Patent Description:
Recently, electronic devices have become increasingly impactful and necessary in everyday lives. Since electronic devices are released in various sizes and shapes according to functionalities and user preferences, external appearances of the electronic devices have also become an important factor, in addition to functionality and slimness of the devices. Users generally prefer an electronic device that has a more appealing design over other electronic devices even if the electronic device may have substantially the same functionality as the other electronic devices.

Since wearable electronic devices are worn on users' bodies, the wearable electronic devices have been restricted in size, but efficiently perform various functions despite the size restriction. However, there is a need in the art for an improved and more attractive and versatile fastening structure for the wearable electronic devices. <CIT>, which discloses the preamble of claim <NUM>, concerns a locking assembly for an attachment system of a consumer product. More specifically, it concerns an attachment unit that is configured to be inserted and removed from a housing of a consumer product. The attachment unit and/or the housing include an expansion component or other such locking assembly configured to releasably secure the attachment unit within the housing. <CIT> concerns a link assembly having a first link with an inner major surface and an opposite outer major surface, and a second link releasably engageable with the first link. The first link has two locking pins and two control pins, movable simultaneously with each other. When the first link engages the second link, the control pins move between locking and unlocked positions. When the control pins are in the locking positions, part of each locking pin is received within a respective hole of the second link to prevent disengagement of the first link from the second link. When the control pins are in the unlocked positions, the locking pins are clear of the holes to disengage the first link from the second link. Each control pin extends through a respective opening of the first link inner major surface. A spring biases the locking pins away from each other.

The present disclosure has been made to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure is to provide wearable electronic device including a strap having an improved fastening structure.

According to the invention, a wearable electronic device is provided according to Claim <NUM>.

Also disclosed is a wearable electronic device that includes a housing, a strap detachably fastened to at least a part of the housing, and a button assembly embedded in the strap and detachably connecting the strap to the housing, wherein the button assembly comprises a button-receiving body including an internal space, a button exposed from at least a part of the button-receiving body so as to be operable, a tension rib secured to an end portion of the button in the internal space inside the button-receiving body and including opposite ends having positions that are changed by a pressing of the button. and a hinge pin secured to each of the opposite ends of the tension rib, and disposed to at least partially protrude from left and right sides of the button-receiving body, wherein the strap is fastened to or separated from the housing such that the hinge pins, moving by means of the pressing of the button, are inserted into or extracted from pin-receiving recesses formed in the housing.

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific embodiments and should be construed as including all modifications, changes, equivalent devices and methods, and/or alternative embodiments of the present disclosure. Descriptions of well-known functions and/or configurations will be omitted for the sake of clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to their dictionary meanings, but are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustrative purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims, which solely define the scope of the invention.

Singular terms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to "a component surface" includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

The embodiments are described herein by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged electronic device.

As used herein, the term "substantially" indicates that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that variations such as tolerances, measurement errors, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of ordinary skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

The expressions "have," "may have," "include," and "may include" as used herein indicate the presence of corresponding features, such as numerical values, functions, operations, or parts, and do not preclude the presence of additional features.

The expressions "A or B," "at least one of A or/and B," or "one or more of A or/and B" as used herein include all possible combinations of items enumerated with them. For example, "A or B," "at least one of A and B," or "at least one of A or B" indicate (<NUM>) including at least one A, (<NUM>) including at least one B, or (<NUM>) including both at least one A and at least one B.

Terms such as "first" and "second" as used herein may modify various elements regardless of an order and/or importance of the corresponding elements, and do not limit the corresponding elements. These terms may be used for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another element. For example, a first user device and a second user device may indicate different user devices regardless of the order or importance. A first element may be referred to as a second element without departing from the scope the present disclosure, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element.

When an element, such as a first element, is "operatively or communicatively coupled with/to" or "connected to" another element, such as a second element, the first element may be directly coupled with/to the second element, and there may be an intervening element, such as a third element, between the first and second elements. To the contrary, when the first element is "directly coupled with/to" or "directly connected to" the second element, there is no intervening third element between the first and second elements.

The term "module" as used herein may imply a unit including one of hardware, software, and firmware, or a combination thereof, and may be interchangeably used
with terms, such as unit, logic, logical block, component, or circuit. A module as described herein may be a minimum unit of an integrally constituted component or may be a part thereof, may be a minimum unit for performing one or more functions or may be a part thereof, and may be mechanically or electrically implemented. For example, a module may include at least one of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and a programmable-logic device, which are known or will be developed and which perform certain operations.

All of the terms used herein including technical or scientific terms have the same meanings as those generally understood by an ordinary skilled person in the related art unless they are defined otherwise. The terms defined in a generally used dictionary should be interpreted as having the same or similar meanings as the contextual meanings of the relevant technology and should not be interpreted as having ideal or exaggerated meanings unless they are clearly defined herein. According to circumstances, even the terms defined in this disclosure should not be interpreted as excluding the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Electronic devices according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of smart phones, tablet personal computers (PCs), mobile phones, video telephones, electronic book readers, desktop PCs, laptop PCs, netbook computers, workstations, servers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), motion picture experts group (MPEG-<NUM> or MPEG-<NUM>) audio layer <NUM> (MP3) players, mobile medical devices, cameras, or wearable devices. The wearable devices may include at least one of accessory-type wearable devices, such as watches, rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, glasses, contact lenses, or head-mounted-devices (HMDs), fabric or clothing integral wearable devices, such as electronic clothes or body-mounted wearable devices.

The electronic devices may be smart home appliances including at least one of televisions (TVs), digital versatile disk (DVD) players, audios, refrigerators, air conditioners, cleaners, ovens, microwave ovens, washing machines, air cleaners, set-top boxes, home automation control panels, security control panels, TV boxes, such as Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™, game consoles, such as Xbox™ and PlayStation™, electronic dictionaries, electronic keys, camcorders, or electronic picture frames.

The electronic devices may include various portable medical measurement devices, such as blood glucose meters, heart rate monitors, blood pressure monitors, or thermometers, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) devices, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices, computed tomography (CT) devices, scanners, ultrasonic devices, navigation devices, global positioning system (GPS) receivers, event data
recorders (EDRs), flight data recorders (FDRs), vehicle infotainment devices, electronic equipment for vessels, such as navigation systems and gyrocompasses, avionics, security devices, head units for vehicles, industrial or home robots, automated teller machines (ATMs), points of sales (POSs) devices, or Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as light bulbs, various sensors, electric or gas meters, sprinkler devices, fire alarms, thermostats, street lamps, toasters, exercise equipment, hot water tanks, heaters, and boilers.

The electronic devices may further include at least one of parts of furniture or buildings/structures, electronic boards, electronic signature receiving devices, projectors, or various measuring instruments, such as water meters, electricity meters, gas meters, and wave meters, may be one or more combinations of the above-mentioned devices, and may be flexible electronic devices. The electronic devices are not limited to the above-mentioned devices, and may include new electronic devices according to the development of new technologies.

Hereinafter, the electronic devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The term "user" as used herein may refer to a person who uses an electronic device or to an artificial intelligence electronic device which uses an electronic device.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a network environment including an electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a network environment <NUM> includes an electronic device <NUM> having a bus <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an input/output interface <NUM>, a display <NUM>, and a communication interface <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> can omit at least one of the components or further include one or more additional components.

The bus <NUM> includes a circuit for connecting the components and delivering communications such as a control message therebetween.

The processor <NUM> includes one or more of a central processing units (CPUs), an application processor (AP), and a communication processor (CP). The processor <NUM> processes an operation or data on control of and/or communication with another component of the electronic device <NUM>, and may include a microprocessor or any suitable type of processing circuitry, such as one or more general-purpose processors, such as advanced reduced instruction set computer machines (ARM)-based processors, a digital signal processor (DSP), a programmable logic device (PLD), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a graphical processing unit (GPU), and a video card controller. When a general purpose computer accesses code for implementing the processing shown herein, the execution of the code transforms the general purpose computer into a special purpose computer for executing the processing shown herein. Any of the functions and steps provided in the Figures may be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of both and may be performed in entirety or in part within the programmed instructions of a computer. In addition, an artisan understands and appreciates that a "processor" or "microprocessor" may be hardware in the claimed disclosure.

The processor <NUM>, which can be connected to a long term evolution (LTE) network, determines whether a call is connected over a circuit switched (CS) service network, such as a 2nd generation (<NUM>) or 3rd generation (<NUM>) network, using caller identification information. For example, the processor <NUM> receives incoming call information, such as a CS notification message or a paging request message of the CS service network over the LTE network, such as circuit-switched fallback (CSFB), and receives incoming call information, such as a paging request message over the CS service network, such as single radio LTE (SRLTE).

When receiving an incoming CS notification message or a paging request message of the CS service network over the LTE network, the processor <NUM> obtains caller identification information from the incoming call information, displays the caller identification information on the display <NUM>, and determines whether to connect the call based on input information corresponding to the caller identification information displayed on the display <NUM>. For example, when detecting input information corresponding to an incoming call rejection, through the input/output interface <NUM>, the processor <NUM> restricts the voice call connection and maintains the LTE network connection, and when detecting input information corresponding to an incoming call acceptance, through the input/output interface <NUM>, the processor <NUM> connects the voice call by connecting to the CS service network.

When receiving the incoming CS notification message or a paging request message of the CS service network over the LTE network, the processor <NUM> obtains caller identification information from the incoming call information, and determines whether to connect the call by comparing the caller identification information with a reception control list. For example, when the caller identification information is included in a first reception control list, such as a blacklist, the processor <NUM> restricts the voice call connection and maintains the connection to the LTE network. When the caller identification information is not included in the blacklist, the processor <NUM> connects the voice call by connecting to the CS service network. When the caller identification information is included in a second reception control list, such as a white list, the processor <NUM> connects the voice call by connecting to the CS service network.

When receiving the incoming call information, such as a paging request message of the CS service network over the LTE network, the processor <NUM> sends an incoming call response message, such as a paging response message, to the CS service network, suspends the LTE service, and receives the caller identification information, such as a circuit-switched call (CC) setup message, from the CS service network. The processor <NUM> determines whether to connect the call by comparing the caller identification information with the reception control list. For example, when the caller identification information is included in the blacklist, the processor <NUM> restricts the voice call connection and resumes the LTE network connection, and when the caller identification information is not included in the he blacklist, the processor <NUM> connects the voice call by connecting to the CS service network. For example, when the caller identification information is included in the white list, the processor <NUM> connects the voice call by connecting to the CS service network.

The memory <NUM> can include volatile and/or nonvolatile memory, stores commands or data, such as the reception control list relating to at least another component of the electronic device <NUM>, and may store software and/or a program <NUM> including a kernel <NUM>, middleware <NUM>, an application programming interface (API) <NUM>, and/or application programs (or applications) <NUM>. At least some of the kernel <NUM>, the middleware <NUM>, and the API <NUM> may be referred to as an operating system (OS).

The kernel <NUM> controls or manages system resources, such as the bus <NUM>, the processor <NUM>, or the memory <NUM> used for performing an operation or function implemented by the other programs, such as the middleware <NUM>, the API <NUM>, or the applications <NUM>, and provides an interface through which the middleware <NUM>, the API <NUM>, or the applications <NUM> connects the individual elements of the electronic device <NUM> to control or manage the system resources.

The middleware <NUM> functions as an intermediary for enabling the API <NUM> or the applications <NUM> to communicate with the kernel <NUM> to exchange data.

In addition, the middleware <NUM> processes one or more task requests received from the applications <NUM> according to priorities thereof. For example, the middleware <NUM> assigns priorities for using the system resources of the electronic device <NUM>, to at least one of the applications <NUM>, and may perform scheduling or load balancing on the one or more task requests by processing the one or more task requests according to the priorities assigned thereto.

The API <NUM> is an interface through which the applications <NUM> control functions provided from the kernel <NUM> or the middleware <NUM>, and may include at least one interface or function, such as an instruction for file control, window control, image processing, or text control.

The input/output interface <NUM> functions as an interface that transfers instructions or data input from a user or another external device to the other element(s) of the electronic device <NUM>, and outputs the instructions or data received from the other element(s) of the electronic device 101to the user or an external electronic device.

The display <NUM> may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) display, and an electronic paper display. The display <NUM> displays various types of content, such as text, images, videos, icons, or symbols for the user, may include a touch screen that receives a touch, gesture, proximity, or hovering input using an electronic pen or a user's body part, such as a finger, and may display a web page.

The communication interface <NUM> can establish a communication between the electronic device <NUM> and an external electronic device, such as a first external electronic device <NUM>, a second external electronic device <NUM>, or a server <NUM>, in connection to the network <NUM> through wireless or wired communication or via short-range communication <NUM>. For example, the wireless communication can conform to a cellular communication protocol including at least one of long term evolution (LTE), LTE-advanced (LTE-A), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), wireless broadband (WiBro), and global system for mobile communications (GSM).

The wired communication can include at least one of a universal serial bus (USB), a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a recommended standard <NUM> (RS-<NUM>), and a plain old telephone service (POTS).

The network <NUM> can include a telecommunications network, such as local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), the Internet, and a telephone network.

The electronic device <NUM> provides LTE service in the single radio environment by use of at least one module functionally or physically separated from the processor <NUM>.

Each of the first and second external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be a type of device that is the same as or different from the electronic device <NUM>. The server <NUM> may include a group of one or more servers. All or some of the operations to be executed by the electronic device <NUM> may be executed by the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> or the server <NUM>. When the electronic device <NUM> performs a certain function or service automatically or by request, the electronic device <NUM> may request some functions that are associated therewith from another electronic device instead of or in addition to executing the function or service by itself. The external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> or the server <NUM> may execute the requested functions or additional functions, and may transmit the results to the electronic device <NUM>, which provides the requested functions or services by processing the received results. For example, a cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computing technique may be used.

<FIG> is a diagram of a configuration of an electronic device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes at least one processor (AP) <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module (SIM) card <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, a display <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, an indicator <NUM>, and a motor <NUM>.

The AP <NUM> controls a plurality of hardware or software elements connected to the AP <NUM> by driving an OS or an application program, processes a variety of data, including multimedia data, performs arithmetic operations, may be implemented with a system on chip (SoC) and may further include a graphical processing unit (GPU).

The communication module <NUM> performs data transmission/reception in communication between the external electronic devices <NUM>, <NUM> or the server <NUM> which may be connected with the electronic device <NUM> through the network <NUM>. The communication module <NUM> includes a cellular module <NUM>, a wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) module <NUM>, a Bluetooth® (BT) module <NUM>, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) or GPS module <NUM>, a near field communication (NFC) module <NUM>, and a radio frequency (RF) module <NUM>.

The cellular module <NUM> provides a voice call, a video call, a text service, or an Internet service, such as through a communication network including LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, WCDMA, UMTS, WiBro, or GSM, for example. In addition, the cellular module <NUM> identifies and authenticates the electronic device <NUM> within the communication network by using the SIM card <NUM>, and may perform at least some of the functions that can be provided by the AP <NUM>, such as multimedia control functions.

The cellular module <NUM> includes a CP and may be implemented with an SoC. Although elements, such as the cellular module <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, and the power management module <NUM> are illustrated as separate elements with respect to the AP <NUM> in <FIG>, the AP <NUM> may also be implemented such that at least one module of the aforementioned elements is included in the AP <NUM>.

The AP <NUM> or the cellular module <NUM> loads an instruction or data, which is received from each non-volatile memory connected thereto or at least one of different elements, to a volatile memory, processes the instruction or data, and stores data which is received from or generated by at least one of different elements, into the non-volatile memory.

Each of the Wi-Fi module <NUM>, the BT module <NUM>, the GNSS module <NUM>, and the NFC module <NUM> includes a processor for processing data transmitted/received through a corresponding module. Although the cellular module <NUM>, the Wi-Fi module <NUM>, the BT module <NUM>, the GNSS module <NUM>, and the NFC module <NUM> are illustrated in <FIG> as separate blocks, at least two of these modules may be included in one integrated chip (IC) or IC package. For example, at least some of processors corresponding to these modules, such as a communication processor corresponding to the cellular module <NUM> and a Wi-Fi processor corresponding to the Wi-Fi module <NUM>, may be implemented with an SoC.

The RF module <NUM> transmits/receives data, such as an RF signal, and may include a transceiver, a power amp module (PAM), a frequency filter, or a low noise amplifier (LNA), for example. In addition, the RF module <NUM> may further include a component for transmitting/receiving a radio wave on a free space in wireless communication, including a conductor or a conducting wire. The cellular module <NUM>, the Wi-Fi module <NUM>, the BT module <NUM>, the GNSS module <NUM>, and the NFC module <NUM> may share one RF module <NUM>, and at least one of these modules may transmit/receive an RF signal via a separate RF module.

The SIM card <NUM> may be inserted into a slot formed at a specific location of the electronic device <NUM>, and includes unique identification information, such as an integrated circuit card identifier (ICCID) or subscriber information, such as an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI).

The memory <NUM> includes an internal memory <NUM> and an external memory <NUM>.

The internal memory <NUM> may include at least one of a volatile memory, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), and a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) or a non-volatile memory, such as a one- time programmable read only memory (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flash ROM, a not and (NAND) flash memory, and a not or (NOR) flash memory. The internal memory <NUM> may be a solid state drive (SSD).

The external memory <NUM> may include a flash drive, a compact flash (CF), secure digital (SD), micro-SD, mini-SD, extreme digital (xD), and a memory stick, and may be operatively coupled to the electronic device <NUM> via various interfaces.

The electronic device <NUM> may further include a storage unit, such as a hard drive.

The sensor module <NUM> measures a physical quantity or detects an operation state of the electronic device <NUM>, and converts the measured or detected information into an electric signal. The sensor module <NUM> includes at least one of a gesture sensor 240A, a gyro sensor 240B, a barometric pressure sensor or air sensor 240C, a magnetic sensor 240D, an acceleration sensor 240E, a grip sensor 240F, a proximity sensor <NUM>, a color sensor <NUM>, such as a red, green, blue (RGB) sensor, a biometric sensor 240I, a temperature/humidity sensor 240J, an illumination/illuminance sensor <NUM>, an ultraviolet (UV) sensor <NUM> and a strap detection sensor 240N.

Additionally or alternatively, the sensor module <NUM> may include an E-node sensor, an electromyography (EMG) sensor, an electroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, and a fingerprint sensor.

The sensor module <NUM> may further include a control circuit for controlling at least one or more sensors included therein.

According to embodiments, the processor <NUM> may receive, from the strap detection sensor 240N, state information indicating that the strap has been separated from the housing, and may control the display <NUM> based on the corresponding state information to provide visual notification information of the separation to a user. Without being limited thereto, however, the processor <NUM> may also control the audio module <NUM> to acoustically provide the notification information to the user. According to one embodiment, the processor <NUM> may also control the motor <NUM>, such as a vibrator, to provide the notification information to the user in a tactile manner.

The input device <NUM> includes a touch panel <NUM>, a (digital) pen sensor <NUM>, a key <NUM>, and an ultrasonic input unit <NUM>.

The touch panel <NUM> recognizes a touch input by using at least one of an electrostatic, pressure-sensitive, and ultrasonic type configuration, and may further include a control circuit. When the touch panel is of the electrostatic type, both physical contact recognition and proximity recognition are possible. The touch panel <NUM> may further include a tactile layer, which provides the user with a tactile reaction.

The (digital) pen sensor <NUM> may include a recognition sheet which can be a part of or separately implemented from the touch panel. The key <NUM> may include a physical button, an optical key, or a keypad. The ultrasonic input device <NUM> may detect ultrasonic waves generated by an input tool through a microphone <NUM>, and may confirm data corresponding to the detected ultrasonic waves.

The (digital) pen sensor <NUM> may be implemented using the same or similar method of receiving a touch input of a user or using an additional recognition sheet.

The key <NUM> may be a physical button, an optical key, a keypad, or a touch key.

The ultrasonic input unit <NUM> detects a reflected sound wave through the microphone <NUM> and is capable of radio recognition. For example, an ultrasonic signal, which may be generated by using a pen, may be reflected off an object and detected by the microphone <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may use the communication module <NUM> to receive a user input from an external device, such as a computer or a server connected thereto.

The display <NUM> includes a panel <NUM>, a hologram <NUM>, and a projector <NUM>.

The panel <NUM> may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an active matrix organic light-emitting diode (AM-OLED) type, for example, may be implemented in a flexible, transparent, or wearable manner, and may be constructed as one module with the touch panel <NUM>.

The hologram device <NUM> uses an interference of light and displays a stereoscopic image in the air.

The projector <NUM> displays an image by projecting a light beam onto a screen, which is located inside or outside the electronic device <NUM>.

The display <NUM> may further include a control circuit for controlling the panel <NUM>, the hologram device <NUM>, and the projector <NUM>.

The interface <NUM> may include an HDMI <NUM>, a USB <NUM>, an optical communication interface <NUM>, and a d-subminiature (D-sub) <NUM>, may be included in the communication interface <NUM> of <FIG>, and may include a mobile high-definition link (MHL), SD/multi-media card (MMC) or infrared data association (IrDA).

The audio module <NUM> bilaterally converts a sound and an electric signal. At least some elements of the audio module <NUM> may be included in the input/output interface <NUM> of <FIG>. The audio module <NUM> converts sound information which is input or output through a speaker <NUM>, a receiver <NUM>, an earphone <NUM>, or the microphone <NUM>.

The speaker <NUM> may output a signal of an audible frequency band and a signal of an ultrasonic frequency band. Reflected waves of an ultrasonic signal emitted from the speaker <NUM> and a signal of an external audible frequency band may be received.

The camera module <NUM> provides image and video capturing, and may include one or more image sensors, such as a front sensor and a rear sensor, a lens, an image signal processor (ISP), and a flash, such as an LED or a xenon lamp. In certain instances, the electronic device <NUM> may include two or more camera modules.

The power management module <NUM> manages power of the electronic device <NUM>, and may include a power management integrated circuit (PMIC), a charger IC, or a battery gauge.

The PMIC may be placed inside an IC or an SoC semiconductor and may use a wired charging and/or a wireless charging method. The charger IC can charge a battery and can prevent an over-voltage or over-current flow.

Different types of wireless charging may include magnetic resonance, magnetic induction, and electromagnetic types. An additional circuit for the wireless charging, such as a coil loop, a resonant circuit, or a rectifier may be added.

The battery gauge may measure a residual quantity of the battery <NUM> and a voltage, current, and temperature during charging. The battery <NUM> stores or generates electricity and supplies power to the electronic device <NUM> by using the stored or generated electricity. The battery <NUM> may include a rechargeable battery or a solar battery.

The indicator <NUM> indicates a specific state, such as a booting, message, or charging state of the electronic device <NUM> or a part thereof, such as the AP <NUM>.

The motor <NUM> converts an electric signal into a mechanical vibration.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a processing unit, such as a GPU, for supporting mobile TV which processes media data according to a protocol of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB), digital video broadcasting (DVB), or media flow.

Each of the aforementioned elements of the electronic device <NUM> may include one or more components, and names thereof may vary depending on a type of the electronic device <NUM>. Some of the elements may be omitted, or additional other elements may be further included. In addition, some of the elements of the electronic device <NUM> may be combined and constructed as one entity, so as to equally perform functions of corresponding elements prior to the combination.

At least some parts of the electronic device <NUM>, such as modules or functions thereof, or operations, may be implemented with an instruction stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage media for example. The instruction may be executed by the processor <NUM>, to perform a function corresponding to the instruction. The non-transitory computer-readable storage media may be the memory <NUM>. At least part of the programming module may be executed by the processor <NUM> and may include modules, programs, routines, and a set of instructions for performing one or more functions.

An electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated as a wearable electronic device that can be worn on a user's body, and will hereinafter be described in detail. However, without being limited thereto, embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to various devices including straps having a plurality of unit links connected together, and that can be fastened to a housing, such as a main body.

<FIG> is a front perspective view of a wearable electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> is a wrist-wearable electronic device that can be worn on a user's wrist, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> that is used as a main body, and one or more straps <NUM> and <NUM>, such as connecting, binding, or chain members, each being attached to at least one region of the housing <NUM>. According to one embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may be worn on the wrist by placing the housing <NUM> on the wrist and then wrapping the straps <NUM> and <NUM> around the wrist. One strap <NUM> may have a buckle member attached thereto, and the other strap <NUM> may have a fastening part formed thereon, to which the buckle member is fastened. The strap <NUM> may include a plurality of unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> connected together to rotate relative to each other, and the other strap <NUM> may also have the same configuration. The straps <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed of metal, ceramic, or synthetic resin.

According to embodiments, the housing <NUM> may include a display <NUM> which may be used as a touch screen device including a touch sensor, and may include a pressure sensor. At least one key button may be disposed at an appropriate place of the housing <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may have a rechargeable battery therein as a power supply unit, and may include a wireless charging coil member for recharging the battery. The electronic device <NUM> may also include at least one antenna device for communication. The antenna device may have at least one conductive pattern, such as antenna radiation pattern, that is disposed in the electronic device <NUM> in a variety of manners, and may be implemented such that the electronic device <NUM> is selectively mounted on a portable wireless charging cradle to recharge the battery.

According to embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may include an annular member mounted on the housing <NUM> so as to be rotatable. The annular member may be provided to surround the entirety of the display <NUM> mounted on the housing <NUM>. When the electronic device <NUM> is a wrist-wearable electronic device, the annular member may be provided in the form of a rotatable bezel. The annular member may rotate in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and may be configured to rotate up to <NUM> degrees or to rotate freely without any limitation. The electronic device <NUM> may detect rotation parameters of the annular member and may perform relevant functions based on the detected parameters.

The housing <NUM> may include at least one sensor device disposed in at least one region thereof. According to one embodiment, the sensor device may include at least one of a camera sensor, a fingerprint recognition sensor, an infrared sensor, a heart rate monitor (HRM) sensor, a photo sensor, a proximity sensor, an illuminance sensor, a temperature sensor, and an iris recognition sensor.

<FIG> is a rear view of the electronic device of <FIG> according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the wearable electronic device <NUM> may include the housing <NUM> and the pair of straps <NUM> and <NUM> fastened to strap-fastening parts <NUM> and <NUM> formed respectively on opposite ends of the housing <NUM>. According to one embodiment, the pair of straps <NUM> and <NUM> may include the first strap <NUM> fastened to the first strap-fastening part <NUM> formed on one side of the housing <NUM> and the second strap <NUM> fastened to the second strap-fastening part <NUM> formed on the opposite side of the housing <NUM>.

According to embodiments, the pair of straps <NUM> and <NUM> may each include a buckle member on the free end thereof. The electronic device <NUM> may be worn on a user's wrist in such a manner as to wrap the straps <NUM> and <NUM> around the wrist and couple the free ends of the respective straps <NUM> and <NUM> together using the buckle members.

According to embodiments, the straps <NUM> and <NUM> may include the plurality of unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> having predetermined lengths L1, L2, L3, and L4 that form the length L of the strap <NUM>, wherein the unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are fastened and connected together so as to be rotatable relative to each other, may be formed of metal, ceramic, or a synthetic resin, and may have identical or different lengths.

According to embodiments, the strap <NUM> may include the first unit link <NUM> fastened to the strap-fastening part <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, the second unit link <NUM> fastened to the first unit link, the third unit link <NUM> fastened to the second unit link, and the fourth unit link <NUM> fastened to the third unit link. The respective unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may include buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> exposed to the outside. As will be described below, by pressing the buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> exposed from the respective unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the first unit link <NUM> may be separated from the strap-fastening part <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and the second to fourth unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may also be easily separated from each other.

According to embodiments, the overall length of the strap <NUM> may be adjusted by removing at least one of the unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, or by adding another unit link. The overall length L of the strap <NUM> may include the lengths L1, L2, L3, and L4 of the first to fourth unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. For example, the strap <NUM> may have the length L1+L3+L4, exclusive of the length L2 of the second unit link, by separating the second unit link <NUM> from the first unit link <NUM> by pressing the corresponding button <NUM>, and then separating the third unit link <NUM> from the second unit link <NUM> by pressing the corresponding button <NUM>. The strap <NUM> may be configured such that the overall length thereof is increased by adding at least one unit link between the existing unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. As illustrated in the drawing, the four unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> have the respective buttons, but according to one embodiment, all the unit links constituting the strap may include respective buttons. The other strap <NUM> may also be easily separated from the strap-fastening part <NUM> formed on the housing <NUM> by pressing the corresponding button <NUM> formed on a unit link <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a unit link according to embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a button assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The unit link <NUM> of <FIG> may be similar to the unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of <FIG>, or may include other embodiments of the unit links.

Referring to <FIG>, the unit link <NUM> may include a link body <NUM> having a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a button assembly <NUM> coupled to the link body <NUM>. According to one embodiment, the link body <NUM> may include a pair of link blocks <NUM> and <NUM> disposed on the left and right sides thereof and protruding from opposite ends of the link body <NUM> in one direction to form a body-receiving space <NUM> for receiving at least a part of the link body of an adjacent unit link. The link blocks <NUM> and <NUM> may be integrally formed with the link body <NUM>, or may be provided as separate structures and may be secured to the link body <NUM> by press-fit pins.

According to one embodiment, each of the link blocks <NUM> and <NUM> may include a pin-receiving hole <NUM> formed in the inside surface thereof to receive a hinge pin provided at the adjacent unit link. The link body <NUM> may include a button-receiving groove <NUM> formed therein in the width direction, may include hinge-pin-receiving holes <NUM> and <NUM> formed in opposite side surfaces thereof, and may be formed such that the button-receiving groove <NUM> and the hinge-pin-receiving holes <NUM> and <NUM> communicate with each other. A pair of hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> of the button assembly <NUM> mounted in the button-receiving groove <NUM> may partially protrude through the hinge-pin-receiving holes <NUM> and <NUM> (see <FIG>).

According to embodiments, the button assembly <NUM> may include a button <NUM> including a rib-fixing protrusion <NUM>, a tension rib <NUM> having a predetermined length and secured to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> of the button <NUM>, and the pair of hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> secured to opposite ends of the tension rib <NUM>. The button <NUM> may be formed of metal, synthetic resin, or ceramic, such that the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> made of metal is double-injection molded or insert molded into a body made of a synthetic resin, and may include rib-receiving spaces <NUM> and <NUM> formed on the left and right sides of the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM>. The rib-receiving spaces <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed to have a depth sufficient to receive portions bent according to deformation of the tension rib <NUM> secured to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM>.

According to embodiments, the tension rib <NUM> may be secured to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> of the button assembly <NUM>. When the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> is formed of metal, the tension rib <NUM> may be secured to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> through soldering or welding. Without being limited thereto, however, the tension rib <NUM> may be secured to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> by various methods, such as bonding or taping, , may be formed of various resilient materials that can return to the original shapes thereof when an external force applied thereto to cause deformation is released, may be formed of metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel (SUS), or a synthetic resin, and may be formed in a plate spring type or a string type.

According to embodiments, the pair of hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> may be secured to opposite ends of the tension rib <NUM>, respectively, may be formed of metal, a synthetic resin, or ceramic, and may be secured to the opposite ends of the tension rib <NUM> by soldering, bonding, welding, or taping.

According to embodiments, the hinge pin <NUM> may include a stopper <NUM> having a constant cross-sectional area, a protrusion <NUM> extending from one end of the stopper <NUM> and having a smaller cross-sectional area than the stopper <NUM>, and a fixing part <NUM> to which an end portion of the tension rib <NUM> is secured, the fixing part <NUM> extending from an opposite end of the stopper <NUM>. The fixing part may include a partially D-cut flat surface, and the tension rib <NUM> may be secured to the corresponding flat surface. The hinge pin <NUM> may be inserted into the hinge-pin-receiving hole <NUM> of the link body <NUM> such that the protrusion <NUM> protrudes from the link body <NUM>, and may have a circular cross-section since the hinge pin <NUM> protruding through the link body <NUM> has to rotate after the hinge pin <NUM> is inserted into a pin-receiving hole formed in a link block of an adjacent unit link.

<FIG> illustrates a sequence in which the button assembly is assembled to the unit link according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the button assembly <NUM>, which is configured such that the tension rib <NUM> including the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> fixed to the opposite ends thereof is secured to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> of the button <NUM>, may be mounted through the button-receiving space <NUM> in the link body <NUM>. According to one embodiment, the button assembly <NUM> may be inclined toward one direction and may then be mounted such that the first hinge pin <NUM> and the corresponding portion of the tension rib <NUM> protrude through the first hinge-pin-receiving hole <NUM> (in the direction ① of <FIG>) via the button-receiving groove <NUM>. In this case, the tension rib <NUM> and the first hinge pin <NUM> may maximally protrude through the first hinge-pin-receiving hole <NUM>. The second hinge pin <NUM> may move toward the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> in this state to the extent to which the restoring force of the corresponding portion of the tension rib <NUM> does not vanish, and then the second hinge pin <NUM> and the corresponding portion of the tension rib <NUM> may protrude through the button-receiving groove <NUM> and the second hinge-pin-receiving hole <NUM> (in the direction ② of <FIG>).

When the button assembly <NUM> is completely assembled to the unit link, at least a part of the button <NUM> may be exposed through the button-receiving groove <NUM> in the link body <NUM>, and the button <NUM> may be pressed into the button-receiving groove <NUM>. According to one embodiment, the top of the button <NUM> mounted in the button-receiving groove <NUM> may be located at the same level as the top of the link body <NUM>, or may be located lower than, or higher than, the top of the link body <NUM>. The first and second hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM>, which are secured to the opposite ends of the tension rib <NUM>, respectively, and protrude through the first and second hinge-pin-receiving holes <NUM> and <NUM> in the link body <NUM>, may prevent the button <NUM> from being separated from the button-receiving groove <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the button assembly completely assembled to the unit link according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the button <NUM> may be exposed to the outside from the link body <NUM> of the unit link <NUM> when the link body <NUM> and the button assembly <NUM> are completely assembled together through the process of <FIG>. According to one embodiment, the exposed button <NUM> may be pressed into the link body <NUM>, and the tension rib <NUM> of <FIG> may be deformed by the pressing of the button <NUM> and the internal structure of the button-receiving groove <NUM> of the link body <NUM> such that the horizontal length of the tension rib <NUM> decreases. As a result, the first and second hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> protruding from the opposite sides of the link body <NUM> may move into the link body <NUM>. This operation will be described below in detail.

<FIG> illustrates a plurality of unit links coupled together according to embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along line A-A' of <FIG> according to embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates when one of the plurality of unit links according to embodiments of the present disclosure has been separated. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along line B-B' of <FIG> according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of <FIG> may be similar to the unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of <FIG> or the unit link <NUM> of <FIG>, and may include other embodiments of the unit links.

A fastening and separation structure for the three unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is illustrated in the drawings. However, this configuration may be applied to all of the plurality of unit links constituting the illustrated strap <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the strap <NUM> may have a configuration in which the second and third unit links <NUM> and <NUM> are fastened to opposite sides of the first unit link <NUM>. According to one embodiment, the first unit link <NUM> may be fastened to the second unit link <NUM> such that a first hinge pin <NUM> protruding from one side surface of a link body <NUM> is inserted into a first pin-receiving hole <NUM> formed in a first link block <NUM> of the second unit link <NUM>, and a second hinge pin <NUM> protruding from an opposite side surface of the link body <NUM> is inserted into a second pin-receiving hole <NUM> formed in a second link block <NUM> of the second unit link <NUM>. The link body <NUM> may have a button <NUM> exposed to the outside and including a rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> extending to one region of a button-receiving groove <NUM> formed in the link body <NUM>, and a tension rib <NUM> secured to the first and second hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> at opposite ends thereof may be secured to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM>. The tension rib <NUM> may be installed to be supported by a pair of rib-stopping pieces <NUM> protruding beyond the bottom <NUM> of the button-receiving space <NUM>. A protrusion-positioning recess <NUM> lower than the bottom <NUM> of the button-receiving space <NUM> is formed between the pair of rib-stopping pieces <NUM>, and is configured to receive the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> of the button <NUM> and a part of the tension rib <NUM> secured to the lower side of the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM>, thereby increasing the extent to which the tension rib <NUM> is deformed or bent in a relatively small space. The protrusion-positioning recess <NUM> and/or the rib-stopping pieces <NUM> support the tension rib <NUM> secured to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> of the button <NUM> to prevent the button <NUM> and the tension rib <NUM> from moving randomly. The tension rib <NUM> may be formed in an arch shape having a predetermined curvature to closely contact the button <NUM> and provide tension and movement restriction. This configuration for preventing movement enhances the reliability of the apparatus and alleviates vibration and noise between the unit links by preventing a movement of the button <NUM> and/or the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> in the externally visible portion of the apparatus. The tension rib <NUM> may be maintained in a nearly flat state in the horizontal direction, and the maintaining force enables the first and second hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> to remain protruding from opposite side surfaces of the link body <NUM>.

According to embodiments, a link body <NUM> of the second unit link <NUM> may also include an exposed corresponding button <NUM> and first and second hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> protruding from opposite side surfaces of the link body <NUM>, similarly to the first link body <NUM> of the first unit link <NUM>. A corresponding button <NUM> exposed from a link body <NUM> of the third unit link <NUM> and first and second hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> protruding from opposite side surfaces of the link body <NUM> may also be fastened to first and second link blocks <NUM> and <NUM> of the first unit link <NUM> in the same manner. The third unit link <NUM> may include first and second link blocks <NUM> and <NUM> for receiving first and second hinge pins of another unit link.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the button <NUM> may move into the button-receiving groove <NUM> in the link body <NUM>, as described above, when the button <NUM> exposed from the link body <NUM> of the first unit link <NUM> is pressed when the first to third unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> have been fastened together. The rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> of the button <NUM> and the tension rib <NUM> may be positioned in the protrusion-positioning recess <NUM> in the button-receiving groove <NUM> by the movement of the button <NUM>. According to the invention, the tension rib <NUM> is deformed by the pressing of the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> and the support of the rib-stopping pieces <NUM> that protrude to surround the protrusion-positioning recess <NUM>. The entire horizontal length of the tension rib <NUM> is decreased by the deformation of the tension rib <NUM>, and thus the first and second hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> protruding from the opposite sides of the link body <NUM> may move into the link body <NUM>. The first unit link <NUM> may be separated from the second unit link <NUM> when the button <NUM> has been pressed.

According to embodiments, when the external force is released from the button <NUM>, the tension rib <NUM> is flattened within the button-receiving groove <NUM> by the restoring force, and thus the first and second hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> protrude again from the link body <NUM> to the outside.

According to embodiments, the third unit link <NUM> may also be separated from the first unit link <NUM> by pressing the corresponding button <NUM> in the same manner. The overall length of the strap <NUM> may be easily shortened by removing the first unit link <NUM> and fastening the second and third unit links <NUM> and <NUM> together in the above-described manner.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a button assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the button assembly <NUM> may include a button <NUM>, a rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> extending from the button <NUM>, a tension rib <NUM> secured to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM>, and a pair of hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> secured to the left and right ends of the tension rib <NUM>, respectively. According to one embodiment, the materials of the tension rib <NUM> and the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM>, and the method of fixing the tension rib <NUM> and the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> together may be the same as the configuration of <FIG> described above.

According to embodiments, the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> may include a rib-receiving slot <NUM> formed therein from a side surface thereof to the center by a predetermined depth. The rib-receiving slot <NUM> may be formed to a predetermined depth from various surfaces of the rib-fixing protrusion. The tension rib <NUM> may be fixedly inserted into the rib-receiving slot <NUM> formed in the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM>, may be press-fitted into the rib-receiving slot <NUM>, and may be inserted into the rib-receiving slot <NUM> and then firmly secured to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> via a fusing, soldering, welding, bonding, or taping process.

<FIG>, <FIG> are perspective views of a button assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, the button assembly <NUM> may include a button <NUM>, a rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> extending from the button <NUM>, a tension rib <NUM> secured to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM>, and a pair of hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> secured to the left and right ends of the tension rib <NUM>, respectively. According to one embodiment, the materials of the tension rib <NUM> and the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM>, and a method of fixing the tension rib <NUM> and the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> together may be the same as the configuration of <FIG> described above.

According to embodiments, the tension rib <NUM> may include a rivet through-hole <NUM> that is formed through the center of the tension rib <NUM> having a predetermined length. The rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> of the button <NUM> may include a rivet-receiving hole <NUM>. The tension rib <NUM> may be secured to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> of the button <NUM> by fastening a rivet <NUM> having passed through the rivet through-hole <NUM> in the tension rib <NUM> to the rivet-receiving hole <NUM> in the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM>. The rivet <NUM> may be press-fitted into the rivet-receiving hole <NUM>, or may be fastened to the rivet-receiving hole <NUM> using a separate assembly jig, to secure the tension rib <NUM> to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM>. Alternatively, the tension rib <NUM> may be secured to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> by a screw fastened to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> through the tension rib.

<FIG> illustrates when a strap has been separated from a housing according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> may be similar to the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, or may include another embodiment of the electronic device.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> including a display <NUM>, and a strap <NUM> fastened to a pair of strap-fastening parts <NUM> and <NUM> formed on one end of the housing <NUM> and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. According to one embodiment, the housing <NUM> may include other strap-fastening parts formed on an opposite end thereof, and another strap <NUM> may be fastened to the corresponding strap-fastening parts.

According to embodiments, the strap <NUM> may include a plurality of unit links <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> that may be fastened together in the same manner as those illustrated in <FIG> described above. The strap <NUM> may include the first unit link <NUM> fastened to the pair of strap-fastening parts <NUM> and <NUM> formed on the housing <NUM>, the second unit link <NUM> fastened to the first unit link <NUM>, and the third unit link <NUM> fastened to the second unit link <NUM>. The first unit link <NUM> may have hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> protruding from opposite side surfaces thereof, and may be connected with the strap-fastening parts <NUM> and <NUM> by pressing a corresponding button <NUM>. The second unit link <NUM> may be secured to the first unit link <NUM> by fastening hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> protruding from opposite side surfaces of the second unit link <NUM> to the first unit link <NUM>, and may be separated from the first unit link <NUM> by moving the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> into the second unit link <NUM> by pressing a corresponding button <NUM>. The third unit link <NUM> may also be secured to the second unit link <NUM> by fastening hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> protruding from opposite side surfaces of the third unit link <NUM> to the second unit link <NUM>, and may be separated from the second unit link <NUM> by moving the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> into the third unit link <NUM> by pressing a corresponding button <NUM>.

According to embodiments, a fastening space <NUM> may be provided between the pair of strap-fastening parts <NUM> and <NUM>, which are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and at least a part of the first unit link <NUM> may be received in the fastening space <NUM>. The first strap-fastening part <NUM> may have a first pin-receiving recess <NUM> formed therein, and the first hinge pin <NUM> of the first unit link <NUM> may be fixedly inserted into the first pin-receiving recess <NUM>. The second strap-fastening part <NUM> may have a second pin-receiving recess <NUM> formed therein, and the second hinge pin <NUM> of the first unit link <NUM> may be fixedly inserted into the second pin-receiving recess <NUM>.

According to embodiments, at least one strap detection sensor <NUM> may be provided in the first pin-receiving recess <NUM> and/or the second pin-receiving recess <NUM>. When the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> of the first unit link <NUM> are inserted into the pin-receiving recesses <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, the strap detection sensors <NUM> may sense interference with end portions of the respective hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM>, or may sense the end portions of the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM>, to thereby detect fastening of the strap <NUM>. The strap detection sensors <NUM> may be electrically connected with a processor of the electronic device <NUM>. When the strap <NUM> is removed from the strap-fastening parts <NUM> and <NUM> or when the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> are incompletely inserted into the pin-receiving recesses <NUM> and <NUM>, the strap detection sensors <NUM> may detect such a state and may provide state information to the processor. The processor may control an output unit of the electronic device <NUM> based on the state information provided by the strap detection sensors <NUM> to provide notification information to the user of the electronic device.

According to embodiments, the processor may receive, from the strap detection sensors <NUM>, state information indicating that the strap <NUM> has been separated from the housing <NUM>, and the processor may control the display <NUM> based on the corresponding state information to visually provide notification information <NUM> to the user. Alternatively, the processor may control an audio module to acoustically provide the notification information to the user, or may control a motor, such as a vibrator, to provide the notification information to the user in a tactile manner.

According to embodiments, the strap detection sensors <NUM> may include a tact switch that is turned on/off by the pressing force of the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM>, an optical sensor that detects the presence or absence of the hinge pins, and an electrical sensor that detects whether electricity flows by means of the hinge pins, which are made of metal.

<FIG> and <FIG> are sectional views of major components, and illustrate when the strap according to embodiments of the present disclosure has been coupled to and separated from the housing.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the strap <NUM> may be secured to the housing <NUM> such that the pair of hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> protruding from opposite sides of the first unit link <NUM> is inserted into the pin-receiving recesses <NUM> and <NUM> formed in the pair of strap-fastening parts <NUM> and <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, respectively. According to one embodiment, the first unit link <NUM> may be fastened to the housing <NUM> such that the first hinge pin <NUM> protruding from one side surface of the first unit link <NUM> is inserted into the first pin-receiving recess <NUM> in the first strap-fastening part <NUM>, and the second hinge pin <NUM> protruding from the opposite side surface of the first unit link <NUM> is inserted into the second pin-receiving recess <NUM> in the second strap-fastening part <NUM>.

According to embodiments, the first unit link <NUM> may include the button <NUM> exposed from the outer surface thereof and including a rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> extending to one region of a button-receiving groove <NUM> formed in the first unit link <NUM>, and a tension rib <NUM> secured to the first and second hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> at opposite ends thereof may be secured to the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM>. The tension rib <NUM> may be installed to be supported by a pair of rib-stopping pieces <NUM> protruding beyond the bottom of the button-receiving space <NUM>.

A protrusion-positioning recess <NUM> lower than the bottom of the button-receiving space <NUM> may be formed between the pair of rib-stopping pieces <NUM>, and may be configured to receive the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> of the button <NUM> and a part of the tension rib <NUM> secured to the lower side of the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM>, thereby increasing the extent to which the tension rib <NUM> is deformed or bent in a relatively small space. The tension rib <NUM> may be maintained in a nearly flat state in the horizontal direction, and the maintaining force enables the first and second hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> to remain protruding from opposite side surfaces of the first unit link <NUM>.

According to embodiments, the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> may be disposed to be sensed by the strap detection sensors <NUM> disposed in the pin-receiving recesses <NUM> and <NUM> in the strap-fastening parts <NUM> and <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and the state information may be provided to the processor of the electronic device through the strap detection sensors <NUM>.

According to embodiments, the button <NUM> exposed from the first unit link <NUM> may move into the button-receiving groove <NUM> when the button <NUM> is pressed while the first unit link <NUM> has been fastened to the strap-fastening parts <NUM> and <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> of the button <NUM> and the tension rib <NUM> may be positioned in the protrusion-positioning recess <NUM> in the button-receiving groove <NUM> by the movement of the button <NUM>. The tension rib <NUM> may be deformed by the pressing of the rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> and the support of the rib-stopping pieces <NUM> that protrude to surround the protrusion-positioning recess <NUM>. The entire horizontal length of the tension rib <NUM> is decreased by the deformation of the tension rib <NUM>, and thus the first and second hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> protruding from opposite sides of the first unit link <NUM> may move into the first unit link <NUM>. The first unit link <NUM> may be separated from the strap-fastening parts <NUM> and <NUM> of the housing <NUM> when the button <NUM> has been pressed.

According to embodiments, when the strap <NUM> is removed from the housing <NUM>, the strap detection sensor <NUM> disposed in the strap-fastening parts <NUM> and <NUM> may detect this state, and the sensed state information may be provided to the processor of the electronic device <NUM>. When the processor determines that the strap <NUM> has been separated from the housing based on the received state information, the processor may output information according to a relevant function through the electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may be functionally connected with another electronic device, such as a smart phone, through wireless communication including Bluetooth® or radio frequency (RF) communication. In this case, the processor may sense the separation of the strap <NUM> from the housing <NUM> and may output information according to a relevant function through the other electronic device, such as by visual output through a display of the other electronic device, acoustical output through a speaker device of the other electronic device, or by a motor of the other electronic device in a tactile manner.

<FIG> and <FIG> are front and rear perspective views of a wearable electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates when straps have been separated from the housing of the wearable electronic device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> may be similar to the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, or may include other embodiments of the electronic device.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a housing <NUM> having a display <NUM> and a pair of straps <NUM> and <NUM> secured to fastening parts <NUM> and <NUM> formed on opposite ends of the housing <NUM>. According to one embodiment, the straps <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed of rubber, leather, urethane, or silicone, and may include the first strap <NUM> including a first fixing part <NUM> fastened to the first fastening parts <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and the second strap <NUM> including a second fixing part <NUM> fastened to the second fastening parts <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The second strap <NUM> may include a buckle member <NUM> disposed on an end portion thereof, and the first strap <NUM> may include a plurality of buckle-fixing recesses <NUM> formed therein to enable the first strap <NUM> and the second strap <NUM> to be connected by means of the buckle member <NUM>. The fastening length of the straps <NUM> and <NUM> may be adjusted by securing the buckle member <NUM> to one of the plurality of buckle-fixing recesses <NUM>.

According to embodiments, buttons <NUM> and <NUM> may be respectively exposed from the rear surfaces of the first and second fixing parts <NUM> and <NUM> of the first and second straps <NUM> and <NUM> that are secured to the fastening parts <NUM> and <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and may operate as elements of button assemblies, such as a button assembly <NUM> of <FIG>, that are insert-molded or double-injection molded into the first and second straps <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. A description of the button assemblies will be given below. The button assemblies may have the same configuration as the button assemblies illustrated in <FIG> described above. The straps <NUM> and <NUM> may be easily separated from the housing <NUM> merely by pressing the corresponding buttons <NUM> and <NUM> exposed from the rear surfaces of the respective straps.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a button assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates when the button assembly according to embodiments of the present disclosure has been embedded in a strap. <FIG> is a sectional view taken along line C-C' of <FIG> according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the button assembly <NUM> may include a button-receiving body <NUM> having a button-receiving groove <NUM> and a hinge-pin-receiving hole <NUM> formed therein to communicate with each other, and a button <NUM> received in the button-receiving groove <NUM> in the button-receiving body <NUM> and including a tension rib <NUM> secured to a rib-fixing protrusion <NUM> and having hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> secured to opposite ends thereof. According to one embodiment, the shape of the button <NUM>, the tension rib <NUM>, and the pair of hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> and the coupling relationship therebetween are the same as those described above, and detailed descriptions thereof will thus be omitted.

According to embodiments, the completely assembled button assembly <NUM>, except the button <NUM> and the pair of hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM>, may be embedded in the fixing part <NUM> of the strap <NUM>. The button assembly <NUM> may be embedded in the strap <NUM> through a double-injection molding or insert molding process when the strap <NUM> is formed of a synthetic resin, rubber, silicone, or urethane.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, when the button assembly <NUM> is embedded in the fixing part <NUM> of the strap <NUM>, the button <NUM> may be exposed from the strap <NUM> to the outside, and the pair of hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> may protrude from opposite side surfaces of the fixing part <NUM>. According to one embodiment, the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> may move into the fixing part <NUM> when the button <NUM> is pressed in order to secure the strap <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. In order to secure the strap <NUM> to the housing <NUM>, the fixing part <NUM> of the strap <NUM> may be located between the fastening parts <NUM> of the housing <NUM> when the button <NUM> has been pressed, and then the external force applied to the button <NUM> may be removed. When the external force is removed from the button <NUM>, the hinge pins <NUM> and <NUM> may protrude again through the opposite side surfaces of the fixing part <NUM> and may be inserted into the pin-receiving recesses <NUM> formed in the fastening parts <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and thus the strap <NUM> may be secured to the housing <NUM>. The strap detection sensors <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> described above may be additionally disposed in the pin-receiving recesses <NUM>.

According to embodiments, the straps can be easily separated from the housing merely through a simple button operation. In addition, it is possible for an electronic device user, rather than a specialized operator, to adjust the length of the straps in a simple manner by adding or removing a unit link merely by operating the buttons and without using a separate working tool.

A wearable electronic device includes a housing, and a strap fastened to at least a part of the housing so as to be detachable, wherein the strap includes a plurality of unit links, a button exposed from at least one of the plurality of unit links so as to be operable, a tension rib secured to an end portion of the button in the internal space of the unit link and having opposite ends, the positions of which are changed by pressing the button, and a pair of hinge pins secured to the opposite ends of the tension rib, respectively, and disposed to at least partially protrude from the left and right sides of the unit link, wherein the plurality of unit links are fastened to or separated from each other such that the hinge pins moving, by means of a press of the button, are inserted into or extracted from pin-receiving recesses formed in an adjacent unit link.

The plurality of unit links may be formed of metal, ceramic, or a synthetic resin.

The tension rib may be secured, at the central region thereof, to a rib-fixing protrusion protruding from the end portion of the button.

The tension rib may be secured to a surface of the rib-fixing protrusion through a soldering, welding, bonding, fusing, or taping process.

The tension rib may be fixedly inserted into a slot formed in the rib-fixing protrusion to a predetermined depth.

The tension rib may be secured to the rib-fixing protrusion by a rivet or a screw that passes through a through-hole formed in the tension rib and is then fastened to a fixing hole formed in the rib-fixing protrusion.

A protrusion-positioning recess may be formed in the internal space of the unit link so as to be lower than an inner surface of the unit link to receive the pressed rib-fixing protrusion and a part of the tension rib.

A rib-stopping piece may be formed around the protrusion-positioning recess to a predetermined height from the inner surface in order to induce deformation of the tension rib by supporting the tension rib.

The tension rib may be formed of aluminum, steel, SUS, or a synthetic resin, and may be formed in a plate spring type or in a string type.

The pair of hinge pins may be secured to opposite end portions of the tension rib through a soldering, welding, bonding, or taping process.

The unit link may include a link body that receives the button, the tension rib, and the pair of hinge pins in the internal space thereof, and a pair of link blocks protruding from opposite ends of the link body, respectively.

The plurality of unit links may be connected together such that the hinge pins protruding from the opposite side surfaces of the link body of the unit link are inserted into pin-receiving recesses formed at corresponding positions of link blocks disposed in the adjacent unit link.

The pair of hinge pins may move into the internal space by means of the tension rib, which is deformed by pressing the button to have a reduced length.

Among the plurality of unit links, a unit link coupled to the housing may be secured such that a pair of hinge pins protruding from opposite side surfaces of the unit link is inserted into pin-receiving recesses formed in strap-fastening parts of the housing.

The electronic device may further include strap detection sensors disposed in the pin-receiving recesses to sense whether the hinge pins are present in the pin-receiving recesses.

The electronic device may further include a display for visually outputting, to a user, information about whether the hinge pins are present in the pin-receiving recesses, the information being sensed by the strap detection sensors.

The wearable electronic device may include a watch-type electronic device, the housing of which is held on a user's wrist by the strap.

A wearable electronic device includes a housing, a strap fastened to at least a part of the housing so as to be detachable, and a button assembly embedded in the strap and detachably connecting the strap to the housing, wherein the button assembly includes: a button-receiving body having a space therein, a button exposed from at least a part of the button-receiving body so as to be operable, a tension rib secured to an end portion of the button in the space inside the button-receiving body and having opposite ends, the positions of which are changed by pressing the button, and a pair of hinge pins secured to the opposite ends of the tension rib, respectively, and disposed to at least partially protrude from the left and right sides of the button-receiving body, wherein the strap is fastened to or separated from the housing such that the hinge pins, moving by means of a press of the button, are inserted into or extracted from pin-receiving recesses formed in the housing.

The strap may be formed of at least one of rubber, urethane, silicone, and a synthetic resin, and the button assembly may be embedded in the strap by insert molding such that the button and the pair of hinge pins are exposed from the strap to the outside.

Embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed in the specification and the drawings are only particular examples disclosed in order to easily describe the technical matters of the present disclosure and assist with comprehension of the present disclosure, and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein, the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure should be construed to include all modifications or modified forms drawn based on the technical aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
A wearable electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) ; and
a strap (<NUM>) detachably fastened to at least a part of the housing (<NUM>),
wherein the strap (<NUM>) comprises:
a plurality of unit links (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>);
a button (<NUM>) exposed from at least one of the plurality of unit links so as to be operable;
a tension rib, (<NUM>) secured to an end portion of the button (<NUM>) at a rib-fixing protrusion (<NUM>) of the button (<NUM>), in an internal space of the unit link (<NUM>) and having opposite ends, the positions of the opposite ends being changed by pressing of the button (<NUM>); and
a hinge pin (<NUM>,<NUM>) secured to each of the opposite ends of the tension rib (<NUM>), and disposed to at least partially protrude from left and right sides of each of the unit links (<NUM>),
wherein the plurality of unit links (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) are fastened to or separated from each other, such that the hinge pins (<NUM>,<NUM>) of a unit link (<NUM>), are inserted into, moving by means of the releasing of the button (<NUM>), or extracted from, moving by means of the pressing of the button (<NUM>), pin-receiving recesses formed in an adjacent unit link, the wearable electronic device is characterized in that, the tension rib (<NUM>) is supported by a pair of rib-stopping pieces (<NUM>) protruding beyond the bottom of a button-receiving space of the unit link (<NUM>) and arranged such that the tension rib (<NUM>) is deformed by the pressing of the rib-fixing protrusion (<NUM>) and the support of the rib stopping pieces (<NUM>).