U.S. patent application number 14/027032 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-26 for interchangeable cases for biometric monitoring devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fitbit, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Fitbit, Inc.. Invention is credited to Andrew Cole Axley, Michael Hans Berlinger, Michael Joseph Francisco, Eric Nathan Friedman, Mark Manuel Martinez, James Park, Keeline Burdick Wilcox, Shelten Gee Jao Yuen.
Application Number | 20140174958 14/027032 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50973419 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140174958 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martinez; Mark Manuel ; et
al. |
June 26, 2014 |
INTERCHANGEABLE CASES FOR BIOMETRIC MONITORING DEVICES
Abstract
A biometric monitoring device and multiple carrying cases for
same are provided. In some implementations, the case may be made
from a flexible viscoelastic material and the biometric monitoring
device may be slipped into a receptacle in the case through an
opening in the case; the opening may become distended during the
insertion of the biometric monitoring device. In some
implementations, the case may feature a display window that, in
combination with materials of the biometric monitoring device, may
mask a display of the biometric monitoring device from view when
the display is off and may allow the display to be seen when the
display is displaying content.
Inventors: |
Martinez; Mark Manuel; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Berlinger; Michael Hans; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Wilcox; Keeline Burdick; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Francisco; Michael Joseph; (Fremont,
CA) ; Axley; Andrew Cole; (Oakland, CA) ;
Park; James; (Berkeley, CA) ; Friedman; Eric
Nathan; (San Francisco, CA) ; Yuen; Shelten Gee
Jao; (Berkeley, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Fitbit, Inc. |
San Francisco |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Fitbit, Inc.
San Francisco
CA
|
Family ID: |
50973419 |
Appl. No.: |
14/027032 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13767836 |
Feb 14, 2013 |
8543185 |
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14027032 |
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|
13297165 |
Nov 15, 2011 |
8386008 |
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13767836 |
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13156304 |
Jun 8, 2011 |
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13297165 |
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61789454 |
Mar 15, 2013 |
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61390811 |
Oct 7, 2010 |
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61388595 |
Sep 30, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/37 ; 224/222;
224/257 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/42 20130101;
A61B 5/05 20130101; A61B 5/024 20130101; A61B 5/7405 20130101; A61B
2560/0242 20130101; A61B 5/7455 20130101; G01C 5/06 20130101; G01C
22/006 20130101; A61B 5/1112 20130101; B42D 15/00 20130101; A63B
2230/70 20130101; A61B 5/14532 20130101; A61B 5/0002 20130101; A61B
2562/0219 20130101; A61B 2560/0214 20130101; G09F 3/04 20130101;
A61B 5/742 20130101; G06F 15/00 20130101; A61B 5/6838 20130101;
A61B 2560/0456 20130101; G06F 3/00 20130101; A61B 5/02055 20130101;
A61B 5/0006 20130101; A61B 2560/0443 20130101; A61B 7/00 20130101;
B65D 25/22 20130101; A61B 5/04085 20130101; A61B 5/6831 20130101;
A45C 11/00 20130101; A61B 2560/0257 20130101; A61B 2562/0247
20130101; G09F 3/14 20130101; A61B 5/002 20130101; A61B 2562/164
20130101; A61B 5/021 20130101; A61B 5/1118 20130101; G09F 3/00
20130101; A61B 5/7445 20130101; A61B 5/0205 20130101; A61B 5/0816
20130101; A61B 5/681 20130101; A61B 5/683 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/37 ; 224/222;
224/257 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20060101
A45C011/00 |
Claims
1. A band configured to be worn on a person's limb, the band
comprising: a pocket region, wherein: the pocket region has a
pocket; the pocket is formed between a first layer of flexible
material and a second layer of flexible material, and the pocket is
sized to allow a biometric tracking device associated with the band
to be fully inserted within the pocket; and a slit in an exterior
textile layer of the band, wherein: substantially all of the slit
extends in a direction substantially parallel to the person's limb
when the band is worn on the person's limb, the slit is shorter in
length than a longest dimension of the associated biometric
tracking device, and the slit permits the biometric tracking device
to be fully inserted into the pocket; and the first layer of
flexible material is a mesh through which a display on the
biometric tracking device is at least partially visible when the
biometric tracking device is fully inserted into the pocket with
the display facing the first layer and with content displayed on
the display.
2. The band of claim 1, wherein the band is contiguous and is
configured to stretch such that the band may be slid over the
person's hand and onto the person's forearm or over the person's
foot and onto the person's leg before relaxing into a
less-stretched configuration around the person's forearm or
leg.
3. The band of claim 1, further comprising: a first end and a
second end, the first end located opposite the second end, wherein
the pocket region is located between the first end and the second
end.
4. The band of claim 3, wherein the band includes a torsional flat
spring element spanning between the first end and the second end,
wherein the torsional flat spring element has a first mechanically
stable configuration that causes the band to maintain a circular
shape.
5. The band of claim 4, wherein the torsional flat spring element
is mechanically bistable and has a second mechanically stable
configuration that causes the band to maintain a substantially flat
shape.
6. The band of claim 3, further comprising: a first fastening
region adjacent to the first end; a second fastening region
adjacent to the second end and configured to engage with at least a
portion of the first fastening region in a disengageable manner to
allow the band to be placed around the person's limb and the first
end and the second end to be connected to one another, wherein the
pocket region is further located between the first fastening region
and the second fastening region.
7. The band of claim 6, wherein first fastening region and the
second fastening region each include complementary fasteners
selected from the group consisting of: hook-and-loop fasteners,
buckle and tang fasteners, magnetic fasteners, friction clasps,
camlock and strap buckles, and hook clasp fasteners.
8. The band of claim 6, further comprising: a first perforated
region partially or wholly overlapping with the first fastening
region, wherein hole features that pass through the band are
distributed throughout the first perforated region.
9. The band of claim 6, wherein the pocket does not extend into the
hook region and does not extend into the loop region.
10. The band of claim 3, further comprising: a second perforated
region between the second end of the band and the pocket region,
wherein hole features passing through the band are distributed
throughout the second perforated region.
11. The band of claim 1, wherein: the slit spans between two
through-holes in the exterior textile layer, and both sides of the
textile layer are coated with an elastomeric material in a
localized region around the slit.
12. The band of claim 11, wherein: the exterior textile layer has
an opening substantially corresponding in size to the pocket, and
the first layer of flexible material is interposed between the
exterior textile layer and the second layer of flexible
material.
13-17. (canceled)
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e)
to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/789,454, filed Mar. 15,
2013, titled "WEARABLE BIOMETRIC MONITORING DEVICES,
INTERCHANGEABLE ACCESSORIES AND INTEGRATED FASTENINGS TO PERMIT
WEAR," and also claims priority as a continuation-in-part under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/767,836,
filed Feb. 14, 2013 and which will issue as U.S. Pat. No. 8,543,185
on Sep. 24, 2013, which is itself a divisional of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/297,165, filed Nov. 15, 2011 and which
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,386,008 on Feb. 26, 2013, which is itself
a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/156,304, filed
Jun. 8, 2011, which itself claims benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. Patent Application Nos. 61/388,595 and
61/390,811, respectively filed on Sep. 30, 2010, and Oct. 7, 2010,
all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their
entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Recent consumer interest in personal health has led to a
variety of personal health monitoring devices being offered on the
market. Such devices, until recently, tended to be complicate to
use and were typically designed for use with one activity, e.g.,
bicycle trip computers.
[0003] Recent advances in sensor, electronics, and power source
miniaturization have allowed the size of personal health monitoring
devices, also referred to herein as "biometric tracking" or
"biometric monitoring" devices, to be shrunk to extremely small
sizes. For example, the Fitbit Ultra is a biometric tracking device
that is approximately 2'' long, 0.75'' wide, and 0.5'' deep; it has
a display, battery, sensors, wireless communications capability,
power source, and interface button, as well as an integrated clip,
packaged within this small volume.
SUMMARY
[0004] Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter
described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying
drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and
advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings,
and the claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the following
figures may not be drawn to scale unless specifically indicated as
being scaled drawings.
[0005] In some implementations, a biometric tracking system may be
provided. The biometric tracking system may include a biometric
tracking module having a housing with a nominal maximum dimension,
at least one biometric sensor, at least one processor, a memory,
and a display. The at least one biometric sensor, the at least one
processor, and the display may be communicatively connected with
one another and the memory may store instructions for controlling
the at least one processor to: obtain biometric data from the at
least one biometric sensor, receive a request to display an aspect
of the biometric data on the display, cause, responsive to the
request, the display to show the aspect of the biometric data on
the display, and cause, when the display is in an off state, the
display to turn on to show the aspect of the biometric data on the
display. The biometric tracking system may also include a molded
band configured to be worn on an organism's limb or neck, the
molded band having a receptacle with an opening having a nominal
maximum dimension smaller than the nominal maximum dimension of the
housing. The biometric tracking module may be configured to be
removably inserted into the receptacle via the opening.
[0006] In some implementations, the organism's limb or neck may be
a person's forearm. In some such implementations, the organism's
limb or neck may be a feline or canine neck.
[0007] In some implementations, the receptacle may have an interior
surface spanning opposing ends of the opening that are located
along an axis substantially perpendicular to the organism's limb or
the neck when the molded band is worn on the organism's limb or
neck, the housing may have an exterior surface, and substantially
all of the interior surface between the opposing ends of the
opening may contact the exterior surface when the biometric
tracking module is inserted into the receptacle.
[0008] In some implementations, the receptacle may have an interior
surface, the housing may have an exterior surface, and
substantially all of the interior surface may contact the exterior
surface when the biometric tracking module is inserted into the
receptacle.
[0009] In some implementations, the molded band may be at least
partially made from a compliant material between opposing ends of
the opening that are located along an axis substantially
perpendicular to the organism's limb or neck when the molded band
is worn on the organism's limb or neck, and the molded band may be
constructed such that the opening may be elastically stretched to a
stretched maximum dimension larger than the nominal maximum
dimension of the opening as the biometric tracking module is
inserted through the opening and into the receptacle. In some such
implementations, the compliant material may have a Young's modulus
between about 1 MPa and 690 MPa. In some alternative or additional
such implementations, the compliant material may be a thermoplastic
polyurethane, a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic
vulcanizate, a polyurethane, a silicone, or a combination
thereof.
[0010] In some implementations, the opening may face towards the
organism's limb or neck when the molded band is worn on the
organism's limb or neck. In some additional or alternative
implementations, the opening may face away from the organism's limb
or neck when the molded band is worn on the organism's limb or
neck.
[0011] In some implementations, the display may be an illuminable
display and a portion of the molded band that overlays the
illuminable display when the biometric tracking module is inserted
into the receptacle may be made of a material that, in combination
with any materials of the biometric tracking module interposed
between the portion and the illuminable display when the biometric
tracking module is inserted into the receptacle, has an opacity (i)
that causes the illuminable display to not be visible through the
portion when the biometric tracking module is inserted into the
receptacle and the illuminable display is in an off state or is not
displaying content and (ii) that causes the illuminable display to
be visible through the portion when the biometric tracking module
is inserted into the receptacle and the illuminable display is in
an on state and displaying content.
[0012] In some such implementations, the portion of the molded band
may be made from a tinted translucent material. In some such
implementations, the tinted translucent material may have a light
transmittance of between 15% and 50%.
[0013] In some implementations, the portion of the molded band may
be made from a frosted translucent material. In some
implementations, the portion of the molded band may have a
reflective coating through which the illuminable display is visible
when the biometric tracking module is inserted into the receptacle
and the illuminable display is displaying content.
[0014] In some implementations, the molded band may have a first
strap extending away from a first edge of the opening by a first
length and a second strap extending away from a second edge of the
opening on an opposite side of the opening from the first edge by a
second length. The first strap, the second strap, and the
receptacle substantially may define a band plane that is
substantially perpendicular to a limb axis of the organism's limb
or a neck axis of the organism's neck when the molded band is worn
on the organism's limb or neck, and the first strap may have a
plurality of similarly-sized holes distributed along at least a
portion of the first length. At least one peg may protrude from the
second strap, the at least one peg having a head portion and a stem
portion. The head portion and the stem portion of each peg may be
sized to be insertable through one of the similarly-sized holes,
and each similarly-sized hole may be sized such that the
similarly-sized hole is distended to a greater degree by the
insertion of the head portion through the similarly-sized hole than
by the insertion of the stem portion through the similarly-sized
hole.
[0015] In some implementations, the biometric tracking system may
include a peg component, the peg component having a base and at
least one peg protruding from the base. The molded band may have a
first strap extending away from a first edge of the opening by a
first length and a second strap extending away from a second edge
of the opening on an opposite side of the opening from the first
edge by a second length. The first strap, the second strap, and the
receptacle substantially may define a band plane that is
substantially perpendicular to a limb axis of the organism's limb
or a neck axis of the organism's neck when the molded band is worn
on the organism's limb or neck. The first strap may have a
plurality of first holes distributed along at least a portion of
the first length, and the second strap may have a corresponding
second hole for each peg of the peg component. Each peg of the peg
component may have a head portion and a stem portion; the head
portion and the stem portion of each peg may be sized to be
insertable through one of the first holes and through the
corresponding second hole, and each first hole may be sized such
that the first hole is distended to a greater degree by the
insertion of the head portion through the first hole than by the
insertion of the stem portion through the first hole.
[0016] In some implementations, a band may be provided. The band
may be configured to be worn on an organism's limb or neck and may
include a molded body, a first molded strap extending away from a
first end of the molded body, a second molded strap extending away
from a second end of the molded body opposite the first end. The
molded body, the first molded strap, and the second molded strap
may be configured to substantially encircle the organism's limb or
neck and may substantially define a band plane perpendicular to a
limb axis of the organism's limb or a neck axis of the organism's
neck when the band is worn on the organism's limb or neck. The band
may also include a cavity within the molded body, the cavity sized
to receive a biometric tracking device and to hold the biometric
tracking device substantially fixed with respect to the molded body
when the biometric tracking device is fully inserted into the
cavity, and an opening in the molded body leading to the cavity,
the opening sized to be smaller in cross-sectional area than the
maximum cross-sectional area of the biometric tracking device in a
plane substantially parallel to the opening when the biometric
tracking device is fully inserted into the cavity.
[0017] In some such implementations, the organism's limb or neck
may be a person's forearm. In some other such implementations, the
organism's limb or neck may be a feline or canine neck.
[0018] In some implementations, the cavity may have an interior
surface spanning between opposing ends of the opening, the opposing
ends of the opening may be located along an axis spanning between
the first end of the molded body and the second end of the molded
body, and substantially all of the interior surface spanning
between the opposing ends of the opening may contact an exterior
surface of the biometric tracking device when the biometric
tracking device is fully inserted into the cavity.
[0019] In some implementations, the cavity may have an interior
surface and substantially all of the interior surface may contact
an exterior surface of the biometric tracking module when the
biometric tracking module is inserted into the cavity.
[0020] In some implementations, the molded body may be at least
partially made from a compliant material between the first end of
the molded body and the second end of the molded body, and the
molded body may be designed such that the opening may be
elastically stretched to permit the biometric tracking device to be
fully inserted into the cavity.
[0021] In some such implementations, the compliant material may be
a thermoplastic polyurethane, a thermoplastic elastomer, a
thermoplastic vulcanizate, a polyurethane, a silicone, or a
combination thereof. In some such implementations, the compliant
material may have a Young's modulus between about 1 MPa and 690
MPa.
[0022] In some implementations, the display may be an illuminable
display and a portion of the molded body that overlays the
illuminable display of the biometric tracking module when the
biometric tracking module is fully inserted into the cavity may be
made of a material that, in combination with any materials of the
biometric tracking module interposed between the portion and the
illuminable display when the biometric tracking module is fully
inserted into the cavity, has an opacity that causes the
illuminable display to not be visible through the portion when the
biometric tracking module is inserted into the cavity and the
illuminable display is in an off state or is not displaying content
and that causes the illuminable display to be visible through the
portion when the biometric tracking module is inserted into the
cavity and the illuminable display is in an on state and displaying
content.
[0023] In some such implementations, the portion of the molded band
may be made from a tinted translucent material, a frosted
translucent material, or a reflective material. In some such
implementations, the tinted translucent material may have a light
transmittance of between 15% and 50%.
[0024] In some implementations, the opening may face towards the
organism's limb or neck when the molded band is worn on the
organism's limb or neck. In some other implementations the opening
may face away from the organism's limb or neck when the molded band
is worn on the organism's limb or neck.
[0025] In some implementations, a band configured to be worn on a
person's limb may be provided. The band may include a pocket region
having a pocket. The pocket may be formed between a first layer of
flexible material and a second layer of flexible material and sized
to allow a biometric tracking device associated with the band to be
fully inserted within the pocket. The band may also include a slit
in an exterior textile layer of the band. The slit may extend in a
direction substantially parallel to the person's limb when the band
is worn on the person's limb, may be shorter in length than a
longest dimension of the associated biometric tracking device, and
may permit the biometric tracking device to be fully inserted into
the pocket. The first layer of flexible material may be a mesh
through which a display on the biometric tracking device is at
least partially visible when the biometric tracking device is fully
inserted into the pocket with the display facing the first layer
and displaying content on the display.
[0026] In some implementations, the band may be contiguous and may
be configured to stretch such that the band may be slid over the
person's hand and onto the person's forearm or over the person's
foot and onto the person's leg before relaxing into a
less-stretched configuration around the person's forearm or
leg.
[0027] In some implementations, the band may also include a first
end and a second end, the first end located opposite the second
end. The pocket region may be located between the first end and the
second end.
[0028] In some implementations the band may include a torsional
flat spring element spanning between the first end and the second
end. The torsional flat spring element may have a first
mechanically stable configuration that causes the band to maintain
a circular shape.
[0029] In some implementations, the torsional flat spring element
may be mechanically bistable and may have a second mechanically
stable configuration that causes the band to maintain a
substantially flat shape.
[0030] In some implementations, the band may also include a first
fastening region adjacent to the first end and a second fastening
region adjacent to the second end and configured to engage with at
least a portion of the first fastening region in a disengageable
manner to allow the band to be placed around the person's limb and
the first end and the second end to be connected to one another.
The pocket region may be further located between the first
fastening region and the second fastening region.
[0031] In some implementations, the first fastening region and the
second fastening region may each include complementary fasteners
such as hook-and-loop fasteners, buckle and tang fasteners,
magnetic fasteners, friction clasps, camlock and strap buckles, or
hook clasp fasteners.
[0032] In some implementations, the band may include a first
perforated region partially or wholly overlapping with the first
fastening region. The hole features that pass through the band may
be distributed throughout the first perforated region.
[0033] In some implementations, the pocket may not extend into the
hook region and may not extend into the loop region.
[0034] In some implementations, the band may also include a second
perforated region between the second end of the band and the pocket
region. The hole features passing through the band may be
distributed throughout the second perforated region.
[0035] In some implementations, the slit may span between two
through-holes in the exterior textile layer, and both sides of the
textile layer may be coated with an elastomeric material in a
localized region around the slit.
[0036] In some implementations, the exterior textile layer may have
an opening substantially corresponding in size to the pocket, and
the first layer of flexible material may be interposed between the
exterior textile layer and the second layer of flexible
material.
[0037] In some implementations, a wearable case for a biometric
monitoring device may be provided. The wearable case may include a
molded body made of a compliant material; a cavity within the
molded body, the cavity sized to receive a biometric tracking
device and to hold the biometric tracking device substantially
fixed with respect to the molded body when the biometric tracking
device is fully inserted into the cavity; an opening in the molded
body leading to the cavity, the opening sized to be smaller in
cross-sectional area than the maximum cross-sectional area of the
biometric tracking device in a plane substantially parallel to the
opening when the biometric tracking device is fully inserted into
the cavity; and a hole that passes through the molded body and is
positioned such that a keyring may pass through the hole or such
that a lanyard may be threaded through the hole.
[0038] In some implementations, the wearable case may further
include a lanyard threaded through the hole, the lanyard sized so
as to be wearable around a person's neck. In some other
implementations of the wearable case, the wearable case may also
include a keyring threaded through the hole. In some
implementations, the compliant material may have a Young's modulus
between about 1 MPa and 690 MPa. In some implementations, the
compliant material may be a thermoplastic polyurethane, a
thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic vulcanizate, a
polyurethane, a silicone, or a combination thereof.
[0039] These and other implementations are described in further
detail with reference to the Figures and the detailed description
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] The various implementations disclosed herein are illustrated
by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of
the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer
to similar elements.
[0041] FIG. 1 depicts a generalized schematic of an example
computing device that may be used to implement a portable biometric
monitoring device or other device with which the various operations
described herein may be executed.
[0042] FIG. 2A depicts a plan view of an example of a portable
biometric monitoring device having a button and a dead face
display.
[0043] FIG. 2B depicts an isometric view of the example of the
portable biometric monitoring device of FIG. 2A.
[0044] FIG. 2C depicts an exploded view of the example of the
portable biometric monitoring device of FIG. 2A.
[0045] FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of another example of a
portable biometric monitoring device.
[0046] FIG. 4A depicts another example of a portable biometric
monitoring device.
[0047] FIG. 4B depicts a partially-exploded view of the example of
the portable biometric monitoring device of FIG. 4A.
[0048] FIG. 4C depicts a detailed view of light pipes used to
direct and shape the light emitted from one or more LEDS in the
example of the portable biometric monitoring device of FIG. 4A, as
well as an antenna located on the electronics package seen in FIG.
4B.
[0049] FIG. 5 depicts a number of example cases that may be used
with the depicted example portable biometric monitoring device.
[0050] FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C depict various views of an example of a
portable biometric monitoring device case having a clip.
[0051] FIG. 7 depicts a wristband case made from a viscoelastic
material.
[0052] FIG. 8 depicts two different example cases for a depicted
example portable biometric monitoring device.
[0053] FIG. 9A depicts one example of a wristband case for a
portable biometric monitoring device.
[0054] FIG. 9B depicts the example wristband case of FIG. 9A with a
portable biometric monitoring device inserted.
[0055] FIG. 10 depicts a variety of example cases which are
compatible with a depicted example portable biometric monitoring
device.
[0056] FIG. 11A depicts an example of a portable biometric
monitoring device.
[0057] FIGS. 11B and 11C depict different views of an example
wristband case that may be used to house the example portable
biometric monitoring device of FIG. 11A.
[0058] FIG. 11D depicts an off-angle view of the example wristband
case of FIGS. 11B and 11C.
[0059] FIGS. 11E and 11F depict detail views of the ends of the
bands of the example wristband case of FIG. 11D.
[0060] FIG. 11G depicts a detailed view of an example of a peg
component.
[0061] FIGS. 12A through 12F depict an example biometric monitoring
device and a wristband case in throughout various stages of
insertion of the biometric monitoring device into the wristband
case.
[0062] FIG. 12G depicts an example of an arm wearing a biometric
monitoring device and illustrates various reference axes and
planes.
[0063] FIGS. 13A and 13B depict different off-angle views of
another example of a portable biometric monitoring device.
[0064] FIGS. 13C and 13D depict the example wristband case of FIG.
13A with the peg component installed and removed, respectively.
[0065] FIGS. 13E and 13F depict detail views of the peg components
shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, respectively.
[0066] FIGS. 13G and 13H depict exploded side views of the example
portable biometric monitoring device shown in FIG. 13A.
[0067] FIGS. 13I and 13J depict side views of the example portable
biometric monitoring device shown in FIG. 13A.
[0068] FIG. 14A depicts an example of a wristband case featuring an
integrated spine component.
[0069] FIG. 14B depicts an off-angle view of a partial cutaway of
the example wristband case having a spine component.
[0070] FIG. 14C depicts an example of a spine component that may be
incorporated into a strap or band.
[0071] FIG. 14D depicts a cross-section of an example of a spine
co-molded into a strap.
[0072] FIG. 14E depicts a detail view of the cross-section of FIG.
14D.
[0073] FIGS. 2A-8, 6A-6C, 9A, 9B, and 11A-14F are drawn to-scale
within each Figure, although not necessarily from Figure to
Figure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0074] The present disclosure relates to wearable biometric
monitoring devices (also referred to herein as "biometric tracking
devices" or "biometric tracking modules") such as those, for
example, illustrated in FIGS. 1-4C, and cases for housing biometric
monitoring devices that feature mechanical straps, bands, clasps,
clips and other attachments to enable wear (illustrated in FIGS. 5
through 14C). In several implementations, a set of protective,
attachable and/or wearable cases (herein referred to simply as
"cases") that enable a user to wear a single biometric monitoring
device in multiple fashions or body locations may be provided. For
example, in some implementations, a biometric monitoring device may
be designed such that it may be inserted into, and removed from, a
plurality of compatible cases. In other implementations, the
biometric monitoring devices may be permanently or semi-permanently
mounted into (or joined to) straps, clips, clasps, bands, or other
attachments for wear, such as is shown, for example, in FIGS. 13
through TT. Generally speaking, the various individual elements of
the various example cases and/or biometric tracking devices shown
herein may also be combined with elements from other example cases
and/or biometric tracking devices shown herein, e.g., a necklace or
pendant case for a removable biometric monitoring device, such as
is shown in FIG. 10, may also be provided for a permanently-mounted
biometric monitoring device. Such combinations of elements are
considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. Generally
speaking, a biometric monitoring device or biometric tracking
device combined with a case or some other means allowing it to be
worn or easily carried by a person may be referred to herein as a
"biometric monitoring system" or "biometric tracking system."
[0075] FIG. 1 depicts a generalized schematic of an example
portable biometric monitoring device or other device with which the
various operations described herein may be executed. The portable
biometric monitoring device 102 may include a processing unit 106
having one or more processors, a memory 108, an operator interface
104, one or more biometric sensors 110, and input/output 112. The
processing unit 106, the memory 108, the operator interface 104,
the one or more biometric sensors 110, and the input/output 112 may
be communicatively connected via communications path(s) 114 (it is
to be understood that some of these components may also be
connected with one another indirectly).
[0076] The portable biometric monitoring device (also referred to
herein as "the device") may collect one or more types of biometric
data, e.g., data pertaining to physical characteristics of the
human body (such as heartbeat, perspiration levels, etc.) and/or
data relating to the physical interaction of that body with the
environment (such as accelerometer readings, gyroscope readings,
etc.), from the one or more biometric sensors 110 and/or external
devices (such as an external heart rate monitor, e.g., a
chest-strap heart rate monitor) and may then store such information
for later use, e.g., for communication to another device via the
I/O 112, e.g., a smartphone or to a server over a wide-area network
such as the Internet. The processing unit 106 may also perform an
analysis on the stored data and may initiate various actions
depending on the analysis. For example, the processing unit 106 may
determine that the data stored in the memory 108 indicates that a
goal threshold has been reached and may then display content on a
display of the portable biometric tracking device celebrating the
achievement of the goal. The display may be part of the operator
interface 104 (as may be a button or other control, not pictured,
that may be used to control a functional aspect of the portable
biometric monitoring device).
[0077] In general, biometric monitoring device may incorporate one
or more types of user interfaces including but not limited to
visual, auditory, touch/vibration, or combinations thereof. The
biometric monitoring device may, for example, display the state of
one or more of the data types available and/or being tracked by the
biometric monitoring device through, for example, a graphical
display or through the intensity and/or color of one or more LEDs.
The user interface may also be used to display data from other
devices or internet sources. The device may also provide haptic
feedback through, for instance, the vibration of a motor or a
change in texture or shape of the device. In some implementations,
the biometric sensors themselves may be used as part of the user
interface, e.g., accelerometer sensors may be used to detect when a
person taps the housing of the biometric monitoring unit with a
finger or other object and may then interpret such data as a user
input for the purposes of controlling the biometric monitoring
device. For example, double-tapping the housing of the biometric
monitoring device may be recognized by the biometric monitoring
device as a user input that will cause the display of the biometric
monitoring device to turn on from an off state or that will cause
the biometric monitoring device to transition between different
monitoring states, e.g., from a state where the biometric
monitoring device may interpret data according to rules established
for an "active" person to a state where the biometric monitoring
device may interpret data according to rules established for a
"sleeping" person.
[0078] In another example, while the user is wearing the biometric
monitoring device 102, the biometric monitoring device 102 may
calculate and store a user's step count while the user is wearing
the biometric monitoring device 102 and then subsequently transmit
data representative of step count to the user's account on a web
service like www.fitbit.com, to a mobile phone paired with the
portable biometric monitoring unit, and/or to a standalone computer
where the data may be stored, processed, and visualized by the
user. Indeed, the device may measure, calculate, or use a plurality
of other physiological metrics in addition to, or in place of, the
user's step count. These include, but are not limited to, caloric
energy expenditure, floors climbed or descended, heart rate, heart
rate variability, heart rate recovery, location and/or heading
(e.g., through GPS), elevation, ambulatory speed and/or distance
traveled, swimming lap count, bicycle distance and/or speed, blood
pressure, blood glucose, skin conduction, skin and/or body
temperature, electromyography data, electroencephalographic data,
weight, body fat, and respiration rate. Some of this data may be
provided to the biometric monitoring device from an external
source, e.g., the user may input their height, weight, and stride
in a user profile on a fitness-tracking website and such
information may then be communicated to the biometric tracking
device and used to evaluate, in tandem with data measured by the
biometric sensors 110, the distance traveled or calories burned of
the user. The device may also measure or calculate metrics related
to the environment around the user such as barometric pressure,
weather conditions, light exposure, noise exposure, and magnetic
field.
[0079] As mentioned previously, collected data from the biometric
monitoring device may be communicated to external devices through
the communications interface. The communications interface may
include wireless communication functionality so that when the
biometric monitoring device comes within range of a wireless base
station or access point, the stored data automatically uploads to
an Internet-viewable source such as a website, e.g.,
www.fitbit.com. The wireless communications functionality may be
provided using one or more communications technologies known in the
art, e.g., Bluetooth, RFID, Near-Field Communications (NFC),
Zigbee, Ant, optical data transmission, etc. The biometric
monitoring device may also contain wired communication capability,
e.g., USB.
[0080] Other implementations regarding the use of short range
wireless communication are described in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/785,904, titled "Near Field Communication System, and
Method of Operating Same" filed Mar. 5, 2013 which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0081] It is to be understood that FIG. 1 illustrates a generalized
implementation of a biometric monitoring device 102 that may be
used to implement a portable biometric monitoring device or other
device in which the various operations described herein may be
executed. It is to be understood that in some implementations, the
functionality represented in FIG. 1 may be provided in a
distributed manner between, for example, an external sensor device
and communication device, e.g., a chest-strap heart rate sensor
that may communicate with a biometric monitoring device.
[0082] Moreover, it is to be understood that in addition to storing
program code for execution by the processing unit to effect the
various methods and techniques of the implementations described
herein, the memory 108 may also store configuration data or other
information used during the execution of various programs or
instruction sets or used to configure the biometric monitoring
device. It is to be further understood that the processing unit may
be implemented by a general or special purpose processor (or set of
processing cores) and thus may execute sequences of programmed
instructions to effectuate the various operations associated with
sensor device syncing, as well as interaction with a user, system
operator or other system components. In some implementations, the
processing unit may be an application-specific integrated
circuit.
[0083] Though not shown, numerous other functional blocks may be
provided as part of the biometric monitoring device 102 according
to other functions it may be required to perform, e.g.,
environmental sensing functionality, etc. Other functional blocks
may provide wireless telephony operations with respect to a
smartphone and/or wireless network access to a mobile computing
device, e.g., a smartphone, tablet computer, laptop computer, etc.
The functional blocks of the biometric tracking device 102 are
depicted as being coupled by the communication path 114 which may
include any number of shared or dedicated buses or signaling links.
More generally, however, the functional blocks shown may be
interconnected using a variety of different architectures and may
be implemented using a variety of different underlying technologies
and architectures. With regard to the memory architecture, for
example, multiple different classes of storage may be provided
within the memory 108 to store different classes of data. For
example, the memory 108 may include non-volatile storage media such
as fixed or removable magnetic, optical, or semiconductor-based
media to store executable code and related data and/or volatile
storage media such as static or dynamic RAM to store more transient
information and other variable data.
[0084] The various methods and techniques disclosed herein may be
implemented through execution of one or more a sequences of
instructions, e.g., software programs, by the processing unit 106
or by a custom-built hardware ASIC (application-specific integrated
circuit) or programmed into a programmable hardware device such as
an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or any combination thereof
within or external to the processing unit 106.
[0085] Further implementations and implementations of portable
biometric monitoring devices can be found in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/156,304, titled "Portable Biometric
Monitoring Devices and Methods of Operating Same" filed Jun. 8,
2011, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0086] In some implementations, the biometric monitoring device may
include computer-executable instructions for controlling one or
more processors of the biometric monitoring device to obtain
biometric data from one or more biometric sensors. The instructions
may also control the one or more processors to receive a request,
e.g., an input from a button or touch interface on the biometric
monitoring device, a particular pattern of biometric sensor data
(e.g., a double-tap reading), etc., to display an aspect of the
obtained biometric data on a display of the biometric monitoring
device. The aspect may be a numerical quantity, a graphic, or
simply an indicator (a goal progress indicator, for example). In
some implementations, the display may be an illuminable display so
as to be visible when displaying data but otherwise invisible to a
casual observer. The instructions may also cause the one or more
processors to cause the display to turn on from an off state in
order to display the aspect of the biometric data.
[0087] FIG. 2A depicts a plan view of an example of a portable
biometric monitoring device having a button and a dead face
display. FIG. 2B depicts an isometric view of the example of the
portable biometric monitoring device of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C depicts an
exploded view of the example of the portable biometric monitoring
device of FIG. 2A.
[0088] The depicted biometric monitoring device in FIGS. 2 through
CC is similar to the Fitbit One.TM., and may be similarly sized,
e.g., approximately 1.9'' in length, 0.75'' wide, and 0.375''
thick. A button 216 may be provided to allow a user to interact
with the biometric monitoring device 202; the button 202 may be
used, for example, to cause display 218 to turn on from an off
state or to advance through a plurality of data views. The button
202 and the display 218 may be part of an operator interface 204. A
portion of the operator interface 204, e.g., the display 218, may
be obscured from the user's view by a front housing 222. The front
housing 222 may be made or partially made from a partially
translucent or transparent material that permits the display to be
seen through the front housing, allowing the display 218 to be
fully contained within the biometric monitoring device 202. In some
implementations, the front housing 222 may be made from a material
causes the display 218 to only be transiently visible, i.e., only
easily visible to a user when the display is displaying content.
Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, smoked
translucent plastics, frosted translucent plastics, and reflective
translucent or transparent materials. The display 218 in such
implementations may be a backlit or LED display to allow displayed
content to shine through the front housing 222. Such materials may
have an opacity or reflectivity that substantially prevents a
person from discerning any significant detail of objects located on
the other side of a surface made of such material but that permits
light emitted from such objects to pass through the surface to
reach the observer. For example, such materials may have a light
transmittance of between about 15% and 50%, 10% and 60%, 5% and
70%, or combinations thereof.
[0089] The biometric monitoring device 202 may include a PCB 228, a
battery 232, and various other components that are housed within
the front housing 222 and the back housing 224. Among these other
components may be one or more biometric sensors selected from a
variety of different types of biometric sensors, e.g.,
accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc. One type of biometric sensor that
may be included is a barometric altimeter. In order to allow such a
barometric altimeter to measure ambient atmospheric conditions
while preventing liquid, e.g., rain or sweat, from entering and
damaging electronics in the interior of a portable biometric
monitoring device, a gas permeable, liquid-impermeable (or
liquid-resistant) membrane such as a Gore.TM. vent may be used.
Such a membrane may be placed over a hole in the device body,
allowing the pressure from the exterior of the case to equalize
with the pressure sensor on the interior.
[0090] Alternatively, or in addition, to the use of a Gore.TM.
vent, a gasket 234 located in the interior of the biometric
monitoring device may be used. In one implementation, the
barometric altimeter/pressure sensor may be mounted to the PCB 228.
A thin, flexible water impermeable membrane may cover the
barometric altimeter/pressure sensor in a manner that allows the
barometric altimeter/pressure sensor to still detect the local
pressure on the opposite side of the membrane while preventing any
water or moisture that may be present from crossing over the
membrane. The membrane may, for example, be adhered to the PCB 228.
Other features of the biometric monitoring device, e.g., altimeter
gasket 234, may seal against the membrane and front housing 222 or
the back housing 224 when the biometric monitoring device is fully
assembled to create a water-tight pressure measurement chamber that
is sealed off from the electronics of the biometric monitoring
device but that nonetheless permits pressure measurements of the
conditions within the pressure measurement chamber by the
barometric altimeter/pressure sensor through the membrane. Such a
feature may prevent water or other liquids from entering the
biometric monitoring device except within the pressure measurement
volume bounded by the altimeter gasket 234, membrane, and interior
surface of the front housing 222 or the back housing 224 (or other
housing equivalent). Such a segregated pressure measurement volume
may also prevent pressure changes from the interior of the
biometric monitoring device from being detected by the barometric
altimeter/pressure sensor. For example, if deformation of the
biometric monitoring device case causes a pressure change within
the housing, isolating the pressure sensor from the rest of the
biometric monitoring device housing may eliminate or reduce the
pressure change detected by the barometric altimeter/pressure
sensor due to such deformation.
[0091] FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view of another example of a
portable biometric monitoring device. In FIG. 3, a biometric
monitoring device 302 may be provided within an enclosure formed
between a front housing 322 and a back housing 324. A display 318
may be visible through a window 371 in the front housing 322. A
printed circuit board (PCB) 328 may house various other electronic
components, e.g., one or more processors, one or more biometric
sensors, one or more communications interfaces, etc., that may be
used to provide biometric monitoring functionality to the portable
biometric monitoring device 302. Power for the biometric monitoring
device 302 may be provided from, for example, battery 332, which
may be a replaceable battery held in place behind a battery cover
340. While FIG. 3 depicts a variant that is designed to use a
disposable button cell battery, other variants may utilize a
rechargeable battery (e.g., such as the version shown in FIGS. 2A
through 2C).
[0092] The biometric monitoring device of FIG. 3 is similar to the
Fitbit Zip.TM., which has dimensions of approximately 1.1'' by
1.4'' by 0.375'' and is powered by a 3V coin battery.
[0093] FIG. 4A depicts another example of a portable biometric
monitoring device. FIG. 4B depicts a partially-exploded view of the
example of the portable biometric monitoring device of FIG. 4A.
FIG. 4C depicts a detailed view of light pipes used to direct and
shape the light emitted from one or more LEDS in the example of the
portable biometric monitoring device of FIG. 4A, as well as an
antenna located on the electronics package seen in FIG. 4B.
[0094] In FIG. 4A, a biometric monitoring device 402 is depicted.
In the biometric monitoring device 402 shown, the front
housing/back housing arrangements discussing with respect to other
devices shown in this disclosure have been replaced with a
single-piece housing 476. The electronics of the biometric
monitoring device may be located on PCB 428, which may be slid into
the housing 276 and held in place by the cap 278.
[0095] In the implementation shown, e.g., in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the
display 418 may be provided by one or more LED indicators (or other
light sources) instead of a pixelated display unit. In the
particular implementation shown, there are five LED indicators
arranged in a line. In some implementations, light pipes 480 (or
other light guiding/masking features) may be interposed between the
display 418 and, for example, the cap 478 or the housing 476. Also
visible in FIGS. 4B and 4C is antenna 442, which may be part of an
input/output system, e.g., communications interface, of the
biometric monitoring device. The antenna 442 may be used to send
and receive signals from, for example, a paired smartphone or other
portable electronic device, another biometric monitoring device
(for example, a biometric monitoring device worn by a jogging
partner), or a charging/docketing station. A battery 432 and a
vibramotor 426 may also be included within the housing 476, and may
be mounted to the PCB 428 to allow the entire electronics package
of the biometric monitoring device 402 to be slid inside the
housing 476 as a unit.
[0096] The biometric monitoring device 402 shown in FIGS. 4A
through 4C is similar to a Fitbit Flex device, which is
approximately 1.3'' in length, 0.5'' wide, and 0.25'' thick.
[0097] FIG. 5 depicts a number of example cases that may be used
with the depicted example portable biometric monitoring device. In
FIG. 5, a biometric monitoring device 502, which is similar to the
biometric monitoring device 202, is shown. A suite of different
wearable accessories may be provided that allow the biometric
monitoring device 502 to be worn in a variety of ways. The
biometric monitoring device 502 is fully insertable into each of
the depicted wearable accessories, providing a secure way to secure
the biometric monitoring device 502 to a wearer's person.
[0098] Biometric monitoring devices and cases such as those
discussed above may be designed to allow the biometric monitoring
device to be easily attached/inserted and removed from any of a
suite of different wearable attachments. The biometric monitoring
device may be attached to all of the cases using the same
attachment method or through different attachment methods for one
or more different cases. Additionally, a combination of attachment
methods may be used to create a more secure connection of the
biometric monitoring device to the case.
[0099] In one example of an additional attachment technique, the
biometric monitoring device may be secured to the case though the
use of a permanent magnet or electromagnet. There may be a magnet
in the device and the case may contain a ferrous metal.
Alternatively, the case may contain a permanent magnet while the
device or device body contains ferrous metal. In another example,
the case and the device may both contain magnets. In such a case,
the magnets may be installed to force the device to be secured to
the case with a specific orientation due to the force created by
the interaction of the two magnets. Permanent magnets or
electromagnets may be used in place of or in addition to mechanical
retention techniques.
[0100] A clip case 544 may allow the biometric monitoring device
502 to be clipped to a belt, pocket, or other portion of a wearer's
clothing. If the biometric monitoring device 502 is inserted into a
keychain case 546, the keychain case 546/biometric monitoring
device 502 may be used to carry the wearer's keys, or may be
securely clipped to a belt loop, zipper pull, or other feature of
the wearer's clothing. A necklace case 548 may allow the biometric
monitoring device 502 to be worn around the wearer's neck as a
pendant. In some implementations, the pendant of the necklace case
548 and the fob of the keychain case 546 may be provided by the
same structure, i.e., the "ring" of the keychain may be exchanged
for the "chain" or "lanyard" of the necklace without removing the
biometric monitoring device 502 from the pendant/fob structure.
[0101] Each of the clip case 544, the keychain case 546, and the
necklace case 548 may be constructed out of one or more materials
including but not limited to metals and/or flexible/compliant
viscoelastic materials. Flexible compliant viscoelastic materials
(herein referred to as viscoelastics) may include, but are not
limited to thermoset elastomers (rubber), thermoplastic elastomers
(TPE), thermoplastic vulcanizates, silicones, and/or polyurethanes
(including thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU)). For example, the
bulk of such cases may be made from a viscoelastic material and may
be formed around a metal or other more rigid material that forms a
semi-rigid structural backbone or that may be used to provide
additional stiffness for components that require it, e.g., for the
clip on a clip case. Generally speaking, flexible materials
suitable for manufacturing a clip case, a keychain case, a necklace
case, or a wristband case may include materials having elastic
moduli of 15 to 60 MPa, 3.6 to 120 MPa, 69 to 690 MPa, 1 to 50 MPa,
or combinations of such elastic moduli.
[0102] In addition to the viscoelastic cases represented by the
clip case 544, the keychain case 546, and the necklace case 548,
another type of case that is envisioned is a textile-based
wristband case 550. Such a textile-based wristband case 550 is also
discussed in further detail later in this disclosure.
[0103] Returning to the clip case 544, the keychain case 546, and
the necklace case 548, certain observations may be made. The
biometric monitoring device 502 may have a generally smooth and
rounded exterior that permits it to be easily slid into a silicone
or other flexible viscoelastic case, e.g., such as the clip case
544, the keychain case 546, and/or the necklace case 548. Each such
case may be designed and constructed so as to balance the degree of
retention of the device with the ability of a wearer to easily
remove and reinsert the biometric monitoring device 502 into the
case. The biometric monitoring device may be inserted into an
opening in the viscoelastic material of the case that is smaller
than one or more dimensions of the device, e.g., smaller than a
maximum dimension of the biometric monitoring device (as measured
along a diagonal or along one of three mutually-orthogonal axes
aligned with standard top/front/side views of the biometric
monitoring device 502). By stretching the viscoelastic opening, the
opening can be expanded enough to allow the biometric monitoring
device 502 to be inserted into the case. The elasticity of the
viscoelastic causes it to return to its original size, preventing
the device from accidentally falling out of the case.
[0104] FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C depict various views of an example of a
portable biometric monitoring device case having a clip. As shown
in FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C, a biometric monitoring device 602 may be
inserted into a clip case 644 through opening 660. A receptacle or
cavity within the clip case 644 may be accessible via the opening
and may be sized to receive the biometric monitoring device such
that an interior surface of the receptacle is in contact with the
biometric monitoring device 602 when the biometric monitoring
device 602 is fully inserted into the receptacle. It is to be
understood that, as used herein, when the term "contact" is used in
the context of two surfaces that contact one another within a
specified area or region, it is to be understood that such
reference indicates that such surfaces are in substantial contact
with one another within that area or region. For example, due to
surface roughness or localized texturing of one or both surfaces,
true contact between the two surfaces may actually be limited to a
small portion of the specified area or region, e.g., those portions
where one or both surfaces have elevation peaks. Such true contact,
however, may occur in a distributed manner across the specified
area or region, and such surfaces may thus be described as being
"in contact" with one another within the specified area or
region.
[0105] For example, FIG. 7 depicts a wristband case made from a
viscoelastic material, similar to the wristband cases discussed
with respect to FIGS. 11A through 11F later in this disclosure. In
the depicted example, a biometric monitoring device 702 inserted
into the wristband case 750 via an opening 760 may have a textured,
e.g., ribbed, exterior surface. While the interstices between each
rib may not be in true contact with the interior surface of the
receptacle within which the biometric monitoring device 702 is
inserted, the peaks of each rib may be in actual contact with the
interior surface. Thus, within the region of the interior surface
of the receptacle between the two dashed lines, it is to be
understood that the interior surface is "in contact" with the
exterior surface of the biometric monitoring device 702 despite the
non-contact between the rib interstices and the interior surface.
Similarly, if the interior surface has embossed or raised
lettering, e.g., a part number, that resulted in some small gaps
between the interior surface and a contacting exterior surface in
the vicinity of the lettering, such surfaces would still be "in
contact" with one another over the lettering area.
[0106] In some implementations, the opening in the viscoelastic
material of the case may also act as a window to the display of the
device (as seen in FIG. 6A for example). In other implementations,
there may be other openings in the case which allow the user to see
visual indicators and/or enable sensors on the device to function
properly. For example, a window or vent on the case could be used
to allow a pressure sensor to accurately determine the atmospheric
pressure even when the biometric monitoring device is encased
within the case. In another example, a window in the case may allow
an optical heart rate sensor to have a clear optical pathway to the
skin of the user.
[0107] In some implementations, one or more channels, tubes, and/or
holes may connect the pressure sensor of the device to the exterior
of the case as seen with ventilation holes 652 in FIG. 6A. The
ventilation holes 652 may be functional (when coinciding with a
pressure sensor location) or may be decorative. The ventilation
holes 652, however, may be sized to be considerably smaller than
the opening 660 so as to prevent the biometric monitoring device
602 from slipping out of the clip case 644 via the ventilation
holes 652.
[0108] In another implementation, the case may be designed to
transfer pressure from the exterior of the case to a pressure
sensor in the device through the use of a pressure-transmissive
membrane or material. In another example, a window in the case
could be used to allow optical light sources and sensors to
interact with the environment outside of the case effectively. In
yet another implementation, the viscoelastic of the case may be
transparent either in one area, multiple areas, or everywhere so as
to allow visual indicators or displays to be seen through the case
and/or to give optical sensors an optical path to the exterior of
the case. Case transparency may be achieved by making or more areas
of the case thin (for example by molding). Thin case areas made out
of semitransparent material (e.g. viscoelastic) can be transparent
enough for visual indicators such as displays and LEDs to be seen
and light sensors to be able to measure light from the exterior of
the case, but may otherwise mask the appearance of the components
behind the thin sections. Thus, the case may present an unbroken
surface in the area over the display, but the display may still be
visible through the unbroken surface when displaying content. When
the display is off, then the case may present a largely featureless
surface over the display.
[0109] In the pictured implementation, the opening 660 may also
serve as a window through which a display 618 of the biometric
monitoring device 602 may be observed, as well as a window through
which a button 616 of the biometric monitoring device 602 may be
accessed.
[0110] The clip case 644 may also have a retention clip 658 that is
configured to press against a side of the clip case 644 opposite
the opening 660. The clip case 644 may be worn in any location
where the clip can grasp a portion of what the user is wearing,
where clothing or other material may be slid in between the
retention clip 658 and the remainder of the clip case 644. These
locations may include, but are not limited to, clipping the case to
the user's pocket, belt, belt loop, waistband, shirt sleeve, shirt
collar, shoe, shoelaces, hat, bra, tie, sock, underwear, coin
pocket, or other articles of clothing, as well as to accessories
such as a purse, backpack, belt pack, fanny pack, goggles, swim
cap, glasses, sunglasses, necklace, pendant, pin, hair accessory,
or earring. The retention clip 658 may be made out of a material
such as polyurethane molded in such a form so as to accept a piece
of spring steel that increases the spring force exerted by the
retention clip 658 on the remainder of the clip case 644 such that
the friction exerted on any material inserted between the retention
clip 658 and the clip case 644 is higher than may be attained were
the spring steel to be omitted. This may promote retention of the
clip case 644 on the wearer's person. In other implementations, the
retention clip may include a bare metal retention clip 658 (without
being embedded within a polyurethane or other material), or may
include a material other than polyurethane that surrounds a metal
retention clip. In some implementations, the retention clip may not
include any spring steel (or other metal) and may be made from
plastic, e.g., molded polyurethane. In some implementations, the
clip case 644 may also include one or more protrusions 656 or nubs
on the side of the clip case 644 that faces the retention clip 658.
The protrusions 656 may act to provide the retention clip 658 and
clip case 644 with additional grip when attached to a wearer's
clothing.
[0111] FIG. 8 depicts two different example cases for a depicted
example portable biometric monitoring device. In FIG. 8, a
biometric monitoring device 802 is shown, along with a keychain
case 846 and a necklace case 848. In some implementations, the
keychain case 846 may, as discussed previously, share the same
fob/pendant as the necklace case 848. In some further
implementations, the keychain case 846 and the necklace case 848
may use a clip case 844 as the fob and/or the pendant. The keyring
used for a keychain case 846 may be a split-ring, a
lift-open/snap-shut ring, or some other type of ring. Similarly,
the lanyard, chain, string, or cord used for the necklace case 848
may be split or otherwise removable (the cord may be continuous,
for example, but the pendant portion of the necklace case may allow
the cord to be released, e.g., such as would be the case if the
clip case 844 were to be used as the pendant portion).
[0112] FIG. 9A depicts one example of a wristband case for a
portable biometric monitoring device. FIG. 9B depicts the example
wristband case of FIG. 9A with a portable biometric monitoring
device inserted.
[0113] In FIG. 9A, a wristband case 950 is depicted. In this
particular instance, the wristband case 950 is not made primarily
from a molded viscoelastic material, but is primarily made from a
selection of woven materials, i.e., textiles. Some portions of the
wristband case 950 may, however, be made using molding techniques
and viscoelastic materials, as discussed further below.
[0114] The wristband case 950 may be sized such that the wristband
case 950 may be wrapped around a wearer's forearm such that a hook
region 964 of the wristband case 950 may overlap with a loop region
962 on the opposite end of the wristband case 950. The hook region
964 and the loop region 962 may feature hooks and loops,
respectively, of a hook-and-loop fastener system. Of course, other
techniques for closing the wristband case 950 about a person's
forearm may also be used, e.g., magnetic clasps, buttons, ties,
elastic loops or ties, etc. In some implementations, the wristband
case 950 may be a continuous loop of material that may stretch so
as to be able to be pulled over a wearer's hand and worn on the
wearer's forearm.
[0115] The depicted variant is similar to a wristband sold with the
Fitbit One.TM., which measures approximately 9.5'' in length when
laid flat, 2.5'' in width, and approximately 0.06'' in thickness.
The loop region of this wristband measures approximately 4'' in
length, and the hook region measures approximately 0.625'' in
length.
[0116] As can be further seen in FIG. 9A, a pocket region 982 may
be provided between the hook region 964 and the loop region 962.
The pocket region 982 may include a pocket that is accessible via
an opening 960. The pocket region 982 may be formed between two or
more layers of material that are joined together, e.g., sewn,
glued, or otherwise attached to one another, substantially about
the perimeter of the pocket region 982. The pocket region 982 may
also have a display window 972 that may allow an item inserted into
the pocket of the pocket region 982 to be at least partially
visible to a wearer of the wristband case 950. The display window
972 may include another layer of material that is sewn, glued, or
otherwise attached to one of the layers of material forming pocket
region 982. In the depicted example, the wristband case 950 is
formed from at least three distinct layers in the pocket region--a
bottom layer and a top layer both made from high-thread-count nylon
or other synthetic material, and a coarser mesh fabric interposed
between the bottom layer and the top layer. The top layer, as
shown, has a cutout for the display window 972, and the mesh fabric
is visible through the display window 972. The three fabric layers
may be bonded together about the perimeter of the pocket region
982, e.g., by a neoprene layer or other elastomeric material that
fuses the multiple fabric layers into a flexible fabric stack. In
the depicted implementation, the inter-layer bonding only occurs
around the perimeter of the pocket region 982, i.e., not in the
display window 972 and not between the display window 972 and the
opening 960 (although the mesh fabric is still bonded to the top
layer between the display window 972 and the opening 960, the mesh
fabric and the top layer are not bonded to the bottom layer in this
area).
[0117] The area surrounding the opening 960 may be impregnated with
an elastomeric material 968 that may prevent fraying of the fabric
through which the opening 960 passes and that may also serve to
locally reinforce the fabric to prevent the opening 960 from
opening too much. Stress relief holes 966 may be provided at either
end of the slit that forms the opening 960 to mitigate the effects
of flexure of the opening 960 due to repeated insertions and
removal of a biometric monitoring device 902 (as shown in FIG. 9B).
As can be seen, the biometric monitoring device 902 may be inserted
through the opening 960 and into the pocket within the pocket
region 982, where it may be visible behind the display window
982.
[0118] While the opening 950 may be stretched to some degree,
excessive stretching, e.g., sufficient to expand the opening 950 to
a degree allowing the biometric monitoring device 902 to be
inserted through the opening.
[0119] Alternatively, the device may be placed in the case by
orienting it in a way which its dimensions are smaller or
comparable to the opening. Once in the case, the device may be
reoriented so that its dimensions along the opening are larger than
the opening.
[0120] In the Fitbit One.TM. wristband case, the opening is
approximately 1.25'' in length (as compared with the approximately
1.9'' length of the Fitbit One.TM.) and the display window is
approximately 2'' by 1.25'' in size.
[0121] It is to be understood that other implementations of a
wristband case such as that shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B are also
contemplated. For example, the display window may, in some
implementations, be provided by a translucent contiguous material
rather than by the depicted mesh. In another example, the wristband
case may be provided without ventilation holes or perforations
952.
[0122] One feature shared by such alternative implementations of a
textile-based wristband case, however, is that the opening may be
provided by a slit in a textile layer that is oriented such that
the slit is aligned with the forearm on which the wristband case is
to be worn. The present inventors have realized that this is
advantageous over alternative orientations, e.g., perpendicular to
the forearm, since such a location makes it more difficult for a
biometric monitoring device that is inserted into the pocket to
accidentally work its way out of the pocket and through the
opening.
[0123] Cases similar to the textile-based case of FIGS. 9A and 9B
may be sized to allow such cases to be worn on any convenient part
of the wearer's body, clothing, or accessories, e.g., such as a
backpack, beltpack, purse, or anything else the wearer might carry
or wear. In another implementation, an adhesive could be applied by
the user to the back of the case and/or the attachment surface. In
one implementation, the adhesive or hook and loop attachment case
is disposable. This may prove advantageous in the case of a race
event where the device contains performance and/or timing tracking
capabilities and is recovered after the event by the event
organizers. The case must be secure and non-intrusive for the race
participants, but may not be desirable to recover after the event
due to sanitary concerns, making a disposable adhesive case ideal.
A disposable case may also prove desirable in a medical setting
such as a hospital where there is a need to monitor patients but
diseases which can be spread by contact with the skin must be
prevented.
[0124] FIG. 10 depicts a variety of example cases which are
compatible with a depicted example portable biometric monitoring
device. In FIG. 10, a biometric monitoring device 1002, which is
similar to the biometric monitoring device 302 of FIG. 3, may be
inserted into any of the cases shown, including a clip case 1044, a
keychain case 1046, a necklace case 1048, and wristband cases 1050
and 1050'. In contrast to the wristband case shown in FIGS. 9A and
9B, the wristband cases 1050 and 1050' both feature molded
construction and are made from a flexible, compliant material
allowing them to be wrapped around a person's forearm. As shown,
the wristband cases 1050 and 1050' may, when the biometric
monitoring device 1002 is inserted therein, appear similar to a
watch. The wristband cases 1050 and 1050' may have opposing ends
that fasten to one another using a buckle similar to that found in
conventional watchbands. In other implementations, however, a
different fastening system utilizing peg components may be
used--such implementations are discussed later in this
disclosure.
[0125] The design of the wristband cases may allow the user to
change the closed circumference of the wristband cases by using an
indexed clasp mechanism (similar to a watch buckle) or a
hook-and-loop mechanism. Such wristband cases may use techniques
similar to those already discussed herein to retain the biometric
monitoring device in the wristband case, e.g., a stretchable
undersized opening for insertion and removal of the biometric
monitoring device. Similarly, the wristband case may use this
opening, other openings, or case transparency to allow the user to
see any displays or indicators of the biometric monitoring
device.
[0126] Other cases, referred to herein as "band cases," similar to
the wristband cases discussed herein may be designed so that they
may be worn in one or multiple locations including, but not limited
to, the wrist, forearm, bicep, chest, stomach, waist, ankle, calf,
quadriceps, neck, forehead, and finger. A wristband case may, for
example, be worn on a person's forearm, but may also, depending on
the size of the person's ankle, be worn on their lower leg. There
may be multiple band cases that are specific to one or a set of
these locations, allowing the user to choose which one is most
appropriate for an anticipated activity. In some other
implementations, band cases may have a main body that receives the
biometric monitoring device and may have multiple interchangeable
bands that have different characteristics including but not limited
to color, width, length, material, and clasp type. In some
implementations, the band clasp (an example of which is the peg
component discussed in this disclosure) may be removable, allowing
the user to use the same clasp with multiple bands. For example,
the user may have one clasp that may be used with multiple bands of
varying colors.
[0127] In some implementations, the wearer would have the ability
to use a band case reminiscent of that of a watch including metal
clasp mechanism as seen in FIG. 10. Such a case may be preferred by
the wearer for more formal wear or for wear in situations when the
increased security of a buckle may be desired, e.g., during periods
of strenuous activity. Additionally, the user could choose a band
case made out of fabric and a hook and having a hook-and-loop
closure mechanism that is more comfortable to wear. Such a band
case may be more desirable to wear while sleeping.
[0128] In some implementations, band cases may use an elastic band
that does not require a closure mechanism. For example, a band case
may have a metal band forming a C-shape that is elastic enough for
the wearer to flex the opening of the metal band such that they may
place the band case over their forearm. Once released by the
wearer, the metal band may return to its un-flexed state, the
elasticity of the metal band may provide a force around the wrist
that prevents the band from falling off (without the use of a
clasp).
[0129] FIG. 11A depicts an example of a portable biometric
monitoring device. FIGS. 11B and 11C depict different views of an
example wristband case that may be used to house the example
portable biometric monitoring device of FIG. 11A. FIG. 11D depicts
an off-angle view of the example wristband case of FIGS. 11B and
11C. FIGS. 11D and 11E depict detail views of the ends of the bands
of the example wristband case of FIG. 11F.
[0130] In FIG. 11A, a biometric monitoring device 1102 is shown;
the depicted biometric monitoring device 1102 is similar to the
biometric monitoring device 402 shown in FIG. 4A. In FIG. 11B, the
biometric monitoring device 1102 is shown (visible through opening
1160) inserted into a wristband case 1150, which has a peg
component 1184 having one or more pegs 1186 (in this case, two pegs
1186) inserted into one end of the wristband case 1102, e.g., the
end of a strap that is part of the wristband case 1102. The pegs of
the peg component 1184 may be inserted into peg holes 1190 located
in an opposite end of the wristband case 1102, e.g., the end of an
opposing strap that is part of the wristband case 1102, in order to
secure the wristband case 1150 to a wearer's forearm.
[0131] The wristband case 1150 shown has a translucent window
portion that is co-molded with the rest of the wristband case 1150
that serves as a display window 1172. The translucent window
portion may completely encircle the wristband case 1102, as shown
in the pictured variant, or may be located only in an area directly
overlaying a display of the biometric monitoring device 1102. In
the pictured implementation, the translucent window portion is made
from a smoked or tinted plastic so that a wearer of the biometric
monitoring device 1102/wristband case 1150 may be effectively
unable to see the display of the biometric monitoring device 1150
through the display window 1172 unless the display is actually
displaying content, e.g., illuminating pixels on a display or
discrete LEDs.
[0132] FIGS. 11E and 11F show detail views of the ends of the
wristband case 1150 shown in FIG. 11D. As can be seen, two pegs
1186 protrude from the "left" band portion of the wristband case
1150, and the "right" band portion of the wristband case has a
plurality of peg holes 1190 that may be arranged in a manner that
permits the pegs 1186 to be selectively engaged with a like number
of peg holes 1190 so as to adjust the circumference of the
wristband case 1150 to allow for a wide range of adjustability to
suit differing wrist/forearm sizes. It is to be understood that the
"right" and "left" descriptors, as used herein, are used to refer
to the location of features with respect to their relative
positioning within the drawing views and are not to be understood
to limit the features to only the described locations.
[0133] The pegs may be molded plastic or metal in construction, and
may generally be made from a much harder and/or stiffer material
than the wristband case is (or at least the band portions of the
wristband case). The pegs may be engaged with the peg holes by
elastically stretching the hole openings to conform with the wider
head of the protrusions. Once the peg or pegs are pushed through
the band holes, the peg holes may contract again around the thinner
portion of the peg geometry, thus holding the two band portions of
the wristband case together at the desired circumference.
[0134] In another implementation, the pegs may be made out of a
flexible material that can conform to harder and/or stiffer
material in the wristband case. Alternatively, the pegs and the
wristband case may both be flexible and may conform to each other
to allow the head portion of the peg to be inserted through the peg
hole.
[0135] The pegs 1186 may have bases that are embedded within the
band portion of the wristband case 1150, or may, as in the depicted
example, protrude from a base portion that is separate from the
band portion (but that may be inserted into holes similar to the
peg holes 1190 but are located on the band portion having the pegs
1186).
[0136] FIG. 11G depicts a detailed view of an example of such a peg
component. For example, a peg component 1184 may have a base
portion that has one or more pegs 1186 protruding from it. Each peg
1186 may have a central stem 1194 or core with a head portion 1192
capping the stem 1194. The head portion 1192 may be rounded on top
to allow a person pushing the head portion 1192 into a peg hole
1190 to do so with decreased difficulty as compared to hard-edged
head portions. The head portion 1192 may be larger in
cross-sectional area in a plane substantially parallel to the base
of the peg component 1184 than the cross-sectional area of the stem
1194 of the peg 1186 in a similar plane.
[0137] In addition to the head portion 1192, the peg 1186 may have
a peg rib 1188 that is located between the head portion 1192 and
the peg component 1184 base. The peg rib 1188 may act to secure the
peg 1186 in a hole similar to the peg holes 1190 but located on the
band portion opposing the band portion having the peg holes 1190.
The peg ribs 1188 may be flared, e.g., have a 90.degree. shoulder
on the side facing the peg component 1184 base, and a 45.degree.
slope on the side facing the head portion 1192. This may facilitate
retention of the peg component 1184 in the band portion when the
wristband case 1102 is unclasped.
[0138] FIGS. 12A through 12F depict an example biometric monitoring
device and a wristband case in throughout various stages of
insertion of the biometric monitoring device into the wristband
case.
[0139] In FIG. 12A, a biometric monitoring device 1202 and a
wristband case 1250 are shown. The depicted biometric monitoring
device 1202 and the wristband case 1250 are similar in construction
to a Fitbit Flex.TM.. The wristband case 1250 may be a molded
wristband made from a flexible elastomeric material and may have an
opening 1260 in the side that faces a person's wrist when worn on
the person's forearm. A display window 1272 may be embedded in the
molded structure of the wristband case 1250.
[0140] In FIG. 12B, the biometric monitoring device 1202 has been
partially inserted into the opening 1260. As can be seen, the
opening 1260 has distended somewhat to accommodate the insertion of
the biometric monitoring device 1202 since the biometric monitoring
device 1202 is wider than the width of the opening in such an
orientation.
[0141] In FIG. 12C, the biometric monitoring device 1202 has been
inserted further into the opening 1260, and has been aligned with
the long axis of the wristband case 1250.
[0142] In FIG. 12D, the biometric monitoring device 1202 has been
inserted as far into the opening 1260 in a direction aligned with
the long axis of the wristband case 1250 as it can go. To allow the
remainder of the biometric monitoring device to be inserted through
the opening 1260, the wristband case 1250 is being flexed over the
depicted middle finger such that the opening 1260 is elongating
further in a direction aligned with the long axis.
[0143] In FIG. 12E, the biometric monitoring device 1202 has been
pushed partially through the distended opening 1260. After the
biometric monitoring device 1202 is pushed completely into the
opening 1260, the opening 1260 may largely return to its original
shape, as depicted in FIG. 12F.
[0144] FIG. 12G depicts a diagram showing the example biometric
monitoring device of FIGS. 12A through 12F as worn on a person's
arm. FIG. 12G may be useful as a reference frame for defining
various axes and locations for future reference.
[0145] In FIG. 12G, a person's "arm" is shown. In everyday speech,
the term "arm" is typically used to refer to the entirety of the
limb connected to a shoulder. However, as used herein, the term
"arm" refers to the portion of that limb located between the
shoulder joint and the elbow joint of the limb. The term "forearm"
refers to the portion of that limb between the elbow joint and the
wrist joint. The forearm may encompass a portion of the limb that
may often be called the "wrist," e.g., the portion of the forearm
on which a person may wear a watch or bracelet. This disclosure may
use the term "wristband" as commonly used in everyday speech, i.e.,
to indicate a band that fully or partially encircles a person's
forearm near the wrist joint. In some cases, some people may choose
to wear such a band at a loose enough setting that the band may
slide into the wrist joint area; such bands are still considered,
however, to be configured to be worn on the person's forearm within
this disclosure. This disclosure uses the conventions outlined in
Joseph E. Muscolino's "Kinesiology: The Skeletal System and Muscle
Function," Second Edition (2011), when discussing various body
parts or other kinesiological concepts.
[0146] Since a person's arm and forearm are organic structures with
widely-varying appearances from person to person, it may be useful
to utilize a common reference framework when discussing such a limb
or when discussing items that may be worn on such a limb. For
example, despite the wide variation in shape and size of forearms
in the general population, every forearm will have a forearm axis
1257 that is substantially aligned with the longest direction of
the forearm. Another way of thinking of the forearm axis 1257 is as
the axis that passes through the nominal centers of rotation of the
wrist joint and the elbow joint. In addition to a forearm axis, it
may be useful to refer to an elbow axis 1259 and a wrist axis 1253.
The elbow axis 1259 may generally define the pivot axis of the
forearm about the elbow joint during flexion and extension of the
forearm, and the wrist axis 12 53 may generally define the pivot
axis of the hand about the wrist joint during flexion and extension
of the hand. An arm axis 1261 may be generally aligned with the
long dimension of the arm and may pass through the center of
rotation of the elbow joint and the center of rotation of the
shoulder joint (not pictured). A hand axis 1255 may pass through
the center of the wrist joint and generally in a direction aligned
with the middle finger of the hand when at full extension.
[0147] As can be seen, the wristband case 1250 shown may encircle
the forearm near the wrist and may generally define a wristband
plane 1251 that is substantially perpendicular to the forearm axis
1257.
[0148] When the biometric monitoring device 1202 is worn in a
wristband case such as wristband case 1250, the opening 1260 that
is located in the "rear" of the wristband case may be blocked by
the wearer's forearm, thus preventing the biometric monitoring
device 1202 from being able to slip out of the wristband case 1250.
In other implementations, however, the wristband case may be
configured such that the opening is located in the "front" of the
wristband case, e.g., facing away from the wearer's forearm.
[0149] It is to be understood that variations on the wristband
cases discussed herein are also considered to be within the scope
of this disclosure, e.g., band cases that are sized to be worn on
other limb locations on a person. For example, a band case may be
sized so as to be worn on a person's leg near the ankle joint, or
on a person's arm, i.e., between the shoulder joint and the elbow
joint. In some implementations, a band case may be sized so as to
be worn by animals, e.g., pets such as cats and dogs. Such band
cases may be worn by the pets as collars, e.g., around the pet's
neck. In such implementations, the band case may generally define a
band plane (similar to the wristband plane 1251) that is
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the limb or
the spinal axis of the neck (depending on the location where the
band case is intended to be worn). Generally speaking, a band case
that is configured to be worn on an organism may refer to a band
case that is configured to be worn on either a human or an
animal.
[0150] FIGS. 13A and 13B depict different off-angle views of
another example of a portable biometric monitoring device. FIGS.
13C and 13D depict the example wristband case of FIG. 13 with a peg
component installed and removed, respectively. FIGS. 13E and 13F
depict detail views of the peg components shown in FIGS. 13A and
13B, respectively. FIGS. 13G and 13H depict exploded side views of
the example portable biometric monitoring device shown in FIG. 13.
FIGS. 13I and 13J depict side views of the example portable
biometric monitoring device shown in FIG. 13A.
[0151] In the implementation pictured in FIGS. 13A through 13J, a
biometric monitoring device 1302 is inserted into a two-part
wristband case 1350. As can be seen in FIGS. 13C through 13F, the
wristband case 1350 may utilize a peg component 1384 that has pegs
1386 and peg ribs 1388. The pegs 1386 may be inserted into peg
component holes 1396 in one end of the wristband case 1302, as
shown in FIGS. 13E and 13F.
[0152] The two-piece nature of the wristband case 1350 may be more
fully understood with reference to FIGS. 13G and 13H, which depict
the wristband case 1350 separated from the biometric monitoring
device 1302. In the pictured implementation, the biometric
monitoring device 1302 may have opposing ends, each of which is
configured to be inserted into a receptacle located on a different
portion of the wristband case 1350. For example, in FIG. 13G, the
"left" end of the biometric monitoring device 1302 may be
configured to be fully inserted into a receptacle in wristband case
portion 1350', and the "right" end of the biometric monitoring
device 1302 may be configured to be fully inserted into a
receptacle in wristband case portion 1350''. Ribs, ridges, or other
features on the insertable ends of the biometric monitoring device
1302 and/or the interior surfaces of the receptacles of the
wristband case portions 1350' and 1350'' into which the insertable
ends may be inserted may be used to prevent the wristband case
portions from easily separating from the biometric monitoring
device 1302. Alternatively, or additionally, the insertable ends of
the biometric monitoring device 1302 may be bonded into the
receptacles on the wristband case portions 1350' and 1350''. FIGS.
13I and 13J depict side views of the assembled biometric monitoring
device 1302/wristband case 1350.
[0153] FIG. 14A depicts an example of a wristband case featuring an
integrated spine component. FIG. 14B depicts an off-angle view of a
partial cutaway of the example wristband case having a spine
component.
[0154] In general, it may be desirable that the band portions 1499
of a wristband case remain flexible enough to conform to the
wearer's body in order to be as comfortable as possible. One way of
achieving such flexibility and comfort is to use a sufficiently
soft elastomeric material to construct all or part of the band
portions 1499 of a wristband case. One problem that arises,
however, is that as the material hardness is decreased, e.g., as
measured by a durometer, there is a corresponding decrease in the
holding force that the band portions 1499 may exert on the pegs of
a peg component that are inserted into peg holes in one of the band
portions 1499, i.e., it is easier to pull the pegs back through
softer material and out of the peg holes.
[0155] One technique for addressing such possible issues is to
include a second component (herein referred to as the "spine") made
from a harder material, e.g., a harder elastomer, than the rest of
the band portion 1499. The spine may be either separately molded
and then insert-molded inside the strap portion or molded
sequentially in a double-injection type injection molding machine.
The geometry of the spine may be such that the portions of the
spine that may engaged with the pegs of the opposing band portion
1499 may be sized to be larger than the cross-sectional area of the
peg stem and the peg head portion. Such geometry may result in the
peg primarily contacting the harder spine material rather than the
softer material of the band portion 1499. For example, if the pegs
have a cross-section with a nominal stadium (or discorectangular)
shape, i.e., a rectangle capped on two opposing sides by
semicircles, the spine may, in each region around a peg hole, have
a similar shape that allows the peg head portion to be inserted
through the peg hole (and spine) and then rest on the spine
material. Each region of the spine that surrounds a peg hole may be
joined to adjacent similar regions by a smaller-width (as measured
cross-wise to the band portion 1499) region of spine material so as
to not greatly reduce the flexibility of the band portion 1499
while still providing for enhanced peg grip by the peg holes.
[0156] In other implementations, a band portion 1499 may contain
two or more parallel spine components made from a harder elastomer
than the rest of the band portion 1499. Each of these spine
components may engage one or more pegs, for example, two parallel
pegs. By varying the number of pegs, the force required to insert
or remove the pegs can be varied by the designer.
[0157] In some implementations, harder and/or stiffer material may
be incorporated into regions of the band portions 1499 other than
where pegs holes are located in order to improve usability or
cosmetic appearance. For example, the region of the band portion
1499 through which a peg component may be inserted (the band
portion 1499 opposite the band portion 1499 with the peg holes) may
be surrounded by harder, stiffer material to facilitate the
insertion of the pegs into peg holes without needing to press
directly on the peg component.
[0158] This construction allows the designer to tune the material
characteristics of the band portion 1499 and the mechanics of
peg/peg hole insertion separately without unduly compromising the
cosmetic appearance and/or comfort of the strap assembly.
[0159] In FIGS. 14A and 14B, a wristband case 1450 is shown. The
wristband case 1450 may house a biometric monitoring device 1402.
In this example, the wristband case 1450 and the biometric
monitoring device 1402 are similar to the wristband case 1350 and
the biometric monitoring device 1302, although the spine component
discussed may be used with any of a variety of different molded
wristband designs, e.g., molded wristband design such as those
discussed earlier in this disclosure. As noted above, FIG. 14B
depicts a partial cutaway of the wristband case 1450, exposing a
spine component 1498 to view. The spine component 1498 may be made
of a stiffer, less flexible material than the remainder of the
wristband case 1450, and may be embedded or encapsulated within the
remainder of the wristband case 1450. The spine component 1498 may
be nearly entirely embedded aside from portions of the spine
component in the vicinity of each peg hole 1490. Thus, pegs (not
shown) protruding from peg component 1484 may engage with the spine
component 1498 when inserted into the peg holes 1490. FIG. 14C
depicts an example of a spine component that may be incorporated
into a strap or band.
[0160] FIG. 14D depicts a cross-section of an example of a spine
co-molded into a strap, and FIG. 14E depicts a detail view of the
cross-section of FIG. 14D. As can be seen, the spine component may
have a series of apertures through it that correspond to the peg
holes 1490. The spine component 1490 may locally reinforce the
wristband case 1450 and prevent tearing or other damage to the more
resilient/compliant materials used in the wristband case 1450.
[0161] In the various implementations described herein, the case
may have a feature which identifies itself to the biometric
monitoring device or a secondary device, e.g., a smartphone paired
with the biometric monitoring device. For example a wristband case
may have an NFC tag which can be read by an NFC communications
interface of the biometric monitoring device (or smartphone paired
with such a device). Other identifying features may include an RFID
tag, other wireless communications technologies (passive or
active), a magnet, or circuitry electrically connected to the
device. The biometric monitoring device may change its
functionality depending on the case identifier. For example, a
wristband case identifier may cause data obtained by the biometric
monitoring device to be interpreted with respect to a framework
based on the assumption that the biometric monitoring device is
located on a person's forearm near their wrist. This change in
functionality could include a change in algorithm of counting steps
if the device were to include a pedometer and/or the display of the
time. In another implementation, the wristband may contain a magnet
on one side of the band whose position can be measured by a
magnetometer in the device and used correct the orientation of the
display.
[0162] Other implementations regarding the use of short range
wireless communication are described in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/785,904, titled "Near Field Communication System, and
Method of Operating Same" filed Mar. 5, 2013 which is entirely
incorporated herein by reference.
[0163] Generally speaking, the above-discussed cases may have
channels, vents, and/or windows in them to allow a pressure
transducer or altimeter in or on the device housing to be exposed
to the ambient pressure, e.g., water or air pressure, in the
vicinity of the biometric monitoring device. Examples of such
channels, vents, or windows may be found in ventilation holes 652
of FIG. 6A and ventilation holes 1352 in FIGS. 13H and 13J. In one
implementation, one or more pressure channels allow air pressure to
travel from the side of the bottom of the band to one or more
pressure vents on the bottom of the biometric monitoring device.
These vents may use a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable (or at
least liquid-resistant) membrane such as a Gore.TM. vent to allow a
pressure sensor in the interior of the biometric monitoring device
to measure ambient air pressure without letting liquid into the
interior of the biometric monitoring device.
[0164] There are many inventions described and illustrated herein.
While certain implementations, features, attributes and advantages
of the inventions have been described and illustrated, it should be
understood that many others, as well as different and/or similar
implementations, features, attributes and advantages of the present
inventions, are apparent from the description and illustrations. As
such, the above implementations of the inventions are merely
exemplary. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
inventions to the precise forms, techniques, materials and/or
configurations disclosed. Many modifications and variations are
possible in light of this disclosure. It is to be understood that
other implementations may be utilized and operational changes may
be made without departing from the scope of the present inventions.
As such, the scope of the inventions is not limited solely to the
description above because the description of the above
implementations has been presented for the purposes of illustration
and description.
[0165] Importantly, the present invention is neither limited to any
single aspect nor implementation, nor to any combinations and/or
permutations of such aspects and/or implementations. Moreover, each
of the aspects of the present invention, and/or implementations
thereof, may be employed alone or in combination with one or more
of the other aspects and/or implementations thereof. For the sake
of brevity, many of those permutations and combinations will not be
discussed and/or illustrated separately herein.
* * * * *
References