PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-12089931-B1
Application Number: US-202117407843-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Optical sensor for skin-contact detection and physiological parameter measurement at wearable electronic device

Abstract:
A wearable electronic device (e.g., an electronic watch) may detect and analyze one or more sensing signals corresponding to light detected by the device to determine whether the device is in a sensing state (e.g., the device is within a maximum sensing distance of a user). If the wearable electronic device is in the sensing state, the device may determine one or more physiological parameters from the same signals used to determine whether the device is in the sensing state.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wearable electronic device comprising:
 a device housing defining a rear surface; 
 an optical sensing assembly comprising:
 a light emitter adapted to emit light toward a user; and 
 a set of light detectors, each light detector of the set of light detectors adapted to:
 detect light that has interacted with the user; 
 output a first sensing signal corresponding to the detected light at a first light detector of the set of light detectors; and 
 output a second sensing signal corresponding to the detected light at a second light detector of the set of light detectors; 
 
 
 a processing unit operably coupled to the optical sensing assembly and adapted to:
 determine, at least partially based on the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, whether the wearable electronic device is in a sensing state in which:
 a first separation distance from a first position along the rear surface to the user is less than or equal to a maximum sensing distance; and 
 a second separation distance from a second position along the rear surface to the user is less than or equal to the maximum sensing distance; and 
 
 in response to determining that the wearable electronic device is in the sensing state, determine a physiological parameter of the user based at least partially on at least one of the first sensing signal or the second sensing signal. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The wearable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the light emitter is a first light emitter; 
 the light that has interacted with the user comprises a returned portion of the light emitted by the first light emitter; 
 the optical sensing assembly further comprises a second light emitter adapted to emit light toward the user; 
 the set of light detectors is further adapted to:
 detect a returned portion of the light emitted by the second light emitter that has interacted with the user; and 
 output a third sensing signal corresponding to the returned portion of the light emitted by the second light emitter; and 
 
 the processing unit is adapted to determine whether the wearable electronic device is in the sensing state further based on the third sensing signal. 
 
     
     
       3. The wearable electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the processing unit is adapted to determine the physiological parameter of the user further based on the third sensing signal. 
     
     
       4. The wearable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first light detector detects a first portion of the light emitted by the light emitter that has interacted with the user; 
 the first sensing signal corresponds to the first portion of the light emitted by the light emitter; 
 the second light detector detects a second portion of the light emitted by the light emitter that has interacted with the user; 
 the second sensing signal corresponds to the second portion of the light emitted by the light emitter; and 
 the processing unit determines the physiological parameter of the user based at least partially on the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal. 
 
     
     
       5. The wearable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein determining that the wearable electronic device is in the sensing state comprises determining that a signal level of at least one of the first sensing signal or the second sensing signal is below a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       6. The wearable electronic device of  claim 5 , wherein the signal level is one of an amplitude of the first sensing signal or the second sensing signal, a power of the first sensing signal or the second sensing signal, or an intensity of the first sensing signal or the second sensing signal. 
     
     
       7. The wearable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the physiological parameter is one of a heart rate, a blood-oxygen saturation value, or a total hemoglobin value. 
     
     
       8. The wearable electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the wearable electronic device further comprises a display operably coupled to the processing unit and adapted to provide a graphical output viewable along a front surface of the device housing opposite the rear surface; and 
 the processing unit is further adapted to modify the graphical output of the display based on the determined physiological parameter. 
 
     
     
       9. A method comprising:
 detecting, by an optical sensing assembly of a wearable electronic device, light that has interacted with a user, the optical sensing assembly comprising a first light detector and a second light detector; 
 outputting a first sensing signal corresponding to light detected by the first light detector and a second sensing signal corresponding to light detected by the second light detector; 
 determining, at least partially based on the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, whether the wearable electronic device is in a sensing state in which the first detector and the second detector are within a maximum sensing distance; and 
 in response to determining that the first detector and the second detector are within the maximum sensing distance, determining a physiological parameter of the user based at least partially on at least one of the first sensing signal or the second sensing signal. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein determining that the wearable electronic device is in the sensing state comprises determining that a signal level of at least one of the first sensing signal or the second sensing signal is below a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the light that has interacted with the user is light emitted by a first light emitter of the optical sensing assembly; 
 the method further comprises:
 detecting, by the optical sensing assembly, light emitted by a second light emitter of the optical sensing assembly that has interacted with the user; 
 outputting a third sensing signal corresponding to the detected light emitted by the second light emitter; and 
 determining whether the wearable electronic device is in the sensing state comprises determining whether the first sensing signal, the second sensing signal, or the third sensing indicate that the wearable electronic device is contacting the user. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein determining the physiological parameter of the user is further based on the third sensing signal. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the method further comprises:
 determining, using at least one of the first sensing signal or the second sensing signal, that a first portion of the wearable electronic device corresponding to the first light emitter is contacting the user; 
 determining, using the third sensing signal, that a second portion of the wearable electronic device corresponding to the second light emitter is not contacting the user; and 
 in response to determining that the first portion of the wearable electronic device is contacting the user and the second portion of the wearable electronic device is not contacting the user, determining the physiological parameter using at least one of the first sensing signal or the second sensing signal. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the light emitted by the first light emitter has a first wavelength; and 
 the light emitted by the second light emitter has as second wavelength different from the first wavelength. 
 
     
     
       15. A method for determining whether a wearable electronic device is contacting a user, the method comprising:
 performing an optical measurement, comprising:
 emitting light toward the user; 
 detecting, using a set of light detectors comprising a first light detector and a second light detector, light that has interacted with the user; and 
 determining, based on a first sensing signal output by the first light detector and a second sensing signal output by the second light detector, whether a separation distance between the wearable electronic device and the user is less than or equal to a maximum sensing distance; 
 
 in response to determining that the separation distance is less than or equal to the maximum sensing distance, determining, based at least partially on at least one of the first sensing signal or the second sensing signal, at least one of a heart rate, blood-oxygen saturation value, or a total hemoglobin value; and 
 in response to determining that the separation distance is greater than the maximum sensing distance, repeating the optical measurement. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, in response to determining that the separation distance is greater than the maximum sensing distance, notifying the user. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, in response to determining that the separation distance is greater than the maximum sensing distance, tightening a watch band of the wearable electronic device. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the light comprises light having a first wavelength and light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 , wherein emitting the light toward the user comprises using a light emitter separated from the first light detector by a first distance and the light emitter separated from the second light detector by a second distance. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the separation distance is a first separation distance; and 
 the method further comprises determining, based on at least one of the first sensing signal or the second sensing signal, whether a second separation distance between the wearable electronic device and the user is less than or equal to the maximum sensing distance.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a nonprovisional of and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/077,457, filed Sep. 11, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully disclosed herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments relate generally to determining whether electronic devices are in a sensing state to measure physiological parameters. More particularly, the described embodiments relate to methods and systems for detecting and analyzing one or more sensing signals corresponding to light detected by the device to determine whether the device is in a sensing state, and using the sensing signals to determine physiological parameters if the device is in the sensing state. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Wearable electronic devices are being used more and more for biological signal measurements. Optical measurement of biological signals is prone to errors from light reflecting from users&#39; skin instead of traveling through the skin. Since most measurements are performed automatically and not under supervision, ensuring the reliability of measurements is particularly important. Some devices include dedicated sensors for detecting a proximity of the device to a user. However, these dedicated sensors consume precious space and power, often requiring sacrifices in either device design or performance. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the systems, devices, methods, and apparatuses described in the present disclosure are directed to determining whether electronic devices are in a sensing state to measure physiological parameters. More particularly, the described embodiments relate to methods and systems for detecting and analyzing one or more sensing signals corresponding to light detected by the device to determine whether the device is in a sensing state, and using the sensing signals to determine physiological parameters if the device is in the sensing state. 
     One embodiment may take the form of a wearable electronic device that includes a device housing defining a rear surface, an optical sensing assembly, and a processing unit. The optical sensing assembly may include a light emitter adapted to emit light toward a user and a light detector adapted to detect light that has interacted with the user and output a sensing signal corresponding to the detected light. The processing unit may be operably coupled to the optical sensing assembly. The processing unit may be adapted to determine at least partially based on the sensing signal, whether the wearable electronic device is in a sensing state in which a separation distance from the rear surface to the user is less than or equal to a maximum sensing distance, and in response to determining that the wearable electronic device is in the sensing state, determine, based at least partially on the sensing signal, a physiological parameter of the user. 
     Another embodiment may take the form of a method that includes the steps of detecting, by an optical sensing assembly of a wearable electronic device, light that has interacted with a user, outputting a sensing signal corresponding to the detected light, determining, at least partially based on the sensing signal, whether the wearable electronic device is in a sensing state in which the rear surface is contacting the user, and in response to determining that the wearable electronic device is in the sensing state, determining a physiological parameter of the user based at least partially on the sensing signal. 
     Another embodiment may take the form of a method that includes the steps of performing an optical measurement including emitting light toward the user, detecting light that has interacted with the user, and determining, based on the detected light, whether a separation distance between the wearable electronic device and the user is less than or equal to a maximum sensing distance. The method further includes, in response to determining that the separation distance is less than or equal to the maximum sensing distance, determining, based at least partially on the detected light, at least one of a heart rate, blood-oxygen saturation value, or a total hemoglobin value. The method further includes, in response to determining that the separation distance is greater than the maximum sensing distance, repeating the optical measurement. 
     In addition to the example aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by study of the following description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIGS.  1 A- 1 C  are functional block diagrams of an example wearable electronic device that may be used to measure physiological parameters in a sensing state; 
         FIG.  2    is a flowchart depicting example operations of a method for determining if a wearable electronic device is in a sensing state; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a chart of an example relationship between signal level and separation distance; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an example watch that may incorporate an optical sensing assembly as described herein; 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  illustrate a first embodiment of the example watch of  FIG.  4   , which includes a light emitter and a light detector beneath a rear exterior surface of the watch; 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 C  illustrate a second embodiment of the example watch of  FIG.  4   , which includes an optical sensing assembly having multiple light emitters and light detectors beneath a rear exterior surface of the watch; and 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a sample electrical block diagram of an electronic device that may incorporate an optical sensing assembly as described herein. 
     
    
    
     The use of cross-hatching or shading in the accompanying figures is generally provided to clarify the boundaries between adjacent elements and also to facilitate legibility of the figures. Accordingly, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shading conveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particular materials, material properties, element proportions, element dimensions, commonalities of similarly illustrated elements, or any other characteristic, attribute, or property for any element illustrated in the accompanying figures. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features and elements (and collections and groupings thereof) and the boundaries, separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments described herein and, accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for an illustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described with reference thereto. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the embodiments to one preferred embodiment. To the contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as can be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. 
     The following disclosure relates to determining one or more physiological parameters using a wearable electronic device. A wearable electronic device (e.g., an electronic watch) may detect and analyze one or more sensing signals corresponding to light detected by the device to determine whether the device is in a sensing state (e.g., the device is within a maximum sensing distance of a user). If the wearable electronic device is in the sensing state, the device may determine one or more physiological parameters from the same signals used to determine whether the device is in the sensing state. Using the same light emitters, light detectors, and sensing signals to determine whether the device is in a sensing state and to determine physiological parameters improves device performance by consuming less power and increases manufacturing efficiency and reduces device size by requiring fewer device components. 
     As used herein, the term “maximum sensing distance” may refer to the distance between the wearable electronic device and a user that is required for a reliable measurement of one or more physiological parameters. For many physiological parameters, reliable measurement requires that substantially all or a significant portion of the light emitted by light emitter(s) of the device travels through the user&#39;s skin before it is returned and sensed by light detector(s) of the device. When a light emitter of a wearable electronic device is within a maximum sensing distance of the user, substantially all or a significant portion of the light emitted by the light emitter travels through the user&#39;s skin before it is returned and sensed by the light detector(s) of the device. As a result, reliable measurements may be taken. In contrast, when a light emitter is not within the maximum sensing distance of the user, substantially all or a significant portion of the light emitted by the light emitter is reflected back to the light detector(s) without traveling through the user&#39;s skin. Accordingly, it is more difficult or impossible to take reliable measurements. 
     As noted above, the wearable electronic devices herein may detect and analyze one or more signals corresponding to light detected by the device to determine whether the device is within a maximum sensing distance of the user (e.g., whether a separation distance between the device and the user is less than or equal to the maximum sensing distance). At certain wavelengths, the light traveling through the user&#39;s skin in is significantly attenuated compared to the light that is reflected from the skin. As a result, the device may determine whether it is within the maximum sensing distance of the user based on a signal level (e.g., an amplitude, intensity, signal strength, etc.) of the detected signal. For example, in some cases, the device may determine that it is within the maximum sensing distance of the user if the signal level is below a predetermined threshold. 
     In some cases, determining that the device is in the sensing state includes determining that multiple locations or regions of the exterior surface of the device (e.g., a rear exterior surface of the device) are within the maximum sensing distance of the user. The wearable electronic device may include multiple light emitters and/or light detectors positioned at different locations beneath an exterior surface of the device. As a result, multiple light emitters and/or light detectors may be used to generate multiple sensing signals that may be analyzed to determine whether multiple different locations or regions of the exterior surface of the device are within the maximum sensing distance of the user. This may provide more reliable physiological measurements by ensuring that the device is not tilted or otherwise in a position in which emitted light does not sufficiently propagate through the user&#39;s skin. 
     Additionally or alternatively, determining that the device is in the sensing state may include emitting and detecting light at multiple different wavelengths. The wearable electronic device may analyze multiple sensing signals corresponding to each of the different wavelengths to achieve a more reliable determination that one or more locations or regions of the exterior surface of the device are within the maximum sensing distance of the user. For example, in some cases, the device may determine that it is within the maximum sensing distance of the user if the signal levels of multiple sensing signals satisfy a boundary condition. This may avoid or reduce false positives from single sensing signals. 
     As used herein, the term “light emitter” may refer to a spatially located source of light. A light emitter may include one or more light sources, including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), laser diodes, and the like. A light emitter may emit light in response to a signal, such as a control signal from a measurement engine or a processing unit or a current applied to the light emitter. In some cases, the wavelength of light emitted by a light emitter is not controllable, and the light emitter is used to emit light at a particular wavelength. Alternatively, the wavelength of light emitted by a light emitter may be controllable As used herein, the term “wavelength” may refer to a single wavelength value or a relatively narrow range of wavelengths (e.g., a 2 nm, 5 nm, or 15 nm range) in which the light has substantially the same optical properties, such as color. 
     The term “physically coupled,” as used herein, may refer to two or more elements, structures, objects, components, parts or the like that are physically attached to one another. As used herein, “operably coupled” or “electrically coupled” may refer to two or more devices that operate with one another, communicate with one another, are in electrical connection with one another, and/or otherwise interact with one another in any suitable manner for operation and/or communication, including wired, wirelessly, or some combination thereof. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 7   . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIGS.  1 A- 1 C  are functional block diagrams of an example wearable electronic device  100  that may be used to measure physiological parameters in a sensing state. The wearable electronic device  100  may include an optical sensing assembly  101 , which includes one or more light emitters  110  and one or more light detectors  120 . The wearable electronic device  100  may further include a processing unit  105  for determining whether the wearable electronic device is in a sensing state and performing physiological measurements. 
     The wearable electronic device  100  may further include one or more input devices (e.g., a crown  103 , a button, etc.), one or more output devices (e.g., a display  104 , a speaker, etc.), and a processing unit  105 . The wearable electronic device  100  may include an enclosure  102  that defines an interior volume  108 . The input device(s), the output device(s), the processing unit  105 , the measurement engine  106 , and the optical sensing assembly  101  may be positioned at least partially within the interior volume  108  of the enclosure  102 . 
     Broadly, the light emitters  110  emit light and the light detectors  120  detect light. The processing unit  105  analyzes one or more sensing signals corresponding to the detected light to determine whether the wearable electronic device  100  is in a sensing state, and if so, determines one or more physiological parameters from the sensing signals. As noted above, the wearable electronic device  100  may be in a sensing state when one or more locations or regions of an exterior surface of the wearable electronic device (e.g., a rear exterior surface  100   b  of the wearable electronic device) are within a maximum sensing distance of the user (e.g., whether a separation distance between the device and the user is less than or equal to the maximum sensing distance). As used herein, the term “maximum sensing distance” may refer to the distance between the wearable electronic device and a user that is required for a reliable measurement of one or more physiological parameters. 
     The maximum sensing distance may vary for different wearable electronic devices, users, and/or physiological parameters being detected. In some cases, the maximum sensing distance is zero (e.g., the device must be contacting the user to perform a reliable measurement). In some cases, the maximum sensing distance may be 0.1 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, or more. The maximum sensing distance may be determined based on an amount that the wearable electronic device moves relative to the user during normal use. For example, the maximum sensing distance may be equal to or slightly greater than (e.g., within 5%, 10%, 25%, or 50%) of an amount the distance between the wearable electronic device and the user changes during normal use. 
       FIG.  1 A  illustrates the wearable electronic device  100  in a sensing state in which the rear exterior surface  100   b  is contacting the user  140  (e.g., the distance between the rear exterior surface  100   b  and the user  140  is zero).  FIG.  1 B  illustrates the wearable electronic device  100  in a sensing state in which a separation distance  130   b  between the rear exterior surface  100   b  and the user  140  is less than or equal to a maximum sensing distance  132 . In the examples shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , the wearable electronic device  100  is close enough to the user  140  that substantially all or a significant portion of the light  150  emitted by the light emitter  110  travels through the user&#39;s skin before it is returned and sensed by light detector  120 . As a result, in the sensing state, more reliable physiological measurements may be performed using the light emitter  110  and the light detector  120 . 
       FIG.  1 C  illustrates the wearable electronic device  100  in a non-sensing state (e.g., not in a sensing state), because a separation distance  130   c  between the rear exterior surface  100   b  and the user  140  is greater than a maximum sensing distance  132 . In the example shown in  FIG.  1 C , substantially all or a significant portion of the light  150  emitted by the light emitter  110  is reflected back to the light detector  120  without traveling through the user&#39;s skin. As a result, physiological measurements performed in the non-sensing state may be unreliable or less reliable than measurements performed in the sensing state. 
     As noted herein, the processing unit  105  may analyze sensing signal(s) received from the light detector(s)  120  to determine whether the wearable electronic device  100  is in a sensing state. The processing unit may determine whether it is within the maximum sensing distance of the user based on a signal level (e.g., an amplitude, intensity, signal strength, etc.) of the detected signal. For example, in some cases, the device may determine that it is within the maximum sensing distance of the user if the signal level is below a predetermined threshold.  FIG.  2    is a flowchart depicting example operations of a method  200  for determining if a wearable electronic device is in a sensing state. The method  200  can be performed in whole or in part by one or more hardware resources of a wearable electronic device (e.g., wearable electronic device  100 ). 
     At operation  202 , a processing unit (e.g., processing unit  105 ) initiates an optical measurement at a wearable electronic device. In an example optical measurement, one or more light emitters (e.g., light emitter(s)  110 ) emit light (e.g., light  150 ) toward a user (e.g., a user  140 ). The light interacts with the user, which may include a portion of the light being absorbed by the user&#39;s tissue (e.g., skin, blood vessels, muscles, and the like) and/or a portion of the light being returned (e.g., reflected, scattered, etc.) from the user. 
     At operation  204 , the wearable electronic device (e.g., one or more light detectors  120 ) detects the light that has interacted with the user. As a result of the light interacting with the user, a returned portion (e.g., a returned portion  150   a ) of the light travels from the user to the wearable electronic device, where it is detected by the light detector. The light detector may output a sensing signal to the processing unit in response to detecting the returned portion of the light. The sensing signal may represent a waveform of the returned portion of the light. 
     The light detector(s) may be capable of outputting multiple signals, each corresponding to light emitted by a different light emitter. In some cases, the processing unit uses a multiplexing technique in which emission and/or sensing of the light from each light emitter occurs at different times. In some cases, the processing unit may cause the light detector(s) sense light from multiple emitters at the same time and use signal processing techniques to separate the signals or otherwise extract relevant information. In some cases, the optical sensing assembly  101  may include one or more physical components that allow the light detector(s)  120  to sense light from multiple emitters, including filters and the like. 
     At operation  206 , the wearable electronic device (e.g., the processing unit  105 ) determines, based on the detected light, whether the wearable electronic device is in a sensing state. In various embodiments, a signal level (e.g., an amplitude, a power, or an intensity) of the sensing signal may correspond to a separation distance between the wearable electronic device and the user. The wearable electronic device may determine that it is in the sensing state by determining that it is within a maximum separation distance of the user (e.g., determining that a separation distance between the wearable electronic device and the user is less than or equal to the maximum sensing distance). 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a chart  300  of an example relationship between signal level and separation distance. As shown in the chart  300 , the signal level for greater separation distances is generally higher than the signal level for smaller separation distances. The wearable electronic device may determine whether the separation distance between the wearable electronic device and the user is less than or equal to the maximum separation distance Z by determining whether the signal level is below a predetermined threshold  360 . As noted herein, when the wearable electronic device is within the maximum sensing distance Z of the user, substantially all or a significant portion of the light emitted by the light emitter(s) travels through the user&#39;s skin before it is returned and sensed by the light detector(s) of the device. In contrast, when a light emitter is not within the maximum sensing distance of the user, substantially all or a significant portion of the light emitted by the light emitter(s) is reflected back to the light detector(s) without traveling through the user&#39;s skin. In various embodiments, the light traveling through the user&#39;s skin in is significantly attenuated compared to the light that is reflected from the skin. For example, a significant portion of the light may be absorbed or otherwise not returned to the light detector. As a result, the signal level of the detected light is less for light that has traveled through the user&#39;s skin, and the wearable electronic device may determine whether it is within the maximum sensing distance of the user based on the signal level of the detected signal. 
     The maximum sensing distance Z may vary for different wearable electronic devices, users, and/or physiological parameters being detected. In some cases, the maximum sensing distance is zero (e.g., the device must be contacting the user to perform a reliable measurement). In some cases, the maximum sensing distance may be 0.1 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, or more. The maximum sensing distance may be determined based on an amount that the wearable electronic device moves relative to the user during normal use. For example, the maximum sensing distance may be equal to or slightly greater than (e.g., within 5%, 10%, 25%, or 50%) of an amount the distance between the wearable electronic device and the user changes during normal use. 
     As noted herein, determining that the wearable electronic device is in the sensing state includes determining that multiple locations or regions of the exterior surface of the device (e.g., a rear exterior surface of the device) are within the maximum sensing distance of the user. The wearable electronic device may include multiple light emitters and/or light detectors positioned at different locations beneath an exterior surface of the device. As a result, multiple light emitters and/or light detectors may be used to generate multiple sensing signals that may be analyzed to determine whether multiple different locations or regions of the exterior surface of the device are within the maximum sensing distance of the user. This may provide more reliable physiological measurements by ensuring that the device is not tilted or otherwise in a position in which emitted light does not sufficiently propagate through the user&#39;s skin. 
     Additionally or alternatively, determining that the device is in the sensing state may include emitting and detecting light at multiple different wavelengths. The wearable electronic device may analyze multiple sensing signals corresponding to each of the different wavelengths to achieve a more reliable determination that one or more locations or regions of the exterior surface of the device are within the maximum sensing distance of the user. For example, in some cases, the device may determine that it is within the maximum sensing distance of the user if the signal levels of multiple sensing signals satisfy a boundary condition. This may avoid or reduce false positives from single sensing signals. 
     At operation  208 , if the wearable electronic device is in the sensing state, the method  200  proceeds to operation  210 . If the wearable electronic device is not in the sensing state, the method  200  proceeds to operation  212 . In some cases, operation  212  is optional, and the method  200  may return to operation  202  if the wearable electronic device is not in the sensing state. 
     At operation  210 , the processing unit determines, based on the detected light, at least one physiological parameter of the user. The processing unit may analyze the light detected during operation  204  (the same light that is used to determine whether the wearable electronic device is in the sensing state) to determine the physiological parameter(s). In some cases, the light emitter(s) emit additional light and/or the light detector(s) detect additional light for use in determining the physiological parameter(s). Example physiological parameters include, but are not limited to, a heart rate, a blood-oxygen saturation value, a blood glucose value, a total hemoglobin value, or the like. As noted herein, the detected light may originate from multiple light emitters and/or be emitted at multiple different wavelengths. In some cases the processing unit may analyze detected light from multiple emitters and/or detectors to determine the physiological parameter(s). In some cases, some or all of operation  210  may be performed by a device that is operably coupled to the wearable electronic device, such as a connected smartphone, a server, or another connected computing device. 
     At operation  212 , the wearable electronic device notifies the user that the device is not in the sensing state. The notification may be provided in a graphical user interface of the wearable electronic device or another device that is operably coupled to the wearable electronic device (e.g., a smartphone). Additionally or alternatively, the wearable electronic device may take other actions besides notifying the user, including tightening a band of the wearable electronic device, adjusting a position of the wearable electronic device, changing an operating state of the wearable electronic device, or the like. Following operation  212  (or if operation  212  is omitted, following operation  208 ), the method  200  may return to operation  202  to initiate a subsequent optical measurement. In some cases, the wearable electronic device may wait a time period before initiating the subsequent optical measurement. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates an example watch  400  (e.g., an electronic watch or smart watch) that may incorporate an optical sensing assembly as described herein. The watch  400  may include a watch body  406  and a watch band  407 . Other devices that may incorporate an optical sensing assembly include other wearable electronic devices, other timekeeping devices, other health monitoring or fitness devices, other portable computing devices, mobile phones (including smart phones), tablet computing devices, digital media players, or the like. The watch  400  may have similar components, structure, and/or functionality as the wearable electronic device  100  described with respect to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C . The watch  400  may provide time and timing functions, receive messages and alerts, and may track activity of a user. In some cases, the watch may monitor biological conditions or characteristics (e.g., physiological parameters) of a user. 
     The watch body  406  may include an enclosure  402 . The enclosure  402  may include a front side enclosure member that faces away from a user&#39;s skin when the watch  400  is worn by a user, and a back-side enclosure member that faces toward the user&#39;s skin. Alternatively, the enclosure  402  may include a singular enclosure member, or more than two enclosure members. The one or more enclosure members may be metallic, plastic, ceramic, glass, or other types of enclosure members (or combinations of such materials). 
     The enclosure  402  may include a cover  402   a  mounted to a front side of the watch body  406  (i.e., facing away from a user&#39;s skin) and may protect a display  404  mounted within the enclosure  402 . The display  404  may produce graphical output that may be viewable by a user through the cover  402   a . In some cases, the cover  402   a  may be part of a display stack, which may include a touch sensing or force sensing capability. The display may be configured to depict a graphical output of the watch  400 , and a user may interact with the graphical output (e.g., using a finger, stylus, or other pointer). As one example, the user may select (or otherwise interact with) a graphic, icon, or the like presented on the display by touching or pressing (e.g., providing touch input) on the cover  402   a  at the location of the graphic. As used herein, the term “cover” may be used to refer to any transparent, semi-transparent, or translucent surface made out of glass, a crystalline material (such as sapphire or zirconia), plastic, or the like. Thus, it should be appreciated that the term “cover,” as used herein, encompasses amorphous solids as well as crystalline solids. The cover  402   a  may form a part of the enclosure  202 . In some examples, the cover  402   a  may be a sapphire cover. The cover  402   a  may also be formed of glass, plastic, or other materials. 
     The watch body  406  may include at least one input device or selection device, such as a button, crown, scroll wheel, knob, dial, or the like, which input device may be operated by a user of the watch  400 . 
     The watch  400  may include one or more input devices (e.g., a crown  403 , a button  409 , a scroll wheel, a knob, a dial, or the like). The input devices may be used to provide inputs to the watch  400 . The crown  403  and/or button  409  may be positioned along a portion of the enclosure  402 , for example along a sidewall of the enclosure as shown in  FIG.  4   . In some cases, the enclosure  402  defines an opening through which a portion of the crown  403  and/or the button  409  extends. 
     The crown  403  may be user-rotatable, and may be manipulated (e.g., rotated, pressed) by a user. The crown  403  and/or button  409  may be mechanically, electrically, magnetically, and/or optically coupled to components within the enclosure  402 , as one example. A user&#39;s manipulation of the crown  403  and/or button  409  may be used, in turn, to manipulate or select various elements displayed on the display, to adjust a volume of a speaker, to turn the watch  400  on or off, and so on. 
     In some embodiments, the button  409 , the crown  403 , scroll wheel, knob, dial, or the like may be touch sensitive, conductive, and/or have a conductive surface, and a signal route may be provided between the conductive portion and a circuit within the watch body  406 , such as a processing unit. 
     The enclosure  402  may include structures for attaching the watch band  407  to the watch body  406 . In some cases, the structures may include elongate recesses or openings through which ends of the watch band  407  may be inserted and attached to the watch body  406 . In other cases (not shown), the structures may include indents (e.g., dimples or depressions) in the enclosure  402 , which indents may receive ends of spring pins that are attached to or threaded through ends of a watch band to attach the watch band to the watch body. The watch band  407  may be used to secure the watch  400  to a user, another device, a retaining mechanism, and so on. In some cases, the watch  400  includes one or more components (e.g., motors, shape-memory alloys, etc.) for automatically or mechanically changing a tightness of the watch band  407 , for example, to change a separation distance between the watch  400  and the user. 
     In some examples, the watch  400  may lack any or all of the cover  402   a , the display  404 , the button  409 , or the crown  403 . For example, the watch  400  may include an audio input or output interface, a touch input interface, a force input or haptic output interface, or other input or output interface that does not require the display  204 , the button  409 , or the crown  403 . The watch  400  may also include the aforementioned input or output interfaces in addition to the display  404 , the button  409 , or the crown  403 . When the watch  400  lacks the display, the front side of the watch  400  may be covered by the cover  402   a , or by a metallic or other type of enclosure member. 
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  illustrate a first embodiment of the example watch  400 , which includes a light emitter and a light detector beneath a rear exterior surface of the watch.  FIG.  5 A  illustrates a rear view of the first embodiment of the example watch  400 . As shown in  FIG.  5 A , the watch  500  may include a rear cover  502   b  that defines a rear exterior surface of the watch. The cover  502   b  may define one or more windows through which the optical sensing assembly  501  may emit and/or detect light. For example, as shown in  FIG.  5 A , the cover  502   b  may define two windows  570   a ,  570   b . A light emitter  510  of the optical sensing assembly  501  may emit light through the window  570   a , and a light detector  520  of the optical sensing assembly may detect light through the window. 
       FIG.  5 B  illustrates a partial schematic cross-section view of the first embodiment of the example watch  400 , taken through section line  5 - 5  of  FIG.  5 A .  FIG.  5 B  illustrates the optical sensing assembly  501  positioned in an interior volume of the enclosure  402  and beneath the cover  502   b . The cover  502   b  may be adapted to be positioned facing a user&#39;s skin (e.g., the user&#39;s wrist) while the watch  400  is worn. The light emitter  510  and light detector  520  may be used to determine if a separation distance between the cover  502   b  and the user is less than or equal to a maximum sensing distance to determine if the watch  400  is in a sensing state. 
     The optical sensing assembly  501  may include an optical sensing assembly housing  576 . The optical sensing assembly housing  576  may define one or more cavities (e.g., cavities  572   a ,  572   b ) that are defined by one or more walls  574   a ,  574   b ,  574   c  (e.g., light blocking walls) of the optical sensing assembly housing. One or more of the walls (e.g., wall  574   a ) may separate the cavities  572   a ,  572   b . One or more of the walls (e.g., walls  574   b ,  564   c ) may at least partially surround the light emitter  510  and/or the light detector  520 . The optical sensing assembly  501  may be attached to an interior surface of the cover  502   b . For example, the walls  574   a - c  may be attached to an interior surface of the cover  502   b  using adhesive or any other suitable mechanism for joining the optical sensing assembly housing  576  to the cover  502   b . In some cases the walls  574   a - c  extend to an exterior surface of the cover  502   b  and define the windows  570   a ,  570   b  in the cover  502   b . Additionally or alternatively, the windows  570   a ,  570   b  may be defined by masking or other treatments or techniques of the cover  502   b.    
     In some cases, the optical sensing assembly  501  may include one or more optical elements (e.g., lenses, light films, and the like) for directing light emitted and/or detected by the optical sensing assembly.  FIG.  5 C  shows the optical sensing assembly  501  with optical element  578   a  positioned between the light emitter  510  and the window  570   a  and optical element  578   b  positioned between the light detector  520  and the window  570   b . In some cases, the cover  502   b  may have one or more electrodes thereon. The one or more electrodes on the cover  502   b  may be used to determine a biological parameter, such as a heart rate, an electrocardiogram, or the like. In some cases, the electrodes are used in combination with one or more additional electrodes, such as a surface of a crown assembly or other input device. 
     As noted herein, in some cases, the wearable electronic devices described herein may analyze multiple sensing signals to determine whether the device is in the sensing state. The wearable electronic devices may include multiple light emitters and/or light detectors positioned at different locations beneath an exterior surface of the device.  FIGS.  6 A- 6 C  illustrate a second embodiment of the example watch  400 , which includes an optical sensing assembly  601  having multiple light emitters  610   a - d  and light detectors  620   a - d  beneath a rear exterior surface of the watch.  FIG.  6 A  illustrates a rear view of the second embodiment of the example watch  400 . 
     The multiple light emitters  610   a - d  and/or light detectors  620   a - d  may be used to determine whether different locations or regions of the exterior surface of the watch  400  are within the maximum sensing distance of the user. This may provide more reliable physiological measurements by ensuring that the watch  400  is not tilted or otherwise in a position in which emitted light does not sufficiently propagate through the user&#39;s skin. 
     The second embodiment of the watch  400  may include similar components and/or functionality as other devices described herein. As shown in  FIG.  6 A , the watch  400  may include a rear cover  602   b  that defines a rear exterior surface of the watch. The cover  602   b  may define one or more windows through which the optical sensing assembly  601  may emit and/or detect light. For example, as shown in  FIG.  6 A , the cover  602   b  may define windows  670   a - h  through which one or more light emitters  610   a - d  emit light and/or one or more light detectors  620   a - d  detect light. 
       FIG.  6 B  illustrates a partial schematic cross-section view of the second embodiment of the example watch  400 , taken through section line  6 - 6  of  FIG.  6 A .  FIG.  6 B  illustrates the optical sensing assembly  601  positioned in an interior volume of the enclosure  402  and beneath the cover  602   b . The cover  602   b  may be adapted to be positioned facing a user&#39;s skin (e.g., the user&#39;s wrist) while the watch  400  is worn. The light emitters  610   a - d  and light detectors  620   a - d  may be used to determine if a separation distance between the cover  602   b  and the user is less than or equal to a maximum sensing distance to determine if the watch  400  is in a sensing state. 
     The optical sensing assembly  601  may include an optical sensing assembly housing  676 . The optical sensing assembly housing  676  may define one or more cavities (e.g., cavities  672   e - g ) beneath each window  672   a - h  that are defined by one or more walls (e.g., walls  674   a - d ) of the optical sensing assembly housing. In some cases, the optical sensing assembly  601  may include one or more optical elements (e.g., lenses, light films, and the like) for directing light emitted and/or detected by the optical sensing assembly. 
     In various embodiments, a light emitter  610   a - d  and a light detector  620   a - d  may define a sensor pair. The light emitter  610   a - d  of the sensor pair emits light that is detected by the light detector  620   a - d  of the sensor pair. The light emitters  610   a - d  and light detectors  620   a - d  may define multiple sensor pairs. A light emitter  610   a - d  may be a member of multiple sensor pairs in that the light emitted by the light emitter may be detected by multiple light detectors  620   a - d . Similarly, a light detector  620   a - d  may be a member of multiple sensor pairs in that the light detector may detect light from multiple light emitters  610   a - d . The respective light emitters  610   a - d  and/or light detectors  620   a - d  of each sensor pair may be positioned at different locations beneath an exterior surface of the watch  400 . As a result, different sensor pairs may be used to determine whether different locations or regions of the exterior surface of the watch  400  are within the maximum sensing distance of the user. Similarly, different sensor pairs may provide different physiological data based on the different locations of the respective light emitters and light detectors of the sensor pairs, and the resulting different light paths between the respective light emitters and light detectors. 
       FIG.  6 C  illustrates an example situation in which multiple sensor pairs of the example watch  400  may be used to determine whether different locations or regions of the exterior surface of the watch  400  are within the maximum sensing distance of the user. The light emitter  610   c  may define a first sensor pair with the light detector  620   c  and a second sensor pair with the light detector  620   d . Light emitted by the light emitter  610   c  may be detected by the light detectors  620   c ,  620   d . Because the light detectors  620   c ,  620   d  are located at different positions beneath the rear exterior surface of the watch  400 , each may be used to detect whether a region of the rear exterior surface is within a maximum sensing distance of a user  640 . As shown in  FIG.  6 C , the light detected by the light detector  620   d  may indicate that the region of the rear exterior surface corresponding to the light detector  620   d  is within a maximum sensing distance of the user  640 . Conversely, the light detected by the light detector  620   c  may indicate that the region of the rear exterior surface corresponding to the light detector  620   c  is not within a maximum sensing distance of the user  640 . As a result, as shown in  FIG.  6 C , the watch is tilted, and may not be able to make reliable physiological measurements. The example of  FIG.  6 C  shows only two sensor pairs, but the optical sensing assembly  601  may define up to 16 sensor pairs. 
     In some cases, determining that the watch  400  is in the sensing state includes determining that each sensor pair of the optical sensing assembly  601  indicates that the region of the rear exterior surface corresponding to the sensor pair is within the maximum sensing distance. Alternatively, determining that the watch  400  is in the sensing state may include determining that a majority or another threshold number of the sensor pairs of the optical sensing assembly  601  indicate that the region of the rear exterior surface corresponding to the sensor pair is within the maximum sensing distance. In some cases, the watch  400  may reject signals detected by sensor pairs that indicate the region of the watch is not within the maximum sensing distance and may use non-rejected signals to determine one or more physiological parameters. Alternatively, the watch  400  may not perform any determination of physiological parameters until all of the sensor pairs indicate that the regions corresponding to each sensor pair are within the maximum sensing distance of the user  640 . 
     Additionally or alternatively, determining that the device is in the sensing state may include emitting and detecting light at multiple different wavelengths. For example, the light emitters  610   a - d  may include two or more light sources for emitting light at different wavelengths. One or more of the light detectors  620   a - d  may detect light from different light emitters  610   a - d  and/or having different wavelengths. The watch  400  may analyze multiple sensing signals corresponding to each of the different wavelengths to achieve a more reliable determination that one or more locations or regions of the exterior surface of the watch are within the maximum sensing distance of the user  640 . For example, in some cases, the watch  400  may determine that it is within the maximum sensing distance of the user  640  if the signal levels of multiple sensing signals satisfy a boundary condition. This may avoid or reduce false positives from single sensing signals. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates a sample electrical block diagram of an electronic device  700  that may incorporate an optical sensing assembly as described herein. The electronic device may in some cases take the form of any of the electronic devices described with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 6 B , or other portable or wearable electronic devices. The electronic device  700  can include one or more of a display  712 , a processing unit  702 , a power source  714 , a memory  704  or storage device, input devices  706  (e.g., light sensor(s)), and output devices  710  (a light emitter(s)). 
     The processing unit  702  can control some or all of the operations of the electronic device  700 . The processing unit  702  can communicate, either directly or indirectly, with some or all of the components of the electronic device  700 . For example, a system bus or other communication mechanism  716  can provide communication between the processing unit  702 , the power source  714 , the memory  704 , the input device(s)  706 , and the output device(s)  710 . 
     The processing unit  702  can be implemented as any electronic device capable of processing, receiving, or transmitting data or instructions. For example, the processing unit  702  can be a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or combinations of such devices. As described herein, the term “processing unit” is meant to encompass a single processor or processing unit, multiple processors, multiple processing units, or other suitably configured computing element or elements. 
     It should be noted that the components of the electronic device  700  can be controlled by multiple processing units. For example, select components of the electronic device  700  (e.g., an input device  706 ) may be controlled by a first processing unit and other components of the electronic device  700  (e.g., the display  712 ) may be controlled by a second processing unit, where the first and second processing units may or may not be in communication with each other. In some cases, the processing unit  702  may determine a biological parameter of a user of the electronic device, such as an ECG for the user. 
     The power source  714  can be implemented with any device capable of providing energy to the electronic device  700 . For example, the power source  714  may be one or more batteries or rechargeable batteries. Additionally or alternatively, the power source  714  can be a power connector or power cord that connects the electronic device  700  to another power source, such as a wall outlet. 
     The memory  704  can store electronic data that can be used by the electronic device  700 . For example, the memory  704  can store electrical data or content such as, for example, audio and video files, documents and applications, device settings and user preferences, timing signals, control signals, and data structures or databases. The memory  704  can be configured as any type of memory. By way of example only, the memory  704  can be implemented as random access memory, read-only memory, Flash memory, removable memory, other types of storage elements, or combinations of such devices. 
     In various embodiments, the display  712  provides a graphical output, for example associated with an operating system, user interface, and/or applications of the electronic device  700 . In one embodiment, the display  712  includes one or more sensors and is configured as a touch-sensitive (e.g., single-touch, multi-touch) and/or force-sensitive display to receive inputs from a user. For example, the display  712  may be integrated with a touch sensor (e.g., a capacitive touch sensor) and/or a force sensor to provide a touch- and/or force-sensitive display. The display  712  is operably coupled to the processing unit  702  of the electronic device  700 . 
     The display  712  can be implemented with any suitable technology, including, but not limited to liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, light emitting diode (LED) technology, organic light-emitting display (OLED) technology, organic electroluminescence (OEL) technology, or another type of display technology. In some cases, the display  712  is positioned beneath and viewable through a cover that forms at least a portion of an enclosure of the electronic device  700 . In various embodiments, graphical outputs of the display  712  may be responsive to estimated physiological parameters determined by the device  700 . For the processing unit  702  may cause the display  712  to display a notification or other graphical object(s) related to physiological parameters. 
     In various embodiments, the input devices  706  may include any suitable components for detecting inputs. Examples of input devices  706  include light sensors, temperature sensors, audio sensors (e.g., microphones), optical or visual sensors (e.g., cameras, visible light sensors, or invisible light sensors), proximity sensors, touch sensors, force sensors, mechanical devices (e.g., crowns, switches, buttons, or keys), vibration sensors, orientation sensors, motion sensors (e.g., accelerometers or velocity sensors), location sensors (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) devices), thermal sensors, communication devices (e.g., wired or wireless communication devices), resistive sensors, magnetic sensors, electroactive polymers (EAPs), strain gauges, electrodes, and so on, or some combination thereof. Each input device  706  may be configured to detect one or more particular types of input and provide a signal (e.g., an input signal) corresponding to the detected input. The signal may be provided, for example, to the processing unit  702 . 
     As discussed above, in some cases, the input device(s)  706  include a touch sensor (e.g., a capacitive touch sensor) integrated with the display  712  to provide a touch-sensitive display. Similarly, in some cases, the input device(s)  706  include a force sensor (e.g., a capacitive force sensor) integrated with the display  712  to provide a force-sensitive display. 
     The output devices  710  may include any suitable components for providing outputs. Examples of output devices  710  include light emitters, audio output devices (e.g., speakers), visual output devices (e.g., lights or displays), tactile output devices (e.g., haptic output devices), communication devices (e.g., wired or wireless communication devices), and so on, or some combination thereof. Each output device  710  may be configured to receive one or more signals (e.g., an output signal provided by the processing unit  702 ) and provide an output corresponding to the signal. 
     In some cases, input devices  706  and output devices  710  are implemented together as a single device. For example, an input/output device or port can transmit electronic signals via a communications network, such as a wireless and/or wired network connection. Examples of wireless and wired network connections include, but are not limited to, cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, IR, and Ethernet connections. 
     The processing unit  702  may be operably coupled to the input devices  706  and the output devices  710 . The processing unit  702  may be adapted to exchange signals with the input devices  706  and the output devices  710 . For example, the processing unit  702  may receive an input signal from an input device  706  that corresponds to an input detected by the input device  706 . The processing unit  702  may interpret the received input signal to determine whether to provide and/or change one or more outputs in response to the input signal. The processing unit  702  may then send an output signal to one or more of the output devices  710 , to provide and/or change outputs as appropriate. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the specific embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. 
     Although the disclosure above is described in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the some embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but is instead defined by the claims herein presented. 
     One may appreciate that although many embodiments are disclosed above, that the operations and steps presented with respect to methods and techniques described herein are meant as exemplary and accordingly are not exhaustive. One may further appreciate that alternate step order or fewer or additional operations may be required or desired for particular embodiments. 
     As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list. The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaning that includes at a minimum one of any of the items, and/or at a minimum one of any combination of the items, and/or at a minimum one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or one or more of each of A, B, and C. Similarly, it may be appreciated that an order of elements presented for a conjunctive or disjunctive list provided herein should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to only that order provided. 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology is determining physiological parameters, and the like. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter IDs (or other social media aliases or handles), home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to provide haptic or audiovisual outputs that are tailored to the user. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For instance, health and fitness data may be used to provide insights into a user&#39;s general wellness, or may be used as positive feedback to individuals using technology to pursue wellness goals. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (“HIPAA”); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, in the case of determining spatial parameters, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data at a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, haptic outputs may be provided based on non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as events or states at the device associated with a user, other non-personal information, or publicly available information.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20210820
Publication Date: 20240917
Grant Date: 20240917
Priority Date: 20200911
Inventors: DUAN, XIYU
CERUSSI, ALBERT E.
MANNHEIMER, PAUL D.
MOHAMMADI, SAEED
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "A61B5/14552", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/681", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/6844", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/742", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/02427", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/02438", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/6844", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/742", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B2562/0238", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/681", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B2560/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/14552", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B2562/0238", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B2560/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/742", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/6844", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/681", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "A61B5/14552", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 92716048