Apple Inc.

Osamu Yabe

Hsiang Hung Chen

Zaki Moustafa

Scott W Slabaugh

Daniel J Hiemstra

Erik G De Jong

Ryan C Perkins

Derek C Krass

Xinping Zeng

Timothy S Lui

Vincent Chauvin

Jen-Chun Hsu

Tengxing Wang

Christopher J Stringer

Rico L Zorkendorfer

Julian Hoenig

Stephen E Dey

Michael J Webb

Wayne Cowan

Benjamin A Stevenson

Clayton J McCoy

Michael Brickner

Zebinah P Masse

Ian Davison

Eiryo Shiraishi

Motohide Hatanaka

Fletcher R Rothkopf

Christopher D Prest

Colin M Ely

Douglas Joseph Weber

Tyler S Bushnell

Kurt R Stiehl

Naoto Matsuyuki

Craig Matthew Stanley

Maegan K Spencer

Benjamin J Kallman

Prashanth S Holenarsipur

William C Lukens

David D Dashevsky

Jorge L Rivera Espinoza

Yoji Hamada

Tatsuya Sano

Yoshihiko Yokoyama

Rimple Bhatia

William Leith

Eugene C Cheung

Yi-Chia Chen

Daniel W Labove

Wearable electronic devices, such as smart watches, can be provided with a band for securing the device to a wearer. The device and the band can include near-field communications (NFC) components that allow the device to uniquely identify the band. Device operations such as the color, theme, or content displayed on the device can be based, in part, on the identification of a particular band. The band may include a miniature NFC tag in an attachment portion of the band that is configured to be received in a recess in a housing of the device. An NFC module for reading the NFC tag can be provided within the recess of the housing, so that the attachment portion of the band and the recess in the device housing position and align the NFC tag with the NFC module when the band is attached to the device.

Band identifier system for wearable devices

Characteristics of a watch band can change when placed in different configurations, and each of these characteristics can be correlated with each of the various configurations. The characteristics can be measured to detect in which of the various configurations the watch band is in. For example, the watch band can include a conductive trace that changes its resistance when the watch band changes its configuration. For example, the resistance can change based on stretching of the watch band, bending of the watch band, and/or securement and release of an engagement element. The watch or another device can perform one or more operations based on the detected characteristic and configuration of the watch band.

Watch band with wrist detection

Characteristics of a watch band can change when placed in different configurations, and each of these characteristics can be correlated with each of the various configurations. The characteristics can be measured to detect in which of the various configurations the watch band is in. For example, the watch band can include an adjustable capacitor that changes it capacitance when the watch band changes its configuration. For example, the capacitance can change based on stretching of the watch band, bending of the watch band, and/or securement and release of an engagement element. The watch or another device can perform one or more operations based on the detected characteristic and configuration of the watch band.

Watch band with fit detection

A stretchable watch band can include braided strands that provide a comfortable fit around the wrist of the user. The watch band can stretch and conform to the user based on the elasticity within each strand and based on the ability of the strands to move relative to each other. End sections of the watch band can include attachment elements that securely connect the watch band to a housing of the watch. The end sections can be configured to releasable connect to the housing in a manner that is reliable and easy for a user. Additionally, the watch band can provide a smooth transition from the size and/or shape of the housing to a size and/or shape of a continuous section of the watch band. Additionally, the watch band can conceal portions thereof other than the braided strands when connected to the housing of the watch.

Watch band with braided strands

A watch can include a watch body and a band for securing the watch to the user. The watch body can detect an identification of the band or combination of band portions, which can serve as an input to initiate actions performed by the watch body. For example, a type, model, color, size, or other characteristic of a band can be determined and used to select a corresponding action performed by the watch body. Identification of the band can be performed by components of the watch body that also serve other purposes. The watch body can respond to the identification of a particular band by performing particular functions, such as changing an aspect of a user interface or altering settings of the watch body.

Identification of watch bands

A band for securing an electronic device to a user may include a monolithic band body having proximal and distal ends for coupling to a body of the electronic device. The monolithic band body may include an elastic material that is elastically stretchable between (1) a fitted mode where the electronic device is secured to a limb of the user, and (2) a stretched mode for fitting over the limb of the user.

Highly elastic composites and constructions for continuous watch band design

Watch bands can be provided with an ability to dynamically adjust the fit of a watch against a wrist of a user. One or more of a variety of tensioning elements can be provided with a shape memory polymer that responds to a stimulus to adjust a fit of the band. Such stimulus can be from user or actively applied by the watch. The shape memory polymer can be a composite material that provides high durability under cyclic stretching and high speed response of shape recovering while avoiding a drastic moduli drop by shape recovering.

Watch band with adjustable fit

Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. On a bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.

Attachment systems for electronic devices

A watch band for a watch can include an antenna that is operable for wireless communication with other devices. The antenna can be embedded within a body of the watch band to protect the antenna from an external environment and to conceal it from view. The antennas can adaptably stretch, bend, and flex with the watch band body, thereby avoiding damage from applied forces while also maintaining the compliance and comfort of the watch band while worn by a user.

Antenna assemblies for watch bands

Growing community of inventors

Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Osamu Yabe