Patent Description:
Electronic devices are often now equipped with sensors and functions capable of detecting biometrics. Wristwatch-type wearable electronic devices, for example, are often equipped with biometric sensors.

One type of biometric detection undergoing rapid development is the noninvasive measurement of blood-pressure, which are far more convenient than conventional blood pressure gauges that use a cuff. In contrast, noninvasive blood-pressure measurement methods are practically applicable to electronic devices because no cuff is used. Non-invasive blood-pressure measurements techniques may be applied to an electronic device, allowing measurement of the user's blood pressure without a cuff. The <CIT> discloses a bio-information apparatus for non-invasively measuring a blood pressure in which a graphical curve of the applied and required pressure are displayed to provide input guidance. Similarly, the <CIT> and article <NPL> disclose non-invasive methods for blood pressure measurement by using a fingertip and displaying graphical pressure curves for input guidance.

One non-invasive method for detecting blood pressure involves detecting a change in a pulse wave following an applied pressure. However, typically in these measurements, the applied pressure needs to be increased/decreased to a predetermined level.

Certain embodiments disclosed in this document provide an electronic device capable of inducing the user to apply a pressure that increases/decreases to a predetermined level, and a corresponding method for measuring blood pressure thereby.

According to the invention, an electronic device is defined according to claim <NUM> of the appended set of claims.

In a further aspect of the invention, a method in an electronic device is disclosed, including the features of appended claim <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments disclosed in this document, the user may intuitively identify the pressure applied to the electronic device.

In addition, the user may be induced to apply a pressure to the electronic device, the pressure increasing/decreasing to a specific level, thereby enabling accurate blood pressure measurement.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> according to certain embodiments.

According to an embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor <NUM> may load a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module <NUM> or the communication module <NUM>) in volatile memory <NUM>, process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory <NUM>, and store resulting data in non-volatile memory <NUM> which may include internal memory <NUM> and/or external memory <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the antenna module <NUM> may include an antenna including a radiating element implemented using a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., PCB).

<FIG> is a front perspective view of a mobile electronic device according to certain embodiments disclosed in this document. <FIG> is a rear perspective view of the electronic device in <FIG>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include: a housing <NUM> including a first surface (or front surface) 210A, a second surface (or rear surface) 210B, and a side surface 210C surrounding the space between the first surface 210A and the second surface 210B; and clamping members <NUM> and <NUM> connected to at least a part of the housing <NUM> and configured such that the electronic device <NUM> is clamped to a part of the user's body (for example, the wrist, ankle, or the like) in an attachable/detachable manner. In another embodiment (not illustrated), the housing may refer to a structure forming at least some of the first surface 210A, the second surface 210B, and the side surface 210C in <FIG>. According to an embodiment, the first surface 210A may be formed by a front plate <NUM>, at least a part of which is substantially transparent (for example, a glass plate including various coating layers, or a polymer plate). The second surface 210B may be formed by a rear plate <NUM> which is substantially opaque. The rear plate <NUM> may be made of, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (for example, aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two of the above materials. The side surface 210C may be formed by a side bezel structure (also referred to as "side member") <NUM>, which is coupled to the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM>, and which includes a metal and/or a polymer. In some embodiments, the rear plate <NUM> and the side bezel structure <NUM> may be formed integrally and made of the same material (for example, a metal material such as aluminum). The clamping members <NUM> and <NUM> may be made of various materials and in various types. The clamping members <NUM> and <NUM> may be made of a woven material, leather, rubber, urethane, metal, ceramic, or a combination of at least two of the above materials in an integrated type, and may be formed such that multiple unit links can move with regard to each other.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include at least one of a display <NUM> (see <FIG>), audio modules, a sensor module <NUM>, key input devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and a connector hole <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least one of the components of the electronic device <NUM> (for example, the key input devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the connector hole <NUM>, or the sensor module <NUM>) may be omitted, or other components may be further included.

The display <NUM> may be exposed through a corresponding part of the front plate <NUM>, for example. The display <NUM> may have one of various shapes, such as a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon, which corresponds to that of the front plate <NUM>. The display <NUM> may be coupled to or disposed adjacent to a touch sensing circuit, a pressure sensor capable of sensing the intensity (pressure) of a touch, and/or a fingerprint sensor.

The audio modules may include a microphone hole <NUM> and a speaker hole <NUM>. The microphone hole <NUM> may have a microphone disposed therein so as to acquire an external sound, and may have multiple microphones disposed therein so as to sense the direction of the sound, in some embodiments. The speaker hole <NUM> may be used as an external speaker and a telephone speech receiver. In some embodiments, speaker holes <NUM> and a microphone hole <NUM> may be implemented as a single hole, or a speaker (for example, piezoelectric speaker) may be included without the speaker holes <NUM>.

The sensor module <NUM> may produce an electric signal or a data value corresponding to the operating state inside the electronic device <NUM> or the environmental state outside the same. The sensor module <NUM> may include a biometric sensor module <NUM> (for example, an HRM sensor) disposed on the second surface 210B of the housing <NUM>, for example. The electronic device <NUM> may further include a sensor module (not illustrated), for example, at least one of a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The key input devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a wheel key <NUM> disposed on the first surface 210A of the housing <NUM> to be able to rotate in at least one direction and/or side key buttons <NUM> and <NUM> disposed on the side surface 210C of the housing <NUM>. The wheel key may have a shape corresponding to that of the front plate <NUM>. In another embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may not include some or all of the above-mentioned key input devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and the key input devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> that are not included may be implemented as other types (for example, soft keys) on the display <NUM>. The connector hole <NUM> may include other connector holes (not illustrated) capable of containing a connector (for example, USB connector) for transmitting/receiving power and/or data to/from an external electronic device, and capable of containing a connector for transmitting/receiving audio signals to/from an external electronic device. The electronic device <NUM> may further include a connector cover (not illustrated) covering at least a part of the connector hole <NUM>, for example, and preventing external foreign substances from entering the connector hole.

The clamping members <NUM> and <NUM> may be clamped to at least a partial region of the housing <NUM> in an attachable/detachable manner by using locking members <NUM> and <NUM>. The clamping members <NUM> and <NUM> may include at least one of a fixing member <NUM>, a fixing-member fastening hole <NUM>, a band guide member <NUM>, and a band-fixing ring <NUM>.

The fixing member <NUM> may be configured to fix the housing <NUM> and the clamping members <NUM> and <NUM> to a part of the user's body (for example, the wrist, ankle, or the like). The fixing-member fastening hole <NUM> may correspond to the fixing member <NUM> such that the housing <NUM> and the clamping members <NUM> and <NUM> are fixed to a part of the user's body. The band guide member <NUM> may be configured to limit the range of movement of the fixing member <NUM> when the fixing member <NUM> is fastened to the fixing-member fastening hole <NUM>, thereby enabling the clamping members <NUM> and <NUM> to be forced against and clamped to a part of the user's body. The band-fixing ring <NUM> may limit the range of movement of the clamping members <NUM> and <NUM> while the fixing member <NUM> and the fixing-member fastening hole <NUM> are fastened.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a side bezel structure <NUM>, a wheel key <NUM>, a front plate <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a first antenna <NUM>, a second antenna <NUM>, a support member <NUM> (for example, a bracket), a battery <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, a sealing member <NUM>, a rear plate <NUM>, and clamping members <NUM> and <NUM>. At least one component of the electronic device <NUM> may be identical or similar to at least one component of the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, and a repeated description thereof will thus be omitted herein. The support member <NUM> may be disposed inside the electronic device <NUM> and connected to the side bezel structure <NUM>, or may be formed integrally with the side bezel structure <NUM>. The support member <NUM> may be made of a metal material and/or a nonmetal (for example, polymer) material, for example. The display <NUM> may be coupled to one surface of the support member <NUM>, and the printed circuit board <NUM> may be coupled to the other surface thereof. A processor, a memory, and/or an interface may be mounted on the printed circuit board <NUM>. The processor may include at least one of a central processing device, an application processor, a graphic processing unit (GPU), an application processor signal processing unit, or a communication processor, for example.

The memory may include, for example, a volatile memory or a nonvolatile memory. The interface may include, for example, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, an SD card interface, and/or an audio interface. The interface may connect the electronic device <NUM> to an external electronic device electrically or physically, for example, and may include a USB connector, an SD card/MMC connector, or an audio connector.

The battery <NUM>, which is a device for supplying power to at least one component of the electronic device <NUM>, may include a primary battery that is not rechargeable, a secondary battery that is rechargeable, or a fuel cell, for example. At least a part of the battery <NUM> may be disposed on substantially the same plane as the printed circuit board <NUM>, for example. The battery <NUM> may be integrally disposed inside the electronic device <NUM>, or may be disposed such that the same can be attached to/detached from the electronic device <NUM>.

The first antenna <NUM> may be disposed between the display <NUM> and the support member <NUM>. The first antenna <NUM> may include, for example, a near-field communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a magnetic secure transmission (MST) antenna. The first antenna <NUM> may conduct short-range communication with an external device, for example, may wirelessly transmit/receive power utilized for charging, and may emit a magnetism-based signal including a short-range communication signal or payment data. In another embodiment, an antenna structure may be formed by a part or a combination of the side bezel structure <NUM> and/or the support member <NUM>.

The second antenna <NUM> may be disposed between the circuit board <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM>. The second antenna <NUM> may include, for example, a near-field communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a magnetic secure transmission (MST) antenna. The second antenna <NUM> may conduct short-range communication with an external device, for example, may wirelessly transmit/receive power utilized for charging, and may emit a magnetism-based signal including a short-range communication signal or payment data. In another embodiment, an antenna structure may be formed by a part or a combination of the side bezel structure <NUM> and/or the rear plate <NUM>.

The sealing member <NUM> may be positioned between the side bezel structure <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> may be configured to prevent external moisture and foreign substances from entering the space surrounded by the side bezel structure <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an electronic device according to certain embodiments disclosed in this document. <FIG> is a schematic diagram of a biometric sensor, a pressure sensor, and peripheral components of the electronic device illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a sectional diagram taken along line A-A' in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device according to certain embodiments disclosed in this document (for example, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM> in <FIG>) may include: a display <NUM> (for example, the display device <NUM> in <FIG> or the display <NUM> in <FIG>); a printed circuit board <NUM> (for example, the printed circuit board <NUM> in <FIG>); a processor <NUM> (for example, the processor <NUM> in <FIG>); a memory <NUM> (for example, the memory <NUM> in <FIG>); a biometric module <NUM>; a pressure sensor <NUM>; a motion sensor <NUM>; and a communication module <NUM> (for example, the communication module <NUM> in <FIG>). The biometric sensor <NUM>, the pressure sensor <NUM>, and the motion sensor <NUM> may be sensors included in the sensor module <NUM> in <FIG> or the sensor module <NUM> in <FIG>.

The electronic device illustrated in <FIG> may be a part of a mobile electronic device that is movable. Examples of such a mobile electronic device may include, for example, a smartphone, a tablet PC, and a laptop PC. According to certain embodiments, the electronic device illustrated in <FIG> may be a part of a wearable electronic device configured such that the same can be worn on a wrist, similarly to the electronic device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The configuration in <FIG> may be applied to various other types of electronic devices.

The display <NUM> may visually display information processed by the electronic device. Referring to <FIG>, the display <NUM> may be a circular display. According to certain embodiments, the shape of the display <NUM> is not limited to that illustrated in <FIG>, and may be variously modified according to the shape or usage of the electronic device. According to certain embodiments, the display <NUM> may be various types of displays <NUM> including a liquid crystal display (LCD) and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED). According to certain embodiments, the display <NUM> may be a flexible display that may allow bending.

The printed circuit board <NUM> is disposed below the display <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The description "below the display <NUM>" refers to the direction opposite the direction in which the display <NUM> visually displays information. The printed circuit board <NUM> includes a first surface <NUM> facing the display <NUM>. The biometric sensor <NUM> and the pressure sensor <NUM>, described later, may be mounted on the first surface <NUM> of the printed circuit board <NUM>. According to certain embodiments, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

The biometric sensor <NUM> is a sensor capable of sensing a biometric signal related to the user's heartbeat. The biometric sensor <NUM> is mounted on the first surface <NUM> of the printed circuit board <NUM> and connected to the processor <NUM> electrically or operatively. As described above, the first surface <NUM> of the printed circuit board <NUM> faces the display <NUM>, and the biometric sensor <NUM> may accordingly be disposed below the display <NUM> so as to face the display <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

As described in <FIG>, the biometric sensor <NUM> may include a light emitter <NUM> configured to emit light and a light receiver <NUM> configured to receive light. The light emitter <NUM> may include one of a light-emitting diode (LED), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a laser diode (LD), a solid laser, and an infrared (IR) diode, which can emit light. The light emitter <NUM> may be made of various other elements capable of emitting light. The light receiver <NUM> may be a light-receiving element configured to convert optical energy into electric energy. Examples of such a light-receiving element may include, for example, one of a photodiode (PD), an avalanche photodiode (APD), and a phototransistor. The light receiver <NUM> may be made of various other elements capable of receiving light.

According to certain embodiments, multiple light receivers may be provided and disposed around the light emitter.

According to certain embodiments, a light source (for example, a backlight, LED, or OLED), which is the light-emitting component of the display <NUM>, may be used to implement the light emitter of the biometric sensor. According to certain embodiments, the biometric sensor may be configured integrally with the display <NUM> in at least a partial region of the display <NUM>.

While the user provides a gradually increasing/decreasing pressure to the display <NUM>, the biometric sensor <NUM> may measure the user's pulse wave period and amplitude by using the light emitter <NUM> and the light receiver <NUM>, thereby measuring a change in the pulse wave signal.

Hereinafter, operations of an electronic device measuring the user's pulse wave with the biometric sensor <NUM>, including the light emitter <NUM> and the light receiver <NUM>, will be described schematically.

The biometric sensor <NUM> may utilize a difference in an optical reaction resulting from the oxygen saturation level of hemoglobin in the blood. Light provided by the light emitter <NUM> may be transferred to the user's body through the display <NUM>. The light receiver <NUM> may receive light transferred to the user's body and reflected therefrom. The reflected light may pass through the display <NUM> and enter the light receiver <NUM>. The reflected light received by the light receiver <NUM> may have a periodicity due to a difference in the optical reaction resulting from the oxygen saturation level of hemoglobin described above. The electronic device may measure the user's pulse wave by using the periodicity acquired through the biometric sensor <NUM>. The electronic device may measure the period and amplitude of the pulse wave through the biometric sensor <NUM>. In some cases, the movement of the user may be indirectly measured through the motion sensor <NUM> of the electronic device, thereby processing a signal measured through the movement information more precisely. According to certain embodiments, the motion sensor <NUM> may be used to induce the position of the electronic device, which measures the user's pulse wave, to be maintained at the height of the user's heart.

The pulse wave measurement operation using the biometric sensor <NUM>, described above, corresponds to a representative principle by which heartbeat-related information is sensed by using the light emitter <NUM> and the light receiver <NUM>, and the electronic device according to certain embodiments disclosed in this document may measure the user's pulse wave through the biometric sensor <NUM> in various other methods.

The pressure sensor <NUM> is a sensor capable of measuring the pressure applied to the display <NUM>. The pressure sensor <NUM> may include an element capable of converting the pressure applied to the display <NUM> into an electric signal. For example, the pressure sensor <NUM> may be configured to measure a pressure by using a change in resistance/capacitance resulting from the pressure. According to certain embodiments, the pressure sensor <NUM> may be configured to include a piezoelectric element.

According to certain embodiments, the pressure sensor <NUM> may be configured to produce a pressure signal by sensing a change in the distance between two layers <NUM> and <NUM> disposed below the display <NUM> (e.g., by deformation of the display and layers, as illustrated in <FIG>). If the distance between the layers <NUM> and <NUM> is changed by the pressure applied to the display <NUM>, the capacitance may change accordingly. The pressure sensor <NUM> may sense a change in the capacitance resulting from a change in the distance between the two layers <NUM> and <NUM>, thereby measuring the degree of the applied pressure. The pressure sensor <NUM> may output a pressure signal corresponding to the pressure applied to the display <NUM>.

The pressure sensor <NUM> is disposed below the display <NUM> so as to face the display <NUM>, thereby measuring the pressure applied to the display <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments, the biometric sensor <NUM> and the pressure sensor <NUM> may be configured as a single module.

According to an embodiment, the processor <NUM> may be mounted on the printed circuit board <NUM>. The processor <NUM>, if mounted on the printed circuit board <NUM>, may be electrically connected to the display <NUM>, the biometric sensor <NUM>, and the pressure sensor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may receive values measured by the biometric sensor <NUM> and the pressure sensor <NUM>, and may transmit commands for operations of the biometric sensor <NUM> and the pressure sensor <NUM>. The processor <NUM> processes values measured by the biometric sensor <NUM> and the pressure sensor <NUM> and displays the user's biometric information through the display <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating operations of an electronic device according to certain embodiments displaying biometric information through a display.

A processor <NUM> may perform or process a specific task according to an instruction stored in a memory <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments, the processor <NUM> may transmit a biometric signal measurement command <NUM> to a biometric sensor <NUM>. The biometric sensor <NUM> may perform a biometric signal measurement operation <NUM> based on the biometric signal measurement command <NUM>. As used herein, a biometric signal may refer to the user's pulse wave signal measured by using a light emitter <NUM> and a light receiver <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may receive (<NUM>) the biometric signal measured by the biometric sensor <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments, the processor <NUM> may transmit a pressure signal measurement command <NUM> to a pressure sensor <NUM>. The pressure sensor <NUM> may perform a pressure signal measurement operation <NUM> based on the pressure signal measurement command <NUM>. As used herein, the pressure signal may refer to the pressure applied by the user through a display <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may receive (<NUM>) the pressure signal measured by the pressure sensor <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> is configured to calculate (<NUM>) biometric information by interlinking the biometric signal and the pressure signal. The processor <NUM> may transmit a biometric information display command to the display <NUM> in order to display the calculated biometric information through the display <NUM> (<NUM>). The display <NUM> may display (<NUM>) the biometric information based on the biometric information display command.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method for measuring blood pressure by an electronic device according to certain embodiments disclosed in this document.

According to certain embodiments, measurement of the user's blood pressure may start in the following manner: the user inputs a blood pressure measurement start command through a display (for example, the display <NUM> in <FIG>), and a processor (for example, the processor <NUM> in <FIG>) receives the same. According to certain embodiments, the electronic device may periodically display a blood pressure measurement recommendation to the user through the display, thereby inducing the user to input a blood pressure measurement start command.

According to certain embodiments, if the user's pulse measured by a biometric sensor (for example, the biometric sensor <NUM> in <FIG>) is out of a normal range, the electronic device may start blood pressure measurement or may induce input of a blood pressure measurement start command.

The operation <NUM> of displaying a visual guide prompting of the input of applied pressure through the display includes a gradual increase and gradual decrease of the applied pressure. When blood pressure measurement is initiated, the processor may display a visual guide through the display to facilitate measurement. The visual guide may include a visual aid facilitating correct input of the pressure applied to the display through a part of the user's body, in a manner that increases/decreases gradually, which is utilized to execute the blood pressure reading. The visual guide may include a reference guide, the shape of which changes over time in order to help a user apply pressure to the display in the requested manner, and a recognition guide, the shape of which changes according to the degree of pressure applied to the display which informs a user as to how accurately he is inputting pressure for the blood pressure reading.

According to certain embodiments, operation <NUM> includes measuring the user's pulse wave through a biometric sensor having a light emitter (for example, the light emitter <NUM> in <FIG>) and a light receiver (for example, the light receiver <NUM> in <FIG>). The light emitted by the light emitter may propagate toward the user's skin, and the light reflected by the user's skin may enter the light receiver. The amount of light emitted by the light emitter and the amount of light received by the light receiver may be compared with each other, thereby measuring the user's pulse wave.

According to certain embodiments, operation <NUM> includes measuring a pressure through a pressure sensor (for example, the pressure sensor <NUM> in <FIG>), as applied to the display.

According to certain embodiments, operation <NUM> includes detecting a pulse wave signal following the applied pressure as measured from a biometric signal. As mentioned previously, the applied pressure may include application of a gradually increasing/decreasing pressure to the display, as prompted through a displayed visual guide. For example, the same may be an operation of detecting a pulse wave signal following a change in the applied pressure.

According to certain embodiments, the operation <NUM> may include calculating a systolic pressure and a diastolic pressure based on the relationship between the applied pressure and the pulse wave signal, as derived from detecting a pulse wave signal following the applied pressure.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing a visual guide of an electronic device according to certain embodiments, <FIG> is a diagram for describing a visual guide of an electronic device according to certain embodiments, and <FIG> is a diagram for describing a visual guide of an electronic device according to certain embodiments. 7BA is a diagram for describing a visual guide of an electronic device according to certain embodiments, and FIG. 7BB is a diagram for describing a visual guide of an electronic device according to certain embodiments.

According to certain embodiments, upon receiving a user input for starting blood pressure measurement, the electronic device (for example, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG> or the electronic device <NUM> or <NUM> in <FIG>) may display a visual guide through a display.

According to certain embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, the visual guide <NUM> may include a circular reference guide <NUM> and a recognition guide <NUM>, the centers of which are displayed in the same position. According to certain embodiments, a pressure sensor (for example, the pressure sensor <NUM> in <FIG>) may be located vertically below the center of the visual guide <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic device may control the diameter of the circular reference guide <NUM> so as to gradually change over time such that the pressure applied to the display <NUM> (for example, the display <NUM> in <FIG>) by a part of the user's body increases/decreases gradually. For example, in the case of inducing a gradual increase in the pressure applied to the display <NUM>, the electronic device may control a corresponding gradual increase in the diameter of the reference guide <NUM> in the order of <FIG>. For example, in the case of inducing a gradual decrease in the pressure applied to the display <NUM>, the electronic device may control a corresponding gradual decrease in the diameter of the reference guide <NUM> in the order of <FIG>.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic device may control the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM> so as to change according to the pressure applied to the display <NUM>. For example, the electronic device may control the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM> to increase in proportion to the increasing pressure applied to the display <NUM>. The user may identify the pressure applied by himself/herself to the display <NUM> in real time through the recognition guide <NUM>. If the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM> is identical to the diameter of the reference guide <NUM>, it may be determined that the requested pressure prompted by the electronic device has been applied. As described above, if the diameter of the reference guide <NUM> gradually increases/decreases over time, and if the recognition guide <NUM> follows the same change in the diameter of the reference guide <NUM>, the pressure applied to the display <NUM> may be induced to increase/decrease to a predetermined level.

The user may adjust the applied pressure by adjusting the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM> to be identical to the diameter of the reference guide <NUM>. As illustrated in FIG. 7BA, if the diameter of the reference guide <NUM> is displayed smaller than the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM>, the user may press the display <NUM> less strongly such that the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM> decreases. As illustrated in FIG. 7BB, if the diameter of the reference guide <NUM> is displayed larger than the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM>, the user may press the display <NUM> more strongly such that the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM> increases.

According to certain embodiments, if the diameter of the reference guide <NUM> and the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM> differ from each other, a guide message such as "Press more strongly" or "Press less strongly" may be shown through the display <NUM>.

According to certain embodiments, the color of the reference guide <NUM> may be changed according to whether the difference between the diameter of the reference guide <NUM> and the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM> is maintained within a prestored range or deviates from the prestored range. For example, the color of the reference guide <NUM> may be green if the difference between the diameter of the reference guide <NUM> and the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM> is maintained within the prestored range. The color of the reference guide <NUM> may turn red if the difference between the diameter of the reference guide <NUM> and the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM> deviates from the prestored range.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic device may provide the user with haptic feedback such that the difference between the diameter of the reference guide <NUM> and the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM> is maintained within the prestored range. For example, haptic feedback may be provided if the diameter of the reference guide <NUM> and the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM> are identical. No haptic feedback may be provided if the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM> is smaller than the diameter of the reference guide <NUM>. The intensity or frequency of the haptic feedback may be changed if the diameter of the recognition guide <NUM> is larger than the diameter of the reference guide <NUM>. This may induce the user to apply gradually increasing/decreasing pressure to the display.

<FIG> is a diagram for describing a visual guide of an electronic device according to certain embodiments, <FIG> is a diagram for describing a visual guide of an electronic device according to certain embodiments, and <FIG> is a diagram for describing a visual guide of an electronic device according to certain embodiments.

According to certain embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, the visual guide <NUM> may include a reference guide <NUM> and a recognition guide <NUM>, which are displayed in rod shapes.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic device may control the length of the rod-shaped reference guide <NUM> so as to gradually change over time such that the pressure applied to the display <NUM> (for example, the display <NUM> in <FIG>) by a part of the user's body increases/decreases gradually. For example, in the case of inducing a gradual increase in the pressure applied to the display <NUM>, the electronic device may control an increase in the length of the reference guide <NUM> in the order of <FIG>. For example, in the case of inducing a gradual decrease in the pressure applied to the display <NUM>, the electronic device may control a decrease in the length of the reference guide <NUM> in the order of <FIG>.

According to certain embodiments, the electronic device may control the length of the recognition guide <NUM> so as to change according to the pressure applied to the display <NUM>. For example, the electronic device may control the length of the recognition guide <NUM> so as to increase in proportion to the increasing pressure applied to the display <NUM>. The user may identify the pressure applied by himself/herself to the display <NUM> in real time through the recognition guide <NUM>. If the length of the recognition guide <NUM> is identical to the length of the reference guide <NUM>, it may be determined that the pressure desired by the electronic device has been applied. As described above, if the length of the reference guide <NUM> gradually increases/decreases over time, and if the recognition guide <NUM> follows the same change in the length of the reference guide <NUM>, the pressure applied to the display <NUM> may be induced to increase/decrease to a predetermined level. According to certain embodiments, the level of the pressure currently applied to the display <NUM> may be converted into a numerical value, which may be displayed (<NUM>) in real time.

Although a circular visual guide (for example, the visual guide <NUM> in <FIG>) and a rod-shaped visual guide (for example, the visual guide <NUM> in <FIG>) have been described above as examples of the visual guide, the shape of the visual guide may be variously modified such that the user is induced to apply gradually increasing/decreasing pressure to the display. For example, the visual guide may have a donut shape, a gauge shape, a pulse shape, or the like.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating a pulse wave change <NUM> following a gradually increasing/decreasing pressure according to certain embodiments.

According to certain embodiments, the pulse wave change <NUM> may correspond to a pulse wave change measured by a biometric sensor (for example, biometric sensor <NUM> in <FIG>) with regard to the pressure measured by a pressure sensor (for example, the pressure sensor <NUM> in <FIG>), and plotted over time.

As described above, the pressure applied to the display may constantly increase/decrease in a predetermined range <NUM> by means of the visual guide (for example, the visual guide <NUM> in <FIG> or the visual guide <NUM> in <FIG>) displayed through the display (for example, the display <NUM> in <FIG> or the display <NUM> in <FIG>). The processor (for example, the processor <NUM> in <FIG>) may calculate the user's blood pressure by interlinking a pressure signal measured by the pressure sensor (for example, the pressure sensor <NUM> in <FIG>) and a pulse wave signal measured by the biometric sensor (for example, the biometric sensor <NUM> in <FIG>). According to certain embodiments, the processor may calculate the user's blood pressure by using various algorithms.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating a variation width of a pulse wave signal magnitude following an applied pressure according to certain embodiments.

According to certain embodiments, a processor (for example, the processor <NUM> in <FIG>) may calculate a diastolic pressure and a systolic pressure by using a reference variation value.

For example, the processor may receive a gradually increasing pressure signal and may receive a change in a pulse wave signal measured by a biometric sensor (for example, the biometric sensor <NUM> in <FIG>) according to the pressure signal. In this case, the pulse wave signal may propagate in the rightward direction in <FIG>. When the variation width of the pulse wave signal following the gradually increasing pressure signal reaches a first reference value <NUM>, or when the variation width of the pulse wave signal following the pressure signal satisfies the first reference value <NUM> at least a configured number of times, a first measurement value <NUM> measured by the pressure sensor <NUM> may be determined as a diastolic pressure. As another example, when the average of variation widths of pulse wave signals measured in a specific interval reaches a first reference value <NUM>, the average value or intermediate value of pressure signals measured through the pressure sensor <NUM> in the corresponding interval may be determined as a diastolic pressure. When the variation width of a pulse wave signal following a gradually increasing pressure signal reaches a second reference value <NUM> past the first measurement value <NUM>, or when the variation width of the pulse wave signal following the pressure signal satisfies the second reference value <NUM> at least a configured number of times, a second measurement value <NUM> measured by the pressure sensor <NUM> may be determined as a systolic pressure. As another example, when the average of variation widths of pulse wave signals measured in a specific interval reaches a second reference value <NUM>, the average value or intermediate value of pressure signals measured through the pressure sensor <NUM> in the corresponding interval may be determined as a systolic pressure. With reference to <FIG>, the first measurement value <NUM> is approximately 63mmHg and the second measurement value <NUM> is approximately 112mmHg. Accordingly, it may be determined that the diastolic pressure is 63mmHg, and the systolic pressure is 112mmHg. According to certain embodiments, when the variation width of a pulse wave signal reaches the maximum value, the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor may be identified, and re-measurement may be executed if the value is not clearly specified.

For example, the processor may receive a gradually decreasing pressure signal and may receive a change in a pulse wave signal measured by the biometric sensor according to the pressure signal. In this case, the pulse wave signal may propagate in the leftward direction in <FIG>. When the variation width of the pulse wave signal following the gradually decreasing pressure signal reaches a second reference value <NUM>, or when the variation width of the pulse wave signal following the pressure signal satisfies the second reference value <NUM> at least a configured number of times, a second measurement value <NUM> measured by the pressure sensor <NUM> may be determined as a diastolic pressure. As another example, when the average of variation widths of pulse wave signals measured in a specific interval reaches a second reference value <NUM>, the average value or intermediate value of pressure signals measured through the pressure sensor <NUM> in the corresponding interval may be determined as a diastolic pressure. When the variation width of a pulse wave signal following a gradually decreasing pressure signal reaches a first reference value <NUM> past the second measurement value <NUM>, or when the variation width of the pulse wave signal following the pressure signal satisfies the first reference value <NUM> at least a configured number of times, a first measurement value <NUM> measured by the pressure sensor <NUM> may be determined as a diastolic pressure. As another example, when the average of variation widths of pulse wave signals measured in a specific interval reaches a first reference value <NUM>, the average value or intermediate value of pressure signals measured through the pressure sensor <NUM> in the corresponding interval may be determined as a diastolic pressure. With reference to <FIG>, the first measurement value <NUM> is approximately 63mmHg, and the second measurement value <NUM> is approximately 112mmHg. Accordingly, it may be determined that the diastolic pressure is 63mmHg, and the systolic pressure is 112mmHg. According to certain embodiments, when the variation width of a pulse wave signal reaches the maximum value, the pressure value measured by the pressure sensor may be identified, and re-measurement may be executed if the value is not clearly specified.

According to certain embodiments, the processor may determine that a pressure signal at a point <NUM> having the largest variation width of a pulse wave signal is a reference pressure value <NUM>, and may estimate a systolic pressure and a diastolic pressure with reference to the pressure value <NUM>.

For example, the processor may estimate that a pressure value at a point at which a reference pressure value <NUM> is identical to a variation width obtained by multiplying a variation width of a measured pulse wave signal by a preconfigured first ratio is a diastolic pressure. The processor may estimate that a pressure value at a point at which a reference pressure value <NUM> is identical to a variation width obtained by multiplying a variation width of a measured pulse wave signal by a preconfigured second ratio is a systolic pressure.

For example, the processor may estimate that a pressure value obtained by multiplying a reference pressure value <NUM> by a third ratio is a diastolic pressure and that a pressure value obtained by multiplying the reference pressure value <NUM> by a fourth ratio is a systolic pressure.

According to certain embodiments, the first to fourth ratios may be configured by using the user's blood pressure data measured by a cuff blood pressure gauge using an oscillometric measurement method.

In addition, the processor may calculate the blood pressure by using various algorithms utilizing a change in a pulse wave signal following a gradually increasing/decreasing pressure signal.

An electronic device according to certain embodiments disclosed in this document may include: a display; a printed circuit board disposed below the display and having a first surface facing the display; a biometric sensor disposed in at least one region of the first surface of the printed circuit board so as to measure a biometric signal related to a heartbeat; a pressure sensor disposed below the display so as to measure a pressure applied to the display; a processor operatively connected to the display, the biometric sensor, and the pressure sensor; and a memory operatively connected to the processor. The memory stores instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: cause the biometric sensor to measure a biometric signal; cause the pressure sensor to measure a pressure signal; receive the biometric signal from the biometric sensor and receive the pressure signal from the pressure sensor; calculate biometric information related to a heartbeat by interlinking the biometric signal and the pressure signal; and output the biometric information to the display.

In addition, the biometric sensor may include a light emitter configured to emit light toward the display and a light receiver configured to receive light reflected by a user's body.

In addition, the instructions may cause the processor to receive a gradually increasing/decreasing pressure signal from the pressure sensor and receive a change in a pulse wave signal measured by the biometric sensor according to the pressure signal, thereby measuring blood pressure.

In addition, the instructions may cause the processor to: determine that a pressure signal measured by the pressure sensor is a reference pressure value when a variation width of the pulse wave signal measured by the biometric sensor is largest; and estimate a diastolic pressure and a systolic pressure by using the reference pressure value.

In addition, the instructions may cause the processor to: receive a gradually increasing pressure signal from the pressure sensor; receive a change in a pulse wave signal measured by the biometric sensor according to the pressure signal; determine that, when a variation width of the pulse wave signal following the gradually increasing pressure signal reaches a first reference value, a first measurement value measured by the pressure sensor is a diastolic pressure; and determine that, when the variation width of the pulse wave signal following the gradually increasing pressure signal reaches a second reference value past the first measurement value, a second measurement value measured by the pressure sensor is a systolic pressure.

In addition, the instructions may cause the processor to: receive a gradually increasing pressure signal from the pressure sensor; receive a change in a pulse wave signal measured by the biometric sensor according to the pressure signal; determine that, when the number of times a variation width of the pulse wave signal following the gradually increasing pressure signal reaches a first reference value satisfies a configured number, a first measurement value measured by the pressure sensor is a diastolic pressure; and determine that, when the number of times the variation width of the pulse wave signal following the gradually increasing pressure signal reaches a second reference value past the first measurement value satisfies a configured number, a second measurement value measured by the pressure sensor is a systolic pressure.

In addition, the instructions may cause the processor to: receive a gradually decreasing pressure signal from the pressure sensor; receive a change in a pulse wave signal measured by the biometric sensor according to the pressure signal; determine that, when a variation width of the pulse wave signal following the gradually decreasing pressure signal reaches a second reference value, a second measurement value measured by the pressure sensor is a systolic pressure; and determine that, when the variation width of the pulse wave signal following the gradually decreasing pressure signal reaches a first reference value past the second measurement value, a first measurement value measured by the pressure sensor is a diastolic pressure.

In addition, the instructions may cause the processor to: receive a gradually decreasing pressure signal from the pressure sensor; receive a change in a pulse wave signal measured by the biometric sensor according to the pressure signal; determine that, when the number of times a variation width of the pulse wave signal following the gradually decreasing pressure signal reaches a second reference value satisfies a configured number, a second measurement value measured by the pressure sensor is a systolic pressure; and determine that, when the number of times the variation width of the pulse wave signal following the gradually decreasing pressure signal reaches a first reference value past the second measurement value satisfies a configured number, a first measurement value measured by the pressure sensor is a diastolic pressure.

In addition, the biometric sensor and the pressure sensor may be configured as a single sensor module.

The instructions cause the processor to display a visual guide through the display such that a pressure applied to the display increases/decreases gradually.

The visual guide includes: a reference guide having a shape changing over time such that the pressure applied to the display increases/decreases by a preconfigured degree; and a recognition guide having a shape changing according to the degree of the pressure applied to the display, the recognition guide being displayed in a shape corresponding to the reference guide.

In addition, the reference guide of the visual guide may have the shape of a circle having a diameter changing over time, and the recognition guide of the visual guide may have the shape of a circle having a diameter changing according to a pressure signal measured by the pressure sensor.

In addition, the reference guide of the visual guide may have the shape of a rod having a length changing over time, and the recognition guide of the visual guide may have the shape of a rod having a length changing according to a pressure signal measured by the pressure sensor.

A method for measuring a user's blood pressure by using a biometric sensor and a pressure sensor disposed below a display of an electronic device according to certain embodiments disclosed in this document may include the operations of: displaying a visual guide through the display of the electronic device such that a pressure signal measured by the pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure applied to the display increases/decreases gradually; measuring a gradually increasing/decreasing pressure signal by using the pressure sensor, and measuring a change in a pulse wave signal by using the biometric sensor; detecting a change in the pulse wave signal following the pressure signal; and calculating the user's blood pressure by using the change in the pulse wave signal following the pressure signal.

In addition, the biometric sensor and the pressure sensor may be disposed in at least one region of a first surface of a printed circuit board disposed below the display such that the first surface faces the display.

In addition, the biometric sensor may include a light emitter configured to emit light toward the display and a light receiver configured to receive light reflected by the user's body.

In addition, the visual guide displayed through the display includes: a reference guide having a shape changing over time such that the pressure applied to the display increases/decreases by a preconfigured degree; and a recognition guide having a shape changing according to the degree of the pressure applied to the display, the recognition guide being displayed in a shape corresponding to the reference guide.

In addition, the operation of calculating the user's blood pressure may include the operations of: determining that, when a variation width of the pulse wave signal measured by the biometric sensor is largest, the pressure signal measured by the pressure sensor is a reference pressure value; and estimating a diastolic pressure and a systolic pressure by using the reference pressure value.

In addition, the operation of calculating the user's blood pressure may include the operations of: determining that, when a variation width of the pulse wave signal following the gradually increasing pressure signal reaches a first reference value, a first measurement value measured by the pressure sensor is a diastolic pressure; and determining that, when the variation width of the pulse wave signal following the gradually increasing pressure signal reaches a second reference value past the first measurement value, a second measurement value measured by the pressure sensor is a systolic pressure.

In addition, the operation of calculating the user's blood pressure may include the operations of: determining that, when a variation width of the pulse wave signal following the gradually decreasing pressure signal reaches a second reference value, a second measurement value measured by the pressure sensor is a systolic pressure; and determining that, when the variation width of the pulse wave signal following the gradually decreasing pressure signal reaches a first reference value past the second measurement value, a first measurement value measured by the pressure sensor is a diastolic pressure.

Claim 1:
An electronic device comprising:
a display (<NUM>);
a printed circuit board, PCB, (<NUM>) disposed below the display (<NUM>) and having a first surface (<NUM>) facing the display (<NUM>);
a biometric sensor (<NUM>) disposed on the first surface (<NUM>) of the PCB (<NUM>) and configured to measure a biometric signal related to a heartbeat;
a pressure sensor (<NUM>) disposed below the display (<NUM>) and configured to generate a pressure signal based on measuring a pressure applied to the display (<NUM>);
a processor (<NUM>) operatively connected to the display (<NUM>), the biometric sensor (<NUM>), and the pressure sensor (<NUM>); and
a memory (<NUM>) operatively connected to the processor (<NUM>),
wherein the memory (<NUM>) stores instructions that, when executed, cause the processor (<NUM>) to:
measure, by the biometric sensor (<NUM>), the biometric signal;
measure, by the pressure sensor (<NUM>), the pressure applied to the display (<NUM>);
receive the biometric signal from the biometric sensor (<NUM>) and receive the pressure signal from the pressure sensor (<NUM>);
calculate biometric information related to a heartbeat by interlinking the biometric signal and the pressure signal; and
output the calculated biometric information to the display (<NUM>),
wherein the instructions are configured to cause the processor (<NUM>) to display a visual guide (<NUM>, <NUM>) through the display (<NUM>) prompting a user to gradually increase or decrease the pressure applied to the display (<NUM>),
characterized in that,
the visual guide (<NUM>, <NUM>) is displayed on an area of the display (<NUM>) including a perimeter of an area pressed by the user, and
the visual guide (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprises:
a reference guide (<NUM>, <NUM>) including display of a first shape that changes over time to prompt the user to gradually increase or decrease the pressure at a preconfigured degree; and
a recognition guide (<NUM>, <NUM>) including display of a second shape that changes according to the degree of the pressure applied to the display (<NUM>),
wherein the second shape of the recognition guide (<NUM>, <NUM>) is displayed in a shape corresponding to the first shape of the reference guide (<NUM>, <NUM>).