Watchband with integrated electronics

Abstract

A watchband with integrated electronics designed to be attachable to any standard mechanical or digital timepiece. The watchband has a flexible circuit board sandwiched between layers of watchband material, allowing for the flexibility of a normal watchband with the electronics capability of a mobile computer and fitness tracker. The watchband has an embedded heart rate sensor, body temperature sensor, ambient temperature sensor, vibration generator, inertial sensors, and wireless communication device. The watchband is powered by a rechargeable battery, which is recharged using a charging port that can be connected to a battery charger.

1 . A watchband with integrated electronics, comprising:
 a body-contacting layer of watchband material;   an outer layer of watchband material comprising two connection channels attached to the outer layer of watchband material at a timepiece length;   a flexible circuit board having a microprocessor and a wireless communication device configured to communicate with a mobile device;   wherein the body-contacting layer of watchband material is attached to the outer layer of watchband material such that the flexible circuit is sealed in between the body-contacting layer and the outer layer.   
     
     
         2 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible circuit board further comprises a heart rate sensor having a light-emitting diode and a photodiode; and   the body-contacting layer of watchband material further comprises a light-emitting diode hole and a photodiode hole;   the flexible circuit board being positioned between the body-contacting layer and outer layer of watchband material such that the light-emitting diode overlaps the light-emitting diode hole and the photodiode overlaps the photodiode hole.   
     
     
         3 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible circuit board further comprises a body temperature sensor; and   the body-contacting layer of watchband material further comprises a body temperature sensor hole;   the flexible circuit board being positioned between the body-contacting layer and outer layer of watchband material such that the body temperature sensor overlaps the body temperature sensor hole.   
     
     
         4 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible circuit board further comprises an ambient temperature sensor; and   the outer layer of watchband material further comprises an ambient temperature sensor hole;   the flexible circuit board being positioned between the body-contacting layer and outer layer of watchband material such that the ambient temperature sensor overlaps the ambient temperature sensor hole of the outer layer of watchband material.   
     
     
         5 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an ambient temperature sensor, wherein:
 the ambient temperature sensor remotely connects to the flexible circuit board; and   the outer layer of watchband material further comprises an ambient temperature sensor hole.   
     
     
         6 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an alert device;
 the alert device configured to contact an emergency service when activated.   
     
     
         7 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible circuit board further comprises an air quality sensor; and   the outer layer of watchband material further comprises an air quality sensor hole;   the flexible circuit board being positioned between the body-contacting layer and outer layer of watchband material such that air quality sensor overlaps the air quality sensor hole of the outer layer of watchband material.   
     
     
         8 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible circuit board further comprises an inertial sensor configured to detect acceleration in any direction.   
     
     
         9 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible circuit board further comprises a vibration generator configured to produce vibration at the direction of the microprocessor.   
     
     
         10 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more rechargeable batteries and a battery charger, wherein:
 the flexible circuit board further comprises a charging port having metal contacts; and   the body-contacting layer of watchband material further comprises a charging port hole;   the flexible circuit board being positioned between the body-contacting layer and outer layer of watchband material such that the charging port overlaps the charging port hole, and the charging port is configured to connect to the battery charger such that the one or more rechargeable batteries are recharged.   
     
     
         11 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more rechargeable batteries and a battery charger, wherein:
 the battery charger is configured to charge the one or more rechargeable batteries wirelessly.   
     
     
         12 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible circuit board further comprises a buck/boost DC-DC converter configured to regulate the voltage output of one or more rechargeable batteries.   
     
     
         13 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flexible circuit board further comprises a power management circuit configured to regulate the voltage output of one or more rechargeable batteries.   
     
     
         14 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the two connection channels further comprises a timepiece joint;   wherein the timepiece joint fits inside the connection channel.   
     
     
         15 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible circuit board further comprises rigid circuit material and one or more flexible connectors. 
     
     
         16 . The watchband as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer of watchband material and the body contacting layer of watchband material further comprise a bulged middle. 
     
     
         17 . A method of using a watchband with integrated electronics, comprising:
 providing a watchband with integrated electronics comprising a body-contacting layer of watchband material; an outer layer of watchband material comprising two connection channels attached to the outer layer of watchband material at a timepiece length; a flexible circuit board having a microprocessor and a wireless communication device configured to communicate with a mobile device; wherein the body-contacting layer of watchband material is attached to the outer layer of watchband material such that the flexible circuit is sandwiched in between the body-contacting layer and the outer layer;   providing a timepiece;   securing the timepiece between the two connection channels.   
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising:
 providing an alternate timepiece;   unsecuring and removing the timepiece from the two connection channels;   securing the alternate timepiece between the two connection channels.   
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising:
 communicating data between the microprocessor and the mobile device.