Transducer device for a wearable object and method of operating the same

Abstract

To provide a transducer device that is intended to be arranged on a wearable object or is a wearable object itself, and a method for operating the device.SOLUTION: A transducer device 10, which is a wearable object 1 equipped with a dual-mode transducer device that generates a first operation in a first operating mode related to a specific function under control of a processor or a microcontroller processing unit of an electronic circuit powered by a DC voltage source, generates a second communication operation in a second operating mode different from the first operating mode. The second operating mode transmits information or data communication signals mainly outside the transducer device, so as to be detected by a monitoring unit of a monitoring system to be able to establish communication, further so as data or parameter signals to be received from another transducer device. These communication signals are ultrasonic signals transmitted in a water area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transducer device for wearable objects such as a clock capable of dual-mode operation.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for operating the transducer device.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a system for monitoring organisms such as humans or animals mainly at a specified location outdoors or in an indoor pool by means of dual-mode transducer devices respectively arranged on wearable objects such as clocks worn by each organism to be monitored.

[0004] The organism can be mainly a swimmer or diver who needs to be monitored when in the water of a swimming pool, lake, coast, river or ocean.

Background Art

[0005] It is known to wear an electromechanical or electronic clock equipped with an audible signal transmission device such as an alarm to signal a time selected by at least one sound. The alarm can be created using, for example, a piezoelectric buzzer. However, such an audible signal transmission device is provided only for a specific operating mode, which is a clock alarm in this case.

[0006] Patent Document 1 describes a tubular ultrasonic transducer for propagating sound waves in a fluid medium. It includes an electromechanical conversion device having an active element associated with at least one metal tube for transmitting vibrations to the fluid medium, a system for transmitting vibrations between the conversion device and the tube, and a device for applying prestress to the active element of the conversion device. Such a transducer can generate radial vibrations and propagate waves in the fluid medium. The transducer can be used, for example, for cleaning applications.

[0007] Patent Document 2 describes an alarm system for a swimming pool that includes a mechanism for detecting intrusion into the pool and generating a first alarm. A timer circuit is triggered by the first alarm to generate a predetermined elapsed time out output signal. The timeout output signal enables triggering of a second alarm. The system further includes a shutdown mechanism for silencing the first and second alarms. The first alarm is a local alarm intended to be heard by people near the pool, and the second alarm is a general alarm intended to be heard by people outside. The system does not include a device that forms part of a clock having an alarm generator that can operate in two different modes. Patent Document 3 describes a wristband device capable of generating an alarm underwater. The device includes a wristband having a housing, an alarm module integrated into the housing, and a balloon. Two cavities are arranged in the alarm module, one of which is for gas generation, a gas outlet hole is formed in the gas generation cavity, a part of a rubber stopper and a part of the balloon are arranged at the gas outlet, and the rubber stopper is arranged on the wristband. Nothing is provided regarding possible use in an alarm generating element that can be used for functions other than generating an alarm for generating or receiving a communication signal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0009] The present invention relates to a transducer device for a wearable object, comprising means for generating a first operation in a first operation mode and a second communication operation in a second operation mode. The first operation generated is mainly related to the function of the wearable object itself, while the second communication operation is mainly for communicating with a monitoring unit of a monitoring system.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0010] For this purpose, there is provided a transducer device intended to be arranged on a wearable object or which is itself a wearable object, including the features of independent claim 1.

[0011] A specific form of the transducer device is also defined in dependent claims 2 to 8.

[0012] The means for generating the first operation or the second operation in two different modes is preferably a generator for signaling an alarm at a specified time in the first operation mode and capable of transmitting or receiving a data signal in the second operation mode. Also, it may be a device for signaling the sound of a clock, such as a piezoelectric buzzer. Preferably, the first operation mode is in a first frequency band from 0 to 20 kHz, and the second operation mode is in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band. The second frequency band may exceed 20 kHz. Under these conditions, the transducer device is in dual mode, reducing the number of components required to perform different functions.

[0013] As described above, when the transducer device is part of a wearable object such as a watch, for example, it can function as an alarm signal generator or as an audible signal transmitter. In addition, when it is within a wearable object on or in a body of water such as a swimming pool, river, lake, shore, or ocean, it is in dual mode so that it can be used for short - or long - distance signal transmission and reception. Under these conditions, in this second operating mode, the transducer device must form part of the wearable object or be the wearable object itself and must be manually or automatically selected or be capable of being switched to the second operating mode for the transmission or reception of data signals that communicate with at least one monitoring unit of the monitoring system.

[0014] Each monitoring unit of the monitoring system may be a beacon or beacon buoy or a boat on the water for monitoring all activities of people in the vicinity, especially when the transducer device is provided as a wearable object or arranged within a wearable object. Each monitoring unit can receive an information signal or a data signal from a transducer device commonly attached to a wearable object such as a watch. When receiving an information signal or a data signal from the transducer device of a wearable object switched to the second operating mode, the monitoring system can provide further information as a reply via a personal information signal to the transducer device that transmits the first message. These data signals are ultrasonic signals, which are preferred for the transmission of such signals in water so that they can be detected by the beacon of the monitoring system. Thus, when it is necessary to detect a living being such as a person wearing a watch equipped with this dual - mode transducer device, the transducer device operating in the vicinity of the monitoring system beacon can be detected.

[0015] It is conceivable to use other means for generating signals in a clock that can perform a first function in a first mode and can be used in a second mode to communicate with a communication device away from the clock by a data signal. In this case, it is conceivable to have an oscillator in the clock to oscillate at a frequency determined in the first mode and use this oscillator in the second mode to communicate with a communication device away from the clock by a data signal.

[0016] An object of the present invention is, in fact, to be able to perform information transmission or reception by a transducer device arranged in a second mode for transmitting or receiving information from a monitoring unit of a monitoring system. Generally, an information signal is first transmitted from a transducer device worn by a person operating in water, a person diving in water, or a person outside the water. These information signals can relate to information transmission, positioning, communication data, or emergency data in case of emergency.

[0017] When a transducer device forming part of a wearable object such as a clock is outside water, short-range wireless communication with a monitoring unit is also possible when the clock's transducer device is in a second selected operating mode.

[0018] For this purpose, a method for operating a transducer device according to the features of independent claim 9 is also provided.

[0019] Specific steps of the method for operating a transducer device are also defined in dependent claims 10 to 12.

[0020] For this purpose, a system for monitoring at least one transducer device of a dual-mode wearable object worn by an organism present in water according to the features of independent claim 13 is also provided.

[0021] A specific form of the monitoring system is defined in dependent claims 14 and 15.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] The aims, advantages, and features of a transducer device for a wearable object, a method for operating the transducer device, and a monitoring system comprising at least one transducer device will become clearer in the following description in a non-limiting manner with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0023] The transducer device, which is part of a wearable object, preferably a wristwatch or a pocket watch, will be described in the following explanation. However, since all electronic devices are suitable for operation in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode, the transducer device itself can also be considered a wearable object.

[0024] In the case of a watch or a clock, for example, it is required to use an alarm or an audible signal transmission device in a watch such as a piezoelectric buzzer. Using this sound signal transmission device as a transducer, in the present invention, this transducer is intended to be reused for functions other than the watch alarm, particularly by providing its use in different frequency bands so as to optimize the transmission function of the system when, for example, the watch is immersed in water.

[0025] Generally speaking, it is possible to protect any transducer device of a wearable object that is likely to have means capable of operating in dual mode, or any transducer device as a wearable object itself. The wearable object generates a first operation in a first operation mode related to a specific function of the wearable object under the control of a processor or microcontroller processing unit, and comprises at least one means powered by a DC voltage source. The same means is arranged to generate a second communication operation in a second operation mode different from the first operation mode in order to obtain a dual-mode transducer device. The second operation mode enables information or data communication signals to be transmitted mainly outside the transducer device of the wearable object so that they can be detected by a monitoring unit of the monitoring system and communication with the monitoring system can be established.

[0026] Since the wearable object can mainly be a clock, this clock can be an electronic clock or an electromechanical clock and comprises at least one electronic circuit having a time axis generally defined by a crystal oscillator. The clock may also comprise an electronic circuit having at least one processor or microcontroller processing unit and / or a set of gear wheels driven by a motor measured on the time axis in order to advance the hands of the clock or to display one hour on a digital display as a first function of the clock.

[0027] The clock described above may also comprise means that may be an audible signal transmission device or an audible or vibration alarm signal generator designed to be programmed to generate sound or vibration at the time defined in the first operation mode.

[0028] As described below, the alarm signal generator is defined as a transducer device such that it can be in a first operating mode for generating an alarm, mainly an audible alarm, at a programmed time, and in a second operating mode for being able to transmit or receive information signals. Generally, in the first operating mode, an audible alarm can be generated by the transducer device. This audible alarm generally has a frequency band of less than 20 kHz so that it can be perceived by the human ear. On the other hand, in the second operating mode, it is possible to transmit ultrasonic signals at frequencies above 20 kHz, preferably above 100 kHz. Of course, in the second operating mode, acoustic or vibration information signals can be transmitted over a short distance through the air. However, since ultrasonic signals are more easily detected in water than other information signals such as radio frequency signals, the transducer device is more suitable for transmitting ultrasonic information signals when immersed in water. In addition, although it is known that the propagation of ultrasonic information signals at relatively low frequencies has low attenuation, it is recommended to spread the transmitted information over a wide frequency spectrum in order to ensure underwater transfer regardless of the orientation of wearable objects such as underwater watches.

[0029] The signal may be modulated in the second operating mode for data transmission such that it is supplemented by at least one monitoring unit of the monitoring system. The signal may also be modulated by frequency modulation or phase modulation.

[0030] Such use of the monitoring system in water has been tested. Standard piezoelectric acoustic transducers generally function by using the lower part of the watch as a vibration radiator. The piezoelectric transducer is generally adhered to the inner surface of the back of the watch case and operates with two electrodes orthogonal to the back of the watch case connected to a processing unit or a microcontroller unit. They are preferably mounted such that their piezoelectric transducers (typically 100 μm wide) are deposited directly on a thin metal sheet.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows the standard structure of the wearable object 1, which is a sonic watch in this case. When the volume of the piezoelectric material is kept constant, the expansion along the thickness axis forces a change corresponding to the size of the plane, thus bending the lower surface 6 of the back 5 of the watch 1. There are various types of mechanical structures that use a very simple shape (piezoelectric device), or simply adhere to the back of the watch case, or increase the transfer function by air pressure, or use a more sophisticated method based on Helmholtz cavities, which tend to broaden the corresponding bandwidth.

[0032] In any case, when trying to establish communication between underwater smartwatches, or when trying to detect or locate them, etc., the orientation of the system, which should be kept as low as possible in certain cases, is a major concern.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the wearable object 1 in which a transducer device 10 capable of operating in a dual mode according to the present invention is arranged. Preferably, the wearable object 1 is an electronic or electromechanical wristwatch-type watch. To simplify FIG. 1, only the case of the watch 1 is shown, and various elements described below are arranged, but the belt is not shown, whereby the watch can be placed on the wrist or leg of a living being. Of course, the wristwatch is preferably intended to be attached to the wrist of a person who can be monitored, so only a person is referred to as a living being.

[0034] In the case of the watch 1, a watch glass 3, which is generally transparent, can be seen at the top so that the time displayed on the watch dial 4 by the time display hands or on the digital time display panel can be viewed. The control and operation in the first operating mode are generally controlled by a processing unit such as a microcontroller unit measured by a crystal oscillator that defines the time axis of the watch. The entire electronic or electromechanical parts 7 of the aforementioned watch are generally enclosed on the back 5 of the watch case, which is hermetically fixed to the middle part 2 of the watch case under the watch dial in the generally cylindrical middle part 2 of the watch.

[0035] The watch case also shows a transducer device 10 attached to the inner surface 6 of the back 5 of the watch case. In the case of an alarm signal generator in the first operating mode, the transducer device 10 may include an alarm including a piezoelectric element 11 that can be connected and controlled by an electrical connection between an electrode 12 at the upper part of the transducer device 10 and a microcontroller unit in an electronic circuit.

[0036] Of course, any other means forming part of the wearable object may be used. An example is a vibration generator, which can also function as an alarm signal generator by generating vibrations obtained by an electric vibrator. In this case, when controlling to select the second operating mode, the transducer device or the object provided with the transducer device can transmit vibrations in a frequency band determined according to the second operating mode in the second operating mode. In order to enable the use of vibration generating means, it may be possible to automatically or manually switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode by the action of a conventional switch arranged in the watch case and operable from the outside of the watch case. When the operating mode is selected from the first operating mode to the second operating mode or vice versa, the wearable object, preferably a watch provided with a dual-mode transducer device, can also be programmed to switch from the second selected operating mode to the first operating mode specific to the wearable object provided with the transducer device.

[0037] Preferably, the acoustic signal generator is used as the transducer device 10 to generate an alarm signal in the conventional clock 1 in the first operation mode. The transducer device 10 can automatically switch to the second operation mode when the clock 1 equipped with the transducer device detects water, especially when the person wearing the clock is diving. In the second operation mode, the transducer device 10 can transmit ultrasonic data signals at regular intervals in cooperation with the microcontroller unit of the clock 1, or change these ultrasonic signals at regular intervals so as to transmit personal data of the person wearing the aforementioned transducer device incorporated in a wearable object such as the clock being worn in the second frequency band by these ultrasonic signals.

[0038] In this case, the best possible orientation of the transducer device 10 integrated within a wearable object 1 such as a watch case can be determined to perform the transmission of ultrasonic signals that may be supplemented by such beacons in the monitoring system that detect any ultrasonic data signals that may be supplemented by beacons in the monitoring system. The transducer device 10 may also be arranged, for example, directly below the dial 4 on the dial 4, or may be partially integrated into the dial 4.

[0039] A monitoring system is schematically shown in Fig. 2. The monitoring system is generally designed to detect any person 40 wearing a wearable object 1 having a transducer device, for example, in a body of water 30. For this purpose, the monitoring system comprises at least one monitoring unit 21 in the form of a beacon or a beacon buoy disposed in the water. The monitoring unit 21 can be connected to a base unit 22 of the monitoring system, in which case the base unit is disposed within a boat 20 on the body of water 30. The monitoring unit 21 can be connected to the base unit 22, for example, by a wired connection. Of course, it is possible to have several monitoring units 21 in the form of beacon buoys for detecting a person 40 wearing a transducer device within a wearable object 1 such as a watch in the body of water 30 and, preferably, for detecting one or more divers 40 wearing respective personal transducer devices within a wearable object 1 which is advantageously a watch at a greater distance.

[0040] As described above, the transducer device can be automatically switched from the first operation mode to the second operation mode by detecting water in the wearable object 1 equipped with the transducer device of the wearable object, or manually by pressing a switch on the wearable object 1. When the switching to the second operation mode is performed, the wearable object 1, which is preferably a clock, can transmit an ultrasonic data information signal St in a second frequency band, for example, a frequency band of 150 kHz to 250 kHz. The data or information to be transmitted is modulated by frequency modulation or phase modulation of ±50 kHz. The beacon buoy, which is the monitoring unit 21, can capture the ultrasonic information signal St transmitted by at least one transducer device of the wearable object 1. As soon as the ultrasonic signal St is detected, the monitoring system can generate a response with a response ultrasonic signal Sr to the transducer device of the wearable object that transmits the first ultrasonic signal St, and establish communication with the wearable object 1 adjusted for an individual. However, the response ultrasonic signal Sr can be transmitted by the monitoring system to any transducer device of the wearable object 1 adjusted for an individual in the second operation mode in the water area 30.

[0041] It should be noted that in particular in the second operation mode of the transducer device, it is possible to monitor or detect a number of transducer devices of any wearable object 1 worn by a diver or swimmer in the water area 30 to be monitored.

[0042] The monitoring system can include several monitoring units 21 connected to a base unit 22 arranged on a boat 20 floating on the water area 30. It may also be possible to have several boats 20 spaced apart from each other, each having at least one monitoring unit 21. Generally, each monitoring unit can control the reception of ultrasonic signals and the transmission of ultrasonic signals to at least one transducer device of the wearable object 1 independently of the base unit.

[0043] The monitoring system can also comprise a wearable object 1 having a transducer device to be detected.

[0044] To mainly monitor all swimmers in the pool, it is also conceivable to use a monitoring system in the swimming pool. In this case, it is conceivable to arrange four monitoring units at the four corners of the pool so as to be connected to a base unit that manages all signals from the monitoring units.

[0045] Of course, it should also be understood that the monitoring system can use the second mode to receive data from other watches or devices submerged in the water area. In this case, this can include alarms to the swimmer, communication between different underwater watches or between underwater devices. Communication of various parameters can also be provided.

[0046] Some embodiments of the transducer device of a wearable object such as a watch can be designed within the scope of protection given by the claims.

Claims

1. A transducer device (10) of a wearable object (1) or a transducer device (10) as a wearable object (1), comprising means for generating a first operation in a first operation mode related to a specific function of the wearable object under the control of a processor or a microcontroller processing unit of an electronic circuit (7) powered by a DC voltage source, wherein the means is arranged to generate a second communication operation in a second operation mode different from the first operation mode in order to obtain a dual-mode transducer device, and the second operation mode enables information or a data communication signal to be mainly transmitted outside the transducer device of the wearable object and detected by a monitoring unit (21) of a monitoring system, and enables data or a parameter signal to be received from another transducer device. The wearable object is a watch (1), and the transducer device is configured to automatically switch from the first operation mode to the second operation mode when water is detected in the watch (1). Transducer device (10).

2. The means for generating the first operation or the second operation is an alarm signal generator or an audible signal transmission device used in the first operation mode for programming an alarm within a predetermined time delay, and is controlled by the processor or the microcontroller processing unit. Transducer device (10) according to claim 1.

3. The alarm signal generator is configured to generate an acoustic signal within the predetermined time delay in the first operation mode, and the alarm signal generator is configured to generate an ultrasonic signal in the second operation mode. Transducer device (10) according to claim 2.

4. The alarm signal generator comprises a piezoelectric element (11) connected and controlled by an electrical connection of an electrode (12) connected to the electronic circuit (7). Transducer device (10) according to claim 2.

5. The alarm signal generator is configured to generate a vibration signal within the predetermined time delay in the first operation mode. Transducer device (10) according to claim 2.

6. The transducer device is part of a wearable object as a clock (1) which is an electronic or electromechanical wristwatch or pocket watch, the clock (1) comprising a crystal oscillator for defining a time axis and an electronic circuit (7) having the processor or microcontroller processing unit, the alarm signal generator being configured to generate an acoustic signal within the predetermined time delay in the first operating mode, and in the second operating mode different from the first operating mode, the alarm signal generator being configured to generate an ultrasonic signal for transmitting underwater ultrasonic information or data signals detected by a monitoring unit (21) in a body of water (30) of a monitoring system and to establish data communication by means of the ultrasonic signal, the transducer device (10) according to claim 3.

7. In the first operating mode, the alarm signal generator is configured to generate an acoustic signal in a first frequency band from 0 kHz to 20 kHz, and in the second operating mode, the alarm signal generator is configured to generate an ultrasonic signal in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band and higher than the first frequency band, the transducer device (10) according to claim 6.

8. A method for operating the transducer device (10) according to claim 1, comprising means for generating a first operation in a first operating mode related to a specific function of the wearable object under the control of a processor or microcontroller processing unit of an electronic circuit (7) powered by a DC voltage source, the means generating a second communication operation in a second operating mode different from the first operating mode to obtain a dual-mode transducer device, and when the second operating mode is activated, communication of information or data signals external to the transducer device of the wearable object detected by a monitoring unit (21) of a monitoring system is performed. The wearable object is a clock (1), and an automatic switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode is performed when water is detected in the clock (1).

9. The transducer device (10) forms part of a wearable object as a timepiece (1), such as an electronic or electromechanical wristwatch or pocket watch, the timepiece (1) comprising a crystal oscillator for defining a time axis and an electronic circuit (7) having the processor or microcontroller processing unit, the means for generating the first operation or the second operation being an alarm signal generator comprising a piezoelectric element (11) connected and controlled by an electrical connection of an electrode (12) connected to the electronic circuit (7), the alarm signal generator generating an acoustic signal within a predetermined time delay in the first operation mode, and in the second operation mode, which is different from the first operation mode, the alarm signal generator generating an ultrasonic signal for transmitting ultrasonic information or data signals in water detected by a monitoring unit (21) in a body of water (30) of a monitoring system, and establishing data communication by the ultrasonic signal, the method according to claim 8.

10. In the first operation mode, the alarm signal generator generates an acoustic signal in a first frequency band from 0 kHz to 20 kHz, and in the second operation mode, the alarm signal generator generates an ultrasonic signal in a second frequency band that is different from the first frequency band and higher than the first frequency band, the method according to claim 9.

11. A monitoring system for monitoring a living being (40), comprising a wearable object (1) having the transducer device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the alarm signal generator of the transducer device (10) is configured to generate an acoustic signal within a predetermined time delay in the first operation mode, and in the second operation mode, the alarm signal generator is configured to generate an ultrasonic signal that can be detected by at least one monitoring unit in the water of a body of water (30).

12. The monitoring system according to claim 11, comprising at least one monitoring unit (21) arranged in the water of a body of water (30) and connected by wire to a base unit (22) on a boat (20) on the body of water (30).

13. The monitoring system according to claim 11, characterized in that it is arranged to communicate with any transducer device (10) of the wearable object (1) detected by an ultrasonic signal in the water area (30) via at least one monitoring unit (21).

Images