A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to facilitate the use of a multi-segment wearable accessory. In this regard, methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for controlling and, in some instances, interacting with a multi-segment wearable accessory. Each screen presented on or capable of being presented on the display of a segment of the multi-segment wearable accessory may be considered a virtual segment, and the number of virtual segments may be greater than the number of physical segments of the accessory. One or more of the virtual segments may be associated with one or more of the segments in an overlaid configuration, such that a topmost virtual segment is presented for viewing while another virtual segment lies below the topmost virtual segment, hidden from the user's view. A virtual segment may be replaced with presentation of another virtual segment in response to rotation of the accessory.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

An example embodiment of the present invention relates generally to a multi-segment wearable accessory and, more particularly, to methods, apparatus and computer program products for controlling and, in some embodiments, interacting with a multi-segment wearable accessory.

BACKGROUND

Mobile terminals, such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), gaming devices, music players or the like, are widely utilized in order to provide many different functions. For example, mobile terminals may be commonly utilized in order to establish voice calls, to exchange email communications, text messages or instant messages, to play various forms of media, to browse the Internet, to play games, etc. While mobile terminals are capable of providing a wide variety of functionality, the user may regularly utilize only a subset of the functions supported by the mobile terminal with the particular functions that are utilized depending upon the context of the user. For example, a user who carries a mobile terminal while going out with friends may utilize the telephone and messaging functionality, but may not utilize the gaming or media playing functionality.

Even though the user may utilize only a subset of the functionality provided by a mobile terminal depending upon their context, a user may carry a mobile terminal at virtually all times. Thus, the user must keep track of the mobile terminal and must safeguard the mobile terminal from damage due to impact, exposure to water or the like. In some instances, users may carry two or more mobile terminals, such as a personal cellular telephone, a PDA utilized for work and a gaming device. In these instances, a user must keep track of even more mobile terminals which may, in some instances, be distracting or at least somewhat time-consuming for the user.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in accordance with an example embodiment for facilitating the use of a multi-segment wearable accessory. The multi-segment wearable accessory may be configured to provide various types of functionality and may be worn by the user so as to reduce the number of independent mobile terminals that the user must otherwise carry. In one embodiment, the method, apparatus and computer program product may facilitate the interaction of the plurality of segments of a multi-segment wearable accessory. Additionally or alternatively, the multi-segment wearable accessory may be tailored in one embodiment such that the segments are appropriate for the context of the user.

In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes associating first content with a segment of a multi-segment wearable accessory and associating second content with the segment of the multi-segment wearable accessory. Each of the first and second content represents a virtual segment. The method of this embodiment also includes causing one or more virtual segments to be presented on a display of the segment. In response to rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory, the method of this embodiment determines whether to replace the virtual segment being presented with presentation of the other virtual segment. In one embodiment, the method may also, in response to rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory, determine whether to power down the display of the segment.

The determination as to whether to replace the virtual segment being presented with the presentation of the other virtual segment may be based at least partially on a location of the display of the segment with respect to the user's line of sight. For example, the virtual segment that is caused to be presented may be replaced with the presentation of the other virtual segment in an instance in which the display of the segment is outside the user's line of sight with respect to displays of other segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory. The method of one embodiment may also associate additional virtual segment with additional segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory such that the total number of virtual segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory is greater than the total number of segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory. Each virtual segment being presented on a display of a respective segment may be sequentially replaced in accordance with this embodiment with the presentation of another virtual segment associated with the respective segment. In this embodiment, the virtual segments being presented on displays of adjacent segments may provide a user with continuous scrolling of content.

In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code with the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least associate first content with a segment of a multi-segment wearable accessory and associate second content with the segment of the multi-segment wearable accessory. Each of the first and second content represents a virtual segment. The at least one memory and the computer program code are also configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to cause one of the virtual segments to be presented on a display of the segment. In response to rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory, the at least one memory and the computer program code are also configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to determine whether to replace the virtual segment being presented with presentation of the other virtual segment. In one embodiment, the at least one memory and the computer program code may also be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to determine, in response to rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory, whether to power down the display of the segment.

The determination as to whether to replace the virtual segment being presented with the presentation of the other virtual segment may be based at least partially on a location of the display of the segment with respect to the user's line of sight. For example, the virtual segment that is caused to be presented may be replaced with the presentation of the other virtual segment in an instance in which the display of the segment is outside the user's line of sight with respect to displays of other segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory. In one embodiment, the at least one memory and the computer program code may also be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to detect rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory via an inertial measurement unit (IMU). The at least one memory and the computer program code may also be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to associate additional virtual segment with additional segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory such that the total number of virtual segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory is greater than the total number of segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory. Each virtual segment being presented on a display of a respective segment may be sequentially replaced in accordance with this embodiment with the presentation of another virtual segment associated with the respective segment. In this embodiment, the virtual segments being presented on displays of adjacent segments may provide a user with continuous scrolling of content.

In a further embodiment, a computer program product is provided that includes at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein with the computer-executable program code portions including program code instructions configured to associate first content with a segment of a multi-segment wearable accessory and to associate second content with the segment of the multi-segment wearable accessory. Each of the first and second content represents a virtual segment. The computer-executable program code portions of this embodiment may also include program code instructions configured to cause one or more virtual segments to be presented on a display of the segment. In response to rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory, the computer-executable program code portions include program code instructions configured to determine whether to replace the virtual segment being presented with presentation of the other virtual segment. In one embodiment, the computer-executable program code portions also include program code instructions configured, in response to rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory, determine whether to power down the display of the segment.

The determination as to whether to replace the virtual segment being presented with the presentation of the other virtual segment may be based at least partially on a location of the display of the segment with respect to the user's line of sight. For example, the virtual segment that is caused to be presented may be replaced with the presentation of the other virtual segment in an instance in which the display of the segment is outside the user's line of sight with respect to displays of other segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory. The computer-executable program code portions of one embodiment also include program code instructions configured to associate additional virtual segment with additional segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory such that the total number of virtual segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory is greater than the total number of segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory. Each virtual segment being presented on a display of a respective segment may be sequentially replaced in accordance with this embodiment with the presentation of another virtual segment associated with the respective segment. In this embodiment, the virtual segments being presented on displays of adjacent segments may provide a user with continuous scrolling of content.

In yet another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes means for associating first content with a segment of a multi-segment wearable accessory and means for associating second content with the segment of the multi-segment wearable accessory. Each of the first and second content represents a virtual segment. The apparatus of this embodiment also includes means for causing one of the virtual segments to be presented on a display of the segment. In response to rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory, the apparatus of this embodiment also includes means for determining whether to replace the virtual segment being presented with presentation of the other virtual segment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As defined herein, a “computer-readable storage medium,” which refers to a non-transitory, physical storage medium (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory device), can be differentiated from a “computer-readable transmission medium,” which refers to an electromagnetic signal.

Referring now toFIG. 1, an exploded perspective view of a multi-segment wearable accessory10is provided. Although generally described herein as a wearable accessory in the form of a bracelet, the multi-segment wearable accessory may be embodied in various other manners including, for example, as an anklet, a necklace, a ring or the like. As shown inFIG. 1, the multi-segment wearable accessory10of one example embodiment includes a frame12that is sized and shaped to extend about the respective body part, such as a wrist, an ankle, a finger or the like. The frame12may be formed of various materials including various metallic materials, plastic materials, composite materials, etc.

In one embodiment, the frame12is relatively rigid so as to maintain a predefined shape, while in other embodiments, the frame is at least somewhat flexible or movable. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the frame includes a plurality of links or frame members13that are connected to one another so as to define a closed shape. Although the frame members13of the embodiment ofFIG. 1are shown to have a peripheral frame structure that defines a central opening, the frame members may be solid segments with no opening defined therethrough in other embodiments. Although the frame members13may have different shapes and sizes, the multi-segment wearable accessory10of one embodiment includes a plurality of identical frame members so as to permit the segments to be attached to any one of the frame members, as described below.

In addition to the frame12, the multi-segment wearable accessory10includes a plurality of segments14. Each segment14is configured to be attached, such as by being removably attached, to a respective frame member13. The segments14may be attached to the frame member13in any of various manners, including by means of a snap-fit engagement. The segments14may provide different functionality as described below and may be mounted upon the frame12in any sequence that is desired. While the segments14may provide a wide variety of functionality, examples of the functionality provided by some of the segments include segments that may provide for telephone functionality in order to support voice calls, music player functionality, game playing functionality, email or other messaging functionality, Facebook or other social media functionality or the like.

In one embodiment, a user may therefore select the segments14that are to be mounted upon the frame12based upon the functionality that the user desires the multi-segment wearable accessory10to have depending, for example, upon the context in which the user will be wearing the multi-segment wearable accessory. Thus, the user may change the segments14mounted upon the frame12of the multi-segment wearable accessory10of one embodiment from time to time as the context in which the user will be wearing the multi-wearable accessory changes, such as from a work environment, to an evening out with friends or the like.

As noted above, each segment14may provide certain functionality. As such, each segment14may include or otherwise embody an apparatus20configured to provide the respective functionality such as shown inFIG. 2. While each segment14may be independently operable and, as such, may include each of the elements of the apparatus20depicted inFIG. 2and described below, some of the segments may be configured to cooperate with other segments in order to utilize at least some of the resources of the other segments, thereby reducing the resource requirements of the respective segment. For example, a segment14may be configured to utilize the processing resources of another segment, thereby reducing or eliminating the processing requirements of the respective segment. Thus, each segment14of a multi-segment wearable accessory10need not include each of the elements of the apparatus20depicted inFIG. 2and described below with the apparatus ofFIG. 2being, instead, described by way of an example, but not of limitation. In yet another embodiment, the apparatus20may be embodied, either entirely or partly, by another device, such as a mobile terminal, that is in communication with one or more segments14of the multi-segment wearable accessory10, thereby permitting multiple segments to utilize the same apparatus.

With reference toFIG. 2, an apparatus20for controlling the operations of one or more segments of a multi-segment wearable accessory10is illustrated in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus20ofFIG. 2may be embodied by a segment or may be distributed across and therefore embodied by a plurality of segments. Still further, the apparatus20or at least elements of the apparatus may be embodied by a remote device, such as a mobile terminal, that is in communication with the segments of the multi-segment wearable apparatus. For purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, the apparatus20will be hereinafter described in conjunction with an embodiment in which the apparatus is embodied by a respective segment of the multi-segment wearable accessory.

It should also be noted that whileFIG. 2illustrates one example of a configuration of an apparatus20for controlling the operations of one or more segments of a multi-segment wearable accessory, numerous other configurations may also be used to implement embodiments of the present invention. As such, in some embodiments, although devices or elements are shown as being in communication with each other, hereinafter such devices or elements should be considered to be capable of being embodied within a same device or element and, thus, devices or elements shown in communication should be understood to alternatively be portions of the same device or element.

With continued reference toFIG. 2, the apparatus20for controlling the operations of one or more segments of a multi-segment wearable accessory may include or otherwise be in communication with a processor22, a user interface transceiver24, a communication interface26, and a memory28. In some embodiments, the processor22(and/or co-processors or any other processing circuitry assisting or otherwise associated with the processor) may be in communication with the memory28via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus20. The memory28may include, for example, one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory28may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processor22). The memory28may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus20to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention. For example, the memory28could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor22. Additionally or alternatively, the memory28could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor20.

In an example embodiment, the processor22may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory28or otherwise accessible to the processor. Alternatively or additionally, the processor22may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processor70may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor22is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processor may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor22is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the algorithms and/or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. The processor22may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processor.

Meanwhile, the communication interface26may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to a network and/or any other device or module in communication with the apparatus20, such as by communicating with the communication interface of other segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory. In this regard, the communication interface26may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and/or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface26may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). In one embodiment, the communication interface26is configured to support near field communications (NFC) or other proximity-based communications techniques. In some environments, the communication interface26may alternatively or also support wired communication. As such, for example, the communication interface26may include a communication modem and/or other hardware/software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB) or other mechanisms.

The user interface transceiver24may be in communication with the processor22to receive an indication of a user input and/or to cause provision of an audible, visual, mechanical or other output to the user. As such, the user interface transceiver24may include, for example, a display, a touch screens, touch areas, soft keys, a microphone, a speaker or other input/output mechanisms. Alternatively or additionally, the processor22may comprise user interface circuitry configured to control at least some functions of one or more user interface elements such as, for example, a speaker, ringer, microphone, display, touch screen and/or the like. The processor22and/or user interface circuitry comprising the processor may be configured to control one or more functions of one or more user interface elements through computer program instructions (e.g., software and/or firmware) stored on a memory accessible to the processor (e.g., memory28and/or the like).

In an example embodiment, the apparatus20may include or otherwise be in communication with a touch screen display30. In different example cases, the touch screen display30may be a two dimensional (2D) or three dimensional (3D) display. The touch screen display30may be embodied as any known touch screen display. Thus, for example, the touch screen display30could be configured to enable touch recognition by any suitable technique, such as resistive, capacitive, infrared, strain gauge, surface wave, optical imaging, dispersive signal technology, acoustic pulse recognition, and/or other techniques. The user interface transceiver24may be in communication with the touch screen display30to receive touch inputs at the touch screen display and to analyze and/or modify a response to such indications based on corresponding user actions that may be inferred or otherwise determined responsive to the touch inputs.

With continued reference toFIG. 2, in an example embodiment, the apparatus20may include a touch screen interface32. The touch screen interface32may, in some instances, be a portion of the user interface transceiver24. However, in some alternative embodiments, the touch screen interface32may be embodied as the processor22or may be a separate entity controlled by the processor. As such, in some embodiments, the processor22may be said to cause, direct or control the execution or occurrence of the various functions attributed to the touch screen interface32(and any components of the touch screen interface) as described herein. The touch screen interface32may be any means such as a device or circuitry operating in accordance with software or otherwise embodied in hardware or a combination of hardware and software (e.g., processor22operating under software control, the processor embodied as an ASIC or FPGA specifically configured to perform the operations described herein, or a combination thereof) thereby configuring the device or circuitry to perform the corresponding functions of the touch screen interface as described herein. Thus, in examples in which software is employed, a device or circuitry (e.g., the processor22in one example) executing the software forms the structure associated with such means.

The touch screen interface32may be configured to receive an input in the form of a touch event at the touch screen display30. As such, the touch screen interface32may be in communication with the touch screen display30to receive user inputs at the touch screen display and to modify a response to such inputs based on corresponding user actions that may be inferred or otherwise determined responsive to the inputs. Following recognition of a touch event, the touch screen interface32may be configured to determine a classification of the touch event and provide a corresponding function based on the touch event in some situations.

In some embodiments, the touch screen interface32may include a detector34, a display manager36, and a gesture classifier38. Each of the detector34, the display manager36, and the gesture classifier38may be any device or means embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software configured to perform the corresponding functions associated with the detector34, the display manager36, and the gesture classifier38, respectively, as described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the detector34, the display manager36, and the gesture classifier38may be controlled by or otherwise embodied as the processor22.

The detector34may be in communication with the touch screen display30to receive user inputs in order to recognize and/or determine a touch event based on each input received at the detector. A touch event may be defined as a detection of an object, such as a stylus, finger, pen, pencil or other object, coming into contact with a portion of the touch screen display30in a manner sufficient to register as a touch. In this regard, for example, a touch event could be a detection of pressure on the screen of the touch screen display30above a particular pressure threshold over a given area. Subsequent to each touch event, the detector34may be further configured to pass along the data corresponding to the touch event (e.g., location of touch, length of touch, number of objects touching, touch pressure, touch area, speed of movement, direction of movement, length of delay, frequency of touch, etc.) to the gesture classifier38for gesture classification. As such, the detector34may include or be in communication with one or more force sensors configured to measure the amount of touch pressure (e.g., force over a given area) applied as a result of a touch event, as an example.

The gesture classifier38may be configured to recognize and/or determine a corresponding classification of a touch event. In other words, the gesture classifier38may be configured to perform gesture classification to classify the touch event as any of a number of possible gestures. Some examples of recognizable gestures may include a touch, multi-touch, stroke, character, symbol, shape, pinch event (e.g., a pinch in or pinch out), rotation and/or the like.

A touch may be defined as a touch event that impacts a single area (without or with minimal movement on the surface of the touch screen display30) and then is removed. A multi-touch may be defined as multiple touch events sensed concurrently (or nearly concurrently). A stroke may be defined as a touch event followed immediately by motion of the object initiating the touch event while the object remains in contact with the touch screen display30. In other words, the stroke may be defined by motion following a touch event thereby forming a continuous, moving touch event defining a moving series of instantaneous touch positions (e.g., as a drag operation or as a flick operation). Multiple strokes and/or touches may be used to define a particular shape or sequence of shapes to define a character or symbol.

The gesture classifier38may also be configured to communicate detection information regarding the recognition, detection, and/or classification of a touch event to the display manager36. The display manager36may be configured to provide control over modifications made to that which is displayed on the touch screen display30based on the detection information received from the detector34and gesture classifications provided by the gesture classifier38in accordance with the responses prescribed for each respective gesture classification and implementation characteristic determined by the gesture classifier. In other words, the display manager36may configure the display (e.g., with respect to the content displayed and/or the user interface effects presented relative to the content displayed) according to the gesture classification and implementation characteristic classification determined for a given touch event that may be detected at the display.

As noted above, in some embodiments, a wearable segment14and, as such, the apparatus20embodied by or otherwise associated with the segment may be configured to have a dedicated functionality, such as a functionality that is specific to a particular application, activity, task, or person. For example, a wearable segment may be pre-configured to display information associated with an e-mail application only or a messaging application only. Another segment may be dedicated to only providing notifications to the user from one or more different applications, such as applications associated with other segments (such as the e-mail-dedicated segment mentioned above) and/or other devices (such as the user's cellular telephone). For example, this segment may display notifications of received e-mails, incoming calls, event reminders, network connectivity, the detected presence of nearby devices, etc. Yet another segment may be dedicated to providing information regarding a certain person specified by the user. For example, the user may configure such a segment to display e-mail messages, text messages, telephone information (e.g., missed calls), etc. received only from the user's spouse.

In other embodiments, however, a wearable segment14and, as such, the apparatus20embodied by or otherwise associated with the segment may be configured to provide multiple functionalities. For example, a segment may be able to execute multiple different applications or to execute different applications and also provide notifications generated by those and other applications. Thus, in some cases, by selecting at least one segment that is configured to support multiple functionalities and selecting other segments each having a dedicated functionality, the functionality of the dedicated segments may be at least partially controlled by the multi-functional segment(s). In other words, one of the segments (e.g., a multi-functional segment) may, in some cases, coordinate the behavior of other segments on the wearable accessory.

Once the multi-segment wearable accessory10has been assembled by attaching the segments14that provide the desired functionality to the frame12, the segments of one embodiment may discover or identify the other segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory. In this regard, the segments14may communicate with one another via the respective communication interfaces26, such as via respective NFC interfaces. As such, the segments14may identify other segments that comprise the multi-segment wearable accessory10as well as the relative positions of the segments, such as the segments that are adjacent to one another or spaced apart from one another, as described further below. Further, the segments14of one embodiment may identify the functionality provided by the other segments during this discovery process.

In one embodiment, the plurality of segments14of a multi-segment wearable accessory10may cooperate with one another in order to provide various functions to the user. In this regard, the segments14may interact in various manners. For example, one of the segments14may be considered a master segment and, as such, may control the operations and interactions of the other segments, which would be considered slave segments in this embodiment. Alternatively, control of the operations of the plurality of segments14of a multi-segment wearable accessory10may be distributed with each or at least a plurality of the segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory controlling at least some of the operations. Even in an instance in which the control of the segments of a multi-segment wearable accessory10is distributed such that each segment14controls its own operations, the plurality of segments may still be configured to cooperate with one in other in order to provide improved performance for the user, as will be described below.

In this regard, the arrangement of multiple independent segments14on a wearable accessory10, such as the bracelet shown inFIGS. 1 and 3, may allow the functionality of each segment to be modified or enhanced based on the association of the particular segment with other segments mounted to the wearable accessory. For example, the touch display30of one segment14may, in some cases, serve as an extension of the display of an adjacent segment, as described in greater detail below. Moreover, the relationship of a particular segment14to the wearable accessory10as a whole and/or to the user (e.g., the orientation and/or position of the segment with respect to an axis Y of the wearable accessory or to the user's gaze) may affect the content that is display on the particular segment and/or the presentation of such content.

In this regard, the apparatus20associated with each segment14may include one or more sensors40that are configured to allow one or more first segments of a multi-segment wearable accessory10to be distinguished from one or more second segments of the wearable accessory. For example, each segment14may have one or more magnetometers (e.g., to detect an angle of the segment with respect to the earth's gravitational field), accelerometers (e.g., to detect movement of the segment as the user's arm is moved about), and touch or contact sensors (e.g., to detect a contact with or movement between a segment and the user). Moreover, each segment14may be configured to communicate with nearby segments, such as via near field communication techniques supported by the communication interface26, to share data regarding the respective segment's orientation and position. Using information received from nearby segments14, each segment, such as the processor22associated with each segment, may determine its distance from a common Y-axis (e.g., the distance between its own y-axis and the common Y-axis).

For example, with reference toFIG. 4, a wearable accessory10according to one example embodiment may include six segments14, labeled for explanatory purposes inFIG. 4as segments A-F. Each segment14may define its own y-axis and may, as a result of being mounted to the frame12, share a common Y-axis (which may, e.g., be indicative of an angle of the wearer's arm50, as shown inFIG. 3). By receiving data from nearby segments14, the processor22associated with each segment may determine whether the respective segment is part of a wearable accessory10and which other segments are also a part of the same wearable accessory. For example, the processor22associated with segment A may determine the location of the common Y-axis by receiving data from segments B-F regarding the location of their respective y-axes and mathematically determining the median Y-axis of all the segments. The processor22associated with segment A may then calculate the distance d between its own y-axis and this median Y-axis and share this information with other segments, receiving their information regarding the distance d between their own y-axes and the median Y-axis in turn (e.g., using magnetometer measurements). If the distance d between a given segment's y-axis and the median Y-axis of all of the segments is sufficiently small (e.g., less than a predetermined distance), that segment, such as the processor22associated with the segment, may determine that it is part of the wearable accessory10. In this way, the processor22associated with each segment14may determine the respective segment's membership with the wearable accessory10and may share this data with other segments. In some cases, the magnetometer data may be enhanced by coupling such measurements with accelerometer measurements from each of the segments (e.g., as an indication of which segments are moving in relatively the same direction at relatively the same speed). Moreover, the determination of which segments14are members of the same wearable accessory10may be refreshed or recalculated periodically or upon the occurrence of a predetermined event (such as a sudden change in direction or motion).

In addition, the rotation of each segment14with respect to the common Y-axis may be determined by the respective processor22. Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, when the user's arm is in a horizontal position (such as the position the user might take when looking at the display16of a topmost segment14(segment A inFIG. 4), the topmost segment A may be considered to be at an angle closest to 0° with respect to the common Y-axis. In a six-segment accessory, as depicted for purposes of example, segment B and segment F may be considered to be at an angle of approximately 60° and 300°, respectively; segment C and segment E may be considered to be at an angle of approximately 120° and 240°, and segment D may be considered to be at an angle of approximately 180°. The angle of each segment14may be determined by the processor22using a magnetometer and accelerometer, for example, and the determined angles may be used to discern a sequential ordering of the multiple segments (A-F).

Using the information calculated and determined regarding each segment's membership with the wearable accessory10, its relative rotation about the common Y-axis, and its orientation about its own y-axis, the pose of the wearable accessory10and the user's arm50may be determined by the processor22. In this regard, pose information may thus include how the different segments14are being rotated about the wrist (or common Y-axis) and at what angle the user's arm50is positioned (e.g., pointing down at the user's sides or held up horizontally for viewing the wearable accessory).

In some embodiments, one or more of the segments14may include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) or other electronic device that measures and provides data regarding a segment's velocity, orientation, and gravitational forces. With reference toFIG. 17, for example, an IMU100may include one or more accelerometers110, gyroscopes120, and/or magnetometers130that are configured to sense a corresponding segment's movement with response to a reference position.

Based on the position (e.g., distance from the Y-axis, rotation, orientation, and/or order) relative to the user and/or relative to other segments14, one or more of the segments may be configured to operate in a manner that is different from how other segments operate. For example, in one embodiment, private information may be presented on the respective displays30of one or more first segments, whereas non-private information may be presented on the respective displays of one or more second segments. With reference toFIG. 4, the segments14closest to the user's gaze (represented by the eye55) may be considered the first segments (e.g., segments F, A, and B), whereas the oppositely-located segments farthest from the user's gaze (in this case, segments C, D, and E, which are obscured from the user's line of sight) may be considered the second segments. Thus, in the depicted example, the first segments F, A, and B may be caused by the respective processors22to display private information, such as e-mail messages, text messages, or other information designated by the user as being private. The second segments C, D, and E, on the other hand, may be caused by the respective processors22to display non-private information. Such information may include, for example, weather information, the time, an idle or lock screen, or advertisement information.

As such, the private information may only be seen by the user by virtue of the position of the respective segments upon which the private information is displayed, while the non-private information may be seen by people other than the user. Although the example above describes three first segments for displaying private information and three second segments for displaying non-private information, the private information may be displayed on one or two of the segments in the user's direct line of sight (e.g., segments A and B) while the non-private information may be displayed on all or fewer than all of the remaining segments.

In other embodiments, one or more of the second segments, rather than being caused to display non-private information, may be controlled by the respective processors22to have their displays30dimmed, turned off, or otherwise modified to reduce the power consumption of the second segment(s) relative to the one or more first segments. In this way, segments that are not considered to be useful to the user (e.g., are not in the user's direct line of sight or are obscured from being viewed by the user) may enter a power saving mode in which, for example, their respective displays30are not presenting any information to the user or to others.

In still other cases, input received via the touch screen display30of one or more second segments may be provided to the processor20associated with one or more second segments such that the processor associated with the one or more second segments may at least partially control the operation of the one or more first segments based on the received user input. Referring again toFIG. 4, for example, one or more of segments C, D, and E may be configured to receive touch inputs on their respective displays30to at least partially control one or more of segments F, A, and B. For example, touch inputs received on the touch display30of segment D may at least partially control the opposite segment, segment A. Thus, the user may zoom in on certain content displayed on segment A, for example, by applying a pinch out input (a multi-touch input in which the touch events causing the multi-touch are relatively close together, followed by movement of the multi-touch inputs substantially away from each other) to the touch display of segment D. By using segment D in this example to receive touch inputs on behalf of segment A, the information displayed on segment A may remain fully visible to the user during receipt of the input, rather than be obscured from view by the presence of the user's fingers on the display of segment A in this example.

Although each segment14of the wearable accessory10may be configured to provide different functionality to the user, in some cases, through communication between and among the different segments, such as via NFC supported by the respective communication interfaces26, and by virtue of their membership to the same wearable accessory and their relative positions within the wearable accessory, two or more segments may share at least portions of their respective functionality. For example, in some cases, two adjacent segments may cooperate to present the same content across the two respective displays30(e.g., acting as one, larger display), or one segment may instruct an adjacent segment regarding the content to be displayed by the adjacent segment.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, touch input may be received via the user interface transceivers24of at least first and second segments of a multi-segment wearable accessory10, and a determination may be made, such as by the touch screen interface32, the processor22or the like, that the touch input associated with the second segment is moving relative to the touch input associated with the first segment. A presentation of a window that is presented at least partially on the display of the first segment may then be modified based upon the movement of the touch input associated with the second segment.

For example, touch inputs may be received to expand an application from one segment onto additional segments (e.g., by causing the size of the window presented on the display to be increased so as to be presented by the displays on both the first and second segments) using a multi-segment, multi-touch pinch out input, as depicted schematically inFIG. 5. In this regard, the first touch input (e.g., applied by a first finger of the user, shown by the encircled1) may be placed on content displayed via a first segment A, and a second touch input (e.g., applied by a second finger of the user, shown by the encircled2) may be placed on a different segment B, where the first touch input specifies the application or content to be expanded and the second touch input specifies the segment into which the content should be expanded. The second touch input may then be moved away from the location of the first touch input (e.g., while the first touch input remains stationary, as shown inFIG. 5), and once the second touch input passes a certain threshold (e.g., two-thirds of the display screen width), the touch inputs may be removed and the expansion will be executed. In some cases, removing the touch inputs before the threshold is passed may cancel the expansion operation.

In embodiments in which multiple applications or portions of content are displayed on the same segment selected for expansion, the content corresponding to the location of the first touch input may determine which content is to be expanded, and the other content may remain unexpanded on the first segment.

In cases where content was formerly presented on the display of the second segment (e.g., segment B), this content may in some instances be obscured by the overlaying of the content expanded from segment A, as illustrated inFIG. 5A. In other instances, however, the content presented on the display of the second segment B prior to the expansion of the content from the first segment A (e.g., prior to the increase in size of the window displayed on segment A) may be displaced by the content from segment A, in effect pushing the former content of B in a direction away from segment A. This is illustrated inFIG. 5B. In some cases, the displaced content may, in turn, displace content that is presented on the next adjacent segment (e.g., segment C) or some other subsequent segment. As such, each window of content may, in some cases, be considered a virtual segment, with multiple virtual segments potentially sharing the same physical segment14through the overlay of one virtual segment atop another virtual segment, as will be described in greater detail below.

In still other embodiments, touch inputs may be received via the touch screen displays30of first, second, and third segments (e.g., segments A, B, and C, as depicted inFIG. 6). Upon determining that the touch input2associated with the second segment (segment A) and the touch input3associated with the third segment (segment C) are moving relative to the touch input associated with the first segment (segment B), the presentation of the window that is presented at least partially by the first segment (segment B) may be modified based upon movement of the touch inputs associated with the second and third segments. Thus, in this example, as a result of the touch input3being additionally received via the third segment C, the content specified in segment B may be expanded across all three segments, A, B, and C.

Other forms and combinations of touch inputs may invoke other operations, in addition to the expand operation described above. Turning toFIG. 7, for example, a collapse operation may be invoked across two or more segments presenting an expanded application via their respective displays to reverse the expand operation. In a collapse operation, the first touch input1may specify the segment to which the expanded operation will be collapsed (segment A in the depicted embodiment), while the second touch input2may specify the segment from which the application is to be removed (segment B in the example illustrated). In cases such as that shown inFIGS. 6 and 6A, where the application was expanded across more than two segments, collapsing the first and second segments of the application may have different semantics than collapsing the second and third segments. For example, referring toFIG. 6A, where segment A presents textual content, segment B presents other textual content, and segment C presents icons, collapsing segment A and segment B may result in the presentation of one segment presenting textual information and another segment presenting the icon information. Collapsing segment B and segment C, however, may result in a modified presentation, in which the textual content formerly presented in segment A would continue to be presented in that segment, and the textual content and the icon content of segments B and C, respectively, would be presented together (e.g., in segment B) in combined form.

Yet another operation that may be supported by one or more of the segments may be a swap operation, in which the applications on two segments can be exchanged (e.g., each application being presented on the display of the other segment). In this case, touch inputs may be received via the touch displays30of at least first and second segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory10, and the determination may be made by the touchscreen interface32, the processor22or the like that the touch inputs represent a rotational gesture. Information that is presented upon the display of the first segment prior to the rotational gesture may then be caused to be presented upon the display of the second segment following the rotational gesture, and information that is presented upon the second segment prior to the rotational gesture may be caused to be presented upon the first segment following the rotational gesture. The touch inputs involved in a swap operation as described above are illustrated inFIG. 8, and the result of a swap operation is shown inFIG. 8A.

With reference toFIG. 9, rather than apply the expand operation described above sequentially to expand an application to multiple segments (e.g., by expanding from segment A to segment B, then from segment B to segment C, etc.), an application may be expanded directly to all available segments using three touch inputs that are applied substantially simultaneously. As shown inFIG. 9, a first touch input1may be received by a first segment (segment B); a second touch input2may be received by a second segment (segment A); and a third touch input3may be received by a third segment (segment C), in the manner of a chord. The first touch input1may specify the application or content that the user wishes to expand to all of the segments, whereas the second and third inputs2,3may specify adjacent segments (e.g., one immediately above and one immediately below the designated content to be expanded) to which the content is to be expanded. When one of the touch inputs is subsequently removed, the expand all operation may be executed across all of the segments, including segments not involved in receiving any of the three touch inputs.

In cases in which the application requires fewer screens than there are segments available, the application may expand to its maximum state, and the remaining segments may show their original content. In other cases, in which the application has more screens than there are segments available, the application may expand to fill all available segments, with the remaining segments becoming virtual segments that are accessed in other ways, as described below.

The expand all operation may be pre-configured to have a set duration, such that the expanded application collapses to its original segment after the passage of a predetermined amount of time. In some cases, however, one or more segments may be collapsed by using a sequence of rapid back and forth wrist rotations, similar to the shaking action a user may make when attempting to re-seat a watch on his wrist. In this regard, wrist angle data in the form of pose information as described above may be used, in addition to accelerometer data indicating a rapid sequence of positive and negative changes in the angle of the segments with respect to the Y-axis. Furthermore, the collapse all operation may only be configured to be executed if the back and forth wrist rotations described above occur when the user's arm is approximately horizontal (e.g., within 30° of being horizontal).

As noted above, in some embodiments, each screen presented on or capable of being presented on the display of a segment may be considered a virtual segment, and the number of virtual segments may be greater than the number of physical segments that are available to display the virtual segments. In this case, one or more of the virtual segments may be maintained on or associated with one or more of the segments in an overlaid configuration, such that, for example, a topmost virtual segment is displayed for viewing while another virtual segment lies below the topmost virtual segment, hidden from the user's view.

Accordingly, information may thus be displayed upon a plurality of segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory10, and in response to rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory10about the user's wrist50(FIG. 3), such as detected by a touch sensor as described above, the information displayed upon a respective segment may be caused to change. For example, the information displayed upon a segment, representing a virtual segment, may be sequentially associated with each segment of the multi-segment wearable accessory in response to rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory.

Referring toFIGS. 10A and 10B, for example, nine virtual segments (V1-V9) may be provided, whereas the wearable accessory10of the illustrated example only has six physical segments (A-F). Segments A-F in this example would thus be displaying virtual segments V1-V6, with V7being associated with segment A, but unseen (e.g., hidden behind V1), V8being associated with segment B, and V9being associated with segment C. In this case, to view virtual segments that are hidden or otherwise obscured behind other, visible virtual segments (such as V7-V9), the user may rotate the wearable accessory10from the position shown inFIG. 10Ato the position shown inFIG. 10B, which would serve to sequentially shift which of the virtual segments are visible to the user. As a result, virtual segment V7would now be visible on physical segment A, while formerly visible virtual segment V1would now be hidden behind virtual segment V7. Further rotation in the same manner would thus expose virtual segment V8, while removing virtual segment V2from view, and so on, such that the user may cycle through all the virtual segments by rotating the wearable accessory about the Y-axis. In some embodiments, a user may be able to rotate the wearable accessory continually, and with each rotation the user would view new content. This may be used, for example, to view long textual content (e.g., a lengthy e-mail message) or may be used for interaction widgets that may rely on the continuous circular nature of the particular depicted wearable accessory10.

Thus, in some embodiments, an apparatus may be provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. With continued reference toFIGS. 10A-10C, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least associate first content with a segment of a multi-segment wearable accessory and to associate second content with the same segment. Each of the first and second content would thus represent a virtual segment. In other words, in the depicted embodiment ofFIGS. 10A-10C, virtual segment V1may represent first content that is associated with segment A, and virtual segment V7may represent second content that is associated with segment A. Likewise, V2and V8may represent first and second content, respectively, that is associated with segment B, and so on.

The apparatus may be caused (e.g., via the processor, the at least one memory, and the computer program code) to cause one of the virtual segments to be presented on a display of the segment. InFIG. 10A, for example, where the first-listed virtual segment (top to bottom) is the virtual segment that is presented on the display as noted above, virtual segment V1is presented on the display of segment A, virtual segment V2is presented on the display of segment B, etc. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to, in response to rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory, determine whether to replace the virtual segment being presented with presentation of the other virtual segment (e.g., another associated virtual segment). In the case of segment A inFIG. 10A, for example, a determination may be made as to whether virtual segment V1should be replaced by presenting virtual segment V7in its place.

As noted above, in some embodiments, one of the segments may be considered a master segment and, as such, may control the operations and interactions of the other segments, which would be considered slave segments. In such a centralized scenario, the master segment may receive notifications or indications (e.g., signals) from other segments, may process these indications, and may in turn send out commands to the slave segments directing that the slave segments perform certain functions. Thus, in an instance in which the master segment is a segment other than segment A in the depicted embodiment and the apparatus is embodied by the master segment, the master segment may associate first content (represented by virtual segment V1) and second content (represented by virtual segment V7) with segment A by transmitting such content to segment A or otherwise instructing segment A regarding the association. The master segment may further transmit signals to segment A instructing segment A to present one or the other of the virtual segments on its display. InFIG. 10A, for example, the master segment may instruct segment A to present virtual segment V1on its display. The master segment may further determine whether to replace the virtual segment being presented (virtual segment V1inFIG. 10A) with the other virtual segment (virtual segment V7, as shown inFIG. 10B) in response to detecting rotation of the accessory (from the pose shown inFIG. 10Ato that shown inFIG. 10B) and may transmit signals to segment A instructing the replacement if so determined.

In an instance in which the master segment is a segment other than segment A, as described above, but the apparatus is embodied by segment A (the slave segment), segment A may associate first content and second content, each representing virtual segments, with segment A and may further cause one of the virtual segments (e.g., virtual segment V1inFIG. 10A) to be presented on its display upon receiving the instruction to do so from the master segment. Segment A may further determine whether to replace the virtual segment being presented (virtual segment V1inFIG. 10A) with the other virtual segment (virtual segment V7) by receiving the instruction to do so (e.g., receiving signals) from the master segment.

Alternatively, as also noted above, control of the operations of the plurality of segments14of a multi-segment wearable accessory10may be distributed with each or at least a plurality of the segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory controlling at least some of the operations. Under a distributed scenario, each segment of the wearable accessory may multicast events to the other segments, and each segment may thus respond accordingly. In other words, each segment may associate one or more virtual segments with itself and may cause one of the virtual segments to be presented on its display. Each segment may further determine whether to replace the virtual segment it is currently presenting with presentation of the other associated virtual segment in response to rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory, as described below. In this regard, each segment may multicast its respective orientation, association, and/or the virtual segments being presented to the other segments, such that each segment is aware of the content being presented via other segments and the replacement of content being presented on any given segment can be coordinated.

Regardless of which scenario is employed (centralized or distributed) or in which segment or segments the apparatus is embodied, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to determine whether to replace the virtual segment being presented with the presentation of the other associated virtual segment based at least partially on a location of the display of the segment with respect to the user's line of sight. For example, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to cause the virtual segment being presented to be replaced with the presentation of the other virtual segment in an instance in which the display of the segment is outside the user's line of sight.

InFIG. 10A, for example, segment D is closest to the user's line of sight (represented by the eye55), and segment A is farthest from the user's line of sight. In practical terms, the user inFIG. 10Ahas the wearable accessory positioned such that he or she is looking at segment D full-on and may have a partial view of the displays of segments E and C. The user inFIG. 10Amay not be able to see the displays of segments F, A, or B, with display segment A being the farthest away. In other words, the user would have to rotate the wearable accessory10to a much greater extent (e.g., through a larger angle of rotation) to view the display of segment A as compared to the extent of rotation that would be required to view the displays of any of the other segments. Thus, in this example, the determination may be made to replace the virtual segment V1being presented on the display of segment A with the other virtual segment V7in response to rotation of the wearable accessory, as shown inFIG. 10B. In other words, the discontinuity in virtual segments may be located between segments F and A, which are outside the user's line of sight inFIG. 10A.

In some cases, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to detect rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory via an inertial measurement unit (IMU), such as the IMU100shown inFIG. 17and described above. As such, data obtained from the IMU100and its sensors110,120,130may be used to calculate the relative position of each segment with respect to the user and the user's line of sight.

The apparatus may, in some embodiments, be caused (e.g., via the processor, the at least one memory, and the computer program code) to associate additional virtual segments with additional segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory, such that a total number of virtual segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory is greater than a total number of segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory. For example, inFIGS. 10A-10C, there is a total of 9 virtual segments (V1-V9), as compared to a total of 6 segments (A-F). Each virtual segment being presented on a display of a respective segment may be sequentially replaced with presentation of another virtual segment associated with the respective segment. In other words, only one of the segments (A-F) may switch from presenting the content of one virtual segment to the content of another virtual segment at a time (e.g., in response to each rotation of the accessory), with each rotation resulting in the next adjacent segment changing the virtual segment that it is presenting. Thus, when the user rotates the wearable accessory from the pose shown inFIG. 10Ato the pose shown inFIG. 10B, the virtual segment V1presented on the display of segment A may be replaced with the presentation of virtual segment V7. For a subsequent rotation, shown inFIG. 10C, the virtual segment V2presented on the display of segment B (as shown inFIGS. 10A and 10B) may be replaced with the presentation of virtual segment V8.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to present virtual segments such that virtual segments being presented on displays of adjacent segments provide a user with continuous scrolling of content. In other words, the content shown on the display of each segment (or at least some of the adjacent segments) may be related, such that the content “flows” from one segment to an adjacent segment to the next adjacent segment, and so on. This may occur, for example, in the event the user is viewing long textual content (e.g., an e-mail or journal article) that requires multiple displays to present the entire length of the content to the user. In a case as described above with reference toFIG. 10Ain which the discontinuity in the presentation of virtual segments is located between segments F and A, the user would always see the correct set of continuous segments (e.g., because the updating of virtual segments is occurring outside the user's line of sight, between segments F and A in this example). To see all of the segments, the user would have to rotate the device more than 360°. In the depicted embodiment, in which there are 9 virtual segments associated with 6 (physical) segments, the user would be required to rotate the wearable accessory through 540° to view all of the virtual segments. By extension, it would be possible for an “infinite” number of virtual segments to be sequentially associated with and/or sequentially presented on the displays of each consecutive segment, with segments continually updating as to which virtual segment is presented on their respective displays, thereby providing continuous scrolling of content. Thus, although the depicted example and description above references 9 virtual segments associated with 6 segments, any number of virtual segments may be associated with the segments, such that, for example, 3, 4, 5, or more virtual segments may be associated with any given segment of the wearable accessory.

In still other embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may, in some embodiments, be configured to, with the processor, further cause the apparatus to, in response to rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory, determine whether to power down the display of the segment. For example, the pose of the wearable accessory, such as determined via an IMU, may allow certain segments that are not in the user's line of sight to be “powered down” (e.g., by dimming, shutting off, or otherwise reducing the use of their respective displays) to conserve power. For example, by rotating the wearable accessory (e.g., either by rotating the wearable accessory with respect to the user's wrist or rotating the user's wrist itself), the respective display power states of each segment may be adjusted accordingly.

Referring now toFIG. 11, in some embodiments, an angle α between at least two segments14(e.g., segment A and segment B) of the multi-segment wearable accessory10may be determined, such as by the processor22based upon input from the sensor40, and one or more of the segments may be caused to operate in a manner that is at least partially dependent upon the angle between the at least two segments. For example, as between the configuration depicted inFIG. 11, where the wearable accessory10is not being worn, but is instead doubled onto itself and resting on a flat surface, the angle α between segments A, B, and C may be determined to be 0°, whereas the corresponding angle between the same segments in the configuration shown inFIG. 4, for example (worn by the user) may be approximately 60°. Based on this determined angle, segments A, B, and C inFIG. 4may be configured to have separate functionality, for example each segment being dedicated to a particular application. The same segments when in the configuration ofFIG. 11, however, may be caused to exhibit different behavior than inFIG. 4, such as by acting as a single display for one particular application or by presenting date and time information across one or more of the respective displays.

Although the examples and descriptions provided above involve segments14that are adaptable, or able to have their respective functionality modified based on their relative position in the wearable accessory and/or communication with other remote devices, in some cases one or more segments may be used in a wearable accessory that are non-adaptable, or not configured to have modified functionality. In such cases, the operations described above regarding interaction or information exchange between adjacent segments may apply between the closest adaptable segments, skipping over any intervening non-adaptable segments. As such, the next closest adaptable segment to a particular segment may be considered its “adjacent” segment in the context of the examples provided above.

In some embodiments, a segment14of the wearable accessory10may be positioned in a predefined orientation with respect to another device, such as a mobile phone, so as to cause certain information (such as the information displayed on the mobile phone) to be transferred to or shared with the respective segment. For example, the orientation sensing techniques described above may be used to detect that the other device (e.g., the mobile phone) is aligned with a particular segment (e.g., the touch display of the mobile phone is substantially parallel to the touch display16of the particular segment14). This may occur, for example, when the device is held against or close to a segment14of the wearable accessory, such that the orientation of the device matches or at least approximates the orientation of the respective segment.

Once the respective segment14is selected in this way, the user may then move the device away from the wearable accessory, while still maintaining the communications link established with that particular segment. Such a link may allow the user to apply touch inputs to the linked segment (or other segments) to transfer or share content presented on the display of the segment to or with the linked device, or vice versa. In still other embodiments, the linked device may be used to configure certain features of the linked segment or the wearable accessory in general.

In this regard, one embodiment of a method for providing content on a multi-segment wearable accessory, as shown inFIG. 12, includes distinguishing one or more first segments of a multi-segment wearable accessory that have a predefined orientation relative to the user from one or more second segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory that have a different orientation relative to the user at Block200. One or more of the first segments may be caused to operate different than the one or more second segments at Block210, as described above and illustrated in the referenced figures.

In another embodiment, illustrated inFIG. 13, touch input may be received via at least first and second segments of a multi-segment wearable accessory at Block250, and a determination may be made that the touch input associated with the second segment is moving relative to the touch input associated with the first segment at Block260. The method and computer program product may further cause a presentation of a window that is presented at least partially by the first segment to be modified based upon movement of the touch input associated with the second segment at Block270. In some cases, at least some information presented upon the second segment prior to increasing a size of the window may be caused to be moved to another segment adjacent the second segment at Block280.

In still other embodiments, depicted inFIG. 14, touch input may be received via at least first and second segments of a multi-segment wearable accessory at Block300, and a determination may be made that the touch input represents a rotational gesture at Block310. The method and computer program product may further cause information that is presented upon the first segment prior to the rotational gesture to be presented upon the second segment following the rotational gesture at Block330and may further cause information that is presented upon the second segment prior to the rotational gesture to be presented upon the first segment following the rotational gesture at Block340.

With reference toFIG. 15, in some embodiments, first content and second content may be associated with a segment of a multi-segment wearable accessory at Blocks400and410, with each of the first and second content representing a virtual segment. The method and computer program product may further cause one of the virtual segments to be presented on a display of the segment at Block420, and, in response to rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory, a determination may be made as to whether to replace the virtual segment being presented with presentation of the other virtual segment at Block430.

In some cases, the determination as to whether to replace the virtual segment being presented with the presentation of the other virtual segment may be based at least partially on a location of the display of the segment with respect to a user's line of sight. For example, the virtual segment being presented may be replaced with the presentation of the other virtual segment in an instance in which the display of the segment is outside the user's line of sight. Rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory may be detected via an inertial measurement unit (IMU) at Block440.

In some embodiments, additional virtual segments may be associated with additional segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory, such that a total number of virtual segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory is greater than a total number of segments of the multi-segment wearable accessory. Each virtual segment being presented on a display of a respective segment may thus be sequentially replaced with presentation of another virtual segment associated with the respective segment, as described above. Furthermore, virtual segments may be presented such that virtual segments being presented on displays of adjacent segments provide a user with continuous scrolling of content. In some cases, in response to rotation of the multi-segment wearable accessory, a determination may be made as to whether to power down the display of the segment at Block445.

Referring toFIG. 16, in still other embodiments, an angle between at least two segments of a multi-segment wearable accessory may be determined, as described above, at Block450. One or more of the segments may then be caused to operate in a manner that is at least partially dependent upon the angle between the at least two segments at Block460.

In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified as described below. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may be included, some examples of which are shown in dashed lines inFIG. 13. Modifications, additions, or amplifications to the operations above may be performed in any order and in any combination.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus for performing the methods ofFIGS. 12-16above may comprise a processor (e.g., the processor22ofFIG. 2) configured to perform some or each of the operations (200-460) described above. The processor may, for example, be configured to perform the operations (200-460) by performing hardware implemented logical functions, executing stored instructions, or executing algorithms for performing each of the operations. Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise means for performing each of the operations described above. In this regard, according to an example embodiment, examples of means for performing at least portions of operations200,250,300,445, and450may comprise, for example, the processor22, the user interface transceiver24, the sensor40, the IMU100and/or a device or circuit for executing instructions or executing an algorithm for processing information as described above. Examples of means for performing operations210,270,280,330,340, and460may comprise, for example, the processor22, the user interface transceiver24, and/or a device or circuit for executing instructions or executing an algorithm for processing information as described above. Examples of means for performing operations400and410may comprise, for example, the processor22, the communication interface26, the memory device28, and/or a device or circuit for executing instructions or executing an algorithm for processing information as described above. Examples of means for performing operation440may comprise, for example, the processor22, the communication interface26, the IMU100, and/or a device or circuit for executing instructions or executing an algorithm for processing information as described above. Examples of means for performing operation420may comprise, for example, the processor22, the user interface transceiver24, the communication interface26, and/or a device or circuit for executing instructions or executing an algorithm for processing information as described above. Examples of means for performing operations260,310, and430may comprise, for example, the processor22, the memory device28, and/or a device or circuit for executing instructions or executing an algorithm for processing information as described above.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. For example, although the description and figures provide examples of embodiments in which each segment14is removable from the frame12of the wearable accessory10, in other embodiments one or more of the segments may be integral to or permanently affixed to the frame, such that those segments are not removable. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.