Device and method for collecting, saving, analysing and issuing the results of the analysis of timepiece data

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for collecting, saving, analysing and issuing the results of the analysis (10) of mechanical watch data.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and a method for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis of data from mechanical timepieces. State of the prior art

[0002] In general, the present invention relates to the field of analyzing and verifying the performance of mechanical watches. Such verification has traditionally been performed using analysis systems dedicated solely to this task, these systems comprising a measuring unit for capturing the sound emitted during the operation of the mechanical movement of the watch as well as an analysis unit for performing a frequency analysis of the captured sound signal, and displaying the result on a screen, so that the user can verify the running performance of the movement of a particular watch that is physically at home at the time of verification. This type of dedicated system is typically reserved, due to the cost, size and complexity of use, for watch manufacturers or other specialists requiring such equipment.

[0003] For several years now, digitalisation in many technical sectors and, in particular, the widespread use of mobile phones have had a significant influence in this area as well.

[0004] For example, it is now possible for an owner of a mechanical watch to carry out a self-check of the running performance of his watch using a mobile phone equipped with a corresponding computer application that allows the phone's microphone or an external microphone to be used to capture the sound emitted by the movement as well as to carry out a corresponding analysis of the captured sound signal. It is obvious that, while the corresponding cost and complexity make this device accessible to a larger number of users, this type of check does not allow the accuracy of a dedicated analysis system of the type mentioned above to be achieved.

[0005] Several other approaches to verifying the running performance of watches with a mechanical movement are currently known, these approaches being able to be considered as intermediate solutions generally situated between the two extremes cited above.

[0006] Patent CH 712 578 discloses a method for adjusting the rate of a mechanical watch by means of an electronic device comprising at least one measuring sensor arranged to measure a physical parameter to which the electronic device is subjected and a data transmission device arranged to transmit the data provided by the measuring sensor to a data reception device external to the mechanical watch. The module collects physical parameters to which the mechanical movement is subjected (among others: temperature, humidity, magnetic fields, accelerations). The invention does not provide for in-situ monitoring of the operation of the movement.

[0007] Patent CH 707 105 discloses a system for measuring the rate of the regulating organ of a mechanical watch and displaying any deviation from a reference. All the measurement, analysis and display functions are integrated into the watch case; there is no communication module for sharing the results or comparing the behavior of several watches.

[0008] Patent application WO99 / 19831 discloses a device for managing products each equipped with an identification member, the device making it possible to identify the product thanks to the presence of said identification member on the product as well as to control certain qualities of the product, this with the aim of improving product management between the manufacturer, wholesalers and retailers responsible for marketing the products. In particular, this document proposes a product management device equipped with a sensor making it possible to read a chip integrated in the product, in particular in a watch, said chip forming the identification member on the watch and giving a univocal response to an identification request.The device is also equipped with a sound detector such as a microphone and an electromagnetic sensor in order to capture the sound signals emitted by the movement of a mechanical watch, respectively the electromagnetic signals emitted by the motor of an electronic watch with a hand display. Without specifying details, the document mentions that, when using the management device at a watch retailer, these signals are sent by the device to the manufacturer so that the latter can know the running of the watch as well as other characteristics that can be defined by the interpretation of the signals sent and that, in return, the manufacturer can transmit to the retailer additional information about the products.Although this device, unlike the aforementioned device, makes it possible to identify not only a type of watch, but each individual watch produced by a manufacturer, it has the significant disadvantage of requiring an identification device such as a chip integrated into each watch. Furthermore, the analysis of captured signals apparently remains at a relatively low level of detail.

[0009] In addition, there are also devices for analyzing and verifying the condition and performance of quartz watches which, by analogy, use the measurement, in addition by electromagnetic sensors, of the corresponding parameters, such as the resistance of the coil, the power consumption or the battery voltage, to assess the condition of a quartz watch.

[0010] Document US 2015 / 053006 discloses a device and a method for authenticating a timepiece comprising at least one quartz-based oscillator. The principle for authenticating a timepiece according to this document consists in determining a power spectrum in the frequency domain or a spectrum in other domains of an electrical signal corresponding to the oscillation frequency of a quartz in the timepiece to be authenticated, narrow peaks appearing in said spectrum and corresponding to the resonance frequency of said quartz being used for authentication. In the device, respectively the corresponding method, possible changes in the characteristics of the timepiece over time are not monitored, but are considered as disadvantages requiring regular recertification of the watch, e.g. annually.In general, the disclosure of US 2015 / 053006 is limited to the determination and use of the resonant frequencies of a quartz crystal for the identification or authentication of a corresponding timepiece, while this document does not disclose any other analysis or use of the collected data.

[0011] GB 2 524 523 A discloses a watch for use in an authentication system, said watch comprising: a mechanism having one or more moving components for measuring and / or indicating the passage of time; a sensor subsystem configured to detect a mechanical configuration of said one or more moving components and to generate an output signal indicative of said detected mechanical configuration; and a transmitter configured to transmit said signal for use as a predictable time-varying authentication signature dependent on the mechanical configuration of the watch.

[0012] Apart from the specific drawbacks of each of the devices mentioned above as examples, the majority of the corresponding approaches simply reproduce the dedicated conventional analysis systems comprising a measuring unit as well as an analysis unit, by replacing one or both parts of these systems with means made available by digitalization, such as a mobile phone which can, by being equipped with corresponding software, replace for example the analysis unit. Objectives of the invention

[0013] An aim of the present invention is therefore to propose a device of the aforementioned type, respectively a corresponding method, which allows to fully exploit the options opened up thanks to digitalization and which offers analysis options going beyond the options of conventional systems, while ensuring high quality of verification of the operation of the mechanical movement, safe and efficient operation, as well as affordable cost and an acceptable level of complexity for the user.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of known devices while achieving the aforementioned advantages, in particular to enable the production of a device and a method for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis of data of mechanical timepieces which is simple in its design, reliable and flexible in its operation, space-saving in particular on the side of the purchaser of a watch, and which offers a multitude of options for the user as well as for the manufacturer, in particular in terms of the identification of watches as well as possible analyses, respectively additional options resulting therefrom. Solution according to the invention

[0015] To this end, the present invention provides a device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis of data of mechanical timepieces of the aforementioned type which is distinguished by the characteristics set out in claim 1, as well as a remote central analysis unit distinguished by the characteristics set out in claim 8 and a corresponding method distinguished by the characteristics set out in claim 9, as well as a computer-readable non-transitory data storage means distinguished by the characteristics set out in claim 11 and a watch distinguished by the characteristics set out in claim 12.

[0016] Other features and corresponding advantages will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the description hereinafter setting forth the invention in more detail. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The attached drawings represent schematically and by way of example several embodiments of the invention. There Figure 1 represents a block diagram of a device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis of data from mechanical watches according to the present invention, the parts of the device, in particular a plurality of electronic modules each of which is capable of being hosted within one of a plurality of watches, a remote central analysis unit and a plurality of access and display devices, being illustrated symbolically. Figure 2 schematically illustrates the operation of a device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis of data from mechanical watches according to the present invention. Figures 3a and 3brepresent, schematically and by way of example, data in the form of acoustic waves relating to the operation of a watch and captured by a measuring means of the electronic module. Figure 4 schematically illustrates a “deep learning” type analysis of the data as can be carried out by the remote central analysis unit. Detailed description of the invention

[0018] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating by way of example several embodiments of the invention.

[0019] A device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis 10 of data of mechanical watches according to the present invention is intended to be used for analyzing and verifying the running performance of mechanical timepieces, in particular wristwatches equipped with a mechanical movement. As will become clearer later, due to the in-depth analysis made possible by the device according to the present invention, the device makes it possible to achieve numerous additional applications and advantages going beyond the analysis and verification of the running performance of watches.

[0020] As regards the device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis 10 of mechanical watch data, it comprises three main parts which are represented schematically in Figure 1 , namely a plurality of electronic modules 1 each of which is capable of being housed within one of a plurality of mechanical watches 2 each comprising a mechanical movement, a remote central analysis unit 3 capable of assigning a first unique identification to each of said watches 2, a plurality of access and display devices 4.

[0021] In order to describe these three main parts of the device in more detail, it should be noted that each electronic module 1 comprises: at least one measuring means capable of capturing data relating to the operation of the watch 2, in particular the sound emitted by the mechanical watch 2, a conversion means capable of converting analog signals corresponding to the data captured by the measuring means into corresponding digital signals, and a transfer unit capable of communicating the digital signals comprising the data to said remote central analysis unit 3.

[0022] Preferably, a measuring means may be provided by an acoustic wave detector capable of capturing the sound emitted by the mechanical movement of the watch 2. Such a detector may for example consist of a microphone, a vibration detector, or any other means capable of capturing the acoustic waves emitted by the movement. The conversion means may for example consist of a digital-to-analog converter. The transfer unit of the electronic module is connected to the internet network by a wired or wireless communication means, for example using a network wire connected to an RJ45 network socket or a USB socket, a wireless network of the Wifi or Bluetooth type, or any other suitable means. The electronic module 1 is housed or located within the mechanical watch 2. It may for example be integrated into the back, in the caseband or in the strap of the watch. The fixing of the electronic module may be permanent (overmolded, glued, welded, etc.)) or removable (screwed, driven, fixed using clips, etc.). According to another variant, the electronic module 1 can be housed in the casing circle of the mechanical movement. According to yet another variant, the electronic module 1 can be fixed or mounted outside the watch case. Generally speaking, the components of each electronic module, such as an acoustic wave detector, a digital-to-analog converter and the transfer unit, are known in the prior art and do not need to be described in more detail. These components allow the electronic module 1 of a device according to the present invention to capture data relating to the analysis and verification of the running performance of the watch 2 and to communicate them to the remote central analysis unit 3.

[0023] Said remote central analysis unit 3 comprises an analysis means for analyzing the data received from each electronic module 1 and a storage means hosting a database in which several categories of data are stored, namely: ° identification data and information specific to each of the watches 2, ° the data captured by the measuring means, ° the results of the analysis of the data received from each electronic module 1, as well as ° the evolving results of the analysis of the data accumulated over time relating to an identified watch 2 and / or to several watches (2).

[0024] The first category of data stored in this database, i.e. identification data and information specific to each of the watches 2, typically includes all necessary information in relation to the watches 2 manufactured and sold by a watch manufacturer. For example, this concerns the general characteristics of the different types of watches and information concerning their movement and components, serial numbers and images of the individual watches produced and, if applicable, sold, including available information concerning the purchaser of each watch. In particular and preferably, this information may also include data such as the sound or parameters representative of the sound emitted by the mechanical movement of each watch 2 produced.Samples of this sound are then captured before the sale of the watch and recorded in this database, so that this data pre-recorded in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3 can subsequently be compared with the corresponding data captured by an electronic module 1 comprising a measuring means such as an acoustic wave detector, and transmitted to the remote central analysis unit 3.

[0025] The second category of data stored in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3 comprises the data captured by the measuring means, i.e. in addition to sound and / or visual data, either in the format as received from the electronic modules 1 or, preferably, in a format allowing all the information contained in the data to be maintained while reducing the corresponding recording space. Thus, all the measurements made over time by a plurality of electronic modules 1 relating to a large number of watches 2 are accumulated and available for immediate or subsequent processing on the remote central analysis unit 3.

[0026] The third category of data stored in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3 comprises the results of the analysis of the data received from each electronic module 1 relating to an identified watch 2, the results of the analysis concerning a specific watch 2 then being available at all times and able to be consulted quickly. The third category of data comprises information, most of which is typically also produced by the systems for verifying the running performance of mechanical watches according to the prior art. The analysis of the data concerning a specific watch 2, in particular the sound emitted by its mechanical movement, is known to those skilled in the art and will therefore not be described in detail here. This analysis is for example described in the document “Measuring technology and troubleshooting for watches” (Document No. 71.1010D35e dated October 2016 from the company Witschi Electronic Ltd). The information in this third category of data, i.e. the results of this analysis, may also include the operating parameters of the oscillator of the mechanical movement of each watch 2 and the evolution of these parameters between two beats of said oscillator over time. These parameters may be the frequency of the oscillator or its oscillation amplitude. The information in the third category of data may also include data extrapolated from these parameters and concerning, where appropriate, the variation in the rate accuracy of each watch 2, or even information relating to the failure of a component of the watch which is the cause of a possible variation in the rate.It remains to be noted, however, that the identification of an individual specific watch 2, which will be described below and which is carried out by the remote central analysis unit 3 of the device 10 according to the present invention, can be interpreted as also being part of the third category of data. However, for reasons which will become clearer later in the description, this identification cannot be carried out by the systems for verifying the running performance of mechanical watches according to the prior art.

[0027] The fourth category of data stored in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3 comprises the evolving results of the analysis of data accumulated over time of the same watch (2) and / or of several watches (2), for example watches of different production series but comprising the same type of watch movement. The information of this fourth category of data, i.e. the results of this analysis, may, in addition, include the results of in-depth statistical evaluations, for example the statistical data concerning the probability of failure of the most important components of the watches 2, classified according to the different types of watches produced by the watch manufacturer.An application of this data may consist in carrying out predictive maintenance, since the average probability of failure of a given component for a certain type of watch can be determined, which subsequently makes it possible to predict its replacement in a specific watch 2 in which the component in question will arrive, according to a high probability, at an advanced stage of wear or at a stage of lower performance. This thus facilitates the service of watches whose monitoring is ensured by a device 10 according to the present invention. In a particularly advantageous manner, the information of this fourth category of data normally includes the results of the analysis of the data accumulated over time, of the deep learning type, the analysis in this case making use of neural networks and / or artificial intelligence as will be described in more detail below.The corresponding information produced by such an analysis may, for example, also concern the evolution of the running accuracy of each watch 2 monitored by the device 10 according to the present invention, the probability of failure of its most important components, classified according to the different types of watches produced, etc., this information being in this case obtained using an analysis method different from a conventional in-depth statistical evaluation. The information of this fourth category of data stored in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3 may also include analysis algorithms making it possible to associate a behavior of the watch with a cause of failure.

[0028] In this context, it remains to be noted that part of the data of the third category, in particular the identification of each individual watch 2, and, in particular, the fourth category of data stored in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3, can only be produced by using an architecture such as used by the device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis 10 of data of mechanical watches according to the present invention. Indeed, the systems for verifying the running performance of mechanical watches according to the prior art carry out the analysis of the data either directly in the measuring device or in a mobile device for analyzing and displaying data, so that these systems can only include in their analysis the watch located near the measuring device.The architecture of the device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis 10 according to the present invention thus produces a technical effect by making it possible, through the use and combination of data which were not recorded or which were processed separately or differently by conventional systems, to obtain analysis results going beyond the results previously accessible.

[0029] Concerning the access and display devices 4, they allow access to the information contained in the database, so that an owner of a watch 2 or another user of the device 10 equipped with a corresponding access and display device 4, such as an employee of the manufacturer of the watches 2, can consult, as illustrated schematically in Figure 2, the information contained in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3. This information results, at least in part, from the analysis of the data captured and transmitted previously, for watches 2, by the electronic modules 1.

[0030] Generally speaking, the access and display device 4 may consist of a mobile telephone or a tablet-type computer, capable of being connected by a wireless communication means as mentioned above to the Internet network and via this network to the remote central analysis unit 3, as also illustrated schematically in FIG. Figure 2 Alternatively, the access and display device 4 may consist of a remote fixed computer connected by wired communication means or capable of being connected by wireless communication means to the Internet network and, likewise, via this network to the remote central analysis unit 3.

[0031] Preferably, the access and display devices 4 are equipped with software of the mobile phone application type or have software allowing access to an internet portal, which in both cases allows a connection to be established between the access and display devices 4 and the remote central analysis unit 3 in order to access the information included in the database hosted on said remote central analysis unit 3.

[0032] An important feature of the device 10 according to the present information is that the analysis of the data mentioned above is carried out by the remote central analysis unit 3 and that all the data also mentioned above are stored in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3. Therefore, the remote central analysis unit 3 must be able to assign said first unique identification to an electronic module 1 and / or to a specific watch comprising said electronic module 1.

[0033] In one embodiment of the device 10 according to the present invention, the remote central analysis unit 3 is capable of assigning said first unique identification to a specific watch 2 comprising said electronic module 1, by analyzing the data received from the electronic module 1 which in this case comprise a unique key corresponding to the watch 2 comprising said electronic module 1. For example, said unique key can be coded in the digital signals and communicated at the start of each sending of data captured by the measuring means(s) from the electronic module 1 to the remote central analysis unit 3.In this case, if said first unique identification is assigned to a specific watch 2 only on the basis of a unique key, and in the event of replacement of the electronic module 1 within a specific watch 2, it is then necessary to update the database making it possible to make the link between the electronic module 1 and the specific watch 2. Nevertheless, this embodiment of the device 10, respectively the corresponding assignment of said first unique identification to each watch 2 comprising an electronic module 1, is useful, because, on the one hand, it makes it possible to provide a simple identification which will be correct in the vast majority of cases and, on the other hand, it can be verified by analyzing the measured data, as will become clearer later.

[0034] Indeed, in another embodiment of the device 10 according to the present invention which can be combined with the assignment of said first unique identification to watch 2 comprising an electronic module 1 by a unique key coded in the data received from the electronic module 1, the remote central analysis unit 3 is able to assign said first unique identification to each watch 2 by analysis of the sound emitted by the movement of the watch 2 and captured by the measuring means. Indeed, if the level of detail of the corresponding analysis is sufficient, the frequency spectrum of the sound emitted by the movement of the watch 2 and captured by a suitable acoustic wave detector, can form a unique acoustic signature for each watch 2 which can be recognized by the remote central analysis unit 3 of the device 10 according to the present invention.In particular and as mentioned above when describing the categories of data stored in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3, this database preferably comprises, and in particular in the event of the intention to use from the outset an assignment of said first unique identification by this acoustic signature, data such as the sound emitted by the mechanical movement of each watch 2 produced, in the form of samples of this sound, captured before the sale of the watch and recorded in this database. Thus, this data pre-recorded in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3 can be compared to the sound data captured for a watch 2 by the acoustic wave detector and transmitted by the electronic module 1 to the remote central analysis unit 3.The remote central analysis unit 3 therefore assigns in this case said first unique identification always directly to the specific watch 2, because the assignment is based on the analysis of the sound emitted by the movement of the watch 2. In addition, the assignment of said first unique identification to each watch 2 by analysis of the sound emitted by the movement of the watch 2, makes it possible to verify, by the remote central analysis unit 3, the other way of assigning the first unique identification, if present, and thus makes it possible to obtain a very high level of security for this identification. It should also be noted that the unique acoustic signature for each watch 2 provided by the analysis in the remote central analysis unit 3 of the sound emitted by the movement of the watch 2 is obtained by the device 10 according to the present invention without the need to provide in each watch 2 a specific identification member.Indeed, the usual variability in the manufacture and assembly of the components of the watches 2, in particular the components of its mechanical movements, is sufficient to produce frequency spectra of the sound emitted by the movements of the watches 2 which can be distinguished by the analysis carried out by the remote central analysis unit 3, provided that the analysis is carried out with sufficient frequency resolution.

[0035] Furthermore, the identification of each individual watch 2 produced by the manufacturer, by analyzing the sound emitted by the movement of the watch 2 and captured by the measuring means, is a concrete example of the technical effect mentioned above, because this identification is made possible by the use and combination of data that were not recorded or that were processed separately or differently by conventional systems. This therefore makes it possible to obtain analysis results that go beyond the results previously accessible.

[0036] Because the above-mentioned data analysis is performed by the remote central analysis unit 3 and all the data also mentioned above are stored in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3, it is also preferable that at least some of the access and display devices 4 allow selective access to the information contained in the database based on a second unique identification assigned to it by the remote central analysis unit 3. Indeed, the remote central analysis unit 3 is normally able to assign said second unique identification to each access and display device 4 allowing selective access.This assignment of said second unique identification to each of at least a portion of the access and display devices 4 by the remote central analysis unit 3 may be carried out, for example, by means of a password, a digital identification certificate or another digital means of identification entered by the user into or stored on the access and display device 4 concerned. More specifically, a username and password combination, a digital identification certificate or another digital means of identification may be entered, respectively provided, by the user to said software of the mobile phone application type, respectively to said software allowing access to an internet portal, installed on the access and display devices 4 allowing selective access.Said second unique identification of each access and display device 4 corresponds to the first unique identification of a watch 2, so as to allow selective access to the information contained in the database of the remote central analysis unit 3. More particularly, each access and display device 4 allows selective access, depending on the second unique identification assigned to it by the remote central analysis unit 3. Access is thus given to either part or all of the information contained in the database of the remote central analysis unit 3, in particular concerning a specific watch 2 or a type of watch, depending on said second unique identification which is assigned, by the remote central analysis unit 3, either to a user considered to be the owner of the corresponding watch 2, or to a user considered to be a collaborator of the manufacturer of the watch 2.Thus, it is possible to provide selective access to the information included in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3.

[0037] As regards the actual method of analyzing the data relating to an identified watch 2, that is to say the method of analyzing the data used to obtain, in particular, the information belonging to the third and fourth categories of data stored in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3, this method of analysis may be of a conventional type, at least for certain information obtained by the analysis carried out by the remote central analysis unit 3. This method of analysis is known to those skilled in the art of watchmaking and is further documented in the document “Measuring technology and troubleshooting for watches” already cited above, which is why it is not necessary to describe it here.

[0038] Preferably, the method for analyzing data relating to an identified watch 2 is of the deep learning type using neural networks and / or artificial intelligence. The principles of this analysis method are known to those skilled in the art of computer science, so that they will only be briefly mentioned here, while the new aspects arising from the application of this analysis method to the field of watchmaking, in particular in the context of the analysis and verification of the running performance of mechanical watches, respectively in the context of the device 10 according to the present invention, will be explained in more detail later in the context of the description of the Figures 3a, 3b And 4 .

[0039] Indeed, the remote central analysis unit 3 of the device 10 according to the present invention makes it possible to carry out both advanced statistical evaluations of the aforementioned type, as well as more complex analyses of the “deep learning” and / or “neural network” type which, in principle, are based on, respectively require, a very large volume of data to be analyzed to obtain the desired results, as is the case in the present invention in view of the multitude of information stored in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3.

[0040] Deep learning is part of a family of machine learning methods based on learning data models, allowing for example that an image can be represented in different ways by a data vector, in particular according to the intensity of the pixels of which it is composed, its different edges, its different regions, its particular shapes. One of the perspectives of deep learning techniques is the replacement of certain works, still relatively laborious, by algorithmic models of supervised, unsupervised learning, that is to say not requiring specific knowledge about the problem studied, or by techniques of hierarchical extraction of characteristics.

[0041] Neural networks are generally optimized by probabilistic learning methods. They are placed, on the one hand, in the family of statistical applications allowing to create rapid classifications and, on the other hand, in the family of artificial intelligence methods to which they provide a perceptual mechanism independent of the ideas of its implementation, and provide input information to formal logical reasoning.

[0042] These more complex analysis methods of the “deep learning” and “neural networks” type, well known per se and typically applied in the context of image analysis, can be applied, by analogy, to the data received from each electronic module 1 relating to an identified watch 2. In particular, the “deep learning” and / or “neural networks” type analysis methods can be applied to the data representing the sound emitted by the movement of the watch 2 forming part of the device 10, these data being captured by the measuring means of the electronic module 1 and communicated to the remote central analysis unit 3.

[0043] There Figure 3a represents an example of a sound emitted by the movement of watch 2, the abscissa representing time, and the ordinate representing the amplitude of the sound. Similarly, the Figure 3brepresents an example of the sound emitted by the movement of watch 2, the abscissa representing time, the ordinate representing frequency and the gray density representing the amplitude of the sound, so that this figure is a representation, or even a histogram, of the frequency spectrum of the sound emitted by the movement during a certain period of time, therefore a frequency and time spectrum of the sound emitted by the movement of watch 2.

[0044] By analogy with the processing of images by analysis methods of the “deep learning” and / or “neural networks” type, this frequency and time spectrum of the sound emitted by the movement of the watch 2 can be analyzed by means of these methods, as is schematically illustrated in Figure 4 . Without going into the details of this analysis, which are known to those skilled in the IT profession, it emerges from the Figure 4that the input data 5, formed by the frequency and time spectrum of the sound emitted by the movement of the watch 2, are condensed using several intermediate analysis layers 6 to output data 7 typically represented by a series of numbers.

[0045] Depending on the specific parameters of the “deep learning” and / or “neural network” type analysis applied to a frequency and time spectrum of a sound emitted by the movement of the watch 2, such an analysis can, in addition, make it possible to extract input data 5 from the output data 7 which represent a unique acoustic signature of the watch 2, then making it possible to assign said first unique identification to a watch 2.Thus, in the event that it is not possible to assign said first unique identification to a watch 2 by another analysis method, in particular no longer by an in-depth statistical analysis of the frequency spectrum of the sound emitted by the mechanical movement and even by using corresponding sound data pre-recorded in the database hosted on the remote central analysis unit 3, it is typically possible to extract a unique acoustic signature as well as to assign said first unique identification to a watch 2 by “deep learning” and / or “neural network” type analysis of the frequency and time spectrum of the sound emitted by the movement of this watch.In addition to the unique acoustic signature, "deep learning" and / or "neural network" type analysis can also produce many other analysis results, namely at the level of the accuracy of the watch's rate, at the level of the probability of failure of its components, at the level of the performance of certain types of watch, etc., but also at the level of data relating to watch owners.

[0046] Having available the detailed description appearing above of the different embodiments of a device 10 according to the present invention, it is also clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention also relates to a remote central analysis unit 3 intended to be integrated into a device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis 10 of data from mechanical watches.

[0047] Furthermore, it is also clear to those skilled in the art in view of the description given above that the present invention also relates to a method for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis of data from mechanical watches.

[0048] Likewise, the present invention also relates to a non-transitory computer-readable data storage means comprising instructions capable of being executed by a control unit of a computer.

[0049] Finally, the present invention also relates to a watch comprising a mechanical movement and comprising an electronic module forming part of a device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis of data from mechanical watches.

[0050] In view of the detailed description of the structure and operation of a device 10, respectively of a corresponding method, according to the present invention given above, the advantages of the device as well as of the method are easily understandable. While having a conceptually relatively simple architecture compared to at least some systems of the prior art, the device can be declined in numerous variants and allows flexible use. Moreover, the device according to the present invention allows, above all, numerous new options in terms of the analysis that can be applied to the data.The device thus makes it possible to fully exploit the advantages of digitalization due to the fact that the analysis can be carried out, on the one hand, on the basis of all the data accumulated in the remote central analysis unit and, on the other hand, using the concepts of "deep learning" and / or "neural network" type analyses, which leads to particularly advantageous and reliable results. Indeed, it is clear that a device comprising the above-mentioned characteristics has the important advantage of being able to provide, in addition, a unique identification to each watch tracked by the device, without requiring a specific identification member on each watch, as in the known prior art.It should also be noted that the device according to the present invention makes it possible to provide very detailed analysis results, these results forming the basis for improved verification of the watch's operation as well as predictive maintenance, which facilitates the service of the watches produced on the side of the owners of the watches as well as the traders, respectively the manufacturer of the watches. List of references

[0051] Nr. Element 1 electronic module 2 watch 3 remote central analysis unit 4 access and display device 10 device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis

Claims

1. Device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis (10) of data from mechanical watches, comprising - a plurality of electronic modules (1), each of which is adapted to be housed within one of a plurality of mechanical watches (2) of which each comprises a mechanical movement, - a remote central analysis unit (3) adapted to assign a first unique identification to each of said watches (2), - a plurality of access and display devices (4), each electronic module (1) comprising at least one measuring means adapted to capture data relating to the running of the watch (2) and a transfer unit adapted to communicate the data to said remote central analysis unit (3), the remote central analysis unit (3) comprising analysis means for analyzing the data received from each transfer unit of the electronic modules (1) and storage means hosting a database in which are stored: ° identification data and information specific to each of said watches (2), ° the data captured by the measuring means, ° the results of the analysis of the data received from each electronic module (1) relating to an identified watch (2), as well as ° the evolutionary results of the analysis of data accumulated over time from a single watch (2) and / or several watches (2), each access and display device (4) providing access to the information contained in the database.

2. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the measuring means comprises an acoustic wave detector adapted to capture the sound emitted by the movement of the watch (2).

3. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the remote central analysis unit (3) is adapted to assign said first unique identification to each watch (2) by analysis of the sound emitted by the movement of the watch (2) and captured by the measuring means.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the remote central analysis unit (3) is adapted to assign said first unique identification by analysis of the data received from the electronic module (1) and comprising a unique key corresponding to the watch (2) housing said electronic module (1).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that at least a part of the access and display devices (4) allow selective access to information contained in the database as a function of a second unique identification assigned to it by the remote central analysis unit (3).

6. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the remote central analysis unit (3) is adapted to assign said second unique identification to each access and display device (4) allowing selective access by means of a password, a digital identification certificate or another digital identification means, said second unique identification of each access and display device (4) corresponding to the first unique identification of one of said watches (2) such as to allow selective access to the information contained in the database of the remote central analysis unit (3).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the analysis of the data received from said electronic modules (1) is of the type deep learning and / or neural network making use of artificial intelligence.

8. Remote central analysis unit (3) intended for integration into a device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis (10) of data from mechanical watches, comprising - analysis means for analyzing data received from a plurality of electronic modules (1), each of which is adapted to be housed within one of a plurality of mechanical watches (2) and each of which forms part of a device according to one of claims 1 to 7, each electronic module (1) comprising at least one measuring means adapted to capture data relating to the running of the watch (2) and a transfer unit adapted to communicate the data to said remote central analysis unit (3), and - a storage means hosting a database in which are stored ° identification data and information specific to each of said watches (2) ° the data captured by the measuring means, ° the results of the analysis of the data received from each electronic module (1) relating to an identified watch (2), as well as ° the evolutionary results of the analysis of data accumulated over time from a single watch (2) and / or several watches (2), said remote central analysis unit (3) being adapted to assign a first unique identification to each of said watches (2).

9. A method for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis of data from mechanical watches (2), comprising the steps of - providing a plurality of electronic modules (1), each of which is adapted to be housed within one of a plurality of mechanical watches (2) of which each comprises a mechanical movement, each electronic module (1) comprising at least one measuring means adapted to capture data relating to the running of the watch (2) and a transfer unit adapted to communicate the data to a remote central analysis unit (3), - provide a plurality of access and display devices (4), - store in a database hosted on said remote central analysis unit (3) ° identification data and information specific to each of said watches (2) - capture, by means of the measuring means of the electronic modules (1), data relating to the running of the watches (2) and communicate the data to the remote central analysis unit (3), - assigning, by means of said remote central analysis unit (3), a first unique identification to each of said watches (2), - analyze, by means of said remote central analysis unit (3), the data received from each electronic module (1) and store in a database hosted on said remote central analysis unit (3) ° the data captured by the measuring means, ° the results of the analysis of the data received from each electronic module (1) relating to an identified watch (2), as well as ° the evolutionary results of the analysis of data accumulated over time from a single watch (2) and / or several watches (2), - access, by means of an access and display device (4), to the information contained in the database.

10. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that it further comprises the step of - assigning, by means of said remote central analysis unit (3), a second unique identification to each of at least a part of the access and display devices (4) such as to allow selective access to the information contained in the database hosted on said remote central analysis unit (3).

11. A non-transitory storage medium for computer-readable data comprising instructions adapted to be executed by a control unit of a computer, the instructions causing said control unit to execute a method comprising the steps of - reading a plurality of items of information stored in a database hosted on a remote central analysis unit (3), the stored items of information relating to watches (2) adapted to host an electronic module (1) each of which forms part of a device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis (10) of data from mechanical watches, each electronic module (1) comprising at least one measuring means adapted to capture data relating to the running of the watch (2), - receive, by means of the remote central analysis unit (3), data relating to the running of the watches (2) captured and communicated by means of the measuring means of the electronic modules (1), - assigning, by means of said remote central analysis unit (3), a first unique identification to each watch (1) comprising an electronic module (1), - analyze, by means of said remote central analysis unit (3), the data received from each electronic module (1) and store in a database hosted on said remote central analysis unit (3) ° the data captured by the measuring means, ° the results of the analysis of the data received from each electronic module (1) relating to an identified watch (2), as well as ° the evolutionary results of the analysis of data accumulated over time from a single watch (2) and / or several watches (2), and - assigning, by means of said remote central analysis unit (3), a second unique identification to each of at least a part of a plurality of access and display devices (4) such as to allow selective access to the information contained in the database hosted on said remote central analysis unit (3).

12. Watch (2) for use in combination with a device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis (10) of data from mechanical watch according to any of claims 1 to 7, the watch (2) comprising a mechanical watch movement, the watch (2) comprising an electronic module (1) forming part of said device for collecting, saving, analyzing and making available the results of the analysis (10) of data from mechanical watches according to any of claims 1 to 7.

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