Smart case for electronic wearable device

Abstract

Auxiliary units, in some instances implemented as a case for a wearable electronic device such as a wearable camera are described. The auxiliary units may include one or more electronic components typically included in the camera. By offloading an electronic component and the corresponding function (e.g., extended power capacity, memory capacity, wireless or other communication capabilities, etc.) to a removable auxiliary unit, the size of the wearable device can be advantageously further reduced.

1 . A case for a wearable camera having onboard processing, memory, and power source, the case comprising:
 a case body comprising:   a camera interface configured to communicatively connect the case to the wearable camera,   an external communication interface configured to communicatively couple the case to a computing device;   a case memory communicatively coupled to the camera interface and configured to store data received from the camera; and   a case battery comprising a rechargeable power source configured to provide power to the camera when the camera is communicatively coupled to the case; and wherein the case body has a configuration in which the case body at least partially encloses the camera.   
     
     
         2 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the case comprises greater memory capacity than a capacity of the onboard memory of the camera. 
     
     
         3 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the case comprises greater energy capacity than a capacity of the onboard power source of the camera. 
     
     
         4 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the storage capacity of the case memory does not exceed 1 gigabyte. 
     
     
         5 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the case battery has an energy capacity of 5 watt hours or less. 
     
     
         6 . The case of  claim 1  further comprising a wireless transmission coil for wirelessly charging the case battery. 
     
     
         7 . The case of  claim 6 , wherein the case comprises firmware that is configured to activate the power transmission coil when the camera is received in the case. 
     
     
         8 . The case of  claim 7 , wherein the case is configured to activate the power transmission coil when the camera is mechanically attached to the case. 
     
     
         9 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the case body has a configuration in which the case body fully encloses the camera. 
     
     
         10 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the case is configured to activate a wireless charging function when the camera is received in the case. 
     
     
         11 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the case body has an overall length of 120 mm or less and an overall width of 90 mm or less. 
     
     
         12 . The case of  claim 11 , wherein the overall length is 70 mm or less and the overall width is 45 mm or less. 
     
     
         13 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the external communication interface comprises at least one male connector. 
     
     
         14 . The case of  claim 13 , wherein the case body includes an actuator configured to at least partially expose or conceal at least one of the male connectors associated with the external communication interface. 
     
     
         15 . The case of  claim 13 , wherein the actuator comprises a button or a lever configured to extend and retract a LIGHTNING connector or a USB connector, to extend a LIGHTNING connector while retracting a USB connector, or to extend a USB connector while retracting a LIGHTNING connector. 
     
     
         16 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the case comprises internal electronics configured to communicatively couple to case to an APPLE device, an ANDROID device, or both. 
     
     
         17 . The case of  claim 16 , wherein the external communication interface comprises a male LIGHTNING connector, a male USB connector, or both. 
     
     
         18 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the camera interface comprises a male USB connector. 
     
     
         19 . The case of  claim 1 , wherein the camera interface comprises a wired interface configured for data transfer, the case further comprising a wireless charging interface configured to wirelessly charge the onboard power when the camera is operatively arranged in relation to the wireless charging interface. 
     
     
         20 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the camera interface comprises a dual band transmitter/receiver, and wherein at least one of the bands of the dual band transmitter/receiver is configured to transmit power wirelessly to the camera when the camera is operatively arranged therewith. 
     
     
         21 - 34 . (canceled)