Patent Description:
End users have more electronic device choices than ever before. A number of prominent technological trends are currently afoot (e.g., mobile electronic devices, smaller electronic devices, increased user connectivity, etc.), and these trends are changing the electronic device landscape. One of the technological trends currently afoot is electronic devices that can be worn by users, sometimes referred to as wearable electronic devices, Wearable electronic devices can be worn on a user's wrist, arm, ankle, etc. Electronic devices such as mobile phones provide features for typing and sending messages; however, this often requires the user to tediously type messages using a small interactive keyboard on the mobile phone. Although wearable electronic devices are quickly becoming a member of the technological ecosystem, interactions between device and user have yet to become streamlined and generally suffer from the same limitations as mobile phones for communicating messages.

<CIT> describes techniques for wearable device data security, including receiving input from one or more sensors coupled to a wearable device, each of the one or more sensors being configured to measure one or more parameters, processing the input to determine a pattern, referencing a pattern library using the pattern to identify a signature, and transforming the signature into data to be transmitted to a device in data communication with the wearable device and configured to perform a function if the data is authenticated.

<CIT> describes a wearable device assembly having a housing supporting a controller, display and indicator system thereon. The controller has at least one sensor wherein activity of a user wearing the device is detected. The controller selectively illuminates the indicator system to indicate a level of activity of the user.

<CIT> describes a system comprising RFID data acquisition technology embedded in a fob or tag for use in completing financial transactions. The fob may be housed in a wearable transaction instrument, such as a bracelet.

<CIT> describes a mobile terminal having a circle type display a scroll bar provided at an edge of the circle type display in response to a user input.

<CIT> describes a for performing discovery between devices in a network.

Preferred features are recited in the dependent claims.

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the FIGURES of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:.

The FIGURES of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, as their dimensions can be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Particular embodiments described herein provide for a wearable electronic device, such as a bracelet, coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which may include any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). One particular implementation of a wearable electronic device may include a bracelet portion, and at least one charm device configured to be affixed to the bracelet portion. The at least one charm device includes logic configured to receive a first interaction input, and send a first message including a first information indicative of the first interaction input and a first identifier associated with the at least one charm device to a second wearable electronic device. The first identifier is further associated at least a portion of the second wearable electronic device.

In at least one embodiment, the wearable electronic device includes a touch input device configured to receive the first interaction input. In another embodiment, the second wearable electronic device is configured to provide a first sensory output indicative of the first interaction input. In still another particular embodiment, the first sensory output includes at least one of an illumination output, a vibration output, and an audio output. In another embodiment, the at least one charm device is associated with a user.

In another embodiment, the logic is further configured to receive a second message including a second information indicative of a second interaction input provided to at least a portion of the second wearable electronic device, and a second identifier associated with the second wearable electronic device, In still another embodiment, the wearable electronic device further includes at least one sensory output device, wherein the at least one sensory output device is configured to provide a second sensory output indicative of the second interaction input. In still another embodiment, the at least one sensory output device includes at least one of an illumination device, a vibration device, and an audio output device.

In another embodiment, the at least one charm device includes a position sensor configured to detect a position of the at least one charm device along the bracelet portion. In still another embodiment, the detected position of the at least one charm device along the bracelet portion determines a characteristic of the second sensory output.

In another embodiment, the bracelet portion includes at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) wire. In still another embodiment, the bracelet portion includes at least one magnetic stay configured to facilitate attachment of the at least one charm device to the bracelet portion. In another embodiment, at least a portion of the logic is partially implemented in hardware. In still another embodiment, the logic further includes at least one processor and at least one memory.

A particular implementation of at least one computer readable storage medium includes instructions, wherein the instructions when executed by at least one processor cause the at least one processor to receive, by at least one charm device configured to be affixed to a bracelet portion of a wearable electronic device, a first interaction input, and sending, by the at least one charm device, a first message including a first information indicative of the first interaction input and a first identifier associated with the at least one charm device to a second wearable electronic device. The first identifier is further associated with at least a portion of the second wearable electronic device.

Another particular implementation of a wearable electronic device includes a bracelet portion, at least one charm device configured to be affixed to the bracelet portion, and control logic. The control logic is configured to receive a first interaction input to the at least one charm device, and send a first message including a first information indicative of the first interaction input and a first identifier associated with the at least one charm device to a second wearable electronic device. The first identifier is further associated with at least a portion of the second wearable device.

The following detailed description sets forth example embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and systems relating to configurations for an interchangeable charm messaging wearable electronic device. Features such as structure(s), function(s), and/or characteristic(s), for example, are described with reference to one embodiment as a matter of convenience; various embodiments may be implemented with any suitable one or more of the described features.

<FIG> is a simplified orthographic view illustrating an interchangeable charm messaging wearable electronic device <NUM> for wireless communication in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Wearable electronic device <NUM> can include a bracelet portion <NUM> having a first end 14a and a second end 14b configured to be worn around a wrist of a user, and one or more charm devices 16a-16e configured to be attached to bracelet portion <NUM>. In the particular embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, bracelet portion <NUM> is constructed in a generally ring shaped form with an open portion between first end 14a and second end 14b to facilitate placing of wearable electronic device <NUM> upon a wrist of a user. In still other embodiments, bracelet portion <NUM> may be constructed as a closed ring having a clasp to facilitate placing wearable electronic device <NUM> upon the user's wrist. In various embodiments, bracelet portion <NUM> may be constructed of any suitable material such as metal, plastic, wood, or any combination thereof.

First charm device 16a includes a first touch input device 18a disposed upon a first housing portion 20a. First touch input device 18a is configured to receive a touch input from the user to initiate one or more functions of wearable electronic device <NUM>. In particular embodiments, first touch input device 18a may include one or more of a button, a capacitive touch surface, a resistive touch surface, or any other suitable touch input device. First charm device 16a further includes one or more first illumination device(s) 22a disposed upon and/or within first housing portion 20a and configured to provide illumination as a visual feedback to the user. In particular embodiments, first illumination device(s) 22a may include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light-emitting diode displays (OLEDs), lamps or any other suitable illumination devices,.

Similarly, second charm device 16b includes a second touch input device 18b disposed upon a second housing portion 20b, and one or more second illumination device(s) 22b disposed upon and/or within second housing portion 20b. Third charm device 16c includes a third touch input device 18c disposed upon a third housing portion 20c, and one or more third illumination device(s) 22c disposed upon and/or within third housing portion 20c. Fourth charm device 16d includes a fourth touch input device 18c disposed upon a fourth housing portion 20d, and one or more fourth illumination device(s) 22d disposed upon and/or within fourth housing portion 20d. Fifth charm device 16e includes a fifth touch input device 18e disposed upon a fifth housing portion 20e, and one or more fifth illumination device(s) 22e disposed upon and/or within fifth housing portion 20e.

In one or more embodiments, housing portions 20a-20e are constructed in one or more decorative shapes, such as a "smiley face", skull, hearts, various geometric shapes such as "a pyramid, cube, sphere, etc., or any other shape suitable or desirable to act as a charm of a charm bracelet. In particular embodiments, illumination devices 22a-22e may be configured to appear as "eyes" of the particular charm. In still other particular embodiments, one or more of housing portion 20a-20e may be of at least a partially transparent and/or translucent material and illumination devices 22a-22e may be disposed within housing portion 20a-20e such that illumination provided by illumination devices 22a-22e is visible through housing portion 20a-20e. The number of touch input devices illustrated in <FIG> are provided for illustrative purposes only; it should be understood that any number of fewer or more touch input devices can be configured for a wearable electronic device within the scope of the present disclosure.

In various embodiments, each of charm devices 16a-16e have an associated device identifier to identity the particular charm device 16a-16e from among a plurality of charm devices. In at least one embodiment, the device identifier is a unique identifier. In accordance with various embodiments, the identifier associated with a particular charm device 16a-16e may be further associated with a member of one or more groups (or "tribes") to which the user of wearable electronic device <NUM> also belongs. For example, each charm device 16a-16e may be associated with a family member, friend, member of a social group, and/or co-worker of the user of wearable electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a simplified plan view illustrating the embodiment of interchangeable charm messaging wearable electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> in which charm devices 16a-16e are shown unattached to bracelet portion <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, first charm device 16a includes a first aperture 24a extending through a portion of first housing portion 20a to allow a user to thread bracelet portion <NUM> through first aperture 24a to facilitate attachment of first charm device 16a to bracelet portion <NUM>. Similarly, second charm device 16b includes a second aperture 24b extending through a portion of second housing portion 20b, third charm device 16c includes a third aperture 24c extending through a portion of third housing portion 20c, fourth charm device 16d includes a fourth aperture 24d extending through a portion of fourth housing portion 20d, and fifth charm device 16e includes a fifth aperture 24e extending through a portion of fifth housing portion 20e.

The embodiment illustrated in <FIG> further includes one or more magnetic stays 26a-26e disposed along an extent of bracelet portion <NUM>, and each charm device 16a-16e may include magnetic material disposed within and/or upon a portion of first housing portion 20a to facilitate allowing the user to affix the particular charm device 16a-16e to a particular magnetic stay 26a-26e at a desired position along bracelet portion <NUM>. Accordingly, a user may arrange charm devices 16a-16e in a desired order along bracelet portion <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate an embodiment of a procedure for attaching charm devices 16a-16e to bracelet portion <NUM> of interchangeable charm messaging wearable electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates first charm device 16a affixed to first magnetic stay 26a of bracelet portion <NUM>. in the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, bracelet portion <NUM> includes a threaded portion <NUM> at an end of bracelet portion <NUM> configured to allow second end portion 12b to be alternately unthreaded and threaded onto bracelet portion <NUM> to facilitate detachment and attachment of second end portion 14b. <FIG> illustrate second end portion 12b detached from threaded portion <NUM> to facilitate attachment of charm devices 16a-16e to bracelet portion <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates further affixing of second charm device 16b to second magnetic stay 26b of bracelet portion <NUM>, and third charm device 16c to third magnetic stay 26c of bracelet portion <NUM>. <FIG> further illustrates a process of second end portion 14b of bracelet portion <NUM> being threaded through fourth aperture 24d of fourth charm device 16d in order to affix fourth charm device 16d to fourth magnetic stay 26d of bracelet portion <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates fourth charm device 16d affixed to fourth magnetic stay 26d of bracelet portion <NUM>, and fifth charm device 16e affix to fifth magnetic stay 26e of bracelet portion <NUM>. In <FIG>, second end portion 12b is illustrated as threaded onto and attached to bracelet portion <NUM>. The user may then affix wearable electronic device <NUM> to a wrist of the user if desired.

In accordance with various embodiments, a first user may utilize wearable electronic device <NUM> to communication with specific members of a group in which each charm device 16a-16e may signify a different member of the group. The first user may interact with one or more of charm devices 16a-16e via the corresponding touch input device 18a-18e to send an input such as pulse, pattern or other gesture of interaction to a certain one or more charm devices of a second wearable electronic device worn by a second user who is a member of the group to which the first user belongs. The one or more charm devices of the second wearable electronic device may provide a sensory indication such as a visual indication, audio indication, and/or vibration indication to the second user corresponding to the input of the first user. For example, in an example operation the first user may send a quick <NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM> pattern via third touch input device 18c of third charm device 16c to the second user who is a brother of the first user, and a charm device corresponding to the first user affixed to the second wearable electronic device of the second user may provide a sensory indication to the second user corresponding to the <NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM> pattern. The second user may then respond to the first user by sending a pattern back to first user by providing a touch input to the charm corresponding to the first user. In still another example operation, the first user may send an interaction to a multiple of users by providing a touch input to each of charm devices 16a-16e corresponding to the particular user.

In one or more embodiments, each of charm device 16a-16e may include a wireless module to facilitate communication of touch input message to other charm devices of either wearable electronic device <NUM> or charm devices of other wearable electronic devices associated with other users. In various embodiments, charm devices of a first wearable electronic device associated with a first user may communicate with a first wireless device associated with the first user, such as a first smartphone. First wireless device may communicate with a second wireless device associated with a second user via one or more wireless networks. The second wireless device may further communicate with one or more charm devices of a second wearable electronic device. In this manner, touch inputs between charm devices of different wearable electronic devices may be relayed. In still other embodiments, the charm devices of the first wearable electronic device may communicate with the charm devices of the second wearable electronic device directly without requiring use of the first wireless device or the second wireless device,.

Although various embodiments described herein illustrate wearable electronic device <NUM> as including five charm devices 16a-16e, it should be understood that in other embodiments wearable electronic device <NUM> may be configured to accommodate more or less than five charm devices. For example, in particular embodiments wearable electronic device <NUM> may be configured to accommodate from three to ten charm devices with a corresponding number of magnetic stays disposed along bracelet portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a simplified block diagram illustrating example logic that may be used to execute activities associated with a charm device 16a of wearable electronic device <NUM> as discussed herein. In at least one example embodiment, charm device 16a can include a touch input device 18a, a touch controller <NUM>, a system memory <NUM>, a non-volatile memory and/or storage <NUM>, a power management controller <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, sensory output devices <NUM>, wireless communication module <NUM>, messaging module <NUM>, and a bracelet position sensor module <NUM>, each of which is coupled to system control logic <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, touch input device 18a, touch controller <NUM>, system memory <NUM>, non-volatile memory and/or storage <NUM>, power management controller <NUM>, processor(s) <NUM>, sensory output devices <NUM>, wireless communication module <NUM>, messaging module <NUM>, bracelet position sensor module <NUM>, and system control logic <NUM> are enclosed at least partially within first housing portion 20a of charm device 16a. Charm device 16a may further include magnetic material <NUM> disposed proximate to or attached to first housing portion 20a. Magnetic material <NUM> is configured to be magnetically attracted to one or more of magnetic stays 26a-26e to facilitate attachment of charm device 16a to a desired location on bracelet portion <NUM>.

Hence, the basic building blocks of any wearable electronic device system (e.g., processor, controller, memory, I/O, display, etc.) can be used in conjunction with the teachings of the present disclosure. Certain components could be discrete or integrated into a System on Chip (SoC). Some general system implementations can include certain types of form factors in which charm device 16a is part of a more generalized enclosure. In alternate implementations, instead of wearable electronic devices, certain alternate embodiments deal with mobile phones, tablet devices, etc..

System control logic <NUM>, in at least one embodiment, can include any suitable interface controllers to provide for any suitable interface to at least one processor <NUM> and/or to any suitable device or component in communication with system control logic <NUM>. System control logic <NUM>, in at least one embodiment, can include one or more memory controllers to provide an interface to system memory <NUM>. System memory <NUM> may be used to load and store data and/or instructions, for example, for charm device 16a. System memory <NUM>, in at least one embodiment, can include any suitable volatile memory, such as suitable dynamic random access memory (DRAM) for example, System memory <NUM> may store suitable software <NUM> and/or non-volatile memory and/or storage device(s).

Non-volatile memory and/or storage device(s) <NUM> may be used to store data and/or instructions, for example within software <NUM>. Non-volatile memory and/or storage device(s) <NUM> may include any suitable non-volatile memory, such as flash memory for example, and/or may include any suitable non-volatile storage device(s), such as one or more hard disc drives (HDDs), solid state drives (SSDs), etc. for example. In various embodiments, non-volatile memory and/or storage <NUM> includes a device identifier <NUM> associated with charm device 16a to uniquely identifier charm device 16a from among a plurality of charm devices.

Power management controller <NUM> may include power management logic <NUM> configured to control various power management and/or power saving functions. In at least one example embodiment, power management controller <NUM> is configured to reduce the power consumption of components or devices of charm device 16a that may either be operated at reduced power or turned off when the wearable electronic device is in an inactive state (e.g., not being accessed, etc.). For example, in at least one embodiment, when charm device 16a is in an inactive state, power management controller <NUM> may perform one or more of the following: power down the unused portion of touch input device 18a; allow one or more of processor(s) <NUM> to go to a lower power state if less computing power is required during times of inactivity; and shutdown any devices and/or components that may be unused when charm device 16a is in an inactive state. System control logic <NUM>, in at least one embodiment, can include one or more I/O controllers to provide an interface to any suitable input/output device(s), for example, an audio device to help convert sound into corresponding digital signals and/or to help convert digital signals into corresponding sound, a camera and/or a video recorder.

For at least one embodiment, at least one processor <NUM> may be packaged together with logic for one or more controllers of system control logic <NUM>. In at least one embodiment, at least one processor <NUM> may be packaged together with logic for one or more controllers of system control logic <NUM> to form a System in Package (SiP). In at least one embodiment, at least one processor <NUM> may be integrated on the same die with logic for one or more controllers of system control logic <NUM>. For at least one embodiment, at least one processor <NUM> may be integrated on the same die with logic for one or more controllers of system control logic <NUM> to form a System on Chip (SoC). In one or more embodiments, processor <NUM> may include a general purpose processor, a limited purpose processor, an application specific processor, or any other suitable processing logic.

For touch input, touch controller <NUM> may include touch sensor interface circuitry <NUM> coupled to one or more touch sensor(s) <NUM> to detect touch input(s) from the user. Touch sensor interface circuitry <NUM> may include any suitable circuitry that may depend, for example, at least in part on the touch-sensitive technology used for touch input device 18a.

Further for touch control, touch control logic <NUM> may be coupled to touch sensor interface circuitry <NUM> to help control touch sensor interface circuitry <NUM> in any suitable manner to detect touch input from the user. For touch control, touch control logic <NUM> for at least one example embodiment may also be coupled to system control logic <NUM> to output in any suitable manner digital touch input data corresponding to one or more touch inputs detected by touch sensor interface circuitry <NUM>. Touch control logic <NUM> may be implemented using any suitable logic, including any suitable hardware, firmware, and/or software logic (e.g., non-transitory tangible media), that may depend, for example, at least in part on the circuitry used for touch sensor interface circuitry <NUM>.

For touch control, touch control logic <NUM> may be coupled to system control logic <NUM> to output digital touch input data to system control logic <NUM> and/or at least one processor <NUM> for processing. At least one processor <NUM> for at least one embodiment may execute any suitable software to process digital touch input data output from touch control logic <NUM>. Suitable software may include, for example, any suitable driver software and/or any suitable application software.

Sensory output device(s) <NUM> may include one or more of illumination device(s) 22a, vibration device <NUM>, and audio output device <NUM>. In various embodiments, illumination device(s) 22a, vibration device <NUM>, and audio output device <NUM> are configured to provide a visual indication, or vibration indication, and/or audio indication, respectively, to a first user of wearable electronic device 10a in response to charm device 16a receiving a signal initiated by a second user associated with charm device 16a. In particular embodiments, the signal is generated by the second user via another wireless device, such as second wearable electronic device, associated with the second user.

In one or more embodiments, wearable electronic device 10a can include wireless communication module <NUM> (e.g., Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth™ module, near field communication (NFC) module, or other wireless communication circuitry) to allow charm device 16a to communicate with one or more other electronic devices (wearable or not wearable) on a network through a wireless connection. The wireless connection may be any <NUM>/<NUM>/LTE cellular wireless connection, WiFi/WiMAX connection, Bluetooth™ connection, or some other similar wireless connection. In one or more embodiments, the wireless communication circuitry can be configured to provide for two-way radio communications with another two-way radio capable device. In an embodiment, a plurality of antennas can be provisioned in conjunction with charm device 16a, which may be associated with wireless connection activities. The antennas are reflective of electrical components that can convert electric currents into radio waves or radio signals. Charm device 16a may include logic to determine a best mode of communication using various signal measurement techniques, including, but not limited to, wireless beacons (to locate one or more Wi-Fi networks), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), link quality indicator (LQI), measurement reports for one or more <NUM>/<NUM>/LTE cellular wireless connections, combinations thereof or the like.

Charm device 16a may further include messaging module <NUM> including logic <NUM> configured to perform the various charm messaging functions described herein. In some embodiments, charm device 16a may further include bracelet position sensor module <NUM> configured to detect a current affixed position of charm device 16a on bracelet portion <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, bracelet portion <NUM> may include a tag or other location device positioned proximate to each of magnetic stays 26a-26e and bracelet position sensor module <NUM> may detect the particular tag to determine the position of the charm device 16a along the bracelet portion <NUM>. In a particular embodiment, the tag may include a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag and bracelet position sensor module <NUM> may include an RFID sensor to detect the RFID tag when charm device 16a is positioned proximate to the RFID tag. In accordance with various embodiments, a position of a particular charm device along bracelet portion <NUM> and/or a relative position of the particular charm device with respect to other charm devices along bracelet portion <NUM> may determine a nature, characteristic and/or strength of the sensory output provided to the user by the particular charm device. Referring again to <FIG>, in an example operation the position each of charm devices 16a-16e may determine hierarchical order of members associated with each of charm devices 16a-16e such that a signal received by charm device 16c may provide a stronger sensory output to the user, such as brighter illumination, a stronger vibration, or louder audio signal, than a signal received by charm device 16a.

In one or more embodiments, charm device 16a may be configured to operate using a replaceable battery, or in some cases, may be configured to operate using a rechargeable battery, each of which may be housed in housing portion 20a. In some embodiments, charm device 16a may include charging contacts configured on the outer surface of housing portion 20a, which can be used in combination with a charging device to facilitate charging a rechargeable battery within charm device 16a. Virtually any means may be used to provide power and/or charging for charm device 16a, and, thus, are clearly within the scope of the present disclosure.

For purposes of illustrating certain example features of electronic device 10a (and 10b, discussed below) the following foundational information may be viewed as a basis from which the present disclosure may be properly explained. Wearable electronic devices and electronic devices, such as mobile phones, often provide a means to communicate messages, but these means often involve a user to physically type a message into the device using a digital keyboard displayed on the device. Some devices may provide enhanced messaging input modes where a user may swipe letters together to form a word or message, but these input modes still require the user's attention to focus on a keyboard and connect letters to form a word or message. Some devices may also provide auto-complete features where a word or phrase may be completed after inputting a few letters of a word or a predetermined sequence of letters, but these input modes also require the user to concentrate on inputting letters on a keyboard. These problems are amplified in the case of wearable electronic devices, which typically have a smaller form factor than mobile phones and, thus, make inputting messages even more difficult, even under normal situations. In addition, existing electronic devices are explicit in the messages that they send to other devices, These direct messages may include for example, pictures, text, or email messages. Further, existing digital interactions between users are dependent upon a user's direct interaction with a user's main communication device, such as a mobile phone, to provide communication between users. Such messaging input modes can be burdensome when a user may active, for example, walking, running, playing sports or performing some other activity to which the user's attention may be focused.

Various embodiments provide for a charm bracelet or other wearable electronic device configured to allow a user to communicate with specific members of a group such as family, friends, social group members, and/or co-workers by interacting with the charms of the charm bracelet in which each charm signifies and is associated with a different member of the group. In certain embodiments, the user is able to interact with a specific charm upon to send a message such as pulse, pattern or other unique gesture to another use associated with the specific charm, or to interact with multiple charms to send messages to a number of different users associated with the charms. In one or more embodiments, the charm allows the user to send an abstract message to a user rather than an explicit message. For example, a user may send a quick pattern to his brother indicating the user is thinking of him at that moment. In another example, the user may interact with multiple charms to send a "warm glow" to his family to signify that he is providing "thought and energy" to the family. In accordance with various embodiments, a second user receiving such a message from the first user may use a charm bracelet or other wearable electronic device associated with the second user to send a response message to the charm associated with the second user attached to the charm bracelet of the first user.

Referring now to <FIG> is a simplified block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a communication system <NUM> for wireless communication between interchangeable charm messaging wearable electronic devices. Communication system <NUM> includes a first wearable electronic device 10a, a first electronic communication device 502a, network(s) <NUM>, a second wearable electronic device 10b, a second electronic communication device 502b, one or more networks <NUM>, a server <NUM>, and a database <NUM>. In at least one embodiment, first wearable electronic device 10a is in communication with first electronic communication device 502a via a first wireless connection, and second wearable electronic device 10b is in communication with second electronic communication device 502b via a second connection. In at least one embodiment, first electronic communication device 502a is in communication with network(s) <NUM> via a third wireless connection, and second electronic communication device 50b is in communication with network(s) <NUM> via a fourth wireless connection. In particular embodiments, one or more of the first wireless connection, second wireless connection, third wireless connection, and fourth wireless connection may be any <NUM>/<NUM>/LTE cellular wireless, WiFi/WiMAX connection, Bluetooth™ or some other similar wireless connection.

Network(s) <NUM> may be a series of points or nodes of interconnected communication paths for receiving and transmitting packets of information that propagate through network(s) <NUM>. Network(s) <NUM> offers a communicative interface and may include any local area network (LAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), Intranet, Extranet, WAN, virtual private network (VPN), cellular network or any other appropriate architecture or system that facilitates communications in a network environment. Network(s) <NUM> can comprise any number of hardware or software elements coupled to (and in communication with) each other through a communications medium. First electronic communication device 502a and second communication device 502b may be a computer (e.g., notebook computer, laptop, tablet computer or device), a phablet, a cellphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a movie player of any type, router, access point, another wearable electronic device or other device that includes a circuit board coupled to a plurality of electronic components (which includes any type of components, elements, circuitry, etc.). In one or more embodiments, first wearable electronic device 10a and first electronic communication device 502a are associated with a first user, and second wearable electronic device 10b and second electronic communication device 502b are associated with a second user.

Server <NUM> is in communication with network(s) <NUM> and in further communication with database <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, server <NUM> is configured to receive a message initiated by one or more of charm devices 16a-16e affixed to first bracelet portion 12a of wearable electronic device, determine one or more charm devices 16a'-16e' attached to second bracelet portion 12b of second wearable electronic device 10b to which the message should be directed, and relay the one or more message to one or more of charm devices 16a'-16e'. In one or more embodiments, database <NUM> may include a one or more records including a user identifier associated with the first user of first wearable electronic device 10a and one or more device identifiers associated with each of charm devices 16a-16e. Each of the device identifiers may be further associated with a user identifier associated with another user, such as the user associated with second wearable electronic device 10a.

An example database record for the first user of first wearable electronic device 10a is as follows:.

In the example database record, User ID #<NUM> includes a first user identifier associated with the first user of first wearable electronic device 10a. In one or more embodiments, the first user identifier is the same as the user identifier used for first electronic communication device 502a. In a particular embodiment, User ID #<NUM> is a mobile telephone number associated with first electronic communication device 502a. Device ID #<NUM> is the device identifier associated with first charm device 16a, and User ID #<NUM> is a second user identifier associated with the second user of second wearable electronic device 10a, In a particular embodiment, User ID #<NUM> is a mobile telephone number associated with second electronic communication device 502b.

Similarly, Device ID #<NUM> is the device identifier associated with second charm device 16b, and User ID #<NUM> is an identifier associated with a third user of a third wearable electronic device (not shown). Device ID #<NUM> is the device identifier associated with third charm device 16c, and User ID #<NUM> is an identifier associated with a fourth user of a fourth wearable electronic device (not shown). Device ID #<NUM> is the device identifier associated with fourth charm device 16d, and User ID #<NUM> is an identifier associated with a fifth user of a fifth wearable electronic device (not shown). Device ID #<NUM> is the device identifier associated with fifth charm device 16e, and User ID #<NUM> is an identifier associated with a sixth user of a sixth wearable electronic device (not shown).

In accordance with various embodiments, the first user of first wearable electronic device 10a may initiate a registration process to register first charm device 16a with server <NUM> in which User ID#<NUM>, Device ID#<NUM>, and User ID #<NUM> is provided to a software application associated with first electronic communication device 502a, and first electronic communication device 502a sends User ID#<NUM>, Device ID #<NUM>, and User ID #<NUM> to server <NUM>. Server <NUM> then stores Device ID #<NUM> and User ID #<NUM> in a database record associated with User ID #<NUM>, In a particular embodiment, first charm device 16a may send Device ID #<NUM> to first electronic communication device 502a in response to the first user inputting a pre-determined sequence using first touch input device 18a of first charm device 16a. In still other particular embodiments, the first user may provide User ID #<NUM> to first electronic communication device 502a by the first user selecting a name associated with User ID #<NUM> from a contact list and associating User ID #<NUM> with Device ID #<NUM> using a user interface provided by first electronic communication device 502a. The first user may perform a similar procedure to associate Device ID #<NUM> with User ID #<NUM>, associate Device ID #<NUM> with User ID #<NUM>, associate Device ID #<NUM> with User ID #<NUM>, and associate Device ID #<NUM> with User ID #<NUM>.

In accordance with various embodiments, the second user may associate each of charms 16a'-16e' attached to second bracelet portion 12b of second wearable electronic device 10b with other users. For example, the second user may associate the device identifier associated with charm device 16b' with the user identifier of first user (User ID #<NUM>) using a user interface of second electronic communication device 502b, and second electronic communication device 502b may send the User ID #<NUM>, the device identifier associated with charm device 16b' (Device ID #<NUM>'), and User ID #<NUM> to server <NUM> via network(s) <NUM>. Server <NUM> may then store User ID #<NUM> and Device ID #<NUM>') in a database record associated with User ID #<NUM>.

In example operations associated with <FIG>, the first user may interact with first charm device 16a of wearable electronic device 10a using first touch input device 18a. For example, the first user may input a predetermined sequence of touch inputs to first touch input device 18a. First charm device 16a may then send a first message including information indicative of the interaction input and including Device ID #<NUM> to first electronic communication device 502a. First electronic device 502a then sends a second message including the interaction indication, Device ID #<NUM>, and User ID #<NUM> to server <NUM>. Server <NUM> then may determine that the second message is directed to User ID #<NUM> by referencing the association between Device ID #<NUM> and User ID #<NUM> within database <NUM>. Server <NUM> may then send a third message to second electronic communication device 502b including the interaction indication and Device identifier #<NUM>' associated with charm device 16b'. Second electronic communication device 502b may then send a fourth message to charm device 16b' including Device identifier #<NUM> and the interaction indication to charm device 16b'. In response, charm device 16b' may provide sensory output to the second user indicative of the interaction indication. In a particular embodiment, charm device 16b' may provide one or more of an illumination, audio, and/or vibration output to the second user. In one or more embodiments, the sensory output provided to the second user may replicate at pattern or sequence inputted by the first user.

In accordance with various embodiments, the second user may send a response to the first user using charm device 16b', and a sensor output indicative of the response may be provided to the first user by first charm device 16a.

Although the embodiment of <FIG> is illustrated as using first electronic communication device 502a second electronic communication device 502b, server <NUM>, and database <NUM>, it should be understood that in other alternative embodiments one or more of first electronic communication device 502a second electronic communication device 502b, server <NUM>, and database <NUM> may be omitted. In particular embodiments, one or more charm devices of first wearable electronic device 10a and one or more charm devices of second wearable electronic device 10b may communicate directly with one another without requiring the user of first electronic communication device 502a second electronic communication device 502b, server <NUM>, and/or database <NUM>.

In one or more embodiments, interactions between first wearable electronic device 10a and second wearable electronic device 10b may be performed locally using a peer to peer connection without requiring one or more of network(s) <NUM>, server <NUM>, and/or database <NUM>. In a particular embodiment, the respective charm devices of first wearable electronic device 10a and second wearable electronic device 10b may communicate with one another via a wireless connection between first electronic communication device 502a and second electronic communication device 502b. In particular examples, first electronic communication device 502a and second electronic communication device 502b may communicate with one another via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, NFC or any other suitable wireless communication technology. In still another embodiment, the respective charm devices of first wearable electronic device 10a and second wearable electronic device 10b may directly communicate with one another via a wireless connection such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth™, NFC or any other suitable wireless communication technology.

In a particular embodiment, the first user may store a device ID associated with a particular charm device 16a'-16e' located on second wearable electronic device 10b as a "known ID" using first electronic communication device 502a. When the particular charm device 16a'-16e' is determined to be proximate to first wearable electronic device 10a, one or more of charm devices 16a-16e of wearable electronic device 10a may provide a sensory output to the first user indicative that the second user is nearby.

In another embodiment, two or more specific charm devices 16a-16e being determined as located on first wearable electronic device 10a may cause a particular interaction result, such as a specific sensory output, to be provided to the user. In still another embodiment, two or more specific charm devices 16a-16e determined to be located in a specific placed order on the magnetic stays of bracelet portion 12a may cause a particular interaction result, In still another embodiment, one or more specific charm devices 16a-16e located on first wearable electronic device 10a may interact with one or more specific charm devices 16a'-16e' located on second wearable electronic device 10b may cause a particular interaction result such as by a given charm device being present, a combination of charm devices being present per wearable electronic device, and/or an order of charm devices being present per wearable electronic device. In still other embodiments, a hierarchical order of charm devices being present on a particular wearable electronic device, such as from a first end to a second end, a second end to a first end, or a middle charm device outward, may determine a particular interaction result.

In still another embodiment, interactions between charm devices on the same wearable electronic device and/or interactions between charm devices on different wearable electronic devices may be actively enabled and/or passively enabled. For example, interactions between charm devices may be actively enabled by a user interaction with one or more charm devices causing charm interaction to take place. In another example, interactions between charm devices may be passively enabled such that the charm devices of a wearable electronic device interact and cause sensory output results by the charm devices being on the same wearable electronic device at the same time and/or being within a specified range to charm devices of a second wearable electronic device. In a particular example, if one or more charm devices that are deemed to be incompatible with one another (such as a charm device that represents fire and a charm device that represents water) are placed upon the same wearable electronic device, one or more of the charm devices may be configured to provide an immediate sensory output indication representative of the incompatibility.

<FIG> is a simplified orthographic view illustrating an interchangeable charm messaging wearable electronic device <NUM> for wireless communication in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Wearable electronic device <NUM> can include a bracelet portion <NUM> having a first end 64a and a second end 64b configured to be worn around a wrist of a user, and charm devices 16a-16e configured to be attached to bracelet portion <NUM>. In the particular embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, bracelet portion <NUM> is constructed in a generally ring shaped form with an open portion between first end 64a and second end 64b to facilitate placing of wearable electronic device <NUM> upon a wrist of a user.

Bracelet portion <NUM> further includes one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) wires <NUM> disposed within bracelet portion <NUM> and an SMA wire controller <NUM> coupled to the SMA wire(s) <NUM>. SMA wire controller <NUM> further includes a SMA touch control interface <NUM>. SMAs, which are sometimes referred to muscle wire or smart metal, are alloys with austenitic/martensitic phase transition properties that can shape-shift from a deformed shape to a default shape upon application of an external stimulus, such as heat or current, to the SMA to 'reset' the SMA back to its default shape. An SMA is capable of being deformed by both bending and stretching actions. An SMA can hold a deformed shape until it is reset back to its default shape. SMAs can be manufactured in wire, rod or ribbon form. In various embodiments, SMAs can be formed of alloys, which can include, but not be limited to Nickel and Titanium; Copper, Aluminum and Nickel; Copper, Zinc and Aluminum alloys or other alloys which may contain Zinc, Copper, Gold or Iron,.

A default shape can be 'set' for an SMA by annealing the SMA at high temperatures, for example, from <NUM>-<NUM> for a predetermined period of time (as determined by thickness, length, etc.). Thereafter, once deformed, the SMA can reshape itself back to the default shape through application of a current or heat (typically, at temperatures much less than the temperature needed to set the default shape) to the SMA.

As shown in <FIG>, SMA wires <NUM> may be set to have a default curved shape, which may correspond to the closed configuration for wearable electronic device <NUM>. In order to place wearable electronic device <NUM> upon a wrist of a user, the user may deform bracelet portion <NUM> by pulling first end portion 64a and second end portion 64b further apart, which will in turn deform SMA wire(s) <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the user may touch SMA touch control interface <NUM> and cause SMA wire controller to apply a current to SMA wire <NUM> from a current source (e.g., battery, capacitor, circuitry, etc.) in order to manipulate SMA wire(s) <NUM> from a deformed shape back to its default shape. For example, a current may be applied to SMA wire <NUM> to bring the first end 64a and second end 64b of bracelet portion <NUM> together to facilitate attaching wearable electronic device <NUM> to the user.

Although shown in a wire form, it should be understood that SMAs for use in wearable electronic device <NUM> may also be in rod or ribbon form and configured accordingly for bracelet portion <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, the diameter of SMA wires <NUM> may be varied by a designer based on dimensions and materials chosen for wearable electronic device <NUM>.

In accordance with various embodiments, bracelet portions may include magnetic stays disposed along an extent of bracelet portion <NUM>, and each charm device 16a-16e may include magnetic material disposed within and/or upon a portion of the respective housing portions 20a-20e to allow the user to affix the particular charm device 16a-16e to a particular magnetic stay at a desired position along bracelet portion <NUM>. Accordingly, a user may arrange charm devices 16a-16e in a desired order along bracelet portion <NUM>. Further, in particular embodiments, charm devices 16a-16e may be configured to perform one or more messaging functions as further described herein with respect to <FIG>.

Referring now to <FIG> is a simplified flow diagram <NUM> illustrating potential operations for at least one charm device 16a-16e of wearable electronic device <NUM> in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The operations may be used to communicate a first message indicative of a first interaction input by a first user to another wearable electronic device of a second user, receive a second message indicative of a second interaction input by the second user using the other wearable electronic device, and provide a sensory output to the first user indicative of the second interaction input.

In <NUM>, a particular charm device affixed to bracelet portion of wearable electronic device receives a first interaction input from a first user associated with the wearable electronic device. In particular embodiments, the particular charm device includes a touch input device configured to receive the first interaction input. In <NUM>, the particular charm device sends a first message to an electronic device associated with a second user. In one or more embodiments, the first message includes first information indicative of the first interaction input and a first device identifier associated with the at least one charm device. In one or more embodiments, the first device identifier is further associated with the second user. In particular embodiments, the association of the first device identifier with the second user is performed by the first user. In still other particular embodiments, the electronic device associated with the second user includes another wearable electronic device. In particular embodiments, the other wearable electronic device may include a bracelet portion having one or more charm devices attached to the bracelet portion.

In various embodiments, the electronic device associated with the second user is configured to provide a first sensory output indicative of the first interaction input to the second user. In particular embodiments, the first sensory output may include at least one of an illumination output, a vibration output, and an audio output.

In <NUM>, the particular charm device receives a second message including second information indicative of a second interaction input provided to the electronic device associated with the second user, and a second device identifier associated with the electronic device associated with the second user. In various embodiments, the second device identifier is further associated with the first user. In <NUM>, the particular charm devices provides a second sensory output indicative of the second interaction input from the second user. The operations then end. In at least one embodiment, the particular charm devices includes at least one sensory output device configured to provide the second sensory output. In particular embodiments, the at least one sensory output device includes at least one of an illumination device, a vibration device, and an audio output device.

In still other embodiments, the particular charm device may include a position sensor configured to detect a position of the at least one charm device along the bracelet portion. In various embodiments, the detected position of the at least one charm device along the bracelet portion determines a characteristic of the second sensory output. In particular embodiments, the bracelet portion includes at least one shape memory alloy (SMA) wire. In still other particular embodiments, the bracelet portion includes at least one magnetic stay configured to facilitate attachment of the at least one charm device to the bracelet portion.

<FIG> is a simplified orthographic view illustrating an interchangeable charm messaging wearable electronic device <NUM> for wireless communication in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Wearable electronic device <NUM> can include a bracelet portion <NUM> having a first end 84a and a second end 84b configured to be worn around a wrist of a user, and charm devices 86a-86e configured to be attached to bracelet portion <NUM>. In the particular embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, bracelet control logic <NUM> attached to bracelet portion <NUM>. Bracelet control logic <NUM> further includes touch control interface <NUM>. Bracelet control logic <NUM> is in communication with each of first charm device 86a, second charm device 86b, third charm device 86c, fourth charm device 86d, and fifth charm device 86e via a communication bus <NUM>. In at least one embodiment, charm devices 86a-86e may be in communication with communication bus <NUM> via direct contact with one or more magnetic stays of bracelet portion <NUM>. In accordance with various embodiments of wearable electronic device <NUM>, the messaging logic and wireless communication circuitry of wearable electronic device <NUM> may be contained within bracelet control logic <NUM> rather than in each of charm devices 86a-86e as previously described herein.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, each of charm devices 86a-86e may include one or more touch input devices such as touch input device 18a, and one or more sensory output devices such as illumination device(s) 22a, vibration device <NUM>, and audio output device <NUM>. In one or more embodiments, bracelet control logic <NUM> includes logic configured to receive touch inputs from each of charm devices 86a-86e via communication bus <NUM> and cause one or more of charm devices 86a-86e to produce one or more sensory outputs in response to an interaction by a user with one or more of charm devices 86a-86e and/or in response to an interaction by another user with charm devices of another wearable electronic device. Bracelet control logic <NUM> may further include wireless communication circuitry such as wireless communication module <NUM> to facilitate communication with another wearable electronic device or other electronic communication device. In particular embodiments, each of charm devices 86a-86e may use a localized passive radio interface such as RFID elements or direct contact through magnetic stay locations to provide bracelet control logic <NUM> with information indicative of a particular location of a particular charm device 86a-86e along bracelet portion <NUM>. Bracelet control logic <NUM> may use wireless communication circuitry to communicate with other electronic communication devices such as first electronic communication device 502a or another wearable electronic device based upon the location of one or more of charm devices 86a-86e.

In one or more embodiments, bracelet control logic <NUM> may be configured to determine a type and specific stay location of each charm device 86a-86e, determine a charm interaction and/or interaction result of the charm type/placement. The determination by bracelet control logic <NUM> may include reading the charm type and/or per stay location via a physical interface, RFID interface, or other localized passive or active radio interface. Once gathered, this information may be sent to a server such as server <NUM>, an electronic communication device such as electronic communication device 502a, and/or directly to another wearable communication device. In the same or a similar regard, the server, electronic communication device, or other wearable communication device may send corresponding information associated with one or more other wearable communication devices to wearable communication device <NUM>. Bracelet control logic <NUM> may then be configured to perform certain actions, such as cause one or more of charm devices 86a-86e, to provide specific sensory outputs, based on the combination of received information from the one or more other wearable electronic devices and the charm type and/or location information of wearable electronic device <NUM>.

In accordance with some embodiments, wearable electronic device <NUM> may operate in the same or a similar manner as that described with respect to the wearable electronic device embodiments described herein with respect to <FIG>.

The example means and method described above are only a few of the many means and methods that may be used to communicate using wearable communication devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Virtually any other means could be used, and, thus are clearly within the scope of the present disclosure.

Note that in some example implementations, the functions outlined herein may be implemented in conjunction with logic that is encoded in one or more tangible, non-transitory media (e.g., embedded logic provided in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), in digital signal processor (DSP) instructions, software [potentially inclusive of object code and source code] to be executed by a processor, or other similar machine, etc.). In some of these instances, memory elements can store data used for the operations described herein. This can include the memory elements being able to store software, logic, code, or processor instructions that are executed to carry out the activities described herein. A processor can execute any type of instructions associated with the data to achieve the operations detailed herein. In one example, the processors could transform an element or an article (e.g., data) from one state or thing to another state or thing. In another example, the activities outlined herein may be implemented with fixed logic or programmable logic (e.g., software/computer instructions executed by a processor) and the elements identified herein could be some type of a programmable processor, programmable digital logic (e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a DSP, an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM)) or an ASIC that can include digital logic, software, code, electronic instructions, or any suitable combination thereof.

Program instructions may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processing system that is programmed with the instructions to perform the operations described herein. Alternatively, the operations may be performed by specific hardware components that contain hardwired logic for performing the operations, or by any combination of programmed computer components and custom hardware components. The methods described herein may be provided as a computer program product that may include one or more non-transitory, tangible, machine readable media having stored thereon instructions that may be used to program a processing system or other electronic device to perform the methods. The term "machine readable medium" used herein shall include any medium that is capable of storing or encoding a sequence of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one of the methods described herein. The term "non-transitory machine readable medium" shall accordingly include, but not be limited to, memories* such as solid-state memories, optical and magnetic disks. Furthermore, it is common in the art to speak of software, in one form or another (e.g., program, procedure, process, application, module, logic, and so on) as taking an action or causing a result. Such expressions are merely a shorthand way of stating that the execution of the software by a processing system causes the processor to perform an action or produce a result.

It is imperative to note that all of the specifications, dimensions, and relationships outlined herein (e.g., width, length, thickness, materials, etc.) have only been offered for purposes of example and teaching only. Each of these data may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The specifications apply only to one non-limiting example and, accordingly, they should be construed as such. In the foregoing description, example embodiments have been described. Various modifications and changes may be made to such embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The description and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claim 1:
A first wearable electronic device (10a) comprising:
a charm device (16a) comprising:
sensory output means (<NUM>) for outputting at least one of light, audio, or a vibration;
touch input means for receiving a user input;
wireless communication means (<NUM>) for:
establishing a wireless connection with a second wearable device (10b);
sending a first message to the second wearable device, the first message indicative of a user input via the touch input means; and
receiving a second message from the second wearable device, wherein the second message represents a pattern input to a touch input device of the second wearable device;
processing means(<NUM>) for activating the sensory output means in the pattern representative of the second message; and
circuitry (<NUM>) to communicatively couple the processing means with the sensory output means, the touch input means, and the wireless communication means.