Patent Description:
An electronic device may be configured to obtain biometric information of a user and notify the user of the obtained biometric information. The electronic device for obtaining biometric information may be a wearable device that is worn by the user and contacts with a part of the user's body. For example, the wearable device may be worn on the user's finger, ankle, wrist, ear, or face.

In order to conveniently obtain the user's biometric information, the electronic device may include an optical sensor. For example, the electronic device may include a photoplethysmogram (PPG) sensor that emits light to a part of the human body and receives light reflected from the body. As capabilities of the electronic device have proliferated, the electronic device may include various types of optical sensors in addition to the PPG sensor. Relevant prior art is disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>.

When the user wears an electronic device, the electronic device may contact, for example, the user's wrist. As capabilities of the electronic device have proliferated, the electronic device may include a plurality of different types of optical sensors. Since the plurality of optical sensors have different optical characteristics, performance of these various sensors may deteriorate due to crosstalk of light when the sensors are disposed adjacent to each other. Thus, the plurality of optical sensors may need to be disposed in different areas of the electronic device to optimize performance. But because the electronic device is miniaturized so that it can be worn on the user's wrist, the space for disposing various sensors in the electronic device may be limited. The electronic device may thus require novel ways of disposing a plurality of sensors having different optical characteristics within limited space.

One or more embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to an electronic device including a structure for facilitating operations of a plurality of sensors having different optical characteristics. The technical problems to be achieved in this document are not limited to those described above, and other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present disclosure belongs, from the following description.

According to the invention, as defined in claim <NUM>, an electronic device may comprise a housing, a printed circuit board disposed within the housing, a window including a first region parallel to the printed circuit board and a second region connecting a periphery of the first region and the housing, the window facing a part of a user's body when the electronic device is worn by the user, a PPG (photoplethysmogram) sensor disposed on the printed circuit board and including at least one first emitting portion configured to emit light at a first beam angle toward the window and at least one first receiving portion configured to receive light emitted from the at least one first emitting portion and reflected from the part of the user's body, a laser sensor including at least one second emitting portion configured to emit light at a second beam angle smaller than the first beam angle toward the window, and at least one second receiving portion configured to receive light emitted from the at least one second emitting portion and reflected from the part of the user's body and an index layer disposed on the laser sensor; wherein the laser sensor may be disposed on the printed circuit board to be surrounded by the PPG sensor and may overlap the first region, when the window is viewed from an outside of the electronic device. In addition, various embodiments may be possible.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device may comprise a housing including a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface and an inner space formed between the first surface and the second surface, a printed circuit board disposed in the inner space, a window forming at least part of the second surface of the housing, and including a first region parallel to the printed circuit board and configured to contact a part of a user's body when the electronic device is worn by the user, and a second region having curvature and connecting a periphery of the first region and the housing, a PPG (photoplethysmogram) sensor disposed on the printed circuit board and including at least one first emitting portion configured to emit light at a first beam angle toward the window and at least one first receiving portion configured to receive light emitted from the at least one first emitting portion and reflected from the part of the user's body, a laser sensor including at least one second emitting portion configured to emit light at a second beam angle smaller than the first beam angle toward the window, and at least one second receiving portion configured to receive light emitted from the at least one second emitting portion and reflected from the part of the user's body, an index layer disposed on the laser sensor and a barrier disposed on the laser sensor to be positioned between one region of the window overlapping the at least one second emitting portion and another region of the window overlapping the at least one second receiving portion when the window is viewed from the outside of the electronic device, wherein the laser sensor may be disposed on the printed circuit board to be surrounded by the PPG sensor and may overlap the first region when the window is viewed from an outside of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, as a laser sensor having optical characteristics different from that of a PPG sensor is disposed within a housing to be surrounded by the PPG sensor, an electronic device can arrange the PPG sensor and the laser sensor within a limited arrangement space, and secure performance of the PPG sensor and the laser sensor. As the performance of the PPG sensor and the laser sensor is secured, the electronic device can obtain various biometric information from a user and notify the user of the obtained biometric information.

The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and any other effects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present disclosure belongs, from the following description.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> in the network environment <NUM> may communicate with an electronic device <NUM> via a first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or at least one of an electronic device <NUM> or a server <NUM> via a second network <NUM> (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include a processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, an input module <NUM>, a sound output module <NUM>, a display module <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, an interface <NUM>, a connecting terminal <NUM>, a haptic module <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, a power management module <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, a communication module <NUM>, a subscriber identification module (SIM) <NUM>, or an antenna module <NUM>. In some embodiments, at least one of the components (e.g., the connecting terminal <NUM>) may be omitted from the electronic device <NUM>, or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device <NUM>. In some embodiments, some of the components (e.g., the sensor module <NUM>, the camera module <NUM>, or the antenna module <NUM>) may be implemented as a single component (e.g., the display module <NUM>).

<FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) according to an embodiment may include a housing <NUM> including a first surface (or front surface) 210A, a second surface (or rear surface) 210B, and a side surface 210C surrounding the space between the first surface 210A and the second surface 210B and binding members <NUM> and <NUM> connected to at least a part of the housing <NUM> and configured to detachably attach the electronic device <NUM> to a part of the user's body (e.g., wrist, ankle, etc.). In another embodiment (not illustrated), the housing may also refer to a structure that forms at least a part of the first surface 210A, the second surface 210B, and the side surface 210C of <FIG>. According to an embodiment, at least a part of the first surface 210A may be implemented by a substantially transparent front plate <NUM> (e.g., glass plate or polymer plate including various coating layers). The second surface 210B may be implemented by a substantially opaque rear plate <NUM>. The rear plate <NUM> may be made of, for example, coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of at least two of the materials. The side surface 210C may be coupled to the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM>, and may be implemented by a side bezel structure (or "side member") <NUM> including metal and/or polymer. In some embodiments, the rear plate <NUM> and the side bezel structure <NUM> may be integrally formed and may include the same material (e.g., metal material such as aluminum). The binding members <NUM> and <NUM> may be made of various materials and may be made in various shapes. The binding members <NUM> and <NUM> may be made of woven fabric, leather, rubber, urethane, metal, ceramic, or a combination of at least two of the materials.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include at least one of a display <NUM> (see <FIG>), an audio module <NUM> and <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, a key input device <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, and a connector hole <NUM>. In some embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may omit at least one of the components (e.g., the key input devices <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, the connector hole <NUM>, or the sensor module <NUM>) or may further include another component.

The display <NUM> may be exposed, for example, through a substantial portion of the front plate <NUM>. The shape of the display <NUM> may correspond to the shape of the front plate <NUM>, such as circular (shown in <FIG>), oval, or polygonal. The display <NUM> may be coupled to or adjacent to a touch sensing circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring the strength (pressure) of touches, and/or a fingerprint sensor.

The audio modules <NUM> and <NUM> may include a microphone hole <NUM> and a speaker hole <NUM>. A microphone for obtaining external sound may be disposed inside the microphone hole <NUM>, and in some embodiments, a plurality of microphones may be disposed to detect the direction of the sound. The speaker hole <NUM> may be used with an external speaker and a receiver for phone calls. In some embodiments, the speaker hole <NUM> and the microphone hole <NUM> may be implemented as a single hole, or a speaker (e.g., piezo speaker) may be included without the speaker hole <NUM>.

The sensor module <NUM> may generate electrical signal(s) or data value(s) corresponding to internal operating state(s) of the electronic device <NUM> or external environmental state(s). The sensor module <NUM> may include, for example, a biometric sensor module <NUM> (e.g., heart-rate monitor (HRM) sensor) disposed on the second surface 210B of the housing <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may further include at least one sensor module not shown, such as a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, a pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an infrared sensor, a biometric sensor, a humidity sensor, and/or an illumination sensor.

The sensor module <NUM> may include electrode regions <NUM> and <NUM> forming a part of the surface of the electronic device <NUM> and a bio-signal detection circuit (not shown) electrically connected to the electrode regions <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the electrode regions <NUM> and <NUM> may include the first electrode region <NUM> and the second electrode region <NUM> disposed on the second surface 210B of the housing <NUM>. The sensor module <NUM> may be configured such that the electrode regions <NUM> and <NUM> obtain electrical signal(s) from a part of the user's body, and the bio-signal detection circuit may detect biometric information of the user based on the electrical signal(s).

The key input devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a wheel key <NUM> disposed on the first surface 210A of the housing <NUM> and rotatable in at least one direction, and/or side key buttons <NUM> and <NUM> disposed on the side surface 210C of the housing <NUM>. The wheel key may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the front plate <NUM>. In another embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may not include some or all of the above-described key input devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and the not included key input devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be implemented in other forms such as soft keys on the display <NUM>. The connector hole <NUM> may accommodate a connector (e.g., USB connector) for transmitting and receiving power and/or data to and from external electronic devices and may include another connector hole (not illustrated) capable of accommodating a connector for transmitting and receiving audio signals to and from an external electronic device. The electronic device <NUM> may further include, for example, a connector cover (not illustrated) that covers at least a part of the connector hole <NUM> and blocks the inflow of external foreign material into the connector hole.

The binding members <NUM> and <NUM> may be detachably attached to at least a part of the housing <NUM> using locking members <NUM>, <NUM>. The binding members <NUM> and <NUM> may include one or more of a fixing member <NUM>, a fixing member fastening hole <NUM>, a band guide member <NUM>, and a band fixing ring <NUM>.

The fixing member <NUM> may be configured to fix the housing <NUM> and the binding members <NUM> and <NUM> to a part of the user's body (e.g., wrist, ankle, etc.). The fixing member fastening hole <NUM> may correspond to the fixing member <NUM> to fix the housing <NUM> and the binding members <NUM> and <NUM> to the part of the user's body. The band guide member <NUM> may be configured to limit movement range of the fixing member <NUM> when the fixing member <NUM> is fastened to the fixing member fastening hole <NUM>, so that the binding members <NUM> and <NUM> are attached to be in close contact with the part of the user's body. The band fixing ring <NUM> may limit the range of movement of the fixing members <NUM> and <NUM> when the fixing member <NUM> and the fixing member fastening hole <NUM> are fastened. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> and/or <FIG>) may include a side bezel structure <NUM>, a wheel key <NUM>, a front plate <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a first antenna <NUM>, a second antenna <NUM>, a support member <NUM> (e.g., bracket), a battery <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, a sealing member <NUM>, and binding members <NUM> and <NUM>. At least one of the components of the electronic device <NUM> may be the same as or similar to at least one of the components of the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, <FIG>, and/or 2B, and repeated description thereof will be omitted. The support member <NUM> may be disposed inside the electronic device <NUM> to be connected to the side bezel structure <NUM> or may be integrated with the side bezel structure <NUM>. The support member <NUM> may be made of, for example, metal material and/or non-metal (e.g., polymer) material. The display <NUM> may be coupled to one surface of the support member <NUM>, and the printed circuit board <NUM> may be coupled to the other surface of the support member <NUM>. A processor, a memory, and/or an interface may be mounted on the printed circuit board <NUM>. The processor may include, for example, one or more of a central processing unit, an application processor, a graphic processing unit (GPU), an application processor, a sensor processor, or a communication processor.

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

The battery <NUM> is a device for supplying power to at least one component of the electronic device <NUM>, and may include, for example, a non-rechargeable primary battery, a rechargeable secondary battery, or a fuel battery. At least a part of the battery <NUM> may be disposed on substantially the same plane as, for example, the printed circuit board <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be integrally disposed inside the electronic device <NUM> or may be detachably coupled to the electronic device <NUM>.

The first antenna <NUM> may be disposed between the display <NUM> and the support member <NUM>. The first antenna <NUM> may include, for example, a near field communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a magnetic secure transmission (MST) antenna. The first antenna <NUM> may, for example, perform short-range communication with an external device, wirelessly transmit and receive power required for charging, and transmit short-range communication signal or an electromagnetic signal including payment data. In another embodiment, an antenna structure may be formed by at least a portion of the side bezel structure <NUM> and/or a part of the support member <NUM> or a combination thereof. The second antenna <NUM> may be disposed between the printed circuit board <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM>. The second antenna <NUM> may include, for example, a near field communication (NFC) antenna, a wireless charging antenna, and/or a magnetic secure transmission (MST) antenna. For example, the second antenna <NUM> may perform short-range communication with an external device, wirelessly transmit and receive power required for charging, and may transmit a short-range communication signal or a electromagnetic signal including payment data. In another embodiment, an antenna structure may be formed by at least a portion of the side bezel structure <NUM> and/or a part of the rear plate <NUM> or a combination thereof.

The sealing member <NUM> may be positioned between the side bezel structure <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> may be configured to block moisture and foreign material flowing into the space surrounded by the side bezel structure <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM> from the outside. <FIG> is a perspective view of a second surface of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a housing <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, a window <NUM>, a PPG sensor <NUM>, a laser sensor <NUM>, and an index layer <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may be referred to as the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> and/or 2B, and/or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>. According to an embodiment, when worn by the user, the electronic device <NUM> may contact a part of the user's body. For example, when the electronic device <NUM> is worn by the user, a part of the second surface 410b of the electronic device <NUM> may contact at least a part of the user's wrist.

The housing <NUM> may provide the overall outer shape of the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the housing <NUM> may include a first surface (e.g., the first surface 210A in <FIG>) and a second surface 410b facing the first surface 210A. The second surface 410b may be substantially the same as the second surface 210B of <FIG>. According to an embodiment, when the electronic device <NUM> is worn by the user, the second surface 410b may face or be in contact with a part of the user's body. According to an embodiment, the housing <NUM> may include an inner space <NUM> where various components of the electronic device <NUM> are disposed. For example, the inner space <NUM> may be bounded by a side surface (e.g., the side surface 210c of <FIG>) extending from the peripheries of the first surface 210A and the second surface 410b, the first surface 210A, and the second surface 410b.

The printed circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to various components of the electronic device <NUM> that perform various operations of the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be disposed in the inner space <NUM> formed by the housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to various electronic components disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> or various components of the electronic device <NUM> disposed outside the printed circuit board <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be electrically connected to various components of the electronic device <NUM> through a connection member (not illustrated). For example, the connection member may include a coaxial cable connector, a board to board connector, an interposer, or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

The window <NUM> may protect internal components of the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the window <NUM> may be coupled to the housing <NUM> to protect the printed circuit board <NUM> in the housing <NUM>. For example, the window <NUM> may form a part of the second surface 410b of the housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment, at least a part of the window <NUM> may be configured to be transparent so as to transmit light. For example, at least a part of the window <NUM> may be made of a substantially transparent material to transmit light, and the housing <NUM> surrounding the window <NUM> may be made of a substantially opaque material to prevent light transmission.

According to an embodiment, the window <NUM> may include a plurality of openings <NUM>. The plurality of openings <NUM> may be regions of the window <NUM> configured to transmit light. For example, the window <NUM> may include material that absorbs light in region(s) other than the regions corresponding to the plurality of openings <NUM>. As the material absorbing light is disposed within the window <NUM>, the region(s) other than the regions corresponding to the plurality of openings <NUM> may not transmit light. According to an embodiment, a layer (e.g., the absorption layer <NUM> of <FIG>) including light blocking material (e.g. light absorbing material) may be applied under the window <NUM>. For example, the plurality of openings <NUM> may form paths through which light travels into the housing <NUM>, because light blocking material is disposed in region(s) of the layer not corresponding to the plurality of openings <NUM> and the light blocking material is not disposed in regions of the layer corresponding to the plurality of openings <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the window <NUM> may include a first region <NUM> and a second region <NUM>. The first region <NUM> may be substantially parallel to the printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the printed circuit board <NUM> may have a planar shape extending in the inner space <NUM>, and the first region <NUM> may have a planar shape substantially parallel to the printed circuit board <NUM>. The second region <NUM> may connect the first region <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the second region <NUM> may surround the first region <NUM>. A part of the housing <NUM> forming the second surface 410b may be outside the second region <NUM> and surround the second region <NUM>. For example, the second region <NUM> may be formed to have curvature unlike the first region <NUM>, but is not limited thereto, and the second region <NUM> may be substantially parallel to the printed circuit board <NUM> similar to the first region <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the window <NUM> may be spaced apart from the printed circuit board <NUM>. As the window <NUM> is spaced apart from the printed circuit board <NUM>, components (e.g., PPG sensor <NUM> and laser sensor <NUM>) disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> may be protected. When the window <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> directly contact each other, components disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> may be damaged by impacts applied from the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. As the window <NUM> is spaced apart from the printed circuit board <NUM>, the impacts applied from the outside of the electronic device <NUM> may be attenuated when they reach the printed circuit board <NUM>. The space formed between the window <NUM> and the printed circuit board <NUM> may accommodate various components of the electronic device <NUM>.

The PPG sensor <NUM> may obtain first biometric data related to the user's body. The first biometric data may include at least one of heart rate, a change in the user's heart rate during a preset time interval, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure. According to an embodiment, when the electronic device <NUM> is worn by the user, the PPG sensor <NUM> may face or be in contact with a part of the user's body. The PPG sensor <NUM> may be configured to emit light to the user's body and receive light reflected from the user's body in order to detect a change in the amount of blood flow inside the microvasculature of the user's body. In the user's body, the volume of the microvasculature may be changed by changing the amount of blood flow in the microvasculature due to the periodic contraction or relaxation of the heart. The degree to which light transmitted to the user's body is absorbed into the body may vary according to the change in the amount of blood flow of the microvasculature. The PPG sensor <NUM> may obtain first biometric data based on the intensity of light reflected from the user's body.

According to an embodiment, the PPG sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> in the housing <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the PPG sensor <NUM> may include at least one first light emitting portion <NUM> and at least one first receiving portion <NUM>. The first light emitting portion <NUM> and the first receiving portion <NUM> may correspond to each other. For example, the number of the first light emitting portion <NUM> and the number of the first receiving portion <NUM> may be the same, and the first light emitting portion <NUM> and the first receiving portion <NUM> having the same number may constitute a PPG sensor <NUM>. For another example, the number of the first light emitting portion <NUM> and the number of the first receiving portion <NUM> may be different from each other, and the first light emitting portion <NUM> and the first receiving portion <NUM> having different numbers may constitute a PPG sensor <NUM>.

The first light emitting portion <NUM> may be configured to emit light to the part of the user's body in contact with the electronic device <NUM> when the electronic device <NUM> is worn by the user. The first light emitting portion <NUM> may be configured to emit light to the part of the user's body in a first beam angle. For example, the first beam angle may be about <NUM> degrees, but is not limited thereto. The first light emitting portion <NUM> may be, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), but is not limited thereto. For example, the first light emitting portion <NUM> may include a laser light source (e.g., laser diode (LD) and/or solid laser) emitting laser. According to an embodiment, there are the plurality of first light emitting portions <NUM>, and the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c may emit light having different wavelengths. According to an embodiment, the first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c may emit light in the visible band. For example, the first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c may emit green light to measure the user's heart rate, stress, or blood pressure, or red light to measure the user's oxygen saturation. According to an embodiment, the total wavelength bandwidth of light emitted by the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c may be about <NUM> to about <NUM>, but it is not limited thereto.

The first receiving portion <NUM> may be configured to receive light emitted from the first light emitting portion <NUM> and reflected from a part of the user's body. The first receiving portion <NUM> may generate an electrical signal corresponding to the light reflected from the part of the body. The electrical signal generated by the first receiving portion <NUM> may be transmitted to the processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) through the printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the first receiving portion <NUM> may refer to a photo diode, but is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment, the first receiving portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the first light emitting portion <NUM> and disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM>. As the receiving portion <NUM> and the first light emitting portion <NUM> are spaced apart from each other, crosstalk between light emitted from the first light emitting portion <NUM> and light received by the first receiving portion <NUM> may be reduced.

The laser sensor <NUM> may obtain second biometric data related to the user's body. For example, the second biometric data may be the blood sugar level in the user's body or blood alcohol content. According to an embodiment, when the electronic device <NUM> is worn by the user, the laser sensor <NUM> may face or be in contact with a part of the user's body. The laser sensor <NUM> may be configured to emit light to the user's body and receive light reflected from the user's body. For example, light emitted from the laser sensor <NUM> may penetrate the user's body to reach some particular material in the user's body (e.g., glucose in a blood vessel or alcohol molecule in a blood vessel), change wavelength or intensity, or generate vibration. The laser sensor <NUM> may obtain the second biometric data based on the wavelength, intensity, or vibration of light reflected from the user's body.

According to an embodiment, the laser sensor <NUM> may include at least one second light emitting portion <NUM> and at least one second receiving portion <NUM>. The at least one second light emitting portion <NUM> and the second receiving portion <NUM> may correspond to each other. For example, the number of the second light emitting portion <NUM> and the number of the second receiving portion <NUM> may be the same, and the second light emitting portion <NUM> and the second receiving portion <NUM> having the same number may constitute a laser sensor <NUM>. For another example, the number of second light emitting portions <NUM> and the number of second receiving portion <NUM> are different from each other, and the second light emitting portion <NUM> and the second receiving portion <NUM> having different numbers may constitute a laser sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the second light emitting portion <NUM> may be configured to emit light to the part of the user's body in contact with the electronic device <NUM> when worn by the user. According to an embodiment, the light emitted by the second light emitting portion <NUM> of the laser sensor <NUM> may have higher directivity than the light emitted by the first light emitting portion <NUM> of the PPG sensor <NUM>. The second light emitting portion <NUM> may be configured to emit light having second beam angle smaller than the first beam angle, to the part of the user's body. For example, the second beam angle may be about <NUM> degrees, but is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment, the second light emitting portion <NUM> may emit light in the infrared band that includes a near infrared region. For example, there may be plurality of second light emitting portions <NUM>, and each of the plurality of second light emitting portions <NUM> may be a laser light source emitting light of different wavelengths. The plurality of second light emitting portions <NUM> may form a laser array. For example, the total wavelength bandwidth of light emitted by the plurality of second light emitting portions <NUM> may be approximately <NUM> to <NUM>, but is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, since the second light emitting portion <NUM> includes a laser modulator, the number of second light emitting portion <NUM> may not correspond to the number light beams having different characteristics emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM>. The second light emitting portion <NUM> may emit laser beams of different characteristics without requiring laser light sources each dedicated to a particular beam by, for example, changing the wavelength of the laser emitted from a single laser light source by using the laser modulator. For example, when the second light emitting portion <NUM> includes one laser light source, the second light emitting portion <NUM> may sequentially change the wavelength of the laser emitted from the one laser light source by using the modulator to emit laser beams of different characteristics from the one laser light source. In another example, when the second light emitting portion <NUM> includes a plurality of laser light sources, the second light emitting portion <NUM> may simultaneously emit laser beams of different characteristics by changing the wavelengths of the lasers emitted from the plurality of laser light sources by using the modulator. The second receiving portion <NUM> may be configured to receive light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> and reflected from the part of the user's body. The second receiving portion <NUM> may generate an electrical signal corresponding to the light reflected from the part of the body. The electrical signal generated by the second receiving portion <NUM> may be transmitted to the processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) through the printed circuit board <NUM>. For example, the second receiving portion <NUM> may be implemented as a photodiode but is not limited thereto. According to an embodiment, the second receiving portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the second light emitting portion <NUM> and disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM>. As the second receiving portion <NUM> and the second light emitting portion <NUM> are spaced apart from each other, crosstalk between light emitted by the second light emitting portion and light received by the second receiving portion may be decreased. According to an embodiment, since the light emitted by the second light emitting portion <NUM> of the laser sensor <NUM> has stronger directivity than the light emitted by the first light emitting portion <NUM> of the PPG sensor <NUM>, the distance between the second light emitting portion <NUM> and the second receiving portion <NUM> may be smaller than the distance between the first light emitting portion <NUM> and the first receiving portion <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, at least one second light emitting portion <NUM> may include a plurality of second light emitting portions <NUM> that emit light having different wavelengths and at least one first light emitting portion <NUM> may include a plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c that emit light having different wavelengths. The wavelength range of light emitted by the plurality of second light emitting portions <NUM> may be narrower than the wavelength range of light emitted by the plurality of first light emitting portions <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the plurality of second light emitting portions <NUM> may be a plurality of laser light sources emitting light having different wavelengths, and each of the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c may be an LED. When an LED configured to emit light having a designated wavelength, since light emitted from the LED has monochromaticity lower than that of a laser, the wavelength range of light emitted from the LED may be wider than the wavelength range of light emitted from the laser light source. For example, the wavelength range of light emitted from LEDs configured to emit light of wavelength of <NUM> may be approximately <NUM> to <NUM>, but the wavelength range of light emitted from a laser light source configured to emit light having wavelength of <NUM> may be approximately <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the laser sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> to be surrounded (or encircled) by the PPG sensor <NUM>. For example, at least one first light emitting portion <NUM> and at least one first receiving portion <NUM> forming the PPG sensor <NUM> may surround the periphery of the laser sensor <NUM>. For example, at least one first light emitting portion <NUM> may include a plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c that emit light with different wavelengths for the electronic device <NUM> to obtain various first biometric information. Since each of the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c has a first beam angle, the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c may be spaced apart from each other so that light emitted by the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c does not interfere with each other. The second light emitting portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from each of the plurality of first light emitting portion s 441a, 441b, and 441c to decrease crosstalk between light emitted by the second light emitting portion <NUM> and the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c. When a plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c are not disposed to surround the second light emitting portion <NUM>, a space for disposing the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c in the electronic device <NUM> that is miniaturized to be worn on a part of the user's body may be insufficient. When the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c are disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> to surround the second light emitting portion <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may arrange the required number of the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c within the limited internal space of the electronic device <NUM>. When the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c are disposed to surround the second light emitting portion <NUM>, since the distance between the at least one second light emitting portion <NUM> and the at least one second receiving portion <NUM> forming the laser sensor <NUM> is closer than the distance between the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, and 441c and the first receiving portion <NUM> forming the PPG sensor <NUM>, the laser sensor <NUM> may be disposed to be surrounded by the PPG sensor <NUM>. According to an embodiment, since the PPG sensor <NUM> is disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> to surround the laser sensor <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may provide various biometric information to the user by disposing the PPG sensor <NUM> and the laser sensor <NUM> having different optical characteristics within a limited internal space of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the laser sensor <NUM> may be disposed to overlap the first region <NUM> of the window <NUM> when the window <NUM> is viewed from the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. When the laser sensor <NUM> is not disposed in the region of the printed circuit board <NUM> corresponding to the first region <NUM> of the window <NUM>, light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> may not be transmitted to the user's body or the second receiving portion <NUM> may not receive light. According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may transmit light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> to the user or may maintain light reception at the second receiving portion <NUM> , when the laser sensor <NUM> is disposed to overlap the first region <NUM> of the window <NUM> when the window <NUM> viewed from the outside of the electronic device <NUM> (i.e. in a top view). For example, when the laser sensor <NUM> is disposed to overlap the first region <NUM>, the light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> may be incident substantially perpendicularly on the first region <NUM> and the part of the user's body. When light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> is substantially perpendicular to the part of the user's body to be transferred to the part of the user's body, the possibility of loss due to refraction may be reduced. In another example, when laser sensor <NUM> is disposed to overlap the first region <NUM>, when the light reflected from the part of the user's body is received by the second receiving portion <NUM>, the light may be incident on the first region <NUM>. When light reflected from the part of the user's body substantially perpendicular to the first region <NUM> is received by the second receiving portion <NUM>, the possibility of loss due to refraction may be reduced.

According to an embodiment, the PPG sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> to overlap the second region <NUM> of the window <NUM> when the window <NUM> is viewed from the outside of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the index layer <NUM> may reduce a difference in refractive index between the inner space <NUM> and the window <NUM>. The index layer <NUM> may form a path through which light is transmitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> to the window <NUM> or a path through which light is transmitted from the window <NUM> to the second receiving portion <NUM>. The index layer <NUM> may protect the laser sensor <NUM> from forces applied from the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the index layer <NUM> may fill between the second light emitting portion <NUM> and the window <NUM> to reduce the difference in refractive index between the window <NUM> and the second light emitting portion <NUM> and protect the second light emitting portion <NUM> from external impacts. The index layer <NUM> may be made of a transparent material and may have elasticity. According to an embodiment, the index layer <NUM> may be disposed on the laser sensor <NUM> to overlap the laser sensor <NUM> when the window <NUM> is viewed from the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, when the index layer <NUM> is not used, light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> may be dispersed, or the light received by the second receiving portion <NUM> may not receive light, due to the difference in refractive index between the inner space <NUM> and the window <NUM>. When the light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> is dispersed or the light is not received by the second receiving portion <NUM>, performance of the laser sensor <NUM> may be degraded. According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may include the index layer <NUM> that compensates for the difference in refractive index between the internal space <NUM> and the window <NUM> to improve performance of the laser sensor <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the index layer <NUM> may be made of a material that transmits light. For example, the index layer <NUM> may be made of at least one of polyethylene and rubber, but is not limited thereto.

As described above, since the PPG sensor <NUM> is disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> to surround the laser sensor <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may arrange the PPG sensor <NUM> and the laser sensor <NUM> having different optical characteristics within a limited space. According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may provide various biometric information to the user by including the PPG sensor <NUM> and the laser sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> transmit light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> to the user or maintain light reception by the second receiving portion <NUM> when the laser sensor <NUM> is disposed to overlap the first region <NUM> of the window <NUM> when the window <NUM> viewed from the outside of the electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top view illustrating an example of an arrangement relationship between a PPG sensor and a laser sensor of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the PPG sensor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, 441c, and 441d and a plurality of first receiving portions 442a, 442b, 442c, and 442d.

According to an embodiment, the outer shape of the laser sensor <NUM> may be substantially circular, but is not limited thereto. For example, the printed circuit board <NUM> may be substantially circular, and the laser sensor <NUM> may be disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> to be adjacent to the center of the printed circuit board <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the PPG sensor <NUM> may be spaced apart from the laser sensor <NUM> in the radial direction of the laser sensor <NUM>. By being spaced apart in the radial direction of the laser sensor <NUM>, the PPG sensor <NUM> may surround the laser sensor <NUM> from the outside the laser sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, 441c, and 441d of the PPG sensor <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other. For example, a plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, 441c, and 441d may be spaced apart from each other along the periphery of the laser sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of first receiving portions 442a, 442b, 442c, and 442d of the PPG sensor <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other. For example, each of the plurality of first receiving portions 442a, 442b, 442c, and 442d may be located in a space between the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, 441c, and 441d along the periphery of the laser sensor <NUM>.

As described above, since the PPG sensor <NUM> is disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> to surround the laser sensor <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may arrange the PPG sensor <NUM> and the laser sensor <NUM> having different optical characteristics within limited space. According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may provide various biometric information to the user by including the PPG sensor <NUM> and the laser sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top view illustrating another example of an arrangement relationship between a PPG sensor and a laser sensor of an electronic device, according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment, the PPG sensor <NUM> of an electronic device <NUM> may include the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, 441c, and 441d and the plurality of first receiving portions 442a, 442b, 442c, 442d, and 442e.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, 441c, and 441d of the PPG sensor <NUM> may surround the laser sensor <NUM> from the outside the laser sensor <NUM>. For example, the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, 441c, and 441d may be spaced apart from each other along the periphery of the laser sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of first receiving portions 442a, 442b, 442c, 442d, and 442e of the PPG sensor <NUM> may surround the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, 441c, and 441d from the outside the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, 441c, and 441d. For example, the plurality of first receiving portions 442a, 442b, 442c, 442d, and 442e may be spaced apart from each other along peripheries of the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a, 441b, 441c, and 441d.

<FIG> is a top view illustrating yet another example of an arrangement relationship between a PPG sensor and a laser sensor of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the PPG sensor <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a and 441b and the plurality of first receiving portions 442a, 442b, 442c, and 442d.

According to an embodiment, the laser sensor <NUM> may include a plurality of long sides 450a and 450b parallel to each other and a plurality of short sides 450c and 450d that are parallel to each other and have length shorter than that of the plurality of long sides.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a and 441b may be disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> to face each other with respect to the laser sensor <NUM>. For example, a part 441a of the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a and 441b may face the first long side 450a, and the other part 441b of the plurality of first light emitting portions 441a and 441b may face the second long side 450b.

According to an embodiment, the plurality of first receiving portions 442a, 442b, 442c, and 442d may be disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> to face each other with respect to the laser sensor <NUM>. For example, part 442a and 442b of the plurality of first receiving portions 442a, 442b, 442c, and 442d may face the first long side 450a, and the other part 442c and 442d of the plurality of first receiving portions 442a, 442b, 442c, and 442d may face the second long side 450b.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example in which an electronic device is cut along A-A' of <FIG> according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the window <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may include an absorption layer <NUM>. The absorption layer <NUM> may be inserted into the window <NUM> to absorb light passing through the window <NUM>. For example, the absorption layer <NUM> may be applied to one surface 430a of the window <NUM> facing the printed circuit board <NUM>. In another example, the absorption layer <NUM> may be interposed between one surface 430a of the window <NUM> facing the printed circuit board <NUM> and the other surface 430b of the window <NUM> facing the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. Regions of the window <NUM> in which the absorption layer <NUM> is absent may be denoted as the plurality of openings <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, when the window <NUM> is viewed from the outside of the electronic device <NUM>, a plurality of openings <NUM> may be formed in regions of the window <NUM> overlapping the first light emitting portion <NUM>, the first receiving portion <NUM>, the second light emitting portion <NUM>, and the second receiving portion <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the index layer <NUM> may be interposed between the window <NUM> and the laser sensor <NUM>. For example, the index layer <NUM> may extend from one surface of the laser sensor <NUM> facing the window <NUM> to one surface of the window <NUM> facing the laser sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, when the electronic device <NUM> is worn by a user, a part B of the user's body may be deformed by the window <NUM> and may be in contact with the first region <NUM> and the second region <NUM>. When the second region <NUM> has curvature, and when the electronic device <NUM> is worn by the user, the part B of the user's body may be deformed by the window <NUM> to be in close contact with the second region <NUM>. When the part B of the user's body is in close contact with the second region <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may be secured to the user's body so that it does not move relative to the user's body and may maintain the state of contact to the part B of the user's body. For example, when the second region <NUM> does not have curvature, since the electronic device <NUM> may not be in close contact with the part B of the user's body, the wearing position may be not be secured and may move relative to the user's body. When the electronic device <NUM> is not fixed, the light received by the second receiving portion <NUM> from the second light emitting portion <NUM> may include excessive noise, and thus performance of the laser sensor <NUM> may be degraded. According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may be fixed to a particular position on the user's body to ensure performance of the laser sensor <NUM> by having curvature to maximize the area of contact to the part B of the user's body.

According to an embodiment, the first light emitting portion <NUM> may emit light to the first beam angle θ<NUM> toward the part B of the user's body. The light emitted from the first light emitting portion <NUM> may sequentially pass through the inner space <NUM> and the window <NUM> and pass to the part B of the user's body. A part of the light transmitted to the part B of the user's body may be absorbed in the inside (e.g., blood vessels, bones, and cell tissues) of the part B of the user's body. Another part of light transmitted to the part B of the user's body may not be absorbed in the part B of the user's body, but may be reflected from the part B of the user's body. At least a part of the light reflected from either the inside or the exterior of the part B of the user's body may sequentially pass through the window <NUM> and the inner space <NUM> to be received by the first receiving portion <NUM>. The first receiving portion <NUM> may obtain the first biometric data by generating an electrical signal based on the intensity or other characteristics of the received light. The electrical signal generated by the first receiving portion <NUM> may be received by the processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> of <FIG>) through the printed circuit board <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the second light emitting portion <NUM> may emit light to a second beam angle θ<NUM> smaller than the first beam angle θ<NUM> toward the part B of the user's body. The light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> may sequentially pass through the index layer <NUM> and the window <NUM> and may be transmitted to the part B of the user's body. A part of the light transmitted to the part B of the user's body may reach a designated material (e.g., glucose molecule or alcohol molecule) in the part B of the user's body. The wavelength of light reaching the designated material may be changed by the natural vibration (e.g., Raman scattering) of the designated material, or the intensity of light reaching the designated material may be changed by being absorbed by the designated material. The light with the changed wavelength or changed intensity may be received from the part B of the user's body through the window <NUM> and the index layer <NUM> by the second receiving portion <NUM>. The second receiving portion <NUM> may obtain the second biometric data by generating an electrical signal based on the intensity of the received light or the wavelength of the received light. The electrical signal generated by the second receiving portion <NUM> may be received by the processor <NUM> through the printed circuit board <NUM>.

As described above, since the PPG sensor <NUM> is disposed on the printed circuit board <NUM> to surround the laser sensor <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may arrange the PPG sensor <NUM> and the laser sensor <NUM> having different optical characteristics within limited space. The electronic device <NUM> may provide various biometric information to a user by obtaining different first biometric data and second biometric data from the PPG sensor <NUM> and the laser sensor <NUM>, respectively.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross-section of an electronic device according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a plan view of a second surface of an electronic device, according to an embodiment.

Since the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> and/or 7B may be similar to the electronic device <NUM> previously described in connection with <FIG>, except that a barrier <NUM> is added, duplicative description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may further include a barrier <NUM>. The barrier <NUM> may prevent crosstalk between light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> and light received by the second receiving portion <NUM>. The barrier <NUM> may prevent noise from occurring in the laser sensor <NUM> by preventing crosstalk of light between the second light emitting portion <NUM> and the second receiving portion <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the barrier <NUM> may protect the laser sensor <NUM> from forces applied from the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the barrier <NUM> may be made of a substantially opaque material so as not to transmit light, but is not limited thereto.

According to an embodiment, when viewed from the outside of the electronic device <NUM>, the barrier <NUM> may be disposed on the laser sensor <NUM> to be positioned between a region overlapping the second light emitting portion <NUM> and a region overlapping the second receiving portion <NUM>. For example, the barrier <NUM> may be located to be separate from the second light emitting portion <NUM> and the second receiving portion <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the barrier <NUM> may be interposed between the window <NUM> and the laser sensor <NUM>. For example, the barrier <NUM> may be inserted into the index layer <NUM> so that it extends between one surface 430a of the window <NUM> and one surface of the laser sensor <NUM> facing each other.

According to the above-described embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may improve the performance (e.g., signal to noise ratio (SNR)) of the laser sensor <NUM> by including the barrier <NUM> that prevents light crosstalk between the second light emitting portion <NUM> and the second receiving portion <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may prevent the laser sensor <NUM> from being damaged by forces applied from the outside of the electronic device <NUM> by interposing the barrier <NUM> between the window <NUM> and the laser sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross-section of an electronic device according to an embodiment.

An electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> may be similar to the electronic device <NUM> previously described in connection with <FIG> and <FIG>, except that the arrangement structure of the barrier <NUM> is changed, and thus duplicative description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to <FIG>, the barrier <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment may surround an outer surface of the index layer <NUM>. Since the barrier <NUM> surrounds the outer surface of the index layer <NUM>, light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> or light incident upon the second receiving portion <NUM> may be prevented from being emitted to the outer surface of the index layer <NUM>. As light is blocked from transmitting to the outer surface of the index layer <NUM> is blocked, the performance of the laser sensor <NUM> may be improved.

According to the above-described embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may improve the performance of the laser sensor <NUM> by including the barrier <NUM> for preventing light crosstalk between the second light emitting portion <NUM> and the second receiving portion <NUM>. In the electronic device <NUM> according to an embodiment, as the barrier <NUM> surrounds the outer surface of the index layer <NUM>, light is blocked from transmitting to the outer surface of the index layer <NUM>, so that the performance of the laser sensor <NUM> may be improved.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, a window <NUM>, a PPG sensor <NUM>, a laser sensor <NUM>, an index layer <NUM>, and a barrier <NUM>. The housing <NUM>, the printed circuit board <NUM>, the window <NUM>, the PPG sensor <NUM>, the laser sensor <NUM>, the index layer <NUM>, and the barrier <NUM> of <FIG> may be substantially the same as the housing <NUM>, the printed circuit board <NUM>, the window <NUM>, the PPG sensor <NUM>, the laser sensor <NUM>, the index layer <NUM>, and the barrier <NUM> of <FIG>, and duplicative descriptions thereof will be omitted.

According to an embodiment, the window <NUM> may include an accommodating groove <NUM>. The accommodating groove <NUM> may receive the index layer <NUM> and the barrier <NUM> so as to fix their positions within the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the accommodating groove <NUM> may be formed by recessing one region of the window <NUM> facing the laser sensor <NUM> toward the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. According to an embodiment, when the window <NUM> is viewed from the outside of the electronic device <NUM>, the accommodating groove <NUM> may overlap the laser sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the index layer <NUM> may be inserted into the accommodating groove <NUM>. For example, the index layer <NUM> may extend from one surface of the laser sensor <NUM> facing the accommodating groove <NUM> into the accommodating groove <NUM>. As the index layer <NUM> is seated in the accommodating groove <NUM>, the accommodating groove <NUM> may prevent the index layer <NUM> from being separated from the designed position.

According to an embodiment, the barrier <NUM> may be inserted into the accommodating groove <NUM> and the index layer <NUM>. For example, the barrier <NUM> may extend into the accommodating groove <NUM> from one surface of the laser sensor <NUM> facing the accommodating groove <NUM>. As he barrier <NUM> is seated in the accommodating groove <NUM>, the accommodating groove <NUM> may prevent the barrier <NUM> from being separated from the designed position.

According to the above-described embodiment, as the index layer <NUM> and the barrier <NUM> are seated in the accommodating groove <NUM> formed in the window, the electronic device <NUM> may prevent the index layer <NUM> and the barrier <NUM> from being separated from their designed positions.

According to an embodiment, the window <NUM> may include a through hole <NUM>. The through hole <NUM> may connect the inner space <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. For example, the through hole <NUM> may extend from one surface 1030a of the window <NUM> facing the laser sensor <NUM> to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the index layer <NUM> may be inserted into the through hole <NUM>. For example, one surface of the index layer <NUM> may be in contact with one surface of the laser sensor <NUM> facing the window <NUM>, and another surface of the index layer <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>. The other surface of the index layer <NUM> exposed to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> may form a part of the second surface 1010b of the housing <NUM>. When the electronic device <NUM> is worn by the user, the other surface of the index layer <NUM> exposed to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> may contact a part of the user's body. As the index layer <NUM> is exposed from the laser sensor <NUM> to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>, there may be no difference in refractive index in the path of light between the laser sensor <NUM> and the second surface 1010b. As the difference in refractive index is eliminated, light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> may be transmitted to the outside of the electronic device <NUM> without loss, or light reflected from the user's body may be transmitted to the second receiving portion1052 without loss.

According to an embodiment, the barrier <NUM> may be inserted into the through hole <NUM> and the index layer <NUM>. For example, one surface of the barrier <NUM> may be in contact with one surface of the laser sensor <NUM> facing the window <NUM>, and another surface of the barrier <NUM> may be visually exposed to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>.

According to the above-described embodiment, as the index layer <NUM> connects the laser sensor <NUM> to the outside of the electronic device <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may not have refractive index differences in the path of light between the laser sensor <NUM> and the second surface 1010b. As the difference in refractive index is removed, light is transmitted from the second light emitting unit <NUM> to the user's body without excessive loss, interference or noise or light is received from the user's body to the second receiving portion <NUM> without excessive loss, interference or noise, thereby ensuring performance of the laser sensor <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>, a printed circuit board <NUM>, a window <NUM>, a PPG sensor <NUM>, a laser sensor <NUM>, an index layer <NUM>, a barrier <NUM> and a buffering member <NUM>. The housing <NUM>, the printed circuit board <NUM>, the window <NUM>, the PPG sensor <NUM>, the laser sensor <NUM>, the index layer <NUM>, and the barrier <NUM> of <FIG> may be substantially the same as the housing <NUM>, the printed circuit board <NUM>, the window <NUM>, the PPG sensor <NUM>, the laser sensor <NUM>, the index layer <NUM>, and the barrier <NUM> of <FIG>, and duplicative descriptions thereof will be omitted.

According to an embodiment, the window <NUM> may include an accommodating groove <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the accommodating groove <NUM> may be formed by recessing one part of the window <NUM> facing the laser sensor <NUM>. According to an embodiment, when the window <NUM> is viewed from the outside of the electronic device <NUM>, the accommodating groove <NUM> may overlap the laser sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the index layer <NUM> may be inserted into the accommodating groove <NUM>. As the index layer <NUM> is seated in the accommodating groove <NUM>, the accommodating groove <NUM> may prevent the index layer <NUM> from being separated from the designed position. According to an embodiment, the index layer <NUM> may be spaced apart from the laser sensor <NUM>. For example, the index layer <NUM> may be spaced apart from the laser sensor <NUM> in the direction from the printed circuit board <NUM> toward the window <NUM>. As the index layer <NUM> and the laser sensor <NUM> are spaced apart from each other, an air gap <NUM> may be formed between the index layer <NUM> and the laser sensor <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the barrier <NUM> may extend from the printed circuit board <NUM> to the window <NUM>. For example, the barrier <NUM> may be inserted into the index layer <NUM> in which one end is in contact with the printed circuit board <NUM> and the other end is disposed within the accommodating groove <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the barrier <NUM> may extend between the second light emitting portion <NUM> and the second receiving portion <NUM> to prevent crosstalk between light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> and light received by the second receiving portion <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the barrier <NUM> may surround outer surfaces of the second light emitting portion <NUM> and the second receiving portion <NUM>, and may extend to the accommodating groove <NUM>. As the barrier <NUM> surrounds the outer surfaces of the second light emitting portion <NUM> and the second receiving portion <NUM>, light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> or light proceeding to the second receiving portion <NUM> may be prevented from being transferred to the inner space <NUM>. As the transmission of light to the inner space <NUM> is prevented, the performance of the laser sensor <NUM> may be improved.

In <FIG>, the barrier <NUM> is illustrated to be disposed adjacent to the laser sensor <NUM> to ensure performance of the laser sensor <NUM>, but this is only one example. In an embodiment, the barrier <NUM> disposed adjacent to the PPG sensor <NUM> may be added. For example, the barrier <NUM> may extend from the printed circuit board <NUM> to the window <NUM> to surround outer surfaces of the first light emitting portion <NUM> and the first receiving portion <NUM>. Since the barrier <NUM> is disposed adjacent to the PPG sensor <NUM>, performance of the PPG sensor <NUM> may be improved.

According to an embodiment, the buffering member <NUM> may reduce friction between the window <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>. The buffering member <NUM> may be interposed between the window <NUM> and the barrier <NUM>. For example, the buffering member <NUM> may surround one end of the barrier <NUM> positioned inside the accommodating groove <NUM>. For example, the buffering member <NUM> may be made of silicon foam, but is not limited thereto, and may be made of an elastic material.

According to an embodiment, the index layer <NUM> may include a Fresnel pattern <NUM>. The Fresnel pattern <NUM> may concentrate light. For example, the Fresnel pattern <NUM> may have a collective shape of a plurality of concentric circles sharing a center. According to an embodiment, the Fresnel pattern <NUM> may be formed on one surface of the index layer <NUM> facing the laser sensor <NUM>. For example, the Fresnel pattern <NUM> may be formed on one surface 1160a of the index layer <NUM> facing the second light emitting portion <NUM> and the other surface 1160b of the index layer <NUM> facing the second receiving portion <NUM>. The surfaces 1160a and 1160b of the index layer <NUM> on which the Fresnel pattern <NUM> is formed may be referred to as Fresnel lenses. Light emitted from the second light emitting unit <NUM> may be concentrated by the Fresnel pattern <NUM> of one surface 1160a of the index layer <NUM> and transmitted to the window <NUM>. Light arriving at the index layer <NUM> from the window <NUM> may be concentrated by the Fresnel pattern <NUM> of the other surface 1160b of the index layer <NUM> and received by the second receiving portion <NUM>.

According to an embodiment described above, since the index layer <NUM> includes the Fresnel pattern <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may ensure performance of the laser sensor <NUM> by concentrating, by the Fresnel pattern <NUM>, the light emitted from the second light emitting portion <NUM> or the light transmitted from the outside of the electronic device <NUM> to the second receiving portion <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may comprise a housing (e.g., housing <NUM> in <FIG>), a printed circuit board (e.g., printed circuit board <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed within the housing, a window (e.g., window <NUM> in <FIG>) including a first region (e.g., the first region <NUM> of <FIG>) parallel to the printed circuit board and a second region (e.g., the second region <NUM> of <FIG>) connecting a periphery of the first region and the housing and facing a part of user's body when the electronic device is worn by the user, a PPG (photoplethysmogram) sensor (e.g., the PPG sensor <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed on the printed circuit board and including at least one first emitting portion (e.g., the first light emitting portion <NUM> of <FIG>) configured to emit light at a first beam angle toward the window and at least one first receiving portion (e.g., the first receiving portion <NUM> of <FIG>) configured to receive light emitted from the at least one first emitting portion and reflected from the part of the user's body, a laser sensor (e.g., the laser sensor <NUM> of <FIG>) including at least one second emitting portion (e.g., the second light emitting portion <NUM> of <FIG>) configured to emit light at a second beam angle smaller than the first beam angle toward the window, and at least one second receiving portion (e.g., the second receiving portion <NUM> of <FIG>) configured to receive light emitted from the at least one second emitting portion and reflected from the part of the user's body and an index layer (e.g., index layer <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed on the laser sensor; wherein the laser sensor may be disposed on the printed circuit board to be surrounded by the PPG sensor and may overlap the first region, when the window is viewed from an outside of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the PPG sensor may be spaced apart from the laser sensor in a radial direction of the laser sensor.

According to an embodiment, when the window is viewed from the outside of the electronic device, the PPG sensor may overlap the second region.

According to an embodiment, the index layer may be interposed between the window and the laser sensor.

According to an embodiment, the window further may include a through-hole (e.g., through hole <NUM> in <FIG>) extending from one surface (e.g., one surface 1030a of <FIG>) of the window facing the laser sensor to the other surface of the window exposed to the outside of the electronic device, and wherein the index layer is inserted into the through-hole, and one surface of the index layer is exposed to the outside of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the window further may include an accommodating groove (e.g., accommodating groove <NUM> in <FIG>) defined by recessing one region of the window facing the laser sensor toward the outside of the electronic device, and wherein a part of the index layer may be inserted to the accommodating groove.

According to an embodiment, the at least one first emitting portion may include a plurality of first emitting portions spaced apart from each other along a periphery of the laser sensor, and wherein the at least one first receiving portion may be disposed between the plurality of the first emitting portions along the periphery of the laser sensor.

According to an embodiment, the at least one first emitting portion may surround the laser sensor from an outside of the laser sensor, and wherein the at least one first receiving portion may surround the at least one first emitting portion from an outside of the at least one first emitting portion.

According to an embodiment, the at least one first emitting portion may include a plurality of first emitting portions each emitting light having different wavelengths, wherein the at least one second emitting portion may include a plurality of second emitting portions each emitting light having different wavelengths, and wherein a wavelength range of light emitted by the plurality of second emitting portions may be narrower than a wavelength range of light emitted by the plurality of first emitting portions.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device may further include a barrier (e.g., the barrier <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>) disposed on the laser sensor to be positioned between one region of the window overlapping the at least one second emitting portion and another region of the window overlapping the at least one second receiving portion, when the window is viewed from the outside of the electronic device.

According to an embodiment, the barrier may be disposed to surround an outer surface of the index layer.

According to an embodiment, the barrier may be between the at least one second receiving portion and the at least one second emitting portion, and extending from the printed circuit board to the window.

According to an embodiment, the index layer may be disposed between the barrier and the window, and spaced apart from the laser sensor, and wherein a Fresnel pattern (e.g., the Fresnel pattern <NUM> of <FIG>) may be formed on one surface of the index layer facing the laser sensor.

According to an embodiment, the electronic device further includes a buffering member (e.g., the buffering member <NUM> of <FIG>) interposed between the window and the barrier.

According to an embodiment, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>) may comprise a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> in <FIG>) including a first surface (e.g., the first surface 210A of <FIG>), a second surface (e.g., second surface 410b of <FIG>) opposite the first surface and an inner space (e.g., inner space <NUM> in <FIG>) formed between the first surface and the second surface, a printed circuit board (e.g., the printed circuit board <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed in the inner space, a window (e.g., the window <NUM> in <FIG>) forming at least part of the second surface of the housing, and including a first region (e.g., the first region <NUM> of <FIG>) parallel to the printed circuit board and configured to contact a part of a user's body when the electronic device is worn by the user, and a second region (e.g., the second region <NUM> of <FIG>) having curvature and connecting a periphery of the first region and the housing, a PPG (photoplethysmogram) (e.g., the PPG sensor <NUM> of <FIG>) sensor disposed on the printed circuit board and including at least one first emitting portion (e.g., the first light emitting portion <NUM> of <FIG>) configured to emit light at a first beam angle toward the window and at least one first receiving portion (e.g., the first receiving potion <NUM> of <FIG>) configured to receive light emitted from the at least one first emitting portion and reflected from the part of the user's body, a laser sensor (e.g., the laser sensor <NUM> of <FIG>) including at least one second emitting portion configured to emit light at a second beam angle smaller than the first beam angle toward the window, and at least one second receiving portion configured to receive light emitted from the at least one second emitting portion and reflected from the part of the user's body, an index layer (e.g., index layer <NUM> of <FIG>) disposed on the laser sensor and a barrier (e.g., the barrier <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>) disposed on the laser sensor to be positioned between one region of the window overlapping the at least one second emitting portion (e.g., the second light emitting portion <NUM> of <FIG>) and another region of the window overlapping the at least one second receiving portion (e.g., the second receiving portion <NUM> of <FIG>) when the window is viewed from an outside of the electronic device; wherein the laser sensor may be disposed on the printed circuit board to be surrounded by the PPG sensor and may overlap the first region when the window is viewed from the outside of the electronic device.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a printed circuit board (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed within the housing;
a window (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including a first region parallel to the printed circuit board and a second region connecting a periphery of the first region and the housing, the window facing a part of a user's body when the electronic device is worn by the user;
a PPG, photoplethysmogram, sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on the printed circuit board and including at least one first emitting portion configured to emit light at a first beam angle toward the window and at least one first receiving portion configured to receive light emitted from the at least one first emitting portion and reflected from the part of the user's body;
a laser sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including at least one second emitting portion configured to emit light at a second beam angle smaller than the first beam angle toward the window, and at least one second receiving portion configured to receive light emitted from the at least one second emitting portion and reflected from the part of the user's body; and
an index layer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on the laser sensor;
wherein the laser sensor is disposed on the printed circuit board to be surrounded by the PPG sensor and overlaps the first region, when the window is viewed from an outside of the electronic device.