Wearable Device Multi-mode System

• US 20140366123A1
• Filed: 06/11/2013
• Published: 12/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: DiBona, Christopher James, Morrill, Daniel Lawrence, Berlin, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 9,569,625 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/60 Protecting data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management

Abstract

Systems and techniques are disclosed for detecting whether a wearable computing device is worn by a user or not. The detection can be made based on whether the device is secured to a user or based on a sensor. A device worn by a user may be operated in a private mode such that the user wearing the device is provided information that is useful while wearing the device. For example, the user may receive message notifications, news updates, telephone call information, or the like. A wearable computing device maybe operated in a public mode while not being worn by a user. While in the public mode, the device may provide non user specific information such as a current time, media items, or the like.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting that a wearable computing device is worn by a user;

operating the wearable computing device in a private mode based on detecting that the wearable computing device is worn by a user wherein the private mode provides at least a private data element that is not available when the wearable computing device is not in the private mode;

detecting that the wearable computing device is not worn by a user; and

operating the wearable computing device in a public mode based on detecting that the wearable computing device is not worn by a user wherein the public mode provides at least a public data element that is not secure.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the private data element from an electronic device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the electronic device is selected from a group consisting of a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a server, and a hard drive.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the private data element is provided to the wearable computing device by the electronic device based on a data element request transmitted from the wearable computing device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein an electronic device automatically transmits a first private data element to the wearable computing device at a first time and a second private data element at a second time.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first time and the second time are predetermined.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, by an electronic device, that a data element is a private data element.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining, by the wearable computing device, that a data element is a private data element.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the private data element corresponds to a user account.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the private data element comprises user specific data.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting that the wearable computing device is not within a threshold proximity to an electronic device; and

operating the wearable computing device in a public mode based on detecting that the wearable computing device is not worn by a user and on detecting that the wearable computing device is not within a threshold proximity to the electronic device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that the wearable computing device is worn by a user further comprises detecting whether a securable portion of the wearable computing device is secured.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the securable portion of the wearable computing device is selected from a group consisting of a clasp, a buckle, and a fastener

14. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that the wearable computing device is worn by a user further comprises detecting a capacitance.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that the wearable computing device is worn by a user further comprises:

measuring a skin conductance;

detecting that the wearable computing device is worn by a user based on the measurement.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that a wearable computing device is worn by a user further comprises detecting a property using a component selected from a group consisting of an accelerometer, a heartbeat monitor, light sensor, motion sensor, and a microprocessor.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein operating the wearable computing device in a public mode further comprises placing the wearable computing device in public mode configuration.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

requesting an authentication element prior to operating the wearable computing device in a private mode;

receiving the authentication element; and

operating the wearable computing device in a private mode based on the authentication element.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the authentication element is selected from a group consisting of a pin code, a biometric attribute, and a gesture.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising authenticating the authentication element by the wearable computing device.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising authenticating the authentication element by an electronic device.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that the wearable computing device is worn by a user comprises detecting that the wearable computing device is likely worn by a user.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that the wearable computing device is not worn by a user comprises detecting that the wearable computing device is likely not worn by a user.

24. A system comprising:

a wearable computing device;

the wearable computing device configured to;

detect that the wearable computing device is worn by a user;

operate in a private mode based on detecting that the wearable computing device is worn by a user wherein the private mode provides at least a private data element that is not available when the wearable computing device is not in the private mode;

detect that the wearable computing device is not worn by a user; and

operate in a public mode based on detecting that the wearable computing device is not worn by a user wherein the public mode provides at least a public data element that is not secure.

25. The system of claim 24 further configured to receive the private data element from an electronic device.

26. The system of claim 24 further configured to determine, by an electronic device, that a data element is a private data element.

27. The system of claim 24 further configured to determine, by the wearable computing device, that a data element is a private data element.

28. The system of claim 24 further configured to:

detect that the wearable computing device is not within a threshold proximity to an electronic device; and

operate the wearable computing device in a public mode based on detecting that the wearable computing device is not worn by a user and on detecting that the wearable computing device is not within a threshold proximity to the electronic device.

29. The system of claim 24, wherein detecting that the wearable computing device is worn by a user further comprises detecting whether a securable portion of the wearable computing device is secured.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the securable portion of the wearable computing device is selected from a group consisting of a clasp, a buckle, and a fastener.

31. The system of claim 24, wherein detecting that the wearable computing device is worn by a user further configured to detect a capacitance.

32. The system of claim 24, wherein detecting that the wearable computing device is worn by a user further configured to:

measure a skin conductance;

detect that the wearable computing device is worn by a user based on the measurement.

33. The system of claim 24, wherein detecting that a wearable computing device is worn by a user further comprises detecting a property using a component selected from a group consisting of an accelerometer, a heartbeat monitor, light sensor, motion sensor, and a microprocessor.

34. The system of claim 24, further configured to:

request an authentication element prior to operating the wearable computing device in a private mode;

receive the authentication element; and

operate the wearable computing device in a private mode based on the authentication element.

35. The system of claim 34 wherein the authentication element is selected from a group consisting of a pin code, a biometric attribute, and a gesture.