Abstract:
A communication interface of a device communicates with a personal electronic device, and a processor associated with the communication interface automatically directs the personal electronic device, through the communication interface, either to operate in a first mode in which the personal electronic device interacts with a wearer of the personal electronic device or to operate in a second mode in which the wearable personal electronic device interacts with a person other than the wearer, based on how the wearable device is being used.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to adding social networking to devices. 
         [0002]    Devices designed to facilitate social network include the wearable tag (or badge) developed by nTAG Interactive Corporation, which can be worn, for example, by an attendee at a convention and electronically communicates with tags worn by other attendees, for example, when two attendees face each other. Examples of such social networking tags and their uses are described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/396,064, filed Mar. 24, 2003, 10/729,696, filed Dec. 5, 2003, 11/069,716, filed Feb. 28, 2005, 11/359,878, filed Feb. 22, 2006, and 11/397,032, filed Mar. 31, 2006, all incorporated here by reference. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In general, in one aspect, a communication interface of a device communicates with a personal electronic device, and a processor associated with the communication interface automatically directs the personal electronic device, through the communication interface, either to operate in a first mode in which the personal electronic device interacts with a wearer of the personal electronic device or to operate in a second mode in which the wearable personal electronic device interacts with a person other than the wearer, based on how the wearable device is being used. 
         [0004]    Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The communication interface and the processor include a module to be coupled to the personal electronic device. A sensor detects how the personal electronic device is being used. The sensor includes an electronic device to generate signals in response to an external event indicative of a change in how the wearable device is being used. The sensor includes an accelerometer. The processor also receives a signal from the personal electronic device through the communication interface indicating how the personal electronic device is being used. A second communication interface communicates with another apparatus. The second communication interface includes a radio transceiver. The second communication interface has a limited directionality and is oriented to transmit and receive signals in a direction generally orthogonal to a graphic display of the personal electronic device when the apparatus is mechanically coupled to the personal electronic device. 
         [0005]    A surface accommodates a printed label. The surface is positioned to be visible to a viewer of a graphic display on the personal electronic device when the apparatus is mechanically coupled to the personal electronic device. The surface is positioned not to be visible to the wearer of the personal electronic device when a graphic display of the personal electronic device is visible to the wearer. The surface is also positioned to be visible to a viewer of a graphic display of the personal electronic device when the viewer is other than the wearer. A first graphic display is positioned to be visible to a viewer of second a graphic display on the personal electronic device when the apparatus is physically coupled to the personal electronic device. The device includes a network communication interface. A coupling mechanically couples the device to the personal electronic device. An element of the device makes the personal electronic device wearable. The element to make the electronic device wearable includes an extendable lanyard, and how the device is being used includes an amount to which the lanyard is extended. 
         [0006]    Detecting how the personal electronic device is being used includes detecting whether the wearer is interacting with the wearable personal electronic device. Detecting how the personal electronic device is being used includes detecting whether the person other than the wearer is interacting with the wearable personal electronic device. Detecting how the personal electronic device is being used includes receiving a signal from the personal electronic device through a communication interface. Detecting how the personal electronic device is being used includes receiving a communication from a third electronic device. The electronic device uses a network communication interface of the personal electronic device. 
         [0007]    In general, in one aspect, an add-on device includes a mechanical coupling to couple to a portable personal electronic device that includes a display and a communication port to carry communications between the add-on device and the portable personal electronic device. The communications relate to use of the electronic device and its display for social networking when the electronic device is being worn. 
         [0008]    Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION 
         [0009]      FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C,  6 A, and  6 B are isometric views of tag modules and electronic devices. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side view of two users with wearable devices and tag modules. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side view of one user with a wearable device and tag module. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a tag module. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Attendees at conferences and other events often carry small personal electronic devices, such as personal digital assistants, smart phones, and music players. By attaching an electronic accessory module, as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1A-1C , to such an electronic device, an enhanced device is formed that is able to operate as a social networking tag. 
         [0015]    In some examples, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the electronic accessory module  110  is a compact module that attaches to one end  101  of a personal electronic device  100  effectively extending its length. The device  100  has a data connector  102 , a screen  104 , and user inputs  106 , such as buttons or touch sensors. In some examples, the accessory module  110  includes an infrared (IR) transceiver  118  or other local wireless communication interface, which supplements or replaces an interface  108  included in the electronic device  100 , for example, by facing in a different direction or having a different range. 
         [0016]    In some examples, as shown in  FIG. 1B , an accessory module  120  is positioned on the back of the device  100 , in some cases wrapping around one or more ends or side walls  101  of the device  100 , for example, to reach the data connector  102 . 
         [0017]    In some examples, as shown in  FIG. 1C , an accessory module  130  is larger than the personal electronic device  100  in at least some dimensions and includes a cavity  133  into which the device  100  is inserted. The cavity  133  includes an opening or window  135  through which the screen  104  and inputs  106  of the device  100  are accessible. 
         [0018]    In some examples, the accessory modules  110 ,  120 , and  130  each include a data connector  112  for electronically coupling to the data connector  102  on the personal electronic device  100  when the electronic device  100  and accessory module  110 ,  120 , or  130  are mechanically coupled. An accessory module may also use a wireless interface to communicate with the personal electronic device  100 , instead of or in addition to the electronic connection. In some examples, the accessory modules  110 ,  120 , and  130  each include an attachment  114  that allows the user to wear the personal electronic device  100 , with the module  110 ,  120 , or  130  attached, as one would wear a name tag. The attachment  114  is shown as a lanyard, but could also be a belt clip, pin, or any other mechanism that allows a user to wear the enhanced device. In some examples, the modules  110 ,  120 , and  130  include a mechanical coupling feature  116 ,  126 ,  136  to connect to the personal electronic device  100 . The coupling feature  116 ,  126 ,  136  can have any suitable form, for example, hooks, snaps, magnets, or hook-and-loop pads. In some examples, there is no wired or mechanical connection between the electronic device  100  and the accessory module  110 ,  120 , or  130 . Instead, a wireless data connection is used, and the accessory module is kept out of the way, such as in the user&#39;s bag or pocket. The attachment  114  may be provided by the electronic device  100  itself or by an additional part, such as a lanyard with a clip 
         [0019]    Each of the accessory modules  110 ,  120 , and  130  may have an electronic design as shown in  FIG. 2 , for example. When we refer to the module  200  in  FIG. 2 , this may include any of the modules  110 ,  120 , and  130  in  FIGS. 1A-1C . The module  200  includes a processor  202 , a communications interface  204 , and a memory  206  mounted on one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs)  216 . The communications interface  204  may include the electronic data connection  112 , a wireless interface  208 , or both, as mentioned above. In some examples, the module  200  includes a second communications interface  210 , e.g., the IR transceiver  118 , for communicating with other similar modules and sensors  212  for detecting how the device  100  is being used. Different detectable modes of use include, for example, allowing the device  100  to hang around the user&#39;s neck for viewing by others, or turning the device  100  upside-down so that the user can view it directly, as discussed below. Sensors  212  may include accelerometers, gyroscopes, light sensors, and orientation sensors. 
         [0020]    When the module  200  is coupled to an electronic device  100 , the module  200  uses a combination of its on-board electronics and those of the device  100  to provide new features to the device  100 . This enables the user to use the device  100  for social networking, for example, in the ways that the user can use the interactive tags mentioned previously. For example, a user can be informed of similarities between himself and another tag wearer, the user&#39;s actions can be tracked and rewarded, and the user can receive messages and provide feedback about his activities at the event. The social networking features that can be provided include all of those described in the identified patent applications. 
         [0021]    The module  200  allows the device  100  to operate in new modes. That is, electronic devices  100  such as PDAs, music players, and cellular telephones are typically “personal.” This means that the user interface of such a device is meant to enable the device to interact with a single individual. Such attributes as text size, orientation, and the type of input expected are all selected to be suitable for a user who is holding the device and looking at it from a shorter distance. Nametags, on the other hand, whether electronic or not, are meant to be read from a longer distance by people other than the wearer. The interactive tags mentioned above operate in two modes-a social mode, as shown in  FIG. 3 , where the user interface is configured to be read from a distance by a non-wearer, and a personal mode, as shown in  FIG. 4 , where each device is used by its wearer, for example, to access information about his schedule or about people he recently met. 
         [0022]    When the module  200  is coupled to the device  100 , the module enables or instructs the device to operate in the social mode through the communication interface  204 . In some examples, depending on the capabilities of the device  100 , operating in the social mode and switching between modes only requires loading appropriate software onto the device  100 . In some examples, operating in the social mode and switching between modes uses electronics in the module  200  to provide added features to the device  100 . 
         [0023]    For example, the module can determine whether to operate in the social mode or the personal mode based on its orientation, as determined by accelerometers, gyroscopes, or other orientation sensors. If the device is right-side-up, it may be operating in its personal mode, and if it is upside down (for example, because a lanyard is attached at the bottom), it may be operating in the social mode. If the device  100  has its own sensors that can detect its orientation, the module  200  may use those, but if the device  100  lacks such sensors, then sensors  212  in the module  200  can provide this feature. The communication port  204  allows the device  100  to share orientation or other sensor information with the module  200 . 
         [0024]    In some examples, the device  100  already has two modes, and the module  200  provides an additional input to cause the device to switch between them. 
         [0025]    Another aspect of some interactive tags is that they communicate with each other, in addition to communicating with a network. The interactive tags communicate using short-range methods such as IR or Bluetooth®. In some examples, the module  200  takes advantage of facilities already present in the device  100 , if the device is able to share those facilities through the connection  204 . In some examples, the module  200  provides an additional communication channel through the second communications interface  210 . In some examples, personal electronic devices have directional IR ports (e.g., the port  108  in  FIG. 1 ) located on their ends or sides, which means that they may not be able to communicate with each other when worn as name tags (see  FIG. 3 ). To address this, the interface  210  may take the form of an IR transceiver  210   a  mounted on a front face of the module, for example, the IR transceiver  118  in  FIG. 1A , so that when the module  200  is attached to the device  100 , the IR transceiver  210   a  is perpendicular to the screen. When two users  300  face each other, as shown in  FIG. 3  (not to scale), their screens  104  (and built-in IR ports  108 ) are parallel, but the transceivers  210   a  are aligned (arrows  302 ). In some examples, whether the inter-module communication interface  210  is in use is used as an input to the processor  202  to indicate that the device  100  is being used in a social mode. 
         [0026]    In some examples, the mode in which the device is being used is sensed based on user input—if the user is providing input, the device is probably being used in a personal mode, not in a social mode. As mentioned, in some examples, mode is detected based on physical sensors that detect the position and orientation of the device, and in some examples mode is detected based on whether the module is in communication with another similar module. 
         [0027]    In some examples, the number of features included in the module  200  varies with the number of features that may be expected to be provided by the device  100 . At one extreme, if the device  100  is known or expected to have all the circuitry needed to detect its mode and operate in the social mode, the module  200  may be implemented entirely in software. In some examples, it is not known in advance which features will be available in a given electronic device  100 , so the module  200  includes features that may be redundant. Extra or redundant features are deactivated to conserve power, in some examples. In some examples, extra or redundant features are used to replace or supplement features already present in the electronic device  100 . In some examples, the module  200  is able to be used with a variety of different devices  100 , and is equipped to identify the device  100  and provide appropriate software and data based on the identification. 
         [0028]    In some examples, the module  200  includes additional features to supplement the features that are provided by the device  100 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the module  200  is equipped with a graphical display  220 . This display complements the graphical display  104  of the device  100  (assuming it has one) by displaying additional information or by displaying information in a manner more easily read from a distance. The display  220  may also be, for example, any number of lights  222 , such as LEDs. In some examples, the module  200  includes buttons  224  or other input devices. Such input devices are useful if, for example, the device  100  does not have inputs suitable for interacting with the interactive tag features provided by the module  200 . Providing inputs  224  is also useful if the device  100  does not share information about user input with the module  200 . 
         [0029]    In some examples, the module  200  includes its own wireless communication interface for connection to a network (in addition to or as an enhancement to the interfaces  208 ,  210 ). The module  200  may share that connection with the device  100 , for example, if the device  100  lacks a wireless network connection or the module&#39;s connection is in some way superior. 
         [0030]    The module  200  also includes various physical features, also shown in  FIG. 5 . In some examples, a mechanical coupling  226  attaches the module  200  to the device  100  (corresponding to attachment  116 ,  126 ,  136  above). Some electronic devices include couplings in or near data connectors so that accessory devices such as module  200  may be attached mechanically as well as electronically. In some examples, specific versions of the module  200  have different couplings  226  for mating with different brands and models of devices  100 . In some examples, the module  200  has a single type of coupling  226  and adapters are used to mate that coupling  226  to the different connectors found on different devices  100 . Similarly, in some examples, the module  200  has one type of electrical connection  112 , and the adapters have appropriate connectors to mate the module&#39;s electrical connection  112  to the different electrical connectors of different devices  100 . Such an adapter may identify the device  100  to the module  200 , so that the module knows what software to use, as described above. 
         [0031]    In some examples, the attachment  114  includes a lanyard  230 . The lanyard allows the electronic device  100 , once coupled to the module  200 , to be worn as a nametag. In some examples, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the lanyard is extendable or includes an extendable portion  232 . An extendable lanyard allows the wearer  300  to hold the device  100  farther away while interacting with it in the personal mode. For example, if the lanyard  230  is sized to hold the device  100  at mid-chest when worn as a nametag ( FIG. 3 ), the device  100  would be too close to the wearer&#39;s face to comfortably use it in the personal mode, so the lanyard  230  extends ( FIG. 4 ). In some examples, the lanyard  230  includes a sensor to detect when it has been extended. This serves as an input about the mode in which the device  100  is being used so that the processor  202  can change the user interface to the appropriate mode, as discussed above. The extendable, sensor-equipped lanyard may also be added to the regular interactive tags. 
         [0032]    In some examples, the module  200  includes a space  240  for a printed label  242 . Such a label  242  is used, for example, for a printed or handwritten nametag that supplements whatever dynamic information is displayed on the screen  104 . A fixed nametag label  242  frees up space on the screen  104  for displaying supplemental information, as opposed to taking up a large amount of space to display the wearer&#39;s name. In some examples, the space  240  is attached to the module  200  in such a way that the label  242  remains visible to others when the wearer is using the device in the personal mode. As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the space  240  hangs from the bottom of the module  200 . When the user  300  lifts the module and device and turns them to face himself, the space  240  hangs off what is now the top of the module  200 , folded over the back of the device  100 . The electronic display  220  on the module may be similarly attached so that it remains visible when the user is viewing the display  104  on the device  100 . 
         [0033]    Other implementations are within the scope of the following claims and other claims to which the applicant may be entitled.