polymer, allowing the electromagnetic wave emitted by the antenna to pass through it without being attenuated. The housing 2 contains the electronic circuit 5, which includes the antenna, and the electrical energy storage means 4, which is a rechargeable battery.

[0080] Case 2 is closed by the display when the watch is in the assembled configuration. When assembled, the case is water and air tight to protect the electronics from moisture.

[0081] The antenna is electrically coupled to the electronic circuit.

[0082] When the electronic circuit is activated and the antenna emits the electromagnetic signal representing the watch's identification information, the watch can be part of a system that allows it to be geolocated and perform a procedure as described above. The watch's position can thus be determined and communicated to a user.

[0083] For example, the electronic circuit comprising the antenna is configured to transmit the electromagnetic signal via ultra-wideband and / or according to the Bluetooth standard, and which is detectable by a first device, such as a smartphone, located near the watch, for example, within a radius of 10 m or 50 m from the watch. The electromagnetic signal represents identification information of the watch, i.e., it allows the identification of the watch that transmitted the electromagnetic signal.

[0084] The smartphone is further configured to locate the watch in response to receiving the electromagnetic signal either by detecting that the watch is within a certain radius thereof (as a result of receiving the Bluetooth signal) or by accurately calculating the relative position of the watch to it (as a result of receiving the ultra-wideband signal).

[0085] The smartphone may belong to the watch owner or to third parties unknown to the watch owner. If the smartphone belongs to the watch owner, it can display the watch's relative position to the phone, allowing the watch owner to locate it.

[0086] If the smartphone belongs to a third party, it may be configured not to display the position of the watch and to transmit a second signal representing position information of the watch. For example, the position information is: its own position or the position of the watch calculated based on its own position and the relative position of the watch with respect to the smartphone (first device), or the relative position of the watch with respect to the smartphone (first device) separate from the position of the smartphone (first device). The third party's smartphone generates and transmits a second electromagnetic signal, which is transmitted to a second device, such as another smartphone, belonging to the owner of the watch, for example. The second electromagnetic signal represents the position information of the watch and the identification information of the watch.

[0087] The second signal can be transmitted from the first device to the second device via a wireless telecommunications network, for example, comprising a server. The server is configured to determine, based on the watch's identification information, the second device to which the second signal should be transmitted, so that the watch's identification information and position information are transmitted to a predetermined second device. For example, the server can perform this process using a server database that compares the watch's identification information with the second device's identification information.

[0088] The watch owner's smartphone can then display the watch's location, allowing the owner to locate it. The advantage of this method is that it is possible to use a large number of third-party phones positioned near the watch to locate it, without the watch owner having to contact them.

[0089] In summary, the invention relates to a locatable networked watch. The watch comprises a strap 1 for attaching the watch to a user's wrist, a screen 3 for displaying time information, a housing 2 attached to the strap 1 and enclosing an electronic circuit 5, and electrical energy storage means 4. The electronic circuit 5 includes an antenna and is configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch. At least a portion of the housing 2 covering the antenna is made of a material permeable to the electromagnetic signal.

[0090] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments and examples illustrated and / or described above, but that its scope is more broadly defined by the claims presented below.

[0091] The present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments that are purely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the examples illustrated or described above, and that its scope is more broadly defined by the claims presented below.

Claims

[1] A networked watch including: • a strap (1) for attaching the watch to a user’s wrist, • a screen (3) for displaying time information, • a case (2) attached to the bracelet (1) and containing: ◯ a storage medium for electrical energy (4), ◯ an electronic circuit (5) which is supplied with energy by the electrical energy storage means (4), characterized by , that the electronic circuit (5) comprises an antenna and is configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch, and that at least a portion of the housing (2) covering the antenna is permeable to the electromagnetic signal. [2] Watch according to claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit (5) is configured to emit the electromagnetic signal in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) range, preferably at a frequency between 2400 and 2483.5 MHz. [3] Watch according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic circuit (5) is configured to transmit the electromagnetic signal via ultra-wideband (UWB) and preferably at frequencies between 3100 and 10600 MHz, preferably between 6000 and 8500 MHz. [4] A watch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one side of the antenna is directed towards the portion of the housing covering the antenna and is not separated from the housing by an electromagnetic shield capable of attenuating the electromagnetic signal. [5] A watch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the case (2) further comprises an on / off button (6) to enable the electronic circuit (5) to start or stop the transmission of the electromagnetic signal by the electronic circuit (5). [6] A watch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the case (2) is made of a polymer which is permeable to the electromagnetic wave. [7] A watch according to any one of the preceding claims, provided with means for communicating via a mobile telephone network and / or via WLAN. [8] A watch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical energy storage means (4) is further configured to supply electrical energy to the display screen (3) and / or other internal electronic circuits of the watch.

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