DYNAMIC FIT ADJUSTMENT FOR WEARABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES

• US 20180027931A1
• Filed: 10/09/2017
• Published: 02/01/2018
• 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 10,149,521 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 watch comprising:

a housing;

a processor within the housing; and

a band coupled to the housing, the band configured to hold the housing against a wrist of a user; and

an inflatable bladder configured to, in response to an electronic signal from the processor, adjust a tightness of the band on the wrist of the user.

2. The watch of claim 1, further comprising a biometric sensor operably coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured, in response to receiving an instruction to obtain biometric data, to send the electronic signal to the inflatable bladder to tighten the band prior to obtaining the biometric data from the biometric sensor.

3. The watch of claim 1, further comprising a pump configured to adjust a pressure applied to a fluid in communication with the inflatable bladder.

4. The watch of claim 3, wherein the pump is within the housing.

5. The watch of claim 1, wherein the band comprises:

a first band extending from a first side of the housing; and

a second band extending from a second side of the housing.

6. The watch of claim 5, wherein the inflatable bladder comprises:

a first bladder on the first band; and

a second bladder on the second band.

7. The watch of claim 5, further a buckle configured to join the first band to the second band, wherein the inflatable bladder is located on the buckle.

8. The watch of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder is located on a side of the band that faces the wrist when worn by a user.

9. The watch of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder is within the band and configured to increase a dimension of the band when inflated.

10. A watchband comprising:

a coupling for connecting to a housing of a watch to hold the housing against a wrist of a user; and

an inflatable bladder configured to, in response to a signal from a processor within the housing, adjust a tightness of the watchband on the wrist of the user.

11. The watchband of claim 10, wherein the inflatable bladder defines an inner side of the watchband that faces the wrist when worn by a user.

12. The watchband of claim 10, further comprising:

a first band portion;

a second band portion; and

a buckle configured to join the first band portion to the second band portion, wherein the inflatable bladder is located on the buckle.

13. A watch comprising:

a housing having an extendable portion;

a processor within the housing; and

an actuator configured to, in response to an electronic signal from the processor, extend the extendable portion toward a wrist of a user and adjust a fit of the watch on the wrist of the user.

14. The watch of claim 13, further comprising a band coupled to the housing, the band configured to hold the housing against the wrist of the user.

15. The watch of claim 13, wherein the extendable portion comprises a piezoelectric material, a memory wire, or an electroactive polymer.

16. The watch of claim 13, wherein the extendable portion comprises an electromagnetic coil positioned proximate to a permanent magnet, wherein the electromagnetic coil is configured to respond to a current applied to the electromagnetic coil by increasing a force between the electromagnetic coil and the permanent magnet.

17. The watch of claim 13, wherein the actuator comprises a motor, a linear actuator, or a pump configured to adjust a pressure and/or volume of a fluid.

18. The watch of claim 13, wherein the extendable portion comprises a biometric sensor, and the processor is configured, in response to receiving an instruction to obtain biometric data, to send the electronic signal to the actuator to extendable portion the extendable portion prior to obtaining the biometric data from the biometric sensor.

19. The watch of claim 13, wherein the extendable portion comprises a lens of a photoplethysmographic sensor.

20. The watch of claim 13, wherein in an extended state the extendable portion contacts skin of the user, and in a non-extended state the extendable portion is withdrawn from contact with the skin of the user.