A Buckle of an Electric Wrist Device

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a buckle of an electric wrist device. Furthermore the invention concerns an electric wrist device comprising the buckle.

BACKGROUND ART

Electronic wrist devices such as watches, timers, heart rate measuring devices, etc. are very common these days. As the electric wrist devices are getting more complicated, for example full of various electric features or functionalities, the power consumption gets higher.

Thus the general problem is getting enough power to the wrist device, when the wrist device has features that consume a lot of power. A known solution has been simply to charge the wrist device by a charger more often. However the charging is difficult and even clumsy. Most people would not like to take the device away from their wrist for charging. In addition large battery or many batteries significantly increase the physical size and weight of the device. Thereby the wrist device would become uncomfortable. Another known solution is to switch coin batteries frequently. However a battery lasts only a few days for a wrist device with, for example motion sensors. Thereby the solution is not practical.

Also when looking at applications of the wrist devices, the increase in the complexity and amount of the applications in the wrist device raises a problem with the device weight, power consumption and physical balance. Especially when wearing the device. Thus if such feature modules are added on the device itself the wrist device becomes extremely uncomfortable to wear. This is due to large size, relatively heavy weight, and weight distribution of the device when wearing it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the invention to provide the electric wrist device with a comfortable possibility to more versatile use.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention there is provided a buckle of an electric wrist device, comprising

a dock for receiving a module, and

a wire electrically connecting said module with said electric wrist device.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided an electric wrist device comprising the buckle.

In various further embodiments different kind of modules can be attached to the buckle. These modules might have variety of uses. For example extra power module, software application source, camera, mobile feature, etc. Furthermore the buckle is installed in the wrist device in such a way that power or information can be transmitted between the module and the wrist device.

Various further embodiments of the invention utilize the latch of the buckle of the wrist device for attaching and coupling extra battery or feature module to the device. Thereby it is possible to use more power consuming features and hardware in the wrist device. It also gives bigger variability to the applications, by giving the possibility to change feature modules.

In some embodiments the module (e.g. the extra battery, or the feature module possibly including the battery) can be placed inside the latch of the buckle. When the module is not attached, the device can have traditional use, for example as a watch. When the extra feature is needed, the user can attach the extra module to the buckle.

Furthermore the weight distribution of the wrist device is improved. In the wrist devices the weight is usually concentrated on one side of the product. However if there is a module on the buckle side, the weight distribution is more ideal, for example when someone has to move hands fast. Furthermore the more ideal weight distribution helps to get more precise result in movement sensor applications. Thus with additional attachments on opposite side of the wrist device, i.e. in the buckle, the weight is distributed more evenly. Thereby the device is more comfortable to use.

Yet further embodiments of the invention have been specified in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 depicts an example where the extra module is attached under the metal latch of the buckle of the wrist device in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 depicts how the buckle of the wrist device with the extra feature can be realised technically in accordance with various further embodiments of the invention,

Figures 3a and 3b depict a functionality and structure of the buckle of the wrist device in accordance with another further embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4 depicts a view of the back side of the buckle and a technical structure of the buckle in accordance with various further embodiments of the invention, and

Figures 5a and 5b depict a structure and operation of the buckle without the extra module in accordance with various further embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF FURTHER EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 shows an example of an electric wrist device 100. The electric wrist device 100 can be a watch or the like as shown in the figure 1. Furthermore the electric wrist device can be a heart rate measurement device, a wrist computer, body control device, a mobile phone, etc. Generally the electric wrist device 100 has electric operations and functionalities and thereby requires a power source such as a battery. The wrist device 100 has a device 103 such as a central unit of the wrist computer. The wrist device has also a wristband 102. The wristband 102 can be conventional wristband, i.e. flexible. The wrist device 100 has also a buckle 101. The buckle 101 has locking mechanics for locking the wristband 102 around a wrist. The buckle 101 has also a dock for receiving a module (not shown in Figure 1). The module can contain an additional battery or an additional functionality for the device 103. Alternatively the module can be integrated into the buckle 103. The wristband 102 attaches the device 103 around the wrist and is locked by the buckle 101. The buckle 101 is pivotably connected to the band 102 by a hinge. The device 103 has a display window 104. For example sapphire quartz can be used. A decoration frame 105 surrounds the display window 104.

Main chassis 106 houses or encapsulates the device 103 along with the display window 104. The chassis 106 can be sandblasted aluminium. The device 103 has also buttons 107 for controlling the device 103.

Preferably the device 103 is capable of processing various applications such as GPS, heart rate detection and presentation, etc. The device 103 can provide even some palm computer functionalities. The device 103 is advantageously a compact device as there is no need for additional batteries or additional feature modules. To the contrary, the extra modules are realised to be provided in the buckle 101.

The module can support various applications. For example, the module comprises program and storing means for application software programs such as heart rate measurement, temperature or motion sensors etc. In addition the module can comprise also processing means. The module can be programmable to various different kind of applications. The main device 103 is arranged to communicate with the module via a communication bus, i.e. wires. Thereby the device and the module can exchange data information. The device 103 can upgrade or download applications from the module. The module can also contain additional devices for the wrist device, such as camera, chemical or radiation sensors, environmental sensors such as pollution sensor, physiological sensors such as thermometer or heart rate sensor, acceleration sensors or such. There can be various modules for different purposes or a module can be programmable for various purposes.

The placing of the device 103 and the buckle 101 around the wrist of the user is such that the buckle 101 is generally on the opposing side of the wrist with respect to the device 103. Thereby, the weight distribution of the wrist device 100 is better balanced with respect to the direction of rotation of user's wrist.

Figure 2 shows a technical example how the buckle 101 is implemented in accordance with various further embodiments of the invention. A battery 113 and a bottom cover 112 are illustrated on the backside of the device 103. Wires 110 electrically connect the module of the buckle 101 with the device 103. Wires 110 may transfer electric power between the module and the device 103. Alternatively wires 110 may act as a communication bus between the module and the device 103. Wires 110 are integrated in the elastomer belt 102. Thus wires 110 can be invisible to the user. In various further embodiments the wrist device 100 further has a coin vibra 111 wiredly connected to the central device 103. Thus wrist device 100 can be controllably vibrated.

Figure 3a depicts the buckle 101 in an open position. The module 120 can come through the cover of the buckle 101 as shown in Figure 3a. Alternatively, the module 120 can be arranged under the latch as shown in various further embodiments of Fig. 1. Referring back to Fig 3a, as described the module 120 can be a battery and/or a functional feature like a software application. The buckle 101 is relatively slim. Thereby the wrist device 100 is comfortable to use. Buckle mechanics 121 like a housing surrounds the module 120. Furthermore another buckle mechanics 122, also like a housing, surrounds the wristband 102, thereby attaching the buckle to the band 102. The buckle mechanics 121 , 122 can be made from hard plastics. A hinge pivot 123 joints the mechanics 122 and 122 pivotably. Figure 3b illustrates the buckle 101 in a closed position, wherein the wristband 102 is locked.

The buckle mechanics 121 and 122 have also the clamping mechanism for locking the latch 121 of the buckle 101 into the buckle mechanics 122. The locking can be so-called "snapfit" mechanics, for example. The buckle mechanism 121 has a protrusion. The protrusion is arranged to lock into a recess of the buckle mechanism 122 when the latch of the buckle 101 is in the closed position. When the latch is opened, the protrusion exits the recess. Alternatively, the locking mechanism can be based on Velcro. Further embodiments of the clamping mechanism are illustrated in the Fig. 5a and 5b.

Figure 4 depicts a view of the backside of the buckle 101 and a technical structure of the buckle 101 in accordance with various further embodiments of the invention. A contact terminal 131 is shown on the backside of the module 120. A corresponding contact terminal 130 is shown on the buckle mechanics 122. The contact terminal 130 protrudes from the mechanics 122. Furthermore the contact terminal 130 is connected to the wires 110. The contact terminal 130 extends from the wires 110 through the support structure 122 to the surface. The contact terminals 130, 131 are arranged to establish an electric contact when the buckle 101 is generally in the closed position. Thereby the module 120 is coupled with the terminal device 103 when the buckle 101 is in the closed position.

Figure 5a depicts further embodiments where the buckle 101 is shown without the module 120. Clamping mechanism 140 and 141 are shown at the front end of the buckle 101. The front panel of the buckle 101 is uncovered when the module 120 is not attached to the buckle 101. Figure 5a shows the buckle 101 without the module 120 in the open position. Figure 5b shows the buckle without the module

120 in the closed position. In some further embodiments, an alternative hinge pivot 142 is used so that the buckle mechanics 121 can be used inversely.

Various further embodiments use several modules 120. Thus more than one module 120 can be inserted into the buckle 101 simultaneously. The mechanics of the buckle is arranged to receive at least two modules. For example, the modules can be in parallel within the buckle 101. Modules have their respective terminals 130, 131 which are arranged so that each module 120 can be electrically connected to the main device 103. Furthermore modules can have such a geometry that adjacent modules are arranged to fit and support each other, like parquet junction. Furthermore the modules can be arranged one upon the other within the latch of the buckle 101.

Ramifications and Scope

Although the description above contains various specifics, these are merely provided to illustrate the invention and should not be construed as limitations of the invention's scope. It should be also noted that the many specifics can be combined in various ways in a single or multiple embodiments. Thus it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations can be made in the apparatuses and processes of the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.