Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SMART DEVICE CONCEALMENT PENDANT SYSTEM
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No.
16/281,900, filed
February 21, 2019, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit
of U.S. Patent No.
10,261,547, filed April 11, 2018 and issued April 16, 2019. The entire
contents, references and
substance of all the above are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully
set forth below.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to smart device concealment systems.
In particular, this
disclosure relates to systems configured to conceal smart devices in
conspicuous user accessories
such as badges and tie clips.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Wearable accessories were once mere tools for providing or enhancing
the style or
functionality of a user's attire. However, with the growth in popularity and
necessity of smart
devices over the years, wearable accessories are now being used to house these
smart devices on a
user's person while also enhancing style. Smart devices enable users to answer
calls, check text
messages and emails, track fitness progress, and monitor health. Accordingly,
to merge the style
and function aspects of wearable accessories with the utility of smart
devices, there are now
stylish accessories in assorted colors and high-end finishes to store these
devices that are highly
coveted and wildly popular amongst consumers. Third-party companies have
latched on to this
demand, developing and selling even trendier accessories for use with these
smart devices.
However, all of the accessories currently on the market focus on enhancing the
look of these
smart devices or readily and openly displaying these smart devices. Other,
more practical systems
for interacting with these devices should be explored.
SUMMARY
[0004] Some wearers of smart devices do not desire to have them publicly
displayed. To the
contrary, some wearers want to take advantage of smart devices' many features
while preserving
discretion of use. For example, hidden smart device wearables could increase
privacy for user
authentication and other confidentiality-preferred transactions. Similarly,
users who may be
required to wear tracking devices, such as in an employment setting, could
increase safety by
keeping the tracking devices masked. Indeed, some wearers desire a concealment
mechanism
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configured to assist in making smart devices wearable but hidden. It is an
object of the present
invention to provide such a system.
[0005] Accordingly, disclosed herein are smart device concealment systems,
comprising a
concealment member including a front face and a back face, the back face of
the concealment
member configured to engage a smart device, and an attachment mechanism
configured to attach
the concealment system to a user's body or a user's garment, wherein the front
face of the
concealment member includes surface ornamentation, and wherein the concealment
member is
configured to permit a user to engage the smart device while the smart device
is concealed.
[0006] In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes a clip, pin,
hook, cord, strap,
chain, lanyard, button, hook-and-loop fastener, magnet, snap, threading,
zipper, or embedding. In
some embodiments, the attachment mechanism includes at least one magnet
configured to
engage the back face of the concealment member while the user's garment is
positioned
therebetween.
[0007] In some embodiments, the concealment member is a tie clip having a
front face and a
back face, the smart device embedded in the back face of the tie clip. In
other embodiments, the
concealment member is a tie clip having a front face and a back face, and the
smart device is
removably attached to the back face of the tie clip.
[0008] In some embodiments, the concealment member is a badge having a front
face and a back
face, and the smart device embedded in the back face of the badge. In other
embodiments, the
concealment member is a badge having a front face and a back face, and the
smart device is
removably attached to the back face of the badge.
[0009] In some embodiments, the concealment member is configured to permit a
user to engage
the smart device by touch or by remote connection while the smart device is
concealed. In some
embodiments, smart device includes an employee tracking function. In other
embodiments, the
smart device includes a user authentication function. In still other
embodiments, the smart device
includes a health monitoring function. In some embodiments, the height and the
width of the
system is from 5mm to 100mm.
[00010] Also disclosed herein are smart device concealment systems, comprising
a
concealment member including a front face and back face, a smart device, and
an attachment
mechanism configured to attach the concealment system to a user's body or a
user's garment,
wherein the smart device engages the front face or the back face of the
concealment member,
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wherein the front face of the concealment member includes surface
ornamentation, and wherein
the concealment member is configured to permit a user to engage the smart
device while the
smart device is concealed.
[00011] In some embodiments, the smart device comprises a user interface side
and an opposite
back side. In some embodiments, the user interface side of the smart device
faces the user's body
or the user's garment. In some embodiments, the opposite back side of the
smart device engages
the back face of the concealment member.
[00012] In some embodiments, the concealment member comprises plastic, copper,
stainless
steel, platinum, silver, gold, or combinations thereof
[00013] In some embodiments, the concealment member is configured to permit
charging of the
smart device. In some embodiments, the concealment member comprises a charger
module for
recharging a battery of the smart device.
[00014] Also disclosed herein are smart device concealment systems, comprising
a concealment
member including a front face and a back face, the back face of the
concealment member
configured to engage a smart device, and an attachment mechanism configured to
attach the
concealment system to a user's body or a user's garment, wherein the
concealment member is
configured to permit a user to engage the smart device while the smart device
is concealed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00015] FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a concealment device system disclosed
herein, not
necessarily drawn to scale.
[00016] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a concealment device system disclosed
herein, not
necessarily drawn to scale.
[00017] FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a concealment device system disclosed
herein, not
necessarily drawn to scale.
[00018] FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a concealment device system disclosed
herein, not
necessarily drawn to scale.
[00019] FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a concealment device system disclosed
herein, not
necessarily drawn to scale.
[00020] FIG. 6 depicts front view of an embodiment of a concealment device
system.
[00021] FIG. 7 depicts a back view of an embodiment of a concealment device
system.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
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[00022] Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein;
however, it is to be
understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the
invention that may be
embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in
connection with the
various embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, and not
restrictive. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be
interpreted as limiting, but
merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present
invention.
[00023] Specifically disclosed herein are wearable smart device concealment
systems. In some
embodiments, disclosed are concealment systems and methods to permit consumers
to
inconspicuously wear and interact with smart devices. The ability to conceal
smart devices
would enable consumers to engage in user authentication, track employment
activity, monitor
potential emergencies, manage childcare, prevent attraction from targeting
thieves, and conceal
cameras and recording devices useful for recording daily personal and
professional activities.
Accordingly, this application discloses novel systems that enable wearing
smart devices
discreetly.
[00024] FIGS. 1-7 depict embodiments of wearable smart device concealment
systems. FIGS. 1-2
depict smart device concealment system 10, comprising a concealment member 12.
In some
embodiments, concealment member 12 can have a front face 14, back face 16, and
can be
configured to receive and retain a smart device 18. In some embodiments, front
face 14 can be
configured to receive and retain a smart device 18. In other embodiments, back
face 16 can be
configured to receive and retain a smart device 18. In some embodiments,
concealment member 12
can be configured to conceal at least a portion of smart device 18.
Concealment system 10 can
include any suitable attachment mechanism 20 now known or later developed for
securing
concealment member 12 onto a user's body or a user's garment. In some
embodiments, the
attachment mechanism 20 can be configured to engage the back side of the
concealment member 12
while the user's garment is positioned therebetween. Similarly, concealment
system 10 can include
any suitable attachment means now known or later developed for securing smart
device 18 into
concealment member 12. In some embodiments, the smart device can be removably
attached to the
back face of the concealment member 12. In some embodiments, the smart device
can be
embedded into the back face of the concealment member 12.
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[00025] In some embodiments, concealment member 12 conceals user interaction
with smart
device 18. In some embodiments, concealment member 12 conceals users view,
read, and/or
send text messages. In some embodiments, concealment member 12 conceals user
view, read,
and/or send emails. In some embodiments, concealment member 12 conceals user
view missed
phone calls. In some embodiments, concealment member 12 conceals user view,
engage, or
interact with one or more smart device applications. In some embodiments,
concealment member
12 conceals user view, engage, or interact one or more smart device clocks. In
some
embodiments, concealment member 12 conceals user view, engage, or interact
with one or more
smart device calendars. In some embodiments, concealment member 12 conceals
user view,
engage, or interact with one or more smart device digital personal assistants,
electronic
organizers, electronic notepads, any combination thereof, or the like. In some
embodiments,
concealment member 12 conceals user view, engage, or interact with one or more
smart device
calculators. In some embodiments, concealment member 12 conceals user view,
engage, or
interact with one or more smart device health monitors. In some embodiments,
concealment
member 12 conceals user view, engage, or interact with one or more smart
device mechanical
and/or electrical components. In some embodiments, concealment member 12
conceals user
view, engage, or interact with one or more smart device employee tracking
functions. In some
embodiments, concealment member 12 conceals user view, engage, or interact
with one or more
smart device user authentication functions.
[00026] As shown in FIGS. 3-4, concealment system 10 can further comprise back
casing 22
joined to concealment member 12. In some embodiments, back casing 22 can
assist with
securing the concealment member 12 to the user's body or user's garment. In
some
embodiments, the smart device 18 can include a user interface side and an
opposite back side. In
some embodiments, the user interface side of smart device 18 is fully covered.
In other
embodiments, the user interface side of smart device 18 is partially covered.
The user interface
side can be engaged remotely and/or by touch.
[00027] In some embodiments, smart device 18 can be at least partially
attached to any suitable
attachment mechanism, facing forwards or backwards. In some embodiments, smart
device 18 can
be at least partially housed within back casing 22 facing forwards or
backwards. In some
embodiments, smart device 18 can be at least partially attached to back casing
22, by any suitable
attachment mechanism, facing forwards or backwards. In some embodiments, smart
device 18 can
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be at least partially housed within concealment member 12 facing forwards or
backwards. In some
embodiments, smart device 18 can be at least partially attached to concealment
member 12, by any
suitable attachment mechanism, facing forwards or backwards. In some
embodiments, back casing
22 is removable to facilitate a "lift and look" feature where users can
inconspicuously view, engage,
or interact with smart device or smart device data.
[00028] In some embodiments, the concealment member 12 can include uniform or
nonuniform
wearable accessories such as employee identification, badges, name-tags, pins,
patches, helmets,
hats, visors, vests, tie-clips, comparable wearable uniform or non-uniform
accessories, or
combinations thereof In some embodiments, the attachment mechanism 20 can
include a clip,
pin, hook, cord, strap, chain, lanyard, button, hook-and-loop fastener,
magnet, snap, threading,
zipper, embedding, combinations thereof, and the like. In some embodiments,
the attachment
mechanism 20 can include at least one magnet configured to engage the back
face of the
concealment member while the user's garment is positioned therebetween.
[00029] In some embodiments, concealment member 12 can include one or more
chain
attachments. In some embodiments, the one or more chain attachments can
include necklace
attachments, bracelet attachments, fob attachments, cords, straps, any
combination thereof, and
the like. In some embodiments, concealment member 12 can include side cutouts
to enable
access to smart device mechanical and/or electrical components. In some
embodiments, the
mechanical and/or electrical components include buttons, charge ports, touch-
screen interface,
electrical component access openings, and the like.
[00030] FIG. 5 depicts smart device concealment system 30, comprising a
concealment member 32.
As shown in FIGS. 6-7, concealment member 32 can include a front face 34, back
face 36, and can
be configured to receive and retain one or more smart device components. In
some embodiments,
front face 34 can be configured to receive and retain one or more smart device
components. In other
embodiments, back face 36 can be configured to receive and retain one or more
smart device
components. In some embodiments, concealment member 32 can be configured to
conceal at least a
portion of smart device components. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment,
where concealment
member 32 includes a tie clip and the tie clip a number of smart device
components such as a camera
lens 38, speaker ports 40, and a home and/or activation button 42, are
embedded in the
concealment member and concealed by the front face 34 of concealment member
32. FIG. 7
shows an exemplary embodiment, where heart monitor 44, and charge contacts 46
are concealed
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by concealment member 32. Concealment member 32 can include any suitable
attachment
mechanism 48 now known or later developed for securing concealment member 32
onto a user's
body or a user's garment. Similarly, concealment system 10 can include any
suitable attachment
means now known or later developed for securing smart device 18 into
concealment member 12.
[00031] In some embodiments, concealment systems 10 and 30 can further
comprise one or
more functional inserts for housing personal items. The one or more functional
inserts can be a
pill receptacle, a currency receptacle, a key receptacle, a fold-out photo
album, photo frame,
earphones receptacle, watch receptacle, any combination thereof, or the like.
In some
embodiments, one or more functional inserts is removably attached to the
accessory attachment.
In some embodiments, one or more functional inserts is removably housed inside
concealment
member 12, back casing 22, or combinations thereof In some embodiments, the
functional insert
can comprise a housing for earphones. In some embodiments, the earphones are
AIRPODS .
[00032] In some embodiments, front faces 14 and 34 can be decorative. In some
embodiments,
front faces 14 and 34 can include surface ornamentation. In some embodiments,
the surface
ornamentation can include labeling, set stones, enameling, textured and etched
designs, fused
metal embellishments, and the like. In some embodiments, concealment member 12
can be
removably attachable such that one decorative concealment member can be
interchanged for a
different decorative concealment member. In some embodiments, concealment
member 12 can
comprise most generally all metals and alloys thereof now known or later
developed or
discovered, including, but not limited to copper, stainless steel, platinum,
silver, gold, gold
plated, pewter, aluminum, tungsten, titanium, and/or any combination thereof
In some
embodiments, the concealment member can comprise polymers including, but not
limited to
plastic and rubber, ceramic, wood, glass, any material now known or later
discovered or
developed used to make jewelry and related accessories, and/or any combination
thereof. Still
similarly, back casing 22 can be made from any suitable material now known or
later discovered,
including but not limited to polymer material, aluminum, wood, ceramic,
stainless steel, and/or
any combinations thereof.
[00033] In some embodiments, concealment systems 10 and 30 can be any height
and/or any
width suitable to accommodate smart device 18 or related smart devices
components. In some
embodiments, concealment system 10 can be any height and/or any width suitable
to at least
partially house smart device 42. In some embodiments, concealment system can
have a height of
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from 5mm to 100mm. In some embodiments, concealment system can have a height
of from
lOmm to 80mm. In some embodiments, concealment system can have a height of
from 15mm to
70mm. In some embodiments, concealment system can have a height of from 20mm
to 60mm. In
some embodiments, concealment system can have a height of from 30mm to 55mm.
In some
embodiments, concealment system can have a height of from 35mm to 50mm. In
some
embodiments, concealment system can have a height of from 35mm to 45mm. In
some
embodiments, concealment system can have a height of from 35mm to 40mm. In
some
embodiments, concealment system can have a height of from 40mm to 50mm. In
some
embodiments, concealment system can have a height of from 45mm to 50mm. In
some
embodiments, concealment system can have a width, of from 5mm to 100mm. In
some
embodiments, concealment system can have a width of from lOmm to 80mm. In some
embodiments, concealment system can have a width of from 15mm to 70mm. In some
embodiments, concealment system can have a width of from 20mm to 60mm. In some
embodiments, concealment system can have a width of from 30mm to 55mm. In some
embodiments, concealment system can have a width of from 35mm to 50mm. In some
embodiments, concealment system can have a width of from 35mm to 45mm. In some
embodiments, concealment system can have a width of from 35mm to 40mm. In some
embodiments, concealment system 10 can have a width of from 40mm to 50mm. In
some
embodiments, concealment system 10 can have a width of from 45mm to 50mm.
[00034] Concealment system can be any suitable shape to engage smart device.
Similarly,
concealment member can be any suitable shape to engage smart device or smart
device
components. In some embodiments, concealment member is generally rectangular.
In some
embodiments, concealment member is generally recessed. In some embodiments,
concealment
member is sufficiently recessed to receive and hold smart device or smart
device components. In
some embodiments, concealment member is generally flat. In some embodiments,
concealment
member is sufficiently flattened to receive and hold smart device or smart
device components.
Back casing can be any suitable shape to engage smart device. In some
embodiments back casing
is generally rectangular. In some embodiments, back casing is generally
recessed, and contoured
so as to engage at least the concealment member, as shown. [00035] In some
embodiments, the
concealment member can provide smart device protection against damage from
scratches,
cracks, glass fractures, and the like. Specifically, the concealment member
can further comprise
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bumpers, pads, a combination thereof, and the like configured to protect the
smart device or
smart device components from the above-mentioned types of damage.
[00036] In some embodiments, the smart device can be a smart watch, such as an
APPLE
WATCH , a tracking device, such as an employee tracking device, a heart
monitoring device,
camera, computer, and recording device, the like, or combinations thereof In
some embodiments,
smart device can include at least one intermediary connection component to
join smart device with
an accessory. In some embodiments, the at least one intermediary connection
component can
comprise at least one accessory receiving component configured to join smart
device with an
accessory or the concealment member. In some embodiments, smart device can
comprise any
suitable accessory receiving component now known or later developed. The
accessory or
concealment member can either be pre-attached to the smart device as part of
smart device
manufacturer's design or a compatible accessory can be purchased and attached
to the smart device
for use with or as the disclosed concealment system.
[00037] As shown in FIG. 7, in some embodiments, smart device concealment
system 30 can
further comprise a charging module 46 such as charge contacts for recharging a
battery of the
smart device. In some embodiments, charging module 46 comprises a rechargeable
battery
powered by Lithium Polymer, Lithium Ion, or the like. In some embodiments,
charging module
46 can operate as a motion charger where battery charging is activated by an
actuating motion of
charging module 46, concealment systems 10 or 30, or combinations thereof In
some
embodiments, charging module 46 comprises a switch (not shown) that upon
actuation moves
from a first position to a second position, and consequently activates
charging module 46. In some
embodiments, a charging module can be disposed on back casing 22 or
concealment member 12
by any suitable attachment means now known or later discovered.
[00038] Some employment activities that can be tracked with the concealment
system can include
tracking attendance, overtime, performance, labor compliance, paging, employee-
to-employee
communication, drug and alcohol detection, employee panic function, accepting
and/or
processing payments, public announcements, monitoring customer transactions,
combinations
thereof, and the like. Some daily personal and professional activities
include, monitoring
children activities, monitoring temperatures in homes, cars, and the like,
daycare monitoring,
location tracking, requesting and/or delivering technical support, control
office building, house,
and automobile functions (e.g. lighting, temperature, doors, and the like),
remote control access,
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internet and cell phone use monitoring, flash light or other emergency
lighting, space and
proximity utilization measuring through user movement. Users who can benefit
from use of the
concealment systems can include police, military, healthcare, child care,
manufacturing,
construction, retail, banking employees, legal applications, janitorial
services, food service,
combinations thereof, and the like.
