Wearable computing device capable of responding intelligently to surroundings

• US 6,711,414 B1
• Filed: 07/17/2000
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Russell Hoffman
• Original Assignee: Charmed Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Starner, Thad, Lightman, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, CONGVAN
• Application Number:
  US09/617,718
• Time in Patent Office: 1,345 Days
• Field of Search: 455/9, 455/456, 455/457, 455/575, 455/95, 455/151, 455/156.1, 455/517, 340/3.1, 340/853.2, 342/27, 342/28, 342/90, 342/357.07, 342/357.08
• US Class Current: 455/517
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

Techniques and approaches that enable wireless communication devices, namely, wearable devices, to assist users in new ways by interacting with other devices or surroundings to notify users of things that would be of interest to users. In one aspect of the invention, wearable devices display information for users in response to surrounding signals. The surrounding signals can come from a nearby wireless transceiver that may be included in another wearable device, a terminal device or an isolated device provided in a setting. In another aspect of the invention, wireless communication or computing devices (e.g., wearable devices) can interact and perform social filtering. The users of the devices can then be suitably notified.

Claims

1. A method for exchanging data between wearable computing devices, said method comprising:

(a) determining whether a first wearable computing device having a display can presently communicate with a second wearable computing device;

(b) sending a data exchange request from the first wearable computing device to the second wearable computing device when said determining (a) determines that the first wearable computing device can presently communicate with the second wearable computing device, the data exchange request requesting a data exchange between the first wearable computing device and the second wearable computing device;

(c) receiving a request response at the first wearable computing device, the request response indicating whether the second wearable computing device has authorized the data exchange;

(d) performing the data exchange between the first wearable computing device and the second wearable computing device when the request response indicates that the second wearable computing device has authorized the data exchange;

(e) examining at least one of the data received at the first wearable computing device and the request response to determined whether the second wearable computing device desires to have certain information displayed on the display of the first wearable computing device; and

(f) displaying the certain information on the display of the first wearable computing device when said examining (e) indicates that the second wearable computing device desires to have certain information displayed on the display of the first wearable computing device.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said performing (d) of the data exchange transfers first data from the first wearable computing device to the second wearable computing device, and transfers second data from the second wearable computing device to the first wearable computing device.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the first data pertains to user profile information of a user of the first wearable computing device.

4. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the second data pertains to user profile information of a user of the second wearable computing device.

5. A method as recited in claim 2,

wherein the first data is that portion of data stored on the first wearable computing device that is authorized for transmission to the second wearable computing device, and

wherein the second data is that portion of data stored on the second wearable computing device that is authorized for transmission to the first wearable computing device.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said performing (d) of the data exchange comprises:

(d1) determining first data of available data on the first wearable computing device that is authorized to be transferred to the second wearable computing device; and

(d2) transferring the first data from the first wearable computing device to the second wearable computing device.

7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said performing (d) of the data exchange further comprises:

(d3) receiving second data at the first wearable computing device from the second wearable computing device, the second data being that portion of the available data on the second wearable computing device that is authorized to be transferred to the first wearable computing device.

8. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said determining (d1) of the first data is predetermined.

9. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein said determining (d1) of the first data is determined by one or more user selections at the first wearable computing device.

10. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:

(g) providing an indication at the first wearable computing device that the data exchange has been successfully completed.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the first wearable computing device includes at least a display screen, and wherein the indication is one of an audio sound and a visual indication appearing on the display screen of the first wearable computing device.

12. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first wearable computing device is a wearable badge.

13. A method as recited in claim 12, wherein the second wearable computing device is affixed to or embedded in an area or a setting.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein said method is performed at an event in which numerous participants wear wearable badges.

15. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said displaying (f) displaying of the certain information on the display of the first wearable computing device operates to display the certain information in a series of screens on the display.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein each of the screens of the series of screens are cycled after a predetermined time.

17. A method for exchanging data between wearable computing devices, said method comprising:

(a) determining whether a first wearable computing device can presently communicate with a second wearable computing device;

(b) sending a data exchange request from the first wearable computing device to the second wearable computing device when said determining (a) determines that the first wearable computing device can presently communicate with the second wearable computing device, the data exchange request requesting a data exchange between the first wearable computing device and the second wearable computing device;

(c) receiving a request response at the first wearable computing device, the request response indicating whether the second wearable computing device has authorized the data exchange;

(d) performing the data exchange between the first wearable computing device and the second wearable computing device when the request response indicates that the second wearable computing device has authorized the data exchange; and

(e) thereafter performing social filtering on the data received by at least one of the first wearable computing device and the second wearable computing device based on predetermined criteria.

18. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein said performing (e) the social filtering comprises determining whether the data received matches the predetermined criteria, and

wherein said method further comprises:

(f) notifying the at least one of the first wearable computing device and the second wearable computing device when said determining determines that the data received matches the predetermines criteria.

19. A method as recited in claim 18, wherein at least one of the first wearable computing device and the second wearable computing device is a badge.

20. A method as recited in claim 17, wherein at least one of the first wearable computing device and the second wearable computing device is a badge.