Abstract:
A relationship status bracelet includes a housing, a circumferential band, and a relationship indicating electronic circuit. The housing provides an enclosure having a circumferential sidewall, a top surface, and an opposing bottom surface. The relationship indicating electronic circuit includes a microprocessor comprising programming to operate in accordance with the desired functionality, a portable power source, at least one light emitting device enabling illumination of the device in a sequence of at least two colors to convey a meaning to others. The user can advance through the sequence of established colors by cycling engagement between a magnet and a magnetic switch. The magnetic switch toggles an electrical circuit signaling the electronic circuit assembly to advance through the sequence of established colors until a desired color is activated. The last step of the sequence would terminate operation of the relationship status bracelet.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This Non-Provisional Utility application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/570,036, filed on Dec. 13, 2011, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to jewelry or wearable articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bracelet that is user selectable to signal by colored light waves the relationship status or other personal characteristic to other persons in a social setting. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Historically, it has been common practice for married or engaged men and women to wear a ring to indicate their relationship status. However, this time-honored tradition does not adequately provide for many situations that may be encountered in today&#39;s social settings. Although the wearing of a ring on the ring finger of the left hand gives a clear indication that a person is either engaged or married, many single individuals who are dating are left in a conundrum as they are not yet engaged or married, but are in a serious and committed relationship and therefore are not interested in looking for other people to date. Many individuals, both male and female, would enjoy or desire to meet other individuals for various social purposes such as dating. In many cases, most of these individuals would also prefer to meet others with like interests or with specific qualities. Unfortunately today, an individual cannot immediately tell much about another individual when they initially meet except for whether that person is wearing a wedding/engagement ring. As a result, this creates a situation where an individual may approach or spend a considerable amount of time with someone before they find out whether or not they are compatible or even available to date. 
     In addition, persons who are divorced or widowed oftentimes find themselves in quandary as well as perhaps the person is not yet ready to start dating again, no longer wishes to wear a wedding ring, and yet is constantly approached by other people looking to date them. Moreover, many same-sex oriented individuals also find themselves in a difficult situation wherein a dater, who is interested in a same-sex relationship, makes advances or receives advances from someone of the opposite sex. 
     Correspondingly, it is desirable to be able to visually indicate to others some important qualities about the individual and what type of companion is being sought, if any. However, to date, there has been no convenient and discrete way of signaling to another person what an individual&#39;s interests and characteristics may be other than the well-known use of a wedding/engagement ring. As a result, individuals may spend substantial amounts of time in social interaction with others before they realize that the other individual is incompatible with them. 
     Efforts to provide a piece of jewelry or wearable article that discretely, conveniently and quickly indicates, to other people in a social setting, the relationship status and various interests of the wearer, have not met with significant success to date. As a result, there is a need in the art for a piece of jewelry or wearable article that a user may configure to communicate specific characteristics of the wearer to other people in a social setting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The basic inventive concept provides a relationship status bracelet, wherein the bracelet includes a light emitting configuration comprising at least one light emitting element, the at least one light emitting element configured to emit at least two different colored lights based upon the wearer&#39;s selection. 
     A first aspect of the present invention provides a relationship status bracelet comprising: 
     a housing having a sidewall, a top surface, and an opposing bottom surface collectively defining a housing enclosure; 
     a circumferential band extending from a first region of the housing to a second region of the housing, the second region being located circumferentially opposite the first region of the housing; and 
     an electronic circuit assembly disposed within the housing enclosure, the electronic circuit assembly in signal communication with a status mode switch and a light emitting configuration having functionality for emitting at least two colors, wherein, in operation, a user configures the electronic circuit assembly to emit a specific color light wave from the a light emitting configuration by cycling the status mode switch. 
     In a second aspect of the present invention, the status mode switch is a magnetically operated switch, wherein, in operation, a user configures the electronic circuit assembly to emit a specific color light wave from the a light emitting configuration by cycling engagement between a magnet and the magnetically operated switch. 
     In another aspect, the relationship bracelet further comprises a fiber optic strand circumscribing the circumferential band, the fiber optic strand having at least one fiber optic end. 
     In yet another aspect, the light emitting configuration assembled in lighted communication with the at least one fiber optic end. 
     In yet another aspect, the at least two colors of the light emitting configuration includes a first colored light and a second colored light, and the electronic circuit assembly configured to cycle between illuminating the first colored light, the second colored light, and no light, each change in state of illumination generated by cycling engagement between a magnet and the magnetically operated switch. 
     In yet another aspect, the light emitting configuration further comprises a first colored light and a second colored light, and the electronic circuit assembly configured to cycle between a steady illumination of the first colored light, a steady illumination of the second colored light, and no light, each change in state of illumination generated by cycling engagement between a magnet and the magnetically operated switch. 
     In yet another aspect, the light emitting configuration further comprises a first colored light and a second colored light, and the electronic circuit assembly configured to cycle between illumination of the first colored light, illumination of the second colored light, and no light, each change in state of illumination generated by cycling engagement between a magnet and the magnetically operated switch, wherein at least the illumination of at least one of the first colored light and the second colored light is flashing. 
     In yet another aspect, the top surface of the housing is a translucent top cover; the translucent top cover is fabricated of a material enabling passage of light therethrough. 
     In yet another aspect, the relationship bracelet further comprises a solar cell, wherein the solar cell provides power to the electronic circuit assembly. 
     In yet another aspect, the relationship bracelet further comprises a portable power storage device, wherein the portable power storage device provides power to the electronic circuit assembly. 
     In use, the relationship bracelet is integrated into a method comprising steps of: 
     placing a relationship bracelet onto a wrist of an individual, the relationship bracelet comprising:
         a housing having a circumferential sidewall, a top surface, and an opposing bottom surface collectively defining an enclosure;   a circumferential band extending from a first region of the housing to a second, circumferentially opposite region of the housing; and   an electronic circuit assembly disposed within the housing, the electronic circuit assembly in signal communication with a status switch and a light emitting configuration having functionality for emitting at least two colors, wherein, in operation, a user configures the electronic circuit assembly to emit a specific color light wave from the light emitting configuration by cycling the status switch;       

     cycling engagement of the status switch until the electronic circuit assembly emits a desired illumination, wherein a first colored emitted light wave indicates that the individual wearing the relationship bracelet is available and a second colored emitted light wave indicates that the individual wearing the relationship bracelet is currently in a relationship. 
     In yet another aspect, the method further comprising steps accomplished by a second individual, the steps comprising: 
     viewing the currently emitted light wave; and 
     determining the relationship status of the individual wearing the relationship bracelet by relating the color of the currently emitted light wave. 
     In yet another aspect, the method further comprises a step of cycling engagement between a magnet and the magnetically operated switch until the electronic circuit assembly emits the desired illumination. 
     In yet another aspect, the method further comprising a step of emitting light waves from circumferential band by transferring light from the light emitting configuration to the illuminating the fiber optic strand. 
     In yet another aspect, the method further comprising a step of: 
     cycling through the light emitting configuration, wherein the light emitting configuration comprises a series of unique colors, wherein the light emitting configuration comprise one unique color representing at least one of: 
     a) available for a relationship, 
     b) seeking a casual relationship, 
     c) seeking a long term relationship, 
     d) unavailable for a relationship, 
     e) has religious beliefs, 
     f) has radical tendencies, 
     g) has a liberal philosophy, 
     h) has a conservative philosophy, 
     i) has traditional values, and 
     j) does not take drugs. 
     These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  presents an isometric view of a relationship status bracelet in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  presents an exploded view of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  presents a block diagram schematic of an electronic circuit in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  presents a flow diagram illustrating various user configurable illumination modes for the relationship status bracelet in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding elements throughout the different views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. In other implementations, well-known features and methods have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “front”, “back”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments, which may be disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     An exemplary user configurable relationship status bracelet  100  is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The relationship status bracelet  100  is preferably configured for wearable deployment by a user. The relationship status bracelet  100  includes a circumferential band  110  that may be elastomeric such that circumferential band  110  may stretch around a hand of the user. Alternatively, circumferential band  110  may be non-stretchable and include a clasp (not shown) for opening and closing such that the circumferential band  110  may be placed around the wrist of a user. The circumferential band  110  has an outwardly facing surface  111  and an opposing inwardly facing surface  112 . The relationship status bracelet  100  further includes an electronics housing  120  that encases various electrical components, which are described in greater detail below and referenced within an exploded assembly view presented in  FIG. 2 . Preferably, the electronics housing  120  is configured as a water-resistant or waterproof enclosure that protects the electrical components from damage from exposure to external contaminants, such as moisture, dust, and the like. In the exemplary embodiment, the circumferential band  110  of relationship status bracelet  100  includes a fiber optic strand  130  that is embedded into the outwardly facing surface  111 . The relationship status bracelet  100  may be fabricated from various materials such as silicon, plastic, metal, leather, rubber, fabric, or any other suitable material. The fabrication of the various elements and features of the relationship status bracelet  100  may be performed by one or more well-known manufacturing processes that one of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand. These materials and processes are not described in detail so as not to obscure the teachings of the present invention. Although the exemplary relationship status bracelet  100  is illustrated having an oval shaped electronics housing  120 , it is understood that the relationship status bracelet  100  may be fabricated in any of many various shapes, textures, colors, or combinations thereof as fashionably and functionally desired. 
     Various operational components of the relationship status bracelet  100  are detailed in an exploded view presented in  FIG. 2 . An electronics circuit assembly  200  is encased within the electronics housing  120 . In the exemplary embodiment, the electronic circuit assembly  200  includes a photovoltaic solar cell  210 , a printed circuit board (PCB)  220 , a magnetic relay  230  and at least one light emitting diode (LED)  240 . A battery  250  is retained within the cavity by the bottom cover  122  that couples to a bottom surface  123  of the electronics housing  120 . The battery  250  is contemplated to be a rechargeable component such as a lithium-ion battery, however, other types of portable power storage devices may be employed such as a super capacitor, a nickel-cadmium battery (NiCad), nickel-metal hydride battery (NiMh), and the like. The bottom cover  122  may be either removably coupled to bottom surface  123  or permanently coupled therewith to provide a sealed cavity within the electronics housing  120  such that the electronic circuit assembly  200  and battery  250  are adequately protected over a lifespan of the relationship status bracelet  100 . It is contemplated that electronics housing  120  has a translucent or transparent top cover  124  coupled to a top surface  126  thereof. The top cover  124  is preferably configured to retain the electronic circuit assembly  200  within the electronics housing  120  and further permit light waves to pass therethrough and operatively engage with the solar cell  210 . 
     In combination of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the solar cell  210  absorbs light from sunlight or other suitable light sources and converts the power to an electrical power output that charges the battery  250  when exposed to. The solar cell  210  (also commonly referred to as a photovoltaic cell or a photoelectric cell) is generally a solid-state electrical device that converts light energy directly into electrical power by a photovoltaic effect, which is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The solar cell  210  is provided in electrical communication with the PCB  220  by an electrical conduit, such as wires, a flexible circuit, and the like, to provide electronic functionality of electronic circuit assembly  200 . Alternated charging configurations may be employed to transfer electrical power to the relationship status bracelet  100 . The alternative charging configurations such as direct charging, inductive charging, and the like, or combinations thereof, may be made available for recharging the battery  250 . 
     The PCB  220  is contemplated to provide for electric conveyance between the various electronic components described herein and may further include a magnetic switch  260  and one or more microprocessors  270  operatively coupled therewith. In other alternative embodiments, the PCB  220  may include other electrical components such as resistors, capacitors, timers, voltage regulators, proximity sensors, and the like, to provide various electronic functionality and respective controller circuitry therein. Further, the PCB  220  includes a magnetic relay  230  used to electrically change the relationship status bracelet  100  between various light emitting modes as desired by the user. In one exemplary embodiment, one or more light emitting diode  240  are electrically coupled to PCB  220  and positioned such that light waves may emit outwardly from the electronics housing  120  such that the light waves are externally visible. It is contemplated that the light emitting diode  240  be a multi-color emitting device that is capable of being ohmically switched between different colors such as red, green and blue. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a fiber optic strand  130  is embedded into the relationship status bracelet  100  such that light waves emitted by the light emitting diode  240  are visually transmitted though the fiber optic strand  130  to thereby provide enhanced visibility of the relationship status bracelet  100 . The fiber optic strand  130  is in lighted communication with light emitting diode  240  by proximately locating fiber optic end  132  with respect to light emitting diode  240 . Alternatively, enhanced visibility may be achieved by positioning a plurality (not shown) of light emitting diodes  240  spatially arranged around the outwardly facing surface  111  of circumferential band  110 . 
     Further, the relationship status bracelet  100  includes a magnet  300 , which is embedded into a recess  114  formed into the circumferential band  110  and preferably located opposite of the electronics housing  120 . In this exemplary embodiment, the magnet  300  functions to operatively engage with the magnetic switch  260  when the magnet  300  is placed in close proximity thereof. The circumferential band  110  may be configured such that the magnet  300  may be moveably positioned proximate to the magnetic switch  260  such as by elastic deformation of the circumferential band  110 . The magnet  300  may be one of many known magnetic materials such as neo-diamine earth. In an alternate embodiment, the magnet  300  may be disassociated with the circumferential band  110  and carried separately by the user of the relationship status bracelet  100 . 
     During operation, as represented in the block diagram illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the relationship status bracelet  100  may be placed into various light emitting modes, which in turn, visually communicate to other people the relationship status or other personal characteristic of the user. The relationship status bracelet  100  is placed into a first light-emitting mode by placing the magnet  300  in close proximity to the magnetic switch  260 , as referenced in step  400 , such that the magnetic field of magnet  300  operatively cycles the magnetic switch  260 . The cycling of magnetic switch  260  provides a signal, which operatively engages with the electronic circuitry of electronic circuit assembly  200  (i.e., magnetic relay  230 ). The electronic circuit assembly  200  interprets the signal and advances the sequence of the system accordingly, such that power is provided to the light emitting diode  240  wherein the light emitting diode  240  emits a first light wave color such as green, in accordance with step  402 . The green emitted light then signifies to others that the wearer of the relationship status bracelet  100  is single and receptive to being socially approached. Conversely, the wearer may desire to place the relationship status bracelet  100  into a second light-emitting mode, which signifies that the wearer is in a committed relationship and prefers against being socially approached. To place the relationship status bracelet  100  into the second light-emitting mode, the wearer temporarily positions the magnet  300  within a close proximity of the magnetic switch  260  a second time, as referenced in step  410 . This causes the electronic circuitry of electronic circuit assembly  200  to sequence to the next status wherein the light emitting diode  240  emits a second light wave color such as red, as directed in step  412 . The described embodiment utilizes multi-color emitting diodes. It is understood that the relationship status bracelet  100  may include a plurality of single color light emitting diodes, wherein the different diodes emit dissimilar colors to obtain the same desired end result. It is contemplated that each cycle of temporarily positioning the magnet  300  proximate to the magnetic switch  260  increments the light-emitting mode in a serial process and terminates at a deactivation step  420  by which the relationship status bracelet  100  is deactivated and no longer emits any light therefrom as referenced in step  422 . 
     It is contemplated that several light emitting modes may be employed with the present invention by using various combinations of light emitting diodes, fiber optic strands or combinations thereof. Although the exemplary embodiment described above used a first and second light-emitting mode, it is envisioned that “n th  modes” may be programmed and configured into the electronic circuitry of the present invention. Further, it is contemplated that other personal characteristics may be visually transmitted by other emitted colors. An exemplary chart of light emitting modes is presented in Table 1. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Exemplary Emitting Color Modes and Translations 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Emitted 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Color 
                 Keyword 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Green 
                 Available 
                 The wearer is available to date and is  
               
               
                   
                   
                 not currently dating anyone. 
               
               
                 Red 
                 Not  
                 The wearer is not interested in meeting 
               
               
                   
                 Available 
                 people to date and is in a committed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 relationship. Not interested in being 
               
               
                   
                   
                 pursued/approached. 
               
               
                 Blue (Royal) 
                 Long-Term 
                 The wearer is looking for a meaningful 
               
               
                   
                 (Family  
                 relationship (i.e., soul mate). 
               
               
                   
                 Orientated) 
                   
               
               
                 Orange 
                 Sensual 
                 The wearer is interested in casual  
               
               
                   
                   
                 dating, fun/intimate encounters. 
               
               
                 Purple 
                 Spiritual 
                 The wearer is a religious person,  
               
               
                   
                   
                 expresses spiritual beliefs etc. 
               
               
                 Orange (dark) 
                 Radical 
                 The wearer is extreme and lives on the  
               
               
                   
                   
                 edge. 
               
               
                 Blue (light) 
                 Liberal 
                 The wearer is a liberal person and has 
               
               
                   
                   
                 progressive views. 
               
               
                 Pink 
                 Conservative 
                 The wearer is a conservative person  
               
               
                   
                   
                 and has conventional views. 
               
               
                 White 
                 Traditional  
                 The wearer has traditional 
               
               
                   
                 (old 
                 values/morals/views. 
               
               
                   
                 fashioned) 
                   
               
               
                 Yellow 
                 Drug Free 
                 The wearer does not take our use drugs. 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In another exemplary embodiment, multiple light emitting diodes may be employed and independently selected to combine the various colors and thereby enhance the amount of information visually communicated. For example, one light emitting diode may selected to emit green light and another light emitting diode selected to emit royal blue light; thus the wearer would be available to meet new people and be looking for a long term relationship. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the light emitting configuration can include a flashing light emitting function. The flashing light is provided to increase attraction to the relationship status bracelet  100 . The electronic circuit assembly  200  can be configured to emit a steady or solid emission of light, a flashing light, or enable user selection between either configuration. 
     Although the above provides a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, various modifications, combinations, alternate constructions and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Therefore the above should not be construed as limiting the invention, which is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.