Wearable electronic apparatus and system comprising said wearable electronic apparatus

Abstract

A wearable electronic apparatus (1) comprising at least one sensor assembly (2) and a circular substrate (3) accommodating said sensor assembly (2). The circular substrate (3) comprises at least two curved sections (4, 5), each curved section (4, 5) being delimited by a first radially extending surface (4a, 5a) and a second radially extending surface (4b, 5b). The curved sections (4) are pivotally interconnected at said first radially extending surfaces (4a, 5a) such that said second radially extending surfaces (4b, 5b) are pivotable towards and away from each other, said second radially extending surfaces (4b, 5b) comprising said sensor assembly (2). A wearable electronic apparatus (1) system comprises a first wearable electronic apparatus (1) and a second wearable electronic apparatus (10), said second wearable electronic apparatus (10) comprising a recess (11) configured to accommodate said first wearable electronic apparatus (1).

Description

[0001] WEARABLE ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND SYSTEM COMPRISING SAID WEARABLE ELECTRONIC APPARATUS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The disclosure relates to a wearable electronic apparatus comprising at least one sensor assembly and a substrate accommodating the sensor assembly.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Wearable devices, such as smartwatches, often contain several built-in health features and applications. Such a device may support an optical heart rate sensor, intelligent heart rate detection, and all-weather blood oxygen monitoring. The device may also support sleep detection and other health features.

[0006] Another type of wearable device is the smart ring. The challenges faced by wearable devices in general become even more difficult to address for a wearable having an as small volume as the smart ring. For example, the distance between sensor elements may necessarilt be relatively large, reducing measurement accuracy.

[0007] A further challenge relates to the charging setup for the smart ring. As they are heavily minituarized hardware systems, they can only carry a small, non-replaceable battery, and all active / excessive operations have to be minimized. Charging is performed with large AC pluggable custom wireless charging stations.

[0008] Additionally, prior art does not provide practical storage solutions.

[0009] Hence, there is a need for an improved wearable device.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] It is an object to provide an improved wearable electronic apparatus. The foregoing and other objects are achieved by the features of the independent claims. Further implementation forms are apparent from the dependent claims, the description, and the figures.

[0012] According to a first aspect, there is provided a wearable electronic apparatus comprising at least one sensor assembly and a circular substrate accommodating the sensor assembly, the circular substrate comprising at least two curved sections, each curved section being delimited by a first radially extending surface and a second radially extending surface, the curved sections being pivotally interconnected at the first radially extending surfaces such that the second radially extending surfaces are pivotable towards and away from each other, the second radially extending surfaces comprising the sensor assembly.

[0013] This solution allows human tissue to be pinched between two radially extending surfaces, allowing the components of the sensor assembly to be in immediate contact with the tissue. This allows both ultra-low power consumption as well as high measurement accuracy. In a possible implementation form of the first aspect, the circular substrate is configured to form a closed loop, wherein the second radially extending surfaces abut each other, when the curved sections are pivoted to a first end position. This allows the apparatus to be worn comfortably as a ring.

[0014] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the circular substrate is configured to have the shape of a latin epsilon e or Arabic numeral “3” when the curved sections are pivoted to a second end position. This allows the apparaus to be worn comfortably as a ring while at the same time keeping the external dimensions of the substrate as small as possible when the curved sections have been pivoted to the second end position.

[0015] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, each curved section has the shape of a “C”. This allows the apparaus to be worn comfortably as a ring while at the same time keeping the external dimensions of the substrate as small as possible when the curved sections have been pivoted to the second end position.

[0016] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the curved sections are pivotally interconnected at the first radially extending surfaces by means of a hinged structure, the hinged structure being configured apply a force onto the curved sections such that the second radially extending surfaces are pivoted towards each other. This prevents the curved secions from separating unintentionally, allowing the apparatus to be worn without risk of falling off.

[0017] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the hinged structure allows the abutting first radially extending surfaces to separate when the curved sections are pivoted to the second end position. This facilitates sensing as well as improves storage capabilities.

[0018] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the hinged structure comprises a hinge, a spring, and / or a resilient material. This allows any suitable solution to be chosen.

[0019] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the second radially extending surfaces comprise magnets configured attract the second radially extending surfaces towards each other, facilitating the closure of the curved sections such that the apparatus can be worn, or measurements taken, effortlessly.

[0020] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the sensor assembly is optical or electromechanical. This allows any suitable solution to be chosen.

[0021] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the sensor assembly is arranged at the second radially extending surfaces such that sensory data can be registered by the sensor assembly when inserting human tissue in a gap between the second radially extending surfaces. This allows the components of the sensor assembly to be in immediate contact with the tissue, facilitating ultra- low power consumption and high measurement accuracy.

[0022] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the human tissue is part of a hand, earlobe, nose, or bellybutton of the user. This allows the electronic apparatus to be worn on a variety of body parts, as well as measurements to be made on a variety of body parts.

[0023] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, one of the second radially extending surfaces comprises a sensor of the sensor assembly and the other of the second radially extending surfaces comprises an emitter of the sensor assembly. This enables a much thinner skin / tissue-through analysis e.g. for blood circulation. This also enables unusual analysis locations such as earflap or thin skin section between thumb and forefinger.

[0024] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the hinged structure comprises electric signal transmission means allowing electronic signals to be sent to and from the sensor assembly, facilitating contact between the components of the sensor assembly as well as contact with further external components.

[0025] In a further possible implementation form of the first aspect, the electronic signal transmission means comprises wires or a printed circuit board, facilitating real-time measurement.

[0026] According to a second aspect, there is provided a wearable electronic system comprising a first wearable electronic apparatus according to the above, and a second wearable electronic apparatus, the second wearable electronic apparatus comprising a recess configured to accommodate the first wearable electronic apparatus.

[0027] This solution allows the first wearable electronic apparatus to be stored and optionally charged within a second wearable electronic apparatus, ensuring the first wearable electronic apparatus does not get lost or discharged.

[0028] In a possible implementation form of the second aspect, the second wearable electronic apparatus is a clamshell smartwatch. This allows the first wearable electronic apparatus to be stored and optionally charged within a very common second wearable electronic apparatus that is worn and used more or less constantly.

[0029] In a further possible implementation form of the second aspect, the second wearable electronic apparatus comprises at least one further recess configured to accommodate at least one further wearable electronic apparatus. This allows several smaller apparatuses, such as for example earphones and a sensory ring to be stored and optionally charged at one location, ensuring these apparatuses are always with the user.

[0030] In a further possible implementation form of the second aspect, the second wearable electronic apparatus comprises a processing element configured to process electronic signals from the sensor assembly of the first wearable electronic apparatus. This allows the first wearable electronic apparatus to have small dimensions as well as ultra- low power consumption.

[0031] In a further possible implementation form of the second aspect, the second wearable electronic apparatus comprises a charging element configured to charge a battery of the first wearable electronic apparatus, allowing the first wearable electronic apparatus to be stored as well as charged at any time and wherever the user is located.

[0032] These and other aspects will be apparent from the embodiments described below.

[0033] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In the following detailed portion of the present disclosure, the aspects, embodiments, and implementations will be explained in more detail with reference to the example embodiments shown in the drawings, in which:

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a wearable electronic apparatus in accordance with an example of the embodiments of the disclosure, wherein the curved sections of the apparatus are in a first end position; Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of Fig.1, with the curved sections of the apparatus in a second end position;

[0036] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a wearable electronic apparatus in accordance with a further example of the embodiments of the disclosure, wherein the curved sections of the apparatus are in the second end position;

[0037] Figs. 4 to 6 show side views of wearable electronic apparatuses in accordance with examples of the embodiments of the disclosure;

[0038] Figs. 7a and 7b show perspective views of a wearable electronic system in accordance with an example of the embodiments of the disclosure;

[0039] Fig. 8 shows an exploded view of the embodiment of Figs.7a and 7b.

[0040] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present invention relates to a wearable electronic apparatus 1 comprising at least one sensor assembly 2 and a circular substrate 3 accommodating the sensor assembly 2, the circular substrate 3 comprising at least two curved sections 4, 5, each curved section 4, 5 being delimited by a first radially extending surface 4a, 5a and a second radially extending surface 4b, 5b, the curved sections 4 being pivotally interconnected at the first radially extending surfaces 4a, 5a such that the second radially extending surfaces 4b, 5b are pivotable towards and away from each other, the second radially extending surfaces 4b, 5b comprising the sensor assembly 2.

[0042] The wearable electronic apparatus 1 comprises at least one sensor assembly 2 and a circular substrate 3 accommodating the sensor assembly 2. The sensor assembly 2 is, in other words, built into the circular substrate 3.

[0043] The circular substrate 3 comprises at least two curved sections 4, 5, as shown in Figs. 1 to 6. Each curved section 4 may have the shape of a “C “. Each curved section 4, 5 is delimited by a first radially extending surface 4a, 5a and a second radially extending surface 4b, 5b.

[0044] The circular substrate 3 may be configured to form a closed loop, as shown in Figs. 1 and 9a, wherein the second radially extending surfaces 4b, 5b abut each other, when the curved sections 4, 5 are pivoted to a first end position Pl .

[0045] The circular substrate 3 may be configured to have the shape of a latin epsilon e or Arabic numeral “3” when the curved sections 4 are pivoted to a second end position P2, as shown in Figs. 3 and 8.

[0046] As suggested in Figs. 4 to 6, the two curved sections 4, 5 may be pivotally interconnected at the first radially extending surfaces 4a, 5a such that they pivot with identical, mirrored movement around one pivot axis. However, as shown in Fig. 3, the the two curved sections 4, 5 may be pivotally interconnected such that they pivot with nonidentical movement around two pivot axes, i.e. allowing one of the first radially extending surfaces 4a, 5a to be offset relative the other. This may facilitate storage of the wearable electronic apparatus 1 when in the second end position P2.

[0047] The curved sections 4 are pivotally interconnected at the first radially extending surfaces 4a, 5a such that the second radially extending surfaces 4b, 5b are pivotable towards and away from each other, as shown in Figs. 2 to 6. The curved sections 4 may be pivotally interconnected at the first radially extending surfaces 4a, 5a by means of a hinged structure 6, the hinged structure 6 being configured apply a force onto the curved sections 4 such that the second radially extending surfaces 4b, 5b are pivoted towards each other. The hinged structure 6 may allow the abutting first radially extending surfaces 4a, 5a to separate when the curved sections 4 are pivoted to the second end position P2. The hinged structure 6 may comprises a hinge (not shown), a spring (as showm in Fig. 6, and / or a resilient material (not shown).

[0048] The second radially extending surfaces 4b, 5b may comprise magnets 7 configured attract the second radially extending surfaces 4b, 5b towards each other, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

[0049] The second radially extending surfaces 4b, 5b comprise the sensor assembly 2. The sensor assembly 2 may be optical or electromechanical.

[0050] The sensor assembly 2 may be arranged at the second radially extending surfaces 4b, 5b such that sensory data can be registered by the sensor assembly 2 when inserting human tissue in a gap 8 between the second radially extending surfaces 4b, 5b. The human tissue may be part of a hand as shown in Fig. 9b, an earlobe as shown in Fig. 10, a nose (not shown), or a belly button (not shown) of the user.

[0051] As illustrated in Figs. 2 to 6, one of the second radially extending surfaces 4b, 5b may comprise a sensor 2a of the sensor assembly 2 and the other of the second radially extending surfaces 4b, 5b may comprise an emitter 2b of the sensor assembly 2.

[0052] The hinged structure 6 may comprise electric signal transmission means 9, as illustrated in Fig. 4, allowing electronic signals to be sent to and from the sensor assembly 2. The electronic signal transmission means 9 may comprise wires or a printed circuit board.

[0053] The present invention also relates to a wearable electronic system 16 comprising a first wearable electronic apparatus 1 as described above, and a second wearable electronic apparatus 10, the second wearable electronic apparatus 10 comprising a recess 11 configured to accommodate the first wearable electronic apparatus 1.

[0054] The wearable electronic system 16, illustrated in Figs. 7a, 7b, and 8, comprise a first wearable electronic apparatus 1 as described above, and a second wearable electronic apparatus 10. The second wearable electronic apparatus 10 may be any suitable type pf apparatus, it may be a smartwatch with an openable cover, as so-called clamshell smartwatch, such as that shown in these figures.

[0055] The second wearable electronic apparatus 10 comprises a recess 11 configured to accommodate the first wearable electronic apparatus 1. The recess 11 may be configured such that the it accommodates the first wearable electronic apparatus 1 when the first wearable electronic apparatus 1 is iin the second end position P2, i.e. fully open, or when it is partially open (not shown).

[0056] The second wearable electronic apparatus 10 may comprises at least one further recess 12 configured to accommodate at least one further wearable electronic apparatus 13, such as earphones. This is also illustrated in Figs. 7b and 8.

[0057] The second wearable electronic apparatus 10 may comprise a processing element 14 configured to process electronic signals from the sensor assembly 2 of the first wearable electronic apparatus 1. The second wearable electronic apparatus 10 may comprise a charging element 15 configured to charge a battery of the first wearable electronic apparatus 1.

[0058] The various aspects and implementations have been described in conjunction with various embodiments herein. However, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed subject-matter, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.

[0059] The reference signs used in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope. Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read (e.g., cross-hatching, arrangement of parts, proportion, degree, etc.) together with the specification, and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this disclosure. As used in the description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up” and “down”, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly, the terms “inwardly” and “outwardly” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wearable electronic apparatus (1) comprising:-at least one sensor assembly (2); and-a circular substrate (3) accommodating said sensor assembly (2), said circular substrate (3) comprising at least two curved sections (4, 5), each curved section (4, 5) being delimited by a first radially extending surface (4a, 5a) and a second radially extending surface (4b, 5b), said curved sections (4) being pivotally interconnected at said first radially extending surfaces (4a, 5a) such that said second radially extending surfaces (4b, 5b) are pivotable towards and away from each other, said second radially extending surfaces (4b, 5b) comprising said sensor assembly (2).

2. The wearable electronic apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein said circular substrate (3) is configured to form a closed loop, wherein said second radially extending surfaces (4b, 5b) abut each other, when said curved sections (4, 5) are pivoted to a first end position (Pl ).

3. The wearable electronic apparatus (1) according to claim 2, wherein said circular substrate (3) is configured to have the shape of a latin epsilon “e” or Arabic numeral “3” when said curved sections (4) are pivoted to a second end position (P2).

4. The wearable electronic apparatus (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said curved sections (4) are pivotally interconnected at said first radially extending surfaces (4a, 5a) by means of a hinged structure (6), said hinged structure (6) being configured apply a force onto said curved sections (4) such that said second radially extending surfaces (4b, 5b) are pivoted towards each other.

5. The wearable electronic apparatus (1) according to claims 3 and 4, wherein said hinged structure (6) allows said abutting first radially extending surfaces (4a, 5a) to separate when said curved sections (4) are pivoted to said second end position (P2).

6. The wearable electronic apparatus (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said hinged structure (6) comprises a hinge, a spring, and / or a resilient material.

7. The wearable electronic apparatus (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said second radially extending surfaces (4b, 5b) comprise magnets (7) configured attract said second radially extending surfaces (4b, 5b) towards each other.

8. The wearable electronic apparatus (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said sensor assembly (2) is optical or electromechanical.

9. The wearable electronic apparatus (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said sensor assembly (2) is arranged at said second radially extending surfaces (4b, 5b) such that sensory data can be registered by said sensor assembly (2) when inserting human tissue in a gap (8) between said second radially extending surfaces (4b, 5b).

10. The wearable electronic apparatus (1) according to any one of the previous claims, wherein one of said second radially extending surfaces (4b, 5b) comprises a sensor (2a) of said sensor assembly (2) and the other of said second radially extending surfaces (4b, 5b) comprises an emitter (2b) of said sensor assembly (2).

11. The wearable electronic apparatus ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein said hinged structure (6) comprises electric signal transmission means (9) allowing electronic signals to be sent to and from said sensor assembly (2).

12. The wearable electronic apparatus (1) according to claim 11, wherein said electronic signal transmission means (9) comprises wires or a printed circuit board.

13. A wearable electronic system (16) comprising a first wearable electronic apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a second wearable electronic apparatus (10), said second wearable electronic apparatus (10) comprising a recess (11) configured to accommodate said first wearable electronic apparatus (1).

14. The wearable electronic system (16) according to claim 13, wherein said second wearable electronic apparatus (10) comprises at least one further recess (12) configured to accommodate at least one further wearable electronic apparatus (13).

15. The wearable electronic system (16) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said second wearable electronic apparatus (10) comprises a processing element (14) configured to process electronic signals from the sensor assembly (2) of said first wearable electronic apparatus (1).

16. The wearable electronic system (16) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein said second wearable electronic apparatus (10) comprises a charging element (15) configured to charge a battery of said first wearable electronic apparatus (1).

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