# US 2018/0020786 A1 · Connected bracelet > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0020786 A1 - Document ID: US20180020786A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/510,172 - Filed: 2015-09-09 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-12 - Assignees: Geosatis SA - Inventors: José Carlos Fernandes Demetrio; Anita Durand; Christophe Pierre; Vincent Praplan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180020786A1 ## CPC - A44C 5/24: with folding devices - A44C 5/12: C-spring-type bracelets or wrist-watch holders - A61B 5/02: Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the cardiovascular system, e.g. pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow - A61B 5/72: {Signal processing specially adapted for physiological signals or for diagnostic purposes} - G04C 10/00: Arrangements of electric power supplies in time-pieces {(Mounting, assembling of components G04C3/008)} - G04G 17/06: Electric connectors, e.g. conductive elastomers - A63B 2230/00: Measuring physiological parameters of the user - G04G 21/04: using radio waves (radio-controlled time-pieces G04R) - A44C: PERSONAL ADORNMENTS, e.g. JEWELLERY; COINS - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G04C: ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES - G04G: ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract Bracelet for a timepiece, the bracelet comprising at least a first strap section and a second strap section, each strap section comprising a first end adapted to be joined to a watchcase and a second end joined to a foldable clasp, the foldable clasp being arranged such that it exhibits an unfolded state, in which said second ends are at a maximum separation, and a folded state, in which said second ends are maintained at a minimum separation, the first strap section comprising at least one first electrical component and the second strap section comprising at least one second electrical component. The first electrical component is permanently electrically connected to the second electrical component of at least one electrical wire passing through the foldable clasp, wherein the foldable clasp comprises at least a first clasp section and a second clasp section joined by a first hinge, the electrical wire passing through a passageway provided through each of the first clasp section, the second clasp section and the first hinge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Bracelet for a timepiece, the bracelet comprising at least a first strap section and a second strap section, each strap section comprising a first end adapted to be joined to a watchcase and a second end joined to a foldable clasp, the foldable clasp being arranged such that it exhibits an unfolded state, in which said second ends are at a maximum separation, and a folded state, in which said second ends are maintained at a minimum separation, the first strap section comprising at least one first electrical component and the second strap section comprising at least one second electrical component, wherein the first electrical component is permanently electrically connected to the second electrical component by at least one electrical wire passing through the foldable clasp, wherein the foldable clasp comprises at least a first clasp section and a second clasp section joined by a first hinge, the electrical wire passing through a passageway provided through each of the first clasp section, the second clasp section and the first hinge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the foldable clasp comprises a third clasp section joined to the first clasp section by a second hinge, the electrical wire also passing through a passageway provided through each of the third clasp section, and the second hinge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) Bracelet according to claim 2, wherein the first clasp section is disposed between the second clasp section and the third clasp section, each of the second clasp section and the third clasp section being arranged so as to be contained within the first clasp section when the foldable clasp is in its folded state. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the passageway comprises a first groove formed between two adjacently-disposed clasp section sub elements forming one of said clasp sections. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the passageway comprises a second groove provided through at least one clasp section in a lateral wall thereof, the second groove being closed by a cover plate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) Bracelet according to claim 4, wherein each hinge comprises at least one hollow tube, said passageway passing through at least one hollow tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the electrical wire forms a loop in at least one of the hinges. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) Bracelet according to claim 6, wherein said tube comprises a circumferential groove arranged towards each end of the tube, the hinge being secured by pins each passing through one of said clasp sub elements and tangentially through one of said grooves. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Bracelet according to claim 1, wherein said electrical components comprise a communication transponder, an antenna in operative connection with said communication transponder, and a processing unit in operative connection with the communication transponder, and wherein the bracelet further comprises a transducer for measuring at least one physiological property in operative connection with the communication transponder. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) Bracelet according to claim 9, wherein said physiological property is at least one of: heart rate; pulse; blood oxygenation; blood glucose; skin temperature; presence of a foreign substance including one of alcohol, pharmaceuticals or drugs. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) Bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the bracelet further comprises a switch in operative connection with the processing unit, said switch comprising a rotor rotatable between a first angular position in which the rotor protrudes above a surface of the bracelet and a second angular position in which the rotor is flush with or sunk with respect to the bracelet, and wherein the state of the switch is determined by the angular position of the rotor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) Bracelet according to claim 11, wherein the switch comprises a reed switch mounted in the interior of the bracelet, and wherein the rotor comprises at least one magnet arranged close the reed switch in one of said angular positions and to open the reed switch in the other of said angular positions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) Bracelet according to claim 12, wherein the bracelet comprises a magnetic détente mechanism adapted to maintain the rotor in the first angular position against unintentional rotation thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) Bracelet according to claim 13, wherein the reed switch is a polarised reed switch comprising at least one reed switch magnet, wherein the magnetic détente mechanism incorporates the reed switch magnet and the at least one magnet comprised by the rotor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) Bracelet according to claim 11, wherein the axis of rotation of the rotor is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bracelet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) Bracelet according to claim 1, further comprising at least one battery housing adapted to receive a battery, the battery housing being situated at said second end of at least one of said strap sections. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) Bracelet according to claim 16, further comprising a battery housing situated at said second end of each of said strap sections. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) Bracelet according to claim 16, wherein said battery is not removable by the user. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) Bracelet according to claim 16, wherein said housing comprises guiding means adapted to align and support a removable battery, a retaining mechanism for retaining said removable battery in the housing, and an electrical interface arranged to connect the battery to said electrical component. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) Bracelet according to claim 19, wherein the electrical interface comprises a friction or détente mechanism constituting the retaining mechanism. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) Bracelet according to claim 19, wherein the bracelet is arranged such that, when the foldable clasp is in its unfolded state, said removable batteries can be removed from their respective housings, and such that, when the foldable clasp is in its folded state, the battery housings are superposed to the foldable clasp such that said removable batteries are blocked in their respective housings and cannot be removed. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) Bracelet according to claim 1, wherein the first end of at least one of the first strap section and the second strap section is adjustable in length. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) Bracelet according to claim 22, wherein said first end comprises a number of discrete links which can be added or removed. ### Claim 24 Bracelet for a timepiece, the bracelet comprising at least a first strap section and a second strap section, each strap section comprising a first end adapted to be joined to a watchcase and a second end joined to a foldable clasp, the foldable clasp being arranged such that it exhibits an unfolded state, in which said second ends are at a maximum separation, and a folded state, in which said second ends are maintained at a minimum separation, at least one of the first strap section and the second strap section comprising at least one electrical component, wherein the bracelet further comprises at least one battery housing adapted to receive a battery, the battery housing being situated at said second end of at least one of said strap sections. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) Bracelet according to claim 24, further comprising a battery housing situated at said second end of each of said strap sections. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) Bracelet according to claim 24, wherein said battery housing comprises guiding means adapted to align and support a removable battery, a retaining mechanism for retaining said removable battery in the housing, and an electrical interface arranged to connect the battery to said electrical component. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) Bracelet according to claim 26, wherein the electrical interface comprises a détente mechanism constituting the retaining mechanism. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) Bracelet according to claim 25, wherein the bracelet is arranged such that, when the foldable clasp is in its unfolded state, said removable batteries can be removed from their respective housings, and such that, when the foldable clasp is in its folded state, the battery housings are superposed to the foldable clasp such that said removable batteries are blocked in their respective housings and cannot be removed. ### Claim 29 Bracelet for a timepiece, the bracelet comprising at least one strap section in which is situated electronics comprising a communication transponder, an antenna in operative connection with said antenna, and a processing unit in operative connection with the communication transponder, wherein the bracelet further comprises a switch in operative connection with the processing unit, said switch comprising a rotor rotatable between a first angular position in which the rotor protrudes above a surface of the bracelet and a second angular position in which the rotor is flush with or sunk with respect to the bracelet, and wherein the state of the switch is determined by the angular position of the rotor. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) Bracelet according to claim 29, wherein the switch comprises a reed switch mounted in the interior of the bracelet, and wherein the rotor comprises at least one magnet arranged to close the reed switch in one of said angular positions and open the reed switch in the other of said angular positions. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) Bracelet according to claim 30, wherein the bracelet comprises a magnetic détente mechanism adapted to maintain the rotor in the first angular position against unintentional rotation thereof. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) Bracelet according to claim 31, wherein the reed switch is a polarised reed switch comprising at least one reed switch magnet, wherein the magnetic détente mechanism incorporates the reed switch magnet and the at least one magnet comprised by the rotor. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) Bracelet according to claim 29, wherein the switch comprises a hall probe mounted in the interior of the bracelet, and wherein the rotor comprises at least one magnet arranged to interact with said Hall probe in at least one of said angular positions. ### Claim 34 (depends on 29) Bracelet according to claim 29, wherein the axis of rotation of the rotor is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bracelet. ### Claim 35 (depends on 29) Bracelet according to claim 29, wherein the bracelet comprises battery housing at an end of said strap section, the rotor being attached to a wall of said battery housing. ### Claim 36 Strap section for a bracelet, the strap section comprising: a support frame comprising frame members defining interstices between said frame members; at least two electronic components each being at least partially situated in a respective interstice; and a flexible printed circuit board situated adjacent to a side of the support frame and extending substantially parallel thereto in a longitudinal direction, the flexible printed circuit board being electrically connected to said electronic components and comprising electrical contacts arranged to be connected to a further device. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) Strap section according to claim 36, further comprising an outer sheath surrounding at least the support frame and at least part of the electronic components, the electrical contacts being accessible from outside the outer sheath. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) Strap section according to claim 37, wherein the outer sheath is one of: overmoulded over at least the support frame; formed as half-shells attached together. ### Claim 39 (depends on 36) Strap section according to claim 36, wherein the support frame comprises at least two longitudinal support frame members and at least three transverse frame members. ### Claim 40 (depends on 36) Strap section according to claim 36, wherein the support frame is adapted such that, when the strap section is bent in a direction away from the flexible printed circuit board, the electrical components abut against adjacent transverse frame members. ### Claim 41 (depends on 39) Strap section according to claim 39, wherein the transverse frame members extend out of a plane defined by the longitudinal frame members in a direction opposite to the flexible printed circuit board. ### Claim 42 (depends on 36) Strap section according to claim 36, wherein the flexible printed circuit board is arranged adjacent to a side of the support frame intended to be facing the wrist of a wearer. ### Claim 43 (depends on 36) Strap section according to claim 36, wherein said electrical components comprise a communication transponder, an antenna in operative connection with said communication transponder, and a processing unit in operative connection with the communication transponder. ### Claim 44 (depends on 36) Strap section according to claim 36, wherein said electrical components comprise a transducer for measuring at least one physiological property in operative connection with the communication transponder. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) Strap section according to claim 44, wherein said physiological property is at least one of: heart rate; pulse; blood oxygenation; blood glucose; skin temperature; presence of a foreign substance such as alcohol, pharmaceuticals or drugs. ### Claim 46 (depends on 1) Bracelet according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said strap sections is a strap section comprising: a support frame comprising frame members defining interstices between said frame members; at least two electronic components each being at least partially situated in a respective interstice; and a flexible printed circuit board situated adjacent to a side of the support frame and extending substantially parallel thereto in a longitudinal direction, the flexible printed circuit board being electrically connected to said electronic components and comprising electrical contacts arranged to be connected to a further device.