DETECTION MODULE

The present disclosure provides a detection module including a carrier configured to be adjustable to at least partially conform to a shape of a wearable object. The detection module further includes a sensing element in contact with the carrier and at least partially exposed from the carrier.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a detection module, and in particular, to a detection module of a wearable object to monitor health status of subjects.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the development of technology, the demand for providing healthcare using advanced technology is increasing. Many sensors are used to detect or otherwise receive health-related information (e.g., biosignals) from subjects to monitor their health status.

SUMMARY

In some arrangements, a detection module includes a carrier configured to be adjustable to at least partially conform to a shape of a wearable object, and a sensing element supported by the carrier and at least partially exposed from the carrier.

In some arrangements, a detection module includes an adjustable carrier configured to be attachable to and detachable from a wearable object that is at least partially covered by the adjustable carrier. The detection module also includes a sensing element supported by the adjustable carrier. The sensing element is configured to detect information of a user wearing the wearable object.

In some arrangements, a detection module includes an adjustable carrier configured to be attachable to and detachable from a region of a wearable object. The region of the wearable object is at least partially covered by the adjustable carrier and adjacent to a user's skin when the wearable object is worn by the user. The detection module also includes a sensing element supported by the adjustable carrier and at least partially exposed from the adjustable carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The arrangements disclosed herein relate to electronic devices and methods of manufacturing the same. In particular, the arrangements disclosed herein relate to electronic devices used to obtain biosignals of subjects and methods of manufacturing the same with improved convenience and accuracy.

FIG.1Ais a cross-sectional view of a detection module1in accordance with some arrangements of the present disclosure. The detection module1may include a carrier10and a sensing element11. In some arrangements, the detection module1may be configured to be used in combination with a wearable object13(also referred to herein as an “object”).

The object13may be a device or a component. In some arrangements, the object13may be or include an ear plug as illustrated inFIG.1A. It should be noted that the application and usage of the detection module1to the object13as illustrated in the figures are for illustrative purposes only, and not intended to limit the present disclosure. In another example, in some arrangements, the detection module1of the present disclosure may be used in combination with or applied to an earpiece41as illustrated inFIG.4A, a watch42as illustrated inFIG.4B, a pair of glasses43as illustrated inFIG.4C, a skin patch, ring, belt, headband, neckband, wristband, shoe insole, garment, mobile device, or any other wearable components. The detection module1of the present disclosure may be configured to be used in combination with any wearable object, wearable device, or electronic device in the manner described herein.

In some arrangements, the detection module1itself may be any wearable device or any electronic device. For example, in some arrangements, the detection module1of the present disclosure may be a hat or a helmet lining as illustrated inFIG.4D. In some arrangements, the detection module1of the present disclosure may be directly attached, connected, or fixed to a user's body (without any object such as the objects13,41,42, and43).

The carrier10and the object13may be manufactured separately first and then operatively coupled together in some examples. In other words, the carrier10and the object13may be separate articles. In some arrangements, the carrier10may also referred as a “coat,” given that as shown, the carrier10may cover at least a portion of the object13, thus functioning as a coat of the object13. The carrier10may be attached, connected, or fixed to the object13. For example, the carrier10may be mounted on the object13. For example, the carrier10may be directly attached to the object13. In some arrangements, the carrier10may be attached to the object13through other equipment or carriers. In some arrangements, the carrier10may be attached to the object13through an adhesive, a solder paste, or other medium. In some arrangements, the carrier10may be attached to the object13through bonding, stapling, or other ways. When the carrier10is operatively coupled to the object13, the carrier10may at least partially enclose, wrap, cover, or surround the object13, thus functioning as both a supporter to support the sensing element11and a coat to at least partially cover the object13. In some arrangements, when the carrier10is operatively coupled to the object13, the carrier10or at least a portion thereof is in contact with or adjacent to a surface of the object13that facing the user (e.g., the skin or another suitable part of the user). In some arrangements, the carrier10can be configured to conform to the shape of the object13by virtue of the shape of the carrier10being capable of physical manipulation. In other words, the shape of the carrier10may be flexibly adjusted to conform to the shape of the object13. In some arrangements, the shape of the carrier10may flexibly adjusted to cover and be further supported by the object13. For example, the shape, material, or the outline of the carrier10can be configured to be adjustable (e.g., at least one of twistable, stretchable, expandable, bendable, or flexible) to fit the shape (e.g., the exterior surface) of the object13. In some arrangements, when the carrier10is attached to the object13, the carrier10may be in contact with or adjacent to the skin of the user of the object13. For example, when the carrier10is attached to the object13, the carrier10may be in contact with or adjacent to a part or a region of the user for which the signals or biosignals are to be detected. The shape of the carrier10may also at least partially conform to a shape of the part or the region of the user so that the sensing element11supported by the carrier10can detect signals or biosignals from the user more precisely. In some examples, when the object13with the carrier10coupled thereto is worn by the user, at least a portion of the carrier10may be between the object13and the user.

In some arrangements, the carrier10may be made from one or more materials that are adjustable. For example, the carrier10can be made from a fabric (such as a woven fabric), fibers (such as textile fibers, natural fibers, and synthetic fibers), a composite material including fibers, or other suitable materials such as a stretchable material, an elastic material, a soft material, a flexible material, or so on. The carrier10may be stretchable and flexible enough to conform to the object13. For example, when the carrier10is used in combination with the object13, the carrier10is deformed from its original state (e.g., stretched or otherwise physically manipulated) to conform to the shape of the object13. For example, the carrier10may lean on and be structurally supported by the object13. In some arrangements, the carrier10may include at least one material which can resist a high stress, impact, twisting, or other physical or structural changes once operatively coupled to the object. In some examples, the carrier10may be made from a resilient material. In some arrangements, the carrier10may be water-resistant, water-repellent, or waterproof.

In some arrangements, the carrier10may have a surface (or an internal surface)101and a surface102(or an external surface) opposite to the surface101. The surface101may define a space for receiving the object13. The surface101may face the object13. When the object13is operatively coupled to the carrier10, at least a part of the surface101may be supported by the object13, in contact with the object13or be at least adjacent to the object13. When the object13(such as an ear plug) is worn by a user, the surface102of the carrier10may be in contact with or adjacent to the user, and the surface101of the carrier10may be physically spaced apart from the user (by at least a thickness of the carrier10). When the object13(such as an ear plug) is worn by a user, the object13may be physically spaced apart from the user (by at least the thickness of the carrier10), and the carrier10may be between the object13and the user.

In some arrangements, as illustrated inFIG.1A, the carrier10may have one open end and one closed end opposite to the open end. The closed end may face, be adjacent to, or contact the user when the object13is worn by the user. The open end may face in a direction extending away from the user when the object13is worn by the user. However, in other arrangements, the carrier10may have two open ends.

In some arrangements, the sensing element11may be physically separated from the object13. For example, the sensing element11and the object13may be separate articles and manufactured separately. For example, the sensing element11may be physically separated from the object13through the carrier10. In some arrangements, the sensing element11may be insulated from the object13, such that air or another insulating component is between the sensing element11and the object13. The sensing element11may be supported by the carrier10. The sensing element11may be at least partially integrated within (e.g., embedded in or connected to) the carrier10. The sensing element11may be a part of the carrier10. At least a portion of the sensing element11may be surrounded by, embedded in, or covered by the carrier10. The sensing element11may be in contact with the carrier10. At least a portion of the sensing element11may be at least partially exposed by the carrier10. For example, the sensing element11may be at least partially exposed by the surface102(such as illustrated inFIG.1B). As shown inFIG.1B, a surface of the sensing element11is exposed from the surface102. In some arrangements, the sensing element11may be substantially coplanar with the surface102and/or the surface101. When the object13(with the carrier10attached to it) is worn by a user, the sensing element11may be in contact with the user through the surface102. For example, when the object13(with the carrier10attached to it) is worn by a user, the sensing element11may directly contact the user. For example, when the object13(with the carrier10attached to it) is worn by a user, the surface102may face the user (e.g., the skin or another suitable part of the user). For example, when the object13(with the carrier10attached to it) is worn by a user, the sensing element11may be disposed between the carrier10and the user (e.g., the skin or another suitable part of the user).

In some arrangements, the sensing element11may be at least partially exposed by both opposite sides (e.g., the surface101and the surface102) of the carrier10, as illustrated inFIG.1C. When the carrier10is turned inside out, the object13may be instead received in the space defined by the surface102(similar to the surface101shown inFIG.1A), and the surface101may be the external surface (which faces away from the object13, similar to the surface102shown inFIG.1A). When the object13(with the carrier10attached to it) is worn by a user, the sensing element11may be in contact with the user through the surface101instead of the surface102. Therefore, the sensing element11may be in contact with the user either through the surface102or through the surface101, providing further implementation flexibility. For example, when the object13(with the carrier10attached to it) is worn by a user, the sensing element11may directly contact the user. For example, when the object13(with the carrier10attached to it) is worn by a user, the surface101may face the user (e.g., the skin or another suitable part of the user).

In some arrangements, the sensing element11may include electrodes. As shown inFIGS.1A and2A, the sensing element11includes three strips of electrodes, although any number of elements or units of the sensing element11can be implemented. In some arrangements, the sensing element11may be used to detect or collect information such as one or more signals (e.g., electric signals including voltage and/or current) from a location of the user that is external to the detection module1. For example, the sensing element11may be used to detect one or more electric signals associated with the user of the detection module1. For example, the sensing element11may be used to detect one or more electric signals that can be transformed or converted to biosignals of the user. In some arrangements, the biosignals may include signals in living beings. In some arrangements, the biosignals may include time, space, or space-time records of a biological event such as a beating heart or a contracting muscle. In some arrangements, the biosignals may include signals that can be continually monitored. In some arrangements, the biosignals may include signals that cannot be continually monitored. In some arrangements, the biosignals may include electrical biosignals. For example, the electric signals may be further processed (for example, through the package20inFIG.2A) to generate or determine a biological parameter of the user, such as a pulse travel time (PTT), an electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG), electrooculogram (EOG), galvanic skin response (GSR), sweat composition, pH, heart rate variability (HRV), or other biologically-relevant information associated with the user. In some arrangements, the sensing element11may be used to detect or collect information other than electric signals, such as a temperature of the user.

In some arrangements, the sensing element11may include conductive ink (which may include conductive particles such as conductive nanoparticles), conductive yarn, or combinations thereof. In some arrangements, the conductive ink or the conductive yarn may be electrically connected with an electronic device (such as the electronic device20ainFIG.2A). In some arrangements, the sensing element11may be formed by implanting or weaving the conductive yarn with the carrier10. In some arrangements, the sensing element11may be formed by filling or printing the conductive ink in the carrier10. In some arrangements, the sensing element11may be configured to be at least one of twistable, stretchable, expendable, bendable, or flexible. For example, the sensing element11may be stretched along with the carrier10to conform to the shape of the object13by virtue of the shape of the sensing element11being capable of physical manipulation. In some arrangements, the shape of sensing element11may flexibly adjusted to cover the object13. For example, the shape, material, or the outline of the sensing element11can be configured to be adjustable (e.g., at least one of twistable, stretchable, expandable, bendable, or flexible) to fit the shape (e.g., the exterior surface) of the object13.

Sensors may be integrated into the housing or case of an object (or a device or a component, such as a wearable device or electronic device) or into garments, to obtain information or signals about the user's physical activities and/or health condition (e.g., biosignals). In other arrangements, the carrier10may be omitted, and the sensing element11may be integrated in a housing or a case of the object13to add a detection function to the object13.

However, more sensors may be required to integrate into the housing or into the garments to add the detection functionality. As a result, size and weight of the housing or garments will inevitably increase if the carrier10is omitted, which may adversely affect user experience.

In addition, the sensors may be needed to remain constantly affixed to the skin of the user or for at least a period of time in order to obtain biosignals. However, the housing or the garments may have a definite shape which may not be well-suited or comfortable for all users. Connections between the sensors and the user may become unstable from time to time. For example, sensors may fall or detach from the user due to user activities or movement, which can also generate motion artifacts and signal distortion, thus hindering measurement accuracy and efficiency.

According to some arrangements of the present disclosure, the materials and/or the textures (e.g., the fabric textures) of the sensing element11and the carrier10may improve skin-friendliness, and may enhance connection stability between the sensing element11and the skin. In some examples, the sensing element11may remain affixed, attached, or otherwise coupled to the skin or at least the chances of detachment may be decreased during use. For example, given that the sensing element11and the carrier10may be between the object13and the skin of the user, and that the shapes of the sensing element11and the carrier10are stretchable and flexible, the sensing element11and the carrier10may be pressed against the skin and may be tightly held between the object13and the skin without irritating the skin or making the user uncomfortable.

In addition, by integrating the sensing element11in the carrier10, the sensing element11may be attached to the object13to add a detection function to the original function of the object13or may be detached from the object13to remove the detection function, depending on the user's needs at that moment. In other words, the carrier10may be configured to be removably attached to the object13(detachable or removable with respect to the object13in an ad hoc manner). The carrier10may be detached from the object13without breaking the carrier10, the sensing element11, and the object13. In some examples, the carrier10may be replaceable or changeable. Alternatively, the object13may be replaceable or changeable. This is convenient and cost-effective for the user, such that the user can use one object13with multiple carriers10and sensing elements11or can use one carrier10and sensing element11with multiple objects13.

In some arrangements, the sensing element11may have a pattern, such as strips, blocks, or meshes. In some arrangements, the pattern of the sensing element11may help to improve the level of comfort while the object13(with the carrier10attached to it) is worn by the user. In some arrangements, the pattern of the sensing element11may help to increase the coverage of the sensing element11on the carrier10to increase the contact area with the user to improve comfort, and to improve the integrity if biosignals obtained through the sensing element11.

The positions, functions, patterns, and numbers of sensing elements in the detection module1are not intended to limit the present disclosure. There may be any number of sensing elements in the detection module1due to design requirements.

FIG.2Ais a cross-section of a detection module2in accordance with some arrangements of the present disclosure.FIG.2Bis a perspective view of a portion of the detection module2. The detection module2is similar to the detection module1inFIG.1A, and similar features are not described for the sake of brevity. The differences between the detection module1and the detection module2are described as follows.

The detection module2includes a package20(e.g., a semiconductor device package). The package20may be electrically connected to the sensing element11through a connector22w. In some arrangements, the connector22wmay include a flexible printed circuit (FPC), a conductive wire, a redistribution layer (RDL), or combinations thereof. In other arrangements, the sensing element11may be connected to the package20using alternative method(s) or component(s). For example, the sensing element11may be connected to the package20using any bridging element and/or any conductive pad. In some arrangements, a physical connection such as the connector22wmay be omitted, and the sensing element11may communicate with the package20through wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular networks, near field communication (NFC), or any other wireless communication techniques).

As shown inFIG.2B, the connector22wmay be connected with the connector20cthrough a clamp23. In some arrangements, the clamp23may be integral with the connector20c, and the connector22wmay be connected to or disconnected from the connector20cas needed.

In some arrangements, the transmission path between the sensing element11and the package20may be external to the object13and the carrier10as shown inFIG.2A. For example, the transmission path between the sensing element11and the package20may be outside of the object13and the carrier10(external to external surfaces of the object13and the carrier10). For example, the transmission path between the sensing element11and the package20may be not integrated with or embedded in the object13and the carrier10.

In some arrangements, the sensing element11may be configured to be used in combination with the package20for further processing signals collected through the sensing element11. For example, the sensing element11may be used to detect one or more biosignals (which may also be referred to as a “first signal”) of the user. The biosignals may be pre-processed to obtain a second signal, which is transmitted from the sensing element11to the package20through a wired or wireless communication as described. For example, the second signal from the sensing element11can be further processed (e.g., converted to a digital signal, amplified, stored, transmitted, etc.) by the package20. In some arrangements, the second signal can be processed to generate or determine a biological parameter of the user listed above, such as PTT, EEG, ECG, EMG, and so on. In some arrangements, the package20may be external to the object13. As shown inFIG.2A, in some examples, the package20may be in direct contact with the object13. In some examples, the package20may be integrated with the object13. In other examples, the package20may be physically spaced apart from (e.g., not directly contacting) the object13by a gap or by another element. In some arrangements, the package20may be integrated into the carrier10. In some arrangements, the package20may be integrated with the sensing element11in the carrier10.

In some arrangements, the package20may include a system-in-package (SiP). For example, the package20may include an electronic device20a, a substrate20b, and a connector20c. The electronic device20aand the connector20cmay be disposed on the substrate20b. The electronic device20amay be electrically connected to the sensing element11through the substrate20b, the connector20c, and the connector22w.

In some arrangements, the electronic device20amay be a chip or a die including a semiconductor substrate, one or more integrated circuit devices, and one or more overlying interconnection structures therein. The integrated circuit devices may include active devices such as transistors and/or passive devices such resistors, capacitors, inductors, or combinations thereof. In some arrangements, the electronic device20amay include a data conversion component, a processing component, a storage component, a transmission component, or combinations thereof. In some arrangements, the electronic device20amay include a motion sensor, such as an accelerometer or a gyroscope. In some arrangements, the biosignals obtained by the sensing element11may be processed (e.g., enhanced) by the electronic device20abased on one or more algorithms using the motion sensor to remove motion artifacts.

In some arrangements, the detection module2may include a power supply. In some arrangements, the detection module2may be powered by an electronic device (such as the earpiece41inFIG.4A) to which the detection module2is attached. For example, the sensing element11may be powered by a power supply in the object13through a wired communication or a wireless communication. In another example, the package20may be powered by a power supply in the object13through a wired communication or a wireless communication. In some arrangements, the power supply may be integrated in the package20.

In some arrangements, the detection module2has a detection component for collecting biosignals from the user and a processing part for processing the collected biosignals. The processing part may be integrated into (e.g., connected to, embedded in, or otherwise operatively coupled to) the package20. The detection component and the processing part may be physically separated. In some arrangements, the detection component and the processing part may be separate articles and manufactured separately. In some arrangements, the detection component may be physically separated from the processing part through air or another component. In some arrangements, the detection component and the processing part may be distinct articles. As shown inFIG.2A, the sensing element11and the package20may be physically separated and not in direct contact with one another. By separating the sensing element11and the package20, the detection component of the detection module2may be further miniaturized.

FIG.3Ais a cross-section of a detection module3in accordance with some arrangements of the present disclosure.FIG.3Bis a perspective view of a portion of the detection module3. The detection module3is similar to the detection module2inFIG.2A, and similar features are not described for the sake of brevity. The differences between the detection module2and the detection module3are described as follows.

The detection module3includes magnets30and30′ and connectors30wand30′wto connect the package20and the sensing element11. The connectors30wand30′wmay be conductive wires. As shown, the package20, and in particular the connector20cis connected to or otherwise operatively coupled to the magnet30′ via the connector30′w. The sensing element11is connected to or otherwise operatively coupled to the magnet30via the connector30w. For example, a terminal or an input/output port30w1of the sensing element11may be connected to or otherwise operatively coupled to the connector30w. By connecting the magnets30and30′, a communication path is formed such that signals can be communicated from the sensing element11, through the connector30w, the magnet30, the magnet30′, the connector30w′, to the connector20c. The selecting mating of the magnets30and30′ can be used to communicably connect the package20and the sensing element11as needed.

As shown inFIG.3B, each of the magnet30or30′ has a base30b, at least one magnetic part30m, and at least one conducting part30c. The magnetic part30mmay help to fix or position the conducting part30c. For example, when the magnetic part30mof the magnet30mates with the magnetic part30mof the magnet30′ due to magnetic attraction, the conduct part30cof the magnet30aligns with and comes in contact with the conductive part30cof the magnet30′, thus completing the communication path.

FIG.3Cis a cross-section of a detection module in accordance with some arrangements of the present disclosure. The detection module3′ inFIG.3Cis similar to the detection module3inFIG.3A, and similar features are not described for the sake of brevity. The differences between the detection module x and the detection module3are described as follows.

As shown inFIG.3C, the connector30wis integrated within (e.g., at least partially embedded in an interior volume of) the object13. The connector30wmay be formed on a surface of the object13. At least a portion of the connector30wmay be formed on an external surface of the object13, such as on a housing of the object13. When the carrier10is attached to the object13, the sensing element11may align, come in contact with, and become electrically connected with the connector30w. The sensing element11may be electrically connected with the package20through the connector30w.

FIG.3Dis an exploded view of the detection module3inFIG.3Ain accordance with some arrangements of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.3AandFIG.3D, in some arrangements, the carrier10may be attachable to the object13as shown inFIG.3A. In some arrangements, the carrier10may be detachable from the object13as shown inFIG.3D.

FIG.3Eis a cross-sectional view of the detection module3inFIG.3Awhile being worn by a user in accordance with some arrangements of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG.3E, in some arrangements, the surface101of the carrier10may be flexibly adjusted to cover the object13. The surface102of the carrier10may be flexibly adjusted according to a shape, a size, and/or a profile of a user's skin (such as a user's ear canal). The surface102of the carrier10may be flexibly adjusted to be conformed to a shape, a size, and/or a profile of the ear canal of the user so that the sensing element11supported by the carrier10can detect signals or biosignals from the user more precisely. In some arrangements, the carrier10may function as a buffer between the object13and the user's skin. For example, the carrier10may provide a buffer distance between the object13and the user's skin. For example, the carrier10may buffer the distance between the object13and the user's skin. In some arrangements, the thicknesses of the carrier10on different locations may be different. For example, the thickness10t1and the thickness10t2may be different. For example, the thickness10t1may be non-uniform. In some arrangements, the carrier10may help to press the sensing element11against the ear canal of the user so that the sensing element11supported by the carrier10can detect signals or biosignals from the user more precisely. In some arrangements, the sensing element11and the carrier10may be pressed against the ear canal of the user and may be tightly held between the object13and the ear canal of the user without irritating the skin or making the user uncomfortable. In some arrangements, the carrier10may function as a buffer between the sensing element11and the object13. For example, the carrier10may provide a buffer distance between the sensing element11and the user's skin. For example, the carrier10may buffer the distance between the sensing element11and the user's skin. In some arrangements, the carrier10may be flexibly adjusted to be conformed to a shape, a size, and/or a profile of the ear canal of everyone.

In some arrangements, the user's ear canal may be uneven, and the carrier10may help to press at least one of the sensing elements11(such as the sensing element11a1) against the ear canal of the user. In some arrangements, some of the sensing elements11(such as the sensing elements11a2and11a3) may not press against the ear canal of the user as the sensing element11a1does. The sensing element11a2may contact the ear canal of the user on one side and be spaced apart from the ear canal of the user on the other side. The sensing element11a3may be spaced apart from the ear canal of the user on both sides. In some arrangements, the package20(such as the electronic device20aor another electronic device thereof) may receive and select the best (such as the clearest or the most complete) signals or biosignals. In some arrangements, the package20(such as the electronic device20aor another electronic device thereof) may process the signals or biosignals through a weighting process by emphasizing the contribution of the sensing element11a1over the sensing elements11a2and11a3to an outcome or result. In some arrangements, the package20(such as the electronic device20aor another electronic device thereof) may obtain an outcome or result based on the average signals or biosignals. By doing so, a more precise biological parameter of the user may be obtained.

FIGS.4A,4B,4C, and4Dare perspective views of the detection module1ofFIG.1Abeing applied to a device in accordance with some arrangements of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG.4A, the earpiece41(e.g., an object) may be partially covered by the carrier10. When the earpiece41is worn, the surface102of the carrier10may be in contact with the user, and the sensing element11may be in contact with the user through the surface102.

As shown inFIG.4B, the watch42(e.g., an object) may be partially covered by the carrier10. When the watch42is worn, the surface102of the carrier10may be in contact with the user, and the sensing element11may be in contact with the user through the surface102.

As shown inFIG.4C, the temples of the pair of glasses43(e.g., an object) may be partially covered by the carrier10. When the pair of glasses43is worn, the surface102of the carrier10may be in contact with the user, and the sensing element11may be in contact with the user through the surface102.

As shown inFIG.4D, the detection module may be a hat or a helmet lining (without any object such as the earpiece41, the watch42, the glasses43, or so on). When the hat or helmet lining is worn, the surface101of the carrier10may be in contact with the user, and the sensing element11may be in contact with the user through the surface101.

As used herein, the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” may include a plurality of referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.