EP1134630B1 - Means for exchanging information with a portable object, in particular a time-piece - Google Patents

Means for exchanging information with a portable object, in particular a time-piece Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1134630B1
EP1134630B1 EP00200984A EP00200984A EP1134630B1 EP 1134630 B1 EP1134630 B1 EP 1134630B1 EP 00200984 A EP00200984 A EP 00200984A EP 00200984 A EP00200984 A EP 00200984A EP 1134630 B1 EP1134630 B1 EP 1134630B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
push
portable object
button
stem
contact
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00200984A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1134630A1 (en
Inventor
Daniel Paratte
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
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ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse filed Critical ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Priority to DE60044842T priority Critical patent/DE60044842D1/en
Priority to EP00200984A priority patent/EP1134630B1/en
Priority to AT00200984T priority patent/ATE478366T1/en
Priority to US09/809,272 priority patent/US6625087B2/en
Publication of EP1134630A1 publication Critical patent/EP1134630A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1134630B1 publication Critical patent/EP1134630B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G21/00—Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a portable object such as, in particular, a timepiece, comprising means for exchanging information between the portable object and a personal computer or PC.
  • timepieces such as wristwatches comprising a box inside which is housed, for example, a digital imaging device.
  • the wearer of such a watch thus permanently has a camera that allows him to take snapshots of a landscape, members of his family or a contact person met during a work meeting. Once the photographs taken, they are digitized by an analog / digital converter, then stored in a memory circuit.
  • the stored photographs must then be transferred to an electronic reception and remote processing unit, typically a personal computer.
  • This transfer is via an electrical cable whose end is connected to the watch, and the other end is connected to the PC.
  • An ohmic contact carried, for example, by the middle of the watch, allows to connect the image transfer cable on the latter.
  • No. 5,848,027 in the name of Biometrics, Inc. discloses a system for the processing of personal data.
  • This system makes it possible, for example, to control the performance of an athlete such as a runner. It allows you to record the date and time of the race, the time taken at each lap, or the final time completed by the athlete.
  • the system also records the values of certain physiological parameters such as heart rate or electrocardiogram (ECG) that reflect the effort exerted by the athlete during his sporting activity. All this information will then be transmitted, via an acoustic link, to a personal computer in which these data will be processed, analyzed, and finally displayed on the screen of said computer.
  • ECG electrocardiogram
  • Biometrics system advantageously makes it possible to record personal data in a watch and then to transfer these data by acoustic waves to a computer where they will be processed and analyzed.
  • This system is unfortunately not bidirectional. It is therefore not possible to transfer information from the computer to the watch, which considerably limits the possible applications of the Biometrics system.
  • acoustic wave data transmission is a technique that consumes a lot of energy and requires relatively expensive components.
  • the document JP 03 171360 describes a portable object according to the preamble of claim 1 attached to the present patent application.
  • the present invention aims to remedy the problems and disadvantages above and others by proposing a particularly simple and inexpensive system for exchanging information between a portable object such as a timepiece and a personal computer or PC.
  • the present invention relates to a portable object according to claim 1 attached to the present patent application.
  • the pushbutton also acts on the control circuit to correct an indication or to trigger or trigger a particular horological function, for example a count, the push rod carrying a flange for this purpose.
  • key contact which acts as a key to prevent the extraction of said pushbutton after its introduction and as a means for making an electrical contact on an area of the printed circuit, this contact flange being electrically isolated from said rod.
  • the present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea of connecting an electronic unit for transmitting and receiving digital information, typically a personal computer or PC, to the integrated circuit contained in a watch by using the push-buttons such watch wears for the control of its usual watch functions.
  • the PC is electrically connected to the pushbuttons which, when depressed, come into contact with an electrical contact blade that carries the printed circuit of the watch and which is itself connected to the integrated circuit of the shows.
  • the timepiece according to the invention may be, for example, a wristwatch. It is schematically represented in the figure 1 and generally designated by the general reference numeral 1. It comprises in particular a housing 2 delimited by a middle 4, metal or not, and a bottom 6.
  • the middle 4 is crossed by four push buttons 8, 10, 12 and 14. It goes without saying that this example is given for purely illustrative purposes only and that it is sufficient, to implement the present invention, that the watch 1 has a single push button. In what follows, we will focus only on the pushbuttons 8 and 10. The other two pushbuttons 12 and 14 may have the same structure as the pushbuttons 8 and 10 or have a different structure known to the skilled person. They will therefore not be described in more detail below.
  • the pushbuttons 8 and 10 consist mainly of an elongated metal rod 16 preferably, but not exclusively, a cylindrical shape.
  • the rod 16 of the push buttons 8 and 10 passes through a sleeve 18 made of an electrically insulating material as shown schematically in FIG. figure 2 .
  • the sleeve 18 may be, for example, driven into the middle part 4 of the watch 1.
  • the middle part 4 of the watch 1 defines a central cavity in which, in a conventional manner, an electronic timepiece movement carried by a printed circuit 20 takes place.
  • This clockwork movement comprises, among other things, a time base circuit, a frequency divider circuit powered by the time base, a control circuit connected to the divider circuit and a display system controlled by the control circuit 22.
  • the display system may be an analog system comprising an hour hand, a minute hand and a needle of the seconds moving on a dial.
  • the display system may also consist of a digital LCD display cell.
  • the control circuit 22 performs various functions. In particular, it maintains oscillations of the crystal oscillator of the timebase circuit, divides the quartz frequency, corrects the running of the watch, supplies, if necessary, the motors and the liquid crystal displays, and controls special functions such as the date, the chronograph, the alarm, the time zones, and makes it possible to correct certain indications and to perform the time setting.
  • the control circuit 22 is supplied with current by a battery 24 intended to be recharged after exhaustion. It goes without saying that the control circuit 22 could also be powered by a non-rechargeable battery.
  • the accumulator 24, shown schematically on the figure 1 typically has the shape of a pellet which can be housed in the bottom 6 of the watch 1.
  • the lower face of the accumulator 24 which constitutes its negative pole is electrically connected to the metal base 6 and thus to the metal middle part 4, that is to say to the mass of the watch 1, for example by means of a spring contact fixed on the inner surface of the bottom 6 of said watch 1.
  • the positive pole of the accumulator 24 which is constituted by its upper face is, in the usual way, connected to a power terminal of the control circuit 22.
  • the watch in particular the bottom 6 and the middle part 4 thereof, may be made of an electrically insulating material such as a plastic material.
  • the poles of the accumulator 24 are connected directly to the supply terminals of the control circuit 22.
  • poles of the accumulator 24 can be inverted, the lower face of the round pellet constituting its positive pole, and the negative pole then being located on the top of this pellet.
  • the positive pole is electrically connected to the mass of the watch 1.
  • the pushbuttons 8 and 10 each comprise a pusher head 26 and the pusher rod 16 metal.
  • the push rod 16 is slidably disposed within a housing 28 of generally cylindrical shape formed in the middle part 4 of the watch 1.
  • the push rod 16 moves axially in the housing 28 against the return force of a spring 30 when a control thrust is applied to the pusher head 26.
  • the return spring 30 is disposed in a housing 32 formed in the pusher head 26 and bears axially on the bottom 34 of a cavity 36 provided in the middle part 2.
  • the push rod 16 has at a location of its length a throat annular 38 in which is housed a seal 40. This seal 40 ensures the sealing of the housing 32 when the rod 16 slides in it when actuating the push buttons 8 and 10 by a user.
  • the pushbuttons 8 and 10 described above are used only to introduce or extract information from the watch 1.
  • they comprise a retaining means such as a key that prevents only the extraction of these push buttons 8 and 10 after their introduction in the middle part 4 of the watch 1.
  • the rods 16 of the two push buttons 8 and 10 can be electrically connected to two data inputs, respectively 42 and 44, of the control circuit 22 by pressing on said push-buttons 8, 10.
  • a electronic unit 45 for transmitting and receiving digital data such as a personal computer or PC
  • the control circuit 22 of the watch 1 in order to introduce into said control circuit 22 information from u PC or to extract information contained in the watch 1.
  • the end of the rod 16 located inside the housing 2 comes to touch, when pressing the corresponding pushbutton 8, 10, a contact blade 46 carried by the printed circuit 20 and connected to one of the data inputs 42 and 44, respectively, of the control circuit 22.
  • the push buttons 8, 10 are used not only to introduce or extract information from the watch 1, but also to correct information or to trigger or trigger a particular watch function, for example. example a count.
  • the push buttons 8 and 10 comprise a contact flange 48 which exerts on the push rod 16 a force sufficient to act against the restoring force of the spring 30 and thus prevent said rod 16 from s escape from the housing 28 in which it slides.
  • the contact flange 48 is a W-shaped key that is engaged in an annular groove 50 that has a sleeve 52 (see in particular the figure 7 ) on the end of the rod 16 opposite to the pusher head 26.
  • the sleeve 52 is made of an insulating material such as a ceramic material or a plastic material and is retained by a washer 54 driven on the push rod 16 after the said sleeve 52.
  • the contact flange 48 is thus electrically insulated with respect to the push rod 16. In a normal condition of use, the contact flange 48 is always pressed against the inner face of the middle part 4 of the watch 1. It moves only when a control push is applied to one or the other of the pushbuttons 8, 10.
  • the flange 48 is obtained by cutting or stamping a metal sheet in a particular contour and by folding so as to exert, after implementation, both the key functions and contact means.
  • the flange 48 is composed for this purpose of two blades 56a, 56b extending in the general plane of said flange 48. These two blades 56a, 56b are interconnected in their upper part by a notch 58 V-shaped for engage in the annular groove 50 of the insulating sleeve 52 to form a key. Downward, each of the blades 56a, 56b is extended beyond a fold 60a, 60b by a small curved contact tab 62a, 62b. It is clear from the figure 5 that the contact tab 62a projects at a certain angle out of the general plane of the contact flange 48 to establish a contact, for example a ground contact, on an area of the printed circuit 20 as will be seen later.
  • the printed circuit 20 on which the control circuit 22 is mounted has two contact pads 64a, 64b which each consist of a semi-cylindrical hole having a metallized vertical wall 66a, 66b arranged facing the contact tabs 62a, 62b respective of the contact flange 48.
  • One of these holes is electrically connected to the control circuit 22, while the other hole is connected to the ground of the watch 1.
  • the pushbuttons 8, 10 When the pushbuttons 8, 10 are pressed, they are electrically connected to the data inputs 42 and 44 respectively of the control circuit 22 via the contact blades 46. It is conceivable that the pushbutton 8 serves for the transfer of information from the electronic unit 45 to the circuit 22 of the watch 1 and, conversely, the push button 10 serves for the transfer of data from the watch 1 to the electronic unit 45. However, according to another embodiment, a single push button can be used the bidirectional exchange of information between the watch 1 and the electronic unit 45. For this purpose, it is sufficient that the electronic unit 45 indicates, with the aid of a suitable computer program, the control circuit 22 qu it is ready to receive information from said control circuit 22.
  • the pushbuttons 8, 10 are electrically connected to the data inputs 42 and 44 respectively of the control circuit 22 by pressing these pushbuttons 8, 10.
  • the electronic unit or computer 45 is provided with two electrical outlets 68 and 70 which come into contact with said pushbuttons 8 and 10 respectively.
  • the push-buttons 8 and 10 comprise a metal pusher head 26 driven on the pusher rod 16. It must then be ensured that this pusher head 26 does not short circuit with its neighborhood.
  • the pusher head 26 is made of a plastic or elastomeric material hot-injection molded so as to bind to the pusher rod 16.
  • the push rod 16 metal arrives flush with the pusher head 26 or protrudes slightly from the surface of said pusher head 26, so that the electrical contact can be established with the electrical outlet 68, 70 of the computer staff 45.
  • the push rod 16 is embedded in the pusher head 26 made of a relatively soft plastic or elastomeric material.
  • the electrical outlets 68, 70 of the electronic unit 45 then have a tapered tip 72 which is capable of easily penetrating into the soft material of which the pusher head 26 is made and of coming into electrical contact with the pusher rod 16.
  • the push rod 16 can be made in one piece. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. figure 10 , the push rod 16 consists of two parts 74 and 76, one 74 pierced made of ordinary stainless steel 4C27A, and the other 76, driven into the bore of the first, made of high-performance stainless steel 316L to prevent any corrosion under the effect of sweat or friction produced by contact with the electrical outlets 68, 70 of the electronic unit 45.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Calculators And Similar Devices (AREA)

Abstract

A push-button (8) has multiple head portions (26) and stem portions (16). The stem is electrically connected to data input terminals (42,44) of a control circuit (22), when the push-button is pressed. Data from external electronic unit is entered or extracted to/from control circuit through the stem. -

Description

La présente invention concerne un objet portatif tel que, notamment, une pièce d'horlogerie, comprenant des moyens qui permettent d'échanger des informations entre cet objet portatif et un ordinateur personnel ou PC.The present invention relates to a portable object such as, in particular, a timepiece, comprising means for exchanging information between the portable object and a personal computer or PC.

On connaît déjà des pièces d'horlogerie telles que des montres-bracelets comprenant une boîte à l'intérieur de laquelle est logé, par exemple, un appareil de prise d'images numérique. Le porteur d'une telle montre dispose ainsi en permanence d'un appareil photographique qui lui permet de prendre des clichés d'un paysage, des membres de sa famille ou encore d'un interlocuteur rencontré au cours d'une réunion de travail. Une fois les photographies prises, celles-ci sont numérisées par un convertisseur analogique/numérique, puis stockées dans un circuit mémoire.There are already known timepieces such as wristwatches comprising a box inside which is housed, for example, a digital imaging device. The wearer of such a watch thus permanently has a camera that allows him to take snapshots of a landscape, members of his family or a contact person met during a work meeting. Once the photographs taken, they are digitized by an analog / digital converter, then stored in a memory circuit.

Les photographies mémorisées doivent ensuite être transférées vers une unité électronique de réception et de traitement distante, classiquement un ordinateur personnel. Ce transfert s'effectue via un câble électrique dont une extrémité est reliée à la montre, et dont l'autre extrémité est connectée au PC. Un contact ohmique porté, par exemple, par la carrure de la montre, permet de brancher le câble de transfert d'images sur cette dernière.The stored photographs must then be transferred to an electronic reception and remote processing unit, typically a personal computer. This transfer is via an electrical cable whose end is connected to the watch, and the other end is connected to the PC. An ohmic contact carried, for example, by the middle of the watch, allows to connect the image transfer cable on the latter.

Cette solution a pour mérite d'être économique du point de vue de la consommation électrique. La transmission par liaison filaire des données numériques correspondant aux photographies stockées en mémoire ne requiert, en effet, qu'un très faible courant. De plus, au cours de cette opération de transfert, l'alimentation électrique de la montre peut être assurée par l'ordinateur lui-même qui est généralement raccordé au réseau de distribution électrique.This solution has the merit of being economical from the point of view of the power consumption. The wired transmission of the digital data corresponding to the photographs stored in memory requires, in fact, only a very small current. In addition, during this transfer operation, the power supply of the watch can be provided by the computer itself which is generally connected to the electrical distribution network.

Par contre, un inconvénient majeur de la transmission par fil réside dans le fait que le contact ohmique nécessaire à la connexion du câble de transfert nuit gravement à l'étanchéité de la montre. Ce contact constitue en effet une ouverture par laquelle l'humidité, l'eau et les poussières peuvent facilement pénétrer dans la boîte de la montre et compromettre le bon fonctionnement de celle-ci.On the other hand, a major drawback of the wire transmission lies in the fact that the ohmic contact necessary for the connection of the transfer cable seriously affects the tightness of the watch. This contact is indeed an opening through which moisture, water and dust can easily enter the box of the watch and jeopardize the proper functioning of it.

On connaît également par le brevet américain No 5,848,027 au nom de Biometrics, Inc., un système pour le traitement de données personnelles. Ce système permet, par exemple, de contrôler les performances d'un athlète tel qu'un coureur à pieds. Il permet d'enregistrer la date et l'heure de la course, le temps réalisé à chaque tour de piste, ou encore le temps final accompli par le sportif. Le système permet également d'enregistrer les valeurs de certains paramètres physiologiques tels que le rythme cardiaque ou un électrocardiogramme (ECG) qui reflètent l'effort fourni par l'athlète au cours de son activité sportive. Toutes ces informations vont ensuite être transmises, via une liaison acoustique, à un ordinateur personnel dans lequel ces données vont être traitées, analysées, puis finalement affichées à l'écran dudit ordinateur.No. 5,848,027 in the name of Biometrics, Inc., discloses a system for the processing of personal data. This system makes it possible, for example, to control the performance of an athlete such as a runner. It allows you to record the date and time of the race, the time taken at each lap, or the final time completed by the athlete. The system also records the values of certain physiological parameters such as heart rate or electrocardiogram (ECG) that reflect the effort exerted by the athlete during his sporting activity. All this information will then be transmitted, via an acoustic link, to a personal computer in which these data will be processed, analyzed, and finally displayed on the screen of said computer.

Le système Biometrics susdécrit permet avantageusement d'enregistrer des données personnelles dans une montre, puis de transférer ces données par ondes acoustiques vers un ordinateur où elles vont être traitées et analysées. Ce système n'est malheureusement pas bidirectionnel. Il n'est donc pas possible de transférer des informations depuis l'ordinateur vers la montre, ce qui limite considérablement les applications possibles du système Biometrics. En outre, la transmission de données par ondes acoustiques est une technique qui consomme beaucoup d'énergie et qui nécessite des composants relativement coûteux.The above-described Biometrics system advantageously makes it possible to record personal data in a watch and then to transfer these data by acoustic waves to a computer where they will be processed and analyzed. This system is unfortunately not bidirectional. It is therefore not possible to transfer information from the computer to the watch, which considerably limits the possible applications of the Biometrics system. In addition, acoustic wave data transmission is a technique that consumes a lot of energy and requires relatively expensive components.

Le document JP 03 171360 décrit un objet portatif selon le préambule de la revendication 1 annexée à la présente demande de brevet.The document JP 03 171360 describes a portable object according to the preamble of claim 1 attached to the present patent application.

La présente invention a pour but de remédier aux problèmes et inconvénients ci-dessus ainsi qu'à d'autres encore en proposant un système particulièrement simple et peu coûteux permettant d'échanger des informations entre un objet portatif tel qu'une pièce d'horlogerie et un ordinateur personnel ou PC.The present invention aims to remedy the problems and disadvantages above and others by proposing a particularly simple and inexpensive system for exchanging information between a portable object such as a timepiece and a personal computer or PC.

A cet effet, la présente invention concerne un objet portatif selon la revendication 1 annexée à la présente demande de brevet.For this purpose, the present invention relates to a portable object according to claim 1 attached to the present patent application.

Grâce à ces caractéristiques, on établit très simplement une liaison électrique entre l'ordinateur et l'objet portatif. Un câble électrique, relié au PC à l'une de ses extrémités, vient en contact à son autre extrémité avec la tige de poussoir qui est elle-même directement reliée à une entrée de données de l'unité de commande de l'objet portatif. Une telle solution est économique du point de vue de la consommation électrique et ne nécessite pas de composant mécanique ou électronique complexe et coûteux. En particulier, il n'est pas nécessaire de munir l'objet portatif d'un contact ohmique pour le branchement du câble. On profite ainsi pleinement des avantages liés à l'échange de données par liaison filaire tout en évitant les problèmes liés à cette technique.Thanks to these characteristics, one very simply establishes an electrical connection between the computer and the portable object. An electrical cable, connected to the PC at one of its ends, comes into contact at its other end with the push rod which is itself directly connected to a data input of the control unit of the portable object. . Such a solution is economical from the point of view of the electrical consumption and does not require a complex and expensive mechanical or electronic component. In particular, it is not necessary to provide the portable object with an ohmic contact for the cable connection. We take full advantage of the benefits related to the exchange of data by wired connection while avoiding the problems related to this technique.

Selon une caractéristique complémentaire de l'invention, le bouton-poussoir agit en outre sur le circuit de commande pour corriger une indication ou pour enclencher ou déclencher une fonction horlogère particulière, par exemple un comptage, la tige de poussoir portant à cet effet une bride de contact qui agit comme clavette pour empêcher l'extraction dudit bouton-poussoir après sa mise en place et comme moyen pour établir un contact électrique sur une zone du circuit imprimé, cette bride de contact étant isolée électriquement par rapport à ladite tige.According to an additional characteristic of the invention, the pushbutton also acts on the control circuit to correct an indication or to trigger or trigger a particular horological function, for example a count, the push rod carrying a flange for this purpose. key contact which acts as a key to prevent the extraction of said pushbutton after its introduction and as a means for making an electrical contact on an area of the printed circuit, this contact flange being electrically isolated from said rod.

Grâce à ces autres caractéristiques, on peut échanger des informations entre l'objet portatif et l'ordinateur en utilisant uniquement les moyens que porte l'objet portatif pour le réglage et l'activation de ses fonctions horlogère habituelles. Il n'est donc plus nécessaire d'adjoindre à l'objet portatif des pièces supplémentaires pour pouvoir relier le circuit de commande de la montre à un PC. La construction de la montre se trouve donc simplifiée, ce qui limite sensiblement les coûts de fabrication. De même, l'étanchéité de l'objet portatif n'est pas altérée.With these other features, information can be exchanged between the portable object and the computer using only the means that the portable object carries for setting and activating its usual watch functions. It is therefore no longer necessary to add to the portable object additional parts to be able to connect the control circuit of the watch to a PC. The construction of the watch is therefore simplified, which significantly reduces manufacturing costs. Similarly, the tightness of the portable object is not impaired.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront plus clairement à la lecture de la description détaillée qui suit d'un exemple de réalisation de l'objet portatif selon l'invention, cet exemple étant donné à titre purement illustratif et non limitatif, en liaison avec les dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'une pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention comprenant quatre boutons-poussoirs;
  • la figure 2 est une vue de détail à plus grande échelle d'un des boutons-poussoirs de la figure 1;
  • la figure 3 est une vue de dessus d'un bouton-poussoir;
  • la figure 4 est une vue en coupe du bouton-poussoir de la figure 3;
  • la figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'une bride de contact montée sur la tige d'un bouton-poussoir;
  • la figure 6 est une vue de face de la bride de contact de la figure 5;
  • la figure 7 est une vue en coupe dans un manchon isolant par l'intermédiaire duquel la bride de contact est montée sur la tige du bouton-poussoir;
  • la figure 8 est une vue en coupe d'une première variante de réalisation d'un bouton-poussoir;
  • la figure 9 est une vue en coupe d'une seconde variante de réalisation d'un bouton-poussoir, et
  • la figure 10 est une vue en coupe dans la tige du bouton-poussoir.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the portable object according to the invention, this example being given purely by way of illustration and not limitation, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 is a top view of a timepiece according to the invention comprising four pushbuttons;
  • the figure 2 is a larger scale detail view of one of the pushbuttons of the figure 1 ;
  • the figure 3 is a top view of a push button;
  • the figure 4 is a sectional view of the push button of the figure 3 ;
  • the figure 5 is a perspective view of a contact flange mounted on the stem of a push button;
  • the figure 6 is a front view of the contact flange of the figure 5 ;
  • the figure 7 is a sectional view in an insulating sleeve through which the contact flange is mounted on the push button rod;
  • the figure 8 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a push button;
  • the figure 9 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a push button, and
  • the figure 10 is a sectional view in the button push rod.

La présente invention procède de l'idée générale inventive qui consiste à relier une unité électronique d'émission et de réception d'informations digitales, typiquement un ordinateur personnel ou PC, au circuit intégré contenu dans une montre en utilisant les boutons-poussoirs qu'une telle montre porte pour la commande de ses fonctions horlogères habituelles. A cette fin, le PC est relié électriquement aux boutons-poussoirs qui, lorsqu'ils sont enfoncés, viennent en contact avec une lame de contact électrique que porte le circuit imprimé de la montre et qui est elle-même reliée au circuit intégré de la montre.The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea of connecting an electronic unit for transmitting and receiving digital information, typically a personal computer or PC, to the integrated circuit contained in a watch by using the push-buttons such watch wears for the control of its usual watch functions. To this end, the PC is electrically connected to the pushbuttons which, when depressed, come into contact with an electrical contact blade that carries the printed circuit of the watch and which is itself connected to the integrated circuit of the shows.

D'autre part, on notera que, bien que la présente invention soit décrite en référence à une pièce d'horlogerie, elle s'applique de manière identique à tout objet portatif comprenant un circuit intégré à mémoire dans lequel on souhaite introduire ou extraire de l'information depuis l'extérieur dudit objet portatif.On the other hand, it will be noted that, although the present invention is described with reference to a timepiece, it applies identically to any portable object comprising a memory integrated circuit in which it is desired to introduce or retrieve information from outside said portable object.

La pièce d'horlogerie selon l'invention peut être, par exemple, une montre-bracelet. Elle est représentée schématiquement à la figure 1 et désignée dans son ensemble par la référence numérique générale 1. Elle comprend notamment un boîtier 2 délimité par une carrure 4, métallique ou non, et un fond 6.The timepiece according to the invention may be, for example, a wristwatch. It is schematically represented in the figure 1 and generally designated by the general reference numeral 1. It comprises in particular a housing 2 delimited by a middle 4, metal or not, and a bottom 6.

La carrure 4 est traversée par quatre boutons-poussoirs 8, 10, 12 et 14. Il va de soi que cet exemple est donné à titre purement illustratif seulement et qu'il suffit, pour mettre en oeuvre la présente invention, que la montre 1 comporte un seul bouton-poussoir. Dans tout ce qui suit, on s'intéressera uniquement aux boutons-poussoirs 8 et 10. Les deux autres boutons-poussoirs 12 et 14 peuvent avoir la même structure que les boutons-poussoirs 8 et 10 ou présenter une structure différente connue de l'homme du métier. Ils ne seront donc pas décrits plus en détail ci-après.The middle 4 is crossed by four push buttons 8, 10, 12 and 14. It goes without saying that this example is given for purely illustrative purposes only and that it is sufficient, to implement the present invention, that the watch 1 has a single push button. In what follows, we will focus only on the pushbuttons 8 and 10. The other two pushbuttons 12 and 14 may have the same structure as the pushbuttons 8 and 10 or have a different structure known to the skilled person. They will therefore not be described in more detail below.

Les boutons-poussoirs 8 et 10 se composent principalement d'une tige allongée 16 métallique ayant de préférence, mais non exclusivement, une forme cylindrique. Lorsque la carrure 4 de la montre 1 est métallique, la tige 16 des boutons-poussoirs 8 et 10 traverse un manchon 18 réalisé en une matière électriquement isolante comme représenté schématiquement à la figure 2. Le manchon 18 peut être, par exemple, chassé dans la carrure 4 de la montre 1.The pushbuttons 8 and 10 consist mainly of an elongated metal rod 16 preferably, but not exclusively, a cylindrical shape. When the middle 4 of the watch 1 is metallic, the rod 16 of the push buttons 8 and 10 passes through a sleeve 18 made of an electrically insulating material as shown schematically in FIG. figure 2 . The sleeve 18 may be, for example, driven into the middle part 4 of the watch 1.

La carrure 4 de la montre 1 définit une cavité centrale dans laquelle prend place, de manière classique, un mouvement d'horlogerie électronique porté par un circuit imprimé 20. Ce mouvement d'horlogerie comporte, entre autres, un circuit base de temps, un circuit diviseur de fréquence alimenté par la base de temps, un circuit de commande connecté au circuit diviseur et un système d'affichage commandé par le circuit de commande 22. Le système d'affichage peut être un système analogique comprenant une aiguille des heures, une aiguille des minutes et une aiguille des secondes se déplaçant sur un cadran. Le système d'affichage peut également être constitué par une cellule d'affichage digitale à cristaux liquides.The middle part 4 of the watch 1 defines a central cavity in which, in a conventional manner, an electronic timepiece movement carried by a printed circuit 20 takes place. This clockwork movement comprises, among other things, a time base circuit, a frequency divider circuit powered by the time base, a control circuit connected to the divider circuit and a display system controlled by the control circuit 22. The display system may be an analog system comprising an hour hand, a minute hand and a needle of the seconds moving on a dial. The display system may also consist of a digital LCD display cell.

Le circuit de commande 22 remplit des fonctions variées. Il entretient notamment les oscillations de l'oscillateur à quartz du circuit base de temps, divise la fréquence du quartz, corrige la marche de la montre, alimente le cas échéant les moteurs et les affichages à cristaux liquides, commande des fonctions spéciales telles que le quantième, le chronographe, l'alarme, les fuseaux horaires, et permet de corriger certaines indications et d'effectuer la mise à l'heure.The control circuit 22 performs various functions. In particular, it maintains oscillations of the crystal oscillator of the timebase circuit, divides the quartz frequency, corrects the running of the watch, supplies, if necessary, the motors and the liquid crystal displays, and controls special functions such as the date, the chronograph, the alarm, the time zones, and makes it possible to correct certain indications and to perform the time setting.

Le circuit de commande 22 est alimenté en courant par un accumulateur 24 destiné à être rechargé après épuisement. Il va de soi que le circuit de commande 22 pourrait aussi être alimenté par une pile non rechargeable. L'accumulateur 24, représenté schématiquement sur la figure 1, présente typiquement la forme d'une pastille qui peut être logée dans le fond 6 de la montre 1. La face inférieure de l'accumulateur 24 qui constitue son pôle négatif est reliée électriquement au fond 6 métallique et donc à la carrure 4 métallique, c'est-à-dire à la masse de la montre 1, par exemple par l'intermédiaire d'un contact à ressort fixé sur la surface intérieure du fond 6 de ladite montre 1. Le pôle positif de l'accumulateur 24 qui est constitué par sa face supérieure est, de manière habituelle, relié à une borne d'alimentation du circuit de commande 22.The control circuit 22 is supplied with current by a battery 24 intended to be recharged after exhaustion. It goes without saying that the control circuit 22 could also be powered by a non-rechargeable battery. The accumulator 24, shown schematically on the figure 1 typically has the shape of a pellet which can be housed in the bottom 6 of the watch 1. The lower face of the accumulator 24 which constitutes its negative pole is electrically connected to the metal base 6 and thus to the metal middle part 4, that is to say to the mass of the watch 1, for example by means of a spring contact fixed on the inner surface of the bottom 6 of said watch 1. The positive pole of the accumulator 24 which is constituted by its upper face is, in the usual way, connected to a power terminal of the control circuit 22.

Bien entendu, la montre, notamment le fond 6 et la carrure 4 de celle-ci, peut être réalisée en un matériau électriquement isolant tel qu'un matériau plastique. Dans ce cas, les pôles de l'accumulateur 24 sont reliés directement aux bornes d'alimentation du circuit de commande 22.Of course, the watch, in particular the bottom 6 and the middle part 4 thereof, may be made of an electrically insulating material such as a plastic material. In this case, the poles of the accumulator 24 are connected directly to the supply terminals of the control circuit 22.

Il va également de soi que les pôles de l'accumulateur 24 peuvent être inversés, la face inférieure de la pastille ronde constituant son pôle positif, et le pôle négatif étant alors situé sur le dessus de cette pastille. Dans ce cas, le pôle positif est relié électriquement à la masse de la montre 1.It is also obvious that the poles of the accumulator 24 can be inverted, the lower face of the round pellet constituting its positive pole, and the negative pole then being located on the top of this pellet. In this case, the positive pole is electrically connected to the mass of the watch 1.

Comme représenté plus particulièrement sur les figures 2 à 4, les boutons-poussoirs 8 et 10 comportent chacun une tête de poussoir 26 et la tige de poussoir 16 métallique. La tige de poussoir 16 est disposée de manière coulissante à l'intérieur d'un logement 28 de forme générale cylindrique ménagé dans la carrure 4 de la montre 1. La tige de poussoir 16 se déplace axialement dans le logement 28 à l'encontre de la force de rappel d'un ressort 30 quand une poussée de commande est appliquée sur la tête de poussoir 26.As shown more particularly on Figures 2 to 4 , the pushbuttons 8 and 10 each comprise a pusher head 26 and the pusher rod 16 metal. The push rod 16 is slidably disposed within a housing 28 of generally cylindrical shape formed in the middle part 4 of the watch 1. The push rod 16 moves axially in the housing 28 against the return force of a spring 30 when a control thrust is applied to the pusher head 26.

Le ressort de rappel 30 est disposé dans un logement 32 ménagé dans la tête de poussoir 26 et prend appui axialement sur le fond 34 d'une cavité 36 prévue dans la carrure 2. La tige de poussoir 16 présente en un endroit de sa longueur une gorge annulaire 38 dans laquelle est logé un joint d'étanchéité 40. Ce joint 40 assure la fermeture étanche du logement 32 quand la tige 16 coulisse dans celui-ci lors de l'actionnement des boutons-poussoirs 8 et 10 par un utilisateur.The return spring 30 is disposed in a housing 32 formed in the pusher head 26 and bears axially on the bottom 34 of a cavity 36 provided in the middle part 2. The push rod 16 has at a location of its length a throat annular 38 in which is housed a seal 40. This seal 40 ensures the sealing of the housing 32 when the rod 16 slides in it when actuating the push buttons 8 and 10 by a user.

Selon une variante d'exécution simplifiée de la présente invention, les boutons-poussoirs 8 et 10 décrits ci-dessus sont utilisés uniquement pour introduire ou extraire des informations de la montre 1. A cet effet, ils comprennent un moyen de retenue tel qu'une clavette qui empêche seulement l'extraction de ces boutons-poussoirs 8 et 10 après leur mise en place dans la carrure 4 de la montre 1. Conformément à la caractéristique principale de l'invention, les tiges 16 des deux boutons-poussoirs 8 et 10 peuvent être reliées électriquement à deux entrées de données, respectivement 42 et 44, du circuit de commande 22 par pression sur lesdits boutons-poussoirs 8, 10. II est ainsi possible, comme on le verra en détail ci-dessous, de relier une unité électronique 45 d'émission et de réception de données numériques tel qu'un ordinateur personnel ou PC au circuit de commande 22 de la montre 1 afin d'introduire dans ledit circuit de commande 22 des informations provenant du PC ou pour extraire des informations contenues dans la montre 1. Dans ce but, l'extrémité de la tige 16 située à l'intérieur du boîtier 2 vient toucher, lors d'une pression sur le bouton-poussoir correspondant 8, 10, une lame de contact 46 portée par le circuit imprimé 20 et reliée à l'une des entrées de données respectivement 42 et 44 du circuit de commande 22.According to a simplified embodiment of the present invention, the pushbuttons 8 and 10 described above are used only to introduce or extract information from the watch 1. For this purpose, they comprise a retaining means such as a key that prevents only the extraction of these push buttons 8 and 10 after their introduction in the middle part 4 of the watch 1. In accordance with the main feature of the invention, the rods 16 of the two push buttons 8 and 10 can be electrically connected to two data inputs, respectively 42 and 44, of the control circuit 22 by pressing on said push-buttons 8, 10. It is thus possible, as will be seen in detail below, to connect a electronic unit 45 for transmitting and receiving digital data such as a personal computer or PC to the control circuit 22 of the watch 1 in order to introduce into said control circuit 22 information from u PC or to extract information contained in the watch 1. For this purpose, the end of the rod 16 located inside the housing 2 comes to touch, when pressing the corresponding pushbutton 8, 10, a contact blade 46 carried by the printed circuit 20 and connected to one of the data inputs 42 and 44, respectively, of the control circuit 22.

Selon la variante de réalisation préférée de l'invention, les boutons-poussoirs 8, 10 sont utilisés non seulement pour introduire ou extraire des informations de la montre 1, mais également pour corriger une information ou pour enclencher ou déclencher une fonction horlogère particulière, par exemple un comptage. A cet effet, les boutons-poussoirs 8 et 10 comprennent une bride de contact 48 qui exerce sur la tige de poussoir 16 une force suffisante pour agir à l'encontre de la force de rappel du ressort 30 et empêcher ainsi ladite tige 16 de s'échapper du logement 28 dans lequel elle coulisse. La bride de contact 48 est une clavette en forme de W qui est engagée dans une gorge annulaire 50 que présente un manchon 52 (voir en particulier la figure 7) enfilé sur l'extrémité de la tige 16 opposé à la tête de poussoir 26. Le manchon 52 est réalisé en un matériau isolant tel qu'un matériau céramique ou une matière plastique et est retenu par une rondelle 54 chassée sur la tige de poussoir 16 à la suite dudit manchon 52. La bride de contact 48 est donc isolée électriquement par rapport à la tige de poussoir 16. En condition normale d'utilisation, la bride de contact 48 est toujours appuyée contre la face intérieure de la carrure 4 de la montre 1. Elle ne se déplace que lorsqu'une poussée de commande est appliquée sur l'un ou l'autre des boutons-poussoirs 8, 10.According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the push buttons 8, 10 are used not only to introduce or extract information from the watch 1, but also to correct information or to trigger or trigger a particular watch function, for example. example a count. For this purpose, the push buttons 8 and 10 comprise a contact flange 48 which exerts on the push rod 16 a force sufficient to act against the restoring force of the spring 30 and thus prevent said rod 16 from s escape from the housing 28 in which it slides. The contact flange 48 is a W-shaped key that is engaged in an annular groove 50 that has a sleeve 52 (see in particular the figure 7 ) on the end of the rod 16 opposite to the pusher head 26. The sleeve 52 is made of an insulating material such as a ceramic material or a plastic material and is retained by a washer 54 driven on the push rod 16 after the said sleeve 52. The contact flange 48 is thus electrically insulated with respect to the push rod 16. In a normal condition of use, the contact flange 48 is always pressed against the inner face of the middle part 4 of the watch 1. It moves only when a control push is applied to one or the other of the pushbuttons 8, 10.

La bride 48 est obtenue par découpage ou étampage d'une feuille métallique selon un contour particulier et par pliage de façon à exercer, après mise en place, à la fois les fonctions de clavette et de moyen de contact. La bride 48 se compose à cet effet de deux lames 56a, 56b s'étendant dans le plan général de ladite bride 48. Ces deux lames 56a, 56b sont reliées entre elles dans leur partie supérieure par une encoche 58 en forme de V destinée à venir s'engager dans la gorge annulaire 50 du manchon isolant 52 pour former clavette. Vers le bas, chacune des lames 56a, 56b est prolongée au-delà d'une pliure 60a, 60b par une petite patte de contact recourbée 62a, 62b. Il ressort clairement de la figure 5 que la patte de contact 62a se projette selon un certain angle hors du plan général de la bride de contact 48 pour établir un contact, par exemple un contact de masse, sur une zone du circuit imprimé 20 comme on le verra par la suite.The flange 48 is obtained by cutting or stamping a metal sheet in a particular contour and by folding so as to exert, after implementation, both the key functions and contact means. The flange 48 is composed for this purpose of two blades 56a, 56b extending in the general plane of said flange 48. These two blades 56a, 56b are interconnected in their upper part by a notch 58 V-shaped for engage in the annular groove 50 of the insulating sleeve 52 to form a key. Downward, each of the blades 56a, 56b is extended beyond a fold 60a, 60b by a small curved contact tab 62a, 62b. It is clear from the figure 5 that the contact tab 62a projects at a certain angle out of the general plane of the contact flange 48 to establish a contact, for example a ground contact, on an area of the printed circuit 20 as will be seen later.

Le circuit imprimé 20 sur lequel est monté le circuit de commande 22 comporte deux plages de contact 64a, 64b qui se composent chacune d'un trou semi-cylindrique présentant une paroi verticale métallisée 66a, 66b disposée en regard des pattes de contact 62a, 62b respectives de la bride de contact 48. Un de ces trous est relié électriquement au circuit de commande 22, tandis que l'autre trou est relié à la masse de la montre 1.The printed circuit 20 on which the control circuit 22 is mounted has two contact pads 64a, 64b which each consist of a semi-cylindrical hole having a metallized vertical wall 66a, 66b arranged facing the contact tabs 62a, 62b respective of the contact flange 48. One of these holes is electrically connected to the control circuit 22, while the other hole is connected to the ground of the watch 1.

Lorsqu'on exerce une pression de commande sur l'un des boutons-poussoirs 8 ou 10, la bride de contact 48 se déplace et ses pattes de contact 62a, 62b viennent toucher les trous métallisés 64a, 64b. Comme décrit ci-dessus, la patte de contact 62a se projette hors du plan général de la bride de contact 48. Ainsi, lorsqu'on enfonce l'un des boutons-poussoirs 8 ou 10, cette patte de contact 62a vient en contact avec le trou métallisé 64a qui lui fait face avant que l'autre patte de contact 62b ne vienne elle-même toucher le trou métallisé 64b qui lui correspond, ce qui permet d'éviter les décharges électrostatiques particulièrement néfastes pour le circuit de commande 22.When a control pressure is exerted on one of the pushbuttons 8 or 10, the contact flange 48 moves and its contact tabs 62a, 62b touch the metallized holes 64a, 64b. As described above, the contact tab 62a projects out of the general plane of the contact flange 48. Thus, when one of the push-buttons 8 or 10 is depressed, this contact tab 62a comes into contact with the metallized hole 64a which faces it before the other contact tab 62b itself comes to touch the corresponding metallized hole 64b, which makes it possible to avoid electrostatic discharges that are particularly harmful for the control circuit 22.

Lorsque les deux pattes de contact 62a, 62b touchent les trous métallisés 64a, 64b, il y a court-circuit entre ces deux trous 64a, 64b, ce qui provoque l'arrivée d'une instruction au circuit de commande 22. Par contre, lorsque la montre 1 selon l'invention est reliée à l'ordinateur 45, les boutons-poussoirs 8 et 10 restent enfoncés tout le temps que dure l'échange d'informations entre ladite montre 1 et ledit ordinateur 45. Le circuit de commande 22 est programmé de façon à ce qu'il comprenne alors que cette situation ne correspond pas à l'activation ou à la désactivation d'une fonction horlogère de la montre 1, mais à l'introduction dans le circuit de commande 22 d'informations provenant du PC 45 ou à l'extraction d'informations contenues dans la montre 1. Lorsque les boutons-poussoirs 8, 10 sont enfoncés, ils sont électriquement reliés aux entrées de données respectivement 42 et 44 du circuit de commande 22 via les lames de contact 46. On peut imaginer que le bouton-poussoir 8 sert au transfert d'informations depuis l'unité électronique 45 vers le circuit de commande 22 de la montre 1 et, qu'inversement, le bouton-poussoir 10 sert au transfert des données depuis la montre 1 vers l'unité électronique 45. Toutefois, selon une autre variante de réalisation, un unique bouton-poussoir peut servir à l'échange bidirectionnel d'informations entre la montre 1 et l'unité électronique 45. A cet effet, il suffit que l'unité électronique 45 indique, à l'aide d'un programme informatique adapté, au circuit de commande 22 qu'elle est prête à recevoir les informations provenant dudit circuit de commande 22.When the two contact tabs 62a, 62b touch the metallized holes 64a, 64b, there is a short circuit between these two holes 64a, 64b, which causes the arrival of an instruction to the control circuit 22. On the other hand, when the watch 1 according to the invention is connected to the computer 45, the push buttons 8 and 10 remain depressed all the time that the exchange of information between said watch 1 and said computer 45 lasts. The control circuit 22 is programmed so that it then understands that this situation does not correspond to the activation or deactivation of a watchmaking function of the watch 1, but to the introduction into the control circuit 22 of information coming from of the PC 45 or the extraction of information contained in the watch 1. When the pushbuttons 8, 10 are pressed, they are electrically connected to the data inputs 42 and 44 respectively of the control circuit 22 via the contact blades 46. It is conceivable that the pushbutton 8 serves for the transfer of information from the electronic unit 45 to the circuit 22 of the watch 1 and, conversely, the push button 10 serves for the transfer of data from the watch 1 to the electronic unit 45. However, according to another embodiment, a single push button can be used the bidirectional exchange of information between the watch 1 and the electronic unit 45. For this purpose, it is sufficient that the electronic unit 45 indicates, with the aid of a suitable computer program, the control circuit 22 qu it is ready to receive information from said control circuit 22.

Comme déjà décrit ci-dessus, les boutons-poussoirs 8, 10 sont reliés électriquement aux entrées de données respectivement 42 et 44 du circuit de commande 22 par pression sur ces boutons-poussoirs 8, 10.As already described above, the pushbuttons 8, 10 are electrically connected to the data inputs 42 and 44 respectively of the control circuit 22 by pressing these pushbuttons 8, 10.

Pour introduire ou extraire des informations du circuit de commande 22 de la montre 1, l'unité électronique ou ordinateur 45 est muni de deux prises électriques 68 et 70 qui viennent en contact avec lesdits boutons-poussoirs 8 et 10 respectivement. Selon une première variante de réalisation, les boutons-poussoirs 8 et 10 comportent une tête de poussoir 26 métallique chassée sur la tige de poussoir 16. Il faut alors s'assurer que cette tête de poussoir 26 métallique ne fasse pas court-circuit avec son voisinage.To introduce or extract information from the control circuit 22 of the watch 1, the electronic unit or computer 45 is provided with two electrical outlets 68 and 70 which come into contact with said pushbuttons 8 and 10 respectively. According to a first variant embodiment, the push-buttons 8 and 10 comprise a metal pusher head 26 driven on the pusher rod 16. It must then be ensured that this pusher head 26 does not short circuit with its neighborhood.

Selon une seconde variante de réalisation représentée à la figure 8, la tête de poussoir 26 est faite d'une matière plastique ou élastomère moulée par injection à chaud de façon à se lier à la tige de poussoir 16. Comme il ressort de la figure 8, la tige de poussoir 16 métallique arrive à fleur de la tête de poussoir 26 ou fait légèrement saillie de la surface de ladite tête de poussoir 26, de sorte que le contact électrique peut être établi avec la prise électrique 68, 70 de l'ordinateur personnel 45.According to a second variant of embodiment represented in figure 8 , the pusher head 26 is made of a plastic or elastomeric material hot-injection molded so as to bind to the pusher rod 16. As can be seen from FIG. figure 8 , the push rod 16 metal arrives flush with the pusher head 26 or protrudes slightly from the surface of said pusher head 26, so that the electrical contact can be established with the electrical outlet 68, 70 of the computer staff 45.

Selon une autre variante de réalisation représentée à la figure 9, la tige de poussoir 16 est noyée dans la tête de poussoir 26 faite d'une matière plastique ou élastomère relativement molle. Les prises électriques 68, 70 de l'unité électronique 45 présentent alors une pointe effilée 72 qui est capable de pénétrer aisément dans la matière molle dont est faite la tête de poussoir 26 et de venir en contact électrique avec la tige de poussoir 16.According to another variant embodiment shown in figure 9 , the push rod 16 is embedded in the pusher head 26 made of a relatively soft plastic or elastomeric material. The electrical outlets 68, 70 of the electronic unit 45 then have a tapered tip 72 which is capable of easily penetrating into the soft material of which the pusher head 26 is made and of coming into electrical contact with the pusher rod 16.

La tige de poussoir 16 peut être réalisée d'une seule pièce. Toutefois, selon une variante de réalisation préférée de l'invention représentée à la figure 10, la tige de poussoir 16 se compose de deux parties 74 et 76, l'une 74 percée réalisée en acier inox ordinaire 4C27A, et l'autre 76, chassée dans le perçage de la première, réalisée en acier inox performant 316L pour éviter toute corrosion sous l'effet de la sueur ou des frottements produits par contact avec les prises électriques 68, 70 de l'unité électronique 45.The push rod 16 can be made in one piece. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. figure 10 , the push rod 16 consists of two parts 74 and 76, one 74 pierced made of ordinary stainless steel 4C27A, and the other 76, driven into the bore of the first, made of high-performance stainless steel 316L to prevent any corrosion under the effect of sweat or friction produced by contact with the electrical outlets 68, 70 of the electronic unit 45.

Il va de soi que diverses modifications et variantes simples entrent dans le cadre de la présente invention. En particulier, on comprendra que la bride de contact 48 décrite ci-dessus qui agit à la fois comme clavette pour empêcher l'extraction du bouton-poussoir 8, 10 et comme moyen pour établir un contact électrique sur une zone du circuit imprimé 20 peut être remplacée par deux pièces séparées, l'une servant à maintenir la tige de poussoir 16 en position, et l'autre assurant le contact électrique avec les plages de contact 64a, 64b du circuit imprimé 20.It goes without saying that various modifications and simple variants are within the scope of the present invention. In particular, it will be understood that the above-described contact flange 48 which acts both as a key to prevent extraction of the push-button 8, 10 and as a means for making electrical contact on an area of the printed circuit 20 may be replaced by two separate parts, one to maintain the push rod 16 in position, and the other ensuring electrical contact with the contact pads 64a, 64b of the printed circuit 20.

Claims (15)

  1. Portable object such as, in particular, a timepiece, including an electronic movement carried by a printed circuit (20), this electronic movement including a time base circuit, a frequency divider circuit powered by the time base, a control circuit (22) connected to the divider circuit and a display system controlled by the control circuit, this portable object also including at least one push-button (8, 10) including a head (26) and a stem (16) passing through the middle part (4) of a case (2) closed by a back cover (6), the push-button stem (16) being capable of being electrically connected to a data input (42, 44) of the control circuit (22) by pressing on the push-button (8, 10), so that it is possible, via this stem (16), to enter data into said control circuit (22), originating from an electronic unit (45) for transmitting and receiving digital data such as a personal computer or PC or to extract data contained in said portable object, the push-button stem (16) carrying for this purpose a contact spring (48) which acts as a key to prevent said push-button (8, 10) from being removed after it has been set in place and as means for establishing an electric contact with a zone of the printed circuit (20), said portable object being characterised in that the push-button (8, 10) further acts on the control circuit (22) to correct an indication or to start or stop a particular horological function, for example time measurement, and in that said contact spring (48) is electrically insulated with respect to said stem (16).
  2. Portable object according to claim 1, characterised in that, when the push-button (8, 10) is pushed in, the end of the stem (16) located inside the case (2) touches a contact strip (46) fixed to the printed circuit (20), this contact strip (46) being itself connected to one of the data inputs (42, 44) of the control circuit (22).
  3. Portable object according to claims 1 or 2, characterised in that a sleeve (52) made of an insulating material is mounted over the end of the stem (16) located inside the case (2), this sleeve (52) carrying the contact spring (48) and being held by a washer (54) driven onto said stem (16) after said sleeve (52).
  4. Portable object according to claim 3, characterised in that the sleeve (52) is made of a ceramic material or a plastic material.
  5. Portable object according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the push-button stem (16) is formed of two parts (74, 76), one pierced part (74) made of stainless steel 4C27A, and the other (76), driven into the pierced portion of the first and made of stainless steel 316L to prevent any corrosion via the effect of perspiration or friction.
  6. Portable object according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the contact spring (48) is a W-shaped key.
  7. Portable object according to claim 6, characterised in that the contact spring (48) includes two strips (56a, 56b) extending in the general plane of said contact spring (48), these two strips (56a, 56b) being connected to each other in their top part by a V-shaped notch (58) and each being extended downwards, beyond a fold (60a, 60b), by a bent contact lug (62a, 62b).
  8. Portable object according to claim 7, characterised in that one of the contact lugs (62a) projects at an angle outside the general plane of the contact spring (48).
  9. Portable object according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the push-button stem (16) is metal.
  10. Portable object according to claim 9, characterised in that the push-button head (26) is metal and is driven onto the push-button stem (16).
  11. Portable object according to claim 9, characterised in that the push-button head (26) is made of a plastic or elastomeric material and in that the push-button stem (16) is flush with the push-button head (26) or projects slightly from said push-button head (26)
  12. Portable object according to claim 9, characterised in that the push-button stem (16) is embedded in the push-button head (26) made of a relatively soft plastic material or elastomeric material and in that one of the electric plugs (68, 79) of the electronic unit (45) intended to transfer data to the portable object or vice versa has a pointed end (72) which is capable of penetrating the soft material of which the push-button head (26) is made and coming into electric contact with the push-button stem (16).
  13. Portable object according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the push-button stem (16) is arranged so as to slide inside a housing (28) arranged in the middle part (4) of said portable object, and in that a return spring (30) is arranged in a housing (32) arranged in the push-button head (26) and rests axially on the bottom (34) provided in said middle part (4).
  14. Portable object according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the printed circuit (20) has two contact pads (64a, 64b) arranged respectively facing contact lugs (62a, 62b) of the contact spring (48).
  15. Portable object according to claim 14, characterised in that the contact pads (64a, 64b) are each formed of a cylindrical semi-hole with a metallised vertical wall (66a, 66b), one of these holes (64a) being connected to the control circuit (22) of said portable object, and the other hole (64b) being connected to the earth of the portable object.
EP00200984A 2000-03-17 2000-03-17 Means for exchanging information with a portable object, in particular a time-piece Expired - Lifetime EP1134630B1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE60044842T DE60044842D1 (en) 2000-03-17 2000-03-17 Device for exchanging information with a portable object, in particular a wristwatch
EP00200984A EP1134630B1 (en) 2000-03-17 2000-03-17 Means for exchanging information with a portable object, in particular a time-piece
AT00200984T ATE478366T1 (en) 2000-03-17 2000-03-17 DEVICE FOR EXCHANGING INFORMATION WITH A WEARABLE OBJECT, IN PARTICULAR A WRISTWATCH
US09/809,272 US6625087B2 (en) 2000-03-17 2001-03-16 Means for loading or extracting data from a portable object, such as, in particular, a timepiece

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00200984A EP1134630B1 (en) 2000-03-17 2000-03-17 Means for exchanging information with a portable object, in particular a time-piece

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1134630A1 EP1134630A1 (en) 2001-09-19
EP1134630B1 true EP1134630B1 (en) 2010-08-18

Family

ID=8171219

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00200984A Expired - Lifetime EP1134630B1 (en) 2000-03-17 2000-03-17 Means for exchanging information with a portable object, in particular a time-piece

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US6625087B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1134630B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE478366T1 (en)
DE (1) DE60044842D1 (en)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1247589B1 (en) * 2001-04-06 2003-12-17 Swatch Ag System and method for accessing information and/or data available on the Internet
EP1416343A1 (en) * 2002-10-28 2004-05-06 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Push button control, in particular for time piece, and portable electronic instrument comprising such a button
ATE331326T1 (en) 2003-09-23 2006-07-15 Asulab Sa ADAPTER FOR A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND TRANSMISSION SYSTEM BETWEEN SUCH COMPONENTS
EP1519453B1 (en) * 2003-09-23 2006-06-28 Asulab S.A. Portable electronic equipment having at least one I/O terminal adapted for establishing a connection with an electronic unit located within said equipment
DE60306381T2 (en) 2003-09-23 2007-06-14 Asulab S.A. A portable electronic device having at least one adapted actuator for transmitting electrical signals
US7539800B2 (en) * 2004-07-30 2009-05-26 International Business Machines Corporation System, method and storage medium for providing segment level sparing
JP4820720B2 (en) * 2006-09-07 2011-11-24 セイコーインスツル株式会社 Portable electronic watch
US20090003141A1 (en) * 2007-06-27 2009-01-01 Seiko Epson Corporation Timepiece
US9557716B1 (en) * 2015-09-20 2017-01-31 Qualcomm Incorporated Multipurpose magnetic crown on wearable device and adapter for power supply and audio, video and data access

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS52127361A (en) * 1976-04-19 1977-10-25 Seiko Epson Corp Digital electronic timepiece of compact structure
JPS539172A (en) * 1976-07-13 1978-01-27 Seiko Instr & Electronics Ltd Crystal watch
DE3482904D1 (en) * 1983-05-06 1990-09-13 Seiko Instr Inc DATA STORAGE DISPLAY DEVICE, e.g. A WRISTWATCH.
DE3346388A1 (en) * 1983-12-22 1985-07-04 Hans-Joachim 6109 Mühltal Lühr Method and device for the power supply of digital clocks
JPH03171360A (en) * 1989-11-30 1991-07-24 Casio Comput Co Ltd Electronic equipment with communication function
DE69312697T2 (en) * 1993-01-08 1997-12-04 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Data transmission reception system for electronic clock
DE19638953A1 (en) * 1996-09-14 1998-03-19 Slamecka Ernst Electronic clock or watch with rechargeable internal battery

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6625087B2 (en) 2003-09-23
ATE478366T1 (en) 2010-09-15
EP1134630A1 (en) 2001-09-19
DE60044842D1 (en) 2010-09-30
US20010022759A1 (en) 2001-09-20

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