Abstract:
An electronic device capable of performing data communication and method of charging the same are provided. The electronic device comprises a device body, a band that couples the device body to a target object, a fastening part that adjusts a fit of the band to the target object, a fixing strap movably coupled to the band, and an interface terminal installed in the fixing strap, wherein a charging state is determined according to the position of the fixing strap relative to the band.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of Korean patent application filed on Dec. 23, 2014 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and assigned Serial number 10-2014-0187572, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to an electronic device that can perform data communication and, more specifically, to an electronic device with a waterproof charging terminal. 
         [0003]    In recent years, wearable electronic devices such as smart glasses, smart watch, fitness band, wearable robot, etc., have been spotlighted as the most promising fields. 
         [0004]    Particularly, a smart watch in the shape of a watch or band, which can be worn on a wrist, is a representative wearable device. 
         [0005]    Such a smart watch is equipped with a charging terminal. However, since the charging terminal is likely to be exposed to moisture, a water-proofing function is required. 
         [0006]    In order to keep the smart watch water-proof, the charging terminal should not be installed on the exterior, and a power adaptor that may use a different connector than is used by many electronic devices presently. For example, a very popular connector used is the universal serial bus (USB) connector for Android phones and many other electronic devices. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, for a conventional smart watch an additional charger and a cable may be required that is only usable for the smart watch. 
         [0008]    Further, a socket for power charging on the smart watch may have a movable cover for water-proofing. Accordingly, in cases where the additional component is used, the movable cover may need to be removed prior to charging and then replaced after charging. 
         [0009]    Therefore, the conventional smart watch that uses a connector that cannot be used by other devices makes it inconvenient for the user. 
         [0010]    In order to overcome the problems, a USB connector is installed as a charging terminal on an end portion of a fixing strap that fixes a band for a smart watch, and charging is performed by using a general-purpose USB cable. However, even in this case, an additional component, such as a movable cover for water-proofing, is required that has to be separately handled. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    The present disclosure has been conceived to solve such problems in the related art, and an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device that can perform charging by using a general-purpose USB cable without a separate adaptor or a connector on the exterior of a smart watch, and a method for charging the same. 
         [0012]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device that can protect a charging terminal in order to protect the charging terminal and prevent a battery from being discharged, and a method for charging the same. 
         [0013]    Yet another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device in which a fixing strap can slide to a charging position to thereby facilitate charging, and a method for charging the same. 
         [0014]    In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device comprises: a device body; a band that couples the device body to a target object; a fastening part that adjusts a fit of the band coupled to the target object; a fixing strap movably coupled to the band; and an interface terminal installed in the fixing strap, wherein a charging state is determined according to the position of the fixing strap relative to the band. 
         [0015]    The band may comprise a first band and a second band, and the first band comprises the fastening part. 
         [0016]    The fixing strap may be securely placed on the first band so as to slide thereon without falling off. 
         [0017]    The interface terminal may be installed in the interior of the fixing strap, and a space into which the second band is inserted is formed between the interface terminal and the first band. 
         [0018]    The fixing strap may comprise a connector charging terminal coupled to the interface terminal. 
         [0019]    The electronic device may further comprise a device charging terminal for charging the device body and a movable cover to protect the device charging terminal, wherein the movable cover may be moved to provide access to the device charging terminal, and wherein the movable cover may comprise one or more seals made of electrically insulated material to protect the device charging terminal. 
         [0020]    The fixing strap may slide to a predetermined position of the band, and the movable cover is opened and closed according to the movement of the fixing strap such that the device charging terminal and the connector charging terminal are connected to each other. 
         [0021]    When the movable cover is over the device charging terminal the device charging terminal may not be electrically connected to the connector charging terminal. 
         [0022]    When the fixing strap is at a predetermined position, charging may be performed via a USB cable inserted into the interface terminal. 
         [0023]    The movable cover may be cut away in the shape of an inverted triangle with respect to the device charging terminal, and the movable cover is connected to the interface terminal through a connecting member. 
         [0024]    The band may comprise a receiving section for receiving the movable cover, and the movable cover and the fixing strap are coupled to each other through a coupling bracket. 
         [0025]    The device charging terminal may be installed in the device body, and the movable cover may be enabled to cover the device charging terminal or expose the device charging terminal. 
         [0026]    The device body may comprise a receiving section for receiving the movable cover and an interworking member that enables interworking between a movement of the fixing strap and opening/closing of the movable cover. 
         [0027]    The interworking member may comprise an interworking bracket that couples the movable cover and the interface terminal, and the interworking bracket comprises the connector charging terminal. 
         [0028]    In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, an electronic device may comprise: a device body; a band for wearing the device body on a target object; a fastening part that is configured to adjust a fit of the band to the target object; a fixing strap movably coupled to the band; an interface terminal installed in the fixing strap; a device charging terminal for charging the device body; a connector charging terminal coupled to the interface terminal; and a movable cover installed to open and close the device charging terminal, wherein the movable cover is opened or closed according to a movement of the fixing strap such that the device charging terminal and the connector charging terminal are electrically connected to each other when the movable cover is opened, or electrically separated from each other when the movable cover is closed. 
         [0029]    The band may comprise the device charging terminal, and the fixing strap comprises the connector charging terminal. 
         [0030]    The device body may comprise the device charging terminal, and an interworking member that enables interworking between the movement of the fixing strap and opening/closing of the movable cover comprises the connector charging terminal. 
         [0031]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of charging an electronic device comprising: inserting a USB cable in to an interface terminal in a fixing strap, the inserting promoting movement of the fixing strap, wherein the movement of the fixing strap opens a movable cover of a device charging terminal, wherein the opened movable cover allows electrical connection of the device charging terminal and the connector charging terminal, wherein the connector charging terminal is a part of the fixing strap and is electrically connected to the interface terminal, and the device charging terminal is electrically connected to a battery of the electronic device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0032]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  is a side view illustrating a wearable electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  illustrates a fastening part and a fixing strap for fixing a band, which are illustrated in  FIG. 1 , where a dashed circle represents a detailed section view along line A-A; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is a schematic perspective view illustrating how the fixing strap for fixing a band from  FIG. 1  moves; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view illustrating an operation of opening a cover according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view illustrating an operation of opening a cover according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view illustrating device charging terminals installed in the device body of the wearable electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]    The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the various embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness. 
         [0041]    The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0042]    It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces. 
         [0043]    By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. 
         [0044]    As used in embodiments of the present disclosure, the expression “include” or “may include” or “can include” refers to the existence of a corresponding function, operation, or constituent element, and does not limit one or more additional functions, operations, or constituent elements. Further, as used in embodiments of the present disclosure, the term, such as “include” or “have” may be construed to denote a certain characteristic, number, operation, constituent element, component or a combination thereof, but may not be construed to exclude the existence of or a possibility of addition of one or more other characteristics, numbers, operations, constituent elements, components or combinations thereof. 
         [0045]    As used in embodiments of the present disclosure, the expression “and/or” includes any or all combinations of words enumerated together. For example, the expression “A or B” or “at least one of A and B” may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B. 
         [0046]    While expressions including ordinal numbers, such as “first” and “second,” as used in the present disclosure may modify various constituent elements, such constituent elements are not limited by the above expressions. For example, the above expressions may not indicate a specific order and/or relative importance of the corresponding constituent elements. The above expressions may be used merely for the purpose of distinguishing a constituent element from other constituent elements. For example, a first user device and a second user device indicate different user devices although both are user devices. For example, a first constituent element may be termed a second constituent element, and likewise a second constituent element may also be termed a first constituent element without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0047]    When a first component is referred to as being “connected” or “accessed” to a second component, it should be understood that the first component may be directly connected or accessed to the second component, but also that a third component may be interposed between the first and second components. Contrarily, when the first component is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly accessed” to the second component, it should be understood that there is no other component between the first component and the second component. 
         [0048]    In various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device may be a device that involves a communication function. Accordingly, an electronic device may be, for example, a smart phone, personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-book reader, a desktop PC, a laptop PC, a netbook computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG-1 or MPEG-2) Audio Layer-3 (MP3) player, a portable medical device, a digital camera, or a wearable device (e.g., a Head-Mounted Device (HMD), such as electronic glasses, electronic clothes, an electronic bracelet, an electronic necklace, electronic tattoos, an electronic appcessory, a smart watch, etc.). 
         [0049]      FIG. 1  illustrates a wearable electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, and  FIG. 2  illustrates a fastening part  160  and a fixing strap  200  for fixing a band, which are illustrated in  FIG. 1 , where a dashed circle represents a detailed section view along line A-A of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the electronic device, for example a wearable device, according to the various embodiments of the present disclosure, is a smart watch  100  that includes a device body  120  and a band  140  by which the device body  120  is worn on a user&#39;s wrist. An interface terminal  300  ( FIG. 2 ) may be installed in the fixing strap  200  that fixes the band  140  of the smart watch  100 . That is, the fixing strap  200  secures the end of a strap so that it is not loose. A USB terminal may be installed as the interface terminal  300 , and various other interface terminals, in addition to that, may be installed. 
         [0051]    The term “user” used in the various embodiments of the present disclosure may refer to a person or a device (e.g., an artificial intelligence electronic device) that uses an electronic device, namely, a wearable electronic device. 
         [0052]    The band  140  may include a first band  142  and a second band  144 , and the first band  142  may include the fastening part  160  for wearing the device body  120  by adjusting the length of the band  140  according to the thickness of an object on which the electronic device is worn, for example, according to the thickness of the user&#39;s wrist. Accordingly, the band  140  may be said to couple the electronic device (smart watch  100 ) to the target object, which may be a wrist of a person wearing the electronic device. 
         [0053]    The band  140  may be, for example, integrally formed in order to wear the device body  120 , and in this case, the fastening part  160  may be configured such that the device body  120  may be worn on the integrated band  140 . 
         [0054]    In addition, the second band  144  may have a plurality of fastening holes  146  formed therein, which may be, for example, at equal intervals. 
         [0055]    The fastening part  160  may include a ring member  164  coupled to a hinge shaft  162  mounted to the first band  142  and a latch  166  that has one end coupled to the hinge shaft  162  and an opposite end protruding toward the inside of the ring member  164  such that the latch  166  can be inserted into one of the fastening holes  146  when the second band  144  is placed through the ring member  164 . 
         [0056]    The length of the band  140  may be adjusted to be suitable for the thickness of the user&#39;s wrist by inserting the second band  144  into the ring member  164  of the fastening part  160 , and then inserting the latch  166  of the fastening part  160  into one of the fastening holes  146 . 
         [0057]    In the case of a watch-type smart watch, it is common for a user to wear the device body  120  on his/her wrist by adjusting the length of the band  140  using the fastening part  160  that includes the hinge shaft  162 , the ring member  164 , and the latch  166 . The device body  120  may also be worn in various manners by configuring the fastening part  160  differently. 
         [0058]    Further, the fixing strap  200  may be securely placed on the first band  142  so as to slide thereon without falling off, and may be able to move various positions. 
         [0059]    The fit of the band  140  around, for example, a wrist, may be adjusted by inserting the latch  166  into one of the fastening holes  146  in the second band  144 , and the second band  144  may be inserted into the fixing strap  200  so that the second band  144  can be positioned adjacent to the first band  142 . 
         [0060]    The smart watch  100  (electronic device/wearable device), according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, may include the interface terminal  300  ( FIG. 2 ) to which a corresponding connector of a cable (not shown) such as, for example, a general-purpose USB cable, may be connected. 
         [0061]    The interface terminal  300  may be installed, for example, in the interior of the fixing strap  200 , and a space into which the second band  144  is inserted may be formed between the lower surface of the interface terminal  300  and the upper surface of the first band  142 . 
         [0062]    The interface terminal  300  may include connector charging terminals  320  for charging, and when the fixing strap  200  slides to a predetermined position along the first band  142 , charging may be performed by inserting the USB cable into the interface terminal  300 . 
         [0063]    To this end, electricity may flow from the USB cable (not shown) to the device body  120  via the interface terminal  300 , the connector charging terminals  320 , and the device charging terminals  122 . 
         [0064]    In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the fixing strap  200  may include the connector charging terminals  320 . 
         [0065]      FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a state where the fixing strap for fixing a band of  FIG. 1  moves. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in various embodiments of the present disclosure the device charging terminals  122  may be installed on the band  140  of the wearable device, particularly, on the lower surface of the first band  142 , and may be covered or exposed by a cover  400  ( FIG. 4 ) to provide water-proofing when not charging and access when charging. Although not shown, the cover  400  may be secured so as not to fall off when moved to cover or expose the device charging terminals  122 . The securing may be any one of known methods for similar functionality, as well as any methods to be developed in the future. 
         [0067]    The cover  400  may be opened when the fixing strap  200  moves to a position A indicated by a dotted line, and may be closed when the fixing strap  200  moves to a position B indicated by a solid line. 
         [0068]    The cover  400  may include one or more seals  402  on the periphery thereof for water-proofing, and the seals  402  may be made of appropriate non-conductive material such as, for example, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, etc. The seals  402  may be implemented as any one of numerous appropriate implementations presently known, or to be discovered in the future. 
         [0069]    That is, after a general-purpose USB cable (not illustrated) is inserted into the interface terminal  300  ( FIG. 2 ), the fixing strap  200  to which the interface terminal  300  is attached may slide along the first band  142  to be located at the position A of the first band  142 . 
         [0070]    At this time, the cover  400  is opened by a force depending on the sliding of the fixing strap  200 , and the connector charging terminals  320 , which are provided on the fixing strap  200 , and the device charging terminals  122 , which are mounted on the lower surface of the first band  142 , are connected to each other so that electricity may be conducted. 
         [0071]    As described above, when the fixing strap  200  moves to a position A of the first band  142 , the connector charging terminals  320  and the device charging terminals  122  are electrically connected to each other, thereby allowing charging. 
         [0072]    In contrast, when the fixing strap  200  slides to the position B, the connector charging terminals  320  and the device charging terminals  122  may be separated from each other, and the cover  400  may cover the device charging terminals  122 , thereby water-proofing the device charging terminals  122 . Further, foreign substances (not shown) may be attached to the device charging terminals  122  to further prevent electricity from being conducted, which may prevent gradual discharging of a battery. 
         [0073]    The opening/closing of the cover  400  according to the sliding of the fixing strap  200  may be configured in various forms. 
         [0074]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , one end of the cover  400  for the device charging terminals  122 , which are mounted on the first band  142 , may be connected to the interface terminal  300  through a connecting member  420 , such as a thread, a string, a cord, a strap, a lace, a spring, etc. When the connecting member  420  is flexible, the cover  400  may be opened by, for example, moving the fixing strap  200  toward the cover  400 . For example, some portion of the fixing strap  200  may push against the cover  400  when the fixing strap  200  is moved to position B. When the fixing strap  200  is moved to position A, the connecting member  420  may pull the cover  400  in place over the device charging terminals  122 . One side of the cover  400  may be cut away in the shape of an inverted triangle with respect to the device charging terminals  122 , and this side may be connected to the connecting member  420 . The cut away may be performed, for example, to differentiate one side of the cover  400  from its opposite side. 
         [0075]    When the fixing strap  200 , to which the interface terminal  300  is attached, slides along the first band  142  to position A, the cover  400  is accordingly opened so that the connector charging terminals  320  and the device charging terminals  122  may be connected to each other. 
         [0076]    In contrast, when the fixing strap  200  slides along the first band  142  to position B, the cover  400  may be closed according to the movement of the fixing strap  200  because the cover  400  is connected to the fixing strap  200  and the connecting member  420 . 
         [0077]    When the cover  400  is closed, the connector charging terminals  320  and the device charging terminals  122  may be separated from each other, and the device charging terminals  122  may be closed. 
         [0078]    The cover  400  of the wearable device (electronic device) of the present disclosure may also be configured as a sliding cover  500 . 
         [0079]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the first band  142  may include a receiving section  150  for receiving the sliding cover  500 . 
         [0080]    The sliding cover  500  and the fixing strap  200  may be connected through a coupling bracket  520  to be spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other. 
         [0081]    When the fixing strap  200  moves, the sliding cover  500  may slide in conjunction with the movement of the fixing strap  200  so that the movement of the fixing strap  200  and the opening/closing of the sliding cover  500  may interwork with each other. 
         [0082]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , when a general-purpose USB cable is inserted into the interface terminal  300  for charging when the sliding cover  500  covers the device charging terminals  122  as shown by a solid line, the fixing strap  200  moves toward the device charging terminals  122 , and the sliding cover  500  slides in conjunction with the movement of the fixing strap  200  and is received in the receiving section  150  illustrated by a dotted line so that the device charging terminals  122  can be exposed and electrically connected to the connector charging terminals  320 . 
         [0083]    In contrast, when the fixing strap  200  moves back toward the fastening part  160 , away from the device charging terminals  122 , the sliding cover  500  can once again cover the device charging terminals  122 . Accordingly, the device charging terminals  122  and the connector charging terminals  320  are separated from each other, and the device charging terminals  122  are covered by the sliding cover  500  so that the device charging terminals  122  may again be water-proofed. 
         [0084]    Although the device charging terminals  122  are installed in the first band  142  in the above description, the device charging terminals  122  may also be directly installed in the device body  120  of the smart watch  100 . 
         [0085]      FIG. 7  illustrates device charging terminals installed in the device body of the wearable device (electronic device) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         [0086]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , device charging terminals  122  and a sliding cover  500  may be formed in the device body  120 , specifically, in a battery cover  180  included in the device body  120 . 
         [0087]    Further, the device charging terminals  122  may be opened and closed for water-proofing and charging by the sliding of the sliding cover  500 . 
         [0088]    Although not specifically illustrated, it is apparent that the device charging terminals  122  may be directly formed in the device body  120  rather than the battery cover  180  such that the device charging terminals  122  may be opened and closed by the sliding of the sliding cover  500 . 
         [0089]    The battery cover  180  may include a receiving section  182  for accommodating the sliding cover  500 , and the fixing strap  200  may include an interworking bracket  540  that enables interworking between a movement of the fixing strap  200  and opening/closing of the sliding cover  500  in order to slide the sliding cover  500  according to the movement of the fixing strap  200  and accommodate the fixing strap  200  in the receiving section  182 . 
         [0090]    The position of the interworking bracket  540 , which interconnects the sliding cover  500  and the fixing strap  200 , and the positions of the device charging terminals  122 , which are formed in the device body  120 , may be selectively designed. 
         [0091]    Although not specifically illustrated, the interworking bracket  540  may include connector charging terminals  320  that can be electrically connected to or separated from the device charging terminals  122  depending on the position of the fixing strap  200 , where movement of the fixing strap  200  results in covering or uncovering the device charging terminals  122  by the sliding cover  500 . 
         [0092]    Since the fixing strap  200  and the sliding cover  500  interwork with each other through the interworking bracket  540 , when the sliding cover  500  slides according to the movement of the fixing strap  200  and is received in the receiving section  182 , the device charging terminals  122  may be opened and connected to the connector charging terminals  320  so that charging may be performed. In contrast, when the sliding cover  500  slides from the receiving section  182  to close the device charging terminals  122 , water-proofing may be performed. 
         [0093]    As described above, according to the various embodiments of the present disclosure, the fixing strap, which has the interface terminal installed therein into which a general-purpose USB cable is inserted for charging, slides to a predetermined position to open/close the cover so that charging can be easily performed while a water-proofing function is maintained. 
         [0094]    According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the interface terminal is installed in the interior of the fixing strap so that charging can be performed without a separate adaptor or a connector on the exterior of the smart watch. 
         [0095]    Further, charging can be performed by using a general-purpose USB cable rather than a separate cable or adaptor, thereby enhancing usability and reducing material costs. 
         [0096]    In addition, according to the various embodiments of the present disclosure, the connector charging terminals and the device charging terminals, which are installed inside the band, are separated from each other so that the charging terminals are not exposed to the outside when the smart watch is worn, thereby preventing the battery from being discharged due to an electrical connection between the charging terminals. 
         [0097]    While the present disclosure has been shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.