Patent Publication Number: US-9411320-B1

Title: Intelligent watch

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Taiwan Application Serial Number 104211905, filed Jul. 23, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to a watch. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an intelligent watch. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     With the development of electronic and wireless communication technology, an electronic device is integrated with a typical wearable unit to form a wearable electronic device (e.g., intelligent watch) for being worn on a user&#39;s body or carried by a user. Such a wearable electronic device exchanges electric data or signals with an external device. 
     An intelligent watch is provided with decorative parts (e.g., watch straps or a bezel) that a traditional watch normally has. However, such decorative parts are merely used for beautifying the appearance of the wearable electronic device, rather than providing functional applications that have their basis in sound ideas and creativity. 
     Therefore, ways in which to provide a solution to effectively solve the aforementioned inconvenience and shortages and to increase the competitiveness of industries will be seriously concerned. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the disclosure is to provide an intelligent watch to overcome the defects and inconvenience of the prior art. 
     According to one embodiment, the intelligent watch includes a main body, a display module, at least one trigger switch, an inner-ring body and an outer-ring body. The display module is disposed on the main body. The trigger switch is disposed in the main body. The inner-ring body is pressably engaged on a surface of the main body for being pressed to trigger the trigger switch. The outer-ring body is rotatably engaged on the surface of the main body, and surrounds the inner-ring body and the display module. 
     Therefore, when a user presses the inner-ring body to trigger the trigger switch under the inner-ring body, a control signal of the triggered switch is generated for controlling the intelligent watch. As an end result of such functionality, users are motivated to purchase and use the intelligent watch. 
     In one or more embodiments, when a user presses the inner-ring body down, the pressing direction that the inner-ring body is pressed is parallel with a normal line of a display surface of the display module. Also, when a user rotates the outer-ring body, the outer-ring body rotates about the normal line. 
     In one or more embodiments, the intelligent watch further comprises a detection circuit. The detection circuit is disposed in the main body, and is aligned with the outer-ring body for detecting the rotation of the outer-ring body and correspondingly generating at least one control signals in accordance with the degree of rotation of the outer-ring body. Thus, when a user rotates the outer-ring body, the detection circuit can detect the rotation of the outer-ring body and correspondingly generate control signals in accordance with the degree of rotation of the outer-ring body. 
     In one or more embodiments, the main body includes a casing, a first ringed protrusion, a second ringed protrusion and a waterproof washer. The first ringed protrusion is disposed on one side of the casing, and surrounds the display module. The second ringed protrusion is disposed on the side of the casing, and surrounds the first ringed protrusion and the display module. The waterproof washer is seamlessly sandwiched between the first ringed protrusion and the second ringed protrusion, surrounds the first ringed protrusion, and contacts with the inner-ring body and the trigger switch. Thus, the outer-ring body is rotatably engaged on the second ringed protrusion, and covers one side of the inner-ring body. 
     In one or more embodiments, the casing, the first ringed protrusion, the second ringed protrusion and the waterproof washer are integrally formed, wherein the hardness of the casing, the hardness of the first ringed protrusion and the hardness of the second ringed protrusion are the same, and the hardness of the waterproof washer is lower than the hardness of the second ringed protrusion. 
     In one or more embodiments, the second ringed protrusion is provided with a flange, and the outer-ring body is provided with a recess. The flange is slidably engaged with the recess, such that the outer-ring body is rotatably engaged on the second ringed protrusion. 
     In one or more embodiments, one protruding rim of the inner-ring body extends above the first ringed protrusion and a gap is formed between the protruding rim of the inner-ring body and the first ringed protrusion. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are by examples, and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosure as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an intelligent watch according to one embodiment of this disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the intelligent watch taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a zone M of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an intelligent watch according to an embodiment of this disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. According to the embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. 
     As used herein, “around,” “about,” or “approximately” shall generally mean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and more preferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numerical quantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the term “around,” “about,” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an intelligent watch according to one embodiment of this disclosure, and  FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the intelligent watch taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the intelligent watch  100  includes a main body  110 , a display module  120 , trigger switches  130 , an inner-ring body  200 , an outer-ring body  300  and a wear unit  400  (e.g., watch straps). The wear unit  400  is connected to the main body  110 . For example, the wear unit  400  is detachably assembled to the main body  110 . The display module  120  is disposed in the main body  110 , and a display surface of the display module  120  is exposed so as to be viewable from outside the main body  110 . The trigger switches  130  are disposed in the main body  110 . The inner-ring body  200  is pressably engaged on a surface of the main body  110 , thus, the inner-ring body  200  can be pressed against to trigger one of the trigger switches  130 . Thus, when the inner-ring body  200  is pressed down, a pressing direction (e.g., along Z axis) that the inner-ring body  200  is pressed is parallel, or substantially parallel with a normal line L (i.e., Z axis) of the display surface of the display module  120 . The outer-ring body  300  is rotatably engaged on the surface of the main body  110 , and surrounds the inner-ring body  200  and the display module  120 . Thus, when the outer-ring body  300  is rotated, the outer-ring body  300  rotates about the normal line L of the display surface. 
     The intelligent watch  100  is able to link with a smart electric device (not shown) for mutually exchanging electric data or signals. Therefore, when a user presses a region of the inner-ring body  200  against one of the trigger switches  130  to trigger the trigger switch  130 , a corresponding control signal can be generated for controlling the intelligent watch  100  or the smart electric device linked thereto. As an end result of such a function, users are motivated to purchase and use the intelligent watch  100 . 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a zone M of  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , in greater detail, the main body  110  includes a casing  111 , a first ringed protrusion  112 , a second ringed protrusion  113  and a waterproof washer  115 . The first ringed protrusion  112  is formed on one side of the casing  111 , and totally surrounds the display module  120 . The second ringed protrusion  113  is formed on the side of the main body  110 , and totally surrounds the first ringed protrusion  112 , the waterproof washer  115  and the display module  120 . The outer-ring body  300  is rotatably engaged on the second ringed protrusion  113 . 
     The waterproof washer  115  is waterproof and elastic. The waterproof washer  115  is seamlessly and continually connected to the first ringed protrusion  112  and the second ringed protrusion  113 , so that the waterproof washer  115  is seamlessly and continually sandwiched between the first ringed protrusion  112  and the second ringed protrusion  113 . The waterproof washer  115  totally surrounds the first ringed protrusion  112  and the display module  120  therein, so as to block the flow of air entering through the waterproof washer  115 . Also, the waterproof washer  115  can support the inner-ring body  200 . Thus, when the inner-ring body  200  is disposed between the first ringed protrusion  112  and the second ringed protrusion  113 , and abuts against the waterproof washer  115 , through the rotatable coupling of the outer-ring body  300  on the second ringed protrusion  113  and the covering of one side of the inner-ring body  200  by the outer-ring body  300 , the inner-ring body  200  is allowed to only move between the outer-ring body  300  and the waterproof washer  115 , so as to avoid detaching from the intelligent watch  100 . 
     Therefore, when one region of the inner-ring body  200  is pressed down, the inner-ring body  200  can indirectly press against one of the trigger switches  130  through the waterproof washer  115 , in which the pressed trigger switch  130  exactly corresponds to the pressed region of the inner-ring body  200 . After the inner-ring body  200  is released, the waterproof washer  115  returns the inner-ring body  200  back to its original position. 
     Also, since the waterproof washer  115  is seamlessly and continually sandwiched between the first ringed protrusion  112  and the second ringed protrusion  113 , vapor or liquid will not permeate into the main body  110  via the position between the first ringed protrusion  112  and the second ringed protrusion  113 , so as to lessen the possibility of damage to components inside the main body  110 . 
     Furthermore, since the waterproof washer  115  is disposed between the inner-ring body  200  and the trigger switches  130 , and directly contacts the inner-ring body  200  and the trigger switches  130 , not only does the waterproof washer  115  provide a waterproofing function, but also absorbs excessive pressing force resulting from the inner-ring body  200  being excessively pressed against the waterproof washer  115 . Hence, the waterproof washer  115  can protect the trigger switches  130  from being damaged. 
     Moreover, since one protruding rim of the inner-ring body  200  is extended above the first ringed protrusion  112 , a gap G is formed between the inner-ring body  200  and the first ringed protrusion  112 . The gap G is a pressing stroke that the inner-ring body  200  reaches the trigger switches  130 . Thus, when the inner-ring body  200  indirectly presses against the trigger switch  130 , the first ringed protrusion  112  appropriately contacts the inner-ring body  200  to stop the inner-ring body  200 , so that the trigger switches  130  can be protected from damage. 
     Further, in this embodiment, since an outer side of the second ringed protrusion  113  is provided with a ringed flange  114 , and an inner side of the outer-ring body  300  is provided with a ringed recess  310 , by engaging the ringed flange  114  with the ringed recess  114 , the outer-ring body  300  can be rotatably engaged on the second ringed protrusion  113 . 
     In addition, the main body  110  is provided with a light-transmissive protective cover  121 . The light-transmissive protective cover  121  is arranged on the display module  120 , and is supported by the first ringed protrusion  112 , so as to protect and shield the display module  120 . 
     In one of the embodiments, the casing  111 , the first ringed protrusion  112 , the second ringed protrusion  113  and the waterproof washer  115  are integrally formed. More particularly, the casing  111 , the first ringed protrusion  112 , the second ringed protrusion  113  and the waterproof washer  115  are integrally formed through a double-injection-molding process. Thus, each of the casing  111 , the first ringed protrusion  112  and the second ringed protrusion  113  respectively includes an identical first material, and the waterproof washer  115  includes a second material which is different from the first material, in which the hardness of the second material is lower than the hardness of the first material. However, it is noted that the disclosure is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment, designers may integrally form the waterproof washer  115  on the inner-ring body  200  through other methods. 
     The different kinds of the first material are not limited in the disclosure. For example, the first material may be a plastic material, In which the plastic material may be high-density polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon or combinations thereof. Similarly, the different kinds of the second material are not limited in the disclosure. The second material may, for example, be a plastic material, such as low-density polyethylene (PE), thermoplastic elastomer (TPR), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), silicone rubber or combinations thereof. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an intelligent watch  100  according to an embodiment of this disclosure. In one or more embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the intelligent watch  100  further includes a circuit board  140  (or printed circuit board), a detection circuit  150  and a controller unit  160 . The detection circuit  150 , for example, is an optical detection circuit. The detection circuit  150  is disposed in the casing  110  and exactly aligns with the outer-ring body  300 . That is, an orthogonal projection of the detection circuit  150  projected along a normal line (axis Z) of the display surface of the display module  120  is exactly overlapped with the outer-ring body  300 . Thus, when the user rotates the outer-ring body  300 , the detection circuit  150  can detect the rotation of the outer-ring body  300  to correspondingly generate at least one control signal and transmit the same to the controller unit  160  in accordance with the degree of rotation of the outer-ring body  300 , so as to control the intelligent watch  100  or the smart electric device which is linked to the intelligent watch  100 . The detection circuit  150  and the trigger switches  130  are disposed on the circuit board  140 , and the controller unit  160  is electrically connected to the detection circuit  150 , the trigger switches  130  and the display module  120  via traces of the circuit board  140  for operating the intelligent watch  100  (e.g., controlling the display module  120 ) in accordance with the control signals which are sent from the detection circuit  150  or the trigger switches  130 . For example, each of the aforementioned control signals can be used for adjusting display fonts, audio volumes or brightness of a backlight of the intelligent watch  100 . 
     Furthermore, in addition to controlling the intelligent watch  100 , the controller unit  160  also can control the smart electric device via the intelligent watch  100 . The intelligent watch  100  further includes a wireless communication module  170  and an antenna  180 . The wireless communication module  170  is electrically connected to the controller unit  160  and the antenna  180 . Thus, when the user presses down the inner-ring body  200  or rotates the outer-ring body  300 , the controller unit  160  wirelessly exchanges information with the smart electric device by the wireless communication module  170 . For example, the controller unit  160  can perform a turn-page function with respect to information shown on the smart electric device, or a skip function with respect to music played on the smart electric device. 
     In the aforementioned embodiment, the wireless communication module is a Bluetooth® wireless communication module. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment, the wireless communication module also can be an infrared transmission module, a radio frequency identification (RFID) module, a WIFI network module or a near-field communication (NFC) module. 
     Although the present disclosure has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain embodiments thereof, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.