Patent Description:
Wrist-wearable devices used in conjunction with artificial realities tend to have issues with either weight or low fidelity. For example, wrist-wearable devices that are lightweight do not have enough sensors to produce the high-fidelity data that is required to interact with an artificial reality (e.g., a low density of sensors located on only one portion of a wrist-wearable device). In another example, wrist-wearable devices that do have enough sensors to produce high-fidelity data are heavy, which reduces the time in which a wearer can comfortably wear the wrist-wearable device. Thus, traditional wrist-wearable devices suffer a dichotomy between choosing to make the wrist wearable device lightweight or make the wrist-wearable device produce high fidelity data.

As such, there is a need to address one or more of the above-identified challenges, including making a wrist-wearable device that is both lightweight and provides high-fidelity data to be used in conjunction with an artificial reality. A brief summary of solutions to the issues noted above are described below.

<CIT> describes a computing device including biosignal-acquiring circuitry that captures a biosignal from a user's body and one or more composite bioelectrodes electrically coupled to the biosignal-acquiring circuitry. The one or more composite bioelectrodes include a circuitry-interfacing side with a mechanical or electrical property having a first predetermined configuration and a user-interfacing side with the mechanical or electrical property having a second predetermined configuration.

<CIT> describes a wearable teleoperation bracelet based on surface electromyographic signals and motion capture technology, comprising: a bracelet band, wherein one end of which is provided with a buckle, the other end of which is provided with a plurality of holes, and the degree of tightness of the bracelet band is adjusted by buckling the buckle into different holes; a large electrode module, wherein a large electrode signal acquisition board, an electrode signal processing board, a control board, an IMU-Bluetooth board and a power supply processing board are installed in the large electrode module, the five circuit boards are in butt joint through male and female connectors of connectors and power supply and communication are realized; and five small electrode modules, wherein each small electrode module is internally provided with a small electrode signal acquisition board and a lithium battery pack for supplying power to the whole bracelet.

The wrist-wearable devices and their accompanying manufacturing process described herein resolve the dichotomy between weight and fidelity of data described above. The wrist-wearable device herein uses an extensive number of biopotential sensors located on both bands of the wrist-wearable device, thereby utilizing substantially all of the wrist-facing real estate. Additionally, the wrist-wearable device is slim in nature and is as only as wide as required to encapsulate the embedded flexible printed circuit board and accompanying biopotential sensors. In addition, the wrist-wearable device also makes use of simple attachment components, such as, Velcro and simply looping an elastic structure extending from a first side through a receiving loop attached at an opposite second side. These manufacturing techniques and design choices, in part, allow for the wrist-wearable device to be both lightweight and produce high fidelity biopotential data.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a wrist-wearable device, comprising: a first skin-contact portion of a band of the wrist-wearable device that: (i) includes a first flexible printed circuit board, (ii) is coupled with a first set of biopotential-signal sensors for detecting first biopotential signals that are provided to the first flexible printed circuit board, and (iii) is coupled with an elastic material that extends beyond an end of the first skin-contact portion of the band; and a second skin-contact portion of the band of the wrist-wearable device that is separated from the first skin-contact portion of the band by a capsule structure, the second skin-contact portion: (i) including a second flexible printed circuit board, (ii) coupled with a second set of biopotential-signal sensors for detecting biopotential signals that are provided to the second flexible printed circuit board, and (iii) coupled with a receiving loop for receiving the elastic material to affix the band to a body part of a wearer of the wrist-wearable device, wherein the first skin-contact portion and the second skin-contact portion are made of a same material that is distinct from the elastic material, such that when the wrist-wearable device is worn on the wrist of a user the elastic material is configured to stretch to affix the band to a wrist of the user through the receiving loop and the first and second skin-contact portions are not configured to stretch; characterized in that: the elastic material includes a loop portion of a hook and loop fastener, and the first skin-contact portion of the band includes a hook portion of the hook and loop fastener and is configured to attach with the loop portion after the elastic material has been passed through the receiving loop of the second skin-contact portion to secure the wrist-wearable device to a wrist of the user.

The elastic material may be at least <NUM>% less in width than the first skin-contact portion of the band.

The receiving loop and elastic material may be configured such that stress applied to the receiving loop and elastic material are substantially not transferred to both the first flexible printed circuit board and the second flexible printed circuit board, when the wrist-wearable device is worn on a wrist of the user.

The first skin-contact portion of the band and the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener may be sewn together.

The hook portion of the hook and loop fastener may be a distinct and separate material from the elastic material. The hook portion of the hook and loop fastener may be adhered to a top part of the first skin-contact portion. The top part may be opposite to a bottom part of the first skin-contact portion at which the first set of biopotential-signal sensors are coupled.

The elastic material and the receiving loop may be attached through respective cutouts of the first and second skin-contact portions, and then adhered to those portions.

A number of the first set of biopotential-signal sensors may be larger than a number of the second set of biopotential-signal sensors.

The first set of biopotential-signal sensors may contain fewer biopotential-signal sensors than the second set of biopotential-signal sensors.

The first and second flexible printed circuit boards may be directly adhered to the first and second skin-contact portions.

The first skin-contact portion of the band and the second skin-contact portion of the band may each include cutouts for the first set of biopotential-signal sensors and the second set of biopotential-signal sensors to pass-through, respectively.

Contact points of the first and second flexible printed circuit boards may be exposed for connection with a capsule portion. The capsule portion may connect to both the first and second flexible printed circuit boards.

The capsule portion may connect to both the first and second flexible printed circuit boards via multiple fasteners and an adhesive.

The elastic material may be partially adhered to a top part of the first skin-contact portion.

The elastic material may be <NUM>-<NUM> inches (<NUM>-<NUM>) in length.

An end of the elastic material may include a portion that is folded over on itself and the folded over potion may be between <NUM>/<NUM> and <NUM>/<NUM> of an inch (<NUM> and <NUM>).

The elastic material may include a hook and loop portion that is <NUM>-<NUM> inches (<NUM>-<NUM>) in length.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method of manufacturing a wrist-wearable device, comprising: providing a first skin-contact portion of a band of the wrist-wearable device that is produced by: (i) coupling a first set of biopotential-signal sensors for detecting first biopotential signals with a first flexible printed circuit board to produce a first biopotential sensor sub-assembly; (ii) coupling the first biopotential sensor sub-assembly with the first skin-contact portion of the band; and (iii) coupling an elastic material to the first skin-contact portion of the band that extends beyond an end of the first skin-contact portion of the band; and providing a second skin-contact portion of the band of the wrist-wearable device that is coupled to the first skin-contact portion of the band by a capsule structure, the second skin-contact portion is produced by: (i) coupling a second set of biopotential-signal sensors for detecting biopotential signals that are provided to a second flexible printed circuit board to produce a second biopotential sensor sub-assembly; (ii) coupling the second biopotential sensor sub-assembly with the second skin-contact portion of the band; and (iii) coupling a receiving loop for receiving the elastic material to affix the band to a body part of a wearer of the wrist-wearable device, wherein the first skin-contact portion and the second skin-contact portion are made of a same material that is distinct from the elastic material, such that when the wrist-wearable device is worn on the wrist of a user the elastic material is configured to stretch to affix the band to the wrist of the user through the receiving loop and the first and second skin-contact portions are not configured to stretch; characterized in that: the elastic material includes a loop portion of a hook and loop fastener, and the first skin-contact portion of the band includes a hook portion of the hook and loop fastener and is configured to attach with the loop portion after the elastic material has been passed through the receiving loop of the second skin-contact portion to secure the wrist-wearable device to a wrist of the user.

The first skin-contact portion of the band and the second skin-contact portion may be part of a continuous textile that was configured to be placed in a jig-alignment assembly. The method of manufacturing may further include trimming the first skin-contact portion of the band and the second skin-contact portion to produce a first trimmed-skin-contact portion of the band and a second trimmed-skin-contact portion. The first trimmed-skin-contact portion of the band and the second trimmed-skin-contact portion may be configured to be separately coupled to the capsule structure.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a system comprising: an artificial-reality headset; and one or more wrist wearable devices according to the first aspect.

One example of a wrist-wearable device is described herein. This example wrist-wearable device includes a first skin-contact portion of a band of the wrist-wearable device (e.g., first skin contact portion 262A of wrist-wearable device <NUM> in <FIG>) that: (i) includes a first flexible printed circuit board (e.g., flexible printed circuit board 210A shown in <FIG>), (ii) is coupled with a first set of biopotential-signal sensors for detecting first biopotential signals that are provided to the first flexible printed circuit board (e.g., biopotential sensors 204A-204J depicted in <FIG>), and (iii) is coupled with an elastic material that extends beyond an end of the first skin-contact portion of the band (e.g., elastic band 224A extends beyond the textile <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). The wrist-wearable device also comprises a second skin-contact portion of the band of the wrist-wearable device (e.g., second skin contact portion 262B of wrist-wearable device <NUM> in <FIG>) that is separated from the first skin-contact portion of the band by a capsule structure (e.g., capsule <NUM> as shown in <FIG>), the second skin-contact portion: (i) includes a second flexible printed circuit board (e.g., flexible printed circuit board 210B shown in <FIG>), (ii) coupled with a second set of biopotential-signal sensors for detecting biopotential signals that are provided to the second flexible printed circuit board (e.g., biopotential sensors <NUM>-204P depicted in <FIG>), and (iii) is coupled with a receiving loop (e.g., receiving loop <NUM> shown in <FIG>) for receiving the elastic material (e.g., elastic band 224A) to affix the band to a body part (e.g., wrist <NUM> of user <NUM> as shown in <FIG>) of a wearer of the wrist-wearable device. In some examples, the first skin-contact portion and the second skin-contact portion are made of a same material that is distinct from the elastic material (e.g., wrist-facing textile <NUM> is different from the elastic bands 224A and 224B), such that when the wrist-wearable device is worn on the wrist of a user the elastic material is configured to stretch to affix the band to the wrist of the user through the receiving loop and the first and second skin-contact portions are not configured to stretch.

The features and advantages described in the specification are not necessarily all inclusive and, in particular, certain additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes.

Having summarized the above example aspects, a brief description of the drawings will now be presented.

For a better understanding of the various described embodiments, reference should be made to the Detailed Description below, in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.

In accordance with common practice, the various features illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given system, method, or device. Finally, like reference numerals may be used to denote like features throughout the specification and figures.

Numerous details are described herein to provide a thorough understanding of the examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, some examples may be practiced without many of the specific details, and the scope of the claims is only limited by those features and aspects specifically recited in the claims. Furthermore, well-known processes, components, and materials have not necessarily been described in exhaustive detail so as to avoid obscuring pertinent aspects of the examples described herein.

Embodiments of this disclosure can include or be implemented in conjunction with various types or embodiments of artificial-reality systems. Artificial-reality, as described herein, is any superimposed functionality and or sensory-detectable presentation provided by an artificial-reality system within a user's physical surroundings. Such artificial-realities (AR) can include and/or represent virtual reality (VR), augmented reality, mixed artificial-reality (MAR), or some combination and/or variation one of these. For example, a user can perform a swiping in-air hand gesture to cause a song to be skipped by a song-providing API providing playback at, for example, a home speaker. In some embodiments of an AR system, ambient light (e.g., a live feed of the surrounding environment that a user would normally see) can be passed through a display element of a respective head-wearable device presenting aspects of the AR system. In some examples, ambient light can be passed through respective aspect of the AR system. For example, a visual user interface element (e.g., a notification user interface element) can be presented at the head-wearable device, and an amount of ambient light (e.g., <NUM>-<NUM>% of the ambient light) can be passed through the user interface element, such that the user can distinguish at least a portion of the physical environment over which the user interface element is being displayed.

Artificial-reality content can include completely generated content or generated content combined with captured (e.g., real-world) content. The artificial-reality content can include video, audio, haptic events, or some combination thereof, any of which can be presented in a single channel or in multiple channels (such as stereo video that produces a three-dimensional effect to a viewer). Additionally, In some examples, artificial reality can also be associated with applications, products, accessories, services, or some combination thereof, which are used, for example, to create content in an artificial reality and/or are otherwise used in (e.g., to perform activities in) an artificial reality.

To interact with artificial realities input devices are needed, especially high accuracy lightweight ones. To that end, a wrist-wearable device that is both lightweight and has a high density of biopotential sensors is described herein. Due to its high-density nature and low weight, the manufacturing process of this wrist wearable device will also be discussed in detail herein. Having more biopotential sensors allows for less noise in the bipotential signals and also allows for a greater range of inputs to be determined.

<FIG> illustrates a user wearing a wrist-wearable device that is configured to detect one or more biopotential signals of a wearer of the wrist-wearable device. <FIG> shows a user <NUM> wearing a wrist-wearable device <NUM> about their wrist <NUM>. As we will be discussed in further detail in relation to subsequent Figures, the wrist-wearable device <NUM> is configured with a plurality of biopotential signal sensors <NUM>. This plurality of biopotential sensors <NUM> is configured to detect one or more biopotential signals of the user <NUM>. In some examples, these detected signals can be used to provide inputs to an artificial reality headset (described in reference to <FIG> and <FIG>). Chart <NUM>, shown beneath the depiction of the user <NUM>, illustrates the recorded biopotential signals <NUM> detected by the plurality of biopotential signal sensors <NUM> of the wrist-wearable device <NUM>. In some examples, the recorded biopotential signals <NUM> are sent to a processor <NUM> for processing (e.g., signal filtering, determining gestures being performed, etc.,).

<FIG> illustrate an assembly process for producing a lightweight wrist-wearable device (e.g., wrist wearable device <NUM> shown in <FIG>) that includes a high density of biopotential sensors that are configured to be in contact with a wrist of a user. <FIG> shows a sequence for producing a biopotential sensor sub-assembly that is used in the wrist-wearable device described in reference to <FIG>. Two biopotential sensor sub-assemblies are produced, one for a first skin contact portion and another for a second skin contact portion (e.g., similar to two portions of a watch band).

In manufacturing step <NUM> of the production sequence <NUM>, a first assembly jig <NUM> and a second assembly jig <NUM> are shown, and each of the first assembly jig <NUM> and the assembly jig <NUM> include guiding indentations 207A and 207B for aligning a plurality of biopotential sensors 204A-204P. Manufacturing step <NUM> also shows a plurality of biopotential sensors 204A-204J placed into the guiding indentations 207A, and biopotential sensors <NUM>-204P placed into guiding indentations 207B. In some examples, the assembly jigs <NUM> and <NUM> are rigid structure (e.g., produced from a metal/alloy) that is not easily flexed to maintain consistency between production runs.

In manufacturing step <NUM> flexible printed circuit boards 210A and 210B are coupled to biopotential sensors 204A-204J (obscured and not labeled) and biopotential sensors <NUM>-204P (obscured and not labeled), respectively, to produce a first biopotential assembly 212A and second biopotential assembly 212B. In some examples, the biopotential sensors are soldered to the circuit boards or are press fitted into place.

In manufacturing step <NUM> of the production sequence <NUM> shows that the first biopotential assembly 212A and second biopotential assembly 212B are removed from first assembly jig <NUM> and the assembly jig <NUM>, respectively. These first biopotential assembly 212A and second biopotential assembly 212B are then set aside for later assembly (see, <FIG>).

<FIG> shows a sequence for producing an outside facing band sub-assembly that is used in the wrist-wearable device described in reference to <FIG>. Manufacturing step <NUM> shows a backside <NUM> of a textile <NUM> that has two cutouts 220A and 220B that are configured to pass elastic bands through them.

Manufacturing step <NUM> shows a backside <NUM> of the textile <NUM> that now includes elastic bands 224A and 224B that are attached at opposite ends of the textile <NUM>. The elastic bands 224A and 224B have respective portions 226A and 226B that are adhered to the backside of the textile <NUM>. In some examples, the respective portions 226A and 226B are adhered using an adhesive. In some examples, the elastic bands 224A and 224B are further adhered by being sewn onto the textile <NUM>.

Manufacturing step <NUM> shows a frontside <NUM> of the textile <NUM>, which shows that the elastic band 224A includes hook and loop portions <NUM> (e.g., Velcro), and elastic band 224B includes a receiving loop <NUM> that is configured to receive the elastic band 224A. As will be described late, the receiving loop <NUM> is configured to be used in conjunction with the elastic band 224A to secure the wrist-wearable device to the user' wrist. Frontside <NUM> also shows a corresponding hook and loop portion <NUM> configured to adhere to the hook and loop portion <NUM> after it has passed through the loop <NUM>. After this is completed a non-wrist-facing sub-assembly <NUM> is produced, and this non-wrist-facing sub-assembly <NUM> is then set aside for later use during the production process. In some examples, elastic band 224B extends ¼ inch to <NUM> inch (<NUM> to <NUM>) on the frontside <NUM>. In some examples, the elastic band 224A extends <NUM>-<NUM> inches (<NUM>-<NUM>) on the frontside. In some examples, the end of the elastic band 224A is folded over itself (e.g., fold over at a minimum of <NUM>/<NUM> inches, i.e. <NUM>) and sewn and/or adhered into place. In some examples, the hook portion and the loop portion of the hook and loop <NUM> (e.g., Velcro) are separated by at least two inches (<NUM>) from each other (e.g., <NUM> inches, i.e. <NUM>).

<FIG> shows a sequence of combining wrist-facing textile <NUM> to the sub-assemblies described in reference to both <FIG>. Manufacturing step <NUM> shows wrist-facing textile <NUM> being placed on jig <NUM>, where jig <NUM> includes posts 244A-244J for aligning the wrist-facing textile <NUM> that includes corresponding cutouts. In some examples, more or less posts are used for aligning the wrist-facing textile (e.g., as few as two posts). Wrist-facing textile <NUM> is also configured to be the textile that is contact with a wrist of the user and includes a first set of cutouts 245A-245J and a second set of cutouts <NUM>-245P that correspond to biopotential sensors 204A-204J and biopotential sensors <NUM>-204P, respectively.

Manufacturing step <NUM> shows that a reinforcement plates 248A and 248B are bonded to the wrist-facing textile <NUM>. In some examples, these reinforcement plates 248A and 248B are configured to take a tensioning load instead of the first biopotential assembly 212A (shown in <FIG>) and second biopotential assembly 212B (shown in <FIG>) taking the tensioning load. In other words, these reinforcement plates 248A and 248B ensure that the textile does not become detached from a capsule (described in reference to <FIG>), as a result of the weaker nature of a flexible printed circuit board material. In some examples, the adhesive is pre-tacked prior to applying the reinforcement plates 248A and 248B. In some examples, the reinforcement plates 248A and 248B are made of alloys/metals, such as stainless steel. In some examples, the adhesive is Bemis <NUM> or MT413 and are fully cured using one or more of pre-tacking and a heat press. In some examples, isopropyl alcohol is applied prior to applying an adhesive.

Manufacturing step <NUM> shows that first biopotential assembly 212A and second biopotential assembly 212B are coupled with the wrist-facing textile <NUM>, such that the first set of cutouts 245A-245J (obscured, labeled in manufacturing step <NUM>) and a second set of cutouts <NUM>-245P (obscured, labeled in manufacturing step <NUM>) are aligned with corresponding biopotential sensors 204A-204J (obscured, labeled in <FIG>) and biopotential sensors <NUM>-204P (obscured, labeled in <FIG>), respectively. In some examples, the first set of cutouts 245A-245J (obscured, labeled in manufacturing step <NUM>) and a second set of cutouts <NUM>-245P (obscured, labeled in manufacturing step <NUM>) are produced using a laser cutter. In some examples, the electrodes are oversized for the hole ensuring that exposed edges of the wrist-facing textile <NUM> are covered by a biopotential sensor. In some examples, a respective additional skin contact portion of the biopotential sensor is press fit onto the biopotential sensors 204A-204P (obscured, labeled in <FIG>) to further (i) couple the wrist-facing textile <NUM> to the first biopotential assembly 212A and second biopotential assembly 212B, and/or (ii) remove any exposed edges of the textile from being exposed (e.g., to avoid fraying. In some examples, the first biopotential assembly 212A and second biopotential assembly 212B are further coupled with the wrist-facing textile <NUM> using an adhesive.

Manufacturing step <NUM> shows that a non-wrist-facing sub-assembly <NUM>, described in reference to <FIG>, is adhered to wrist-facing textile <NUM> (obscured), the first biopotential assembly 212A, and second biopotential assembly 212B to produce a non-cut wristband assembly <NUM>. In other words, the first biopotential assembly 212A and second biopotential assembly 212B are sandwiched between the wrist-facing textile <NUM> and non-wrist-facing sub-assembly <NUM>. In some examples, an adhesive is applied to one or more of non-wrist-facing sub-assembly <NUM>, wrist-facing textile <NUM> (obscured), first biopotential assembly 212A and/or second biopotential assembly 212B to bond them together. In some examples, the adhesive used requires heat to finish the bonding process. For example, adhesives such as HAF <NUM> can be used for the adhesive, which requires a pre-tacking at <NUM>-<NUM> degrees Fahrenheit for <NUM>-<NUM> seconds. After pre-tacking is complete, the entire non-cut assembly <NUM> can be placed into a heat press for <NUM>-<NUM> seconds at a temperature of <NUM>-<NUM> degrees Fahrenheit. In some examples, pre-tacking starts at the most stressed locations first, such as the reinforcement plate(s) 248A and 248B (obscured) and the receiving loop <NUM> locations.

The manufacturing process is continued in <FIG>, as illustrated by "A" <NUM> shown in both <FIG> and <FIG> shows in manufacturing step <NUM> that non-cut assembly <NUM> is cut along the dashed lines 258A-258D. While manufacturing step <NUM> appears to show that elastic band 224A is trimmed, it is not, and only the wrist-facing textile <NUM> (obscured) and the textile portion of non-wrist-facing sub-assembly <NUM> are trimmed. In some examples, cutting guides can be placed on the posts 244A-244J to ensure that trimming is consistent and that the underlying first biopotential assembly 212A and/or second biopotential assembly 212B are not accidentally scored. In some examples, this trimming process can be done either automatically or by manually. In some examples, the trimming process described above can occur via the use of a laser cutter.

Manufacturing process <NUM> shows a non-wrist-facing view <NUM> and the wrist-facing view <NUM> of non-coupled band assembly <NUM>, that includes a first skin contact portion 262A and a second skin contact portion 262B. being removed from the jig assembly. Two non-coupled band assemblies are shown for explanation/illustration purposes to show the non-wrist-facing view <NUM> and the wrist-facing view <NUM> of the non-coupled band assemblies <NUM>, despite only one being produced during this example manufacturing process.

Manufacturing process <NUM> shows that a capsule <NUM> being configured to join the first skin contact portion 262A and a second skin contact portion 262B together to produce a wrist-wearable device <NUM>. In some examples, the capsule includes one or more processors, one or more communications components, and one or more biopotential sensors. In some examples, the capsule includes components that are electrically coupled to both biopotential sensors 204A-204J and biopotential sensors <NUM>-204P. In some examples, the capsule <NUM> is secured by one or more of: adhesive, screws into the reinforcement plates 248A and 248B, and press fittings.

While some of the above examples show the process taking place in a jig, it is conceivable that some if not all steps could occur without the use of a jig assembly and/or without any alignment techniques. For example, other alignment techniques can be used, such as sewing portions together, pinning portions down using clamps, using pins, etc.,.

While many adhesive steps are discussed above, In some examples, these adhesives require the use of heat to properly bond. As such the jigs described above can be configured to be placed into a heat press machines without needing to remove anything from the jigs (e.g., removing a non-wrist-facing sub-assembly <NUM>, wrist-facing textile <NUM>, first biopotential assembly 212A, or second biopotential assembly 212B). Such an approach ensures that proper alignment is maintained during the manufacturing process.

While wrist-wearable devices are described, the processes described above can be used to make any form of wearable device, such as a headband, anklet, or any other location on the body where biopotential signals can be recorded.

<FIG> shows an example method flow chart <NUM> for manufacturing a lightweight wrist-wearable device that includes a plurality of biopotential sensors. While <FIG> illustrate a method of manufacturing, the flow chart <NUM> is meant to augment what is described in <FIG> and is not intended to limit what is disclosed in <FIG>. In addition, the order and operations described in method flow chart <NUM> can be applied to the method of manufacturing described in <FIG>, and vice versa.

(A1) In accordance with some examples a method of manufacturing <NUM> a wrist-wearable device comprises, providing (<NUM>) a first skin-contact portion of a band of the wrist-wearable device (e.g., first skin contact portion 262A of wrist-wearable device <NUM> in <FIG>) that is produced by: (i) coupling (<NUM>) a first set of biopotential-signal sensors for detecting first biopotential signals with a first flexible printed circuit board (e.g., biopotential sensors 204A-204J depicted in <FIG>) to produce a first biopotential sensor sub-assembly; (ii) coupling (<NUM>) the first biopotential sensor sub-assembly with the first skin-contact portion of the band; and (iii) coupling (<NUM>) an elastic material to the first skin-contact portion of the band that extends beyond an end of the first skin-contact portion of the band (e.g., elastic band 224A extends beyond the textile <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). The method of manufacturing also includes, providing (<NUM>) a second skin-contact portion of the band of the wrist-wearable device (e.g., second skin contact portion 262B of wrist-wearable device <NUM> in <FIG>) that is coupled to the first skin-contact portion of the band by a capsule structure (e.g., capsule <NUM> as shown in <FIG>), the second skin-contact portion is produced by: (i) coupling (<NUM>) a second set of biopotential-signal sensors (e.g., biopotential sensors <NUM>-204P depicted in <FIG>) for detecting biopotential signals that are provided to a second flexible printed circuit board (e.g., flexible printed circuit board 210B shown in <FIG>) to produce a second biopotential sensor sub-assembly; (ii) coupling (<NUM>) the second biopotential sensor sub-assembly with the second skin-contact portion of the band; and (iii) coupling (<NUM>) a receiving loop (e.g., receiving loop <NUM> shown in <FIG>) for receiving the elastic material (e.g., elastic band 224A) to affix the band to a body part (e.g., wrist <NUM> of user <NUM> as shown in <FIG>) of a wearer of the wrist-wearable device. In some examples, the first skin-contact portion and the second skin-contact portion are made of a same material that is distinct from the elastic material (e.g., wrist-facing textile <NUM> is different from the elastic bands 224A and 224B), such that when the wrist-wearable device is worn on a wrist of a user the elastic material is configured to stretch to affix the band to the wrist of the user through the receiving loop and the first and second skin-contact portions are not configured to stretch (<NUM>).

(A2) In some examples of A1, the first skin-contact portion of the band and the second skin-contact portion are part of the same continuous textile that was configured to be placed in a jig-alignment assembly. In some examples, the method of manufacturing further includes, trimming the first skin-contact portion of the band and the second skin-contact portion to produce a first trimmed-skin-contact portion of the band and a second trimmed-skin-contact portion, wherein the first trimmed-skin-contact portion of the band and the second trimmed-skin-contact portion are configured to be separately coupled to the capsule structure.

(A3) In some examples of A2, the method of manufacturing the wrist-wearable device further includes, coupling the first trimmed-skin-contact portion of the band and the second trimmed-skin-contact portion to opposite sides of the capsule structure to produce the wrist-wearable device.

(B1) In accordance with some examples, a wrist-wearable device, comprises a first skin-contact portion of a band of the wrist-wearable device (e.g., first skin contact portion 262A of wrist-wearable device <NUM> in <FIG>) that: (i) includes a first flexible printed circuit board (e.g., flexible printed circuit board 210A shown in <FIG>), (ii) is coupled with a first set of biopotential-signal sensors for detecting first biopotential signals that are provided to the first flexible printed circuit board (e.g., biopotential sensors 204A-204J depicted in <FIG>), and (iii) is coupled with an elastic material that extends beyond an end of the first skin-contact portion of the band (e.g., elastic band 224A extends beyond the textile <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>). The wrist-wearable device also comprises a second skin-contact portion of the band of the wrist-wearable device (e.g., second skin contact portion 262B of wrist-wearable device <NUM> in <FIG>) that is separated from the first skin-contact portion of the band by a capsule structure (e.g., capsule <NUM> as shown in <FIG>), the second skin-contact portion: (i) includes a second flexible printed circuit board (e.g., flexible printed circuit board 210B shown in <FIG>), (ii) coupled with a second set of biopotential-signal sensors for detecting biopotential signals that are provided to the second flexible printed circuit board (e.g., biopotential sensors <NUM>-204P depicted in <FIG>), and (iii) is coupled with a receiving loop (e.g., receiving loop <NUM> shown in <FIG>) for receiving the elastic material (e.g., elastic band 224A) to affix the band to a body part (e.g., wrist <NUM> of user <NUM> as shown in <FIG>) of a wearer of the wrist-wearable device. In some examples, the first skin-contact portion and the second skin-contact portion are made of a same material that is distinct from the elastic material (e.g., wrist-facing textile <NUM> is different from the elastic bands 224A and 224B), such that when the wrist-wearable device is worn on the wrist of a user the elastic material is configured to stretch to affix the band to the wrist of the user through the receiving loop and the first and second skin-contact portions are not configured to stretch.

(B2) In some examples of B1, the elastic material is at least <NUM>% less in width than the first skin-contact portion of the band and the second skin-contact portion. In some examples, <NUM>-<NUM>% of the width of the first skin-contact portion of the band is the minimum amount of surface area needed for the hook and loop structure to remain attached to a wearer's wrist while maintaining the required force to ensure a proper contact exists between the biopotential sensors and the user's wrist (e.g., enough force to ensure sensors are detecting signals without significant interference). For example, <FIG> shows that elastic band 224A and 224B are at least <NUM>% less in width than the width of first skin contact portion 262A and a second skin contact portion 262B.

(B3) In some examples of any of B1-B2, the receiving loop and elastic material are configured such that stress applied to the receiving loop and elastic material are substantially not transferred to both the first flexible printed circuit board and the second flexible printed circuit board, when the wrist-wearable device is worn on a wrist of the user. For example, reinforcement plates 248A and 248B in <FIG> are configured to mitigate stress being applied to the flexible printed circuit boards 210A and 210B, respectively.

(B4) In some examples of any of B1-B3, the elastic material includes a loop (or a hook portion) portion of a hook and loop fastener, and the first skin-contact portion of the band includes a hook portion (or a loop portion) of the hook and loop fastener and is configured to attach with the loop portion after the elastic material has been passed through the receiving loop of the second skin-contact portion to secure the wrist-wearable device to a wrist of the user. For example, <FIG> shows that the elastic band 224A includes hook and loop portions <NUM>.

(B5) In some examples of any of B1-B4, the first skin-contact portion of the band and the loop portion of the hook and loop fastener are sewn together (e.g., the rectangular portion of hook and loop portions <NUM> in <FIG>).

(B6) In some examples of any of B1-B5, the hook portion is sewn into the elastic material (e.g., the oval portions of hook and loop portions <NUM> in <FIG>).

(B7) In some examples of any of B1-B6, the hook portion of the hook and loop fastener is a distinct and separate material from the elastic material, and the hook portion of the hook and loop fastener is adhered to a top part of the first skin-contact portion, the top part being opposite to a bottom part of the first skin-contact portion at which the first set biopotential-signal sensors are coupled.

(B8) In some examples of any of B1-B7, elastic material and the receiving loop are attached through respective cutouts of the first and second skin-contact portions, and then adhered to those portions (e.g., <FIG> shows that a backside <NUM> of a textile <NUM> has two cutouts 220A and 220B that are configured to pass elastic bands 224A and 224B through them).

(B9) In some examples of any of B1-B8, a number of the first set of biopotential-signal sensors is larger than a number of the second set of biopotential-signal sensors (e.g., <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate that biopotential sensors 204A-204J (i.e., <NUM> biopotential sensors) are part of first skin contact portion 262A and biopotential sensors <NUM>-204P (i.e., <NUM> biopotential sensors) are part of the second skin contact portion 262B).

(B10) In some examples of any of B1-B9, first skin-contact portion is longer than the second skin-contact portion (e.g., <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate that first skin contact portion 262A is longer than second skin contact portion 262B).

(B11) In some examples of any of B1-B10, the first set of biopotential-signal sensors contains fewer biopotential-signal sensors than the second set of biopotential-signal sensors. In some examples, the second set of biopotential-signal sensors contains more biopotential-signal sensors than the second set of biopotential-signal sensors. In some examples, the number of biopotential-signal sensors correspond to areas with the most detectable information (e.g., more tendons, more nerves, more muscles).

(B12) In some examples of any of B1-B11, the first and second flexible printed circuit boards are directly adhered to the first and second skin-contact portions (e.g., <FIG> shows in manufacturing step <NUM> that first biopotential assembly 212A and second biopotential assembly 212B are directly coupled with the wrist-facing textile <NUM>).

(B13) In some examples of any of B1-B12, the first skin-contact portion of the band and the second skin-contact portion of the band each include cutouts (e.g., in the shape of a biopotential signal sensor (e.g., undersized)) for the first set of biopotential-signal sensors and the second set of biopotential-signal sensors to pass-through, respectively (e.g., first set of cutouts 245A-245J and second set of cutouts <NUM>-245P shown in <FIG> are configured to receive 204A-204J biopotential sensors and biopotential sensors <NUM>-204P, respectively).

(B14) In some examples of any of B1-B13, contact points of the first and second flexible printed circuit boards are exposed for connection with a capsule portion, wherein the capsule portion connects to both the first and second flexible printed circuit boards. For example,.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a connector portion of the first biopotential assembly 212A and a connector portion of the first biopotential assembly 212B being exposed and configured to connect with the capsule <NUM>.

(B15) In some examples of any of B1-B14, the capsule portion connects to both the first and second flexible printed circuit boards via multiple fasteners and an adhesive (e.g., as described in reference to <FIG>, the capsule <NUM> is secured by one or more of: adhesive, screws into the reinforcement plates 248A and 248B, and press fittings).

(B16) In some examples of any of B1-B15, the elastic material is partially adhered to a top part of the first skin-contact portion.

(B17) In some examples of any of B1-B16, the elastic material is <NUM>-<NUM> inches (<NUM>-<NUM>) in length.

(B18) In some examples of any of B1-B17, an end of the elastic material includes a portion that is folded over on itself and the folded over potion is between <NUM>/<NUM> and <NUM>/<NUM> of an inch (<NUM> and <NUM>).

(B19) In some examples of any of B1-B18, the elastic material includes a hook and loop portion that is <NUM>-<NUM> inches (<NUM>-<NUM>) in length.

(B20) In some examples of any of B1-B19, the first skin-contact portion of the band is coupled with the elastic material via an adhesive.

(B21) In some examples of any of B1-B20, the first skin-contact portion of the band is coupled with the receiving loop via an adhesive.

(C1) In accordance with some examples, an artificial reality system includes a head worn device (e.g., with a display) and a wrist-wearable device configured to provide inputs to the head worn device, wherein the wrist-wearable device is configured in accordance with any of A1-A3 and B1-B21.

(D1) In accordance with some examples, a band (e.g., a wrist-worn band, head-worn band, ankle-worn band, a torso-worn band, etc.,) comprises a first skin-contact portion of a band of the band that: (i) includes a first flexible printed circuit board, (ii) is coupled with a first set of biopotential-signal sensors for detecting first biopotential signals that are provided to the first flexible printed circuit board, and (iii) is coupled with an elastic material that extends beyond an end of the first skin-contact portion of the band. The band also comprises a second skin-contact portion of the band that is separated from the first skin-contact portion of the band by a capsule structure, the second skin-contact portion: (i) including a second flexible printed circuit board, (ii) coupled with a second set of biopotential-signal sensors for detecting biopotential signals that are provided to the second flexible printed circuit board, and (iii) coupled with a receiving loop for receiving the elastic material to affix the band to a body part of a wearer of the band. In some examples, the first skin-contact portion and the second skin-contact portion are made of a same material that is distinct from the elastic material, such that when the band is worn on the wrist of a user the elastic material is configured to stretch to affix the band to a wrist of the user through the receiving loop and the first and second skin-contact portions are not configured to stretch.

(D2) In some examples of D1, the band is configured in accordance with any of A1 through C1.

Specific operations described above may occur as a result of specific hardware, such hardware is described in further detail below. The devices described below are not limiting and features on these devices can be removed or additional features can be added to these devices.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example wrist-wearable device <NUM>. The wrist-wearable device <NUM> is an instance of the wearable device described herein, such that the wearable device should be understood to have the features of the wrist-wearable device <NUM> and vice versa. <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the wrist-wearable device <NUM> that includes a watch body <NUM> coupled with a watch band <NUM>. The watch body <NUM> and the watch band <NUM> can have a substantially rectangular or circular shape and can be configured to allow a user to wear the wrist-wearable device <NUM> on a body part (e.g., a wrist). The wrist-wearable device <NUM> can include a retaining mechanism <NUM> (e.g., a buckle, a hook and loop fastener, etc.) for securing the watch band <NUM> to the user's wrist. The wrist-wearable device <NUM> can also include a coupling mechanism <NUM> (e.g., a cradle) for detachably coupling the capsule or watch body <NUM> (via a coupling surface of the watch body <NUM>) to the watch band <NUM>.

The wrist-wearable device <NUM> can perform various functions associated with navigating through user interfaces and selectively opening applications. As will be described in more detail below, operations executed by the wrist-wearable device <NUM> can include, without limitation, display of visual content to the user (e.g., visual content displayed on display <NUM>); sensing user input (e.g., sensing a touch on peripheral button <NUM>, sensing biometric data on sensor <NUM>, sensing neuromuscular signals on neuromuscular sensor <NUM>, etc.); messaging (e.g., text, speech, video, etc.); image capture; wireless communications (e.g., cellular, near field, Wi-Fi, personal area network, etc.); location determination; financial transactions; providing haptic feedback; alarms; notifications; biometric authentication; health monitoring; sleep monitoring; etc. These functions can be executed independently in the watch body <NUM>, independently in the watch band <NUM>, and/or in communication between the watch body <NUM> and the watch band <NUM>. In some examples, functions can be executed on the wrist-wearable device <NUM> in conjunction with an artificial-reality environment that includes, but is not limited to, virtual-reality (VR) environments (including non-immersive, semi-immersive, and fully immersive VR environments); augmented-reality environments (including marker-based augmented-reality environments, markerless augmented-reality environments, location-based augmented-reality environments, and projection-based augmented-reality environments); hybrid reality; and other types of mixed-reality environments. As the skilled artisan will appreciate upon reading the descriptions provided herein, the novel wearable devices described herein can be used with any of these types of artificial-reality environments.

The watch band <NUM> can be configured to be worn by a user such that an inner surface of the watch band <NUM> is in contact with the user's skin. When worn by a user, sensor <NUM> is in contact with the user's skin. The sensor <NUM> can be a biosensor that senses a user's heart rate, saturated oxygen level, temperature, sweat level, muscle intentions, or a combination thereof. The watch band <NUM> can include multiple sensors <NUM> that can be distributed on an inside and/or an outside surface of the watch band <NUM>. Additionally, or alternatively, the watch body <NUM> can include sensors that are the same or different than those of the watch band <NUM> (or the watch band <NUM> can include no sensors at all in some examples). For example, multiple sensors can be distributed on an inside and/or an outside surface of the watch body <NUM>. As described below with reference to <FIG> and/or 4C, the watch body <NUM> can include, without limitation, a front-facing image sensor 425A and/or a rear-facing image sensor 425B, a biometric sensor, an IMU, a heart rate sensor, a saturated oxygen sensor, a neuromuscular sensor(s), an altimeter sensor, a temperature sensor, a bioimpedance sensor, a pedometer sensor, an optical sensor (e.g., imaging sensor <NUM>), a touch sensor, a sweat sensor, etc. The sensor <NUM> can also include a sensor that provides data about a user's environment including a user's motion (e.g., an IMU), altitude, location, orientation, gait, or a combination thereof. The sensor <NUM> can also include a light sensor (e.g., an infrared light sensor, a visible light sensor) that is configured to track a position and/or motion of the watch body <NUM> and/or the watch band <NUM>. The watch band <NUM> can transmit the data acquired by sensor <NUM> to the watch body <NUM> using a wired communication method (e.g., a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART), a USB transceiver, etc.) and/or a wireless communication method (e.g., near field communication, Bluetooth, etc.). The watch band <NUM> can be configured to operate (e.g., to collect data using sensor <NUM>) independent of whether the watch body <NUM> is coupled to or decoupled from watch band <NUM>.

In some examples, the watch band <NUM> can include a neuromuscular sensor <NUM> (e.g., an EMG sensor, a mechanomyogram (MMG) sensor, a sonomyography (SMG) sensor, etc.). Neuromuscular sensor <NUM> can sense a user's intention to perform certain motor actions. The sensed muscle intention can be used to control certain user interfaces displayed on the display <NUM> of the wrist-wearable device <NUM> and/or can be transmitted to a device responsible for rendering an artificial-reality environment (e.g., a head-mounted display) to perform an action in an associated artificial-reality environment, such as to control the motion of a virtual device displayed to the user.

Signals from neuromuscular sensor <NUM> can be used to provide a user with an enhanced interaction with a physical object and/or a virtual object in an artificial-reality application generated by an artificial-reality system (e.g., user interface objects presented on the display <NUM>, or another computing device (e.g., a smartphone)). Signals from neuromuscular sensor <NUM> can be obtained (e.g., sensed and recorded) by one or more neuromuscular sensors <NUM> of the watch band <NUM>. Although <FIG> shows one neuromuscular sensor <NUM>, the watch band <NUM> can include a plurality of neuromuscular sensors <NUM> arranged circumferentially on an inside surface of the watch band <NUM> such that the plurality of neuromuscular sensors <NUM> contact the skin of the user. The watch band <NUM> can include a plurality of neuromuscular sensors <NUM> arranged circumferentially on an inside surface of the watch band <NUM>. Neuromuscular sensor <NUM> can sense and record neuromuscular signals from the user as the user performs muscular activations (e.g., movements, gestures, etc.). The muscular activations performed by the user can include static gestures, such as placing the user's hand palm down on a table; dynamic gestures, such as grasping a physical or virtual object; and covert gestures that are imperceptible to another person, such as slightly tensing a joint by co-contracting opposing muscles or using sub-muscular activations. The muscular activations performed by the user can include symbolic gestures (e.g., gestures mapped to other gestures, interactions, or commands, for example, based on a gesture vocabulary that specifies the mapping of gestures to commands).

The watch band <NUM> and/or watch body <NUM> can include a haptic device <NUM> (e.g., a vibratory haptic actuator) that is configured to provide haptic feedback (e.g., a cutaneous and/or kinesthetic sensation, etc.) to the user's skin. The sensors <NUM> and <NUM>, and/or the haptic device <NUM> can be configured to operate in conjunction with multiple applications including, without limitation, health monitoring, social media, game playing, and artificial reality (e.g., the applications associated with artificial reality).

The wrist-wearable device <NUM> can include a coupling mechanism (also referred to as a cradle) for detachably coupling the watch body <NUM> to the watch band <NUM>. A user can detach the watch body <NUM> from the watch band <NUM> in order to reduce the encumbrance of the wrist-wearable device <NUM> to the user. The wrist-wearable device <NUM> can include a coupling surface on the watch body <NUM> and/or coupling mechanism(s) <NUM> (e.g., a cradle, a tracker band, a support base, a clasp). A user can perform any type of motion to couple the watch body <NUM> to the watch band <NUM> and to decouple the watch body <NUM> from the watch band <NUM>. For example, a user can twist, slide, turn, push, pull, or rotate the watch body <NUM> relative to the watch band <NUM>, or a combination thereof, to attach the watch body <NUM> to the watch band <NUM> and to detach the watch body <NUM> from the watch band <NUM>.

As shown in the example of <FIG>, the watch band coupling mechanism <NUM> can include a type of frame or shell that allows the watch body <NUM> coupling surface to be retained within the watch band coupling mechanism <NUM>. The watch body <NUM> can be detachably coupled to the watch band <NUM> through a friction fit, magnetic coupling, a rotation-based connector, a shear-pin coupler, a retention spring, one or more magnets, a clip, a pin shaft, a hook and loop fastener, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the watch body <NUM> can be decoupled from the watch band <NUM> by actuation of the release mechanism <NUM>. The release mechanism <NUM> can include, without limitation, a button, a knob, a plunger, a handle, a lever, a fastener, a clasp, a dial, a latch, or a combination thereof.

As shown in <FIG>, the coupling mechanism <NUM> can be configured to receive a coupling surface proximate to the bottom side of the watch body <NUM> (e.g., a side opposite to a front side of the watch body <NUM> where the display <NUM> is located), such that a user can push the watch body <NUM> downward into the coupling mechanism <NUM> to attach the watch body <NUM> to the coupling mechanism <NUM>. In some examples, the coupling mechanism <NUM> can be configured to receive a top side of the watch body <NUM> (e.g., a side proximate to the front side of the watch body <NUM> where the display <NUM> is located) that is pushed upward into the cradle, as opposed to being pushed downward into the coupling mechanism <NUM>. In some examples, the coupling mechanism <NUM> is an integrated component of the watch band <NUM> such that the watch band <NUM> and the coupling mechanism <NUM> are a single unitary structure.

The wrist-wearable device <NUM> can include a single release mechanism <NUM> or multiple release mechanisms <NUM> (e.g., two release mechanisms <NUM> positioned on opposing sides of the wrist-wearable device <NUM> such as spring-loaded buttons). As shown in <FIG>, the release mechanism <NUM> can be positioned on the watch body <NUM> and/or the watch band coupling mechanism <NUM>. Although <FIG> shows release mechanism <NUM> positioned at a corner of watch body <NUM> and at a corner of watch band coupling mechanism <NUM>, the release mechanism <NUM> can be positioned anywhere on watch body <NUM> and/or watch band coupling mechanism <NUM> that is convenient for a user of wrist-wearable device <NUM> to actuate. A user of the wrist-wearable device <NUM> can actuate the release mechanism <NUM> by pushing, turning, lifting, depressing, shifting, or performing other actions on the release mechanism <NUM>. Actuation of the release mechanism <NUM> can release (e.g., decouple) the watch body <NUM> from the watch band coupling mechanism <NUM> and the watch band <NUM> allowing the user to use the watch body <NUM> independently from watch band <NUM>. For example, decoupling the watch body <NUM> from the watch band <NUM> can allow the user to capture images using rear-facing image sensor 425B.

<FIG> includes top views of examples of the wrist-wearable device <NUM>. The examples of the wrist-wearable device <NUM> shown in <FIG> can include a coupling mechanism <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>, the shape of the coupling mechanism can correspond to the shape of the watch body <NUM> of the wrist-wearable device <NUM>). The watch body <NUM> can be detachably coupled to the coupling mechanism <NUM> through a friction fit, magnetic coupling, a rotation-based connector, a shear-pin coupler, a retention spring, one or more magnets, a clip, a pin shaft, a hook and loop fastener, or any combination thereof.

In some examples, the watch body <NUM> can be decoupled from the coupling mechanism <NUM> by actuation of a release mechanism <NUM>. The release mechanism <NUM> can include, without limitation, a button, a knob, a plunger, a handle, a lever, a fastener, a clasp, a dial, a latch, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the wristband system functions can be executed independently in the watch body <NUM>, independently in the coupling mechanism <NUM>, and/or in communication between the watch body <NUM> and the coupling mechanism <NUM>. The coupling mechanism <NUM> can be configured to operate independently (e.g., execute functions independently) from watch body <NUM>. Additionally, or alternatively, the watch body <NUM> can be configured to operate independently (e.g., execute functions independently) from the coupling mechanism <NUM>. As described below with reference to the block diagram of <FIG>, the coupling mechanism <NUM> and/or the watch body <NUM> can each include the independent resources required to independently execute functions. For example, the coupling mechanism <NUM> and/or the watch body <NUM> can each include a power source (e.g., a battery), a memory, data storage, a processor (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)), communications, a light source, and/or input/output devices.

The wrist-wearable device <NUM> can have various peripheral buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, for performing various operations at the wrist-wearable device <NUM>. Also, various sensors, including one or both of the sensors <NUM> and <NUM>, can be located on the bottom of the watch body <NUM>, and can optionally be used even when the watch body <NUM> is detached from the watch band <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a computing system <NUM>. The computing system <NUM> includes an electronic device <NUM>, which can be, for example, a wrist-wearable device. The wrist-wearable device <NUM> described in detail above with respect to <FIG> is an example of the electronic device <NUM>, so the electronic device <NUM> will be understood to include the components shown and described below for the computing system <NUM>. In some examples, all, or a substantial portion of the components of the computing system <NUM> are included in a single integrated circuit. In some examples, the computing system <NUM> can have a split architecture (e.g., a split mechanical architecture, a split electrical architecture) between a watch body (e.g., a watch body <NUM> in <FIG>) and a watch band (e.g., a watch band <NUM> in <FIG>). The electronic device <NUM> can include a processor (e.g., a central processing unit <NUM>), a controller <NUM>, a peripherals interface <NUM> that includes one or more sensors <NUM> and various peripheral devices, a power source (e.g., a power system <NUM>), and memory (e.g., a memory <NUM>) that includes an operating system (e.g., an operating system <NUM>), data (e.g., data <NUM>), and one or more applications (e.g., applications <NUM>).

In some examples, the computing system <NUM> includes the power system <NUM> which includes a charger input <NUM>, a power-management integrated circuit (PMIC) <NUM>, and a battery <NUM>.

In some examples, a watch body and a watch band can each be electronic devices <NUM> that each have respective batteries (e.g., battery <NUM>), and can share power with each other. The watch body and the watch band can receive a charge using a variety of techniques. In some examples, the watch body and the watch band can use a wired charging assembly (e.g., power cords) to receive the charge. Alternatively, or in addition, the watch body and/or the watch band can be configured for wireless charging. For example, a portable charging device can be designed to mate with a portion of watch body and/or watch band and wirelessly deliver usable power to a battery of watch body and/or watch band.

The watch body and the watch band can have independent power systems <NUM> to enable each to operate independently. The watch body and watch band can also share power (e.g., one can charge the other) via respective PMICs <NUM> that can share power over power and ground conductors and/or over wireless charging antennas.

In some examples, the peripherals interface <NUM> can include one or more sensors <NUM>. The sensors <NUM> can include a coupling sensor <NUM> for detecting when the electronic device <NUM> is coupled with another electronic device <NUM> (e.g., a watch body can detect when it is coupled to a watch band, and vice versa). The sensors <NUM> can include imaging sensors <NUM> for collecting imaging data, which can optionally be the same device as one or more of the cameras <NUM>. In some examples, the imaging sensors <NUM> can be separate from the cameras <NUM>. In some examples the sensors include an SpO2 sensor <NUM>. In some examples, the sensors <NUM> include an EMG sensor <NUM> for detecting, for example muscular movements by a user of the electronic device <NUM>. In some examples, the sensors <NUM> include a capacitive sensor <NUM> for detecting changes in potential of a portion of a user's body. In some examples, the sensors <NUM> include a heart rate sensor <NUM>. In some examples, the sensors <NUM> include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor <NUM> for detecting, for example, changes in acceleration of the user's hand.

In some examples, the peripherals interface <NUM> includes a near-field communication (NFC) component <NUM>, a global-position system (GPS) component <NUM>, a long-term evolution (LTE) component <NUM>, and or a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth communication component <NUM>.

In some examples, the peripherals interface includes one or more buttons (e.g., the peripheral buttons <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> in <FIG>), which, when selected by a user, cause operation to be performed at the electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> can include at least one display <NUM>, for displaying visual affordances to the user, including user-interface elements and/or three-dimensional virtual objects. The display can also include a touch screen for inputting user inputs, such as touch gestures, swipe gestures, and the like.

The electronic device <NUM> can include at least one speaker <NUM> and at least one microphone <NUM> for providing audio signals to the user and receiving audio input from the user. The user can provide user inputs through the microphone <NUM> and can also receive audio output from the speaker <NUM> as part of a haptic event provided by the haptic controller <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> can include at least one camera <NUM>, including a front camera <NUM> and a rear camera <NUM>. In some examples, the electronic device <NUM> can be a head-wearable device, and one of the cameras <NUM> can be integrated with a lens assembly of the head-wearable device.

One or more of the electronic devices <NUM> can include one or more haptic controllers <NUM> and associated componentry for providing haptic events at one or more of the electronic devices <NUM> (e.g., a vibrating sensation or audio output in response to an event at the electronic device <NUM>). The haptic controllers <NUM> can communicate with one or more electroacoustic devices, including a speaker of the one or more speakers <NUM> and/or other audio components and/or electromechanical devices that convert energy into linear motion such as a motor, solenoid, electroactive polymer, piezoelectric actuator, electrostatic actuator, or other tactile output generating component (e.g., a component that converts electrical signals into tactile outputs on the device). The haptic controller <NUM> can provide haptic events to that are capable of being sensed by a user of the electronic devices <NUM>. In some examples, the one or more haptic controllers <NUM> can receive input signals from an application of the applications <NUM>.

Memory <NUM> optionally includes high-speed random-access memory and optionally also includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state memory devices. Access to the memory <NUM> by other components of the electronic device <NUM>, such as the one or more processors of the central processing unit <NUM>, and the peripherals interface <NUM> is optionally controlled by a memory controller of the controllers <NUM>.

In some examples, software components stored in the memory <NUM> can include one or more operating systems <NUM> (e.g., a Linux-based operating system, an Android operating system, etc.). The memory <NUM> can also include data <NUM>, including structured data (e.g., SQL databases, MongoDB databases, GraphQL data, JSON data, etc.). The data <NUM> can include profile data <NUM>, sensor data <NUM>, media file data <NUM>.

In some examples, software components stored in the memory <NUM> include one or more applications <NUM> configured to be perform operations at the electronic devices <NUM>. In some examples, the one or more applications <NUM> include one or more communication interface modules <NUM>, one or more graphics modules <NUM>, one or more camera application modules <NUM>. In some examples, a plurality of applications <NUM> can work in conjunction with one another to perform various tasks at one or more of the electronic devices <NUM>.

It should be appreciated that the electronic devices <NUM> are only some examples of the electronic devices <NUM> within the computing system <NUM>, and that other electronic devices <NUM> that are part of the computing system <NUM> can have more or fewer components than shown optionally combines two or more components, or optionally have a different configuration or arrangement of the components. The various components shown in <FIG> are implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof, including one or more signal processing and/or application-specific integrated circuits.

As illustrated by the lower portion of <FIG>, various individual components of a wrist-wearable device can be examples of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, some or all of the components shown in the electronic device <NUM> can be housed or otherwise disposed in a combined watch device 4002A, or within individual components of the capsule device watch body 4002B, the cradle portion 4002C, and/or a watch band.

<FIG> illustrates a wearable device <NUM>. In some examples, the wearable device <NUM> is used to generate control information (e.g., sensed data about neuromuscular signals or instructions to perform certain commands after the data is sensed) for causing a computing device to perform one or more input commands. In some examples, the wearable device <NUM> includes a plurality of neuromuscular sensors <NUM>. In some examples, the plurality of neuromuscular sensors <NUM> includes a predetermined number of (e.g., <NUM>) neuromuscular sensors (e.g., EMG sensors) arranged circumferentially around an elastic band <NUM>. The plurality of neuromuscular sensors <NUM> may include any suitable number of neuromuscular sensors. In some examples, the number and arrangement of neuromuscular sensors <NUM> depends on the particular application for which the wearable device <NUM> is used. For instance, a wearable device <NUM> configured as an armband, wristband, or chest-band may include a plurality of neuromuscular sensors <NUM> with different number of neuromuscular sensors and different arrangement for each use case, such as medical use cases as compared to gaming or general day-to-day use cases. For example, at least <NUM> neuromuscular sensors <NUM> may be arranged circumferentially around elastic band <NUM>.

In some examples, the elastic band <NUM> is configured to be worn around a user's lower arm or wrist. The elastic band <NUM> may include a flexible electronic connector <NUM>. In some examples, the flexible electronic connector <NUM> interconnects separate sensors and electronic circuitry that are enclosed in one or more sensor housings. Alternatively, In some examples, the flexible electronic connector <NUM> interconnects separate sensors and electronic circuitry that are outside of the one or more sensor housings. Each neuromuscular sensor of the plurality of neuromuscular sensors <NUM> can include a skin-contacting surface that includes one or more electrodes. One or more sensors of the plurality of neuromuscular sensors <NUM> can be coupled together using flexible electronics incorporated into the wearable device <NUM>. In some examples, one or more sensors of the plurality of neuromuscular sensors <NUM> can be integrated into a woven fabric, wherein the fabric one or more sensors of the plurality of neuromuscular sensors <NUM> are sewn into the fabric and mimic the pliability of fabric (e.g., the one or more sensors of the plurality of neuromuscular sensors <NUM> can be constructed from a series woven strands of fabric). In some examples, the sensors are flush with the surface of the textile and are indistinguishable from the textile when worn by the user.

<FIG> illustrates a wearable device <NUM>. The wearable device <NUM> includes paired sensor channels 4185a-4185f along an interior surface of a wearable structure <NUM> that are configured to detect neuromuscular signals. Different number of paired sensors channels can be used (e.g., one pair of sensors, three pairs of sensors, four pairs of sensors, or six pairs of sensors). The wearable structure <NUM> can include a band portion <NUM>, a capsule portion <NUM>, and a cradle portion (not pictured) that is coupled with the band portion <NUM> to allow for the capsule portion <NUM> to be removably coupled with the band portion <NUM>. For examples in which the capsule portion <NUM> is removable, the capsule portion <NUM> can be referred to as a removable structure, such that in these examples the wearable device includes a wearable portion (e.g., band portion <NUM> and the cradle portion) and a removable structure (the removable capsule portion which can be removed from the cradle). In some examples, the capsule portion <NUM> includes the one or more processors and/or other components of the wearable device <NUM> described above in reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. The wearable structure <NUM> is configured to be worn by a user <NUM>. More specifically, the wearable structure <NUM> is configured to couple the wearable device <NUM> to a wrist, arm, forearm, or other portion of the user's body. Each paired sensor channels 4185a-4185f includes two electrodes <NUM> (e.g., electrodes 4180a-<NUM>) for sensing neuromuscular signals based on differential sensing within each respective sensor channel. In accordance with some examples, the wearable device <NUM> further includes an electrical ground and a shielding electrode.

The techniques described above can be used with any device for sensing neuromuscular signals, including the arm-wearable devices of <FIG>, but could also be used with other types of wearable devices for sensing neuromuscular signals (such as body-wearable or head-wearable devices that might have neuromuscular sensors closer to the brain or spinal column).

In some examples, a wrist-wearable device can be used in conjunction with a head-wearable device described below, and the wrist-wearable device can also be configured to be used to allow a user to control aspect of the artificial reality (e.g., by using EMG-based gestures to control user interface objects in the artificial reality and/or by allowing a user to interact with the touchscreen on the wrist-wearable device to also control aspects of the artificial reality). Having thus described example wrist-wearable device, attention will now be turned to example head-wearable devices, such AR glasses and VR headsets.

<FIG> shows an example AR system <NUM>. In <FIG>, the AR system <NUM> includes an eyewear device with a frame <NUM> configured to hold a left display device <NUM>-<NUM> and a right display device <NUM>-<NUM> in front of a user's eyes. The display devices <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may act together or independently to present an image or series of images to a user. While the AR system <NUM> includes two displays, examples of this disclosure may be implemented in AR systems with a single near-eye display (NED) or more than two NEDs.

In some examples, the AR system <NUM> includes one or more sensors, such as the acoustic sensors <NUM>. For example, the acoustic sensors <NUM> can generate measurement signals in response to motion of the AR system <NUM> and may be located on substantially any portion of the frame <NUM>. Any one of the sensors may be a position sensor, an IMU, a depth camera assembly, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the AR system <NUM> includes more or fewer sensors than are shown in <FIG>. In examples in which the sensors include an IMU, the IMU may generate calibration data based on measurement signals from the sensors. Examples of the sensors include, without limitation, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, other suitable types of sensors that detect motion, sensors used for error correction of the IMU, or some combination thereof.

In some examples, the AR system <NUM> includes a microphone array with a plurality of acoustic sensors <NUM>-<NUM> through <NUM>-<NUM>, referred to collectively as the acoustic sensors <NUM>. The acoustic sensors <NUM> may be transducers that detect air pressure variations induced by sound waves. In some examples, each acoustic sensor <NUM> is configured to detect sound and convert the detected sound into an electronic format (e.g., an analog or digital format). In some examples, the microphone array includes ten acoustic sensors: <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> designed to be placed inside a corresponding ear of the user, acoustic sensors <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, and <NUM>-<NUM> positioned at various locations on the frame <NUM>, and acoustic sensors positioned on a corresponding neckband, where the neckband is an optional component of the system that is not present in certain examples of the artificial-reality systems discussed herein.

The configuration of the acoustic sensors <NUM> of the microphone array may vary. While the AR system <NUM> is shown in <FIG> having ten acoustic sensors <NUM>, the number of acoustic sensors <NUM> may be more or fewer than ten. In some situations, using more acoustic sensors <NUM> increases the amount of audio information collected and/or the sensitivity and accuracy of the audio information. In contrast, in some situations, using a lower number of acoustic sensors <NUM> decreases the computing power required by a controller to process the collected audio information. In addition, the position of each acoustic sensor <NUM> of the microphone array may vary. For example, the position of an acoustic sensor <NUM> may include a defined position on the user, a defined coordinate on the frame <NUM>, an orientation associated with each acoustic sensor, or some combination thereof.

The acoustic sensors <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be positioned on different parts of the user's ear. In some examples, there are additional acoustic sensors on or surrounding the ear in addition to acoustic sensors <NUM> inside the ear canal. In some situations, having an acoustic sensor positioned next to an ear canal of a user enables the microphone array to collect information on how sounds arrive at the ear canal. By positioning at least two of the acoustic sensors <NUM> on either side of a user's head (e.g., as binaural microphones), the AR device <NUM> is able to simulate binaural hearing and capture a 3D stereo sound field around a user's head. In some examples, the acoustic sensors <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are connected to the AR system <NUM> via a wired connection, and in other examples, the acoustic sensors <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are connected to the AR system <NUM> via a wireless connection (e.g., a Bluetooth connection). In some examples, the AR system <NUM> does not include the acoustic sensors <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>.

The acoustic sensors <NUM> on the frame <NUM> may be positioned along the length of the temples, across the bridge of the nose, above or below the display devices <NUM>, or in some combination thereof. The acoustic sensors <NUM> may be oriented such that the microphone array is able to detect sounds in a wide range of directions surrounding the user that is wearing the AR system <NUM>. In some examples, a calibration process is performed during manufacturing of the AR system <NUM> to determine relative positioning of each acoustic sensor <NUM> in the microphone array.

In some examples, the eyewear device further includes, or is communicatively coupled to, an external device (e.g., a paired device), such as the optional neckband discussed above. In some examples, the optional neckband is coupled to the eyewear device via one or more connectors. The connectors may be wired or wireless connectors and may include electrical and/or non-electrical (e.g., structural) components. In some examples, the eyewear device and the neckband operate independently without any wired or wireless connection between them. In some examples, the components of the eyewear device and the neckband are located on one or more additional peripheral devices paired with the eyewear device, the neckband, or some combination thereof. Furthermore, the neckband is intended to represent any suitable type or form of paired device. Thus, the following discussion of neckband may also apply to various other paired devices, such as smart watches, smart phones, wrist bands, other wearable devices, hand-held controllers, tablet computers, or laptop computers.

In some situations, pairing external devices, such as the optional neckband, with the AR eyewear device enables the AR eyewear device to achieve the form factor of a pair of glasses while still providing sufficient battery and computation power for expanded capabilities. Some, or all, of the battery power, computational resources, and/or additional features of the AR system <NUM> may be provided by a paired device or shared between a paired device and an eyewear device, thus reducing the weight, heat profile, and form factor of the eyewear device overall while still retaining desired functionality. For example, the neckband may allow components that would otherwise be included on an eyewear device to be included in the neckband thereby shifting a weight load from a user's head to a user's shoulders. In some examples, the neckband has a larger surface area over which to diffuse and disperse heat to the ambient environment. Thus, the neckband may allow for greater battery and computation capacity than might otherwise have been possible on a stand-alone eyewear device. Because weight carried in the neckband may be less invasive to a user than weight carried in the eyewear device, a user may tolerate wearing a lighter eyewear device and carrying or wearing the paired device for greater lengths of time than the user would tolerate wearing a heavy, stand-alone eyewear device, thereby enabling an artificial-reality environment to be incorporated more fully into a user's day-to-day activities.

In some examples, the optional neckband is communicatively coupled with the eyewear device and/or to other devices. The other devices may provide certain functions (e.g., tracking, localizing, depth mapping, processing, storage, etc.) to the AR system <NUM>. In some examples, the neckband includes a controller and a power source. In some examples, the acoustic sensors of the neckband are configured to detect sound and convert the detected sound into an electronic format (analog or digital).

The controller of the neckband processes information generated by the sensors on the neckband and/or the AR system <NUM>. For example, the controller may process information from the acoustic sensors <NUM>. For each detected sound, the controller may perform a direction of arrival (DOA) estimation to estimate a direction from which the detected sound arrived at the microphone array. As the microphone array detects sounds, the controller may populate an audio data set with the information. In examples in which the AR system <NUM> includes an IMU, the controller may compute all inertial and spatial calculations from the IMU located on the eyewear device. The connector may convey information between the eyewear device and the neckband and between the eyewear device and the controller. The information may be in the form of optical data, electrical data, wireless data, or any other transmittable data form. Moving the processing of information generated by the eyewear device to the neckband may reduce weight and heat in the eyewear device, making it more comfortable and safer for a user.

In some examples, the power source in the neckband provides power to the eyewear device and the neckband. The power source may include, without limitation, lithium-ion batteries, lithium-polymer batteries, primary lithium batteries, alkaline batteries, or any other form of power storage. In some examples, the power source is a wired power source.

As noted, some artificial-reality systems may, instead of blending an artificial reality with actual reality, substantially replace one or more of a user's sensory perceptions of the real world with a virtual experience. One example of this type of system is a head-worn display system, such as the VR system <NUM> in <FIG>, which mostly or completely covers a user's field of view.

<FIG> shows a VR system <NUM> (e.g., also referred to herein as VR headsets or VR headset). The VR system <NUM> includes a head-mounted display (HMD) <NUM>. The HMD <NUM> includes a front body <NUM> and a frame <NUM> (e.g., a strap or band) shaped to fit around a user's head. In some examples, the HMD <NUM> includes output audio transducers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, as shown in <FIG> (e.g., transducers). In some examples, the front body <NUM> and/or the frame <NUM> includes one or more electronic elements, including one or more electronic displays, one or more IMUs, one or more tracking emitters or detectors, and/or any other suitable device or sensor for creating an artificial-reality experience.

Artificial-reality systems may include a variety of types of visual feedback mechanisms. For example, display devices in the AR system <NUM> and/or the VR system <NUM> may include one or more liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), light emitting diode (LED) displays, organic LED (OLED) displays, and/or any other suitable type of display screen. Artificial-reality systems may include a single display screen for both eyes or may provide a display screen for each eye, which may allow for additional flexibility for varifocal adjustments or for correcting a refractive error associated with the user's vision. Some artificial-reality systems also include optical subsystems having one or more lenses (e.g., conventional concave or convex lenses, Fresnel lenses, or adjustable liquid lenses) through which a user may view a display screen.

In addition to or instead of using display screens, some artificial-reality systems include one or more projection systems. For example, display devices in the AR system <NUM> and/or the VR system <NUM> may include micro-LED projectors that project light (e.g., using a waveguide) into display devices, such as clear combiner lenses that allow ambient light to pass through. The display devices may refract the projected light toward a user's pupil and may enable a user to simultaneously view both artificial-reality content and the real world. Artificial-reality systems may also be configured with any other suitable type or form of image projection system.

Artificial-reality systems may also include various types of computer vision components and subsystems. For example, the AR system <NUM> and/or the VR system <NUM> can include one or more optical sensors such as two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) cameras, time-of-flight depth sensors, single-beam or sweeping laser rangefinders, 3D LiDAR sensors, and/or any other suitable type or form of optical sensor. An artificial-reality system may process data from one or more of these sensors to identify a location of a user, to map the real world, to provide a user with context about real-world surroundings, and/or to perform a variety of other functions. For example, <FIG> shows VR system <NUM> having cameras <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> that can be used to provide depth information for creating a voxel field and a two-dimensional mesh to provide object information to the user to avoid collisions. <FIG> also shows that the VR system includes one or more additional cameras <NUM> that are configured to augment the cameras <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> by providing more information. For example, the additional cameras <NUM> can be used to supply color information that is not discerned by cameras <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. In some examples, cameras <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and additional cameras <NUM> can include an optional IR cut filter configured to remove IR light from being received at the respective camera sensors.

In some examples, the AR system <NUM> and/or the VR system <NUM> can include haptic (tactile) feedback systems, which may be incorporated into headwear, gloves, body suits, handheld controllers, environmental devices (e.g., chairs or floormats), and/or any other type of device or system, such as the wearable devices discussed herein. The haptic feedback systems may provide various types of cutaneous feedback, including vibration, force, traction, shear, texture, and/or temperature. The haptic feedback systems may also provide various types of kinesthetic feedback, such as motion and compliance. The haptic feedback may be implemented using motors, piezoelectric actuators, fluidic systems, and/or a variety of other types of feedback mechanisms. The haptic feedback systems may be implemented independently of other artificial-reality devices, within other artificial-reality devices, and/or in conjunction with other artificial-reality devices.

The techniques described above can be used with any device for interacting with an artificial-reality environment, including the head-wearable devices of <FIG>, but could also be used with other types of wearable devices for sensing neuromuscular signals (such as body-wearable or head-wearable devices that might have neuromuscular sensors closer to the brain or spinal column). Having thus described example wrist-wearable device and head-wearable devices, attention will now be turned to example feedback systems that can be integrated into the devices described above or be a separate device.

<FIG> and <FIG> are block diagrams illustrating an example artificial-reality system. The system <NUM> includes one or more devices for facilitating an interactivity with an artificial-reality environment. For example, the head-wearable device <NUM> can present to the user <NUM> with a user interface within the artificial-reality environment. As a non-limiting example, the system <NUM> includes one or more wearable devices, which can be used in conjunction with one or more computing devices. In some examples, the system <NUM> provides the functionality of a virtual-reality device, an augmented-reality device, a mixed-reality device, hybrid-reality device, or a combination thereof. In some examples, the system <NUM> provides the functionality of a user interface and/or one or more user applications (e.g., games, word processors, messaging applications, calendars, clocks, etc.).

The system <NUM> can include one or more of servers <NUM>, electronic devices <NUM> (e.g., a computer, 674a, a smartphone 674b, a controller 674c, and/or other devices), head-wearable devices <NUM> (e.g., the AR system <NUM> or the VR system <NUM>), and/or wrist-wearable devices <NUM> (e.g., the wrist-wearable device <NUM>). In some examples, the one or more of servers <NUM>, electronic devices <NUM>, head-wearable devices <NUM>, and/or wrist-wearable devices <NUM> are communicatively coupled via a network <NUM>. In some examples, the head-wearable device <NUM> is configured to cause one or more operations to be performed by a communicatively coupled wrist-wearable device <NUM>, and/or the two devices can also both be connected to an intermediary device, such as a smartphone 674b, a controller 674c, or other device that provides instructions and data to and between the two devices. In some examples, the head-wearable device <NUM> is configured to cause one or more operations to be performed by multiple devices in conjunction with the wrist-wearable device <NUM>. In some examples, instructions to cause the performance of one or more operations are controlled via an artificial-reality processing module <NUM>. The artificial-reality processing module <NUM> can be implemented in one or more devices, such as the one or more of servers <NUM>, electronic devices <NUM>, head-wearable devices <NUM>, and/or wrist-wearable devices <NUM>. In some examples, the one or more devices perform operations of the artificial-reality processing module <NUM>, using one or more respective processors, individually or in conjunction with at least one other device as described herein. In some examples, the system <NUM> includes other wearable devices not shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, such as rings, collars, anklets, gloves, and the like.

In some examples, the system <NUM> provides the functionality to control or provide commands to the one or more computing devices <NUM> based on a wearable device (e.g., head-wearable device <NUM> or wrist-wearable device <NUM>) determining motor actions or intended motor actions of the user. A motor action is an intended motor action when before the user performs the motor action or before the user completes the motor action, the detected neuromuscular signals travelling through the neuromuscular pathways can be determined to be the motor action. Motor actions can be detected based on the detected neuromuscular signals, but can additionally (using a fusion of the various sensor inputs), or alternatively, be detected using other types of sensors (such as cameras focused on viewing hand movements and/or using data from an inertial measurement unit that can detect characteristic vibration sequences or other data types to correspond to particular in-air hand gestures). The one or more computing devices include one or more of a head-mounted display, smartphones, tablets, smart watches, laptops, computer systems, augmented reality systems, robots, vehicles, virtual avatars, user interfaces, a wrist-wearable device, and/or other electronic devices and/or control interfaces.

In some examples, the motor actions include digit movements, hand movements, wrist movements, arm movements, pinch gestures, index finger movements, middle finger movements, ring finger movements, little finger movements, thumb movements, hand clenches (or fists), waving motions, and/or other movements of the user's hand or arm.

In some examples, the user can define one or more gestures using the learning module. In some examples, the user can enter a training phase in which a user defined gesture is associated with one or more input commands that when provided to a computing device cause the computing device to perform an action. Similarly, the one or more input commands associated with the user-defined gesture can be used to cause a wearable device to perform one or more actions locally. The user-defined gesture, once trained, is stored in the memory <NUM>. Similar to the motor actions, the one or more processors <NUM> can use the detected neuromuscular signals by the one or more sensors <NUM> to determine that a user-defined gesture was performed by the user.

The electronic devices <NUM> can also include a communication interface <NUM>, an interface <NUM> (e.g., including one or more displays, lights, speakers, and haptic generators), one or more sensors <NUM>, one or more applications <NUM>, an artificial-reality processing module <NUM>, one or more processors <NUM>, and memory <NUM>. The electronic devices <NUM> are configured to communicatively couple with the wrist-wearable device <NUM> and/or head-wearable device <NUM> (or other devices) using the communication interface <NUM>. In some examples, the electronic devices <NUM> are configured to communicatively couple with the wrist-wearable device <NUM> and/or head-wearable device <NUM> (or other devices) via an application programming interface (API). In some examples, the electronic devices <NUM> operate in conjunction with the wrist-wearable device <NUM> and/or the head-wearable device <NUM> to determine a hand gesture and cause the performance of an operation or action at a communicatively coupled device.

The server <NUM> includes a communication interface <NUM>, one or more applications <NUM>, an artificial-reality processing module <NUM>, one or more processors <NUM>, and memory <NUM>. In some examples, the server <NUM> is configured to receive sensor data from one or more devices, such as the head-wearable device <NUM>, the wrist-wearable device <NUM>, and/or electronic device <NUM>, and use the received sensor data to identify a gesture or user input. The server <NUM> can generate instructions that cause the performance of operations and actions associated with a determined gesture or user input at communicatively coupled devices, such as the head-wearable device <NUM>.

The head-wearable device <NUM> includes smart glasses (e.g., the augmented-reality glasses), artificial reality headsets (e.g., VR/AR headsets), or other head worn device. In some examples, one or more components of the head-wearable device <NUM> are housed within a body of the HMD <NUM> (e.g., frames of smart glasses, a body of a AR headset, etc.). In some examples, one or more components of the head-wearable device <NUM> are stored within or coupled with lenses of the HMD <NUM>. Alternatively or in addition, In some examples, one or more components of the head-wearable device <NUM> are housed within a modular housing <NUM>. The head-wearable device <NUM> is configured to communicatively couple with other electronic device <NUM> and/or a server <NUM> using communication interface <NUM> as discussed above.

<FIG> describes additional details of the HMD <NUM> and modular housing <NUM> described above in reference to 6A.

The housing <NUM> include(s) a communication interface <NUM>, circuitry <NUM>, a power source <NUM> (e.g., a battery for powering one or more electronic components of the housing <NUM> and/or providing usable power to the HMD <NUM>), one or more processors <NUM>, and memory <NUM>. In some examples, the housing <NUM> can include one or more supplemental components that add to the functionality of the HMD <NUM>. For example, In some examples, the housing <NUM> can include one or more sensors <NUM>, an AR processing module <NUM>, one or more haptic generators <NUM>, one or more imaging devices <NUM>, one or more microphones <NUM>, one or more speakers <NUM>, etc. The housing <NUM> is configured to couple with the HMD <NUM> via the one or more retractable side straps. More specifically, the housing <NUM> is a modular portion of the head-wearable device <NUM> that can be removed from head-wearable device <NUM> and replaced with another housing (which includes more or less functionality). The modularity of the housing <NUM> allows a user to adjust the functionality of the head-wearable device <NUM> based on their needs.

In some examples, the communications interface <NUM> is configured to communicatively couple the housing <NUM> with the HMD <NUM>, the server <NUM>, and/or other electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the controller 674c, a tablet, a computer, etc.). The communication interface <NUM> is used to establish wired or wireless connections between the housing <NUM> and the other devices. In some examples, the communication interface <NUM> includes hardware capable of data communications using any of a variety of custom or standard wireless protocols (e.g., IEEE <NUM>. <NUM>, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, Thread, Z-Wave, Bluetooth Smart, ISA100.11a, WirelessHART, or MiWi), custom or standard wired protocols (e.g., Ethernet or HomePlug), and/or any other suitable communication protocol. In some examples, the housing <NUM> is configured to communicatively couple with the HMD <NUM> and/or other electronic device <NUM> via an application programming interface (API).

In some examples, the power source <NUM> is a battery. The power source <NUM> can be a primary or secondary battery source for the HMD <NUM>. In some examples, the power source <NUM> provides useable power to the one or more electrical components of the housing <NUM> or the HMD <NUM>. For example, the power source <NUM> can provide usable power to the sensors <NUM>, the speakers <NUM>, the HMD <NUM>, and the microphone <NUM>. In some examples, the power source <NUM> is a rechargeable battery. In some examples, the power source <NUM> is a modular battery that can be removed and replaced with a fully charged battery while it is charged separately.

The one or more sensors <NUM> can include heart rate sensors, neuromuscular-signal sensors (e.g., electromyography (EMG) sensors), SpO2 sensors, altimeters, thermal sensors or thermal couples, ambient light sensors, ambient noise sensors, and/or inertial measurement units (IMU)s. Additional non-limiting examples of the one or more sensors <NUM> include, e.g., infrared, pyroelectric, ultrasonic, microphone, laser, optical, Doppler, gyro, accelerometer, resonant LC sensors, capacitive sensors, acoustic sensors, and/or inductive sensors. In some examples, the one or more sensors <NUM> are configured to gather additional data about the user (e.g., an impedance of the user's body). Examples of sensor data output by these sensors includes body temperature data, infrared range-finder data, positional information, motion data, activity recognition data, silhouette detection and recognition data, gesture data, heart rate data, and other wearable device data (e.g., biometric readings and output, accelerometer data). The one or more sensors <NUM> can include location sensing devices (e.g., GPS) configured to provide location information. In some examples, the data measured or sensed by the one or more sensors <NUM> is stored in memory <NUM>. In some examples, the housing <NUM> receives sensor data from communicatively coupled devices, such as the HMD <NUM>, the server <NUM>, and/or other electronic device <NUM>. Alternatively, the housing <NUM> can provide sensors data to the HMD <NUM>, the server <NUM>, and/or other electronic device <NUM>.

The one or more haptic generators <NUM> can include one or more actuators (e.g., eccentric rotating mass (ERM), linear resonant actuators (LRA), voice coil motor (VCM), piezo haptic actuator, thermoelectric devices, solenoid actuators, ultrasonic transducers or sensors, etc.). In some examples, the one or more haptic generators <NUM> are hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, and/or mechanical actuators. In some examples, the one or more haptic generators <NUM> are part of a surface of the housing <NUM> that can be used to generate a haptic response (e.g., a thermal change at the surface, a tightening or loosening of a band, increase or decrease in pressure, etc.). For example, the one or more haptic generators <NUM> can apply vibration stimulations, pressure stimulations, squeeze simulations, shear stimulations, temperature changes, or some combination thereof to the user. In addition, In some examples, the one or more haptic generators <NUM> include audio generating devices (e.g., speakers <NUM> and other sound transducers) and illuminating devices (e.g., light-emitting diodes (LED)s, screen displays, etc.). The one or more haptic generators <NUM> can be used to generate different audible sounds and/or visible lights that are provided to the user as haptic responses. The above list of haptic generators is non-exhaustive; any affective devices can be used to generate one or more haptic responses that are delivered to a user.

In some examples, the one or more applications <NUM> include social-media applications, banking applications, health applications, messaging applications, web browsers, gaming application, streaming applications, media applications, imaging applications, productivity applications, social applications, etc. In some examples, the one or more applications <NUM> include artificial reality applications. The one or more applications <NUM> are configured to provide data to the head-wearable device <NUM> for performing one or more operations. In some examples, the one or more applications <NUM> can be displayed via a display <NUM> of the head-wearable device <NUM> (e.g., via the HMD <NUM>).

In some examples, instructions to cause the performance of one or more operations are controlled via an artificial reality (AR) processing module <NUM>. The AR processing module <NUM> can be implemented in one or more devices, such as the one or more of servers <NUM>, electronic devices <NUM>, head-wearable devices <NUM>, and/or wrist-wearable devices <NUM>. In some examples, the one or more devices perform operations of the AR processing module <NUM>, using one or more respective processors, individually or in conjunction with at least one other device as described herein. In some examples, the AR processing module <NUM> is configured process signals based at least on sensor data. In some examples, the AR processing module <NUM> is configured process signals based on image data received that captures at least a portion of the user hand, mouth, facial expression, surrounding, etc. For example, the housing <NUM> can receive EMG data and/or IMU data from one or more sensors <NUM> and provide the sensor data to the AR processing module <NUM> for a particular operation (e.g., gesture recognition, facial recognition, etc.). The AR processing module <NUM>, causes a device communicatively coupled to the housing <NUM> to perform an operation (or action). In some examples, the AR processing module <NUM> performs different operations based on the sensor data and/or performs one or more actions based on the sensor data.

In some examples, the one or more imaging devices <NUM> can include an ultra-wide camera, a wide camera, a telephoto camera, a depth-sensing cameras, or other types of cameras. In some examples, the one or more imaging devices <NUM> are used to capture image data and/or video data. The imaging devices <NUM> can be coupled to a portion of the housing <NUM>. The captured image data can be processed and stored in memory and then presented to a user for viewing. The one or more imaging devices <NUM> can include one or more modes for capturing image data or video data. For example, these modes can include a high-dynamic range (HDR) image capture mode, a low light image capture mode, burst image capture mode, and other modes. In some examples, a particular mode is automatically selected based on the environment (e.g., lighting, movement of the device, etc.). For example, a wrist-wearable device with HDR image capture mode and a low light image capture mode active can automatically select the appropriate mode based on the environment (e.g., dark lighting may result in the use of low light image capture mode instead of HDR image capture mode). In some examples, the user can select the mode. The image data and/or video data captured by the one or more imaging devices <NUM> is stored in memory <NUM> (which can include volatile and non-volatile memory such that the image data and/or video data can be temporarily or permanently stored, as needed depending on the circumstances).

The circuitry <NUM> is configured to facilitate the interaction between the housing <NUM> and the HMD <NUM>. In some examples, the circuitry <NUM> is configured to regulate the distribution of power between the power source <NUM> and the HMD <NUM>. In some examples, the circuitry <NUM> is configured to transfer audio and/or video data between the HMD <NUM> and/or one or more components of the housing <NUM>.

The one or more processors <NUM> can be implemented as any kind of computing device, such as an integrated system-on-a-chip, a microcontroller, a fixed programmable gate array (FPGA), a microprocessor, and/or other application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). The processor may operate in conjunction with memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may be or include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM) and magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), and may include firmware, such as static data or fixed instructions, basic input/output system (BIOS), system functions, configuration data, and other routines used during the operation of the housing and the processor <NUM>. The memory <NUM> also provides a storage area for data and instructions associated with applications and data handled by the processor <NUM>.

In some examples, the memory <NUM> stores at least user data <NUM> including sensor data <NUM> and AR processing data <NUM>. The sensor data <NUM> includes sensor data monitored by one or more sensors <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and/or sensor data received from one or more devices communicative coupled with the housing <NUM>, such as the HMD <NUM>, the smartphone 674b, the controller 674c, etc. The sensor data <NUM> can include sensor data collected over a predetermined period of time that can be used by the AR processing module <NUM>. The AR processing data <NUM> can include one or more one or more predefined camera-control gestures, user defined camera-control gestures, predefined non-camera-control gestures, and/or user defined non-camera-control gestures. In some examples, the AR processing data <NUM> further includes one or more predetermined threshold for different gestures.

The HMD <NUM> includes a communication interface <NUM>, a display <NUM>, an AR processing module <NUM>, one or more processors, and memory. In some examples, the HMD <NUM> includes one or more sensors <NUM>, one or more haptic generators <NUM>, one or more imaging devices <NUM> (e.g., a camera), microphones <NUM>, speakers <NUM>, and/or one or more applications <NUM>. The HMD <NUM> operates in conjunction with the housing <NUM> to perform one or more operations of a head-wearable device <NUM>, such as capturing camera data, presenting a representation of the image data at a coupled display, operating one or more applications <NUM>, and/or allowing a user to participate in an AR environment.

Any data collection performed by the devices described herein and/or any devices configured to perform or cause the performance of the different examples described above in reference to any of the Figures, hereinafter the "devices," is done with user consent and in a manner that is consistent with all applicable privacy laws. Users are given options to allow the devices to collect data, as well as the option to limit or deny collection of data by the devices. A user is able to opt-in or opt-out of any data collection at any time. Further, users are given the option to request the removal of any collected data.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting of the claims. As used in the description of the examples and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, the term "if" can be construed to mean "when" or "upon" or "in response to determining" or "in accordance with a determination" or "in response to detecting," that a stated condition precedent is true, depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase "if it is determined [that a stated condition precedent is true]" or "if [a stated condition precedent is true]" or "when [a stated condition precedent is true]" can be construed to mean "upon determining" or "in response to determining" or "in accordance with a determination" or "upon detecting" or "in response to detecting" that the stated condition precedent is true, depending on the context.

Claim 1:
A wrist-wearable device (<NUM>), comprising:
a first skin-contact portion (262A) of a band of the wrist-wearable device (<NUM>) that:
(i) includes a first flexible printed circuit board (210A),
(ii) is coupled with a first set of biopotential-signal sensors (204A-204J) for detecting first biopotential signals that are provided to the first flexible printed circuit board (210A), and
(iii) is coupled with an elastic material (224A) that extends beyond an end of the first skin-contact portion (262A) of the band; and
a second skin-contact portion (262B) of the band of the wrist-wearable device (<NUM>) that is separated from the first skin-contact portion (262A) of the band by a capsule structure (<NUM>), the second skin-contact portion (262B):
(i) including a second flexible printed circuit board (210B),
(ii) coupled with a second set of biopotential-signal sensors (<NUM>-204P) for detecting biopotential signals that are provided to the second flexible printed circuit board (210B), and
(iii) coupled with a receiving loop (<NUM>) for receiving the elastic material (224A) to affix the band to a body part of a wearer of the wrist-wearable device (<NUM>),
wherein the first skin-contact portion (262A) and the second skin-contact portion (262B) are made of a same material that is distinct from the elastic material (224A), such that when the wrist-wearable device (<NUM>) is worn on a wrist (<NUM>) of a user (<NUM>) the elastic material (224A) is configured to stretch to affix the band to the wrist (<NUM>) of the user (<NUM>) through the receiving loop (<NUM>) and the first (262A) and second (262B) skin-contact portions are not configured to stretch;
characterized in that:
the elastic material (224A) includes a loop portion of a hook and loop fastener, and
the first skin-contact portion (262A) of the band includes a hook portion of the hook and loop fastener and is configured to attach with the loop portion after the elastic material (224A) has been passed through the receiving loop (<NUM>) of the second skin-contact portion (262B) to secure the wrist-wearable device (<NUM>) to the wrist (<NUM>) of the user (<NUM>).