Abstract:
An electronic device comprises a wearable docking station containing magnets. A releasable module having matching magnets attaches to the docking station and may be programmed to respond to email or other messages arriving over a BLUETOOTH or other wireless connection to a mobile device. User alerts may also be provided as programmed images on the face of the module. The releasable module may be serviced using a direct physical connection between the module and a servicing device, the servicing device provided with a matching set of magnets, possibly embedded in a protective cover of a user&#39;s mobile device. As examples, servicing may comprise charging the module, syncing the module with the mobile device, transferring data, or establishing or amending a trusted pair relationship between the mobile device and the module.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to devices that are worn by a user, and more particularly to releasable modules that snap on and snap off a wearable docking station at a user&#39;s convenience. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Smart watches such as the PEBBLE have been introduced. Such a watch may link to a smart phone via a wireless connection such as BLUETOOTH. It may have many uses such as: showing caller ID for a phone message arriving at the smart phone; viewing and sending email and SMS; social messaging using FACEBOOK and TWITTER; and receiving calendar and weather alerts. 
     The smart watch typically requires servicing, including syncing with a mobile device and periodic charging. There is a need in the art for improved apparatus and methods relating to attaching a releasable module to a user&#39;s person, and servicing the wearable device in a convenient manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A wearable device comprising: a band attachable to a user; a base attachable to the band wherein the base comprises attachment magnets. The wearable device further includes a detachable module comprising: a first set of module magnets having spatial orientation corresponding to the attachment magnets of the base and disposed on a first face of the detachable module; a first set of compliant terminals disposed on the first face of the detachable module; a processor; a memory coupled to the processor wherein the memory is encoded with instructions that are executable by the processor to interpret received communication signals, generate sent communication signals, and generate related alerts to a user; and, a transceiver for receiving the received communication signals and sending the sent communication signals. The wearable device may comprise a display for displaying content of display signals, and the memory coupled to the processor will preferably be encoded with instructions for providing the display signals. The display will typically be disposed on a second face of the wearable module, the second face opposing the first face. The band attachable to the user and the base attachable to the band may be combined in a single docking component comprising attachment magnets. The periphery of the wearable device defines a device area, and a periphery of the detachable module defines a module area, and the module area is independent of the device area. 
     A stacked wearable device includes a band attachable to a user, a base attachable to the band wherein the base comprises attachment magnets, and first and second detachable modules. The first detachable module comprises a first set of module magnets having spatial orientation corresponding to the attachment magnets of the base and disposed on a first face of the first detachable module; a second set of module magnets having spatial orientation corresponding to the attachment magnets of the base and disposed on a second face of the first detachable module opposing the first face of the first detachable module; a first set of compliant terminals disposed on the first face of the first detachable module; a second set of terminals having spatial orientation corresponding to the first set of compliant terminals and disposed on the second face of the first detachable module; a processor; a memory coupled to the processor wherein the memory is encoded with instructions that are executable by the processor; and, optionally a transceiver for receiving and sending communication signals. 
     The second detachable module is stackable with the first detachable module and comprises: a third set of module magnets having spatial orientation corresponding to the attachment magnets of the base and disposed on the first face of the second detachable module; a third set of compliant electrical terminals having spatial orientation corresponding to the first set of compliant terminals of the first detachable module and disposed on the first face of the second detachable module; a second processor; a second memory coupled to the second processor wherein the second memory is encoded with instructions that are executable by the processor to provide display signals; and, a display for displaying content of the display signals. 
     A method for organizing a user&#39;s electronic equipment comprising: providing a docking station wearable by the user; attaching a releasable module to the docking station; providing wireless communications between a mobile device of the user and the releasable module; acting on wireless communications passing between the mobile device of the user and the releasable module; and, periodically servicing the releasable module by separating it from the docking station and attaching it to a secondary device for service operations, then reattaching it to the docking station for continued operations. The secondary device may comprise a secondary mobile device. The service operations may comprise charging the releasable module, syncing the releasable module with the mobile device of the user, establishing or amending a trusted pair relationship between the mobile device of the user and the releasable module, or transferring data between the mobile device of the user and the releasable module. The docking station may comprise magnets for coupling devices together. The attaching of the releasable module to the mobile device may comprise: bringing the devices together with matching faces in proximate alignment, then snapping the components together using the magnetic attraction force. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic top view showing multiple communications paths between a mobile device and a wearable device. 
         FIG. 2A  is an expanded cross-sectional view corresponding to section AA of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2B  is an expanded cross-sectional view showing additional terminals embedded in the base. 
         FIG. 3A  is an expanded cross-sectional view showing an alternative arrangement for attaching the wearable device to the band. 
         FIG. 3B  is an expanded cross-sectional view showing additional terminals embedded in the band. 
         FIG. 4A  is an expanded cross-sectional view of a wearable module comprising a display attached to a servicing device. 
         FIG. 4B  is an expanded cross-sectional view showing a stacked arrangement including two detachable modules. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a standardized contact array provided on the rear face of the wearable module. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a matching contact array provided on an exposed face of the servicing device. 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the wearable module showing a programmed image comprising an analog watch face. 
         FIG. 8  is an alternative top view of the wearable module comprising a programmed textual image which provides an alert to the user. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of specific embodiments of the invention. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention or as a limitation on the scope of the invention. In addition, an aspect described in conjunction with a particular embodiment of the present invention is not necessarily limited to that embodiment and may be practiced in other embodiments. Additional embodiments may be achievable by combining the various elements in different ways. For example, the docking station interface may include magnets that also serve as electric terminals. One or more of the described electronic elements such as a processor and a transceiver may be provided in the base module instead of in the detachable module. Pairs of coupling magnets may be replaced by a single magnet coupled with a corresponding block of magnetically permeable material. Electrical terminals and compliant electrical terminals may be interchanged at coupling interfaces, or both sides of the interface may comprise compliant terminals. 
     In some contexts it may be beneficial to provide a releasable module attachable to a wearable docking station using magnets. 
     In some contexts it may be beneficial to provide a convenient “snap on-snap off” method employing magnets for providing a direct physical connection between a detachable or releasable module and a wearable docking station, and also between the releasable module and other releasable modules as well as other devices. The method may further provide for automatic alignment of corresponding contacts of the two mated parts. 
     In some contexts it may be beneficial to employ a coupling method between a releasable module and other devices wherein no tools are required. 
     In some contexts it may be beneficial to employ a coupling configuration between a releasable module and other devices wherein no cables are required. 
     In some contexts it may be beneficial to provide both wireless and direct connect communications between a releasable module and a servicing device. For example, a mobile phone may be the servicing device and it may be coupled with a detachable module wherein data is communicated between the devices using wireless means while charging current flows between them using the direct connection of physical terminals. 
       FIG. 1  schematically depicts multiple communication paths between a mobile device  10  and a wearable device  12 . A first communication path  13  comprises a wireless connection from mobile device  10  to wearable device  12 ; this path may be used for wirelessly passing on messages sent to the mobile device for example, and a protocol such as BLUETOOTH may be employed. A second communication path  14  comprises a wireless connection from wearable device  12  to mobile device  10 ; this path may be used to inform the mobile device as to what action is to be taken with regard to an incoming message arriving at the mobile device for example. An advantage of using the wearable device rather than the mobile device to make this determination may be that the associated user action is less objectionable to a third party such as a person in current conversation with the user, or participants in a business meeting. A third communication path  15  comprises a direct physical connection between wearable device  12  and mobile device  10 , and this path may be bi-directional; it may be used for servicing the wearable device for example. Servicing may include syncing the wearable device with the mobile device, or charging the wearable device using energy stored in the mobile device, or creating or amending a trusted pair relationship between the two devices as examples. Charging of wearable device  12  may also be accomplished using a docking station equipped with a copy of a contact array to be further described, and suitably configured to transfer energy to the wearable device. Wearable device  12  may comprise an adjustable band  16  which may attach to a user&#39;s wrist for example. Other locations such as a user&#39;s upper arm, chest, or ankle may also be used. A releasable module  17  may attach to band  16  as shown, and module  17  may have a viewing face  18  on which images may be displayed. 
       FIG. 2A  shows an expanded cross-sectional view of releasable module  17  attached to a base  21  which further attaches to band  16  of  FIG. 1 . Band  16  and base  21  may be rigid or flexible. Magnet  22   a  is an attachment magnet embedded in base  21 . Magnet  22   b  is a module magnet embedded in module  17 , and corresponds spatially and opposes magnet  22   a . Attraction between magnet pairs such as  22   a  and  22   b  provides an attractive coupling force between component pairs such as base  21  and releasable module  17 . Module  17  further comprises compliant contacts  23 , to be further described. Base  21  represents one version of a docking station, alternate versions will be further described. 
       FIG. 2B  shows that base  21  may further comprise terminals  24  that spatially correspond with compliant terminals  23 . This embodiment may be used when a processor providing electronic intelligence is included in base  21 , to be further described. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates in cross-section an alternative embodiment wherein base  21  and band  16  of  FIG. 2  are combined into a docking station  30  comprising a single integrated component consisting of band  16  and attachment magnets such as  31 . The attachment magnets may be embedded in band  16  as shown. Releasable module  17  is the same as depicted in  FIG. 2A . Embodiment  30  typically will have a lower profile than embodiment  20  depicted in  FIG. 2 , and this may be preferred by users. 
       FIG. 3B  again shows that base  21  may further comprise terminals  24 , spatially corresponding with compliant terminals  23 . 
       FIG. 4A  depicts in cross-section an attachment of wearable module  17  to a servicing device  40  using module magnets such as  22   b  in the detachable module  17  and magnet  41  which may be embedded in the surface  42  of servicing device  40 . Alternatively, magnets such as  41  may be embedded in a protective cover provided with servicing device  40 . Servicing device  40  may be a secondary device such as a charger, or it may be a mobile device of a user such as a mobile phone. When module  17  snaps on to servicing device  40 , it can be seen that the parts automatically align. This enables effective contact between pairs of compliant terminals such as terminal  23  of module  17  and corresponding terminal  43  of servicing device  40 . Terminal  43  may be a rigid terminal such as a conductive disk as shown, or a compliant terminal such as molded conductive rubber. The terminals are used as electrical contacts for conveying signals between the devices. Compliant terminals  23  preferably compress on contact such that they make good electrical contact with their opposing terminals  43  while allowing the coupling magnets  22   b  and  41  to maintain intimate contact. The magnets may further be utilized as current carrying terminals. Other types of compliant contacts may be used, such as a deflectable metal dome or clip for example. Module  17  preferably includes a flexible printed circuit  44  with attached integrated circuit chips such as a processor  45 , a memory  46 , and may include a transceiver  47  as shown. Memory  46  is encoded with instructions executable by processor  45  to generate display signals. Display  48  is provided to display content corresponding to the display signals. Printed circuit  44  may also connect with magnets and compliant terminals as shown in the figure, providing interconnections between selected input/output pads of the integrated circuit chips and selected terminals such as compliant terminals or magnets. 
       FIG. 4B  depicts a stacked arrangement of wearable modules, including module  17  described in reference to  FIG. 4A , and module  49 . Module  49  may include printed circuit board  44   b  as shown, together with a processor chip  45   b , memory chip  46   b , and preferably a transceiver chip  47   b . Compliant terminals are provided at the bottom (rear) of both module  17  and module  49  and connect with corresponding opposing terminals as shown. Other stacked arrangements may be employed, including multiple detachable modules. Typically a module containing a display is configured on top of the stack as shown in  FIG. 4B . 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the contact array  50  in bottom face  51  of wearable module  17  comprising magnets  52 - 55 , and compliant terminals such as  56 . An example of a suitable arrangement of the magnet poles is shown. A module periphery  57  is shown near the boundary of wearable module  17 , and periphery  57  defines a module area. 
       FIG. 6  depicts contact array  60  embedded in a wearable device for example. The periphery  62  of the wearable device is shown, and periphery  62  defines a device area. The device area defined by periphery  62  is independent of the module area defined by periphery  57  of  FIG. 5 . Contact array  60  is an identical copy of contact array  50  of  FIG. 5 . Contact array  60  may be used in an exposed face of servicing device  40  and in any other device to which module  17  may desirably be connected, wherein transmittance of signals involving direct physical contact is required. A version of contact array  60  that excludes the compliant terminals may be used at a docking station such as  30  of  FIG. 3A , wherein releasable capture of the wearable module is desired but direct signal transmittance is not required. It can be seen that when contact array  50  of  FIG. 5  is flipped to mate with contact array  60  of  FIG. 6 , opposite magnet poles are in contact, providing the desired coupling force between the parent devices. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a programmed background image  70  on viewing face  18  of wearable module  17 . Image  70  depicts an analog watch face which a user may refer to for telling time, in the absence of messaging activity or other desired user interaction. Image  70  may be created using programmed instructions encoded in memory  46 , executed by processor  45  and displayed on display  48  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B . Other background images may be presented according to user preference. When coupled to a suitable vibrator, processor  45  may also execute instructions to create a silent vibratory alert to the user when needed. 
       FIG. 8  depicts an alternative image  80  presented on viewing face  18  of wearable module  17 . Image  80  depicts a textual alert to the user as shown. Many other images may be used for a wide variety of purposes, as may be envisioned by a practitioner of the art. 
     While the present subject matter has been described in detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, it should be understood that the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of example rather than limitation, and does not preclude inclusion of such modifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the principles have been described in the context of a watch-like module that attaches to a user&#39;s wrist. Other points of attachment may be used. The principles described may be applied to any wearable electronic module that may be temporarily attached to a surface comprising a standard contact array as described herein.