Watch strap carrying at least one electronic component.

[0001] la a watch strap. More specifically, the invention relates to a watch strap element housed in at least one electronic component arranged to execute a corresponding electronic function.

[0002] a strong trend in the current market is relative to watches connected embarking one or more electronic functions and capable of communicating with a portable telephone for example of a smartphone. In the case of watches connected, emphasis is yet is more on the pallet of electronic functions that such watches will offer their users than on the esthetic qualities, horometric and sealing such watches. The watches connected presently on the market are therefore objects unsightly and relatively fragile whose use everyday so much care on the part of their bearers.

[0003] among the electronic functions available, it may be contemplated to provide a pressure sensor to allow the user to record the parameters of a dive (diving time, depth reached, temperatures), and saves the history of its immersed in a smartphone or on a personal computer. The pressure sensor can be accommodated in the wristband of the watch, in order to avoid having to change the watchcase within which is housed a timepiece movement which can be any type mechanical, electronic or electromechanical. The watch case thus maintains intact its sealing characteristics, horometric and esthetic, while offering to its user, due to incorporation of the wristband, additional electronic functions.

[0004] of course, at least one energy source for feeding current of various electronic components required for the execution of the one or more electronic functions must be housed in the wristband.

[0005] de same, it is necessary to equip the bracelet of at least one voice or touch interface device for allowing the user to interact with the electronic functions. It may be, for example, a push-button that allows the user to start and stop a particular electronic function. This last point provides however problem. Indeed, it is understood although for turning on or turning off an electronic function by means of a push-button, the user must exert pressure on the latter. Gold, the bracelets inside which are housed the various components necessary to the operation of electronic functions are typically accomplished using plastic or elastomer. Such bracelets are therefore flexible and do not provide a bearing surface sufficiently rigid to exert a reaction force in response to the pressure exerted by the user to actuate the push button. When the user presses the push button, the flexible band will deform and the user will therefore not be sure of having suitably actuated the pushbutton, which is not acceptable.

[0006] la present invention aims to remedy the above problems and others by providing a bracelet which will make it possible to allocate to a watch case one or more electronic functions that are controlled by a push button.

[0007] a this purpose, the present invention provides a wrist-watch case comprising a first arm in which is mounted a first printed circuit portion and a second arm, the first printed circuit portion carrying at least one electronic component arranged to execute a corresponding electronic function, the first printed circuit portion also carrying an electrical energy source and a microcontroller for power and control of the electronic component arranged to execute the corresponding electronic function, an actuating element for introducing a control signal in the microcontroller in the bracelet being arranged above a rigid surface providing a bearing surface which, in response to pressure exerted on the actuating element, exerts a reaction force sufficient for the pressure exerted on the actuating element is not at least partially compensated for by a corresponding deformation of the bracelet.

[0008] according to one embodiment of the invention, the actuating element is a push button.

[0009] according to one embodiment of the invention, the strap includes a clasp loop unfolding above which is arranged the pushbutton.

[0010] according to one embodiment of the invention, the rigid surface is formed by the source of electrical energy.

[0011] thanks to these characteristics, the present invention provides a wrist-watch case in which are housed electronic components such as, in particular, a push-button arranged above a rigid surface. According to a first alternative embodiment, the rigid surface is formed by the source of electrical energy above which the pushbutton is arranged. The electrical energy source thus provides a bearing surface which opposes a resisting force in response to depression of the push button by the user, allowing the user to be sure that it has conveniently pressed the pushbutton and his instruction was taken into account. Alternately, the band is provided with a clasp loop unfolding that provides a rigid support surface above which is arranged the pushbutton. Thanks to the presence of the push button, the user will be able to deliver control signals to the microcontroller. To this end, the microcontroller may be programmed to distinguish between a short and a long stroke pressure on the pushbutton, or between a single and a dual pressure pressure.

[0012] according to one embodiment of the invention, the rigid electrical energy source is a button cell.

[0013] according to one embodiment of the invention, the button cell is arranged in the connecting region of the bracelet to the watchcase.

[0014] according to yet another embodiment of the invention, the push-button is formed of a flexible metal foil formed as a dome, the dome having a periphery in contact against a first contact provided on the first printed circuit portion and an apex which, when the user presses the pushbutton, deforms and abuts a second contact provided on the first printed circuit portion, thereby transmitting a signal to the microcontroller.

[0015] by energy source rigid is meant an energy source that provides a bearing surface which, in response to depressing a pushbutton, feedback sufficient that the pressure exerted by the user on the push-button is not at least partially compensated for by a corresponding deformation of the flexible band.

[0016] si the bracelet is worn or if the source of electrical energy contained therein is exhausted, it can be readily exchanged for a wristband nine. Of course, in one embodiment, the electrical energy source can also be replaceable or rechargeable.

[0017] according to one embodiment of the invention, sheets of printed circuit board are disposed in both of the band and these printed circuit sheets are further electrically connected to each other, thereby selectively increase the number of electronic components housed within the bracelet and thus increased the number of electronic functions made available to the user, or optimally distributed the electronic components between the two strands of a bracelet.

[0018] d'other features and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the bracelet according to the invention, this example being given only for illustrative and not limiting only, in conjunction with the attached drawing on which:

fig. 1 is a perspective view and a dissociative state of the bracelet according to one embodiment of the invention wherein a first printed circuit sheet is connected to a second printed circuit sheet via a middle portion arranged to underlie a watch case, this middle part comprising means for providing electrical continuity between the first sheet of printed circuit board and the second printed circuit sheet and being capped by a rigid insert which serves as a seat for the watch case;

fig. 2 is a view similar to that of fig. 1 in which the first sheet printed circuit board and the second printed circuit sheet are overmolded with a first layer of a plastic or elastomeric material;

the fig.. 3a is a vertical sectional view along the longitudinal axis of the cuff of the Figure. 2;

the fig.. 3b is a larger scale view of the region surrounded by a circle in Figure. 3A;

fig. 4 is a view of a sheath in which is inserted the bracelet of the fig.. 2;

the Figure. 5a and 5b illustrate the case wherein the sleeve of fig. 4 comprises an upper belt and a lower belt being accommodated between the bracelet according to one embodiment of the invention and which are joined to each other along their peripheral edges such as by stitching or by heat sealing;

the fig.. 6 illustrates the case where the middle portion comprises only a single arch for supporting the conductor tracks for electrically interconnecting the first and second portions of circuit board;

the fig.. 7 is a view of detail on a larger scale of one of the guide elements of the insert within which is housed the pressure sensor with the interposition of a gasket;

the fig.. 8 is a view of detail on a larger scale of the other guide member within which is

housed a guide to lead out the light produced by a light source - WNCP

[...];

fig. 9 is a view of detail on an enlarged scale of the area where one of the arms of the bracelet connects to the watch case are arranged and wherein the button cell and the push button;

fig. 10 is a bottom view of the button cell visible on the Figure. 9;

the fig.. 11 is a perspective view and a dissociative state of the button battery, of the push-button portion and the printed circuit board on which the button cell and the push button are mounted, and

the fig.. 12 is a view in vertical cross section along the longitudinal axis of the inventive strap equipped with a clasp loop unfolding above which is arranged the pushbutton.

[0019] la invention performs general inventive idea consists in associating with a watch case containing a clockwork preferentially but not exclusively mechanical a bracelet in the thickness of which are housed at least one source of electrical power and a microcontroller for power and control of at least one electronic component arranged to execute a corresponding electronic function. Thanks to the presence of an actuating element such as a push button, the user will be able to deliver control signals to the microcontroller. To this end, the present invention requires that the push button is arranged above a rigid surface which may for example be formed by the source of electrical energy or by a bent-unfolding loops provided on the wristband. Because of its rigidity, the rigid surface provides the pushbutton to a bearing surface which opposes a resisting force in response to depression of the push button by the user, allowing the user to be sure that it has conveniently pressed the pushbutton and his instruction was taken into account. It is understood in effect that if the push button was not disposed above a rigid surface but simply embedded in the thickness of the bracelet conventionally made of a flexible material such as plastic or elastomer, the wristband is distort under the effect of the pressure exerted on the push button, whereby at least in part the force exerted by the user on the push-button and would prevent the user to be sure that the pushbutton has been properly activated and the control signal has been sent to the microcontroller.

[0020] la Figure 1 is a perspective view and a dissociative state of the bracelet according to the invention. Designated as a whole by the general numerical reference 1, the wristband includes a first arm 2 in which is mounted a first printed circuit portion 4 and a second arm connected to the first arm 6 2 8 by a middle section arranged to lie under a watch case 10.

[0021] according to one embodiment of the invention, the watch strap comprises only a single printed circuit portion housed in one or the other of the two arms of the bracelet. However, in the alternative preferred embodiment of the invention that will be described below, portions of the circuit board are housed in one and the other of the two arms of the bracelet and are connected to each other by the medial portion. It will be appreciated upon reading of the following that this preferred embodiment of the invention can contain more surface of printed circuit board for mounting of a greater number of electronic components and electric power source, thereby providing a user with more electronic functions and increased autonomy.

[0022] thus, 6 the second arm comprises a second printed circuit portion 12 connected to the first printed circuit portion 4 by electrical connection means to ensure electrical continuity between the first printed circuit portion 4 and the second printed circuit portion 12.

[0023] la second printed circuit portion 12 could be electrically separated from the first printed circuit portion 4. in this case, it would however of providing means for electrical connection between the first printed circuit portion 4 and the second printed circuit portion 12 such as wires, which would not be necessarily very convenient nor very solid. Therefore, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a third printed circuit portion 14 housed in the middle part 8 is made integral with the first and second portions 12 and 4 printed circuit board housed in the first and second arms 2 and 6 of the bracelet 1. this third printed circuit portion 14 includes one or more electrically conductive tracks for providing electrical continuity between the first and second portions of printed circuit board 4 and 12.

[0024] as it spring particularly of Figure 1, the central part 8, approximately ring-shaped, is formed with two arches 8a and 8b that define an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the outer diameter of the watch case 10 which is delimited by a middle and a bottom 18 . 16 the watch case 10 is intended to be disposed above the middle part 8 with interposition of an insert 20 between the watch case 10 and the middle part 8. this insert 20 comprises a rigid ring 22 whose geometry is similar to that of the middle part 8 and which is fixed to the middle portion 8 by any suitable means such as adhesive bonding. This rigid ring 22 gives the middle part 8 rigidity and mechanical strength and serves as a seat for the watch case 10. It is understood that, because of its annular shape, the middle portion 8 leaves the back visible 18 of the watch case 10. It is understood however that in case it is not desired to let the back visible 18 of the watch case 10, the middle part 8 could have a disk shape shading this bottom 18.

[0025] on the bracelet now examines 1 according to the invention referring more particularly to the Figure. 3a which is a sectional view taken on a plane extending along the longitudinal axis of the bracelet 1. as a result of this fig., the watch case 10 contains a clockwork movement 24 which drives a needle set hour and minute 26a 26b. These needles hour and minute 26a 26b move above a dial 28 and 30 are covered with ice.

[0026] il is important to realize that the clockwork movement 24 housed in the watch case 10 can be of any type. It may be of a purely mechanical, or else of a purely electronic, or alternatively by an electromechanical motion. Mechanical or electronic nature of the watch movement 24 is in fact without any significance for the purposes of the present invention as the watch case 10 is totally independent of the bracelet 1 according to the invention and the addition of such a band 1 does not require modification of the various components housed in the watch case 10.

[0027] on thus comprises of the foregoing that the present invention is advantageous in particular if the clockwork movement 24 is a mechanical movement. In effect, the addition to a watch case 10 containing such a clockwork movement 24 purely mechanical bracelet 1 according to the invention can offer the user electronic functions novel hoods without altering the appearance, the mechanical qualities and sealing of the watch case 10.

[0028] as mentioned above, the bracelet 1 according to the invention comprises a first arm 2 in which is mounted a first printed circuit portion 4 and a second arm 6 in which is mounted a second printed circuit portion 12. preferably, these first and second portions of circuit board 4, 12 are made integrally with the middle portion 8 which includes for this purpose a third printed circuit portion 14 on which are structured the one or more electrically conductive traces for providing electrical continuity between these two portions of printed circuit board 4 and 12. such an arrangement has many advantages which include the ability to have more electronic components into the cuff and an increase in the number of electronic functions made available to the user, or optimally distributed the electronic components between the two strands of a bracelet. It is to be appreciated that the provision of more space allows a designer to optimize the ergonomics and interactions between the user and the bracelet.

[0029] as visible to the examination of the fig.. 3, electronic components such as a microcontroller 34, 36 an accelerometer and a magnetic sensor 38 are mounted to the surface of the first printed circuit portion 4. this first printed circuit portion 4 also carries a rigid electrical energy source 40 and an integrated circuit 42 adapted to communicate with another apparatus using for example a Bluetooth interface, a WiFi or NFC. Similarly, another electrical energy source 40 is mounted to the rigid surface of the second printed circuit portion 12.

[0030] l ' poles of the electrical energy source 40 is connected to the rigid first printed circuit portion 4 by means of a flange 44 which also serves for the mechanical retention of the electrical energy source 40. A bonding pad 46 structured on the first printed circuit portion 4 connects the other pole of the electrical energy source 40 to the first rigid printed circuit portion 4.

[0031] on seen to the examination of Figure 1 that the watch case 10 includes two pairs of horns 48 diametrically opposed and the insert 20 comprises two guide elements 50 arranged to locate between the respective pairs of horns 48 when the watch case 10 is placed on the insert 20. These two guide elements 50 are each drilled with a hole 52 for the passage of a lug 54 for securing the strap to the watch case 1 10.

[0032] as seen especially on the Figure. 3b and 7, a housing 56 formed in the volume of one of the guide members 50 receives a pressure sensor 58. This housing 56 opens the middle part 8 for fixing the pressure sensor 58 on the third printed circuit portion 14 and its connection with the microcontroller 34, and on the other in the hole 52 through 54 of the bar on the connection between the pressure sensor 58 with water. See indeed that the hole 52 for the passage of the bar 54 has locally increasing in diameter 60 which does not cause a good guidance of the bar 54 but which marks a path to bring the water into contact with the pressure sensor 58. A single gasket 62 can seal the housing 56 and effective isolation of the electronics contained within the bracelet 1 water. On the other hand, since the pressure sensor 58 is disposed in a rigid housing 56, there is not a risk that the system pressure measurement deteriorates due deformations sustained by the bracelet 1 when worn on the wrist of its user. The pressure sensor 58 is for example that sold by response measurement Specialties Inc. under the reference ms5837 - 30ba. It is a piezoresistive type pressure sensor having a pressure sensitive element is formed by strain gauges in a Wheatstone bridge to maximize the output signal of the sensor and minimize its sensitivity to measurement errors.

[0033] according to an embodiment of the invention, an actuating member such as a push button 64 is arranged in the bracelet 1 above at least one of electrical energy sources 40 which are rigid, exemplary preferred but non-limiting, button cells. The electrical energy source 40, because of its rigidity, the pushbutton to 64 provides a bearing surface that opposes a force in response to the pressure exerted by the user on the push button 64. Thus, the pushbutton 64 sinks not in the flexible material, for example plastic or elastomer, wherein the bracelet is made 1 and the pressure exerted by the user is integrally transmitted to the pushbutton 64. The user is thus assured that its control is taken into account.

[0034] le push button 64 is used to introduce a control signal 34 in the microcontroller, for example to control the operation of the pressure sensor 58 or alternatively to control transfer of the data recorded by the pressure sensor 58 to another apparatus through the integrated circuit 42. To this end, the microcontroller 34 is programmed so that it is capable of distinguishing for example between a short and a long stroke pressure, or pressure between a single and a dual pressure. If the bracelet 1 according to the invention is equipped with two push buttons 64, it may also be considered that the microcontroller 34 may be controlled by combinations of pressures exerted alternately on one and the other of the two pushbuttons 64.

[0035] a exemplary preferred but non-limiting, the pushbutton 64 is formed of a flexible metal foil 66 formed as a dome, the dome 66 having four equally spaced arms 68 rests on a first contact 70 made on the first printed circuit portion 4 and an apex 72 which, when the user presses the pushbutton 64, deforms and abuts a second contact 74 also provided on the first printed circuit portion 4, thereby transmitting a signal to the microcontroller 34. Preferably, the push button 64 is held on the first printed circuit portion 4 by means of an adhesive sheet 75. As can be seen in particular on the Figure. 3a and 3b, the button type battery is, exemplary preferred but non-limiting, arranged in the connecting region 1 of the bracelet to the watch case 10. Thus, the assembly formed by the button cell and the push button 64 is disposed in a region of greater stiffness, thus ensuring an even easier actuation of the push button 64 and thus protects the deformations related to flexion and torsion of the armband 1 conform to the shape and the movements of the user's wrist.

[0036] when the set of electronic components is mounted on the printed circuit portions 4, 12 and 14 and that the insert 20 has been properly disposed on the medial portion 8, is pre-cast all 76 with a first layer of a plastic or elastomeric material to form the first and second arms 2 and 6 (see fig. 2). This first layer of overmolding 76 aim is to protect the electronic components mounted on the first and second portions of printed circuit board 4, 12 external attack and to render arms 2 and 6 resulting their shape and mechanical strength. Preferably, the bars 54 are engaged through the horns 48 and the guide elements 50 at the time of insert molding operation in order to prevent the holes from being clogged by 52 does the overmold material.

[0037] le wristband 1 which results from the overmoulding operation and which comprises the two arms 2, 6 interconnected by the middle part 8 is covered by the insert 20 and the thickness which are accommodated in the electronic components needed to perform electronic functions or searched is finally slid into a sleeve 78. In the example shown in fig.. 4, the sleeve 78 comprises a first strand and a second strand 80 82 interconnected by a connecting portion 84 which is adapted in size and shape to receive the middle portion 8 of the bracelet 1 is covered by the insert 20. The sleeve 78 is e.g. obtained by molding or injecting elastomer material by ensuring that the first and second strands 80 and 82 are hollow and each having an opening 86 to slidably both arms 2 and 6. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in fig.. 5a and 5b, the sleeve 78 comprises an upper belt and a lower belt 88 90 between which is disposed the bracelet 1 according to the invention and which are joined to each other along their peripheral edges 92 such as by stitching or by heat sealing.

[0038] il is submitted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment just described and that various modifications and simple variants may be envisioned by those skilled without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0039] en particular, it can be viewed as an alternative to sleeve 78 of subjecting the bracelet 1 according to the invention to a second overmolding process to cover the two arms 2, 6 as well as the central 8 supports are connected by means of a second layer of a plastic or elastomeric material which may be the same or different from the material used for the first layer overmoulding 76.

[0040] also, as shown in the Figure. 6, the middle part 8 may include only a single arch 94 for supporting the conductor tracks for electrically interconnecting the first and second portions of printed circuit board 4 and 12.

[0041] on score (see fig. 8) also that a notch 96 formed in the guide elements 50 not receiving the pressure sensor may receive a transparent lightguide 98 will be disposed beneath which a point light source such as an LED 100 attached to the second printed circuit portion 12 and supplied with power from the electrical energy source 40. This point light source 100 may indicate a color code according to the operating state of the pressure sensor 58.

[0042] on that several stacks will also provide flexible superimposed and joined together may form a rigid electrical energy source according to the invention.

[0043] de same, according to a simplified embodiment of the invention, each of the first and second arms 2 and 6 is attached by one of its free ends to the watch case 2 and the band 1 is closed by attaching together the first and second arms 2 and 6 by their other free end.

[0044] on note also that the actuating element can be a switch that can be switched between two stable positions.

[0045] on note finally that, according to a second alternate embodiment of the invention illustrated in fig.. 12, the band 1 is provided with a clasp with folding clasp comprises two blades 104 102 and 106 connected to each other and pivotally movable between a first extended position wherein the clasp 102 is open, and a second position corresponding to the closed position of the clasp 102 wherein the blades 104, 106 are folded over one another. A push button 64 is arranged in the material of the bracelet 1 just above the region of the bracelet 1 wherein both blades 104, 106 of the clasp 102 fold on closing the clasp 102. The two strips 104, 106 are folded over one another provide a rigid surface providing a bearing surface which, in response to pressure exerted on the pushbutton, sufficient feedback as the pressure on the pushbutton is not at least partially compensated for by a corresponding deformation of the bracelet.

[0046] of course, in the case where the rigid support surface is provided by the blades of the clasp with extensible loop, it is not necessary that the source of electrical energy is rigid. In the context of the present invention, a source of electrical energy is required only in the case where a push button is arranged in the bracelet above such a source of electrical energy.

[0047]

A Bracelet

First arm

First printed circuit portion

Second arm

Middle part

The Arches

Watch case

Second printed circuit portion

Third printed circuit portion

Middle

Background

Inlay

Rigid ring

Clockwork movement

Hour hand

and minutes

Dial

Ice

Microcontroller

Accelerometer

Magnetic sensor

Rigid electrical energy source

1

2

4

6

8

8a, 8b

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

26a

26b

28

30

34

36

38

40

Integrated circuit 42

Flange 44

Bond pad 46

Horns 48

50 guide elements

52 hole

Bar 54

Housing 56

Pressure sensor 58

Increase in diameter 60

Seal 62

Push button 64

66 dome

Equally spaced arms 68

First contact 70

Apex 72

Second contacts 74

Adhesive sheet 75

First overmold layer 76

Sleeve 78

First strand 80

Second strand 82

Connecting portion 84

Opening 86

Upper band 88

Lower band 90

Peripheral edges 92

Arch 94

Notch 96

Transparent lightguide 98

Point light source 100

Fastener with folding buckle 102

Blades 104 and 106