Abstract:
Embodiments relate generally to wearable electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and to wearable/mobile computing devices. More specifically, various embodiments are directed to, for example, conductive structures for a flexible substrate, a component coupled to the flexible substrate, and/or a wearable device. In one example, a wearable device includes a framework configured to be worn or attached, and a flexible substrate coupled to the framework. In some examples, the flexible substrate may have a first end and a second end, and may include one or more resilient conductive structures, and one or more rigid regions configured to receive one or more components including a sensor, or, for example, electrodes for a bioimpedance sensor.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/903,954 filed Nov. 13, 2013 with Attorney Docket No. ALI-345P, which is herein incorporated by reference. This application incorporates the following applications herein by reference: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/942,503 filed Jul. 13, 2013 with Attorney Docket No. ALI-001CIP1CIP1CON1CON1, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/______ filed Nov. 13, 2014 with Attorney Docket No. ALI-344 titled “FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATE FOR A WEARABLE DEVICE,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/______ filed Nov. 13, 2014 with Attorney Docket No. ALI-346 titled “ALIGNMENT OF COMPONENTS COUPLED TO A FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATE FOR WEARABLE DEVICES, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/480,628 (ALI-516) filed on Sep. 8, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments relate generally to wearable electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and to wearable/mobile computing devices. More specifically, various embodiments are directed to, for example, conductive structures for a flexible substrate or components thereof. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Conventional wearable devices, such as data capable bands or wrist bands, typically require circuit boards to be formed from flexible materials. However, some conductors implemented in, or in association with, flexible materials are not well-suited to provide sufficient connectivity or reliability for conveying communication signals among electronic devices, such as semiconductor devices, that are mounted on the flexible material. One approach implements straight strands of copper wire in an insulation material. While functional, the above-described conductor may be sub-optimal, especially when experiencing forces applied to the conductors when the wearable device is worn, or when the device is being put on or removed from a user. 
         [0004]    Thus, what is needed is a solution for implementing conductive structures for a flexible substrate without the limitations of conventional techniques. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Various embodiments or examples (“examples”) of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of resilient conductive structures implemented in a flexible substrate, according to some embodiments; 
           [0007]      FIGS. 2 and 3  depict examples of a resilient conductive structure used in association with a flexible substrate, according to some examples; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a diagram that shows an example of a reinforced redundant conductor implemented in a flexible substrate, according to some examples; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a diagram that shows another example of a reinforced redundant conductor, according to some examples; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a specific example of a reinforced redundant conductor, according to some examples; 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a side view of a flexible substrate including components coupled to a framework, according to some examples; 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is an example of a flow for implementing a flexible substrate including resilient conductive structures and/or reinforced redundant conductors, according to some embodiments; 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a diagram depicting of a flexible substrate implementing resilient conductive structures in an electrode bus, according to some examples; 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a diagram depicting of a flexible substrate implementing resilient conductive structures in an electrode bus, according to some examples; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a diagram depicting an example of a wearable device implementing resilient conductive structures, according to some embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Various embodiments or examples may be implemented in numerous ways, including as a system, a process, an apparatus, a user interface, or a series of program instructions on a computer readable medium such as a computer readable storage medium or a computer network where the program instructions are sent over optical, electronic, or wireless communication links. In general, operations of disclosed processes may be performed in an arbitrary order, unless otherwise provided in the claims. 
         [0017]    A detailed description of one or more examples is provided below along with accompanying figures. The detailed description is provided in connection with such examples, but is not limited to any particular example. The scope is limited only by the claims and numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents are encompassed. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding. These details are provided for the purpose of example and the described techniques may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the examples has not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  illustrates an example of resilient conductive structures implemented in a flexible substrate, according to some embodiments. Diagram  100  depicts rigid regions  130  and  132  of a flexible substrate (not shown) in which resilient conductive structures  120  couple devices associated with rigid regions  130  and  132  to exchange data signals. In some examples, resilient conductive structures  121  can couple a device  102  to a rigid region  132 , which can include conductive paths, other devices, and/or circuitry. Diagram  100  further depicts examples of a number of forces associated with axes  122 ,  124 , and  126  that resilient conductive structures  120  and  121  may experience during use of a wearable device  170 . As depicted in diagram  100 , rigid regions  130  and  132  of a flexible substrate (and components  102  mounted thereupon) are coupled to framework  152  to form a constituent part of the wearable device  170 . Framework  152  can be configured to be formed in any shape, such as an ellipse, a circle, and/or in a helical shape, so that wearable device  170  can be worn around a wrist or other appendage of a user. Wearable device  170  can be formed when flexible substrate  120  and framework  152  are overmolded. In some examples, device  102  can be a vibratory motor, whereby resilient conductive structure  121  may experience mechanical vibrations that otherwise might give rise to a failure in a conductor due to stress cracks over repeated and cyclical use. Resilient conductive structure  121  is configured to maintain conductivity when subjected to vibrations and other mechanical forces that it experiences. 
         [0019]    Framework  152 , in some examples, may include at least interior structures of a wearable pod  182  or may include a cradle structure as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/480,628 (ALI-516) filed on Sep. 8, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
         [0020]    In some examples, as depicted in diagram  100 , flexible substrate  120  and its components mounted thereupon are coupled to framework  152  to form a constituent part of a wearable device  180 . In the example shown, wearable device  180  may include a wearable pod  182  that can include logic, including processors and memory, configured to detect, among other things, physiological signals via bioimpedance signals. In one example, wearable pod  182  can include bioimpedance circuitry configured to drive bioimpedance through one electrode  186  disposed in a band or strap  181 . Strap  181  may be integrated or removable coupled to wearable pod  182 . 
         [0021]    One or more flexible substrates (not shown) may include conductive materials disposed in interior  184  of band or strap  181  to, for example, couple electrodes  186  to logic (or any other component) in wearable pod  182  or any other portion of wearable device  180 . In at least one example, electrodes  186  can be implemented to facilitate transmission of bioimpedance signals to determine physiological signals or characteristics, such as heart rate. Further, electrodes  186  may also be coupled via a flexible substrate to a galvanic skin response (“GSR”) logic circuit. 
         [0022]    A wearable pod and/or wearable device may be implemented as data-mining and/or analytic device that may be worn as a strap or band around or attached to an arm, leg, ear, ankle, or other bodily appendage or feature. In other examples, a wearable pod and/or wearable device may be carried, or attached directly or indirectly to other items, organic or inorganic, animate, or static. Note, too, that wearable pod enough be integrated into or with a strap  181  or band and can be shaped other than as shown. For example, a wearable pod circular or disk-like in shape with a display portion disposed on one of the circular surfaces. 
         [0023]    According some embodiments, logic disposed in wearable pod (or disposed anywhere in wearable device, such as in strap  181 ) may include a number of components formed in either hardware or software, or a combination thereof, to provide structure and/or functionality therein. In particular, the logic may include a touch-sensitive input/output (“I/O”) controller to detect contact with portions of a pod cover or interface, a display controller to facilitate emission of light, an activity determinator configured to determine an activity based on, for example, sensor data from one or more sensors (e.g., disposed in an interior region within wearable pod  182 , or disposed externally). A bioimpedance (“BI”) circuit may facilitate the use of bioimpedance signals to determine a physiological signal (e.g., heart rate), and a galvanic skin response (“GSR”) circuit may facilitate the use of signals representing skin conductance. A physiological (“PHY”) signal determinator may be configured to determine physiological characteristic, such as heart rate, among others, and a temperature circuit may be configured to receive temperature sensor data to facilitate determination of heat flux or temperature. A physiological (“PHY”) condition determinator may be configured to implement heat flux or temperature, or other sensor data, to derive values representative of a condition (e.g., a biological condition, such as caloric energy expended or other calorimetry-related determinations). Logic can include a variety of other sensors and other logic, processors, and/or memory including one or more algorithms. 
         [0024]    Examples of wearable device  180  and one or more components, including flexible substrates and/or conductive structures, as well as electrodes, may be described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/480,628 (ALI-516) filed on Sep. 8, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 2 and 3  depict examples of a resilient conductive structure used in association with a flexible substrate, according to some examples. Diagram  200  of  FIG. 2  depicts an example of a resilient conductive structure  210  includes a conductor  202  configured to vary (e.g., in direction, distance, etc.) from a medial line  201  as conductor  202  traverses or otherwise extends a length of resilient conductive structure  210 . Portions of conductor  202  can form portions of a coil conductor, as shown. Note that conductor  202  is not limited to a coil, but rather can have other shapes, and can be folded around medial line  201 . Conductor  202  can be a foil conductor, a circular wire conductor, or a conductor having any other shape. Further, conducted  202  is formed or otherwise wrapped around a core (e.g., a non-conductive core) that can include a number of fibers  204 . In some examples, fiber  204  can include Kevlar® fibers or Kevlar-like fibers, as well as Aramid fibers to enhance rigidity and reliability of resilient conductive structure  210 . In some cases, conductor  202  can be composed of a tin-coated copper material. Further, conductor  202  and fibers  204  can be encapsulated in an insulation material  206 , such as silicone rubber. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3  depicts another example of a resilient conductive structure, according to another example. Diagram  300  shows a number of conductors  302   a,    302   b,  and  302   c  that are formed around the plurality of fibers  304 , all which is encapsulated in an insulating material  306 . In this example, conductors  302   a,    302   b,  and  302   c  can be wrapped around the number of fibers  304  as interleaved coils that either can be disposed separately (e.g., separated by a distance from each other) or can be in electrical contact with each other. According to the example shown, the number of conductors  302   a,    302   b,  and  302   c  provides a degree of redundancy should one or more conductors  302   a,    302   b,  and  302   c  fail due to exposure to repeated or cyclical stresses. Note that while only three conductors are shown, any number of conductors can be implemented to form resilient conductive structure  310 . As such, resilient conductive structure  310  can include multiple conductors that traverse the length of resilient conductive structure  310  to provide connective redundancy for each other. 
         [0027]      FIG. 4  is a diagram that shows an example of a reinforced redundant conductor implemented in a flexible substrate, according to some examples. Diagram  400  depicts a flexible substrate  402  including a number of conductors  404 , which can be traces, and a reinforced redundant conductor  410 . Also shown is a rigid region  401  upon which a device or vibratory motor can be disposed. In use, flexible substrate  402  may experience forces that are applied to a side area  409  that introduce stresses orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the elongated lengths of traces  404  and reinforced redundant conductor  410 . Note that in some cases reinforced redundant conductor  410  can be disposed adjacent to an edge of flexible substrate  402  to operate, at least in part, as a buffer. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  is a diagram that shows an example of a reinforced redundant conductor, according to some examples. Diagram  500  depicts a reinforced redundant conductor  510  as a mesh-like structure formed of a conductive material that provides a level of redundancy and enhanced stress relief. To illustrate, consider a stress fracture  520  that is propagating from one edge. The absence of conductors, such as a hole, provides a structure for reducing stresses that otherwise might exacerbate the propagation of stress fracture  520 . While the holes in the mesh are shown as rectangular, they need not be. In some cases the holes can be circular. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  is a specific example of a reinforced redundant conductor, according to some examples. Diagram  600  is a top view of a flexible substrate, and depicts a reinforced redundant conductor  610  adjacent an edge of flexible substrate  601 . As reinforced redundant conductor  610  is disposed near the edge that may receive mechanical forces and/or stresses, reinforced redundant conductor  610  also may protect other conductors or traces  607  from receiving the magnitude of stress or forces that is applied to reinforced redundant conductor  610 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a side view of a flexible substrate including components coupled to a framework, according to some examples. Diagram  700  shows a flexible substrate  712  including reinforced redundant conductor  772  coupled to a framework  702 . Flexible substrate  710  can include a number of components mounted thereupon including a vibratory motor  712 , a battery  714 , and the like. Further, resilient conductors  770  can be implemented to provide conductivity to vibratory motor  710 , as well as conductivity to provide power from battery  714  to other components (not shown). In some cases, such components are mounted or otherwise coupled to flexible substrate  710  in a rigid region. In some examples, a component can be overmolded with a low pressure molding material. 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  is an example of a flow for implementing a flexible substrate including resilient conductive structures and/or reinforced redundant conductors, according to some embodiments. Flow diagram  800  is initiated at  802 , at which a flexible substrate is formed. For example, one or more resilient conductive structures can be implemented at  804 . At  806 , a number of rigid regions can be formed to receive one or more components. At  808 , a conductor can be wrapped about a fiber core to form a resilient conductive structure. At  810 , a mesh of conductive material can be implemented as a reinforced redundant conductor. Flow  800  terminates at  812 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 9  is a diagram depicting of a flexible substrate implementing resilient conductive structures in an electrode bus, according to some examples. As shown, diagram  900  of  FIG. 9  depicts an example of a resilient conductive structure  910  includes a conductor  902  configured to vary (e.g., in direction, distance, etc.) from a medial line  901  as conductor  902  traverses or otherwise extends a length of resilient conductive structure  910 . Portions of conductor  902  can form portions of a coil conductor, as shown. Note that conductor  902  is not limited to a coil, but rather can have other shapes, and can be folded around medial line  901 . Conductor  902  can be a foil conductor, a circular wire conductor, or a conductor having any other shape. Further, conducted  902  is formed or otherwise wrapped around a core (e.g., a non-conductive core) that can include a number of fibers  904 . In some examples, fiber  904  can include Kevlar® fibers or Kevlar-like fibers, as well as Aramid fibers to enhance rigidity and reliability of resilient conductive structure  910 . In some cases, conductor  902  can be composed of a tin-coated copper material. Optionally, conductor  902  and fibers  904  can be encapsulated in an insulation material  906 , such as silicone rubber. 
         [0033]    Further, resilient conductive structures  910  may implemented as conductors  912  to form an electrode wire bus  901   a  that includes electrodes  992  (e.g., bioimpedance, or “BI,” electrodes). Electrode or wire bus wire bus  901   a,  and components coupled therewith, may include a bus substrate  901   w  that may be made from a flexible and electrically non-conductive material including but not limited to a thermoplastic elastomer and rubber, for example. In one example, the elastomer material can include, for example, TPE or TPU, to form a flexible substrate in which Kevlar™-based conductors  912  may be encapsulated. In one example, the flexible bus substrate  901   w  is formed of TPE and has a hardness of approximately 85 to 95 Shore A (e.g., approximately 90 Shore A in some cases). 
         [0034]    Examples of wearable devices and one or more components, including flexible substrates and/or resilient conductive structures, as well as electrodes, may be described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/480,628 (ALI-516) filed on Sep. 8, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
         [0035]      FIG. 10  is a diagram depicting of a flexible substrate implementing resilient conductive structures in an electrode bus, according to some examples. As shown, diagram  1000  of  FIG. 10  depicts an example of a resilient conductive structure  1010  includes a conductor  1002  configured to vary (e.g., in direction, distance, etc.) from a medial line  1001  as conductor  1002  traverses or otherwise extends a length of resilient conductive structure  1010 . Portions of conductor  1002  can form portions of a mesh conductor, as shown, and of similar structure and/or functionality as that described in connection with  FIG. 5 . Further, conducted  1002  may be formed or otherwise include a number of fibers (not shown), such as Kevlar® fibers or Kevlar-like fibers, as well as Aramid fibers to enhance rigidity and reliability of resilient conductive structure  1010 . In some cases, conductor  1002  can be composed of a tin-coated copper material. Optionally, conductor  1002  and fibers can be encapsulated in an insulation material, such as silicone rubber. 
         [0036]    Further, resilient conductive structures  1010  may implemented as conductors  1012  to form an electrode wire bus  1001   a  that includes electrodes  1092  (e.g., bioimpedance, or “BI,” electrodes). Electrode or wire bus wire bus  1001   a,  and components coupled therewith, may include a bus substrate  1001   w  that may be made from a flexible and electrically non-conductive material including but not limited to a thermoplastic elastomer and rubber, for example. In one example, the elastomer material can include, for example, TPE or TPU, to form a flexible substrate in which Kevlar™-based conductors  1012  may be encapsulated. In one example, the flexible bus substrate  1001   w  is formed of TPE. 
         [0037]    Examples of wearable devices and one or more components, including flexible substrates and/or resilient conductive structures, as well as electrodes, may be described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/480,628 (ALI-516) filed on Sep. 8, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
         [0038]      FIG. 11  is a diagram depicting an example of a wearable device implementing resilient conductive structures, according to some embodiments. Diagram  1100  depicts an intermediate assembly structure formed in molding process, according to some examples. Consider that cradle  1107  is placed in a mold for forming straps (e.g., strap bands and bands) for a wearable device. As shown, cradle  1107  may be integrated with an inner strap portion  1120   a  and an inner strap portion  1122   a.  Inner strap portion  1120   a  is secured to an anchor portion at an interface  1180 , whereby the interface materials of the anchor portion form relatively secure physical and chemical bonds. Similarly, inner strap portion  1122   a  is secured to the other anchor portion and at an interface  1182 . 
         [0039]    According to some embodiments, the interface materials that form the anchor portions can include, but are not limited to, polycarbonate materials, or other like materials. Polycarbonate may provide an interface to couple metal cradle  1107  to an elastomer material used to form inner portions  1120   a  and  1122   a.  Thus, an interface materials, such as polycarbonate, bridges the difficulties of bonding metal and elastomers together in some cases. Anchor portions can be formed using polycarbonate molding techniques. According to some embodiments, an elastomer material may be a thermoplastic elastomer (“TPE”). In one embodiment, elastomer includes a thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”) material. In some examples, the elastomer has a hardness in a range of 58 to 72 Shore A. In one case, the lesser has a hardness in a range of 60 to 70 Shore A. An example of an elastomer is a GLS Thermoplastic Elastomer Versaflex™ CE Series CE 3620 by PolyOne of Ohio, USA. 
         [0040]    Note further that apertures  1134  in inner portion  1120   a  may be formed by a mold. Apertures  1134  can be for receiving electrodes  1133  of an assembly of an electrode bus  1131  in a molded inner portion  1120   a.  As shown, electrode bus  1131  includes electrodes  1133 , which are inserted through corresponding apertures  1134  prior to a molding step (e.g., a second shot). According to some embodiments, an elastomer material, such as TPE or TPU, may be used to form a flexible substrate in which Kevlar™-based conductors  1120  are encapsulated. In one example, the flexible substrate is formed of TPE and has a hardness of approximately 85 to 95 Shore A (e.g., about 90 Shore A). As such, resilient conductors may be disposed in electrode bus  1131  to facilitate formation of bioimpedance and/or GSR electrodes in a wrist-based wearable device. 
         [0041]    Also, a rigid region may include a substrate  1132  to which resilient conductive structures  1120  couple to electrodes  1133  to communicate data and/or bioimpedance signals. In some examples, resilient conductive structures  1121  can couple a device  1102  to a rigid region  1132 , which can include conductive paths, other devices, and/or circuitry. As depicted in diagram  1100 , a rigid region including substrate  1132  and/or device  1102  (e.g., logic or circuitry, such a bioimpedance circuitry) may be disposed in a portion of a framework implemented as cradle  1107 , which may form a constituent part of a wearable device. In other examples, framework  1107  can be configured to be formed in any shape, such as an ellipse, a circle, and/or in a helical shape, so that the wearable device can be worn around a wrist or other appendage of a user. A bioimpedance sensor may include one or more of bioimpedance circuitry, electrodes, and resilient conductive structures. Note that a pair of electrodes  1133  may be positioned in the flexible substrate to be adjacent to a blood vessel when worn on a wrist. 
         [0042]    Examples of wearable devices and one or more components, including flexible substrates and/or resilient conductive structures, as well as electrodes and electrode positioning, may be described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/480,628 (ALI-516) filed on Sep. 8, 2014, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
         [0043]    In view of the foregoing, the structures and/or functionalities of resilient conductive structures and their constituent structures can enhance the reliability of a wearable device, especially when coupled to devices that experience vibrations, such as a vibratory motor, or other portions of the flexible substrate that receive relatively higher amounts of stress and/or forces. Further, reinforced redundant conductors implemented as described above can enhance reliability of a wearable device by providing redundant conductors and reinforcing a particular conductor to maintain connectivity while experiencing a relative amount of stress. Such a conductor can also provide a buffer for other conductors against stresses that might cause stress fractures. 
         [0044]    Although the foregoing examples have been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, the above-described inventive techniques are not limited to the details provided. There are many alternative ways of implementing the above-described invention techniques. The disclosed examples are illustrative and not restrictive.