Modular wearable computing device

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for providing and using wearable computing devices. A wearable computing device with a device body and a removable face portion, where the removable face portion is removable yet operatively coupled with the device body. A display and sensor or sensors can be provided on the fact portion. The face portion, or a bezel of the face portion, can be rotated relative to the device body or the face portion.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A wearable computing device comprising:
 a device body with a body portion communication interface;   a removable face portion with a face portion communication interface removably and operatively couplable to the body portion communication interface;   a display provided upon the removable face portion; and   a processor operatively coupled to the display.   
     
     
         2 . The wearable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the removable face portion is receivable in a mounting of the device body. 
     
     
         3 . The wearable computing device of  claim 2 , wherein the mounting comprises a resiliently deformable clip, and wherein the resiliently deformable clip secures the removable face portion to the device body in a mounted position. 
     
     
         4 . The wearable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the removable face portion has an annular groove in an outer circumferential portion, and wherein the resiliently deformable clip comprises a flange that fits within the annular groove when in the mounted position. 
     
     
         5 . The wearable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is operatively coupled to the display via the body portion communication interface and the face portion communication interface. 
     
     
         6 . The wearable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is provided in the device body. 
     
     
         7 . The wearable computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a co-processor provided in the removable face portion. 
     
     
         8 . The wearable computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor provided on the face portion, the at least one sensor operatively coupled to the processor. 
     
     
         9 . The wearable computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor provided on the face portion, the at least one sensor operatively coupled to the co-processor. 
     
     
         10 . The wearable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the face portion and a bezel is rotatable relative to the device body. 
     
     
         11 . The wearable computing device of  claim 10 , wherein the bezel generally encompasses the face portion. 
     
     
         12 . The wearable computing device of  claim 10 , wherein the bezel is rotatable in a plane generally parallel to the face portion. 
     
     
         13 . The wearable computing device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an image sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The wearable computing device of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an acoustic sensor. 
     
     
         15 . The wearable computing device of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one output device provided in at least one of the face portion and the bezel. 
     
     
         16 . The wearable computing device of  claim 10 , further comprising an actuator configured to rotate the bezel. 
     
     
         17 . The wearable computing device of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is configured to transmit at least one rotate signal to the actuator, the at least one rotate signal causing the bezel to rotate between a first angle and at least one second angle, and to transmit at least one capture signal to the image sensor, the at least one capture signal causing the image sensor to record an image when the bezel is rotated to each of the first angle and the at least one second angle. 
     
     
         18 . The wearable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the face portion communication interface is one of a slip ring and a wiper contact, and wherein the body portion communication interface is another one of the slip ring and the wiper contact. 
     
     
         19 . The wearable computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the face portion communication interface is one of an optical receiver and an optical transmitter, and wherein the body portion communication interface is another one of the optical receiver and the optical transmitter. 
     
     
         20 . The wearable computing device of  claim 19 , further comprising a face power connector and a body power connector, and wherein the face power connector is one of a slip ring and a wiper contact, and wherein the body power connector is another one of the slip ring and the wiper contact.