Wearable phone and wristwatch having a detachable phone module and a separate phone carriage

• US 20040057578A1
• Filed: 07/03/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fossil Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Fossil Incorporated
• Inventors: Brewer, Donald R.
• Application Number:
  US10/613,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20040057578A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/433.1
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets

Abstract

The present invention relates to a phone module contained within a wristphone unit that can be inserted into a supporting watchband style carriage, or removed and inserted in a conventional cell phone style carriage. Other features can include speaker and microphone components in both the watch carriage and the cell phone carriage, allowing smaller components to be used in the wrist-worn configuration. Other features may be separated from the core phone module such as a numeric keypad.

Claims

1. A wrist-worn phone comprising:

(a) a wristphone comprising in interlocking combination a phone module having a first set of functionality and a watch module, wherein said watch module includes a clock and a first battery for powering said phone module, and

(b) a wristband having a receiver unit with grasping means to selectably hold said wristphone in more than one configuration,

wherein said wristphone is operable both when attached to and detached from said receiver unit.

2. The wrist-worn phone of claim 1 wherein the first set of functionality includes a first speaker.

3. The wrist-worn phone of claim 1 wherein the first set of functionality includes a first microphone.

4. The wrist-worn phone of claim 3 wherein the first set of functionality includes a software system to enhance recognition of voice by said first microphone.

5. The wrist-worn phone of claim 1 wherein the first set of functionality includes a call answer button.

6. The wrist-worn phone of claim 1 wherein the first set of functionality includes a call end button.

7. The wrist-worn phone of claim 1 wherein the first set of functionality includes a memory for storing a database.

8. The wrist-worn phone of claim 7 wherein said database includes a plurality of files.

9. The wrist-worn phone of claim 8 wherein each of said plurality of files comprises a name and a telephone number.

10. The wrist-worn phone of claim 8 wherein the first set of functionality includes means for scrolling through said plurality of files.

11. The wrist-worn phone of claim 1 wherein the watch module further includes a second microphone selectively and operatively connected to said phone module.

12. The wrist-worn phone of claim 1 wherein the clock includes an analog display.

13. The wrist-worn phone of claim 1 wherein the clock includes a digital display.

14. The wrist-worn phone of claim 1 wherein watch module further includes an auxiliary battery for powering said clock.

15. The wrist-worn phone of claim 1 wherein said grasping means comprises two opposing biased clips.

16. The wrist-worn phone of claim 15 wherein said grasping means further comprises a base disposed between said clips.

17. The wrist-worn phone of claim 16 wherein said base includes a convexity.

18. The wrist-worn phone of claim 17 wherein said convexity includes sealing means for imparting water resistant seal between the receiver unit and the wristphone.

19. The wrist-worn phone of claim 16 wherein said base includes a concavity.

20. The wrist-worn phone of claim 19 wherein said convexity includes sealing means for imparting water resistant seal between the receiver unit and the wristphone.

21. The wrist-worn phone of claim 1 wherein a first configuration comprises displaying a face of said phone module.

22. The wrist-worn phone of claim 1 wherein a second configuration comprises displaying a face of said watch module.

23. The wrist-worn phone of claim 1 further comprising a phone carriage having a second set of functionality and means for selectably interlocking with said phone module, wherein said second set of functionality is operably connected to said phone module when interlocked with said phone module.

24. The wrist-worn phone of claim 23 wherein the second set of functionality comprises an alphanumeric keypad.

25. The wrist-worn phone of claim 23 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a second battery.

26. The wrist-worn phone of claim 23 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a second microphone selectively operable with said phone module.

27. The wrist-worn phone of claim 23 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a second speaker selectively operable with said phone module.

28. The wrist-worn phone of claim 23 wherein the second set of functionality comprises an IrDA interface.

29. The wrist-worn phone of claim 23 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a digital camera.

30. The wrist-worn phone of claim 23 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a MP3 player.

31. The wrist-worn phone of claim 23 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a Bluetooth radio.

32. The wrist-worn phone of claim 23 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a charging jack.

33. The wrist-worn phone of claim 32 wherein said charging jack is operable to charge said first and second battery.

34. The wrist-worn phone of claim 23 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a data communication port.

35. The wrist-worn phone of claim 23 wherein the first set of functionality includes a memory for storing a database and the second set of functionality includes means for importing data into said memory.

36. The wrist-worn phone of claim 1 further comprising a phone carriage having a second set of functionality and means for selectably interlocking with said wristphone, wherein said second set of functionality is operably connected to said phone module when interlocked with said wristphone.

37. The wrist-worn phone of claim 36 wherein the second set of functionality comprises an alphanumeric keypad.

38. The wrist-worn phone of claim 36 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a second battery.

39. The wrist-worn phone of claim 36 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a second microphone selectively operable with said phone module.

40. The wrist-worn phone of claim 36 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a second speaker selectively operable with said phone module.

41. The wrist-worn phone of claim 36 wherein the second set of functionality comprises an IrDA interface.

42. The wrist-worn phone of claim 36 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a digital camera.

43. The wrist-worn phone of claim 36 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a MP3 player.

44. The wrist-worn phone of claim 36 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a Bluetooth radio.

45. The wrist-worn phone of claim 36 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a charging jack.

46. The wrist-worn phone of claim 36 wherein said charging jack is operable to charge said first and second battery.

47. The wrist-worn phone of claim 36 wherein the second set of functionality comprises a data communication port.

48. The wrist-worn phone of claim 36 wherein the first set of functionality includes a memory for storing a database and the second set of functionality includes means for importing data into said memory.

49. A communication apparatus capable of receiving and transmitting wireless communications, comprising:

(a) a phone module having a display and a first set of functionality and operable in more than one configuration;

(b) a second module comprising a first battery and including means for selectably interlocking with said phone module in a first configuration;

(c) a carriage unit having a second set of functionality and means for selectably interlocking with said phone module in a second configuration, wherein said second set of functionality is operably connected to said phone module when interlocked with said phone module; and

(d) a wristband having a receiver unit with grasping means to selectably hold said interlocked phone and second module in said first configuration, wherein said receiver unit can hold said interlocked modules in more than one orientation.

50. The communication apparatus of claim 49 wherein the second module further comprises a clock element.

51. A communication apparatus, comprising:

(a) a wristphone capable of receiving and transmitting wireless communications, comprising;

(1) a phone module having a display and a first set of functionality,

(2) an integral battery, and

(3) a watch module;

(b) a wristband having a receiver unit with grasping means to selectably hold said wristphone in more than one orientation; and

(c) a carriage unit having a second set of functionality and means for selectably interlocking with said wristphone, wherein said second set of functionality is operably connected to said phone module when interlocked with said wristphone.

52. A phone carriage, comprising a first set of functionality and having means for selectably interlocking with a phone module in a first configuration, wherein said phone module has a second set of functionality and is operable in more than one configuration, and wherein said first set of functionality is operably connected to said phone module when interlocked in said first configuration.

53. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises an alphanumeric keypad.

54. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises a battery.

55. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises a microphone selectively operable with said phone module.

56. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises a first speaker selectively operable with said phone module.

57. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises an IrDA interface.

58. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises a digital camera.

59. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises a MP3 player.

60. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises a Bluetooth radio.

61. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises a charging jack.

62. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein said charging jack is operable to charge said battery.

63. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises a data communication port.

64. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein said first set of functionality can import data into said memory.

65. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises a alphanumeric keypad.

66. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises an IrDA interface.

67. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises a digital camera.

68. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises a MP3 player.

69. The phone carriage of claim 52 wherein the first set of functionality comprises a data communication port.

70. A phone carriage, comprising a first set of functionality and having means for selectably interlocking with a wristphone in a first configuration, said wristphone being operable in more than one configuration and comprising in interlocking combination a phone module and a watch module, wherein said phone module includes a second set of functionality, and wherein said first set of functionality is operably connected to said phone module when interlocked in said first configuration.

71. A wristband operable for holding a wristphone, comprising a receiver unit with grasping means to selectably hold said wristphone in more than one orientation.

72. The wristband of claim 71 wherein said grasping means comprises two opposing biased clips.

73. The wristband of claim 71 wherein said biased clips grasp the outer periphery of said wristphone.

74. The wristband of claim 71 wherein said biased clips project into and securely engage recesses in said wristphone.

75. The wristband of claim 71 wherein said grasping means further comprises a base disposed between said clips.