CONTROL METHOD OF THE POWER CONSUMPTION OF A WRISTWATCH

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for managing the electrical consumption of a watch.

[0002] The invention also relates to a watch implementing this process and a computer program. Previous art

[0003] In the current state of the art, watches typically use batteries or accumulators as their power source. Such power sources generally have a limited lifespan and therefore need to be periodically replaced or recharged using an external charging device.

[0004] To overcome this drawback, state-of-the-art watches include charging devices capable of converting the mechanical energy produced into usable electrical energy to power the watch. These watch charging devices work by activating a bezel connected to a power-generating mechanism within each watch to recharge its battery.

[0005] However, a major drawback of these watches is that the wearer often has to recharge the watch's battery as soon as it runs out of power. US 2008 / 246437 A1 disclosure concerns an electronic watch equipped with a rechargeable battery. It describes a system for reliably displaying the battery's charge level using a pointer moving across a graduated dial. Each graduation represents a period of operation (e.g., one day), thus allowing the user to assess the available power reserve.

[0006] It is understandable that there is therefore a need to find an alternative solution, in particular one that does not have the disadvantages of the previous art. Summary of the invention

[0007] One aim of the present invention is therefore to propose a method for managing the electrical consumption of a watch, allowing the wearer of the watch to optimally control this consumption management.

[0008] Another aim of the invention is to enable the wearer to rationalize and optimize the mechanical force he uses to recharge the watch.

[0009] In this regard, the invention relates to a method for managing the electrical consumption of a watch according to claim 1.

[0010] In other embodiments: The guidance sub-step includes a phase of disseminating said generated information to the wearer of the watch via the visual guidance elements and / or the audio interface of this watch; the identification step includes a sub-step of periodically determining a charge level of the accumulator; the identification step includes a sub-step: ▪ of evaluating the electrical consumption of a function performed by the watch, or ▪ of evaluating the electrical consumption of a function to be performed by the watch; the determination sub-step and the evaluation sub-steps include a phase of transmitting an audio and / or visual message to the wearer of the watch (1) inviting him to proceed to recharge the accumulator.

[0011] The invention also relates to a watch, in particular a connected one, implementing this process.

[0012] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of this process when said computer program is executed by a processing unit of a watch. Brief description of the figures

[0013] Other features and advantages will become clear from the description given below, which is indicative and in no way exhaustive, with reference to the attached figures, in which: there figure 1 represents a logic diagram relating to a method for managing the electrical consumption of a watch, according to an embodiment of the invention, and the figure 2 represents a watch implementing this process, according to the embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0014] On the figure 1A method for managing the electrical consumption of a watch is illustrated. This method aims to achieve optimal management of the watch's electrical consumption by periodically prompting the wearer to activate, with guidance, a control element 5 of an electrical energy generation mechanism 4 of the watch.

[0015] Such a process is implemented by a watch 1, in particular a connected mechanical watch comprising a mechanical movement. Such a watch 1 includes, but is not limited to: a processing unit 2 comprising hardware and software resources in particular at least one processor cooperating with memory elements; a battery 3; a power generation mechanism 4 comprising an electric generator in kinematic linkage with at least one control element 5 and connected to the battery 3; a hybrid display dial 6 having a first analog display component and a second digital and / or alphanumeric display component; a sound interface 7 such as a loudspeaker; a communication module 8; at least one control element 5 of the power generation mechanism 4 such as a bezel or a rotating crown, and visual guidance elements 9.

[0016] This processing unit 2 of the watch 1 is connected among other things to the sound interface 7, to a battery 3, to the display dial 6, to the energy generation mechanism 4, to at least one control element 5, to the communication module 8 and to the visual guidance elements 9.

[0017] In this watch 1, the communication module 8 is capable of establishing a connection with a cellular network system, including a SIM card (acronym for "Subscriber Identity Module"), or with a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, and is also capable of implementing communication technologies such as Bluetooth. Under these conditions, the watch 1 is capable of exchanging data with a remote server, a computer, or a smartphone.

[0018] Such a process includes a step 10 of identifying a need to recharge a battery 3 of the watch 1. During this step 10, such a need to recharge the battery 3 of the watch 1 is identified as soon as the processing unit 2 detects a drop in charge of the battery 3 resulting for example from the execution of a function of the watch 1 or as soon as this unit determines that a function of this watch 1 is going to be executed or has been executed.

[0019] In this context, it should be noted that the functions of watch 1 may preferably be those that consume more electrical energy compared to energy-efficient time and / or date display functions. These functions include, for example: Data retrieval such as the day's weather forecast, which notably involves the use of communication module 8; use of a barometer on watch 1; use of an altimeter on watch 1; use of a navigation system; use of a compass; use of a "Tracking & POI" system; use of a step counting system; use of a system for evaluating energy expenditure; use of a system for evaluating distance traveled; an alarm; a stopwatch; a countdown timer, and so on...

[0020] This step 10 then includes a substep 11 for the periodic determination of the charge level of the battery 3. To do this, this substep 11 includes a measurement phase 12 of the charge level of the battery 3 of the watch 1. Once this measurement is established, this substep 11 provides for a comparison phase 13 of this charge level measurement with a reference threshold. If this measurement is lower than this reference threshold, then the battery 3 needs to be recharged. Indeed, in this context, the charge level of the battery 3 of the watch 1 does not allow the watch 1 to perform its functions correctly and / or sufficiently. In this context, this substep 11 provides for the execution of a transmission phase 16 of an audio and / or visual message to the wearer of the watch 1, prompting them to recharge the battery 3.Such a message is generated by the processing unit 2 and transmitted to the wearer via the display dial 6, in particular the second component of this dial 6, and / or via the sound interface 7.

[0021] Conversely, if this measure is greater than this reference threshold, then step 10 of the identification of a need provides for the implementation of a sub-step: evaluation 14 of the electrical consumption of a function performed by watch 1, or evaluation 15 of the electrical consumption of a function to be performed by watch 1.

[0022] During substep 15 of the power consumption evaluation of the function performed by the watch 1, when the processing unit 2 detects the completion of a function, it determines the power consumption generated by the execution of that function. More precisely, as soon as the start of the function execution is detected by the processing unit 2, it simultaneously or almost simultaneously measures the state of charge of the battery 3. Subsequently, as soon as the execution of this function is complete, the processing unit 2 again measures the state of charge of the battery 3 and then determines the power consumption related to the execution of this function.Based on the determination of this consumption, the processing unit 2 is able to quantify the need to recharge the battery 3 in order to compensate for the electrical energy consumed during the implementation of this function. In this context, this substep 15 then provides for the execution of a transmission phase 16 of an audio and / or visual message to the wearer of the watch 1, prompting them to recharge the battery 3. Such a message is generated by the processing unit 2 and transmitted to the wearer via the display 6, specifically the second component of this display, and / or via the audio interface 7.

[0023] During substep 18 of the power consumption assessment for the function to be performed by the watch 1, when the processing unit 2 detects a future execution of a function, for example, when an alarm is set or a function is initiated, this unit 2 then evaluates the potential power consumption that will be generated by the execution of this function. This evaluation is performed by the processing unit 2 based, in particular, on statistical data regarding the wearer's usual use of this function. From the determination of this consumption, the processing unit 2 is able to quantify the required recharging of the battery 3 necessary for the execution of this function in order to compensate for the power consumption.In this context, this substep 18 provides for the implementation of a transmission phase 16 of an audio and / or visual message to the wearer of the watch 1 inviting him to proceed to recharge the accumulator 3. Such a message is generated by the processing unit 2 and transmitted to the wearer via the display dial 6 in particular the second component of this dial, and / or via the sound interface 7. This message can be transmitted to the wearer for example following the programming of the execution of the function (for the example of the programming of the alarm) or even from the beginning of the initiation of the function.

[0024] It should be noted that within the framework of this process, upon receiving the message proposing to recharge the accumulator 3 of the watch 1, the wearer has the option to refuse this proposal, postpone it to a later date or carry it out immediately.

[0025] Insofar as the wearer agrees to recharge the device, particularly via their watch 1, the process then includes a step 17 for recharging the accumulator 3 by guided actuation of a control element 5 of an electrical energy generation mechanism 4 of the watch 1. This energy generation mechanism 4 is capable of transforming the mechanical energy produced by the actuation of the control element 5 into electrical energy. This step 17 includes a substep 18 for visual and / or audible guidance during the actuation of the control element 5 of the electrical energy generation mechanism 4. This substep 18 includes a phase for generating control information 19 for the control element 5. Subsequently, the guidance substep 18 includes a phase for disseminating this generated information 20 to the wearer of the watch 1 via the visual guidance elements 9 and / or the audible interface 7 of this watch 1.Such information is generated from the quantification of the identified recharging need. This information includes, in particular, the distance traveled and / or the time required to activate the control element 5 of the energy generation mechanism 4 to meet the identified need. It should be noted that the visual guidance elements 9 are defined in the watch in such a way as to allow the wearer to visually identify and quantify the movement of the control element. These guidance elements 9 can therefore be arranged in the dial, the case, the bezel, or even generated in the second display component of the dial.

[0026] In a first example, transparent / translucent appliqués on the dial can be illuminated distinctly from one another by light sources arranged behind the dial to indicate to the wearer the distance over which a control element 5, such as the bezel of this watch 1, should be moved. These appliqués can, for example, be illuminated between a starting point at 12 o'clock and an ending point at 6 o'clock for a clockwise movement of the bezel 1. In this configuration, the bezel can then include a reference point, illuminated or not, positioned at the starting point here at 12 o'clock. This substep 18 can include a phase for detecting the position of the bezel's reference point in order to align the starting point with this reference point.

[0027] In a second example, the illuminated appliques can correspond to the time required for the wearer to operate the control element 5, which in this case could be the bezel or the crown. In this configuration, this substep 18 can provide for a constant or periodic measurement of the state of charge of the accumulator 3 throughout the duration of the operation of the control element 5 in order to update the charging time accordingly.

[0028] In a third example similar to the first or second example, the visual indication provided by the illuminated appliques is replaced by an audible indication via the sound interface 7 of the watch 1.

Claims

1. A method for managing the power consumption of a watch (1) comprising: - an identification step (10) in which a need to recharge an accumulator (3) in the watch (1) is identified, such a need to recharge the accumulator (3) in the watch (1) being identified as soon as the processing unit (2) in this watch (1) detects a low charge in the accumulator (3), characterised in that: - said recharging need is identified as soon as this unit (2) determines that a function of this watch (1) is going to be performed or has been performed, and - the method comprises a recharging step (17) in which said accumulator (3) is recharged by the guided actuation of a control element (5) of an electrical energy-generation mechanism (4) in the watch (1) if the recharging need is identified, said recharging step (17) comprising a visual and / or audio guidance sub-step (18) for actuating the control element (5) of the electrical energy-generation mechanism (4), said guidance sub-step (18) comprising a phase in which control information for the control element (5) is generated (19), said information comprising a travel distance and / or a time required to actuate the control element (5) of the energy-generation mechanism in order to meet the identified need.

2. The method according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the guidance sub-step (18) comprises a transmission phase (20) in which said generated information is sent to the wearer of the watch (1) by means of the visual guidance elements and / or the audio interface (7) in said watch (1).

3. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the identification step (10) comprises a periodic determination sub-step (11) for determining a charge level of the accumulator (3).

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the identification step (10) comprises a sub-step: - for evaluating (14) the power consumption of a function performed by the watch (1), or - for evaluating (15) the power consumption of a function to be performed by the watch (1).

5. The method according to any of claims 3 and 4, characterised in that the determination sub-step (11) and the evaluation sub-steps (14, 15) comprise a transmission phase for sending an audio and / or visual message to the wearer of the watch (1) inviting him / her to recharge the accumulator (3).

6. A watch (1), in particular a smartwatch, implementing the method according to any of the preceding claims.

7. A computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps (10 to 18) in the method according to the preceding claim when said computer program is executed by a processing unit (2) in a watch (1).