Wrist-Worn Electronic Device and Methods Therefor

• US 20120194976A1
• Filed: 07/20/2011
• Published: 08/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Golko, Albert J., Alvarez, Felix, Schmidt, Mathias W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,787,006 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/679.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/385 Transceivers carried on the body, e.g. in helmets
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers

Abstract

Embodiments of electronic wristwatches are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an electronic wristband can provide additional electrical circuitry or devices that can be made available for use as or with an electronic device. In one embodiment, the electronic device can be a mobile electronic device that can be removably coupled to the electronic wristband which provides the additional circuitry or devices. Advantageously, the electronic device can utilize the additional electrical circuitry or devices provided within the electronic wristband to augment the capabilities of the electronic device. In another embodiment, the electronic device can be integrally formed with the electronic wristband which provides the additional circuitry or devices.

Claims

1. An electronic wristband to be worn on a wrist of a user, comprising:

a central portion having a receptacle area configured to receive a mobile electronic device, the mobile electronic device including a display and being independently useable apart from the electronic watchband; and

at least one band portion coupled to the central portion and suitable to assist with securing the electronic wristband to the wrist of the user, the at least one band portion including at least one electrical component provided internal to the at least one band portion and operatively connected to the mobile electronic device when provided in the receptacle area.

3. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical component provided internal to the at least one band portion is electrically connected to electronic circuitry within the mobile electronic device via the electrical connector.

4. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical component provided internal to the at least one band portion includes at least one of an accelerometer, an antenna, a GPS receiver, a wireless communication transceiver, or a haptic device.

5. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the mobile electronic device provides media storage and playback.

6. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the display of the mobile electronic device includes a touch screen.

7. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the central portion includes at least one electrical component.

8. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one electrical component included in the central portion includes at least one of a haptic device, a printed circuit substrate, or an accelerometer.

9. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one electrical component provided in the central portion includes at least a battery.

10. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 7, wherein the at least one electrical component provided in the central portion includes at least a haptic device.

11. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 10, wherein the haptic device is provided adjacent a bottom surface of the central portion that is placed against the wrist of the user when the electronic wristband is being worn on the wrist of the user.

12. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 11, wherein the haptic device is configured to controllably provide a physical alert to the user via the wrist of the user.

13. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 12, wherein the haptic device includes at least a piezoelectric device.

14. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the electronic wristband includes a battery, wherein the battery is configured to supply electrical power to the one electrical component provided internal to at least the at least one band.

15. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 14, wherein the battery is further configured to supply electrical power to the mobile electronic device when the mobile electronic device is provided in the receptacle area.

16. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one band portion includes at least a first band and a second band, each of the first band and the second band couple to the central portion.

17. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 16, wherein the first band includes at least one first band electrical component, and the second band includes at least one second band electrical component.

18. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 17, wherein the at least one first band electrical component includes at least a first antenna, and wherein the at least one second band electrical component includes at least a second antenna.

2. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 2, wherein the electronic wristband further comprises:

an electrical connector provided at the receptacle area and used to at least in part to removably secure the mobile electronic device to the receptacle area.

19. An electronic wristband to be worn on a wrist of a user, comprising:

a central portion having a touch screen display, control circuitry and a battery, the touch screen display being configured to present visual information to the user and to receive user input from the user, the control circuitry being configured to control operation of the electronic watchband, and the battery being configured to provide power to the electronic wristband; and

at least one band portion coupled to the central portion and suitable to assist with securing the electronic wristband to the wrist of the user, the at least one band portion including at least one electrical component provided internal to the at least one band portion and operatively connected to the control circuitry.

20. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the control circuitry is provided on a printed circuit substrate.

21. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one electrical component provided internal to the at least one band portion includes at least one of an accelerometer, an antenna, a GPS receiver, a wireless communication transceiver, or a haptic device.

22. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 19, wherein the central portion further includes at least one of a haptic device.

23. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 22, wherein the haptic device is provided adjacent a bottom surface of the central portion that is placed against the wrist of the user when the electronic wristband is being worn on the wrist of the user.

24. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 23, wherein the haptic device is configured to controllably provide a physical alert to the user via the wrist of the user.

25. An electronic wristband as recited in claim 19, wherein the electronic wristband includes a battery, wherein the battery is configured to supply electrical power to the one electrical component provided internal to at least the at least one band.