DESC:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
[39 OF 1970]
&
The Patents Rules, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See Section 10 and Rule 13]

TITLE: “AN ANALOG TIMEPIECE WITH A COMMUNICATION MODULE”

Name and address of the Applicant:

TITAN COMPANY LIMITED, Integrity' No.193, Veerasandra, Electronics City P.O., Off
Hosur Main Road, Bangalore - 560100

Nationality: Indian

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
TECHNICAL FIELD

Present disclosure generally relates to a field of horology. Particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a timepiece. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an analog timepiece with a communication module.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Generally, timepieces or watches may be broadly classified into two categories such as analog timepiece and digital timepiece. The analog timepieces are employed with a mechanism, which may involve mechanical and electromechanical parts such as linkages, gear wheels, springs, coil, and the like for operating hands and/or indication units. In the analog timepieces, time is generally indicated by the position of an hour hand and a minute hand. Likewise, digital timepieces are configured with computing hardware such as a printed circuit board [PCB] or a control unit, a display unit and other integrated circuits.

With advancements in the field of horology and affinity towards the timepieces, it has led the timepiece to transpose from a mere time keeping device to a multi-functional gadget. Modern timepieces, such as smart watches or digital watches are adapted to indicate time in various time-zones and are also equipped with additional features such as alarms, altitude indication features, physiological monitoring features such as heartbeat count, step count, and the like. Some of the modern timepieces are also adapted with cellular features such as call alerts, message alerts, and the like. To enable these functions, the timepiece may be equipped with an operating system, rechargeable batteries, and the like.

In the recent past, the timepiece such as smart watches are equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) tags to pair and establish wireless connection with the nearby readable devices. The use of Near Field Communication (NFC) in watches has enabled watches to be used in a wide variety of applications such as payment processing, data transfer and the like. Though the smart watches are modernized and user friendly, affinity towards other category of timepieces such as analog watches, have been considerably increasing, due to their aesthetic and eye appealing configuration. But, many customers still prefer the technologically advanced features of the digital watch with a face of the analog watch. This scenario has demanded to cater some of the features available in digital and smart watches into the analog timepieces.

However, incorporating the NFC feature in the analog timepieces, is a tedious and cumbersome process, as it includes metallic components. The metallic components hinders enablement of the NFC tag, since the metal dial restrict the electromagnetic waves from reader devices and will not allow the NFC tag to energize and communicate with the nearby reading devices. Further, various modifications to the internal configuration, shape, mode of mechanism and the like of the timepiece are required to incorporate the integrated and control circuits, which are required to control the NFC feature, which is tedious and cumbersome process.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above and any other limitations associated with the conventional techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The shortcomings of the conventional techniques are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the configuration of the analog timepiece as disclosed in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, an analog timepiece is disclosed. The analog timepiece includes a base member and a movement holder supported by the base member. The movement holder is defined with at least one groove. Further, the analog timepiece includes a dial plate supported by the base member where the dial plate is configured to cover the movement holder. Furthermore, the analog timepiece includes a communication module accommodated in the at least one groove, and sandwiched between the movement holder and the dial plate.

In an embodiment, the communication module is adapted to generate communication signals for communicating with at least one external device.

In an embodiment, the dial plate is defined with a cavity to accommodate the communication module.

In an embodiment, the cavity is defined in the dial plate is a stepped depression.

In an embodiment, the at least one groove is defined on a top surface of the movement holder.

In an embodiment, the communication module is connected to a power source of the analog timepiece and is defined with an antenna configured to transmit and receive data through a near field communication (NFC) signals.

In an embodiment, the movement holder is manufactured by a polymeric material.

In an embodiment, the movement holder is configured to support a movement mechanism, wherein the movement mechanism is configured to actuate at least one hand of the analog timepiece.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure. 1 illustrates a sectional view of an analog timepiece employed with a communication module, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a dial plate and a movement holder of the analog timepiece, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the system illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure and modify various constructions and configurations of the analog timepiece. However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a device, system, assembly that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or device.

Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a timepiece employed with a communication module, such as but not limiting to a near field communication (NFC) tag. In an embodiment, the timepiece may be an analog timepiece, typically a wrist watch. Generally, NFC tag placed in analog timepieces may not function efficiently, since the metal components in the analog timepieces blocks the wireless transmission between the NFC tag and the corresponding readable devices. The metallic components hinders operation of the NFC tag, since the metallic components absorbs the electromagnetic waves from readable devices. This phenomenon thus, hinders the NFC tag from communicating with the other devices and thus, leads to uncontrolled disabling or connection losses of wireless transmission between the intended nearby paired devices. Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses the analog timepiece, which is capable of being equipped with the communication module for effective and efficient communication.

The analog timepiece of the present disclosure may include a movement holder made of polymeric material or encased within a polymeric casing. The movement holder may be defined with at least one groove. The at least one groove may be configured to accommodate the communication module. Further, the analog timepiece [herein referred to as timepiece] may include a dial plate, which may be positioned on the movement holder and cover the movement holder such that, the communication module may be sandwiched between the dial plate and the movement holder. This configuration of the analog timepiece aids in enabling the communication module within the timepiece with minimum/less modifications to the components of the timepiece, unlike conventional configurations, which require extensive modifications for employing the communication module, thereby leading to thickness of the timepiece, which is undesired.

Reference will be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to Figures. 1 and 2. In the figures, only part of the timepiece is illustrated for the purpose of simplicity. The figure show only exemplary configuration of the movement holder, dial plate positioned in the casing and does not illustrate other components.

Figure. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, illustrating a front sectional view of an analog timepiece (100) [hereinafter referred as timepiece (100)]. The timepiece (100) may include a casing (101), which may be adapted to encase different components of the timepiece (100). In an embodiment, the casing (101) may be manufactured of metallic material or alloy. An inner surface of the casing (101) may be defined with a plurality of stepped portions, formed by not limiting to turning operation, to facilitate positioning of different components at desired locations within the casing (101). In an embodiment, the casing (101) may be in various geometrical configurations such as but not limiting to circular, square, triangle and the like based on the design of the timepiece (100) and user preference. Further, the timepiece (100) may include a base member (109), which may be fixed to one end of the casing (101). As apparent from Figure. 1, the timepiece (100) may further include a movement holder (103) which may be supported by the base member (109). The movement holder (103) may be configured to support a movement mechanism 107), where the movement mechanism (107) may be configured to actuate at least one hand (108) of the timepiece (100). In an embodiment, the movement mechanism (107) may include driving elements such as a rotor, a stator, a coil, gear arrangement and the like or the mechanical linkages [not shown in figures] to actuate the at least one hand (108) of the timepiece (100). Further, the timepiece (100) may also include a power source such as a battery (not shown in figures) or the mechanical spring to power the movement (107). In an embodiment, the movement holder (103) may be made of a polymeric material.

Further referring to Figure. 1, the movement holder (103) may be defined with at least one groove (110). In an embodiment, the at least one groove (110) may be defined on a top surface of the movement holder (103). Further, the timepiece (100) may include a communication module (104), which may be accommodated in the at least one groove (110). The communication module (104) may be configured to generate communication signals for communicating at least one external device. In an embodiment, the communication module (104) may be connected to the power source of the timepiece (100) which may include an antenna [not shown in figure]. The antenna may be configured transmit and receive data through near field communication (NFC) signals. As seen in Figure. 1, the timepiece (100) may include a dial plate (105), which may be supported by the movement holder (103). That is, the dial plate (105) may be engaged with respective stepped portion in the casing (101), and may cover the top surface of the movement holder (103) such that, the communication module (104) may be sandwiched between the movement holder (103) and the dial plate (105). In an embodiment, the dial plate (105) may include a provision for allowing an extension of a driving unit [not shown] from a movement (107) of the timepiece (100). At least one hand (108) may be coupled to the extension of the driving unit. Further, the timepiece (100) may include a mineral glass (102), which may be positioned at a distance from the dial plate (105), within the casing (101).

In an embodiment, the configuration of adapting the timepiece (100) with the movement holder (103) made of polymeric material, such as plastic and, accommodating the communication module (104) within the plurality of grooves (110) aids the communication module (104) to pair with other devices such as mobile phones, payment transaction devices, smart watches and the like through wireless communications, without interference from any of the components of the timepiece (100). Further, this configuration aids in employing the communication module (104) in the timepiece (100) without modification to the structure of the casing (101) unlike conventional techniques, which require modification to the timepiece (100) for employing the communication module (104), leading to increase in size and thickness of the timepiece (100), which is undesired.

In an embodiment, the configuration of the analog timepiece (100) facilitates in employing and enabling the communication module (104) without increasing thickness of the analog timepiece (100).
Now turning to Figure. 2 which illustrates an exploded front view of a timepiece (100), in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. As seen in Figure. 2, the dial plate (105) manufactured of plastic material may be defined with a cavity (111). In an embodiment, the cavity (111) may be defined on a bottom surface of the dial plate (105). The cavity (111) may be configured to accommodate the communication module (104). Further, the dial plate (105) accommodating the communication module (104) may be positioned on the movement holder (103), such that the communication module (104) may be sandwiched between the dial plate (105) and the movement holder (103). This configuration, aids in employing and enabling the communication module (104) with minimum modification to the timepiece (100), unlike the conventional techniques which require modification to the timepiece (100) increasing the size and thickness of the timepiece (100).
In an embodiment, the configuration of the analog timepiece (100) enables the end user to simplify the mobile tasks, such as but not limiting to wireless access control, e-visiting card, smart home automatic solutions, enabling payments and the like, without having use the mobile phones.
EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general, such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

REFERRAL NUMERICALS

Numerical
Particulars
100 Timepiece
101 Casing
102 Mineral glass
103 Movement holder
104 Communication module
105 Dial plate
106 Stepped portion
107 Movement mechanism
108 Hands
109 Base member
110 Groove
111 Cavity
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. An analog timepiece (100), comprising:
a base member (109);
a movement holder (103) supported by the base member (109), wherein the movement holder (103) is defined with at least one groove (110);
a dial plate (105) supported by the base member (109), wherein the dial plate (105) is configured to cover the movement holder (103); and
a communication module (104) accommodated in the at least one groove (110), and sandwiched between the movement holder (103) and the dial plate (105).

2. The analog timepiece (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication module (104) is adapted to generate communication signals, for communicating with at least one external device.

3. The analog timepiece (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dial plate (105) is defined with a cavity (111) to accommodate the communication module (104).

4. The analog timepiece (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cavity (111) defined in the dial plate (105) is a stepped depression.

5. The analog timepiece (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one groove (110) is defined on a top surface of the movement holder (103).

6. The analog timepiece (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication module (104) is connected to a power source of the analog timepiece (100) and is defined with an antenna configured to transmit and receive data through a near field communication (NFC) signals.

7. The analog timepiece (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement holder (103) is manufactured by a polymeric material.
8. The analog timepiece (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement holder (103) is configured to support a movement mechanism (107), wherein the movement mechanism (107) is configured to actuate at least one hand (108) of the analog timepiece (100).

Dated this 12th of August, 2021

GOPINATH AS
IN/PA 1852
OF K&S PARTNERS
AGENT FOR THE APPLICANT