Transducer device for a wearable object, and method for operating same

1 . A wearable object comprising:

a dual-mode transducer configured to generate, in a first operating mode related to a specific function of the wearable object under control of a processing circuit of electronic circuitry powered by a DC voltage source, (1) acoustic signals in a first audible frequency band of 0 to 20 kHz, while in a second operating mode, different from the first operating mode, (2) ultrasonic signals in a second frequency band different from and higher than the first audible frequency band, wherein the second operating mode allows information or data communication signals to be communicated to an outside of the wearable object so that the wearable object can be detected by a monitoring circuit of a monitoring system, and receive data or parameter signals from another wearable object; and

the processing circuit, which is configured to control the dual-mode transducer to switch between the first and second operating modes.

2 . The wearable object according to claim 1 , wherein the processing circuit is further configured to control an alarm signal generator, which is used in the first operating mode for programming an alarm within a predefined time delay or an audible signalling device.

3 . The wearable object according to claim 2 , wherein the alarm signal generator is further configured to cause the dual-mode transducer to generate the acoustic signals within the predefined time delay in the first operating mode, while in the second operating mode, generate the ultrasonic signals.

4 . The wearable object according to claim 2 , wherein the dual-mode transducer comprises a piezoelectric element, which is connected to and controlled by an electrical connection of electrodes connected to the electronic circuit circuitry.

5 . The wearable object according to claim 2 , wherein the alarm signal generator is further configured to generate vibration signals within the predefined time delay in the first operating mode.

6 . The wearable object according to claim 3 , wherein

the dual-mode transducer is part of the wearable object, which is a wristwatch or a pocket watch of electronic or electromechanical type,

the watch comprises a quartz oscillator defining a time base and the electronic circuitry with the processing circuit,

the alarm signal generator is further configured to cause the dual-mode transducer to generate the acoustic signals within the predefined time delay in the first operating mode, and

in the second operating mode, different from the first operating mode, the alarm signal generator is further configured to cause the dual-mode transducer to generate the ultrasonic signals for transmission of ultrasonic information or data signals in water so as to be detected by the monitoring circuit in a water body of the monitoring system, and establish data communication by the ultrasonic signals.

7 . The wearable object according to claim 6 , wherein the dual-mode transducer is further configured to automatically switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode when the watch is underwater.

8 . A method for operating the dual-mode transducer device of the wearable object according to claim 1 , wherein the dual-mode transducer generates the ultrasonic signals in the second operating mode different from the first operating mode, the method comprising:

when the second operating mode is activated, performing communication of the information or data communication signals to the outside of the dual-mode transducer device of the wearable object to be detected by the monitoring circuit of the monitoring system.

9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the dual-mode transducer forms part of the wearable object, which is a wristwatch or a pocket watch of electronic or electromechanical type, the watch comprising a quartz oscillator defining a time base and the electronic circuitry with the processing circuit, and an alarm signal generator including the dual-mode transducer, which comprises a piezoelectric element that is connected to and controlled by an electrical connection of electrodes connected to the electronic circuitry,

wherein the alarm signal generator generates the acoustic signals within a predefined time delay in the first operating mode, and, in the second operating mode, different from the first operating mode, the alarm signal generator generates the ultrasonic signals for transmission of ultrasonic information or data signals in water to be detected by the monitoring circuit in a water body of the monitoring system, and establish data communication by the ultrasonic signals.

10 . The method according to claim 9 , further comprising automatically switching from the first operating mode to the second operating mode when the watch with the dual-mode transducer enters the water of the water body.

11 . A system for monitoring a living being provided with the wearable object with the dual-mode transducer according to claim 3 , wherein the alarm signal generator is further configured to cause the dual-mode transducer to generate the acoustic signals within the predefined time delay in the first operating mode, while in the second operating mode, the alarm signal generator is further configured to cause the dual-mode transducer to generate the ultrasonic signals capable of being detected by the monitoring circuit in water of a water body.

12 . The monitoring system according to claim 11 , wherein the monitoring circuit is connected by wire to a base unit on a boat on the water body.

13 . The monitoring system according to claim 11 , wherein the system is configured to communicate by the ultrasonic signals in the water body via the monitoring circuit with any detected transducer of any wearable object.