Patent Publication Number: US-2016231712-A1

Title: Watchband with integrated electronics

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/615,961, filed on Feb. 6, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present device relates to a watchband that, in addition to being able to be attached to any mechanical or digital timepiece, has integrated electronics capable of diverse functionalities and interactions with a multitude of digital devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Wearable computing has become a prevalent step forward in the progress of technology. Consumers are searching for greater and greater opportunities to integrate technology with everyday wearable items such as glasses, necklaces, and bracelets. Many products on the market today connect to a user&#39;s mobile device and allow for the pushing of notifications, answering emails and text messages, as well as the basic functions of keeping time and screening calls. 
     An additional trend being seen is the rise of digital fitness trackers. Fitness tracking devices are commonly worn around the wrist, neck, or on the ear, and combine specialized sensors to detect motion, steps taken, and heart rate. More advanced models can combine sensors with computing algorithms to provide a user with respiration rates, calories burned, sleep cycle analyses, and general metabolic information. Many of the fitness trackers currently on the market allow for a user to upload and share fitness data to a computer or a social network, allowing for the tracking of a user&#39;s fitness data over time. 
     In spite of the rising popularity of both wearable computers and fitness trackers, the wristwatch still remains a popular fashion accessory. Wristwatches can be a triumph of mechanical design, having hundreds, even thousands, of moving parts. Many luxury watches have the mechanical ability to display far more than the hours and the minutes; extra features, such as tracking eclipses or planetary motions, are termed “complications” in horology, the study of watches and clocks. Timepieces convey status and wealth, fashion and taste, and a sense of punctuality. And while many of the above mentioned wearable computers or fitness trackers seek to emulate clocks or watches on their central displays, none can replicate the mechanical intricacy or aesthetic elegance of a luxury timepiece. What is needed is a watchband with integrated electronics that can provide the same functionality of a wearable computer or fitness tracker, but able to be attached to a user&#39;s desired mechanical or digital timepiece such that the timepiece&#39;s aesthetics and functionality are not impaired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an aspect of the disclosure to provide an improved watchband with integrated electronics. These together with other aspects and advantages, which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein life numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
    
    
     
       A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the present device, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present device, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a watchband with integrated electronics with a timepiece, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a watchband with integrated electronics with a timepiece, according to an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of a watchband with integrated electronics without a timepiece, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a watchband with integrated electronics without a timepiece, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a watchband with integrated electronics having a timepiece attached, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of a watchband with integrated electronics having a timepiece attached, according to an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of a watchband with integrated electronics with a timepiece, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a watchband with integrated electronics with a timepiece, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating the features and peripherals of a watchband with integrated electronics, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart diagram illustrating the functional components of a heart rate sensor, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 10A  is an exploded view of a watchband with integrated electronics with a timepiece, according to an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 10B  is an exploded view of a watchband with integrated electronics with a timepiece, according to an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of a watchband with integrated electronics without a timepiece, according to an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a bottom view of a watchband with integrated electronics without a timepiece, according to an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 13A  is a top view of a flexible circuit board for a watchband with integrated electronics, according to an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 13B  is a top view of a flexible circuit board for a watchband with integrated electronics, according to an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 13C  is a top view of a flexible circuit board for a watchband with integrated electronics, according to an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 13D  is a top view of a flexible circuit board for a watchband with integrated electronics, according to an alternate embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates to a watchband with integrated electronics. Specifically, the invention seeks to emulate the functionality of wearable computers and personal fitness trackers, but allows a user to continue to use a mechanical (analog) or digital timepiece. Thus, the integrated electronics can be entirely located in the watchband itself, with the mechanical or digital timepiece being interchangeable according to the user&#39;s preference without a loss of functionality or performance. In a primary embodiment, the watchband&#39;s integrated electronics can be configured to wirelessly interact with a user&#39;s mobile device, which can include smartphones, PDAs, personal computers, vehicles, or other electronic devices with wireless or cellular capabilities. 
     The watchband (and its parts) can be created using a variety of watchband materials, including, but not limited to, leather, silicone, metal, fabric, plastic, rubber, composite materials, or a combination thereof. The watchband can be constructed using a body-contacting layer of watchband material, an outer layer of watchband material, and, in some embodiments, one or more timepiece connection layers of watchband material. The watchband material layers can be connected using needlepoint, glue, heat bonding, adhesives, or other connection means. In addition to the internal electronics, the watchband can include a tang-type clasp with tang and tang holes for adjustment on the wrist, along with excess strap loops to secure any extra portion of the strap after the user puts on the watch. Alternate embodiments of the wristband can have a deployant-type clasp, either inside style or outside style, or a buckle clasp in place of the tang-type clasp. 
     By using the layered construction technique, a flexible circuit board can be placed in between the body-contacting and outer layers of the watchband material, such that the flexible circuit board, and its associated electronics, can remain safe from weather and wear. A flexible circuit board can be a printed circuit board that allows for the same level of electrical connection fidelity between components as a regular circuit board, but can be manufactured out of materials such as polyimide, polyether ether ketone, polyester, polyethylene napthalate, polyetherimide, or copolymer polyimide films, allowing for the circuit board to be able to bend and flex dramatically more than a regular surface board would allow whilst still retaining those electrical connections. The flexible circuit board can have preprinted connection points for the soldering of components for ease of manufacturing. Embedded on the flexible circuit board can be a variety of sensors devoted to the measurement of various bodily functions, health criteria, and device information. These sensors can be connected to a central microprocessor, which can be used as the computational hub of the watchband. 
     In an embodiment, the watchband can have an integrated heart rate sensor connected to the flexible circuit board. The heart rate sensor can be a photoplethysmograph optical sensor, which uses a light-emitting diode (LED) and a photodiode in conjunction in order to measure changes in blood flow, similar to the heart rate measurement system described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,719, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. As light shines through the user&#39;s skin, its detected intensity changes as the amount of blood flow changes during a heart&#39;s systolic and diastolic function. These intensity changes can be read by the photodiode. The photodiode signal can be amplified with a low gain transimpedance amplifier, producing a voltage signal. In an embodiment, the signal gain can be kept low so as to reduce signal noise in the amplification stage. To filter noise, the signal can be passed through a low-pass second order filter, followed by a low-cutoff frequency high-pass filter, and followed again by a second low-pass filter to remove any remaining noise. All filters can be built with operational amplifiers (op-amps). In order for the heart rate monitor to function, a LED hole and a photodiode hole can be made on the body-contacting layer of watchband material. 
     In addition to the heart rate sensor, the watchband can have two temperature sensors embedded on the flexible circuit board. One temperature sensor can lie on the side of the watchband facing the user&#39;s skin, and be used to continuously monitor the user&#39;s body surface temperature. The second sensor can lie on the side of the watchband facing opposite the user&#39;s wrist, and be used to continuously monitor the ambient temperature. In order for the temperature sensors to function, a body temperature sensor hole can be cut into the body-contacting layer of watchband material, and an ambient temperature sensor hole can be cut into the outer layer of watchband material. If needed, an ambient temperature sensor hole can also be cut into the timepiece connection layer of watchband material. Both temperature sensors can be thermocouples, thermistors, semiconductors, digital integrated sensors, or a combination thereof. 
     The watchband can have a wireless communication device for communications between the watchband and the user&#39;s mobile device. The user&#39;s mobile device can include a cellular phone, personal computer, tablet, medical device, internet router, integrated telemetry device, or other wirelessly communicating device. The wireless communication device can be a Bluetooth transceiver, an IEEE 802.11 transceiver, radio transceiver, or other wireless communication mechanism. The wireless communication device can have a small physical profile, low power consumption, and durable construction. 
     The watchband can be powered by a rechargeable battery. The rechargeable battery can be lithium-ion, lithium-polymer, nickel-cadmium, nickel-hydrogen, nickel-zinc, thin film lithium, or other metallic combination thereof. The battery can be small in profile, and able to hold a charge for an extended period of time. The battery can be recharged using a battery charger, which can interact directly with the watchband at a charging port, which can be a series of metal contacts. The battery charger can be connected to the charging port using magnets, physical clasps, or wireless induction. To keep the charging port and the metal contacts accessible, a charging port hole can be cut on the body-contacting or outer layer of the watchband material. In order to maintain performance of the watchband at various states of charge, a buck-boost DC-DC converter can be used to keep the output voltage constant. Alternatively, a power management circuit (PMIC) can be included in the watchband in place of the buck-boost DC-DC converter, which can regulate battery charging, voltages rates, activation control, and other features. 
     Any standard mechanical or digital timepiece can be used with the watchband. The timepiece can be held in place by timepiece joints hidden within connection channels located on the timepiece connection layer of watchband material. The timepiece joints can be hollow tubes, with sufficient diameter to admit a screw or pin. The timepiece, which can have mounting supports, can fit such that the timepiece connection channels, having the timepiece joints inside, align with the mounting supports. The user can add the screws or pins in order to secure the timepiece to the timepiece joints and the timepiece connection layer. In order to change out the timepiece, the user would remove the screws or pins, replace the timepiece with an alternate timepiece, and re-add the screws or pins. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a watchband with integrated electronics with a timepiece  300 , according to an embodiment. The watchband can be created using a variety of watchband materials, including, but not limited to, leather, silicone, metal, fabric, plastic, rubber, composite materials, or a combination thereof. The watchband can be constructed in a layered manner, having a body-contacting layer of watchband material  350 , an outer layer of watchband material  351 , a first timepiece connection layer  352  and a second timepiece connection layer  353  of watchband material. The watchband material layers  350 ,  351 ,  352 ,  353  can each be different materials, and can be connected using needlepoint, glue, heat bonding, adhesives, or other connection means. The body connecting layer  350  can be connected to the outer layer  351  with the flexible circuit board placed in between, while the first timepiece connection layer  352  and the second timepiece connection layer  353  can be connected on top of the outer layer  351 . The first timepiece connection layer  352  and the second timepiece connection layer  353  can be connected at a distance of a timepiece length. A timepiece length can be the space needed to admit a standard analog or digital timepiece. Alternatively, the watchband material layers can be molded as a single piece, with the flexible circuit board  310  embedded within. In addition to the internal electronics, the watchband can include a tang-type clasp  104  with tang  105  and tang holes  103  for adjustment on the user&#39;s wrist (not shown), along with excess strap loops  106  to secure any extra portion of the strap after the user puts on the assembled watch (not shown). Alternate embodiments of the wristband can have a deployant-type clasp (not shown), either inside style or outside style, or a buckle clasp (not shown) in place of the tang-type clasp  104 . 
     By using the layered construction technique, a flexible circuit board  310  can be sandwiched and sealed in between the body-contacting layer  350  and outer layer  351  of the watchband material, such that the flexible circuit board  310  and its associated electronics can be protected from weather and wear. The flexible circuit board  310  can be a printed circuit board that allows for the same level of electrical connection fidelity between components as a regular circuit board, but can be manufactured out of materials allowing for the circuit board to be able to bend and flex dramatically more than a regular surface board would allow whilst still retaining those electrical connections. The flexible circuit board  310  can have preprinted connection points for the soldering of components for ease of manufacturing. Embedded on the flexible circuit board  310  can be a variety of sensors devoted to the measurement of various bodily functions, health criteria, and device information. These sensors can be connected to a central microprocessor (not shown), which can be used as the computational hub of the watchband. 
     In an embodiment, the watchband can have an integrated heart rate sensor connected to the flexible circuit board  310 . The heart rate sensor can be a photoplethysmograph optical sensor, which uses a light-emitting diode (LED)  152  and a photodiode  153  in conjunction in order to measure changes in the user&#39;s blood flow. As light from the LED  152  shines onto the user&#39;s skin, its detected intensity changes as the amount of blood flow changes during the heart&#39;s systolic and diastolic function. These intensity changes can be read by the photodiode  153 . The photodiode  153  signal can be amplified with a low gain transimpedance amplifier (not shown), producing a voltage signal. In an embodiment, the signal gain can be kept low so as to reduce signal noise in the amplification stage. To filter noise, the signal can be passed through a low-pass second order filter (not shown), followed by a low-cutoff frequency high-pass filter (not shown), and followed again by a second low-pass filter (not shown) to remove any remaining noise. The amount and order of filters can be changed to further alter the signal. All filters can be built with operational amplifiers (op-amps). In order for the heart rate monitor to function, a LED hole  364  and a photodiode hole  365  can be made on the body-contacting layer  350  of watchband material. 
     In addition to the heart rate sensor, the watchband can have two temperature sensors, a body temperature sensor  151  and an ambient temperature sensor  150 , embedded on the flexible circuit board  310 . The body temperature sensor  151  can face the side of the watchband facing the user&#39;s skin and be used to continuously monitor the user&#39;s body surface temperature. The ambient temperature sensor  150  can face the side of the watchband facing the world, and be used to continuously monitor the ambient temperature. In order for the temperature sensors  150 ,  151  to function, a body temperature sensor hole  303  can be cut into the body-contacting layer  350  of watchband material, and an ambient temperature sensor hole  360  can be cut into the outer layer of watchband material  351 . If needed, an ambient temperature sensor hole  361  can also be cut into the second timepiece connection layer  361  of watchband material. When constructed, the ambient sensor holes  360 ,  361  can be aligned such that the ambient temperature sensor is exposed to the ambient air. Both temperature sensors  150 ,  151  can be thermocouples, thermistors, semiconductors, digital integrated sensors, or a combination thereof. 
     The watchband can have a wireless communication device  155  for communications between the watchband and a user&#39;s mobile device (not shown). The user&#39;s mobile device (not shown) can include a cellular phone, personal computer, tablet, medical device, internet router, integrated telemetry device, or other wirelessly communicating device. The wireless communication device  155  can be a Bluetooth transceiver, an IEEE 802.11 transceiver, radio transceiver, or other wireless communication mechanism. The wireless communication device  155  can have a small physical profile, low power consumption, and durable construction. 
     The watchband can be powered by a rechargeable battery  156 , which can also be sandwiched between the body-contacting layer  350  and the outer layer  351  of watchband material. The rechargeable battery  156  can be lithium-ion, lithium-polymer, nickel-cadmium, nickel-hydrogen, nickel-zinc, thin film lithium, or other metallic combination thereof. The battery  156  can be small in profile, and able to hold a charge for an extended period of time. The battery  156  can be attached to the flexible circuit board  310  by a series of metallic battery connections  157 . The battery  156  can be recharged using a battery charger (not shown), which can interact directly with the watchband at a charging port  154 , which can be a series of metal contacts. The battery charger can be connected to the charging port using magnets, physical clasps, or wireless induction. To keep the charging port&#39;s  154  the metal contacts accessible, a charging port hole  362  can be cut on the body-contacting  350  or outer layer  351  of the watchband material. In order to maintain performance of the watchband at various states of charge, a buck-boost DC-DC converter (not shown) can be used to keep the output voltage constant. Alternatively, a power management circuit (PMIC) can be included in the watchband in place of the buck-boost DC-DC converter, which can regulate battery charging, voltages rates, activation control, and other features. 
     Any standard mechanical or digital timepiece  300  can be used with the watchband. The timepiece  300  can be held in place by timepiece joints  301  hidden within connection channels  302  located on the first connection layer  352  and second connection layer  353  of watchband material. The timepiece joints  301  can be hollow tubes, with sufficient diameter to admit a screw or pin (not shown), and can be made from plastic or metal. The timepiece  300 , which can have mounting supports  340  having mounting holes  341 , can fit such that the timepiece connection channels  302 , having the timepiece joints  301  inside, align with the mounting support  340  and the mounting holes  341 . The user can add the screws or pins to the mounting holes  341  in order to secure the timepiece  300  to the timepiece joints  301  and the timepiece connection layers  352 ,  353 . In order to change out the timepiece  300 , the user would remove the screws or pins from the mounting holes  341 , replace the timepiece  300  with an alternate timepiece (not shown), and re-add the screws or pins to the alternate mounting holes (not shown). 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a watchband with integrated electronics with a timepiece, according to an alternate embodiment. In the alternate embodiment, the first timepiece connection layer  352  and second timepiece connection layer  353  of watchband material are molded as part of the outer layer  351  of watchband material, as opposed to the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  where the first timepiece connection layer  352  and second timepiece connection layer  353  are separate layers that can be attached to the outer layer  351  of watchband material. This melding can occur when the watchband is made out of a molded material, such as plastics, silicone, or rubber. Because the second connecting layer  353  is melded with the outer layer  351  of watchband material, only a single ambient temperature sensor hole  360  is needed to be cut into the outer layer  351  in order for the ambient temperature sensor  150  to function properly. All other elements of the watchband can remain the same. The flexible circuit board  310 , with its embedded sensors and connections, can sandwich between the body-contacting layer  350  and outer layer  351  of watchband material. 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of a watchband with integrated electronics without a timepiece, according to an embodiment. The first timepiece connection layer  352  and the second timepiece connection layer  353  of watchband material can be connected atop the outer layer  351  of watchband material, and the outer layer  351  can be connected to the body-contacting layer (not shown) such that the edges of each layer are aligned. The flexible circuit board (not shown) is not visible when the watchband is assembled. The tang holes  103  can penetrate all three watchband material layers, in order for the tang clasp  104  tang  105  to fully secure the watchband  100  on a user&#39;s wrist. A portion of the outer layer  351  can be left uncovered by the first connection layer  352  and the second connection layer  353 , with the portion being large enough to admit the length of a standard timepiece (a timepiece length). The timepiece (not shown) can be placed between the first connection layer  352  and the second connection layer  353  such that the timepiece (not shown) covers the exposed portion of the outer layer  351  and faces outwards. Also visible is the ambient temperature sensor  150 , which can be exposed to the ambient atmosphere through the ambient temperature sensor hole  361  cut into the second connection layer  363 . 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a watchband with integrated electronics without a timepiece, according to an embodiment. As in the top view, the first timepiece connection layer (not shown) and the second timepiece connection layer (not shown) of watchband material can be connected atop the outer layer (not shown) of watchband material, and the outer layer (not shown) can be connected to the body-contacting layer  350  such that the edges of each layer are aligned. From this view, the body temperature sensor  151 , heart rate sensor LED  152 , heart rate sensor photodiode  153 , and charging port  154  can be seen through the body temperature sensor hole  303 , LED hole  364 , photodiode hole  365 , and charging port hole  362 , respectively. 
       FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a watchband with integrated electronics  100  having a timepiece  300  attached, according to an embodiment. In this view, the body-contacting layer  350 , outer layer  351 , and timepiece connection layers  352 ,  353  can be assembled such that the flexible circuit board (not shown) is not visible. From this view, the ambient temperature sensor  150  can be obliquely visible through the ambient temperature sensor hole  361 . 
     Any standard mechanical or digital timepiece  300  can be used with the watchband. The timepiece  300  can be held in place by timepiece joints  301  hidden within connection channels  302  located on the first connection layer  352  and second connection layer  353  of watchband material. The timepiece joints  301  can be hollow tubes, with sufficient diameter to admit a screw or pin (not shown), and can be made from plastic or metal. The timepiece  300 , which can have mounting supports  340  having mounting holes  341 , can fit such that the timepiece connection channels  302 , having the timepiece joints  301  inside, align with the mounting support  340  and the mounting holes  341 . The user can add the screws or pins to the mounting holes  341  in order to secure the timepiece  300  to the timepiece joints  301  and the timepiece connection layers  352 ,  353 . In order to change out the timepiece  300 , the user would remove the screws or pins from the mounting holes  341 , replace the timepiece  300  with an alternate timepiece (not shown), and re-add the screws or pins to the alternate mounting holes (not shown). 
       FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of a watchband with integrated electronics having a timepiece  300  attached, according to an alternate embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, the body contacting layer  1050  and the outer layer  1051  can both have a bulged middle that can occlude the timepiece  300  when seen from the bottom. The function of the various peripherals (heart rate sensor, temperature sensors, air quality sensor, etc.) are the same as in other embodiments. In an alternate embodiment, the ambient temperature sensor  150  is located further away from the timepiece  300 , in order to provide a more accurate reading of the ambient temperature. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of a watchband with integrated electronics with a timepiece, according to an embodiment. In this view, the timepiece  300  can cover the previously exposed portion of the outer layer  351  of watchband material. The first timepiece connection layer  352  and second timepiece connection layer  353  can be spaced such that the timepiece  300  is easily admitted between the two connection layers  351 ,  352 . If the timepiece  300  is replaced with an alternate timepiece (not shown) that is larger in length, the connection layers  351 ,  352  are flexible, allowing their ends to bend backward in order to admit the longer length of the alternate timepiece. Visible from this view can be the ambient temperature sensor  150 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of a watchband with integrated electronics with a timepiece, according to an embodiment. This view further illustrates how the timepiece  300  can cover the previously exposed portion of the outer layer  351  of watchband material. As the body-contacting layer  350  and outer layer  351  are assembled in this view, the flexible circuit board (not shown), as well as the majority of the embedded circuitry, is not visible. However, the ambient temperature sensor  150  can be seen through the ambient temperature sensor hole  361 . 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating the features and peripherals of a watchband with integrated electronics, according to an embodiment. The watchband&#39;s sensors and functionality can primarily be controlled by a microprocessor  800  having the capability to interact with the various sensors, as well as input and output communication information. The microprocessor  800  can draw a small amount of power, in order for the watchband to avoid frequent recharging. All peripherals can selectively communicate with the microprocessor  800 . The microprocessor  800  can selectively activate or deactivate the watchband peripherals depending on the requirements of the user. A random access memory (RAM) module  850  can store all detected values from the peripherals before transmittal to the mobile device. A read-only memory (ROM) module  851  can store the watchband&#39;s basic input-output system (BIOS) and operating software (OS) needed for standard operations. 
     In addition to the heart rate sensor  801 , the watchband can have two temperature sensors, a body temperature sensor  151  and an ambient temperature sensor  150 , embedded on the flexible circuit board (not shown). The body temperature sensor  151  can face the side of the watchband facing the user&#39;s skin and be used to continuously monitor the user&#39;s body surface temperature. The ambient temperature sensor  150  can face the side of the watchband facing the world, and be used to continuously monitor the ambient temperature. Both temperature sensors  150 ,  151  can be thermocouples, thermistors, or a combination thereof. 
     The watchband can have a wireless communication device  155  for communications between the watchband and a user&#39;s mobile device  806 . The user&#39;s mobile device  806  can include a cellular phone, personal computer, tablet, medical device, internet router, integrated telemetry device, or other wirelessly communicating device. The wireless communication device  155  can be a Bluetooth transceiver, an IEEE 802.11 transceiver, radio transceiver, or other wireless communication mechanism. The wireless communication device  155  can have a small physical profile, low power consumption, and durable construction. The wireless communication device can additionally include a near field communication (NFC) chip, allowing for communication between the watchband and mobile device  806  when placed in close physical proximity. The mobile device  806  can run an application that can receive, display, and store data from all peripheral devices on the watchband. 
     The watchband can be powered by a rechargeable battery  156 . The rechargeable battery  156  can be lithium-ion, lithium-polymer, nickel-cadmium, nickel-hydrogen, nickel-zinc, thin film lithium, or other metallic combination thereof. The battery  156  can be small in profile, and able to hold a charge for an extended period of time. The battery  156  can be attached to the flexible circuit board by a series of metallic battery connections (not shown). The battery  156  can be recharged using a battery charger  803 , which can interact directly with the watchband at a charging port (not shown), which can be a series of metal contacts. The battery charger can be connected to the charging port using magnets, physical clasps, or wireless induction. In order to maintain performance of the watchband at various states of charge, a buck-boost DC-DC converter  802  can be used to keep the output voltage constant. Alternatively, a power management circuit (PMIC)  802  can be included in the watchband in place of the buck-boost DC-DC converter, which can regulate battery charging, voltages rates, activation control, and other features. 
     The watchband can also contain a set of inertial sensors  805 , including an accelerometer, gyroscope, and compass. The inertial sensors  805  can be devices used to determine the watchband&#39;s position and orientation, and whether or not the watchband is being subjected to any acceleration forces along any of the major three axis of movement. The inertial sensors  805  can allow the watchband to act as a pedometer and a physical activity measurement tool. Additionally, the inertial sensors  805  can be tied into the watchband&#39;s power management software, allowing for the watchband to enter a low power state mode when not in use and to be woken when movement is again detected. Similarly, the inertial sensors  805  can be used to increase another watchband sensor&#39;s accuracy. For example, if too much motion activity makes readings from the heart rate sensor  801  unreliable, the measurements from the inertial sensors can trigger a shutdown of the heart rate sensor  801  until such motion has ceased. 
     The watchband can also contain a vibration generator  804  that vibrates when power is applied. The vibration generator  804  can be a small piezoelectric crystal that vibrates under power. The vibration generator  804  can be controlled by a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), which can be activated by the microcontroller  800  to convey customizable and specific tactile notification to the user, such as informing if the device&#39;s power is turned on or off, incoming phone calls, emails, or text messages, or if a pre-set heart rate or temperature is being exceeded. 
     The watchband can also contain an air quality sensor  812  that can be used to detect the ambient humidity and air quality, or can be used to determine levels of pollutants in the atmosphere, such as smog, radon, carbon monoxide, or other contaminants. The air quality sensor  812  can be chemical or electrical. 
     The watchband can also contain an alert device  810  that can be configured to contact a predesignated emergency service through wireless communication when activated. The emergency service can be 911, a private security service, fire service, ambulance service, or, in the case of a medical facility, an emergency page service for the health care professionals. The alert device can be a depressible button or switch, but can be constructed such that the device is not easily toggled, to prevent false alarms. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart diagram illustrating the functional components of a heart rate sensor  801 , according to an embodiment. In an embodiment, the watchband can have an integrated heart rate sensor  801  connected to the flexible circuit board (not shown). The heart rate sensor  801  can be a photoplethysmograph optical sensor, which uses a light-emitting diode (LED)  152  and a photodiode  153  in conjunction in order to measure changes in the user&#39;s blood flow. As light from the LED  152  shines onto the user&#39;s arm  905 , its detected intensity changes as the amount of blood flow changes during the user&#39;s heart&#39;s systolic and diastolic function. These intensity changes can be read by the photodiode  153 . The photodiode  153  signal can be amplified with a low gain transimpedance amplifier  901 , producing a voltage signal. In an embodiment, the signal gain can be kept low so as to reduce signal noise in the amplification stage. To filter noise, the signal can be passed through a low-pass second order filter  902 , followed by a low-cutoff frequency high-pass filter  903 , and followed again by a second low-pass filter  904  to remove any remaining noise, at which point the filtered signal can be sent to the microcontroller  800 . The order and amount of filters can be altered to alter the signal output of the heart rate sensor  801 , and is not limited to the description provided above. All filters can be built with operational amplifiers (op-amps). 
       FIG. 10A  is an exploded view of a watchband with integrated electronics with a timepiece, according to an alternate embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, the body contacting layer  1050  and the outer layer  1051  can both have a bulged middle  1000  that can occlude the timepiece  300  when seen from the bottom. The flexible circuit board  1010  can be formed in a bulged geometry to mimic the geometry of the body contacting layer  1050  and the outer layer  1051 . The body temperature sensor  151 , LED  152 , and photodiode  153  can function similarly in all embodiments, but can be placed on the flexible circuit board  1010  to fully take advantage of the board&#39;s  1010  geometry. Likewise, the body temperature sensor hole  1065 , LED hole  1064 , and photodiode hole  1063  can all be cut into the body contacting layer  1050  of watchband material to match their respective sensors&#39; positions on the flexible circuit board  1010 . 
     The flexible circuit board  1010  can have flexible connectors  1302 , which allow for more flexibility between the flexible circuit board  1010 , and the one or more rechargeable batteries  156  that can power the flexible circuit board  1010  through the one or more battery connections  157 . The flexible circuit board  1010  can be made of a rigid circuit material  1301 , which can necessitate its placement entirely between the bulged middles  1000  of the outer layer  1051  and the body contacting layer  1050  of watchband material, placing the flexible circuit board entirely underneath the timepiece  300 , with the one or more rechargeable batteries  156  extending outwards within the watchband. 
       FIG. 10B  is an exploded view of a watchband with integrated electronics with a timepiece, according to an alternate embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, the ambient temperature sensor  150  can be remotely connected to the flexible circuit board  1010  such that the ambient temperature sensor is placed further down the watchband, away from the rest of the peripherals, in order to more accurately measure the ambient air temperature. The watchband can also include a vibration generator  804 , which can generate vibrational pulses based on the commands sent from the microprocessor. 
       FIG. 11  is a top view of a watchband with integrated electronics without a timepiece, according to an embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, both the outer layer  1051  and body contacting layer (not shown) of watchband material can be created with a bulged middle  1000  such that there can be a greater amount of surface area covered by the layers of watchband material. The position of the ambient temperature sensor  150 , along with the ambient temperature sensor hole  360 , can remain the same as in other embodiments. 
       FIG. 12  is a bottom view of a watchband with integrated electronics without a timepiece, according to an embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, both the outer layer (not shown) and body contacting layer  1050  of watchband material can be created with a bulged middle  1000  such that there can be a greater amount of surface area covered by the layers of watchband material. The body temperature sensor  151 , LED  152 , and photodiode  153  can be positioned linearly, or in any desired configuration. The position of the metal contacts  154  can remain the same as in other embodiments. 
       FIG. 13A  is a top view of a flexible circuit board for a watchband with integrated electronics, according to an embodiment. The flexible circuit board  310  can be a printed circuit board that allows for the same level of electrical connection fidelity between components as a regular circuit board, but can be manufactured out of materials allowing for the circuit board to be able to bend and flex dramatically more than a regular surface board would allow whilst still retaining those electrical connections. The flexible circuit board  310  can have preprinted connection points for the soldering of components for ease of manufacturing. Embedded on the flexible circuit board  310  can be a variety of sensors devoted to the measurement of various bodily functions, health criteria, and device information. These sensors can be connected to a central microprocessor (not shown), which can be used as the computational hub of the watchband. 
     In an embodiment, the watchband can have an integrated heart rate sensor connected to the flexible circuit board  310 . The heart rate sensor can be a photoplethysmograph optical sensor, which uses a light-emitting diode (LED)  152  and a photodiode  153  in conjunction in order to measure changes in the user&#39;s blood flow. As light from the LED  152  shines onto the user&#39;s skin, its detected intensity changes as the amount of blood flow changes during the heart&#39;s systolic and diastolic function. These intensity changes can be read by the photodiode  153 . The photodiode  153  signal can be amplified using a series of filters (not shown). 
     In addition to the heart rate sensor, the watchband can have two temperature sensors, a body temperature sensor  151  and an ambient temperature sensor  150 , embedded on the flexible circuit board  310 . The body temperature sensor  151  can face the side of the watchband facing the user&#39;s skin and be used to continuously monitor the user&#39;s body surface temperature. The ambient temperature sensor  150  can face the side of the watchband facing the world, and be used to continuously monitor the ambient temperature. Both temperature sensors  150 ,  151  can be thermocouples, thermistors, semiconductors, digital integrated sensors, or a combination thereof. 
     The watchband can have a wireless communication device  155  for communications between the watchband and a user&#39;s mobile device (not shown). The wireless communication device  155  can be a Bluetooth transceiver, an IEEE 802.11 transceiver, radio transceiver, or other wireless communication mechanism. The wireless communication device  155  can have a small physical profile, low power consumption, and durable construction. 
     The watchband can be powered by a rechargeable battery  156 . The rechargeable battery  156  can be lithium-ion, lithium-polymer, nickel-cadmium, nickel-hydrogen, nickel-zinc, thin film lithium, or other metallic combination thereof. The battery  156  can be small in profile, and able to hold a charge for an extended period of time. The battery  156  can be attached to the flexible circuit board  310  by a series of metallic battery connections  157 . The battery  156  can be recharged using a battery charger (not shown), which can interact directly with the watchband at a charging port  154 , which can be a series of metal contacts. The battery charger can be connected to the charging port using magnets, physical clasps, or wireless induction. In order to maintain performance of the watchband at various states of charge, a buck-boost DC-DC converter (not shown) can be used to keep the output voltage constant. Alternatively, a power management circuit (PMIC) can be included in the watchband in place of the buck-boost DC-DC converter, which can regulate battery charging, voltages rates, activation control, and other features. 
       FIG. 13B  is a top view of a flexible circuit board for a watchband with integrated electronics, according to an alternate embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, the body temperature sensor  151 , LED  152 , photodiode  153 , charging port  154 , wireless communication device  155 , and ambient temperature sensor  150  can all function in the same manner as previous embodiments, but can be placed in differing positions than other embodiments. The flexible circuit board can be divided into sections of rigid circuit material  1301  and flexible connection material  1302 . The modular construction of the alternate flexible circuit board allows for greater flexion around a user&#39;s wrist (not shown). All sensors  150 ,  151 ,  152 ,  153 ,  154 ,  155  can be connected to the watchband on the rigid circuit material  1301 . Additionally, a vibration generator  804  can be connected to the flexible circuit board. 
       FIG. 13C  is a top view of a flexible circuit board for a watchband with integrated electronics, according to an alternate embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, the body temperature sensor  151 , LED  152 , photodiode  153 , charging port  154 , wireless communication device  155 , and ambient temperature sensor  150  can all function in the same manner as previous embodiments. The flexible circuit board can have a large, rounded section of rigid circuit material  1010 , which can be connected to one or more rechargeable batteries  156  by one or more sections of flexible connection material  1302 . 
       FIG. 13D  is a top view of a flexible circuit board for a watchband with integrated electronics, according to an alternate embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, the ambient temperature sensor  150  can be remotely connected to the flexible circuit board  1010  such that the ambient temperature sensor  150  is placed further down the watchband, away from the rest of the peripherals, in order to more accurately measure the ambient air temperature. The watchband can also include a vibration generator  804 , which can generate vibrational pulses based on the commands sent from the microprocessor. The alternate embodiment can also include the alert button  810  and air quality sensor  812 , which can function in the same manner as described in the other embodiments. 
     Although the present device has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, none is limited thereto. Positions of all peripherals (temperature sensors, heart rate sensor, vibration generator, air quality sensor, alert device) can be altered, as well as the amount and location of the various filters, peripherals, and circuitry. No one peripheral is required on any one embodiment, rather, any combination of peripherals is contemplated. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly to include other variants and embodiments of the present apparatus, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of either the apparatus or the methods for using such an apparatus. 
     This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top,” and “bottom,” as well as derivatives thereof should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling, and the like, such as “connected,” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described above.