Patent Application
20230152753
The present disclosure relates to an interchangeable smartwatch system.
Current smartwatches have affordability and upgradeability issues. Specifically, existing smartwatches either come with a display and a band or just a band. The band and the display must be purchased as one unit, making it a big investment and unaffordable for many users. Users do not have the option to upgrade the smartwatch display to a new one if they wish to over the years. Also, smartwatches are simply not designed to be shared.
Current smartwatches have other issues also. Because existing smartwatches with displays are big and bulky, they are not comfortable for sleeping. Consequently, many users simply remove them prior to going to sleep, and this prevents sleep tracking and data collection. Current smartwatches also lack customization options. Specifically, only the band is interchangeable; the smartwatch screen is not interchangeable. With current smartwatches, there are gaps in data tracking because, for example, some schools/colleges prohibit the use of smartwatches with displays during class and examinations, thereby preventing data tracking during school hours. Also, with current smartwatches, data are not tracked when the watch is being charged. There are further damage and durability issues with current smartwatches. Smartwatches with displays are at a risk of damage while doing intensive workouts like weightlifting, kickboxing, etc. Smartwatch displays are furthermore prone to accumulating dirt, and getting wet while working in the kitchen or around water.
The art is therefore in need of a smartwatch system that addresses these issues.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of different embodiments of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without all the specific details and/or with variations, permutations, and combinations of the various features and elements described herein.
In an embodiment, an interchangeable smartwatch system is a modular smartwatch concept that has two main components. Referring to
Embodiments of the present disclosure permit users to mix and match smartwatch faces 120. Users can own two or more smartwatches, and these users can alternate uses of the smartwatches depending on the users' needs. These embodiments afford a shared family system, assuming easy profile switching. With these embodiments, it is more economical to own multiple smartwatch faces 120 and bands 110.
As noted, embodiments include a removable smartwatch face 120 and a standalone band 110. The removal of the smartwatch face 120 and the wearing of just the band 110 results in a temporarily reduced formfactor while still being able to collect data via the band 110. As illustrated in
When the smartwatch face 120 is removed from the band 110 for charging and only the band 110 is worn, there are no data gaps because of the continuous wearing of the band 110 and the continuous collection of data by the sensors in the band 110. More specifically, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The modular design of the disclosed embodiments enables a user to build the perfect smartwatch for his or her needs or create an optimized system for his or her family. The ability to change out smartwatch faces gives parents some control over their children's access to technology. Functionality in the band, a public display, and a private display allow for easy adaptation to different uses and personalization.
Example No. 1 is an apparatus that includes a band comprising one or more sensors; and a smartwatch face removably coupled to the band. The smartwatch face is operable for receiving a wireless charge and for transferring a charge to the band. The band can also receive a wireless charge.
Example No. 2 is an apparatus that includes all the features of Example No. 1, and further optionally includes an apparatus wherein the smartwatch face is operable to receive the wireless charge when the smartwatch face is decoupled from the band.
Example No. 3 is an apparatus that includes all the features of Example Nos. 1-2, and further optionally includes an apparatus wherein the one or more sensors are operable to sense data when the smartwatch face is decoupled from the band or the smartwatch is coupled to the band.
Example No. 4 is an apparatus that includes all the features of Example Nos. 1-3, and further optionally includes an apparatus wherein the one or more sensors comprise a heartrate sensor, a blood oxygen level sensor, a step accumulator, a stress level sensor, a sleep sensor, a skin conductance sensor, a global positioning system (GPS) sensor, a hydration sensor, an altimeter, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, a gesture sensor, an ultraviolet (UV) ray sensor, a magnetometer, an electrodermal sensor, a gyroscope, an accelerometers, and a compass.
Example No. 5 is an apparatus that includes all the features of Example Nos. 1-4, and further optionally includes an apparatus wherein the smartwatch face comprises one or more of a digital screen, a microphone, a speaker, and a camera.
Example No. 6 is an apparatus that includes all the features of Example Nos. 1-5, and further optionally includes an apparatus comprising a plurality of smartwatch faces configured for removable coupling to the band.
Example No. 7 is an apparatus that includes all the features of Example Nos. 1-6, and further optionally includes an apparatus wherein one or more of the plurality of smartwatch faces comprise different operating systems. In an embodiment, the different operating systems permit the smartwatch faces to have different features (one smartwatch face may have a camera while another smartwatch face may not), permit the smartwatch face to receive different types of data from the band, and permits the smartwatch face to have other features such as parent operating mode and a child operating mode.
Example No. 8 is an apparatus that includes all the features of Example Nos. 1-7, and further optionally includes an apparatus wherein the band is operable for attachment to one or more of a wrist, an arm, a leg, and an ankle.
Example No. 9 is an apparatus that includes all the features of Example Nos. 1-8, and further optionally includes an apparatus wherein the band is operable for attachment to a helmet, a piece of clothing, a backpack, a purse, and a camera.
Example No. 10 is an apparatus that includes all the features of Example Nos. 1-9, and further optionally includes an apparatus wherein the smartwatch face is operable to collect data from a first band when coupled to the first band, and to collect data from a second band when coupled to the second band (with ease of switching between profiles). In an embodiment, the smartwatch face can treat the data as collected from the same person (who has two or more bands) and/or treat the data as collected from two different persons (who can be identified by data provided by the band).
Example No. 11 is an apparatus that includes all the features of Example Nos. 1-10, and further optionally includes an apparatus wherein the smartwatch face comprises a private function and a public function. In an embodiment for example, the public function could be available to both a parent and child, wherein the private function may only be available to the parent.
Example No. 12 is an apparatus that includes all the features of Example Nos. 1-11, and further optionally includes an apparatus wherein the smartwatch face is coupled to the band via one or more of a magnetic force, an electromagnetic force, and a physical coupling (such as a latch, a buckle, or a Velcro® coupling).
Example No. 13 is an apparatus that includes all the features of Example Nos. 1-12, and further optionally includes an apparatus wherein the band comprises a band display.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to specific examples, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by way of illustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
