PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9946297-B2
Application Number: US-201514632924-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Auxiliary electronic device attachable to a wearable electronic device

Abstract:
An auxiliary electronic device attachable to a wearable electronic device. The auxiliary device includes a housing, electronic circuitry within the housing, and an attachment mechanism configured to attach the auxiliary electronic device to the wearable device while the device is being worn by a user. In some embodiments the electronic circuitry includes a power transmitting unit that can wirelessly transmit power to charge a rechargeable battery within the wearable electronic device. In some embodiments the attachment mechanism includes a pair of lugs that extend, from opposite ends of the housing, above the housing towards a center of the auxiliary device and are adapted to fit within corresponding recesses of the wearable electronic device.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An auxiliary electronic device for a wearable electronic device, the auxiliary electronic device comprising:
 a housing; 
 a power transmitting unit within the housing and configured to wirelessly transmit power to a power receiving unit of the wearable electronic device; 
 an attachment mechanism configured to attach the housing to the wearable electronic device while the device is being worn by a user; and 
 a lens that traverses the housing from a first side, configured to engage the wearable electronic device, to a second side, opposite the first side. 
 
     
     
       2. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 1  wherein the power transmitting unit comprises a battery and a transmitting coil positioned to align with a receiving coil in the power receiving unit when the auxiliary electronic device is operatively coupled to the wearable electronic device. 
     
     
       3. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 1  wherein power transmitting unit comprises:
 a connector that enables the auxiliary electronic device to be connected to an external power source; and 
 a transmitting coil positioned to align with a receiving coil in the power receiving unit when the auxiliary electronic device is operatively coupled to the wearable electronic device. 
 
     
     
       4. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 1  wherein the lens is positioned on the housing to align with a sensor on the wearable electronic device enabling the sensor to operate through the lens when the auxiliary electronic device is operatively coupled to the wearable electronic device. 
     
     
       5. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 1  wherein the housing has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners and, a length of the housing is less than 50 mm, a width of the housing is less than 42 mm and a depth of the housing is an order of magnitude more or less than either its width or length. 
     
     
       6. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 1  further comprising:
 first and second auxiliary lugs connected to the housing at opposite ends, each of the first and second auxiliary lugs projecting above a first surface of the housing towards a center of the auxiliary electronic device; and 
 first and second recesses formed adjacent to the first and second auxiliary lugs, respectively, and adapted to receive band lugs of a band to secure the auxiliary electronic device to a user&#39;s wrist. 
 
     
     
       7. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 6  wherein the power transmitting unit comprises a battery and a transmitting coil positioned adjacent to the first surface and positioned to align with a receiving coil in the power receiving unit when the auxiliary electronic device is operatively coupled to the wearable electronic device. 
     
     
       8. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 7  wherein the first surface has a concave shape that follows a convex portion of a bottom surface of the wearable electronic device. 
     
     
       9. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 1  wherein the wearable electronic device is configured to be attached to a user&#39;s wrist by a band and the auxiliary electronic device is configured be positioned between the wearable electronic device and the user&#39;s wrist. 
     
     
       10. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 9  wherein the auxiliary electronic device further comprises at least one sensor configured to capture information related to its environment and communication circuitry configured to transmit the captured information to the wearable electronic device. 
     
     
       11. An auxiliary electronic device for a wearable electronic device configured to be attached to a user&#39;s wrist by a band, the auxiliary electronic device comprising:
 a housing sized and shaped to fit between the wearable electronic device and a user&#39;s wrist while the wearable electronic device is worn by the user; 
 at least one electronic component within the housing configured to interact with one or more electronic components within the wearable electronic device; 
 an attachment mechanism configured to attach the auxiliary electronic device to the wearable device while the wearable electronic device is being worn by a user; and 
 a lens that is positioned such that, while the wearable electronic device is being worn by a user, the lens is between a sensor of the wearable electronic device and the user&#39;s wrist. 
 
     
     
       12. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 11  wherein the wearable electronic device includes first and second recesses, each recess being configured to accept one of first and second lugs attached to a band that in turn can secure the wearable electronic device to a user&#39;s wrist, and wherein the attachment mechanism comprises:
 first and second members that are configured to fit within the first and second recesses, respectively, to attach the housing to the wearable electronic device; and 
 third and fourth recesses sized and shaped similar to the first and second recesses, respectively, to enable the band to be attached to the auxiliary electronic device, the third recess being positioned adjacent to the first lug and the fourth recess being positioned adjacent to the second lug. 
 
     
     
       13. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 12  wherein a line that bisects an opening of each of the third and fourth recesses has an angle with respect to an upper surface of auxiliary electronic device that is approximately the same angle at which each of the first and second lugs extends away from the upper surface. 
     
     
       14. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 12  wherein the third and fourth recesses are positioned such that when the band is attached to the auxiliary electronic device a length of a loop formed between the band and auxiliary electronic device is within 10 mm of a length of the loop formed between the band and the wearable electronic device when the band is attached to the wearable electronic device. 
     
     
       15. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 11  wherein when the auxiliary electronic device is operatively coupled to the wearable electronic device and worn by a user, the housing is positioned between the wearable electronic device and the user&#39;s wrist. 
     
     
       16. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the lens is positioned on the housing to align with the sensor on the wearable electronic device enabling the sensor to operate through the lens when the auxiliary electronic device is operatively coupled to the wearable electronic device. 
     
     
       17. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 11  wherein the at least one electronic component comprises a sensor and communication circuitry that can transmit data from the sensor to the wearable electronic device. 
     
     
       18. An auxiliary electronic device for a wearable electronic device that includes first and second recesses, each recess being configured to accept a lug attached to a band that in turn can secure the wearable electronic device to a user&#39;s wrist, the auxiliary electronic device comprising:
 a housing; 
 at least one electronic component within the housing; 
 a first lug extending from a first end of the housing; 
 a second lug extending from a second end of the housing opposite the first end; 
 a third recess sized and shaped similar to the first recess on the wearable electronic device; and 
 a fourth recess sized and shaped similar to the third recess on the wearable electronic device. 
 
     
     
       19. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 18  wherein the at least one electronic component comprises a wireless power transmitting unit configured to wirelessly transmit power to a power receiving unit of the wearable electronic device and comprises a battery and a transmitting coil positioned to align with a receiving coil in the power receiving unit when the auxiliary electronic device is operatively coupled to the wearable electronic device. 
     
     
       20. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 19  wherein the housing has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners, a length of the housing is less than 50 mm, a width of the housing is less than 42 mm and a thickness of the housing is 10 mm or less. 
     
     
       21. An auxiliary electronic device for a wearable electronic device that includes first and second recesses on opposing ends of the wearable electronic device, the auxiliary electronic device comprising:
 a housing having an exterior charging surface; 
 an attachment mechanism including first and second opposing members extending towards each other in a fixed relationship above the exterior charging surface, the first and second opposing members sized and shaped to fit within the first and second recesses, respectively, to attach the housing to the wearable electronic device; and 
 a power transmitting unit positioned within the housing adjacent to the exterior charging surface, the power transmitting unit configured to wirelessly transmit power across the exterior charging surface to a power receiving unit of the wearable electronic device when the auxiliary electronic device is attached to the wearable electronic device by the attachment mechanism. 
 
     
     
       22. The auxiliary electronic device of  claim 21  wherein the power transmitting unit is positioned between the wearable electronic device and a user&#39;s wrist when the auxiliary electronic device is attached to the wearable electronic device by the attachment mechanism and the wearable electronic device is worn on the user&#39;s wrist. 
     
     
       23. The auxiliary electronic device of  claim 22  wherein the wearable electronic device can be attached to a user&#39;s wrist by a band. 
     
     
       24. The auxiliary electronic device set forth in  claim 23  wherein the band is separate from the auxiliary electronic device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/057,531 filed Sep. 30, 2014. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to wearable electronic devices. More particularly, some embodiments of the invention relate to a device that can attach to and charge a wearable electronic device and/or provide additional functionality to the wearable electronic device while the wearable device is being worn by a user. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A variety of wearable electronic devices have been developed recently that include one or more sensors to measure various characteristics of the environment the device operates in. For example, electronic devices that can be worn on a user&#39;s wrist and do much more than act as a simple time piece are growing in popularity. Such devices may include a display to indicate the time and date. The devices may also include accelerometers and one or more sensors that enable a user to track fitness activities and health-related characteristics, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature, among other information. The devices also typically include a rechargeable battery that powers the electronics within the device. 
     Battery life is an important consideration for such wearable devices as the devices may not function properly without sufficient battery power. One manner in which the rechargeable battery within a wearable device can be charged is by connecting the device to a dedicated charger such as a docking station or charging stand much the same way a user may charge a smart phone or laptop computer. Such charging methods work quite well, but some user&#39;s may prefer to wear their wearable electronic devices all day and not take the devices off for the time it takes to charge the battery with a docking station or similarly device. Additionally, some functions performed by any given wearable electronic device may be limited or optimized such that the functions are best performed when the device is worn by the user based on the particular sensors, circuitry and other hardware of the electronic device as manufactured. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of the invention pertain to an auxiliary electronic device that can be attached to a wearable electronic device while the wearable device is worn by a user to charge the wearable device. For example, in one embodiment an auxiliary electronic device is provided that is adapted to charge a battery of a wearable electronic device worn on a user&#39;s wrist much like a watch. The auxiliary electronic device can be attached to the wearable electronic device fitting between a bottom surface of the wearable device and the user&#39;s wrist. The auxiliary electronic device can include a power source that can be connected to charging circuitry of the wearable device and transmit power to the charging circuitry to charge the wearable device&#39;s battery while the wearable device is being worn and used by the user. 
     An auxiliary electronic device according to one embodiment includes a housing, a power transmitting unit within the housing, and an attachment mechanism configured to attach the charger to the wearable device while the device is being worn by a user. The power transmitting unit can be configured to wirelessly transmit power to a power receiving unit of the wearable electronic device. In some embodiments, the power transmitting unit includes a battery and a transmitting coil positioned to align with a receiving coil in the power receiving unit when the charger is operatively coupled to the wearable electronic device. The power transmitting unit can further include a connector that enables the auxiliary electronic device to receive power from an external power source. 
     In some embodiments, the auxiliary electronic device can further include a pair of lugs that extend from opposite ends of the housing above the housing towards a center of the device charger and are adapted to fit within corresponding recesses of the wearable electronic device. Also, the auxiliary electronic device can further include one or more lenses that extends through the housing between a top surface and bottom surface of the housing. The one or more lenses can be positioned on the housing to align with sensors on the wearable electronic device enabling the sensors to operate through the one or more lenses when the auxiliary device is operatively coupled to the wearable electronic device. 
     In some embodiments an auxiliary electronic device is provided that is adapted to charge a wearable electronic device having first and second recesses formed in a casing of the electronic device where each recess is configured to accept a lug attached to a band that in turn can secure the wearable electronic device to a user&#39;s wrist. The device charger includes a housing, a wireless power transmitting unit within the housing, a first lug extending from a first end of the housing, and a second lug extending from a second end of the housing opposite the first end. The device charger can further include a third recess sized and shaped similar to the first recess on the wearable electronic device and a fourth recess sized and shaped similar to the third recess on the wearable electronic device. When the auxiliary electronic device is operatively coupled to the wearable electronic device and worn by a user, the housing is positioned between the wearable electronic device and the user&#39;s wrist. In some embodiments the third and fourth recesses are positioned such that when the band is attached to the auxiliary electronic device a length of a loop formed between the band and charger is within 10 mm of a length of the loop formed between the band and the wearable electronic device when the band is attached to the wearable electronic device. Additionally, in certain embodiments the housing has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners, a length of less than 50 mm, a width of less than 42 mm and a thickness of 10 mm or less. 
     Some embodiments of the invention pertain to an auxiliary electronic device that attaches to a wearable electronic device while the device is worn by a user and provides additional functionality for the wearable electronic device augmenting and/or expanding the device&#39;s capabilities. For example, in one embodiment an auxiliary electronic device is provided that provides GPS functionality to a wearable electronic device. The auxiliary electronic device includes a power source, a GPS receiver and associated circuitry and communication circuitry that can transmit GPS data received by the GPS receiver to the wearable electronic device. In another embodiment, the auxiliary electronic device includes a power source that can be connected to charging circuitry of the wearable device and transmit power to the charging circuitry to charge the wearable device&#39;s battery in addition to augmenting and/or expanding the device&#39;s capabilities. 
     In some embodiments where the wearable electronic device has first and second recesses formed in a casing of the device and each recess is configured to accept a lug attached to a band that in turn can secure the wearable electronic device to a user&#39;s wrist, the auxiliary electronic device includes a housing, an electronic component within the housing that supplements the functionality of the wearable electronic device, and an attachment mechanism configured to attach the auxiliary electronic device to the wearable device while the device is being worn by a user. When the auxiliary electronic device is operatively coupled to the wearable electronic device and worn by a user, the housing is positioned between the wearable electronic device and the user&#39;s wrist. In some embodiments the electronic component includes at least one sensor and communication circuitry that can transmit data from the at least one sensor to the wearable electronic device. In some embodiments the attachment mechanism includes a first lug extending from a first end of the housing, and a second lug extending from a second end of the housing opposite the first end. The auxiliary electronic device can further include a third recess sized and shaped similar to the first recess on the wearable electronic device and a fourth recess sized and shaped similar to the third recess on the wearable electronic device. 
     The following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings in which the same reference numerals are sometimes used in multiple figures to designate similar or identical structural elements, provide a better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified front perspective view of one type of wearable electronic device with which embodiments of the invention may be used; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified rear perspective view of the wearable electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of inductive charging circuitry and related circuitry within the wearable device shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a simplified side plan view of a wearable electronic device charger according to one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a simplified top plan view of the wearable electronic device charger shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a simplified bottom plan view of the wearable electronic device charger shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a simplified side plan view of the wearable electronic device charger shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  operatively connected to the wearable electronic device shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of circuitry within a wearable electronic device charger according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a simplified side plan view of a wearable electronic device charger according to another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a simplified top plan view of a wearable electronic device charger according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of a wearable electronic device with which embodiments of the invention may be used; 
         FIG. 12  is a simplified side plan view of a wearable auxiliary electronic device according to another embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram of a wearable auxiliary electronic device according to still another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit the embodiments to any particular preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the accompanying claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some embodiments of the invention pertain to an auxiliary electronic device that can be attached to a wearable electronic device while the device is worn by a user to charge the wearable device and thus can be referred to as a “charger” or a “charging device”. The charging device can include a power source that can be connected to charging circuitry of the wearable device to transmit power to the charging circuitry and charge the wearable device&#39;s battery. 
     Embodiments of the invention may operate with one or more wearable electronic devices. One example of a suitable wearable electronic device is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and takes the form of a wearable electronic device  100 . As shown, wearable electronic device  100  includes a casing  102  that houses a display  104  and various input devices including a dial  106  and a button  108 . 
     Device  100  may be worn on a user&#39;s wrist and secured thereto by a band  110 . Band  110  includes lugs  112   a ,  112   b  at opposing ends of the band that fit within respective recesses or apertures  114   a ,  114   b  of the casing and allow band  110  to be removeably attached to casing  102 . Lugs  112   a ,  112   b  may be part of band  110  or may be separable (and/or separate) from the band. Generally, the lugs may lock into recesses  114   a ,  114   b  and thereby maintain connection between the band and casing  102 . The user may release a locking mechanism (not shown) to permit the lugs to slide or otherwise move out of the recesses. In some wearable devices, the recesses may be formed in the band and the lugs may be affixed or incorporated into the casing. 
     Casing  102  also houses electronic circuitry (not shown in  FIG. 1 or 2 ), including a processor and communication circuitry, along with sensors  122 ,  124  that are exposed on a bottom surface  120  of casing  102 . The circuitry, sensors, display and input devices enable wearable electronic device  100  to perform a variety of functions including, but not limited to: keeping time; monitoring a user&#39;s physiological signals and providing health-related information based on those signals; communicating (in a wired or wireless fashion) with other electronic devices; providing alerts to a user, which may include audio, haptic, visual and/or other sensory output, any or all of which may be synchronized with one another; visually depicting data on a display; gathering data form one or more sensors that may be used to initiate, control, or modify operations of the device; determining a location of a touch on a surface of the device and/or an amount of force exerted on the device, and use either or both as input; accepting voice input to control one or more functions; accepting tactile input to control one or more functions; and so on. 
     A battery (not shown in  FIG. 1 or 2 ) internal to casing  102  powers wearable electronic device  100 . The battery can be recharged by an external power source, and wearable electronic device  100  can include circuitry configured to operate as a receiver in a wireless power transfer system that includes a power-transmitting component to transmit power and a power-receiving component to receive power. One example of a wireless power transfer system is an inductive power transfer system. In an inductive power transfer system, a power-receiving electronic device includes or otherwise incorporates an inductive power-receiving element configured to wirelessly receive power and/or charge one or more internal batteries. Similarly, a charging device (i.e., power transmitting component) includes or otherwise incorporates an inductive power-transmitting element configured to wirelessly transmit power to the power-receiving electronic device. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of inductive power receiving component  300  within casing  102  that, when operatively coupled with an appropriate inductive power transmitting component, can charge battery  302  within casing  102 . Battery  302  is operably connected to a receive coil  304  via power conditioning circuitry  306 . Receive coil  304  can be inductively coupled to a transmit coil of a charging device to receive power wirelessly from the charging device and pass the received power to battery  302  within the device  100  via power conditioning circuitry  304 . Power conditioning circuitry  304  can be configured to convert the alternating current received by the receive coil  304  into direct current power for use by other components of the device. A processing unit  310  may direct the power, via one or more routing circuits and under the execution of an appropriate program residing in a memory  312 , to perform or coordinate one or more functions of the device  100  typically powered by the battery  302 . 
       FIG. 4  is a simplified side plan view of a wearable auxiliary device  400  that can be used to charge a wearable electronic device such as device  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIGS. 5 and 6  are a simplified top and bottom perspective views of charger  400 . Auxiliary device  400  may include a relatively thin and a generally flat housing  402  that can be attached to casing  102 . Housing  402  houses a power source  404  that can transmit power to device  100  to charge the rechargeable battery or other power source within the wearable electronic device. 
     Housing  402  can be made from a non-corrosive, chemically resistant material that is able to withstand temperature fluctuations that auxiliary device  400  will be subject to in typical use. In various embodiments housing  402  can be made from a rigid material such as metal, plastic; can be made from a flexible material, such as rubber or silicone; or can be made from a combination of such materials or other appropriate materials. In some embodiments housing  402  can be made to function as heat sink that dissipates heat generated from circuitry within housing  402  and/or from wearable electronic device  100 . For example, housing  402  may designed to dissipate heat through sides  407  of the housing rather than at top surface  405  or bottom surface  409  that would be in contact with a user&#39;s skin. In one particular example, housing  402  may include a high thermal conductivity material such as graphite, copper or the like that is exposed on sides  407  and a low thermal conductivity material, such as ceramic or silicone on bottom surface  409  that abutts the user&#39;s skin. Further, in some embodiments, housing  402  may include electromagnetic shielding that blocks RF radiation and/or directs such radiation away from bottom surface  409  and thus away from the user&#39;s skin. 
     In certain embodiments, housing  402  can be water resistant to a depth of at least 5 meters, to a depth of at least 10 meters or up to a deep sea diving depth, such as 300 meters. In some embodiments housing  402  can be sized in its length and width dimensions similarly to the wearable electronic device  100  that charger  400  is adapted to charge. For example, in one embodiment where wearable electronic device  100  has a length of approximately 38 mm and a width of approximately 32.4 mm, housing  402  can have a length of less than 46 mm (and between 30 and 46 mm in some instances) and a width of less than 38 mm (and between 26 and 38 mm in some instances). In another embodiment where electronic device  100  has a length of approximately 42 mm and a width of approximately 36.4 mm, housing  402  can have a length of less than 50 mm (and between 34 and 50 mm in some instances) and a width of less than 42 mm (and between 30 and 42 mm in some instances). Housing  402  can also be relatively thin so that it may be comfortably worn by a user while device  100  is being worn. In one embodiment where wearable electronic device  100  is approximately 12.6 mm thick, housing  402  can have a thickness (D) between 2 and 10 mm as shown in  FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, the thickness (D) of housing  402  is at least an order of magnitude less than either the length or width of the housing and/or housing  402  has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners. 
     In the depicted embodiment, auxiliary device  400  is attached to casing  102  in essentially the same manner that band  110  can be attached to casing  102 . Specifically, charger  400  includes first and second lugs  406   a ,  406   b  that protrude from an upper surface  405  of the housing at opposite ends. Each of lug  406   a ,  406   b  project above surface  405  and towards a center of housing  402  such that the two lugs face each other. Lugs  406   a ,  406   b  can fit within and lock into recesses  114   a ,  114   b  of device  100  and thereby maintain connection between the auxiliary device  400  and casing  102 . Lugs  406   a ,  406   b  can be made from the same material as housing  402  or can be made from a different material. In some embodiments, lugs  406   a ,  406   b  are made from a hard, strong metal such as stainless steel. 
     Auxiliary device  400  further includes first and second recesses  408   a ,  408   b  positioned adjacent to lugs  406   a ,  406   b , respectively, that mimic recesses  114   a ,  114   b  of casing  102 . Each recess  408   a ,  408   b  has an opening where a line that bisects the opening has an angle with respect to surface  405  that is approximately the same angle that each of lugs  406   a ,  406   b  extend from surface  405  at, and in one embodiment, the angles are within five degrees of each other. Recesses  408   a ,  408   b  enable band  110  to be attached to housing  402  instead of casing  102  via lugs  112   a ,  112   b  of the band. In some embodiments, recesses  408   a ,  408   b  are positioned such that band  110  can be attached to charger  400  in approximately the same position that the band would be attached to recesses  114   a ,  114   b . Thus, a length of band  110  would not need to be adjusted to obtain the same fit on a user regardless as to whether the band is attached to charger  400  or to casing  102 . For example, in one embodiment, when the band is attached to charger  400  the length of the loop formed between band  110  and charger  400  is within 10 mm of the length of the loop formed between band  110  and casing  102  when the band is attached to the casing. In another embodiment, the two configurations have loops lengths that are within 5 mm of each other. 
     In some embodiments, auxiliary device  400  can include both a locking mechanism and a release mechanism to enable band  110  to be secured to and easily detached from the wearable auxiliary device. The locking and release mechanisms can be operatively coupled to recesses  408   a ,  408   b  and similar or identical to the locking and release mechanisms included in device  100 . Because band  110  can be readily detached from auxiliary device  400  and from casing  102 , a user may change combinations of bands and/or casings, thereby permitting mixing and matching of the two categories. Auxiliary device  400  can work with different combinations of bands and casing and can be part of and extend an ecosystem of bands and devices, each of which is compatible with another. 
     The size and shape of housing  402  in combination with lugs  406   a ,  406   b  and recesses  408   a ,  408   b  enables housing  402  to be abutt the lower surface of casing  102  and be worn under wearable device  100  between the device and a user&#39;s wrist as shown in  FIG. 7 . Device  400  does not include a cavity or similar structure at upper surface  405  that envelops wearable device  100 . Thus, there are no sidewalls on device  400  that extend from sides  407  above surface  405  to cover or partially cover side  702  of device  100  (or the side of device  100  opposite side  702  not shown in  FIG. 7 ). In order for device In this manner, auxiliary device  400  may be thought of as a “backpack” that is worn by wearable electronic device  100  at its lower surface or back  120 . In other embodiments wearable auxiliary devices are provided that can attach to a wearable electronic device at different locations and/or using different attachment mechanisms. For example, in some embodiments the auxiliary device can attach to a wearable device using one or more clips that allow it to snap onto device  100 , one or more magnets that allow it to be magnetically secured to device  100  or other mechanisms or a combination of mechanisms. Also, in some embodiments the auxiliary device can attach to a top surface of a wearable device while in other embodiments the auxiliary device can attach to one or more of the side surfaces of a wearable device. In still other embodiments housing  402  may include a cavity at upper surface  405  that device  100  fits within where the sidewalls that form the cavity include cutouts to enable access to dial  106  and button  108  or any other input features on device that would otherwise be covered by the sidewalls. 
     Power source  404  can be a replaceable battery, a rechargeable battery or a tethered power source that receives power from a source external to device  400 , such as from a USB cable, Lightening cable or other wired interface. In addition to power source  404 , charger  400  can include circuitry (not shown in  FIGS. 4-6 ) within housing  402  that enables the auxiliary device to wirelessly recharge the battery, for example battery  302 , of wearable device  100 .  FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an inductive power transmitting component  802  according to an embodiment of the invention within a wearable auxiliary device  800  (also referred to as a “wearable electronic device charger”), which can be, for example, auxiliary device  400 . As shown, charging component  802  includes a power source  804 , which can be power source  404 , operatively coupled to a transmit coil  806  to transmit power to the device wearable electronic device  100  via electromagnetic induction or magnetic resonance. Transmit coil  806  can be an electromagnetic coil that produces a time-varying electromagnetic flux to induce a current within an electromagnetic coil within an electronic device (e.g., coil  304 ). The transmit coil may transmit power at a selected frequency or band of frequencies. In one example the transmit frequency is substantially fixed, although this is not required. For example, the transmit frequency may be adjusted to improve power transfer efficiency for particular operational conditions. More particularly, a high transmit frequency may be selected if more power is required by the accessory and a low transmit frequency may be selected if less power is required by the accessory. In other examples, transmit coil  806  may produce a static electromagnetic field and may physically move, shift, or otherwise change its position to produce a spatially-varying electromagnetic flux to induce a current within the receive coil. 
     When auxiliary device  800  is operatively attached to wearable electronic device  100 , the device  100  may use the received current to replenish the charge of its rechargeable battery or to provide power to operating components associated with the electronic device. Thus, when auxiliary device  800  is operatively attached to wearable electronic device  100 , the auxiliary device may wirelessly transmit power at a particular frequency via transmit coil  806  to receive coil  304  of the electronic device. 
     Transmit coil  806  can be positioned within the housing of auxiliary device  800  such that it aligns with receive coil  304  in wearable device  100  along a mutual axis when charger  800  is operatively attached to wearable electronic device  100 . If misaligned, the power transfer efficiency between the transmit coil and the receive coil may decrease as misalignment increases. When the housing of auxiliary device  800  is similar to housing  402  which includes lugs  404   a ,  404   b , proper alignment can be achieved when lugs  404   a ,  404   b  are interlocked within recesses  114   a ,  114   b.    
     In some embodiments, one or more alignment assistance features in addition to or instead of lugs  404   a ,  404   b  can be incorporated into auxiliary device  800  to facilitate alignment of the transmit and receive coils along the mutual axis can be employed. As one example, an alignment magnet  808  can be included in auxiliary device  800  that magnetically mates with alignment magnet  308  of wearable device  100  to facilitate proper alignment of auxiliary device  800  and device  100 . Additionally, the top and bottom surfaces of auxiliary device  800  and wearable device  100 , respectively, may cooperate to further facilitate alignment. For example, in one embodiment a bottom surface of wearable device  100  is convex and a top surface of charger  800  (e.g., surface  405 ) is concave, following the same curvature as the bottom surface of device  100 . In this manner, the complementary geometries may facilitate alignment of the device charger and wearable device in addition to one or both of lugs  404   a ,  404   b  and/or alignment magnet  808 . 
     Auxiliary device  800  may also include a processor  810  that may be used to control the operation of or coordinate one or more functions of the charger. In some embodiments, auxiliary device  800  may also include one or more sensors  812  to determine whether wearable electronic device  100  is present and ready to receive transmitted power from the charger. For example, auxiliary device  800  may include an optical sensor, such as an infrared proximity sensor. When auxiliary device  800  is attached to device  100 , the infrared proximity sensor may produce a signal that processor  810  uses to determine the presence of device  100 . Processor  810  may, optionally, use another method or structure to verify the presence of the accessory via sensor  812 . Examples of different sensors that may be suitable to detect or verify the presence of device  100  may include a mass sensor, a mechanical interlock, switch, button or the like, a Hall effect sensor, or other electronic sensor. Continuing the example, after sensor  812  reports that the device  100  may be present, the processor  810  may activate a communication channel to attempt to communicate with the device  100 . 
     Some embodiments of the invention may include a wired interface for charging battery  302  and/or for exchanging data with wearable electronic device  100 . The wired interface may be in addition to or instead of a wireless interface. For example, in one embodiment device  400  may include contacts in or near lugs  112   a ,  112   b  that are sized and positioned to physically and electrically couple to one or more contacts on the wearable electronic device. The contacts may include one or more power contacts as well as one or more data contacts, such as a pair of differential data contacts. In another embodiment, the one or more contacts may be on an upper surface of device  400  and positioned to physically and electrically couple to corresponding contacts on a bottom surface of wearable device  100 . Thus, when device  400  is operatively attached to wearable device  100  the contacts are not visible on either device. 
       FIG. 9  is a simplified side plan view of a wearable auxiliary device  900  according to another embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 10  is a simplified top plan view auxiliary device  900 . Auxiliary device  900  is similar to auxiliary device  400  but includes one or more lenses  902  that traverse the thickness of housing  402  and enable optical sensors within device  100  to properly function while auxiliary device  900  is operatively connected to device  100 . For example, in the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , auxiliary device  900  includes two lenses  902 , each of which is aligned with one of sensors  122 ,  124  in device  100 . Sensors  122 ,  124  can be, for example, infrared and visible light LEDs and photodiodes that sense one or more biometric measurements of a user. When auxiliary device  900  is used with device  100  and worn by a user, the lenses  902  enable the sensors  122 ,  124  to capture information from the skin of the user where housing  402  of auxiliary device  900  would otherwise interfere with or prevent the sensors from being properly used. In some embodiments, each lens  902  may magnify, amplify or otherwise enhance the ability of sensors  122 ,  124  to capture such data. In another particular embodiment four sensors are exposed on bottom surface  120  of device  100  and auxiliary device  900  includes four lenses  902 , one for each sensor. 
     As previously mentioned, embodiments of the invention can be used to charge a variety of wearable electronic devices in addition to the particular wrist-worn electronic devices discussed above.  FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram of a wearable electronic device  1100 , such as device  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with which embodiments of the invention may be used. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the device  1100  includes one or more processing units  1102  that are configured to access a memory  1104  having instructions stored thereon. The instructions or computer programs may be configured to perform one or more of the operations or functions described with respect to the device  1100 . For example, the instructions may be configured to control or coordinate the operation of the various components of the device. Such components include, but are not limited to, display stack  1106 , one or more input/output components  1108 , one or more communication channels  1110 , one or more sensors  1112 , a speaker  1114 , microphone  1116 , and/or one or more haptic feedback devices  1118 . In some embodiments the speaker and microphone may be combined into a single unit and/or may share a common port through a housing of the device. 
     The processing units  1102  of  FIG. 2  may be implemented as any electronic device capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions. For example, the processing units  1102  may include one or more of: 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 “processor” is meant to encompass a single processor or processing unit, multiple processors, multiple processing units, or other suitably configured computing element or elements. 
     Display stack  1106  may include a cover element, such as a cover glass, overlying a display. The cover glass need not necessarily be formed from glass, although that is an option; it may be formed from sapphire, zirconia, alumina, chemically strengthened glass, hardened plastic and so on. Likewise, the display may be a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode display, or any other suitable display technology. Among other elements, the display stack may include a backlight in some embodiments. Display stack may also include one or more touch sensors to determine a location of a touch on the cover glass. The touch sensor may be self-capacitive in certain embodiments, mutual-capacitive in others, or a combination thereof. 
     Similarly, device  1100  may include a force sensor to determine an amount of force applied to the cover glass. The force sensor may be a capacitive sensor in some embodiments and a strain sensor in other embodiments. In either embodiment, the force sensor is generally transparent and made form transparent materials, or is located beneath or away from the display in order not to interfere with the view of the display. The force sensor may, for example, take the form of two capacitive plates separated by silicone or another deformable material. As the capacitive plates move closer together under an external force, the change in capacitance may be measured and a value of the external force correlated from the capacitance change. Further, by comparing relative capacitance changes from multiple points on the force sensor, or from multiple force sensors, a location or locations at which force is exerted may be determined. In one embodiment the force sensor may take the form of a gasket extending beneath the periphery of the display. The gasket may be segmented or unitary, depending on the embodiment. 
     Wearable electronic device  1100  may also provide alerts to a user. An alert may be generated in response to: a change in status of the device (one example of which is power running low); receipt of information by the device (such as receiving a message); communications between the device and another mechanism/device (such as a second type of device informing the device that a message is waiting or communication is in progress); an operational state of an application (such as, as part of a game, or when a calendar appointment is imminent) or the operating system (such as when the device powers on or shuts down); and so on. The number and types of triggers for an alert are various and far-ranging. 
     The alert may be auditory, visual, haptic, or a combination thereof. A haptic actuator may be housed within the device and may move linearly to generate haptic output (although in alternative embodiments the haptic actuator may be rotary or any other type). A speaker may provide auditory components of an alert and the aforementioned display may provide visual alert components. In some embodiments a dedicated light, display, or other visual output component may be used as part of an alert. 
     The auditory, haptic and/or visual components of the alert may be synchronized to provide an overall experience to a user. One or more components may be delayed relative to other components to create a desired synchronization between them. The components may be synchronized so that they are perceived substantially simultaneously; as one example, a haptic output may be initiated slightly before an auditory output since the haptic output may take longer to be perceived than the audio. As another example, a haptic output (or portion thereof) may be initiated substantially before the auditory output but at a weak or even subliminal level, thereby priming the wearer to receive the auditory output. 
     The example electronic device may communicate with other electronic devices either through a wired connection or wirelessly via communication channels  1110 . Data may be passed between devices, permitting one device to relay information to another; control another; employ another&#39;s sensors, outputs, and/or inputs; and so on. 
     Some embodiments of the invention can charge a wearable device, such as device  100  or device  1100 , as discussed above. Additionally, some embodiments of the invention can provide additional functionality to the wearable device instead of, or in addition to, charging the wearable device. For example, in one embodiment an auxiliary electronic device is provided that can attach to a wearable electronic device using any of the techniques discussed above and can provide GPS capabilities to the wearable electronic device in addition to or instead of charging the device. In other embodiments, an auxiliary electronic device according to the invention can include any of the sensors or functionality discussed above with respect to  FIG. 11  such as additional haptic functionality, one or more ECR sensors, one or more GSR sensors, and the like. 
       FIG. 12  is a simplified side plan view of a wearable auxiliary electronic device  1200  that augments the functionality of a wearable electronic device, such as device  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 12 , device  1200  has the same general form factor as device  400  shown in  FIG. 4 . Thus, the same reference numbers used in  FIG. 4  are used in  FIG. 12  to refer to like components, which for the sake of brevity, are not discussed below. In other embodiments, device  1200  can have the form factor of device  900  shown in  FIG. 9  or a different form factor altogether. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , auxiliary device  1200  includes additional components  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  and  1208  each of which may supplement the functionality that one or more of the components shown in  FIG. 11  provides for wearable device  1100 . In some embodiments, one or more of components  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  and  1208  can be an environmental sensor including an electronic, mechanical, electromechanical, optical, or other type of sensor that provides information related to external conditions around auxiliary device  1200  and thus, when device  1200  is operatively attached to wearable electronic device  1100 , around device  1100  as well. For example, if a particular wearable device did not include a temperature sensor to measure ambient air temperature, an auxiliary electronic device  1200  according to an embodiment of the invention may include a sensor  1202  that is a temperature sensor. Similarly, if a particular wearable device did not include a speaker and/or a microphone, an auxiliary electronic device  1200  according to an embodiment of the invention may include one or more audio devices  1204  to provide this functionality. As still another example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor  1206  may be included within housing  402  that can determine location based on signals received from GPS satellites and collect GPS data for a wearable electronic device that does not have such a sensor. Auxiliary electronic device  1200  can provide any and all such collected sensor data, including GPS data, over a communication channel provided by communication circuitry  1208  to a wearable device  1100  via communication channel  1110 . Any type and combination of environmental sensors can be used as one or more of components  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  and  1208 . Other specific examples of appropriate sensors include an accelerometer that can sense acceleration (relative to free fall) along one or more axes, e.g., using piezoelectric or other components in conjunction with associated electronics to produce a signal; a magnetometer that can sense an ambient magnetic field (e.g., Earth&#39;s magnetic field) and generate a corresponding electrical signal, which can be interpreted as a compass direction; a gyroscope that can sense rotational motion in one or more directions; a proximity sensor; an ambient light sensor; physiological or biometric sensors, such as pulse sensors, ECG sensors, or the like; among other sensors. 
     Auxiliary electronic device  1200  can communicate with device  1100  using a wired interface or a wireless interface. As one example, a wired connection can be made by matching male and female connectors, one on device  1100  and one on device  1200  (neither of which is shown), that physically and electrically mate when auxiliary electronic device  1200  is attached to device  1100 . In some embodiments where auxiliary device  1200  attaches to a bottom surface of device  1100 , the connector for device  1100  can be on the bottom surface of the device and the connector for auxiliary electronic device  1200  can be on the top surface of the auxiliary electronic device so that neither connector is visible when the two devices are operatively connected. As another example, a wireless connection can be made between the auxiliary electronic device  1200  and device  1100  using a low power communication protocol, such as the BTLE (BlueTooth Low Energy) protocol, or another appropriate protocol. Processor  1102  can then process any sensor data collected by components  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  and  1208  and transmitted to device  1100  (e.g., on a streaming basis or in response to polling by processor  1102  as desired) and display the data and related information on display stack  1106  for the user to view. 
     While not shown in  FIG. 12 , device  1200  may include a power transmitting component, such as power source  404  described above that enables device  1200  to charge wearable electronic device  1100 , along with other components. For example, while not shown in  FIG. 12 , device  1200  may include a processor that controls various functions and features of device  1200  along with a memory that stores computer-readable instructions executable by the processor as well as sensor information and/or other data. In various embodiments, auxiliary device  1200  can include some, but not each, of components  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  and  1208 , and in other embodiments device  1200  can include one or more of components  1202 ,  1204 ,  1206  and  1208  as well as other components. 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram of an auxiliary electronic device  1300  for a wearable electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention, which can be similar to device  1200 . As shown in  FIG. 13 , auxiliary electronic device  1300  can include a processor  1300 , a memory  1304  that are similar to processor  710  and memory  812  discussed above with respect to  FIG. 8 . Auxiliary electronic device  1300  may also optionally include a power transmitting component  1306  similar to power transmitting component  802  and may further include any or all of the following: one or more I/O components  1308 , sensors  1310 , communication channels  1312 , audio devices  1314 , and a haptic device  1316 . I/O components  1308 , sensors  1310 , communication channels  1312  and haptic device  1316  can be any of the same named devices discussed above with respect to wearable electronic device  1100 . Similarly, audio devices  1314  can be one or more speakers and/or a microphone as described above with respect to speaker  1114  and microphone  1116 . When included in auxiliary electronic device  1300 , each of these additional components can perform functionality that supplements the functionality of the wearable electronic device that the auxiliary device is paired with. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. For example, while several specific embodiments of the invention described above use inductive coupling to wireless transmit power to a wearable electronic device, the invention is not limited to any particular wireless power transfer technique and other near-field or non-radiative wireless power transfer techniques as well as radiative wireless power transfer techniques can be used in some embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not target to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20150226
Publication Date: 20180417
Grant Date: 20180417
Priority Date: 20140930
Inventors: NAZZARO, DAVID I.
BUSHNELL, TYLER S.
MENDEZ, JAVIER
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H02J7/0044", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G19/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04C10/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0044", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04C10/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/681", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04C10/00", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/025", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G19/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/681", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J5/005", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0044", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G19/10", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 55584307