TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the disclosure relate to a forward-looking sensor (FLS), for example a camera, worn on a wrist.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Technology is increasingly becoming incorporated into daily life and extending the functionality of our clothing to incorporate technology is an example of this phenomena. Whereas wearable technology of any complexity was, until the last decade, confined largely to the realm of defense gear, its use is becoming more widespread. Wearable technology has been available to the public for over hundred years. The oldest and most popular example of wearable technology is the wrist watch which not only combines the benefit of the technology with the convenience of being wearable but may also provide aesthetic benefits. Wearable technology has since extended into the realm of calculators, pedometers, heart-rate monitors, global positioning system-related technologies and mobile phones. Smart watches are wearable watches that in addition to serving as a watch include some or all of the features of a“smart phone”; for example, phone, compass, radio, music player, storage of data and camera facilities.

[0003] The use of cameras for capturing images has increased exponentially in recent years.

The development of digital cameras increased the quality and quantity of pictures being taken compared with cameras requiring film development, digital cameras also provided the option of recording videos. The incorporation of digital camera technology into smart phones has meant that several billion smart phone users now have constant access to cameras capable of capturing high quality images. Concurrently, social media has developed and experienced exponential growth in recent years. While capturing images may once have been reserved for life events of specific importance, photos and videos are now perpetually being taken, stored, uploaded and shared via social media.

[0004] The increased availability of wearable technology coupled with the increased desire for instant image capture has led to the development of watch cameras. Due to the nature of certain passing events being short-lived a user may have a desire to immediately capture images. Wearable device such as a watch camera can theoretically provide a low latency from decision- to-photograph to actual image capture, and the agility in operation, namely the possibility to direct the forward-looking sensor (FLS) in a wide range of pan and tilt angles. Contrastingly, image capture using smartphones is slower as they are usually carried in a pocket or handbag and will need to be located and removed before the image capture process can begin. However, watch cameras will likely remain of limited commercial value if they fail to capture high quality images and are, despite their wearability, incompatible with low-latency use.

SUMMARY

[0005] A shutter release button is a push button found on many traditional cameras that is pressed to capture images, on digital cameras the button is simply known as a shutter button (SB) and on smart phones images and videos are typically captured by pressing a touch sensitive“button”. The SB on camera watches may been incorporated as part of the crown of the watch or may be found on the bezel or other parts of the watch body. However, because many people, for the purpose of comfort, wear watches in such a way that they are loose fitting, depressing the SB or even activating a touch sensitive SB, may cause the watch body to be knocked and displaced leading to either blurred images or the wrong images being captured. Even if the watch strap is worn tightly on the wrist, uneven pressure on the watch housing during depression of the SB may lead to directional instability and a reduction in image quality.

[0006] An aspect of an embodiment of the disclosure relates to providing a watch device comprising an FLS in which high quality stabilized images are captured. Optionally, the FLS comprises at least one of a camera, a radar sensor, a lidar sensor, or a range finder sensor. In a particular embodiment, the FLS is a camera. As disclosed herein, an“image” captured by an FLS refers to a representation of a field of view responsive to electromagnetic waves generated by or reflected from objects in the field of view and captured by the FLS. Optionally the electromagnetic waves are generated by an appropriate electromagnetic wave generator comprised in or operatively connected to the watch device. Where the FLS is a camera, the electromagnetic waves are typically (but not necessarily) within or near visible spectrum of frequencies. Where the FLS is a radar, the electromagnetic waves are radio waves. Where the FLS is a lidar or a range finder, the electromagnetic waves are in the form of laser pulses.

[0007] For convenience of presentation, a watch device in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure may be referred to herein as an“EZ Shutter watch”. [0008] In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, an EZ Shutter watch comprises a watch body comprising an FLS, watch straps physically and operatively connected to the watch body, two or more SBs, and an FLS comprised in the watch body that is operable to capture at least one image responsive to a simultaneous activation of the two or more SBs. Optionally at least one of the SBs are embedded in a watch strap.

[0009] In an embodiment, the two or more SBs comprise a pair of SBs. Optionally, each SB of the pair is embedded in the watch straps on either side of a watch body, respectively. Optionally, the SBs are situated in the watch straps on each side of the watch body such that, when the watch device is worn on a forearm of a user, the SBs are positioned at opposing sides of the forearm.

[0010] In an embodiment, the pair of SBs are situated on the watch straps such that, when the EZ Shutter watch is worn by the user on the forearm, pressure placed on the pair of SBs causes the watch body to be pressed onto the forearm of the user. Optionally, the watch body comprises a pressure sensor on a back surface of the watch body, such that the pressure sensor faces the forearm of the user when worn by the user. Optionally, the FLS is operable to capture at least one image responsive to simultaneous activation of the pair of SBs and the pressure sensor.

[0011] Optionally, the at least one image is one or more of: a single image, a“burst” of multiple images captured in succession, or a movie. For convenience of the presentation, an act of capturing at least one image performed by the watch device may be referred to herein as“image capture”.

[0012] In the discussion, unless otherwise stated, adjectives such as“substantially” and “about” modifying a condition or relationship characteristic of a feature or features of an embodiment of the disclosure, are understood to mean that the condition or characteristic is defined to within tolerances that are acceptable for operation of the embodiment for an application for which it is intended. FTnless otherwise indicated, the word“or” in the description and claims is considered to be the inclusive“or” rather than the exclusive or, and indicates at least one of, or any combination of items it conjoins.

[0013] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0014] Non-limiting examples of embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to figures attached hereto that are listed following this paragraph. Identical features that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with a same label in all the figures in which they appear. A label labeling an icon representing a given feature of an embodiment of the disclosure in a figure may be used to reference the given feature. Dimensions of features shown in the figures are chosen for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily shown to scale.

[0013] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective-view illustration of an EZ Shutter watch in a closed position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0014] Fig. 2 shows a schematic illustration of an EZ Shutter watch in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0015] Fig. 3 shows a schematic side-view of an EZ Shutter watch in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Throughout the description, constituent parts of the EZ Shutter watch situated at the 12 o’clock side of the watch body are designated“upper” and constituent parts of the EZ Shutter watch situated at the 6 o’clock side of the watch body are designated“lower”. Whereas the detailed description with respect to Figs. 1-3 describe exemplary embodiments in which the FLS comprises a camera, other embodiments as described herein below, but with the FLS comprising a radar sensor, a lidar sensor or a range-finder sensor instead of, or in addition to, a camera, is also considered to be a part of the disclosure provided herein.

[0017] Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective-view of an EZ Shutter watch 100. The disclosed watch comprises a watch body 101, watch body 101 may by way of example be rectangular with rounded edges for aesthetic purposes as shown in Fig. 1, or alternatively the watch body may be circular in shape. In an embodiment, the watch body may include a touch-sensitive screen 115, thereby mitigating the need for multiple buttons. Optionally, watch body 101 comprises one or more push buttons 102, wherein the buttons are used to activate a function of the watch, which may or may not related to image capture.

[0018] EZ Shutter watch 100 further comprises a camera (not shown) that is built in to watch body 101, that is configured to receive light via a camera lens 103 from a field of view (not shown) for image capture. In an embodiment of the disclosure, camera lens 103 is built in to an upper side 116 of the watch body, such that, when the watch is worn in the normal manner by a user, a line of sight (schematically represented as a dashed arrow 112) of camera lens 103 is directed away from the user and the field of view of the camera is positioned away from the user. Optionally, the lens is located on a lateral side 117 of watch body 101 to allow the user to discreetly capture images that are lateral to the user. Optionally, the camera lens is built in to a bezel which is optionally rotatable.

[0019] The EZ Shutter watch includes an upper strap 104 and a lower strap 105. In an embodiment of the disclosure, pressure sensitive pads (PSPs) are embedded into these straps, with one PSP 106 embedded into upper strap 104 and another PSP 107 embedded into lower strap 105. The PSPs are tactile sensors capable of detecting stimuli resultant from mechanical force. As a result of the two PSPs (106 and 107) being embedded, respectively, in upper strap 104 and lower strap 105, the two PSPs are positioned on either side of watch body 101. The PSPs are operatively connected to watch body 101 and the camera comprised therein, such that the camera is operable to initiate image capture responsive to activation of the PSPs resulting of application of sufficient force on the PSPs. Optionally, image capture by the camera comprises capture of one or more of a single image, a burst of multiple images captured in succession, or a movie. In an embodiment, the camera is configured to change the type of image capture responsive to the duration of PSP activation. By way of example, a short activation of the PSPs results the camera capturing a single image and a longer duration activation results in the camera switching to capturing a burst of images. By way of a further example, a yet longer duration of PSP activation results in the camera switching from capturing a burst of images to capturing a video.

[0020] Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of EZ Shutter watch 100 in an open position and illustrates substantially the same features as figure 1. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the PSPs may be embedded into the watch strap subtly such that there are no external indications on the strap indicating the location of the PSPs. In an alternative embodiment, a watch straps comprises a location indicator comprising one or a combination of two or more of a marking, an indentation, a protrusion, or a textured surface positioned to indicate a location on the strap that overlaps with an embedded PSP. Optionally, a location indicator overlaps with the location of a sub-region of the PSP, by way of example a center region of the PSP or an edge of the PSP. By way of example, the watch strap may comprise a plurality of indentations or protrusions in order to allow the user to easily detect, not just the location of the PSP as a whole, but where on the PSP pressure is being applied. Optionally, a plurality of location indicators with differing properties may differentially indicate sub-regions of a PSP. By way of example, a watch strap may comprise a plurality of location indicators, in which a sub-region of a PSP proximal to a watch body is indicated by a first location indicator (such as a protrusion), and another sub-region of the PSP more distal from the watch body is indicated by a second location indicator (such as an indentation) having different characteristics.

[0021] In an embodiment of the disclosure, PSP 106 is operatively connected to watch body 101 via a wired connection 113 embedded in watch strap 104 and an electrical contact (not shown) in watch body 101, and PSP 108 is operatively connected to watch body 101 via a wired connection 114 embedded into watch strap 105 and another electrical contact (not shown) in watch body 101. In an alternative embodiment, PSPs 106 and 108 may communicate with watch body 101 via a wireless transmitter (not shown).

[0022] In an embodiment of the disclosure EZ Shutter watch 100 may be operatively connected to a smartphone or a PC via a wireless connection.

[0023] Figure 3 shows a schematic side-view of EZ Shutter watch 100 as worn on a wrist 310 of a user wherein the image is as viewed from a hand of the user towards the user’s elbow. As shown in Figure 3, EZ Shutter watch 100 is worn on a left wrist, as watches are more commonly worn on the left wrist, and lens 103 is positioned on the watch such that its line of sight 112 points outward away from the body (not shown) of the user when worn. However, operation of EZ Shutter watch 100 as shown would be substantially the same if worn on the right wrist.

[0024] In an embodiment, EZ Shutter watch 100 when worn, prior to operation, is configured to sit loosely on the wrist 310 with the watch body 301 sitting close to or lightly against the wrist, with camera lens 103 being situated on watch body 101 such that line of sight 112 points away from the body of the wearer when the arm is positioned horizontally in front of the user’s body. In an embodiment of the disclosure, in order to activate image capture, a user places a thumb 109 on lower strap 105 at the position of lower PSP 107 and places finger 108 on upper strap 104 at the position of upper PSP 106 and applies pressure simultaneously to the two PSPs, and the camera is configured to initiate image capture responsive to simultaneous activation of the two PSPs. In an embodiment, the PSPs are positioned on the respective straps such that, when the PSPs are squeezed against the sides of the forearm and downwards, watch body 101 is pulled in a downwards direction such that it is brought into close contact with wrist 110 ensuring that EZ Shutter watch 100 is stabilized. Applying pressure to the PSPs, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, therefore has two functions: image stabilization and image capture.

[0025] In an embodiment of the disclosure, at least one of PSPs 106 and 107 is configured to be slide- sensitive and is operable to be activated responsive to the user sliding a finger on the surface of the PSP. Optionally, EZ shutter watch 100 is configured to trigger image capture responsive to sliding motions being simultaneously applied to PSP 106 and 107. Optionally, EZ shutter watch 100 is configured to trigger image capture responsive to a user simultaneously sliding a finger and a thumb along a surface of PSPs 106 and 107, respectively, away from watch body 101. When watch 100 is held out on a wrist such that line of sight 112 points away from the body of the wearer when the arm is positioned horizontally in front of the user’s body, with the user standing upright, such a sliding motion would be directed downwards toward the ground. In addition, such a sliding action, when watch 100 is worn on a wrist as shown in Fig. 3, would act to pull watch body 101 downward into close contact with wrist 110, as described above. As such, the sliding of the thumb and finger along the PSP away from watch body 101 maybe referred to herein as a“downward slide”. A slide-sensitive PSP in accordance with an embodiment may comprise an array of sensors operable to detect a change conductance or capacitance caused by a user touching the surface of the slide-sensitive PSP, and a transducer that is operable to register spatiotemporal patterns of sensor activation and interpret the pattern as a sliding motion, optionally characterized by a velocity and a direction. In an embodiment of the disclosure, a watch strap (upper strap 104 and/or lower strap 105) comprises a plurality (optionally between two and six) of non-slide-sensitive PSP embedded and arranged along a longitudinal segment of the watch strap and operatively connected to a transducer (not shown) that is operable to interpret a sequence of activations of adjacent PSPs as a sliding motion. [0026] In an embodiment of the disclosure, PSP 107 is positioned such that it is located on the part of wrist 110 facing the body when line of sight 112 is pointing away from the body. In an embodiment of the disclosure, PSP 107 is positioned between 2 cm and 6 cm away from watch body 101 along the length of lower strap 105. In an embodiment of the disclosure, PSP 106 is positioned such that it is located on the part of wrist 110 facing away from the body when line of sight 112 is pointing away from the body. In an embodiment of the disclosure, PSP 106 is positioned between 2 cm and 6 cm away from watch body 101. In an alternative embodiment, PSP 107 may be located closer to watch body 101, for example PSP 107 may be located around 1 cm from watch body 101. It may be advantageous to position PSP 106 to be sufficiently distant from watch body 101, by way of example at least 2 cm along the length of upper strap 104 in order to avoid having finger 108 obscuring the field of view in front of lens 103 when contacting PSP 106 to activate image capture.

[0027] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the PSPs are, or comprise, tactile sensors that are responsive to manual pressure. The tactile sensors optionally are mechanical buttons, capacitive touch sensors, pressure sensor arrays or strain gauges. Optionally, the tactile sensors are piezoresistive or piezoelectric sensors.

[0028] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the PSPs are designed such that they are operable based on the application of a defined pressure. If the PSPs are too sensitive there will be an excessive amount of unintended image capture and the image capture will occur prior to watch stabilization, conversely requiring excessively high levels of pressure will result in unnecessary constriction of the wrist, discomfort and inefficiency in the image capture process.

[0029] In an embodiment of the disclosure, EZ Shutter watch comprises a PSP 111 located against the underside 119 of the watch body. In an embodiment, watch straps 104 and 105 do not comprise PSPs 106 and 107, and PSP 111 serves as a sole shutter control, such that applying pressure to upper strap 104 and lower strap 105 results in: watch body 101 being pressed against wrist 110 and the watch being stabilized, PSP 111 being activated, and the camera initiating image responsive to PSP 111 activation. Advantageously, PSP 111 is not too sensitive, as an overly sensitive PSP 111 may result in unintended image capture, by way of example if the camera is accidentally knocked against the arm. Conversely requiring excessively high levels of pressure may result in unnecessarily cumbersome or excessive constriction of the wrist, resulting in discomfort and inefficiency in the image capture process. Optionally, PSP 111 comprises an electrode or optical sensor operable to receive and/or transduce signals relevant for an ECG or heartrate monitoring functionality.

[0030] In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, EZ Shutter watch 100 comprises PSP 111 in addition to PSPs 106 and 107. Optionally, image capture by the camera is triggered responsive to simultaneously applying pressure to all three PSPs 106, 107 and 111.

[0031] In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, one or more of PSPs 106, 107.

111 comprises a haptic feedback device that is operable to produce a vibration responsive to a state of activation of the PSP. Optionally, the haptic feedback device is operable to produce a vibration response to an action of a camera comprised in watch body 101 that is triggered by activation of the PSPs in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. By way of example, the haptic feedback device may be configured to produce a vibration when the camera is triggered through PSP activation to capture a photograph or a video.

[0032] In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, at least one of the PSPs 106, 107, 111 is a“semi-pressable” PSP configured to have an un-pressed state, one or more semi-pressed states, and a full-pressed state. In an embodiment of the disclosure, a semi- pressable PSP comprises or is operatively connected to a transducer that is operable to interpret pre-defined operations of the semi-pressable PSP as representing a semi-pressed state or a full-pressed state. Optionally, semi-pressed and full-pressed states may be detected by a transducer based on duration and/or magnitude of pressure applied to the PSP. By way of example, in a situation in which the semi- or full-pressed state is based on duration of pressure applied to the PSP, application of pressure for a period of time shorter than a pre defined threshold is registered by the transducer as a semi-pressed state while application of pressure for a period of time longer than the threshold is registered as a full-pressed state.

[0033] In a situation in which a PSP is a slide-sensitive PSP in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, the PSP is optionally configured to detect a stationary touch applied to the PSP as a semi-pressed state and detect a sliding touch applied to the PSP as a full-pressed state.

[0034] In an embodiment, EZ Shutter watch 100 comprising a camera is configured to activate an autofocus mechanism (not shown) and a light meter (not shown) responsive to the semi-pressable PSP being pressed to a semi-pressed state. In an embodiment, maintaining the pressure of the semi-pressable PSP at the semi-pressed state maintains the focusing point and allows for re-composition if desired, and further depressing the semi- pressable PSP to the full-pressed state activates image capture in the camera. In an embodiment, EZ Shutter watch 100 comprising a camera is configured to capture a photograph responsive to the semi-pressable PSP being pressed to a semi-pressed state, and further depressing the semi-pressable PSP to a full-pressed state activates video capture. By way of example, a stationary grip applied to the PSPs activates still-image capture and a downwards sliding motion applied to the PSPs activates video capture.

[0035] In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, captured images may be stored on a removable memory card (not shown) housed within the watch. Additionally, or alternatively, data may be transferred to a personal computer or smart phone via, for example, a wireless connection such as Bluetooth or a wired connection via, by way of example, a micro-USB port (not shown) on the watch.

[0036] There is therefore provided in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, an image-sensing wrist- wearable device comprising: a device body; an upper strap and a lower strap physically connected to the device body; one or more pressure sensitive pads (PSPs); and a forward-looking sensor (FLS), operable to capture an image, comprised in the device body and configured to initiate image capture responsive to activation of the one or more PSPs. Optionally, the FLS comprises at least one of: a camera, a radar sensor, a lidar sensor or a range finder sensor.

[0037] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the one or more PSPs are positioned in the wrist- wearable device such that the FLS initiates image capture responsive to pressure applied to a portion of the upper and lower straps respectively. Optionally, upper strap comprises a first PSP and the lower strap comprises a second PSP. Optionally, the FLS is configured to initiate image capture responsive to simultaneous activation of the first and second PSPs. Optionally, at least one of the first and second PSPs is a slide sensitive PSP, and the FLS is configured to initiate image capture responsive to a sliding motion applied to the slide- sensitive PSP. Optionally, the first and second PSPs are slide sensitive PSPs, and the FLS is configured to initiate image capture responsive to a sliding motion applied simultaneously to the first and second PSPs. Optionally, the FLS is configured to initiate image capture responsive to a sliding motion applied on the first and/or second PSPs in a direction away from the watch body. [0038] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the slide-sensitive PSP comprises a plurality of non-slide-sensitive PSPs arranged linearly along a longitudinal segment of the watch strap and operatively connected to a transducer operable to interpret a sequence of activations of adjacent non-slide-sensitive PSPs as a sliding motion. Optionally, the plurality of non-slide- sensitive PSPs consists of between 2 and 6 non-slide-sensitive PSPs.

[0039] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first and second PSPs are embedded, respectively, within the upper strap and the lower strap. Optionally, the upper and lower straps comprise a plurality of location indicators, the position of each location indicator corresponding to a location of the first PSP or the second PSP. Optionally, the location indicators comprise one or more of: an indentation, a protrusion, a marking, or a textured surface. Optionally, a location of a sub-region of the first PSP or the second PSP is indicated by a location indicator.

[0040] In an embodiment of the disclosure, the image-sensing wrist-wearable device comprises a third PSP situated on the underside of the device body, and the FLS is configured to initiate image capture responsive to activation of the third PSP. Optionally, the upper strap comprises a first PSP and the lower strap comprises a second PSP, and the FLS is configured to initiate image capture responsive to simultaneous activation of the first, second, and third PSPs. Optionally, the third PSP comprises an electrode or optical sensor operable to transduce signals relevant for an ECG or heartrate monitoring functionality.

[0041] In an embodiment of the disclosure, at least one of the one or more PSPs is a semi- pressable PSP that is configured to have an un-pressed state, a semi-pressed state, and a full- pressed state. Optionally, the semi-pressed state of the PSP is detected responsive to pressure being applied to the PSP for a period of time less than a specific threshold and the full-pressed state is detected responsive to pressure being applied to the PSPs for a period of time greater than the specific threshold. Optionally, the semi -pres sable PSP is slide sensitive, and the semi-pressed state is detected responsive to a stationary touch applied to the PSP, and the full-pressed state is detected responsive to a sliding motion applied to the PSPs. Optionally, the FLS comprises a camera that is configured to activate an autofocus and a light meter responsive to the semi-pressable PSP being in the semi-pressed state and configured to initiate image capture responsive to the semi-pressable PSP being in the full- pressed state. Optionally, the FLS comprises a camera that is configured to initiate still- image capture responsive to the semi-pressable PSP being in the semi-pressed state and configured to initiate video capture responsive to the semi-pressable PSP being in the full- pressed state.

[0042] Whereas the disclosure herein above is in reference to a device referred to as a “watch”, it will be appreciated that an EZ shutter watch as described herein is not limited to a device comprising a time-displaying functionality and is intended to encompass wrist- wearable devices generally, including those that do not comprise a time-displaying functionality.

[0043] In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, “comprise”,“include” and“have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.

[0044] Descriptions of embodiments of the disclosure in the present application are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments. Some embodiments utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of the disclosure that are described, and embodiments comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments, will occur to persons of the art. The scope of the invention is limited only by the claims.