Dial including device for determining acoustic event and watch including the same dial

Abstract

To provide a watch provided with a dial including a device for determining an acoustic event.SOLUTION: One aspect of the invention relates to a dial 2a, 2b of a watch 1 including an autonomous device for determining an acoustic event. The dial 2a, 2b includes a visible face 20a and a hidden face, and the dial 2a, 2b is formed by a stack of thin layers of material extending between the two faces of the visible face 20a and the hidden face. Each thin layer includes one or more of functional elements included in the autonomous device: at least one receiver element 23 for receiving at least one acoustic wave emitted from the watch 1; a module 4 for reporting the acoustic event; a standalone power supply unit; and a control unit for managing operation of the reporting module 4 and of the at least one receiver element 23 for receiving the at least one acoustic wave.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wristwatch comprising a dial including a device for determining an acoustic event. This device is completely autonomous.

Background Art

[0002] Prior art documents describe an electromechanical wristwatch with hands, where the hour hand and the minute hand indicating the current time are driven by a gear train of the mechanism of the watch movement. In this context, the operation of the mechanism can be hindered by an impact on the wristwatch. As a result, even if the internal clock of the wristwatch accurately indicates the current time, the hour hand and the minute hand give a distorted display of this current time due to the disturbance applied to the wristwatch. Therefore, it may be necessary to resynchronize the positions of the hour hand and the minute hand.

[0003] In this context, it is understood that there is a need to find a solution to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a wristwatch provided with a dial including a device for determining an acoustic event, this device being autonomous and its efficiency being constant over time.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to a wristwatch dial including an autonomous device for determining an acoustic event, such a dial including a visible face and a hidden face, said dial being formed by a stack of thin material layers extending between these two faces, said layers each including one or more of the following functional elements included in said device. ·At least one receiver element that receives at least one acoustic wave emitted from a wristwatch, ·A module that reports an acoustic event, ·A stand-alone power supply unit, and ·A control unit that manages the operation of the reporting module and the at least one receiver element that receives the at least one acoustic wave.

[0007] In other embodiments, ·The at least one receiver element includes a pressure microphone or a pressure gradient microphone, ·The module that reports an acoustic event includes at least one element capable of generating an optical signal, ·The module that reports an acoustic event includes at least one element capable of generating a vibration signal, ·The module that reports an acoustic event includes at least one element capable of generating an audio signal, ·The laminate of thin layers of material includes a first layer provided with a visible face of a dial, and the first layer includes the at least one receiver element and the at least one light source, ·The at least one receiver element is disposed in a cavity formed in a hidden face of this dial, ·The first layer is configured such that light radiation, particularly sunlight radiation, can pass through completely or partially, ·The first layer is wholly or partially transparent or translucent, ·The laminate of thin layers of material includes a second layer including a photovoltaic module that constitutes a stand-alone power supply unit, ·The second layer includes a substrate on which the photovoltaic module is printed, ·The photovoltaic module is disposed in an effective area of the second layer, and the area is configured to receive light radiation emitted from the first layer of the laminate of thin layers of material, ·The laminate includes a third layer provided with an electrical energy accumulator that constitutes 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 that forms the hidden surface of the dial including the control unit. · The laminate includes a third layer having a hidden surface of the dial that includes a control unit and an electrical energy accumulator that constitutes a stand-alone power supply unit. · The first layer is rigid compared to the other flexible layers in the laminate of thin layers of material. · The visible surface and the hidden surface are flat or domed.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a wristwatch including such a dial.

[0009] Advantageously, the wristwatch includes a mechanical, electronic, or electromechanical movement.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] The object, advantages, and features of the wristwatch according to the present invention will become clear in the following description given based on at least one non-limiting embodiment shown in the drawings.

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] FIG. 1 schematically shows a wristwatch 1 including a case 19 having a back cover and an intermediate portion to which a crystal 22 is attached, a set of components forming a timepiece movement, and dials 2a, 2b disposed between the timepiece movement and the crystal 22.

[0013] In a manner well known to those skilled in the art, the timepiece movement drives a set of hands 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 arbors of these hands. The dials 2a, 2b further include two surfaces 20a, 20b, namely, · a so-called visible surface 20a that is visible from the outside of the wristwatch 1, also referred to as the "visible part" or "visible upper part" of the dials 2a, 2b, and · a so-called hidden surface 20b that is disposed opposite the timepiece movement in the enclosure of the case 19 of the wristwatch 1, also referred to as the "hidden part" or "hidden lower part" of the dials 2a, 2b.

[0014] Such a visible surface 20a may, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, · contribute to the display of horological information / horological measurements, or physical information / physical measurements obtained by sensors included in the movement, with or without hands, for example, reference (or display) elements such as numbers, indexes, lines or dots, · include at least one graphic representation such as an inscription, a pattern, a text or a logo, etc.

[0015] This visible surface 20a and this hidden surface 20b are substantially flat and / or parallel and / or on opposite sides of each other. It should be noted that in other alternative embodiments, 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 connected to each other by the peripheral walls of the dials 2a, 2b.

[0016] Also, it should be noted that in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the dials 2a, 2b preferably have a circular shape. It is understood that the present invention can also be implemented for dials 2a, 2b having other shapes, such as, for example, a triangular shape or a shape similar to a quadrilateral shape.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the timepiece movement is a mechanical movement. Alternatively, this movement may be an electromechanical movement. In the following description, a mechanical wristwatch is referred to when the movement is mechanical, and an electromechanical and an electric wristwatch are referred to when the movement is electromechanical and electric, respectively.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, such dials 2a, 2b include an autonomous device 3 that determines acoustic events. This determining device 3 includes its own power supply means, as will be described later. Such a device 3 that determines acoustic events is said to be autonomous, particularly with respect to the movement of the wristwatch 1 and particularly with respect to the power source of this movement, for example when this power source is an electrical power source such as an electromechanical movement. In these situations, it is understood that the power used by this device 3 that determines acoustic events does not impair the autonomy of the movement.

[0019] 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 to be satisfied is that the dials 2a, 2b include the device 3 for determining acoustic events, and thus are autonomous with respect to the movement of the wristwatch 1. Since the dials 2a, 2b are not electrically connected to the movement of the wristwatch 1, they are also referred to as "autonomous dials".

[0020] This determining device 3 included in the dials 2a, 2b comprises a module 4 for reporting acoustic events, a stand-alone power supply unit 21, at least one receiver element 23 for receiving at least one acoustic wave, and a control unit 7.

[0021] In this device 3, the reporting module 4 · at least one element capable of generating an optical signal 4, such as a light source 4 that allows the device 3 to broadcast a visual message in relation to the determined acoustic event, · at least one element capable of generating a vibration signal, such as a piezoelectric vibrator, or a vibrator including an ERM motor (eccentric rotating mass vibration motor) or an LRA motor (linear resonance actuator vibration motor), which allows the device 3 to broadcast a message in the form of vibrations in relation to the determined acoustic event, and / or · at least one element capable of generating an acoustic signal, such as a loudspeaker, which allows the device 3 to broadcast an audible message in relation to the determined acoustic event.

[0022] As described above, the at least one light source 4 is implemented to be useful for displaying a visual message in relation to the determined acoustic event. Each light source 4 can correspond to any light-emitting element selected from a non-exhaustive and non-limiting list. The list is · a light-emitting capacitor or LEC, · Light-emitting diodes of the LED (light-emitting diode) type, OLED (organic light-emitting diode) type, AMOLED (active matrix organic light-emitting diode) type, or QLED (quantum light-emitting diode) type, · Any light-emitting material activated by a local electric field, · Any light-emitting material activated by an electric current, · Any combination of these light-emitting elements including.

[0023] It should be noted that this light source 4 may be a light source 4 capable of forming an area light source in a predetermined embodiment of the present invention. Thereby, a predetermined shape can be given to the area light source. Typically, but not exhaustively or limitedly, a shape related to a graphic representation of numbers, letters, logos or text can be given. It should also be noted that this light source 4 can generate light of any color and / or in any direction.

[0024] In the device 3 for determining this acoustic event, the at least one acoustic wave receiver element 23 is configured to identify such waves generated by a wristwatch, in particular by the clock parts and / or clock mechanisms of the movement of this wristwatch 1.

[0025] In a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, these clock parts are · External clock parts such as cases, middle parts, dials, back covers, etc., · Parts of the watch movement such as oscillating weights, rotors, perfume boxes, gear trains, movement plates, etc. may be.

[0026] In this wristwatch, the clock mechanism is involved in time measurement, or functions or complications. This may be, for example, a lever escapement.

[0027] This receiver element 23 includes at least one electroacoustic transducer capable of converting acoustic waves into electrical signals. This receiver element 23 may include at least one pressure microphone or pressure gradient microphone generally provided with a diaphragm or piezoelectric element deformable and / or movable under the influence of at least one acoustic signal.

[0028] Alternatively, this receiver element 23 may include at least one optical microphone. Such a microphone is described in detail in Patent Document 1 and is a device capable of converting acoustic waves into electrical signals using an interferometer-based technique. Such a microphone particularly includes an electromagnetic radiation source, a reflecting element such as a mirror, at least one detector for detecting this electromagnetic radiation, and an interferometer such as a Fabry–Perot interferometer or an etalon of a Gires–Tournois.

[0029] It should be noted that in other alternative embodiments, this receiver element 23 may include any combination of at least one pressure microphone, at least one pressure gradient microphone, and at least one optical microphone.

[0030] In this decision 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 referred to as a solar cell. This photovoltaic module 5 is connected to the electrical energy accumulator 6 via connection elements indicated by reference numerals 17b and 18 in FIGS. 3 and 5. This photovoltaic module 5 may include one or more unit cells of a heterojunction type or a multijunction type connected in parallel or in series. Each photovoltaic cell of this module 5 may be made of a copper-based, indium-based, gallium-based, and selenium-based semiconductor material, a cadmium telluride-based semiconductor material, a single-crystal gallium arsenide-based semiconductor material, a single-crystal or polycrystalline silicon-based semiconductor material, or a perovskite-based semiconductor material 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.

[0031] In this decision device 3 for determining an acoustic event, a control unit 7, also referred to as a microcontroller, includes an electronic circuit 8. The electronic circuit 8 includes hardware resources, in particular, memory elements, and at least one processor cooperating with an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. This control unit 7 is connected to the reporting module 4, to the at least one receiver element for receiving at least one acoustic wave 23, and to a stand-alone power supply unit 21. The memory element of such a control unit 7 includes an algorithm for determining an acoustic event.

[0032] This algorithm enables automatic learning, also known as machine learning, and supervised learning is preferred. Specifically, this is a learning algorithm for determining an acoustic event as a function of the identification / signature characteristics of the sound derived and executed by the control unit 7 from the processing of the acoustic signal. Such an algorithm may include and / or implement the principle of at least one neural network and / or an analytical function and / or polynomial regression. For this purpose, the control unit 7 involved in the implementation of such learning includes learning data related to acoustic wave measurements and learning data related to the acoustic events determined / specified as experienced by the wristwatch. The purpose of this learning is to improve the algorithm (in particular, the resulting model) in the context of evaluating a given acoustic event as a function of the acoustic wave measurements related to that event so as to minimize the "estimation vs. actual" error.

[0033] Such algorithms executed by the processor of this control unit 7 may, in order to improve the determination of acoustic events, also take into account other types of events based on data from the event sensors included in this determination device 3. It should be noted that these events include, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, the detection of a specific brightness level in the environment of the wristwatch 1, the detection of a specific visual object, or the detection of movement by a part of the body of the user in which this wristwatch 1 is included. In this context, the event sensors of this determination device 3 include, in particular, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, · a brightness sensor for detecting the ambient brightness level, · a motion sensor for sensing movement by a part of the body of the user including the wristwatch 1, such as, for example, a gyro sensor and / or an inertial sensor in the form of an electronic component of a gyro and / or inertial electromechanical microsystem circuit type, and / or · including a photographic type optical sensor.

[0034] Furthermore, if the reporting module 4 includes a plurality of light sources 4, its operation can be managed / controlled simultaneously and / or sequentially by the control unit 7. Furthermore, each light source 4 is individually managed / controlled by this control unit 7. In this context, the management of the operation of each light source 4 can be configured in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner from performing the following operations, that is, 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, the flashing frequency of each light source 4, the flashing time of each light source 4, and defining the switching on or off time of each light source 4.

[0035] The memory element of such a control unit 7 may further include algorithms for managing the electrical energy accumulator 6, in particular for managing the recharge by the photovoltaic module 5, and for managing the electrical consumption of the said reporting module 4 and the receiver element 23.

[0036] As described above, the autonomous device 3 for determining an acoustic event is thus included in the dials 2a, 2b. In this configuration, the components of this determination device 3, namely the reporting module 4, the electrical energy accumulator 6, the receiver element 23, the photovoltaic module 5, and the control unit 7, are included in one or more layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 forming the dials 2a, 2b.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the dials 2a, 2b are formed or constituted by a stack 9a, 9b of a plurality of thin layers 10, 11, 12, 13, and these layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are joined and integrated together by a joining element such as an adhesive material in order to obtain a stack 9a, 9b of monolithic thin layers and thus to form an integrated dial 2a, 2b. This joining element may be a clip or a screw. Such layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 are superimposed within the stack 9a, 9b of multiple layers. That is, within the dials 2a, 2b, one is arranged on top of the other in a defined order. It should be noted that such a stack 9a, 9b of layers may also be referred to as an assembly of layers. In this stack 9a, 9b, the multiple layers are substantially similar and have substantially the same upper and lower surfaces of the same area / surface, and thus contribute to the formation of the peripheral wall of the dials 2a, 2b without relief.

[0038] It should be noted that these thin layers are each layers having a micrometer thickness. Specifically, each layer may have a thickness of 1 to 100 μm, preferably 2 μm, more preferably 3 μm. With respect to the thickness of the dials 2a, 2b, this thickness may be 8 to 400 μm, preferably 6 μm, more preferably 12 μm, more preferably 100 μm, more preferably 200 μm, or more preferably 300 μm.

[0039] Such an integrated dial 2a, 2b also has the additional advantage that, in addition to facilitating its integration in the case 19 of the wristwatch 1, it can be removably mounted on this case 19.

[0040] In a first alternative embodiment of this layer laminate 9a shown in FIG. 3, it is composed of the following four consecutive thin layers 10, 11, 12, 13. That is, · A first layer forming / composing the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a including the at least one receiver element 23 and / or the reporting module 4, · A second layer 11 including the photovoltaic module 5, · A third layer 12 including an electrical energy accumulator 6, also referred to as a rechargeable battery, and · A fourth layer 13 forming the hidden surface 20b of the dial 2a including the at least one receiver element 23 and / or the control unit 7.

[0041] The first layer 10 of this laminate 9a is preferably rigid or semi-rigid compared to the second, third, and fourth thin layers 11, 12, 13 which are preferably soft or flexible. It is understood that such a first layer 10 contributes to the structural rigidity of the laminate 9a of thin layers and thus the dial 2a.

[0042] 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.

[0043] The first layer 10 is formed by a rigid or semi-rigid substrate that is transparent, translucent, at least partially transparent, or at least partially translucent. Such a substrate is made of a material with a transmittance (also known as UVT, "ultraviolet transmittance") to sunlight, especially ultraviolet light, between 65 and 95 percent. This transmittance is preferably 85 percent. Such a material may be transparent or translucent. Such materials may be, without limitation and non-exhaustively, polymers, glass, or ceramics.

[0044] As will be understood in this context, this substrate · allows the light generated by the at least one light source of the reporting module 4 to escape outside the dials 2a, 2b and thus outside the wristwatch 1, ·Light from the environment of the wristwatch 1 (which, if of natural origin, includes solar radiation) is configured to be able to pass through the dials 2a, 2b towards the photovoltaic module 5 of the device 3 that determines the acoustic event.

[0045] In other words, this transparent or translucent substrate is configured such that light (in particular solar radiation) that can be supplied to the photovoltaic module 5 passes through, and the photovoltaic module 5 can convert the solar energy from this radiation into electrical energy.

[0046] This first layer 10 includes the reporting module 4 disposed on the substrate body. In this configuration, the arrangement of the light source of this module 4 on this substrate is to ensure illumination of all or part of the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a, for example, illumination of graphic representations such as reference elements (or displays) like numbers, indices, lines, dots, etc., or illumination of one or more hands, and further illumination of all or part of the surface of the visible surface of the dial 2a. In an alternative embodiment, this light source 4 may have a predetermined shape such as the shape of numbers, letters, indices, lines, dots, logos, or text.

[0047] This illumination can be backlight illumination 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, the light radiation or light generated by this light source 4 can escape outside the dial 2a through the visible surface 20a of this dial 2a, and thus, 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, non - transparent or non - transmissive.

[0048] This lighting can 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 on 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.

[0049] This lighting can also be direct lighting when the light source 4 is arranged in a through-opening extending through 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 graphic representations such as indices, numbers, dots, or lines.

[0050] Such lighting can also be remote lighting when the at least one light source 4b is coupled to at least one waveguide. This waveguide is also referred to as an optical guide and is used to convey light from the point where the light enters the guide 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 guide may be an optical fiber on the substrate that can bypass obstacles that may occur, for example, between an electroluminescent element and an area on the substrate close to the upper surface of the substrate, and light will escape through this optical fiber. In this alternative embodiment, light is thus brought from the electroluminescent element via the waveguide to this area of the substrate to be irradiated.

[0051] In such a configuration, the first end of the waveguide is coupled to the light source 4, and the second end of this waveguide is · a cavity that can be a blind opening made on the lower surface of the substrate of this first layer 10, or · A through-opening extending through the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10, each end of which opens to the upper and lower surfaces of this substrate, and thus of the first layer 10, may be disposed therein. That is, this second end may protrude from the upper surface of the substrate or of this first layer 10, or from the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a, so as to form a graphic representation of a reference element such as, for example, an index, a number, a dot or a line.

[0052] In this context, the indirect lighting is achieved by a single light source 4 included in the lower surface of the substrate of this first layer 10 by being coupled to a plurality of waveguides, and these second ends are · Each a cavity that emits light radiation from this light source 4 (since this radiation escapes outside the dial 2a through the visible surface 20a, it is allowed to view at least one graphic representation in the dark. In this context, this graphic representation included in the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a or in the upper surface of the substrate is preferably opaque), and / or · Each is disposed in a through-opening that protrudes or does not protrude from the upper surface of this substrate so as to form a reference element such as an index, a line or a dot that emits light radiation from this light source 4.

[0053] In this first layer 10, the reporting module 4 is applied / fastened by printing or vapor deposition to 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. In other words, the light source of this module 4 is applied / fastened by printing or vapor deposition to 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.

[0054] In this first layer 10, a receiver element 23 is disposed within / on this substrate so as to be able to receive acoustic waves present in the enclosure of the watch case 1. This receiver element 23 may be disposed on or under the upper surface of this substrate forming the first layer 10. When disposed within the substrate, this receiver element 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in this upper surface. In an alternative embodiment, this may be disposed in a blind cavity made in the lower surface of the substrate having this upper surface as its bottom surface. In this configuration, acoustic waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b and in the visible surface 20a can be measured by the said receiver element 23. This substrate may further include through holes connecting the upper surface and the lower surface, and the receiver element 23 may be disposed in these through holes.

[0055] It should also be noted that the lower surface of this first layer 10 may be self - adhesive so as to be assemblable with the second layer 11.

[0056] In this laminate 9a, the second layer 11 includes 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 disposed, or may be made of a material belonging to the polymer system.

[0057] In this second layer 11, the photovoltaic module extends preferentially 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 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 from the dial 2a and thus from the external environment of the watch 1, and in this case mainly, when of natural origin, from sunlight.

[0058] 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, mention is also made of the second layer 11 including the printed photovoltaic module 5, in particular the photovoltaic module 5 printed on the substrate of the second layer 11.

[0059] 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. In these situations, the second layer 11 can be a self-adhesive layer that helps facilitate the assembly with other layers, in particular the first layer 10 and / or the third layer 12 of this laminate 9a.

[0060] In the laminate 9a, this third layer 12 also preferably includes a flexible or soft substrate. That substrate includes the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the autonomous decision-making device 3. This substrate of the third layer 12 can be a film on which the accumulator 6 is disposed. Such a substrate can be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0061] This accumulator 6 can be a lithium battery or a semiconductor battery. Such a battery 6 is applied to the upper surface of this substrate using a process known in the prior art as follows. That is, · A printing process on a flexible polymer substrate (this is involved in, for example, a lithium-ion battery), or · A three-dimensional printing process (this is involved in a semiconductor battery such as a lithium metal semiconductor battery).

[0062] Here, mention is also made of the third layer 12 including the printed electrical energy accumulator 6, in particular the electrical energy accumulator 6 printed on the substrate of the third layer 12.

[0063] By such a process, a flexible and extremely thin third layer 12 including this accumulator 6 can be obtained.

[0064] Furthermore, it should be noted that once the accumulator 6 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 this substrate. In these situations, the third layer 12 can be a self - adhesive layer that helps facilitate the assembly with other layers, particularly the second layer 11 and / or the fourth layer 13 of this laminate 9a.

[0065] It should be noted that this accumulator 6 is used to store the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic module 5 and to release power as required to supply power to the decision device 3, particularly to the reporting module 4 and said at least one receiver element 23.

[0066] In this laminate 9a, this fourth and final layer 13 forms the hidden surface of the dial 2a. Such a fourth layer 13 is formed by a substrate that preferably contains the control unit 7 and is flexible or soft. Such a substrate for the fourth layer 13 can be, for example, a flexible PCB on which this control unit 7 is arranged, and this control unit 7 is arranged on the upper surface of this PCB and thus of the substrate in particular. In this context, the control unit 7 may be constructed on this upper surface of the substrate using a three - dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process.

[0067] In this fourth and final layer 13, the receiver element 23 is arranged inside / on this substrate so as to be able to receive acoustic waves present in the enclosure of the watch case 1. This receiver element 23 can be arranged on the lower surface of this substrate forming the fourth layer 13 or below it. When arranged inside the substrate, this receiver element 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in this lower surface. In an alternative embodiment, this may be arranged in a blind cavity made on the upper surface of the substrate having this lower surface as its bottom surface. In this configuration, acoustic waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b and in the hidden surface 20b can be measured by said receiver element 23. This substrate may further include through - holes connecting the upper and lower surfaces, and the receiver element 23 may be arranged in these through - holes.

[0068] In a second alternative embodiment, the laminate 9b forming the dial 2b includes three thin layers 10, 11, 14 joined together. It should be noted that this second alternative embodiment differs from the first alternative embodiment in that it includes three layers 10, 11, 14 instead of four layers 10, 11, 12, 13 as in the first alternative embodiment. In this second alternative embodiment, the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the self-determination device 3 is here included, together with the control unit 7, in the third and final layer 14 of this laminate 9b.

[0069] Such a third and final layer 14 of this laminate 9b forms the hidden face 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 accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 may be constructed on this upper surface of the substrate 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.

[0070] In this third and final layer 14 of this second alternative embodiment, a receiver element 23 is arranged within / on this substrate so as to be able to receive acoustic waves present in the enclosure of the case of the wristwatch 1. This receiver element 23 can be arranged on the lower surface of this substrate forming the third layer 14 or below it. When arranged within the substrate, this receiver element 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in this lower surface. In an alternative embodiment, this may be arranged in a blind cavity made on the upper surface of the substrate having this lower surface as its bottom surface. In this configuration, acoustic waves propagating in the dials 2a, 2b and in the hidden face 20b can be measured by the said receiver element 23. This substrate may further include through holes connecting the upper and lower surfaces, and the receiver element 23 may be arranged in these through holes.

[0071] In summary, in this second alternative embodiment, the laminate 9b is · A first layer forming the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a including the at least one receiver element 23 and / or the reporting module 4; · A second layer 11 including the photovoltaic module 5; · A third layer 14 forming the hidden surface 20b of the dial 2b including the at least one receiver element 23 and / or the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 comprising.

[0072] It should be noted that in this second alternative embodiment, the first and second layers 10, 11 are the same as those of the first alternative embodiment of the laminate 9a.

[0073] Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the electronic circuit 8 of the control unit 7 includes a first connection element 15a, which is · Connected to a connection element 16 connecting the reporting module 4 for managing the operation of this module 4 and in particular for broadcasting messages related to specifically determined acoustic events · And the at least one receiver element 23 contributing to the determination of the acoustic event.

[0074] This electronic circuit 8 further includes a second connection element 15b connected to a first connection element 17a of the accumulator 6.

[0075] It should further be noted that the event sensor of the above-described determination device 3 is preferably arranged in the first layer 10 and / or the last layer 13, 14 of the multi-layer stack 9a, 9b and is connected to the control unit 7 of this device 3.

[0076] In a third alternative embodiment (not shown), the stack of multiple thin layers forming the dial includes two interconnected layers. It should be noted that what differentiates this third alternative embodiment from the second alternative embodiment is that it includes two layers instead of the three layers 10, 11, 14 as in the second alternative embodiment. In this third alternative embodiment, the photovoltaic module 5 of the self-determination device 3 is here included in the first layer, particularly on the lower surface of the substrate forming this first layer. This photovoltaic module 5 can be applied to this lower surface of the substrate of this first layer using an inkjet printing process or a screen printing process, or using a thermal evaporation printing process. Therefore, this first layer is similar to the first layer 11 of the first and second alternative embodiments, but it should be noted that in this third alternative embodiment, the first layer additionally includes a photovoltaic module, which is different.

[0077] In the third alternative embodiment, similar to the second alternative embodiment, the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the self-determination device 3, together with the control unit 7, is included in the second and final layer of this stack. Such a second layer forming the hidden surface of the dial preferably consists of a flexible or soft substrate. On the upper surface of this substrate, preferably, the battery 6 and the electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed. The accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 may be constructed on this upper surface of the substrate 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.

[0078] In summary, in this third alternative embodiment, the stack of layers therefore · a first layer forming the visible surface 20a of the dial including the at least one receiver element 23 and / or the reporting module 4 and the photovoltaic module 5, · a second layer forming the hidden surface 20b of the dial including the at least one receiver element 23 and / or the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 are included.

[0079] In the final layers 13, 14 of the various alternative embodiments, the transceiver module 23 is applied / fastened by printing or vapor deposition to the lower or upper surface of the substrate of these layers, in the cavity, or to the inner wall of the aforementioned through-opening.

[0080] That is, in this dial 2a, 2b, the determination device 3 includes a receiver element 23 that converts the received acoustic wave into an electrical signal and transmits it to the control unit 7. Therefore, when at least one acoustic wave is generated by the watch parts or the watch mechanism, an electrical signal including data related to the received one or more acoustic waves is then transmitted by the receiver element 23 to the control unit 7. This control unit 7 then processes these data based on an algorithm for determining the acoustic event. By such processing, it is allowed to identify the acoustic event as a function of the characteristics of at least one acoustic wave picked up by the receiver element 23, that is, the period, frequency, wavelength, acoustic power, acoustic intensity, acoustic pressure, and / or duration of the at least one acoustic wave.

[0081] By determining the acoustic event, it may be allowed to implement various functions of this wristwatch on this dial 2a, 2b. For example, the function of this wristwatch may correspond to the detection of an impact received by watch parts such as case parts (for example, the middle part, crystal, or crown of the wristwatch 1) that may cause a loss of timekeeping accuracy. Specifically, the operation of the mechanism may be hindered by an impact on the wristwatch. As a result, even if the internal clock of the wristwatch accurately displays the current time, the hour hand and the minute hand may give a distorted display of this current time due to the gears skipping several steps due to the impact on the wristwatch. Therefore, it is necessary to resynchronize the positions of the hour hand and the minute hand. Therefore, as part of this function, the control unit 7 can generate visual, vibration, and / or audible messages in response to this event, and this message transmits information about this loss of accuracy by controlling / driving the reporting module 4.

[0082] Other functions of the wristwatch using the determination of the acoustic event may include, without limitation and without being exhaustive, the following. That is, · The passage (or non-passage) of the date indicator may be detected by the receiver element 23. A light source may then be used to convey information about the causative event. · The stopping of a mechanism stop notch, such as the hand setting mechanism of the wristwatch 1, for example, may be detected by the receiver element 23. At least one light source may then be used to indicate the position where the mechanism is located, such as the time correction position or the date indicator correction position. · A predetermined shock sequence may be detected by the receiver element 23, for example, to turn the light source 4 on or off, or to modify its light color. A series of taps on the wristwatch crystal 1 may be used to illuminate the dials 2a, 2b, or to backlight the hands so that the time is visible even at night. Another series of taps may be used to modify the light color of the at least one active light source. The deviation of the frequency monitored by the receiver element 23 may be conveyed by using at least one light source. This frequency variation may indicate a current or future malfunction.

[0083] Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various simple alternatives and modifications that do not depart from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims may be conceivable by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A dial (2a, 2b) of a wristwatch (1) including an autonomous device (3) for determining an acoustic event, said dial (2a, 2b) including a visible face (20a) and a hidden face (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 - at least one receiver element (23) for receiving at least one acoustic wave emitted from the wristwatch (1), - a module (4) for reporting said acoustic event, - a stand-alone power supply unit (21), and - the dial (2a, 2b) including one or more of a control unit (7) for managing the operation of said reporting module (4) and said at least one receiver element (23) for receiving at least one acoustic wave.

2. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one receiver element (23) includes a pressure microphone or a pressure gradient microphone.

3. The module for reporting said acoustic event includes - at least one element capable of generating an optical signal (4), - at least one element capable of generating a vibration signal, and / or - at least one element capable of generating an acoustic signal The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1.

4. The laminate (9a, 9b) of thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of material includes a first layer (10) provided with said visible face (20a) of said dial (2a, 2b), said first layer (10) including said at least one receiver element (23) and said reporting module (4). The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1.

5. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one receiver element (23) is disposed in a cavity formed in said hidden face of said dial (2a, 2b).

6. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein said first layer (10) is configured such that light radiation, particularly solar radiation, can pass through completely or partially.

7. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein said first layer (10) is entirely or partially transparent or translucent.

8. The laminate (9a, 9b) of the thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of the material includes a second layer (11) provided with a photovoltaic module (5) constituting the stand-alone power supply unit (21), the dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1.

9. The laminate (9a, 9b) of the thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of the material includes a second layer (11) provided with a photovoltaic module (5) constituting the stand-alone power supply unit (21), and the second layer (11) includes a substrate on which the photovoltaic module (5) is printed, the dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1.

10. The laminate (9a, 9b) of the thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13, 14) of the material includes a second layer (11) provided with a photovoltaic module (5) constituting the stand-alone power supply unit (21), and the photovoltaic module (5) is disposed in an effective area of the second layer (11), and the area is configured to receive 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.

11. The laminate (9a) of the thin layers (10, 11, 12, 13) includes a third layer (12) provided with an electrical energy accumulator (6) constituting the stand-alone power supply unit (21), the dial (2a) according to claim 1.

12. The laminate (9a) includes a third layer (12) provided with 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.

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

14. The laminate (9b) of the thin layers (10, 11, 14) includes a third layer (14) including a hidden surface (20b) of the dial (2b) provided with the control unit (7) and an electrical energy accumulator (6) constituting the stand-alone power supply unit (21), the dial (2b) according to claim 1.

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

16. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein the visible and hidden faces (20a, 20b) are flat or domed.

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

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

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