Method and system for combined electrodes for wearable devices

Abstract

Various embodiments provide a health tracking device with a substrate that can be used as a combined electrode by multiple sensors. The substrate can be a multi-material electrode that includes a conductor and a transparent or translucent material to enable optical sensing. In some embodiments, the substrate supports multiple different sensors that can selectively utilize the substrate as an electrode.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 457,363, filed Jun. 28, 2019, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMBINATION ELECTRODES FOR WEARABLE DEVICES,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein for all purposes. Background Art

[0003] Wearable electronic devices have become popular among consumers. Wearable electronic devices can track a user's activities using various sensors. The data captured from these sensors can be analyzed to provide the user with information such as an estimate of how far they have walked in a day, their heart rate, how much time they have spent sleeping, etc. However, the surface area of ​​a wearable device where sensors can be placed may be limited, and the location of the various sensors may affect the accuracy of the readings. For a variety of reasons, increasing the size of a wearable device may not be feasible. Summary of the invention

[0004] In one example, the present disclosure describes a system that forms at least a portion of a wearable device, comprising: an electrically conductive and thermally conductive substrate that forms at least a portion of the wearable device, the substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface forming at least a portion of an exterior of the wearable device and the second surface being at least partially enclosed within the wearable device, the substrate comprising a plurality of openings that extend through a thickness of the substrate from the first surface to the second surface; a panel mounted within each of the plurality of openings, the panel being at least translucent such that an optical signal can be transmitted through the panel, wherein the panel is arranged proximate to the second surface and comprises a panel thickness that is less than a thickness of the substrate; and a sensor arranged in at least one of the plurality of openings, the sensor being proximate to the first surface such that a corresponding panel within at least one of the plurality of openings is located between the sensor and the second surface, the sensor receiving at least one of an electrical signal or a thermal signal from the substrate as input for measuring one or more physical properties of a user of the wearable device.

[0005] The system also includes at least two additional sensors, wherein the sensor and the at least two additional sensors each utilize a different method to determine one or more physical properties of a user of the wearable device.

[0006] The sensor is an optical sensor disposed in a recess formed in the substrate surrounding at least one of the plurality of openings, the optical sensor receiving an optical signal passing through the panel in response to an optical signal transmitted through the panel by the optical sensor.

[0007] The system also includes a temperature sensor coupled to the susceptor, wherein the susceptor transmits a temperature of at least a portion of the susceptor to the temperature sensor.

[0008] The base is also coupled to at least two sensors, the base being electrodes for two of the at least two sensors, wherein at least one of the at least two sensors is for electrocardiography.

[0009] The panel and the base are formed of different materials, and the panel has a substantially equal coefficient of thermal expansion to that of the base.

[0010] In another example, the present disclosure describes a system for forming at least a portion of a wearable device, comprising: a substrate, the substrate forming a bottom portion of the wearable device, including: a plurality of charging pins, the plurality of charging pins extending through the thickness of the substrate, the charging pins extending a first distance perpendicular to a first surface of the substrate; a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings formed through the thickness of the substrate, the plurality of openings arranged at a central area of ​​the substrate; a plurality of panels, wherein one of the plurality of panels is arranged in a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings near a second surface opposite to the first surface of the substrate, the plurality of panels being at least translucent and formed of a material different from that of the substrate; and a plurality of recesses, the recesses being formed on the first surface, the recesses having a height lower than a position near the first surface, at least one of the plurality of recesses surrounding one of the plurality of openings; a plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors being coupled to the substrate, the plurality of sensors including at least three sensors, each of the plurality of sensors having a different detection signal, wherein at least two of the at least three sensors utilize the substrate as an electrode.

[0011] The system also includes: a plurality of sleeves, wherein one of the plurality of sleeves is positioned around a corresponding charging pin of the plurality of charging pins, the plurality of sleeves being directly coupled to the substrate, wherein the plurality of sleeves are formed of a different material than the plurality of charging pins.

[0012] The system also includes a light shielding assembly disposed adjacent to an aperture surrounding the plurality of charging pins.

[0013] At least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is a temperature sensor thermally coupled to the substrate.

[0014] The substrate is formed of an electrically and thermally conductive material.

[0015] The plurality of openings are arranged symmetrically about at least one of a horizontal axis or a vertical axis.

[0016] At least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is an optical sensor disposed over at least one opening of the plurality of openings, the optical sensor receiving a signal through a corresponding panel disposed within the at least one opening.

[0017] At least one of the plurality of openings is substantially tablet-shaped, and the at least one opening has a plurality of curved edges.

[0018] The system also includes at least one ferrous metal insert disposed on the substrate, wherein the substrate is formed of a non-ferrous material.

[0019] The system also includes a pin extending perpendicularly from the first surface, the pin being at least a portion of a sensor of the plurality of sensors.

[0020] In another example, the present disclosure describes a method for forming at least a portion of a wearable device, comprising: forming a substrate from a first material, the first material being electrically and thermally conductive; positioning a plurality of openings extending through a thickness of the first material; installing a panel into corresponding openings of the plurality of openings, the panel being formed from a second material different from the first material, the second material being at least translucent and having a thickness less than a thickness of the first material; and forming at least one recess in the substrate, the at least one recess being positioned proximate to at least one opening of the plurality of openings.

[0021] The method also includes thermally coupling at least one sensor to the substrate.

[0022] The method also includes coupling at least one ferrous metal insert to the substrate, the at least one ferrous metal insert formed of a third material different than the first material.

[0023] The method further includes mounting at least two sensors on the substrate, each of the two sensors using the substrate as an electrode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Various embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 An example of a user having a wearable device on a limb according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0026] Figure 2A A schematic top plan view of an embodiment of a wearable device disposed on a limb is shown in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2B A schematic top plan view of an embodiment of a wearable device disposed on a limb is shown in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3A A bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a substrate of a wearable device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0029] Figure 3B A top perspective view of an embodiment of a substrate for a wearable device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0030] Figure 4 A top plan view of an embodiment of a substrate for a wearable device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0031] Figure 5 A cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a substrate for a wearable device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0032] Fig. 6A A top exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a substrate and a light shielding assembly of a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Figure 6B is a top plan view of an embodiment of a substrate and a shading assembly of a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 7 A cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a substrate for a wearable device including a temperature sensor according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0035] Figure 8 A top exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a substrate and charging pins of a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0036] Fig. 9 A cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a housing of a wearable device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0037] Fig.10 An example process for determining a physical property of a user of a wearable device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0038] Fig.11An example process for forming a substrate for a wearable device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0039] Fig.12 A set of basic components of one or more devices of the present disclosure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In the following description, various embodiments will be described. For the purpose of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these embodiments can be practiced without specific details. In addition, well-known features may be omitted or simplified so as not to confuse the described embodiments. The entire contents of "INTEGRATED ECG ELECTRODE AND ANTENNA RADIATOR (integrated ECG electrode and antenna radiator)" filed on June 28, 2019 are incorporated herein by reference, and the patent claims priority and benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 697,844 entitled "INTEGRATED ECG ELECTRODE AND ANTENNA RADIATOR (integrated ECG electrode and antenna radiator)" filed on July 13, 2018.

[0041] Systems and methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure can overcome one or more of the aforementioned and other defects encountered in traditional methods for wearable devices (such as electronic health trackers). In particular, various embodiments provide a wearable device having a substrate for enabling various sensors to receive information from a user wearing the wearable device. The substrate can be formed to have a surface area that enables multiple sensors to acquire information while maintaining the form factor of the wearable device. In some embodiments, the substrate is a multi-material electrode that includes a conductor (e.g., thermally conductive, electrically conductive) and a transparent or translucent material to achieve optical sensing. As used herein, transparent or translucent refers to a material that allows light to pass through. It will be understood that a transparent material will allow more light to pass through than a translucent material. Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure include a substrate that can be used with various sensors to obtain health information from a user of a wearable device.

[0042] In various embodiments, the substrate can be used with a skin temperature sensor. For example, the substrate can be formed of a thermally conductive material that can reach equilibrium or substantial equilibrium with a contact surface (e.g., skin) over time. The substrate can be coupled to a temperature sensor that can record the temperature of the substrate as a representation of the contact surface. In certain embodiments, the surface area of ​​the substrate can be greater than a threshold amount, such as greater than the contact portion between the sensor and the substrate, thereby providing an average temperature of the contact surface over the surface area of ​​the substrate. That is, the substrate can include a larger surface area so that the heterogeneous properties of the contact surface (such as skin) can be averaged to determine the surface temperature. In various embodiments, the surface temperature can be correlated with other temperatures (such as ambient temperature or core body temperature) to provide physical condition and health information to the user.

[0043] Figure 1 An example of a user 100 wearing a user monitoring device 102 about a wrist 104 of the user 100 is shown. The user monitoring device 102 may also be referred to as a wearable device or fitness tracker, and may also include devices worn about the chest, legs, head, or other body parts, or clipped or otherwise attached to clothing worn by the user 100. The user monitoring device 102 may collectively or individually capture data related to any one or more of the following: caloric expenditure, floors climbed or descended, heart rate, heart rate variability, heart rate recovery, location and / or heading (e.g., via GPS), altitude, walking speed and / or distance traveled, number of laps swam, distance and / or speed of bicycle rides, blood pressure, blood sugar, skin conduction, skin temperature and / or body temperature, electromyography data, electroencephalography data, weight, body fat, breathing rate and pattern, various body movements, and the like. Additional data may be provided from external sources, for example, a user may enter their height, weight, age, stride length, or other data in a user profile on a fitness tracking website or application, and such information may be used in conjunction with some of the above data to make certain assessments or determine user behavior, such as the user's distance traveled or calories burned. The user monitoring device may also measure or calculate metrics related to the environment surrounding the user, such as barometric pressure, weather conditions, lighting, noise exposure, and magnetic fields.

[0044] In some embodiments, the user monitoring device 102 can be connected to the network directly or via an intermediate device. For example, the user monitoring device 102 can be connected to the network via The additional device may be connected to an intermediate device via an Internet connection, and the intermediate device may be connected to a network via an Internet connection. In various embodiments, a user may be associated with a user account, and a user account may be associated with multiple different networked devices (i.e., logged into multiple different networked devices). In some embodiments, the additional device may provide any of the above data in addition to other data, and / or receive data for various processing or analysis. The additional device may include a computer, a server, a handheld device, a temperature control device, or a vehicle, etc. Therefore, the game state may be determined based on a combination of data collected from these devices.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the user monitoring device 102 may include a skin temperature sensor. The skin temperature sensor may be used to determine various health information about the user, such as whether the user is sleeping (e.g., due to a drop in body temperature), whether the user is exercising or ill (e.g., due to an increase in body temperature), whether the user is at risk of overheating (e.g., due to a temperature measurement above a threshold), etc. However, direct measurements of the wrist on the limb 106 may differ from measurements of the core 108. For example, from a physiological perspective, the human body may preferentially retain heat in the core 108 as compared to the limb 106. Therefore, it may be difficult to determine core body temperature from measurements of the limb.

[0046] In addition, the surface area of ​​limb 106 may be small and therefore provide a local temperature rather than a generalized temperature over the area. This may lead to erroneous readings because, for example, human skin is heterogeneous. That is, a sensor arranged on a vein may provide a different reading than a sensor arranged on a bone. In addition, different areas of the skin may be exposed to the ambient temperature differently. Therefore, a small personalized sensor with a small contact area may not be sufficient to determine the skin temperature of the user 100. As will be described below, embodiments of the present disclosure include a substrate to enable sensing of skin temperature over a larger surface area, thereby providing improved temperature measurement.

[0047] Figure 2A and Figure 2B is a graphical representation of an example of an environment 200, 202 that includes a wearable device 204 arranged along a limb 206, such as a wrist. In the illustrated embodiment, the wearable device 204 is positioned on an area of ​​the limb 206 that includes a vein 208. As described above, the location of any sensor used to determine skin temperature may be affected by the properties of the skin, as the skin is heterogeneous and different skin areas may have different temperatures for a variety of reasons. The environment 200 includes a wearable device 204 that includes, by way of example only, two sensors 210, 212. It should be understood that the wearable device 204 is not limited to the wearable device 210, 212. Figure 2AThe sensors referred to may include contacts and / or electrodes having a surface area substantially equal to the size of the sensors 210, 212. That is, the electrodes that receive signals (e.g., temperature) from the skin are located at local points, such as Figure 2A In the illustrated embodiment, sensor 210 will likely have a different reading than sensor 212 because vein 208 is disposed below sensor 210 while sensor 212 receives information from one side of limb 206. Therefore, the information obtained by sensors 210, 212 may be inaccurate, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the information provided by wearable device 204 to the user.

[0048] exist Figure 2B In the illustrated embodiment, the electrode 214 has a larger surface area than the sensors 210, 212. Therefore, the electrode 214 extends over a larger portion of the wrist, and therefore an average or balanced reading of the limb 206 can be obtained. For example, the wearable device 204 may include circuitry, etc. to evaluate the temperature (e.g., gradient) of the electrode 214 to determine whether a balance has been reached on the electrode 214. Balance can be defined as a basic balance between the regions of the electrode (e.g., the gradient difference is less than a threshold amount), a review of the change in temperature over time below a threshold amount, etc. Therefore, the temperature information of the electrode 214 can take into account various regions of the limb 206, such as the region including the vein 208 and the region where action is taken (those that do in). In this way, an improved reading can be obtained using a larger surface area. As will be described below, the electrode 214 can also be used in conjunction with one or more other sensors to determine biometric information.

[0049] Figure 3A3 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a substrate 300, which may also be referred to as a combined electrode and may be used with embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that when describing various features of the substrate, words such as "top" or "bottom" are relative to the illustrated embodiment and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. For example, in various embodiments, the "bottom" or "outer" portion of the substrate 300 may be used to refer to an area that contacts a user (e.g., an area positioned against a user or against a user's clothing). In addition, the use of "plate" does not necessarily mean that the substrate 300 is flat or substantially flat. In fact, the substrate 300 may be arched, for example, to conform to a limb of the human body (such as a wrist). In addition, various portions of the substrate 300 may be curved and / or flat. For example, the central portion may be substantially flat, while the ends are curved to apply force around the arched region of the human body. The illustrated substrate 300 includes an outer surface 302 having a contact surface area 304, which may be arranged to contact a limb of the user, such as along the user's wrist, during operation. It should be appreciated that due to the shape and / or size of the user's limb, the entirety of surface area 304 may not be in contact with the user.

[0050] The illustrated substrate 300 includes a charging pin 306 that is recessed into a thickness 308 of the substrate 300. The charging pin 306 is shown as being circular, however, it may be any reasonable shape. Additionally, the charging pin 306 may not be recessed in other embodiments, but may be flush with the outer surface 302. As will be described below, the charging pin 306 may be formed of niobium and include a sleeve 310 of a different material, such as copper, brass, stainless steel, etc. The charging pin 306 may be used to provide electrical energy to one or more components of the device, such as to an onboard battery.

[0051] The illustrated substrate 300 also includes an opening 312 (e.g., a window) extending through the thickness 308. The illustrated opening 312 is an orifice that extends completely through the thickness 308. In various embodiments, the opening 312 may include a panel 314 (e.g., an insert), such as plastic, glass, etc. The panel 314 may be a transparent or translucent material that enables one or more sensors to acquire biometric information. For example, in an embodiment, the sensor may include an SpO2 sensor, a PPG sensor, an ECG sensor, a temperature sensor, etc. For example, the transparent or translucent material of the panel 314 may enable light to be shone onto the user's skin to change light absorption. In some embodiments, the panel 314 is formed of a different material than the substrate 300. For example, the substrate 300 may be metal while the panel 314 is glass. Therefore, the material properties of the substrate 300 and / or the panel 314 may be specifically selected to accommodate differences in thermal expansion coefficients, manufacturing processes, etc.

[0052] In various embodiments described herein, substrate 300 may be referred to with respect to one or more sensors, wherein substrate 300 provides one or more electrical contacts for the one or more sensors. In certain embodiments, substrate 300 may represent a single continuous contact. However, in various embodiments, substrate 300 may represent multiple electrical contacts, for example, by dividing substrate 300 into different segments. By way of example only, half of substrate 300 may provide electrodes for one or more sensors, while the second half of substrate 300 may provide electrodes for one or more other sensors. In addition, the first half of substrate 300 may provide a first electrical contact for a first sensor, while the second half of substrate 300 may provide a second electrical contact for the first sensor. Therefore, although embodiments of the present disclosure may refer to substrate 300 as a single contact, it should be understood that substrate 300 may be segmented to provide various electrical contacts, and one or more sensors may receive input signals from one or more segments of substrate 300.

[0053] Figure 3B is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a substrate 300, which shows Figure 3A The illustrated substrate 300 includes an inner surface 316 opposite the outer surface 302. For example, the illustrated inner surface 316 may be disposed within the body of a wearable device (such as a fitness tracker) and thus may not come into contact with a user during normal operating conditions.

[0054] The inner surface 316 shown includes a plurality of recesses 318. The recesses 318 shown have different shapes and depths, which can be specifically selected for specific conditions and / or components. For example, in various embodiments, the coupling recess 320 can receive a magnet (not shown), which can be used to facilitate coupling the substrate 300 (and therefore the wearable device) to a charger, a stand, etc. For example, in some embodiments, the substrate 300 can be formed of a non-ferrous material, such as 316L stainless steel. By providing a separate magnet, magnetic coupling can be utilized, which can facilitate snapping or coupling of a wearable device and improve user interaction with the device.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling recesses 320 are arranged substantially symmetrically. That is, there is a coupling recess 320 at each corner position of the inner surface 316. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the coupling recesses 320 may be asymmetrical. In addition, the coupling recesses 320 may not be arranged at the corners. For example, the coupling recesses 320 may be arranged longitudinally along the sides of the coupling recesses 320, which may be arranged to enable magnetic coupling. Therefore, it should be understood that the various positions or sizes of the features of the inner surface 316 are shown for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0056] exist Figure 3B Further shown in the illustrated embodiment is a platform 322 that includes mounting locations for the charging pins 306. The illustrated platform 322 includes two charging pins 306 and also includes an opening 312 extending through the thickness 308 of the substrate 300. The charging pins 306 extend perpendicular to the platform 322 in a first direction 324 that is substantially parallel to an axis 326 of the substrate 300. It should be understood that the extension distance of the charging pins 306 may be specifically selected for a variety of reasons, such as clearance space, size of the wearable device, etc.

[0057] In various embodiments, the secondary platform 328 is arranged close to other charging pins 306. Therefore, the charging pins 306 can be positioned at a higher height relative to the inner surface 316 than the recess 320. Various other secondary recesses 330 can also be included on the inner surface 316. The size and location of the secondary recesses 330 can be specifically selected for certain components. For example, various sensors or chips can be arranged in the secondary recesses 330 to provide a mounting location and reduce the possibility of sensor movement.

[0058] Figure 4 316. It is a top plan view of the substrate 300, which shows the inner surface 316. It should be understood that similar reference numerals may be used between the drawings for convenience, and the use of similar reference numerals is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As described above, changes in height (e.g., depth relative to the axis of the substrate 300) may be distributed over different regions of the substrate 300. These changes may enable different components to be positioned closer to or further away from the limb where the substrate 300 is positioned. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 312 is arranged near the central region 400 of the substrate 300. The location in the central region 400 may provide various advantages, such as reducing the possibility of changes caused by influences at the edge 402 of the substrate 300. For example, the edge 402 may have various temperature gradients or changes due to being more exposed to environmental conditions (e.g., wind) than the central region 400. The opening 312 shown is positioned to be substantially symmetrical about the horizontal axis 404 and the vertical axis 406. The horizontal axis 404 may be referred to as the x-axis, while the vertical axis 406 may be referred to as the z-axis. It should also be understood that axis 326 may be referred to as the y-axis.

[0059] Figure 4The opening 312 shown in is substantially pill-shaped. That is, the opening 312 has a substantially rectangular shape with a curved edge 408. The pill-shaped opening 312 is only for illustrative purposes, and in various embodiments, 312 may be of different shapes, such as circular, rectangular, square, or any other reasonable shape. In addition, each opening 312 may not be of the same shape. For example, some openings 312 may be pill-shaped, while other windows are rectangular or circular. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 312 has a length 410 and a width 412. In certain embodiments, the ratio of the length 410 to the width 412 may be approximately 1.8, which provides an aspect ratio of 1.8:1. However, this is only for illustrative purposes, and different opening shapes may provide different aspect ratios. That is, the aspect ratio may be specifically selected based on the size of the substrate 300 and / or the size of the sensor arranged to utilize the various openings 312.

[0060] exist Figure 4 Further shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4 is a central opening 414, which can be a portion of the openings 312 that is smaller than the other illustrated openings 312. For example, the central opening 414 includes a length 416 and a width 418. However, the illustrated central opening 414 has an aspect ratio of 1.6:1, which is smaller than the aspect ratio of the openings 312. However, as described above, this is for illustration purposes only, and the aspect ratio of the central opening 414 can be greater than or equal to the aspect ratio of one or more of the openings 312.

[0061] In various embodiments, the coupling recesses 320 are arranged proximate to the edge 402 and are substantially symmetrical about the horizontal axis 404 and the vertical axis 406. The coupling recesses 320 are shown arranged at an angle 420 relative to the vertical axis 406. It should be understood that the angle 420 can be specifically selected based on various aspects, such as the size (e.g., surface area) of the substrate 300, the arrangement of the platforms 322, 328, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the various coupling recesses 320 extend proximate to the platforms 322, 328. However, in other embodiments, the size of the coupling recesses 320 can be different, such that the coupling recesses 320 do not extend proximate to the platforms 322, 328.

[0062] Figure 5 300. As shown, substrate 300 includes a thickness 308 extending from outer surface 302 to inner surface 316. The cross-sectional view shown extends through opening 312 and central opening 414 (e.g., along horizontal axis 404). Opening 312 extends through thickness 308, thereby providing optical access through substrate 300 for one or more sensors, for example. As will be described herein, substrate 300 can be used to position one or more sensors proximate to a limb and act as an electrode for one or more sensors.

[0063] The transition portion 500 is disposed between the first opening 502 and the central opening 414. In addition, the barrier 504 is disposed between the second opening 506 and the central opening 414. The transition portion 500 has a first height 508 that is less than a second height 510 that is equal to the thickness 308 in the illustrated embodiment. In various embodiments, the transition portion 500 and the barrier 504 can be used to separate or otherwise block various signals or transmissions between different sensors. For example, various embodiments can emit light while other sensors can measure reflected light, and therefore, the emitted light can affect the measurement from the sensor measuring the reflected light. Therefore, the transition portion 500 and / or the barrier 504 enable various different sensors to be closely arranged on the substrate 300 while blocking or reducing the possibility of interference between the various signals of the sensors.

[0064] Further shown is a charging pin 306 extending perpendicular to the inner surface 316. The charging pin has a third height 512, which can be specifically selected based on various design considerations. Figure 5 Included are pins 514. Pins 514 can be used as spacers, for example, between upper housings that can be coupled to substrate 300. In the illustrated embodiment, pins 514 have a fourth height 516 that is substantially equal to the third height 512 of the charging pins. However, it should be understood that the fourth height 516 can be greater than or less than the third height 512. In various embodiments, the arrangement of pins 514 on substrate 300 can facilitate assembly because pins 514 can be used to align the housing above substrate 300 or otherwise position the housing above substrate 300. It should be understood that in other embodiments, one or more pins 514 can be used as ECG pins.

[0065] Fig. 6A is a top perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a substrate 300 including a shading assembly 600. In the illustrated embodiment, the shading assembly 600 is positioned to fall on platforms 322, 328. As described below, platforms 322, 328 can accommodate charging pins 306, which extend through the thickness 308 of the substrate 300. Therefore, in various embodiments, light can leak through an opening (e.g., between an opening and a sleeve 310), light can enter the housing of the wearable device, and light can interact with one or more sensors. Interaction with the sensor may be undesirable and may result in erroneous or otherwise incorrect readings. Therefore, the shading assembly 600 can be used to keep the interior of the device substantially opaque. That is, the light within the housing can be limited or substantially limited to light entering through one or more openings 312.

[0066] Figure 6B322, 328. FIG. 324 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a substrate 300 including a light shielding assembly 600 disposed on platforms 322, 328. In various embodiments, the light shielding assembly 600 may include an adhesive on one side to facilitate coupling with the substrate 300. In the illustrated embodiment, the light shielding assembly 600 follows the corresponding contours of the platforms 322, 328. Thus, light entering through the one or more openings through which the charging pins 306 extend can be substantially shielded.

[0067] The illustrated embodiment also includes a plurality of sensors 602. As described above, the sensors 602 may include a plurality of different sensors, such as SpO2 sensors, PPG (photoplethysmography) sensors, ECG (electrocardiogram) sensors, temperature sensors, and the like. As an example, ECG is a process that can be used to determine and / or track the activity of a person's heart over a period of time. In order to obtain ECG data, a conductive electrode (such as substrate 300) is often in contact with the skin of the person to be monitored. In the illustrated embodiment, the sensor 602 is arranged in the recess 318. In addition, the sensor 602 is arranged in the secondary recess 330, which may be a temperature sensor. In various embodiments, the recess 318 is arranged above the opening 312 to facilitate alignment with the one or more openings 512. As will be appreciated, the size of the recess 318 may be set to accommodate the sensor 602, and therefore, the size of the recess 318 may vary based on the sensor 602. The illustrated embodiment spaces the sensors 602 apart from each other, thereby facilitating heat transfer, but also arranges the sensors 602 close enough to simplify wiring and other connections with one or more processors for evaluating information obtained from the sensors. Additionally, as described above, one or more sensors 602 can utilize substrate 300 as an electrode. Furthermore, in various embodiments, sensors 602 can be arranged within associated segments of substrate 300, which can provide at least one electrical contact for sensor 602. Furthermore, as described above, different segments of substrate 300 can provide additional contacts for sensor 602. Thus, the arrangement of substrate 300 facilitates the installation and use of multiple different sensors 602, which can share common electrodes and / or multiple segments of substrate 300.

[0068] Figure 7is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a substrate 300 including a temperature sensor 700, which may be one of the sensors 602. In the illustrated embodiment, the temperature sensor 700 is in direct contact with the substrate 300, which serves as an electrode for the temperature sensor 700. For example, in operation, the substrate 300 may be in contact with a human limb using a wearable device including the substrate 300. Over time, the temperature of the substrate 300 will substantially equilibrate with the limb, but it should be understood that a temperature gradient may exist across the substrate 300 because the edge 402 may be exposed to more environmental factors than the central region 400. The temperature of the substrate 300 is transferred to the temperature sensor 700, which may be used to measure the temperature of the limb.

[0069] Figure 8 3 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the substrate 300, which shows the charging pin 306 including the sleeve 310. In various embodiments, the charging pin 306 and the substrate 300 may be formed of different materials. For example, the substrate 300 may be stainless steel, such as 316L, while the charging pin may be niobium. Therefore, it may be difficult to connect the substrate 300 to the charging pin 306, for example, via a welding operation. Therefore, the sleeve 310 may be coupled to the charging pin 306 to facilitate operation. The sleeve 310 may be formed of a variety of different compatible materials, such as copper, brass, or different grades of stainless steel. In addition, in an embodiment, the sleeve 310 may be coupled to the charging pin 306 using a brazing operation, diffusion bonding, or a press-fit operation. Thereafter, the sleeve 310 may be welded to the substrate 300. Therefore, seemingly incompatible materials may be used with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0070] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a wearable device 900, which includes a housing 902, which includes an upper housing 904, an intermediate housing 906, and a substrate 300. The illustrated embodiment includes a coupling recess 320 with a magnet 908 to facilitate coupling the intermediate housing 906 to the substrate 300. It should be understood that although the upper housing 904 and the intermediate housing 906 can be marked as separate components, in various embodiments, an integral design between the upper housing 904 and the intermediate housing 906 can be used. In various embodiments, one or more components of the intermediate housing 906 are formed of a ferrous metal material, or include a ferrous metal material, to facilitate coupling to the magnet 908. Therefore, the assembly of the wearable device 900 can be simplified. It should be understood that in various embodiments, additional coupling configurations such as fasteners, adhesives, clamps, etc. can be used in conjunction with or in place of the magnetic coupling shown. In addition, it should be understood that various components of the housing 902 have been removed for clarity, and their omission from the illustrated embodiment is not intended to limit or otherwise modify the scope of the present disclosure.

[0071] Fig.10 1 is a flow chart of an example process 1000 for determining one or more physical properties of a user via a wearable device. It should be understood that for any process discussed herein, there may be additional, fewer, or alternative steps performed in a similar or alternative order or in parallel within the scope of the various embodiments. In this example, the process begins by establishing contact 1002 between the skin of a human limb and an electrode. For example, the electrode may form at least a portion of a wearable device that is worn against the skin of the limb, such as on a wrist. The electrode may be metallic to enable transmission of thermal and electrical signals.

[0072] Process 1000 continues by transmitting a signal from the electrode to one or more sensors 1004. As described herein, the signal can be a thermal signal or an electrical signal. For example, the signal can be the temperature of the skin transmitted to the electrode. Further, in various embodiments, the signal can be an electrical signal transmitted from the skin through the electrode. One or more physical properties can be determined based at least in part on the signal 1006. For example, the signal can be transmitted to one or more sensors, which can receive the signal and associate the signal with one or more physical properties. For example, a temperature sensor can receive a signal indicating the thermal temperature of the electrode and convert the signal into a temperature measurement. Further, in various embodiments, the electrical signal received from the electrode can also be used to convert into a measurement of one or more physical properties.

[0073] In some embodiments, the one or more physical properties may be transmitted to a display 1008. The display may provide information to a user wearing the wearable device, such as an indication of limb temperature, heart rate, etc. In other embodiments, the information may be stored and / or transmitted to a server, such as a remote server, for tracking purposes. In this manner, electrodes formed in a wearable device may be used to determine one or more physical properties of a user.

[0074] Fig.11 1100 is a flowchart of an example process for manufacturing a wearable device base that can be used as a common electrode and / or provide an electrode for one or more sensors. In this example, the base is formed of an electrically conductive and thermally conductive material 1102. For example, the base can be a metallic material, which can be a ferrous metal or a non-ferrous metal. In various embodiments, forming the base includes machining or otherwise processing (e.g., pressing) one or more features, such as platforms, recesses, etc. described herein. One or more openings can be formed through the base 1104. The opening can provide an optical connection between the inner side of the base and the outer side of the base. That is, the one or more openings can be described as an orifice that extends completely through the base to allow passage through the thickness of the base.

[0075] In various embodiments, one or more panels are mounted within the opening 1106. The one or more panels can be transparent or translucent and can be formed of a different material than the base. For example, the panels can be a glass or plastic material while the base is a metal material. In various embodiments, the materials forming the panels and the base can be specifically selected to have substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion. The panels can be press-fit, adhered, or otherwise mounted within the opening. In various embodiments, the panels enable optical detection through the opening while preventing environmental features (such as dust or debris) from entering the interior of the wearable device housing.

[0076] The example process also includes mounting one or more ferrous metal components on the base 1108. The ferrous metal components can be used to form a magnetic closure between components of the wearable device housing. In various embodiments, the base can be a ferrous metal, and thus the base can be used as the one or more ferrous metal components. However, in other embodiments, the base can be a non-ferrous metal, and thus, the mounting of the ferrous metal material can include adding additional material to at least a portion of the base to facilitate coupling to other components of the wearable device housing.

[0077] As further described, the base can be used to arrange multiple sensors within the wearable device. The various locations of the sensors can be specifically selected based on the sensor type and size and space constraints. In an embodiment, the base can also be used as an electrode for one or more sensors used by the wearable device. For example, as described above, the base can be thermally and / or electrically conductive. Thus, a thermal signal from the base can be transmitted to one or more temperature sensors. In addition, electrical signals can also be transmitted via the base. In addition, in an embodiment, the opening can enable optical sensing through the base. Therefore, the base can be used to enable multiple different types of sensors to obtain physical information from a user with a wearable device.

[0078] Fig.12A set of basic components 1200 of one or more devices of the present disclosure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In this example, the device includes at least one processor 1202, which is used to execute instructions 1204 that may be stored in a storage device or storage element. As is apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the device may include multiple types of memory, data storage devices, or computer-readable media, such as a first data storage device for program instructions executed by the at least one processor 1202, the same or separate memory may be used for images or data, removable memory may be used to share information with other devices, and any number of communication methods may be used to share with other devices. The device may include at least one type of output device 1206, such as a touch screen, electronic ink (e-ink), organic light emitting diode (OLED), or liquid crystal display (LCD), but the device (such as a server) may transmit information via other means, such as through lights and data transmission systems. The device will typically include one or more network devices 1208, such as ports, network interface cards, or wireless transceivers, which are capable of communicating over at least one network. The device may include at least one input device 1210 capable of receiving conventional input from a user. This conventional input may include, for example, buttons, touch pads, touch screens, rollers, joysticks, keyboards, mice, trackballs, keypads, or any other such devices or elements, so that the user can input commands to the device. In some embodiments, these I / O devices may even be connected by wireless infrared or Bluetooth or other links. However, in some embodiments, such a device may not include any buttons at all, and may only be controlled by a combination of visual commands and audio commands, so that the user can control the device without having to contact the device.

[0079] As discussed, different methods can be implemented in various environments according to the described embodiments. As will be understood, although a Web-based environment is used for the purpose of explanation in several examples presented herein, different environments can be used appropriately to implement various embodiments. The system includes an electronic client device, which can include any appropriate device that can be operated to send and receive requests, messages or information through an appropriate network and transmit information back to the user of the device. Examples of such client devices include personal computers, cellular phones, handheld messaging devices, laptop computers, set-top boxes, personal data assistants, e-book readers, etc. The network can include any appropriate network, including an intranet, the Internet, a cellular network, a local area network, or any other such network or a combination thereof. The components used for such a system can depend at least in part on the type of network and / or environment selected. The protocols and components used to communicate via such a network are well known and will not be discussed in detail herein. Communication on the network can be achieved via wired or wireless connections and their combinations. In this example, the network includes the Internet because the environment includes a Web server for receiving requests and providing content in response to requests, but for other networks, alternative devices for similar purposes can be used, which is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0080] The illustrative environment includes at least one application server and a data storage device. It should be understood that there may be several application servers, layers or other elements, processes or components, which may be linked or otherwise configured, which may interact to perform tasks such as obtaining data from an appropriate data storage device. As used herein, the term "data storage device" refers to any device or combination of devices capable of storing, accessing and retrieving data, which may include any combination and quantity of data servers, databases, data storage devices and data storage media in any standard, distributed or clustered environment. The application server may include any appropriate hardware and software for integrating with the data storage device as needed to execute aspects of one or more applications of the client device and for processing most of the data access and business logic of the application.

[0081] The application server cooperates with the data storage device to provide access control services, and can generate content such as text, graphics, audio and / or video to be transmitted to the user, in this example, these contents can be provided to the user by the Web server in the form of HTML, XML or other appropriate structured languages. All request and response processing and content delivery between the client device and the application server can be processed by the Web server. It should be understood that the Web server and the application server are not necessary and are only example components, because the structured code discussed in this article can be executed on any appropriate device or host, as discussed in addition in this article. The data storage device may include several separate data tables, databases or other data storage mechanisms and media for storing data related to specific aspects. For example, the data storage device shown includes a mechanism for storing content (e.g., production data) and user information, which can be used to provide content for the production end. The data storage device is also shown as including a mechanism for storing logs or session data. It should be understood that there may be many other aspects that may need to be stored in the data storage device, such as page image information and access rights information, which can be appropriately stored in any of the above-listed mechanisms or in additional mechanisms stored in the data storage device. The data storage device is operable to receive instructions from the application server and obtain, update or otherwise process data in response to the instructions through logic associated therewith. In one example, a user may submit a search request for a certain type of project. In this case, the data storage device may access user information to verify the identity of the user, and may access directory details to obtain information about that type of project. This information may then be returned to the user, such as in a result list on a web page that the user can view via a browser on a user device. Information about a particular item of interest may be viewed in a dedicated page or window in the browser.

[0082] Each server will typically include an operating system that provides executable program instructions for the general management and operation of the server, and will typically include a computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the server's processor, enable the server to perform its intended functions. Suitable implementations of the operating system and the general functionality of the server are known or commercially available and are readily implemented by those of ordinary skill in the art, particularly in light of the disclosure herein.

[0083] The environment in one embodiment is a distributed computing environment that utilizes several computer systems and components that are interconnected via communication links using one or more computer networks or direct connections. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that such a system can operate equally well in a system having fewer or more components than shown. Therefore, the description of the system herein should be considered illustrative in nature and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0084] Various embodiments may also be implemented in a variety of operating environments, which in some cases may include one or more user computers or computing devices that can be used to operate any of a plurality of applications. User or client devices may include any of a number of general-purpose personal computers, such as desktops or laptops running standard operating systems, and cellular, wireless, and handheld devices running mobile software and capable of supporting a variety of network and messaging protocols. Devices capable of generating events or requests may also include wearable computers (e.g., smart watches or glasses), VR headsets, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, voice command recognition systems, and the like. Such a system may also include a plurality of workstations running any of a variety of commercial operating systems and other known applications for purposes such as development and database management. These devices may also include other electronic devices, such as virtual terminals, thin clients, gaming systems, and other devices capable of communicating via a network.

[0085] Most embodiments utilize at least one network familiar to those skilled in the art to support communications using any of a variety of commercial protocols, such as TCP / IP, FTP, UPnP, NFS, and CIFS. The network can be, for example, a local area network, a wide area network, a virtual private network, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a public switched telephone network, an infrared network, a wireless network, and any combination thereof.

[0086] In embodiments utilizing a Web server, the Web server can run any of a variety of server or middle-tier applications, including HTTP servers, FTP servers, CGI servers, data servers, Java servers, and business application servers. The server can also execute programs or scripts in response to requests from user devices, such as by executing one or more Web applications, which can be implemented in any programming language (such as C, C# or C++) or any scripting language (such as Perl, Python or TCL) and their combinations. The server may also include a database server, including but not limited to and Commercially available and open source servers such as MySQL, Postgres, SQLite, MongoDB, and any other server capable of storing, retrieving, and accessing structured or unstructured data. Database servers may include table-based servers, document-based servers, unstructured servers, relational servers, non-relational servers, or a combination of these and / or other database servers.

[0087] Environment can include multiple data storage devices and other memories and storage media as described above. They can reside in various locations, such as on storage media local to one or more computers (and / or resident in one or more computers), or away from any or all computers on the network. In a specific set of embodiments, information can reside in a storage area network (SAN) familiar to those skilled in the art. Similarly, any necessary files required for the functions of executing computers, servers or other network devices can be appropriately stored locally and / or remotely. In the case where the system includes a computerized device, each such device can include hardware elements that can be electrically coupled via a bus, including, for example, at least one central processing unit (CPU), at least one input device (such as a mouse, keyboard, controller, touch-sensitive display element or keypad) and at least one output device (such as a display device, printer or speaker). Such a system can also include one or more storage devices, such as disk drives, optical storage devices and solid-state storage devices, such as random access memory (RAM) or read-only memory (ROM), and removable media devices, memory cards, flash memory cards, etc.

[0088] Such a device may also include a computer-readable storage medium reader, a communication device (e.g., a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an infrared communication device) and a working memory as described above. The computer-readable storage medium reader may be connected to or configured to receive computer-readable storage media representing remote, local, fixed and / or removable storage devices and storage media for temporarily and / or more permanently containing, storing, transmitting and retrieving computer-readable information. The system and various devices will also typically include a plurality of software applications, modules, services or other elements located in at least one working storage device, including an operating system and an application, such as a client application or a Web browser. It should be understood that alternative embodiments may have many variations different from the above-described embodiments. For example, customized hardware may also be used and / or specific elements may be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, such as applets) or both. In addition, connections to other computing devices such as network input / output devices may be employed.

[0089] Storage media and other non-transitory computer-readable media for containing code or code portions may include any suitable media known or used in the art, such as, but not limited to, volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information (such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data), including RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other storage technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical storage, cassettes, tapes, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices or any other media that can be used to store the required information and can be accessed by system devices. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand other ways and / or methods of implementing various embodiments.

[0090] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented only as examples and not as limitations. Similarly, various drawings may depict example architectures or other configurations for the present disclosure, which is done to help understand the features and functions that may be included in the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the example architectures or configurations shown, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. In addition, although the present disclosure is described above according to various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more separate embodiments are not limited to the specific embodiments that describe them in terms of their applicability. On the contrary, they may be applied to one or more of the other embodiments of the present disclosure, either alone or in some combination, whether or not these embodiments are described, and whether or not these features are presented as part of the described embodiments. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

[0091] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) will be given their ordinary and customary meanings to those of ordinary skill in the art and will not be limited to special or customized meanings unless expressly defined herein. It should be noted that the use of a particular term in describing certain features or aspects of the present disclosure should not be understood as implying that the term is redefined herein to be limited to include any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the present disclosure associated with the term. The terms and phrases used in this application and their variations, especially in the appended claims, should be interpreted as open-ended and non-restrictive unless expressly stated otherwise. As an example of the above, the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to", "including but not limited to", etc.; as used herein, the term "including" is synonymous with "comprising", "containing" or "characterized by", and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unlisted elements or method steps; the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least"; the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to"; the term "example" is used to provide illustrative examples of the items discussed, rather than an exhaustive or limiting list; adjectives such as "known", "normal", "standard", etc. and terms with similar meanings should not be interpreted as limiting the items described to items available in a given time period or at a given time, but should be interpreted as including known, normal or standard technologies that may be available or known at any time now or in the future; and the use of terms such as "preferably", "preferred", "expected" or "desirable", etc. and words with similar meanings should not be interpreted as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the present invention, but are merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be used in a particular embodiment of the present invention. Likewise, unless expressly stated otherwise, a group of items linked with the conjunction "and" should not be read as requiring each of those items to be present in the group, but rather should be read as "and / or." Similarly, unless expressly stated otherwise, a group of items linked with the conjunction "or" should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity between the group, but rather should be read as "and / or."

[0092] Where a range of values ​​is provided, it is understood that the upper and lower limits and every intervening value between the upper and lower limits of that range is encompassed within the embodiments.

[0093] With regard to the use of substantially any plural and / or singular terms herein, those skilled in the art may convert from the plural to the singular and / or from the singular to the plural, depending on the context and / or application. For the sake of clarity, various singular / plural arrangements may be explicitly set forth herein. The indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude pluralities. A single processor or other unit may implement the functions of several items recited in a claim. The fact that certain measures are described in mutually different dependent claims does not mean that a combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously. Any figure marks in a claim should not be interpreted as limiting the scope.

[0094] Those skilled in the art will further understand that if a specific number of claim references are intended to be introduced, such intent will be explicitly cited in the claim, and that such intent is absent in the absence of such citation. For example, to aid understanding, the following appended claims may contain the use of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim statements. However, the use of such phrases should not be interpreted as implying that a claim reference introduced by the indefinite article "a" or "an" will limit any particular claim containing such introduced claim reference to an embodiment containing only one such reference, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and an indefinite article, such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and / or "an" should generally be interpreted as "at least one" or "one or more"); the same applies to the use of definite articles to introduce claims. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim reference is explicitly cited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such reference should generally be interpreted as indicating at least the number cited (e.g., a null reference of "two references" without other modifiers generally means at least two references, or two or more references). Furthermore, in those cases where a convention similar to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, generally speaking, such construction is intended in the sense that one skilled in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include, but is not limited to, systems: A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those cases where a convention similar to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, generally speaking, such construction is intended in the sense that one skilled in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include, but is not limited to, systems: A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). One skilled in the art would further understand that virtually any disjunctive word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the specification, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibility of including one, either, or both of these terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

[0095] All the numbers used in the specification indicating the amount of ingredients, reaction conditions, etc. should be understood to be modified by the term "about" in all cases. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximate values, which can vary according to the desired properties sought to be obtained. At least, in any application claiming priority to the present application, it should not be attempted to limit the application of the principle of equivalents to the scope of any claim, and each numerical parameter should be interpreted according to the number of significant figures and the usual rounding method.

[0096] All features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying exhibits, claims, abstract and drawings) and / or all steps of any method or process so disclosed may be combined in any combination, except where some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive combinations. The disclosure is not limited to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The disclosure extends to any new feature or any new combination of features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) or any new feature or any new combination of steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0097] Various modifications to the embodiments described in this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but to the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Certain embodiments of the disclosure are included in the claim groups attached or proposed in the future.

Claims

1. A system for forming at least a portion of a wearable device, comprising: A substrate, the substrate forming a bottom portion of the wearable device, the substrate being electrically and thermally conductive, the substrate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface forming at least a portion of an exterior of the wearable device, the second surface being at least partially enclosed within the wearable device, the substrate comprising: a plurality of charging pins extending through a thickness of the substrate, the charging pins extending a first distance perpendicular to the second surface of the substrate; a plurality of openings formed through the thickness of the substrate from the first surface to the second surface, the plurality of openings being arranged at a central region of the substrate; a plurality of panels, wherein one of the plurality of panels is disposed within a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings, the plurality of panels being at least translucent and formed of a material different from that of the substrate; and a plurality of recesses formed on the second surface, the entirety of each of the recesses being positioned farther from the center of the substrate than each of the openings; a plurality of sensors coupled to the substrate, the plurality of sensors comprising at least three sensors, each of the plurality of sensors having a different detection signal, wherein at least two of the at least three sensors are in direct contact with the substrate and utilize the substrate as an electrode, the electrode being configured to provide continuous conductive contact for at least one of an electrical signal or a thermal signal to at least two of the at least three sensors as input for measuring one or more physical properties of a user of the wearable device, Wherein a first sensor of the at least two sensors is arranged in a first recess of the plurality of recesses.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: A plurality of sleeves, wherein one of the plurality of sleeves is positioned around a corresponding charging pin of the plurality of charging pins, the plurality of sleeves being directly coupled to the substrate, wherein the plurality of sleeves are formed of a different material than the plurality of charging pins.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: A shading component is arranged near the aperture surrounding the plurality of charging pins.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: At least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is a temperature sensor thermally coupled to the substrate.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of openings are arranged symmetrically about at least one of a horizontal axis or a vertical axis.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein: At least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is an optical sensor disposed over at least one opening of the plurality of openings, the optical sensor receiving a signal through a corresponding panel disposed within the at least one opening.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the plurality of openings is substantially tablet-shaped, and the at least one opening has a plurality of curved edges.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: At least one ferrous metal insert is disposed on the substrate, wherein the substrate is formed of a non-ferrous material.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: A pin extends perpendicularly from the second surface, the pin being at least a portion of one of the plurality of sensors.

10. A method for forming at least a portion of a wearable device, comprising: forming a substrate from a first material, the first material being electrically and thermally conductive; forming a plurality of openings in the substrate, each of the openings extending from an inner surface of the substrate to an outer surface of the substrate, each of the openings being positioned closer to a center of the substrate than to a periphery of the substrate; installing a panel into a corresponding one of the plurality of openings, the panel being formed of a second material different from the first material, the second material being at least translucent and having a thickness less than a thickness of the first material; forming at least one recess in the inner surface of the substrate, the at least one recess being positioned farther from a center of the substrate than a plurality of the openings; as well as The substrate is formed as an electrode for at least one sensor in the wearable device, wherein the at least one sensor is in direct contact with the substrate, the substrate being configured to provide continuous conductive contact between a first surface of the substrate and the at least one sensor.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: At least one sensor is thermally coupled to the substrate.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: At least one ferrous metal insert is coupled to the substrate, the at least one ferrous metal insert being formed of a third material different than the first material.

13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: At least two sensors are mounted on the substrate, each of the two sensors using the substrate as an electrode.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein: The plurality of openings are arranged symmetrically about at least one of a horizontal axis or a vertical axis.

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