Dynamic Fit Adjustment for Wearable Electronic Devices

• US 20160255944A1
• Filed: 04/20/2015
• Published: 09/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Baranski, Andrzej T., Isikman, Serhan O., Bushnell, Tyler S., Martisauskas, Steven J., Nazzaro, David I.
• Granted Patent: US 9,781,984 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0053 Flexible straps
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0069 extensible
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/08 having separate links
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/20 for open straps , chains or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/2071 with the two ends of the strap or chain overlapping each other and fastened by an action perpendicularly to the main plane of these two ends A44C5/2009 - A44C5/2057 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/008 Hand articles fastened to the wrist or to the arm or to the leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices

Abstract

Systems and methods for dynamically adjusting the fit of a wearable electronic device are disclosed. In many embodiments, a tensioner associated with a wearable electronic device can control one or more actuators that are mechanically coupled to either the housing or to a band attached to the wearable electronic device. In one example, in response to a signal to increase the tightness of the band, the tensioner can cause the actuator(s) to increase the tension within the band.

Claims

1. A method of adjusting a fit of a wearable band, the method comprising:

receiving an electronic instruction to adjust the fit of the band;

selecting, based on the electronic instruction, an operational mode of a tensioner coupled to the band; and

electronically actuating the tensioner in the selected operational mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the operational mode is selected from a tightening mode and a loosening mode.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a user input from an input mechanism; and

in response to receiving the user input, generating the electronic instruction.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

accessing a user setting; and

in response to accessing the user setting, generating the electronic instruction.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an output from a sensor coupled to the electronic device; and

in response to receiving the output, generating the electronic instruction.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining an operational state of the electronic device; and

in response to determining the operational state, generating the electronic instruction.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein electronically actuating the tensioner comprises electronically actuating the tensioner to adjust a dimension of the band.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein electronically actuating the tensioner comprises adjusting a coupling between the band and a wearable electronic device connected to the band.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein electronically actuating the tensioner comprises adjusting, by operation of the tensioner, a coupling between a first portion and a second portion of the band.

23. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an output from an accelerometer coupled to the wearable electronic device; and

in response to receiving the output, generating the electronic indication.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a user input from a user input mechanism; and

in response to receiving the user input, generating the electronic indication.

10. A wearable electronic device comprising:

a housing;

a processor within the housing; and

a tensioner operably coupled to the processor and configured to, in response to an electronic signal from the processor, adjust a tightness of a fit of the housing to a user.

11. The wearable electronic device of claim 10, further comprising a strap coupled to the housing, the strap configured to hold the housing against a wrist of the user.

12. The wearable electronic device of claim 10, further comprising a strap coupled to the housing, wherein the strap comprises a material configured to change shape in response to an electronic signal;

and wherein

the tensioner is configured to provide an electronic signal to the material in order to adjust the tightness of the strap.

13. The wearable electronic device of claim 10, wherein the tensioner is configured to extend a portion of the housing outward from the housing and toward the user.

14. The wearable electronic device of claim 10, wherein the tensioner is configured to retract a portion of the housing in to the housing.

15. The wearable electronic device of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to receive an instruction to adjust the fit of the strap from a portable electronic device in communication with the wearable electronic device.

16. The wearable electronic device of claim 11, further comprising a sensor coupled to the processor and configured to detect motion of the wearable electronic device;

wherein the processor is configured to send a signal to the tensioner to tighten the fit of the strap upon receiving an indication of motion from the sensor.

17. The wearable electronic device of claim 11, further comprising a biometric sensor coupled to the processor;

wherein the processor is configured to send a signal to the tensioner to tighten the fit of the strap prior to obtaining a measurement from the biometric sensor.

18. A method of providing haptic output to a user by adjusting the fit of a wearable electronic device secured to the user by a band, the method comprising:

receiving an electronic instruction to provide haptic output to the user; and

in response to the electronic instruction, electronically actuating a tensioner coupled to the wearable electronic device to cause an increase in the tightness of the band.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the electronic instruction is a first electronic instruction, and the method further comprises:

receiving a second electronic instruction to terminate providing haptic output to the user; and

in response to receiving the second electronic instruction, electronically actuating the tensioner to cause a decrease in the tightness of the band after a select period of time.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the electronic instruction is a first electronic instruction, and the method further comprises:

receiving a second electronic instruction to provide a variable haptic output to the user; and

in response to receiving the second electronic instruction, electronically actuating the tensioner to cause sequential increases and decreases in the tightness of the band at a selected frequency.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the operation of electronically actuating the tensioner comprises decreasing a length of the band.

22. A method of restraining a wearable electronic device secured by a strap to a user engaged in physical activity, the method comprising:

receiving an electronic indication that the user is engaged in physical activity; and

actuating a tensioner coupled to the wearable electronic device to increase the tightness of the strap.