Abstract: A wrist-wearable device comprises a module connector for enabling the connection of modules while the wrist-wearable device remains actively worn by a user. Several connectors can be devised following a similar set of rules that provide mechanical, electrical and possibly sealing connectivity between a wrist-wearable device and a module while still being operable with one hand by their users. Locking features and mechanisms and corresponding non-trivial, yet one-hand operable unlocking mechanisms for module release can be used to secure modules against wrist-wearable devices. Such a connector system as applied to a watch enables watch functionality to be extended and/or enhanced without requiring replacement of the watch itself while still offering users an effective user experience that enables them to connect and disconnect modules throughout the day without having to take their watch off.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides several embodiments of a dynamically-reconfigurable storage device. A primary feature of a dynamically-reconfigurable storage device is that it appears to a data store accessing device, such as a PC, as if it were an actual data store, say a USB thumb drive, whereas in reality the dynamically-reconfigurable storage device hosts several virtual data stores, each of which may be dynamically selectable to be made individually visible to the connected data store accessing device each as a separate actual data store. As such, a single dynamically-reconfigurable storage device is configurable to store what may appear, for example, as several individual USB thumb drives whereas said dynamically-reconfigurable storage device uses a single SD card to store all those virtual USB thumb drives.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides several embodiments of a dynamically-reconfigurable storage device. A primary feature of a dynamically-reconfigurable storage device is that it appears to a data store accessing device, such as a PC, as if it were an actual data store, say a USB thumb drive, whereas in reality the dynamically-reconfigurable storage device hosts several virtual data stores, each of which may be dynamically selectable to be made individually visible to the connected data store accessing device each as a separate actual data store. As such, a single dynamically-reconfigurable storage device is configurable to store what may appear, for example, as several individual USB thumb drives whereas said dynamically-reconfigurable storage device uses a single SD card to store all those virtual USB thumb drives.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides several embodiments of a module-driven smartwatch. A leading aspect of a module-driven smartwatch is that it automatically reconfigures its user interface and experience based on the modules that are attached to it. In one embodiment, the module-driven smartwatch comprises a frontend processing unit powered by a primary battery and mainly configured for time-keeping and user-interfacing, a backend processing unit mainly configured for providing conventional “smartwatch”-like capabilities, and a module connector. In this embodiment, the backend processing unit's operation is contingent on power provided by a module connected to the module connector. In another embodiment, the module-driven smartwatch is much the same as a conventional smartwatch, except for its user interface and experience being driven by module attachment, operation and removal. In all cases, a module-driven smartwatch enables hardware extensibility and/or substitution without requiring smartwatch replacement.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides several embodiments of a watch module connector for enabling the connection of self-contained modules to a watch. Several embodiments are provided for watch module connectors that are operable by the user with one hand while still the watch remains attached to the opposite wrist. Rules are provided for designing watch module connectors that provide mechanical, electrically and possibly sealing connectivity between a watch and a module while still being operable with one hand by their users. Embodiments provided illustrate the use of locking mechanisms for securing attached modules and corresponding non-trivial, yet one-hand operable unlocking mechanisms for module release.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a portable processing unit add-on computing device for mobile devices. In one embodiment, the portable processing unit add-on comprises one or more processors, memory and means for remotely displaying and receiving input for its user interface. The portable processing unit add-on interacts with the mobile device in order to allow the mobile device's user to access the portable processing unit's functionality. The portable processing unit typically, but not necessarily, includes a desktop-grade processor, such as one based on the Intel™ x86 architecture, and runs a desktop-grade operating system such as Microsoft Windows™ or Ubuntu Linux™.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a portable processing unit add-on computing device for mobile devices. In one embodiment, the portable processing unit add-on comprises one or more processors, memory and means for remotely displaying and receiving input for its user interface. The portable processing unit add-on interacts with the mobile device in order to allow the mobile device's user to access the portable processing unit's functionality. The portable processing unit typically, but not necessarily, includes a desktop-grade processor, such as one based on the Intel™ x86 architecture, and runs a desktop-grade operating system such as Microsoft Windows™ or Ubuntu Linux™.