Modular fashion accessory

• US 9,819,850 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2015
• Issued: 11/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC (Western Digital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: SanDisk Technologies LLC (Western Digital Corporation)
• Inventors: Taran Katz, Ella, Bar, Yaron, Lee, Grace Hina, Swen, Kyle Nathen, Tak, Jung Geun
• Primary Examiner(s): LAM, HUNG H
• Application Number:
  US14/678,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20160277649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 15/005 Necklaces ornamental chains A44C11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/0084 Bracelets in the form of a ring, band or tube of rigid material C-spring-type bracelets A44C5/12
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/006 comprising a suspension strap or lanyard
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2005/008 Hand articles fastened to the wrist or to the arm or to the leg
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0533 Cameras, e.g. reflex, digital, video camera
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/00 Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/56 Accessories carrying-cases A45C11/38
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2217/007 Details of energy supply or management
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/516 Means for holding or embracing insulating body, e.g. casing , hoods
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/00 Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/88
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/65 Control of camera operation in relation to power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet

Abstract

A particular apparatus includes a first electronic component, a second electronic component, and a connecting element that is detachably connectable to the first electronic component and to the second electronic component. The first electronic component is connectable via the connecting element to the second electronic component to form a wearable item. The first electronic component includes a camera, the second electronic component includes an energy storage component, and the first electronic component is configured to receive power from the second electronic component via the connecting element.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising;

a first electronic component that includes a camera, a first connector at a first end and a button at a second end, wherein the button includes a capacitive touch sensor and is configured to generate a first signal in response to detecting a touch at the button and to generate a second signal in response to detecting a push of the button, and wherein the first electronic component is configured to perform a first operation in response to the first signal and to perform a second operation in response to the second signal;

a second electronic component that includes an energy storage component; and

a connecting element that is detachably connectable to the first electronic component and to the second electronic component, wherein the first electronic component is connectable via the connecting element to the second electronic component to form a wearable item, and wherein the first electronic component is further configured to receive power from the second electronic component via the connecting element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wearable item includes a fashion accessory.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a flexible band, wherein the fashion accessory includes a necklace with a pendant and with the flexible band, and wherein the first electronic component is further configured to attach to the second electronic component to form the pendant of the necklace.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first electronic component is further configured to fasten to the second electronic component to form a cross-type shape.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first electronic component is further configured to fasten to the second electronic component, and wherein the first electronic component and the second electronic component are angled relative to each other if the first electronic component is fastened to the second electronic component.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein an angle formed between the first electronic component and the second electronic component is less than 90 degrees.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein an angle formed between the first electronic component and the second electronic component is substantially 60 degrees.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second electronic component further includes a second connector, and wherein the connecting element includes:

a third connector configured to couple to the first connector;

a fourth connector configured to couple to the second connector; and

a conductive wire or a conductive cable, the conductive wire or the conductive cable configured to electrically couple the third connector to the fourth connector.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first electronic component is further configured to initiate an operation at the camera responsive to the capacitive touch sensor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first electronic component further includes a light emitting device that is configured to provide visual information regarding operation of the first electronic component.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first electronic component is further configured to magnetically attach to the second electronic component.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first electronic component and the second electronic component further includes an antenna and communication circuitry configured to wirelessly transfer media data from the wearable item to an electronic device.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein one of the first electronic component and the second electronic component further includes a microphone, and wherein the media data includes image data captured by the camera, audio data captured by the microphone, or a combination thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the communication circuitry is further configured to receive control data from the electronic device and to provide the control data to a controller, and wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the camera responsive to the control data.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a first electronic component that includes a first connector and a button, wherein the button includes a touch sensor and is configured to generate a first signal in response to detecting a first touch input at the button and to generate a second signal in response to detecting a second touch input at the button, and wherein the first electronic component is configured to perform a first operation in response to the first signal and to perform a second operation in response to the second signal;

a second connector configured to detachably couple to the first electronic component;

a third connector configured to detachably couple to a second electronic component;

a cover coupled to the second connector and to the third connector, wherein the cover at least partially encloses the second connector and the third connector; and

wiring coupling the second connector to the third connector, the wiring routed through the cover, wherein the wiring enables a power source of the second electronic component to provide power to the first electronic component if the first electronic component is coupled to the second connector and if the second electronic component is coupled to the third connector.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the cover includes a curve between the second connector and the third connector, the curve dimensioned to cause the first electronic component to have a particular angle relative to the second electronic component if the first electronic component is coupled to the second connector and if the second electronic component is coupled to the third connector.

17. A wearable electronic component comprising:

an energy storage component;

a wearable camera component that includes a button at an end of the wearable camera component, wherein the button includes a capacitive touch sensor and is configured to generate a first signal in response to detecting a touch at the button and to generate a second signal in response to detecting a push of the button, and wherein the wearable camera component is configured to perform a first operation in response to the first signal and to perform a second operation in response to the second signal;

a decorative housing at least partially enclosing the energy storage component; and

a connector configured to be detachably coupled to the wearable camera component via a wearable connecting element to provide energy from the energy storage component to the wearable camera component, the connector further configured to be detachably coupled to a charging device to energize the energy storage component.

18. The wearable electronic component of claim 17, wherein the connector includes a universal serial bus (USB)-type connector.

19. A wearable electronic component comprising:

a connector configured to be detachably coupled to a power source via a wearable connecting element;

a camera;

communication circuitry configured to enable transmission of image data captured by the camera to a remote device;

a decorative housing at least partially enclosing the camera and the communication circuitry, wherein the connector is at a first end of the decorative housing; and

a button that includes a capacitive touch sensor, wherein the button is configured to send a first signal to a controller in response to detecting a touch at the button and to send a second signal to the controller in response to detecting a push of the button, and wherein the controller is configured to perform a first operation in response to the first signal and to perform a second operation in response to the second signal.

20. The wearable electronic component of claim 19, further comprising an antenna coupled to the communication circuitry.

21. The wearable electronic component of claim 20, wherein the decorative housing includes a transmission window, wherein the antenna is disposed within the decorative housing behind the transmission window, and wherein at least a portion of the antenna is covered by the transmission window.

22. The wearable electronic component of claim 19, wherein the communication circuitry is further configured to receive control data from the remote device via a wireless transmission and to provide the control data to the controller, and wherein the controller is further configured to control operation of the camera responsive to the control data.

23. The wearable electronic component of claim 19, further comprising a memory configured to store image data captured by the camera.

24. A charging device comprising:

a housing;

charging circuitry disposed within the housing;

a first connector coupled to the charging circuitry and configured to provide power to a first electronic component external to the housing if the first electronic component is coupled to the first connector, wherein the first electronic component includes a camera, and wherein the first connector is further configured to provide power to the first electronic component to enable operation of the camera; and

a second connector coupled to the charging circuitry and configured to provide power to a second electronic component external to the housing if the second electronic component is coupled to the second connector, wherein the second electronic component includes a rechargeable battery and is configured to provide power to the first electronic component if the second electronic component is coupled to the first electronic component.

25. The charging device of claim 24, wherein the first connector is further configured to hold the first electronic component at an angle relative to a surface of the housing, and wherein the angle substantially matches an angular orientation of the camera.

26. The charging device of claim 24, wherein the charging circuitry is configured to provide power to the first electronic component concurrently with providing power to the second electronic component to enable operation of the camera if the rechargeable battery is being charged.

27. An apparatus comprising:

means for capturing images, the means for capturing images including means for capacitively sensing, means for connecting, and means for generating a first signal in response to detecting a touch and for generating a second signal in response to detecting a push, wherein the means for capturing images is configured to perform a first operation in response to the first signal and to perform a second operation in response to the second signal, wherein the means for connecting is positioned at a first end of the means for capturing images, and wherein the means for capacitively sensing is positioned at a second end of the means for capturing images;

means for supplying power to the means for capturing images; and

means for detachably connecting the means for capturing images to the means for supplying power to form a wearable item, wherein the means for capturing images is further configured to receive power from the means for supplying power via the means for connecting.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the means for detachably connecting includes means for flexibly connecting the means for capturing images to the means for supplying power.

29. An apparatus comprising:

a first electronic component including a camera;

a second electronic component including an energy storage component; and

a connecting element that includes a flexible band and that is detachably connectable to the first electronic component and to the second electronic component, wherein the first electronic component is connectable via the connecting element to the second electronic component to form a wearable item that includes a necklace with a pendant and with the flexible band, wherein the first electronic component is configured to receive power from the second electronic component via the connecting element, and wherein the first electronic component is further configured to attach to the second electronic component to form the pendant.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the flexible band is configured to extend between the first electronic component and the second electronic component.

31. An apparatus comprising:

a first electronic component including a camera;

a second electronic component including an energy storage component, wherein the first electronic component is configured to fasten to the second electronic component such that an angle formed between the first electronic component and the second electronic component is less than 90 degrees; and

a connecting element that is detachably connectable to the first electronic component and to the second electronic component, wherein the first electronic component is connectable via the connecting element to the second electronic component to form a wearable item, and wherein the first electronic component is further configured to receive power from the second electronic component via the connecting element.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the connecting element includes a flexible band configured to extend between the first electronic component and the second electronic component.

33. An apparatus comprising:

means for capturing images that includes means for sensing a touch input, wherein the means for sensing is configured to generate a first signal in response to detecting a first touch input at the means for sensing and to generate a second signal in response to detecting a second touch input at the means for sensing, and wherein the means for capturing images is configured to perform a first operation in response to the first signal and to perform a second operation in response to the second signal;

first means for connecting configured to detachably couple to the means for capturing images;

second means for connecting configured to detachably couple to means for providing power;

means for covering coupled to the first means for connecting and to the second means for connecting, wherein the means for covering at least partially encloses the first means for connecting and the second means for connecting; and

means for electrically coupling the first means for connecting to the second means for connecting, the means for electrically coupling routed through the means for covering, wherein the means for covering enables the means for providing power to provide power to the means for capturing images if the means for capturing images is coupled to the first means for connecting and if the means for providing power is coupled to the second means for connecting.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the means for sensing is further configured to detect the first touch input and the second touch input using a capacitively sensing technique.