Band Attachment Mechanism with Haptic Response

• US 20160371942A1
• Filed: 12/10/2013
• Published: 12/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2013
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Smith, Harry W. IV, Kessler, Patrick, Moussette, Camille, Morrell, John B.
• Granted Patent: US 10,276,001 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems

Abstract

A system includes a band, an attachment mechanism attached to the band, and one or more haptic devices included in the attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism can attach the band to an electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, the attachment mechanism can attach the band to a wearer. The haptic device or devices are in communication with a processing device. At least one of the one or more haptic devices produces a haptic response based on an activation signal received from the processing device.

Claims

1. An attachment mechanism that attaches a band to an electronic device, the attachment mechanism comprising:

a haptic device disposed in a housing of the attachment mechanism and adapted to move in at least one direction with respect to the band or the electronic device;

wherein

the haptic device moves at least one of the band and electronic device.

2. The attachment mechanism as in claim 1, wherein the haptic device comprises one or more electromagnetic actuators.

3. The attachment mechanism as in claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises one of a wearable communications device and a wearable health assistant.

5. The attachment mechanism as in claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a pin attached to the band.

6. An attachment mechanism attached to a band, the band configured to encircle a body part of a user, the attachment mechanism comprising a haptic device disposed in a housing of the attachment mechanism and adapted to move in at least one direction with respect to the band.

7. The attachment mechanism as in claim 6, wherein the haptic device comprises one or more electromagnetic actuators.

8. The attachment mechanism as in claim 6, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a clasp.

9. A system, comprising:

a band;

an attachment mechanism attached to the band;

a processing device; and

one or more haptic devices disposed in the attachment mechanism and in communication with the processing device, wherein at least one haptic device produces a haptic response based on an activation signal received from the processing device.

10. The system as in claim 9, wherein the processing device is included in an electronic device attached to the band with the attachment mechanism.

11. The system as in claim 10, wherein the electronic device comprises one of a wearable communications device and a wearable health assistant.

12. The system as in claim 10, wherein the attachment mechanism moves laterally with respect to the electronic device.

13. The system as in claim 10, wherein the electronic device comprises a computing device.

14. The system as in claim 9, wherein the attachment mechanism attaches the band to a wearer.

15. The system as in claim 9, wherein at least one of the one or more haptic devices comprises an electromagnetic actuator.

16. The system as in claim 9, wherein the attachment mechanism moves laterally with respect to the band.

17. A method for providing a haptic output from an electronic device, comprising:

receiving an indication that a haptic output is to be generated;

in response, actuating a haptic element coupled to a flexible portion of the electronic device, the flexible portion configured to encircle a body part of a user; and

moving the flexible portion through actuation of the haptic element.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the flexible portion moves relative to a body of the electronic device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the flexible portion slides along the body part of the user.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the haptic element is embedded in the flexible portion.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the haptic element is electromagnetically, but not physically, coupled to the flexible portion.