Patent Description:
Recent consumer interest in personal health has led to a variety of personal health monitoring devices being offered on the market. Recent advances in sensor, electronics, and power source miniaturization have allowed the size of personal health monitoring devices, also referred to herein as "biometric tracking" or "biometric monitoring" devices, to be offered in extremely small sizes that were previously impractical.

These biometric monitoring devices may collect, derive, and/or provide one or more of the following types of information: heart rate, calorie burn, floors climbed and/or descended, location and/or heading, elevation, ambulatory speed and/or distance traveled, etc. For a wearable computing device, the front or top surface is typically occupied by a large electronic display, often covered with an optically clear covering constructed of certain materials (such as glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, etc.). This covering often requires a seal around its perimeter, making the electronic display covering larger than the active region of the electronic display itself.

Documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> disclose a biometric sensor electrode integrated in a wearable computing device according to prior art.

Accordingly, the present disclosure is related to a biometric sensor electrode integrated in the top surface of the covering of such wearable computing devices, thereby providing increased surface area and improved signal quality of the sensor. By integrating the biometric sensor electrode onto the covering, the user is able to access the sensor in a more ergonomic manner, allowing the user to make contact with a variety of extremities (palm, fingers, leg, etc.) without requiring high dexterity on a small surface.

One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a wearable computing device. The wearable computing device includes an outer covering defining an outer-most top surface and an outer perimeter and an internal volume defined, at least in part, by an inner surface of the outer covering. The wearable computing device also includes an electronic display and an electronic display module connector arranged within the internal volume. Further, the wearable computing device includes at least one biometric sensor electrode positioned on the outer-most top surface of the outer covering and wrapping around one or more side edges of the outer covering to the internal volume. Moreover, the wearable computing device includes a printed circuit board arranged within the internal volume. In addition, the wearable computing device includes a conductive component electrically connecting the biometric sensor electrode(s) to the printed circuit board through the electronic display module connector. Further, the conductive component defines a low-resistance path.

Another example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method of assembling a wearable computing device. The method includes providing an outer covering defining an outer-most top surface and an outer perimeter, an inner surface of the outer covering defining an internal volume. The method also includes positioning a first portion of at least one biometric sensor electrode on the outer-most top surface of the outer covering and wrapping a second portion of the at least one biometric sensor electrode around one or more side edges of the outer covering such that the second portion is within the internal volume. Further, the method includes placing an electronic display and an electronic display module connector within the internal volume. Moreover, the method includes arranging a printed circuit board within the internal volume adjacent to the electronic display. In addition, the method includes electrically connecting the biometric sensor electrode(s) to the printed circuit board through the electronic display module connector via at least one conductive component. Further, the conductive component(s) defines a low-resistance path.

For a wearable computing device, the front or top surface is typically occupied by a large electronic display, often covered with an optically clear covering constructed of certain materials (such as glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, etc.). This covering often requires a seal around its perimeter, making the electronic display covering larger than the active region of the electronic display itself. Accordingly, the present disclosure is related to a biometric sensor electrode integrated in the top surface of the covering on a wearable computing device, thereby providing increased surface area and improved signal quality of the sensor. By integrating the biometric sensor electrode onto the covering, the user is able to access the sensor in a more ergonomic manner, allowing the user to make contact with a variety of extremities (palm, fingers, leg, etc.) without requiring high dexterity on a small surface.

To activate the biometric sensor electrode created on the top surface of the covering, the sensor requires electrically connecting the sensor to the sense hub (which contains the main circuit) in the system board within the wearable computing device. Thus, the present disclosure is also directed to an improved conductive component between the biometric sensor electrode and the main circuit of the wearable computing device. As such, the present disclosure provides for electrically connecting an efficient and effective conductive component to a printed or flexible circuit board through the electronic display module and into the main circuit of the wearable computing device. In particular, the improved conductive component of the present disclosure has a low feed-thru electrical resistance and does not require extra space. Moreover, the integrated biometric sensor electrode allows for an easy assembly process without increasing costs or reducing reliability.

For example, in an embodiment, a direct/indirect connection may be used with conductive foam and an adhesive (such as anisotropic conductive film (ACF) and silver epoxy). In such an embodiment, physical vapor deposition (PVD) contact pads are positioned on the top surface and sandwiched between the sensor metal bottom of the covering and the top surface of the electronic display module. Next, a low-resistance conductive foam is placed between the sensor metal bottom and the PVD contact pads to connect the biometric sensor electrode to PVD contact pad(s). Further, the PVD contact pad(s) on the top surface is connected to a flexible printed circuit (FBC) through the electronic display module connector. The FBC is bonded on the top surface using an adhesive, such as ACF, by conventional FPC bonding processes. Moreover, the electronic display module connector is secured to the main device body, where the main circuit is located.

In particular, by providing a conductive component between the biometric sensor electrode and the main circuit of the wearable computing device, it is e.g., possible to obtain a compact and robust design of the wearable computing.

Referring now to the drawings, <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of a wearable computing device <NUM> according to the present disclosure. In particular, as shown, the wearable computing device <NUM> may be worn on a person's forearm like a wristwatch. In addition, as shown, the wearable computing device <NUM> has a housing <NUM> that contains the electronics associated with the wearable computing device <NUM>. Further, as shown, the wearable computing device <NUM> includes one or more buttons <NUM> and an electronic display <NUM> that is accessible/visible through the housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, for example, the button(s) <NUM> may be implemented to provide a mechanism to activate a heart rate sensor to collect heart rate data. Moreover, in an embodiment, the electronic display <NUM> may cover an electronics package <NUM> (also referred to herein as an electronic display module connector), which is also housed with the housing <NUM>. In addition, as shown, a wristband <NUM> may be integrated with the housing <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, various views of the housing <NUM> of the wearable computing device <NUM> according to the present disclosure are illustrated. In particular, <FIG> illustrates a top view of one embodiment of the housing <NUM> according to the present disclosure; <FIG> illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the housing <NUM> according to the present disclosure; <FIG> illustrates an exploded side view of one embodiment of the housing <NUM> according to the present disclosure; <FIG> illustrates a transparent, perspective view of one embodiment of the housing <NUM> according to the present disclosure; <FIG> illustrates a transparent, top view of one embodiment of the housing <NUM> according to the present disclosure; <FIG> illustrates a transparent, perspective view of one embodiment of the housing <NUM> according to the present disclosure; and <FIG> illustrates a rear view of one embodiment of the electronics package <NUM> within the housing <NUM> according to the present disclosure.

Furthermore, as shown generally in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> includes an outer covering <NUM> defining an outer-most top surface <NUM> and an outer perimeter <NUM>. For example, in an embodiment, the outer covering <NUM> may be constructed of glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, or similar. Thus, as shown particularly in <FIG>, an internal volume <NUM> is defined, at least in part, by an inner surface <NUM> of the outer covering <NUM>. In addition, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the wearable computing device <NUM> may also include a seal <NUM> arranged along the outer perimeter <NUM> of the outer covering <NUM>. Thus, in such embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the internal volume <NUM> is defined by the inner surface <NUM> of the outer covering <NUM> and an inner edge <NUM> of the seal <NUM>. Accordingly, as shown, the electronic display <NUM> and the electronic display module connector <NUM> may be arranged within the internal volume <NUM>, as further described herein.

In addition, as shown in <FIG>, the wearable computing device <NUM> further includes at least one biometric sensor electrode, such as a first biometric sensor electrode <NUM> and a second biometric sensor electrode <NUM>, positioned on the outer-most top surface <NUM> of the outer covering <NUM> and wrapping around one or more side edges of the outer covering <NUM> to the internal volume <NUM> (see e.g., <FIG>). Thus, as shown, in an embodiment, the wearable computing device <NUM> may include two sensor electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> placed in a pair. In such embodiment, the two sensor electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may have an overlapped space over a display dimension.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> wrap around the side edge of the outer covering <NUM> and the inner edge <NUM> of the seal <NUM> to the internal volume <NUM>. Furthermore, in such embodiments, as shown generally in <FIG>, the first and second biometric sensor electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may also be spaced apart by one or more gaps <NUM>. More specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the first and second biometric sensor electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may be spaced apart via multiple gaps <NUM> on opposing sides of the outer covering <NUM>. In other words, as shown, the two sensor electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> may have space in the middle to avoid the printed circuit board bonding area.

Moreover, as shown in <FIG>, the wearable computing device <NUM> includes a printed circuit board <NUM> arranged within the internal volume <NUM>, i.e., on a rear side of the electronics display <NUM>. Thus, in an embodiment, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first and second biometric sensor electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged on opposite sides of the printed circuit board <NUM>. Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, the first and second biometric sensor electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged on the same side of the printed circuit board <NUM>. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> described herein may each include a physical vapor deposition (PVD) sensor pad. In addition, in an embodiment, the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> described herein may include an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, an electrodermal activity (EDA) sensor, or any other suitable sensor type.

Accordingly, the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> described herein may be connected through inter-media materials to the electronic display module connector <NUM>, which may include a computing system configured to operate the wearable computing device <NUM>. In particular, as shown in <FIG>, a block diagram of an example computing system <NUM> according to example embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Further, as shown, in an embodiment, the computing system <NUM> includes a user computing device <NUM>, a server computing system <NUM>, and a training computing system <NUM> that are communicatively coupled over a network <NUM>. Thus, in an embodiment, components of the user computing device <NUM> may be part of the wearable computing device <NUM>.

In particular, as shown, the user computing device <NUM> includes one or more processors <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The one or more processors <NUM> can be any suitable processing device (e.g., a processor core, a microprocessor, an ASIC, an FPGA, a controller, a microcontroller, etc.) and can be one processor or a plurality of processors that are operatively connected. The memory <NUM> can include one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory devices, magnetic disks, etc., and combinations thereof. The memory <NUM> can store data <NUM> and instructions <NUM> which are executed by the processor <NUM> to cause the user computing device <NUM> to perform operations.

In some implementations, the user computing device <NUM> can store or include one or more models <NUM>. For example, in an embodiment, the model(s) <NUM> can be or can otherwise include various machine-learned models such as neural networks (e.g., deep neural networks) or other types of machine-learned models, including non-linear models and/or linear models. Neural networks can include feed-forward neural networks, recurrent neural networks (e.g., long short-term memory recurrent neural networks), convolutional neural networks or other forms of neural networks.

Thus, in some implementations, the model(s) <NUM> can be received from the server computing system <NUM> over the network <NUM>, stored in the user computing device memory <NUM>, and then used or otherwise implemented by the processor(s) <NUM>. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more models <NUM> can be included in or otherwise stored and implemented by the server computing system <NUM> that communicates with the user computing device <NUM> according to a client-server relationship. Thus, the model(s) <NUM> can be stored and implemented at the user computing device <NUM> and/or the model(s) <NUM> can be stored and implemented at the server computing system <NUM>.

The user computing device <NUM> can also include one or more user input components <NUM> that receives user input. For example, the user input component <NUM> can be a touch-sensitive component (e.g., a touch-sensitive display screen or a touch pad) that is sensitive to the touch of a user input object (e.g., a finger or a stylus). The touch-sensitive component can serve to implement a virtual keyboard. Other example user input components include a microphone, a traditional keyboard, or other means by which a user can provide user input.

The server computing system <NUM> can be any type of computing device, such as, for example, a personal computing device (e.g., laptop or desktop), a mobile computing device (e.g., smartphone or tablet), a gaming console or controller, a wearable computing device, an embedded computing device, or any other type of computing device. Further, as shown, the server computing system <NUM> includes one or more processors <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The processor(s) <NUM> can be any suitable processing device (e.g., a processor core, a microprocessor, an ASIC, an FPGA, a controller, a microcontroller, etc.) and can be one processor or a plurality of processors that are operatively connected. The memory <NUM> can include one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory devices, magnetic disks, etc., and combinations thereof. The memory <NUM> can store data <NUM> and instructions <NUM> which are executed by the processor <NUM> to cause the server computing system <NUM> to perform operations.

As described above, the server computing system <NUM> can store or otherwise include one or more models <NUM>. For example, the model(s) <NUM> can be or can otherwise include various machine-learned models. Example machine-learned models include neural networks or other multi-layer non-linear models. Example neural networks include feed forward neural networks, deep neural networks, recurrent neural networks, and convolutional neural networks.

The user computing device <NUM> and/or the server computing system <NUM> can train the models <NUM> and/or <NUM> via interaction with the training computing system <NUM> that is communicatively coupled over the network <NUM>. The training computing system <NUM> can be separate from the server computing system <NUM> or can be a portion of the server computing system <NUM>.

The training computing system <NUM> includes one or more processors <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The processor(s) <NUM> can be any suitable processing device (e.g., a processor core, a microprocessor, an ASIC, an FPGA, a controller, a microcontroller, etc.) and can be one processor or a plurality of processors that are operatively connected. The memory <NUM> can include one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media, such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, flash memory devices, magnetic disks, etc., and combinations thereof. The memory <NUM> can store data <NUM> and instructions <NUM> which are executed by the processor <NUM> to cause the training computing system <NUM> to perform operations. In some implementations, the training computing system <NUM> includes or is otherwise implemented by one or more server computing devices. The training computing system <NUM> can also include a model trainer <NUM> that trains the machine-learned models <NUM> and/or <NUM> stored at the user computing device <NUM> and/or the server computing system <NUM> using various training or learning techniques. In particular, in an embodiment, the model trainer <NUM> can train the models <NUM> and/or <NUM> based on a set of training data <NUM>.

The model trainer <NUM> includes computer logic utilized to provide desired functionality. The model trainer <NUM> can be implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or software controlling a general purpose processor. For example, in some implementations, the model trainer <NUM> includes program files stored on a storage device, loaded into a memory and executed by one or more processors. In other implementations, the model trainer <NUM> includes one or more sets of computer-executable instructions that are stored in a tangible computer-readable storage medium such as RAM, hard disk, or optical or magnetic media.

Referring now to <FIG>, the wearable computing device <NUM> of the present disclosure further includes a conductive component <NUM> electrically connecting the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> to the printed circuit board <NUM> through the electronic display module connector <NUM>. In particular, the conductive component <NUM> described herein provides a low-resistance path (e.g., on the order of less than about <NUM> Ohms, in particular less than <NUM> Ohms).

More specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the conductive component <NUM> is double-side conductive foam <NUM> or tape. In one embodiment, for example, and as shown particularly in <FIG>, and <FIG>, the double-side conductive foam <NUM> or tape may be sandwiched between a bottom surface <NUM> of the outer covering <NUM> and a top surface <NUM> of the electronic display <NUM>. In such embodiments, as shown particularly in <FIG>, the signal path, as indicated by arrows <NUM>, travels through the electronic display <NUM> first and then through the printed circuit board <NUM>. Thus, as shown in <FIG>, and <FIG>, in certain embodiments, the electronic display <NUM> can be connected through the printed circuit board <NUM> by anisotropic conductive film (ACF) bonding. As used herein, ACF bonding generally refers to a lead-free and environmentally friendly adhesive interconnect film system or paste that can be used to make electrical and mechanical connections. Further, as shown, conductive line(s) <NUM> connected to the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> and the conductive component <NUM> are connected to the printed circuit board <NUM> to deliver the sensing signal to the electronics package <NUM>.

In alternative embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the double-side conductive foam <NUM> or tape may be placed on a top surface <NUM> of the printed circuit board <NUM>. In such embodiments, as shown, the electronic display <NUM> becomes part of the printed circuit board <NUM> (i.e., its top surface). Accordingly, as shown particularly in <FIG>, the double-side conductive foam <NUM> or tape is configured to sit on the top surface <NUM> of the printed circuit board <NUM> (e.g., on the wing side top surface of the electronic display <NUM>). In such embodiments, as shown particularly in <FIG>, the signal path, as indicated by arrows <NUM>, travels by the electronic display <NUM> and directly through the printed circuit board <NUM>.

Alternatively, as shown in <FIG>, the conductive component <NUM> is double-side conductive tape <NUM> or film. In such embodiments, as shown, the conductive tape <NUM> or film may be applied directly to the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> to electrically connect the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> to the printed circuit board <NUM>. More particularly, as shown, the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> wrap around the side edge of the outer covering <NUM> to the internal volume <NUM> such that a first end of the conductive tape <NUM> or film can be secured to an end of the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> and an opposing end of the conductive tape <NUM> or film can be secured directly to the printed circuit board <NUM> (or to a conductive component in direct contact with the printed circuit board <NUM>). Furthermore, in such embodiments, the conductive component <NUM> may include separate conductive tapes or a single conductive tape with two conductive lines.

Referring now to <FIG>, the conductive component <NUM> is ACF (anisotropic conductive film or paste) bonding <NUM>. In such embodiments, as an example, the ACF bonding <NUM> can be applied directly to the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> to electrically connect the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> to the printed circuit board <NUM>. In such embodiments, the ACF bonding <NUM> can be used alone or in combination with the conductive tape <NUM> or film to provide additional support. Thus, in such embodiments, as shown at step (<NUM>), the ACF bonding <NUM> can be connected to the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM>, which are located on a hard glass surface. As shown at step (<NUM>), the electronics display <NUM> can then be laminated on top of the ACF bonding <NUM>. Moreover, as shown at step (<NUM>), the ACF bonding <NUM> can be connected to the printed circuit board <NUM> or any suitable location that can ultimately be electrically connected to the printed circuit board <NUM>. Such a connection can be completed using, for example, soldering, connectors, springs, fasteners, or similar.

In still another embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the conductive component <NUM> is a conductive adhesive <NUM> through direct contact, such as, for example, silver epoxy. In still further embodiments, the conductive component <NUM> may be single-side conductive tape, single-side conductive foam, anisotropic conductive film, or combinations thereof. In further embodiments, any suitable connection is possible to connect such components together to define the desired low-resistance path.

In still further embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the wearable computing device <NUM> may further include a contact pad <NUM> arranged between the double-side conductive foam <NUM>, <NUM> or tape and the top surface <NUM> of the electronic display <NUM>. In such embodiments, for example, the contact pad <NUM> may be a thin metal film. Thus, as shown, the printed circuit board <NUM> is electrically coupled to an edge of the contact pad <NUM>, e.g., through conductive line(s) <NUM>. In further embodiments, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be arranged adjacent to the contact pad <NUM> and may be electrically connected to a bottom surface of the contact pad <NUM> such that the conductive line(s) <NUM> can be omitted.

Referring now to <FIG>, a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method <NUM> of assembling a wearable computing device is provided. In an embodiment, for example, the wearable computing device may be any suitable wearable computing device such as the wearable computing device <NUM> described herein with reference to <FIG>. In general, the method <NUM> is described herein with reference to the wearable computing device <NUM> of <FIG>. However, it should be appreciated that the disclosed method <NUM> may be implemented with any other suitable wearable computing device having any other suitable configurations. In addition, although <FIG> depicts steps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration and discussion, the methods discussed herein are not limited to any particular order or arrangement. One skilled in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will appreciate that various steps of the methods disclosed herein can be omitted, rearranged, combined, and/or adapted in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.

As shown at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> includes providing an outer covering defining an outer-most top surface and an outer perimeter, an inner surface of the outer covering defining an internal volume. For example, <FIG> generally illustrate an embodiment of the outer covering <NUM> according to the present disclosure. Referring back to <FIG>, as shown at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> includes positioning a first portion of at least one biometric sensor electrode on the outer-most top surface of the outer covering and wrapping a second portion of the at least one biometric sensor electrode around one or more side edges of the outer covering such that the second portion is within the internal volume. For example, <FIG> generally illustrate an embodiment of a first portion of the biometric sensor electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> on the outer-most top surface <NUM> of the outer covering <NUM>. Furthermore, as shown particularly in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a second portion of the biometric sensor electrodes <NUM>, <NUM> wrap around one or more side edges of the outer covering <NUM> such that the second portion is within the internal volume <NUM> of the wearable computing device <NUM> according to the present disclosure.

Referring back to <FIG>, as shown at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> includes placing an electronic display and an electronic display module connector within the internal volume. As shown at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> includes arranging a printed circuit board within the internal volume adjacent to the electronic display.

As shown at (<NUM>), the method <NUM> includes electrically connecting the biometric sensor electrode(s) to the printed circuit board through the electronic display module connector via at least one conductive component. In such embodiments, the conductive component(s) defines a low-resistance path. For example, in an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, electrically connecting the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> to the printed circuit board <NUM> through the electronic display module connector <NUM> includes placing the conductive component(s) <NUM> between the bottom surface <NUM> of the outer covering <NUM> and a top surface of <NUM> the electronic display <NUM>. In alternative embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, electrically connecting the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> to the printed circuit board <NUM> through the electronic display module connector <NUM> includes placing the conductive component(s) <NUM> on a top surface <NUM> of the printed circuit board <NUM>. In addition, in certain embodiments, as described herein, the conductive component(s) <NUM> may be double-side conductive tape, double-side conductive foam, single-side conductive tape, single-side conductive foam, conductive adhesive, anisotropic conductive film, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, for example, wherein the conductive component <NUM> is the double-side conductive tape or the double-side conductive foam, the method <NUM> may include laminating the outer covering <NUM>, the double-side conductive tape or the double-side conductive foam <NUM>, and the biometric sensor electrode(s) <NUM>, <NUM> together.

Claim 1:
A wearable computing device (<NUM>), comprising:
an outer covering (<NUM>) defining an outer-most top surface (<NUM>) and an outer perimeter (<NUM>);
an internal volume (<NUM>) defined, at least in part, by an inner surface (<NUM>) of the outer covering (<NUM>);
an electronic display (<NUM>) and an electronic display module connector arranged within the internal volume (<NUM>);
at least one biometric sensor electrode (<NUM>, <NUM>) positioned on the outer-most top surface (<NUM>) of the
outer covering (<NUM>) and wrapping around one or more side edges of the outer covering (<NUM>) to the internal volume (<NUM>);
a printed circuit board (<NUM>) arranged within the internal volume (<NUM>); and
a conductive component (<NUM>) electrically connecting the at least one biometric sensor electrode to the printed circuit board (<NUM>) through the electronic display module connector.