METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A SMART WATCH

Abstract

A smart watch is disclosed which may be controlled remotely using any of a variety of communications control links and control modules that are not part of the watch itself. The control links include RF, Bluetooth, Optical, Hardwired and Artificial Intelligence (Al) control links; operating in combination with tactile, audio and/or visual/motion sensing control mechanisms (modules). The disclosed smart watch optionally includes an expandable speaker extending from the wrist band of the watch to allow for the speaker to easily be placed next to the user's ear while in use. The Bluetooth speaker may be removable and may be used with other wireless devices. Methods, apparatus and systems incorporating the disclosed teachings are particularly well suited to support use of a smart watch by the disabled; and allows for both hands free and/or remote smart watch operation and control.

Claims

1. Apparatus for performing operations on a smart watch comprising: (a) controller circuitry, for developing control signals which remotely control the operation of said smart watch; and (b) a communications link for coupling said control signals to said smart watch and (c) a telescopically expandable speaker.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said controller is manually operated.

3. (canceled)

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said communications link is an RF link.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said RF link is a Bluetooth link.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said communications link is a hardwire link.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said controller includes a Bluetooth capable communications link to said smart watch.

8. A smart watch which may be controlled remotely using a Bluetooth communications link between a remotely located control module and said smart watch wherein said smart watch includes a telescopically expandable speaker.

9. A smart watch which may be controlled remotely using a hardwired communications link between a remotely located control module and said smart watch wherein said smart watch includes a telescopically expandable speaker.

10. A smart watch which may be controlled remotely using an RF communications link between a remotely located control module and said smart watch wherein said smart watch includes a telescopically expandable speaker.

11. A smart watch which may be controlled remotely using an optical communications link between a remotely located control module and said smart watch wherein said smart watch includes a telescopically expandable speaker.

12. A smart watch which may be controlled remotely using an artificial intelligence controlled communications link between a remotely located control module and said smart watch wherein said smart watch includes a telescopically expandable speaker.

13. A method for controlling the operation of a smart watch worn on the wrist of a user, comprising the steps of: (a) developing control signals which remotely control the operation of said smart watch; and (b) coupling said control signals to said smart watch through a communications link controlled, at least in part, by artificial intelligence.

14. A method for remotely controlling the operation of a smart watch, comprising the steps of: (a) coupling a remotely located control module to said smart watch; and (b) utilizing said remotely located control module to develop control signals for input to and for controlling said smart watch through a communications link controlled, at least in part, by artificial intelligence.

15. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein said step of coupling is performed utilizing a hardwired communications link.

16. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein said step of coupling is performed utilizing an RF communications link.

17. A method as set forth in claim 16 wherein said RF communications link is a Bluetooth communications link.

18. (canceled)

19. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein said step of coupling is performed utilizing a optical communications link.

20. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein said remotely located control module is a wireless mouse.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0031] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a smart watch contemplated by one illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0032] FIG. 2 is perspective drawing depicting the illustrative smart watch of FIG. 1.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a smart watch system contemplated by one embodiment of the invention, wherein an illustrative mouse controller is hardwired to the depicted smart watch via an illustrative expandable cable link.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] FIG. 1 is a top view of a smart watch 100 contemplated by one illustrative embodiment of the invention

[0035] In particular FIG. 1 depicts smart watch casing 110 including a SIM card 101 for telecommunications, dual cameras 102a and 102b (FIG. 2) for, among other things, allowing for a facial recognition feature to facilitate unlocking the smart watch; home and power buttons 103a and 103b, and smart watch speaker 104. Smart watches including casing 110, SIM card 101; dual cameras 102a and 102b; home and power buttons 103a and 103b, respectively; and a smart watch speaker 104, are all well known in the prior art.

[0036] FIG. 1 also depicts, as a departure from the prior art, expandable speaker/microphone 105, which will be shown and explained in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2. For now, suffice it to say that one function of expandable speaker/microphone 105 is to enable the expandable speaker/microphone to literally be placed close to a user's ear and mouth while wearing smart watch 100. Other uses for the expandable speaker may be devised by those skilled in the art.

[0037] Finally FIG. 1 depicts means 106 for latching the smart watch band onto a user's wrist.

[0038] Attention should now be directed to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of smart watch 100; which depicts in greater detail the illustrative smart watch 100 of FIG. 1.

[0039] Once again several prior art features of a smart watch are illustrated on smart watch 100. In particular, a SIM card 101 for telecommunications, dual cameras 102a and 102b for, among other things, allowing for a facial recognition feature to facilitate unlocking the smart watch; and home and power buttons 103a and 103b, are all shown. Smart watches including casing 110, SIM card 101; dual cameras 102a and 102b; home and power buttons 103a and 103b, respectively; and a smart watch speaker/microphone 105, are again all well known in the prior art.

[0040] In FIG. 2, expandable speaker/microphone 105 is depicted as being in its extended position; substantially perpendicular in the embodiment of the invention being shown in FIG. 2, with respect to the segment of watch band 211 into which expandable speaker/microphone 105 is formed and/or attached. The orientation of expandable speaker 105 with respect to watch band 211 is certainly modifiable to accommodate the end use envisioned for an expandable speaker.

[0041] Once again a preferred embodiment of the invention envisions expandable speaker/microphone 105 to literally be placed close to a user's ear while wearing smart watch 100.

[0042] Finally, FIG. 2 depicts means 206 for latching the smart watch band onto a user's wrist (shown in the latched position); and expandable speaker/microphone 105 incorporated into the expandable speaker/microphone 105.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a top/partially perspective view of smart watch system 100 contemplated by one illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein an illustrative remote mouse controller 304b is shown hardwired to depicted smart watch 100 via an illustrative expandable cable link 206. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 3, a smart watch casing 310 is shown to include SIM card 101; expandable speaker/microphone 105, keyboard 303; duel cameras 102a and 102b.

[0044] FIG. 3 also depicts mouse casing 304a shown as part of smart watch casing 110; mouse controller means 304b attached to the user's thumb (for the sake of illustration only); coupled in a hardwired fashion (for the sake of illustration only) via exemplary expandable cable 206 to the smart watch. Mouse 304b is illustrated as being operable by using the user's thumb and other fingers.

[0045] Thus, the mouse controller means 304b of FIG. 3 may be used to, for example, scroll through a list displayed on the face of the smart watch; select a phone number to call, play a song from a digital tune data base, or select an email to open and read, etc. with the use of only one hand.

[0046] While a particular hardwired embodiment of the invention has been described hereinbefore, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise.

[0047] For example, the disclosed smart watch may be controlled remotely using any of a variety of communications control links and control modules that are not part of the watch itself. The control links include RF, Bluetooth, Optical, Hardwired and Artificial Intelligence (AI) control links (or communications paths); operating in combination with tactile, audio and/or visual/motion sensing control mechanisms (modules).

[0048] It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet further modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope so claimed.