Abstract:
The present invention relates to a phone module contained within a wristphone unit that can be inserted into a supporting watchband style carriage, or removed and inserted in a conventional cell phone style carriage. Other features can include speaker and microphone components in both the watch carriage and the cell phone carriage, allowing smaller components to be used in the wrist-worn configuration. Other features may be separated from the core phone module such as a numeric keypad.

Description:
1. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to a U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/394,584 filed Jul. 9, 2002, the technical disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    2. Technical Field  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a wearable phone and wristwatch wherein the wearable phone can be connected to a separate phone carriage that provides additional functionality. The wearable phone includes a phone module with basic functionality.  
           [0004]    3. Background to the Invention  
           [0005]    Wristwatches are popular for both aesthetic and functional purposes. It is not uncommon for an individual to wear a wristwatch and also to carry a cellular phone. Yet, in many circumstances, a cellular phone is unwieldy. For example, when exercising, a user may find it cumbersome to carry a cell phone. A variety of proposals have previously been made to improve the portability of cell phones. One solution has been to make cell phones particularly small. FIG. 1 a  is a popular cell phone that is small enough to place into a shirt pocket. The phone  10  has a numeric keypad  12 , a SEND  14  and END  15  keys, a display  16  and a speaker  18 . A user enters the phone number to be called with the keypad  12 , and presses the SEND  14  button. The user listens with the speaker  18  and presses END  15  to finish the call. Of course, the user must hold the phone  10  during the call or to view information on the display  16 .  
           [0006]    Others have attempted to converge the functionality of a cell phone with a personal digital assistant (PDA). For example, the VisorPhone™ by Handspring™ is a hand held computer, or personal data assistant that has a plug-in unit that simulates cell phone capability. The plug in unit is a dual band world phone and a wireless modem, allowing cell phone functionality and wireless Internet access. Software running on the VisorPhone™ controls the phone/internet use. The device also allows short text messages. The device generally combines a PDA with a cell phone module, which plugs into a top port of the PDA. Of course, the user again must hold the VisorPhone™. The PDA also has a clock function that displays the time.  
           [0007]    A number of prior proposals have sought to combine or incorporate a cell phone into a wristwatch device. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,035 to Firooz, entitled “Wrist Mounted Telephone Device,” discloses an oval shaped wearable phone that fits around a user&#39;s wrist. FIG. 1 b  shows one embodiment of the Firooz &#39;035 wearable phone  20 . To use the phone  20 , a speaker element  22  telescopes outward from the phone. The user then turns her wrist  24  so that the speaker  22  is near her ear. The phone  20  is hinged  26  and can be opened and removed from the user&#39;s wrist. In either case, the Firooz &#39;035 phone is ungainly in its operation. While a watch unit can be mounted on the opposite side of the oval shaped frame, by placing the phone controls and the watch on opposite sides of the oval shaped band, the user is inconvenienced when wanting to view the time.  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,253 to Charlier et al., entitled “Wrist-Carried Radiotelephone,” also discloses a wristwatch having a cell phone incorporated therein. As shown in FIG. 1 c , the Charlier et al. &#39;253 watch  30  has a first housing  32  that includes a microphone  34 , a display  33  and a circuitry of a radio transceiver. The display  33  is adapted to show the time and date. A second housing  36  includes a latch  35  and a speaker  38 . In use, when a user receives a call, he uncouples the latch  35  and straightens the strap. He can then hold the speaker  38  near his ear and the microphone  34  near his mouth. The user is limited to the functionality that can be placed on either the first or second housings  32 ,  36 . Also, in use, the entire Charlier et al. &#39;253 device must be removed from the user&#39;s wrist.  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,613 to Saeger, entitled “Wristwatch Radiotelephone,” discloses a combined wristwatch and radiotelephone, which is suitable in one configuration for wearing on the wrist as a wristwatch, and in another configuration for use as a hand-held radiotelephone. As shown in FIGS. 1 d  and  1   e , the wristwatch radiotelephone of the Saeger &#39;613 patent includes an annular wristband portion  50  and a timekeeping and radiotelephone portion  40  removably mounted on one side of the wristband portion. The wristband portion  50  includes an arrowhead snap  56  on one side for removably securing timekeeping and radiotelephone portion  40  to the wristband. The arrowhead snap  56  fits into a mating recess (not shown) in the underside of portion  40 . This structure holds portion  40  securely to portion  50  but allows the user to pull portion  40  off portion  50  whenever desired. However, when it is desired to use the Saeger &#39;613 apparatus as a radiotelephone, portion  40  must be removed from wristband portion  50  by pulling portion  40  off arrowhead snap  56 . The user then pivots each of end members  42  and  46  out from member  45  approximately 180° as shown. Thus, the Saeger &#39;613 device only allows portion  40  to be attached in one configuration to wristband portion  50 . Moreover the Saeger &#39;613 device does not allow a user to answer or make telephone calls with the radiotelephone portion  40  connected to the wristband portion  50 . While perhaps improving the portability of the incorporated radiotelephone, the Saeger &#39;613 device still requires that the radiotelephone be operated in a conventional hand-held manner.  
           [0010]    Prior proposals also include U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,864 to Yoshitake, entitled “Portable Radio Telephone Device.” As shown in FIG. 1 f , the Yoshitake &#39;864 patent discloses a portable radiotelephone device  60  in which a radio device body  62  is mounted in the form of a wristwatch on an arm by means of a carrying strap  64 . The Yoshitake &#39;864 patent highlights a problem inherent in incorporating radiotelephone technology into a wrist worn devices. As instrumentation is miniaturized and adapted for incorporation into a wrist worn device, the antenna comprises a more significant portion of the device. According to the Yoshitake &#39;864 patent, it is extremely difficult to incorporate an antenna into the main body  62  in view of the required antenna efficiency, the mixing-up of receiving and transmission, miniaturization, productivity and the like. To overcome this problem, the Yoshitake &#39;864 device discloses the incorporation of an antenna  66  embedded into the wristband carrying strap  64 . Similarly, a voice transmission tube  68  is also incorporated into the wristband carrying strap  64  to separate, both acoustically and electrically, the sending speech function from the receiving function. However, the radio device body  62  the Yoshitake &#39;864 device, while detachable from the wristband carrying strap  64 , is not operable when detached.  
           [0011]    Another prior proposal is U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,414 to Alameh et al., entitled “Wrist-Carried Radiotelephone,” which discloses a wrist-carried radiotelephone, which is operable without removing from a user&#39;s wrist. As shown in FIGS. 1 g  and  1   h , wrist-carried radiotelephone  70  includes a housing  72  having a display and a battery  73 , and a wristband  76  having a plurality of rigid and flexing portions. A plurality of segmented printed circuit boards  74  are disposed within a hollow portion of a curved section of a wristband  76 . The printed circuit (PC) boards  74  of the Alameh et al. &#39;414 device carry radiotelephone circuitry excluding the antenna and user interface circuits such as a display, and a battery  73 . The PC boards  74  of the Alameh et al. &#39;414 device can be rigid or flexible, and can be straight or curved. Preferably, the PC boards  74  are semi-flexible, and are substantially straight segments, as manufactured. The PC boards  74  are interconnected with wires to provide complete radiotelephone operation. Preferably, the wire interconnects are flex circuits as are known in the art. Moreover, the Alameh et al. &#39;414 discloses no less than six antenna configurations usable in accordance with the invention. While the delineated configurations can be stationary, or movable to provide increased efficiency, all are embedded or incorporated to some degree into the wristband  76  of the invention. The housing  72  of the Alameh et al. &#39;414 device also discloses a hinged display  72   a  which facilitates the removal of at least one battery  73  while the user is wearing the wristband  76 . According to the Alameh et al. &#39;414 patent, “convenient battery changing is important in wrist-worn cell phone devices as the batteries are much smaller than those available in standard cellular phones, and will need to be changed more often, even with the advent of exotic material technologies providing more powerful batteries, such as a lithium cell, for example. It is expected that a battery-housing configuration as described above can provide enough capacity (using a 23×23×6 mm Li-Polymer cell, for example) to power the radiotelephone circuitry for about one hour of conversation during a telephone call and for about twenty hours in a standby mode waiting to receive a call.” 
           [0012]    While an ever-evolving diversity of digital wireless cell phone technology is available for adaptation into wrist-worn devices, adapting conventional cell phone and battery technology into devices suitable for use as wrist-worn devices inherently creates additional problems. Two of the most promising technologies currently available are Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). GSM is a digital cellular system found in almost all of Europe, parts of Asia, and parts of North America. Although designed as a European standard, due to its flexibility and excellent implementation of Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technology, GSM has grown into a truly worldwide standard. GSM uses General Packet Radio System (GPRS) technology to accommodate high-bandwidth data traffic. GPRS will handle rates from 14.4 Kbps using just one TDMA slot, and up to 115 Kbps and higher using all eight slots. It will also permit users to receive voice calls simultaneously when sending and receiving data. GSM also allows mobile terminals with different maximum output powers. The maximum power of the mobile determines its power class. Most of the mobiles are either 2W class 4 (900 MHz) or 1W class 1 for the 1900/1800 MHz operation.  
           [0013]    Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is a digital cellular system used mainly in the United States and South Korea. CDMA is a spread spectrum modulation technology whereby channels defined by means of mathematical codes are able to share the same frequency band simultaneously (IS95 A/B, IS2000 1X-3X). Originally developed by Qualcomm®, CDMA uses more advanced encoding and spread spectrum technology to produce higher voice clarity and spectral efficiency than GSM. Additionally, CDMA handsets generally use low amounts of power. Recently, CDMA (IS-95) in the US has been upgraded to IS2000-1XRTT (1 st  Generation Radio Transmit Technology of 3G) which can accommodate data rates as high as 144 Kbps. The 3× version will purportedly accommodate up to 1 Mbps. At the moment, CDMA technology networks are positioned with a much clearer and efficient path to 3G systems than GSM. In the United States, CDMA technology is the dominant player whereas GSM technology is the dominant player for the rest of the world.  
           [0014]    With reference to FIG. 1 i , a block diagram of the typical components of a conventional digital mobile phone is shown. The typical digital mobile phone may be conceptualized as three fundamental components: a transmission component, a reception component, and an auxiliary component. As depicted in FIG. 1 i , the transmission component includes a microphone  80 , connected to audio processing technology, which is further connected to channel encoding, interleaving and message generation functionality  82 , which in turn connects to a ciphering means  83  and RF processing  84  prior to being transmitted via antenna  85 . The reception component includes the same antenna  85  where a received message is in turn processed via RF processing  94  and de-ciphering means  83 , which conveys the received message to a channel de-encoding, de-interleaving, and message regeneration functionality  92 , whereupon it proceeds through audio processing  91  to produce a sound in speaker  90 . The auxiliary component  96  includes a keypad, display, battery and other assorted auxiliary functionality.  
           [0015]    Mobile phone units utilizing GSM technology further include a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)  86  that stores a subscriber&#39;s unique identification information. The SIM  86  is typically a removable part of the mobile phone unit, thus, allowing the subscriber to access the network regardless of the particular mobile phone unit being used. The billing information is recorded on the card and when the user comes back to their home network, all billing information is uploaded. Development of the SIM  86  was driven by the early deployment of GSM networks since it provides roaming capability, even between the networks that are not connected through physical signaling lines. This kind of roaming, known as “SIM roaming,” allows roaming services between providers with disjoint wireless networks.  
           [0016]    Regardless of the technology format used, it is difficult to add the important functionality of a cell phone to a wrist-worn device while not impairing the usefulness and ergonomics of the watch. Adapting conventional cell phone and battery technology into devices suitable for use as wrist-worn devices create additional problems. A need, therefore, exists for a more flexible unit that provides reasonable battery life to the phone and watch. Further, a need exists for an improved wrist-worn phone that allows the user to have the device act primarily as a watch until a phone call is sent or received. A need also exists for a wrist-worn phone that is more flexible and easier to use. For example, it would be advantageous for a user to utilize a wrist-worn phone which is operable not only when attached to the user&#39;s wrist, but is also when separately removed from the user&#39;s wristband. Further, it would be advantageous if the functionality and battery life of a wrist-worn unit could be enhanced and extended when attached to a separate phone carriage. Moreover, it would be advantageous to fashion a wrist-worn phone as a watch with standard analog movement. Additionally, it would be advantageous to configure the speaker and microphone elements of a wrist-worn phone to be either water-resistant or waterproof. Finally, it would be beneficial if the problems associated with antenna placement and battery life inherent in the adaptation of cell phone technology to wrist-worn devices could be ameliorated.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0017]    The present invention overcomes many of the disadvantages of prior art wrist-worn phone devices. The present invention includes a wristphone, comprised of a phone module and an interlocking watch module, that can be inserted into a supporting watchband style receiver, or removed and configured to be inserted into a conventional cell phone style carriage. Both the wristphone and the cell phone style carriage can include discrete speaker and microphone components, allowing smaller components to be used in the wristphone configuration. Other features and functionalities may also be separated from the core phone module such as a numeric keypad with varying styling options, a supplementary battery, an improved antennae, an IrDA interface, Bluetooth radio, MP3 player, or digital camera.  
           [0018]    In accordance with another feature of the invention, the phone module and the watch module have complementary surfaces that allows the two to snap together. Likewise, the assembled wristphone can be snapped into a receiver unit on a wristband, such that either the watch or the phone module can be visible to the user. When a call arrives, the wristphone can be removed from the receiver unit and the call answered. When the call is complete, the wristphone can be re-coupled to the receiver unit. Alternatively, the wristphone can also be operated while still attached to the receiver unit on the wristband. This provides the user with a simple way to have both a watch and a phone without the need for two separate components. Thus, when the user is exercising or needs both hands free, he can still stay in touch with his phone.  
           [0019]    In accordance with another feature of the invention, the phone module of the wristphone may also be configured with a carriage unit. The carriage unit has a surface complementary to that of the phone module such that in this configuration, the phone module and carriage unit may be snapped together to form a conventionally styled cell phone. The carriage unit may also comprise components which expand the battery life and the functionality of the phone module.  
           [0020]    In accordance with still another feature of the invention, the entire wristphone may also be configured with an alternate carriage unit. The alternate carriage unit includes means for grasping and coupling the entire wristphone so as to form in combination an alternate embodiment of a conventionally styled cell phone. The carriage unit may also comprise components which extend the battery life and the functionality of the wristphone.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]    A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 1 a ,  1   b ,  1   c ,  1   d ,  1   e ,  1   f ,  1   g  and  1   h  are assorted views of a prior art phone technology;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 1 i , is a block diagram of the essential components to a conventional GSM digital mobile phone;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 2 a  is a perspective in exploded view of the phone module and watch module in an embodiment of the wristphone of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 2 b  is a perspective in engaged view of the phone module and watch module in an embodiment of the wristphone of the present invention;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 c  is an exploded schematic cross sectional side view of an embodiment of the wristphone of the present invention;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 2 d  is an engaged schematic cross sectional side view of an embodiment of the wristphone of the present invention;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 e  is an schematic cross sectional view of the top side of the phone module of the wristphone of the present invention;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 f  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the watch module of the present invention;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 a  is a top view of an embodiment of the phone module engaged in the wristphone of the present invention;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 3 b  is a side view of an embodiment of the phone module of the present invention illustrating a toggle control that can be used to manipulate the phone module functions;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 3 c  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the phone module of the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 4 a ,  4   b  and  4   c  are perspective views of assorted embodiments of the wrist receiver unit of the present invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 5 a  is a perspective in exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating how the wristphone engages a wrist receiver unit;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5 b  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating the wristphone engaged in the wrist receiver unit and configured with the watch module facing up;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 5 c  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating the wristphone engaged in the wrist receiver unit and configured with the phone module facing up;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 5 d  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrating the wristphone engaged in the wrist receiver unit and configured with the phone module facing up;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 5 e  is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention illustrating the alternate embodiment of the wristphone engaged in the wrist receiver unit and configured with the watch module facing up;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 6 a  is a perspective in exploded view of an embodiment of the phone module of the present invention illustrating how the phone module engages a carriage unit;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 6 b  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the phone module of the present invention illustrating the phone module engaged in the carriage unit,  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 7 a  is a frontal exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the wristphone of the present invention illustrating how the wristphone engages an alternate carriage unit;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 7 b  is a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of the wristphone of the present invention illustrating a first view of the wristphone engaged in the alternate carriage unit; and  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 7 c  is a frontal view of an alternate embodiment of the wristphone of the present invention illustrating a reverse or second view of the wristphone engaged in the alternate carriage unit. 
     
    
       [0044]    Where used in the various figures of the drawing, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” “height,” “width,” “length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0045]    Referring now to FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b , a perspective view of an embodiment of the wristphone  300  of the present invention is shown. The wristphone  300  is comprised of a phone module  100  and an interlocking watch module  200 . The phone module  100  includes a display  104 , a ringer to announce an incoming call (not shown), a speaker  106  and controls  108  to answer and end a call. As shown in the cross-sectional views depicted in FIGS. 2 c ,  2   d , and  2   e , the phone module  100  may also include within its housing  102  an internal antenna  110 , a printed circuit board card (PCB)  112 , a module  114 , and a SIM connector  116 . The internal antenna  110  is positioned a sufficient distance away from any circuitry underneath the antenna  110  to preclude interference. The housing above the RF portion of the PCB  112  is shielded and grounded. Additionally, the receiver circuit has a metal enclosure. The phone module  100  provides very basic functionality for the user. For example, in the embodiment shown, the phone module  100  does not have a keypad for alphanumeric entry. However, the phone module  100  may include a memory for storing phone numbers. In the embodiment shown to FIG. 2 b , two separate buttons  118   a ,  118   b  are provided for scrolling through names in a memory list.  
         [0046]    The watch module  200  comprises a housing  202  which includes complementary surfaces  210 ,  212  that conforms to and couple with a matching surface on the phone module  100 . The watch module  200  further includes within its housing  202  an enclosed battery  208 , a clock, and a microphone  220 . The battery  208  may be comprised of a conventional lithium-ion cell or a custom formed lithium polymer cell. When the phone module  100  and watch module  200  are snapped together, they collectively form a wristphone  300 . When the phone module  100  and watch module  200  are properly conjoined, the battery  208  connects with the phone module  100  to power the phone module  100 .  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 2 f  provides an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the watch module  200  of the present invention. In the embodiment shown, the module  200  includes a removable face cover  230  that snaps onto the module  200 . The face cover  230  has a transparent portion that allows the user to see the display of a clock component  232 . The display of clock component  232  can be an analog dial as shown or a digital display. An auxiliary battery  236  may be placed under the clock component  232  to provide power. A winder  234  may also be used to adjust the time or date displayed on the display of clock component  232 .  
         [0048]    Referring now to FIG. 3 a , which illustrates a top view of the face of an embodiment of the phone module  100  engaged in the wristphone  300  of the present invention, while the embodiment illustrated includes two separate buttons  118   a ,  118   b  for scrolling through names in a memory list, FIG. 3 b  shows an alternate embodiment wherein a rocker switch  190  is used. The rocker switch  190  can be located on the side of the phone module  100 . A user can scroll through a list using controls  192 ,  194 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 3 c  shows a top view of the face of an alternate embodiment of the phone module  100   a  engaged in the wristphone  300  of the present invention. While the originally illustrated embodiment of phone module  100  provides only basic functionality to the user, the alternate embodiment of the phone module  100   a  illustrated in FIG. 3 c , may provide the full functionality of a conventional keypad using a novel methodology in the modes, functionality, and sequencing of its controls buttons. Phone module  100   a  includes a display  104   a , a multi-positioned toggle switch  108   a , an enter/call button  120 , a end/exit button  122 , a menu selection button  124 , and a directory button  126 .  
         [0050]    With reference now to FIG. 4 a , an embodiment of the wrist receiver unit  400  of the present invention is shown which is incorporated onto a conventional watchband  402 . The conventional watchband  402  may further comprise a mechanism or device for attaching and adjusting  404  (e.g., a prong buckle) to a user&#39;s wrist. The wrist receiver unit  400  includes a base  408  and two opposing biased clips  404 ,  406  which securely grasp the wristphone  300 . The portions of the wrist receiver unit  400  surrounding clips  404 ,  406  are provided with surfaces complementary to the matching surfaces on the wristphone  300  to ensure a tight and snug fit. The clips  404 ,  406  may also include portions which project into recesses in the wristphone  300 .  
         [0051]    [0051]FIGS. 4 b  and  4   c  illustrate alternate embodiments of the wrist receiver unit  400   a ,  400   b  which may further include a convexity  408   a  and/or concavity  410  to protect and/or interlock with one or both sides of the wristphone  300 . In particular, convexity  408   a  and/or concavity  410  may also include sealing means for certain components of the wristphone  300  (e.g., case opening for microphone and speaker) thereby improving the water resistance of the components. The sealing means may include gaskets adapted to the wrist receiver unit  400   a  or manufacturing all or part of the wrist receiver unit  400   a  using flexible materials capable of conforming its shape to that of the wristphone so as to provide a water resistant or waterproof seal.  
         [0052]    Referring now to FIGS. 5 a ,  5   b , and  5   c , perspective views of an embodiment of the present invention are shown illustrating how the wristphone  300  engages a wrist receiver unit  400   a . As shown in FIG. 5 b , the wristphone  300  may be configured in the wrist receiver unit  400   a  with the watch module  200  facing up. Alternatively, the wristphone  300  may be configured in the wrist receiver unit  400   a  with the digital display of the phone module  100  facing up, as shown in FIG. 5 c . In either configuration, clips  404 ,  406  securely grasp the wristphone  300  as illustrated in FIG. 5 d . Moreover, as shown in the alternate embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 5 e , clips  404 ,  406   a  may also include portions which project into and securely engage recesses in the wristphone  300   a.    
         [0053]    The wristphone  300  may also be coupled to a more traditional phone carriage unit thereby enhancing the utility and flexibility of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the phone module  100  may be coupled to a more traditional phone carriage unit  500  as shown in FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b . The phone module  100  has a surface that complements the carriage surface  502  allowing them to be securely coupled to form in combination a cell phone  600 . The carriage unit  500  may provide additional functionality, such as a full keypad  504 , enhanced speaker  508 , IrDA interface (not shown), digital camera (not shown), MP3 player (not shown), charging/power jack (not shown), and a data communication port (not shown). The carriage unit  500  can also provide for an improved microphone  506  and headphone jack (not shown). Moreover, due to its size, the carriage unit  500  can hold a separate and/or additional longer-lasting battery. As with the battery  208  in the watch module  200 , the battery contained in the carriage unit  500  may also be a conventional lithium-ion cell or a custom formed lithium polymer cell. The carriage unit  500  can also act as the primary means whereby the battery  208  in the watch module  200  may be recharged. Additionally, charging/power jack may be used in a conventional manner to provide power directly to cell phone  600  either while recharging the battery contained within the carriage unit  500  or battery  208  or in the absence of any installed batteries.  
         [0054]    Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the entire wristphone  300   a  may be coupled to an alternate phone carriage unit  500   a  as shown in FIGS. 7 a ,  7   b  and  7   c . In addition to the added functionality of the first embodiment of the carriage unit  500 , the alternate phone carriage unit  500   a  also includes means for coupling the entire wristphone  300   a  so as to form in combination an alternate embodiment of the cell phone  600   a . As illustrated in FIG. 7 a , in one embodiment the means for coupling may include opposing prongs  510 ,  512  for securely grasping the sides of the wristphone  300   a . The means for coupling may further include guiding surfaces  516  to properly align the wristphone  300   a  between the opposing prongs  510 ,  512 , and locking pins  514  to securely couple the wristphone  300   a  and the alternate phone carriage unit  500   a . Whereas the first embodiment of the cell phone  600  displays only the face of the phone module  100  (see FIG. 6 b ), the alternate and preferred embodiment of the cell phone  600   a  is capable of simultaneously displaying both the face of the phone module  100   a  in one view (see FIG. 7 b ) and the face of the watch module  200   a  (see FIG. 7 c ) in another view. Moreover, the preferred embodiment of the cell phone  600   a  is also capable of using the integral battery of wristphone  300   a  as a source of power.  
         [0055]    Thus, the device of the present invention may be employed in two basic modes: a wrist-worn mode and a conventional cell phone mode. As shown in FIGS. 5 b  and  5   c , in the wrist-worn mode, the wristphone  300  is engaged in a wrist receiver unit  400  and configured with either the watch module  200  or the phone module  100  facing up. When a call arrives, the user may be alerted with either a tone or a light. In one embodiment, the tone may be a traditional ringing sound, and the light may be a flashing LED or LCD or bioluminescent. In another embodiment, the wristphone  300  may have a vibrator that alerts the user to an incoming call. The user may answer the call pushing the appropriate button on the phone module  100  and then either leaving the wristphone  300  in the wrist receiver unit  400  or detaching the wristphone  300  from the clips  404 ,  406  in the wrist receiver unit  400 . In one embodiment, the act of detaching the wristphone  300  from wrist receiver unit  400  may initiate the answering of the call. If equipped with a caller ID functionality, the identity of the caller may be shown on the display  104 . When the call is complete, the user can simply press the appropriate button to end the call. If previously removed, the wristphone  300  can then be placed back in to the wrist receiver unit  400  so that either the phone module  100  or the watch module  200  is visible.  
         [0056]    Alternatively, to send a call, a user can scroll through a preloaded list of telephone numbers stored in memory, selecting the appropriate number by depressing controls  108  to initiate the call. Selecting and initiating a call can be accomplished with the wristphone  300  either engaged in or disengaged from the wrist receiver unit  400 . Indeed, all of the steps in placing or receiving a call can be accomplished while the wristphone  300  is latched into the wrist receiver unit  400 . The user may simply find it more convenient to remove the wristphone  300 .  
         [0057]    The cell phone mode is accomplished in one of two configurations detailed previously. Thus, either a phone module  100  is engaged in a carriage unit  500 , as shown in FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b , or the entire wristphone  300   a  is configured in an alternate carriage unit  500   a , as shown in FIGS. 7 a ,  7   b , and  7   c . In either configuration, the functionalities of the wristphone or phone module and its associated carriage unit supplement and complement each other such that the resulting cell phone operates in a manner similar to conventional cell phones. Thus, when a call arrives, the user may be alerted with either a tone or a light. In one embodiment, the tone may be a traditional ringing sound, and the light may be a flashing LED or LCD or bioluminescent. In another embodiment, the cell phone may have a vibrator that alerts the user to an incoming call. The user may answer the call by pushing the appropriate button on the phone module. If equipped with a caller ID functionality, the identity of the caller may be shown on the display. When the call is complete, the user can simply press the appropriate button on the phone module to end the call. To send a call, a user can may use the buttons on full keypad  504  or scroll through a preloaded list of telephone numbers stored in memory in a conventional manner using control buttons on the phone module, selecting the appropriate number by depressing the appropriate control button to initiate the call. Additionally, phone numbers and other data may be entered in the memory of the phone module by means of the keypad  504 , IrDA interface, or the data communication port.  
         [0058]    It will now be evident to those skilled in the art that there has been described herein an improved wearable phone and wristwatch device. Although the invention hereof has been described by way of a preferred embodiment, it will be evident that other adaptations and modifications can be employed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. For example, the present invention envisions alternate embodiments which may use either GSM or CDMA technology. While the two technologies differ significantly from one another and are incompatible with one another, it is understood that from a conceptual point of view the handsets components of the two technologies are very similar. While the embodiments depicted in many of the various Figures illustrate a GSM version of the present invention, it is understood that either CDMA or GSM technology, or for that matter any suitable cell phone technology format. Thus, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation; and thus, there is no intent of excluding equivalents, but on the contrary it is intended to cover any and all equivalents that may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.