Dial including device for transmitting message and watch including the same dial

Abstract

To provide a watch with a dial including a message transmission device which is standalone and has an effectiveness that remains constant over time.SOLUTION: There is provided a dial 2a, 2b of a watch 1 including a standalone device for transmitting a message to an electronic device. The dial 2a, 2b includes a visible face 20a and a hidden face. The dial 2a, 2b is formed by a stack of thin layers of material extending between the visible face 20a and the hidden face. Each thin layer includes one or more of functional elements included in a stand-alone device 3: at least one message transmission activation sensor 23; at least one light source 4; a standalone power supply unit; and a control unit for managing operation of the at least one light source 4 and of the at least one activation sensor 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wristwatch provided with a dial including a device for sending messages, the device being completely stand-alone.

Background Art

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

[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 provided with a dial including a message sending device, which is stand-alone and has the effect of remaining constant over time.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention relates to a wristwatch dial including a stand-alone device for sending messages to an electronic device, said dial being substantially flat and including visible and hidden faces on opposite sides of each other, these faces being connected to each other by a peripheral wall, said dial being formed by a laminate of thin layers of material extending between these two faces, each of said layers including one or more of a plurality of functional elements included in said device. The plurality of functional elements are · at least one message sending operation sensor, · at least one light source, · a stand-alone power supply unit, and · a control unit (7) for managing the operation of the at least one light source (4) and the at least one motion sensor is provided.

[0006] In other embodiments, · the at least one motion sensor is configured to generate at least one electrical signal directed towards the control unit to trigger the transmission of a message to the electronic device, · the at least one light source is a point light source, · the control unit is configured to control the at least one light source by controlling its flashing according to the information contained in the message, · the stack of thin layers of material includes a first layer on which the visible face of the dial is provided, the first layer including the at least one motion sensor and the at least one light source, · the at least one motion sensor is arranged in a cavity formed in the hidden face of the dial, · the first layer is configured to be traversed in whole or in part by light radiation, in particular sunlight radiation, · the first layer is wholly or partly transparent or translucent, · the stack 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, · the 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 stack of thin layers of material, · the stack 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 stack includes a fourth layer forming the hidden face of the dial including the control unit, · the stack includes a third layer including the hidden face of the dial including the control unit and the electrical energy accumulator constituting 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.

[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 object, advantages and features of the wristwatch according to 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] Figure 1 schematically shows a wristwatch 1 including a case 19 provided with a back cover and an intermediate part to which a crystal 22 is attached, a set of components forming a watch movement, and dials 2a, 2b disposed between the watch movement and the crystal 22.

[0012] In a manner well known to those skilled in the art, the watch 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 shafts of the hands. The dials 2a, 2b also include two surfaces 20a, 20b. The two surfaces 20a, 20b are · a so-called visible surface 20a that is visible from the outside of the wristwatch 1 and is also known as the "visible part" or "visible upper part" of these dials 2a, 2b, · a so-called hidden surface 20b that is disposed 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 and include.

[0013] Such a visible surface 20a, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, · Whether or not there are hands, marker (or display) elements such as numbers, indices, lines, or dots that contribute to the display of horological information / measurements or physical information / measurements measured by sensors included in the movement, · At least one graphic representation such as an inscription, pattern, text, logo, etc. may be included.

[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 and a hidden surface that may be domed or flat. These surfaces 20a, 20b are also joined together by the peripheral walls of the dials 2a, 2b.

[0015] Furthermore, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, it should be noted that 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 timepiece movement is a mechanical movement. Alternatively, this movement may be an electromechanical or electronic movement. Next, when the movement is mechanical, it is called a mechanical wristwatch; when it includes an electromechanical movement, it is called an electromechanical wristwatch; and when it includes an electronic movement, it is called an electronic wristwatch.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, such dials 2a, 2b include a message transmission device 3 that is stand-alone. This transmission device 3 includes its own power means, as will be understood later. Such a message transmission 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 or electronic movement). Under such conditions, it should be understood that the energy used by this transmission device 3 is not used so as to impair the autonomy of the movement.

[0018] With such a transmission device 3, the wristwatch 1 can transmit a message to an electronic device. The message may include information related to a function implemented by the wristwatch 1 such as a timekeeping function, or a function for monitoring an event related to the operation of the movement of the wristwatch, such as an event related to a leak in the case 19 of the wristwatch 1. Other example types of information that may be included in the message are · For example, during two services or maintenance operations, if the wristwatch 1 is equipped to allow, for example, determination of the actual operating time of the wristwatch 1, counting the number of passes of at least one hand, · When an accelerometer is provided on the dials 2a, 2b, the number and nature (weak, strong) of the impacts received by the case 19, · When a magnetic sensor is provided on the dials 2a, 2b, the number and intensity of the times the wristwatch 1 is exposed to a magnetic field, When a pressure and / or humidity sensor is provided on the dial, the internal pressure and / or humidity of the case 19 that may indicate a leak in the wristwatch 1, · For example, to improve the adjustment of the wristwatch according to the wearer, or to adjust the frequency of maintenance services required 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, · When the dials 2a, 2b are equipped with an acoustic sensor to allow prediction or notification of a failure or malfunction, detection of abnormal operating noise may be included but is not limited thereto.

[0019] Thus, in this context, the transmission device 3, in a non-limiting and non-exhaustive manner, includes the following event sensors, namely, · A wristwatch hand position 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 should be understood to be included.

[0020] In this context, such an electronic device is preferably a mobile device. The device, also referred to as a user terminal, can be carried and transported by the user and functions while being carried. This corresponds, for example, to a smartphone or a tablet. This electronic device preferably includes a microcontroller, an optical sensor such as a photo sensor, a point light source, and elements for broadcasting received messages such as a screen and / or a loudspeaker. In this configuration, the electronic device is used to receive, decode, and broadcast messages transmitted by the transmitting device of the wristwatch 1.

[0021] On the case 19 of the wristwatch 1, the dials 2a, 2b may be removably mounted, and in such a case, the type of the wristwatch 1 is irrelevant. The only condition is that the dials 2a, 2b include a transmitting device 3 that is thus stand-alone with respect to the movement of the wristwatch 1. Since the 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". The dials 2a, 2b may be regarded as parts attached to the wristwatch 1.

[0022] The transmitting device 3 included in the dials 2a, 2b includes at least one light source 4, also known as a light emitter, a stand-alone power supply unit 21, at least one message transmission activation sensor 23, and a control unit 7.

[0023] In the device 3, the at least one light source 4 is preferably a point light source implemented to contribute to message transmission. Accordingly, the light provided by the at least one point light source 4 illuminates the dot areas or quasi-dot areas of the dials 2a, 2b. To do so, the light emitted from each light source 4 can be collimated or focused towards the considered dot area or quasi-dot area by, for example, any well-known collimation or focusing means. This "dot area or quasi-dot area" includes any area located within the visible surface 20a of the dials 2a, 2b and has dimensions such that it is distinguishable and perceivable by the human eye from adjacent areas.

[0024] Each point light source 4 can correspond to any electroluminescent element selected from a non-exhaustive and non-limiting list. This list includes · a light-emitting capacitor known by the initials LEC of "Light-Emitting Capacitor", · light-emitting diodes such as LED (initials of "Light-Emitting Diode"), OLED (initials of "Organic Light-Emitting Diode"), AMOLED (initials of "Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode"), QLED (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 including.

[0025] Alternatively, although not shown in the figure, the point light source 4 may be a quantum box or a quantum dot.

[0026] In the transmitting 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. The photovoltaic module 5 is connected to the electrical energy accumulator 6 via connection elements referenced as 17b and 18 in FIGS. 3 and 5. The photovoltaic module 5 may include one or more basic cells of a heterojunction or multijunction type connected in parallel or in series. Each photovoltaic cell of the 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. These examples are not limiting, and it should be noted that those skilled in the art can find a type of photovoltaic cell suitable for the present invention.

[0027] In the transmitting device 3, a control unit 7, also known as a microcontroller, includes an electronic circuit 8, which includes a memory element and hardware resources cooperating with an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus, particularly at least one processor. The control unit 7 is connected to the at least one light source 4, to the at least one motion sensor 23, and to the stand-alone power supply unit 21.

[0028] Such a control unit 7 includes, in its memory element, a message transmission algorithm. The algorithm can implement message transmission by defining a sequence of optical pulses that broadcast light emission by the at least one light source 4, and in such a case, it is implemented by optical modulation or optical encoding applied to the emission. By such modulation or encoding, control of the blinking of the light source 4 can be obtained by alternately performing it between two states of on or off. In this context, the sequence of optical pulses, also referred to as the "transmission sequence" or "transmission optical pulse sequence", depends on the content of the message, in other words, the information contained in the message. Therefore, by executing this algorithm, the control unit 7 can drive / control the blinking of the point light source 4 according to the defined transmission sequence.

[0029] In the transmission device 3, the message transmission operation sensor 23, also particularly referred to as the operation sensor 23 of the transmission device 3, · at least one optical sensor capable of receiving from the point light source of the electronic device a sequence of optical pulses, also referred to as the "start sequence" or "start optical pulse sequence", to trigger the operation of message transmission, · at least one acoustic sensor capable of detecting, for example, that a trim element (such as a crystal) of a wristwatch has been tapped to trigger the operation of message transmission, · at least one sensor of the accelerometer type that detects vibrations, which are impacts applied to the wristwatch, to trigger the operation of message transmission, · at least one sensor of the gyroscope type that detects vibrations, which are impacts applied to the wristwatch, to trigger the operation of message transmission, · at least one sensor of the accelerometer type and at least one sensor of the gyroscope type that together detect vibrations, which are impacts applied to the wristwatch, to trigger the operation of message transmission may include.

[0030] The actuating sensor 23 is configured to generate at least one electrical signal to the control unit 7 so as to trigger or cause the message transmission.

[0031] Furthermore, it should be noted that such a control unit 7 may also include in its memory element algorithms for the management of the electrical energy accumulator 6 (in particular, its recharge by the photovoltaic module 5), as well as for the management of the electrical consumption by the light source 4 and the electrical consumption of the actuating sensor 23.

[0032] That is, as already mentioned, the stand-alone transmission device 3 is therefore included in the dials 2a, 2b. In this configuration, the components of the transmission device 3, namely, the light source 4, the electrical energy accumulator 6, the photovoltaic module 5, the actuating sensor 23, and the control unit 7, are included in one or more layers 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 forming the dials 2a, 2b.

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

[0034] It should be noted that these thin 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 a thickness of 2 μm, more preferably a thickness of 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 an integrated dial 2a, 2b also has an additional advantage in addition to being easily incorporated into the case 19, namely that it can be removably mounted on the case 19 of the wristwatch 1.

[0036] In a first variant of this laminate 9a shown in FIG. 3, the laminate 9a consists of the following four successive thin / fine layers 10, 11, 12, 13, namely · A first layer 10 forming / composing the visible face 20a of the dial 2a, containing said at least one light source 4 and said at least one operating sensor 23 of the transmission device 3; · A second layer 11 containing the photovoltaic module 5; · A third layer 12 containing an electrical energy accumulator 6, also known as a rechargeable battery; · A fourth layer 13 forming the hidden face 20b of the dial 2a, containing the control unit 7 and is composed of.

[0037] The first layer 10 of the 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 the laminate 9a, the first, second, third and fourth layers 10, 11, 12 and 13 each include an upper surface and a lower surface.

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

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

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

[0042] The 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 the substrate is configured to ensure illumination of the point area of the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a.

[0043] The illumination may be direct illumination when the light source 4 is disposed in a cavity defined in the substrate. The cavity may be a blind opening made in the lower surface of the substrate, the bottom of which forms or provides the point area. In such a configuration, the light radiation or light provided by the light source 4 can escape through the point area of this cavity towards the outside of the dial 2a and thus through the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a.

[0044] When the illumination is also such that the light source 4 is disposed in a through-opening extending across the thickness of the substrate of the first layer 10 and each of its both ends opens to the upper surface and the lower surface of this substrate, it may be direct illumination. In this configuration, all or part of the light source 4 may protrude from the upper surface of the substrate, and thus from the first layer 10, or from the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a so as to form a dot area.

[0045] Such illumination may also be remote illumination when the at least one light source 4 is coupled to at least one waveguide. The waveguide, also known as an optical waveguide, allows light to be transported from the point where the light enters the waveguide to a dot area defined on the upper surface of the substrate. Such an optical waveguide may be, for example, an optical fiber that can avoid obstacles that can be erected on the substrate between, for example, an electroluminescence element and the dot area where the light escapes. In this variant, the light is therefore transported from the electroluminescence element via the waveguide to the dot area to be illuminated.

[0046] 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 can be a blind opening made in the lower surface of the substrate of the first layer 10, the bottom of the cavity constituting the dot area, or · a through-opening extending through the thickness of the base material of the first layer 10, each of its both ends opening to the upper surface and the lower surface of this substrate, and thus of the first layer 10 and may be disposed therein. That is, the second end may protrude from the upper surface of the substrate or from the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a so as to form a dot area.

[0047] In the first layer 10, the light source 4 and the actuating sensor are applied / fixed by printing or vapor deposition on the lower surface or the upper surface of the substrate of the first layer 10 that is in the cavity or on the inner wall of the through-opening.

[0048] In the first layer 10, the activation sensor 23 is arranged within / on the substrate so as to be able to receive the light emission from the electronic device modulated according to the start sequence. The activation sensor 23 may be arranged above or below the upper surface of the substrate forming the first layer 10. When arranged within the substrate, the activation sensor 23 is positioned in a blind cavity formed in the upper surface. In one variant, this may be arranged in a blind cavity made in the lower surface of the substrate (having this upper surface as its bottom). In another variant, the activation sensor 23 may be arranged in a through-opening formed in the substrate and connecting the upper and lower surfaces together.

[0049] 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.

[0050] In the laminate 9a, the second layer 11 includes a substrate provided with a 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, the substrate may be made of a material belonging to the polymer family.

[0051] In the second layer 11, the photovoltaic module 5 preferably extends over the entire so-called active area of the upper surface of the substrate. The active area is a part of the upper surface of the substrate that can receive the light emitted from the lower surface of the first layer 10 of the dial 2a. The 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, in this case mainly, when of natural origin, from sunlight.

[0052] 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, the 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.

[0053] It should be noted that once the photovoltaic module 5 is attached to the substrate, a layer of self - adhesive substance can 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 of the other layers, particularly with the first layer 10 and / or the third layer 12 of the laminate 9a.

[0054] In the laminate 9a, the third layer 12 also preferably includes a flexible or soft substrate. The substrate includes the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the stand - alone transmission device 3. The substrate of the third layer 12 may be a film containing the accumulator 6. Such a substrate may be made of a material belonging to a polymer family.

[0055] The accumulator 6 may be a lithium battery or a semiconductor battery. Such an accumulator 6 is applied to the upper surface of the substrate using processes well - known in the state of the art, for example, · For example, for a lithium battery, a printing process on a flexible polymer substrate, · For example, for a semiconductor battery such as a lithium metal semiconductor battery, a three - dimensional printing process and the like.

[0056] Here, the third layer 12 including the printed electrical energy accumulator 6 is mentioned. In particular, it is the electrical energy accumulator 6 printed on the substrate of the third layer 12.

[0057] That is, by such a process, the third layer 12 including this accumulator 6 which is flexible and ultra - fine can be obtained.

[0058] Furthermore, it should be noted that once the accumulator 6 is applied to the substrate, a layer of self-adhesive substance may be deposited over all or part of the upper and / or lower surfaces of the 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.

[0059] Note that this accumulator 6 is used to store the electrical energy generated by the photovoltaic module 5 and to discharge it as required to supply power to the transmission device 3, the at least one light source 4, and the at least one motion sensor 23.

[0060] In the laminate 9a, the fourth and final layer 13 forms the hidden face of the dial 2a. Such a fourth layer 13 is preferably formed by a flexible or soft substrate including the control unit 7. Such a substrate of the fourth layer 13 may be a flexible printed circuit board (PCB). For example, this control unit 7 is arranged on this PCB, 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 can be carried out using a three-dimensional printing process or a polymer printing process.

[0061] In a second variant, the laminate 9b forming the dial 2b includes three thin / microscopic layers 10, 11, 14 joined together. It should be noted that the second variant differs from the first variant in that it includes three layers 10, 11, 14 instead of four layers 10, 11, 12, 13 as in the first variant. In this second variant, the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the transmission device 3 is here included, together with the control unit 7, in the third and final layer 14 of the laminate 9b.

[0062] When such a third and final layer 14 of the 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, an accumulator 6 and an electronic circuit 8 constituting the control unit 7 are constructed. Such construction of the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 on the 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.

[0063] In summary, in this second variant, the laminate 9b in this case · A first layer 10 forming the visible surface 20a of the dial 2a, including the at least one light source 4 and the at least one operating sensor 23 of the transmission device 3, · A second layer 11 including the photovoltaic module 5, · A third layer 14 forming the hidden surface 20b of the dial 2b, including the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 is included.

[0064] It should be noted that in this second variant, the first and second layers 10, 11 are the same as those in the first variant of the laminate 9a.

[0065] Furthermore, referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the electronic circuit 8 of the control unit 7 includes a first connection element 15a, which · The at least one light source 4 for managing the operation of the light source 4, in particular message transmission, and · The at least one operating sensor 23 contributing to the trigger of message transmission is connected to the connection element 16.

[0066] The electronic circuit 8 also includes a second connection element 15b connected to the first connection element 17a of the accumulator 6.

[0067] In a third modification, not shown, the stack of thin / fine layers forming the dial includes two mutually connected layers. It should be noted that the third modification differs from the second modification in that it is composed of two layers instead of the three layers 10, 11, 14 as in the second modification. In this third modification, the photovoltaic module 5 of the stand-alone transmission device 3 is here included in the first layer, particularly on the lower surface of the substrate forming the first layer. The photovoltaic module 5 can be applied to this lower surface of the substrate of the first layer using an inkjet printing or screen printing process, or using a thermal evaporation printing process. Therefore, this first layer is in this case similar to the first layer 11 of the first and second modifications, but it should be noted that in this third modification, the first layer additionally includes a photovoltaic module.

[0068] Furthermore, in the third modification, similar to the second modification, the electrical energy accumulator 6 of the stand-alone transmission 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 surface of the dial preferably includes a flexible or soft substrate. On the substrate, preferably on the upper surface of the substrate, the accumulator 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 the upper surface of the substrate can be performed 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.

[0069] In summary, in this third modification, the stack of multiple layers in this case · a first layer forming the visible surface 20a of the dial, including the at least one light source 4 and the photovoltaic module 5, and the at least one operating sensor 23 of the transmission device 3, · a second layer forming the hidden surface 20b of the dial, including the accumulator 6 and the control unit 7 are included.

[0070] Accordingly, in an example of message transmission, the electronic device, particularly its point light source, is arranged to face the optical sensor forming the operating sensor 23 of the transmission device 3 of the dials 2a, 2b. The point light source then emits a light emission that blinks according to a sequence of start light pulses defined to trigger the transmission of the message from / to the electronic device by the dials 2a, 2b. Specifically, upon receiving the start sequence, the control unit 7 generates a sequence of transmission light pulses related to the message to be transmitted to the device. Next, the control unit 7 triggers the emission of a light beam by the at least one light source 4 of the device 3 by controlling / driving the blinking according to the transmission sequence. Once the sequence of light pulses is received by the optical sensor in the electronic device, the light pulses are decoded by the microcontroller of the electronic device, the transmitted message is reconstructed, and the message is then broadcasted.

[0071] Furthermore, it should be noted that the aforementioned event sensors of the transmission device 3 are preferably arranged in the first layer 10 and / or the last layers 13, 14 of the multi-layer stack 9a, 9b and are connected to the control unit 7 of the device 3.

[0072] 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 as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dial (2a, 2b) for a wristwatch (1) including a stand-alone device (3) for sending a message to an electronic device, 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 message sending activation sensor (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 at least one activation sensor The dial (2a, 2b) comprising one or more of the above.

2. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one activation sensor 23 is configured to generate at least one electrical signal directed towards said control unit (7) for triggering the sending of a message to the electronic device.

3. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein said at least one light source (4) is a point light source.

4. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein said control unit (7) is configured to control said at least one light source (4) by controlling its blinking according to the information included in said message.

5. The laminate (9a, 9b) of said 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 activation sensor (23) and said at least one light source (4), the dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1.

6. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein said activation sensor (23) is disposed in a cavity formed in said hidden face of said dial (2a, 2b).

7. The dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1, wherein said first layer (10) is configured to be traversed in whole or in part by light radiation, in particular sunlight radiation.

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

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), the dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1.

10. The second layer (11) includes a substrate on which the photovoltaic module (5) is printed, the dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1.

11. The first layer (10) is configured to be traversed in whole or in part by light radiation, in particular solar radiation, and the photovoltaic module (5) is arranged in the effective area of the second layer (11), the area being 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. The laminate (9b) includes a third layer (14) having 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.

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

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

18. A wristwatch (1) including the dial (2a, 2b) according to claim 1.

19. The wristwatch (1) according to claim 18, characterized in that it includes a mechanical, electronic or electromechanical timepiece movement.

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