Interactive devices and methods

Claim 2

An interface device, comprising: interface electronics; a housing substantially covering the interface electronics; a retractable earbud operably coupled to the interface electronics and detachably affixed to the housing, the retractable earbud being constructed for audio output to a user of the interface device; retraction apparatus constructed to retract the earbud toward the housing; and at least one microphone operably connected to the interface electronics, the at least one microphone adapted for receiving audio input from the user; wherein the at least one microphone comprises; a first microphone set positioned at a first location on the housing and a second microphone set positioned at a second location spaced from the first location; wherein the first microphone set functions as a receiver and the second microphone set functions to reduce ambient noise.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 , constructed and arranged to be mounted on a user's wrist.

Claim 4

The device of claim 2 , further comprising: a wristband for supporting the housing; wherein the first microphone set is supported on the wristband on an opposite side of the user's wrist from the housing.

Claim 5

The device of claim 1 , further comprising a first battery and a second battery for powering the device; further wherein the device is configured and constructed to maintain operation during removal of the first battery or the second battery.

Claim 6

The device of claim 1 , further comprising a cord affixed to the earbud, the cord being operably coupled to the retraction apparatus.

Claim 7

The device of claim 5 , wherein the retractable earbud is snap-fit into the housing.

Claim 8

The device of claim 5 , wherein the retraction apparatus operates to automatically retract the retractable earbud toward the housing subsequent to use by a wearer.

Claim 9

The device of claim 1 , wherein the earbud is constructed for support between fingers of the user; further wherein the first microphone set is constructed and arranged for support near the user's mouth when the earbud is between the fingers.

Claim 10

The device of claim 8 , further comprising a wristband for supporting the microphone and the housing.

Claim 11

The device of claim 1 further comprising a sensor operably connected to the interface electronics, wherein output from the sensor activates interchange of functions between the first microphone set and the second microphone set.

Claim 12

The device of claim 1 , wherein the earbud comprises a first speaker mechanism, the device further comprising a second speaker mechanism operably coupled to the interface electronics, wherein the earbud is removably mounted on the second speaker mechanism.

Claim 13

The device of claim 11 , wherein the second speaker mechanism automatically turns on when the earbud is retracted and mounted on the second speaker mechanism.

Claim 14

The device of claim 11 , further comprising a warning device, operably coupled to the interface electronics, constructed to alert the user of receipt of information.

Claim 15

The device of claim 13 , wherein the warning device is selected from the group consisting of the second speaker mechanism, a buzzer and a vibrator.

Claim 16

The device of claim 11 , wherein the earbud comprises a first speaker, the device further comprising a second speaker operably coupled to the interface electronics, wherein the second speaker automatically turns on when the first speaker is retracted.

Claim 17

The device of claim 1 , in combination with a wearable personal computer, the interface device transferring data to the wearable personal computer, the interface device and the wearable personal computer being constructed and arranged to be worn on different parts of the body at the same time.

Claim 18

A wearable interface device, comprising: output apparatus comprising a speaker, the output apparatus having an outer casing configured for grasping between fingers of the hand of a human wearer of the interface device, the output apparatus directing audio output to the wearer's ear when the wearer grasps the output apparatus between the fingers; base structure, the base structure comprising receiving structure configured to receive and releasably hold the output apparatus when the output apparatus is released from between the fingers; tethering apparatus connecting the output apparatus and the base structure, the tethering apparatus being constructed to hold the output apparatus in association with the base structure while allowing free movement of the output apparatus between the fingers and the base structure; mounting structure supporting the base structure, the mounting structure being configured for disposition substantially surrounding a limb of the wearer; and input apparatus, the input apparatus comprising a first microphone and a second microphone, the input apparatus being supported by at least one of the mounting structure and the base structure, the input apparatus receiving audio input from the wearer while the output apparatus is disposed between the fingers, at least one of the first microphone and the second microphone being for noise cancellation.

Claim 19

A wearable interface device, comprising: output apparatus comprising a speaker, the output apparatus having an outer casing configured for grasping between fingers of the hand of a human wearer of the interface device, the output apparatus directing audio output to the wearer's ear when the wearer grasps the output apparatus between the fingers; base structure, the base structure comprising receiving structure configured to receive and releasably hold the output apparatus when the output apparatus is released from between the fingers; tethering apparatus connecting the output apparatus and the base structure, the tethering apparatus being constructed to hold the output apparatus in association with the base structure while allowing free movement of the output apparatus between the fingers and the base structure; mounting structure supporting the base structure, the mounting structure being configured for disposition substantially surrounding a limb of the wearer; and input apparatus, the input apparatus comprising a first microphone and a second microphone, the input apparatus being supported by at least one of the mounting structure and the base structure, the input apparatus receiving audio input from the wearer while the output apparatus is disposed between the fingers, at least one of the first microphone and the second microphone being for noise cancellation.

Claim 20

The device of claim 17 , wherein the tethering apparatus provides high-speed data communication between the output apparatus and the base structure.

Claim 21

The device of claim 17 , further comprising a display positioned about the mounting structure, the display adapted to convey information to a wearer.

Claim 22

The device of claim 17 , wherein the interface device is operably coupled to a processing device remote from the interface device to enable high speed communication and data transfer between the interface device and the processing device, the processing device being part of a wearable computer.

Claim 23

The device of claim 17 , further comprising a video capturing device operably connected to the interface device, the video capturing device adapted to enable video communication.

Claim 24

The device of claim 17 , wherein the interface device is operably coupled to a remote sensor for data transfer therefrom.

Claim 25

The device of claim 17 , wherein the input/output device further comprises a connection port adapted for communication with a second device.

Claim 26

The device of claim 17 , further comprising: a transceiver located about the mounting structure, the transceiver adapted for communication with a processing device.

Claim 27

The device of claim 17 , further comprising: a second speaker coupled to the mounting structure, the second speaker adapted for providing audio output when the output apparatus is mounted in association with the base structure.

Claim 28

The device of claim 17 , further comprising flexible circuitry to conform to the body shape of the wearer.

Claim 29

The device of claim 17 , further comprising: adjustable support structure affixed about the display; lensing operatively coupled to the support structure, the lensing adapted to enhance viewing of the information on the display.

Claim 32

The method of claim 28 , further comprising releasing the speaker from the fingers upon completing the audio communication.

Claim 33

The method of claim 28 , further comprising automatically retracting the speaker from the fingers toward the interface device after releasing the speaker from the fingers.

Claim 34

The method of claim 28 , further comprising positioning the speaker between the index finger and the middle finger of the hand of the wearer such that the hand substantially blocks ambient noise from the speaker and/or one or more of the microphones.

Claim 35

The method of claim 28 , further comprising snapping the speaker into the interface device when the audio communication is completed.

Claim 36

The method of claim 32 , wherein said speaker is a first speaker, further comprising activating a second speaker of the interface device when the first speaker is snapped into the interface device.

Claim 37

The method of claim 28 , further comprising transferring audio data to and from a wearable personal computer.

Claim 38

The device of claim 8 , wherein the second microphone set is disposed away from the user's mouth on a side of the device opposite the first microphone set.

Claim 39

The combination of claim 16 , wherein the interface device is constructed to be worn on the user's wrist and the wearable personal computer is constructed to be worn on the user's waist; further wherein the interface device and the wearable personal computer are in wireless communication with each other.

Claim 40

The device of claim 17 , wherein the second microphone is spaced from the first microphone; further wherein the first microphone functions as a receiver and the second microphone functions to reduce ambient noise to create a noise-canceling microphone group.

Claim 41

The method of claim 28 , wherein the second microphone is a noise-canceling microphone spaced from said first microphone adjacent the mouth of the wearer to reduce ambient noise.

Claim 42

The device of claim 17 , further comprising wireless communication apparatus for wireless communication with a wearable computer, the wearable computer being distinct from and worn simultaneously with the interface device.

Claim 43

The method of claim 28 , further comprising wirelessly communicating data from the wearable interface device to a separate wearable personal computer.