Wearable bracelet with bidirectional network connectivity and touch feedback

• US 9,368,006 B1
• Filed: 11/17/2013
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Woodenshark LLC
• Original Assignee: Woodenshark LLC
• Inventors: Gorilovsky, Dmitry
• Primary Examiner(s): Blount, Eric M
• Application Number:
  US14/082,150
• Time in Patent Office: 940 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.11
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 6/00 Tactile signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems

Abstract

A wearable electronic device includes a wristband; a detachable electronic module adapted to fit into the wristband, the module including a controller, a control button, a tactile sensor, a wireless interface adapter, and a tactile event reproduction element, all connected to the controller. The module is configured to transmit a touch or a tap on the tactile to a second wearable device through the wireless interface adapter, and to receive a notification of a tactile event on the second wearable device through the wireless interface adapter and to reproduce the tactile event using the reproduction element. The tactile sensor can be an accelerometer, a MEMS, a gyroscope, a capacitive sensor or a resistive sensor. The network adapter can be a Bluetooth adapter or ANT+ standard-enabled, and connects to a smartphone or a tablet. The network adapter connects to the second device over the Internet via a server.

Claims

1. A wearable electronic device comprising:

a wristband;

a detachable electronic module adapted to fit into the wristband, the module including

a controller,

a control button, a tactile sensor that uses a combination of a capacitive sensor and an accelerometer, a wireless interface adapter, and a tactile event reproduction element, all connected to the controller that determines, based on signals from the combination, whether the device is stationary on a flat surface, and whether a user'"'"'s hand is in proximity to the device,

wherein the module is configured to transmit a touch or a tap on the tactile sensor to a second wearable device through the wireless interface adapter, including selecting of a tap or touch pattern to be transmitted depending on which wearable device, out of a group of wearable devices, is selected by the user as a recipient, including recognition of tap force for transmission to the second wearable device and accurate reproduction on the second wearable device, and including informing the user of the device of unavailability of the second wearable device, and

wherein the module is configured to receive a notification of a tactile event on the second wearable device through the wireless interface adapter and to reproduce the tactile event using the reproduction element.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the tactile sensor includes a MEMS.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the tactile sensor includes a gyroscope.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the tactile sensor includes a resistive sensor.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a charging interface and a battery.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the charging interface uses a micro USB connector.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the charging interface uses a USB Type A connector.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the network adapter is a Bluetooth adapter.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the network adapter is an ANT+ standard-enabled.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the network adapter connects to a smartphone or a tablet.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the network adapter connects to the second device over the Internet via a server.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the module includes a blood oxygen sensor connected to the controller.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the module includes a blood sugar sensor connected to the controller.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the reproduction element is a vibro motor.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the reproduction element is a piezo motor.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the wristband collects data and transmits it to an application on a mobile phone.

16. A wearable electronic device comprising:

a wristband having a battery within;

a detachable electronic module adapted to fit into the wristband, the module including a controller, and a control button, a tactile sensor that uses a combination of a capacitive sensor and an accelerometer, a wireless interface adapter, and a tactile event reproduction element, all connected to the controller that determines, based on signals from the combination, whether the device is stationary on a flat surface, and whether a user'"'"'s hand is in proximity to the device,

wherein the module is configured to transmit a touch or a tap on the tactile to a second wearable device through the wireless interface adapter, including selecting of a tap or touch pattern to be transmitted depending on which wearable device, out of a group of wearable devices, is selected by the user as a recipient, including recognition of tap force for transmission to the second wearable device and accurate reproduction on the second wearable device, and including informing the user of the device of unavailability of the second wearable device, and

wherein the module is configured to receive a notification of a tactile event on the second wearable device through the wireless interface adapter and to reproduce the tactile event using two vibrating elements configured to vibrate at different frequencies.

17. A wearable electronic device comprising:

a detachable electronic module adapted to fit into the wristband, the module including a controller, and a control button, a tactile sensor that uses a combination of a capacitive sensor and an accelerometer, a wireless interface adapter, and a tactile event reproduction element, all connected to the controller that determines, based on signals from the combination, whether the device is stationary on a flat surface, and whether a user'"'"'s hand is in proximity to the device,

wherein the module is located on an inner side of the wristband facing the user'"'"'s wrist,

wherein the module is configured to transmit a touch or a tap on the tactile to a second wearable device through the wireless interface adapter, including selecting of a tap or touch pattern to be transmitted depending on which wearable device, out of a group of wearable devices, is selected by the user as a recipient, including recognition of tap force for transmission to the second wearable device and accurate reproduction on the second wearable device, and including informing the user of the device of unavailability of the second wearable device, and

wherein the module is configured to receive a notification of a tactile event on the second wearable device through the wireless interface adapter and to reproduce the tactile event using two vibrating elements configured to vibrate at different frequencies; and

at least one LED on an outer side of the wristband connected to the controller and configured to indicate received signals from the second wearable device.