Wearable Electronic Device Charging Unit

Abstract

The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to providing a wearable electronic device charging unit configured to be fastened onto a wearable electronic device strap attached to a wearable electronic device case, the wearable electronic device charging unit comprising a power source and at least one attachment element coupled to the power source configured to attach the power source onto the wearable electronic device strap, the power source configured to be in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery located within the wearable electronic device case to recharge the rechargeable battery without interfering with the operation of one or more power consuming components located on the wearable electronic device case.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of systems and methods for charging wearable electronic devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Wearable electronic devices are smart electronic devices (electronic devices with a microcontroller) that are worn on the surface of the skin and are capable of detecting, analyzing, transmitting, and providing instant feedback to the wearer regarding information about biological signals, e.g. vital signs, and / or environmental data.

[0003] With the advancement of wearable electronic devices, many feature-driven devices, such as smart watches or smart wristbands with functions of Global Positioning System (GPS), heart rate detection, pace counting, etc., are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. However, these devices tend to consume a significant amount of power.

[0004] Due to the limited size of wearable electronic devices, the capacity of the batteries mounted on them cannot be made large, which forces users to charge the electronic devices more frequently.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the art for new wearable electronic device charging units. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of the subject matter of the present disclosure, there is provided a wearable electronic device charging unit configured to be fastened onto a wearable electronic device strap attached to a wearable electronic device case, the wearable electronic device charging unit comprising a power source and at least one fastening element coupled to the power source configured to attach the power source onto the wearable electronic device strap, the power source configured to be in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery located within the wearable electronic device case to recharge the rechargeable battery without interfering with operation of one or more power consuming components located on the wearable electronic device case.

[0007] In some examples, the one or more power consuming components are sensors.

[0008] In some examples, electrical communication is achieved via electrical wires in communication with the power source configured to connect the power source to a rechargeable battery.

[0009] In some examples, the connection of the power source to the rechargeable battery is made at a bottom or side of the wearable electronic device case.

[0010] In some examples, the wearable electronic device case includes at least one electrical connector on a bottom or side thereof configured to enable interaction of the electrical wire with the rechargeable battery located within the wearable electronic device case.

[0011] In some examples, the electrical wire includes a designated plug at a distal end thereof configured to interact with said at least one electrical connector.

[0012] In some examples, the electrical wire extends invisible along the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device strap between the wearable electronic device charging unit and the rechargeable battery in the wearable electronic device case.

[0013] In some examples, the wearable electronic device is one of a smart watch, a pulse watch, a fitness tracker, or a watch phone.

[0014] In some instances, the wires are covered with an insulating material.

[0015] In some examples, the wires are made of a flexible material.

[0016] In some examples, the fixation element is made of a flexible material.

[0017] In some examples, the flexible material has stretchability.

[0018] In some examples, the securing element is a loop keeper configured to allow the wearable electronic device strap to pass through.

[0019] In some instances, the power source is disposed within a designated housing.

[0020] In some examples, the housing is made of a rigid material.

[0021] In some examples, the housing is made of a semi-rigid material.

[0022] In some examples, the power source further includes an indicator that indicates a status of the rechargeable battery.

[0023] In some examples, the indicator is configured to indicate a remaining power of the power source.

[0024] In some examples, the indicator includes at least one light source configured to visually indicate the remaining power of the power source.

[0025] In some examples, the smallest light source is a light emitting diode (LED).

[0026] In some examples, the charging includes wireless charging.

[0027] In some examples, wireless charging is accomplished using a wireless charger adapter that contains an induction coil intended to create electrical induction that causes a power source to charge a rechargeable battery within the wearable electronic device case.

[0028] In some examples, the wireless charger adapter includes one or more apertures positioned corresponding to a location of the one or more power consuming components.

[0029] In some examples, the wireless charger adapter includes a transparent area positioned corresponding to a location of the one or more power consuming components.

[0030] In some examples, a wireless charger adapter is attached to a bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case.

[0031] In some examples, a wireless charger adapter is attached to a bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case using an attachment means.

[0032] In some examples, the induction coil is attached to the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case using fastening elements.

[0033] In some examples, the fastening element is a magnet.

[0034] In some examples, the induction coil is attached to a bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case element using a designated mechanical attachment that wraps around the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case and holds the induction coil between a surface of the wearable electronic device case and the designated mechanical attachment.

[0035] In some examples, the wireless charger adapter includes a thermocouple positioned in proximity to the induction coil to provide a real-time temperature measurement of a surface of the wireless charger adapter.

[0036] According to a second aspect of the subject matter of the present disclosure, there is provided a wearable electronic device charging unit configured to be fastened onto a wearable electronic device strap attached to a wearable electronic device case, the wearable electronic device charging unit comprising: a power source configured to be in electrical communication with a rechargeable battery located within the wearable electronic device case to recharge the rechargeable battery without interfering with operation of one or more sensors located on the wearable electronic device case; at least one fixing element coupled to the power source configured to attach the power source onto the wearable electronic device strap; and a processing circuit configured to obtain information from the rechargeable battery located within the wearable electronic device case regarding its power level, compare the information with a threshold value, and initiate a current transfer from the wearable electronic device charging unit to the rechargeable battery based on a result of the comparison.

[0037] In some examples, electrical communication is achieved via electrical wires in communication with the power source configured to connect the power source to a rechargeable battery.

[0038] In some examples, the power source connection to the rechargeable battery is formed on a bottom or side of the wearable electronic device case.

[0039] In some examples, the wearable electronic device case includes at least one electrical connector on a bottom or side thereof configured to enable interaction of the electrical wire with the rechargeable battery located within the wearable electronic device case.

[0040] In some examples, the electrical wire includes a designated plug at a distal end thereof configured to interact with said at least one electrical connector.

[0041] In some examples, the electrical wire extends invisible along the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device strap between the wearable electronic device charging unit and the rechargeable battery in the wearable electronic device case.

[0042] In some examples, the wearable electronic device is one of a smart watch, a pulse watch, a fitness tracker, or a watch phone.

[0043] In some instances, the wires are covered with an insulating material.

[0044] In some examples, the wires are made of a flexible material.

[0045] In some examples, the fixation element is made of a flexible material.

[0046] In some examples, the flexible material has stretchability.

[0047] In some examples, the securing element is a loop keeper configured to allow the wearable electronic device strap to pass through.

[0048] In some instances, the power source is disposed within a designated housing.

[0049] In some examples, the housing is made of a rigid material.

[0050] In some examples, the housing is made of a semi-rigid material.

[0051] In some examples, the power source further includes an indicator that indicates a status of the rechargeable battery.

[0052] In some examples, the indicator is configured to indicate a remaining power of the power source.

[0053] In some examples, the indicator includes at least one light source configured to visually indicate the remaining power of the power source.

[0054] In some examples, the smallest light source is a light emitting diode (LED).

[0055] In some examples, the charging includes wireless charging.

[0056] In some examples, wireless charging is accomplished using a wireless charger adapter that contains an induction coil intended to create electrical induction that causes a power source to charge a rechargeable battery within the wearable electronic device case.

[0057] In some examples, the induction coil is attached to the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case using fastening elements.

[0058] In some examples, the fastening element is a magnet.

[0059] In some examples, the induction coil is attached to a bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case element using a designated mechanical attachment that encases the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case and holds the induction coil between a surface of the wearable electronic device case and the designated mechanical attachment.

[0060] In some examples, the wireless charger adapter includes one or more apertures positioned corresponding to a location of the one or more power consuming components.

[0061] In some examples, the wireless charger adapter includes a transparent area positioned corresponding to a location of the one or more power consuming components.

[0062] In some examples, a wireless charger adapter is attached to a bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case.

[0063] In some examples, a wireless charger adapter is attached to a bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case using an attachment means.

[0064] In some examples, the wireless charger adapter includes a thermocouple positioned in proximity to the induction coil to provide a real-time temperature measurement of a surface of the wireless charger adapter.

[0065] In order to understand the subject matter of the present disclosure and to see how it may be carried out in practice, the subject matter will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0066] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wearable electronic device in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic diagram of a wearable electronic device charging unit according to the subject matter of the present disclosure and its operation when fastened onto a wearable electronic device strap. [Figure 2B] 1 is a schematic diagram of a wearable electronic device charging unit according to the subject matter of the present disclosure and its operation when fastened onto a wearable electronic device strap. [Figure 2C] 1 is a schematic diagram of a wearable electronic device charging unit according to the subject matter of the present disclosure and its operation when fastened onto a wearable electronic device strap. [Figure 2D] 1 is a schematic diagram of a wearable electronic device charging unit according to the subject matter of the present disclosure and its operation when fastened onto a wearable electronic device strap. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a designated plug disposed on a distal end of a wire in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram of a wearable electronic device charging unit according to the subject matter of the present disclosure and its operation when fastened onto a wearable electronic device strap. [Figure 5A]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless charger adapter disposed on the bottom surface of a wearable electronic device case in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless charger adapter disposed on the bottom surface of a wearable electronic device case in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram that generally illustrates one example of a wearable electronic device charging unit in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example sequence of operations performed by a wearable electronic device charging unit in accordance with the subject matter of this disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0067] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the subject matter of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0068] In the drawings and descriptions set forth, identical reference numbers indicate components that are common to different embodiments or configurations.

[0069] Unless otherwise indicated, and as will be evident from the discussion below, throughout this specification, discussions utilizing terms such as "obtain," "compare," "initiate," and the like will be understood to include computer operations and / or processes that manipulate and / or transform data into other data, where the data is represented as a physical quantity, e.g., an electronic quantity, and / or the data represents a physical object. The terms "computer," "processor," "processing resource," "processing circuitry," and "controller" should be interpreted broadly to encompass any type of electronic device having data processing capabilities, including, by way of non-limiting examples, personal desktop / laptop computers, servers, computing systems, communication devices, smartphones, tablet computers, smart televisions, processors (e.g., digital signal processors (DSPs), microcontrollers, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), etc.), groups of multiple physical machines that share performance of various tasks, virtual servers coexisting on a single physical machine, any other electronic computing device, and / or any combination thereof.

[0070] Operations according to the teachings herein may be performed by a computer specially configured for the desired purpose, or by a general-purpose computer specially configured for the desired purpose by a computer program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The term "non-transitory" is used herein to exclude transitory propagating signals, but otherwise includes any volatile or non-volatile computer memory technology suitable for the application.

[0071] As used herein, the phrases "for example," "such as," "for instance," and variations thereof describe non-limiting examples of the subject matter of the present disclosure. Reference herein to "one example," "some examples," "other examples," or variations thereof means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an example is included in at least one example of the subject matter of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases "one example," "some examples," "other examples," or variations thereof do not necessarily refer to the same example.

[0072] It is understood that, unless otherwise stated, certain features of the presently disclosed subject matter that are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, can also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the presently disclosed subject matter that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, can also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

[0073] In embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, fewer, more, and / or different stages than those shown in FIG. 7 may be performed. In embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, one or more stages shown in FIG. 7 may be performed in a different order and / or one or more groups of stages may be performed simultaneously. FIGS. 1, 2A-2D, 3-4, and 5A-5B show overall schematic diagrams of system architectures according to embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter. Each module in FIG. 6 may be configured with any combination of software, hardware, and / or firmware that performs the functions as defined and described herein. The modules in FIG. 6 may be centralized in one location or distributed across two or more locations. In other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter, a system may include fewer, more, and / or different modules than those shown in FIG. 6.

[0074] Any reference in this specification to a method should be understood to apply mutatis mutandis to a system capable of performing the method, and should be understood to apply mutatis mutandis to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, result in the method being performed.

[0075] Any reference in this specification to a system should be applied mutatis mutandis to a method that can be performed by that system, and should be applied mutatis mutandis to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that can be executed by that system.

[0076] Any reference in this specification to a non-transitory computer readable medium should be applied mutatis mutandis to a system capable of executing instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium, and should be applied mutatis mutandis to a method that can be executed by a computer reading instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable medium.

[0077] To begin with, as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 1, a wearable electronic device, such as a wearable electronic device 100 (e.g., a smart watch, a pulse watch, a fitness tracker, a watch phone, etc.), may be comprised of a wearable electronic device case 102 and a wearable electronic device strap 104.

[0078] The wearable electronic device case 102 may include (i) a cavity 106 that houses a battery, e.g., a rechargeable battery (not shown), (ii) at least one electrical connector or wireless charging mechanism, e.g., an electrical connector 108 disposed on one of the surfaces (e.g., bottom surface 110, side surface 111, etc.) of the wearable electronic device case, and (iii) at least one power consuming component, e.g., sensors 112a-112c disposed on one or more of the surfaces (e.g., bottom surface 110) of the wearable electronic device case. The electrical connector 108 may enable electrical interaction of the rechargeable battery housed within the cavity 106, while the sensors 112a-112c (which may be any one of an accelerometer, an ambient temperature sensor, a gyroscope, etc.) may provide the wearable electronic device case 102 with information regarding a measurable characteristic associated with a user of the wearable electronic device 100 (e.g., pulse rate, body temperature, blood pressure, etc.).

[0079] The wearable electronic device strap 104 may be comprised of one or more strap portions, e.g., strap portions 104a-104b, which are attached by at least one of their ends from opposite directions to the wearable electronic device case 102. The strap portions 104a-104b may be made of a variety of materials, e.g., leather, plastic, rubber, cloth, etc., and may be fastened together and secured around a designated body part of the user, e.g., around the user's wrist, using any fastening means known in the art (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners, snap fasteners, buckles, etc.).

[0080] As an example, the wearable electronic device 100 is a smartwatch having a circular case 102 connected at one end to a first leather strap portion 104a and at the other end to a second leather strap portion 104b. The first leather strap portion 104a includes a buckle 114 having prongs 115, while the second leather strap portion 104b includes a plurality of equally spaced holes oriented to receive the prongs 115.

[0081] To fasten the wearable electronic device 100 around a user's wrist, the wearable electronic device case 102 is placed on the top of the user's wrist with its bottom surface 110 in contact with the user's wrist, while a portion of the second leather strap 104b, which includes several of the holes, passes through the buckle 114. Following this action, the prong 115 is inserted through one of the holes, so that both strap portions 104a-b are fastened together and wrap around the user's wrist.

[0082] With this in mind, attention is now directed to FIGS. 2A-2D, which show schematic diagrams of a wearable electronic device charging unit in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure and its operation when fastened onto a wearable electronic device strap 104.

[0083] As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 2A, the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 includes (i) a power source, such as power source 118, and (ii) at least one immobilization element, such as immobilization element 120 coupled to the power source 118.

[0084] The fastening element 120 may include any fastening means known in the art (e.g., hook-and-loop fastener, buckle fastener, keeper loop, etc.) and may be made of different materials (e.g., flexible materials, semi-flexible materials, stretchable materials, etc.) and different sizes and shapes (e.g., circular loops, oval loops, etc.) and may be intended to be capable of fastening the power source 118 onto the wearable electronic device strap 104 of the wearable electronic device 100 (Figures 2B-2D).

[0085] Power source 118 may be any type of power source known in the art and may be intended to electrically interact (either wired or wirelessly) with a rechargeable battery within cavity 106 of wearable electronic device case 102 without interfering with the operation of one or more power consuming components (e.g., sensors, screens, etc.) located on wearable electronic device case 102.

[0086] In the case where the interaction between the power source 118 and the rechargeable battery is wired, the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 may further include a protrusion, for example a protrusion 122 extending from one of its surfaces. The protrusion 122 allows the power source 118 to be connected to an electrical wire, for example an electrical wire 124, which is connected on its distal end to the rechargeable battery housed in the wearable electronic device case 102, for transferring current from the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 to the rechargeable battery. The electrical wire 124 may for example be of a flexible material, semi-flexible and / or coated with an insulating material, and may further include a designated plug 126 arranged at its distal end, configured to allow interaction of the electrical wire 124 with the at least one electrical connector 108 and to allow transfer of current from the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 to the rechargeable battery in the cavity 106 of the wearable electronic device case 102.

[0087] 4, the electrical wire 124 may extend concealedly from the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 to the rechargeable battery in the cavity 106 of the wearable electronic device case 102 without the need for the protrusion 122. In such cases, the electrical wire 124 extends invisibly along the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device strap 104 (including the passage through the fastening element 120) between the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 and the rechargeable battery in the cavity 106 of the wearable electronic device case 102.

[0088] If the interaction between the power source 118 and the rechargeable battery is performed wirelessly, for example by electromagnetic induction, the wearable electronic device case 102 can be connected to a wireless charger adapter 117 (as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B ). The wireless charger adapter 117 can be attached on a different surface (e.g., bottom surface 110) of the wearable electronic device case 102 using any attachment means known in the art (e.g., mechanical attachments, magnets, fasteners, snaps, reusable adhesives, vacuum suction means, etc.) and can include (i) an antenna, (ii) a number of passive conductive components, and (iii) an induction coil (all not shown), which can be utilized to create an electrical induction by which the power source 118 charges the rechargeable battery in the wearable electronic device case 102.

[0089] The wireless charger adapter 117 may electrically interact with the power source 118, e.g., via one or more conductors (not shown), with one end connected to the power source 118 and the other end connected to an induction coil of the wireless charger adapter 117. For example, when current flows from the power source 118 through the one or more conductors to the induction coil of the wireless charger adapter 117, a magnetic field is generated in the vicinity of the induction coil. The generated magnetic field creates a voltage induction in the induction coil, which inductively transfers power from the wireless charger adapter 117 to a rechargeable battery in the wearable electronic device case 102.

[0090] In some examples, the one or more conductors include two or more conductors intended to form a closed electrical circuit between the power source 118 and a rechargeable battery in the cavity 106 of the wearable electronic device case 102. By not using a single conductor to form said closed electrical circuit, the volume and thickness of each of the two or more conductors can be much thinner (allowing for a more comfortable wearing of the wearable electronic device 100).

[0091] In some examples, the wireless charger adapter 117 may include a thermocouple disposed near the induction coil of the wireless charger adapter 117. The thermocouple is intended to provide real-time temperature measurement of a surface of the wireless charger adapter 117 and to act as a preventative measure against overheating damage that may occur if the induction coil of the wireless charger adapter 117 overheats during its operation.

[0092] 5A, the wireless charger adapter 117 includes one or more openings, such as openings 119a-119c, positioned corresponding to the locations of the sensors 112a-112c, the openings intended to allow the sensors 112a-112c to operate unimpeded during charging. In another example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the wireless charger adapter 117 can include transparent areas 121 corresponding to the locations of the sensors 112a-112c, such that the sensors 112a-112c can operate periodically during charging without being blocked by the wireless charger adapter 117.

[0093] It should be noted that the relatively small number of parts in the wireless charger adapter 117 allows the volume and thickness of the wireless charger adapter 117 to be minimized, which is intended to allow for a comfortable fit and a more natural look for the wristwatch.

[0094] It should be noted that the wireless charger adapter 117 can be attached to any wearable electronic device known in the art by different attachment means.

[0095] In some examples, the induction coil of the wireless charger adapter 117 can be attached to the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case 102 using a fastening element, e.g., a magnet or a designated mechanical attachment (made of plastic or other insulating material), which wraps around the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case 102 (e.g., by snapping onto the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case 102) and holds the induction coil between the surface of the wearable electronic device case 102 and the designated mechanical attachment, thus forming a more reliable and mechanically secure connection. It should be noted that in cases involving the use of a designated mechanical attachment, a multi-layer structure is formed, consisting of a first layer (the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case 102), a second layer (the induction coil), and a third layer (the fastening element). It should also be noted that the induction coil can be wrapped with an additional fretic layer designed to direct the magnetic field generated in a particular direction.

[0096] In some examples, the power source 118 may include an indicator that indicates the status (e.g., remaining power) of the power source 118 or the rechargeable battery (when the power source 118 electrically interacts with the rechargeable battery). The indicator may include at least one light source, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), that provides a visual indication of the power status of the power source 118 or the rechargeable battery.

[0097] In some examples, the power source 118 is disposed within a designated housing, e.g., made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, that is intended to protect the power source 118 from external hazards such as weather conditions, water damage, etc.

[0098] In some examples, referring to both types of electrical interaction between the power source 118 and the rechargeable battery within the cavity 106 of the wearable electronic device case 102 discussed above, the electrical interaction is controlled by a designated button located, for example, on either the power source 118 or the wearable electronic device case 102. The designated button may allow a user of the wearable electronic device 100 to initiate a charging operation of the rechargeable battery upon request.

[0099] Attention now turns to electronic device charging unit 116.

[0100] FIG. 6 is a block diagram that generally illustrates one example of a wearable electronic device charging unit 116 in accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0101] In accordance with the subject matter of the present disclosure, the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 may include a network interface 206. The network interface 206 (e.g., a network card, a Wi-Fi client, a Li-Fi client, a 3G / 4G client, or any other component) enables the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 to communicate with external systems over a network and to handle inbound and outbound communications from such systems. For example, the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 may receive information regarding the power level of a rechargeable battery in the wearable electronic device case 102 via the network interface 206.

[0102] The wearable electronic device charging unit 116 may further comprise or be associated with a data repository 204 (e.g., a database, a storage system, a memory including a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), or any other type of memory, etc.) configured to store data optionally including charging patterns, charging times, charging durations, pre-scheduled charging periods, etc. The data repository 204 may be further configured to enable retrieval and / or updating and / or deletion of the stored data.

[0103] It should be noted that in some examples, the data repository 204 may be distributed, while the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 accesses the information stored in the data repository 204, for example, via a wired or wireless network to which the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 can connect (using the network interface 206).

[0104] The wearable electronic device charging unit 116 further comprises a processing circuit 202. The processing circuit 202 may be one or more processing units (e.g., central processing units), microprocessors, microcontrollers (e.g., microcontroller units (MCUs)), or any other computing device or module including multiple and / or parallel and / or distributed processing units adapted to process data independently or cooperatively to control associated wearable electronic device charging unit 116 resources and to enable operations related to the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 resources.

[0105] The processing circuit 202 includes a charging module 202 configured to perform a charging process, as described in further detail herein with particular reference to FIG.

[0106] Turning now to FIG. 7, a flow chart illustrating one example sequence of operations performed to charge a wearable electronic device in accordance with the subject matter of this disclosure is shown.

[0107] Thus, the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 can be configured to perform the charging process 300 using, for example, the charging module 208.

[0108] To this end, during electrical interaction between the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 and the rechargeable battery of the wearable electronic device case 102, the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 obtains information from the rechargeable battery regarding its power level (block 302).

[0109] When information regarding the power level of the rechargeable battery arrives at the wearable electronic device charging unit 116, the wearable electronic device charging unit 116, via its charging module 208, compares the information with a predefined threshold or threshold range (block 304). If the power level of the rechargeable battery falls below the predefined threshold or threshold range, the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 initiates current transfer from the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 to the rechargeable battery of the wearable electronic device 100 (block 306).

[0110] When the power level of the rechargeable battery reaches, for example, a maximum value or a predetermined value, the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 terminates current transfer.

[0111] Thus, as an example, according to the above example, during electrical interaction between the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 and the rechargeable battery of the smart watch 100, the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 obtains information from the rechargeable battery indicating that the power level of the rechargeable battery is 50%.

[0112] The wearable electronic device charging unit 116, via its charging module 208, compares the power level of the rechargeable battery (50%) with a predefined threshold (75%). Because the power level of the rechargeable battery is below the predefined threshold (50% vs. 75%), the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 initiates current transfer from the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 to the rechargeable battery.

[0113] When the power level of the rechargeable battery reaches 100%, which is the maximum value of the rechargeable battery, current delivery is terminated.

[0114] In another embodiment, the rechargeable battery of the wearable electronic device 100 can be connected to an internal charging circuit located within the wearable electronic device 100, so that when electrical interaction is established between the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 and the rechargeable battery, the internal charging circuit controls the charging of the rechargeable battery by regulating the electrical flow transmitted from the wearable electronic device charging unit 116 to the rechargeable battery (i.e., opening and closing the electrical flow by switching from a closed electrical circuit to an open electrical circuit).

[0115] 7, it should be noted that some blocks may be integrated into an integrated block, or may be broken down into several blocks, and / or other blocks may be added. Furthermore, it should be noted that some blocks are optional. It should also be noted that although the flow diagrams are described in terms of the system elements that implement them, this is in no way binding, and that the blocks may be performed by elements other than those described herein.

[0116] It is to be understood that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details described in the description contained herein or shown in the drawings. The subject matter of the present disclosure is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood, therefore, that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concepts underlying the present disclosure may be readily utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out some of the purposes of the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0117] It will also be appreciated that systems in accordance with the presently disclosed subject matter may be implemented, at least in part, as a suitably programmed computer. Similarly, the presently disclosed subject matter contemplates a computer program readable by a computer to perform the disclosed methods. The presently disclosed subject matter further contemplates a machine-readable memory tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a machine to perform the disclosed methods.

Claims

1. A wearable electronic device charging unit configured to be fastened onto a wearable electronic device strap attached to a wearable electronic device case, the wearable electronic device charging unit comprising: a power source, at least one fixing element coupled to the power source configured to attach the power source onto the wearable electronic device strap but not physically coupled to the wearable electronic device case, and configured such that when the wearable electronic device is fastened around a user's wrist, the power source electrically communicates with a rechargeable battery located within the wearable electronic device case to recharge the rechargeable battery without interfering with the operation of one or more power-consuming components located on the wearable electronic device case.

2. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 1, wherein the electrical communication is realized via an electric wire configured to connect the power source to the rechargeable battery and in communication with the power source.

3. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 2, wherein the connection of the power to the rechargeable battery is formed on a bottom surface or a side surface of the wearable electronic device case.

4. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 2, wherein the wearable electronic device case includes at least one electrical connector formed on its bottom surface or side surface and configured to enable interaction between the electric wire and the rechargeable battery located within the wearable electronic device case.

5. When the wearable electronic device is fastened around the user's wrist, the wire extends invisibly between the wearable electronic device charging unit and the rechargeable battery of the wearable electronic device case along the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device strap. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 2.

6. The charging includes wireless charging. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 1.

7. The wireless charging is realized using a wireless charger adapter containing an induction coil for forming electrical induction, and by the electrical induction, the power source charges the rechargeable battery within the wearable electronic device case. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 6.

8. The wireless charger adapter includes one or more apertures arranged corresponding to the positions of the one or more power-consuming components. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 7.

9. The induction coil is attached to the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case element using a specified mechanical fixture, and the mechanical fixture wraps around the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case and holds the induction coil between the surface of the wearable electronic device case and the specified mechanical fixture. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 7.

10. A wearable electronic device charging unit configured to be fastened on a wearable electronic device strap attached to a wearable electronic device case but not physically coupled to the wearable electronic device case, wherein the wearable electronic device charging unit is When the wearable electronic device is fastened around the user's wrist, a power source configured to be in electrical communication with the rechargeable battery located within the wearable electronic device case, for recharging the rechargeable battery without interfering with the operation of one or more sensors located on the wearable electronic device case; At least one fixing element coupled to the power source configured to attach the power source onto the wearable electronic device strap; A processing circuit configured to obtain information from the rechargeable battery located within the wearable electronic device case regarding its power level, compare the information with a threshold value, and based on the result of the comparison, initiate current transfer from the wearable electronic device charging unit to the rechargeable battery; A wearable electronic device charging unit comprising the above.

11. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 10, wherein the electrical communication is realized via an electric wire that communicates with the power source configured to connect the power source to the rechargeable battery.

12. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 11, wherein the connection of the power source to the rechargeable battery is formed on the bottom surface or side surface of the wearable electronic device case.

13. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 11, wherein the wearable electronic device case includes at least one electrical connector formed on its bottom surface or side surface and configured to enable interaction between the electric wire and the rechargeable battery located within the wearable electronic device case.

14. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 11, wherein the electric wire includes a designated plug at its distal end and configured to interact with the at least one electrical connector.

15. When the wearable electronic device is fastened around the user's wrist, the wire extends invisibly between the wearable electronic device charging unit and the rechargeable battery of the wearable electronic device case along the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device strap. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 11.

16. The power supply further includes an indicator indicating the state of the rechargeable battery. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 10.

17. The charging includes wireless charging. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 10.

18. The wireless charging is realized using a wireless charger adapter containing an induction coil for forming electrical induction, and by means of the electrical induction, the power supply charges the rechargeable battery within the wearable electronic device case. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 17.

19. The induction coil is attached to the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case element using a specified mechanical fixture, and the mechanical fixture wraps around the bottom surface of the wearable electronic device case and holds the induction coil between the surface of the wearable electronic device case and the specified mechanical fixture. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 18.

20. The wireless charger adapter includes one or more apertures arranged corresponding to the positions of the one or more power-consuming components. The wearable electronic device charging unit according to claim 18.

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