HK1248805B - Gas measurement device incorporated into a watch - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to gas measurement devices.

The dangers caused by gases can have various sources, such as a leak of one or more toxic gases, a deficiency or excessive concentration of oxygen, or the presence of flammable gases. If not detected early, staff, premises, and equipment cannot be protected.

Depending on the need, it may be necessary to choose a very specific detector, or conversely, one capable of detecting a wide variety of gases.

EP 1 293 946 describes a watch arranged to indicate the concentration of a gas having two operating states, a "time" state and an "alarm" state. In the "time" state, the gas concentration and the time are displayed simultaneously or sequentially.

The main risks arising from the presence of gases are an explosion caused by the presence of flammable gases, and poisoning or suffocation caused by the presence of toxic gases.

A gas detector can therefore prove necessary as personal protection for activities exposed to risks. Portable gas detectors can meet occasional professional needs, or in many industrial applications, continuous safety must be ensured by a fixed gas detection system.

The need to simultaneously and continuously measure the concentration of several gases is becoming increasingly common in industrial applications (chemical and food industries, but also heating plants, tunnels, etc.)

Toxic gases come from various sources, such as combustion (CO-NO-NO2-SO2), incineration (H2S-NH3-HCl), or fermentation (H2S-NH3).

Their presence, whether passive or active, in industrial environments is common (chemical industry, petrochemical industry, cold chains, food processing) and makes their detection essential. The risks of poisoning are related to the exposure time of an individual to a harmful substance. The danger is assessed in terms of average exposure level and maximum allowable exposure level. These values are expressed both in weight (mg/m³) and in volume (parts per million, ppm).

Portable gas detectors allow to know whether the surrounding atmosphere is explosive or not, which is essential for the safety of first responders at a fire, for example. The explosion risk caused by a particular gas is often underestimated, and the responder must rely on compact, reliable, and easy-to-use detection and measurement equipment for explosiveness.

The main disadvantage of these portable devices is that they must be worn in a hazardous area and are often removed as soon as the hazardous zone is left. As a result, a person may end up in an area presumed to be safe, such as their home, and still be exposed to the presence of a toxic gas like carbon monoxide.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an alternative to all these devices, and more particularly, to provide a wristwatch equipped with a gas detector that allows measuring the concentration of gas in hazardous areas, such as in areas that are thought to be safe.

According to the invention, a device for measuring the concentration of a gas composing ambient air comprises a wristwatch including a watch case containing a timepiece movement, and time-indicating elements visible through a glass of the watch case. Moreover, the wristwatch includes at least one sensor arranged to measure the concentration of a gas component in ambient air. This sensor is located in a housing of the watch case or in an element attached to the watch case and has a surface inside this housing exposed to ambient air through at least one opening. The opening is located on a part of the watch case or on the attached element that does not come into contact with the wearer's wrist when the wristwatch is worn on the wrist. The wristwatch also includes an indicator device for displaying the measured value of the gas concentration, this indicator allowing the instantaneous measured gas concentration value to be known. It also includes means for triggering an alarm. The device has two operating states: a "time" state and an "alarm" state.

According to the invention, the device is configured to operate according to a complete operational sequence comprising the following three steps a), b), and c): a) In the "time" state, the time indicators show the time, and the sensor continuously measures the gas concentration without displaying it and without triggering an alarm in the absence of a measured gas concentration; b) If the sensor detects a gas concentration while the sensor is in the "time" state, the device automatically switches to the "alert" state, in which the time indicators are activated to indicate the time or deactivated to stop indicating the time,and in which the indicator device for the measured value of gas concentration displays this measured value, and further includes means for triggering an alarm that activates the alarm when the measured gas concentration reaches or exceeds a threshold; etc. In the case where the sensor no longer detects a gas concentration while in the "alarm" state, the device automatically switches to the "time" state, wherein the time indicating devices show the time, and the sensor continuously measures the gas concentration without displaying it and without triggering an alarm in the absence of a detected gas concentration; and wherein the wristwatch further includes a wireless communication means for transmitting information to another device,Namely, the wireless communication means is arranged to transmit to a smartphone or a computer information indicating that the said threshold value of the gas concentration measured in the ambient air has been reached or exceeded.

In a certain type of execution, the indicator device for the measured gas concentration value can also indicate the maximum measured gas concentration value.

In a variant, the wristwatch can include a sensor for measuring the instantaneous value of gas concentration and means for triggering an alarm when the gas concentration measured by the sensor reaches or exceeds a threshold, without the wearer of the wristwatch being aware of the concentration reached.

In a preferential execution form, the watch is equipped with alert means such as, for example, a visual alarm and/or an audio alarm and/or a vibration alarm.

In one form of execution, the wristwatch comprises a control unit arranged to measure the operating condition and/or the lifespan of components integrated in the watch case, particularly the sensor or the lifespan of a power source.

In one form of implementation, the wristwatch can include a storage unit arranged to store an history of measured gas concentration values and optionally the measurements of integrated components in the watch case and inspected by a control unit. For example, the watch can record in this storage unit a history of concentrations, exposure durations, gas concentration profiles during exposure, maximum concentration during exposure, number of exposures, power source life, and sensor life. All these information can be accessible to the user either directly on the watch's display or via a remote device such as a smartphone.

According to this method of execution, the means for triggering an alert can be activated when the control unit indicates that at least one component integrated into the watch case requires external intervention.

The wristwatch may include hands for displaying the time and the same hands or other hands for displaying the measured value of gas concentration.

In a variant, the wristwatch can have a digital display for showing the time and the same digital display or another digital display for showing the measured value of gas concentration.

In a combined display version, the wristwatch can have hands for displaying the time and a digital display for showing the measured value of the gas concentration, and vice versa.

To facilitate maintenance, the wristwatch can include a processing unit capable of receiving information from an external device, for example a smartphone or a computer, to configure the watch, particularly for calibrating the sensor or for a time update.

In one form of implementation, the wristwatch may include, inside the watch case, a transmitter for sending information and a receiver for receiving information. Thus, wireless communication can allow, among other things, managing the watch's settings, transmitting alarms, transferring internal data of the watch such as initialization and adjustment of the watch, or setting the time of the watch. Other functions, such as transmission of alarms, transfer of data to memories, or calibration and adjustment of a gas sensor, can also be performed.

Depending on the needs, the watch can include a plurality of sensors arranged to respectively measure the concentration of a specific gas component in the ambient air. The watch can be equipped with sensors to detect, for example, hydrogen sulfide or carbon monoxide.

In addition, the inventive device optionally includes a "sleep" state in which the sensor is disabled, and at least one push button, operable when the device is in the "sleep" state to activate the device in the "time" mode.

The means for triggering an alarm can activate a multi-level alarm depending on the gas concentration measured by the sensor, with each alarm level corresponding to one or more sound, light, or vibration signals, whose intensity and frequency can vary.

In some executions, the time-indicating components include a dial and at least two hands of different lengths rotating around an axis. The device further comprises a segment of the dial extending up to 150°, and preferably up to 120°, this dial segment having, at its periphery, at least two arc-shaped areas with graduations or other indications relating to the measured gas concentration and/or a maintenance operation of the device, these areas being radially offset. In this configuration, the hands cooperate with the dial to indicate the time in the "time" state, while the hands of different lengths cooperate with the radially offset arc-shaped areas in the "alert" state to provide at least one indication relating to the measured gas concentration and optionally an indication regarding device maintenance.

According to an embodiment, the time-indicating organs include a dial, the device further comprising a rotating disc whose part of the circumference is visible through an opening in the dial. The circumference of the disc carries a series of indications related to the measured gas concentration, the operation of the device and/or the lifespan of components integrated into the watch case and/or the lifespan of a power source. The device also comprises means for rotating the disc so as to bring a selected indication into the opening, and, depending on the selected indication, for operating the device or enabling the calculation of various gas concentration parameters or performing the necessary operations to restore the device to working condition.

The features of the invention will become more clearly apparent upon reading the description of several embodiments given only as examples, not limiting in reference to the schematic figures, wherein: Figure 1 shows a front view of a wristwatch having a hand display for indicating the time, an opening for allowing gas to pass towards the sensor, located on a component attached to the watch case, in which a gas sensor is placed to measure the gas concentration, the value of which is indicated on a dedicated scale by means of one of the hands; Figure 2 shows a front view of a wristwatch having a hand display for showing the time,A hole for allowing the gas to pass towards the gas sensor, located on a horn of the watch case, in which a gas sensor is placed to measure the gas concentration, the value of which is displayed on a remote display using another needle; Figure 3 shows a front view of a wristwatch with a digital display for showing the time, a hole arranged on the case band to allow the gas to pass towards the gas sensor for measuring the gas concentration, the measured gas concentration value also being displayed on the digital display; Figure 4 shows a front view of a wristwatch with a digital display for showing the time,A hole arranged on the band for allowing gas to pass towards the gas sensor for measuring the gas concentration, whose measured gas concentration value is displayed on another digital display; Figure 5 shows a front view of a wristwatch with an analog display for indicating the time, a hole arranged to allow gas to pass towards the gas sensor for measuring the gas concentration, whose measured gas concentration value is displayed on a digital display; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a wristwatch with an analog display for indicating the time,An opening arranged on the band of the watch case to allow gas to pass toward a gas sensor for measuring the gas concentration, the measured gas concentration value being displayed on a digital display; Figure 7 shows the inside of a watch case, where only the housing in which the sensor is placed, the sensor itself, and a microprocessor connected to the sensor are illustrated; Figure 8 shows a front view of a wristwatch according to the present invention; Figure 9 shows a partial exploded view of the wristwatch of Figure 8; Figure 10 shows a front view of a dial of the wristwatch of Figure 8; and Figure 11 shows a disc of the wristwatch of Figure 8; and Figure 12 shows a front view of a wristwatch according to the present invention.

As illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, a wristwatch measures the presence of gas in the ambient air using a sensor 11 located, behind an opening 2, inside the watch case 13 (Figure 7), on a mounted element 14 (Figure 1), or in a horn 19 of the watch case 13 (Figure 2).

As illustrated in Figure 1, the watch, which includes a watch case 13 and lugs 19 for attaching a bracelet, displays time conventionally with hour and minute hands 1, 1', and a second hand 3. The sensor detects gas through an opening 2 located on a reported element 14 of the watch case 13 at 9 o'clock. The opening 2 is situated on an outer face 16 of the reported element 14, and the opening 2 does not come into contact with the wearer's wrist when the watch is worn. A graduated scale 4 indicates the value of the measured gas concentration.The watch has two push buttons 5, 7 and a winding crown 6 for setting the time. When the user presses one of the push buttons 5, 7, information is transmitted to a microprocessor 17 (Figure 7) electrically connected to the sensor 11, instructing it to measure the instantaneous gas concentration. From that moment on, the second hand 3 indicates on the graduated scale 4 the instantaneous value of the measured gas concentration. When the user presses the same push button 5, 7 a second time, the second hand 3 resumes its basic function, that of indicating the time.When the second pushbutton is activated 5, 7, the second hand 3 indicates, for example, the maximum value of the measured gas concentration over the last four hours. This information is stored in the microprocessor 17 and remains available upon request. When the threshold of the measured gas concentration has been reached or exceeded, the gas sensor 11 sends an electrical signal to the microprocessor 17 to trigger alarm means.

Alarm means can, for example, be a visual alarm, an audible alarm, a vibrating alarm, or an alert transmitted wirelessly to a remote device, such as a smartphone, or even to a computer network.

As shown in Figure 2, the watch displays the time conventionally with hour and minute hands 1 and a second hand 3. The sensor detects gas through an opening 2 located on a horn 19 of the watch case 13. A scale graduated from 8 to 6 o'clock allows determining the value of the measured gas concentration using a dedicated pointer 18. When the threshold of the measured gas concentration is reached or exceeded, the alarm means are activated.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the watch displays the time using a digital display 9. The sensor detects gas through an opening 2 located on the square band 15 of the watch case 13. The perspective view shown in Figure 6 allows to see the opening 2 on the square band 15. The watch has three push buttons 5, 60, 7. When the user presses one of the push buttons 5, 60, 7, the digital display 9 switches to the indication of the measured gas concentration value. When the user presses the same push button 5, 60, 7 again, the time display information reappears on the digital display 9. When the threshold of the measured gas concentration is reached or exceeded, the alert means are activated and the digital display 9 indicates the measured gas concentration.

The watch illustrated in Figure 4 displays the time digitally on a first display 9 and the gas concentration value digitally on another digital display 10. The watch also includes three push buttons 5, 60, 7 for setting the watch and accessing additional functions. In the example illustrated in Figure 5, the watch shows the time with hour and minute hands 1 and a second hand 3, while the digital value of the gas concentration is indicated on a digital display 10.

The watch illustrated in Figure 6 has an analog display for indicating the time and a digital display for gas concentration measurement functions. Among these functions, the watch stores in an internal memory, for example, the microprocessor 17 (Figure 7), the history of exposure durations, the gas concentration profile during exposure, the maximum concentration during exposure, the number of exposures, battery life, sensor life, and consumable life.

The information that the sender sends to the recipient must necessarily pass through a transmission medium. Free space is used as a transmission medium, and in this case, it refers to wireless transmission. Therefore, the watch is equipped with a wireless communication system. Wireless communication allows managing the watch's configurations, transmitting alarms, and transferring internal data such as initializing and setting the watch, setting the time on the watch, the alarm transmission mode, data transfer to memory, and calibrating the gas sensor(s).

Wireless transmission relies on the propagation of electromagnetic waves, also known as Hertzian waves or radio waves. The term "radio" refers to any communication that takes place without a physical medium; thus, the term "radiocommunication" encompasses all wireless communications. Wireless communication can, for example, be achieved through communication satellites, cellular mobile communications, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or RFID.

In the case of communication satellites, a satellite uses electromagnetic or Hertzian waves to connect two terrestrial points, namely the location of the watch carrier and a location where a monitoring station is situated. Communication satellites are used for all kinds of communications: audio broadcasting, television, telephone, data transmission, etc.

In the case of using Wi-Fi, the person wearing the watch must be near a router that provides the connection and functions as a wireless communication hub.

In the case of using Bluetooth, a protocol that establishes a short-range secure wireless connection between two devices, the person wearing the watch will need to be even closer to the device to which a signal must be transmitted. Bluetooth is similar to Wi-Fi, but the low power used minimizes the range and the available data transfer rate is generally low.

In the case of using an RFID chip, which allows object identification through radio frequency radiation, the person wearing the watch should be near a reader. To transmit information to the reader, an RFID tag is generally equipped with an electronic chip associated with an antenna.

The activation means of an alert are triggered when the control unit indicates that at least one component integrated in the watch case requires external intervention for the proper functioning of the watch, such as sensor calibration or a power source replacement.

As shown in Figure 7, the interior of a watch case 13 allows viewing the housing 12, which is schematically represented, in which the sensor 11 is arranged. The sensor 11 is connected to the microprocessor 17, which includes an internal memory.

The watch includes a conventional sealing device. For example, in the watch illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the watch case 13 includes a container 25 sandwiched between two seals 36 and a sensor support 27 connected via connectors 35 to the container 25. A glass 20 and a back cover 31 close the watch case 13; the back cover 31 includes a grille allowing sound emitted by a buzzer 28 to pass through, and a sheet 30 ensuring waterproofing between the grille of the back cover 31 and an electrical part of the device, which notably includes the buzzer 28.

As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, a wristwatch according to the present invention includes two push buttons 5, 6 and an LED 23. The watch has a dial 21, wherein a first dial area includes a disc 33 displaying various quantities or operating modes, and a second dial area includes an indication of the measurement of each quantity on two scales 4, 4' by means of needles 1, 1', which also indicate the current time.

As shown in Figure 11, disk 33 has markings corresponding to measurable quantities. These markings are written circumferentially on disk 33, and in this example, the markings DETECT, TWA, MAX EXP, SENSOR, and BATT can be distinguished.

The "DETECT" entry corresponds to index "0" on disk 33 in the "trottoise" mode when the watch is operating normally, or to an "Alarm" mode when the watch detects the presence of a gas. The "TWA" (Time Weighted Average) entry corresponds to the time-weighted average of gas exposure. The "MAX EXP" entry corresponds to the maximum measured value of gas concentration. The "SENSOR" entry refers to the sensor's lifespan. The "BATT" entry refers to the battery's lifespan. Other entries can be placed on disk 33, such as an "ALARM" entry, which would indicate the presence of a gas.

Figure 10 allows for a better visualization of the dial 21, particularly the two dial areas. The first area includes an opening to arrange the disc 33, while the second area displays the measurement of each quantity on the two scales 4, 4' by means of the hands 1, 1', which also indicate the current time in the "time" state or mode. The scales 4, 4' have an arched shape. Both scales 4, 4' are concentric around a center that corresponds to the axis around which the hands 1, 1' rotate. The first scale 4, the outermost relative to the axis of rotation of the hands 1, 1', indicates the gas concentration, here on a scale from 0 to 100. The scale 4 extends over approximately 120°, with about 30° designated to indicate the type of gas, and the remaining part reserved for marking graduations or indicating values. The second scale 4', the one closest to the axis of rotation of the hands 1, 1', indicates the sensor or battery life. The scale 4' for life span extends over approximately 120°.

As illustrated in Figure 8, the center of rotation of disk 33 and the axis of rotation of the hands 1, 1' are aligned such that the displayed value represents half of the lifespan. The hour hand 1 indicates information on the second internal scale 4', and the minute hand 1' indicates information on the first scale 4. The hour hand 1 is approximately 10% to 30% wider than the minute hand 1', preferably 12%. The minute hand 1' consists of a solid part and an open part. The open part allows reading the information positioned on the first scale 4. The minute hand 1' is longer than the hour hand 1 so that the length of the hour hand 1 corresponds approximately to the solid part of the minute hand 1', thereby always allowing reading of the information on the first scale 4. Preferably, the hour hand 1 is about 20% to 30% shorter than the minute hand 1', typically 25%.

The watch as illustrated in Figure 8 includes a mechanical display based on needles 1, 1' and a disc 33, with the movement of needles 1, 1' and disc 33 being interrelated relative to each other depending on the modes activated by the watch user.

The watch has a Sleep mode, an Alarm mode, and a Time mode. The Sleep mode allows the gas sensor 11 to be deactivated. Usually, the watch is delivered to a user in Sleep mode, and in this case, gas sensor 11 is disabled, the hands 1, 1' are parked stationary at 9 o'clock, and the disc 33 is parked stationary on the SENSOR indication.

In this example, the watch continuously measures the presence of gas in the ambient air. In case of gas detection, the watch automatically switches to Alarm mode. In Alarm mode, the disk 33 indicates DETECT. The minute hand 1' displays the current gas concentration on the first gas concentration scale 4. The hour hand 1 shows the maximum gas concentration reached. When the gas is no longer detected, the watch automatically switches back to Time mode and displays the current time.

In addition to continuously measuring gas presence, the watch can display other parameters that need to be previously selected using disk 33. For example, it is possible to measure the battery status 29, the status of the gas sensor 11, the time-weighted average of gas exposures, and the maximum measured value of gas concentration.

The watch also has a setting mode, indicated on the dial 33 by the indication "Detect," during which time setting of the time or sensor calibration 11 can be performed.

In this adjustment mode, to activate the watch, you need to press both buttons 5 and 6 simultaneously for a given period of time, for example five seconds. The gas sensor 11 is activated and the wristwatch enters Time mode.

In Time mode, the normal operating mode of the watch, hands 1 and 1' indicate the current time, disk 33 rotates at the speed of a seconds hand, that is, one revolution per minute, and index 0 is the text DETECT in window 34.

As explained earlier, the watch continuously measures the presence of gas in the ambient air. In case of gas detection, the watch automatically switches to Alarm mode. When the gas is no longer detected, the watch automatically returns to Time mode. In Alarm mode, the minute hand 1 displays the current gas concentration on scale 4 for gas concentration. The hour hand 1 indicates the maximum concentration reached on scale 4 for gas concentration. In Alarm mode, a buzzer 28 can emit an audio signal, a vibrator 26 can activate at different intervals, and a LED 23 can light up steadily or blink.

In this example, there are four alarm levels according to the gas concentration in the air measured by sensor 11, each alarm level emitting a different sound signal, for example, 1 beep per minute for a concentration of 1 ppm (part per million or mg.L-1), 2 beeps per minute for a concentration of 5 ppm, 30 beeps per minute for a concentration of 10 ppm, and 60 beeps per minute for a concentration of 15 ppm.

When the watch is in Alarm mode, it is still possible to check the time by pressing button 5. The watch displays the time and automatically returns to Alarm mode after a certain period, for example, 10 seconds.

In this example, when the watch was exposed to a gas, the following two values can be consulted: TWA (Time Weighted Average), which is the time-weighted average of gas exposure. Maximum exposure, which is the maximum measured value of gas concentration.

It is possible to consult the TWA and the Maximum Exposure only when the watch is not exposed to gas.

To display the TWA value, from the Time mode, press button 6 to show the TWA. The disc 33 indicates TWA. The two hands 1, 1' overlap and indicate the TWA on the gas concentration scale 4. If the watch has not been exposed to a gas, or if the TWA is less than 1 ppm, the hands 1, 1' are positioned at 12 o'clock.

A simultaneous press of both buttons 5 and 6 for a given time, for example 3 seconds, resets the TWA. From the TWA mode, the watch automatically returns to Time mode after a given time, for example 10 seconds.

To display the maximum exposure value to a gas, from the TWA mode, press button 6. The disk 33 shows MAX EXP through the window 34. The two hands 1, 1' overlap and indicate the maximum exposure on the gas concentration scale 4. If the watch has not been exposed to a gas, the hands 1, 1' are positioned at 12 o'clock.

A simultaneous press of both buttons 5 and 6 for a given period of time, for example 3 seconds, resets the Maximum Exposure. From the Maximum Exposure mode, the watch automatically returns to Time mode after a given period of time, for example 10 seconds.

In the example illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, two essential quantities can be measured to determine their operating condition, namely sensor 11 and battery 29. Indeed, it is important to know the aging state of sensor 11, whose lifespan is generally measured in years, and the aging state of battery 29, whose lifespan is also measured in years.

Sensor 11 has a limited service life. After this period, it is necessary to replace it. As illustrated, for example, in Figure 9, sensor 11 is mounted in a holder 27 like a drawer, sliding into the holder 27 until it contacts a connector 35 that allows an electrical connection with an electronic board 22. This electronic board 22 includes, among other components, the microcontroller 17, and two motors 24, 24', arranged to drive, among other things, the needles 1, 1' and the disc 33.

The sensor 11 has a limited lifespan and therefore must be replaced. After replacing the sensor 11, the watch must be reset. It is possible to check the lifespan of sensor 11 and the battery 29 only when the watch is not exposed to gas.

To display the life span of sensor 11, from the Time mode, press button 5 to display SENSOR on disk 33. The two hands 1, 1' are aligned in opposition and the hour hand 1 indicates the sensor's aging on a second scale 4'. From the SENSOR mode, the watch automatically returns to Time mode after a given time, for example, 10 seconds.

When sensor 11 is at the end of its life, the watch no longer displays the time, but the dial 33 indicates SENSOR and the hour hand 1 points to the lowest point of the second scale 4' (Figure 10).

To display the battery life of the 29th battery, from the SENSOR mode on disk 33, press button 5 to display BATT (for Battery) on disk 33. The two hands 1, 1' are aligned in opposition, and the hour hand 1 indicates the battery status on the second scale 4'.

Since the BATT mode, the watch automatically returns to Time mode after a given time, for example, 10 seconds.

When the watch is subjected to a shock, it is possible that disc 33 or the hands 1, 1' lose their alignment. It is then necessary to recalibrate them.

For calibrating the hands 1, 1', and the 33-disk, from the Time mode, you need to press both pushers 5 and 6 simultaneously. A first beep indicates that the watch switches to the Time Setting mode.

While keeping pressure on the two pushers 5, 6, after a defined time, for example 3 seconds, a second beep indicates that the watch enters Calibration mode. The disc 33 shows DETECT and the hands 1, 1' overlap at 12 o'clock. If the disc 33 is not exactly on DETECT or if the hands 1, 1' are not exactly on 12 o'clock, calibration is required.

Then, press button 6 to move the hour hand 1 forward by one step clockwise, or press button 5 to move the hour hand 1 forward by one step counterclockwise until the hour hand 1 is precisely aligned with 12 o'clock. Proceed in the same way to adjust the minute hand 1'.

Next, press both buttons 5 and 6 simultaneously to calibrate the disc 33. Press button 6 to turn the disc 33 by one step clockwise, or press button 5 to turn the disc 33 by one step counterclockwise until the disc 33 is precisely aligned with the inscription "DETECT" through the window 34. A simultaneous press on both buttons 5 and 6 ends the calibration.

Without any action, the watch automatically returns to Time mode after a certain period, for example, 30 seconds.

As explained earlier, when the watch is not used for a long period, or for example when it is sent for maintenance, it is possible to put it in Sleep mode.

In Sleep mode, gas sensor 11 is disabled, needles 1 and 1' are parked stationary at 9 o'clock, and disk 33 is parked stationary on SENSOR. The time is maintained by the watch.

To switch the watch to Sleep mode from the Time mode, press both buttons 5 and 6 simultaneously. A first beep indicates that the watch is switching to Time Setting mode. The disk 33 indicates DETECT.

Do not release the two buttons 5 and 6. After a given time, for example 3 seconds, a second beep indicates that the watch enters Calibration mode, and the hands 1, 1' then overlap at 12 o'clock.

Always keeping the two buttons 5 and 6 pressed, after a given time, for example 5 seconds, a third beep indicates that the watch enters Sleep mode. The disc 33 indicates SENSOR. At this time, the two hands 1, 1' overlap at 9 o'clock.

In another illustrated version, notably shown in Figure 12, a wristwatch according to the present invention includes two push buttons 5, 6 and an LED 23. The watch has a dial 21, including a first dial area that features a first needle display 133 indicating various quantities or operating modes using a needle 134, and a second dial area that displays the measurement of each quantity on two scales 4, 4' using needles 1, 1', which also indicate the current time in the "Time" mode as illustrated in Figure 12. Unlike the example shown in Figure 8 previously described, the dial 21 and the needle display 133 form a single unit. Thus, the needle 134 rotates at the speed of a seconds hand in the "Time" mode, i.e., one revolution per minute. At the user's request, for example for battery or sensor life measurements, or automatically, for example upon gas detection, the needle 134 points to the corresponding mode/status on the first needle display 134.

The watch of the present invention is therefore able to detect a gas in a given area. However, when the alarm means are activated, the wearer of the watch may no longer be able to move, for example, if they have fainted. Therefore, the watch includes not only wireless communication means but also location means. Indeed, it is very important for people who have received an alert to be able to locate the watch's wearer. The watch can therefore include a pressure sensor 40, which allows the watch to determine its altitude relative to sea level with a very high level of accuracy. Thus, the wearer of the watch equipped with this pressure sensor 40 can be accurately located, for example, on which floor they are located if they are inside a multi-story building.

In another version of the watch, a simple GPS sensor may be sufficient to locate the area where the watch wearer is, without necessarily determining the specific floor if they are inside a multi-story building.

The watch of the present invention is an individual protection equipment capable of detecting multiple gases, thereby securing the area where its user is located.

Claims (15)

1. A device for measuring the concentration of a gas composing the ambient air, the device comprising a wristwatch comprising:

   - A watch case (13) containing a timepiece movement, time-indicating members (1, 1', 3, 9) visible through a glass of the watch case (13),

   - At least one sensor (11) arranged to measure the concentration of a gas composing the ambient air, this sensor (11) being located in a housing (12) of the watch case (13) or an element (14) attached to the watch case and having a surface inside this housing (12) exposed to ambient air through at least one orifice (2), the orifice (2) being on a part of the watch case (13) or on the attached element (14) which is not in contact with the wearer's wrist when the wristwatch is worn on the wrist,

   - A member (4, 4', 8, 9, 10) indicating the measured value of the gas concentration, in particular a graduated scale on a dial, and

   - Means for actuating an alert;

   The device comprising two operating states, a "time" state and an "alarm" state,

   Characterized in that

   the device is configured to operate according to a full operational sequence comprising the following three steps a), b) and c):

   a) In the "time" step, the time-indicating members (1, 1', 3, 9) indicate the time, and the sensor (11) continuously measures the gas concentration without displaying it and without actuating an alert in the absence of a measured gas concentration;

   b) If the sensor (11) detects a concentration of a gas when the sensor is in the "time" state, the device automatically switches to the "alert" state in which the time-indicating members (1, 1', 3, 9) are activated to indicate the time or inactivated to not indicate the time and wherein the member indicating the measured value of the gas concentration (4, 4', 8, 9, 10) displays this measured value, and furthermore the means for actuating an alert actuate an alert when reaching or crossing a threshold of the gas concentration measured by the sensor (11); and

   c) If the sensor (11) is no longer detecting a concentration of a gas when the sensor is in the "alert" state, the device automatically switches to the "time" state where the time-indicating members (1, 1', 3, 9) indicate the time and the sensor (11) continuously measures the gas concentration without displaying it and without triggering an alert in the absence of measured gas concentration;

   and wherein the wristwatch further comprises wireless communication means for transmitting information to another apparatus, namely the wireless communication means is arranged to transmit, to a smartphone or to a computer, information indicating that said threshold value of the measured gas concentration in the ambient air has been reached or exceeded.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the time-indicating members are, with the exception of what is specified here, normally non-operational while the device is in the "alert" state, the device comprising a control button, operable when the device in the "alert" state, so that these units indicate the time for a predefined duration and then the device returns to the "alert" state.
3. The device according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the wristwatch comprises an alert means, in particular a light alarm (23) and/or an audible alarm (28) and/or a vibrating alarm (26).
4. The device according one of the preceding claims, wherein the wristwatch comprises:

   - a control unit arranged to measure the operating state and/or the lifetime of components integrated into the watch case, in particular the sensor (11) or the lifetime of a power source (29); and/or

   - a storage unit arranged to maintain a history of the measured values of the gas concentration and optionally the measurements of the components integrated into the watch case and inspected by a control unit.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said means for actuating an alert are engaged when the control unit indicates that at least one component integrated into the watch case requires external intervention.
6. The device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising:

   - a set of hands (1, 1', 3) for displaying on the one hand the time and on the other hand the measured value of the gas concentration, or two sets of hands (1, 3, 18) to display these functions separately; or

   - a digital display (9) for displaying on the one hand the time and on the other hand for displaying the measured value of the gas concentration, or two digital displays (9, 10) to display these functions separately; or

   - a set of hands (1, 3) for displaying the time and a digital display (10) for displaying the measured value of the measured gas concentration or vice versa.
7. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wristwatch comprises a processing unit capable of receiving information from an external apparatus for configuring the watch, in particular for calibrating the sensor (11) or for updating the time.
8. The device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a processing unit and/or a control unit and/or a storage unit in one or more programmed microprocessors (17).
9. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wristwatch comprises a plurality of sensors (11) each arranged to respectively measure the concentration of a particular gas composing the ambient air.
10. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wristwatch comprises at least one sensor (11) capable of measuring hydrogen sulfide, or carbon monoxide.
11. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a geolocation sensor (40) is arranged to locate the device in a two-dimensional and optionally three-dimensional position.
12. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device also comprises a "sleep" state wherein the sensor (11) is deactivated, and at least one push-button, operable when the device in the "sleep" state, to switch the device to the "time" state.
13. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for actuating an alert actuate a multi-level alert depending on the concentration of gas in the ambient air measured by the sensor, each alert level corresponding to one or more sound or light beeps or vibrations, the intensity and frequency of which can vary.
14. The device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the time-indicating members comprise a dial and at least two hands (1, 1') of different lengths pivoting about an axis;

    - The device further comprising a segment of the dial extending at most over 150° and preferably at most over 120°, this dial segment bearing towards its periphery at least two arched areas with graduations or other indications regarding a measured gas concentration and/or a maintenance operation of the device, these areas being radially offset;

    - The hands cooperating with the dial to indicate the time during the "time" state; and

    - The hands of different length cooperate with the arched areas offset radially during the "alert" state to give at least one indication relating to the measured gas concentration and optionally a maintenance indication of the device.
15. The device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a dial with a disc whose circumference carries a series of indications relating to the measured gas concentration, the operation of the device and/or the lifetime of components integrated into the watch case and/or the lifetime of a power source;

    - The device further comprising means for rotating the disc or for rotating an indicator member relative to the disc in order to indicate a chosen indication and, according to the chosen indication, to operate the device or to make it possible to calculate various gas concentration parameters or perform the operations necessary to return the device to the operating state.