Athletic band with removable module

• US 10,271,587 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2015
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Cobbett, Jamian R., Judge, Monica, Schneider, Summer, Sze, Kevin C., Andon, Christopher L., Becker, Shannon, Hunt, Lindsey, Kash, Brian L., Pham, Hien Tommy, Rowley, Craig, Webb, Bill, Fitzgerald, Quinn, Manesh, Ariana, Quay, Simon
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Tejash
• Application Number:
  US14/946,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20160135516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,258 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/002 adapted to accommodate electronic equipment patients' garments for medical monitoring A41D13/1281; luminous ornaments A41D27/085
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/005 with embedded cable or connector
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 20/00 Wristbands or headbands, e.g. for absorbing sweat
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2300/52 made by welding or gluing
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/205 Pockets adapted to receive a mobile phone or other electronic equipment
• CPC Class Codes: A41H 43/04 Joining garment parts or blanks by gluing or welding mending garments by adhesives or adhesive patches A41H27/00 ; Gluing presses
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/008 Hand articles fastened to the wrist or to the arm or to the leg
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/05 Holder or carrier for specific articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/10 Athletes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0223 of calibration, e.g. protocols for calibrating sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0022 Monitoring a patient using a global network, e.g. telephone networks, internet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0024 for multiple sensor units attached to the patient, e.g. using a body or personal area network
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02416 using photoplethysmograph signals, e.g. generated by infrared radiation A61B5/14552 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6804 : Garments; Clothes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6807 : Footwear
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 : Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 : Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 : Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7207 : of noise induced by motion artifacts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7221 : Determining signal validity, reliability or quality A61B5/7207 and A61B5/7217 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7278 : Artificial waveform generation or derivation, e.g. synthesising signals from measured signals A61B5/327 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 : characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 : Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/02 : by heating, with or without pressure
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/52 : characterised by the way of applying the adhesive B29C65/50 takes precedence; apparatus for applying liquids in general B05C; processes for applying liquids in general B05D
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/7832 : by setting the overlap between the parts to be joined, e.g. the overlap between sheets, plates or web-like materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4324 : for making closed loops, e.g. belts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 : characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/729 : Textile or other fibrous material made from plastics
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2623/06 : PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2913/00 : Use of textile products or fabrics as mould materials
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0046 : Elastic
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2029/00 : Belts or bands conveyor belts B29L2031/7092; drive belts B29L2031/7094; fourdrinier belts B29L2031/733
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/48 : Wearing apparel
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 : Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 : Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 : Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 : Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 : Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

A band includes a tubular body configured to be worn on a user'"'"'s body and a pocket supported by the tubular body, where the pocket defines a cavity and has an access opening providing access to the cavity, and where the pocket is configured to removably receive an electronic module in the cavity through the access opening. An input device is connected to the tubular body and has a port exposed to the cavity of the band, where the port is configured for removable connection to a connector of the electronic module when the electronic module is received in the cavity. The input device may include a button configured to receive user input and a wireless transmitter to transmit a signal to an external device based on the user input. The input device may also include a haptic feedback mechanism for communicating haptic signals to the user.

Claims

1. A performance monitoring system comprising:

a band comprising a tubular body configured to be worn by a user, the band having a pocket supported by the tubular body, wherein the pocket defines a cavity and has an access opening providing access to the cavity;

an electronic module removably received in the cavity of the band such that the electronic module is configured to be inserted and removed from the cavity through the access opening, the electronic module having a connector configured to permit communication with the electronic module; and

an input device connected to the band and having a port exposed to the cavity of the band, wherein the port is removably connected to the connector of the electronic module when the electronic module is received in the cavity, wherein the input device includes a button configured to receive user input and a wireless transmitter, and the input device is configured to transmit a signal to an external device based on the user input.

2. The performance monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the electronic module comprises a projection on an underside of the electronic module and a sensor mounted on the projection, wherein the projection is configured to place the sensor in close proximity to skin of the user, such that the sensor is configured to sense a physiological parameter of the user.

3. The performance monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the input device is configured to receive a plurality of button presses through the button, and the input device is further configured to transmit the signal including at least one of a sequence and a length of the button presses to the external device.

4. The performance monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the input device is further configured for communication with the electronic module through the connector.

5. The performance monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the input device is configured to be powered by the electronic module through the connector.

6. The performance monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the input device is received within the cavity of the pocket.

7. The performance monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the band further comprises a housing connected to the tubular body, the housing defining the cavity and the access opening of the pocket, and wherein the input device is a separate piece connected to the housing, such that the housing has an open end in communication with the cavity, and the port of the input device is accessible from the cavity through the open end of the housing.

8. The performance monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising the external device, wherein the external device is in communication with the input device and is configured to perform a function based on the signal transmitted by the input device.

9. The performance monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the external device is configured to perform a plurality of different functions based on different signals transmitted by the input device, and the external device is further configured to receive a user selection of one or more settings governing performance of the plurality of different functions based on the different signals transmitted by the input device.

10. The performance monitoring system of claim 8, wherein the function the external device is configured to perform is selected from a group consisting of:

storing or deleting information;

sending a second signal to one or more other devices;

initiating, answering, or ending a phone call;

sending a text, picture, or video message;

posting information to a website, social media outlet, blog, or RSS feed;

sharing information with a specified group of people and/or other devices;

transmitting a location signal;

controlling music and/or video being played by the external device;

controlling a camera associated with the external device;

interacting with the electronic module;

transmitting data received from the electronic module;

and powering the external device on or off.

11. A band comprising:

a tubular body defining a central passage, wherein the tubular body is configured to be worn on a user'"'"'s body such that a portion of the user'"'"'s body is received in the central passage;

a pocket supported by the tubular body, wherein the pocket defines a cavity and has an access opening providing access to the cavity, wherein the pocket is configured to removably receive an electronic module in the cavity through the access opening; and

an input device connected to the tubular body and having a port exposed to the cavity of the band, wherein the port is configured for removable connection to a connector of the electronic module when the electronic module is received in the cavity, wherein the input device includes a button configured to receive user input and a wireless transmitter, and the input device is configured to transmit a signal to an external device based on the user input.

12. The band of claim 11, wherein the input device is configured to receive a plurality of button presses through the button, and the input device is further configured to transmit the signal including at least one of a sequence and a length of the button presses to the external device.

13. The band of claim 11, wherein the input device is further configured for communication with the electronic module through the connector.

14. The band of claim 11, wherein the input device is configured to be powered by the electronic module through the connector.

15. The band of claim 11, wherein the input device is received within the cavity of the pocket.

16. The band of claim 15, wherein the input device further comprises a casing containing the wireless transmitter, the casing supporting the button and the port, wherein the casing is received within the cavity of the pocket in a position to expose the port to the cavity.

17. The band of claim 15, wherein the band further comprises a housing connected to the tubular body, the housing defining the cavity and the access opening of the pocket, and wherein the housing further comprises an opening aligned with the button of the input device and configured to permit operation of the input device through the housing.

18. The band of claim 11, wherein the band further comprises a housing connected to the tubular body, the housing defining the cavity and the access opening of the pocket, and wherein the input device is a separate piece connected to the housing, such that the housing has an open end in communication with the cavity, and the port of the input device is accessible from the cavity through the open end of the housing.

19. The band of claim 18, wherein the housing comprises a flange extending around a periphery of the housing, and wherein the input device has a second flange that is continuous with the flange of the housing.

20. A performance monitoring system comprising:

a band comprising a tubular body configured to be worn by a user, the band having a pocket supported by the tubular body, wherein the pocket defines a cavity and has an access opening providing access to the cavity;

an electronic module removably received in the cavity of the band such that the electronic module is configured to be inserted and removed from the cavity through the access opening, the electronic module having a connector configured to permit communication with the electronic module; and

an input device connected to the band and having a port exposed to the cavity of the band, wherein the port is removably connected to the connector of the electronic module when the electronic module is received in the cavity, wherein the input device includes a haptic feedback mechanism configured to communicate a haptic signal to the user.

21. The performance monitoring system of claim 20, wherein the haptic feedback mechanism comprises a vibration motor.

22. The performance monitoring system of claim 20, wherein the haptic feedback mechanism is configured for providing a plurality of different haptic signals to the user.

23. The performance monitoring system of claim 20, further comprising an external device, wherein the external device is in communication with the input device and is configured to transmit a signal to the input device to communicate the haptic signal to the user.

24. The performance monitoring system of claim 23, wherein the haptic feedback mechanism of the input device is configured for providing a plurality of different haptic signals to the user, and wherein the external device is configured to transmit a plurality of different signals to the input device to instruct the input device to communicate one or more of the different haptic signals to the user.

25. The performance monitoring system of claim 24, wherein the external device is configured to automatically transmit one or more of the different signals to the input device based on an occurrence detected by the external device, and the external device is further configured to receive a user selection of one or more settings governing transmission of the one or more signals based on the occurrence.

26. A band comprising:

a tubular body defining a central passage, wherein the tubular body is configured to be worn on a user'"'"'s body such that a portion of the user'"'"'s body is received in the central passage;

a pocket supported by the tubular body, wherein the pocket defines a cavity and has an access opening providing access to the cavity, wherein the pocket is configured to removably receive an electronic module in the cavity through the access opening; and

an input device connected to the tubular body and having a port exposed to the cavity of the band, wherein the port is configured for removable connection to a connector of the electronic module when the electronic module is received in the cavity, wherein the input device includes a haptic feedback mechanism configured to communicate a haptic signal to the user.

27. The band of claim 26, wherein the input device is received within the cavity of the pocket.

28. The band of claim 27, wherein the input device further comprises a casing containing the haptic feedback mechanism, the casing supporting the port, wherein the casing is received within the cavity of the pocket in a position to expose the port to the cavity.

29. The band of claim 26, wherein the band further comprises a housing connected to the tubular body, the housing defining the cavity and the access opening of the pocket, and wherein the input device is a separate piece connected to the housing, such that the housing has an open end in communication with the cavity, and the port of the input device is accessible from the cavity through the open end of the housing.

30. The band of claim 29, wherein the housing comprises a flange extending around a periphery of the housing, and wherein the input device has a second flange that is continuous with the flange of the housing.