Wearable device assembly having athletic functionality

• US 9,474,955 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2013
• Issued: 10/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Cobbett, Jamian R, Weast, Aaron B
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US13/749,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20130197680A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,370 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/681 Wristwatch-type devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0661 arranged on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0059 Exercising apparatus with reward systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1438 using more than one graphics controller
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising

Abstract

A wearable device assembly has a housing supporting a controller, display and indicator system thereon. The controller has at least one sensor wherein activity of a user wearing the device is detected. The controller selectively illuminates the indicator system to indicate a level of activity of the user.

Claims

1. A wearable device comprising:

a sensor that monitors an athletic performance of a user;

a plurality of lighting elements;

an inner spine member having at least one substantially rigid portion and at least one flexible zone, the substantially rigid portion being pivotable about the flexible zone;

an outer sheath that surrounds and protects the sensor, the inner spine member, and the plurality of lighting elements and includes one or more substantially transparent regions that allow light to be visible through the outer sheath when the plurality of lighting elements are illuminated; and

a single user input button.

2. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting elements are arranged in a matrix formation to produce at least one of words, texts, and symbols when illuminated.

3. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lighting elements are arranged to extend across a length of a first display system.

4. The wearable device of claim 1,

wherein the flexible zone has a concave shape and a lesser thickness at a central portion of the concave shape than the remaining thickness of the concave shape.

5. The wearable device of claim 4, wherein the substantially rigid portion is pivotable about the central portion of the concave shape of the flexible zone.

6. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the outer sheath comprises a rubber composite material.

7. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the outer sheath comprises a synthetic material.

8. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the outer sheath comprises a thermo polyurethane material.

9. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the outer sheath comprises a thermoplastic rubber material.

10. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the outer sheath is water resistant.

11. The wearable device of claim 1, further including a cap member positioned over the plurality of lighting elements.

12. The wearable device of claim 1, further including a dongle configured to connect the wearable device to a USB port.

13. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an accelerometer.

14. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the single user input button is configured to allow the user to change a mode of the wearable device.

15. A device comprising:

a sensor that monitors an athletic performance of a first user;

a first display comprising a first plurality of lighting elements, wherein the plurality of lighting elements are mounted to an inner spine member of the device

a water resistant outer sheath configured to be worn around the first user'"'"'s wrist, the outer sheath covering the sensor, the inner spine member, and the first plurality of lighting elements and including substantially transparent regions that allow light to be visible through the outer sheath when the first plurality of lighting elements are illuminated; and

a single user input button.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the first plurality of lighting elements are arranged to produce at least one of words, texts, and symbols when illuminated.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the first plurality of lighting elements are arranged to extend across a length of a first display system.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein each of the first plurality of lighting elements are surrounded by opaque portions of the outer sheath.

19. The device of claim 15, further including:

a cap member having a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of apertures is positioned to correspond to the first plurality of lighting elements.

20. The device of claim 15 further including:

a communication interface configured to receive from a second device athletic performance data of a second user.

21. The device of claim 20, further comprising a second display having a second plurality of lighting elements, wherein the second display is configured to illuminate multiple lighting elements of the second plurality of lighting elements in accordance with a progress of the second user toward an activity goal.