Wrist-worn electronic device and methods therefor

• US 8,787,006 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2011
• Issued: 07/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Golko, Albert J., Schmidt, Mathias W., Alvarez, Felix
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOPEZ CRUZ, DIMARY S
• Application Number:
  US13/187,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20120194976A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/41.3, 455/90.3, 455/128, 455/556.1, 455/575.1, 455/575.6, 368/281, 368/282, 368/13, 345/173, 361/679.01, 361/679.03
• US Class Current: 361/679.03
• 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 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

Embodiments of electronic wristwatches are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an electronic wristband can provide additional electrical circuitry or devices that can be made available for use as or with an electronic device. In one embodiment, the electronic device can be a mobile electronic device that can be removably coupled to the electronic wristband which provides the additional circuitry or devices. Advantageously, the electronic device can utilize the additional electrical circuitry or devices provided within the electronic wristband to augment the capabilities of the electronic device. In another embodiment, the electronic device can be integrally formed with the electronic wristband which provides the additional circuitry or devices.

Claims

1. An electronic wristband to be worn on a wrist of a user, the electronic wristband comprising:

a central portion having a receptacle area configured to receive and electrically connect to a mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device including a display and being independently useable apart from the electronic wristband to perform a first set of functions; and

at least one band portion coupled to the central portion and suitable to assist with securing the electronic wristband to the wrist of the user, the at least one band portion including a wireless communication transceiver provided internal to the at least one band portion and operatively connected to the mobile electronic device when the mobile electronic device is received in the receptacle area,

wherein the mobile electronic device, when received in the receptacle area, is operable to perform a second set of functions, the second set of functions including all of the first set of functions and further including wirelessly communicating user input received by the mobile electronic device to a second electronic device via the wireless communication transceiver.

2. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic wristband further comprises:

an electrical connector provided at the receptacle area and used at least in part to removably secure the mobile electronic device to the receptacle area.

3. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 2, wherein the wireless communication transceiver provided internal to the at least one band portion is electrically connected to electronic circuitry within the mobile electronic device via the electrical connector.

4. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one band portion further includes at least one of an accelerometer, an antenna, a GPS receiver, or a haptic device.

5. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the first set of functions of the mobile electronic device includes media storage and playback.

6. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the display of the mobile electronic device includes a touch screen.

7. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the central portion includes at least one electrical component.

8. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one electrical component included in the central portion includes at least one of a haptic device, a printed circuit substrate, or an accelerometer.

9. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one electrical component provided in the central portion includes at least a battery.

10. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one electrical component provided in the central portion includes at least a haptic device.

11. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 10, wherein the haptic device is provided adjacent a bottom surface of the central portion that is placed against the wrist of the user when the electronic wristband is being worn on the wrist of the user.

12. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 11, wherein the haptic device is configured to controllably provide a physical alert to the user via the wrist of the user.

13. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 12, wherein the haptic device includes at least a piezoelectric device.

14. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one electrical component includes a sensor and the second set of functions further includes determining the user input based at least in part on monitoring the sensor to detect an arm or wrist gesture.

15. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 14, wherein the sensor includes one or both of an accelerometer or a gyroscope.

16. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic wristband includes a battery, wherein the battery is configured to supply electrical power to the wireless communication transceiver.

17. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 16, wherein the battery is further configured to supply electrical power to the mobile electronic device when the mobile electronic device is provided in the receptacle area.

18. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one band portion includes at least a first band and a second band, each of the first band and the second band coupled to the central portion.

19. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 18, wherein the first band includes the wireless communication transceiver, and the second band includes at least one second band electrical component.

20. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 19, wherein the first band includes at least a first antenna, and wherein the at least one second band electrical component includes at least a second antenna.

21. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the second set of functions further includes receiving, via the wireless communication transceiver, a notification from the second electronic device and presenting the notification to the user.

22. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 21, wherein the notification is presented on the display of the mobile electronic device.

23. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 21, wherein the second electronic device is a mobile phone and the notification pertains to an incoming call at the mobile phone.

24. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 23, wherein the user input includes an indication to accept or decline the incoming call.

25. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 21, wherein the notification pertains to an alert generated by an application operating on the second electronic device.