WO2018204811A1

WO2018204811A1 - Smart watch with a rotatable display screen and related methods of use and manufacture

Info

Publication number: WO2018204811A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/031127
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph M. CORCORAN
Original assignee: Corcoran Joseph M
Priority date: 2017-05-02
Filing date: 2018-05-04
Publication date: 2018-11-08

Abstract

Smart watch devices having a rotatable display screen and related methods are described herein. The disclosed watch devices have a face including a display screen and a first band and a second band attached to the face along an axis, A. The display screen of the disclosed smart watch is configured to display visual information on an axis B and axis B is positioned at an angle relative to axis A. Angle θ may be greater than or less than 90°.

Description

SMART WATCH WITH A ROTATABLE DISPLAY SCREEN AND RELATED METHODS OF USE AND MANUFACTURE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/501,192, titled "A Method for Displaying Instructional Information on a Smartwatch Device that Positions and Aligns the Display in the Same Visual Field as the Activity Being Performed" filed May 4, 2017 and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/500,063, titled "Smart Watch Applications for Viewing Tabular Music Notes, Cords, Scales and Lyrics in Real Time While Playing Guitar" filed May 5, 2017, the contents of which are each incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Before wrist watches, people used pocket watches to keep time. On a pocket watch, information (time of day), is displayed on a small circular face that was intended to be kept in the pocket. When the user desired to view this information, he/she would simply reach into a pocket, pull the device out, hold it in the line of vision, and view the information being displayed. The next extension of this concept was brought about with the invention of the wristwatch. The same information, time of day, would then be positioned on the wearer's wrist. Compared to the pocket watch, the wrist watch eliminated the step of physically pulling the device out of one's pocket to view the desired information. While a wrist watch may be more ergonomically efficient than a pocket watch, a wrist watch requires some effort on the user's part. Namely, in order to view the desired information, the user of the wrist watch needs to physically extend their elbow outwards, turning the wrist and wristwatch in such a way that positions the information being displayed in front of the user's field of vision at that time. In this sense, if a user has their hands positioned down by their legs, with their palms touching the outer thighs, for example, the wrist watch display would not be visible.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to wrist watches, particularly smart watch devices that are capable of displaying information other than time on their screen. Smart watch devices use the concept of a wrist watch, except that instead of being restricted to solely time keeping devices, smart watches feature a responsive screen as the main display face. This display, like a smart phone or computer screen, can be programmed to display information including text, pictures, and/or video. Although similar in function to a smart phone, tablet, or computer screen, the value of smart watch is greater in that it is more ergonomically efficient for a user to access quickly.

The screen featured in a conventional smart watch can, in some cases, be responsive (for example, the screen may be programmed to display text, pictures, and/or video), but the orientation of the display relative to watch band remains constant. Specifically, in a conventional smart watch, the screen displays information perpendicularly to the axis created by the wrist bands that extend from the top and bottom of this horizontal axis. Conventional smart watches display content in this way so that when a user extends their elbow and turns their hand, so their upper wrist is facing them, the information will be displayed consistently with the wearer's line of vision. The user must position their hand so that their forearm is parallel with their line of vision in order for the information on a conventional smart watch to be displayed in such a way that is easily readable.

In this new age, smart watch devices can be used for much more than telling time and it is possible to display valuable information that can be useful to an activity that the wearer of the device is performing. However, as previously mentioned, the limitation still exists that the activity performed must be one in which the user's hand and wrist are positioned such that the watch face is visible to them. This would be possible if a user is performing a one-handed activity, for example, and had the other hand with the watch positioned in a way that displayed the information in the same field of vision as the activity being performed, allowing information to be processed and the activity to be performed simultaneously. However, if the user performs an activity that cannot accommodate the smart watch in the same field of vision, the benefit of simultaneously receiving information and making necessary adjustments to the activity they're performing would not be possible.

Currently, there is only one wrist position intended for use with smart watch devices. Namely, the screen is positioned on the top of the wrist, with the display orientation perpendicular to the wrist straps that extend from the top and bottom of the device. Displaying useful information in real time via a user's smart watch thus requires the user to physically position the watch in a way that may be uncomfortable or disruptive to an activity being performed.

Accordingly, and in an effort to address these issues with conventional smart watches, smart watch devices and related methods are disclosed in which the smart watch includes a display screen which is rotatable with respect to the bands of the watch. In some respects, the present disclosure also describes techniques to rotate the smart watch display to precisely align it with the user's field of vision while performing a particular activity. When the display is rotated, along with the physical position of the watch display on the user, the information on the smart watch face may be displayed in a way that is aligned with the natural line of vision occurring while a particular activity is being performed. In some respects, the disclosed methods may allow a user to simultaneously receive external instructional information from their smart watch, process the information, and make the necessary physical motor functions to perform the activity, all without moving their wrist.

In some cases, the disclosed devices and methods may be used in connection with music education. For example, in some embodiments, educational music software may be displayed on smart watch devices using methods and techniques described herein. In some particular embodiments, the disclosed methods and devices may be used to learn and/or practice playing the guitar. For example, in some embodiments, traditional methods for displaying tabular music for the guitar may be formatted for display on a smart watch with a rotatable display screen. The tabular music may be rotated any suitable amount (e.g., 270 degrees) so that when the watch face is turned to face the user, the fretboard design of the application is oriented with the actual fretboard of the guitar itself, to provide the user with a more intuitive and helpful way to play the displayed notes.

The present disclosure may also utilize an "act first-display second" method. This means that the display face of the watch may be oriented to be optimally viewed during the activity being performed. In the case of utilizing a smart watch to play the guitar, the watch face may be positioned and displayed directly in the visual field that naturally occurs during guitar playing. A few specific orientations that may be used are as follows: for a right-handed guitar player, the smart watch may be placed on the left wrist, with the display facing inwards, resting on the inner part of the user's wrist and the display screen may be rotated approximately 280°, so that it aligns with the physical neck and fretboard of the guitar while the user plays, thereby augmenting the music notes to create a more user friendly, intuitive way of reading and playing music on the guitar. For a left-handed guitar player, the smart watch may be placed on the right wrist, with the display facing inwards, resting on the inner part of the user's wrist and the display screen may be rotated approximately 260°, so that it aligns with the physical neck and fretboard of the guitar while the user plays, thereby augmenting the music notes to create a more user friendly, intuitive way of reading and playing music on the guitar.

In some respects, the presently disclosed methods include, in some embodiments, a combination of both physically positioning a smart watch display on a user's wrist and precisely rotating the orientation of the screen display in such a way that makes the information being displayed on the device easily accessible while performing one or more particular activities. As explained below in detail, the smart watch may be physically positioned on a user such that the watch face is in the field of vision associated with whatever activity is being performed. This may, in some embodiments, be achieved using a wrist strap (alternatively referred to as a "band" or "wristband" herein) designed to ergonomically position the watch on either the underside or inside of the wrist. Various wrist straps are disclosed herein that are well-suited for use on the underside or inside of a user's wrist.

Through the combination of altering both the physical position of the smart watch display screen and precisely rotating the display screen to display content at an angle convenient for performing a given activity, the presently disclosed techniques can effectively create an augmented environment that displays information valuable to whatever activity is being performed directly in a user's field of vision during the activity is performed. Thus, the entire process of adjusting the user's vision from the activity being performed, stopping the activity being performed, and reading and processing instructions or information relevant to that activity before returning to the activity may be eliminated using the disclosed methods and devices. Disruptions, such as needing to consult instructions outside the natural field of vision while performing an activity, can cause a learner to lose focus and attention because they must consistently switch back and forth between learning and actually performing the activity they're learning. Using the disclosed methods and devices, relevant information may be displayed such that it is visible to the user while their wrist is in a natural position while performing an activity so the user may simultaneously learn and process new information while continuously performing the activity at hand, without losing focus or distraction, thereby creating a more effective learning process and environment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 A shows a side view of an exemplary smart watch in a fastened position, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. IB shows a top view of the exemplary smart watch shown in FIG. 1 A in an open position.

FIG. 2A shows an exemplary smart watch positioned with its face on a user's left posterior wrist in an open position, in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 2B shows the exemplary smart watch shown in FIG. 2A with its face on a user's left posterior wrist in a closed position. FIG. 3 A shows a side view of an exemplary smart watch strap in a closed position, in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 3B shows a top view of the exemplary smart watch strap shown in FIG. 3 A in an open position.

FIG. 4A shows an exemplary smart watch positioned on a user's right radial area of the wrist in an open position, in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 4B shows the exemplary smart watch shown in FIG. 4A in a closed position.

FIG. 5 A shows a top view of an exemplary smart watch in an open position, in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 5B shows the exemplary smart watch shown in FIG. 5 A positioned on a user's anterior (palmar) area of the wrist in an open position.

FIG. 5C shows the exemplary smart watch shown in FIG. 5 A positioned on a user's anterior (palmar) area of the wrist in a closed position.

FIG. 6A shows a top view of a conventional smart watch.

FIG. 6B shows the conventional smart watch shown in FIG. 6A on a user's left posterior wrist.

FIG. 7 shows a rotatable smart watch display positioned on a user's left posterior wrist, in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary rotatable smart watch display positioned on a user's left anterior (palmar) wrist, in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary rotatable smart watch display positioned on a user's right radial wrist area, in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary rotatable smart watch display positioned on a user's right anterior (palmar) wrist while the user plays the guitar, in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary rotatable smart watch display positioned on a user's right radial wrist while the user golfs, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary rotatable smart watch display positioned on a user's left posterior wrist as the user drives, in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows two exemplary rotatable smart watch displays, one on a user's left posterior wrist and one on the user's right posterior wrist, as the user plays the piano, in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 14A shows a user playing guitar while reading traditional sheet music.

FIG. 14B shows a user playing guitar using a smart watch with a rotatable display, in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 15A-15F show exemplary graphical content for a smart watch as described herein, in accordance with some embodiments of the subject disclosure.

It is to be understood that the drawings and figures are provided herein to describe a few exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure and should not be interpreted to limit the present disclosure to only the examples illustrated. Furthermore, numerous configurations and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the subject disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 A shows a side view of an exemplary smart watch 100 having a face 101 with two detachable wristbands 102, 103 attached to one another in a closed position. In some

embodiments, band 102 may be a base band and band 103 may be an adjustable band that feeds through base band 102 and fastens the watch to a user's wrist. Bands 102 and 103 may be of equal or unequal length, depending on desired specifications. FIG. IB shows a top view of smart watch 100 in an open position (with bands 102 and 103 unfastened).

FIG. 2A shows an exemplary smart watch 100 positioned on a user's left wrist. As shown in FIG. 2A, watch face 101 is positioned on the posterior wrist area 202 of the user. FIG. 2 A shows straps 102, 103 in an open (unfastened) position and FIG. 2B shows smart watch 100 with straps 102, 103 in a closed (fastened) position. FIG. 3A shows an exemplary smart watch 300 having a watch face 301 and two bands

302, 303 attached together. FIG. 3 A shows smart watch 300 in a closed (fastened) position and FIG. 3B shows smart watch 300 in an open (unfastened) position. As shown in FIGS. 3 A and 3B, band 302 has a length that is less than band 303. In some embodiments, bands 302 and 303 are each detachable from smart watch face 301. Band 302 may be, in some cases, a shorter base band and band 303 may be a longer adjustable band 303 that feeds through base band 302 to fasten the smart watch 300 on a user's wrist.

As shown in FIGS. 4 A and 4B, smart watch 300 may be ergonomically positioned on the radial area 204 of a user's wrist. FIG. 4A shows smart watch 300 in an open (unfastened) position with smart watch face 301 positioned on a user's right inner radial area 204 of the wrist. FIG. 4B shows smart watch 300 in a closed (fastened) position on a user's right inner radial area 204 of the wrist.

As opposed to having two bands of equal length, as shown in smart watch 100, smart watch 300 may include a longer adjustable strap 303 which may wrap all the way around the posterior wrist and ulna area, until it connects with the base band 302 on the anterior palmer region of the wrist, where it is fastened. This method of fastening the band here as opposed to the ulna side of the wrist, like bands of equal length would, may make the strap more comfortable and keeps the extra length of band 303 from extending away from the ulna area.

As shown in FIG. 3 A, smart watch 300 may also include a soft insert 304 to make watch 300 even more ergonomically efficient. Soft insert 304 may be shaped to conform to the curvature of the radial area 204 of the wrist, in some embodiments. Soft insert 304 may be made of any suitable material, including rubber, plastic, silicone, or another mildly deformable material. While the flat, traditional back of a watch face is suitable when positioned on the posterior wrist, which is also flat, a watch face with a flat back can create a rough, uncomfortable fit when placed on the radial area of the wrist. As soft insert 304 may be designed to mimic the contours of the radial wrist area, the level of comfort can be improved when smart watch 300 is worn on a user's radial area 204 of the wrist. If desired, smart watch 300 may also include an elastic strap 305 extending from opposing ends of soft insert 304. As will be appreciated, when smart watch 300 is fastened to a user's wrist, elastic strap 305 may be compressed and exert a pulling force on both sides of soft insert 304, further fastening the smart watch face 301 to the radial area 204 of the wrist.

FIG. 5 A shows a top view of an exemplary smart watch 400 having a display face 401 and bands 402 and 403, attached thereto. Bands 402 and 403 may be of equal or unequal length, as desired. In some embodiments, bands 402 and 403 are detachable from display face 401, while in other embodiments, bands 402 and 403 are non-detachable from display face 401. As shown in FIG. 5 A, bands 402 and 403 may be non-linear. In some embodiments, smart watch 401 includes an insert 404, positioned underneath bands 402, 403 and display face 401. Insert 404 may be formed of a thin rubber or other polymeric material (e.g., silicone) to prevent or reduce chafing during wear. As shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, smart watch 400 may be worn with display face 401 positioned on a user's anterior (palmer) wrist area 206. FIG. 5B shows smart watch 400 with bands 402 and 403 in an open (unfastened) position and FIG. 5C shows smart watch 400 with bands 402 and 403 in a closed (fastened) position. As shown in FIG. 5C, bands 402 and 403 wrap around the radial and ulna areas of the wrist until they fasten on the posterior wrist area 202 (not shown). By offsetting the pull force of each wrist strap, the smart watch face 401 is secured more tightly to the forearm area, which remains more constant during activity. This can reduce the chafing and discomfort that is experienced when using a traditional wrist band with a smart watch face on the anterior wrist area.

FIG. 6A shows a conventional smart watch 500 having a face 501 with a static, non-rotating display 504, showing the word "SAMPLE." The conventional smart watch 500 shown in FIG. 6A includes bands 502 and 503 on axis "A." As shown in FIG. 6A, display 504 is configured to display content on an axis "B," which is perpendicular to axis A. FIG. 6B shows conventional smart watch 500 on a user with non-rotating display 504 positioned on the user's posterior wrist 202. Since conventional smart watch 500 does not include a rotatable display, as a user moves the wrist, display 504 will not rotate with respect to axis A. For example, if the user's wrist and conventional smart watch 500 shown in FIG. 6B is rotated, axis B of display 504 will remain perpendicular to axis A and may no longer be aligned with the user's field of vision.

FIG. 7 shows a smart watch 600 with a rotatable display 604 on face 601, positioned on a user's wrist. In some embodiments, display 604 (which may also be referred to as a "display screen") is approximately circular, while in other embodiments, display 604 is approximately rectangular or approximately square. FIG. 7 illustrates an axis A in line with bands 602 and 603 and an axis B in line with display 604, and an axis C perpendicular to axis A. Angle Θ shown in FIG. 7 is the angle between axis A and axis B. Display 604 may be configured to display text, graphics, and/or other visual information at any angle Θ, relative to an axis formed by bands 602 and 603 (axis A in FIG. 7).

In a conventional smart watch, display 604 is configured to fixedly display visual information at a 90° angle from axis A. However, a smart watch 600 as described herein may have a rotatable display 604 configured to display text, graphics, and/or other visual information at an angle Θ relative to an axis A formed by bands 602 and 603, which is either greater than or less than 90° or greater than or less than 270°. In some embodiments, angle Θ may be between 0° and 89.5°, between 90.5° and 269.5°, or between 270.5° and 360°. For example, in some embodiments, the display 604 may be positioned on an axis B at an angle Θ relative to an axis A formed by bands 602 and 603, wherein angle Θ is between 5° and 85°, between 95° and 265°, or between 275° and 355°. In select embodiments, display 604 may be positioned at an angle Θ of approximately 45°, 135°, 225°, and/or 315°.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary smart watch 600 with a rotatable display screen 604 on face 601. In FIG. 8, smart watch 600 is positioned with face 601 on a user's left anterior (palmar) wrist area 206. The display screen 604 content is aligned with axis B, which is at an angle Θ from axis A. In FIG. 8, angle Θ is approximately 45°. FIG. 9 shows an exemplary smart watch 600 with a rotatable display screen 604 on a user's right wrist with face 601 positioned on the inner radial area 204 of the wrist. As shown in FIG. 9, axis B of screen display 604 is aligned with axis A (Θ = 0°) to display the content of smart watch 600 with the wearer's natural field of vision when the wrist is positioned as shown. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art upon consideration of the subject disclosure, the disclosed devices and methods may be used in connection with a wide variety of activities and in many different situations. For example, the disclosed devices and methods may be used in connection with informational/reference materials, educational materials, athletic/fitness activities, medical/emergency response situations, and/or hobby or leisure activities. A few particular example activities the disclosed devices and methods may be used in connection with include but are not limited to the following: music education, cooking, baking, sign language, athletics, trade skills, driving tools, navigation materials, auto repair, home repair, wildlife education, plant education and/or identification, drawing lessons, emergency response, and/or instruction manuals. Furthermore, the disclosed devices and methods may be used in any of the following contexts or for any of the following activities and/or professions: law enforcement, interactive product tutorials (e.g., for snowblowers, lawnmowers, etc.), technology companion

(e.g., live thesaurus while typing in a word document), basketball, cycling, dentistry, rock climbing, driving, telephone pole/powerline workers, motorcycling, dirt-biking, eating (e.g., to display nutritional information), fire fighters, bartending (e.g., by displaying drink recipes), public speaking, video camera operation, photography, product information during sales pitches, construction workers (e.g., displaying blueprints), physical therapy, surgery, massage, reiki, live communication between employees (e.g., sending information to groups of people regarding timely and important matters), teachers (e.g., to provide supplemental information to aid instruction), bowling, billiards, poker players and dealers, horse riding, boating, and/or fishing.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate example graphical content that may be displayed on a smart watch as described herein. In particular, FIG. 10 shows a user wearing a smart watch 600 on the right anterior (palmar) wrist area 206 and playing a guitar. Display screen 601 of smart watch 600 is shown displaying note instruction, which the user is mimicking on the guitar. Using a smart watch in this way may create a more continuous learning process as the player does not need to repeatedly switch their focus back and forth between reading the notes and playing the music. FIG. 11 shows a golfer lining up for a put. The rotatable display screen 604 of smart watch

600 has been positioned on the radial area of the wrist, to place it in the wearers field of vision.

FIG. 12 shows a driver with a hand on a steering wheel of a vehicle. The smart watch device 600 is worn in traditional posterior wrist area 202 and the contents of display screen 604 are aligned with the driver's natural field of vision when driving. FIG. 13 illustrates a user wearing a smart watch 600 on the left and right posterior wrist areas. As shown in FIG. 1, the rotatable screen display 604 allows the displayed content to be within the user's natural field of vision while playing the piano. The disclosed smart watch may thus allow the pianist to read and process instructions regarding finger placement and action, and thereby allow the user to make the necessary adjustments simultaneously.

Exemplary Methods

The disclosed smart watch devices may be produced using any suitable technique known to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the subject disclosure. For example, in some embodiments, the rotatable display for a smart watch may be configured to rotate when manually directed to do so by a user. In some such embodiments, the face of the smart watch may be equipped with a rotatable bezel. The rotation of the bezel may trigger an instruction to be sent to rotate the display screen to the same degree the bezel has been rotated. A smart watch equipped with manual rotation capabilities may allow a user to select the optimal amount of rotation desired for a particular activity and body position the user adopts to perform the activity.

In other embodiments, the rotatable display of the smart watch may be configured to rotate automatically during use based on a change in position sensed by a gyroscope inside the smart watch. In some such embodiments, a gyroscope and accelerometer present within the smart watch may be used to determine a plane that is aligned with the user's horizontal meridian. Based on the user's hand position (and therefore the position of the smart watch), the software may use the accelerometer and gyroscope sensory outputs to determine the degree of rotation necessary to align the display screen with the user's horizontal meridian. A smart watch equipped with automatic screen display rotation capabilities may provide numerous benefits, including ensuring that the information displayed on the smart watch display screen is always aligned with the user's horizontal meridian automatically.

Exemplary Implementation for Guitar Instruction Particular exemplary embodiments are described herein in which a smart watch that includes a rotatable display screen is configured and used for guitar instruction. In particular, tabular music notes, chords, scales and lyrics are provided to a user via a smart watch in real-time, thereby improving instruction and learning.

FIG. 14A shows a guitarist reading traditional sheet music while playing the guitar. As shown in FIG. 14A, the eyes of the guitarist must be aligned with the sheet music to read it. However, the guitarist must play notes on the fretboard with the left hand and if the guitarist wishes to view the fretboard, the guitarist must turn away from the sheet music and face the fretboard. In fact, most guitarists shift their field of vision from sheet music, to their hand, and to the fretboard while playing the guitar. In addition to these movements, the guitarist also must shift his/her gaze across the sheet music itself as a song is played from beginning to end. Minimizing this back and forth shift of vision and improving hand and eye coordination of the wrist on the fretboard is a skill that is continually practiced and worked on by guitarists.

FIG. 14B shows a guitarist wearing a smart watch 600 with a rotatable display screen 604, configured in accordance with some example embodiments described herein. By placing the notes that the guitarist must read in the same visual pathway used to perform the associated hand movements, the guitarist may more easily perform the task of reading and playing music.

FIGS. 15A-15F illustrate exemplary graphical content for the disclosed smart watches that may be used for guitar or other musical instruction. In particular, smart watches configured in accordance with the subject disclosure may display any of the content shown in FIGS. 15A-15F. FIG. 15A shows tabular guitar chords (B7, D, F chord progression sequence) in tabular notation. FIG. 15B shows tabular guitar scales with the frets to play for each scale. In particular, FIG. 15B shows four notes of the major pentatonic scale, pattern 1, in sequence.

FIG. 15C shows a horizontally scrolling fretboard background that extends off either side of the watch faces' screen, and scrolls left or right depending on what is necessary for the song being played. The scrolling background mimics the wrist moving left or right on the fretboard.

In some embodiments, lyrics to a song may be shown on a smart watch display screen along with the chord name for associated chords (e.g., with or without fretboard tabular notation). FIG. 15D shows lyrics to a song on the same screen as the tabular notation for music notes that are associated with the particular lyrics at that particular time in the song. Displaying lyrics and musical notes in this way may make the difficult task of simultaneously singing and playing an instrument easier to learn and practice.

In some embodiments, the smart watch may be configured to simultaneously display notes to be immediately played as well as provide information regarding notes or chords to be played next. FIG. 15E shows a display screen showing the "next in sequence" note, chord, or tab, on the same screen as the current notes being played. In particular, FIG. 15E is shown displaying a "G" chord on top of the screen in larger text side along with chords in tabular notation on the fretboard and the chord "C" shown at the bottom of the screen. The screen shown in FIG. 15E indicates that a "G" chord should currently be played and that a "C" chord is the next chord to be played. The type of display information shown in FIG. 15E may help a user subconsciously learn the order of songs and prepare the user for the upcoming notes in the musical arrangement.

In some particular embodiments, animated movement of strings on a fretboard may be displayed on a smart watch display screen to mimic the vibrations that occur when one actually plays a guitar string. This screen display may show the user which string to play for a particular note. In these and other embodiments, the display screen may light up a particular guitar string to be played in conjunction with the associated note at a given time in the song. Also, in some embodiments, an animated strum pattern of the strings may be displayed on a smart watch display screen to mimic the vibrations that occur when a player is strumming the strings of a chord. This may allow a user to intuitively practice the rhythm and strumming pattern for any given song. Numerous configurations and variations are possible and contemplated. In select embodiments, the smart watch may include a speaker device, which may be configured to provide feedback regarding the performance of an attempted song. In some such embodiments, the smart watch may be configured to measure the deviance of the played notes from the correct notes (which may be preloaded in a database or elsewhere) and to provide feedback regarding percent accuracy. In some embodiments, an accelerometer within the smart watch may be used to create a responsive scrolling background that changes based on the user's hand position on the fretboard of the guitar. In some such embodiments, the user may configure the smart watch to display this information by initially inputting the length of the fretboard and the appropriate scrolling may then be calibrated from that information. Also, in some embodiments, the display screen may be further calibrated by having a user test checkpoints.

In some embodiments, the smart watch may also have an outer bezel which may be used to capture the content of the display screen and then rotate the captured content between 0.5° and 369.5° to provide an optimal display for the user. FIG. 15F shows a traditional smart watch display oriented perpendicular to the wristbands. As the user rotates the physical watch bezel, the display screen is rotated simultaneously to achieve an optimal viewing angle depending on the activity being performed. In the case of using the smart watch to play guitar, the optimal rotation may be approximately 270°.

Exemplary Implementation for Driving Activities

The presently disclosed smart watches may also be particularly useful during driving activities. For example, when a user performs a hands-on activity, such as driving a vehicle, it is very important that their vision is focused on the road in front of them. The disclosed smart watch devices may be used to allow a driver to more completely focus on driving by providing navigation information or other pertinent content to the driver's wrist such that the information is easily visible to the driver without any wrist movement being necessary. Conventional smartphones require a driver to break focus from the road in front of them to view and process information on a display screen. Similarly, with a conventional smartwatch, a user must break focus from their horizontal meridian and the road in front of them to adjust and accommodate the angle of the displayed information on the smartwatch. A smart watch having a rotatable display screen, as described herein, may advantageously align the content on the smart watch display screen with the driver's line of vision, thereby eliminating the need to break focus from the road.

Claims

1. A smart watch including a rotatable display screen, the smart watch comprising: a face including a display screen; a first band attached to the face; and a second band attached to the face, wherein the first band and the second band are positioned along an axis A and the display screen is configured to display visual information on an axis B, wherein axis B is positioned at an angle Θ, which is not perpendicular to axis A.

2. The smart watch of claim 1, wherein angle Θ is between 0° and 89.5°, between 90.5° and 269.5°, or between 270.5° and 360°.

3. The smart watch of claim 2, wherein angle Θ is between 5° and 85°, between 95° and 265°, or between 275° and 355°.

4. The smart watch of claim 3, wherein angle Θ is approximately 45°, 135°, 225°, or 315°.

5. The smart watch of claim 1, wherein the first band is attachable to and detachable from the second band.

6, The smart watch of claim 5, wherein the first band and the second band each have an approximately equal length.

7. The smart watch of claim 5, wherein the first band has a length that is greater than a length of the second band.

8 The smart watch of claim 1, wherein the first band and the second band are non-linear.

9. The smart watch of claim 1, wherein the display screen is approximately circular.

10. The smart watch of claim 1, wherein the display screen is approximately rectangular or approximately square.

11. The smart watch of claim 1 further comprising a soft insert positioned underneath the face of the smart watch.

12. The smart watch of claim 1 further comprising an insert positioned underneath the face of the smart watch and extending underneath the first band and the second band.

13. The smart watch of claim 12, wherein the insert comprises a polymeric material.

14. The smart watch of claim 13, wherein the polymeric material is silicon or rubber.

15. The smart watch of claim 1, wherein the display screen is configured to rotate based on a selection made manually by a user.

16. The smart watch of claim 1, wherein the display screen is configured to rotate automatically during use based on a change in position sensed by a gyroscope inside the smart watch.

17. The smart watch of claim 1, wherein an accelerometer within the smart watch creates a responsive scrolling background on the display screen that changes based on a user's hand or wrist position.

18. A method of displaying content on a smart watch, the method comprising: providing a smart watch having a rotatable display, the smart watch comprising: a face including a display screen; a first band attached to the face; and a second band attached to the face, wherein the first band and the second band are positioned along an axis A and the display screen is configured to display visual information on an axis B, wherein axis B is positioned at an angle Θ, which is not perpendicular to axis A; and selecting the angle Θ of the display screen.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the selected angle Θ is between 0° and 89.5°, between 90.5° and 269.5°, or between 270.5° and 360°.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the selected angle Θ is between 5° and 85°, between 95° and 265°, or between 275° and 355°.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the selected angle Θ is approximately 45°, 135°, 225°, or 315°.

The method of claim 18, wherein selecting the angle Θ is performed manually by a user.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein selecting the angle Θ is accomplished by moving a bezel on the face of the smart watch.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein selecting the angle Θ is performed automatically by the smartwatch.

25. The method of claim 18, wherein an accelerometer within the smart watch creates a responsive scrolling background on the display screen that changes based on a user's hand or wrist position.