Method of minimizing rusting at power interface of wearable computing device

Abstract

To provide a device and a method of minimizing rusting at a power interface between a band and a housing of a wearable computing device.SOLUTION: A wearable computing device includes a housing, a band having a circuit, an energy storage device, a power interface, a switching device, and a processor. The processor determines a state of the wearable computing device and initiates a detection window of a specific period when the state corresponds to a predetermined state and motion of the wearable computing device is detected. Initiating the detection window controls operation of the switching device to couple the energy storage device to the power interface so as to provide power to the circuit only at intermittent intervals to reduce an amount of the power provided to the circuit during the specific period, thereby minimizing rusting at the power interface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wearable computing devices, and more particularly to devices and methods for minimizing the occurrence of rust at the power interface between the band and housing of a wearable computing device. [Background technology]

[0002] A wearable computing device can be secured to a user's wrist via a band that can be removably coupled to a housing of the wearable computing device. In this manner, the band can be an accessory to the wearable computing device. For example, a first band coupled to a housing of a wearable computing device can be detached from the housing, and a second band different from the first band (e.g., color, material, etc.) can be coupled to the housing.

[0003] The housing also typically contains the wearable computing device's main power source, and the band contains an integrated circuit (IC). Therefore, if the housing attempts to communicate with the IC in the band, the power source must provide power to the IC. However, the power source may not always be able to provide such power, resulting in wasted power consumption while waiting for the user to attach the band, and it is unclear whether the power connection between the band's IC and the housing may be exposed to liquid (e.g., sweating or submersion in water from swimming). In the latter case, the presence of liquid may cause rust to form on the power interface components. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be set forth in part in the description that follows, or may be learned from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments.

[0005] In one aspect, the disclosure is directed to a wearable computing device including a housing, a band having circuitry, an energy storage device, a power interface configured to provide power from the energy storage device to the circuitry, a switching device configured to selectively couple the energy storage device to the power interface, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a state of the wearable computing device and, if the state corresponds to a predetermined state and motion of the wearable computing device is detected, initiate a detection window of a specific duration. More specifically, initiating the detection window includes controlling operation of the switching device to couple the energy storage device to the power interface and provide power to the circuitry only at intermittent intervals to reduce the amount of power provided to the circuitry during the specific period, thereby minimizing the formation of rust in the power interface.

[0006] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method for minimizing the formation of rust at a power interface between a band and a housing of a wearable computing device, the method including determining, via a processor of the wearable computing device, a state of the wearable computing device, and, if the state corresponds to a predetermined state and movement of the wearable computing device is detected, initiating, via the processor, a detection window of a specific duration, wherein initiating the detection window further includes coupling an energy storage device of the wearable computing device to the power interface and controlling operation of a switching device of the wearable computing device to provide power to circuitry on the band of the wearable computing device only at intermittent intervals to reduce the amount of power provided to the circuitry during the specific time period, thereby minimizing the formation of rust at the power interface.

[0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of various embodiments of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain associated principles.

[0008] Detailed descriptions of embodiments directed to those skilled in the art are set forth herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a wearable computing device worn on a user's extremities, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 2 shows a perspective view of the wearable computing device of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of components of a system of a wearable computing device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a power interface for a system of a wearable computing device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates a method for minimizing rust formation at the power interface between the band and housing of a wearable computing device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a flow diagram and graphs providing details of a method for minimizing the occurrence of rust at the power interface between the band and the housing of a wearable computing device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates components of an exemplary computing system of a wearable computing device, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the disclosure, and not as a limitation thereof. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with other embodiments to yield yet a further embodiment. It is therefore intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0011] 1 and 2 illustrate a wearable computing device 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the wearable computing device 100 can be worn, for example, on a user's arm 102 (e.g., wrist). The wearable computing device 100 can include a housing 110 defining a cavity in which one or more electronic components (e.g., arranged on a printed circuit board) are arranged. For example, the wearable computing device 100 can include a printed circuit board (e.g., a flexible printed circuit board) arranged within the cavity. Further, one or more electronic components can be included on the printed circuit board. The wearable computing device 100 can further include a battery (not shown) arranged within the cavity defined by the housing 110.

[0012] In some embodiments, the wearable computing device 100 includes a display 130. The display 130 can display content (e.g., date, time, step count, heart rate, etc.) for a user to view. It should be understood that the display 130 can include any suitable type of display. For example, in some embodiments, the display 130 can be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display. It should be understood that the display 130 can be disposed under a display cover. In this manner, the display 130 can be protected from damage (e.g., scratches, cracks, etc.). It should also be understood that the display cover can be transparent. In this manner, the user can view the display 130 through the display cover.

[0013] As shown, the wearable computing device 100 can be secured to a user's arm 102 (e.g., wrist) via a band 140. The band 140 can include a first portion 142 and a second portion 144 that is separate from the first portion 142. As shown, the first portion 142 of the band 140 can be removably coupled to the housing 110 at a first position thereon. Conversely, the second portion 144 of the band 140 can be removably coupled to the housing 110 at a second position thereon that is different from the first position. For example, the first position and the second position can be on opposite sides of the housing 110.

[0014] It should be appreciated that the first portion 142 of the band 140 can be coupled to the second portion 144 of the band 140 to secure the wearable computing device 100 to the user's arm 102. In some embodiments, the first portion 142 of the band 140 can include a buckle or clasp (not shown). Additionally, the second portion 144 of the band 140 can include a plurality of openings (not shown) spaced apart along the length of the second portion 144 of the band 140. In such an embodiment, a protrusion of a buckle provided on the first portion 142 of the band 140 can be inserted into one of the plurality of openings defined by the second portion 144 of the band 140 to couple the first portion 142 of the band 140 to the second portion 144 of the band 140.

[0015] It should be understood that any suitable type of fastener can be used to couple the first portion 142 of the band 140 to the second portion 144 of the band 140. For example, in some embodiments, the first portion 142 of the band 140 and the second portion 144 of the band 140 can include magnets. In such embodiments, the first portion 142 of the band 140 and the second portion 144 of the band 140 can be magnetically coupled to one another to secure the wearable computing device 100 to the user's arm 102. It should also be understood that the band 140 can be interchangeable with different bands. For example, the band 140 can be of a first type (e.g., color, material) and can be interchangeable with a second type of band that is different from the first type. In this manner, the band 140 can be an accessory to the wearable computing device 100 that can be customized according to a user's preferences.

[0016] 3 and 4 , a system 200 for controlling the wearable computing device 100 is provided in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the system 200 may be distributed across both the wearable computing device 100 and the band 140. More specifically, the system 200 may include a first circuit 210 mounted on (e.g., part of) the wearable computing device 100 and a second circuit 220 mounted on (e.g., part of) the band 140. In some embodiments, the second circuit 220 may be included in the first portion 142 of the band 140 ( FIG. 2 ) or the second portion 144 of the band 140 ( FIG. 2 ). In alternative embodiments, the second circuit 220 may be included in both the first portion 142 of the band 140 and the second portion 144 of the band 140. For example, in some embodiments, a first instance of the second circuit 220 may be included in a first portion 142 of the band 140, and a second instance of the second circuit 220 may be included in a second portion 144 of the band 140.

[0017] The system 200 may include a power interface 230 configured to provide power from an energy storage device 150 (e.g., a battery, a capacitor, etc.) on the wearable computing device 100 to a second circuit 220 included on the band 140. In some embodiments, as particularly shown in FIG. 4 , the power interface 230 may include a first conductor 232 (e.g., a wire) for providing power from the energy storage device 150 ( FIG. 3 ) of the wearable computing device 100 to the second circuit 220 included on the band 140. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4 , the power interface 230 may further include a second conductor 234 that is electrically grounded. Of course, the power interface 230 may be implemented as an electrical contact on both the wearable computing device 100 and the band 140. For example, the first conductor 232 of the power interface 230 may be implemented as a first electrical contact on the wearable computing device 100 and the band 140. Additionally, second conductor 234 may be implemented as second electrical contacts on wearable computing device 100 and band 140. It should be understood that electrical contacts on band 140 make contact with respective contacts on wearable computing device 100 when band 140 is removably coupled to housing 110 (FIG. 2) of wearable computing device 100.

[0018] 3 , the first circuit 210 may include a processor 212 and a switching device 214. The switching device 214 may be electrically coupled between the energy storage device 150 and the power interface 230. Further, the processor 212 may be communicatively coupled to the switching device 214. In this manner, the processor 212 may communicate one or more control signals related to controlling the operation of the switching device 214. For example, the processor 212 may control the operation of the switching device 214 to couple the energy storage device 150 to the power interface 230, such that power may be transferred from the energy storage device 150 to the second circuit 220 included in the band 140. Conversely, the processor 212 may control the operation of the switching device 214 to decouple the energy storage device 150 from the power interface 230, such that power may not be transferred from the energy storage device 150 to the second circuit 220 included in the band 140.

[0019] In some embodiments, processor 212 may control operation of switching device 214 based at least in part on data obtained from one or more sensors of wearable computing device 100. For example, in some embodiments, processor 212 may control operation of switching device 214 to couple energy storage device 150 to power interface 230 in response to determining that wearable computing device 100 is being worn by a user. In this manner, power may be transferred from energy storage device 150 to second circuit 220 included in band 140 when wearable computing device 100 is being worn by a user.

[0020] In some embodiments, the processor 212 can control the operation of the switching device 214 to couple the energy storage device 150 to the power interface in response to determining that the wearable computing device 100 is not being worn by a user. In this manner, power can be transferred from the energy storage device 150 to the second circuit 220 included in the band 140 when the wearable computing device 100 is not being worn by a user.

[0021] However, it should be understood that any suitable sensor, and any number of sensors, configured to obtain data indicative of whether a user is wearing wearable computing device 100 is within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the sensor(s) may include a first sensor 215, a second sensor 217, and a third sensor 219, as shown in FIG. 3. In such embodiments, first sensor 215 may be configured to generate a first signal indicative of a state of wearable computing device 100, and second sensor 217 may be a motion sensor (e.g., an accelerometer, an inertial measurement unit, etc.). In further embodiments, third sensor 219 may be an optical sensor, as described further herein below.

[0022] Second circuit 220 can be configured to communicate with first circuit 210 via one or more signals containing any suitable information for band 140. In some embodiments, band 140 can also include sensors not included on wearable computing device 100. In such embodiments, band 140 can be attached to housing 110 of wearable computing device 100 to provide additional functionality (e.g., sensing functionality).

[0023] In some embodiments, the second circuit 220 can be configured to modulate a signal to generate a modulated signal that is communicated to the wearable computing device 100. For example, in some embodiments, the second circuit 220 can communicate the modulated signal to the first circuit 210 via the power interface 230. In alternative embodiments, the second circuit 220 can communicate the modulated signal to the first circuit 210 via a wireless network. It should be understood that the second circuit 220 can be configured to implement any suitable modulation scheme. For example, in some embodiments, the second circuit 220 can be configured to modulate the signal according to an on-off keying modulation scheme.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first circuit 210 may include a decoder 216 configured to decode the modulated signal received from the second circuit 220. For example, the decoder 216 may decode the modulated signal to obtain a unique identifier for the band 140. Further, the decoder 216 may communicate the unique identifier to the processor 212.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 5, a flow diagram of a method 300 for minimizing rust formation at the power interface between a band and a housing of a wearable computing device is shown, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Method 300 may be implemented, for example, by wearable computing device 100 and system 200 described above with reference to FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 5 shows steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and explanation. Those skilled in the art, using the disclosure provided herein, will understand that the various steps of method 300, or any of the other methods disclosed herein, may be adapted, modified, rearranged, performed simultaneously, or modified in numerous ways without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] As shown at (302), method 300 includes determining, via a processor of the wearable computing device, a state of the wearable computing device. As shown at (304), method 300 also includes, via the processor, initiating a detection window of a specific duration if the state corresponds to a predetermined state and motion of the wearable computing device is detected. For example, in one embodiment, the predetermined state may correspond to the housing 110 being off-wrist and the band 140 being attached to the housing 110.

[0027] Additionally, in certain embodiments, still referring to (304), initiating the detection window may include coupling energy storage device 150 to power interface 230 and controlling operation of switching device 214 to provide power to a circuit on band 140 (e.g., second circuit 220) only at intermittent intervals to reduce the amount of power provided to the circuit during a certain period of time, thereby minimizing the occurrence of rust in power interface 230.

[0028] For example, in one embodiment, method 300 may include receiving a first signal from first sensor 215 indicating a state of wearable computing device 100. In such an embodiment, when the first signal indicates that wearable computing device 100 corresponds to a predetermined state, method 300 may further include receiving a motion signal from second sensor 217. In such an embodiment, the motion signal is configured to indicate the presence or absence of a momentary motion event of wearable computing device 100. Thus, the momentary motion event indicates that a user is attempting to attach or detach band 140 from housing 110.

[0029] Thus, in one embodiment, the method 300 may include initiating a detection window of a particular duration upon receiving a motion signal indicating the presence of an instantaneous motion event.

[0030] In another embodiment, method 300 may include ceasing to provide power to the circuitry at the end of the detection window to minimize the formation of rust in power interface 230. In a further embodiment, method 300 may include extending the detection window upon receiving one or more additional momentary motion events during the detection window.

[0031] In a further embodiment, the method 300 may include dividing the detection window into multiple detection windows of particular duration.

[0032] Additionally, in one embodiment, method 300 may include initiating a hibernation state of wearable computing device 100 based at least in part on data received from an optical sensor (e.g., third sensor 219). In such an embodiment, method 300 may include overriding a detection window for a particular window to initiate a hibernation state when multiple consecutive instantaneous motion events continue to occur over an extended period of time and until the optical sensor indicates a change in brightness of wearable computing device 100.

[0033] Typically, the trigger point for the detection window is from the motion sensor. Thus, in one embodiment, in the hibernation state, the processor 212 is configured to stop receiving motion events from the motion sensor. Thus, in the hibernation state, the processor 212 does not start any detection windows but is still operating. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the processor 212 is configured to exit the hibernation state (and thus begin receiving motion events again) when one or more of the following conditions occur: the user presses the power button; the user touches the display to wake it up; the user holds the wearable computing device 100 at a particular angle (e.g., tilt wake), etc., turning on the display; and / or the display is turned on by an alarm or an incoming call. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the light sensor may report a brightness value (e.g., 30 or greater), and the previous illuminance level before entering the hibernation state must be low (e.g., 5 or less). In other words, if the processor 212 enters the hibernation state in a bright environment, the processor 212 will not exit the hibernation state even if it receives a high lux value. In further embodiments, the condition necessary for entering the hibernation state may be that the processor 212 receives a certain sufficient number of motion events (X) within the last few seconds (Y). For example, in one embodiment, in a dark environment (e.g., 5 or less), X=15, Y=30. In such an embodiment, if the wearable computing device 100 has been shaken for 15 seconds within the last 30 seconds, the wearable computing device 100 enters the hibernation state. In a bright environment (e.g., 30 or more), X=30, Y=60. If the wearable computing device 100 is idle in a dark environment, the processor 212 does not enter the hibernation state.

[0034] The method 300 of Figure 5 can be better understood with reference to Figure 6. In particular, as shown, Figure 6 shows a flow diagram and graphs providing details of the method 300 for minimizing the occurrence of rust in the power interface 230, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Specifically, as shown, one or more sensors (e.g., a first sensor 215, which may be a low latency off-body (LLOB) sensor) may be used to trigger the detection window 310. Thus, in one embodiment, the first sensor 215 is configured to report an on / off wrist event, so that the processor 212 can detect the band 140 in an off-wrist state. Thus, as shown at T1, the processor 212 is configured to initiate the detection window 310 of a specific duration (e.g., 5 seconds) when the state corresponds to a predetermined state (e.g., off-wrist, with the band 140 attached to the housing 110) and motion of the wearable computing device 100 is detected. For example, in addition to the first sensor 215, the second sensor 217 may also be used to detect momentary motion and communicate to the processor 212 that a momentary motion event (e.g., 75 mG) has occurred. In such an embodiment, the momentary motion event may be triggered when a user attempts to attach or detach the band 140 from the housing 110. When the processor 212 receives an instantaneous motion event, the processor 212 is configured to start a detection window 310 for X seconds. If the band is attached during this detection window 310, the band 140 can be detected immediately.

[0036] Further, in such an embodiment, initiating the detection window 310 includes coupling the energy storage device 150 to the power interface 230 and controlling the operation of the switching device 214 to provide power to the circuitry only at intermittent intervals 312 (e.g., 100 millisecond (ms) intervals) to reduce the amount of power provided to the circuitry during a particular period, thereby minimizing rust formation in the power interface 230. More specifically, as shown, the duty cycle of the intermittent intervals 312 is approximately 10%, which also represents a power reduction of approximately 10% within the detection window 310. At the end of the detection window 310, the power supply is stopped to further prevent rust formation. A new instantaneous motion event received during the detection window 310 can further extend the window for X seconds.

[0037] 7, components of an exemplary computing system 400 of the wearable computing device 100 that can be utilized in accordance with various embodiments are illustrated. Notably, as shown, the computing system 400 may also include at least one controller 402. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the controller(s) 402 may be a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU) for executing instructions that may be stored in a memory device 404, such as flash memory or DRAM, among other options. For example, in one embodiment, the memory device 404 may include RAM, ROM, FLASH memory, or other non-transitory digital data storage, and may include a control program that includes sequences of instructions that, when loaded from the memory device 404 and executed using the controller(s) 402, cause the controller(s) 402 to perform the functions described herein.

[0038] Computing system 400 can include many types of memory, data storage, or computer-readable media, such as data storage for program instructions for execution by a controller or any suitable processor. The same or separate storage can be used for images or data, removable memory can be available for sharing information with other devices, and any number of communication approaches can be utilized for sharing with other devices. Additionally, as shown, computing system 400 includes display 130, which can be a touchscreen, organic light-emitting diode (OLED), or liquid crystal display (LCD), although the device may communicate information through other means, such as through audio speakers, a projector, or by casting the display or streaming data to another device, such as a mobile phone, where an application on the mobile phone displays the data.

[0039] Computing system 400 also includes one or more energy storage devices 150 operable to be recharged via a conventional plug-in approach. In some embodiments, computing system 400 also includes at least one additional I / O device 410 capable of receiving conventional input from a user. This conventional input may include, for example, push buttons, a touchpad, a touchscreen, a wheel, a joystick, a keyboard, a mouse, a keypad, or any other such device or element by which a user can enter commands into computing system 400. In some embodiments, I / O device(s) 410 may also be connected by a wireless infrared or Bluetooth or other link. In some embodiments, computing system 400 may include a microphone or other audio capture element that accepts voice or other audio commands. In some embodiments, I / O device(s) 410 may include one or more electrodes, optical sensors, barometric pressure sensors (e.g., altimeters, etc.), etc.

[0040] Computing system 400 may include one or more wireless network components 412 operable to communicate with one or more electronic devices within communication range of a particular wireless channel. The wireless channel may be any suitable channel used to allow devices to communicate wirelessly, such as a Bluetooth, cellular, NFC, ultra-wideband (UWB), or Wi-Fi channel. It should be understood that computing system 400 may have one or more conventional wired communication connections known in the art.

[0041] The computing system 400 may include a driver 414 and at least some combination of one or more emitters 416 and one or more detectors 418 for measuring data of one or more metrics of a human body, such as a person wearing the wearable computing device 100. In some embodiments, this may include at least one imaging element, such as one or more cameras capable of capturing images of the surrounding environment and imaging a user, people, or objects in the vicinity of the device. The image capture element may include any suitable technology, such as a CCD image capture element having sufficient resolution, focusing range, and viewing area to capture images of a user as the user operates the device. Additional image capture elements may also include depth sensors. Methods for capturing images using camera elements with computing devices are well known in the art and will not be described in detail herein. It should be understood that image capture may be performed using a single image, multiple images, periodic imaging, continuous image capture, image streaming, etc. Additionally, the computing system 400 may include the ability to start and / or stop image capture, for example, upon receiving a command from a user, an application, or another device.

[0042] Additionally, in one embodiment, the emitter 416 and the detector 418 may be coupled directly or indirectly to the controller 402 using driver circuits that enable the controller 402 to drive the emitter 416 and obtain signals from the detector 418. The host computer 422 may communicate with the wireless network component 412 via one or more networks 420, which may include one or more local area networks, wide area networks, UWB, and / or internetworks using either terrestrial or satellite links. In some embodiments, the host computer 422 executes control programs and / or applications.

[0043] While the present subject matter has been described in detail with reference to various specific exemplary embodiments thereof, each example is provided for purposes of illustration and not limitation of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art, once they arrive at the foregoing understanding, will be able to readily create modifications, variations, and equivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the present disclosure does not exclude the inclusion of such modifications, variations, and / or additions to the present subject matter that would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with other embodiments to yield still other embodiments. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to cover such modifications, variations, and equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. A wearable computing device, comprising: Housing and a band including a circuit; an energy storage device; a power interface configured to provide power from the energy storage device to the circuit; a switching device configured to selectively couple the energy storage device to the power interface; a processor, the processor comprising: determining a state of the wearable computing device; and if the state corresponds to a predetermined state and a movement of the wearable computing device is detected, initiating a detection window of a specific duration; Initiating the detection window further includes coupling the energy storage device to the power interface and controlling operation of the switching device to provide the power to the circuitry only at intermittent intervals to reduce the amount of power provided to the circuitry during the particular period, thereby minimizing the occurrence of rust in the power interface.

2. The wearable computing device of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined state corresponds to the housing being off-wrist and the band being attached to the housing.

3. The wearable computing device of claim 2 , further comprising one or more sensors, the one or more sensors comprising at least a first sensor and a second sensor.

4. The wearable computing device of claim 3 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive a first signal indicative of the state of the wearable computing device from the first sensor.

5. 5. The wearable computing device of claim 4, wherein when the first signal indicates that the wearable computing device corresponds to the predetermined state, the processor is further configured to receive a motion signal from the second sensor, the motion signal configured to indicate a presence or absence of a momentary motion event of the wearable computing device, the momentary motion event representing a user of the wearable computing device attempting to attach or detach the band from the housing.

6. The wearable computing device of claim 5 , wherein the processor initiates the detection window of the specified duration when the processor receives the motion signal indicating the presence of the instantaneous motion event.

7. 7. The wearable computing device of claim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to stop providing power to the circuitry at the end of the detection window to minimize rust formation in the power interface.

8. The wearable computing device of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to extend the detection window upon receiving one or more additional instantaneous motion events during the detection window.

9. The wearable computing device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to divide the detection window into multiple detection windows of the particular time period.

10. 4. The wearable computing device of claim 3, wherein the one or more sensors further include a light sensor, and wherein the circuitry of the band is configured to initiate a hibernation state of the wearable computing device based at least in part on data received from the light sensor.

11. 11. The wearable computing device of claim 10, wherein the circuitry of the band is further configured to override the detection window for the particular window to initiate the hibernation state when multiple consecutive momentary movement events occur over an extended period of time and one or more of the following conditions occur: the light sensor indicates a change in brightness of the wearable computing device, the display of the wearable computing device turns on, a user holds the wearable computing device at a particular angle, or an alarm or an incoming call turns on the display.

12. The wearable computing device of claim 1 , wherein the power interface includes a first conductor for power and a second conductor for ground.

13. 1. A method for minimizing rust formation at a power interface between a band and a housing of a wearable computing device, comprising: determining, via a processor of the wearable computing device, a state of the wearable computing device; and if the state corresponds to a predetermined state and a movement of the wearable computing device is detected, initiating, via the processor, a detection window of a specific duration; The method, wherein initiating the detection window further includes controlling operation of a switching device coupled to the power interface to provide the power to the circuitry only at intermittent intervals to reduce the amount of power provided to the circuitry during the particular period, thereby minimizing the formation of rust at the power interface.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the predetermined condition corresponds to the housing being off-list and the band being attached to the housing.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising receiving a first signal indicative of the state of the wearable computing device from a first sensor.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein when the first signal indicates that the wearable computing device corresponds to the predetermined state, the method further includes receiving a motion signal from a second sensor, the motion signal configured to indicate a presence or absence of a momentary motion event of the wearable computing device, the momentary motion event representing a user of the wearable computing device attempting to attach or detach the band from the housing.

17. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising initiating the detection window of the specified duration when the processor receives the motion signal indicating the presence of the instantaneous motion event.

18. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: terminating the provision of power to the circuit at the end of the detection window to minimize the formation of rust in the power interface.

19. The method of claim 14 , further comprising extending the detection window upon receiving one or more additional instantaneous motion events during the detection window.

20. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising initiating a hibernation state of the wearable computing device when a plurality of consecutive instantaneous motion events continue to occur over an extended period of time based at least in part on data received from a light sensor and one or more of the following conditions occur: the light sensor indicates a change in brightness of the wearable computing device, the display of the wearable computing device turns on, a user holds the wearable computing device at a particular angle, or an alarm or an incoming call turns on the display.

Images