Watch comprising wireless communication device

Abstract

To provide a watch comprising a dial including a wireless communication device that is standalone and helps warn the wearer of the watch about malfunctions detected in the watch.SOLUTION: There is provided a dial 2a for a watch that includes a standalone wireless communication device 3. The dial 2a includes a visible face 20a and a hidden face. The dial 2a is formed by a stack 9a of thin layers 10, 11, 12, 13 of material extending between these two faces 20a, 20b. Each of the layers 10, 11, 12, 13 comprises one or more functional elements included in the standalone wireless communication device 3: a radio wave transceiver module 23; at least one light source 4; a standalone power supply unit 21; and a control unit 7 for managing operation of the at least one light source 4 and of the transceiver module 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wristwatch having a wireless communication device on the dial, and the device is completely stand-alone.

Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, an electromechanical wristwatch with hands driven by a train of a watch movement mechanism, where the hour hand and minute hand display the current time, is known. In this context, the operation of the mechanism can be hindered by the presence of shocks, electromagnetic fields or other disturbances applied to the watch. It is often necessary to identify, at an early stage, the disturbances that can cause this damage and the malfunctioning of the mechanism caused by such disturbances in order to limit and even avoid damage to the mechanism.

[0003] It should be understood that in this context there is a need to find a solution that does not have the drawbacks of the prior art.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by providing a wristwatch with a dial comprising a wireless communication device that is stand-alone and that assists in warning the wearer of the wristwatch about malfunctions detected in the wristwatch.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention relates to a wristwatch dial comprising a stand-alone wireless communication device. Such a dial includes a visible face and a hidden face, and the dial is formed by a laminate of thin layers of material extending between these two faces, each layer containing one or more of a plurality of functional elements included in the device. The plurality of functional elements are · a radio transceiver module, · at least one light source, · a stand-alone power supply unit, and · a control unit that manages the operation of the at least one light source and the transceiver module and are.

[0006] In other embodiments, · The transceiver module operates according to Bluetooth (registered trademark), WiFi, and NFC technologies, · The laminate of thin layers of material includes a first layer provided with the visible face of the dial, the first layer including said at least one transceiver module and said at least one light source, · Said at least one transceiver module is arranged in a cavity formed in the hidden face of this dial, · The first layer is configured such that all or part of it is traversed by light radiation, in particular sunlight radiation, · The first layer is entirely or partly transparent or translucent, · The laminate of thin layers of material includes a second layer including a photovoltaic module constituting a stand-alone power supply unit, · The second layer includes a substrate on which the photovoltaic module is printed, · Said photovoltaic module is arranged in the active area of the second layer, the area being configured to receive light radiation emitted from the first layer of the laminate of thin layers of material, · The laminate includes a third layer including an electrical energy accumulator constituting a stand-alone power supply unit, · The third layer includes a substrate on which the electrical energy accumulator is printed, · The laminate includes a fourth layer forming the hidden face of the dial and including a control unit, · The laminate includes a third layer including the hidden face of the dial and including a control unit and an electrical energy accumulator constituting a stand-alone power supply unit, · The first layer is rigid compared to the other soft layers in the laminate of thin layers of material, · The visible side and the hidden side are flat or domed.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a wristwatch including such a dial.

[0008] Advantageously, the wristwatch includes a mechanical, electronic, or electromechanical movement.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009] The objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description based on at least one non - limiting embodiment illustrated by the drawings.

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] FIG. 1 schematically shows a wristwatch 1 including a case 19 having a middle part to which a back cover and a crystal 22 are attached, a set of components forming a timepiece movement, and dials 2a, 2b disposed between the timepiece movement and the crystal 22.

[0012] In a manner well - known to those skilled in the art, the timepiece movement drives a train including an hour hand, a minute hand, and optionally a second hand. For this purpose, the dials 2a, 2b include through - holes for receiving the axes of the hands. The dials 2a, 2b also include two faces 20a, 20b. The two faces 20a, 20b are, · A so-called visible surface 20a that can be seen from the outside of the wristwatch 1, also known as the "visible part" or "visible upper part" of these dials 2a, 2b, and · A so-called hidden surface 20b that is arranged opposite the watch movement in the enclosure of the case 19 of the wristwatch 1, and is the surface 20b that is the so-called "hidden part" or "hidden lower part" of these dials 2a, 2b are included.

[0013] Such a visible surface 20a may, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, · Whether or not there are hands, contribute to the display of horological information / measurement values, or physical information / measurement values measured by sensors included in the movement, for example, marker (or display) elements such as numbers, indexes, lines, or points, · Inscriptions, patterns, characters, logos, etc. may include at least one graphic representation such as this.

[0014] These visible surfaces 20a and hidden surfaces 20b are substantially flat and / or parallel and / or on opposite sides of each other. Note that in other variations, the dials 2a, 2b may include a domed visible surface 20a and a hidden surface 20b that may be domed or flat. These surfaces 20a, 20b are also joined together by the peripheral walls of this dial 2a, 2b.

[0015] Furthermore, it should be noted that in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the dials 2a, 2b preferably have a circular shape. It should be understood that the present invention can also be implemented for dials 2a, 2b having other shapes such as triangular or square shapes.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the watch movement is a mechanical movement. Alternatively, this movement may be an electromechanical or electronic movement. Hereinafter, a watch with a mechanical movement will be referred to as a mechanical wristwatch, a watch including an electronic movement will be referred to as an electronic wristwatch, and a watch including an electromechanical movement will be referred to as an electromechanical wristwatch.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, such dials 2a, 2b include a stand-alone wireless communication device 3. This communication device 3 includes its own power supply means, as will be described later. Such a wireless communication device 3 is said to be stand-alone, particularly with respect to the movement of the wristwatch 1 and particularly with respect to the energy source of this movement (for example, when this energy source is a power source as in an electromechanical movement). Under these conditions, it should be understood that energy is not used by this wireless communication device 3 to the extent of compromising the autonomy of the movement.

[0018] In this context, the dials 2a, 2b can be removably mounted on the wristwatch 1 regardless of the type of the wristwatch 1. The only condition is that the dials 2a, 2b include this communication device 3 and are stand-alone with respect to the movement of the wristwatch 1. Note that since these dials 2a, 2b are also not connected, particularly electrically, to the movement of the wristwatch 1, they are also referred to as "stand-alone dials". These dials 2a, 2b may be regarded as parts attached to the wristwatch 1.

[0019] With such a communication device 3, this wristwatch 1 can exchange data with an electronic device. These data may include information related to functions implemented by the wristwatch 1 such as the time function, or functions for monitoring events related to the operation of the movement of this wristwatch 1 such as events related to waterproofing defects in the case 19 of this wristwatch 1. Other examples of types of information that may be included in these data may include, but are not limited to, the following. The information is · For example, during two services or maintenance operations, counting the number of times at least one hand has passed, allowing the determination of the actual operating time of the wristwatch 1 (if the wristwatch 1 is so equipped), · When the dials 2a, 2b are equipped with an accelerometer, the number and nature (weak, strong) of the impacts received by the case 19, · When the dials 2a, 2b are equipped with a magnetic sensor, the number and intensity of times the wristwatch 1 is exposed to a magnetic field, · When the dial is equipped with a pressure and / or humidity sensor, the internal pressure and / or humidity of the case 19, which may indicate a loss of water resistance of the wristwatch 1, · For example, to improve the adjustment of the wristwatch according to the wearer, or to adjust the frequency of maintenance services necessary for the proper operation of the wristwatch 1 (which may form part of predictive maintenance), when the dials 2a, 2b are equipped with a gyroscope, the orientation of the wristwatch 1, and the duration of these orientations, · Detection of abnormal operating sounds when the dials 2a, 2b are equipped with an acoustic sensor that allows predicting or notifying a failure / malfunction It is.

[0020] Thus, in this context, it should be understood that the communication device 3 may include the following event sensors in a non - limiting and non - exhaustive manner. The event sensors are · A hand positioning sensor, · An accelerometer sensor, · A pressure sensor, · A humidity sensor, · An angular position sensor, · A gyro sensor and / or an inertial sensor in the form of an electronic component of the gyro and / or inertial electromechanical microsystem circuit type, · An acoustic sensor It is.

[0021] It should be noted that the aforementioned electronic device is preferably a mobile device, that is, a device that is likely to be worn and carried by a user and functions while being carried. For example, it may be a smartphone or a tablet. Alternatively, this electronic device may be a computer, particularly a laptop computer. In this context, this device includes a communication unit that is compatible with the transceiver module 23 of the communication device 3 on the dials 2a, 2b of the wristwatch 1.

[0022] The communication device 3 included in these dials 2a, 2b includes at least one light source 4, also referred to as a light source, a stand-alone power supply unit 21, a transceiver module 23, and a control unit 7.

[0023] In this device 3, the at least one light source 4 is particularly implemented to contribute to displaying different operating parameters of the communication device 3, for example, as follows. The operating parameters are · Establishment of a connection with the electronic device, · Connection types such as Bluetooth, WiFi, etc., · Network traffic existing in the connection established between the wristwatch and the device, · Bandwidth of the connection established between the wristwatch and the device, · Start or end of data transfer / download between the wristwatch and the device, · Others That is.

[0024] In this communication device 3, each light source 4 may correspond to any electroluminescent element selected from a non-exhaustive and non-limiting list. The list is · An electroluminescent capacitor well-known by the initials LEC of "Light-Emitting Capacitor", · Light-emitting diodes such as LED (the initials of "Light-Emitting Diode"), OLED (the initials of "Organic Light-Emitting Diode"), AMOLED (the initials of "Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode"), QLED (the initials of "Quantum Light-Emitting Diode"), · Any electroluminescent material activated by a local electric field, · Any electroluminescent material activated by an electric current, · Any combination of these electroluminescent elements is included.

[0025] It should be noted that this light source 4 may be a light source 4 capable of forming an extended light source in some embodiments of the present invention. Thereby, typically, it is not in the sense of being comprehensive or limited, and it is allowed to impart a predetermined shape, which is a shape related to a graphic representation related to the operating parameters of the communication device 3 such as numbers, letters, logos or texts, to the extended light source. It should also be noted that this light source 4 can generate light of any color and / or in any direction.

[0026] In this communication device 3, the transceiver module 23 is configured to enable two-way communication in the wireless space between the wristwatch and the electronic device. This communication may be half-duplex in which the transmission can be sequentially performed between the communication parties when both the wristwatch and the electronic device can perform both reception and transmission of data. This communication may also be full-duplex communication in which the wristwatch 1 and the electronic device can simultaneously send and receive messages.

[0027] Such a transceiver module 23 implements wireless communication technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Li-Fi (abbreviation for Light Fidelity), WiMAX, communication technologies related to mobile phone network standards, and communication technologies related to satellite network standards. Furthermore, this transceiver module 23 can implement a combination of at least two of the aforementioned technologies.

[0028] In this communication device 3, the stand-alone power supply unit 21 includes an electrical energy accumulator 6 and a photovoltaic module 5 including at least one photovoltaic cell also known as a solar cell. This photovoltaic module 5 is connected to the electrical energy accumulator 6 via connection elements referred to as 17b and 18 in FIGS. 3 and 5. This photovoltaic module 5 may include one or more basic cells of a heterojunction type or a multi-junction type connected in parallel or in series. Each photovoltaic cell of this module 5 may be made of a semiconductor material based on copper, indium, gallium, and selenium, a semiconductor material based on cadmium telluride, a semiconductor material based on single-crystal gallium arsenide, or a semiconductor material based on single-crystal or polycrystalline silicon, or may be made of perovskite, in a manner well-known to those skilled in the art. It should be noted that these examples are not limiting, and those skilled in the art can find a type of photovoltaic cell suitable for the present invention.

[0029] In this communication device 3, a control unit 7 also known as a microcontroller includes an electronic circuit 8, and the electronic circuit 8 includes a memory element and hardware resources that cooperate with an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus, particularly at least one processor. This control unit 7 is connected to the at least one light source 4, the transceiver module 23, and the stand-alone power supply unit 21. Such a control unit 7 includes, in its memory element 4, an algorithm for managing data exchanged between the wristwatch 1 and the electronic device.

[0030] Furthermore, when the communication device 3 includes several light sources 4, their operations can be managed / controlled simultaneously and / or sequentially by the control unit 7. Additionally, each light source 4 is managed / controlled separately by this control unit 7. In this context, the management of the operation of each light source 4 can consist of, but is not limited to, the following operations, namely, sequential switching on or off, simultaneous switching on or off of two or more light sources 4, flashing of one or more light sources 4, definition of the flashing frequency of each light source 4, flashing time of each light source 4, switching on or off time of each light source 4, etc.

[0031] Such a control unit 7 can also include, in its memory element, algorithms for managing the electrical energy accumulator 6, in particular, algorithms for managing the charging by the photovoltaic module 5, as well as algorithms for managing the electrical consumption by the said light sources 4 and / or the transceiver module 23.

[0032] Thus, as described above, the stand-alone communication device 3 is included in the dials 2a, 2b. In this configuration, the components of this communication device 3, namely, the light sources 4, the electrical energy accumulator 6, the photovoltaic module 5, the transceiver module 23 and the control unit 7, are included in one or more layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 forming this dial 2a, 2b.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, these dials 2a, 2b are composed of laminates 9a, 9b of a plurality of thin / fine layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. These layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are joined together by a joining element such as an adhesive material so as to integrate them in order to obtain the laminates 9a, 9b of monolithic thin layers, and thus, the integral dials 2a, 2b are formed. This joining element may be a clip or a screw. Such layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are stacked within the laminates 9a, 9b of the plurality of layers. That is, within these dials 2a, 2b, they are arranged on top of each other in a defined order. Note that such laminates 9a, 9b of layers may also be referred to as an assembly of a plurality of layers. In this laminate 9a, 9b, the plurality of layers are substantially the same and have upper and lower surfaces having substantially the same area / surface, thereby contributing to forming the peripheral walls of the dials 2a, 2b without embossing.

[0034] It should be noted that these thin layers or fine layers are layers each having a micrometer thickness. In fact, each layer may have a thickness included between 1 and 100 μm, preferably 2 μm, more preferably 3 μm. Regarding the thickness of the dials 2a, 2b, this thickness may be between 8 and 400 μm, preferably 6 μm, or preferably 12 μm, or preferably 100 μm, or preferably 200 μm, or preferably 300 μm.

[0035] That is, such integral dials 2a, 2b not only are removably mounted on the case 19 of the wristwatch 1 but also have the advantage of facilitating their incorporation into this case 19.

[0036] In a first modification of this laminate 9a shown in FIG. 3, the laminate 9a is composed of the following four consecutive thin / fine layers 10, 11, 12, 13, that is, · A first layer 10 forming / composing the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a including the transceiver module 23 and / or said at least one light source 4; · A second layer 11 including the photovoltaic module 5; · A third layer 12 including an electrical energy accumulator 6, also known as a rechargeable battery, · A fourth layer 13 forming a hidden surface 20b of the dial 2a including a transceiver module 23 and / or a control unit 7 and consisting of.

[0037] The first layer 10 of this laminate 9a is preferably rigid or semi-rigid compared to the second, third, and fourth thin / fine layers 11, 12, 13, which are preferably soft or flexible. It should be understood herein that such a first layer 10 contributes to making the laminate 9a of thin layers, and thus the dial 2a, structurally rigid.

[0038] In this laminate 9a, the first, second, third, and fourth layers 10, 11, 12, and 13 each include an upper surface and a lower surface.

[0039] Regarding the first layer 10, it is formed by a transparent or translucent, or at least partially transparent or translucent, rigid or semi-rigid substrate. Such a substrate is made of a material having a transmittance (also known as UVT, "ultraviolet transmittance") to solar radiation, particularly ultraviolet radiation, included between 65 and 95 percent. This transmittance is preferably 85 percent. Such a material may be transparent or translucent. Such a material may be, but is not limited to, a polymer, glass, or ceramic.

[0040] In this context, this substrate is · The light generated by the at least one light source can escape outside the dials 2a, 2b, and thus outside the watch 1, · The light emitted from the environment of the watch 1 (which includes solar radiation if it is of natural origin) can pass through the dials 2a, 2b in the direction of the photovoltaic module 5 of the communication device 3 It should be understood that it is configured as such.

[0041] In other words, this transparent or translucent substrate is configured to allow the light that is likely to be supplied to the photovoltaic module 5 to pass through, and the photovoltaic module 5 can convert the solar energy from this radiation into electrical energy.

[0042] This first layer 10 also includes at least one light source 4 disposed in the body of the substrate. Such an arrangement of the light source 4 in this substrate is configured to reliably illuminate all or part of the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a. For example, the illumination of the graphic representation related to the operating parameters of the communication device 3 such as markers (or displays) such as numbers, indices, lines, dots, or the illumination of one or more hands, or the illumination of all or part of the visible surface of the dial 2a. In one variant, this light source 4 may have a predetermined shape such as the shape of numbers, letters, indices, lines, dots, logos or text.

[0043] This illumination can be backlighting or semi-direct illumination when the light source 4 is disposed in a cavity defined in the substrate. Specifically, this cavity may be a blind opening made on the lower surface of this substrate. In this configuration, when the bottom of this cavity includes a graphic representation related to the operating parameters of the communication device 3, the light radiation or light generated by this light source 4 can escape to the outside of the dial 2a through the visible surface 20a of this dial 2a, whereby at least one graphic representation can be seen in the dark. Specifically, the light radiation escaping from the visible surface 20a outlines the contour of this graphic representation. In this context, this graphic representation included on the upper or lower surface of the substrate forming the first layer 10 is preferably opaque or non-transparent or non-transmissive.

[0044] This lighting may be direct lighting when the light source 4 is arranged in a cavity defined in the substrate. This cavity may be a blind opening made in the lower surface of this substrate, and there is no graphic representation at its bottom. In this configuration, the light emission or light generated by this light source 4 can escape through the bottom of this cavity towards the outside of the dial 2a, and thus can escape through the visible surface 20a of this dial 2a.

[0045] This lighting may also be direct lighting when the light source 4 is arranged in a through-opening extending across the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, and both ends of which open to the upper surface and the lower surface of this substrate respectively. In this configuration, all or part of the light source 4 may protrude from the upper surface of this substrate, and thus from the first layer 10, or from the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a, so as to form a graphic representation such as an index, a number, a dot, a line, etc., especially related to the operating parameters of the communication device 3.

[0046] Such lighting may also be remote lighting when the at least one light source 4 is coupled to at least one waveguide. This waveguide is also known as an optical waveguide and allows light to be conveyed from the point where the light is incident on the waveguide to the substrate or to an area of the substrate close to the upper surface of the substrate (such as a cavity or a through-opening). Such an optical waveguide may be an optical fiber in the substrate that can avoid obstacles that may occur, for example, between an electroluminescent element and an area close to the upper surface of the substrate, and light will escape through this optical fiber. Therefore, in this variant, light is brought from the electroluminescent element to this area of the substrate to be illuminated via the waveguide.

[0047] In such a configuration, the first end of the waveguide is coupled to the light source 4, and the second end of the waveguide is · a cavity that may be a blind opening made in the lower surface of the substrate of the first layer 10, or · A through-opening that penetrates the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, and both ends of which open to the upper and lower surfaces of this substrate, and thus the first layer 10, respectively, may be disposed. That is, this second end may protrude from the upper surface of the substrate or this first layer 10, or from the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a, so as to form a graphic representation, such as a marker element like an index, number, dot, line, etc., particularly related to the operating parameters of the communication device 3.

[0048] In this context, the indirect lighting is achieved by a single light source 4 coupled to several waveguides included in the lower surface of the substrate of this first layer 10, and the second ends of these waveguides are, · A cavity that emits the light radiation emitted from this light source 4 (since this radiation escapes outside the dial 2a through the visible surface 20a, at least one graphic representation can be seen in the dark. In this context, this graphic representation included on the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a or on the upper surface of the substrate is preferably opaque), and / or · Through-openings that protrude or do not protrude from the upper surface of this substrate so as to form marker elements such as indexes, lines, dots that emit the light radiation emitted from this light source 4 are disposed.

[0049] In this first layer 10, the light source 4 or the transceiver module 23 is applied / fixed by printing or vapor deposition on the lower surface of the substrate of this first layer 10 that is in the cavity or on the inner wall of the aforementioned through-opening.

[0050] In this first layer 10, the transceiver module 23 is arranged within / on this substrate so as to be able to pick up radio waves. This transceiver module 23 may be arranged on the upper surface of this substrate forming the first layer 10 or beneath it. When arranged within the substrate, this transceiver module 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in this upper surface. In one variant, it may be arranged in a blind cavity made in the lower surface of this substrate (having this upper surface as its bottom). In this configuration, radio waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b and in the visible surface 20a can be picked up by the said transceiver module 23. This substrate may also include a through-opening connecting the upper surface and the lower surface together, and the transceiver module 23 may be arranged in this through-opening.

[0051] Furthermore, it should be noted that the lower surface of this first layer 10 may be self-adhesive so as to contribute to the assembly with the second layer 11.

[0052] In this laminate 9a, the second layer 11 comprises a substrate including the photovoltaic module 5. Such a substrate is preferably flexible or soft. The substrate of the second layer 11 may be a film on which the photovoltaic module 5 is arranged. Finally, this substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0053] In this second layer 11, the photovoltaic module 5 preferably extends over the entire so-called active area of the upper surface of this substrate. This active area is a part of the upper surface of the substrate that can receive light emitted from the lower surface of the first layer 10 of the dial 2a. This light that has passed through all or part of the first layer 10 is emitted from the dial 2a and thus from the external environment of the wristwatch 1, and in this case mainly, when of natural origin, from sunlight.

[0054] It should be noted that the photovoltaic module 5 is applied to the upper surface of this substrate using an inkjet printing or screen printing process, or using a thermal evaporation printing process. Here, a second layer 11 including the printed photovoltaic module 5 is mentioned. Specifically, it is the photovoltaic module 5 printed on the substrate of the second layer 11.

[0055] It should be noted that once the photovoltaic module 5 is applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive material may be deposited on all or part of the upper and / or lower surfaces of the substrate. Under these conditions, the second layer 11 may be a self-adhesive layer that contributes to facilitating the assembly with other layers, particularly with the first layer 10 and / or the third layer 12 of this laminate 9a.

[0056] In the laminate 9a, this third layer 12 also preferably includes a flexible or soft substrate. The substrate includes the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the stand-alone communication device 3. The substrate of this third layer 12 may be a film containing the accumulator 6. Such a substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0057] This accumulator 6 may be a lithium battery or a semiconductor battery. Such an accumulator 6 · a printing process in a flexible polymer substrate (such as a lithium battery), or · a three-dimensional printing process for a semiconductor battery such as a lithium metal semiconductor battery is applied to the upper surface of this substrate using a process known in the state of the art such as this.

[0058] Here, a third layer 12 including the printed electrical energy accumulator 6 is mentioned. Specifically, it is the electrical energy accumulator 6 printed on the substrate of the third layer 12.

[0059] That is, by such a process, a third layer 12 including this accumulator 6 that is flexible and ultra-fine can be obtained.

[0060] Furthermore, it should be noted that once the accumulator 6 is applied to the substrate, a layer of self - adhesive material can be deposited over all or part of the upper and / or lower surfaces of this substrate. Under these conditions, the third layer 12 may be a self - adhesive layer that contributes to facilitating the assembly of the other layers, in particular with the second layer 11 and / or the fourth layer 13 of this laminate 9a.

[0061] Note that this accumulator 6 is used to store the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic module 5 and to release that electrical energy as required to supply power to the communication device 3, the at least one light source 4, and the transceiver module 23.

[0062] In this laminate 9a, this fourth and last layer 13 forms the hidden face of the dial 2a. This fourth layer 13 is formed by a substrate, preferably flexible or soft, that includes the control unit 7. The substrate for such a fourth layer 13 may be, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (PCB), and this control unit 7 is disposed, in particular, on the upper surface of this PCB and thus of the substrate. In this context, the construction of the control unit 7 on this upper surface of the substrate and, where applicable, the construction of the transceiver module can be carried out using a three - dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process.

[0063] In this last and fourth layer 13, the transceiver module 23 is arranged within / on this substrate so as to be able to pick up radio waves. This transceiver module 23 may be arranged on or under the lower surface of this substrate forming this fourth layer 13. When arranged within the substrate, this transceiver module 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in this lower surface. In one variant, it may be arranged in a blind cavity made in the upper surface of this substrate (having this lower surface as its bottom). In this configuration, radio waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b and in the hidden surface 20b can be picked up by the said transceiver module 23. This substrate may also include a through-opening connecting the upper and lower surfaces together, and the transceiver module 23 may be arranged in this through-opening.

[0064] In a second variant, the laminate 9b forming the dial 2b includes three thin / fine layers 10, 11, 14 joined together. Note that this second variant differs from the first variant in that, instead of the four layers 10, 11, 12, 13 as in the first variant, it includes three layers 10, 11, 14. In this second variant, the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the communication device 3 is here included, together with the control unit 7, in the third and last layer 14 of this laminate 9b.

[0065] Such a third and last layer 14 of such a laminate 9b forms the hidden surface of the dial 2b and preferably consists of a flexible or soft substrate. On this substrate, preferably on the upper surface of this substrate, the battery 6 and the electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed. The construction of the battery 6 and the control unit 7 on this upper surface of the substrate can be carried out using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process. It should be noted that such a substrate may be, for example, a flexible PCB.

[0066] In this last and third layer 14 of this second variant, the transceiver module 23 is arranged within / on this substrate so as to be able to pick up radio waves. This transceiver module 23 may be arranged on the lower face of this substrate forming the third layer 14 or below it. When arranged within the substrate, this transceiver module 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in this lower face. In one variant, it may be arranged in a blind cavity made on the upper face of this substrate (having this lower face as its bottom). In this configuration, radio waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b and in the hidden face 20b can be picked up by the transceiver module 23. This substrate may also include a through-opening connecting the upper face and the lower face together, and the transceiver module 23 may be arranged in this through-opening.

[0067] In summary, in this second variant, the laminate 9b · a first layer 10 forming the visible face 20a of the dial 2a including the transceiver module 23 and / or said at least one light source 4, · a second layer 11 including the photovoltaic module 5, a third layer 14 forming the hidden face 20b of the dial 2b including the transceiver module 23 and / or the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 and.

[0068] Note that in this second variant, the first and second layers 10, 11 are the same as those of the first variant of the laminate 9a.

[0069] Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the electronic circuit 8 of the control unit 7 includes a first connection element 15a, which · a connection element 16 of said at least one light source 4 for managing the operation of this light source 4 so as to display different operating parameters of the communication device 3, · a connection element 16 of the transceiver module 23 involved in managing data exchange between the wristwatch and the electronic device is connected to.

[0070] This electronic circuit 8 also includes a second connection element 15b connected to the first connection element 17a of the accumulator 6.

[0071] In a third variant, not shown, the stack of thin / fine layers forming the dial includes two layers connected to each other. Note that this third variant differs from the second variant in that it includes two layers instead of the three layers 10, 11, 14 as in this second variant. In this third variant, the photovoltaic module 5 of the stand-alone communication device 3 is here included in the first layer, in particular on the lower face of the substrate forming this first layer. This photovoltaic module 5 can be applied to this lower face of the substrate of this first layer using an inkjet printing or screen printing process, or using a thermal evaporation printing process. Thus, this first layer is in this case similar to the first layer 11 of the first and second variants, but it should be noted that in this third variant, the first layer differs in that it additionally includes a photovoltaic module.

[0072] Furthermore, in the third variant, as in the second variant, the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the stand-alone communication device 3 is included in the second and last layer of this stack, together with the control unit 7. Such a second layer forming the hidden face of the dial preferably includes a flexible or soft substrate. On this substrate, preferably on the upper face of this substrate, the battery 6 and the electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed. This construction of the battery 6 and the control unit 7 on the upper face of the substrate can be carried out using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process. It should be noted that such a substrate can be, for example, a flexible PCB.

[0073] In the last layers 13, 14 of the different variants, the transceiver module 23 is applied / fixed by printing or vapor deposition on the lower or upper face of the substrate of these layers, which is in the cavity or on the inner wall of the above-mentioned through-opening.

[0074] In summary, in this third variant, the stack · A first layer forming a visible surface 20a of the dial plate including the transceiver module 23 and / or the at least one light source 4 and the photovoltaic module 5; · A second layer forming a hidden surface 20b of the dial plate including the transceiver module 23 and / or the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 are included.

[0075] Furthermore, it should be noted that the above-described event sensor of the communication device 3 is preferably disposed in the first layer 10 and / or the last layers 13, 14 of the multi-layer laminate 9a, 9b and is connected to the control unit 7 of this device 3.

[0076] Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments just described, and various simple modifications and variations can be conceived by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

**Claim 1** A dial (2a, 2b) for a wristwatch (1) including a stand-alone wireless communication device (3), said dial (2a, 2b) including a visible face (20a, 20b) and a hidden face (20a, 20b), said dial (2a, 2b) being formed by a laminate (9a, 9b) of thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of material extending between these two faces (20a, 20b), said layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) each being a functional element included in said device (3) - A radio transceiver module (23); - At least one light source (4); - A stand-alone power supply unit (21); - And a control unit (7) for managing the operation of said at least one light source (4) and said transceiver module (23) The dial (2a, 2b) comprising one or more of the above. **Claim 2** The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein said transceiver module (23) operates according to Bluetooth®, WiFi and / or NFC technology. **Claim 3** The laminate (9a, 9b) of thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13) of said material includes a first layer (10) on which the visible face (20a) of said dial (2a, 2b) is provided, said first layer (10) including said at least one transceiver module (23) and said at least one light source (4). The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1. **Claim 4** The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one transceiver module (23) is arranged in a cavity formed in the hidden face of said dial (2a, 2b). **Claim 5** The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein said first layer (10) is configured such that all or part of it is crossed by light radiation, particularly sunlight radiation. **Claim 6** The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein all or part of said first layer (10) is transparent or translucent. **Claim 7** The laminate (9a, 9b) of thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of said material includes a second layer (11) including a photovoltaic module (5) constituting said stand-alone power supply unit (21). The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1. **Claim 8** The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein said second layer (11) includes a substrate on which said photovoltaic module (5) is printed. **Claim 9** The laminate (9a, 9b) of the thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of the material includes a second layer (11) comprising the photovoltaic module (5) constituting the stand-alone power supply unit (21), and the photovoltaic module (5) is arranged in the effective area of the second layer (11), and the area is configured to receive the light radiation emitted from the first layer (10) of the laminate (9a, 9b) of the thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of the material, the dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1.

10. The laminate (9a) includes a third layer (12) comprising an electrical energy accumulator (6) constituting the stand-alone power supply unit (21), the dial (2a) according to claim 1.

11. The laminate (9a) includes a third layer (12) comprising an electrical energy accumulator (6) constituting the stand-alone power supply unit (21), and the third layer (12) includes a substrate on which the electrical energy accumulator (6) is printed, the dial (2a) according to claim 1.

12. The laminate (9a) includes a fourth layer (13) forming the hidden surface (20b) of the dial (2a) including the control unit (7), the dial (2a) according to claim 1.

13. The laminate (9b) includes a third layer (14) comprising the hidden surface (20b) of the dial (2a) including the control unit (7) and the electrical energy accumulator (6) constituting the stand-alone power supply unit (21), the dial (2b) according to claim 1.

14. The first layer (10) is rigid compared to the other layers (11, 12, 13, 14) that are soft and included in the laminate (9a, 9b) of the thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of the material, the dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1.

15. The visible surface and the hidden surface (20a, 20b) are flat or dome-shaped, the dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1.

16. A wristwatch (1) comprising the dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1.

17. The wristwatch (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises a mechanical, electronic or electromechanical timekeeping movement.

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