US 2020/0345111 A1 · Wristband locking mechanism, wristband, wearable electronic device and method of securing an article to a person

Abstract

A wristband locking mechanism for a wearable electronic device, a wristband, a wearable electronic device and a method of securing an article to a person. The wristband locking mechanism includes a clasp assembly with independently-operable spring-biased actuators such that the wristband locking mechanism cannot be unlocked using one hand. The use of sensors, processors, communication equipment and associated components within the wearable electronic device allows a caregiver to monitor one or more of location, environmental, physiological and activity data of a wearer of the device, while the requirement for two-handed operation for unlocking of the wristband locking mechanism provides a deterrent against intentional or unintentional removal of the attached article or wearable electronic device by the wearer.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A wearable electronic device comprising:

a person tracking mechanism;
and
a wrist-wearable housing secured to the person tracking mechanism and comprising a locking mechanism comprising a lock arm pair with corresponding spring-biased actuators to provide a selective interference fit between the lock arm pair and a portion of the wrist-wearable housing, wherein a state of the locking mechanism is changed upon the spring-based actuators being simultaneously engaged through two-handed actuation.

A method of monitoring a person with a wearable electronic device, the method comprising:

arranging the wearable electronic device to comprise a person tracking mechanism comprising a wrist-wearable housing with a locking mechanism secured thereto, the locking mechanism comprising a lock arm pair with corresponding spring-biased actuators to provide a selective interference fit between the lock arm pair and a portion of the wrist-wearable housing;
upon having the wearable electronic device being secured to a wrist of the person through two-handed simultaneous actuation of the spring-based actuators, changing a state of the locking mechanism;
and
configuring the person tracking mechanism to transmit data received thereby and corresponding to the person, the received data in the form of at least one of location data, environmental data, activity data and physiological data.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

16/873,805Filed 13 Jul 2020

Priority

12 Apr 2018

Published

5 Nov 2020

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

A44C 5/2042
For open straps , chains or the like: fasteners provided with a turnable clamping lever
G16H 40/67
For the operation of medical equipment or devices: for remote operation
A41D 20/00
Wristbands or headbands
A44C 5/14
Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps: characterised by the way of fastening to a wrist-watch or the like

Family

Application62/761,961Us provisional application · filed 12 Apr 2018

Application16/379,216Continuation · filed 9 Apr 2019

Application16/873,805Continuation

US 10,729,211 B2Related patent

US 11,399,601 B2Related patent

US 2019/0320766 A1Published application

US 2020/0345111 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Wristband locking mechanism, wristband, wearable electronic device and method of securing an article to a person

Life of this patent

Wristband locking mechanism, wristband, wearable electronic device and method of securing an article to a person

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14