PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10276001-B2
Application Number: US-201315102826-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Band attachment mechanism with haptic response

Abstract:
A system includes a band, an attachment mechanism attached to the band, and one or more haptic devices included in the attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism can attach the band to an electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, the attachment mechanism can attach the band to a wearer. The haptic device or devices are in communication with a processing device. At least one of the one or more haptic devices produces a haptic response based on an activation signal received from the processing device.

Claims:
We claim: 
     
       1. An attachment mechanism that attaches a band to an electronic device, the attachment mechanism comprising:
 a pin attached to the band; 
 a housing having supports adjacent each end of the pin and attached to the electronic device; and 
 a haptic device that electromagnetically couples the pin to the housing and is adapted to move the pin at least side-to-side with respect to the housing in response to an activation signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The attachment mechanism as in  claim 1 , wherein the haptic device comprises one or more electromagnetic actuators that receive the activation signal. 
     
     
       3. The attachment mechanism as in  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device comprises one of a wearable communications device and a wearable health assistant. 
     
     
       4. An attachment mechanism attached to a band, the band configured to encircle a body part of a user, the attachment mechanism comprising a pin, a housing having supports adjacent each end of the pin, and a haptic device adapted to move the pin at least laterally with respect to the housing. 
     
     
       5. The attachment mechanism as in  claim 4 , wherein the haptic device comprises one or more electromagnetic actuators. 
     
     
       6. A system, comprising:
 a band; 
 an attachment mechanism comprising a pin attached to the band; 
 a processing device; and 
 one or more haptic devices disposed in the attachment mechanism and in communication with the processing device, at least one haptic device comprising an electromagnetic actuator that comprises:
 one or more magnets positioned around the pin; and 
 one or more coils positioned around the one or more magnets; 
 
 wherein the electromagnetic actuator produces a haptic response based on an activation signal received from the processing device, the haptic response moving the pin at least laterally with respect to the magnets when the band is attached to an electronic device by the attachment mechanism. 
 
     
     
       7. The system as in  claim 6 , wherein the processing device is included in the electronic device. 
     
     
       8. The system as in  claim 7 , wherein the electronic device comprises one of a wearable communications device and a wearable health assistant. 
     
     
       9. The system as in  claim 7 , wherein the attachment mechanism moves laterally with respect to the electronic device. 
     
     
       10. The system as in  claim 7 , wherein the electronic device comprises a computing device. 
     
     
       11. The system as in  claim 6 , wherein the attachment mechanism moves laterally with respect to the band. 
     
     
       12. The system as in  claim 6 , wherein the electromagnetic actuator produces a haptic response by moving the pin laterally with respect to the band. 
     
     
       13. A method for providing a haptic output from an electronic device, comprising:
 receiving an indication that the haptic output is to be generated; and 
 in response to receiving the indication, providing an activation signal to an electromagnetic actuator that moves a pin at least laterally with respect to a support of the electromagnetic actuator, wherein the support is coupled to a body of the electronic device, the pin is coupled to a flexible portion of the electronic device, and the support and the pin form an attachment mechanism coupling the body of the electronic device to the flexible portion of the electronic device; wherein, 
 the flexible portion is configured to encircle a body part of a user. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the flexible portion is configured to slide along the body part of the user. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 13 , wherein the pin is received in one or more openings in the support. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 a coil is wrapped around the support; and 
 the activation signal;
 applies a current to the coil; and 
 moves the pin relative to the body of the electronic device.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 application of PCT/US2013/074050, filed on Dec. 10, 2013, and entitled “Band Attachment Mechanism with Haptic Response,” which is incorporated by reference as if fully disclosed herein. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to an electronic device in communication with a band. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a band attachment that provides a haptic response to a wearer. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Haptic feedback can be used to provide information to a user through the user&#39;s sense of touch. For example, contemporary cellular telephones and other similar electronic devices may use vibrations to denote various events, such as when a touchscreen or home button is pressed. Other electronic devices, such as joysticks used in gaming systems, can vibrate or produce a force as feedback when a user interacts with onscreen actions in a video game. 
     But many portable electronic devices continue to decrease in size while the number of uses and functions of the electronic devices can remain the same or increase. For example, some cellular phones and digital music players are contained within small and compact housings that include electronic circuits and components that provide a user with a wide range of applications and functions. Space can therefore be an issue when including or adding additional components, circuits, and functions to a portable electronic device. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, an attachment mechanism can attach a band to an electronic device. The attachment mechanism includes one or more haptic devices disposed in a housing of the attachment mechanism and adapted to move in at least one direction with respect to the band or to the electronic device. 
     In another aspect, an attachment mechanism is attached to a band. The band can be configured to encircle a body part of a user or wearer. The attachment mechanism includes one or more haptic devices adapted to move in at least one direction with respect to the band. 
     In yet another aspect, a system includes a band, an attachment mechanism attached to the band, and one or more haptic devices disposed in the attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism can attach the band to an electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, the attachment mechanism can attach the band to a wearer. The haptic device or devices are in communication with a processing device. At least one of the one or more haptic devices can produce a haptic response based on an activation signal received from the processing device. The processing device can be included in an electronic device that is attached to the band with the attachment mechanism. Additionally or alternatively, the processing device can be external to the electronic device attached to the band. The external processing device can be in communication with the one or more haptic devices in the attachment mechanism. 
     In another aspect, a method for providing a haptic output from an electronic device can include receiving an indication that a haptic output is to be generated, and in response, actuating a haptic element coupled to a flexible portion of the electronic device. The flexible portion can be configured to encircle a body part of a user or wearer. The flexible portion is moved through actuation of the haptic element. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrative block diagram of an electronic device that can be in communication with one or more haptic devices in an attachment mechanism of a band; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of one example of an electronic device connected to a band; 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate different examples of attachment mechanisms suitable for use as the attachment mechanisms shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of another example of an electronic device connected to a band; 
         FIG. 6  is simplified view of one example of a haptic device that can be included in an attachment mechanism; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the attachment mechanism shown in  FIG. 4  with a haptic device; 
         FIG. 8  a perspective view of an electronic device attached to a band and illustrates example movements of an attachment mechanism; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism taken along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a method for associating a haptic response with an event. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments described herein can provide a user with a haptic alert or response with one or more attachment mechanisms for a wearable band. The band can be configured to encircle a body part of a user. As one example, the wearable band can include an electronic device attached to a wrist band. The haptic response can involve one or more attachment mechanisms that attach the wrist band to the electronic device moving with respect to the electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, one or more attachment mechanisms that attach the wrist band to the wearer can move with respect to the electronic device. By way of example only, an attachment mechanism can move laterally or side-to-side with respect to the electronic device, move towards and away from the electronic device, move up and down with respect to the electronic device, and/or rotate with respect to the electronic device. As still another example, the electronic device may be integrated into, or part of, the band and/or band structure. 
     The electronic device can be in communication with the one or more haptic devices through a wired and/or wireless connection. In some embodiments, a remote electronic device can be in communication with the electronic device attached to the wearable band and the remote electronic device can activate or deactivate a haptic response in one or more attachment mechanisms associated with the wearable band. 
     A processing device can be included in the electronic device that transmits activation signals to one or more haptic devices. Each haptic device can produce a selected force (e.g., pressure), motion, and/or vibratory response in an attachment mechanism that provides a tactile stimulation to the skin of the person wearing the band. An activation signal can be sent at select times to a single haptic device or to groups of two or more haptic devices. Haptic stimulation can act as notifications for one or more events, such as the receipt of an email, a text message, a news story, a stock price, a reminder, and/or a low power state of a power source in the electronic device. 
     The electronic device can be any type of electronic device, including, but not limited to, a digital music player, a computing device, and a wearable device. As one example, the electronic device may be configured in the form of a wearable health assistant that provides health-related information (whether real-time or not) to the user, authorized third parties, and/or an associated monitoring device. The device may be configured to provide health-related information or data such as, but not limited to, heart rate data, blood pressure data, temperature data, oxygen level data, diet/nutrition information, medical reminders, health-related tips or information, or other health-related data. The associated monitoring device may be, for example, a tablet computing device, phone, personal digital assistant, computer, and so on. 
     As another example, the electronic device can be configured in the form of a wearable communications device. The wearable communications device may include a processor coupled with or in communication with a memory, one or more communication interfaces, output devices such as displays and speakers, and one or more input devices. The communication interface(s) can provide electronic communications between the communications device and any external communication network, device or platform, such as but not limited to wireless interfaces, Bluetooth interfaces, USB interfaces, Wi-Fi interfaces, TCP/IP interfaces, network communications interfaces, or any conventional communication interfaces. The wearable communications device may provide information regarding time, health, statuses or externally connected or communicating devices and/or software executing on such devices, messages, video, operating commands, and so forth (and may receive any of the foregoing from an external device), in addition to communications. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an illustrative block diagram of an electronic device that can be in communication with one or more haptic devices in an attachment mechanism of a band. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment mechanism attaches the band to the electronic device. In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism can attach the band to the wearer. For example, a buckle may be used to attach a wrist band to a wearer, and a haptic device or devices can be included in the buckle. And in yet another embodiment, an attachment mechanism or mechanisms can attach the band to the wearer and another attachment mechanism(s) may attach an electronic device to the band. 
     The electronic device  100  can include a processing device  102 , a network communication interface  104 , a display  106 , a memory  108 , one or more sensors  110 , and a power source  112 . The processing device  102  can control some or all of the operations of the electronic device  100 . The processing device  102  can communicate, either directly or indirectly, with substantially all of the components of the electronic device  100 . For example, a system bus or signal line  114  or other communication mechanisms can provide communication between the processing device  102 , the network communication interface  104 , the display  106 , the memory  108 , the one or more sensors  110 , and/or the power source  112 . The processing device  102  can be implemented as any electronic device capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions. For example, the processing device  102  can be a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or combinations of such devices. As described herein, the term “processing device” is meant to encompass a single processor or processing unit, multiple processors, multiple processing units, or other suitably configured computing element or elements. 
     The network communication interface  104  can facilitate transmission of data to or from other electronic devices. For example, a network communication interface can transmit and receive electronic signals via a wireless and/or wired network connection. Examples of wireless and wired network connections include, but are not limited to, cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, IR, Ethernet, and radio such as near field communication. In some embodiments, a processing device  116  external to the electronic device  100  can communicate with some or all of the components of the electronic device  100  through a wired or wireless network connection  118 . 
     The display  106  may provide an image or video output for the electronic device  100 . The display may also provide an input surface for one or more input devices, such as, for example, a touch sensing device and/or a fingerprint sensor. The display  106  may be substantially any size and may be positioned substantially anywhere on the electronic device  100 . The display  106  can be implemented with any suitable technology, including, but not limited to, a multi-touch sensing touchscreen that uses liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, light emitting diode (LED) technology, organic light-emitting display (OLED) technology, organic electroluminescence (OEL) technology, or another type of display technology. 
     The memory  108  can store electronic data that can be used by the electronic device  100 . For example, a memory can store electrical data or content such as audio files, applications, user preferences, timing signals, video files and images, data structures or databases, documents, and device and application settings. The memory  108  can be configured as any type of memory. By way of example only, the memory can be implemented as random access memory, read-only memory, Flash memory, removable memory, or other types of storage elements, or combinations of such devices. 
     The electronic device  100  may also include one or more sensors  110  positioned substantially anywhere on the electronic device  100 . The sensor(s)  110  may be configured to sense substantially any type of characteristic, such as but not limited to, images, pressure, light, touch, heat, movement, relative motion, biometric data, and so on. For example, a sensor  110  may be an image sensor, a heat sensor, a light or optical sensor, an accelerometer, a pressure transducer, a gyroscope, a magnet, a biometric sensor, and so on. 
     The power source  112  can be implemented with any device capable of providing energy to the electronic device  100 . For example, the power source  112  can be one or more batteries or rechargeable batteries, or a connection cable that connects the remote control device to another power source such as a wall outlet. 
     The processing device  102  and/or an external processing device  116  can be in communication with and operatively connected to one or more haptic devices  120  that are included in the attachment mechanism  122 . As described earlier, the illustrated attachment mechanism  122  attaches the electronic device to a band  124 . Each haptic device  120  can produce a selected force (e.g., pressure), motion, and/or vibratory response in the attachment mechanism  122  to provide tactile stimulation to the skin of the person wearing the band  124 . The one or more haptic devices  120  can be implemented with any suitable haptic technology, including, but not limited to, electromagnetic technology, piezoelectric technology, and/or electro-reactive polymers. Additionally or alternatively, a haptic device  120  can be configured as any type of motor that imparts or produces motion or action. 
     The processing device  102  and/or the external processing device  116  can transmit activation signals to one or more selected haptic devices  120  through a wired and/or wireless network connection (e.g., signal bus  114 ). Based on the received signal(s), each haptic device  120  produces a tactile vibration in, under and around the haptic device  120 . 
     In some embodiments, the processing device  102  can include a waveform generator  126  configured to dynamically produce waveforms appropriate to activate selected haptic devices  120  to produce tactile vibrations. In some embodiments, the processing device  102  can access the memory  108  to retrieve waveform data that is received by the waveform generator  126 . The waveform generator  126  can produce an appropriate waveform for one or more of the haptic devices  120 . As will be described in more detail later, an appropriate waveform can be determined by one or more haptic characteristics, such as frequency, timing, direction, and/or duration. 
     It should be noted that  FIG. 1  is illustrative only. In other examples, an electronic device  100  may include fewer or more components than those shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, an electronic device  100  can include one or more input/output (I/O) devices that can receive data from a user or one or more other electronic devices. One example of an I/O device is a button, such as a home button, a button to increase or decrease volume, and/or an on/off button. An I/O device can include a touch sensing input surface such as a trackpad, one or more buttons, one or more microphones or speakers, one or more ports such as a microphone port, and/or a keyboard. 
     In some embodiments, the components shown in the electronic device  100  can be omitted from the electronic device  100  but included in the band  124 . Additionally or alternatively, one or more components in the electronic device  100  can be duplicated in the band  124 . For example, a processing device can be included in the band and connected to the network communication interface  104  and the haptic device(s)  120 . 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of an electronic device connected to a band. The electronic device  200  can be connected to the band  202  using one or more attachment mechanisms  204 . The attachment mechanisms  204  can be attached to the band  202 , the electronic device  200 , and/or to both the band  202  and the electronic device  200 . The band  202  and the attachment mechanism  204  can each be made of any suitable material. For example, the band  202  and/or attachment mechanism  204  can be made of plastic, metal, and ceramic. In some embodiments, the band  202  can be made of a leather or fabric. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate different examples of attachment mechanisms suitable for use as the attachment mechanisms  204  shown in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 3 , the attachment mechanism  300  includes a pin  302  that is used to attach the band  304  to the electronic device  200 . As one example, a segment of the attachment mechanism  300  can be attached to the band  304  while another segment of the attachment mechanism  300  is attached to, or forms a part of, the electronic device  200 . The pin  302  can be inserted into the two segments of the attachment mechanism  300  to attach the band  304  to the electronic device  200 . 
     The pin  302  can be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, and ceramic. One or more haptic devices  308  can be included in at least one pin  302  and/or in at least one pin  302  and a section of the band  304  and/or electronic device  200  that is adjacent to the pin  302 . In one embodiment, one or more signal lines (not shown) can operatively connect each haptic device  308  to a processing device in the electronic device  200 . One example of a haptic device  308  is described in more detail in conjunction with  FIG. 6 . 
     As described previously, the haptic device(s)  308  can produce a selected force (e.g., pressure), motion, and/or vibratory response that causes one or both attachment mechanisms  300  to move with respect to the electronic device  200 , thereby providing tactile stimulation to the skin of the person wearing the band  304 . In one embodiment, at least one pin  302  moves with respect to the electronic device  200 . An activation signal can be sent at select times to a single haptic device  308  or to groups of two or more haptic devices  308 . The activation signal can be sent by a processing device, such as the processing device  102  shown in  FIG. 1 . Haptic stimulation can act as notifications for one or more events, such as the receipt of an email, a text message, a news story, a stock price, a reminder, and/or a low power state of a power source in the electronic device  200 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts another type of attachment mechanism. Each attachment mechanism  400  includes a bracket  402  and a pin  404 . In one embodiment, the band  406  can be attached to the pins  404  and the brackets  402  can be attached to, or form a part of, the electronic device  200 . The band  406  can attach to the electronic device  200  by attaching each pin  404  to a respective bracket  402 . 
     The brackets  402  and the pins  404  can be made of any suitable material, including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, and ceramic. One or more haptic devices can be included in at least one pin  404  and/or in at least one pin  404  and a section of the band  406  and/or the bracket  402  that is adjacent to the pin  404 . In one embodiment, one or more signal lines (not shown) can operatively connect each haptic device to a processing device in the electronic device  200 . Like the  FIG. 3  embodiment, the haptic device(s) can produce a selected force (e.g., pressure), motion, and/or vibratory response that causes at least one attachment mechanism  400  (e.g., pin  404 ) to move with respect to the electronic device  200 , thereby providing tactile stimulation to the skin of the person wearing the band  406 . 
     It should be noted that  FIGS. 3 and 4  are illustrative only. In other embodiments, different types of attachment mechanisms can be used to attach a band to an electronic device. 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of another example of an electronic device connected to a band. The electronic device  200  can be connected to the band  500  using one or more attachment mechanisms  204 . The attachment mechanisms  204  can be attached to the band  500 , the electronic device  200 , and/or to both the band  500  and the electronic device  200 . 
     The attachment mechanisms  502  can be used to attach the band  500  to the wearer. As one example, the attachment mechanisms  502  can be configured as a clasp and join together to attach the band  500  around a wrist of a wearer. One or more haptic device(s) can be included in the attachment mechanisms  204  and/or in the attachment mechanisms  502 . Each haptic device can produce a selected force (e.g., pressure), motion, and/or vibratory response that causes at least one attachment mechanism  204  and/or  502  to move with respect to the electronic device  200 , thereby providing tactile stimulation to the skin of the person wearing the band  500 . 
     The band  500  and the attachment mechanisms  204 ,  502  can each be made of any suitable material. For example, the band  500  and/or attachment mechanism(s)  204 ,  502  can be made of a, plastic, metal, and ceramic. In some embodiments, the band  500  can be made of a leather or fabric. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown a top view of one example of a haptic device that can be included in an attachment mechanism. The illustrated haptic device is an electromagnetic actuator  600 . A stator  602  is configured in a “C” shape and a coil  604  is wrapped around the stator  602 . A movable armature  606  is positioned in the opening of the “C” shaped stator  602 . The stator  602  and the movable armature  606  can be formed with any suitable ferromagnetic material. 
     A magnetic field is produced around the coil  604  when current flows through the coil  604 . The magnetic field applies a force to the armature  606  to move the armature  606  in the direction of the magnetic field. In one embodiment, the armature  606  can move in the direction(s) shown by the arrow  608 . Other embodiments can move the armature  606  in different directions, such as, for example, a lateral or sideways direction. In some embodiments, the movable armature  606  can be attached to a spring or some other element  610  that can limit the movement of the armature  606  and act as a restoring force for the armature  606 . 
     A haptic device can be configured differently in other embodiments. A linear actuator, an electromagnetic actuator with a different design, a gear and pinion, and/or another type of motor can be used to produce a force and/or motion that causes an attachment mechanism to move relative to the band or electronic device. 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the attachment mechanism  400  shown in  FIG. 4  that includes a haptic device. The bracket  402  is attached to the band  406 . The pin  404  can be inserted through openings (not shown) in support  700  and held in place with holding elements  702 . The support  700  can attach to a support structure  704  in the electronic device  200 . The pin  404  acts as a movable armature and the support  700  as a stator in the illustrated embodiment. A wire or coil  706  can be wrapped around the support  700 . When a current is applied to the coil  706 , the pin  404  moves with respect to the electronic device  200 . In some embodiments, bumpers  708  are positioned on the outside surface of the support  700  adjacent to the pin  404  to dampen the movement of the pin  404  and/or to act as a restoring element for the pin  404 . In one embodiment, the bumpers  708  are made of an elastomeric material. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an electronic device attached to a band and illustrates example movements of an attachment mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic device  800  and the band  802  are co-linear in that they lie along a line  804 . The attachment mechanism  806  can move in one or more directions. For example, the attachment mechanism  806  can move laterally or horizontally perpendicular  808  to the line  804 . The attachment mechanism  806  moves side-to-side with respect to the electronic device  800  and/or the band  802 . 
     Additionally or alternatively, the attachment mechanism  806  can move in parallel with the line  804 . Thus, the attachment mechanism  806  can move in-and-out with respect to the electronic device  800  and/or the band  802 . In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism  806  can move vertically perpendicular  812  with the line  804 . Thus, the attachment mechanism  806  can move up and down with respect to the electronic device  800  and/or the band  802 . In other embodiments, the attachment mechanism  806  can rotate around the line  804 . Thus, the attachment mechanism  806  can rotate with respect to the electronic device  800  and/or the band  802 . 
     In other embodiments, the electronic device  800  and the band  802  are not co-linear. As one example, an electronic device  800  can attach to a band  802  perpendicularly or diagonally with respect to the band  802 . 
     In some embodiments, an attachment mechanism  806  can produce one of the illustrated motions, some of the motions, or all of the motions. Additionally, an attachment mechanism  806  can produce another type of motion. For example, an attachment mechanism  806  can move in a combination of two or more directions (e.g., motions  810  and  812 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of the attachment mechanism  806  taken along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8 . A pin  900  extends across the attachment mechanism  806  and attaches on each end to a support  902 . A series of magnets  904  are wrapped around or adjacent to the pin  900 . The magnets  904  can be attached to each other, such as with an adhesive material. 
     One or more wires or coils  906  can be wrapped around the magnets  904 . The pin  900  moves when an electrical current is applied to the coil or coils  906 . In the illustrated embodiment, the pin  900  moves laterally or side-to-side with respect to the magnets  904 . In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism  806  can be attached to the band such that the pin  900 , the magnets  904 , and the coil(s)  906  are included in, or connected to the band. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a flowchart of a method for associating a haptic response with an event. Initially, a list of events can be presented to a user at block  1000 . The list of events can include events that can be generated or received by an electronic device. The list of events can be associated with an application and/or a function running on, or connected to the electronic device. A wearer of the band can be notified of one or more events with a haptic response. For example, a haptic response can be produced when an email or text message is received, when a voicemail or call is received (when the electronic device is a mobile telephone), when the power source (e.g.,  112  in  FIG. 1 ) is in a low power state, when a navigation program provides turn-by-turn directions, and/or when an emergency alert is received. A haptic response can be used to notify a wearer of an upcoming meeting or activity scheduled in a calendar program. The notifications can be event based and/or location based. For example, a user can receive news alerts or notifications for particular events, such as sporting events. Similarly, the notifications can relate to one or more particular geographical locations, such as a city or neighborhood. Notifications can be associated with the weather, when a motion sensor is activated in the home, and/or when a car alarm is activated. These example events are illustrative only, and a haptic response can be used to notify a wearer of other types of events. 
     Next, as shown in block  1002 , a determination is made as to whether an event has been selected by the user. If not, the method ends. When an event is selected, the process passes to block  1004  where one or more haptic characteristics can be presented to the user. Example haptic characteristics include, but are not limited to, whether to receive a haptic response or not, the number of haptic devices to be activated for haptic stimulation, the specific device or devices to be activated, the timing of the activation of the one or more haptic devices, a frequency or intensity of the haptic response, a direction or type of movement, and/or the duration of the haptic response. The one or more haptic characteristics can be presented as a list in a menu or through a set of radio buttons or dialog boxes. In some embodiments, the presentation of haptic characteristics can be organized by the type of haptic stimulation, such as by a force or by a movement. A user can customize the haptic response by specifying particular information for the one or more haptic characteristics. As one example, a user can specify movement in one direction at a given intensity for a particular time period. 
     In some embodiments, the haptic characteristic(s) associated with an event can be set at a default setting. For example, the default setting can be set to disable the haptic stimulation, or set to a given setting that produces a minimum level of haptic response. The method shown in  FIG. 10  can allow the user to modify the default settings. 
     A determination is then made at block  1006  as to whether a user has modified one or more haptic characteristics for the selected event. If not, the method ends. When a user has modified one or more haptic characteristics, the method continues at block  1008  where the customized haptic characteristic(s) are received and stored in a memory (e.g., memory  108  in  FIG. 1 ). The customized haptic characteristic(s) can then be used each time a notification is to be sent to a user. 
     Various embodiments have been described in detail with particular reference to certain features thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. And even though specific embodiments have been described herein, it should be noted that the application is not limited to these embodiments. In particular, any features described with respect to one embodiment may also be used in other embodiments, where compatible. Likewise, the features of the different embodiments may be exchanged, where compatible.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20131210
Publication Date: 20190430
Grant Date: 20190430
Priority Date: 20131210
Inventors: Smith, IV, Harry W.
KESSLER, PATRICK
MOUSSETTE, Camille
MORRELL, JOHN B.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G08B6/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/016", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G08B6/00", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 49920604