Interchangeable cases for biometric monitoring devices

• US 9,826,935 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2016
• Issued: 11/28/2017
• 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, Park, James, Friedman, Eric Nathan, Yuen, Shelten Gee Jao, Wilcox, Keeline Burdick
• Primary Examiner(s): Islam, Syed A
• Application Number:
  US15/294,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20170027509A1
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: 40 6, 40633, 40665, 4065401, 40651, 206 38, 600301, 600382, 600384
• 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. An apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a plurality of biometric sensors, the plurality of biometric sensors including a magnetic sensor; and

processing circuitry, wherein;

the plurality of biometric sensors and the processing circuitry are located within the housing, and

the processing circuitry is configured to;

determine one or more activity-related metrics based on data from the plurality of biometric sensors, and

switch from a first operating mode to a second operating mode when data from the magnetic sensor corresponds with a first magnetic signature associated with a first mounting fixture, wherein the first mounting fixture includes a magnetic source that produces the first magnetic signature.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor is a Hall effect sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the magnetic sensor is a magnetometer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to use at least one algorithm to process data from the plurality of biometric sensors while in the second operating mode that is different from one or more algorithms that the processing circuitry uses to process data from the plurality of biometric sensors while in the first operating mode.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first mounting fixture is configured for use with a bicycle and the processing circuitry is further configured to process data from the plurality of biometric sensors to determine bicycle-related activity metrics when in the second operating mode and the bicycle-related activity metrics include at least one activity-related metric that is different from the activity-related metrics determined by the processing circuitry in the first operating mode.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first mounting fixture is part of a strap that allows the housing to be worn on a person'"'"'s arm and the processing circuitry is further configured to process data from the plurality of biometric sensors to determine sleep-related activity metrics when in the second operating mode and the sleep-related activity metrics include at least one activity-related metric that is different from the activity-related metrics determined by the processing circuitry in the first operating mode.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to change the orientation of content shown on the display in the second operating mode as compared with the orientation of content shown on the display in the first operating mode.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first mounting fixture is part of a wristband case that includes a magnet.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the wristband case includes injection-molded portions including:

a molded body;

a first molded strap extending away from a first end of the molded body;

a second molded strap extending away from a second end of the molded body opposite the first end, wherein the molded body, the first molded strap, and the second molded strap are configured to completely or partially encircle an organism'"'"'s limb or neck;

a cavity within the molded body, the cavity sized to receive the housing and to hold the housing securely with respect to the molded body when the housing is fully inserted into the cavity; and

an opening in the molded body leading to the cavity, the opening sized such that the opening must be stretched or deformed during insertion of the housing into the cavity through the opening.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to cause the display to display an identifier responsive to the receipt of the data from the magnetic sensor that corresponds with the first magnetic signature.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the identifier is an identifier selected from the group consisting of:

a specific color, a color sequence, an animation, a nickname, a keyword, a word sequence, a vibration sequence, a custom avatar, and an image.

12. A system comprising:

a biometric monitoring device including;

a housing;

a plurality of biometric sensors, the plurality of biometric sensors including a magnetic sensor; and

processing circuitry, wherein;

the plurality of biometric sensors and the processing circuitry are located within the housing, and

the processing circuitry is configured to;

determine one or more activity-related metrics based on data from the plurality of biometric sensors, and

switch from a first operating mode to a second operating mode when data from the magnetic sensor corresponds with a first magnetic signature associated with a first mounting fixture; and

the first mounting fixture, wherein;

the first mounting feature is configured to couple with the housing, and

the first mounting fixture includes a magnetic source that produces the first magnetic signature.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the magnetic sensor is a Hall effect sensor.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the magnetic sensor is a magnetometer.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to use at least one algorithm to process data from the plurality of biometric sensors while in the second operating mode that is different from one or more algorithms that the processing circuitry uses to process data from the plurality of biometric sensors while in the first operating mode.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the first mounting fixture is configured for use with a bicycle and the processing circuitry is further configured to process data from the plurality of biometric sensors to determine bicycle-related activity metrics when in the second operating mode and the bicycle-related activity metrics include at least one activity-related metric that is different from the activity-related metrics determined by the processing circuitry in the first operating mode.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the first mounting fixture is part of a strap that allows the housing to be worn on a person'"'"'s arm and the processing circuitry is further configured to process data from the plurality of biometric sensors to determine sleep-related activity metrics when in the second operating mode and the sleep-related activity metrics include at least one activity-related metric that is different from the activity-related metrics determined by the processing circuitry in the first operating mode.

18. The system of claim 12, further comprising a display, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to change the orientation of content shown on the display in the second operating mode as compared with the orientation of content shown on the display in the first operating mode.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the first mounting fixture is part of a wristband case that includes a magnet.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the wristband case includes injection-molded portions including:

a molded body;

a first molded strap extending away from a first end of the molded body;

a second molded strap extending away from a second end of the molded body opposite the first end, wherein the molded body, the first molded strap, and the second molded strap are configured to completely or partially encircle an organism'"'"'s limb or neck;

a cavity within the molded body, the cavity sized to receive the housing and to hold the housing securely with respect to the molded body when the housing is fully inserted into the cavity; and

an opening in the molded body leading to the cavity, the opening sized such that the opening must be stretched or deformed during insertion of the housing into the cavity through the opening.

21. The system of claim 12, further comprising a display, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to cause the display to display an identifier responsive to receipt of the data from the magnetic sensor that corresponds with the first magnetic signature.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the identifier is an identifier selected from the group consisting of:

a specific color, a color sequence, an animation, a nickname, a keyword, a word sequence, a vibration sequence, a custom avatar, and an image.