Tactile output for wearable device

A wearable item, such as an electronic device, is disclosed. The wearable item includes a flexible strap and actuators within the flexible strap. The actuators are configured to dynamically form protrusions along the flexible strap. The protrusions present tactilely-perceptible information, such as braille characters or other symbols.

FIELD

The described embodiments relate generally to output mechanisms for electronic devices. More particularly, the present embodiments relate to output mechanisms that provide tactile outputs to a user of a wearable electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices utilize various types of output devices to provide information to a user. For example, smartphones, laptop computers, and wearable electronic devices (e.g., smartwatches) may include displays, LEDs or other illuminating elements, speakers, and the like. Many output devices require a user to look at or listen to the output device in order to receive the information, however. Techniques for conveying information without audio or visual outputs have been developed, such as braille or other tactile writing systems. Such systems may be useful for visually impaired individuals, or when audio or visual outputs are inappropriate.

SUMMARY

A wearable item comprises a flexible strap and actuators within the flexible strap. The actuators are configured to dynamically form protrusions along the flexible strap. The protrusions present tactilely-perceptible information.

A wearable electronic device comprises a computing component and a band coupled to the computing component. The band comprises an inner surface for contacting a wearer, an outer surface opposite the inner surface, and tactile output mechanisms configured to selectively form and remove tactile symbols along at least one of the inner surface and outer surface.

A method for providing tactile output via a band of a wearable electronic device comprises receiving, at a band including actuators configured to selectively form deformations along a surface of the band, information from a computing component coupled to the band, and in response to receiving the information, causing a set of the actuators to form a pattern of deformations along the surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Traditional output mechanisms used in electronic devices may present information aurally or visually. For example, display screens and indicator lights require a user to visually perceive the electronic device, and speakers require the user to listen to the audible output. Users who have visual impairments may not be able to adequately perceive visual outputs such as screens and lights, however. While information may instead be conveyed to such users by audible indicators (e.g., beeps, spoken words, or the like), this may be disruptive in many circumstances, and may take longer than desirable to convey the information.

Accordingly, the present disclosure relates to tactile output mechanisms that may facilitate tactile presentation of information by an electronic device. The tactile output mechanisms may form alphanumeric characters, braille characters, logos, graphics, or other information-conveying symbols. The term “symbol,” as used herein, encompasses all of the foregoing examples.

A wearable item may be operationally connected to an electronic device. The electronic device may instruct the wearable item to form tactilely-perceptible outputs in order to convey information to a user. The wearable item may be a band, strap, lanyard or similar connector, or may be a piece of clothing, may be an accessory such as a ring, glasses, or the like. A wearable item may be formed from fabric, leather, polymer, and so on.

For example, a band for a wearable electronic device, such as a smartwatch, may include actuators that can dynamically and selectively form protrusions (or other deformations) along a surface of the band. The protrusions may be formed in particular patterns to convey particular information. For example, the protrusions may be selectively actuated to form braille characters that a user can then read by touch. Actuators (or other tactile output mechanisms) may also or instead be dynamically and/or selectively actuated to form protrusions in shapes of alphanumeric characters. The actuators are dynamic (e.g., dynamically actuated) insofar as they may form and remove protrusions as necessary to convey information; the protrusions may last as long as necessary or desired and need not be static. The actuators are selective insofar as each actuator may be independently actuated from one another. A person interacting with the protrusions may visually or tactilely perceive or otherwise discern the protrusions, insofar as they are an example of a tactile output mechanism.

The protrusions may be formed on an outer surface of the band, an inner surface of the band (e.g., a surface that is in contact with a wearer's body), both, a side of the band, and so on. In some cases, information may be conveyed differently when the protrusions are formed on the inner surface as compared to the outer surface. In particular, whereas braille characters may be formed on the outer surface, some users may not be able to resolve braille characters when they are formed on the inner surface of a band (e.g., when they are pressed against the user's wrist). Thus, in some embodiments the protrusions on the inner surface may not form characters, but instead may be pulsed (e.g., to produce a temporal pattern of taps or contacts) or may form less detailed shapes or patterns (e.g., the protrusions may be progressively formed around the inner circumference of the band, producing a feeling of the protrusions encircling the user's wrist). In other embodiments, braille or other alphanumeric characters may be formed on an inner surface of the band, or on both inner and outer surfaces (either concurrently or separately).

The tactilely-perceptible information conveyed by the tactile output mechanisms described herein may be any type of text- or character-based information (or other types of information). For example, in the case of braille characters formed on the outer surface of the band, the characters may convey a time of day (e.g., from a timekeeping component of the electronic device), rendered text (e.g., from emails, text messages, webpages, e-books, and the like), or transcribed speech (e.g., incoming speech from a voice call or voicemail), symbols indicating a status of an electronic device (e.g., a power state or level, reception of a communication, and so on), and the like.

Embodiments of electronic devices that include actuators in a band to provide tactile outputs are discussed below with reference toFIGS. 1-8C. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these Figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting.

FIG. 1shows a wearable device100(also referred to as “device100”). The device100may be any appropriate wearable device, including an electrical or mechanical wrist watch, an electronic computing component, a health monitoring device, a timekeeping device, a stopwatch, etc. The device100may include a computing component101and a wearable band104.

The computing component101includes a housing102that forms an outer surface or partial outer surface and protective case for the internal components of the computing component101. For example, the computing component101may include, in the housing102, a processing unit (not shown) for performing various system and application tasks, alone or in conjunction with other sensors, processors, circuits, and the like. For example, the processing unit may perform tasks related to timekeeping, communications (e.g., wired or wireless communications), health monitoring, and the like. Other components of the computing component101that may be housed in or coupled to the housing102include, without limitation, a display device, audio output devices, input devices (e.g., touch-sensitive surfaces, buttons, dials), biometric sensors, cameras, and orientation detectors.

The housing102may also include mounting features formed on opposite ends of the housing102to connect a wearable item104(also referred to as “band104”) to the housing102. The band104may include a first strap106, a second strap108, and a clasp110for releasably coupling the first strap106to the second strap108. The first strap106and the second strap108may be separate components (as shown inFIG. 1) or they may be a single component. For example, a single length of material may pass through the housing102and/or through loops or other mounting structures of the housing102to form two segments extending from opposite sides of the housing102(e.g., segments analogous to the first strap106and the second strap108).

The first and second straps106,108may include a plurality of actuators112configured to selectively form protrusions, or any other tactilely-perceptible output such as cavities, depressions, or other deformations, along a surface of the band104. In some cases, only one of the first and second straps106,108includes actuators112.

The protrusions may be used to form various tactile symbols including braille characters, dot-pattern representations of alpha-numeric characters (e.g., a pattern of dots that looks like a particular character), representations of shapes or images, or the like. The actuators112may also be used to provide tactile stimulation to a user without conveying character-level information (e.g., the actuators may cause a vibrating sensation on a user's wrist).

The first and second straps106,108may be flexible, for example, to facilitate the application of the wearable device100, and to provide a comfortable and secure fit to a wearer. The first and second straps106,108may be flexible along substantially their whole lengths, or only along certain portions.

The first and second straps106,108may be formed from or include any appropriate materials. For example, the first and second straps106,108may include one or more layers of flexible material, such as fabrics (e.g., natural or synthetic fabrics), leather, polymers (e.g., silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or polyvinylchloride), or any other appropriate material. As another example, the first and second straps106,108may include links or segments of metals, hard plastics, or the like. The actuators may be incorporated into, or embedded within, the first and second straps106,108in any appropriate way, such as insert molding, insert casting, mechanical assembly (e.g., manual or automatic placement of actuators, electrodes, etc. in the first and second straps106,108), or the like.

As shown inFIG. 1, the actuators112are grouped into arrays116of actuators112, each array116having nine actuators arranged into a three-by-three grid, though other configurations, shapes, sizes, and numbers of arrays116and actuators112are also contemplated. For example, the actuators112may not be separated into arrays, either functionally or physically. As noted above, the first and second straps106,108may be sufficiently flexible to allow for the band104to be opened and closed. In such cases, the areas of the band104corresponding to the arrays116are also flexible. For example, components of the actuators may be formed from or include flexible materials and/or structures that allow the band to flex along the areas corresponding to the arrays116.

When multiple characters are to be presented on the band104, and there are not enough actuators on the band104to present all of the characters at once, the characters may be presented sequentially. For example, a braille character (or any other symbol) may be formed on a surface of the first strap106for a duration of time before the braille character is removed and/or replaced with another character. The duration may be exclusively time based (e.g., 0.5 seconds, 1 second, 2 seconds, or any other appropriate time), or it may be based on some other factor or combination of factors, such as whether the user has touched the braille character (as determined by a touch and/or force sensor), whether the user has moved the device into a particular orientation and/or position (for example, raising or rotating the device or wearable item), how long the device has been in a particular orientation and/or position, or the like.

One or both of the first and second straps106,108may include a controller114. The controller114may be configured to receive information and/or commands from the computing component101and, in response to and based on the information and/or commands, selectively cause the actuators112to form protrusions along a surface of the band104. For example, the controller114may receive information from the computing component indicating a time of day. The controller114may then determine which actuators112should be actuated in order to cause an appropriate pattern of protrusions on the appropriate surface of the band to indicate the time of day to a user. The controller114may perform other functions as well. For example, the controller114(alone or in conjunction with other components of the band104and/or the computing component101) may perform timekeeping functions and may communicate with the computing component via one or more wired or wireless (e.g., Bluetooth or WiFi) interfaces and/or protocols.

Each array116of actuators112may be used to represent a single character of a braille alphabet or other symbol. For example, the controller114may receive information from the computing component indicating the time of day. The controller114may then determine which actuators112to actuate in order to present the time of day in braille. For example, the controller114may cause each array116on the first strap106to present one digit of the time of day in braille characters, as described herein.

One or both of the first and second straps106,108may include an optional battery (not shown) electrically connected to the controller114and/or the actuators112to provide electrical power thereto. The battery may also provide electrical power to the computing component through electrical and/or data connectors204,206(FIG. 2). The optional battery and the controller114of the band104may facilitate timekeeping functions of the band even after the battery of the computing component101has died, or in embodiments where the band104does not communicate with or receive electrical power from the computing component. For example, the band104may be configured to receive information corresponding to a time of day from the computing component101as long as the battery of the computing component101has sufficient charge or is not in a power conservation mode, and to take over timekeeping functions once the battery of the computing component101dies or ceases to provide information to the controller114(e.g., as a result of the battery dying).

FIG. 2shows an exploded view of the device100, with the housing102removed from the band104. The first and second straps106,108each include a lug200that is configured to retain the first and second straps106,108to the housing102. The housing102includes lug receptacles202into which the lugs200are received.

The lugs200each include first electrical connectors204that are operatively coupled to the controller114, the optional battery (not shown), and/or other appropriate components of the band104. In implementations where the band104does not include a controller114, the first electrical connectors204may be coupled directly to the actuators112via electrodes.

The housing102includes second electrical connectors206that are configured to couple to the first electrical connectors204. Thus, when the first and second straps106,108are coupled to the housing102via the lugs200and the lug receptacles202, the first electrical connectors204are electrically and/or communicatively coupled to the second electrical connectors206. The first and second straps106,108may be configured to be removably coupled to the housing102. In such cases, the electrical connectors204,206may be quick-release style connectors such that a user can remove and/or swap bands of the device100without damaging the housing102and/or the band104, and without needing to manually re-connect wires, electrodes, or the like.

FIG. 3Ashows a partial view of the first strap106where the actuators112have been actuated to present braille digits corresponding to a time of 1:20. Actuators112shown in solid lines have been actuated, and therefore correspond to protrusions on the first strap106, whereas unactuated actuators112are shown in dashed lines and do not correspond to protrusions. In particular, the array116-1forms the braille character for “1,” array116-2forms the braille character for “2,” and the array116-3forms the braille character for “3.” The braille characters shown inFIG. 2Aare oriented such that a bottom of the braille character is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis300of the band104. This orientation of the braille characters corresponds to a top-to-bottom reading direction.

FIG. 3Bshows another partial view of the first strap106where the actuators112have been actuated to present braille digits corresponding to a time of 1:20. Whereas the bottom of the braille characters inFIG. 3Awere substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis300, the bottom of the braille characters inFIG. 3Bare substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis300corresponding to a left-to-right reading direction. Whether the characters are presented in a top-to-bottom reading orientation (FIG. 3A) or a left-to-right reading orientation (FIG. 3B) may be determined by user preference, by the orientation of the device100(as determined by an orientation detector), by a placement of a user's fingers on the first strap106(as determined by one or more touch sensors or touch sensitive regions), or any other appropriate criteria.

Braille cells (e.g., regions capable of representing a braille character) may comprise six dot positions arranged in three rows and two columns (e.g., a 3×2 array). By positioning the actuators112in 3×3 arrays116, the actuators can form complete braille characters in either orientation described above. In each case, one column of each array116may be unused. For example, inFIG. 3A, the actuators112in any two adjacent columns (such as the first and second columns, as shown) may be used to form the dots of the braille character, with the third column being unused. Similarly,FIG. 3Bshows the third column of each array116being unused. In some Braille systems, all of the digits (0-9) can be represented in a four dot cell. Accordingly, in embodiments where a band104is only configured to present digits, the arrays116may be 2×2 arrays. The symmetry of the 2×2 arrays allows digits to be represented in braille in both top-to-bottom and left-to-right reading orientations without any unused rows or columns. As noted above, any appropriate number and orientation of actuators112in an array116may be used.

The orientation in which braille characters are presented on the band104may be determined in real-time, based on how a user intends to read the characters at that particular time. Various sensors and algorithms may be used to determine the reading orientation being used by a user. For example, because of the natural biomechanics of a user's arms and body, the orientation of the housing102may be a sufficiently reliable indicator of a user's intended reading direction. Accordingly, an orientation sensor (or sensor system, including one or more sensors and processing circuitry) may determine an orientation of the device100when braille characters are to be displayed. If the determined orientation is indicative of a left-to-right reading orientation, then the braille characters will be presented from left to right. If the determined orientation is indicative of a top-to-bottom reading orientation, then the braille characters will be presented from top to bottom.FIGS. 4A-4Billustrate how the device100may be oriented differently based on the user's planned reading orientation. InFIG. 4A, a user intends to read the braille characters in a top-to-bottom direction, which may result in the main plane of the housing102(e.g., corresponding to a display surface of display device) being substantially parallel to a horizontal direction. InFIG. 4B, the user intends to read the braille characters in a left-to-right direction, which may result in the main plane of the housing102being oblique to the horizontal direction.

Instead of or in addition to the orientation sensing technique described above, touch and/or force sensors may be used to determine the reading orientation. For example, first touch sensitive regions302(FIG. 3A) may disposed along first edges of the arrays116perpendicular to the longitudinal axis300of the band104, and second touch sensitive regions304may disposed along second edges of the arrays116parallel to the longitudinal axis300of the band104. If a user intends to read the braille characters in a top-to-bottom direction, the user's finger may be likely to contact one or more of the first touch sensitive regions302, and less likely to contact the second touch sensitive regions304. Similarly, if the user intends to read the braille characters in a left-to-right direction, the user's finger may be likely to contact one or more of the second touch sensitive regions304, and less likely to contact the first touch sensitive regions302. In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive regions may overlie or otherwise be contiguous with the arrays116. Touch-sensitive regions may also or instead be force-sensitive.

FIG. 3Cshows the portion of the first strap106with a finger306placed on the array116-1, corresponding to a top-to-bottom reading position. As shown inFIG. 3C, the finger306contacts a first touch sensitive region302and does not contact the second touch sensitive regions304. InFIG. 3D, a finger306is placed on the array116-3, corresponding to a left-to-right reading position. As shown inFIG. 3D, the finger306contacts a second touch sensitive region304, and does not contact the first touch sensitive regions302. The first and second touch sensitive regions302,304may be positioned on the band104to reduce the likelihood that a finger306will simultaneously contact both first and second regions when the finger is placed in a reading position.

The touch sensitive regions302,304may be operatively coupled (e.g., via electrodes in the band104) to the controller114in the band104and/or the computing component101(e.g., via the electrical connectors204,206that electrically couple components of the band104to the computing component. Accordingly, the controller114and/or the computing component101may detect properties of the touch sensitive regions that are indicative of touch events. The touch sensitive regions302,304may be formed from or include any appropriate material or structure that facilitates detection of touch or force, including but not limited to capacitive touch sensing components, resistive touch sensing components, quantum tunneling materials, and mechanical switches (e.g., dome switches).

The touch sensitive regions may also be used to determine when a braille character has been read in order to cease the presentation of the braille character and/or to signal that a subsequent braille character should be presented. For example, a user may interact with the device to request that information, such as the time, be presented via the arrays116. When the user touches an array116to read the characters, a touch event may be detected on one or more of the touch sensitive regions. Once a touch event is detected (and after an optional delay), the device100may cease presenting the characters. By ceasing to present characters after they have been read, the device100can conserve battery power, and can avoid presenting stale information. Where additional characters are to be presented, the detection of the touch event may (after an optional delay) cause subsequent characters to be presented in place of the first characters.

The band104inFIGS. 1-3Dhas only three arrays on each strap. However, more or fewer arrays may be used. For example, four arrays116may be used so that each digit of a four digit time (e.g., hh:mm) may be presented at once. As another example, only one array may be provided on a band104, and the array may transition between digits to present characters sequentially.

As noted above, the actuators112, or a subset thereof, may be configured to form protrusions along the inner surface of the band104. Such protrusions may be used to convey information to a user in various different ways. For example, actuators112that are configured to form protrusions on the inner surface of the band104may be actuated to act as a notification to the user. Actuating the actuators112for this purpose may include pulsing the actuators (e.g., to produce a pulsing or vibrating sensation), or maintaining the protrusions for a specified duration or until the user dismisses or acknowledges the event that triggered the notification. Such events may include, for example, incoming messages or calls, changes in the time (e.g., the actuators112may notify the user every five minutes of elapsed time, or any other appropriate interval), or the like.

The actuators112that are configured to form protrusions along the inner surface of the band104may convey information in other ways as well. For example, a time may be indicated by a series of pulses corresponding to the hours and minutes of the current time. Where the band104includes actuators112on both the first and the second straps106,108, the actuators112of one strap may be used to indicate the hours (e.g., with one pulse corresponding to one hour), and the actuators112of the other strap may be used to indicate the minutes (e.g., with one pulse corresponding to one, five, or ten minutes). Accordingly, a user can simply count the number of pulses from each strap to determine the time. As a specific example, three pulses of the actuators112on the second strap108may correspond to three o'clock, and four pulses (each corresponding to five minutes of elapsed time) of the actuators112on the first strap106may correspond to 20 minutes. Thus, the user can determine that it is 3:20.

As another example, the actuators112that are configured to form protrusions along the inner surface of the band104may be configured to convey the time to a user by mimicking the location of an hour or minute hand along the inner surface of the band104. For example, at 3:00, protrusions may be formed along the inner surface of the second strap108to a location corresponding to 3:00 (e.g., the protrusions may span 90 degrees around the inner circumference of the band104). As the hours progress, the protrusions may also progress around the circumference of the band104. The actuators112may remain actuated as the day advances (e.g., so that at 9:00, protrusions are formed continuously along about 270 degrees of the inner circumference). Alternatively, only a set of actuators near the indicated time are actuated at a given time (e.g., at 9:00, a set of actuators near about 270 degrees along the inner circumference are actuated). This technique applies equally to indicating minutes. For example, the protrusions may progress around the inner circumference once per hour, rather than once per twelve hours.

The same or a similar technique may also be used to convey information other than a time. For example, the protrusions may act as a status or progress indicator, where actuation of all actuators112along the inner (or outer) surface indicates the completion of a task (e.g., a download, a physical activity goal, a timer, or the like). A user can determine the relative progress of a task based on how many protrusions are formed on the inner (or outer) surface of the band, or the locations of the protrusions.

FIG. 5shows a portion of the first strap106. As described above, the first strap106may include a controller114and actuators112. The actuators112are each operatively coupled to the controller114via electrodes500. For example, the actuator112-1is coupled to the controller114via the electrode500-1, and the actuator112-2is coupled to the controller via the electrode500-2. The electrodes500may be configured to convey any appropriate signal and/or electrical energy to the actuators112. WhileFIG. 5shows the first strap106, it will be understood that the second strap108may have the same or similar configuration and/or components.

FIGS. 6A-6Care partial cross-sections of an embodiment of the first strap106viewed along line6-6inFIG. 5. In this embodiment, the actuators are electrothermal actuators600that contain an actuation material602that has a first density when the material is at a first temperature and/or physical phase (e.g., solid), and a second density when the material is at a second temperature and/or physical phase (e.g., liquid). For example, the actuation material602may have a higher density when it is in a solid phase than when it is in a liquid phase. This property may be exploited to create actuators that selectively from protrusions on a surface of an item (such as a surface of a watch band). In particular, the actuation material602may be placed in an enclosed space having at least one surface defined by a flexible material. The actuator may also include a heating element that can melt the actuation material602, thereby causing the actuation material602to expand and locally deform the flexible material. The actuator may also include a cooling element that can cool and solidify the actuation material602.

The amount of the actuation material602in the enclosed space may be selected so that when the actuation material602is in a solid phase, the flexible material of the enclosed space is not deformed, and when the actuation material is in a liquid phase, the flexible material defining the enclosed space is deformed (e.g., it protrudes outward). The actuation material602may be any appropriate material, such as paraffin wax or another material that changes phase at relatively low temperatures, a gas, a liquid that expands or contracts when its temperature changes, and so on.

The electrothermal actuators600inFIGS. 6A-6Cinclude the actuation material602contained between a first layer606and a second layer608. The first layer606may correspond to an outer surface of the first strap106, and the second layer608may correspond to an inner surface of the first strap106.

The electrothermal actuators600also include heating elements604that are configured to heat the actuation material602. The heating elements604may be any material or component that can be heated to melt the actuation material602. The heating elements604may be coupled to the electrodes500(FIG. 5). Electrical current may be provided to the heating elements604via the electrodes500to cause the heating elements604to heat sufficiently to melt the actuation material602.

As shown inFIGS. 6A-6C, the heating elements604are shaped as cylinders that also define walls that contain the actuation material602, but other shapes and configurations are also possible. For example, the walls that contain the actuation material602may not be heating elements, and the heating elements604may be disposed in the interior space defined by the walls and in contact with the actuation material602. Moreover, the structure(s) and/or walls that contain the actuation material602may be any appropriate shape and may be formed from any appropriate material(s) or component(s).

FIG. 6Ashows the first strap106where the actuation material602of each electrothermal actuator600is in an unexpanded state (e.g., a solid phase).FIG. 6Bshows the first strap106where the actuation material602of a first electrothermal actuator600-1and a second electrothermal actuator600-3has been melted, thus expanding the actuation material602and causing the first and second layers606,608to locally deform in an area above and below the electrothermal actuators600-1,600-3. The locally deformed areas may correspond to the dots of a braille character being presented on a surface of the band104, as described above.

InFIG. 6B, the first and second layers606,608are formed from or include flexible material that deforms when the actuation material602expands. Any appropriate flexible material may be used, such as silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyvinylchloride, or the like. The first and/or second layers606,608may be glued or otherwise bonded to a middle layer607(which itself may include a plurality of sub-layers) to prevent delamination of the layers as well as to form the enclosed space of the electrothermal actuators600in which the actuation material602is placed.

FIG. 6Cshows an embodiment of the first strap106where the first layer606is formed from or includes a flexible material, and the second layer608is formed from or includes a material that resists deformation when the actuation material602expands. For example, while the actuation material602of the first and third electrothermal actuators600-1,600-3is in an expanded state inFIG. 6C, protrusions are only formed along the first layer606. The less deformable second layer608may be formed from or include any appropriate material, such as silicone or TPU that has a sufficient stiffness and/or rigidity to substantially resist deformation due to the expansion of the actuation material602. The second layer608may also include rigid inserts in areas adjacent the actuation material602to prevent deformation of the second layer608when the actuation material602expands. Such inserts may be disks or sheets of metal, plastic, or any other appropriate material, and may be between the electrothermal actuators600and the second layer608, or may be embedded or encapsulated in the material of the second layer608.

The electrothermal actuators600may also include walls and/or surfaces that prevent or limit deformation when the actuation material602expands. For example, an electrothermal actuator600may include a vessel defined by one or more sidewalls and a bottom, and having an open top. The sidewalls and bottom of the vessel may contain the actuation material602and may resist deformation when the actuation material602is expanded. Thus, the actuation material602may expand through the open top of the vessel, thus pressing against whatever material is disposed above the actuator.

As described above,FIG. 6Cillustrates an embodiment where the first layer606is deformable, while the second layer608resists deformation caused by the electrothermal actuators600. In some cases, the roles of the first and second layers are reversed, such that the first layer606resists deformation and the second layer608allows deformation. Moreover, some portions of a layer may resist deformation from the actuators600, while other portions allow deformation.

FIGS. 7A-7Care cross-sections of an embodiment of the first strap106viewed along line6-6inFIG. 5. In this embodiment, the actuators are electromechanical actuators700that include movable pins702that are configured to selectively press against a first layer704and/or a second layer706in order to form protrusions along the surfaces of the first strap106defined by those layers. The first and second layers704,706may be formed from or include flexible material (e.g., silicone, TPU), and may be glued or otherwise bonded to a middle layer705such that they cover the actuators112(e.g., they are disposed over and/or under the actuators112).

The electromechanical actuators700may include electrical coils (not shown) that, when energized, cause the movable pins702to extend relative to a sleeve701and press against the first and/or second layer704,706. For example, an electrical current may be passed through the coils (via the electrodes500,FIG. 5) to produce an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field may apply a force to the movable pins702that drives the movable pins702against the first layer704or the second layer706, thus locally deforming the layer and forming a protrusion on a surface of the first strap106. When the electromagnetic field is removed, the movable pins702retract to a neutral position between the layers704,706.

FIG. 7Bshows the first strap106ofFIG. 7Awhere the movable pin702of a first electromechanical actuator700-1has been forced against the first layer704, thus deforming an area of the first layer704above the electromechanical actuator700-1. The deformed area may correspond to a dot of a braille character being presented on a surface of the band104, as described above.

FIG. 7Cshows the first strap106ofFIG. 7Awhere the movable pin702of the electromechanical actuator700-1has been forced against the second layer706, thus deforming an area of the second layer706below the electromechanical actuator700-1. The deformed area may correspond to a dot of a braille character being presented on a surface of the band104, as described above, or it may be used to provide tactile or haptic feedback to a user, such as by pressing against a user's wrist or another body part to which the band104is coupled.

The first and second layers704,706may provide a centering force that returns the movable pins702to a neutral position when the electromechanical actuators700are deactuated (e.g., such that the layers704,706are not deformed and no protrusion is formed). In particular, once the coil of an electromechanical actuator700is de-energized, the force of the first and/or second layer704,706trying to return to its undeformed state may force the movable pin702into a neutral position between the first and second layers704,706where it is not deforming either layer.

FIGS. 8A-8Care cross-sections of an embodiment of the first strap106viewed along line6-6inFIG. 5. In this embodiment, the actuators are electromechanical actuators801that include movable pins804that are configured to extend at least partially through openings800in a first layer808of the first strap106and/or optional openings802in a second layer810of the first strap106.

The electromechanical actuators801may include electrical coils (not shown) that surround at least a portion of the movable pins804and cause the movable pins804to move within a sleeve805and extend at least partially through the first or second openings800,802. For example, an electrical current may be passed through the coils (via the electrodes500,FIG. 5) to produce an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field may apply a force to the movable pins804that drives the movable pins804in one or the other direction.

The movable pins804may include flanges806that extend from a main body of the movable pins804and engage with the first and/or the second layer808,810in order to retain the movable pins804in the first strap106. For example,FIG. 8Bshows the first strap106ofFIG. 8Awhere the movable pin804of a first electromechanical actuator801-1is extended partially through an opening800in the first layer808. (The extended portion of the pin804area may correspond to a dot of a braille character being presented on a surface of the band104, as described above.) The flange806of the first electromechanical actuator801-1engages with (e.g., contacts) a portion of the first layer808that overhangs the sleeve805, thus retaining the movable pin804of the first electromechanical actuator801-1in the sleeve. Similarly,FIG. 8Cshows the first strap106ofFIG. 8Awhere the movable pin804of a first electromechanical actuator801-1is extended partially through an opening802in the second layer810.

The particular location, size, or shape of the flange (as well as the thickness of the strap106, the first layer808, or the second layer810) may be selected based on the length that the movable pins804are to extend beyond the first or second layers808,810of the first strap106. For example, the flange and layers may be configured such that when the electromechanical actuators801are actuated, the movable pins804extend 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.75 mm, 1 mm, or any other appropriate distance.

The flange and the layers may also be configured such that the movable pins804extend beyond the first and second layers808,810by a different distance. For example, protrusions along the first layer808, which may correspond to an outer surface of the first strap106, may be primarily intended for use as a dot in a braille character. Because braille characters are intended to be felt by highly sensitive fingertips, the protrusion may be relatively small (e.g., 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm.). On the other hand, protrusions (or other tactile output mechanisms) along the second layer810, which may correspond to an inner surface of the first strap106, may be primarily intended to provide a tactile output to a less sensitive body part, such as a user's wrist, and so larger protrusions may be used (e.g., 0.75 mm, 1 mm.). In implementations where asymmetrical protrusions sizes are used, the centers of the flanges806may be offset from the centers of the movable pins804. For example, the flanges806may be closer to the first layer808than the second layer810, such that the movable pins804can extend beyond the first layer808a smaller distance than they can extend beyond the second layer810.

In some cases, the first strap106may have openings in only one of the layers. Moreover, some actuators may be adjacent openings in only the first layer808, while others are adjacent openings in only the second layer810. For example, some actuators may be dedicated to forming protrusions along only one surface of the first strap106.

The first strap106inFIGS. 8A-8Cmay also include one or more additional layers over the first and second layers808,810to cover and/or seal the openings800,802. For example, a layer of silicone or other appropriate material may be placed over the first and second layers808,810, and the movable pins804may press against and deform the additional layers to form protrusions on the inner and/or outer surface of the first strap106(similar to the configuration shown and described with respect toFIGS. 7A-7C).

Where the band104includes layers that cover the actuators112, the layers may be configured so that protrusions formed in the layers are a different color than surrounding areas. The contrasting colors of the protrusions and the adjacent portions of the band104will make the existence of the protrusions more visible, which may be helpful for individuals who are visually impaired but not completely blind, or in cases where the band is being used to convey information visually to sighted users (e.g., when the protrusions are presenting images of characters or are acting as a progress indicator).

A color changing effect may be achieved by selecting a layer material, thickness, and/or pigment so that areas of the layer that are deformed to form the protrusion appear to be a different color. For example, a layer formed from a red material and having an appropriate thickness may turn pink or even white when it is deformed by an actuator112. Also, a thinner material may exhibit a greater change in color than a relatively thicker material for a given deformation. Accordingly, the layers that cover the actuators112may be thinner above the actuators than in other areas.

In embodiments where the actuators are electrothermal actuators, a color changing effect may be achieved by including thermochromic materials in the layers that form the outer surfaces of the band104. The thermochromic materials may be configured to be one color when at a first temperature and a different color when at a second temperature. The first temperature may correspond to a typical temperature of the band104during normal use of the device (and when the electrothermal actuators are not actuated), taking into consideration factors such as the body heat of a user, possible incident sunlight, and the like. The second temperature may correspond to a temperature that the area corresponding to the protrusion will likely reach when the actuation material602is heated by an electrothermal actuator. Thus, when an electrothermal actuator heats the actuation material602, the area of the layer that is proximate the electrothermal actuators may change to a color that is different than other areas of the layer. Thermochromic materials may be included in discrete regions of the layers corresponding to the locations of the actuators such that the color border between the protrusions and the surrounding areas is more distinct.

FIG. 9is a flow chart of a sample method900for providing tactile output via one or more tactile output mechanisms associated with, or incorporated into, a wearable item. The wearable electronic item may be associated with any appropriate wearable electronic device, such as the wearable electronic device100described herein. In some embodiments, the wearable item is a band, lanyard, belt, strap, connector or the like. In other embodiments, the wearable item may be a piece of clothing, an accessory (like a ring or glasses), shoes, gloves, and so on.

At operation902, first information from a computing component (e.g., the computing component101,FIG. 1) of an electronic device is received at a wearable item comprising actuators configured to selectively form protrusions along an inner and an outer surface of the band. The wearable item may correspond to the band104, described herein, and references to a “band” embrace any suitable wearable item. The first information may be any appropriate information, including a time of day, a status of a task (e.g., a download, a physical activity goal, a timer, or the like), rendered text (e.g., from emails, text messages, webpages, e-books, and the like), or transcribed speech (e.g., incoming speech from a voice call or voicemail). In some embodiments, the computing component need not by physically connected to the band.

At operation904, an orientation of the computing component is determined using an orientation detector of the computing component (e.g., an accelerometer). It should be appreciated that this operation is optional and may be omitted.

At operation906, a set of the actuators are caused to form a first pattern of protrusions along the outer surface of the band, where the first pattern corresponds to a character indicated by the first information. The first pattern of protrusions may comprise a braille pattern corresponding to the first information. For example, if the first information is a time of day, the braille pattern may be one or more braille digits corresponding to digits of the time of day.

As noted above, a band (e.g., the band104) may be able to present braille characters in more than one orientation. Thus, when the set of actuators are caused to form a braille character at operation906, the orientation of the braille character optionally may be determined based on the orientation of the computing component as determined at operation904. In accordance with a determination that the orientation is a first orientation (e.g., corresponding to an orientation indicative of the user reading in a top-to-bottom direction), the braille representation may be formed with a bottom of the braille representation perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the band, as described with reference toFIG. 3A. In accordance with a determination that the orientation is a second orientation (e.g., corresponding to an orientation indicative of the user reading in a left-to-right direction), the braille representation may be formed with the bottom of the braille representation parallel to a longitudinal axis of the band, as described with reference toFIG. 3B.

At operation908, a touch event is detected on a touch sensitive component proximate the first pattern of tactile output mechanisms (here, protrusions). For example, the band104may detect that a finger has contacted a touch sensitive region (e.g., a touch sensitive region302,304,FIGS. 3A-3B), indicating that a user has touched and therefore read the character formed by the first pattern.

At operation910, in response to detecting the touch event, the set of the actuators is caused to form a second pattern of protrusions corresponding to the first information along the outer surface. For example, the second pattern may correspond to a second character (or a second set of characters) indicated by the first information received at operation902.

At operation912, second information from the computing component of the electronic device (e.g., the computing component101) is received at the band. The second information may be any appropriate information, and may be different (or a different type of information) than the first information. For example, the first information may correspond to or otherwise cause the presentation of braille characters, and the second information may correspond to a status indicator.

At operation914, in response to receiving the second information, a second set of the actuators are caused to form a second pattern of protrusions along the inner surface of the band. The second pattern may correspond to a shape, such as a line, square, circle, or rectangle of protrusions, and the pattern may be configured to change with time. For example, as described above, the pattern may be a single instance of all of the actuators along the inner surface of the band forming protrusions in order to notify the user of an event. The pattern may also or instead be a temporal pattern of pulses, such as a number of pulses of the actuators corresponding to an hour or minute of the current time of day. A “temporal pattern” may vary with time.

While the foregoing discussion describes actuators that form protrusions on a band104, other types of actuators and/or tactile responses may be used. For example, thermal actuators (or other components) may be used to generate tactile symbols using regions of hot and/or cold along surfaces of a band104. The hot and cold regions may be used in the same or similar manner as the protrusions; that is, they may also function as tactile output mechanisms. For example, small regions of relative heat and/or cold may be used to form braille characters (or any other appropriate character) that a user can sense by touching with a finger. As another example, regions of heat and/or cold may be produced along an inner surface of the band to convey time, notify the user of certain events, indicate progress of a task or event, or for any other appropriate function. As yet another example, actuators of the band (or other wearable item) may form depressions rather than protrusions. Accordingly, depressions are yet another example of tactile output mechanisms.

While any methods disclosed herein have been described and shown with reference to particular operations performed in a particular order, these operations may be combined, sub-divided, or re-ordered to form equivalent methods without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, the order and grouping of the operations is not a limitation of the present disclosure.