WO2017016872A1

WO2017016872A1 - Wrist watch with data storage and wireless data exchange capability and method to identify such a watch

Info

Publication number: WO2017016872A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/066637
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alfred Daniel NIEDERER
Original assignee: Sevenfriday AG
Priority date: 2015-07-24
Filing date: 2016-07-13
Publication date: 2017-02-02

Abstract

The invention is directed to a wrist watch with data storage and wireless data exchange capability. The wrist watch comprises or is interconnected to a bottom plate (22) comprising a body (25) with a recess (26) in which an RFID-tag (33) is arranged. The RFID-tag (33) comprises a chip (30) and a coil (31) interconnected to the chip (30). The chip (30) and the coil (31) are enclosed in an embedding (34) made from plastic material. The backplane (41) of the embedding (34) is at least partially coated by a layer of soft magnetic material.

Description

WRIST WATCH WITH DATA STORAGE AND WIRELESS DATA EXCHANGE CAPABILITY AND METHOD TO IDENTIFY SUCH A WATCH

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wrist watch with data storage and wireless data exchange capability as well as a method to identify such a watch.

PRIOR ART

Document EP1 398676A1 is directed to a wrist watch, which incorporates an electronic module for memorizing information. The electronic module is situated in a cavity formed in the base of the watch casing, the cavity being open to the outside of this base surface. The wrist watch incorporates an electronic module for memorizing information. This in cludes an integrated circuit chip linked to an aerial comprising a coil which is able to pick up radio transmitted signals from a read/write unit. This enables read ing of the information held in the memory, modification of the information and addition of further information. In order to avoid the difficulties encountered in fitting the electronic module within the casing of the watch, the electronic module is situated in a cavity formed in the base of the watch casing, the cavity being open to the outside of this base surface.

EP1 540427B1 describes a watch comprising a case having a back, a movement contained in said case and an electronic module for storing information able to communicate by radio signals with a device for reading and/or writing said information. The electronic module comprises a cup-shaped amagnetic material base, an integrated circuit having at least two connecting terminals and fixed to a flat bottom of said base and a send and receive antenna comprising a coil also fixed to the flat bottom of said base and surrounded by a lateral wall of said base. The coil consists of an electrically conductive wire, having two ends connected to respective connecting terminals of said integrated circuit. The coil having an annular shape and surround ing a space in which said integrated circuit is placed. The watch being characterised in that said electronic module is housed at least for the most part in a cavity in the back of the case open towards the outside. The thickness of said lateral wall increases slightly and continuously from its base adjoining said flat bottom to its top so that it has an exterior surface co-operating with an internal wall of complementary shape of said cavity and constitutes a dovetail joint between said electronic module and the back of said case. One draw back of said assembly is the relative complex and therefore expensive arrangement.

EP1 660953B1 is directed to a watch with a metallic case including an electronic module for storing data which is housed at least mostly in a cavity open towards the exterior. The cavity is formed in an external surface of the watch and being of complementary shape to the electronic module. The electronic module being able to communicate via broadcast signals with a read and/or write apparatus. The electronic module includes a base on which an integrated circuit chip having at least two bumps and a coil acting as a transmission and/or reception antenna are mounted. The coil being formed by an electrically conductive wire having two ends respectively connected to said bumps of said integrated circuit chip. The coil surround ing a space in which said chip is placed . The base of the electronic module is a metallic element that conducts magnetic flux to insulate the module coil magnetically from the metallic case during data communication between said read and/or write apparatus and said module. The module and said cavity that is open towards the exterior housing, said mod ule defining means for quickly and precisely positioning a complementary-shaped head of said read and/or write apparatus. One draw back of said assembly is the relative complex and therefore expensive arrangement. Furthermore, the transmission range is very limited, which requires a direct contact between the complementary-shaped head and the back of the exterior housing of the electronic module. Document WO03052526A1 describes a watchcase base comprising a lid defining the outer surface of the base, and a dummy bottom mounted against the inner surface of the lid. The watchcase is having a middle and a bottom, with a cover that is screwed or clamped into the middle and that defines the outer side of the bottom. A false-bottom that is mounted against the inner side of said cover. A joint for preventing water infiltra- tions is arranged between the middle and the bottom. An electronic identification element with an antenna is mounted between said cover and said false-bottom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention, to provide an electronic module for storing data which can be applied to a cavity or the back of a watch having a metallic case and which has a less expensive design and which provides the opportunity to exchange data by a larger distance then known from the prior art.

In an embodiment, the invention is directed to a wrist watch with data storage and wireless data exchange capability. The wrist watch in general comprises a watchcase and a bottom plate attached to the rear end of the watchcase forming the back of the watch- case or as an additional part attached to the back of the watchcase. An RFI D-tag as described hereinafter is attached to or incorporated into the bottom plate. The bottom plate may comprise a body with a recess which is foreseen to receive the RFI D-tag. The RFI D- tag normally comprises a chip and a coil interconnected to the chip by connecting lines. The chip is preferably placed in the middle of the coil. Therefore, the coil provides an open space in the centre. The coil is wound from a cooper wire. It normally has an annular shape. Depending on the design, it can be round, oval or rectangular. Normally the coil and the chip are laying in the same vertical plane. In an embodiment, the chip and the coil are enclosed in an embedding made from plastic material as described herein after. The embedding preferably has a cylindrical shape. The backplane of the embedding is at least partially coated by a layer of soft magnetic material. The RFI D-tag can be interconnected to a backplane of the recess or the backplane of a watch by an adhesive. The adhesive may form an insulating layer between the layer of soft magnetic material and the backplane. Other means for insulation can be foreseen if required.

In a variation of the invention, the cross-section of the recess has a staggered design with a first outer section and a second inner section and a shoulder between them. The backplane of the recess and the shoulder are preferably arranged parallel to each other at a first distance which in principle corresponds to the thickness of the RFI D-tag. Thereby, it is achieved that the RFI D-tag is flush mount with the shoulder when inserted in the recess. The shoulder is foreseen to receive a cover, wherein the cover is interconnected to the shoulder by an adhesive and/or a press fit connection.

A method for tagging a wrist watch normally comprises the following method steps: a. Providing a wrist watch with a watchcase comprising an RFI D-tag, which is arranged outside the watchcase, e.g. attached to the backplane of the watch case or incorporated in a bottom plate of the watch case. b. providing at least one reading-unit; c. reading of a serial number of at least one of the parts of the wrist watch (and/or the Unique Identification Number ( U I D) of the RFI D-tag ); d. storing the at least one serial number in the RFI D-tag and/or in an external database on a computer.

In a variation, a writing-unit is provided which is interconnected to the reading-unit. The writing unit serves to write information related to the at least one serial number into the memory of the RFI D-tag. The reading -unit may comprise a camera by which a serial number of at least one of the parts of the wrist watch is red. In a variation, a combination of the serial number of at least one part of the wrist watch and /or the U nique Identification Number ( U I D) of the RFI D-tag is stored as a dataset in a database or in the RFI D-tag. A watch can then be identified by the serial number and the U I D of the RFI D-tag of which the combination is only known to the genuine manufacturer. Other information of the watch, e.g. the type, or its owner can be included in the dataset or in a different dataset.

A preferred embodiment of an electronic module according to the invention comprises the following setup: A RFI D chip as well as a coil, which acts as an antenna, are laminated in between two thermoplastic foils (e.g. PVC foils or other appropriate material) . Good results can be achieved when the two layers of thermoplastic foils are thermally pressed and thereby adhere around the coil and the RFI D chip forming an embedding. Through the lamination process the embedding may obtain a planar bottom and top surface. Alternatively or in addition, a resin can be used to embed the RFI D chip and the coil. The resin can e.g. be thermoplastic or duroplastic or of a thermoset type. The resulting thickness of the pressed plastic halves including embedded coil and chip is approximately 900 μηη (other dimensions are possible). The RFI D chip preferably complies with the standard ISO 1 5693. The lower side of the embedding is at least partially coated by a layer of soft magnetic material, preferably a foil made out of soft magnetic material or comprising soft magnetic material, such as soft magnetic ferrite. I n an embodiment, the thickness of the layer of soft magnetic material is in the range of 1 00 pm to 200 μιτη, preferably 1 50 μιτι. The purpose is to create an affordable magnetic insulation between the coil and the metal watchcase. In a preferred embodiment, the ferrite foil is interconnected with the embedding by means of a layer of ad hesive of a thickness of appr. 25 μιτι. For the purpose of a simple assembly within a cavity of the watch the lowermost layer may consist of another layer of adhesive. Good results are obtained with a transponder, which has a diameter of 1 8 mm and a coil of 1 3 mm. The total thickness is 1 1 0 μιτι. Depending on the field of application, other dimensions may be appropriate. Compared to the prior art, one advantage of the herein described design of the RFI D-tag is the increased range while reading and /or writing of information. While in the prior art, the back of the watch must be in direct and precise contact with a read/write head, the herein disclosed RFI D-tag allows a distance of several centimetre.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the disclosure. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understand ing, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the concepts disclosed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The herein described invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which should not be considered limiting to the invention described in the appended claims. The drawings are showing:

Fig. 1 shows in an exploded view a wrist watch suitable for applying the technology according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a bottom plate according to the invention with a recess for receiving a data storage and wireless data exchange means;

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section along the plane I l l-I l l in Fig. 2 for a fully functional bottom plate according to the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a photograph of a wrist watch according to Fig. 1 with a bottom plate according to Fig. 2 and the various parts to be inserted in the recess of said bottom plate;

Fig. 5 shows a cross-section through a data storage and wireless data exchange means for being used with a wrist watch of Fig. 4; and steps of tagg ing a wrist watch. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all features are shown. Indeed, embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

Figure 1 is showing the setup of a wrist watch 1 0 in an exploded manner. The wrist watch 1 0 comprises a watch glass 1 1 , a first sealing 1 2, a glass frame 1 3 , a second sealing 1 4, a day/night mechanism 1 5, a movement holder 1 6, a movement 1 7, a watch- case 1 9, which is foreseen to receive on two opposite sides a mounting pin 1 8 for a watch band ( not shown in the drawings). Furthermore, the watch 1 0 comprises a crown 20, which is interconnected to the movement 1 7. The rear side of the watchcase 1 9 is closed by a bottom 22. The bottom 22 is fixed to the watchcase 1 9 by bolts 23. A third seal 21 is arranged between the watchcase 1 9 and the bottom 22.

In Figure 2 a bottom 24 can be seen in a front view. The bottom 24 is suitable to be interconnected to the watchcase 1 9 as shown in Figure 1 . In the shown embodiment, the bottom 24 comprises a body 25, which has an in principle rectangular design with straight longer and slightly rounded smaller sides. In the four corners, screw holes 27 can be seen. The body 25 comprises a recess 26, which is accessible from the backside (viewing direction ) and which is suitable to receive an RFI D chip as herein described. The recess 26 is arranged close to the right hand edge of the body 25. Thereby, it becomes possible to apply information on the left hand side. Figure 2 b) is showing a cover 29, which is suitable to tightly close the recess 26 as described herein after. The cover 29 comprises a first orientation flat 28a which in a mounted position corresponds with a second orientation flat 28b of the recess 26. The cover 29 comprises information which passes on into information of the bottom plate 22. Figure 3 is showing in a schematic manner a sectional view of the body 25 of the bottom 24, including the recess 26. The recess 26 is arranged in the body 25 and has a staggered design with a first outer section 38 and a second inner section 39 being interconnected by a shoulder 40. The inner section 39 comprises a flat backplane 41 , which is suitable to receive an RFI D chip as described herein. The shoulder 40 is arranged parallel to the backplane 41 at a distance, which corresponds to the thickness of the RFI D-tag 33.

Figure 4 a) is showing the wrist watch 1 0 in a rear view with a first bottom 24 attached to the watchcase 1 9. The recess 26 is not yet closed such that the inside is visible. An RFI D-tag 33 according to the invention is arranged in the recess 26.

Figure 4 b) is showing a second bottom 24 in a detached manner. Figure 4 c) is showing a cover in a front view ( right) and in a back view ( left) . The cover is attached to the RFI D- tag 33 and the shoulder 40 as shown schematically in the sectional view according to Figure 3. Figure 4 d) is showing an RFI D-tag 33 in a detached manner from the front ( right) and from the back ( left). The RFI D-tag 33 comprises on its back an adhesive layer by which it can be attached to the backplane 41 of the recess 26.

Figure 5 is showing in a schematic manner a sectional view of an RFI D-tag 33 according to the invention . The RFI D-tag 33 comprises a chip 30 as well as a coil 3 1 which acts as an antenna 3 1 . The chip 30 is interconnected by two connecting lines 3 1 a to the two ends of the coil 3 1 . As visible in Figure 4 d), the coil 3 1 is made from a wound-up cooper wire. I n the shown embodiment, the coil 3 1 has a circular shape. However, depending on the design, other shapes are possible. I n the shown variation, the resulting thickness of the pressed plastic halves including embedded coil (antenna ) 3 1 and chip 30 is approximately 900 μηη (other dimensions are possible) . The 30 chip preferably complies with the standard ISO 1 5693.

The chip 30 and the coil 3 1 , as well as the connecting lines 3 1 a are laminated in between two thermoplastic foils 34a, 34b (e.g. PVC foils or other appropriate material). Precise results can be achieved when the two layers of thermoplastic foils 34a, 34b are thermally shaped ( pressed ) and thereby adhere around the coil and the RFI D chip forming a precisely shaped embedding 34 which acts as a housing 34. Through the process, the embedding 34 may obtain a planar bottom and top surface. Alternatively or in addition, a resin ( not shown in the drawings) can be used to embed the chip 30 and the coil 3 1 . The resin can e.g. be thermoplastic or duroplastic or of a thermoset type.

The backplane 41 of the embedding 34 is at least partially coated by a layer of soft magnetic material 36, preferably a foil made out of soft magnetic material or comprising soft magnetic material, such as soft magnetic ferrite. In the shown variation, the layer of soft magnetic material 36 is interconnected to the embedding 34 by a first layer of adhesive 35. Depending on the field of application, this layer can be avoided when the layer of soft magnetic material is incorporated in the lamination process, i.e. the thermal shaping process of the embedding 34. At the bottom, a second layer of adhesive 37 is visible by which the RFI D-tag can be attached to the backplane 41 of the recess 26.

In an embodiment, the thickness of the layer of soft magnetic material is in the range of 1 00 μηη to 200 μιτη, preferably 1 50 μιτι. The purpose is to create a magnetic insulation between the coil and the metal watchcase. In a preferred embodiment the ferrite foil is interconnected with the embedding by means of a layer of adhesive of a thickness of approximative^ 25 μιτι. For the purpose of a simple assembly within a cavity of the watch, the lowermost layer may consist of another layer of adhesive. Good results are obtained with a transponder which has a diameter of 1 8mm and a coil of 1 3 mm. The total thickness is 1 1 0 μιτι. Depending on the field of application, other dimensions may be appropriate.

Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the Spirit and scope of the invention .

Figure 6 is schematically showing steps for tagg ing of a wrist watch 1 0. The method normally comprises the following method steps: a. Providing a wrist watch with a watchcase comprising an RFI D-tag which is arranged outside the watchcase, e.g. attached to the lower side of the watchcase or incorporated in a bottom plate of the watchcase. b. providing at least one reading-unit; c. Step A: Reading of a serial number of at least one of the parts of the wrist watch; d. Step A': Reading the U nique Identification Number ( U I D) of the RFI D-tag attached to the wrist watch; d. Step B: Storing the at least one serial number in the RFI D-tag attached to the wrist watch and /or in an external database on a computer. LIST OF REFERENCES

10 wrist watch 28a, b orientation flat 10a clock face 29 cover

11 watch glass 30 microcircuit (chip) 5 12,14,21 sealing 31 antenna (coil)

13 glass frame 31a connecting line

15 day/night mechanism 32a, b wrist band

16 movement holder 33 RFID-tag

17 movement 34 embedding (laminate

10 18 mounting pin (watchband) 34a, b foil

19 watchcase 35,37 adhesive layer

20 crown 36 ferrite Layer (foil) 22,24 bottom plate 38 first outer section 23,23' bolt 39 second inner section

15 25 body 40 shoulder

26 recess 41 backplane

27 screw hole

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

Wrist watch (10) with data storage and wireless data exchange capability comprising: a. a watchcase ( 19), b. a bottom plate (22, 24) at which an RFID-tag (33) is arranged; c. said RFID-tag (33) comprising: i. a chip (30) and a coil (31 ) interconnected to the chip (30); ii. wherein said chip (30) and said coil (33) are enclosed in an embedding (34) made from plastic material; iii. and wherein the backplane of the embedding (34) is at least partially coated by a layer of soft magnetic material (36).

Wrist watch (10) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the bottom plate (24) forms the back of the watchcase (19) or is attached to the back of the watchcase (19) as an individual part.

3. Wrist watch (10) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the bottom plate (22, 24) comprises a body (25) with a recess (26) in which the RFID-tag (33) is arranged.

4. Wrist watch (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the RFID-tag (33) is interconnected to the backplane (41 ) of the recess (26) by an adhesive.

5. Wrist watch (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a cross- section of the recess has a staggered design with a first outer section (38) and a second inner section (39) and a shoulder (40) between them.

6. Wrist watch ( 10) according to claim 5, characterized in that a backplane (41 ) of the recess (26) and the shoulder (40) are arranged parallel to each other at a first distance (a) which corresponds to the thickness of the RFID-tag (33).

7. Wrist watch ( 10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the shoulder (40) is foreseen to receive a cover (29).

8. Wrist watch ( 10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the cover (29) is interconnected to the shoulder (40) by an adhesive.

9. Wrist watch (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the bottom plate (22, 24) has a rectangular shape.

10. Wrist watch ( 10) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the embedding (34) is made from two layers of thermoplastic foils which are thermally pressed around the chip (30) and the coil (31 ) to form the embedding (34).

11. Wrist watch ( 10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the embedding (34) has a cylindrical shape.

12. RFID-tag (33) for a wrist watch (10) comprising a chip (30) and a coil (31 ) interconnected to the chip (30), characterized in that the chip (30) and the coil (31) are embedded in an embedding (34) made from plastic material and wherein the backplane of the embedding (34) is at least partially coated by a layer of soft magnetic material (36).

13. RFID-tag (33) according to claim 12, characterized in that the embedding (34) is made from two layers of thermoplastic foils which are thermally pressed around the chip (30) and the coil (31 ) to form the embedding (34).

14. RFID-tag (33) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the embedding (34) has a cylindrical design.

15. Method for tagging a wrist watch (10): a. providing a wrist watch ( 10) with a watchcase (19), which is closed at its lower side by a bottom plate (22) comprising an RFID-tag (33); b. providing at least one reading-unit; c. reading of a serial number of at least one of the parts of the wrist watch (10); d. storing the at least one serial number in the RFID-tag and/or in an external database on a computer. Method according to claim 1 5, characterized in that a writing-unit is provided which is interconnected to the reading-unit, writing by the writing-unit information related to the at least one serial number into the memory of the RFI D-tag.

Method according to claim 1 5 or 1 6, characterized in that the reading-unit comprises a camera by which a serial number of at least one of the parts of the wrist watch ( 1 0) is red. 8. Method according to one of the claims 1 5 or 1 7, characterized in that a combination of the serial number of at least one part of the wrist watch ( 1 0) and a serial number of the RFI D-tag ( 33 ) is stored in a database. 9. Method for identifying a wrist watch ( 1 0 ), characterized in that a serial number of at least one part of a wrist watch ( 1 0) is red.