Wearable device

• US 9,888,351 B2
• Filed: 10/07/2016
• Issued: 02/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3G Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: 3G Innovations LLC
• Inventors: Olson, Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): GESESSE, TILAHUN
• Application Number:
  US15/287,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20170105096A1
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 455 412, 455 18, 455419, 455531
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 2001/085 Partner search devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/33 using wearable devices, e.g. using a smartwatch or smart-glasses
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/005 Transmission of information for alerting of incoming communication

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for electronic devices configured to be worn, and further configured to pair wirelessly to similar devices. In certain embodiments, an apparatus may include a first wearable device. The first wearable device may include an attachment mechanism configured to enable the first wearable device to be worn, a receiver configured to detect wireless signals, and a control circuit. The control circuit may be configured to monitor for a signal from a second wearable device paired to the first wearable device, and to generate an indicator based on a proximity of the second wearable device to the first wearable device.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first wearable device including;

an attachment mechanism configured to enable the first wearable device to be worn;

a receiver configured to detect wireless signals;

a control circuit configured to;

monitor for a signal from a second wearable device paired to the first wearable device at a first search interval;

receive a user scan input at the first wearable device; and

search for the signal at a second search interval shorter than the first search interval based on the user scan input; and

in response to detecting the signal at the second search interval, selectively generate an indicator based on a proximity of the second wearable device to the first wearable device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to generate the indicator in response to determining the proximity is less than a threshold range.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to generate the indicator when the proximity changes from a first range that is less than the threshold range to a second range that is greater than the threshold range.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to determine the proximity of the second wearable device based on a received signal strength indicator associated with the wireless signals received from the second wearable device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first wearable device includes a bracelet; and

the attachment mechanism includes a wrist band.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first wearable device includes a pendant; and

the attachment mechanism includes a necklace.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

receive a user input at the first wearable device; and

in response to receiving the user input, transmit a notification signal to the second wearable device directing the second wearable device to generate a specific indicator based on the notification signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

the first wearable device further includes a transmitter configured to transmit wireless signals; and

the control circuit is further configured to transmit a detection signal via the transmitter, the detection signal configured to identify the first wearable device to wearable devices paired to the first wearable device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

encrypt the detection signal with a stored encryption key prior to transmitting;

receive the signal from the second wearable device via the receiver; and

apply the stored encryption key to the signal to identify the second wearable device.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the first wearable device further includes a display element associated with each of one or more other wearable devices paired to the first wearable device; and

the control circuit is further configured to;

pair to the one or more other wearable devices;

store identifying information for each of the one or more other wearable devices paired to the first wearable device;

determine when a detected signal corresponds to identifying information for one of the one or more other wearable devices; and

activate the display element associated with the wearable device corresponding to the detected signal.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising the control circuit further configured to:

receive a pairing input via a first input element;

generate a pairing signal in response to the pairing input;

search for a reply signal from the second wearable device via the receiver;

in response to determining the reply signal, store information associated with the reply signal in a memory to pair the first wearable device to the second wearable device; and

identify the reply signal from the second wearable device based on the stored information.

12. A device comprising:

a first bracelet including;

a transceiver to transmit and receive wireless signals;

a control circuit configured to;

pair with a second bracelet via the transceiver by exchanging identifying information with the second bracelet by;

receiving a pairing input via a first input element;

transmitting a pairing signal including identifying information for the first bracelet via the transceiver in response to receiving the pairing input;

search for a reply signal from the second bracelet via the transceiver, the reply signal including identifying information for the second bracelet;

store the identifying information associated with the second bracelet subsequently, detect a particular signal associated with the second bracelet;

determine a proximity of the second bracelet to the first bracelet based on the particular signal; and

generate an indicator based on the proximity.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the control circuit is further configured to generate a detection signal via the transceiver configured to allow the second bracelet to determine a proximity of the first bracelet to the second bracelet.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the indicator is selected from a group consisting of light flashes, sounds, and displayed messages.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein:

the first bracelet further includes a plurality of display elements, each display element associated with one of a plurality of devices;

the circuit is further configured to;

store identifying information for each device of the plurality of devices that is paired to the first bracelet, at least one of the devices that is paired to the first bracelet including the second bracelet;

determine when a detected signal corresponds to identifying information for a determined paired device; and

activate the display element associated with the determined paired device corresponding to the detected signal.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the control circuit is further configured to determine the proximity of the second wearable device based on a signal strength associated with the signal.

17. A wearable device comprising:

an attachment mechanism configured to enable the first wearable device to be worn;

a transceiver configured to send and receive wireless signals;

a plurality of display elements, each display element including a light emitting diode;

a control circuit coupled to the transceiver and to the plurality of display elements, the control circuit configured to;

determine a first received signal corresponding to a second wearable device that was previously paired to the first wearable device;

selectively control a first display element of the plurality of display elements to provide a first visible indication of proximity of the second wearable device in response to determining the first received signal;

determine a second received signal corresponding to a third wearable device that was previously paired to the first wearable device; and

selectively control a second display element of the plurality of display elements to provide a second visible indication of proximity of the third wearable device in response to determining the second received signal.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

a memory accessible to the control circuit and configured to store identifier data and other data associated with the second wearable device; and

wherein the control circuit determines the received signal by comparing data determined from the received signal to data stored in the memory.