Patent Description:
With the advent of smart watches, users have a device they can carry with them everywhere which can interact with their phone and provide the convenience of not having to remove their phones from their pockets for basic functions. Smart watches that provide the user the option to interact with their cars require the use of smart cars, which are normally more expensive. Additionally, a smart watch cannot (or at least should not) be used while driving, since it requires the user to look away from the road to their watch, potentially causing a safety hazard. <CIT> discloses a smart cradle for a car, <CIT> discloses a wearable device, <CIT> discloses an electronic multi-function watch, <CIT> discloses an information processing apparatus, and <CIT> discloses a watch. Thus, there may be a need for enhanced devices.

According to the present invention, a dock for a smart watch module having a touch screen is provided. The dock includes the features of claim <NUM>.

According to the present invention, a method for controlling a dock for a smart watch module having a touch screen is provided. The method includes the features of claim <NUM>.

The dimensions of the various features or elements may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In the following description, various embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following drawings, in which:.

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific details and embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The various embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

In this context, the dock as described in this description may include a memory which is for example used in the processing carried out in the dock. In this context, the computing device as described in this description may include a memory which is for example used in the processing carried out in the computing device. A memory used in the embodiments may be a volatile memory, for example a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or a non-volatile memory, for example a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable PROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM), or a flash memory, e.g., a floating gate memory, a charge trapping memory, an MRAM (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory) or a PCRAM (Phase Change Random Access Memory).

In an embodiment, a "circuit" may be understood as any kind of a logic implementing entity, which may be special purpose circuitry or a processor executing software stored in a memory, firmware, or any combination thereof. Thus, in an embodiment, a "circuit" may be a hard-wired logic circuit or a programmable logic circuit such as a programmable processor, e.g. a microprocessor (e.g. a Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) processor or a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) processor). A "circuit" may also be a processor executing software, e.g. any kind of computer program, e.g. a computer program using a virtual machine code such as e.g. Java. Any other kind of implementation of the respective functions which will be described in more detail below may also be understood as a "circuit" in accordance with an alternative embodiment.

In the specification the term "comprising" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term "comprising" such as "comprise" and "comprises".

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia (or any other country).

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, particular embodiments will now be described by way of examples and not limitations, and with reference to the figures.

Various embodiments are provided for devices, and various embodiments are provided for methods. It will be understood that basic properties of the devices also hold for the methods and vice versa. Therefore, for sake of brevity, duplicate description of such properties may be omitted.

It will be understood that any property described herein for a specific device may also hold for any device described herein. It will be understood that any property described herein for a specific method may also hold for any method described herein. Furthermore, it will be understood that for any device or method described herein, not necessarily all the components or steps described must be enclosed in the device or method, but only some (but not all) components or steps may be enclosed.

The term "coupled" (or "connected") herein may be understood as electrically coupled or as mechanically coupled, for example attached or fixed, or just in contact without any fixation, and it will be understood that both direct coupling or indirect coupling (in other words: coupling without direct contact) may be provided.

There may be instances of car manufacturers working with smart watch manufacturers to enable control of some functions on their cars using apps on the smart watch, which may desire the cars to be smart themselves in order for the watch/phone to communicate with it.

It may be best to not use smart watches during driving as they can be a source of distraction during driving. Additionally, a remote controller placed in a position for easy access, such as the steering wheel, which interacts with a smart phone and control a few apps on the phone may be desirable since it also makes it convenient and safer to control the car's entertainment system.

Some docks that help the user have the smart watch accessible easily on the steering wheel may be available. However, these docks do not provide any additional functionality to the watch in terms of easier navigation. In other words, while docks may be available for smart watches to be affixed onto the steering wheel in easy reach of the driver, they do not provide an intuitive way for the user to interact with them, since their navigation involves the use of touch only.

Additionally, purpose built in-car controllers may have the disadvantage of requiring a power source, whether using batteries or being rechargeable. According to various embodiments, a functional dock may be provided which does not need any power source, since it may use the power from the smart watch which has been docked into it, when in use.

According to various embodiments, a way for a user to be able to get another dimension to easier navigation of the smart phone in the car may be provided, for example using the functional dock according to various embodiments, giving easy access to the features that the user might want to access while driving, for example making and receiving calls, music and other media, or GPS (global positioning system) navigation.

According to various embodiments, a way for the user to use a smart watch as a remote controller for the car's entertainment system may be provided.

According to various embodiments, a wearable in-car controller may be provided. According to various embodiments, a functional dock for a smart watch for in-car remote control may be provided.

According to various embodiments, an in-car controller that attaches to a steering wheel of a car and interacts with a smart phone (which may be connected to an entertainment system) that can also be worn on a user's wrist when not driving may give easy access to entertainment without distractions while driving, and may function as a smart watch when not.

According to various embodiments, an in-car holder/dock for receiving a smartwatch may be provided, wherein the holder/dock may be attached to a steering wheel of car. When the smartwatch (which may be detachable from its strap) is received by the holder, this may allow the driver to utilize all the features of the mobile phone and to control the vehicle entertainment system through the smartwatch. The holder may also have a rotatable bezel to provide added ease of control for the driver such as for scrolling and volume control. Another benefit of the holder may be that it is powered by the smartwatch so it doesn't need to be charged separately.

According to the invention, a dock with a scroll wheel that can be attached to a steering wheel of a car and that can interact with a purpose built smart watch module is provided. The watch/dock combination may in turn be connected to a smartphone, for example using Bluetooth, which in turn may be connected to the car's entertainment system, or may be used on its own.

Various embodiments may enable the user to have a smart watch which can also be used as a controller for in-car entertainment. Various embodiments may enable use of the smartwatch while driving, may ensure minimal distractions while driving, from the watch, while also being a convenient way to control the entertainment system of the car, may negate the need to have a smart car since the watch interacts with the phone, which is in turn connected to a compatible car system which can be bought aftermarket, and may enable the user to have tactile feedback while using the disc with the car's steering wheel dock.

<FIG> shows a dock <NUM> (in other words: a docking station; in other words: a docking device; in other words: a cradle; in other words: a cradle device) according to various embodiments. The dock <NUM> includes a first attachment member <NUM> configured to attach to a steering wheel of a car ( not shown in <FIG>). The dock <NUM> further includes a second attachment member <NUM> configured to receive a smart watch module (not shown in <FIG>, for example like shown in <FIG> or <FIG>). The dock <NUM> further includes a scroll wheel <NUM> (in other words: a rotatable bezel) configured to provide user input to the computing device, which is provided surrounding a space on which the smart watch module is received, circumferentially around the dock <NUM>, on a rim of the dock <NUM>. The first attachment member <NUM>, the second attachment member <NUM>, and the scroll wheel <NUM> may be coupled with each other, like indicated by lines <NUM>, for example electrically coupled, for example using a line or a cable, and/ or mechanically coupled.

In other words, according to the invention, a docking device for receiving a smart watch module includes a scroll wheel for controlling the smart watch module.

<FIG> shows a dock <NUM> according to various embodiments. The dock <NUM>, similar to the dock <NUM> shown in <FIG>, includes a first attachment member <NUM> configured to attach to a steering wheel of a car. The dock <NUM>, similar to the dock <NUM> shown in <FIG>, further includes a second attachment member <NUM> configured to receive a smart watch module. The dock <NUM>, similar to the dock <NUM> shown in <FIG>, further includes a scroll wheel <NUM> configured to provide user input to the smart watch module. The dock <NUM> further includes a plurality of pogo pins <NUM>. The dock <NUM> further includes an energy reception circuit <NUM>. The dock <NUM> further includes a detection circuit <NUM>. The first attachment member <NUM>, the second attachment member <NUM>, the scroll wheel <NUM>, the plurality of pogo pins <NUM>, the energy reception circuit <NUM>, and the detection circuit <NUM> may be coupled with each other, like indicated by lines <NUM>, for example electrically coupled, for example using a line or a cable, and/ or mechanically coupled.

The plurality of pogo pins <NUM> (which may be contacts under pre-tension, for example using springs, in other words: spring-loaded pins) are configured to provide electrical contact to the smart watch module.

The energy reception circuit <NUM> may be configured to receive energy from the smart watch module.

The detection circuit <NUM> is configured to detect whether the smart watch module is attached to the dock <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the detection circuit <NUM> is configured to instruct the smart watch module to change from a watch mode (which may be a normal mode of operation of a smart watch) to a car mode (which may be a mode of operation which allows control of the smart watch module or of a further computing device in (for example wireless) connection with the smart watch module during use in a car) if detection circuit detects that the smart watch module is attached to the dock <NUM>.

According to various embodiments, the scroll wheel <NUM> may be configured to provide a click function.

According to various embodiments, the second attachment member <NUM> may be configured to receive an at least substantially cylindrically shaped smart watch module.

<FIG> shows a computing device <NUM>. The computing device <NUM> may include an attachment member <NUM> configured to attach to a dock (not shown in <FIG>; for example a dock as shown in <FIG> or <FIG>). The computing device <NUM> may further include an interface <NUM> configured to receive input from a scroll wheel of the dock. The attachment member <NUM> and the interface <NUM> may be coupled with each other, like indicated by line <NUM>, for example electrically coupled, for example using a line or a cable, and/ or mechanically coupled.

<FIG> shows a computing device <NUM>. The computing device <NUM> may, similar to the computing device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, include an attachment member <NUM> configured to attach to a dock. The computing device <NUM> may, similar to the computing device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, further include an interface <NUM> configured to receive input from a scroll wheel of the dock. The computing device <NUM> may further include a plurality of contacts <NUM>, like will be described in more detail below. The computing device <NUM> may further include a battery <NUM>, like will be described in more detail below. The computing device <NUM> may further include a detection circuit <NUM>, like will be described in more detail below. The attachment member <NUM>, the interface <NUM>, the plurality of contacts <NUM>, the battery <NUM>, and the detection circuit <NUM> may be coupled with each other, like indicated by lines <NUM>, for example electrically coupled, for example using a line or a cable, and/ or mechanically coupled.

The plurality of contacts <NUM> may be configured to provide electrical connection to the dock.

The battery <NUM> may be configured to provide energy to the computing device <NUM> and to the dock.

The detection circuit <NUM> may be configured to detect whether the computing device <NUM> is attached to the dock.

The detection circuit <NUM> may be configured to switch the computing device <NUM> from a watch mode to a car mode if the detection circuit <NUM> detects that the computing device <NUM> is attached to the dock.

The computing device <NUM> (or a housing of the computing device <NUM>) may be at least substantially cylindrically shaped.

The computing device <NUM> includes or is included in at least a portion of a smart watch.

<FIG> shows a flow diagram <NUM> illustrating a method for controlling a dock according to various embodiments. The dock has a first attachment member configured to attach to a steering wheel of a car and a second attachment member configured to receive a smart watch module. In <NUM>, a scroll wheel (of the dock) is controlled to provide user input to the smart watch module.

The method may further include establishing electrical contact between the dock and the smart watch module using a plurality of pogo pins of the dock.

The method may further include receiving energy in the dock from the smart watch module.

The method may further include detecting whether the smart watch module is attached to the dock.

According to various embodiments, the method may further include instructing the smart watch module to change from a watch mode to a car mode if it is detected that the smart watch module is attached to the dock.

According to various embodiments, the scroll wheel may provide a click function.

According to various embodiments, the second attachment member may receive an at least substantially cylindrically shaped computing device.

<FIG> shows a flow diagram <NUM> illustrating a method for controlling a computing device. The computing device may include an attachment member configured to attach to a dock. In <NUM>, input from a scroll wheel of the dock may be received.

The method may further include establishing electrical connection between the dock and the computing device using a plurality of contacts of the computing device.

The method may further include providing energy from a battery of the computing device to the computing device and to the dock.

The method may further include detecting whether the computing device is attached to the dock.

The method may further include switching the computing device from a watch mode to a car mode if it is detected that the computing device is attached to the dock.

The computing device may be at least substantially cylindrically shaped.

The computing device may include or may be or may be included in at least a portion of a smart watch.

According to various embodiments, the holder/dock may only function when the smart watch/disc is inserted into the holder/dock. This may change the smart watch mode to an in-car mode which may allow the user to use the rotatable mechanism on the dock for additional functions. The benefit of separating the smart watch and dock may allow the user to access all the functions of a smart watch such as calling, notifications, receiving messages, etc. while on the move.

The smart watch may be a "disc", which may be a disc-shaped electronic device including an OLED (organic light emitting diode) touch screen, a rechargeable battery, an accelerometer, a gyro (in other words: a gyroscope), and other components normally found in smart watches. It may run a version of the Android Wear OS (operating system) or any other OS that smart watches may run on. The disc may be removable/ detachable from its strap easily so that it can be affixed to the holder/dock.

According to various embodiments, a strap may be provided on which the removable disc may be securely affixed, enabling the user to wear it on the wrist like a smart watch.

According to various embodiments, a holder for the disc may be provided which may be fixed to the steering wheel of the car, in reach of the user's thumb. This holder may include a rotatable mechanism around the rim which may have a tactile feel and may be used for easy scrolling through the app. The rotatable mechanism may provide the added dimension of easy scrolling or volume control when the smartwatch is connected to the dock. The holder may have pogo pins on the surface which may come into contact with the disc, allowing the disc to detect the scrolling.

According to various embodiments, a separate dock may be provided on which the disc may be placed overnight for charging. When on the dock, the disc may be vertical for aesthetic purposes.

According to various embodiments, an in-car controller dock may be provided which indirectly controls a portable media device by receiving a smart watch which communicates with the media device. This may provide the benefit of the user having all the functions of the smart watch while it is on in-car mode.

According to various embodiments, an in-car controller dock may be provided which does not need to be powered or charged because it is powered by the smart watch. This may provide the benefit of not having to charge another separate device. In other words, in contrast to having separate devices which may cause clutter and inconvenience to the user in terms of having to charge them separately, or having to replace the battery on the in-car controller frequently, according to various embodiments, these issues may be avoided.

According to various embodiments, a wearable (in other words: a wearable device) may provide users all the benefits of a smartwatch, a fitness tracker, a companion for the phone, and may double as a convenient, tactile device for use with a car's entertainment system.

According to various embodiments, the functional dock may be used as an attachment with the user's watch on their wrist (instead of on the steering wheel) for tactile feel.

According to various embodiments, a functional dock may be provided which has a tactile scroll function and which works with another component (for example a smart watch, for example a "disc" of a smart watch). This disc may be detached from the accompanying watch strap for the wrist, and affixed into the functional dock which may in turn be attached to the steering wheel of a car using a strap, clamp or other means.

The dock has pogo pins which may come into contact with the disc when it is plugged in. This may allow the dock to interact with the smart watch. This may also let the smart phone detect when the disc is plugged into the dock, and may allow it to take appropriate action, like launching a unifying in-car app, entertainment app, navigation, or other similar app relevant to in-car usage by the driver. The dock may draw the required power from the watch for its own functioning.

<FIG> shows an illustration <NUM> of a dock <NUM> according to various embodiments, onto which a disc is not affixed. The dock <NUM> can be attached to a steering wheel <NUM> of a car using a strap <NUM> or any other mechanism to keep the dock <NUM> in place on the steering wheel <NUM>. The dock <NUM> includes pogo pins <NUM> to connect with the disc when the disc is place into (or onto) the dock <NUM>. A tactile scroll function is provided, using a scroll wheel <NUM> around a rim of the dock <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an illustration <NUM> of a disc <NUM> in a car dock according to various embodiments. An enclosure <NUM> may surround the disc <NUM> (for example in the form of a watch dial) and the rotating bezel <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an illustration <NUM> of an assembly of the disc <NUM> into the car dock according to various embodiments. The disc <NUM> may be held by strong magnets in the dock enclosure. The disc <NUM> may be connected to the dock electrically through <NUM> pogo-pin contacts <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an illustration <NUM> of the disc base <NUM>, which may be made of stainless steel, according to various embodiments. The disc base <NUM> may include contacts <NUM>, which may correspond to the pogo pins <NUM> in the dock.

<FIG> shows an exploded view <NUM> of the car dock according to various embodiments. The external enclosure <NUM>, an electronics module <NUM> with a PCB <NUM> (printed circuit board) with a rotary encoder <NUM>, an inner enclosure <NUM> with the pogo pins <NUM> and strong magnets (not shown in <FIG>), and the rotating bezel <NUM> are shown.

<FIG> shows an illustration <NUM> according to various embodiments, wherein the rotating bezel <NUM> is attached to the rotary encoder <NUM> through side snaps <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the electronics module <NUM> including the PCB <NUM> with main circuitry and with a ring-type rotary encoder <NUM> according to various embodiments. The empty volume within the encoder <NUM> may make the placement of the disc <NUM> possible. The ring type rotary encoder <NUM> may include a rotating (or rotatable) ring <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a cross section <NUM> of the car dock according to various embodiments with the disc <NUM> assembled (in other words: with the disc <NUM> provided in (or docked into) the car dock). The disc <NUM> (for example in the form of a watch dial), the inner enclosure <NUM>, the <NUM> pogo pins <NUM> connecting the disc <NUM> to the PCB <NUM> (wherein the PCB <NUM> may include the main circuitry), the external enclosure <NUM>, the rotating bezel <NUM>, and the rotary encoder <NUM> are shown. A magnet <NUM> (or a plurality of magnets <NUM>), for example one or more strong magnets) may be provided in the inner enclosure <NUM> and may hold down the disc <NUM>.

It will be understood that in <FIG>, all elements except the disc <NUM> are elements of the dock, for example of the car dock.

The dock enables use of the smartwatch in-car, while providing a tactile and mechanical feature to add another dimension of easy navigation through the connected smart phone. The dock may help to ensure lesser distraction while driving, since touch interaction requires the user to look at the screen of the device, unlike a tactile navigation system.

According to various embodiments, the use of the dock's mechanical scroll (in other words: the user of the mechanical scroll wheel) may be customized to match the menu options/function being displayed on the phone. According to various embodiments, if the user is accessing the music feature or is in a call, the scroll wheel may be used as volume control. According to various embodiments, the scroll wheel may be used to zoom in or zoom out of GPS navigation. According to various embodiments, the scroll wheel may be used to scroll between apps in the main menu (for example horizontally or vertically). According to various embodiments, the scroll wheel may be used to browse contacts on the phone. According to various embodiments, the scroll wheel may be used for any other features that benefit from a mechanical scroll function.

Claim 1:
A dock (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for a smart watch module (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a touch screen, the dock (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a first attachment member (<NUM>) configured to attach to a steering wheel of a car;
a second attachment member (<NUM>) configured to receive the smart watch module (<NUM>, <NUM>) on a surface within a space of the second attachment member (<NUM>);
a plurality of pogo pins (<NUM>, <NUM>) on the surface of the second attachment member (<NUM>), the plurality of pogo pins (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to provide electrical contact to the smart watch module (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a scroll wheel (<NUM>) being a rotatable bezel provided circumferentially around the dock (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) on a rim of the dock (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) so as to surround the space of the second attachment member (<NUM>), the scroll wheel (<NUM>) configured to provide user input to the smart watch module (<NUM>, <NUM>) through the plurality of pogo pins (<NUM>, <NUM>) for controlling the smart watch module (<NUM>, <NUM>) to access functions of the smart watch module (<NUM>, <NUM>) via a tactile scroll function provided by the scroll wheel (<NUM>) without requiring touch interaction with the touch screen of the smart watch module (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a detection circuit (<NUM>) configured to detect whether the smart watch module (<NUM>, <NUM>) is received in the dock (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the detection circuit (<NUM>) is configured to instruct the smart watch module (<NUM>, <NUM>) to enter into a car mode to allow control of the smart watch module (<NUM>, <NUM>) using the scroll wheel (<NUM>) if the detection circuit (<NUM>) detects that the smart watch module (<NUM>, <NUM>) is received in the dock (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
an energy reception circuit (<NUM>) configured to receive energy from the smart watch module (<NUM>, <NUM>) through the plurality of pogo pins (<NUM>, <NUM>), when the smart watch module (<NUM>, <NUM>) is received on the surface of the second attachment member (<NUM>), so as to power the dock (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) by the smart watch module (<NUM>, <NUM>) for functioning of the scroll wheel (<NUM>) and the detection circuit (<NUM>) of the dock (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).