Wrist-worn ECG Measurement via Bezel and Underside Contact Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wrist-worn devices are uncomfortable and impractical for monitoring cardiovascular information during fitness activities, as they require chest straps with electrodes, which can be cumbersome and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A wrist-worn electronic fitness device with two contact points, one on the bezel and one on the underside, allows for the generation and display of electrocardiogram waveforms, enabling users to monitor heart activity without the need for chest straps, while also incorporating location determining functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional chest straps with electrodes are used to monitor electrocardiogram signals, then measurement precision of cardiovascular information is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the cumbersome nature of chest straps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrocardiogram sensing function from the conventional chest strap configuration and relocates it to a wrist-worn device. The sensing capability is separated from the restrictive chest strap structure and integrated into a more convenient wrist-worn form factor, allowing users to maintain ECG monitoring functionality while eliminating the discomfort and impracticality of chest straps during fitness activities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary conductive element (such as a conductive bezel or contact point) that mediates between the user's body and the sensing electrodes. This intermediary component facilitates electrical contact for ECG signal acquisition while being integrated into the wrist-worn device structure, thereby enabling accurate cardiovascular monitoring without requiring direct chest electrode placement
2Ease of operation
If conventional wrist-worn devices with conductive contact points are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision of electrocardiogram signals deteriorates due to insufficient contact reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic contact mechanism where the conductive bezel or contact point can adapt its position and contact pressure based on user interaction. The system dynamically adjusts to maintain optimal electrical contact during wrist movements and fitness activities, ensuring reliable ECG signal acquisition while preserving the ease of operation associated with wrist-worn devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into the conductive contact points: they serve as both structural components of the wrist-worn device and as electrical sensing electrodes. The conductive bezel simultaneously provides user interface functionality and ECG signal acquisition, eliminating the need for separate chest strap electrodes while maintaining measurement precision through integrated design
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables comfortable and practical monitoring of cardiovascular information during fitness activities by using the device's bezel and underside contact points to receive electrocardiogram signals, allowing for continuous heart activity monitoring and location tracking simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
The electrically-conductive plate may be coupled to the bottom wall and configured to physically contact the skin on a wearer's wrist when the electronic fitness device is worn. The one or more side walls or the bezel may include an electrically-conductive contact point configured to receive physical contact from the skin of the wearer's finger or thumb.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device worn, such as a wrist-worn watch, able to generate and display an ECG image associated with the wearer's heart. The device includes electrically-conductive first and second contact points for conveying first and second signals. The first contact point is located on a bezel or a pushbutton of the electronic device that is physically touchable by the wearer. The second contact point is located on the bottom of the housing so as to physically contact the wearer's skin of the user's wrist when the device is worn. The electronic device may also receive location signals to determine a current location using an antenna at least partially formed by the bezel. A processing element may receive the first and second signals, generate an ECG waveform, and an ECG image based thereon. A display graphically presents the ECG image as a sequence or stream of ECG images.