Interchangeable cases for biometric monitoring devices

• US 8,776,418 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2013
• Issued: 07/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Fitbit, Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Martinez, Mark Manuel, Berlinger, Michael Hans, Wilcox, Keeline Burdick, Francisco, Michael Joseph, Axley, Andrew Cole, Park, James, Friedman, Eric Nathan, Yuen, Shelten Gee Jao
• Primary Examiner(s): Islam, Syed A
• Application Number:
  US14/027,032
• Publication Number:
  US 20140174958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 305 Days
• Field of Search: 406/33, 40/6, 406/540.1, 406/65, 403/06, 403/10, 206/38, 600/301, 150/147
• US Class Current: 40/633
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/42 Devices for identifying luggage; Means for attaching same
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0242 adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0257 using atmospheric pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0443 Modular apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0456 Apparatus provided with a docking unit
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0219 Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/164 the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0006 ECG or EEG signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0205 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/024 Detecting, measuring or recording pulse rate or heart rate A61B5/0205, A61B5/021 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/05 Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves impedance plethysmography A61B5/0295; measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0816 Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 : Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 : for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/282 : Holders for multiple electrodes for introduction into the body A61B5/287
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 : Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/683 : Means for maintaining contact with the body A61B5/6802 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 : Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6838 : Clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7405 : using sound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 : using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7445 : Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7455 : characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/00 : Instruments for auscultation
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/70 : body fat
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 15/00 : Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/22 : for facilitating lifting or suspending of containers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 22/006 : Pedometers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 5/06 : by using barometric means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 15/00 : Digital computers in general details G06F1/00 – G06F13/00; Data processing equipment in general
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/00 : Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/00 : Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means medals or badges A44C3/00; making labels B31D1/02; sheets temporarily attached together B42F; labelling B65C; labels on record carriers G11B23/38, G11B23/40; Seals; Postage or like stamps
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/04 : to be fastened or secured by the material of the label itself, e.g. by thermo-adhesion by a separate adhesive layer G09F3/10
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/14 : by strings, straps, chains, or wires

Abstract

A biometric monitoring device and multiple carrying cases for same are provided. In some implementations, the case may be made from a flexible viscoelastic material and the biometric monitoring device may be slipped into a receptacle in the case through an opening in the case; the opening may become distended during the insertion of the biometric monitoring device. In some implementations, the case may feature a display window that, in combination with materials of the biometric monitoring device, may mask a display of the biometric monitoring device from view when the display is off and may allow the display to be seen when the display is displaying content.

Claims

1. A band configured to be worn on a person'"'"'s limb, the band comprising:

a pocket region, wherein;

the pocket region has a pocket;

the pocket is formed between a first layer of flexible material and a second layer of flexible material, and

the pocket is sized to allow a biometric tracking device associated with the band to be fully inserted within the pocket; and

a slit in an exterior textile layer of the band, wherein;

substantially all of the slit extends in a direction substantially parallel to the person'"'"'s limb when the band is worn on the person'"'"'s limb,

the slit is shorter in length than a longest dimension of the associated biometric tracking device, and

the slit permits the biometric tracking device to be fully inserted into the pocket; and

the first layer of flexible material is a mesh through which a display on the biometric tracking device is at least partially visible when the biometric tracking device is fully inserted into the pocket with the display facing the first layer and with content displayed on the display.

2. The band of claim 1, wherein the band is contiguous and is configured to stretch such that the band may be slid over the person'"'"'s hand and onto the person'"'"'s forearm or over the person'"'"'s foot and onto the person'"'"'s leg before relaxing into a less-stretched configuration around the person'"'"'s forearm or leg.

3. The band of claim 1, further comprising:

a first end and a second end, the first end located opposite the second end, wherein the pocket region is located between the first end and the second end.

4. The band of claim 3, wherein the band includes a torsional flat spring element spanning between the first end and the second end, wherein the torsional flat spring element has a first mechanically stable configuration that causes the band to maintain a circular shape.

5. The band of claim 4, wherein the torsional flat spring element is mechanically bistable and has a second mechanically stable configuration that causes the band to maintain a substantially flat shape.

6. The band of claim 3, further comprising:

a first fastening region adjacent to the first end;

a second fastening region adjacent to the second end and configured to engage with at least a portion of the first fastening region in a disengageable manner to allow the band to be placed around the person'"'"'s limb and the first end and the second end to be connected to one another, wherein the pocket region is further located between the first fastening region and the second fastening region.

7. The band of claim 6, wherein first fastening region and the second fastening region each include complementary fasteners selected from the group consisting of:

hook-and-loop fasteners, buckle and tang fasteners, magnetic fasteners, friction clasps, camlock and strap buckles, and hook clasp fasteners.

8. The band of claim 6, further comprising:

a first perforated region partially or wholly overlapping with the first fastening region, wherein hole features that pass through the band are distributed throughout the first perforated region.

9. The band of claim 6, wherein the pocket does not extend into the hook region and does not extend into the loop region.

10. The band of claim 3, further comprising:

a second perforated region between the second end of the band and the pocket region, wherein hole features passing through the band are distributed throughout the second perforated region.

11. The band of claim 1, wherein:

the slit spans between two through-holes in the exterior textile layer, and

both sides of the textile layer are coated with an elastomeric material in a localized region around the slit.

12. The band of claim 11, wherein:

the exterior textile layer has an opening substantially corresponding in size to the pocket, and

the first layer of flexible material is interposed between the exterior textile layer and the second layer of flexible material.