# US 2014/0196539 A1 · Interchangeable cases for biometric monitoring devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196539 A1 - Document ID: US20140196539A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/213,336 - Filed: 2014-03-14 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2010-09-30 - Assignees: Fitbit, Inc. - Applicants: Fitbit, Inc. - Inventors: Mark Manuel Martinez; Michael Joseph Francisco; James Park - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196539A1 ## CPC - A61B 5/683: {Means for maintaining contact with the body (A61B5/6802 takes precedence)} - A43B 3/44: with sensors, e.g. for detecting contact or position - A45C 11/00: Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 (specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48) - A61B 5/0002: {Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network (endoradiosondes A61B5/07)} - A61B 5/0205: Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular conditions and different types of body conditions, e.g. heart and respiratory condition - A61B 5/02055: {Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature} - A61B 5/1112: {Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS} - A61B 5/681: {Wristwatch-type devices} - A61B 5/6831: {Straps, bands or harnesses} - A61B 5/7405: {using sound} - A61B 5/742: {using visual displays (displays for heart-related electrical signals, e.g. ECG, A61B5/339)} - A61B 5/7445: {Display arrangements, e.g. multiple display units} - A61B 5/7455: {characterised by tactile indication, e.g. vibration or electrical stimulation} - A61B 7/00: Instruments for auscultation - B65D 25/22: for facilitating lifting or suspending of containers - G01C 5/06: by using barometric means - G06F 15/00: Digital computers in general (details G06F1/00 – G06F13/00); Data processing equipment in general - A45C 13/42: Devices for identifying luggage; Means for attaching same - A61B 5/0006: {ECG or EEG signals} - A61B 5/002: {Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building (A61B5/0017 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/021: Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels - A61B 5/024: Measuring pulse rate or heart rate - A61B 5/05: Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves (measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24) - A61B 5/0816: {Measuring devices for examining respiratory frequency (measuring frequency of electric signals G01R23/00)} - A61B 5/1118: {Determining activity level} - A61B 5/14532: {for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement} - A61B 5/282: Holders for multiple electrodes (for introduction into the body A61B5/287) - A61B 5/6838: {Clamps or clips} - A61B 2560/0214: of power generation or supply - A61B 2560/0242: adapted to measure environmental factors, e.g. temperature, pollution - A61B 2560/0257: using atmospheric pressure - A61B 2560/0443: Modular apparatus - A61B 2560/0456: Apparatus provided with a docking unit - A61B 2562/0219: Inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes, tilt switches - A61B 2562/0247: Pressure sensors - A61B 2562/164: the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier - A63B 2230/70: body fat - B42D 15/00: Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for - G01C 22/006: {Pedometers} - G06F 3/00: Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements - G09F 3/00: Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means (medals or badges A44C3/00; making labels B31D1/02; sheets temporarily attached together B42F; labelling B65C; labels on record carriers G11B23/38, G11B23/40); Seals; Postage or like stamps - G09F 3/04: to be fastened or secured by the material of the label itself, e.g. by thermo-adhesion (by a separate adhesive layer G09F3/10) - G09F 3/14: by strings, straps, chains, or wires - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR - A45C: PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - B42D: BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS ## Abstract A biometric monitoring device and multiple carrying cases for same are provided. In some implementations, the case may be made from a flexible viscoelastic material and the biometric monitoring device may be slipped into a receptacle in the case through an opening in the case; the opening may become distended during the insertion of the biometric monitoring device. In some implementations, the case may feature a display window that, in combination with materials of the biometric monitoring device, may mask a display of the biometric monitoring device from view when the display is off and may allow the display to be seen when the display is displaying content. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A wearable biometric tracking system, the wearable biometric tracking system comprising: a biometric monitoring device; and a wearable case, the wearable case including: a body; a cavity within the body, the cavity sized to receive the biometric tracking device and to hold the biometric tracking device substantially fixed with respect to the body when the biometric tracking device is fully inserted into the cavity, an opening in the body leading to the cavity, and a hole that passes through the body, the hole positioned such that a keyring may pass through the hole or such that a lanyard may be threaded through the hole. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body is made of a compliant material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The biometric tracking system of claim 2, wherein the compliant material has a Young's modulus between about 1 MPa and 690 MPa. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The biometric tracking system of claim 2, wherein the compliant material is selected from the group of materials consisting of thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic vulcanizates, polyurethanes, silicones, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body is made of metal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein the body is molded. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein the opening in the body is sized to be smaller in cross-sectional area than the maximum cross-sectional area of the biometric tracking device in a plane substantially parallel to the opening when the biometric tracking device is fully inserted into the cavity. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein the biometric monitoring device is securable to the wearable case through the use of a magnet or electromagnet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, further comprising: a lanyard threaded through the hole, the lanyard sized so as to be wearable around a person's neck. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, further comprising: a keyring inserted through the hole. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, the biometric monitoring device further comprising an operator interface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 11, wherein the operator interface incorporates one or more user interfaces selected from the group consisting of: a visual user interface, an auditory user interface, and a touch-vibration user interface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 11, wherein the operator interface comprises a digital display. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 13, wherein the opening is positioned and sized to allow at least a portion of the digital display to be visible when the biometric monitoring device is fully inserted into the cavity. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 13, wherein the body includes a window of translucent material, the window of sufficient translucency and positioned to allow at least a portion of the digital display to be visible through the body when the digital display is illuminated. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein the biometric monitoring device includes one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of: accelerometers, altimeters, heart rate sensors, temperature sensors, gyroscopic sensors, magnetometers, acoustic sensors, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, further comprising a gyroscope. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 1, further comprising a barometric altimeter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 19, wherein: the biometric monitoring device includes a pressure measurement chamber, the pressure measurement chamber configured to interface with the barometric altimeter; a port in the biometric monitoring device leading from the exterior of the biometric monitoring device to the pressure measurement chamber within the biometric monitoring device; and a liquid-impermeable membrane, the liquid-impermeable membrane placed between the pressure measurement chamber and barometric altimeter, wherein: the liquid-impermeable membrane is configured to prevent moisture that enters through the port in the biometric monitoring device from coming into contact with electronics within the biometric monitoring device, and the liquid-impermeable membrane is made from a flexible material that transfers pressure within the pressure measurement chamber to the barometric altimeter. ### Claim 21 (depends on 9) The biometric tracking system of claim 9, wherein the lanyard is configured to be removed from the body. ### Claim 22 (depends on 10) The biometric tracking system of claim 10, wherein the keyring is a split-ring. ### Claim 23 (depends on 10) The biometric tracking system of claim 10, wherein the keyring is a lift-open/snap-shut ring. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein the biometric monitoring device is configured to communicate with external devices. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The biometric tracking system of claim 1, wherein the body has a length, a width, and a height and a cross-section of the width and the height is substantially rectangular. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The biometric tracking system of claim 25, wherein the corners of the cross-section have rounded radii. ### Claim 27 A wearable biometric tracking system, the wearable biometric tracking system comprising: a biometric monitoring device; a keyring; and a wearable case, the wearable case including: a body; a cavity within the body, the cavity sized to receive the biometric tracking device and to hold the biometric tracking device substantially fixed with respect to the body when the biometric tracking device is fully inserted into the cavity, and an opening in the body leading to the cavity. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 27, wherein the body includes a first end, the first end includes a hole that passes through the body, and the keyring passes through the hole. ### Claim 29 A wearable biometric tracking system, the wearable biometric tracking system comprising: a biometric monitoring device; a lanyard; and a wearable case, the wearable case including: a body; a cavity within the body, the cavity sized to receive the biometric tracking device and to hold the biometric tracking device substantially fixed with respect to the body when the biometric tracking device is fully inserted into the cavity, and an opening in the body leading to the cavity. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The wearable biometric tracking system of claim 29, wherein the body includes a first end, the first end includes a hole that passes through the body, and the lanyard is threaded through the hole.