Last week the US Patent & Trademark Office published a patent application from Microsoft that revealed one of their latest inventions regarding a smartwatch. While it could be used for general use, the watch packs a punch for sporting enthusiasts that could tap into built-in apps for heart rate monitoring, burning calories and beyond. The brains of the watch can be popped out of the watch and inserted into future fitness equipment to gather personalized stats. When your workout is done, you simply pop it back into your watch. The patent also reveals a customized docking station that could double as an alarm clock.
Microsoft's Patent Background
Portable electronic devices of increasingly small form factors have been developed recently which are tailored for use during exercise and outdoor activities. These devices may include GPS systems, altimeters, and stopwatches, for example, and may track a user's speed, position and time while running, bicycling, skiing, etc. One problem with such devices is that they are exposed to the user's perspiration, and can become soiled. Some prior devices have incorporated removable hook and loop fastener fabric wristbands that are washable; however, removing the fasteners for washing can be cumbersome and cause wear and tear on the band as it is repeatedly inserted and removed from securing ring, for example. Another problem with such devices is that they typically do not present the user with information during exercise other than time and position information. Users have been forced to connect external heartbeat sensors, for example using a chest strap, to obtain biometric feedback during exercise. The use of multiple components in this manner can be bulky and make exercise awkward. As a result, the adoption of such portable electronic devices during exercise is not as widespread as it could be.
Microsoft Invents a Wearable Personal Information System
A personal information system is provided. The system may include a portable information device having a housing including a top surface defined at least partially by a display, a bottom surface in which an electrical connector and data connector are positioned, the housing enclosing an internal volume in which a processor is provided, the top surface and bottom surface being coupled by a perimeter side edge extending therebetween, and a mounting structure formed at least partially around the perimeter side edge of the housing.
The system may further include a frame, which may be connected to a band, the frame surrounding a void and configured to receive the mounting structure, the frame and mounting structure being releasably securable via a tongue and groove connection. The system may further comprise a dock to which the information device may be connected.
More specifically In Microsoft's patent FIG.1 noted below we're able to see the wearable personal information system #10. The personal information system includes a portable information device #12 which is designed to be releasably secured in a frame #14 coupled to a wearable band #16, which in some embodiments may be elastic.
Microsoft later notes that a program executed on the processor is configured to receive a signal from the optical sensors indicating a measured biometric parameter, and to display on the display an indication of the measured biometric parameter.
In the depicted embodiment, selecting a running icon causes the program to display a current run length (17.2 km), which is tracked by the GPS unit in the information device. Pressing the heart icon causes the program to display a current pulse of the user. Pressing the fire icon causes the program to display an estimation of the calories consumed by the user during the current workout session.
It will be appreciated that programs having other functionality may also be provided. For example, a music listening program, an alarm clock program, a messaging program, and a telephone program may additionally be provided.
As shown in Microsoft's patent FIG. 2, the information device may be removed from the frame by a force-F of a user's hands for example, so that the band may be washed after exercise. The portable information device may also be mounted in a specialized dock as noted below in patent FIG. 4. It could be docked with or without the frame and/or the band attached for charging and data transmission with an external computing device. The watch could also be set in the dock as shown in FIG. 3 below so to act as an alarm clock.
The Smartwatch Dock
As shown in Microsoft's patent FIG. 4, the dock #50 may be configured with a mounting well #58 configured to receive and releasably secure the information device. The mounting well has an outer perimeter wall #60 that is sized to accommodate the mounting structure #28 of the information device. The mounting well has a curvature that is the minor image of the curvature of the bottom surface #61 of the information device.
The resiliently deformable seal member (#39 of FIG.1) formed on the enlarged perimeter wall #38 snugly fits within the outer perimeter wall #60 of the mounting well by slightly deforming the seal member #37, to promote secure purchase of the information device by the mounting well #58.
While the fit is tight enough to prevent the information device from accidentally falling out of the mounting well, the retaining force can easily be overcome by a user grasping the information device and pulling it out of the mounting well for use.
In Microsoft's patent FIG. 5 noted below we're able to see the detailed construction of the bottom surface of the housing of the information device. When the information device is worn by the user, the light emitter #82 is configured to emit a light into the skin of a user, and the light sensor #84 is configured to sense reflected light from the emitter to measure a biometric parameter of a user. In some embodiments, the optical sensor #76 may be omitted.
A special note is paid to the integrated magnets #72 that are shown in patent FIG. 5 below being able to mate with the docking system. The dock may also be partially constructed of metal to enable a magnetic attachment between the dock and information device. The Dock may be constructed of a smooth and continuous material such as a plastic or rubber, or another material or combination thereof.
Microsoft's patent FIG. 6 illustrates a top surface of the information device, while FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 respectively illustrate left, front, right, and back sides of the perimeter side surface of the information device.
Microsoft notes that the information device or smartwatch collectively enclose an internal volume in which a processor and associated memory, communications interface, data bus, and GPS unit with internal compass are provided, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The communications interface is configured to transmit and receive data via the one or more data connectors #80, to thereby communicate with external computing devices. The system is noted as using a rechargeable battery without details.
Microsoft's patent FIG. 11 is perspective view of a second embodiment of a dock, with the information device removed therefrom; and FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the dock of FIG. 11.
Docking with Other Fitness Devices
On a last note, a plurality of such frames and associated components could be provided, enabling the user to use one information device in a plurality of contexts. For example, the user could store the information device in the dock when not in use, run outside with the information device attached to the frame and band, or run on a treadmill on which the information device sits coupled to another frame which is part of a portable stand. Such portable stands could be provided on a variety of equipment, including bicycles, stair climbers, elliptical trainers and beyond.
Microsoft filed their patent application back in Q4 2012 and revealed by the US Patent Office last week. Considering that this is a patent application, the timing of such a product to market is unknown at this time.
A Note for Tech Sites covering our Report: We ask tech sites covering our report to kindly limit the use of our graphics to one image. Thanking you in advance for your cooperation.
Patent Bolt presents a detailed summary of patent applications with associated graphics for journalistic news purposes as each such patent application is revealed by the U.S. Patent & Trade Office. Readers are cautioned that the full text of any patent application should be read in its entirety for full and accurate details. Revelations found in patent applications shouldn't be interpreted as rumor or fast-tracked according to rumor timetables. About Posting Comments: Patent Bolt reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments.
Comments