HK1214375B - Multi-functional portable device controlled by outside information - Google Patents

Description

Multifunctional portable device controlled by external information

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a multifunctional portable device comprising a display module configured to display one or more functions simultaneously or sequentially and controlled by external information. The present invention also relates to a multifunctional portable device comprising a control unit configured to receive external information and control the display module. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling a multifunctional portable device.

Background Art

Multifunctional watches are known that enable various operating modes. For example, electronic watches typically include current time, alarm, clock, and stopwatch-type functions. However, the input and display capabilities of most watches are limited by available space and by the user's dexterity.

To expand this capability, a menu system can be implemented to enable the user to sequentially select parameters to configure the watch for operating the watch according to a given function. Such a menu system quickly becomes complex when multiple functionalities must be programmed, and navigating the menus can be time-consuming and counterintuitive.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to propose a multifunctional portable device that is free from the limitations of known devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional portable device in which one or more functions are selected by means of an input external to the device.

According to the present invention, these objects are achieved in particular by a multifunctional portable device, which includes a display module driven by an actuator and configured to display one or more display functions simultaneously or sequentially, and a control unit; the control unit is configured to receive external information and to control the display module according to the received external information and in accordance with the one or more display functions.

According to one embodiment, the device comprises a remote control device that enables a user to select the one or more functions that he or she wishes to see performed on the multifunction device and to generate corresponding external information.

External information is transmitted between the remote control device and the multifunction device by means of a wireless connection module comprising communication means by optical or radio waves, in particular using a transmission protocol and preferably using Bluetooth Low Energy.

According to another embodiment, the device further comprises an information carrier comprising a code portion of an application, the application being configured for execution in the multifunction device so as to manage the entry of a selection of the one or more functions and the generation of external information associated with the one or more selected functions.

This solution presents the following advantages over the prior art, inter alia: it limits the input on the multifunction device and enables easier selection of functions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An implementation example of the invention is indicated in the description illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG1 schematically illustrates a multifunctional portable device including a display module controlled by a control unit according to one embodiment;

FIG2 shows details of a control unit according to one embodiment;

FIG3 illustrates different display modules of a multifunction device according to one embodiment; and

FIG4 shows an input device of a remote control device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG1 schematically illustrates a multifunctional portable device 10 according to one embodiment. The multifunctional portable device 10 includes a display module 2. In the example of FIG1 , the multifunctional portable device 10 is a timepiece, and the display module 2 is an analog type 14. The multifunctional device 10 is configured to display one or more display functions simultaneously or sequentially. For example, the multifunctional device 10 can be configured to sequentially display a traditional time function and a stopwatch function using the display module 2.

The multifunctional device 10 comprises a control unit 12 configured for receiving external information 7 and for controlling the display module 2 according to the received external information 7 and in accordance with the one or more display functions.

FIG2 illustrates details of a control unit 12 according to one embodiment. Specifically, the control unit 12 includes an actuator 3 that drives the display module 2 and a control module 6 that controls the actuator 3. A receiving unit 4, in communication with the control module 6, is configured to receive external information 7 and transmit it to the control module 6. The external information 7 includes a selection of one or more display functions, so that the control module 6, having received the information 7, can control the display module 2 according to the selected display function or functions. The control unit 12 also includes one or more inputs 19 and a connector 11 that can be connected to one or more control mechanisms, such as push rods and crown wheels, and/or sensors, such as accelerometers, magnetic sensors, and pressure sensors.

In one embodiment, the external information 7 is generated by a remote control device 20. The remote control device 20 includes an input device 21 that enables a user to select one or more functions that the user wishes to see executed on the multifunction device 10. The remote control device 20 may include a mobile phone, a PC, a digital tablet, a console, or any other device that includes an input device and is capable of transmitting the external information 7 to the multifunction device 10. Preferably, the remote control device 20 is a mobile phone of the "smartphone" type.

The wireless connection module 8 enables transmission of external information 7 between the remote control device 20 and the receiving unit 4 of the multi-function device 10 .

In one embodiment, control unit 12 is included in remote control device 20 .

In the case of a timepiece application, it is advantageous that the components forming the multifunction device 10 can operate at low power. For example, the control module 6 may include a microcontroller adapted for low-power embedded applications. The wireless connection module 8 may include, for example, a communication device based on the IEEE 802.15.4 specification (such as), or based on the IEEE 802.11 specification (such as a WiFi device). The wireless connection module 8 may also include any communication device using optical or radio waves, a communication device using infrared radiation known under the acronym IrDA, or a near-field communication device (NFC). The wireless connection module 8 preferably uses a transmission protocol and preferably also uses the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) protocol. The multifunction device 10 may also include a power management unit 13. The power management unit 13 may typically include a battery combined with a charge management device and a voltage regulator (not shown).

FIG3 illustrates a different display module 2 of a multifunction device 10, represented in the form of an analog watch display. In the example of FIG3a, the display module 2 includes hands 14 for hours, minutes, and seconds, and a rotating disk 17, each of which holds an indication opposite a window 15. Such a display enables the display of, for example, traditional time functions as well as functions such as a stopwatch and calendar. In the examples of FIG3b and 3c, the rotating disk 17 and the supplementary hands 16 enable the display of functions such as adjustment, countdown, and counting.

The one or more functions may include, in particular, one or a combination of the following functions: indexing, synchronization, adjustment, chronograph, countdown, point counter, score counter, occurrence counter, alarm, prayer time, programmable alarm, time zone, civil calendar, religious calendar, lunar calendar, solar calendar, astrological events, astronomical events, total time (navigation device), battery status, or mission calendar. The one or more functions may of course include any other function that can be used on a watch.

In the example of FIG3 , actuator 3 may include multiple stepper motors, each of which independently drives each indicator (handles 14, 16, turntable 17). The stepper motors may be bidirectional, for example, to drive the hands in reverse. In certain cases, the stepper motors may include a dual-rate box with 2° and 3° steps per second and three single-rate boxes with 6° steps per second.

The control unit 12 may further comprise a buzzer device 22, for example a piezoelectric device controlled by the microcontroller 6, and/or a movement sensor such as an accelerometer (not shown).

In another embodiment, the multifunction device 10 includes a transmission unit 5 that is also in communication with the wireless connection module 8. The transmission unit 5 is arranged to transmit internal information 18 corresponding to an indication of the display module 2 (such as the current time, the day of the month, the operating reserve, etc.). The internal information 18 may also correspond to values calculated and/or stored during the execution of one or more selected functions, such as elapsed or remaining time, a score, a quantity, etc.

In a variant, the multifunctional device 10 additionally comprises a storage unit 9 making it possible to store internal information 18 and/or external information 7.

In yet another embodiment, the multifunction device 10 includes a control mechanism for one or more selected functions. Control of the one or more selected functions may include setting the time, adjusting an alarm, setting stopwatch parameters, or other functions. The control mechanism may be in the form of a conventional push rod and/or crown wheel, or any other form, and is used to control the one or more selected functions, such as starting a stopwatch, activating a countdown, etc.

In one embodiment, the control mechanism for one or more selected functions includes an input device 21 provided on the remote control device 20. In the example of FIG4 , the control mechanism includes a touch screen 21 adapted to display sensitive graphical elements 23 corresponding to the indicators 14, 15, 16, and 17 of the display module 2. Specifically, the touch screen 21 includes three sensitive graphical elements 23 in the form of concentric rings, each of which corresponds to one of the hands 14 and 16 of the display 2. For example, the inner ring may correspond to the hour hand, the middle ring to the minute hand, and the outer ring to the second hand. The user can advance or retract each of the corresponding hands 14 by sliding a finger or stylus over the corresponding graphical element 23 in the corresponding direction. Other display configurations for controlling one or more selected functions are also possible. The screen 21 may also be used to display internal information 18 transmitted by the multifunction device 10, such as the current time or values calculated during the execution of one or more selected functions.

An application program can be configured to execute in the remote control device 20 to manage the entry of one or more function selections and the generation of external information 7 associated with the one or more selected functions. The application program can also manage the generation and processing of the entry device 21 and/or internal information 18 transmitted by the multifunction device 10. The application program can be downloaded from a memory associated with a processing device of the remote control device 20, such as the storage unit 9. The download operation can be achieved by using a CD or DVD player, a USB key, or any other type of reading unit (not shown) connected to the remote control device 20. The download operation can also be achieved wirelessly. If the remote control device 20 is a smartphone, the software can take the form of a dedicated application program. The software can also be used to manage peripheral devices of the control unit 12 and to manage communications between the control module 6 and the wireless connection module 8. The application program can also be configured to execute in the multifunction device 10.

It is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment just described, and those skilled in the art can envision a variety of simple variations and modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the multifunction device 10 can include any other portable device that includes an analog display or any other mechanism driven by an actuator.

In one embodiment, a multifunctional portable device 10 includes a display module 2 driven by an actuator 3 and configured to display one or more display functions simultaneously or sequentially. The portable device may include a timepiece, such as a wristwatch, a pocket watch, or any other portable device capable of displaying information, such as a pedometer, an activity monitor, and the like.

The multifunctional portable device 10 further comprises a control unit 12 configured for receiving external information 7 and for controlling the display module 2 according to the received external information 7 and in accordance with the one or more display functions.

Display module 2 can be analog or digital type.For example, display module 2 can include one or more mobile indicators.Referring again to Fig. 3, display module 2 includes a pointer 14 for indicating the current time, a pointer 16 for displaying functions such as, for example, adjustment, countdown, counting, etc. Display module 2 also includes a rotation indicator disk 17. Each of these mobile members 14, 16, 17 can be driven by actuator 3, for example, by a stepper motor, a DC motor or its size and power consumption making it suitable for any other actuator used in a clock. Other types of indicators for display module 2 can also be envisioned, for example, roller indicators, electrical indicators (electronic ink, LCD, LED or OLED) or mechanical and electrical hybrid indicators.

In one embodiment, the wireless connection module 8 comprises an antenna comprised in the one or more movement indicators 14, 16, 17. In the case where the one or more indicators comprise a pointer 14, 16 and/or a dial 17, these latter may act as antennas.

The device 10 further comprises an information carrier comprising a code portion of an application comprising a plurality of display functions (e.g. a library of functions such as those listed above), each of the display functions being configured for execution in the multifunction device 10.

The device 10 further comprises a selection device which enables a subset of display functions to be selected from a plurality of display functions in order to generate the external information 7 comprising the subset of display functions. The device 10 further comprises a control mechanism which enables a predetermined display function to be selected from the subset of display functions in order to enable the control unit 12 to control the display module 2 according to the predetermined display function.

In one embodiment, the timepiece includes a pusher or crown wheel, for example, on the watch case. The control mechanism may then include the pusher or crown wheel, and user action on the pusher or crown wheel enables selection of a predetermined display function from the subset of display functions. For example, a predetermined display function from the subset of display functions may be selected by pressing a pusher button or crown wheel twice in succession.

In one embodiment, the multifunctional portable device 10 includes a remote control device 20 ( FIG. 1 ), which includes an information carrier. For example, if the remote control device 20 is a "smartphone," tablet, or other type of smart device, the information carrier may be in the form of an application installed on the smart device.

In this case, the selection means may include entry means included in the remote control apparatus 20. For example, the touch screen 21 of the remote control apparatus 20 may serve as the selection means.

In one embodiment, the information carrier (or application) is configured to display a sensitive graphic element 23 on the touch screen 21 of the remote control device 20. When the control unit 12 controls the display module 2 according to the predetermined display function, the sensitive graphic element 23 can be activated by a manual action of the user to control the display module 2.

Each of the sensitive graphical elements 23 may be associated with one of the indicators 14, 16, 17. In this case, each of the indicators 14, 16, 17 may be controlled by a manual action of the user on the associated sensitive graphical element 23.

According to another embodiment, one or more display functions displayed by display module 2 depend on indications supplied by one or more electronic sensors of a portable device, such as a watch. These one or more electronic sensors may include, alone or in combination: a temperature sensor for a thermometer function; a magnetic field sensor for a compass and racing function; a speed sensor, an accelerometer, or a radiolocation interface, a GPS receiver, or any other geolocation receiver for measuring speed, acceleration, jump height, spin, navigation, and racing functions; and a pulse sensor for a pulsometer and training monitor function. Such electronic sensors may also be configured to measure physical or chemical quantities such as pulse, blood sugar, pulse oximetry (SpO2), and the like. As described above, the one or more electronic sensors may be connected to control unit 12 via connector 11 and one or more inputs 19. However, internal information 18 from the one or more electronic sensors may advantageously interact with the code portion of an application program to generate external information 7 received by control unit 12. The interaction of the internal information 18 from the one or more sensors with the code portion of the application may also include processing that enables the calculation of values to be displayed within the scope of the selected function on the display module 2 (such as elapsed or remaining time, pulse value, user's physical activity rate, or other).

In one embodiment, the control method of the multifunctional portable device 10 includes the following steps:

selecting a subset of display functions among a plurality of display functions by means of a selection means; and

A predetermined display function is selected among the subset of display functions by means of the control mechanism, so that the control unit 12 controls the display module 2 according to said predetermined display function.

In a variant in which the control mechanism enables acting on the display module 2, the method may further comprise the step of actuating the control mechanism so as to act on the display module 2 during the function of the control unit 12 to control the display module 2 according to said predetermined display function.

In a variant in which the control mechanism comprises a push-rod or a crown wheel, selection of a predetermined display function can be achieved by two consecutive presses on the push-rod button or the crown wheel.

In a variant in which the multifunctional portable device 10 includes a remote control device 20 comprising a touch screen 21 on which sensitive graphical elements 23 are displayed, actuation of the control mechanism may comprise a manual action of the user in order to control the display module 2 when the control unit 12 controls the display module 2 according to a predetermined display function.

In another variant, the remote control device 20 includes a visualization device, such as a camera. The display module 2 can then be visualized using the visualization device. The value displayed by the display module 2 can be determined. The value displayed by the display module 2 can then be modified by comparing the displayed value with a predetermined value. By way of example, the multifunctional portable device 10 can be a watch, whose display module 2 includes hands 14, 16. The position of the hands 14, 16 at a given time can then be recorded by the camera of the remote control device 20. The remote control device 20 or the watch 10 can include an analysis device that interprets the position of the hands based on the recording and determines the corresponding displayed value. It is then possible to modify the value displayed by the display module 2 by comparing the displayed value with a predetermined value. For example, in a synchronization or indexing function of the display 2, the hands can be aligned to "0" (relative to the scale on the dial) from their position at the time of recording. In this case, the analysis device, for example, included in an application, can calculate the difference in the position of each hand in order to move them to "0."

Reference numerals used in the drawings

2 indicators

3 Actuators

4 Receiving unit

5 Transmission Unit

6 Control Module

7 External Information

8 Wireless connection module

9 storage units

10. Multifunctional device

11 Connectors

12 Control Unit

13 Power Management Unit

14 pointer

15 Window

16 Supplementary pointers

17 Turntable

18 Inside Information

19 Input

20 Remote Control Devices

21 Recording device

22 Buzzer

23 sensitive graphic elements

Claims (15)

1. A multifunctional portable device (10), comprising: The display module (2), driven by the actuator (3), includes a pointer (14) for displaying hours, minutes and seconds for time functions and at least one additional analog display (15, 16, 17) arranged for displaying time or non-time functions. Each of the analog displays is driven independently by a motor to enable the simultaneous display of the time function and the time or non-time function; and The control unit (12) is configured to receive external information (7) and to control the display module (2) according to one or more display functions based on the received external information (7). Its features The multifunctional portable device (10) includes a remote control device (20), which includes an information carrier comprising: a code portion of an application program including multiple display functions, each of which is configured to execute in the multifunctional device (10); The remote control device (20) includes a selection device that enables the selection of a subset of display functions among a plurality of display functions in order to generate external information (7) including the subset of display functions; each of the analog displays including the pointer (14) and the at least one additional analog display (15, 16, 17) is driven by a motor according to the received external information (7) in order to simultaneously display the subset of display functions; At least one of the analog displays (14, 16, 17) is configured to sequentially display more than one display function according to a selected subset of functions; and A control mechanism that enables the selection of a predetermined display function from a subset of selected display functions, so that the control unit (12) can control the display module (2) according to the predetermined display function. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control mechanism further enables the display module (2) to act on the display module (2) during the function of the control unit (12) to control the display module (2) according to the predetermined display function. 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the portable device is a watch component and wherein the control mechanism includes a push rod or crown gear of the watch component. 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the control mechanism is activatable to select a predetermined display function after pressing the push button or crown gear twice in succession. 5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a wireless connection module (8) that enables the transmission of the external information (7) between the remote control device (20) and the receiving unit (4); and wherein the wireless connection module (8) comprises an antenna included in the one or more motion indicators (14, 16, 17). 6. The device according to claim 2, wherein the control mechanism includes a touch screen (21) of the remote control device (20), the touch screen (21) being configured to display a sensitive graphic element (23), the sensitive graphic element (23) being activatable by a user's manual action to control the display module (2) when the control unit (12) controls the display module (2) according to the predetermined display function. 7. The device according to claim 6, wherein each of the sensitive graphic elements (23) is associated with one of the indicators (14, 16, 17), and each of the indicators (14, 16, 17) can be controlled by a user’s manual action on the associated sensitive graphic element (23). 8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the remote control device (20) includes a mobile phone, a personal computer, a digital tablet or a console. 9. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of display functions particularly include one or a combination of the following functions: indexing, synchronization, timing, countdown, alarm clock, programmable alarm, time zone, calendar, or battery status. 10. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of display functions depend on indications supplied by one or more electronic sensors of the portable device. 11. A method for controlling a multifunctional portable device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: By means of a selection device, a subset of display functions can be selected from multiple display functions; By means of a control mechanism, a predetermined display function is selected from a subset of display functions so that the control unit (12) controls the display module (2) according to the predetermined display function. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the control mechanism is further configured to act on the display module (2); The method includes the following steps: actuating a control mechanism to act on the display module (2) during the period when the function of the control unit (12) controls the display module (2) according to the predetermined display function. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the multifunctional portable device is a watch component (10), and the control mechanism includes a push rod or crown gear of the watch component; and The preset display function can be selected by pressing the push button or crown gear twice in succession. 14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the multifunctional portable device (10) further comprises: a remote control device (20) including a visualization device. The method includes the step of visualizing the display module (2) by means of a visualization device; Determine the value displayed by the display module (2); The value displayed by the display module (2) is modified by comparing the displayed value with the predetermined value. 15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the selection device includes an input device (21) included in the remote control device (20), the input device including a touch screen (21) configured to display a sensitive graphic element (23), the sensitive graphic element (23) being activatable by a user's manual action to control the display module (2) when the control unit (12) controls the display module (2) according to the predetermined display function; The actuation of the control mechanism includes manual actions by the user to control the display module (2) when the control unit (12) controls the display module (2) according to the predetermined display function.