Locatable mechanical display watch and methods for locating it

Abstract

W atch with a locatable mechanical display and methods for locating it The invention relates to a locatable watch and methods for locating the watch. The watch has a mechanical display and comprises: a strap 1 for attaching the watch to a user's wrist, a case 2 attached to the strap and closed by a transparent lens 3, the case 2 enclosing a dial 4 fixed relative to the case 2, hands 5 for indicating a time, a mechanism 7 powered by an energy storage means 6 and configured to rotate the hands 5. The watch further comprises an electronic circuit 8 and an antenna 9 configured to wirelessly transmit an electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch to a device separate from the watch. The antenna 9 is located in the case 2, which further comprises a portion covering the antenna and made of a material transparent to the electromagnetic signal. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Watch with a locatable mechanical display and methods for locating it Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wristwatch with mechanical display by means of hands, and methods for locating said watch. Prior art

[0002] Wristwatches are devices known for indicating the time to a user. Among these, watches with a mechanical display include moving parts, the hands, to indicate the time. The display consists of a fixed dial on which move hands whose position indicates the time. There is generally an hour hand and a minute hand. The watch may also have a second hand.

[0003] There is a need for means to easily find a mechanical display watch when it is lost. Statement of the invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide means for easily finding a mechanical display watch when it is lost.

[0005] To this end, the invention proposes a watch with a mechanical display, comprising: • a strap for attaching the watch to a user's wrist, • a case attached to the bracelet and closed by a transparent lens, the case containing: • a dial fixed relative to the case, • at least two needles, • a means of energy storage, • a mechanism powered by the energy storage means and configured to move the hands in rotation relative to the dial.

[0006] The watch is characterized in that the case further contains an electronic circuit configured to generate an identification signal representing identification information of the watch and connected to an antenna configured to receive the identification signal and wirelessly transmit an electromagnetic signal representing the identification information.

[0007] The watch is further characterized in that at least a portion of the case covering the antenna is transparent to the electromagnetic signal.

[0008] Thanks to the electronic circuit and the antenna, as well as the portion of the case transparent to the electromagnetic signal, the watch can emit a signal allowing its presence to be detected and therefore located.

[0009] The watch according to the invention has an analog display, that is to say that the time is displayed by means of hands, and that the display is mechanical, that is to say that the hands are moving parts of the watch and not hands displayed on a screen. In other words, in the watch according to the invention, moving elements, the hands, indicate time information. The hands are preferably located between the dial and the lens. The hands are arranged to be visible to a user through the lens.

[0010] The needles are made of a solid material, for example metal or polymer.

[0011] The hands are configured to indicate time information. For example, one of the hands is configured to indicate hour information on the dial and another of the hands is configured to indicate minute information on the dial.

[0012] The dial and hands, although located inside the case, are arranged to be visible to a user through the lens. For this, the lens is made of a material transparent to visible light. For example, the lens is a glass pane.

[0013] The watch includes a strap to be attached to the wrist by an adult or a child. It is therefore a wristwatch.

[0014] The energy storage means is preferably a battery or an electric cell such as a button cell. The energy storage means may also be a spring for storing energy in mechanical form. The energy stored in the energy storage means provides the energy necessary for the watch mechanism to turn the hands.

[0015] Preferably, the electronic circuit of the watch is also powered by the energy storage means. In this case, the energy storage means is a battery or an electric cell. Alternatively, the watch may comprise another means for storing energy in electrical form, such as a battery or an electric cell, to power the electronic circuit.

[0016] The portion of the housing covering the antenna may be made of one or more materials transparent to the electromagnetic signal.

[0017] Preferably, the entire housing is made of a material transparent to UHF (ultra high frequency) electromagnetic waves. Alternatively or concomitantly, the housing is made of a material transparent to VHF (very high frequency) and / or SHF (super high frequency) waves.

[0018] The case contains the dial, the hands, the mechanism, the electronic circuit and the antenna. Preferably, the case is hermetic, for example watertight and airtight.

[0019] In the context of this document, electromagnetic waves are designated according to the international standardization carried out by the International Telecommunications Union.

[0020] VHF waves or metric waves have a frequency between 30 MHz and 300 MHz.

[0021] UHF waves or decimetric waves have a frequency between 300 MHz and 3 GHz.

[0022] SHF waves or centimeter waves have a frequency between 3 GHz and 30 GHz.

[0023] The case may include the lens of the watch. In this case, the lens is part of the case. For example, the portion of the case described above includes a portion of the lens or is included in the lens.

[0024] The electronic circuit and the antenna of the watch are configured to generate the identification signal and the electromagnetic signal such that the electromagnetic signal is detectable by a first device distinct 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 a distance traveled in the air of at least 10m, preferably at least 25m. This means that the electromagnetic signal is detectable by the first device when the watch is positioned within a radius of 10m, preferably 25m, relative to the first device, and no obstacle other than air separates the first device from the watch. The first device being configured to receive the electromagnetic signal, it makes it possible to detect the presence of the watch. For example, the first device is a smartphone..

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the antenna of the watch is configured to emit the ultra high frequency (UHF) electromagnetic signal, preferably at a frequency between 2400 and 2483.5 MHz. This allows communication using the Bluetooth standard. Bluetooth technology has the advantage of allowing short-distance communications with high energy efficiency between the watch and the first device.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, possibly combinable with that of the preceding paragraph, the antenna of the watch is configured to emit the ultra-wideband (UWB) electromagnetic signal, and preferably at frequencies between 3100 and 10600 MHz, preferably between 6000 and 8500 MHz. The use of ultra-wideband signals allows very precise location of the watch by the first device when a short distance separates the watch from the first device.

[0027] Preferably, at least one upper surface of the antenna directly faces the housing. This means that the upper surface of the antenna is oriented towards the housing. This improves the efficiency of the emission of the electromagnetic signal by the antenna. Preferably, there is no intermediate part constituting an electromagnetic shield at least partially preventing propagation of the electromagnetic signal and which separates the upper surface of the antenna from the housing.

[0028] For example, the upper surface of the antenna directly faces the portion of the housing covering the antenna and which is transparent to the electromagnetic signal.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the watch, the case further encloses a support part for the antenna. The support part is transparent to the electromagnetic signal and arranged to prevent movement of the antenna relative to the case and the electronic circuit. This improves the energy efficiency of the watch for emitting an electromagnetic signal of a given amplitude, because the electromagnetic signal is less disturbed / attenuated by surrounding conductive elements such as elements of the energy storage means or the electronic circuit.

[0030] The support piece therefore maintains the antenna in a fixed position inside the housing. Preferably, when the antenna is received or supported in the support piece, the support piece is configured to maintain a relative position of the antenna with respect to the electronic circuit such that a non-zero distance separates the antenna and the electronic circuit. Preferably, when the antenna is received or supported in the support piece, the support piece is configured to maintain a relative position of the antenna with respect to the electrical energy storage means (battery or battery) such that a non-zero distance separates the antenna and the electrical energy storage means. Preferably, said non-zero distance separating the antenna from the electronic circuit and / or the electrical energy storage means is greater than 1 mm, preferably greater than 2 mm, and preferably less than 5 mm.This prevents interference or attenuation of the electromagnetic signal with conductive elements of the watch.

[0031] The support piece allows the antenna, which may be flexible and / or fragile, to be held in the watch. It is configured to prevent contact between the conductive antenna and the electronic circuit and to prevent contact between the conductive antenna and the electrical energy storage means (battery or cell). The support piece therefore improves the shock resistance of the watch, and prevents the risk of short circuits within the watch.

[0032] Preferably, the support piece has an annular shape. In this way, an arcuate antenna matches the shape of the support piece. The support piece may further be configured to surround the watch mechanism.

[0033] Preferably, the support piece comprises a groove for receiving the antenna. This groove therefore has a hollow capable of receiving the antenna. A shape of the hollow is preferably complementary to a shape of the antenna. The hollow is for example arranged so as to at least partially surround the antenna. For example, the hollow surrounds a lower surface opposite said upper surface of the antenna as well as lateral surfaces of the antenna joining the lower and upper surfaces of the antenna. For example, the lower surface of the antenna is in direct contact with a bottom of the groove of the support piece.

[0034] Preferably, the support piece comprises a notch for receiving a connection conductor between the antenna and the electronic circuit. This support piece improves the compactness of the watch and allows advantageous and compact coupling of the antenna and the electronic circuit. In particular, it is thus possible to maintain a standard-sized watch despite the arrangement of the location means presented. For example, the watch extends along a disc with a diameter of 25 mm or less and a height of 10 mm or less.

[0035] For example, an upper face of the support piece comprises the groove, and a side surface of the support piece comprises the notch for receiving the connecting conductor. Preferably, the antenna and the electronic circuit are separated by the support piece.

[0036] Preferably, the watch case further comprises an electronic circuit on / off button for starting or stopping the generation of the identification signal by 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.

[0037] The on / off button is preferably also configured to start or stop the transmission of the electromagnetic signal by the antenna. The button is configured to be pressed by a user. In response to successive presses by a user on the button, the electronic circuit is configured to successively generate or stop generating the identification signal. The watch is configured so that when the electronic circuit generates (or does not generate) the identification signal, the antenna transmits (or does not transmit, respectively) the electromagnetic signal.

[0038] Preferably, the watch case is completely transparent to the electromagnetic wave.

[0039] Preferably, the watch case is made of a polymer transparent to electromagnetic waves, such as plastic. For example, the case is entirely made of polymer. Preferably, the case is made of an electrically insulating material.

[0040] The watch according to the invention is preferably a quartz watch. It can also be a watch with a mechanical movement.

[0041] The quartz watch mechanism comprises, for example, an electronic oscillator controlled by a quartz crystal resonator.

[0042] Preferably, the antenna has an arcuate shape.

[0043] Preferably, the antenna is planar, that is to say it has a flat shape. In other words, it is included in a plane or flattened.

[0044] The antenna preferably extends along an inner circumference of the housing. Preferably, the antenna extends along an arc of a circle, and an angle at the center of the arc of a circle is between 90° and 270°, preferably between 130° and 180°. It is preferably a semicircle. The aforementioned connecting conductor may be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the antenna, for example at a third of the latter to facilitate coupling and mounting.

[0045] The present invention also provides methods for locating a watch according to the invention. Preferably, these methods are computer implemented.

[0046] In a first embodiment of a method according to the invention, the method comprises: • wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch by an antenna located in a case of the watch, • reception of the electromagnetic signal by a first device separate from the watch, • in response to the reception of the electromagnetic signal by the first device, and by means of the first device: determination of a position of the watch and display of the determined position of the watch on a screen of the first device.

[0047] For example, the first device is a smartphone.

[0048] 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. This allows more precise location of the watch.

[0049] In the methods according to the invention, the determination of the position of the watch by the first device and the display of the position of the watch determined by the first device are carried out in response to the reception of the electromagnetic signal by the first device. The electromagnetic signal received by the first device comprises the identification information of the wristwatch. It may be based on an identification signal generated by an electronic circuit of the watch and representing identification information of the watch.

[0050] In a second embodiment of a method according to the invention, the method comprises: • wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch by an antenna located in a case of the watch, • reception of the electromagnetic signal by a first device separate from the watch, • in response to the reception of the electromagnetic signal by the first device, and by means of the first device: determining a position of the first device and transmitting to a second device a second signal based on the electromagnetic signal received by the first device and further representing the position of the first device determined, • receiving the second signal by the second device and displaying the position of the first device on a screen of the second device.

[0051] The second device is distinct 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.

[0052] For example, the determination of the position of the first device is carried out by means of a geolocation circuit of the first device.

[0053] The transmission, by the first device, of the second signal to the second device can be carried out via a wireless communication network, and possibly via a server.

[0054] The second signal is preferably electromagnetic.

[0055] This method has the advantage of working even when the first device cannot precisely determine the position of the watch, which can occur when the watch is too far from the first device. For example, this is the case when the watch is at a distance from the first device which 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 according to the Bluetooth standard to the first device. This results in less precise location of the watch, but which can be achieved when the first device is at a greater distance from the watch.

[0056] The first device then detects the presence of the watch within a certain perimeter around the first device, but without being able to precisely determine its relative position with respect to the first device. Then, the first device sends its own location to a second device, which provides an approximation of the position of the watch to the second device.

[0057] Preferably, the electromagnetic signal is received at the same time or at different times by several first devices distinct from the watch. In this way, it is possible to use a large number of first devices to locate the watch, even when it is moved. For example, the first devices are smartphones, carried by users distinct from the users of the watch and the second device, and connected to the second device for example via a telecommunications network and a server.

[0058] The second device is configured to receive the second signal based on the electromagnetic signal received by the first device and further representing the position of the first device. The second signal therefore comprises the identification information of the watch and position information of the first device. Based on the second signal, the second device is configured to display the position of the first device which is an approximate position of the watch.

[0059] This allows a user of the second device to benefit from the proximity between the first devices and the watch to find the watch, the first devices being for example worn by different people. It is then not necessary for the user of the second device to be close to the watch to detect it, nor to enter into contact with users of the first devices to locate the watch.

[0060] For example, the first device is a smartphone. Preferably, the electromagnetic signal is received by several first devices. In this case, the position of the watch can be determined by triangulation, for example, which is more accurate.

[0061] Preferably, the second signal is transmitted to the second device via a server comprising a database matching the identification information of the watch and identification information of the second device. In this case, the method comprises: • in response to the reception of the second signal by the server, and by means of the server: determination of the second device on the basis of the identification information of the watch and the database, • transmission by the server of the watch identification information and the position of the first device to the second device determined by the server.

[0062] The signal transmitted by the server may be the second signal or another signal representing the identification information of the watch as well as the position of the first device.

[0063] In this second embodiment of the method according to the invention, the electromagnetic signal emitted by the antenna is preferably at ultra high frequency (UHF), preferably at a frequency between 2400 and 2483.5 MHz.

[0064] In a third embodiment of a method according to the invention, the method comprises: • wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch by an antenna located in a case of the watch, • reception of the electromagnetic signal by a first device separate from the watch, • in response to the reception of the electromagnetic signal by the first device, and by means of the first device: determination of a position of the watch and transmission to a second device of a second signal representing the identification information of the watch as well as the position of the watch determined, • reception of the second signal by the second device and display of the position of the watch on a screen of the second device.

[0065] Determining a position of the watch by the first device may include determining a relative position of the watch with respect to the first device combined with determining a position of the first device.

[0066] The second device is distinct 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.

[0067] In one example, the second device is configured to enable display of the watch position by the second device while the first device is configured to prevent display of the watch position by the first device.

[0068] For example, the determination of the position of the first device is carried out by means of a geolocation circuit of the first device.

[0069] The wireless transmission of the second signal to the second device may be wireless, for example via a wireless communication network possibly comprising a server. Optionally, the server is configured to determine the position of the watch based on the relative position of the watch with respect to the first device and the position of the first device.

[0070] Preferably, the method is performed using a plurality of first devices. Optionally, the server is configured to determine the position of the watch based on relative positions of the watch with respect to the first devices and the position of the first devices. Using several first devices allows the position of the watch to be determined more precisely.

[0071] The method has the advantage of allowing precise localization of the watch. In the method, the watch can be configured to transmit the ultra-wideband electromagnetic signal to the first device.

[0072] The first device determines the relative position of the watch with respect to the first device. The first device also determines the position of the first device, for example by geolocation. Based on the position of the first device and the relative position of the watch thus determined, it is possible to determine the position of the watch. This determination of the position of the watch based on the position of the first device and the relative position of the watch can be done by the first device, by the second device, or by a separate server.

[0073] Based on the position of the first device and the relative position of the watch thus determined, the first device generates and transmits the second signal to the second device. The second signal is further based on the signal representing the identification information of the watch.

[0074] The second signal is preferably electromagnetic.

[0075] The second device then displays the position of the watch, allowing a user of the second device to find it.

[0076] Preferably, the electromagnetic signal is received at the same time or at different times by several distinct first devices of the watch. In this way, it is possible to use a large number of first devices to locate the watch, even when it is moved. For example, the devices are smartphones, possibly carried by users distinct from the users of the watch and the second device, and connected to the second device.

[0077] The second device is configured to receive the second signal based on the electromagnetic signal received by the at least one first device. The second signal therefore comprises the identification information of the watch and the position information of the watch. Based on the second signal, the second device is configured to display the position of the watch.

[0078] This allows a user of the second device to benefit from the proximity between the first devices and the watch to find the watch, the first devices being for example worn by different people. It is then not necessary for the user of the second device to be close to the watch to detect it, nor to enter into contact with users of the first devices to locate the watch.

[0079] For example, the first device is a smartphone. Preferably, the electromagnetic signal is received by a plurality of first devices that, in response to receiving the electromagnetic signal, each determine a position of the watch and each transmit a respective second signal representing the identification information of the watch as well as the position of the watch. In this case, the transmission is preferably performed via a server that receives all the second signals, determines the position of the watch based on the second signals, and transmits the position and the identification of the watch to the second device.

[0080] Preferably, the second signal is transmitted to the second device via a server comprising a database matching the identification information of the watch and identification information of the second device. In this case, the method comprises: • in response to the reception of the second signal by the server, and by means of the server: determination of the second device on the basis of the identification information of the watch and the database, • transmission by the server of the watch identification information and the watch position to the second device determined by the server.

[0081] The signal transmitted by the server may be the second signal or another signal representing the identification information of the watch as well as the position of the watch.

[0082] Preferably, in the third embodiment of the method according to the invention, 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.

[0083] As used herein, the terms 'locate' and 'location' are used interchangeably with the terms 'determine a position' and 'position'.

[0084] In the context of this document, position information of a device such as the watch or the first device may for example comprise geographic coordinates of the device.

[0085] The use, in this document, of the verb "to understand", its variants, as well as its conjugations, cannot in any way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use, in this document, of the indefinite article "un", "une", or of the definite article "le", "la" or "1'", to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements.

[0086] All of the preferred embodiments, characteristics, as well as all of the advantages of the method embodiments according to the invention are transposed mutatis mutandis to other embodiments of the method according to the invention and vice versa.

[0087] All of the preferred embodiments, characteristics, as well as all of the advantages of the watch according to the invention are transposed mutatis mutandis to the methods according to the invention and vice versa. Brief description of the figures

[0088] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended figures, among which figures 1 and 2 illustrate exploded schematic views of the components of a watch according to the invention.

[0089] The drawings of the figures are not necessarily to scale. Similar elements are generally denoted by similar references in the figures. For the purposes of this document, identical or similar elements may bear the same references. Furthermore, the presence of reference numbers or letters in the drawings cannot be considered as limiting, including when these numbers or letters are indicated in the claims.

[0090] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0091] This part presents a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention. The latter is described with particular embodiments and references to figures but the invention is not limited by them. In particular, the drawings or figures described below are only schematic and are not limiting.

[0092] The terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are used in this document exclusively to differentiate between different elements, without implying any order between these elements.

[0093] [Fig.l] illustrates components of a watch according to the invention, in exploded view. The watch comprises two parts of a bracelet 1, each of the parts being attached to the case and comprising means, not illustrated, for closing the bracelet around a user's wrist. The watch case 2 includes a cover 2” in contact with the case through an intermediate piece 2'. The case 2 is closed by a lens 3 which is a glass pane. The lens allows a person to see the hands 5 of the watch located between the dial 4 of the watch and the lens. The hands are rotatable relative to the dial 4 and the case 2, and are rotated by the mechanism 7 of the watch illustrated in [Fig.2]. In [Fig.l], three hands are illustrated, to indicate the hours, minutes and seconds, respectively. The parts or components illustrated in [Fig.2] are part of the module 12 illustrated in [Fig.l].

[0094] The watch comprises a button 10 for starting / stopping the electronic circuit 8 illustrated respectively in figures 1 and 2, so that a user can activate or deactivate an emission of the electromagnetic signal by the antenna 9 by successive presses on the button.

[0095] The case 2 is made of non-conductive polymer, and can therefore be crossed by the electromagnetic wave emitted by the antenna 9 without attenuating it. The case 2 contains the hands 5, the dial 4, and the module 12 which itself comprises: the mechanism 7, the electronic circuit 8, and the battery 6 for supplying energy to the electronic circuit 8 and the mechanism 7. As explained above, the watch according to the invention can also comprise two separate batteries: one for supplying energy to the electronic circuit 8, and one for supplying energy to the mechanism 7 of the watch.

[0096] The module 12 also comprises a support part 11 for the antenna 9 illustrated in [Fig.2]. The support part has an annular shape. An upper face of the support part has a groove 11' for receiving the antenna 9. A shape of the groove 11' is complementary to a shape of the antenna 9. The groove 11' has a hollow having an arcuate shape. The groove 11' extends along an arc whose central angle is between 145 and 170°. When the watch is assembled, the antenna is received in the groove so that the groove surrounds a lower surface of the antenna opposite its upper surface 9'. The groove also surrounds side surfaces of the antenna joining the upper surface 9' and the lower surface of the antenna 9. The support piece 11 is arranged to separate the antenna 9 from the mechanism 7 through a shoulder running along the groove 11'.

[0097] The support piece 11 is arranged to separate the antenna 9 from the electronic circuit 8. In fact, the antenna 9 and the electronic circuit are located on either side of the support piece 11, and separated by a distance of between 2 and 10 mm.

[0098] The antenna 9 is supported and in direct contact with an upper face of the support piece 11. The circuit 8 is in direct contact with the lower face of the support piece.

[0099] A side face of the support piece 11 comprises a notch 11” for receiving a connection conductor between the antenna 9 and the electronic circuit 8.

[0100] The groove 11” allows an optimization of the volume occupied by the support part 11, which improves the compactness of the watch, while allowing the separation of the antenna 9 and the electronic circuit 8 by the support part.

[0101] The support piece 11 is made of a single block of material transparent to the electromagnetic signal.

[0102] The housing 2 is watertight and airtight when closed by the glass.

[0103] The antenna 9 is arched. It extends along an arc of a circle with an angle at center between 130° and 170°. Antenna 9 is planar. Antenna 9 has a upper surface 9' facing the case when the watch is in the assembled configuration. The upper surface 9' is not facing the electronic circuit 8 or the battery 6 to avoid an electromagnetic shielding effect of the electromagnetic signal by the latter. The upper surface 9' is facing the case so that no intermediate piece providing an electromagnetic shielding effect so as to attenuate the electromagnetic signal separates an internal face of the case from the upper surface 9' of the antenna. In this way, the electromagnetic signal emitted by the watch has a maximum amplitude. Preferably, the upper surface 9' of the antenna is facing directly towards the internal face of the case, i.e. without an intermediate piece.

[0104] When the electronic circuit is activated and the antenna emits the electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch, the watch can be part of a system allowing it to be geolocated, and executing a method according to the invention. The position of the watch can thus be determined and communicated to a user.

[0105] For example, the antenna is configured to emit the ultra-wideband electromagnetic signal 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 10m or 50m relative to the watch. The electromagnetic signal represents identification information for the watch, i.e. it allows identification of the watch which emitted the electromagnetic signal.

[0106] 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 around it (following receiving the Bluetooth signal), or by accurately calculating the relative position of the watch with respect to it (following receiving the ultra-wideband signal).

[0107] The smartphone may belong to a watch owner or to third parties who are unknown to the watch owner. If the smartphone belongs to the watch owner, it may display the relative position of the watch to the phone to enable the watch owner to locate it.

[0108] If the smartphone belongs to a third person, it can send 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 on the basis of its own position and the relative position of the watch with respect to the smartphone, or the relative position of the watch with respect to the smartphone separately from the position of the smartphone. The smartphone of the third person generates and transmits a second electromagnetic signal, transmitted to a second device such as a smartphone of the owner of the watch, and representing the position information of the watch as well as the identification information of the watch.

[0109] The second signal may be transmitted to the second device by the first device via a wireless telecommunications network comprising, for example, a server. The server is, for example, configured to, based on the identification information of the watch, determine the second device to which to transmit the second signal, so that the identification and position information of the watch is transmitted to a second predetermined device. For example, the server may perform this operation by means of a database of the server matching the identification information of the watch and identification information of the second device.

[0110] The watch owner's smartphone can then display the watch's position to enable the owner to locate it. The advantage of this method is that, in order to locate the watch, 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.

[0111] In summary, the invention relates to a locatable watch and methods for locating the watch. The watch has a mechanical display and comprises: a strap 1 for attaching the watch to a user's wrist, a case 2 attached to the strap and closed by a transparent lens 3, the case 2 enclosing a dial 4 fixed relative to the case 2, hands 5 for indicating a time, a mechanism 7 powered by an energy storage means 6 and configured to rotate the hands 5. The watch further comprises an electronic circuit 8 and an antenna 9 configured to wirelessly transmit an electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch to a device separate from the watch. The antenna 9 is located in the case 2, which further comprises a portion covering the antenna and made of a material transparent to the electromagnetic signal.

[0112] It will be obvious 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 introduced below.

[0113] The present invention has been described above in relation to specific embodiments, which are of purely illustrative value and should not be considered as limiting. 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 introduced below.

Claims

Claims

1. Watch with mechanical display, comprising: • a strap (1) for attaching the watch to a user's wrist, • a case (2) attached to the strap (1) and closed by a transparent lens (3), the case (2) enclosing: • a dial (4) fixed relative to the case (2), • at least two hands (5), • an energy storage means (6), • a mechanism (7) powered by the energy storage means (6) and configured to move the hands (5) in rotation relative to the dial (4), characterized in that the case (2) further contains an electronic circuit (8) configured to generate an identification signal representing identification information of the watch and connected to an antenna (9) configured to receive the identification signal and wirelessly transmit an electromagnetic signal representing the identification information,and in that at least a portion of the housing (2) covering the antenna (9) is transparent to the electromagnetic signal.,

2. Watch according to claim 1, wherein the antenna (9) is configured to emit the ultra high frequency (UHF) electromagnetic signal, preferably at a frequency between 2400 and 2483.5 MHz.

3. Watch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna (9) is configured to emit the ultra-wideband (UWB) electromagnetic signal, and preferably at frequencies between 3100 and 10600 MHz, preferably between 6000 and 8500 MHz.

4. A watch according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one upper surface of the antenna (9) directly faces the housing (2).

5. A watch according to any preceding claim, wherein the case (2) further comprises an on / off button (10). of the electronic circuit (8) to start or stop the generation of the identification signal by the electronic circuit (8).

6. A watch according to any preceding claim, wherein the case (2) is made of a polymer such as plastic.

7. A watch according to any preceding claim, being a quartz watch.

8. A watch according to any preceding claim, wherein the antenna (9) has an arcuate shape.

9. A watch according to any preceding claim, wherein the antenna (9) extends along an arc of a circle, an angle at the center of the arc of a circle being between 90° and 270°, preferably between 130° and 180°.

10. Watch according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (2) further encloses a support part (11) for the antenna (9), the support part being transparent to the electromagnetic signal and arranged to prevent movement of the antenna (9) relative to the housing (2) and the electronic circuit (8).

11. Watch according to claim 10, wherein the support piece (11) comprises a groove (11') for receiving the antenna (9).

12. Watch according to one of claims 10 or 11, in which the support part (11) comprises a notch (11”) for passing a connection conductor between the antenna (9) and the electronic circuit (8).

13. Method for locating a watch according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: • wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch by an antenna (9) located in a case (2) of the watch, • reception of the electromagnetic signal by a first device distinct from the watch, • in response to the reception of the electromagnetic signal by the first device, and by means of the first device: determination of a position of the watch and display of the determined position of the watch on a screen of the first device.

14. A method for locating a watch according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: • wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch by an antenna (9) located in a case (2) of the watch, • reception of the electromagnetic signal by a first device distinct from the watch, • in response to the reception of the electromagnetic signal by the first device, and by means of the first device: determination of a position of the first device and transmission to a second device of a second signal based on the electromagnetic signal received by the first device and further representing the position of the first device determined, • reception of the second signal by the second device and display of the position of the first device on a screen of the second device.

15. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the electromagnetic signal emitted by the antenna (9) is at ultra high frequency (UHF), preferably at a frequency between 2400 and 2483.5 MHz.

16. Method for locating a watch according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: • wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal representing identification information of the watch by an antenna (9) located in a case (2) of the watch, • reception of the electromagnetic signal by a first device distinct from the watch, • in response to the reception of the electromagnetic signal by the first device, and by means of the first device: determination of a position of the watch and transmission to a second device of a second signal representing the identification information of the watch as well as the determined position of the watch, • reception of the second signal by the second device and display of the position of the watch on a screen of the second device.

17. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the second signal is transmitted to the second device via a server comprising a database matching the identification information of the watch and identification information of the second device, and comprising: • in response to the reception of the second signal by the server, and by means of the server: determination of the second device on the basis of the identification information of the watch and the database, • transmission by the server of the identification information of the watch and the position of the watch and / or of the first device to the second device determined by the server.

18. A method according to any one of claims 13, 16, or 17 when dependent on claim 16, wherein the electromagnetic signal emitted by the antenna (9) is ultra-wideband (UWB), and preferably at frequencies between 3100 and 10600 MHz, preferably between 6000 and 8500 MHz.

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