Horology: time measuring systems or devices – Cases – Wrist worn
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-20
2001-05-01
Roskoski, Bernard (Department: 2859)
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
Cases
Wrist worn
C368S010000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224254
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a radio telephone watch intended to be worn on a user's wrist. More precisely, the present invention relates to such a radio telephone watch intended to be used in a mobile communication system, such as for example, the GSM network (Global System for Mobile communications), this watch being capable of receiving, in a removable manner, a SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module) allowing access to said mobile communication system.
Communication devices, such as cellular telephones, intended to be used in a mobile communication system, such as, for example, the GSM network, commonly require the use of smartcards physically connected to the communication device. These smartcards are intended to assure both the identification of the users by an operator of the communication system, and the compatibility and interchangeability of the communication devices at the heart of this communication system.
These smartcards allow the user to have access to the mobile communication system via a provider or operator of the appropriate network. They thus contain data defining the access procedure to the mobile communication system and further allow storage of complementary data relating to the user, such as a personal identification number and/or a list of telephone numbers.
The dimensions and physical features of these smartcards are defined by international standards, in particular standards ISO/IEC 7810, 7816/1 and 7816/2. A smartcard of this type thus takes the form of a plastic card on which are arranged a printed circuit and an electronic chip. Essentially there exist two standard formats for smartcards intended for mobile communication devices. The first format is similar to that of a credit card (85.60×53.98×0.80 mm). The second format has dimensions of less than the order of 25.00×15.00×0.80 mm one example of which is illustrated in FIG.
1
and to which we will return later. These card formats are moreover commonly designated SIM cards. Such SIM cards are currently used in mobile communication devices.
In parallel, recent technological developments in the telephony field have allowed the dimensions of communication devices to be greatly reduced, thus allowing them to be integrated into portable devices of small size, such as watches. Such devices, which will be designated radio telephone watches in the description hereinafter, have been developed, first, to operate as cordless or <<microcellular>> telephones, i.e. small range telephones requiring a base station and using communication protocols such as standards CT-1, CT-2 or DECT. These cordless or <<microcellular>> telephones do not require a SIM card.
However, in order to make a cellular type of radio telephone watch, i.e. a radio telephone watch capable of operating in a global communication system, the watch must necessarily include a SIM card.
This SIM card constitutes an element which any user must be able to remove or replace easily. It is thus crucial to arranged the card in the mobile communication device in such a way that the user can easily have access thereto.
In mobile telephone devices such as cellular telephones, these SIM cards are generally arranged inside the case, for example under a module including a rechargeable battery which the user can easily remove.
Conversely, in the case of a radio telephone watch, it is preferable not to arrange the SIM card inside the watch case. It is in fact preferable typically only to authorise access to the interior of the case to enable a specialist to perform maintenance or limited reparations. However, it is sought to facilitate as much as possible the access and interchangeabililty of the SIM card.
One object of the present invention is thus to propose a radio telephone watch intended to be used in a mobile communication system, and capable of receiving a SIM card the accessibility and interchangeability of which is facilitated so that a user can remove or replace it quickly and easily.
The present invention thus concerns a radio telephone watch intended to be used in a mobile communication system, this watch including in particular a case and a wristband allowing said watch to be worn on the wrist, characterised in that the watch includes in particular:
a casing, associated with a first strand of said wristband, capable of receiving, in a removable manner, a SIM card (Subscriber Identity Module) allowing access to said mobile communication system;
an electronic module arranged in said watch case and allowing access to data stored in said SIM card; and
electric connection means between said SIM card and said electronic module, integrated in said first wristband strand.
The solution recommended by the present invention thus avoids incorporating the SIM card inside the watch case to which access is generally complex since it requires operations which it is desirable should only be performed by a watchmaking specialist. The removal and replacement of the SIM card are thus made easier and can be effected quickly by a non specialised user.
Consequently, the replacement or removal of the SIM card in a watch according to the present invention does not lead, via the arrangement thereof in the wristband of the watch, to deterioration in the features of the watch case, in particular the sealing thereof. The incorporation of the SIM card in the watch wristband allows any liquid infiltration, which could damage the watch, to be contained.
The casing of the radio telephone watch according to the present invention can advantageously be associated with the first wristband strand so as to be situated in a substantially plane zone of the wrist so that the user is not handicapped by the positioning of the casing.
The casing of the radio telephone watch according to the present invention can further be made water-resistant if so desired.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the casing can further advantageously be associated with a device assuring the fastening of the wristband. This casing can also advantageously be associated with the device assuring the fastening of the wristband so as to co-operate therewith, in particular to avoid any inadvertent opening of the casing including the SIM card.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, a supply source for the radio telephone watch can further be advantageously arranged in the casing able to receive the SIM card.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5144599 (1992-09-01), Blaich et al.
patent: 5625606 (1997-04-01), Openiano
patent: 5802014 (1998-09-01), Danko
patent: 298 01 806 U1 (1998-04-01), None
patent: 298 09 862 U1 (1998-11-01), None
patent: WO 90/13068 (1990-11-01), None
Born Jean-Jacques
Dinger Rudolf
Dubugnon Dominique
Hayek Nicolas Georges
Salathé Wilhelm
Griffin & Szipl, P.C.
Roskoski Bernard
The Swatch Group Management Services AG
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