A watch with a locatable mechanical display and methods for locating it

Abstract

Locatable Mechanical Display Watch 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 containing a dial 4 fixed relative to the case 2, hands 5 for indicating the 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 watch identification information 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 a mechanical display using hands, and methods for locating said watch. Previous art

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

[0003] There is a need for means of easily finding a watch with a mechanical display when it is lost. Description of the invention

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

[0005] To this end, the invention proposes a watch with a mechanical display, comprising: • a bracelet to attach 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 energy storage means and configured to move the rotating hands 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 for 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 thus to be located.

[0009] The watch according to the invention has an analog display, meaning that the time is displayed by means of hands, and that the display is mechanical, meaning 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 so as 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 purpose, the lens is made of a material transparent to visible light. For example, the lens is a pane of glass.

[0013] The watch includes a strap for being 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 a cell such as a button cell. The energy storage means can also be a spring to store energy in mechanical form. The energy stored in the energy storage means provides the energy required by the watch mechanism to rotate 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 a cell. Alternatively, the watch may include another means of storing energy in electrical form, such as a battery or a cell, to power the electronic circuit.

[0016] The portion of the housing covering the antenna can 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 concurrently, 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 hermetically sealed, 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 Telecommunication 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 watch lens. In this case, the lens is part of the case. For example, the portion of the case described above includes a part of the lens or is contained within the lens.

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

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the watch antenna is configured to emit the ultra-high frequency (UHF) electromagnetic signal, preferably at a frequency between 2400 and 2483.5 MHz. This enables communication using the Bluetooth standard. Bluetooth technology has the advantage of allowing short-range communication 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 watch antenna is configured to emit the ultra-wideband (UWB) electromagnetic signal, preferably at frequencies between 3100 and 10600 MHz, and more preferably between 6000 and 8500 MHz. The use of ultra-wideband signals allows for very precise localization. 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 electromagnetic signal transmission by the antenna. Preferably, there is no intermediate piece constituting electromagnetic shielding that at least partially prevents propagation of the electromagnetic signal and that 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 which is transparent to the electromagnetic signal.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the watch, the case further encloses an antenna support piece. The support piece is transparent to the electromagnetic signal and arranged to prevent displacement 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, as the electromagnetic signal is less disturbed / attenuated by surrounding conductive elements such as components of the energy storage means or the electronic circuit.

[0030] The support piece thus holds 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 cell) 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 secures the antenna, which may be flexible and / or fragile, within the watch. It is configured to prevent contact between the conductive antenna and the electronic circuit and between the conductive antenna and the electrical energy storage device (battery). The support piece thus improves the watch's shock resistance and prevents the risk of short circuits within the watch.

[0032] Preferably, the support piece has an annular shape. In this way, an arched antenna conforms to the shape of the support piece. The support piece can also be configured to surround the watch mechanism.

[0033] Preferably, the support piece includes a groove for receiving the antenna. This groove therefore has a recess suitable for receiving the antenna. A shape of the recess is preferably complementary to a shape of the antenna. The recess is, for example, arranged so as to at least partially surround the antenna. For example, the recess surrounds a lower surface opposite the 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 the bottom of the groove in the support piece.

[0034] Preferably, the support piece includes a notch for receiving a connecting conductor between the antenna and the electronic circuit. This support piece improves the compactness of the watch and allows for 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 includes the groove, and a lateral surface of the support piece includes 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 includes an on / off button for the electronic circuit to start or stop the generation of the identification signal by the electronic circuit. This saves energy by switching 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 of the button by a user, the electronic circuit is configured to generate or stop generating, successively, the identification signal. The watch is configured so that when the electronic circuit generates (or does not generate) the identification signal, the antenna emits (or does not emit, respectively) the electromagnetic signal.

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

[0039] Preferably, the watch case is made of a polymer transparent to electromagnetic waves, such as plastic. For example, the case is made entirely 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 mechanism of the quartz watch includes, for example, an electronic oscillator controlled by a quartz crystal resonator.

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

[0043] Preferably, the antenna is planar, that is to say, it has a flat shape. In other words, it is contained 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 the central angle of the arc is between 90° and 270°, preferably between 130° and 180°. It is preferably a semicircle. The aforementioned connecting conductor can be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the antenna, for example, at one-third of its length, to facilitate coupling and mounting.

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

[0046] In a first embodiment of a method according to the invention, the method comprises: • wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal representing watch identification information by an antenna located in a watch case, • 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 position of the watch determined 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 for more precise localization of the watch.

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

[0050] In a second embodiment of a method according to the invention, the method comprises: • wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal representing watch identification information by an antenna located in a watch case, • 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 first device and transmission to a second device of a second signal based on the electromagnetic signal received by the first device and also representing the determined position of the first device, • 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.

[0051] The second device is distinct from the watch and from at least one other 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 optionally 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 watch's position, 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 that exceeds 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 a less precise location of the watch, but one that can still 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. Next, the first device sends its own location to a second device, which provides the second device with an approximation of the watch's position.

[0057] Preferably, the electromagnetic signal is received simultaneously 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 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, which is based on the electromagnetic signal received by the first device and also represents the position of the first device. The second signal therefore includes the watch's identification information and the position information of the first device. Based on this 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 locate the watch, the first devices being, for example, worn by different people. The user of the second device then does not need to be near the watch to detect it, nor does he need to contact 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 precise.

[0061] Preferably, the second signal is transmitted to the second device via a server comprising a database that maps the watch's identification information to an identification information of the second device. In this case, the method comprises: • in response to the server receiving the second signal, and using the server: determination of the second device based on the watch's identification information 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 can 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 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 watch identification information by an antenna located in a watch case, • 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 determined position of the watch, • reception of the second signal by the second device and display of the watch's position on a screen of the second device.

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

[0066] The second device is distinct from the watch and from at least one other 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 allow the position of the watch to be displayed by the second device while the first device is configured to prevent the position of the watch from being displayed 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 can be wireless, for example via a wireless communication network optionally including 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 carried out using several first devices. Optionally, the server is configured to determine the position of the watch based on the 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 watch's position based on the position of the first device and the relative position of the watch can be performed 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 watch's identification information.

[0074] The second signal is preferably electromagnetic.

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

[0076] Preferably, the electromagnetic signal is received simultaneously 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 at least one first device. The second signal therefore includes the watch's identification information and its position information. Based on this second signal, the second device is configured to display the watch's position.

[0078] This allows a user of the second device to benefit from the proximity between the first devices and the watch to locate the watch, the first devices being, for example, worn by different people. The user of the second device then does not need to be near the watch to detect it, nor does he need to contact 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 several first devices which, in response to receiving the electromagnetic signal, each determine a position of the watch and each transmit a respective second signal representing the watch's identification information as well as the watch's position. In this case, the transmission is preferably carried out via a server which receives all the second signals, determines the watch's position based on the second signals, and transmits the watch's position and identification to the second device.

[0080] Preferably, the second signal is transmitted to the second device via a server comprising a database that maps the watch's identification information to an identification information of the second device. In this case, the method comprises: • in response to the server receiving the second signal, and using the server: determination of the second device based on the watch's identification information and the database, • transmission by the server of the watch identification information and the watch's position to the second device determined by the server.

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

[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] In the context of this document, the terms 'locate' and 'localization' are used interchangeably with the terms 'determine a position' and 'position'.

[0084] Within the scope of this document, position information for a device such as the watch or the first device may, for example, include geographical coordinates of the device.

[0085] The use, in this document, of the verb "comprendre" (to understand), its variants, and 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" (a), "une" (an), or the definite article "le" (the), "la" (the), or "l'" (the), to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements.

[0086] All preferred embodiments, characteristics, and advantages of the embodiments of the method according to the invention transpose mutatis mutandis to other embodiments of the method according to the invention and vice versa.

[0087] All preferred embodiments, characteristics, and 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 features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the accompanying figures, among which Figures 1 and 2 illustrate schematic exploded views of the components of a watch according to the invention.

[0089] The drawings in the figures are not necessarily to scale. Similar features are generally denoted by similar reference numerals in the figures. For the purposes of this document, identical or analogous features may bear the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the presence of reference numerals or letters in the drawings shall not be considered limiting, even when such numerals or letters are indicated in the claims.

[0090] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0091] This section presents a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention. The invention 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 different elements, without implying any order between these elements.

[0093] Figure 1 illustrates components of a watch according to the invention in exploded view. The watch comprises two parts of a strap 1, each part being attached to the case and including means, not shown, for closing the strap 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 window. The lens allows a person to see the watch hands 5 located between the watch dial 4 and the lens. The hands are rotatable relative to the dial 4 and the case 2, and are driven in rotation by the watch mechanism 7 illustrated in Figure 2. In Figure 1, three hands are shown, to indicate the hours, minutes, and seconds, respectively. The parts or components illustrated in Figure 2 are part of the module 12 illustrated in Figure 1.

[0094] The watch includes an on / off button 10 for 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 of the button.

[0095] The housing 2 is made of non-conductive polymer and can therefore allow the electromagnetic wave emitted by the antenna 9 to pass through it without attenuating it. The housing 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 to power the electronic circuit 8 and the mechanism 7. As explained above, the watch according to the invention may also include two separate batteries: one to power the electronic circuit 8, and one to power the watch mechanism 7.

[0096] The module 12 also includes a support piece 11 for the antenna 9 illustrated in [Fig. 2]. The support piece has an annular shape. One upper face of the support piece has a groove 11' for receiving the antenna 9. One shape of the groove 11' is complementary to a shape of the antenna 9. The groove 11' has a recess 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 such that the groove surrounds a lower surface of the antenna opposite its upper surface 9'. The groove also surrounds lateral 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. Indeed, 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 10mm.

[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 includes a notch 11” to receive a connecting conductor between the antenna 9 and the electronic circuit 8.

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

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

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

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

[0104] When the electronic circuit is activated and the antenna emits the electromagnetic signal representing the watch's identification information, the watch can be part of a system enabling its geolocation and implementing a method according to the invention. The watch's position can thus be determined and communicated to a user.

[0105] For example, the antenna is configured to emit an ultra-wideband electromagnetic signal and / or a Bluetooth signal that is detectable by a first device, such as a smartphone, located near the watch, for example within a radius of 10 m or 50 m from the watch. The electromagnetic signal represents information identifying the watch; that is, it allows identification of the watch that emitted the electromagnetic signal.

[0106] The smartphone is further configured to locate the watch in response to the reception of the electromagnetic signal, either by detecting that the watch is within a certain radius around it (following the reception of the Bluetooth signal), or by accurately calculating the relative position of the watch with respect to it (following the reception of the ultra-wideband signal).

[0107] The smartphone may belong to the watch owner or to third parties unknown to the watch owner. If the smartphone belongs to the watch owner, it may display the watch's relative position to the phone to allow the watch owner to locate it.

[0108] If the smartphone belongs to a third party, it can send a second signal representing position information about the watch. For example, the position information is: its own position, or the position of the watch calculated based on its own position and the relative position of the watch with respect to the smartphone, or the relative position of the watch with respect to the smartphone separately from the position of the smartphone. The third party's smartphone generates and emits a second electromagnetic signal, transmitted to a second device such as the watch owner's smartphone, and representing the watch's location information as well as the watch's identification information.

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

[0110] The watch owner's smartphone can then display the watch's location, allowing the owner to find it. The advantage of this method is that, to locate the watch, it is possible to use a large number of third-party phones located near the watch, 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 containing a dial 4 fixed relative to the case 2, hands 5 for indicating the time, and 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 watch identification information 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 a person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the realizations 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 purely illustrative and should not be considered limiting. It will be immediately 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

Demands

1. A mechanical display watch 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) containing: • 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 for 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. A 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. Watch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one upper surface of the antenna (9) directly faces the case (2).

5. A watch according to any one of the preceding claims, 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. Watch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the case (2) is made of polymer such as plastic.

7. Watch according to any one of the preceding claims, being a quartz watch.

8. Watch according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna (9) has an arched shape.

9. Watch according to any one of the preceding claims, 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, wherein the case (2) further encloses a support piece (11) for the antenna (9), the support piece being transparent to the electromagnetic signal and arranged to prevent displacement of the antenna (9) relative to the case (2) and the electronic circuit (8).

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

12. Watch according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the support piece (11) includes a notch (11”) for passing a connecting conductor between the antenna (9) and the electronic circuit (8).

13. A method for locating a watch according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: • wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal representing watch identification information by an antenna (9) located in a case (2) 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.

14. A method for locating a watch according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: • wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal representing watch identification information by an antenna (9) located in a case (2) 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 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, wherein the electromagnetic signal emitted by the antenna (9) is ultra-high frequency (UHF), preferably at a frequency between 2400 and 2483.5 MHz.

16. A method for locating a watch according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising: • wireless transmission of an electromagnetic signal representing watch identification information by an antenna (9) located in a case (2) 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 watch identification information 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 an 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 based on 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 it depends 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.

Images