Wrist and finger communication device

Abstract

A wrist and finger communication device ( 10 ) includes a strap ( 12 ), a communication module ( 14 ) connected with the strap ( 12 ) and a watch head ( 26 ) The communication module ( 14 ) includes a voice module ( 18 ) having a microphone ( 20 ), and a speaker ( 22 ) or a bone conduction actuator ( 24 ). The bone conduction actuator ( 24 ) may be provided on the communication module ( 14 ) or on a ring-shaped member ( 30 ) to be worn on the user's finger. The speaker ( 22 ) may be provided on the communication module ( 14 ) and extendible to a palm region of the user's hand cupped over the user's ear.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wrist communication device ( 10 ) comprising:
 (a) a strap ( 12 ) to be worn on a user's wrist;   (b) a communication module ( 14 ) connected with the strap ( 12 ), the communication module ( 14 ) being located on a palm side of the user's wrist and comprising a plurality of communication components for receiving and transmitting data;   (c) a voice module ( 18 ) provided on the communication module ( 14 ) and comprising a microphone ( 20 );   (d) a bone conduction actuator ( 24 ) being in communication with the communication module ( 14 ) for transmitting sound to the user's ear;   (e) a display ( 28 ) provided on the communication module ( 14 ) for displaying information;   (f) a vibrator ( 27 ) provided on the communication module ( 14 ) for producing a tactile vibration notification to the user;   (g) a watch unit ( 26 ) detachably connected with the strap ( 12 ); and   (h) a light source ( 25 ) provided on the watch unit ( 26 ) for producing a visual notification to the user.   
     
     
         2 . A wrist communication device ( 10 ) comprising:
 (a) a strap ( 12 ) to be worn on a user's wrist;   (b) a communication module ( 14 ) connected with the strap ( 12 ), the communication module ( 14 ) being located on a palm side of the user's wrist and comprising a plurality of communication components for receiving and transmitting data;   (c) a voice module ( 18 ) provided on the communication module ( 14 ) and comprising a microphone ( 20 ); and   (d) a sound-transmitting unit being in communication with the communication module ( 14 ) for transmitting sound to the user's ear, wherein the sound-transmitting unit is selected from the group consisting of a speaker ( 22 ) and a bone conduction actuator ( 24 ).   
     
     
         3 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the communication module ( 14 ) is detachably connected with the strap ( 12 ). 
     
     
         4 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a watch head ( 26 ) detachably connected with the strap ( 12 ). 
     
     
         5 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the bone conduction actuator ( 24 ) is provided on the communication module ( 14 ) in contact with the user's wrist, and when a finger of the user is touching the user's ear or a part of the user's head, vibration generated by the bone conduction actuator ( 24 ) is transmitted through the user's wrist, hand, finger and to the user's ear by bone conduction. 
     
     
         6 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the bone conduction actuator ( 24 ) is provided on a ring-shaped member ( 30 ) to be worn on a finger of the user, and when the finger of the user with the ring-shaped member ( 30 ) is touching the user's ear or a part of the user's head, vibration generated by the bone conduction actuator ( 24 ) is transmitted through the user's finger to the user's ear by bone conduction. 
     
     
         7 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a speaker boom ( 40 ) having a proximal end pivotally connected with the communication module ( 14 ) and a distal end at which the speaker ( 22 ) is mounted, wherein the speaker boom ( 40 ) is pivotable between a retracted position where it is retracted into a recessed portion ( 42 ) on the communication module ( 14 ) and an extended position where the speaker ( 22 ) is extended to a palm region of the user's hand cupped over the user's ear. 
     
     
         8 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a foldable flap ( 50 ) having a proximal end connected with the communication module ( 14 ) and a distal end at which the speaker ( 22 ) is mounted, wherein the flap ( 50 ) is movable between a folded position where it is retracted towards the communication module ( 14 ) and an unfolded position where the speaker ( 22 ) is extended to a palm region of the user's hand cupped over the user's ear. 
     
     
         9 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein further comprising an elevating platform ( 60 ) provided on an extendible articulating frame ( 62 ), the extendible articulating frame ( 62 ) having a proximal end connected with the communication module ( 14 ) and a distal end at which the platform ( 62 ) and the speaker ( 22 ) are mounted, wherein the platform ( 60 ) is movable between a descended position where it is lowered towards the communication module ( 14 ) and an elevated position where the speaker ( 22 ) and the platform ( 62 ) are raised to a palm region of the user's hand cupped over the user's ear. 
     
     
         10 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a telescopic boom ( 70 ) having a proximal end connected with the communication module ( 14 ) and a distal end at which the speaker ( 22 ) is mounted, wherein the speaker ( 22 ) moves towards the proximal end when the telescoping boom ( 70 ) is telescopically retracted, and the speaker ( 22 ) moves away from the proximal end towards the user's palm when the telescoping boom ( 70 ) is telescopically extended. 
     
     
         11 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a ring speaker ( 80 ) to be worn on a finger of the user, wherein the ring speaker ( 80 ) comprises a ring-shaped member ( 82 ) with the speaker ( 22 ) provided thereon, and an electric wire ( 84 ) is connecting the speaker ( 22 ) with the communication module ( 14 ). 
     
     
         12 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a finger speaker ( 90 ) to be held between two fingers of the user, wherein the finger speaker ( 90 ) comprises a concave cylinder-shaped member ( 92 ) with the speaker ( 22 ) provided thereon, and an electric wire ( 94 ) is connecting the speaker ( 22 ) with the communication module ( 14 ). 
     
     
         13 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the speaker ( 22 ) or the bone conduction actuator ( 24 ) is connected with the communication module ( 14 ) by wireless communication. 
     
     
         14 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the speaker ( 22 ) is a focused speaker ( 22 ′) provided on the communication module ( 14 ), and oriented to focus and direct sound towards the user's ear. 
     
     
         15 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a display ( 28 ) provided on the communication module ( 14 ) for displaying information. 
     
     
         16 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a vibrator ( 27 ) provided on the communication module ( 14 ) for producing a tactile vibration notification to the user. 
     
     
         17 . The wrist communication device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a light source ( 25 ) for producing a visual notification to the user. 
     
     
         18 . A finger communication device ( 10 ′) comprising:
 (a) a ring-shaped member ( 30 ′) to be worn on a finger of a user; 
 (b) a voice module ( 18 ′) comprising a microphone ( 20 ′); 
 (c) a bone conduction actuator ( 24 ) being in communication with a communication module ( 14 ′) or in communication with another communication device or in communication with a cellular network for transmitting sound to the user's ear; and 
 (d) a sensor ( 34 ) for detecting motion and gestures of the finger of the user; 
 (e) wherein the voice module ( 18 ′), the microphone ( 20 ′), the bone conduction actuator ( 24 ), the communication module ( 14 ′), and the sensor ( 34 ) are provided on the ring-shaped member ( 30 ′). 
 
     
     
         19 . The finger communication device ( 10 ′) as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising a wireless connectivity module ( 36 ) provided on the ring-shaped member ( 30 ′) to facilitate wireless communication. 
     
     
         20 . The finger communication device ( 10 ′) as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the sensor ( 34 ) is selected from the group consisting of an accelerometer and a gyroscope.