Detection device and timepiece

Abstract

To provide a detection device that can secure the detectability of a sensor, and a timepiece equipped with the same.SOLUTION: The detection device includes: a wristwatch case 1 which is a body case in which at least a part of a main surface facing the skin of a user opens when used by the user; a sensor substrate 7 provided in the wristwatch case 1; a pulse sensor 10 which is a first detection unit provided below the sensor substrate 7 in the wristwatch case 1 and detects biological information; a window part 9 provided below the pulse sensor 10 and corresponding to the opening of the wristwatch case 1; and a body-mounted sensor 11 as a second detection unit provided between the sensor substrate 7 and the window part 9 and detecting whether or not the wristwatch is in contact with or in proximity to the skin of the user through the window part 9. Therefore, corrosion and wear can be prevented, and the detectability of the body-mounted sensor 11 can be ensured.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection device used in a body-worn device such as a wristwatch that is worn on the body, such as the wrist, and to a timepiece equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in the case of a wristwatch-type body-worn device that is worn on the arm, as described in Patent Document 1, there is known a device that prevents unnecessary power consumption by detecting the pulse only when the device is worn on the arm. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-129526

[0004] Such a body-worn device includes a pulse sensor that detects the wearer's pulse and a body-worn sensor that detects whether the body-worn device is being worn on the arm. In this case, the body-worn sensor has multiple metal pins protruding from the bottom of the body-worn device, and is configured to detect a change in capacitance that occurs on the body when these multiple metal pins come into contact with the arm, thereby determining whether the body-worn device is being worn on the arm. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in such body-worn devices, the multiple metal pins of the body-worn sensor that come into contact with the arm protrude from the bottom of the body-worn device, which can cause the multiple metal pins of the body-worn sensor to corrode or wear out due to overuse, resulting in a problem of reduced detection sensitivity for detecting changes in capacitance occurring on the body.

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a detection device that can ensure the detection sensitivity of a sensor, and a timepiece equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This invention comprises a main body case having an opening on at least a portion of the main surface that faces the user's skin when used by the user, a substrate provided within the main body case, a first detection unit provided below the substrate within the main body case and that detects biological information, a window provided below the first detection unit and corresponding to the opening of the main body case, and a second detection unit provided between the substrate and the window, facing the window but not facing a member made of metal, that detects whether the device is in contact with or close to the user's skin through the window. The detection device is provided with: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this invention, the detection sensitivity of the sensor can be ensured. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 1, seen from the 3 o'clock side. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 2, seen from below. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged plan view of the back cover of the wristwatch shown in FIG. 3, viewed from the inside of the wristwatch case. [Figure 5] 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part of the back cover shown in FIG. 4 taken along the line AA. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B show the sensor substrate shown in FIG. 4, with (a) being an enlarged top view and (b) being an enlarged bottom view. [Figure 7]5A and 5B show the state in which the sensor board has been removed from the back cover shown in FIG. 4, where FIG. 5A is an enlarged plan view showing the state in which a spacer member has been placed on the inner surface of the back cover, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged plan view showing the back cover in the state in which the spacer member has been further removed from that state. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an enlarged plan view of the back cover as seen from the inside of the watch case in a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch. [Figure 9] 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a main part of the back cover shown in FIG. 8 as viewed from the arrow BB. [Figure 10] 9A and 9B show the sensor substrate shown in FIG. 8, with (a) being an enlarged top view and (b) being an enlarged bottom view. [Figure 11] 9A and 9B show the state in which the sensor board has been removed from the back cover shown in FIG. 8, where (a) is an enlarged plan view showing the state in which a spacer member is arranged on the inner surface of the back cover, and (b) is an enlarged plan view showing the back cover in the state in which the spacer member has been further removed from that state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (First embodiment) A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, this wristwatch has a wristwatch case 1. Band attachment sections 1a, to which a watch band 2 is attached, are provided on the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock sides of this wristwatch case 1. For example, switch sections 3 are provided on the 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock, 4 o'clock, 8 o'clock, and 10 o'clock sides of this wristwatch case 1. However, the sections corresponding to some of the switch sections 3 may be replaced with charging terminals.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, a crystal 4 (windshield) is installed in the upper opening of the watch case 1 via a glass packing (not shown). As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a back cover 5 (lower windshield member) is attached to the lower (back) side of the watch case 1 with multiple screws 5a via a waterproof ring (not shown). The back cover 5 is made of a highly rigid metal such as stainless steel or a titanium alloy. To prevent noise, for example, the back cover 5 is electrically connected to a circuit board that serves as GND, thereby maintaining the same potential as GND.

[0012] A clock module (not shown) is provided inside this wristwatch case 1. Although not shown, this clock module is equipped with various components necessary for clock functions, such as a clock movement that moves hands to indicate and display the time, a flat display device that electro-optically displays various information such as the time, date, and day of the week, and a circuit board that drives and controls the clock movement and display device.

[0013] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, back cover 5, which is the lower crystal member of watch case 1, is equipped with a detector 6 that detects vital signs such as pulse when watch case 1 is worn on the wrist. This detector 6 is located in correspondence with window 9 in back cover 5. In this case, a protrusion 5b that protrudes downward in a substantially circular shape is provided in approximately the center of back cover 5, as shown in Figures 2 and 5.

[0014] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a substantially circular mounting recess 5c is provided on the inner surface (top surface) of the protruding portion 5b of the back cover 5. The sensor board 7 is positioned together with a spacer member 8 in the mounting recess 5c. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, a circular light-transmitting window 9 is provided in the center of the mounting recess 5c of the back cover 5. In this case, a through-hole 15 is provided vertically through the center of the mounting recess 5c of the back cover 5, i.e., the center of the protruding portion 5b of the back cover 5. This through-hole 15 has a large-diameter hole 15a on the lower side and a small-diameter hole 15b on the upper side.

[0015] 5, the central window 9 in the protruding portion 5b of the back cover 5 has a structure in which a window glass 9a is fitted via a waterproof gasket 9b into a large-diameter hole 15a in the protruding portion 5b of the back cover 5. As a result, the waterproof gasket 9b ensures waterproofness and airtightness between the outer surface of the window glass 9a and the inner surface of the large-diameter hole 15a in the through-hole 15 of the back cover 5, making the window 9 waterproof to high pressures.

[0016] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the detection device 6 is equipped with a sensor substrate 7. This sensor substrate 7 is formed in a substantially circular disk shape. As shown in Figures 5 and 7(a), for example, this sensor substrate 7 is attached to a mounting recess 5c provided on the inner surface (top surface) of the back cover 5 via an insulating spacer member 8 made of resin or the like. As a result, the sensor substrate 7 is attached to the inner surface of the mounting recess 5c of the back cover 5 in a non-contact state by the spacer member 8. It is preferable that the spacer member 8 has adhesive layers on both main surfaces. This allows the sensor substrate 7 to be fixed with a simple configuration and in a space-saving manner.

[0017] As shown in Figure 6(b), the underside of sensor board 7 is provided with pulse sensor 10, a first detection unit that measures the pulse, which is biological information, and body-worn sensor 11, a second detection unit that determines whether watch case 1 is being worn on the wrist. Pulse sensor 10 includes light-emitting element 10a and light-receiving element 10b, which are located approximately in the center of the underside of sensor board 7. Pulse sensor 10 is formed in the shape of a roughly rectangular plate that is long in the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock directions, and is positioned in correspondence with window glass 9a of window portion 9 at a location that corresponds to small-diameter hole 15b of through-hole 15 provided in protruding portion 5b of back cover 5.

[0018] 6(b), the light-emitting element 10a of the pulse sensor 10 is an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) that emits light with a green wavelength (G) of about 550 nm, and is provided in an area of ​​about 1 / 4 of the upper side of the substantially rectangular pulse sensor 10. The light-receiving element 10b is a photodiode or phototransistor that receives reflected light of the green wavelength light that is emitted by the light-emitting element 10a and irradiated onto the skin of the arm, and is provided in an area of ​​about 3 / 4 of the lower side of the substantially rectangular pulse sensor 10.

[0019] 5 and 6(b), the light-emitting element 10a and the light-receiving element 10b of this pulse sensor 10 are arranged in correspondence with approximately the center of the window glass 9a of the window portion 9 at a location corresponding to the small diameter hole 15b of the through-hole 15 provided in the protruding portion 5b of the back cover 5. As a result, the pulse sensor 10 is configured so that the light-emitting element 10a emits green wavelength light, which is then irradiated onto the skin of the arm through the window glass 9a of the window portion 9.

[0020] As shown in Figures 5 and 6(b), this pulse sensor 10 is configured so that, of the green wavelength light irradiated onto the skin of the arm, some of the light is absorbed by the capillaries in the skin of the arm, but the remaining light that is not absorbed by the capillaries is reflected, and this reflected light is received by the light receiving element 10b through the window glass 9a of the window portion 9 of the back cover 5, and the pulse is measured based on changes in the amount of received light.

[0021] 5 and 6(b), body-worn sensor 11 is a capacitance sensor that detects changes in capacitance equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, which occur due to contact with or proximity to the body. This body-worn sensor 11 is, for example, a copper foil ring provided on the underside of sensor board 7 to surround pulse sensor 10. This body-worn sensor 11 is also disposed in correspondence with window glass 9a of window portion 9 at a location corresponding to small-diameter hole 15b of through-hole 15 provided in protruding portion 5b of back cover 5. The material of body-worn sensor 11 is not limited to copper foil, and various metal materials and alloy materials may also be used.

[0022] 5, window glass 9a of window portion 9 is fitted via waterproof packing 9b into large-diameter hole 15a of through-hole 15 provided in protruding portion 5b of back cover 5, so that the outer periphery of window glass 9a is larger than the outer periphery of body-worn sensor 11. As a result, when watch case 1 is worn on the wrist and back cover 5, which is a component mounting member, is placed on the wrist, body-worn sensor 11 detects a change in capacitance equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold caused by contact with or proximity to the body through window glass 9a of window portion 9 at a location corresponding to small-diameter hole 15b of through-hole 15, and determines whether or not watch case 1 is being worn on the wrist.

[0023] 6(a), a plurality of chip components 12 and a connector 13 are provided on the upper surface of the sensor substrate 7. The plurality of chip components 12 are electrically connected to the pulse sensor 10 by a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the sensor substrate 7 and via through holes (not shown) provided in the sensor substrate 7. As a result, the plurality of chip components 12 drive the light-emitting element 10a of the pulse sensor 10, and also capture changes in the amount of light received by the light-receiving element 10b as pulse information, and perform arithmetic processing based on this captured pulse information to calculate the pulse.

[0024] 6(a), these multiple chip components 12 are electrically connected to a connector 13 provided on the upper surface of the sensor substrate 7 by a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the sensor substrate 7. As a result, the pulse sensor 10 is electrically connected to the connector 13 via the multiple chip components 12. As shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 6(b), the body-worn sensor 11 is electrically connected to the connector 13 provided on the upper surface of the sensor substrate 7 by a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the sensor substrate 7 and through a through-hole (not shown) provided in the sensor substrate 7.

[0025] This connector 13 is electrically connected by a flexible wiring board (not shown) to a circuit board for a watch module (neither is shown) provided inside the wristwatch case 1. As a result, the watch module is configured so that the pulse information detected by the pulse sensor 10 is electro-optically displayed as a pulse rate on the flat display device (not shown) by electrically connecting the flat display device to the circuit board for the watch module.

[0026] In this case, as shown in Figures 5 and 7(a), a spacer member 8 is disposed between the sensor board 7 and the back cover 5. This spacer member 8 is formed, for example, from an insulating synthetic resin in the shape of a disk having approximately the same size as the sensor board 7. This spacer member 8 is provided with a sensor insertion hole 8a into which a portion of the pulse sensor 10 and the body-worn sensor 11 is inserted so that the pulse sensor 10 and the body-worn sensor 11 face the window 9 in the back cover 5. This sensor insertion hole 8a has approximately the same rectangular shape as the pulse sensor 10, including a portion of the body-worn sensor 11, and is formed to penetrate the top and bottom surfaces of the spacer member 8.

[0027] 5, when pulse sensor 10 is placed in sensor insertion hole 8a of spacer member 8, it is inserted into small diameter hole 15b of through hole 15 formed in protruding portion 5b of back cover 5, and the bottom surface of pulse sensor 10 is placed in contact with or close to the inner surface (top surface) of window glass 9a of window portion 9. When pulse sensor 10 is placed in sensor insertion hole 8a of spacer member 8, a portion of body-worn sensor 11, excluding the portion inserted into sensor insertion hole 8a, is pressed against the top surface of spacer member 8.

[0028] 5, body-worn sensor 11 does not come into contact with window glass 9a due to insulating spacer member 8, and is arranged in a non-contact state with back cover 5, with its main surface not facing the back cover 5 (the electric field is not blocked by back cover 5), corresponding to small diameter hole 15b of through-hole 15 in window portion 9 of back cover 5. This makes it possible for body-worn sensor 11 to detect changes in capacitance equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold that occur due to contact with or proximity to the body, even if back cover 5 is made of a metal such as stainless steel or a titanium alloy.

[0029] Next, how to use the wristwatch of the first embodiment will be described. The wristwatch of this first embodiment is normally worn with the wristwatch case 1 attached to the wrist. In this state, information such as the time, day of the week, and date can be seen through the watch crystal 4 on a clock module (not shown) inside the wristwatch case 1. When detecting biological information such as pulse rate using the detection device 6 in this state, the wristwatch is first set to detection mode by selecting and operating one of the multiple switch sections 3.

[0030] In this state, when detection device 6 begins detection, first, body-worn sensor 11 of detection device 6 detects a change in capacitance above a predetermined threshold caused by contact with or proximity to the body through window 9 in back cover 5, and determines whether or not watch case 1 is being worn on the wrist. If body-worn sensor 11 determines that watch case 1 is not being worn on the wrist, pulse sensor 10 will not measure the pulse, thereby preventing unnecessary power consumption. If body-worn sensor 11 determines that watch case 1 is being worn on the wrist, pulse sensor 10 of detection device 6 will begin measuring the pulse.

[0031] When pulse sensor 10 starts measuring the pulse, light emitting element 10a of pulse sensor 10 emits green wavelength light, and this emitted green wavelength light is irradiated onto the skin of the arm through window glass 9a of window portion 9 provided in back cover 5. Some of this irradiated green wavelength light is absorbed by the capillaries in the skin of the arm, but the remaining light that is not absorbed by the capillaries is reflected.

[0032] This reflected light is received by light-receiving element 10b of pulse sensor 10 through window glass 9a in window 9 of back cover 5. Based on changes in the amount of light received by light-receiving element 10b, pulse sensor 10 and a control unit (not shown) on the watch module circuit board perform arithmetic processing to calculate the pulse. The pulse information calculated in this way is input into the watch module circuit board (neither of which are shown) provided inside wristwatch case 1 via connector 13 and a flexible wiring board (not shown), and is displayed as the pulse rate on the watch module's display device (not shown).

[0033] Thus, the wristwatch detection device 6 of this first embodiment comprises, when used by a user, wristwatch case 1, which is the main case with at least a portion of the main surface facing the user's skin open, sensor board 7 provided within this wristwatch case 1, pulse sensor 10, which is the first detection unit that is provided below sensor board 7 within wristwatch case 1 and detects biometric information, window 9 provided below pulse sensor 10 and corresponding to the opening in wristwatch case 1, and body-worn sensor 11, which is the second detection unit that is provided between sensor board 7 and window 9 and detects whether the device is in contact with or close to the user's skin through window 9, thereby ensuring the detection sensitivity of body-worn sensor 11, the second detection unit.

[0034] That is, in detection device 6 of this wristwatch, body-worn sensor 11 is arranged without being exposed to the outside of case back 5, which prevents corrosion and wear of body-worn sensor 11, ensures the detection sensitivity of body-worn sensor 11, and ensures waterproof performance with a simple waterproof structure without making the waterproof structure complicated. Because body-worn sensor 11 detects whether or not case back 5 is worn on the body through window 9 in case back 5, body-worn sensor 11 can be arranged in correspondence with window 9 in case back 5 without making contact with it.

[0035] Therefore, in detection device 6 of this wristwatch, even if back cover 5 is made of metal, body-worn sensor 11 corresponding to window 9 can reliably and accurately detect whether back cover 5 is attached to the body, and as a result, pulse sensor 10 can measure the pulse only when back cover 5 is attached to the body, preventing unnecessary power consumption.

[0036] In this case, in detection device 6 of this wristwatch, window 9 in case back 5 has a structure in which window glass 9a is fitted together with waterproof gasket 9b into through-hole 15 provided in case back 5, resulting in a simple waterproof structure and ensuring waterproofness. That is, this window 9 has a structure in which through-hole 15 in case back 5 has a large-diameter hole 15a on the lower side and a small-diameter hole 15b on the upper side, and window glass 9a is fitted into large-diameter hole 15a on the lower side via waterproof gasket 9b, so the waterproofness of window 9 can be ensured by waterproof gasket 9b.

[0037] Furthermore, in detection device 6 of this wristwatch, body-worn sensor 11 is a capacitance sensor that detects changes in capacitance that occur on the body. Therefore, even if back cover 5 is made of metal, body-worn sensor 11, which is provided in correspondence with window glass 9a of window portion 9 in back cover 5, i.e., window glass 9a at a location corresponding to small diameter hole 15b of through-hole 15, can reliably detect changes in capacitance above a predetermined threshold that occur due to contact with or proximity to the body through window 9 in back cover 5. This allows body-worn sensor 11 to accurately and satisfactorily determine whether back cover 5 of watch case 1 is being worn on the wrist.

[0038] Furthermore, in this wristwatch detection device 6, the back cover 5, which is the component mounting member, is made of a metal such as stainless steel or titanium alloy, which ensures the rigidity of the back cover 5 and thereby increases the strength of the entire wristwatch case 1, ensuring shock resistance and waterproofing.Even though the back cover 5 is made of metal, the body-worn sensor 11, which is positioned in correspondence with the window glass 9a at a location corresponding to the small diameter hole 15b of the through-hole 15 in the window portion 9 of the back cover 5, can reliably and accurately determine whether the back cover 5 of the wristwatch case 1 is being worn on the body.

[0039] Furthermore, in detection device 6 of this wristwatch, because body-worn sensor 11 is provided on sensor board 7, body-worn sensor 11 can be positioned in correspondence with window 9 in back cover 5 without making contact with it, even if back cover 5 is made of metal. This allows body-worn sensor 11 to accurately detect changes in capacitance above a predetermined threshold that occur when body-worn sensor 11 comes into contact with or approaches the body, and body-worn sensor 11 can reliably and accurately determine whether back cover 5 of wristwatch case 1 is being worn on the body.

[0040] In this case, in detection device 6 of this wristwatch, because body-worn sensor 11 surrounds pulse sensor 10, it can reliably and effectively detect changes in capacitance equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold that occur when body-worn sensor 11 comes into contact with or is in proximity to the body, without affecting the measurement of the body's pulse by pulse sensor 10. This allows pulse sensor 10 to accurately detect the body's pulse, and also reliably detects through window 9 in back cover 5 whether or not back cover 5 is being worn on the body.

[0041] Furthermore, in detection device 6 of this wristwatch, insulating spacer member 8 is placed between back cover 5, which is the component mounting member, and sensor board 7, and this spacer member 8 is provided with a sensor insertion hole 8a into which pulse sensor 10 is inserted to match window portion 9. Spacer member 8 reliably prevents body-worn sensor 11 from coming into contact with back cover 5, and body-worn sensor 11 can be matched to window glass 9a at a location corresponding to small diameter hole 15b of through hole 15 in window portion 9 of back cover 5, thereby enabling body-worn sensor 11 to accurately and effectively detect changes in capacitance occurring on the body.

[0042] In this case, with detection device 6 of this wristwatch, pulse sensor 10 can be inserted into sensor insertion hole 8a of spacer member 8, and so light-emitting element 10a and light-receiving element 10b of pulse sensor 10 can be inserted into small-diameter hole 15b of through-hole 15 in window portion 9 of back cover 5, ensuring reliable and excellent correspondence with window glass 9a at the location corresponding to small-diameter hole 15b. This allows the light-emitting element 10a and light-receiving element 10b of pulse sensor 10 to measure the pulse accurately and efficiently.

[0043] Furthermore, in the detection device 6 of this wristwatch, the body-worn sensor 11 is electrically connected to the connector 13 provided on the upper surface of the sensor board 7 by a wiring pattern (not shown) provided on the sensor board 7, thereby ensuring a reliable and good electrical connection between the body-worn sensor 11 provided on the underside of the sensor board 7 and the connector 13 provided on the upper surface of the sensor board 7.

[0044] In this case, in the detection device 6 of this wristwatch, the pulse sensor 10 is connected to a plurality of chip components 12 provided on the upper surface of the sensor board 7 by a wiring pattern (not shown) provided on the sensor board 7, and these plurality of chip components 12 are electrically connected to the connector 13, thereby ensuring a reliable and good electrical connection between the pulse sensor 10 provided on the underside of the sensor board 7 and the connector 13 provided on the upper surface of the sensor board 7.

[0045] For this reason, in detection device 6 of this wristwatch, connector 13 of sensor board 7, to which body-worn sensor 11 and pulse sensor 10 are electrically connected, can be reliably electrically connected to the watch module circuit board (neither of which is shown) inside wristwatch case 1 by a flexible wiring board (not shown). This allows body-worn sensor 11 to instruct pulse sensor 10 to measure the pulse, and pulse information (pulse rate) measured by pulse sensor 10 can be clearly displayed on the display device (not shown) of the watch module.

[0046] In the first embodiment described above, the body-worn sensor 11 is provided on the underside of the sensor board 7, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the body-worn sensor 11 may be provided on the upper side of the sensor board 7. In this case, the body-worn sensor 11 may be provided on the upper side of the sensor board 7 so as to correspond to the window 9 and surround the periphery of the pulse sensor 10.

[0047] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a wristwatch will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 11. Note that the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7 will be denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in Figures 9 and 11(b), this wristwatch has a structure in which a body-worn sensor 21 of a detection device 20 is provided in a window 9 in a back cover 5, and other than this, it has almost the same structure as the first embodiment.

[0048] That is, like the first embodiment, body-worn sensor 21 is a capacitance sensor that detects changes in capacitance occurring on the body. As shown in Figures 9 and 11(b), body-worn sensor 21 is a ring-shaped copper foil provided on the inner surface (upper surface) of window glass 9a at a location corresponding to small diameter hole 15b of through-hole 15 in window portion 9 so as to surround pulse sensor 10. Note that the material of body-worn sensor 21 is not limited to copper foil, and various metal materials or alloy materials may be used.

[0049] 9 and 11(b), window glass 9a is formed into a disk shape made of insulating glass and sized to fit into large diameter hole 15a of through-hole 15 via waterproof packing 9b. As a result, body-worn sensor 21 is provided in a ring shape along the periphery of the upper surface of window glass 9a at a location corresponding to small diameter hole 15b of through-hole 15, with a size that surrounds the periphery of pulse sensor 10.

[0050] 9 and 10(b), a connecting member 22 is provided on the underside of the sensor board 7 on which the pulse sensor 10 is mounted, in correspondence with the body-worn sensor 21 provided in the window 9 of the back cover 5. This connecting member 22 is a spring member such as a leaf spring, and is disposed on the upper side of the pulse sensor 10. As a result, when the sensor board 7 is disposed on the inner surface (upper surface) of the mounting recess 5c of the back cover 5, the connecting member 22 elastically contacts the body-worn sensor 21 and is electrically connected to the body-worn sensor 21.

[0051] 9 and 10, this connection member 22 is electrically connected to a connector 13 provided on the upper surface of the sensor board 7 via a through-hole (not shown) provided in the sensor board 7 by a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the sensor board 7. As in the first embodiment, this connector 13 is electrically connected to a watch module circuit board (neither of which is shown) inside the wristwatch case 1 by a flexible wiring board (not shown).

[0052] 9 and 11(a), a spacer member 8 is disposed between the sensor board 7 and the back cover 5. As in the first embodiment, this spacer member 8 is formed in the shape of a disk made of, for example, insulating synthetic resin and is approximately the same size as the sensor board 7. This spacer member 8 is provided with a component insertion hole 8b, into which the pulse sensor 10 and the connecting member 22 are inserted, corresponding to the window 9 in the back cover 5. This component insertion hole 8b has approximately the same rectangular shape as the shape that includes both the pulse sensor 10 and the connecting member 22, and is formed to penetrate the top and bottom surfaces of the spacer member 8.

[0053] 9, when pulse sensor 10 and connecting member 22 are placed in component insertion hole 8b of spacer member 8, connecting member 22 is elastically pressed against body-worn sensor 21 to establish an electrical connection, and in this state body-worn sensor 21 is placed in a non-contact state with back cover 5. This allows body-worn sensor 11 to detect changes in capacitance equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold that occur due to contact with or proximity to the body, without being affected by back cover 5, even if back cover 5 is made of a metal such as stainless steel or a titanium alloy.

[0054] Next, how to use the wristwatch of the second embodiment will be described. As with the first embodiment, the wristwatch of this second embodiment is normally worn with the wristwatch case 1 attached to the wrist. Even in this state, information such as the time, day of the week, and date can be seen through the watch crystal 4 on the watch module (not shown) inside the wristwatch case 1. When detecting biological information such as pulse rate using the detection device 20 in this state, the wristwatch is first set to detection mode by selecting and operating one of the multiple switch sections 3.

[0055] In this state, when detection device 20 begins detection, body-worn sensor 21 of detection device 20 first detects a change in capacitance above a predetermined threshold caused by contact with or proximity to the body through window 9 in back cover 5, and determines whether or not watch case 1 is being worn on the wrist. If body-worn sensor 21 determines that watch case 1 is not being worn on the wrist, pulse sensor 10 will not measure the pulse, preventing unnecessary power consumption. If body-worn sensor 21 determines that watch case 1 is being worn on the wrist, pulse sensor 10 of detection device 20 will begin measuring the pulse.

[0056] Then, when pulse sensor 10 starts measuring the pulse, similarly to the first embodiment, light emitting element 10a of pulse sensor 10 emits green wavelength light, and this emitted green wavelength light is irradiated onto the arm skin through window glass 9a of window portion 9 provided in back cover 5. Some of this irradiated green wavelength light is absorbed by capillaries in the arm skin, but the remaining light that is not absorbed by the capillaries is reflected.

[0057] As in the first embodiment, this reflected light is received by light-receiving element 10b of pulse sensor 10 through window glass 9a of window 9 in case back 5. A control unit (not shown) on the watch module circuit board calculates the pulse rate based on changes in the amount of light received by light-receiving element 10b. The pulse rate information calculated in this way is input into the watch module circuit board (neither of which are shown) provided inside wristwatch case 1 via connector 13 and a flexible wiring board (not shown), and is displayed as the pulse rate on the watch module's display device (not shown).

[0058] Thus, the wristwatch detection device 20 of this second embodiment comprises a wristwatch case 1, which is the main case with at least a portion of the main surface facing the user's skin open when used by the user, a sensor board 7 provided within this wristwatch case 1, a pulse sensor 10, which is a first detection unit that is provided below the sensor board 7 within the wristwatch case 1 and detects biometric information, a window 9 provided below this pulse sensor 10 and corresponding to the opening in the wristwatch case 1, and a body-worn sensor 21, which is a second detection unit that is provided in this window 9 and detects whether the device is in contact with or close to the user's skin through the window 9.As with the first embodiment, this ensures the detection sensitivity of the body-worn sensor 21, which is the second detection unit.

[0059] That is, in the detection device 20 of this wristwatch, as in the first embodiment, the body-worn sensor 21 is arranged without being exposed to the outside of the back cover 5, so the waterproof structure does not become complicated and waterproofness can be ensured with a simple waterproof structure, and further, because the body-worn sensor 21 is provided in the window portion 9 of the back cover 5, the body-worn sensor 21 can be arranged in a non-contact state with respect to the back cover 5.

[0060] For this reason, with detection device 20 of this wristwatch, as with the first embodiment, even if back cover 5 is made of metal, body-worn sensor 21 provided in window 9 of back cover 5 can reliably detect changes in capacitance above a predetermined threshold caused by contact with or proximity to the body through window 9 of back cover 5, making it possible to reliably and accurately detect whether back cover 5 is being worn on the body.As a result, as with the first embodiment, pulse sensor 10 measures the pulse only when back cover 5 is being worn on the body, preventing unnecessary power consumption.Furthermore, because the distance between body-worn sensor 21 and the body is closer than in the first embodiment, changes in capacitance can be detected with greater accuracy.

[0061] In this case, too, in detection device 20 of this wristwatch, as in the first embodiment, window 9 in case back 5 has a structure in which window glass 9a is fitted together with waterproof gasket 9b into through-hole 15 provided in case back 5, so the waterproof structure is simple and waterproofness can be ensured. That is, this window 9 has a structure in which through-hole 15 in case back 5 has a large-diameter hole 15a on the lower side and a small-diameter hole 15b on the upper side, and window glass 9a is fitted into large-diameter hole 15a on the lower side via waterproof gasket 9b, so the waterproofness of window 9 can be ensured by waterproof gasket 9b.

[0062] Furthermore, in detection device 20 of this wristwatch, body-worn sensor 21 is provided in correspondence with window glass 9a of window 9 in case back 5 so as to surround the periphery of pulse sensor 10. Therefore, pulse sensor 10 can be placed in correspondence with window glass 9a at a location corresponding to small diameter hole 15b of through-hole 15 in window 9 in case back 5, allowing for accurate pulse measurement. Furthermore, even if case back 5 is made of metal, changes in capacitance equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold caused by body-worn sensor 11 coming into contact with or approaching the body can be detected accurately, without affecting pulse sensor 10's measurement of the body's pulse.

[0063] Furthermore, in detection device 20 of this wristwatch, insulating spacer member 8 is placed between back cover 5, which is the component mounting member, and sensor board 7, and this spacer member 8 has a component insertion hole 8b that corresponds to window 9 and into which pulse sensor 10 is inserted together with connecting member 22. This allows pulse sensor 10 to be positioned in correspondence with window 9 of back cover 5, and allows body-worn sensor 21 and connecting member 22 to be reliably and satisfactorily connected without contacting back cover 5.

[0064] As a result, in detection device 20 of this wristwatch, component insertion hole 8b in spacer member 8 allows pulse sensor 10 to be reliably and satisfactorily positioned facing window glass 9a at a location corresponding to small diameter hole 15b of through hole 15 in window portion 9 of back cover 5, allowing pulse sensor 10 to accurately measure the pulse and reliably and satisfactorily detect changes in capacitance equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold that occur when body-worn sensor 21 comes into contact with or approaches the body.

[0065] Furthermore, in the detection device 20 of this wristwatch, a connection member 22 that is electrically connected to the body-worn sensor 21 is provided on the underside, which is one surface of the sensor board 7. Therefore, even if the body-worn sensor 21 is provided in the window 9 of the back cover 5, when the sensor board 7 is placed on the inner surface (upper surface) of the mounting recess 5c of the back cover 5, the connection member 22 can be brought into contact with the body-worn sensor 21, and this connection member 22 can electrically connect the body-worn sensor 21 to the sensor board 7.

[0066] Furthermore, in detection device 20 of this wristwatch, connecting member 22 is electrically connected to connector 13 provided on the upper surface of sensor board 7 by a wiring pattern (not shown) provided on sensor board 7, so that body-worn sensor 21 provided in window 9 of case back 5 can be reliably and satisfactorily electrically connected to connector 13 provided on the upper surface of sensor board 7 by connecting member 22. In this case, as in the first embodiment, multiple chip components 12 are connected to connector 13, which are provided on the upper surface of sensor board 7 and to which pulse sensor 10 is electrically connected.

[0067] For this reason, in detection device 20 of this wristwatch, connector 13 of sensor board 7, to which body-worn sensor 21 and pulse sensor 10 are electrically connected, can be electrically connected to a watch module circuit board (neither of which is shown) inside wristwatch case 1 by a flexible wiring board (not shown). This allows body-worn sensor 21 to instruct pulse sensor 10 to measure a pulse, and pulse information (pulse rate) measured by pulse sensor 10 can be clearly displayed on the display device (not shown) of the watch module.

[0068] In the second embodiment described above, the connecting member 22 is a spring member such as a leaf spring, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the connecting member 22 may be a spring member such as a coil spring.

[0069] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the pulse sensor 10 that detects pulse is used as the biosensor, but the present invention is not limited to this and may also be, for example, an oxygen saturation sensor that optically detects the oxygen saturation of the body, or in short, any biosensor that optically detects bioinformation will suffice.

[0070] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the body-worn sensors 11 and 21 are described as capacitance sensors that detect changes in the capacitance of the body, but the present invention is not limited to this and may also be sensors such as optical sensors or ultrasonic sensors.

[0071] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the invention is described as being applied to a wristwatch, but it does not necessarily have to be a wristwatch, and can be applied to a body-worn device that is worn on the body, such as the arm.

[0072] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the component mounting member is described as the back cover 5 of the wristwatch case 1, but in the present invention, it does not necessarily have to be the back cover 5 of the wristwatch case 1, and may also be the case of a body-worn device, etc.

[0073] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, the present invention has been described as being applied to a watch, but this is not limited to this and can also be applied to smartwatches, smartphones, smart glasses, belt-type devices, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 watch case 1a Band attachment part 2 watch bands 3 Switch section 4. Watch Glass 5 Back cover 5a Bis 5b Protrusion 5c Mounting recess 6, 20 Detection device 7 Sensor board 8 Spacer member 8a Sensor insertion hole 8b Part insertion hole 9 Window section 9a Window Glass 9b Waterproof packing 10 Pulse Sensor 10a Light-emitting element 10b Photodetector 11, 21 Body-worn sensors 12 Chip components 13 Connectors 15 through holes 15a Large diameter hole 15b Small diameter hole 22 Connecting member

Claims

1. When used by a user, at least a portion of the main surface facing the user's skin is open, the main case is made of metal, and has a lower windshield member including the main surface, A circuit board provided inside the main body case, A first detection unit is provided below the circuit board within the main body case for detecting biological information, A window portion is provided below the first detection unit and corresponding to the opening of the main body case, Between the substrate and the window portion, a second detection unit is provided facing the window portion and not facing the lower windbreak member made of metal, which detects whether the device is in contact with or close to the user's skin through the window portion. A detection device equipped with the following features.

2. In the detection device according to claim 1, The second detection unit is provided on the lower surface of the substrate, Detection device.

3. In the detection device according to claim 1, The second detection unit is provided to the side of the first detection unit. Detection device.

4. In the detection device according to claim 3, The second detection unit surrounds the first detection unit. Detection device.

5. In the detection device according to claim 4, The first detection unit has the substrate in contact with its upper part and the window in contact with its lower part. The second detection unit surrounds the first detection unit. Detection device.

6. In the detection device according to claim 1, An insulating spacer member is placed between the lower windshield member and the substrate. The spacer member has an insertion hole into which the first detection unit is inserted and which corresponds to the window portion. Detection device.

7. In the detection device according to claim 1, The second detection unit is provided in close proximity to the upper surface of the window portion. Detection device.

8. In the detection device according to claim 7, In a plan view of the main body case from below, the second detection unit surrounds the first detection unit. Detection device.

9. In the detection device according to claim 7, The system further includes a connecting member that electrically connects one surface of the substrate and the second detection unit. Detection device.

10. In the detection device according to claim 9, An insulating spacer member is placed between the lower windshield member and the substrate. The spacer member has an insertion hole into which the first detection unit and the connecting unit are inserted and which corresponds to the window unit. Detection device.

11. In the detection device according to claim 1, The first detection unit is a pulse sensor that detects pulse, including a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. Detection device.

12. In the detection device according to claim 1, The second detection unit is a capacitance sensor that detects changes in capacitance caused by contact with or proximity to the user's skin. Detection device.

13. In the detection device according to claim 12, The second detection part is made of metal. Detection device.

14. In the detection device according to claim 1, When used by the user, the window, the first detection unit, and the second detection unit face the user's skin. Detection device.

15. A clock equipped with the detection device described in claim 1.

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