AU2019100128A4 - A wearable device - Google Patents

Abstract

A wearable device 100 for carrying an electronic key. The wearable device 100 includes a formation 120 shaped to removably receive at least a portion of an electronic key. The wearable device 100 is configured to at least partly embrace a 5 user's wrist to retain the formation on the user's wrist while the user moves freely. 2Ro ~ob

Description

A wearable device 100 for carrying an electronic key. The wearable device 100 includes a formation 120 shaped to removably receive at least a portion of an electronic key. The wearable device 100 is configured to at least partly embrace a 5 user’s wrist to retain the formation on the user’s wrist while the user moves freely.

2019100128 06 Feb 2019

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FIGURE 6B

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AWEARABLE DEVICE

FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for receiving an electronic key. The device is wearable by a user, for example on the user’s wrist, arm, leg or ankle.

BACKGROUND

Electronic-based locking systems are implemented to manage access to restricted areas. These systems have an electronic key reader for wirelessly reading an electronic key. A user can gain entry into these restricted areas by presenting his/her electronic key to the electronic key reader.

In some cases, for example where the restricted area is a swimming pool or gym of an apartment complex, the user might not have any place to safely store the electronic key. In these cases, the user will either need to leave the key unattended in a shared space or carry the key in their pocket which is unsecure and/or an inconvenience to the user.

It is not admitted that any of the information in this patent specification is common general knowledge, or that the person skilled in the art could be reasonably expected to ascertain or understand it, regard it as relevant or combine it in any way before the priority date.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide a wearable device for containing an electronic key that address the disadvantages described above. The present invention also seeks to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

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In an aspect, the present invention provides a wearable device for carrying an electronic key, the wearable device including:

a formation shaped to removably receive at least a portion of an electronic key, the wearable device being configured to at least partly embrace a user’s wrist to retain the formation on the user’s wrist while the user moves freely.

The electronic key is preferably for locking/unlocking a lock of an electronic-based locking system based on proximity of the electronic key to an electronic key reader of the electronic-based locking system. The electronic key may be based on radio 10 frequency identification (RFID) for example. The electronic key may operate in a variety of frequency ranges. For example, the electronic key may operate in a high frequency range, preferably about 13.56MHz. As another example, the electronic key may operate in a ultra high frequency range, preferably about 860MHz to 960MHz. Examples of the electronic key include, but are not limited to, the

MIFARE Ultralight EV1 key fob, the MIFARE Ultralight 4200 key fob, the MIFARE Classic® S50 key fob, the MIFARE Classic® S70 key fob, the MIFARE Plus® key fob, the MIFARE® DESFire® key fob, the MIFARE Ultralight® key fob, the ICode® 2/SLI key fob, the Alien H2/H3 key fob, the Impinj key fob, the U CODE G2 key fob, or the HSL key fob.

When the user wears the wearable device on his/her wrist, the wearable device is retained securely on the user’s wrist while the user moves freely. Examples of free movement by the user include, but are not limited to, swimming, running, or exercising for example. As such, while the user moves freely, the wearable device will not fall out from the user’s hand. Because the wearable device is configured to be retained on the user’s wrist while the user moves freely, the wearable device is different from a handbag. A handbag is held or carried by the user and restricts/hinders free movement by the user. The wearable device is more akin to a bracelet or wristband for example that at least partly wraps around the user’s wrist.

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The wearable device is configured to encircle the user’s wrist. That is, the wearable device is configured to fully surround the user’s wrist.

The wearable device may further include a strap for at least partially wrapping around the user’s wrist to retain the formation on the user’s wrist as the user moves freely. The strap is preferably integrally formed with the formation as a single piece. The strap and the formation are preferably a single solid mould.

Alternatively, the strap is separable from the formation. The strap may for example be or form a closed loop or partially-closed loop. The wearable device may include two or more strap portions for at least partially wrapping around the user. The strap may be made from silicone or rubber.

The formation may have an access point through which the at least a portion of the electronic key can be at least one of provided to or removed from the formation, the formation having a first configuration in which the access point is restricted to trap the at least a portion of the electronic key, when provided to the 15 formation, in the formation, and a second configuration in which the access point is open to allow the at least a portion of the electronic key to be at least one of provided to or removed from the formation. The formation is preferably biased to the first configuration. That is, if the formation is in the second configuration to allow the the at least a portion of the electronic key to be provided the formation via the access point, the formation is will automatically return to the fist configuration to trap the at least a portion of the electronic key. Alternatively, the formation is biased to the second configuration. The formation is preferably resiliently deformable from the first configuration to the second configuration.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a wearable device for carrying 25 an electronic key, the wearable device including:

a formation shaped to removably receive at least a portion of an electronic key, the formation having an access point through which the at least a portion of the electronic key can be at least one of provided to or removed from the formation, the formation being resiliently deformable

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2019100128 06 Feb 2019 from a first configuration in which the access point is restricted to trap the at least a portion of the electronic key, when provided the formation, in the formation, to a second configuration in which the access point is open to allow the at least a portion of the electronic key to be at least one of provided to or removed from the formation, the wearable device being configured to at least partly embrace a portion of the user to allow the formation to be carried by the user.

Embodiments of this aspect of the invention include the wearable device of the 10 previous aspect described above.

The wearable device may be configured to at least partly embrace a user’s wrist, arm, leg or ankle for example.

The formation preferably deforms to the second configuration when the electronic key is pushed into the formation through the access point and/or when the formation is pushed over the electronic key. Once the electronic key passes the access point and is received by the formation, the formation returns to the first configuration to trap the electronic key. When the electronic key is to be removed from the formation, the electronic key can be pushed, squeezed, or nudged towards the access point, which causes the formation to deform to the second configuration to allow removal of the electronic key. Once the electronic key passes the access point, the formation returns to the first configuration.

The formation may be a housing having an internal space for receiving the at least a portion of the electronic key. The access point is preferably provided on a wall of the housing. The access point preferably has a width of up to about 3mm in the 25 first configuration. Preferably, the width of the access point is about 1mm to 2mm in the first configuration. The formation may alternatively be seat, socket, or plug for receiving the electronic key.

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The housing may include a wall having a recess for receiving the at least a portion of the electronic key. The recess is preferably located off-centre in the formation towards the access point. That is, the recess has a centre-point that is located between a centre-point of the formation and the access point. The recess is up to 5 about 5mm off-centre towards the access point. Having the recess located offcentre towards the access point allows the electronic key located in the recess to be easily removed from the formation when desired.

The formation may be integrally formed as a single piece. The formation is preferably a single solid mould.

One or more walls of the formation may be presentable to an electronic reader for reading the electronic key. Each of the one or more walls preferably has a thickness of up to about 10mm. Preferably, the thickness of the one or more walls is about 2mm. Preferably, the one or more walls includes a top wall.

The formation may be shaped to receive any one of a plurality of electronic keys of 15 different sizes. The formation may for example be shaped to receive electronic keys having a length of up to about 35mm, a width of up to about 30mm, and a thickness of up to about 9mm.

The formation may be made from a flexible material. Additionally or alternatively, the formation may be made from water-resistant material. The formation may for 20 example be made from silicone or rubber.

The wearable device may include the electronic key. The electronic key can be removed from the wearable device. In addition, another electronic key can be provided to the formation when the electronic key is removed. The other electronic key may have similar dimensions as the electronic key. Alternatively, the other electronic key may have different dimensions from the electronic key.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of carrying an electronic key using a wearable device, the wearable device including: a formation

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2019100128 06 Feb 2019 shaped to removably receive at least a portion of an electronic key, the wearable device being configured to at least partly embrace a user’s wrist to retain the formation on the user’s wrist while the user moves freely, the method including providing at least a portion of the electronic key in the formation of the wearable device, and wearing the wearable device on the user.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method of carrying an electronic key using a wearable device, the wearable device including:

a formation shaped to removably receive at least a portion of an electronic key, the formation having an access point through which the at least a portion of the electronic key can be at least one of provided to or removed from the formation, the formation being resiliently deformable from a first configuration in which the access point is restricted to trap the at least a portion of the electronic key, when provided the formation, 15 in the formation, to a second configuration in which the access point is open to allow the at least a portion of the electronic key to be at least one of provided to or removed from the formation, the wearable device being configured to at least partly embrace a portion of 20 the user to allow the formation to be carried by the user;

the method including:

providing at least a portion of the electronic key in the formation of the wearable device, and wearing the wearable device on the user.

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The wearable device may be the wearable device of either of the aspects previous described above or embodiments of those aspects.

Providing the electronic key may include pushing the electronic key into the formation. Alternatively or additionally, providing the electronic key may include pushing the formation onto the electronic key.

Wearing the wearable device may include wearing the wearable device on one of the user’s wrist.

The method may further include removing the electronic key from the formation.

The method may further include inserting another electronic key into the formation.

The other electronic key may have similar or different dimensions from the electronic key.

As used herein, the term ‘and/or’ means ‘and’, Or’, or both. In a list that specifies two or more features with the term ‘and/or’, at least one of those features may be present.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the wearable device will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of the wearable device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 shows a front view of the wearable device of Figure 1;

FIGURES 3A and 3B show an example of an electronic key to be carried by the wearable device of Figure 1;

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FIGURES 4A and 4B show a top view and a sectional top view respectively of the wearable device of Figure 1;

FIGURES 5A and 5B show a side view and a sectional side view respectively of the wearable device of Figure 1; and

FIGURES 6A and 6B show a wearable device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a wearable device 100 has a formation 120 for receiving an electronic key and a strap 140 for embracing a user. The wearable device is adapted or configured to at least partly embrace a user to retain the formation on the user while the user moves freely. The wearable device may, for example, we adapted or configured to at least partly embrace a user’s wrist, arm, leg, or ankle for example. The wearable device 100 may therefore be worn as a bracelet, wristband, armband, leg band, or anklet for example. The device is designed to be lightweight, which allows the product to be comfortably worn by the user.

As described herein, an ‘electronic key’ includes a key for an electronic-based locking system. The electronic key is configured to communicate wirelessly with an electronic key reader of the electronic-based locking system to access to a restricted area. For example, the electronic key may gain access to the restricted area based on proximity of the electronic key to the electronic key reader (e.g. by presenting the electronic key to the electronic key reader). The electronic key may be based on radio frequency identification (RFID). An RFID key needs to be within about 10cm from the electronic key reader for it to be read. Examples of the electronic key include, but are not limited to, the MIFARE Ultralight EV1 key fob, the MIFARE Ultralight 4200 key fob, the MIFARE Classic® S50 key fob, the MIFARE Classic® S70 key fob, the MIFARE Plus® key fob, the MIFARE® DESFire® key fob, the MIFARE Ultralight® key fob, the l-Code® 2/SLI key fob, the

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Alien H2/H3 key fob, the Impinj key fob, the U CODE G2 key fob, or the HSL key fob. These electronic keys typically have a substantially oval profile, with a length (or major axis) of up to about 35mm, a width (or minor axis) of up to about 30mm, and a thickness of up to about 9mm. The electronic key may be based on other wireless technologies and/or have other shapes and/or have other dimensions. An example of an electronic key 400 having an oval profile is shown in Figures 3A and 3B.

The formation 120 is in the form of a housing. The formation 120 has an interior space for receiving and securely containing the electronic key. The formation also 10 has an access point 122 for allowing the electronic key to be inserted into, and removed from, the space. As will be discussed in further detail below, the access point 122 assists with trapping the electronic key in the formation 120.

Referring to Figures 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B, the formation 120 has a profile corresponding to the shape of the electronic key. In particular, the formation 120 15 has a substantially oval profile. The formation 120 has a length (or major axis) of about 50mm, a width (or minor axis) of about 40mm, and a thickness of about 10mm.

The formation 120 has a top wall 121, a bottom wall 123, and a side wall 125 connecting the top wall 121 to the bottom wall 123. The walls 121, 123, 125 are 20 integrally formed as a single piece. The side wall 125 is a continuous wall that surrounds the top and bottom walls 121, 123. In other variations, more than one side wall may be provided between the top and bottom walls. The space 124 for receiving the electronic key is defined between the top wall 121, the bottom wall 123, and the side wall 125. The space 124 is dimensioned to receive electronic 25 keys of different sizes. That is the space 124 can receive any of the key fobs described above for example. The distance between the top wall 121 and the bottom wall 123 is larger than a thickness of the electronic key.

In other variations, the formation may be in the form of a plug, socket, or seat for receiving the electronic key. For example, the formation may have a bottom wall

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2019100128 06 Feb 2019 for resting on the user’s wrist and one or more side walls surrounding the bottom wall with the space for removably receiving the electronic key being defined between the bottom wall and side wall(s), and the electronic key is receivable from the top. In further variations, the formation may have a top wall and one or more side walls surrounding the top wall with the space for removably receiving the electronic key being defined between the top wall and side wall(s), and the electronic key is receivable from the bottom. In yet further variations, the formation may have one or more walls defining an annular or oval shape with an open top and open bottom, the space for removably receiving the electronic key being defined by the side wall(s), and the electronic key is receivable from the top or bottom.

The top wall 121 of the formation 120 is presentable to an electronic key reader that is configured for reading the electronic key. The top wall 121 is made from a material and has a suitable thickness that allows the electronic key to be read by 15 the electronic reader. By way of example, the top wall 121 is made from silicone material and has a thickness of about 2mm.

As discussed above, the formation 120 has an access point 122 through which the electronic key can be provided to and removed from the space 124 in the formation 120. The access point is an opening into the space 124 ofthe formation.

In this embodiment, the electronic key is provided to the formation and removed from the formation via the same access point. In other variations, a two or more access points may be provided and one of the access points is configured to allow the key to be provided to the formation while another one of the access points is configured to allow the key to be removed from the formation. The access point

122 is provided between the top wall 121 and the bottom wall 123 to allow the electronic key to be receivable by and removable from the formation from the side. In particular, the access point 122 is provided in the side wall 125. The access point 122 is provided along a partial coverage ofthe side wall 125 around the top/bottom wall. The access point 122 has a restricted dimension (which may be a

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2019100128 06 Feb 2019 restricted width and/or diameter and/or length) for trapping the electronic key in the formation.

The access point 122 is in the form of a slit, having an original width of about

1mm. The Original width’ is a restricted width of the access point at least when the formation is in its normal/undeformed state as will be discussed in further detail below. The width of the access point 122 can be made larger or smaller by deforming the formation 120 (e.g. by pushing the electronic key against the access point 122). The width of the access point 122 is smaller than a thickness of the electronic key and is smaller than a distance between the top wall 121 and the bottom wall 123. The access point tin the normal/undeformed state will trap the electronic key located in the space 124. Thereby, the electronic key can be securely contained in the formation 120.

The formation 120 is resiliently deformable to allow the electronic key to be inserted into, or removed from, the formation 120 through the access point 122. In 15 its normal/undeformed state, the access point 122 will have its original width (e.g.

of 1mm). In its deformed state, the width of the access point 122 is made larger to allow the electronic key to be inserted into or removed from the formation 120. The formation 120 is biased to its normal state to trap the electronic key in the space 124. An external force is applied to insert/remove the electronic key that deforms the formation 120 and causes the access point 122 to be larger. Once that external force is removed and when the electronic key is inserted in, or removed from, the formation 120 will automatically return to its normal state.

To insert the electronic key into the formation 120, the electronic key is pushed against the access point 122 into the space 124 of the formation 120. Alternatively 25 or additionally, the formation, with the access point 124 facing the electronic key, can be pushed onto the electronic key. Pushing the electronic key against the access point deforms the formation and causes the access point 122 to become larger to receive the electronic key. To assist with its insertion, the user may lift a

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2019100128 06 Feb 2019 portion of the top wall 121 at the region of the access point 122 relative to the bottom wall 123 to make the access point 122 larger.

Once the electronic key passes the access point 122 and is located in the space 124 ofthe formation 120, the user can release the top wall portion (if lifted) and the formation 120 will return to its normal state. As mentioned above, the access point in the normal state will return to its original width. Thereby, the electronic key will become trapped in the space 124 ofthe formation 120.

To remove the electronic key from the formation 120, the user can use their fingers to pry open the access point 122 ofthe formation 120 and pull the electronic key through the access point 122. The user can lift the portion ofthe top wall 121 at the region of the access point relative to the bottom wall 123 to make the access point 122 larger. When a portion ofthe electronic key is outside the formation 120, the user can pull the electronic key from the formation 120 using his/her fingers.

Once the electronic key passes the access point 122 and is free of the space 124 of the formation 120, the user can release the top wall portion (if lifted) and the formation 120 will return under its own bias to its normal/undeformed state.

The formation 120 is a single solid mould and made from a flexible material that allows the resilient deformation described above. The material used is preferably also a water-resistant material. The material used for forming the formation 120 may be silicone and/or rubber for example. Forming the formation as a single solid mould makes the formation durable and long lasting.

The bottom wall 123 has a recess (or cavity) 123a. The recess 123a defines part of the space 124 and is for containing a smaller-sized electronic key. On the other 25 hand, the space 124 exclusive ofthe recess 123a is for containing electronic keys of larger sizes. The recess 123a has a substantially oval profile. The recess 123a has a length (or major axis) of about 35mm, a width (or minor axis) of about

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28mm, and a depth of about 3mm. In variations, the formation may include one or more further stepped recesses for containing further small-sized electronic keys.

The recess 123a is located off-centre closer to the access point 122. That is, a centre point ofthe recess 123a is located between a centre point oftheformation

120 (e.g. ofthe bottom wall 123) and an access point 122. The recess 123a is about 5mm off-centre. Having the recess 123a located off-centre towards the access point 122 allows the electronic key located in the recess 123a to be easily removed from the formation when desired. In other variations, the recess may be centrally located in the formation.

The strap 140, which is in the form of a closed loop band, is integral with the formation 120 and is for embracing the user. The strap 140 and the formation 120 are formed as a single solid mould. The strap 140 is for wrapping around the user to allow the formation to be carried by the user. By way of example, the strap is adapted to encircle (e.g. wrap around) the user’s wrist, arm, leg, or ankle.

Thereby, the device 100 can be worn as a wristband, bracelet, arm band, leg band, or anklet.

The strap 104 is made from a flexible material such as silicone and/or rubber. The flexibility of the strap 140 allows the device 100 to be easily worn on, and removed from, the user using one hand. For example, where the device 100 is to be worn on the user’s wrist, the device 100 can be worn by fitting the hand through the closed loop of the strap 140. Fitting the hand through the closed loop stretches the closed loop and once the hand is through the closed loop and the closed loop embraces the user’s wrist, the closed loop returns to its original unstretched shape.

In other embodiments, the strap may be a partially closed loop with two separate strap portions from the formation that only partially wrap around the user. For example, each strap portion has a free end, and the free ends are spaced apart from each other when the strap portions embrace the user. In yet further embodiments, the strap may be separate and removable from the formation.

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Figures 6A and 6B show another embodiment of the wearable device 200 with two strap portions 140a, 140b. The wearable device has a formation 120 that is similar to the formation 120 ofthe wearable device 100 described above with reference to the previous figures. In this embodiment, the two strap portions 140a, 140b are engageable with each other, as shown in Figure 5B, to form a closed loop for embracing the user.

When the user desires to access a restricted area (e.g. the pool or gym) that is accessible with an electronic key, the user can insert their electronic key into the formation 120 ofthe wearable device 100, 200 and wear the device 100, 200 on his/her wrist or other body part. The formation allows the electronic key to be securely stored and conveniently carried by the user at all times while in the restricted area. When the user is done with the restricted area or if the user wishes to access another restricted area that requires another electronic key, the user can remove the electronic key from the formation and insert the other electronic key into the formation. Alternatively, the user can add the other electronic key into the formation without having to remove the first electronic key from the formation.

In variations of he device, the device may include more than one formation for removably receiving different electronic keys. Additionally or alternatively, the/each formation can receive more than one key at a time.

While the above description refers to embodiments of a wearable device, it will be appreciated that other embodiments can be adopted by way of different combinations of features. Such embodiments fall within the spirit and scope of this invention.

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Claims (3)

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FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2

FIGURE 3A

FIGURE 3B

1. A wearable device for carrying an electronic key, the wearable device including:

5 a formation shaped to removably receive at least a portion of an electronic key, the wearable device being configured to at least partly embrace a user’s wrist to retain the formation on the user’s wrist while the user moves freely.

2/3

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FIGURE 4A ill

115

FIGURE 5B

FIGURE 5A

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2. The wearable device of claim 1, wherein the wearable device is configured to

10 encircle the user’s wrist.

3. The wearable device of claim 1 or 2, further including a strap for at least partially wrapping around the user’s wrist to retain the formation on the user’s wrist while the user moves freely.

4. The wearable device of claim 3, wherein the strap is integrally formed with

15 the formation as a single piece.

5. The wearable device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the formation has an access point through which the at least a portion of the electronic key can be at least one of provided to or removed from the formation, the formation having

20 a first configuration in which the access point is restricted to trap the at least a portion of the electronic key, when provided to the formation, in the formation, and a second configuration in which the access point is open to allow the at least a portion of the electronic key to be at least one of provided to or 25 removed from the formation.

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6. The wearable device of claim 5, wherein the formation is biased to the first configuration.

7. The wearable device of claim 5 or 6, wherein the formation is resiliently deformable from the first configuration to the second configuration.

5

8. A wearable device for carrying an electronic key, the wearable device including:

a formation shaped to removably receive at least a portion of an electronic key, the formation having an access point through which the at least a portion of the electronic key can be at least one of provided to or removed from the

10 formation, the formation being resiliently deformable from a first configuration in which the access point is restricted to trap the at least a portion of the electronic key, when provided the formation, in the formation, to a second configuration in which the access point is open to allow the

15 at least a portion of the electronic key to be at least one of provided to or removed from the formation, the wearable device being configured to at least partly embrace a portion of the user to allow the formation to be carried by the user.

9. The wearable device of any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the formation is a

20 housing having an internal space for receiving the at least a portion of the electronic key.

10. The wearable device of claim 9, wherein the access point is provided on a wall of the housing.

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11. The wearable device of claim 9 or 10, wherein the housing includes a wall having a recess for receiving the at least a portion of the electronic key, the recess being located off-centre in the formation towards the access point.

12. The wearable device of claim 11, wherein the recess is up to about 5mm off-

5 centre towards the access point.

13. The wearable device of any one of claims 5 to 12, wherein the access point has a width of up to about 3mm in the first configuration.

14. The wearable device of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the formation is integrally formed as a single piece.

10 15. The wearable device of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the formation has a wall presentable to an electronic reader for reading the at least a portion of the at least a portion of the electronic key received by the formation, the wall having a thickness of up to about 10mm.

16. The wearable device of any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the formation is

15 shaped to receive electronic keys having a length of up to about 35mm, a width of up to about 30mm, and a thickness of up to about 9mm.

17. The wearable device of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the formation is made from a flexible and/or water-resistant material.

18. The wearable device of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the formation is

20 made from silicone and/or rubber.

19. The wearable device of any one of claims 1 to 18, further including the electronic key.

20. A method of carrying an electronic key using a wearable device, the wearable device including: a formation shaped to removably receive at least

25 a portion of an electronic key, the wearable device being configured to at

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2019100128 06 Feb 2019 least partly embrace a user’s wrist to retain the formation on the user’s wrist while the user moves freely, the method including providing at least a portion of the electronic key in the formation of the wearable device, and

5 wearing the wearable device on the user.

21. A method of carrying an electronic key using a wearable device, the wearable device including:

a formation shaped to removably receive at least a portion of an electronic key, the formation having an access point through which the at least a portion 10 of the electronic key can be at least one of provided to or removed from the formation, the formation being resiliently deformable from a first configuration in which the access point is restricted to trap the at least a portion of the electronic key, when provided the formation, in the formation,

15 to a second configuration in which the access point is open to allow the at least a portion of the electronic key to be at least one of provided to or removed from the formation, the wearable device being configured to at least partly embrace a portion of the user to allow the formation to be carried by the user;

20 the method including:

providing at least a portion of the electronic key in the formation of the wearable device, and wearing the wearable device on the user.

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22. The method of claim 20 or 21, wherein the wearable device is the wearable device of any one of claims 1 to 19.

23. The method of any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein providing the electronic key includes pushing the electronic key into the formation and/or pushing the

5 formation onto the electronic key.

24. The method of any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein wearing the wearable device includes wearing the wearable device on one of the user’s wrist.

25. The method of any one of claims 20 to 24, further including removing the electronic key from the formation.

10 26. The method of any one of claims 20 to 25, further including inserting another electronic key into the formation.

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