Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Case 1522
PORTABLE DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR A WATCH, INCLUDING
AN ANTENNA ASSOCIATED WITH A REMOVABLE ELECTRONIC
MODULE AND SUCH AN ELECTRONIC MODULE
The present inventiorl concerns a portable device, in
part:icular a timepiece, including a case within which is
arranged an antenna, this antenna being intended to be
coupled to an electronic module to form together a
receiver and/or transmitter or a transponder. The present
invention also concerns an electronic module including an
electronic unit within which are stored certain data, and
which is intended to be fitted to a portable device
according to the invention.
Receivers and/or transmitters or transponders are
conventionally used in various portable devices, for
example for identification procedures for entry doors to
closed premises. There exist numerous watches provided
with an antenna for picking up electromagnetic signals and
mears for storing data which may be of confidential
nature.
By way of example, in relation to Figure 1, Swiss
Patent Application No. 686 696 discloses a watch
including a case 2 formed of a middle part 3 and a bezel 5
together forming an inner housing 4. Watch 1 further
includes means for pickiIlg up and/or transmitting radio
signals formed by an antenna coil 6, mounted on an annular
support 7 and arranged in inner housing 4, and by a
communication interf-ace including demodulating and/or
modulating means. The antenna is connected to an
electronic module 9 permanently arranged in case 2 by
electric contact means 10.
One problem encountered in watches such as that
disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Document lies in
the fact that electronic module 9 is permanently arranged
in the watch, which may be particularly inconvenient if
the electronic unit. of this module stores data or
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information of a confidential nature, for example door
opening codes or bank--related information. Portable
devices are general]y only temporarily carried about the
person and people often have a plurality of portable
devices for the same function, in particular a plurality
of watches. Moreover, certain portable devices have a
limited lifespan and/or are no longer used after a certain
period of time. Thus, there is a risk that personal data,
which may be of a confidential nature, is entered in
various portable devices and remains therein even when
they are not used or no longer used. It will also be noted
that certain data or information may change over time, in
particular bank-related information, and that it may be
preferable for such data always to be updated at each new
transaction. Consequent]y, the use of several portable
devices each having its own electronic data storage and/or
control unit is not to be recommended.
An object of the present invention is to overcome the
aforementioned prob:Lems and drawbacks while keeping the
possibility of having personal use of a plurality of
portable devices having an electromagnetic signal receiver
and/or transmitter function.
The present invention thus concerns a portable device
including a case within which is arranged an antenna,
characterised in that said case includes a housing within
which an electronic module may be arranged in a removable
manner, said electronic module including at least two
electric contact zones, the antenna having two ends or
electric terminals respectively connected to two electric
contact means arranged at least partially at the periphery
of said housing so as to assure an electric connection
respectively to said two electric contact zones of said
module when the latter is introduced into the housing and
held therein by closing means, the electrically connected
antenna and electronic module together forming an
electronic signal receiver and/or transmitter.
As a result of the aforementioned features of the
invention, it is possible to detach the electronic module
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from the portable device including an antenna. An antenna,
acting as communication means with one or more external
uni-~s fitted with electrc)magnetic communication means, is
provided in each portable device according to the
invention. Conversely, the electronic unit used for data
or information manaqement, in particular for storage of
such data or information in a memory portion of the
electronic unit forming said electronic module, may be
separated from a particular portable device. Thus, the
ele,-tronic module and the data contained therein are not
associated in an inseparable manner with a particular
por-table device. Moreover, when the electronic module and
the housing for which it is intended are made in
accordance with a given standard, it is possible to
integrate a particular electronic module in several
dif~erent portable clevices, in particular watches, cards
or other portable objects, such as keyrings or jewellery.
It will be noted that it is also possible to integrate
such an electronic module in a removable manner in a
computer or any medium also allowing the data contained in
the module to be processed and/or simply read.
It is thus clear from the features of the present
invention that the electronic module may be associated
with an individual or even a legal entity and remain in
the possession of such person while being integrated over
time in several portable devices belonging to such person
as such portable devices are temporarily used. Thus, for
example, a person may possess several watches, while
having a single personal electronic module integrated in
turn in such watches when they are respectively worn in
turn by said person.
Other particular features and advantages of the
present invention will be described in more detail with
reference to the following description, made with
reference to the annexecl drawings, given by way of non-
limiting examples, in which:
- Figure 1 already cited shows schematically a
cross-section of a watch able to pick up radio messages;
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- Figure 2 shows schematically a watch and an
elec ronic module illustrating the general concept of the
present inventioni
- Figure 3 is a schematic bottom view of a watch
according to a first embodiment of the invention;
- Figure 4 is a schematic cross-section along the
line IV-IV of Figure ~i;
- Figure 5 is a partial schematic cross-section of
a fi:rst alternative oi- the first embodiment;
- Figure 6 is a partial schematic cross-section of
a second alternative of the first embodiment;
- Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a
third alternative of the first embodiment, only the
electronic module and the cover associated therewith
having been shown here;
- Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a
fourth alternative of the first embodiment;
- Figure 9 is a partial schematic cross-section of
a second embodiment of the invention; and
- Figures 10 and 11 are respectively two electric
diacrrams of two alternative embodiments of an electronic
module according to the invention arranged so as to be
able to be associated with two different antenna as
required .
With the development of electronic chips for managing
personal data and transponders, personal data is entered
into several different devices, which can be detrimental
to the confidential nature and secure management of such
per:,onal data. In :response to this situation, as has
already been mentioned hereinbefore, the present invention
proposes, as shown generally in Figure 2, to arrange an
ele-tronic module 18, containing an electronic unit for
sto:ring and possibly managing data, in a removable manner
in a housing 20 of a watch case 22. In the base of housing
are arranged two electric contact pads 24 and 25
against which electric contact pins 26 and 27 of
electronic module 1~ respectively abut when the latter is
inserted in housing 20 and held therein by cover 28 which
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is provided for this purpose. Thus, module 18 which
con.tains an electronic unit for storing and possibly
managing data may be arranged in the watch to allow access
to the electronic unit; of module 18 by means of a
communication antenna provided within case 22 (not shown),
this antenna being able to be arranged within case 22 in
various ways known to the man skilled in the art.
It will be noted that the present invention is not
lim.ited to particular frequency ranges for the antenna
integrated in the case nor is it limited to a particular
application. Moreover, a:lthough the following description
con.cerns timepieces in particular wristwatches, the
present invention is not limited to such timepieces but
may easily be applied to any other portable device in
which an antenna is arranged and which allows reception
and/or transmission of electromagnetic signals or which
allows a transponder function to be assured.
With reference to Figures 3 and 4, a first embodiment
of the invention wi:Ll be described hereinafter. Watch 30
includes a case 32 within which is arranged an antenna 34
on a support 7 in a similar manner to the watch of the
prior art shown in F'igure 1. The two ends of antenna coil
34 are electrically connected to two respective electric
contact pads 36A and 36B arranged on support 7. Watch 30
also includes a movement 38 arranged in a casing ring 40.
Watch 30 also includes a dial 42 and a set of hands 44,
and an LCD display 46. According to the invention, a
housing 48 is provided in case 32 for an electronic module
50 intended to be e:lectrically connected to antenna coil
34 and arranged in a removable manner. In order to do
this, housing 48 is closed by a cover 52 which assures
that electronic module is held in housing 48 and also that
housing 48 is closed in a sealed manner by means of
sealing disc 54. Module 50 is fitted with two electric
con.tact pins 56 and 57 which are held against two
corresponding electric contact pads 58 and 59 when module
50 is arranged in housing 48 and cover 52 is set in the
position closing hou,ing 48.
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The two elect:ric contact pads 58 and 59 are
respectively connected to the two ends of antenna coil 34
by means of electric connections 60 and 61 which end
respectively on two electric connection pads 62 and 63
which are respectively electrically connected to pads 36A
and 36B by means of a metallisation 64 provided on the
upper face of casing ring 40. In this embodiment, electric
contact pads 58 and 59, and electric connection pads 62
and 63 are arranged in movement 38. However, in other
alternative embodiments, these pads may be arranged on
another support and electric connection to antenna coil 34
may be achieved by other means known to the man skilled in
the art. In particular, it is possible for the two ends of
antenna coil 34 to be directly connected to electric
contact pads 58 an.d 59 arranged at the periphery of
hou,ing 48.
It will be noted that cover 52 may be actuated from
the exterior of case 32 by any user. Thus it is possible
for a user to remove cover 52 to extract electronic module
50 which is arranged. in a removable manner in housing 48.
When module 50 is e:Lectrically connected to antenna coil
34, they form togeth.er an electromagnetic receiver and/or
transmitter.
Module 50 includes an electronic unit (not explicitly
shown here) including at least one memory portion. This
electronic unit may be more or less complex and include,
in particular, a microprocessor. Any arrangement for
electronic module 5() known to the man skilled in the art
may be used within the scope of the present invention.
Likewise, any arrangement of an antenna in a portable
device known to the man skilled in the art, in particular
in a watch, may be used without departing from the scope
of the present invention.
With reference to Figures 5 to 8, various
alternatives of the first embodiment described
hereinbefore will be described hereinafter, these
alternatives being in no way limiting. The references
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already described p:reviously are not described again in
detaLil in the explanation of the various alternatives.
In the alterna.tive shown in Figure 5, electronic
module 68 includes a. metal envelope defining two electric
poles 69 and 70. These two electric poles are connected to
an electronic unit 72 and are separated from each other by
an electric insula.tor 71 of circular shape. At the
periphery of housing 48 two electric contact strips 74 and
are arranged, these strips being respectively in
electric contact with poles 69 and 70 of module 68 when
the latter is inserted into housing 48 and held in the
latter by means of cover 52. Cover 52 assures closure of
housing 48 in a sea:Led manner via a bayonet system known
to the man skilled in the art, complementary recesses to
the lateral engs of the cover being arranged in case 32.
The arrangement of metal strips 74 and 75 is similar to an
arrangement provided, in particular, for a battery
supplying power to an electronic watch movement.
In the alternative of Figure 6, electronic module 78
is similar to module 68 of Figure 5, but differs in that
it forms a single piece with cover 80, used to close
housing 48. Cover 8() includes a thread 81 and is screwed
to case 32 sealing being assured by a sealing gasket 82.
This alternative has an. advantage and a drawback. The
advantage stems from the fact that module 78 attached to
cover 80 allows better gripping and thus better
manipulation of module 78. Conversely, when module 78 is
removed or extractecl from housing 48, it is not possible
to replace cover 80 to close the housing again. In such
case, an additional cover, all.owing the case to be closed
in a sealed manner in the absence of an electronic module,
may be provided, if it is deemed necessary to keep housing
48 slosed.
The alternative partially shown in Figure 7, only
cover 52 and electronic module 68 being shown, differs
from the alternative shown in Figure 6 solely in that
cover 52 has a bayonet closure and is electrically
insulated from electric poles 69 and 70 of module 68. This
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configuration may be advantageous since, in the Figure 6
alternative, electric pole 70 is connected to the ground
given that it is electrically connected to case 32 or to
the body of the wearer by means of cover 80 which forms,
with electric pole 70, a single, same metal envelope,
which may be limiting. This is why, in the of Figure 7
alternative , cover 52 is separated from module 68 by an
electrically insulating intermediate zone 84.
Figure 8 shows an alternative embodiment wherein
electronic module 50, similar to the module shown in
Figure 4, is arrange~ not in the base of case 32, but in a
housing 48 provided in a lateral part of the case. Thus,
in order to be able to extract module 50 from housing 48,
it is not necessary for a user to take the watch off his
wrist. In this alternative, cover 88 is made of a plastic
material or rubber having sufficient elasticity to be
forced into the upper part of housing 48 so as to close
the housing and hold electronic module 50 in a position of
electric contact with the antenna (not shown) arranged in
the watch, i.e. to hold electric contact pins 56 and 57
respectively againsl electric contact pads 58 and 59. A
recess 90 is provided in case 32 at the periphery of
housing 48 to allow a user to extract cover 88 using a
finger, in particular, using a fingernail. The use of a
cover made of a non-metallic material may constitute an
advantage.
With reference to Figure 9, a second embodiment of
the invention will be described, such embodiment being
characterised in that electronic module 68 is inserted
into a housing 94 arranged for containing a supply battery
96 and module 68. In the alternative shown in Figure 9,
battery 96 is electrically connected to two electric
contact strips 97 and 98 arranged in a conventional manner
at the periphery of housing 94. Module 68 has a similar
external appearance to that of battery 96 and defines, in
particular, two electric poles 69 and 70. Electric pole 70
is electrically connected to an antenna (not shown)
provided in the wat:ch case of the embodiment described
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here by means of an electric contact strip 100 arranged at
the periphery of hc)using 94, more particularly in the
vicinity of the lateral wall of such housing 94. Pole 70
of module 68 is electrically insulated from battery 96 by
means of a disc 10~ made of an electrically insulating
material. Disc 102 is preferably fixed to module 68.
However, this disc 102 may also be fixed onto battery 96
or form a separate element from battery 96 and module 68.
Ele-tric pole 69 is electrically connected to a contact
pad 104 by means of metal cover 106 whose surface 106A is
applied against pole 69 when the cover is closed.
This second embodiment thus has the advantage of
requiring a single housing 94 and a single cover 106 for
arranging a battery and module 68 in the portable device,
in particular in an electronic watch according to the
invention. The man skilled in the art will obviously be
able to design other alternatives of this second
embodiment without departing from the scope of the present
invention. For example, it is possible to design
electronic module 68 with two electric poles each
partially occupying the lateral surface of this module 68.
In this case, the two electric contacts provided for
electric connection to the antenna provided in the
portable device may be made by means of two electric
contact strips simi]ar to strip 100 and both arranged in
the vicinity of the lateral surface of housing 94. Thus,
the cover is not used as electric contact means, which may
be aLdvantageous according to the particular application.
It is possible to provide other shapes for the
electronic module and the battery, in particular, a
cylindrical or rectangular shape with the two electric
poles at the two ends of the module or at one end only
according to the alternative selected.
With reference to Figures 10 and 11, two alternatives
of a third embodiment of the invention will be described
in a schematic manner. As in the first and second
embodiments, an electronic module 108 is arranged in a
housing provided in a device including a communication
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antenna. However, in this third embodiment, module 108 is
arranged so that the latter can be coupled to two
different antenna 110 and 112 arranged respectively in two
different devices. ]~n order to do this, in the Figure 10
alternative, the electronic module includes four electric
contact terminals 114, 115, 116 and 117. When module 108
is arranged in a housing provided in a device including
antenna 110, the twc ends of antenna 110 are electrically
connected to the two terminals 115 and 116. Conversely,
when electronic module 108 is arranged in another device
including antenna 112, the two ends of the antenna are
electrically connect:ed to the two terminals 114 and 117.
Thus, module 108 can be arranged with different antenna
allowing different applications, in particular as regards
the communication distance or the frequency range in which
the data is to be exchanged between the unit formed by
module 108 and antenna 110 or 112 which is associated
therewith and an external communication unit provided for
this purpose.
As has already been mentioned, the present invention
includes a major advantage in that it allows the
electronic unit including, in particular, personal or
confidential data, to be detached or separated from the
portable device including the means for communication with
an external unit p:rovided for such purpose. Moreover,
another significant advantage of the invention is that it
allows a single same electronic module to be arranged in
several portable devices provided for this purpose. Thus,
acc~rding to a third embodiment, it is possible to arrange
the same electronic module in portable devices having
antenna operating in variou, frequency ranges and at
various transmission powers or operating with different
reception sensitivities.
Figure 11 shows an alternative wherein electronic
module 108 includes only three electric contact terminals
114, 115 and 116, pad 116 being connected to one end of
antenna 110 or antenna 11.2 according to whether module 108
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11
is arranged in a first device including antenna 110 or a
cecond device includLng antenna 112.
