US007251 197B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Yoshida et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7.251,197 B2
`Jul. 31, 2007
`
`(54)
`
`WRIST WORN COMMUNICATIONS
`APPARATUS
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75)
`
`(73)
`(*)
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(86)
`
`Inventors: Kaoru Yoshida, Ome (JP); Yoshiyuki
`Murata, Ome (JP)
`Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 100 days.
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/531,368
`
`PCT Fed:
`
`Jan. 30, 2004
`
`PCT No.:
`
`PCT/UP2004/OOO959
`
`S 371 (c)(1),
`(2), (4) Date:
`
`Apr. 13, 2005
`
`(87)
`
`PCT Pub. No.: WO2004/068732
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Aug. 12, 2004
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2005/0265.125 A1
`Dec. 1, 2005
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`(JP)
`............................. 2003-02132O
`Jan. 30, 2003
`Feb. 10, 2003
`(JP)
`............................. 2003-032486
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Int. C.
`(2006.01)
`G04B 47/00
`(2006.01)
`G04C II/02
`(2006.01)
`H04B I/38
`U.S. Cl. ............................ 368/10; 368/13; 368/47;
`368/282; 455/90.3:455/344
`Field of Classification Search .................... 368/4,
`368/10, 13, 47, 88, 281, 292; 455/90.3, 344
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`
`
`8, 1993 Blonder
`5,239,521 A
`5,260,915 A * 11/1993 Houlihan ..................... 368, 10
`5,381,387 A *
`1/1995 Blonder et al. ............... 368, 10
`5,467,324. A 11/1995 Houlihan ..................... 368, 10
`5,564,082 A 10, 1996 Blonder et al.
`6,078,803 A
`6/2000 Fernandez Martinez
`6,215,985 B1
`4/2001 Tolvanen
`6,311,071 B1
`10/2001 Voroba et al.
`2003, OO19894 A1
`1/2003 Caldana
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`WO
`WO
`
`O 572 252 A1 12/1993
`O 684 704 A2 11/1995
`O 782 308 A1
`7/1997
`O 907 279 A2
`4f1999
`WO 98,05148 A1
`2, 1998
`WO O1,61970 A2
`8, 2001
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Vit W. Miska
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman &
`Chick, P.C.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A watch of the communications apparatus is worn on a
`user's wrist by bands. A support member pivoted on the
`band is then turned so as to extend in the transverse direction
`of the bands. A speaker unit is provided on the Support
`member so as to face in a transverse direction of the band
`while a microphone unit is disposed on the Support member
`So as to face in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the
`band. When a user communicates with the other party, the
`speaker unit provided on the Support member is directed
`toward the user's ear. This causes the microphone unit
`provided on the support member to be directed easily toward
`the user's mouth. Alternatively a hinged lid is provided the
`lid carrying a key-in unit or a display and a speaker unit.
`
`8 Claims, 20 Drawing Sheets
`
`Exhibit 1020
`Page 01 of 33
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Ul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 1 of 20
`Sheet 1 of 20
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`
`
`
`
`Exhibit 1020
`Page 02 of 33
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 2 of 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
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`
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`O8
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`19
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`12a
`
`112
`FIG.2
`
`Exhibit 1020
`Page 03 of 33
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 3 of 20
`Sheet 3 of 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`
`
`103
`103
`
`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 04 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 04 of 33
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 4 of 20
`Sheet 4 of 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`
`
`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 05 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 05 of 33
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 5 of 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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` 101
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`1020
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`Page 06 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 06 of 33
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 6 of 20
`Sheet 6 of 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`
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`112a 112b
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`FIG.6
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`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 07 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 07 of 33
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 7 of 20
`Sheet 7 of 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`101
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`101
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`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 08 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 08 of 33
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 8 of 20
`Sheet 8 of 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`
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`FIG.8
`FIG.8
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`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 09 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 09 of 33
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 9 of 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
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`
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`112a 112b
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`FIG.9
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 10 of 33
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 10 of 20
`Sheet 10 0f 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`103
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`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 11 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 11 of 33
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 11 of 20
`Sheet 11 of 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`
`
`O
`0
`
`O
`0
`
`699669Ea®
`
`®@@@@0(3))
`
`®
`
`G)
`
`()
`
`FIG.11
`
`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 12 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 12 of 33
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 12 of 20
`Sheet 12 0f 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 13 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 13 of 33
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 13 of 20
`Sheet 13 0f 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`
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`131
`131
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`130
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`130
`
`FIG.13
`
`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 14 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 14 of 33
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 14 0f 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
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`
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`FIG.14
`FIG.14
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`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 15 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 15 of 33
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 15 of 20
`Sheet 15 0f 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`
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`FIG.15
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`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 16 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 16 of 33
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 16 of 20
`Sheet 16 0f 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`101
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`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 17 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 17 of 33
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 17 of 20
`Sheet 17 0f 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`144
`144
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`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 18 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 18 of 33
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 18 of 20
`Sheet 18 0f 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 19 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 19 of 33
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 19 of 20
`Sheet 19 0f 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`
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`153
`153
`
`101
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`101
`
`FIG.19
`
`Exhibit 1020
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`Page 20 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 20 of 33
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 31, 2007
`Jul. 31, 2007
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`Sheet 20 of 20
`Sheet 20 0f 20
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`US 7.251,197 B2
`US 7,251,197 B2
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`
`
`145
`145
`
`e
`
`101
`
`101
`
`O( )0 (33
`
`GO GO
`(29 (39
`(SD G
`GC) ()
`
`46
`
`FIG.20
`
`Exhibit 1020
`
`Page 21 of 33
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 21 of 33
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`

`

`1.
`WRST WORN COMMUNICATIONS
`APPARATUS
`
`US 7,251,197 B2
`
`10
`
`15
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`25
`
`30
`
`This application is a U.S. National Phase Application
`under 35 USC 371 of International Application PCT/
`JP2004/000.959 filed Jan. 30, 2004.
`1. Technical Field
`The present invention relates to wrist-worn communica
`tions apparatus worn on a user's wrist for communicating
`purposes.
`2. Background Art
`In the past, wristwatch type telephones are known that
`comprise a watch that has a communication function, a
`speaker unit, and a microphone unit provided on a wristband
`which is worn on a user's wrist (for example, International
`Publication WO98/05148).
`In these wristwatch type telephones, the speaker and
`microphone units are provided at opposite ends of a case
`different from that of the watch and extending across the
`wristband. The speaker and microphone units face outward
`in opposite directions to thereby prevent the occurrence of
`so-called howling that the microphone picks up Sound let off
`from the speaker unit.
`In Such telephones, the speaker unit and the microphone
`unit are disposed so as to face outward in the opposite
`directions across the wristband as just mentioned above.
`Thus, when it is used on the user's wrist, the front of the
`microphone unit through which Sound is collected cannot be
`directed toward the user's mouth if the front of the speaker
`through which sound is let off is directed toward the user's
`ear on the side of his or her wrist mentioned with the
`whereas conversely, if the front of the microphone unit is
`directed toward the user's mouth the front of the speaker unit
`cannot be directed toward the user's ear mentioned. Thus,
`the directivities of both the microphone and speaker units
`cannot be sufficiently obtained.
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`a wrist-worn communications apparatus in which when
`worn on a user's wrist, the speaker and the microphone can
`40
`be satisfactorily directed toward the user's ear on the side of
`his or her wrist mentioned and mouth, respectively, to
`thereby ensure efficient use of the directivity of both the
`speaker and the microphone.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`wrist-worn communications apparatus by which a user is
`able to communicate with the other party in a natural posture
`without unnaturally bending his or her arm whose wrist
`wears a device of the apparatus.
`
`35
`
`45
`
`DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
`
`50
`
`In order to achieve the above objects, the present inven
`tion provides a wrist-worn communications apparatus com
`prising a device, a band for wearing the device on a user's
`55
`wrist, a speaker unit disposed at a predetermined position on
`the band so as to face in the transverse direction of the band,
`and a microphone unit disposed close to the speaker unit on
`the band so as to face in the direction perpendicular to a
`surface of the band.
`Thus, according to this invention, even though the speaker
`and microphone units are provided close to each other at the
`predetermined position on the band, howling is prevented
`from occurring. In addition, especially when it is worn on
`the user's wrist in use, the fronts of the microphone and
`speaker units in which sound is collected and let off can
`sufficiently be directed toward the user's mouth and ear on
`
`65
`
`60
`
`2
`the side of his or her wrist mentioned, respectively, to
`thereby ensure the directivities of both the speaker and the
`microphone.
`The present invention also provides a wrist-worn com
`munications apparatus comprising a device, a band for
`wearing the device on a user's wrist, a Support member
`attached at a predetermined position on the band where the
`Support member can extend in the transverse direction of the
`band and in the extending direction of the band in which the
`Support member is Superposed on the band, a speaker unit
`provided on one end of the Support member so as to face
`outward in the extending direction of the Support member,
`and a microphone unit disposed on the other end of the
`Support member so as to face in the direction Substantially
`perpendicular to a Surface of the Support member.
`According to this invention, the Support member is
`attached pivotally at the predetermined position on the band
`Such that the Support member can extend in the transverse
`and extending directions of the band. Thus, when the device
`is worn on the user's wrist and the Support member is
`directed so as to extend in the transverse direction of the
`band for communication use, the fronts of the microphone
`and speaker units are easily and Surely directed by the
`Support member toward the user's mouth and ear present on
`the user's wrist side, respectively, to thereby ensure the
`directivities of both the speaker and the microphone units.
`Additional objects and advantages of the present inven
`tion will be set forth in the description which follows, and
`in part will be obvious from the description, or may be
`learned by practice of the present invention.
`The objects and advantages of the present invention may
`be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities
`and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in
`and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently
`preferred embodiments of the present invention and,
`together with the general description given above and the
`detailed description of the preferred embodiments given
`below, serve to explain the principles of the present inven
`tion in which:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
`wrist-worn communications apparatus according to the
`present invention as viewed from substantially its front;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 as
`viewed from substantially its back;
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the communications
`apparatus of FIG. 2 with its speaker-microphone assembly
`dismantled separately;
`FIG. 4 illustrates use of the communications apparatus of
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of
`the communications apparatus according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the communications
`apparatus of FIG. 5 as viewed from substantially the side of
`the back thereof
`FIG. 7 is a side view of the apparatus of the second
`embodiment;
`FIG. 8 illustrates use of the communications apparatus of
`FIG. 5;
`FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modification of the
`second embodiment;
`
`Exhibit 1020
`Page 22 of 33
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`

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`3
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the
`communications apparatus according to the present inven
`tion with the lid for its communications unit open;
`FIG. 11 is an enlarged front view of the communications
`unit of the communications apparatus of FIG. 10 with its lid
`open;
`FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of
`the communications apparatus according to the present
`invention with the lid for its communications unit being
`open;
`FIG. 13 is an enlarged front view of the communications
`unit of the communications apparatus of FIG. 12 with its lid
`open;
`FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the
`communications apparatus according to the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the communications
`apparatus of FIG. 14 with its lid open;
`FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the
`communications apparatus according to the present inven
`tion worn on a user's wrist;
`FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the communications
`apparatus of FIG. 16 worn on the user's wrist with its lid
`open;
`25
`FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of
`the communications apparatus according to the present
`invention worn on the user's wrist with its lid open;
`FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the communications
`apparatus of FIG. 18 with an open lid within which a
`speaker-mounting member is received; and
`FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of
`the communications apparatus according to the present
`invention with its lid and speaker-mounting plate open in
`SC.
`
`4
`106 also has a plurality of input switches 109 for commu
`nication use on its upper Surface at 6 o'clock.
`When the watch 101 is worn on the user's wrist W by the
`pair of bands 103, the buckle 104 is disposed on the opposite
`side of the user's wrist from the watch 101.
`The speaker microphone assembly “A” may be attached
`by screws to, or engages with, the buckle 104 removably. As
`shown in FIG. 2, in the speaker-microphone assembly “A”
`the speaker unit 111 is provided on a mount 119 so as to face
`in the transverse direction of the band 103 while the micro
`phone unit 112 is provided on the mount 119 so as to face
`in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the band 103.
`The mount 119 has an inner cavity that houses a circuit
`board 112, as shown in FIG. 3.
`As shown in FIG. 3, the speaker unit 111 comprises a
`hollow sound let-off cylinder 111a and a speaker element
`111C. The cylinder 111a extends upward from the mount 119
`across the band 103 and has a closed upper end with a small
`sound hole 111b open thereon. The speaker element 111c is
`housed within the cylinder 111a at its bottom so as to let off
`sound upward toward the hole 111b through the hollow of
`the cylinder 111a.
`As shown in FIG. 3, the microphone unit 112 comprises
`a sound-collecting cylinder 112a and a microphone element
`112c. The sound-collecting cylinder 112a extends from the
`mount 119 in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the
`band 103 with its closed outward end with a sound collecting
`hole 112b open thereon. The microphone element 112c is
`housed within the cylinder 112a so as to face the hole 112b
`to thereby pick up external Sound.
`The circuit board 102 is attached, for example by screws
`(not shown), to bosses 117 provided on an inner surface of
`the mount 119 with the speaker unit 111c and the micro
`phone unit 112c connected electrically by leads (not shown)
`to the circuit board 102. The circuit board 102 is connected
`electrically to an electronic circuit (not shown) housed
`within the watch 101 by leads (not shown) embedded within
`the bands 103. Thus, the speaker unit 111 produces a sound
`based on an electric signal from the watch 101, and the
`microphone unit 112 converts external Sound to an electrical
`signal, which is then outputted to the watch 101.
`A method of using the wrist-worn communications appa
`ratus according to this invention will be described next. In
`this case, like a general wristwatch, the apparatus 101 is
`worn on the user's wrist W by coupling the bands 103
`around the user's wrist through the buckle 104 such that the
`watch 101 faces in the same direction as the back Ta of the
`users hand does and that the speaker-microphone assembly
`“A” faces in the same direction as the user's palm Tb does.
`Thus, this apparatus can be used as a general wristwatch as
`well as a cellular phone.
`The user can know information Such as time displayed on
`the display unit 107 of the watch 101 as in the general
`wristwatch. Then, when the user dials the phone number of
`the other party by operating the input switches 109 while
`viewing the display unit 107, communication information is
`displayed on the display unit 107 in accordance with
`manipulation of the input switches 109 to thereby call the
`other party. As shown in FIG. 4, when the user lays the palm
`Tb of his or her hand, whose wrist wears the watch 101
`thereon, on his or her ear E present on the side of the user's
`wrist mentioned, the fronts of the speaker unit 111 and the
`microphone unit 112 in which sound is let off and collected
`are directed toward his or her ear E and mouth M, respec
`tively. Thus, the user can communicate with the other party
`
`30
`
`35
`
`BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`First Embodiment
`
`Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a first embodiment of a wrist
`worn communications apparatus according to the present
`invention will be described.
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of this communications
`apparatus as viewed from substantially its front. FIG. 2 is a
`perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 as viewed from
`substantially its back. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the
`communications apparatus of FIG. 2 with its speaker-mi
`crophone assembly in a dismantled state. FIG. 4 illustrates
`the use of the communications apparatus of FIG. 1.
`This communications apparatus comprises a watch 101, a
`pair of bands 103 of resilient plastic, for example of ure
`thane, that are attached at one end to the watch 101 at 12
`o'clock position and 6 o'clock position, a buckle 104 for
`connecting the bands disconnetably at the other end, and a
`speaker-microphone assembly “A.”
`As shown in FIG. 1, the watch 101 has a case 106 which
`contains a display unit 107 that comprises a liquid crystal
`display element or an electroluminesce element that displays
`various information Such as time/communication data elec
`tro-optically, and various other electronic parts (not shown)
`Such as compose, for example, a timepiece?transceiver cir
`cuit necessary for fulfilling timepiece and communication
`functions. The watch case 106 has on its side at 3 o'clock
`and 9 o'clock a plurality of push button switches 108 for
`time-correcting/mode-changing purposes. The watch case
`
`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 23 of 33
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`in a natural posture without the necessity of bending in an
`unnatural manner his or her arm concerned with his or her
`wrist mentioned.
`As described above, according to this wrist-worn com
`munications apparatus, the speaker unit 111 is attached to the
`mount 119 that in turn is attached to the buckle 104 to which
`the bands 103 are connected at one end such that the speaker
`unit 111 faces in the transverse direction of the bands while
`the microphone unit 112 is attached to the mount 119 so as
`to face in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the
`bands 103. Thus, although the speaker unit 111 and the
`microphone unit 112 are provided close to each other in the
`predetermined place on the band 103, that is, on the mount
`119 attached to the buckle 104, the occurrence of howling is
`prevented and the directivities of both the speaker unit 111
`and the microphone unit 112 is ensured.
`Two different speaker-microphone assemblies opposite in
`speaker units direction may be prepared such that if the user
`wants to wear the watch 101 on a desired one of his or her
`right and left wrists for communicating with the other party,
`he or she can select and engage a corresponding one of the
`two assemblies with the buckle 104 on the band 103 to
`thereby sufficiently ensure the directivities of both the
`speaker unit 111 and the microphone unit 112. Thus, the
`apparatus is easier to use.
`When the watch 101 is worn on the user's wrist W by the
`bands 103, the speaker-microphone assembly “A” is dis
`posed on the opposite side of the user's wrist W from the
`watch 101. Therefore, if the assembly “A” is attached to the
`band 103 so as to face in the same direction as the palm Tb
`of the user's hand concerned does, the user can direct the
`microphone unit 112 and speaker unit 111 toward his or her
`mouth M and ear E present on the side of the user's wrist
`mentioned, respectively, only by laying the palm Tb of his
`or her hand on that ear E of his or her. Thus, the user can
`communicate with the other party in a natural posture
`without bending in an unnatural manner the users arm
`concerned with his or her wrist mentioned.
`The watch 101 comprises the input switches 109 and the
`display unit 107 provided thereon necessary for communi
`cating purposes and also incorporates the timepiece function
`therein. Thus, as described above, information Such as time
`can be displayed on the display unit 107, so that the watch
`101 can be worn on the user's wrist W for use, like the
`general wristwatch. In addition, information including com
`45
`munication information can be displayed on the display unit
`107 of the watch 101 without removing the watch 101 from
`the user's wrist W. In addition, the user can operate the input
`switches 109 on the watch 101 while viewing the display
`unit 107 as in the general wristwatch to thereby ensure
`satisfactory communication. Thus, the apparatus is
`improved in handiness.
`In addition, in this apparatus the speaker-microphone
`assembly “A” is attached removably to the band buckle 104.
`Thus, when the apparatus is not used as communications
`equipment, it can be removed from the buckle 104 and used
`as the general wristwatch. If only a mount 119 on which no
`speaker and microphone units 111 and 112 are provided is
`attached to the band buckle 104, it can be used as a kind of
`ornamental accessories interesting in design. Therefore, this
`apparatus is easy to use.
`While in the embodiment the speaker unit 111 and the
`microphone unit 112 are illustrated as attached to the mount
`119 so as to face in the transverse direction of the band 103
`and in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the band
`103, respectively, the present invention is not limited to this
`particular case. For example, the speaker and microphone
`
`6
`units 111 and 112 may be attached directly to the bands 103
`So as to have such directions as just mentioned above.
`While in the embodiment the wrist-worn communications
`apparatus in which the watch 101 that comprises a timepiece
`function, a communication function and a display function
`is worn on the user's wrist by the bands 103 has been
`illustrated, the present invention is not limited to this par
`ticular case. For example, the present invention may be
`applicable to wrist-worn communications apparatus in
`which a device comprising a transceiver function, a display
`unit and an input unit is worn on the user's wrist with bands.
`Also, in this case the speaker-microphone assembly “A”
`comprising the mount 119 that houses the circuit board
`therein, and the speaker unit 111 and the microphone unit
`112 attached to the mount may be attached removably to the
`band buckle 104.
`As described above, the wrist-worn communications
`apparatus of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 comprises a
`device (watch 101); a band 103 for wearing the device on a
`user's wrist; a speaker unit 111 disposed at a predetermined
`position on the band 103 so as to face in the transverse
`direction of the band 103; and a microphone unit 112
`disposed close to the speaker unit 111 on the band 103 so as
`to face in the direction perpendicular to a surface of the band
`103.
`Thus, according to this embodiment even though the
`speaker and microphone units are provided close to each
`other at the predetermined position on the band 103, howling
`is prevented from occurring. In addition, especially when it
`is worn on the user's wrist in use the microphone and
`speaker units can be directed toward the user's mouth and
`ear on the side of his or her wrist mentioned, respectively, to
`thereby ensure the directivities of both the speaker and the
`microphone.
`The wrist-worn communications apparatus of the embodi
`ment of FIGS. 1-4 comprises a speaker-microphone assem
`bly “A” provided removably at the predetermined position
`on the band 103, the speaker-microphone assembly “A”
`comprising the speaker unit 111, the microphone unit 112
`and a mount 119 on which the speaker unit 111 and the
`microphone unit 112 are mounted close to each other.
`Thus, two different speaker-microphone assemblies “A”
`opposite in speaker units direction may be provided Such
`that if the user wants to wear the watch 101 on a desired one
`of his or her right and left wrists for communicating with the
`other party, he or she can select and engage a corresponding
`one of the two assemblies with the band 103 to thereby
`sufficiently ensure the directivities of both the speaker unit
`110 and the microphone unit 111. Thus, the apparatus is easy
`tO use.
`In the wrist-worn communications apparatus of the
`embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, when the device (watch 101) is
`worn on the user's wrist by the band 103, the speaker
`microphone assembly “A” is on the opposite side of the
`user's wrist from the device 101.
`According to this wrist-worn communications apparatus,
`when the speaker-microphone assembly is worn by the band
`on the user's wrist so as to face in the same direction as the
`palm of the user's hand concerned with his or her wrist
`mentioned and that palm of the users hand is laid on his or
`her ear present on the side of that palm of the user's hand,
`the user can direct the fronts of the microphone and speaker
`units toward the user's mouth and ear present on that palm
`of the user, respectively. Thus, the user can communicate
`with the other party in a natural posture without the necessity
`of bending his or her arm in an unnaturally manner.
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`60
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`Exhibit 1020
`Page 24 of 33
`
`

`

`US 7,251,197 B2
`
`7
`In the wrist-worn communications apparatus of the
`embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the device (watch 101) comprises
`at least an input unit 109, a display unit 107 necessary for
`communicating purposes, and a timepiece unit.
`According to this communications apparatus, since the
`device comprises the timepiece function it can display
`information Such as time on the display unit. Therefore, it
`can be worn as a watch on the user's wrist like the general
`wristwatch. In addition, the user can cause the display unit
`to display information on communication, etc. The user can
`operate the input unit of the apparatus while viewing the
`display unit to thereby communicate with the other party
`without removing the apparatus from the user's wrist. Thus,
`the apparatus is easy to use.
`Other embodiments of the communications apparatus
`according to the present invention will be described. The
`same portions as those of the first embodiment will be
`indicated in the same reference numerals and their detailed
`description will be omitted.
`
`Second Embodiment
`
`8
`of the support member 105 so as to face in the direction
`perpendicular Substantially to a surface of the Support mem
`ber 105.
`As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the speaker unit 111 com
`prises a speaker element (not shown) provided within the
`hollow cylinder 111a, which is provided on the one end of
`the support member 105 so as to face outward. The cylinder
`111 has a closed outward end with the hole 111b toward
`which the speaker is directed. As shown by a two-dot-dashed
`line in FIG. 6, the microphone unit 112 comprises a micro
`phone (not shown) housed within the hollow cylinder 112a
`provided so as to face in the direction perpendicular to the
`surface of the support member 105 with a closed upward end
`of the cylinder 112a having the hole 112b toward which the
`microphone is directed.
`The speaker of the speaker unit 111 and the microphone
`of the microphone unit 112 are connected electrically by
`leads (not shown) extending through the Support member
`105, pivot 110 and bands 103 to an electronic circuit (not
`shown) provided within the watch 101. Thus, the speaker
`produces sound Such as voice Sound based on an electric
`signal from the watch 101 and lets it off outward through the
`hole 111b in the closed end of the cylinder 111a. The
`microphone unit 112 collects external Sound Such as voice
`sound through the hole 112b in the closed end of the cylinder
`112a, converts the Sound to an electric signal by the micro
`phone and then outputs the signal to the watch 101.
`As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, lockbuttons 113 are provided
`on opposite ends of the Support member 105 So as to engage
`with receivers (not shown) provided on the bands 103 to
`thereby fix the support member 105 closely to the bands 3.
`When these lock buttons 113 are simultaneously depressed
`with the thumb F1 and first fingers F2 of the user's hand on
`which no watch 101 is worn, as shown in FIG. 7, these lock
`buttons 113 are disengaged from the receivers on the bands
`103 to thereby unlock the support member 105 from the
`bands 103.
`A method of using the wrist-worn communications appa
`ratus according to this embodiment will be described next.
`In this case, like a general wristwatch, the watch 101 is worn
`on the user's wrist W by coupling the bands 103 around the
`user's wrist through the buckle 104 such that the watch 101
`faces in the same direction as the back of the user's hand
`does and that the buckle 104 faces in the same direction as
`the user's palm does. Thus, this apparatus can be used as the
`general wristwatch as well as a cellular phone. In this state,
`information such as time displayed on the display unit 107
`of the watch 101 can be recognized as in the general
`wristwatch.
`When the user uses the apparatus as the cellular phone,
`the user dials the phone number of the other party by
`manipulating the input switches 109 while viewing the
`display unit 107. Thus, communication information Such as
`the phone number is displayed on the display unit 107 and
`the other party is called. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the user
`depresses the lockbuttons 113 provided on the opposite ends
`of the support member 105 of the communications apparatus
`worn on one wrist of the user with his or her thumb and first
`fingers F1 and F2 of the user's other hand on whose wrist no
`watch 101 is worn. Thereupon, the respective lock buttons
`113 are disengaged from the receivers on the bands 103 to
`thereby unlock the support member 105 from the bands 103.
`This allows the support member 105 to turn around the pivot
`110.
`Then, as shown by a two-dot-dashed line in FIG. 6, the
`support member 105 is turned around the pivot 110 so as to
`extend in the transverse direction of the bands 103. At this
`
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`Referring to FIGS. 5-8, a second embodiment of the
`wrist-worn communications apparatus will be described.
`25
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of this wrist-worn commu
`nications apparat