Situationally aware and self-configuring electronic data and communication device

• US 8,212,650 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2009
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: WIMM Labs Incorporated (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Tsern, Ely K., Mooring, Dave
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUSHING, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US12/363,397
• Publication Number:
  US 20090195350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,250 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.11, 340/573.1, 340/669, 340/3.1, 600/300, 600/301, 600/524
• US Class Current: 340/3.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1694 the I/O peripheral being a single or a set of motion sensors for pointer control or gesture input obtained by sensing movements of the portable computer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems

Abstract

A self-configuring wearable electronic data and communication device comprising a self-contained module comprising means for self-configuring based on a user'"'"'s activity and context an operational mode in a plurality of operational modes, wherein the self contained module further comprises intelligent situational awareness derived from at least one of pre-programmed criteria, a sensing ability, a user-specified lifestyle theme, a communication functionality, an accessory, and a user motion pattern. The self-contained module further comprises a display, a processor, a memory, and a battery, and is capable of configuring itself according to an accessory to which it is attached or connected.

Claims

1. A self-configuring electronic data and communication device comprising a wearable self-contained module, a processing unit coupled to a memory element, and having instructions encoded thereon, which instructions cause the device to:

gather and use information from a plurality of sources;

determine, based on the information gathered, a user'"'"'s activity and context;

self-configure based on the user'"'"'s activity and context an operational mode in a plurality of operational modes, wherein the self contained module further comprises intelligent situational awareness derived from pre-programmed criteria which includes configuring at least one of a calendar-awareness, a sensing ability, a user-specified lifestyle theme, a communication functionality which includes locational awareness, and a user motion pattern; and

further self-configure according to a type of accessory to which it is connected; and

wherein according to the accessory type, some operational modes are enabled while other operational modes are disabled.

2. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 1 wherein the instructions encoded further cause the self-contained module to detect the accessory and enter into an operational mode according to detected accessory when the self-contained module is connected to the said accessory.

3. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 1 wherein the self-contained module further comprises at least one of a sensor and a plurality of sensors.

4. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 3 wherein the sensor and plurality of sensors comprise a motion detection sensor, a temperature sensor, a touch sensor, a bio-sensor, a pressure sensor, a GPS system and a light sensor.

5. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 4, wherein the instructions encoded cause the self contained module to use motion detection sensor information to interpret user motion and configure itself into a preferred operational mode based on intelligent interpretation of patterns of the user'"'"'s motions.

6. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 4 wherein the instructions encoded cause the self-contained module to use temperature sensor information to record and display an ambient temperature, a wearer'"'"'s body temperature, and for interpreting and informing the user in case of an health anomaly based on said recorded wearer'"'"'s body temperature.

7. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 4 wherein the instructions encoded cause the self-contained module to use the bio-sensor to record and display a wearer'"'"'s health parameters, and to use the GPS system to find and alert a nearest hospital in case of a user emergency condition based on said recorded health parameters, and for providing health related information wirelessly to a host computer or service.

8. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 4 wherein the instructions encoded cause the self-contained module to use the light sensor to record an ambient luminance, and for configuring a display brightness and controlling power consumption by the module based on said recorded ambient luminance.

9. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 1 wherein

the operational mode in the plurality of operational modes entered into, based on the said intelligent situational awareness derived from at least one of the said pre-programmed criteria, sensing ability, user-specified lifestyle theme, a communication functionality, accessory, and user motion pattern comprises at least one of:

a sports mode of operation wherein applications that are relevant when a user is performing an athletic activity are activated, and other applications are shut down to conserve power and computing resources;

a professional life workday mode of operation wherein applications that are relevant when a user is at work are activated, and other applications are shut down to conserve power and computing resources;

a weekend mode of operation wherein applications that are relevant to and used by a user over weekends are activated, and other applications are shut down to conserve power and computing resources;

a shopping mode of operation wherein applications that are relevant to and used by a user while shopping are activated, and other applications are shut down to conserve power and computing resources; and

a holiday mode of operation wherein applications that are relevant when a user is on vacation are activated, and other applications are shut down to conserve power and computing resources.

10. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 1, wherein the accessory comprises at least one of a watch band, a watch case, a lanyard, a clip, a handheld case, and a charging base.

11. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 10 wherein the watch band, watch case, the lanyard, the clip, the handheld case, and the charging base are branded, and bundled together with accessory and brand specific applications, update facilities, and services.

12. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 11 wherein the self-contained module configures its′

display size, shape, and operational mode based on the brand, type, and shape of the accessory to which it is connected.

13. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 11 wherein the self-contained module adapts its display shape, size, and operational mode based on the shape and size of the watch band or case to which it is attached.

14. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 1 wherein the self-contained module further comprises at least one of a GPS receiver and a wireless link.

15. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 14, wherein the instructions encoded cause the self-contained module to use the GPS receiver and wireless link for self configuration, which self configuration includes at least one of running a preferred application and searching for and displaying relevant data based on a detected current location.

16. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 1 wherein the communication functionality includes location awareness derived from at least one of GPS and cell tower triangulation.

17. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 16, wherein the instructions encoded cause the self-configuring based on the GPS functionality to determine user location, and accordingly at least one of run an application and display location relevant data.

18. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 1 wherein the instructions encoded cause the self-configuring based on said pre-programmed criteria wherein the self-configuring is derived from a calendar-awareness, and based on at least one of a time of the day, a day of the week, a holiday, a festival, a schedule, a scheduled event, and a user input schedule.

19. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 1, wherein the instructions encoded cause the self-configuring based on the lifestyle theme including detecting a lifestyle theme according to the accessory type to which the self-contained module is connected.

20. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 1 wherein the instructions encoded cause the self-contained module to enter an operational mode from a plurality of operational modes comprising at least one of running an application and displaying it on a user home page, running a preferential application, ordering a set of applications, displaying an orientation based on accessory type to which the self-contained module is attached, a graphic motif in a lifestyle theme and accessory style, a style in a lifestyle theme and specific accessory style, and power management and power saving.

21. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 20 wherein in a power management and power saving application, the self contained module further comprises display brightness management, wireless connectivity, processor speed and function, and a system update facility.

22. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 1 wherein the accessory comprises at least one of electrical contacts, a mechanical coding scheme, magnets placed in a coded fashion, and RFID tags, which said electrical contacts, mechanical coding scheme, magnets, and RFID tags communicate a multitude of encoded data to the self-contained module when the said module is connected to the accessory.

23. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 22 wherein the self-contained module further comprises at least one of complimentary electrical contacts, a mechanical coding scheme, magnets placed in a coded fashion, and RFID tags for recognizing the accessory brand, lifestyle theme, watch band/case style, watch face shape, watch size, and accessory type based on the encoded data.

24. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 23 wherein the complimentary electrical contacts, the mechanical coding scheme, magnets placed in a coded fashion, and RFID tags for recognizing the accessory brand, lifestyle theme, watch band/case style, watch face shape, watch size, and accessory type based on the encoded data cause theself-contained module to run specific applications according to the accessory to which it is connected, based on the encoded data detected on the said accessory.

25. A system, comprising:

an accessory; and

in a self-configuring electronic data and communication device comprising a self-contained module connected to the accessory, the self-contained module including;

a display and a processing unit coupled to a memory element having instructions encoded thereon that cause the self-contained module to determine a user'"'"'s activity and context based on information gathered from a plurality of sources, and to self-configure, based on the user'"'"'s activity and context, an operational mode in a plurality of operational modes; and

a system for configuring the self-contained module according to a type the accessory to which the self-contained module is connected, the system comprising at least one of;

a. electrical contacts embedded in the self-contained module which connect with complementary electrical contacts embedded in the accessory;

b. a grooved set of slots on the self-contained module, which slots fit into complementary coded ridges on the accessory;

c. a detection device on the self-contained module, which detection device identifies a set of magnets placed in a coded fashion on the accessory; and

d. a RFID capability on the self-contained module, which RFID capability identifies a RFID tag on the accessory;

and wherein according to the accessory type, at least one operational mode is enabled, while other operational modes are disabled.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the grooved slots on the self-contained module fit into the coded ridges of the accessory, which ridges are coded according to at least one of accessory type, brand, lifestyle theme, accessory style, shape, size, and such coding is read by the grooved slots of the self-contained module.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the magnets are placed in a coded fashion and include a multitude of data detected and read by the self-contained module, said data comprising information on at least one of brand, lifestyle theme, watch band/case style, watch face shape, watch size, and accessory type.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein the RFID tag is a passive RFID tag.

29. The system of claim 25, wherein the RFID tag is an active RFID tag.

30. A self-configuring wearable electronic data and communication device comprising:

a. a self-contained module comprising a display, a plurality of sensors, and a processing unit coupled to a memory element having instructions encoded thereon, which instructions cause the self-contained module to;

self-configure based on a user'"'"'s activity and context an operational mode in a plurality of operational modes, wherein the self contained module further comprises intelligent situational awareness derived from at least one of pre-programmed criteria, a sensing ability, a user-specified lifestyle theme, a communication functionality, an accessory, and a user motion pattern;

and

b. wherein the self-contained module is further configured to detect the accessory when the self-contained module is connected to the said accessory, and according to the accessory type, some operational modes are enabled, while other operational modes are disabled.

31. The self configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 30, wherein the self-contained module further comprises at least one of a cell-phone, a PDA, a laptop, a watch, and an MP3 player computing functionality.

32. The self-configuring electronic data and communication device of claim 30 wherein the instructions encoded cause the self-contained module to reconfigure itself, based on sensor information from a pressure sensor, to record and display an altitude and a rate of change of altitude, based on which the self-contained module reconfigures itself to run an appropriate application or applications.

33. The self-configuring wearable electronic data and communication device of claim 30 further comprising electrical contacts embedded in the self-contained module which connect with complementary electrical contacts embedded in the accessory.

34. The self-configuring wearable electronic data and communication device of claim 30 further comprising a grooved set of slots on the self-contained module, which slots fit into complementary coded ridges on the accessory.

35. The self-configuring wearable electronic data and communication device of claim 34 wherein the grooved slots on the self-contained module fit into the coded ridges of the accessory, which ridges are coded according to at least one of accessory type, brand, lifestyle theme, accessory style, shape, size, and such coding is read by the grooved slots of the self-contained module.

36. The self-configuring wearable electronic data and communication device of claim 30 further comprising a detection device on the self-contained module, which detection device identifies a set of magnets placed in a coded fashion on the accessory.

37. The self-configuring wearable electronic data and communication device of claim 36 wherein the magnets are placed in a coded fashion and include a multitude of data detected and read by the self-contained module, said data comprising information on at least one of brand, lifestyle theme, watch band/case style, watch face shape, watch size, and accessory type.

38. The self-configuring wearable electronic data and communication device of claim 30 further comprising a RFID capability on the self-contained module, which RFID capability identifies a RFID tag on the accessory.

39. The self-configuring wearable electronic data and communication device of claim 38, wherein the RFID tag is a passive RFID tag.

40. The self-configuring wearable electronic data and communication device of claim 38, wherein the RFID tag is an active RFID tag.

41. The self-configuring wearable electronic data and communication device of claim 30 further comprising contacts embedded in the self-contained module, which contacts connect with complementary contacts embedded in the accessory.

42. The self-configuring wearable electronic data and communication device of claim 41, wherein the contacts are non-electrical contacts coded in a binary fashion which contacts connect and communicate with complementary binary coded contacts embedded in the accessory.

43. The self-configuring wearable electronic data and communication device of claim 42, wherein the contacts are USB compatible electrical contacts, used for coding an electronic accessory.