Band type electronic device and substrate arrangement method

• US 10,620,587 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2017
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Tsushima, Teppei
• Primary Examiner(s): Kayes, Sean
• Application Number:
  US15/631,754
• Publication Number:
  US 20170285574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/003 with a storage compartment
• CPC Class Codes: A44C 5/02 Link constructions
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 37/08 Hermetic sealing of openings, joints, passages or slits covers or protecting devices which can be directly removed, or by sliding or turning G04B37/005; hermetic sealing of watch or crystal with special pieces G04B39/02; hermetically-sealed electrical switches H01H23/06
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 37/1486 Arrangements for fixing to a bracelet building watches into bracelets (montre marquise) G04B37/12; arrangements for hanging pocket- or other watches on chains G04B37/1446
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 17/06 Electric connectors, e.g. conductive elastomers
• CPC Class Codes: G04R 60/04 Antennas attached to or integrated in watch bracelets

Abstract

A band-type electronic device and a method for configuration of a flexible circuit board in a band-type electronic device are disclosed. The band-type electronic device includes a plurality of segments connected with each other in a band-like shape, a plurality of electronic components arranged in the plurality of segments, and a flexible circuit board connected to the plurality of electronic components arranged in the plurality of segments, wherein the flexible circuit board is partly deformed into a meandering shape in at least one of the plurality of segments.

Claims

1. A band-type electronic device comprising:

a plurality of segments connected with each other in an open band-like shape,

the plurality of segments including a first segment larger than a second segment, a buckle part, a first connector at a first end of the open band-like shape and a second connector at a second end of the open band-like shape,

the first connector configured to connect the first end of the open band-like shape to a timepiece body indicating a time, the second connector configured to connect the second end of the open band-like shape to the timepiece body, and the timepiece body and the band-type electronic device combining to form a loop shape configured to surround a wrist of a user when the first and second connectors are connected to the timepiece body;

a plurality of electronic components arranged in the plurality of segments;

a flexible circuit board connected to the plurality of electronic components arranged in the plurality of segments;

a communication circuitry including an antenna and configured to send and receive a wireless communication signal, the communication circuitry disposed in the first segment; and

a notification circuitry configured to notify the user at a time when an incoming communication is received by the communication circuitry.

2. The band-type electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors are configured to connect to opposite sides of the body of the timepiece.

3. The band-type electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first segment has at least one of the plurality of electronic components arranged therein, and the flexible circuit board is partly deformed into a meandering shape in the second segment.

4. The band-type electronic device according to claim 3, wherein a connection between the first segment and the second segment includes a waterproof member that forms a first waterproof structure that covers the flexible circuit board.

5. The band-type electronic device according to claim 3, wherein one of the plurality of electric components include a battery arranged in the first segment.

6. The band-type electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the first segment includes a second waterproof structure.

7. The band-type electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the second waterproof structure is formed by a plurality of bonding sheets attached to the battery installed in the first segment and the flexible circuit board.

8. The band-type electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first segment is formed of a metal and has a slit formed therein.

9. The band-type electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the antenna of the communication circuitry is placed near the slit of the first segment.

10. The band-type electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a locking mechanism is arranged on the first segment.

11. The band-type electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second connector each include a pin that connects to mounting holes on the timepiece body.

12. The band-type electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of electronic components arranged in the plurality of segments operate independently of any circuits in the timepiece body.

13. The band-type electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the communication circuitry further comprises a plurality of antennas, the first segment is formed of a metal and has a slit formed therein, and each of the plurality of antennas is placed near the slit of the first segment.

14. A band-type electronic device comprising:

a flexible circuit board;

means for arranging the flexible circuit board in a plurality of segments connected to each other in an open band-like shape, the plurality of segments including a buckle part, and a first segment larger than a second segment;

means for connecting one end of the open band-like shape to a timepiece body that indicates time, and for connecting another end of open band-like shape to the timepiece body so that the band-type electronic device and the timepiece body combine to form a loop shape configured to surround a wrist of a user when the means for connecting are connected to the timepiece body;

means for attaching a plurality of electronic components to the flexible circuit board;

means for sending and receiving a wireless communication signal, the means for sending and receiving being disposed in the first segment and including an antenna; and

means for notifying the user at a time when an incoming communication is received by the means for sending and receiving.

15. The band-type electronic device according to claim 14, wherein

the first segment includes a means for placing an antenna as the means for sending and receiving to prevent interference during a wireless communication.

16. The band-type electronic device according to claim 14, wherein a connection between the first segment and the second segment includes means for waterproofing that covers the flexible circuit board.

17. A system comprising:

a timepiece body indicating a time; and

a band-type electronic device attached to the timepiece body, wherein the band-type electronic device comprises;

a plurality of segments connected with each other in an open band-like shape, the plurality of segments including a first segment larger than a second segment, the plurality of segments including a buckle part, a first connector at a first end of the open band-like shape configured to connect one end of the open band-like shape to the timepiece body, a second connector at a second end of the open band-like shape configured to connect another end of the open band-like shape to the timepiece body, and the timepiece body and the band-type electronic device combining to form a loop shape configured to surround a wrist of a user when the first and second connectors are connected to the timepiece body;

a plurality of electronic components arranged in the plurality of segments;

a flexible circuit board connected to the plurality of electronic components arranged in the plurality of segments;

a communication circuitry including an antenna and configured to send and receive a wireless communication signal, the communication circuitry disposed in the first segment; and

a notification circuitry configured to notify the user at a time when an incoming communication is received by the communication circuitry.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein a connection between the first segment and the second segment includes a waterproof member that forms a first waterproof structure that covers the flexible circuit board.